Cast your mind back to your childhood and it’s likely the dolls you played with were white, blonde, and impossibly proportioned: the old-school Barbie, synonymous with the blonde-hair-blue-eyed Eurocentric beauty ideal.
But Mattel, the company who produces Barbie, has made some strides in diversifying representation in their dolls. The latest addition to their Fashionista’s range is the inclusion of more dolls with disabilities, which follows the introduction of the first wheelchair-using Barbie back in 2019. The new offering will include a Barbie with a removable prosthetic leg, a Ken doll with vitiligo and, much to EastEnders’ star and Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis's delight, a Barbie wearing hearing aids.
Starring in Mattel’s Rose, Barbie and Friends Campaign, Rose, who has been deaf from birth, said, ‘It’s so important for children to be able to see themselves represented in the toys they play with.
‘When I was little, I would draw hearing aids on to my Barbie dolls to make them look like me, so I am thrilled that Mattel is releasing more dolls that encourage kids to celebrate and embrace their differences.’
Last year Rose lifted the glitterball trophy, winning over scores of fans with her moving performance for her couples’ choice to Clean Bandit’s Symphony, with a silent section in the middle, which Anton Du Beke called ‘the greatest thing I have ever seen on this show’.
Speaking to dance partner Graziano Pernice following their routine, Rose said, ‘Thank you for your determination to make this dance the most positive, happy dance it can be because you know that being deaf, there's nothing wrong, it's such a joy to be deaf. I think it says a lot about you as a person.’
Barbie is now the most diverse range of dolls on the market, according to Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls.
‘Barbie wholeheartedly believes in the power of representation,’ she said, ‘and we are committed to continuing to introduce dolls featuring a range of skin tones, body types and disabilities to reflect the diversity kids see in the world around them.’
‘It’s important for kids to see themselves reflected in product and to encourage play with dolls that don’t resemble them to help them understand and celebrate the importance of inclusion.’
Strictly Come Dancing Winners
1 of 17Series 1 – Natasha Kaplinsky
Natasha was our first EVER Strictly winner. The television presenter graced our screens in 2004 alongside her dancing partner Brendan Cole.
She won the show dancing the Quickstep (36 points), the Samba (31 points) and the Showdance (35 points).
Natasha has since returned to presenting and you can see her on ITV news.
2 of 17Series 2 – Jill Halfpenny
Actress Jill won series two with her dancing partner Darren Bennett.
She took the crown from Natasha dancing the Foxtrot (34 points) and the Jive (40 points).
The actress who has previously starred in EastEnders, Coronation Street and Waterloo Road.
3 of 17Series 3 – Darren Gough
In 2005 Darren became the first man to win Strictly.
He won the show dancing the Foxtrot (36 points) and the Paso Doble (36 points) alongside his partner Lilia Kopylova.
Darren and Lilia also won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special in 2005.
He retired from cricket in 2008.
4 of 17Series 4 - Mark Ramprakash
Mark won the BBC show back in 2006.
With his professional partner Karen Hardy they won the show dancing the Tango (34 points), the Salsa (40 points) and the Samba (36 points).
5 of 17Series 5 – Alesha Dixon
Alesha Dixon won series five of the show in 2007.
The singer won the BBC show dancing the Waltz (39 points), the Cha Cha Cha (38 points) and the Jive (35 points) alongside her partner Matthew Cutler.
Alesha later became a judge on the show during series seven, eight and nine.
She has continued making music and you can seee her on ITV's Britain's Got Talent as a judge.
6 of 17Series 6 – Tom Chambers
Back in 2008, viewers saw Tom win the glitterball trophy.
Alongside his partner Camilla Dallerup he won the show dancing the Foxtrot (35 points) and the Salsa (38 points).
Since winning the show, Tom has continued acting.
7 of 17Series 7 – Chris Hollins
The news presenter won the show in 2009 during the seventh series.
Alongside his partner Ola Jordan, Chris won the show dancing the Foxtrot (46 points), the Charleston (50 points), the Lindy Hop (44 points) and the Showdance (46 points).
Chris has continued presenting and recently co-presented the TV show, Secret Britain.
8 of 17Series 8 – Kara Tointon
The former EastEnders actress won series eight of Strictly in 2008.
Kara won the show dancing the Rumba (39 points), the Showdance (36 points), the Waltz (38 points) and the American Smooth (37 points) with her partner Artem Chigvintsev.
Kara has continued acting and has since starred in the movie Let's Be Evil.
9 of 17Series 9 – Harry Judd
The McFly drummer won series ten of the BBC show in 2012 with his partner Aliona Vilani.
He danced the Quickstep (40 points), the Showdance (37 points), American Smooth (39 points) and the Tango (40 points) in the final.
Harry has since returned to the band McFly and is now a dad of two with his wife Izzy.
10 of 17Series 10 – Louis Smith
The Olympic gymnast won the show in 2012.
Louis won the show with his partner Flavia Cacace and in the final they danced the Salsa (39 points), the Charleston (39 points) and the Showdance (40 points).
11 of 17Series 11 – Abbey Clancy
The Britain's Next Top Model runner up won Strictly in 2013.
With her partner Aljaz Skorjanec, she won the show dancing the Waltz (40 points), the Showdance (38 points) and the Quickstep (38 points).
Since the show, Abbey returned to Britain's Next Top Model (she came second in 2006) as a head judge.
12 of 17Series 12 – Caroline Flack
The former X Factor presenter, who sadly died earlier this year, won Strictly in 2014.
In the final along with her partner Pasha Kovalev, she danced the Cha Cha Cha (40 points), the Showdance (40 points) and the Charleston (40 points).
13 of 17Series 13 – Jay McGuiness
Following in the footsteps of McFly's Harry Judge, The Wanted boyband member Jay McGuiness won the BBC show in 2015.
With his partner Aliona Vilani, Jay danced the Quickstep (36 points), the Showdance (35 points) and the Paso Doble (39 points).
After winning the show he starred in the musical Big and went on to win Celebrity Hunted with his former bandmate Siva Kaneswaran.
14 of 17Series 14 - Ore Oduba
TV presenter Ore Oduba won the glitterball trophy in 2016 alongside his partner Joanne Clifton.
During the final the pair danced to American Smooth (39 points) and they scored a whopping 40 points for the Showdance and the Jive.
After winning the show, Ore has continued to present and he welcomed his first child into the world with his wife Portia.
15 of 17Series 15 - Joe McFadden
Actor Joe McFadden and his professional dance partner Katya Jones won Strictly Come Dancing in 2017.
They managed to win the judges and the public over with the Showdance (39 points), Vienesse Waltz (39 points) and Charleston (40 points).
Not only did he win Strictly but the 42-year-old actor broke a record and became the oldest ever winner of the show.
Go Joe!
Strictly 2017 winner has continued acting after getting the glitterball trophy.
16 of 17Series 16 - Stacey Dooley
Journalist and broadcaster Stacey Dooley took the crown in 2018 with her partner Kevin Clifton, beating Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, YouTuber Joe Sugg and Steps' Faye Tozer.
They won the show with 39 points on their Foxtrot, 36 points on their Showdance and 39 points with their Paso Doble,
17 of 17Series 17 - Kevin Fletcher
Considering Emmerdale's Kevin Fletcher was a last minute replacement for Made In Chelsea's Jamie Laing, who couldn't participate in the show due to a foot injury, he did incredibly well to win it with Oti Mabuse.
Fletcher and Mabuse were given 39 points from the judges for their rumba, 40 points for their showdance and 39 points for their samba.