Strictly Come Dancing champ Rose Ayling-Ellis was absent from the anniversary special which aired this weekend. Strictly Come Dancing: 20 Fabulous Years aired on Saturday in celebration of the BBC show's 20th anniversary this year. It looked back at the last two decades and a host of former contestants were interviewed for the project.
Rose, 30, was however not among them, despite having made history in 2021 when she became the first deaf contestant. The actor and her dance partner Giovanni Pernice, now 34, went on to be named the winners that year. Some fans posted about the former EastEnders cast member's absence from the special on X, formerly known as Twitter. One viewer wrote: "Very strange that Rose wasn't interviewed." Another said: "Shame Rose isn't in this." A third wrote: "Shame that Rose obviously wasn't available to be there.".
A source has however claimed to the Sun that Rose does not want to discuss her time on the show with Giovanni, who has faced scandal this year over complaints about him. An internal investigation was even launched into claims made by fellow actor Amanda Abbington, now 50, who had been partnered with him on Strictly last year. She made allegations of "bullying" and "aggressive behaviour," with Giovanni strongly denying "abusive or threatening behaviour".
