Rose Ayling-Ellis Absent from Strictly Special

Rose Ayling-Ellis, the historic winner of Strictly Come Dancing as the first deaf contestant, chose not to participate in the 20th-anniversary special of the show due to ongoing controversies surrounding her former partner Giovanni Pernice. Giovanni has faced allegations of bullying and abusive behavior from former celebrity partner Amanda Abbington, which resulted in an internal investigation by the BBC. While Rose reportedly loved her experience on the show, she opted to avoid discussing her time with Giovanni amid the scandal, stating that she has chosen not to speak publicly about him or Amanda. The anniversary special, which aired over the weekend, included tributes to late stars and featured other former contestants, but Rose's absence raised questions among fans. Giovanni was cleared of some allegations but was found guilty of verbal bullying, adding to the drama surrounding the show's recent history. The situation has highlighted the ongoing issues of treatment and behavior within the competitive dance environment.