Rose Ayling-Ellis to sign a CBeebies Bedtime Story

7 May 2022

Rose Ayling-Ellis will become the first celebrity to sign a CBeebies Bedtime Story in British Sign Language.

Rose Ayling-Ellis will become the first celebrity to sign a CBeebies Bedtime Story in British Sign Language

The 'EastEnders' actress - who has been deaf since birth - will sign 'Can Bears Ski?', which tells a story of a young bear and his dad on a journey into the discovery and management of deafness, on the children's show.

Rose - who won last year's 'Strictly Come Dancing' - said: "I am super excited to read my first CBeebies Bedtime Story in British Sign Language and it’s even more wonderful to share a story written by a deaf writer.

"I hope deaf children enjoy the story and it inspires hearing children to want to learn BSL more!"

Rose will speak only to introduce the story - which is written by Raymond Antrobus and illustrated by Polly Dunbar - and say goodnight to the viewers.

The plot draws on author Raymond's own experience to show how isolating it can be for a deaf child in a hearing world.

Rose's episode, which will be subtitled, will air on Sunday 8th May to mark the end of Deaf Awareness Week.

This comes after Reese Witherspoon became the first Best Actress Oscar winner to take to the 'CBeebies Bedtime Stories' seat earlier this year.

The 46-year-old actress read 'Extraordinary', which was written by Penny Harrison and illustrated by Katie Wilson.

She followed in the footsteps of several other famous actors, including Orlando Bloom, Ryan Reynolds, Tom Hardy, Chris Evans, Regé-Jean Page, Felicity Jones, David Schwimmer, and Eddie Redmayne, as well as legendary singers Sir Elton John and Dolly Parton.

Idina Menzel previously read 'Robin's Winter Song' by Suzanne Barton, which tells children the tale of a little robin's first winter.

Gregory Porter became the first star to sing a CBeebies Bedtime Story, when he belted out 'Moon River', the classic ballad from Breakfast At Tiffany's as part of BBC Teach's Bring the Noise campaign - which helps children discover the joys of music-making - while Chip Crawford accompanied him on the piano.

CBeebies Bedtime Story is on daily at 6.50pm and on BBC iPlayer, with episodes signed by a BSL interpreter airing every Saturday and Sunday.