BBC Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis leaves fans 'gutted' as she quits EastEnders after two years

Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis has announced that she is to leave EastEnders after two years. The actress has been playing Frankie Lewis in the BBC One soap. She was the first deaf actor to play a regular character on the soap.

Since joining in 2020, Rose had been involved in a number of big storylines, including Frankie discovering she is the daughter of Danny Dyer’s character Mick Carter, who was abused as a child. The 27-year-old has said she'll "treasure" her time in Walford as her exit was confirmed.

Speaking of her departure, she said: "It’s been incredibly special to be EastEnders’ first regular deaf actor. I have loved my time on the show and Frankie has been such an awesome character to play, however now feels like the right time for me to move on and I am excited and ready for new challenges.

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She added: "I will always treasure my time on the show and all the incredible people I have worked with, who have supported my growth as an actor these last two years and given me so many amazing memories. I am excited for viewers to see Frankie’s exit storyline; I think it’s a really important one that will hit home for lots of people."

Rose also took to Instagram to share a series of images of herself posing on the set from her first to her last day. One image showed her gripping onto a signed 'Albert Square' sign and a bouquet of flowers. Anorher saw her posing with the Carter family. "Start from my very last day on the square," she penned.

"To my first successful pint in The Vic and end with the first photo of Frankie. It’s been incredibly special to be @bbceastenders first