EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis and her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice won the nineteenth series of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday, December 18, 2021. Making television history as the first-ever deaf contestant to compete on and win the show, Rose defeated former Great British Bake Off champion John Whaite and his professional partner Johannes Radebe in a closely contested grand final. The 2021 finale was uniquely formatted as a two-way head-to-head battle after television presenter AJ Odudu and her partner Kai Widdrington were forced to withdraw just 24 hours prior due to a severe ankle ligament injury sustained by AJ during rehearsals. Over the course of the 13-week competition, Rose captured the hearts of millions of voters across the United Kingdom, delivering iconic routines that redefined how the public perceives dance, music, and the deaf community.
The Grand Final Showdown
The Strictly Come Dancing 2021 live final was a spectacular, high-stakes evening broadcast live from the Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire. Both remaining couples were tasked with performing three full routines: the judges’ choice of a favorite dance from the series, their own chosen personal favorite, and a brand-new, unrestricted showdance.
[2021 Grand Final Leaderboard Breakdown]
– Rose & Giovanni: 39 (Quickstep) + 40 (Couple’s Choice) + 40 (Showdance) = 119
– John & Johannes: 39 (Rumba) + 40 (Pasodoble) + 40 (Showdance) = 119
– Winner: Determined entirely by the public telephone and online vote.
By the end of the evening, the judges’ leaderboard was tied perfectly, with both couples achieving an incredible score of 119 out of a maximum 120 points. Ultimately, the decision rested entirely with the public vote, which crowned Rose and Giovanni the 2021 champions.
Iconic Silent Dance Moment
The absolute turning point of the 2021 series—and arguably the most famous moment in Strictly television history—occurred in Week 8 during Rose and Giovanni’s “Couple’s Choice” contemporary routine. Choreographed to the track “Symphony” by Clean Bandit featuring Demi Lovato, the couple executed a breathtaking artistic choice that left the studio audience and home viewers completely spellbound.
In the middle of the performance, the music dropped out completely, plunging the studio into absolute silence for ten seconds while Rose and Giovanni continued to dance flawlessly in perfect synchronization. This moving tribute was intentionally designed to give hearing audiences a brief glimpse into how Rose experiences the world, earning the pair the prestigious BAFTA TV Moment of the Year award.
Meet the Winners
The historic victory marked an incredible milestone for both elements of the partnership, completely transforming the careers of both the celebrity and the professional dancer.
Rose Ayling-Ellis
Rose Ayling-Ellis is a British actress born on November 17, 1994, who gained widespread public recognition for her regular role as Frankie Lewis in the BBC flagship soap opera EastEnders. Her involvement in Strictly was widely praised by equality advocates because she explicitly demanded that the production integrate British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters directly into the live broadcasts.
Giovanni Pernice
Giovanni Pernice is an elite Italian ballroom dancer and choreographer who joined the professional cast of Strictly Come Dancing in 2015. Despite reaching the grand final four times previously with high-profile celebrities like Georgia May Foote, Debbie McGee, and Faye Tozer, the 2021 series marked his very first time lifting the coveted Glitterball trophy.
Practical Information and Broadcasting
For viewers looking to revisit the magic of the 2021 series or plan ahead for upcoming live seasons, the show operates under a rigid, highly organized annual broadcasting schedule.
Where to Watch: Full historic episodes, highlighted individual dances, and behind-the-scenes diaries are available on BBC iPlayer for UK television license holders, alongside official uploads on the BBC Strictly YouTube channel.
Live Studio Attendance: Tickets to be part of the live studio audience at Elstree Studios are completely free and distributed strictly via a randomized public lottery system hosted on the BBC Shows and Tours website every autumn.
The Live Arena Tour: Following the conclusion of the TV series, the final couples embark on a multi-city UK arena tour every January and February, giving fans the chance to vote on nightly winners at major venues in London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow.
FAQs
Who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2021?
Actress Rose Ayling-Ellis and her professional partner Giovanni Pernice won the 2021 series of Strictly Come Dancing. They lifted the Glitterball trophy during the live final broadcast on December 18, 2021.
How does Rose Ayling-Ellis dance if she is deaf?
Rose has explained that she dances by counting the beats internally and feeling the vibrations of the music through the wooden floorboards of the ballroom studio. She also relies heavily on muscle memory and intense visual cues from her partner, Giovanni.
Why did AJ Odudu drop out of the 2021 Strictly final?
AJ Odudu was forced to pull out of the grand final just one day before the live show due to a severe traumatic injury to her right ankle. On medical advice, she could not put any weight on her foot, leaving her unable to perform her rehearsed routines.
What song did Rose and Giovanni do their silent dance to?
Rose and Giovanni performed their iconic silent contemporary routine to the song “Symphony” by Clean Bandit featuring Demi Lovato. The music intentionally cut out mid-performance to honor the d/Deaf community.
Who were the runners-up on Strictly 2021?
Former Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite and professional dancer Johannes Radebe were the runners-up. They made history themselves as the show’s very first all-male, same-sex dance partnership.
Who were the four main judges on Strictly in 2021?
The main judging panel for the 2021 series consisted of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Head Judge Shirley Ballas, and long-time professional dancer Anton Du Beke, who permanently stepped in to replace Bruno Tonioli.
Did Rose and Giovanni score any perfect 40s during the series?
Yes, Rose and Giovanni scored multiple perfect scores of 40 from the judges. Notably, they achieved the earliest perfect score in the history of the show during Week 6 for their high-speed Halloween Week Tango.
Where is the Strictly Come Dancing studio located?
The live television episodes of Strictly Come Dancing are filmed and broadcast directly from George Lucas Stage 1 at Elstree Studios, located in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.
Who presented the 2021 series of Strictly?
The 2021 series was presented by the long-standing co-hosting duo of Tess Daly, who anchored the main ballroom floor links, and Claudia Winkleman, who interviewed the couples upstairs in the post-dance gallery area.
What did Rose Ayling-Ellis do after winning Strictly?
Following her historic victory, Rose used her platform to successfully campaign for British Sign Language to be officially recognized as a legal language in the UK under the BSL Act 2022. She also starred in major theatrical West End productions and fronted award-winning documentaries.
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