“Really stand up for what you believe in.” We caught up with @RoseAylingEllis to chat about the #bsl Bill, signing on Newsround, and her groundbreaking @CBeebiesHQ bedtime story. pic.twitter.com/41925fEwRB
— BBC Newsround (@BBCNewsround) May 6, 2022
Speaking about her debut on the show, Ayling-Ellis said she is “super excited” to read her first ever CBeebies bedtime story in BSL.
“It’s even more wonderful to share a story written by a deaf writer,” she said.
“I hope deaf children enjoy the story and it inspires hearing children to want to learn BSL more.”
The actress, who found fame playing Frankie Lewis in EastEnders, stole the nation’s hearts with her performances on Strictly last year – becoming the first deaf contestant to win the competition with dancing partner Giovanni Pernice.
The star actively campaigned for BSL to be recognised as an official language in the UK, and a bill to make this happen passed its final reading in the House of Lords last week.
Speaking about the bill, Ayling-Ellis said she was “so happy” it had been passed, adding: “I think it’s good that we’re getting the respect that we’ve deserved for so long
