Groundbreaking Paralympic coverage a reminder of sport’s power to do good | Emma John

Channel 4's bold move to appoint deaf actor Rose Ayling-Ellis as a host is a timely antidote to the BBC's over-sentimentality

The boccia may not start until Thursday but the Paralympic broadcasters have already started scoring points. There was probably no better way of ensuring that British people tune in over the next couple of weeks than announcing that Rose Ayling-Ellis will be hosting its afternoon coverage. The actor beloved for her Strictly Come Dancing win two years ago communicates an uncontrived joyfulness every time she appears in front of a camera.

She knows that her deafness will present a particular challenge in live sports presenting. It is both why it has never been done before, and what drew her to it. I think I'm addicted to being the first of doing something," she said this week. I didn't realise how hard it is. I did panic a bit and think, what have I signed up for?" The producers at Whisper TV, the company behind Channel 4's coverage, are adapting their working methods around a role that traditionally relies on in-ear talkback.