How Strictly Come Dancing inspired an England rugby star

Jodie Ounsley is the first deaf woman to play for England and tells Milly McEvoy how following Rose Ayling-Ellis’ triumph has inspired her to join the thousands now learning sign language

Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice won Strictly this year (BBC/Guy Levy)

Rose Ayling-Ellis' championship turn on Strictly Come Dancing sparked a spectacular surge in sign language students - including rugby’s Jodie Ounsley.

An audience of 11 million tuned in to watch the EastEnders star become the first deaf person to take home the glitterball trophy, and Ounsley knows first-hand what it’s like to be a pioneer.

The 20-year-old is the first deaf woman to play for England, but was brought up learning to lip read, sparking backlash from some.