Strictly stars reveal why they kept Couples Choice dance a secret

Strictly Come Dancing stars Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice have opened up as to why they chose to keep the silent element of their powerful Couple's Choice routine a surprise.

While appearing on tonight's instalment of It Takes Two (November 15), the pair reflected on their high-scoring performance with host Rylan. They were also asked why they didn't tell anyone that they planned to cut the music – 'Symphony' by Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson – at a certain point, ahead of time.

"It was a secret because it was such a special moment. We had this idea. First, I asked whether [Rose] would agree to do something like this through the dance, obviously I couldn't just go ahead and do it because it's very important – it's me working in Rose's world," Pernice explained.

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strictly come dancing 2021 rose aylingellis and giovanni pernice

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"She said it was a fantastic idea, so I'm very proud and privileged that you gave me a chance to come into your world, and me, to be able to share it in a positive story."

"It's not very often that we get to show our world on a massive platform, on the TV like this," Ayling-Ellis, who is best known for playing Frankie Lewis in EastEnders, continued.

"I felt like I wanted to tell our story, because it's positive and a lot of people, like, when they find out their child is deaf, they think of their world as crushed, but it shouldn't be. Being deaf is a gift."

Rylan went on to point out that the outcome was positive too, as judges Anton Du Beke, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood awarded them 39 (out of a possible 40) points.

"Sometimes, it's not about the scores," said Pernice. "It's about the message, and sometimes you just have to do a dance that leaves a statement and I'm very proud we achieved that."

Strictly Come Dancing 2021 airs on Saturday nights on BBC One, with results shows every Sunday. Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights at 6.30pm on BBC Two.