Deaf Contestant wins UK Dancing Contest

Rose Ayling-Ellis is the first deaf contestant to win BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing.

Image from BBC video

She and partner Giovanni Pernice beat out chef and former Bake Off winner John Whaite. TV news anchor AJ Odudu dropped out of the finals because of an ankle injury.

At one point, Ayling-Ellis danced without Pernice for 20 seconds without music as a tribute to the deaf community.

Five years ago model, actor and deaf activist Nyle DiMarco won the US version of the show. He became the first deaf winner of Dancing With The Stars.

Below is a video of the Ayling-Ellis and Pernice performing a Romeo and Juliet-inspired showdance to The Rose by Bette Middler.