The Strictly Come Dancing winner and former EastEnders actor was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) on Friday for “voluntary services to the Deaf community”, with Deafinitely Theatre founder Paula Garfield also receiving the same honour.
Elsewhere, Kirsteen Macdonald, from Lincolnshire, was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for “services to defence and to hearing impaired personnel” through her work with the Defence Equipment and Support team within the Ministry of Defence.
Faith Clark, vice life president of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, was made an MBE for “services to Deaf people”.
The latest accolade for Ayling-Ellis comes after the campaigner and dance partner Giovanni Pernice won the “must-see moment” BAFTA in 2022 for their ‘silent’ dance on the 2021 series of Strictly, and was nominated for an Olivier Award following her West End debut in As You Like It at @sohoplace – also in 2022.
Meanwhile Garfield, who most recently directed a touring production of The Promise – which explored Deaf people’s experiences of dementia – was awarded an MBE for “services to drama and to the Deaf community”.
The four individuals feature on a Birthday Honours List alongside Post Office campaigner Alan Bates (who is given a knighthood for “services to justice”), artist Tracey Emin (made a dame for “services to art”), and Harry Potter actor Imelda Staunton (also made a dame for “services to drama and charity”).
1,077 people are listed as honour recipients, with women making up just short of half (48%) of those listed.
Update – 15/06/24 – 12:15: In a video reacting to the news, shared to social media on Saturday, Garfield said she feels “immensely privileged” to receive the “great honour”.
“I feel proud and humbled by this unexpected honour. I was most surprised when I received the letter informing me of the award.
“On reflection, this honour is proof that no matter if you are born profoundly deaf, if you experience language deprivation throughout your upbringing, and have neurodiversity […] you can still succeed.
“This award recognises all the hard work and struggles over many years. I feel so honoured to receive this.
“I must say thank you to the Deaf community, I must thank all the creative people, it’s been amazing to work with you over the last 20 years,” she said.
Images: BBC and Deafinitely Theatre/YouTube.
Liam O'Dell 