FORMER EastEnders and Strictly icon Rose Ayling-Ellis has given fans a first glimpse at her next project, and it looks set to be a hit.
The EastEnders legend announced last week that she is developing a comedy-drama about deaf women dating in London.
While not much is known about the show currently, Rose is set to take on the starring role after captivating that nation during her time on Strictly Come Dancing.
The soap star told Deadline: “This is something that hasn’t been spoken about. We hear a lot about being female and how women appear in the dating scene but as a deaf woman, it’s a very different experience. It will be nice to share that story.”
The former soap actor also recently opened up about the struggles she experiences on set as a deaf woman.
Delving into some of the shortcomings behind-the-scenes at EastEnders, Rose said: “I often receive a script that it is not quite right. They will write my characters who are in a room with a big group of people arguing with each other, following everything that is being said and even repeating things back to them.
“Or they will write my character as lipreading someone from impossibly far away – like I have a superpower, which is not realistic at all! I am playing a deaf character that is either written as a hearing person, or as a deaf stereotype.”
These errors meant Rose often had to make edits herself, despite it not being her job.
“Even though I am not paid to do the extra work on top of my job, I try to fix the problem on set and a lot of the time people are very supportive and make changes based on my advice,” she added.
Read our soap spoilers blog below for the latest storylines & gossip…
-
Hollyoaks star hails upcoming storyline
Nikki Sanderson, who plays Maxine Minniver in the hit soap, has praised the character’s upcoming storyline.
Speaking to Inside Soap, the soap star described just how powerful this new plot is set to be.
She said: “It’s a fantastic, issue-led storyline and I can’t wait to get stuck in.
“This is an incredible opportunity for Hollyoaks to approach an important subject, and I am beyond honoured they’ve chosen Maxine as the character to do it. We want to raise awareness and get people talking.
“Maxine is so relatable as a character, she always comes back stronger and that’s not just for herself, but for her daughter. Maxine wants to show Minnie that whatever you go through in life you can deal with it – there’s always another day.”
-
Where to get your daily fix of soap spoilers
Keep up to date with Britain’s favourite soap dramas right here on thesun.co.uk.
-
What’s next for Rose Ayling-Ellis?
The EastEnders icon and Strictly winner, announced last week that she is developing a comedy-drama about deaf women dating in London.
The soap star told Deadline: “This is something that hasn’t been spoken about. We hear a lot about being female and how women appear in the dating scene but as a deaf woman, it’s a very different experience. It will be nice to share that story.”
While the show doesn’t yet have a name, Ayling-Ellis is set to star.
-
EastEnders’ Jessica Plummer shows off stunning holiday snaps
The soap star posed in her bikini as she shared some sun-soaked snaps of her summer holiday.
Jessica, 29, who is best known for playing Chantelle Atkins in the BBC One soap, took to her Instagram with the holiday snaps.
“Girl’s trip,” she captioned the photos, which featured her six-year-old daughter enjoying the sunshine.
Fans loved the photos, with some pointing out how alike the mother and daughter look.
“So perfect you two,” one wrote, as a second chimed in: “She is your double, Jessica, Such a beautiful bond.”
-
The actors that have left Hollyoaks this year
In recent months, a slew of new actors have left the hit soap.
Here is an exhaustive list of all characters to have left the show.
- Ripley Lennox (Ki Griffin)
- Saul Reeves (Chris Charles)
- Luke Morgan (Gary Lucy)
- Wendy Blissett (Jennifer Armour)
- Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mulkerrin)
- Maya (Ky Discala)
- Trish Minniver (Denise Welch)
- Sylver McQueen (David Tag)
- Marnie Nightingale (Lysette Anthony)
- Celeste Faroe (Andrea Ali)
-
Corrie spoilers: Sean makes a big decision
In an upcoming episode of the hit soap, Sean will be forced into making a big decision.
Sean is set to get some shocking news this week when son Dylan tells him he wants to move to Manchester.
Dylan wants to leave his mum in London to escape his bullies.
Sean makes this big decision to ask Dylan’s mum if the boy can join him on the Cobbles.
-
Meet the new Hollyoaks cast members
In recent months, a slew of new actors have joined the hit soap.
Here is an exhaustive list of all the new faces you might see on the iconic soap.
- Vicky Grant (Anya Lawrence)
- Joseph Holmes (Olly Rhodes)
- Norma Crow (Glynis Barber)
- Ethan Williams (Matthew-James Bailey)
- Chen-Williams family
-
Emmerdale spoilers: Will Amelia and Noah run away together?
Noah has been incredibly supportive of Amelia’s battle with cancer in Emmerdale, but is their relationship about to take another twist?
According to Metro, Noah wants to make their romance official, but because Dan may never accept their relationship, she asks him to run away with her to London.
Will they do it? Tune in to Emmerdale next week to find out!
-
Everything you need to know about Emmerdale
-
Corrie stars show their pride
Stars of the hit soap celebrated Manchester Pride this weekend.
Among the stars present were Daniel Brocklebank, Jodie Prenger, Peter Gunn, Antony Cotton, Dolly-Rose Campbell and Jane Hazelgrove.
Speaking to Manchester Evening News, Peter Gunn said: “This is my first Manchester Pride, but I’ve been to many Pride events this year already. The first one I went to this year was Blackburn Pride which was actually the first Blackburn Pride ever and it was brilliant.
“I go to Brighton Pride, I’ve been to everyone there for the past 25 years.” Showing off his glitter face paint, Peter joked that “I have to take it off for work purposes.”
-
EastEnders to bid an emotional farewell to soap icon
The cast of the hit will bid an emotional farewell to the iconic Dot Branning when residents of Albert Square find out she has passed away.
In a special episode airing this winter, her family and friends will come together for her funeral to say goodbye to their beloved Dot.
Dot was played by June Brown, who passed away earlier this year in April.
Chris Clenshaw, the soap’s executive producer, said: “Everyone at EastEnders was truly heartbroken when June passed away earlier this year and, for quite a while, no-one could even think about saying goodbye to Dot.
“An iconic character who will go down in television history and be cherished forever. “
He added: “June was always adamant that she never wanted Dot’s time to end while she was still with us, but she also knew that EastEnders would rightly say their farewells to Dot when the time was right.
“Sadly that time has come and we are determined to give the audience, who treasured Dot for so many years, the fitting tribute that she so deeply deserves. “
He continued: “So whilst it will be a very, very sad day in Walford, we will be giving Dot the send-off that she and June would want and rightly deserve.”
-
Adam Woodyatt could DOUBLE his salary with new job
The EastEnders legend is set to star in My Fair Lady and could land £500,000 — double his old soap salary.
The Walford icon will play Eliza Doolittle’s dustman dad, netting £3,500 per show.
The show is set to run for nine months, or 158 showings to be exact.
A source spoke about the new role, saying: “Adam’s a big-name so there’s no reason ticket sales won’t be buoyant.
“It’s a good deal for him. Theatre work’s hard but rewarding — and a lot more fun than the day-to-day slog of filming a soap.
“If the tour goes well he could become a stage star.”
-
EastEnders icon celebrates her birthday in style
Soap fans were shocked to hear Cheryl Fergison’s age as the Walford legend celebrated her 57th birthday.
The actress was famous for playing Heather Trott on the soap, before her character was bumped off by Ben Mitchell.
Cheryl revealed yesterday that she had turned 57 and was going to spend the day in the Lake District.
The former EastEnders star wrote yesterday, alongside a selfie: “It’s just turned midnight and it’s now officially my birthday.
“Just finished hosting karaoke night and looking forward to bed and then up for my day in and around the Lake District.
“Thank you for all the lovely messages so far and thanks in advance to all my birthday wishes.
“It’s the year of the Heinz variety (57) and I’m embracing it all folks because it’s all about making the most of as much as you can and living it to the fullest with the people you love.”
Fans congratulated the actress, claiming she doesn’t look her age at all.
One told her: “Happy Birthday Cheryl. Enjoy the celebrations. You certainly don’t look your age.”
Another posted: “Happy birthday Cheryl hope you have had a wonderful day.”
-
Where to get your daily fix of soap spoilers
Keep up to date with Britain’s favourite soap dramas right here on thesun.co.uk.
-
EastEnders spoiler: Janine’s week from hell
Janine is livid in this week’s EastEnders when she finds out that Linda avoids going to prison.
According to Digital Spy, following an emotional speech in court about her mistakes, Linda avoids jail time.
As if Janine isn’t already angry about Mick’s original plans to visit Linda in prison despite their divorce, she arrives back at The Vic following the court case and finds Zack has some alarming news.
What is it? Find out in next week’s EastEnders.
-
EastEnders star shares final pictures from set
EastEnders star Kelsey Calladine-Smith has shared final pictures from the set as she exits the soap.
The 17-year-old actress joined EastEnders as Jada Lennox last year.
However, it was revealed back in June that she was one of four actors leaving Albert Square after a major cast shake-up by the show’s new boss.
Now Kelsey has taken to her Instagram page to share a series of snaps from the set before she left.
Kelsey posed alongside a number of EastEnders icons including Steve McFadden, who plays Phil Mitchell, Leticia Dean (Sharon Mitchell) and Kellie Bright (Linda Carter).
-
Could Alf Stewart return to Home and Away?
The soap icon has announced his departure from the Bay after a 34-year spell on the show.
But could he return to the hit soap one day?
Speaking to Metro, Ray admitted: “Well, I don’t know. He’ll go to Merimbula and I would have thought that one of the missions in Merimbula would be to try to bring Martha back to Summer Bay.
“The options really are to get Martha to come back to Summer Bay, or Alf stays in Merimbula for good, or there’s some sort of compromise where they both spend time in Merimbula and some time in Summer Bay.
“The fourth possibility would be for Alf to go back to Summer Bay and keep these businesses running and all of those friendships going and visit Martha on a regular basis.”
-
EastEnders spoiler: Janine’s week from hell
Janine is livid in this week’s EastEnders when she finds out that Linda avoids going to prison.
According to Digital Spy, following an emotional speech in court about her mistakes, Linda avoids jail time.
As if Janine isn’t already angry about Mick’s original plans to visit Linda in prison despite their divorce, she arrives back at The Vic following the court case and finds Zack has some alarming news.
What is it? Find out in next week’s EastEnders.
-
Inside Emmerdale’s devastating 50th anniversary storm
Details continue to trickle in regarding Emmerdale’s epic 50th anniversary month.
The key event of the special will be a devasting storm that hits the village, changing the casts’ lives forever.
Speaking to Digital Spy, show executive Jane Hudson said: “It’s safe to say that the village will never be the same after this. The impact this storm has on people’s lives is just massive. That is our big set-piece stunt.
“In terms of filming, it’s quite unprecedented, the scale of what we are doing. There are elements of the big storm week that I’ve not seen on a soap drama before and it’s very exciting and nerve-wracking to be part of that. Hopefully, it’ll all be brilliant.”
-
Soap legend Cheryl Fergison celebrates her birthday in style
EastEnders fans were shocked as Cheryl Fergison celebrated her birthday – insisting she looked much younger.
The actress was famous for playing Heather Trott on the soap, before her character was bumped off by Ben Mitchell.
Cheryl revealed yesterday that she had turned 57 and was going to spend the day in the Lake District.
The former EastEnders star wrote yesterday, alongside a selfie: “It’s just turned midnight and it’s now officially my birthday.
“Just finished hosting karaoke night and looking forward to bed and then up for my day in and around the Lake District.
“Thank you for all the lovely messages so far and thanks in advance to all my birthday wishes.
“It’s the year of the Heinz variety (57) and I’m embracing it all folks because it’s all about making the most of as much as you can and living it to the fullest with the people you love.”
-
Emmerdale spoilers: Will Chas and Mack have a baby?
Mack triggers Charity when he tells her that they should try for another baby in this week’s Emmerdale.
According to Metro, they start to kiss when they leave mediation, and then he drops the bombshell on her despite the fact they have already lost a baby previously.
She later gives him an ultimatum as the pair cannot resolve their differences: accept Charity does not want a baby, or find someone else to have one with.
-
EastEnders legend Adam Woodyatt bags huge new job
Soap legend, Adam Woodyatt is to star in My Fair Lady and could land £500,000 — double his old soap salary.
Adam, 54 — Ian Beale in Walford — will play Eliza Doolittle’s dustman dad Alfred in 158 shows over nine months at up to £3,500 a pop.
He will appear with singers Charlotte Kennedy and Lesley Garrett, 67, in a UK tour after a run in London’s West End later this year.
Charlotte is Eliza, famously played by Hollywood great Audrey Hepburn in a My Fair Lady film in 1964.
An industry booker said Adam will be on £2,000 a show, rising with ticket sales.
At 70 per cent capacity he’ll get another £750, and another at 85 per cent.
The source said: “Adam’s a big-name so there’s no reason ticket sales won’t be buoyant.
“It’s a good deal for him. Theatre work’s hard but rewarding — and a lot more fun than the day-to-day slog of filming a soap.
“If the tour goes well he could become a stage star.”
-
Strictly winner Rose Ayling-Ellis ‘hit by show’s curse’
Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis may have been hit by the show’s love curse — with pals fearing she and boyfriend Sam Arnold have grown apart.
But friends say she and Sam appear to have become distant since she won Strictly Come Dancing in December.
A source said: “Rose and Sam drifted apart, especially after she became so busy with work projects and was in-demand with new work opportunities.
“They still have a lot of love and respect for each other, but they’re also still young and working out their lives.
“Rose went to Barcelona on her own to gather her thoughts and think about what she wanted. They have both grown as people since they first starting dating.
“This is Rose’s moment and she is grabbing life by the horns, focusing on her career and taking any opportunity that she can.”
-
Tributes flood in for EastEnders actor
TRIBUTES are flooding in following the tragic passing of former EastEnders star Ashvin Luximon.
The 38-year-old actor played Asif Malik between 1999 and 2003 in the hit soap, and passed away on July 23 “due to an aneurysm”.
Tributes have flooded in for the late actor, with his family stating he was “loved by so many.”
On a website set up in Luximon’s honour, they wrote: “This site is a tribute to Ash, who passed on July 23, 2022, due to an aneurysm.
“Ash’s unexpected passing has hit us all hard, but we want to take the time to remember his larger-than-life spirit.
“He loved and was loved by so many.
“He sang a mean karaoke tune and had a voice loud enough to hear from space.
“He brought laughter and the best cuddles.”
The London-born actor appeared in 146 episodes of EastEnders.
One of his major plotlines saw him date Nicky di Marco, played by Carly Hillman.
Aside of from his iconic soap career, and appearances in Comic Relief, Luximon also starred in Grange Hill.
In a heartbreaking message, his parents said: “Our darling son, we love you so much. Have fun with the angels.”
-
Corrie spoilers: Jenny’s weak at the knees for Stephen
Jenny falls head over heels in love with Stephen in this week’s Corrie, as the two share a passionate kiss.
Digital Spy reports that Rita’s not taken in by Jenny’s reassurances that she is over Leo.
Meanwhile, Stephen and Sarah study their business plan. Stephen’s interest shoots up when Sarah reveals Jenny is the sole owner of the Rovers Return.
Stephen later flirts with Jenny, using all of the charm at his disposal.
A tipsy Jenny invites Stephen through to the back and avidly kisses him.
But Leo returns holding an engagement ring. As Gemma takes Leo to the back of the Rovers, hearts are guaranteed to be broken as he could be in for the shock of his life.