The EastEnders
Actor talks about the triumph and tears of the final, the secrets of her show-stopping routines – and why victory means so much
![Strictly exclusive! Winner Rose Ayling-Ellis on the glitterball, Giovanni and the joy of being deaf](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/972976738e8e6a01fa496f6cc016842d24d32242/0_522_2826_1694/master/2826.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&enable=upscale&s=288e54b9237287089a2ff00cb07c1479)
When she was a small child – too young to remember, though her mother has told her this story – Rose Ayling-Ellis was once so delighted to be at the park, she excitedly climbed on to a bench and started dancing. People stopped and, unable to resist her infectious happiness, clapped and cheered along.
Two decades later, millions more were clapping and cheering (and, I suspect, sobbing at times) as Ayling-Ellis and her partner, Giovanni Pernice, became 2021
Strictly Come Dancing champions in the most emotional and joyous finale I can ever remember.