Strictly's Rose Ayling-Ellis makes huge career announcement after Giovanni Pernice scandal

Rose Ayling-Ellis has made a huge career move for the first time stince bagging the Glitterball trophy on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing alongside Giovanni Pernice. The 29-year-old actress, who has been deaf since birth, was crowned the dancefloor champion back in 2021 - before her professional partner Giovanni was accused of "bullying" behaviour towards other celebrity contestants.

Now, Rose is set to play the lead role in the six-part crime drama, Code of Silence. She will portray the character of Alison Brooks - a deaf catering worker who becomes a heroine by lip-reading criminals' conversations to help to put them behind bars.

ITV described the drama, saying: "She's struggling to make ends meet, juggling two jobs, in a police canteen and a local bar, while also doing her best to support her deaf mum. When a policewoman calls on her to lip-read the conversations of dangerous criminals, she is plunged into a new, exhilarating world."

Rose will star alongside Kieron Moore, Charlotte Ritchie and Andrew Buchan. Kieron will play love interest, Liam Bayne, who is one of the suspects that Alison finds herself drawn to in a gripping storyline.

Despite knowing the risks and the growing threat to her personal life, Alison can’t let go. ITV, Mammoth Screen and BritBox announced on Wednesday that filming has officially begun.

Rose shot to fame as Frankie Lewis on BBC's EastEnders. She then went on to compete in Strictly Come Dancing as the first ever deaf contestant on the BBC dance show, in 2021.

The former soap star also appeared on Casualty and was the first deaf presenter of a live sports event, hosting part of Channel 4's Paralympic coverage earlier this year.

Rose was also awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours for "voluntary services to the deaf community".

Elsewhere, Giovanni took a step back from Strictly following a probe by the BBC into his behaviour, following allegations from actress Amanda Abbington.

The broadcaster's report ultimately cleared the professional dancer of violence allegations but upheld several bullying claims.

Following the bombshell report being shared, Gio's representative told the press: "We are pleased that this six month review has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour by Giovanni. Gio is relieved that the overwhelming majority of allegations put to the BBC have not been upheld and looks forward to continuing his work on Dancing With The Stars in Italy this season."

Code of Silence will premiere in 2025 on ITV1 and be available for streaming on ITVX.