Strictly Come Dancing's Rose Ayling-Ellis comforted by Giovanni as she says she's 'terrified and heartbroken'
Strictly Come Dancing legend Rose Ayling-Ellis has shared a heartbreaking post telling fans she'd been left feeling "terrified and heartbroken".
The former EastEnders actress was partnered with Giovanni Pernice on the BBC dance show and he was among those who reached out to comfort her after the Instagram message.
Rose was responding to news that a British toddler had her hearing restored after becoming the first person in a pioneering gene therapy trial to 'treat' deafness.
The star, who has been deaf since birth, referenced the development by sharing a picture of herself as a little girl, alongside a long post about her feelings, saying: "It feel like the end.
Rose and Giovanni are one of the most enduring couples in Strictly Come Dancing history thanks to the silent dance they did on the show in 2021.
The Italian dancer, 33, swiftly replied to the 29-year-old's post with three love hearts and liked the post.
Writing on Instagram yesterday, Rose said: "Here is a photo of me as a toddler. If I had been born a couple of years later, my life could have been very different.
"Today, it was reported that a gene therapy trial has taken place. I knew that it was going to happen, but I didn’t expect it so soon. My first reaction was feeling terrified and heartbroken. It feel like the end. Let me explain why.
"Imagine a world where everyone is “normal”. What will become of our story, our culture, language, and identity? Will we be the last deaf generation and end up in a museum somewhere?
"Deaf people have existed throughout human history. Who decides that their lives are not worth being integrated into society? Who assumes that we want to be “fixed”? Where will they draw the line?
"Will all the hard work that deaf people fought for inclusivity be thrown out of the window? Why would society meet us halfway now they are the 'cure'?
"A cure is defined as 'relieving a person of the symptoms of a disease or condition'. My deafness is not a disease or a condition. I don’t need relief from it. My deafness has given me many opportunities, and my life is richer because of it. Why would I want that to be gone?"
She went on: "There are many deaf people out there that are doing great things! Why should we tell them that they are broken when, in fact, they are winning?
"To add insult to injury, this was released during Deaf Awareness Week. The week should be about embracing and spreading awareness about our culture. Not something to overcome.
"Can you help me out here? Let’s spread positivity. Leave a comment about your favourite thing about being deaf or being with deaf people?"
However, Rose added that she respected the decision made by the family who took part in the treatment and asked her followers to do the same.
She said: "Like any parent, they are doing what they believe is best for their child. This is not a rant directed towards them in any way. Rather, it is a rant directed towards the society that makes us all believe that being deaf will only bring us suffering, when in reality, it is quite the opposite."
