Strictly Come Dancing champions Giovanni Pernice and Rose Ayling-Ellis are still supporting each other months after they lifted the Glitterball Trophy.

Rose, famous for her EastEnders role as Frankie Lewis, became the ballroom dancing competition's first-ever deaf contestant last year, going on to astound viewers week in, week out, with her skills.

Over on his Instagram Stories this week, Italian choreographer Giovanni reposted an announcement stating British Sign Language will be legally recognised as its own language.

strictly come dancing final 2021
Guy Levy//BBC

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From Deaf Identity, it read: "The British Sign Language bill passed its final reading in UK House of Lords and is set to be legally recognised as its own language."

Praising his close pal, Giovanni added the touching caption: "Be proud of what you have done @rose.a.e," next to a red heart emoji.

Back in January, Rose herself addressed this overdue amendment while appearing on ITV's This Morning, explaining: "I have heard so many stories about deaf people going to a doctor's appointment and they ask for an interpreter and they don't refer them an interpreter.

"So they end up needing their child to translate, or a family member. That shouldn't be. Because it's not an official language, we can't do anything about it."

strictly come dancing's rose ayling ellis and giovanni pernice dance a viennese waltz to fallin' by alicia keys
Kieron McCarron//BBC

Related: Strictly Come Dancing fans praise "beautiful" Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice reunion

Her and the dance pro's friendship has continued to spellbind fans in the wake of their Strictly triumph, which also saw them reunite on the show's annual arena tour.

Thanking Giovanni once that had wrapped up in February, Rose wrote on social media: "I am so grateful that you were part of my Strictly journey. Thank you for telling my story and showing everyone who I am. Our friendship is so special and lasting for sure."

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One.

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Dan Seddon

Reporter, Digital Spy 

Dan is a freelance entertainment journalist. Beginning his writing career in 2014, Dan's work first graced the pages of cult publications Starburst magazine and Little White Lies before moving onto Total Film, Digital Spy, NME and Yahoo Entertainment

In the film and TV universe, he kneels at the altar of Jim Carrey, Daniel Plainview, Mike Ehrmantraut and Paulie Walnuts.