Rose Ayling-Ellis appeared to be having a whale of a time as she enjoyed a swim in the sea for a sweet Christmas morning Instagram video.
The EastEnders star, 27, signed to her fans while sporting a black wetsuit before dancing on the sand and waving her hands in the air.
She skipped into the freezing cold water while turning back in glee and taking a deep dive, as Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas played in the background.
Excited: Rose Ayling-Ellis appeared to be having a whale of a time as she enjoyed a swim in the sea for a sweet Christmas morning video
Clad in a wetsuit, Rose could barely contain her delight as she zipped across the sand for the day of festive fun.
It comes after the actress spoke about the special moment she shared with her mother Donna after lifting the Glitterball trophy last week.
The Strictly Come Dancing winner said that her mum has continually been her biggest advocate throughout her life and always ‘fought’ to make everything accessible to her during a ‘difficult’ education.
Appearing on BBC Breakfast with her competitor and host Dan Walker and Sally Nugent, Rose described how everyone was rushing over to offer their congratulations, but she broke down when she saw her mum.
Beaming: It comes after the actress spoke about the special moment she shared with her mother Donna after lifting the Glitterball trophy last week
Looking great: The EastEnders star, 27, signed to her fans while sporting a black wetsuit before dancing on the sand and waving her hands in the air
Dan referenced a picture he had previously shared on his Instagram page, of Rose tightly hugging her mum while holding her trophy following her historic win.
Rose, who was appearing on Zoom with her dance partner Giovanni Pernice, said: ‘When I won I was so shocked I couldn’t speak. Everyone came up saying well done and when my mum hugged me i just burst into tears.
Recalling the journey she has been on with Donna, Rose explained: ‘At primary school, nursery school, going way back, where my education was difficult, so my mum had to fight to make it accessible for me.’
She added: ‘Everything I did, I was constantly fighting to get what I needed.’
Wow! She skipped into the freezing cold water while turning back in glee and taking a deep dive, while Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas played in the background
Despite the support from her mum, Rose admitted that she didn’t think it would end how it has, saying: ‘We just didn’t except it would end up with me winning Strictly come dancing.’
Rose defiantly added: ‘It’s so normal for disabled people that we’re used to fighting all the time, so it’s nice not to. And to actually win.’
When asked how her Sunday was after winning the show, Rose said: ‘It was very weird. Very quiet, I felt like what just happened? Didn’t feel real.’
Rose also spoke about how she feels to be a role model for youngsters in the deaf community, something she wasn’t able to have herself.
Love: Appearing on BBC Breakfast with her competitor and host Dan Walker and Sally Nugent, Rose described how everyone was rushing over to offer their congratulations, but she broke down when she saw her mum
She said: It’s so lovely, I didn’t have that when I was growing up, I didn’t have anyone to look up to. I think it’s important to everyone to inspire what they’re doing. Like when it comes to an interview make people realise it’s not a big deal.
‘I’m excited to see what will happen and what will come next.’
Meanwhile, Giovanni – who has competed in seven competitions without winning the show, proudly held up his Glitterball, saying: ‘It’s still here – it’s coming everywhere!’
‘I think it’s been a fantastic journey from the beginning, we put out a big statement. It’s nice to win the show, but I think we made a statement. Which was so important for Rose and the deaf community.’
Sweet: Recalling the journey she has been on with Donna, Rose explained: ‘At primary school, nursery school, going way back, where my education was difficult, so my mum had to fight to make it accessible for me.’
Giovanni went on to discuss how he was never worried about trying to teach a deaf person to dance before meeting his partner Rose.
He said: ‘I think it was a different way of teaching, but I wasn’t worried. I was more excited. I’ve been on the show so long, so I needed a new sort of sparkle.
Speaking of their first dance together during week one, he said: ‘The Jive was different, so difficult because its a lot of counting. But when we did the Foxtrot I thought okay, she can dancing. It’s been phenomenal.
‘When we started our Foxtrot week 3 I thought. I know this year was the hardest and best we’ve had. Everyone could have been in the final. We were just there every week thinking about our dance.’
‘I am beyond proud to be a part of this journey with Rose. It’s been my privilege from day one. She was really focused on sending a statement.
‘Our couple’s choice, we noticed even small things we can make a difference. I think we should all push ourselves to include the deaf community, and any community. If I did it for 13 weeks anyone can.’
Winners! Rose and Giovanni Pernice were crowned the champions of Strictly Come Dancing last week (pictured in December 2021)