Also known for her theatre work, she has earned a Laurence Olivier Award nomination, and is the recipient of the Visionary Honours for Inspirational Person of the Year.
Ayling-Ellis made her acting debut in the 2011 short film, The End, which follows four deaf children over a 60 year period.[9] She next appeared in a number of stage productions, including Lyric Hammersmith's Herons Workshop in 2016, Royal Exchange Theatre's Mother Courage in 2019,[10] and London National Theatre's Faith, Hope and Charity in 2019. Her early television credits include the medical drama Casualty (2017) and the period drama Summer of Rockets (2019).[11] She also had a part in the 2017 music video for The Vamps' song "Middle of the Night", and in the 2020 short film Almost.[12]
From 2020 to 2022, Ayling-Ellis portrayed Frankie Lewis in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Her character was originally written by deaf journalist and scriptwriter Charlie Swinbourne and she made her first appearance on 18 May 2020.[13] Her departure from the series was announced in August 2022, with her final scenes airing on 22 September 2022.[14]
I have a hearing aid, so I pick up some of the music and I can hear the beat. I can hear someone singing, but I can't identify exact words. I also feel the vibrations.[20]
Ayling-Ellis and Pernice scored 40 (full marks) for their tango in week six, which was the earliest "perfect score" in the show's history.[21] In week eight, their Couple's Choice contemporary dance featured a rumba with an added period of silence as a tribute to the deaf community. Described by judge Anton Du Beke as "the greatest thing I've ever seen on the show",[22][23] it earned them the 2021 Heat Unmissables Award for TV Moment of the Year.[24] It also won the British Academy Television Award for Virgin TV's Must-See Moment in 2022.[25]
In May 2022, Ayling-Ellis became the first celebrity to sign a bedtime story on CBeebies, telling the tale of Raymond Antrobus's children's picture book Can Bears Ski? (2020).[26] In August 2022, she unveiled the first deaf Barbie doll equipped with behind-the-ear hearing aids released as part of the Barbie Fashionistas line consisting of a number of diverse dolls.[27][28][29] She worked with Mattel during the production of the doll, and featured in the promotional campaign "Rose, Barbie & Friends".[27][29]
In August 2024, Ayling-Ellis was announced as a presenter for Channel 4's coverage of the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, France. As a result, she became the first deaf person to host live sport coverage on television.[30]
As announced in June 2024, Ayling-Ellis signed a 10-book deal with DK Children's, including non-fiction, picture books and board books, starting with Rose Knows: The Amazing Story of Communication in 2025.[31]
Personal life
In an interview with the National Deaf Children's Society, Ayling-Ellis explained that she often has to perform using Sign-supported English (SSE) to reflect her own communication style and make it clear to audiences. Her deafness has not stopped her from enjoying music, and she told The Guardian that her favourite artists are Dolly Parton and Stevie Wonder, and that she is a big fan of soul music.[9] She was in a relationship with Samuel Arnold, who is also deaf, from 2014 until 2022.[32][33]
