Rachel’s sign language tribute for deaf star, six

HOLLYOAKS star Rachel Shenton uses sign language as she accepts an Oscar for The Silent Child, a film about a deaf girl, that was funded by cupcakes.

Rachel, 30, who played Mitzeee Minniver in the TV soap, made the feature with fiancé Chris Overton.

It stars Maisie Sly, of Swindon, Wilts, as a child who bonds with a social worker. As she received the Best Short Film (Live Action) gong, Rachel said: “I promised our six-year-old lead actress that I would sign this speech. My hands are shaking a bit, so I apologise.”

The £10,000 budget for the movie was raised by crowdfunding and schemes that included Chris and Rachel’s parents baking and selling cakes.