‘It’s the hardest job I’ve ever done’ reveals Strictly’s Rose Ayling-Ellis as she opens up about history-making role
ROSE Ayling-Ellis has opened up on her hardest job to date.
The former Strictly Come Dancing winner is currently preparing for a new role with Channel 4 and its coverage of the Paralympics.
Rose, 29, is set to take to the airwaves alongside Clare Balding, 53, to cover the highly anticipated event in Paris, which starts in August.
In a groundbreaking move, she will become the first deaf live sports presenter on British TV.
However, being deaf means she will require some studio adjustments behind-the-scenes.
Usually, TV presenters receive instructions from the director or producers through an earpiece.
However, this is something that Rose cannot do, so she has to resort to other measures to successfully present the show alongside acclaimed presenter Clare.
Attending Channel 4’s Paralympics launch in London on Thursday, the former EastEnders star explained how she needs an extra laptop by her side so she can receive the correct signals from bosses.
“I have so much respect for you presenters, it’s the hardest job I’ve ever done,” Rose explained to the audience.
“I’ve got an autocue, a laptop flashing things at me and someone signing.”
She added: “So my eyes are going to be [all over the place]. But I’ll make it work.”
Insiders at the commercial network told The Mirror that the actress had already started rehearsals for her broadcasts.
A source told the outlet: “Channel 4 are really excited about this unique pairing of Clare and Rose.
“It’s a first for the Channel and takes its live broadcasting accessibility further than ever before.
“Rose has already done some rehearsals whilst Clare has been busy covering Wimbledon for the BBC, but we are excited by seeing them work together on screen and we are confident viewers will love them together too.”
BBC's Olympics line-up in full
Presenters:
- Clare Balding
- Gabby Logan
- Hazel Irvine
- Isa Guha
- Jeanette Kwakye
- JJ Chalmers
- Mark Chapman
Studio guests:
- Beth Tweddle
- Chris Hoy
- Denise Lewis
- Fred Sirieix
- Jessica Ennis-Hill
- Kate Richardson-Walsh
- Katherine Grainger
- Laura Kenny
- Mark Foster
- Michael Johnson
- Nicola Adams
- Rebecca Adlington
- Tonia Couch
Radio:
- Adrian Chiles
- Eleanor Oldroyd
- Kelly Cates
- Mark Chapman
- Naga Munchetty
- Tony Livesey
The pair will be joined on-screen by another former Strictly Come Dancing star as BAFTA-winner Ellie Simmonds makes her Channel 4 presenting debut.
This will be alongside TV regular Ade Adepitan, 51, who is himself a former wheelchair basketball player.
