Rosie Jones: ‘Strictly Come Dancing? No thanks’

Rosie Jones is more confident than ever: she’s making her younger self proud by writing children’s books and creating waves of laughter on a scale she never thought possible. But there’s still a ceiling.

The beloved stand-up comedian, 34, has achieved a lot despite her cerebral palsy — with more success than most non-disabled comedians could imagine, having appeared frequently on TV shows including Would I Lie to You? and a stand-up career that is proving popular.

But Rosie is the exception: she has thrived in a world that is inherently against her.

“I believe that disability is the minority group that still has a lot to evolve in terms of equality,” says Rosie in an exclusive chat with Metro.co.uk.

Watch Strictly Come Dancing: a show Rosie wanted to be on but can’t because it’s not ready for her yet.

“[Going on Strictly Come Dancing]is a thought I had before this current chaos, but no,” she replies when asked if she would appear on the show, given all the recent controversies surrounding it.

‘I watch Strictly every year and it really does feel like a staple in our society, and they have become more diverse, but I think in terms of disability there is still a disparity.

‘I can’t imagine being a part of this and being treated as an equal to all the other dancers, because even though I have rhythm — I can dance, I can do some moves — in terms of technicality, I have to admit that my body physically can’t do what a non-disabled person’s body can do, and I wouldn’t want the judges to patronize me.

“For me, even as a fan, I don’t know if we’re in a position of complete inclusion when it comes to the show.”

Rosie believes the current disparity is not a hurdle confined to the Strictly ballroom, but rather a “bigger problem” across our country that has yet to be fully addressed.

“I think you could say that about other TV shows, but also about society in general when it comes to disability. It’s the hardest minority to include, because if you want more women, if you want more people of colour, if you want more queer people, you just employ them,” says Rosie.

‘You don’t really need to change anything. Meanwhile, if you want to include people with disabilities in a show or workforce, what does the building look like? Is it accessible? What are the work hours? Can they be adapted for a specific person? What happens if the person’s disability fluctuates day to day? Are you willing to work around a given person’s individual needs?’

Change starts with a conversation.

“It starts with a willingness to be open, learn and adapt to an individual’s needs,” says Rosie. “Fundamental things in society need to change structurally.”

While Rosie campaigns on behalf of disabled people every time she steps on stage and appears on TV — and has to endure horrible online trolls as a result — she is taking even bigger steps to instigate change.

Her new children’s book Moving On Up! encapsulates this step. Ever since she was little, Rosie has always said she wanted to be a children’s author because she never saw herself in books growing up.

“I loved reading. I read everything, but I never saw a character with a disability and it made me so sad and so angry because people didn’t think my story was worth telling,” she recalls.

Rosie wrote the book with her 10-year-old older sister in mind and hopes it can be a big sister’s voice for kids who feel different.

‘The chapter I needed growing up was about feeling different, because especially when you’re a kid, it seems like the only thing you have to do is fit in and not be the odd one out.

‘For me, being disabled and secretly having feelings for other girls and wondering if I was gay was terrifying. I would have done anything to be just one of the crowd.

‘But writing a chapter about embracing your difference, embracing your individuality — because ultimately that’s what makes you brilliant and wonderful and the person you’ve always wanted to be — is incredible.

“So if I had had a chapter like that when I was little, it really would have changed the way I thought about myself for the better.”

Although people as children didn’t think Rosie’s story was worth telling, now everyone follows her.

The star, who admits her career is “going well” – ha! – is taking her show Triple Threat to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe for a two-night run, in what will be the final two thrilling performances of this particular set.

Rosie never thought she would have this life.

‘For me, growing up, all the comedians I saw on TV were white, straight, non-disabled men. I never saw a place in that world for me.

‘But as I got older and more confident in who I was, I knew I had to try because I would always regret it if I didn’t. So I tried and so far it’s been working out.’

At 34, it’s clear that Rosie is thriving, having overcome the odds and paved her way to the forefront of the stand-up comedy world with all those able-bodied men.

“I turned 30 during lockdown and, almost overnight, I was freed from all that worry about what people thought of me, whether I was doing well in my career, what my future looked like, and that just grew year after year,” she says.

‘I started therapy two years ago as well, and that was a huge thing in accepting who I am and realizing that I didn’t have to be who people thought I needed to be anymore. I could just be myself.

‘I’m surrounded by so many amazing friends and family, doing a job I simply can’t get enough of. I’m living the dream. But most importantly, I love who I am. That gives you all the confidence in the world.’

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