Strictly Come Dancing: Dress worn by winner Rose Ayling-Ellis to be auctioned for charity by Sworders of Stansted

A couture dress worn by reigning Strictly Come Dancing champion Rose Ayling-Ellis will be auctioned for charity by Sworders.

The shimmering size 10-12 is a special extra lot in the Stansted fine art auctioneer's sale of jewellery, handbags and designer accessories on Wednesday April 27.

The dress, designed by Kruszynksa Couture of Knightsbridge, central London, was worn by Ayling-Ellis in a Hello! magazine feature after she won the 19th series of Strictly in December 2021.

It comes for sale via Maria Black, who is raising money for three charities that helped her rehabilitate after a life-changing stroke in 2020. It has an estimate of £1,000-£1,500.

Actress Ayling-Ellis, 27, who plays Frankie Lewis in BBC TV soap EastEnders, became the first deaf contestant on the ballroom dancing show, performing with professional dancer Giovani Pernice.

In week eight, the pair’s Couple's Choice dance featured a period of silence, included as a tribute to the deaf community. Described by judge Anton Du Beke as "the greatest thing I've ever seen on the show”, it earned them the 2021 Heat Unmissable Award for TV Moment of the Year.

All proceeds from sale of the dress, donated by Kruszynksa Couture, will go to Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust in Cambridge, Caroline House in Norwich and Icanho Liveability in Stowmarket. To date, Maria has raised over £30,000 for the charities.

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mazzajourney.