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4 Disabled Talent For those who want more disabled people in TV 4 Disabled Talent for those who want more disabled people in TV
 

Success Stories


Rich Willis

I came across the database when researching the subject of disabled actors in television. I had been working as a Senior Manager in local government but in my younger days had had some limited acting experience, including the West End, but I found few opportunities in TV. I longed to get into TV or film and maybe even showcase some of my comedy writing, so I registered with 4Disabled Talent.

A couple of weeks after registering an email was sent asking for 'unusual couples' - relationships that didn't fit the norm - for a series called 'Unlikely Lovers'. I replied as my fiancée and myself not only had a height difference (my 3'8" to her 5'1") but I was also 15 years older at 36. Turn on TV selected us and filmed our lives very sympathetically. The film went out on ITV in November 2005. It showed that despite the differences we were just a normal couple like anyone else.

Since this, we were asked for our story by a national magazine and paid handsomely. We were invited to appear on 'This Morning' in March 2006 and I have recently been approached with an idea about a documentary about dwarfism (early doors yet). I have also been signed by a top London agency. All this from one email!

Soon I will be publishing my autobiography 'Looking Up' and hope to secure some TV and film roles as well as pitching some programme ideas to production companies. I feel now is the time to represent people with disabilities in a serious fashion in the media. After all, if I can be a senior manager in local government and be accepted as such, why cannot roles like this be portrayed in TV and film?


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