close
close

Rose Ayling-Ellis’ absence from Strictly Special ‘revealed’

Rose Ayling-Ellis’ absence from Strictly Special ‘revealed’

For use in the UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated BBC photo of winners Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice with the Glitterball trophy during the Strictly Come Dancing 2021 final. Issue date: Saturday December 18, 2021. PA photo. See PA SHOWBIZ story strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Do not use more than 21 days after publication. You may use this image free of charge solely for the purpose of publicizing or reporting on current BBC programming, staff or other BBC productions or activities within 21 days of publication. Any use after this period MUST be authorized through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named independent photographer or program creator, as described in the caption.
Rose Ayling-Ellis made history when she and Giovanni Pernice won Strictly in 2021 (Picture: PA)

Strictly Come Dance fans scratched their heads afterwards Rose Ayling Ellis was unable to appear on the show’s 20th anniversary special last night.

The former EastEnders actress, 30, made history in 2021 when she became the first ever deaf contestant to appear on the show. BBC program, through lift the Glitterball Trophy with Giovanni Pernice34.

However, while Rose and Giovanni’s partnership was fondly remembered in Strictly Come Dancing: 20 Fabulous Years, she was notably absent, despite other former contestants and professionals coming together to reminisce about their own Strictly experiences on camera.

It is now claimed that the real reason for Rose’s absence was that she did not want to spoil the happy birthday celebrations by chatting his time with Giovanni.

Earlier this year, before being dropped from Strictly after almost a decade, Giovanni was at the center of an internal investigation into serious allegations made by former celebrities who accused him of bullying.

The tastes of Amanda Abbington, 50, claimed he was violent towards her and created a “toxic” environment in the training room. Giovanni denied the allegations and was cleared of 10 of 16 chargesincluding the most serious.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock for BIFA (14977680hr) Rose Ayling-Ellis 27th British Independent Film Awards, Arrivals, Roundhouse, London, UK - December 08, 2024
The actress did not appear in the Strictly 20th anniversary special (Photo: James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock for BIFA)
Strictly's Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice defy feud rumors as judges praise 'lovely chemistry'
An internal investigation was launched after Amanda Abbington accused Giovanni of bullying (Photo: BBC)

Speaking after this weekend’s Strictly special, a source said The Sun: ‘Rose loved her time on the show but didn’t want to discuss her time with Giovanni.

“She has chosen not to speak publicly about him and Amanda.”

During the Strictly birthday specialHowever, their particular couple’s chosen routine was praised after, in a historic moment, Rose and Giovanni cut the music mid-dance to represent her experiences as a deaf person.

“Some experiences never leave your mind, and this is one of those dances,” said judge Motsi Mabuse. “It was so emotional.”

Professional dancer Gorka Marquez described it as “powerful”, and Shirley Ballas recalled that “there wasn’t a dry eye in the house” before the episode quickly unfolded.

Meanwhile, Rose has not publicly commented on the scandals surrounding Strictly this year, which also saw Graziano Di Prima denies ‘kicking’ Zara McDermott during rehearsals for the last series.

A source told The Sun in May that Rose was “finding the situation really difficult”.

To view this video, please enable JavaScript and consider switching to a web browser that
supports HTML5 video

WARNING: publication under embargo until 21:00:01 on 18/12/2021 - Program name: Strictly Come Dancing 2021 - TX: 18/12/2021 - Episode: n/a (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: ++DRESS RUN++ *NO PUBLICATION BEFORE 9:00 P.M., SATURDAY DECEMBER 18, 2021* Rose Ayling-Ellis, Giovanni Pernice - (C) BBC - Photographer: Guy Levy
Rose and Giovanni’s couple’s choice routine has been hailed as ‘powerful’ by their fellow Strictly stars (Photo: BBC/Guy Levy)

“She had a really good experience with Gio, so she’s really shocked by all of this,” they added.

“Of course she believes what other people say, but she just tries not to get involved. She will not speak about it publicly.

The Strictly anniversary special aired on the same weekend that Giovanni added another trophy to his collection after winning Ballando con le Stelle with his partner Bianca Guaccero, 43 years old.

Shortly after confirming that they were also romantically involvedthe pair won the 19th season of the hit reality show, dubbed Italy’s version of Strictly.

After becoming champion, Giovanni shared a clip online with the caption “la coppia vince”.

Translated into English, this means: “The couple wins”.

According to The mirrorIt is also claimed that the dancer has vowed to marry Bianca, and when asked if he would pop the question, he replied: “If we win the show I will seriously consider it.”

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Maurizio D'Avanzo/MDPhoto/ipa-agency.net/Shutterstock (15026385y) Bianca Guaccero and Giovanni Pernice, Federica Pellegrini and Pasquale La Rocca TV Show Finale
Giovanni won the Italian version of Strictly this weekend with Bianca Guaccero (Photo: Maurizio D’Avanzo/MDPhoto/ipa-ag)
BGUK_3113514 - Rome, ITALY - Giovanni Pernice and his partner Bianca Guaccero are crowned winners of Dancing with the Stars at the Auditorium Rai at Foro Italico in Rome Pictured: Giovanni Pernice, Bianca Guaccero BACKGRID UK 21 DECEMBER 2024 BYLINE MUST READ: IPA / BACKGRID United Kingdom: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com *Photos containing children, please pixelate the face before publishing*
The couple confirmed their romance earlier in the season (Photo: IPA/Backgrid)

To view this video, please enable JavaScript and consider switching to a web browser that
supports HTML5 video

Speaking earlier in the season, Giovanni said of their blossoming relationship: “Bianca is my priority. She’s been my priority from the beginning. She’s still my priority today and will be until the end of the season. show and beyond.

“Being someone’s priority is something new for me. I’ve always been the one who takes care of others,” Bianca replied. “It’s an incredible feeling. It’s something I’m discovering at 43.

“Having someone by my side who is proud of me and happy with my happiness is something new for me. This has never happened to me in my life.

As for the UK version of Strictly, it concluded last weekend when Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell were crowned, with comedian Chris also making history as the first ever blind contestant.

Representatives for Rose Ayling-Ellis have been contacted for comment.

Watch Strictly Come Dancing: 20 Fabulous Years on BBC iPlayer.

Do you have a story?

If you have a celebrity story, video or photos, contact Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us at [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or visiting our Submit items page – we would love to hear from you.