Rose Ayling-Ellis reveals she doesn't follow vibrations during her 'Strictly' performances

Tom Beasley
·Contributor
·2 min read
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Watch: Rose Ayling-Ellis gets perfect 40 for Strictly Come Dancing tango

Rose Ayling-Ellis says her Strictly Come Dancing performances rely on watching her partner and counting, rather than following the vibrations of the music.

The EastEnders star is the dance competition's first ever deaf contestant and has been wowing both the judges and the audience with her performances alongside professional Giovanni Pernice.

Read more: Ayling-Ellis reveals she broke hearing aid during Strictly rehearsals

Ayling-Ellis and Pernice received the earliest perfect score in Strictly history for their Halloween-themed tango and included a moving silent portion in their couple's choice routine.

But the actor told the latest issue of Radio Times she has "too many things going on in my head" to use musical vibrations to guide her performance.

Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice have wowed 'Strictly Come Dancing' audiences this year. (Guy Levy/BBC)
Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice have wowed 'Strictly Come Dancing' audiences this year. (Guy Levy/BBC)

She added: "If I start thinking about the vibrations, I'm going to forget about my dance.

"What works best for me is to keep it simple. So I watch Giovanni and I count – a lot."

Read more: Strictly couples reveal their most stressful moments so far

Pernice said that working with Ayling-Ellis has "changed completely the way I teach and how I make the choreography" and added he is "very proud" of their work together.

The couple are currently the bookies' favourites to win this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing, ahead of TV presenter AJ Odudu and former Bake Off contestant John Whaite.

Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice secured a perfect score from the judges for their Halloween tango routine. (Kieron McCarron/BBC)
Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice secured a perfect score from the judges for their Halloween tango routine. (Kieron McCarron/BBC)

Ayling-Ellis and Pernice are set to return to the dance floor on Saturday night with a paso doble to California Dreamin' by Sia.

Meanwhile, last week's top-ranked couple Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin will be hoping for another perfect score with a samba to Levitating by Dua Lipa.

Read more: Dan Walker says Strictly has made him love dancing

Craig Revel Horwood is due to return to the judging panel this week after completing his COVID-19 isolation, but Motsi Mabuse will be absent after being identified as a close contact of a positive case.

Film and TV star Cynthia Erivo will again fill the empty slot on the judging panel after her well-received appearance last week.

Watch: Who is Strictly Come Dancing star Rose Ayling-Ellis?