In June 2011, after successfully fronting T4 for five years, Rick Edwards was asked to leave the show when a series of anti-disabled gaffes he'd made on-air came to public attention, via a clip on YouTube.
Channel 4 insisted that Rick make amends. As fate would have it, the broadcaster had recently acquired the rights to the 2012 Paralympics coverage, and this provided a unique opportunity for Rick to apologise for his actions.
Channel 4 cast Edwards as the face of the Paralympics.
In this show, we reveal the process that led to Rick becoming the UK's poster boy for disability against his will. With unique behind-the-scenes access to Channel 4 commissioners, to Rick Edwards and the disabled world at large, the show throws up an unprecedented cocktail of disability and acrimony.
When Rick is instructed by Channel 4 to 'acclimatize to disability' by touring the country with disabled Hollyoaks actor Peter Mitchell, a clear picture emerges: they absolutely hate each other.
As the cameras roll, the unlikely, fractious relationship between Rick and Peter spills over into violence in front of a room of schoolchildren.
The show is a testament to Channel 4's willingness to discipline its presenters when they make mistakes. But it's also an opportunity to laugh at disabled people being pushed out of wheelchairs; and the stupidity of people who make television.
Written by Tom Basden. Starring Rick Edwards, Peter Mitchell, Miles Jupp, Nadine Marshall, and Joe Wilkinson.
