Rose Ayling-Ellis set to be the first deaf presenter ever to front live sports coverage as she signs up for Channel 4's Paralympics
- Have YOU got a story? Email [email protected]
Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis is set to become the first deaf presenter to front live sports coverage on British television, after signing up to work on Channel 4's Paralympics.
The 29-year-old former EastEnders star will present coverage with Clare Balding from the games in Paris.
Ayling-Ellis, who is already taking part in rehearsals for the presenting role, is set to become the first ever deaf person to present live sports coverage, according to reports.
This will be the first time the actress, who won Strictly in 2021 with Giovanni Pernice, has presented live.
Lenny Rush, 15, who won a BAFTA in 2023 for his performance in BBC comedy Am I Being Unreasonable?, will also take on a reporting role for the Channel 4 coverage during the first weekend of the games.
Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis is set to become the first deaf presenter to front live sports coverage on British television, after signing up to work on Channel 4 's Paralympics, it was revealed on Thursday
The 29-year-old former EastEnders star will present coverage with Clare Balding from the games in Paris
But it is understood that the young star, who has a form of dwarfism, will only be on air for this short period because he must return to school.
Channel 4 says it will be airing 1,300 hours of live sport from the games, with Paralympic swimming champion and BAFTA-winner Ellie Simmonds making her presenting debut for the broadcaster.
Other well-known faces fronting the coverage include Ade Adepitan, former racing driver and commentator Billy Monger, presenter JJ Chalmers and radio presenter Vick Hope.
Among its team of pundits will be multi-Paralympic medallists Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Dame Sarah Storey.
One insider told the Daily Mirror: '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.'
The opening ceremony for the games takes place pm August 28 with the closing ceremony for the 12-day event happening on September 8.
Coverage, which will air across Channel 4, More4, the broadcaster's streaming service and also on Channel 4's Sports' You Tube channel, will begin at breakfast time and go on through the day.
This will be the first time the actress, who won Strictly in 2021 with Giovanni Pernice (pictured), has presented live
One insider told the Daily Mirror: 'Channel 4 are really excited about this unique pairing of Clare (pictured) and Rose'
Lenny Rush, 15, who won a BAFTA in 2023 for his performance in BBC comedy Am I Being Unreasonable?, will also take on a reporting role for the Channel 4 coverage during the first weekend of the games
Channel 4 says it will be airing 1,300 hours of live sport from the games, with Paralympic swimming champion and BAFTA-winner Ellie Simmonds making her presenting debut for the broadcaster
The YouTube channel will air every single televised moment of the games, with up to 18 'concurrent streams'.
Balding, 53, who has previously presented the games will be joined by Ayling-Ellis, who became the first deaf contestant to win Strictly.
They will present together 'from a new position inside the Athlete's village, Channel 4 said.
Rush, who has also appeared in Doctor Who, Enola Holmes 2 and A Christmas Carol, will combine live reporting with pre-recorded interviews he has done for the coverage.
Netflix's Sex Education star George Robinson will also act as a reporter for the games, as will Jodie Ounsley, known as Fury from BBC show Gladiators.
After the day's action finishes on Channel 4, its long-running show The Last Leg will pick up the baton, featuring Adam Hills, Alex Brooker and Josh Widdicombe.
Netflix's Sex Education star George Robinson will also act as a reporter for the games
Jodie Ounsley, known as Fury from BBC show Gladiators, will also feature as a reporter
Alex Mahon, chief executive at Channel 4, said: 'Every Paralympic Games we see the transformative power of sport on display. At Channel 4 we are thrilled to be bringing the Paralympics back, bigger and better than ever before.
'We're incredibly proud that these will be the most accessible Games yet and that we will make the sport available across even more platforms. It means everyone can witness the soaring success and drama of these elite sports.
'I can guarantee that our ground-breaking presenting team will provide unprecedented fun, insights and viewpoints.
'We've seen how previous Games have challenged attitudes and in 2024 we will do even more to show sports stars at their peak.'
