EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis has been named a patron of Deafinitely Youth Theatre, where she started her acting career in 2012.

The former Strictly winner commented ‘I am delighted to become a Patron of Deafinitely Youth Theatre, a fantastic charity that is so special to me. DYT was my first experience of deaf performing arts and I loved my time there. It provides such exciting opportunity 14-21 year olds to take part in drama activities, attend live theatre, meet other deaf young people and learn about getting involved in theatre’.