Deaf community inspired by Rose Ayling-Ellis on Strictly
Lucie Notman, who is hard of hearing, says it is great younger people have Rose as a role model
A woman from Knaresborough who is hard of hearing has told us it's great for younger people to have someone deaf to look up to on TV.
It's as EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, whose competing on this year's Strictly Come Dancing, is using the show as a platform to talk about her life and the deaf community.
Lucie Notman, who uses hearing aids, didn't see anyone like her on TV when she was growing up.
She said: "There isn't much representation out there and it is just amazing to have someone like Rose not just talking about it but showing it in her performances like she did last Saturday so it is actually showing people what it is like and that's what is needed.
"When I was younger I kept it to myself and I didn't really want anyone knowing. There was no one in my school like me so I didn't speak about it. There was no one for me to look up to and to let me know it was alright for people to know so 100% it would've helped me to see someone like this on TV.
"It would've made me feel more confident talking about it because if a celebrity can talk about it on national tv and show what it is like to be in this situation then why can't I discuss it myself?"
The 26-year-old Eastenders star made headlines recently when she became the first-ever deaf contestant to appear on the show.
Her appearances has led to a huge surge in interest in learning British Sign Language, with Google searches on how to learn sign-language seeing a 488% increase.