Strictly champ Rose Ayling-Ellis unveils first Barbie doll with hearing aids
ok.co.ukStrictly Come Dancing star Rose Ayling-Ellis has teamed up with Mattel to unveil the first Barbie with behind-the-ear hearing aids.The deaf EastEnders actress and 2021 winner of the dance competition, who recently showed off her stunning new blonde hair colour, features in the Rose, Barbie & Friends campaign.The 27 year old is photographed alongside a cast of diverse models who reflect the new line of dolls, which includes the first Ken doll with vitiligo, one with a prosthetic limb and another with a wheelchair.
Rose, who has been deaf since birth, said: "It’s so important for children to be able to see themselves represented in the toys they play with. "When I was little, I would draw hearing aids on to my Barbie dolls to make them look like me, so I am thrilled that Mattel is releasing more dolls that encourage kids to celebrate and embrace their differences." A British Sign Language (BSL) user, Rose became the first celebrity to sign a bedtime story on CBeebies in May.
She was also the first deaf contestant to appear on Strictly and went on to win the series last year with Italian professional dancer Giovanni Pernice.
The pair's silent moment celebrating the deaf community in one of their dances won Virgin Media's Must-See Moment at the 2022 BAFTA TV Awards.
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