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Rose Ayling-Ellis creates 'greatest ever Strictly moment' in emotional silent dance

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 20:00:01 on 13/11/2021 - Programme Name: Strictly Come Dancing 2021 - TX: 13/11/2021 - Episode: n/a (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: **DRESS REHEARSAL - EMBARGOED UNTIL 20:00 HRS ON SATURDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2021** Giovanni Pernice, Rose Ayling-Ellis - (C) BBC - Photographer: Guy Levy
Giovanni Pernice and Rose Ayling-Ellis brought viewers to tears. (BBC/Guy Levy)

Rose Ayling-Ellis has made Strictly Come Dancing judges and viewers cry in an emotional silent dance that Anton Du Beke called "the greatest thing I've ever seen on this show".

The EastEnders actor used her couple's choice routine to represent her experiences as a deaf dancer by surprising those watching with a silent section in the middle of her performance.

Read more: Rhys Stephenson crawls off Strictly dancefloor after perfect 40 Charleston

She and partner Giovanni Pernice danced to Symphony by Clean Bandit, but faded the music out for a section to show how Ayling-Ellis experienced dancing to music.

It drew tears and standing ovations from the judges, with Anton Du Beke telling her: "You get moments like this, I've been doing this show since the beginning, same as Craig and same as you Tess.

"I've had the great pleasure and the honour of being on Strictly Come Dancing for a long time - getting a bit emotional - and that's the greatest thing I've ever seen on this show, congratulations."

Motsi Mabuse said: "In this case I honestly feel like saying thank you. This was such a beautiful moment to include us in your world and for us to actually understand how important and how aware we all could be of each other everywhere.

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 20:00:01 on 13/11/2021 - Programme Name: Strictly Come Dancing 2021 - TX: 13/11/2021 - Episode: n/a (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: **DRESS REHEARSAL - EMBARGOED UNTIL 20:00 HRS ON SATURDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2021** Rose Ayling-Ellis, Giovanni Pernice - (C) BBC - Photographer: Guy Levy
The dance's silent section was labelled 'the greatest thing ever on this show'. (BBC/Guy Levy)

"Sometimes it's more than just scores and marks, sometimes it's just a moment."

Head judge Shirley Ballas got to her feet as she said: "I feel I should stand up out of respect for you sharing, particularly the silent moment, I was not expecting it and it takes you into a much deeper place."

She added: "This is a number that will be etched in my heart for a long, long time."

Read more: Dan Walker says Strictly made him love dancing after years of feeling 'too tall and awkward'

Craig Revel Horwood commented: "My darling, fab-u-lous."

Viewers were equally moved, with one person tweeting: "Incredibly powerful, in bits watching this performance by Rose and Giovanni on #strictly tonight. Amazing to see representation on a mainstream show, done so beautifully too. Needed to be a 40."

Someone else wrote: "YES ROSE #Strictly that silent bit is absolutely stunning. What an amazing woman she is."

Programme Name: Strictly Come Dancing 2021 - TX: n/a - Episode: Strictly Come Dancing - Generics (No. n/a) - Picture Shows:  Rose Ayling-Ellis, Giovanni Pernice - (C) BBC - Photographer: Ray Burmiston
Rose Ayling-Ellis thanked a tearful Giovanni Pernice for his positivity. (BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Another viewer agreed: "Giovanni and Rose was one of the TV moments of the year, right?"

Talking to host Claudia Winkleman as they were told they had scored a near-perfect 39 points, Ayling-Ellis thanked a tearful Pernice for the joy-filled routine.

She said: "Thank you for your determination to make this dance the most positive, happy dance it can be because you know that being deaf, there's nothing wrong, it's such a joy to be deaf.

"I think it says a lot about you as a person."

Watch: Rose Ayling-Ellis dances perfect Halloween Tango