---
title: "Rose Ayling-Ellis: Old Hands, New Tricks"
description: This heartwarming and thought-provoking series follows Rose Ayling-Ellis as she embarks on an incredible experiment teaching a group of retirees British Sign Language.
image: https://www.roganproductions.co.uk/hubfs/assets-2026/covers/ROSE_VILLAGE_1826-scaled-e1742283162991.jpg
---
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# Rose Ayling-Ellis: Old Hands, New Tricks
Release Date: 26 March 2025 on BBC One
Length: 2x60'
 THE GUARDIAN *“Funny, beautiful TV that leaves a lump in the throat"*
MIRROR *"A laugh out loud journey with bingo trips, deaf raves & signed karaoke"*
This heartwarming and thought-provoking series follows Rose Ayling-Ellis as she embarks on an incredible experiment teaching a group of retirees British Sign Language. But with students aged from 65 to 95, will she be able to teach these old hands some new tricks?
With an estimated 75% of older people experiencing some form of hearing loss, a number expected to rise to 80% by 2032, Rose thinks that BSL can transform their lives.
Rose takes on this mission impossible with the help of her friend, teacher Marios Costi. She recruits a group of self-described ‘recycled teenagers’ at a retirement village and together they go on a riotous and laugh-out-loud journey complete with bingo trips, deaf raves and signed karaoke. Can Eric, in his 90s, find new ways to express his love for his wife; will it help Tina communicate after her brain injury? Will 81 year-old Pam be able to show her family what she is truly capable of?
A truly groundbreaking experiment, it poses the question as to why sign language is not available in more retirement settings. Above all, the series showcases the transformative power of communication, connection, and community.
Episode 1
Rose Ayling-Ellis arrives at Hughenden Gardens Retirement Village with a bold idea. She’s going to teach British Sign Language (BSL) to the residents to improve communication, foster connections and combat loneliness in the older generation. She begins by introducing the idea to the residents and works to create a six-week course. The students, some well into their nineties, start their journey with enthusiasm, though many struggle with the physical challenges of signing.
Rose recruits Marios Costi, a charismatic BSL teacher, to lead the lessons, and together, they work on building both the skills and the confidence of the residents. They use personal photos and life stories to help the group connect with BSL on a deeper level.
Eric even teaches his great-grandchildren some signs, and we learn from his daughter that the classes are ‘taking 10 years off him’. Conversation in class turns to ageing, and Sue opens up that she hates the word ‘disabled’. She doesn’t want to be seen as different. Rose is keen for the students to look at deafness in a new way, and takes them to one of her favourite places in London – the Jewish Deaf Association, where they experience the vibrant social life of the deaf community, further igniting their passion for sign language. Sue meets Michael who is deafblind and defiantly positive who changes her outlook on life.
To celebrate the students’ progress, Rose organises a Signing Karaoke Night, where the residents showcase their newfound skills. Keith wows the room, Eric sings a love song to June, and Pam gets the whole room sing-signing along.
> ★★★★ "Touching" TELEGRAPH |"Heartwarming" TV Times | ★★★ Daily Mail | ★★★★ Sun
Episode 2
Rose Ayling-Ellis returns to Hughenden Gardens Retirement Village to push her students to the next level. While many residents have learned basic signs and phrases their enthusiasm is flagging. Determined, Rose enlists the help of children from a nearby school for the deaf to rekindle their spark for learning. The residents meet deaf children as young as 5 and compare notes on what scares them as well as their hopes and dreams for the future. and they make a heartfelt connection while discussing their experienced about being teased for being different.
In an attempt to spread sign language throughout the whole Hughenden community, Rose organises a ‘sign only supper’ where the rule is simple – no signing, no supper! A visit from the Deaf Chefs really allows this challenge to take off. To lighten the mood further, Rose arranges a Deaf Rave in which older residents experience the power of music in an entirely new way through vibrations.
Returning to their studies with renewed energy, the students prepare for the course’s grand finale—a showcase where they will sign speeches in front of family and friends.
After much practice and determination and more than a little hesitancy, most of the students sign their speeches on stage. Despite his progress in the 6 week course, Eric’s nerves get the better of him and he pulls out at the final hurdle. Can Rose convince him to take part?
It’s the end of the course but the beginning of the journey towards opening up communication in the village. The residents reflect on their learning journey and make plans for a more inclusive future.
Rose receives an emotional thank-you card from the daughter of one of the students who has passed away who shares how sign language helped her through her final days.
## Gallery
## Videos
## Now streaming on BBC iPlayer
★★★★ HEAT "Full of the feel good factor"
TELEGRAPH "An emotional look at ageing"
[Watch Now](https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m0029bgf/rose-aylingellis-old-hands-new-tricks)
Release Date: 26 March 2025 on BBC One
Length: 2x60'
Contributors:
Rose Ayling-Ellis, BSL teacher Marios Costi and the residents of Hughenden Gardens Retirement Village.
Crew:
**Series Director** Simon Gilchrist
**Series Producer** Camilla Arnold
**Executive Producers** Teresa Watkins, James Rogan, Soleta Rogan
**Executive Producers for BBC** Emma Loach
Where to watch:
Now streaming on BBC iPlayer
## Similar films
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[Rose Ayling-Ellis: Signs for Change](https://www.roganproductions.co.uk/films/rose-ayling-ellis-signs-for-change)
[Read more](https://www.roganproductions.co.uk/films/rose-ayling-ellis-signs-for-change)
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