Emma Purcell has become an expert in securing, conducting, and publishing disabled celebrity interviews. Starting at Disability Horizons, she spent five years interviewing disabled figures in television, film, sport, and advocacy. Now, as editor of Crip Life™ and guest booker for the lABLEd podcast, she continues to spotlight disabled voices.
Since 2018, I have published over 85 disabled celebrity interviews via Disability Horizons and Crip Life™. Conducted through email, phone, and Zoom, these experiences have connected me with incredible disabled figures across entertainment, sports, business, and activism. Here are some of my favourites:
Lucy Martin
My first interview was with BBC weather presenter Lucy Martin, who was born with an upper limb difference. In January 2018, we discussed her childhood, her career, and working for the BBC. The article reached 10,000 views in weeks, making it Disability Horizons’ most-read piece that year!
I later followed up when she modelled on a catwalk alongside Paralympian Richard Whitehead, another interviewee of mine.
Read: We speak to disabled BBC weather presenter Lucy Martin
Alex Brooker
As a fan of The Last Leg, securing an interview with co-host Alex Brooker in October 2020 was a dream come true. Over the phone, we discussed his life, career, and fatherhood. He was approachable, engaging, and one of the most enjoyable interviews I’ve conducted.
Read: Alex Brooker: disabled journalist, comedian and co-host on The Last Leg
Sophie Morgan
I first saw Sophie Morgan in The World’s Worst Place to Be Disabled (2015), where she explored discrimination in Ghana. Her career has since flourished, presenting for the Paralympics and appearing in documentaries. Interviewing her in April 2019, I learned about her disability journey, advocacy work, and artistic talents.
Read: Sophie Morgan on being a presenter, artist and disability campaigner
Ade Adepitan
Growing up, I admired Ade Adepitan when he presented Xchange on CBBC. Speaking to him in September 2020 was surreal. He shared insights into his 30-year career as a wheelchair basketball player, TV presenter, travel journalist, and author. I admired how honest and open he was about some of the challenges of living with a disability and the less glamorous parts of being a professional athlete and TV presenter.
Read: Ade Adepitan on his wheelchair basketball career and becoming a television presenter and author
Cerrie Burnell
Best known for presenting on CBeebies, Cerrie Burnell faced controversy when parents complained her limb difference was “scaring children”. In my August 2020 interview, she discussed these perceptions, societal attitudes, and her career as an actor and author.
I felt Cerrie did a great job in focusing heavily on people’s perception of her limb difference and the frustrations with societal attitudes towards disabled people.
Read: Cerrie Burnell: disabled actress, author and TV presenter
Shaun Ryder
I was nervous yet excited to interview Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder. After hearing him discuss his ADHD and dyslexia diagnosis, I knew he’d be a fantastic feature for Disability Horizons. Our May 2022 Zoom chat covered his struggles with undiagnosed learning difficulties, his music career, and family life.
Read: Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder on being a rockstar with ADHD
ParalympicsGB athletes
In 2021 and 2024, I interviewed over 30 Paralympians. In 2021, I connected with athletes ahead of the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, some even from the Paralympic Village. Favourites included sprinter Libby Clegg, javelin thrower Hollie Arnold, triathlete Lauren Steadman, and boccia player David Smith.
For Crip Life™, I secured 18 interviews for our ParalympicsGB debutants series before Paris 2024, helping raise athlete profiles while growing our readership to 20,000 in eight weeks.
Read: Paris 2024 ParalympicsGB Debutants Interview Series
Jack Carroll
Jack Carroll, the comedian and Coronation Street actor, was Crip Life™’s first interview in May 2023. We discussed his short film Mobility, stand-up career, and cerebral palsy. Unlike my Q&A disabled celebrity interviews, I structured this one as an article, a format I now prefer for its readability.
Read: Jack Carroll: Disabled Comedian Brings ‘Mobility’ To Life In BAFTA-Winning TV Show
Shelbée Clarke
Not all my interviews are with high-profile celebrities—some are everyday heroes. Shelbée Clarke, an amputee footballer and captain of England’s team, also coaches at SSG Celestials, a football club for SEND children. We spoke via Zoom while she was in Australia,
As a big fan of football myself and a love of the women’s game, I thoroughly enjoyed talking all things football with Shelbée. We also discussed her experience going through bone cancer and getting her leg amputated. I also love that we’re highlighting disability sports beyond the Paralympics. It raises awareness of inclusive sports year-round, not just every four years!
Read: Shelbée Clarke: Amputee Footballer Supporting SEND Children To Access The Beautiful Game
Tommy Jessop
Tommy Jessop is the first actor with Down syndrome to star in a BBC primetime drama (Line of Duty) and tour as Hamlet. In August 2023, I interviewed him and his brother Will about their BBC documentary Tommy Jessop Goes to Hollywood. They shared insights into their careers, filmmaking, and the fight for better representation in Hollywood.
Read: Tommy Jessop: “I’m Hoping To Be The Very First Person With Down Syndrome To Become A Superhero”
Joanne Roughton-Arnold
Joanne Roughton-Arnold is a partially sighted opera singer whom I got the pleasure to interview twice. The first time I interviewed her was in September 2020 for Disability Horizons, when we discussed her career as a violinist and opera singer and the launch of her organisation formidAbility.
In February 2024, I interviewed Joanne again for Crip Life™ to promote her accessible production Song in Sign. She passionately advocates for inclusive performing arts and has been a joy to interview.
Read: Joanne Roughton-Arnold: visually impaired violinist, opera singer and founder of FormidAbility
Arthur Hughes
British actor Arthur Hughes was another disabled celebrity who I got the chance to interview twice at both publications. I first interviewed him in March 2022, following the release of the factual Drama Then Barbara Met Alan, where he starred alongside Ruth Madeley (another actor who I’ve interviewed). The second time was in April 2024, ahead of the release of his star role in Disney’s Shardlake.
On both occasions, Arthur was open about his limb difference and showed his passion for telling stories about disabled historical figures like the disability rights campaigner Alan Holdsworth and disability culture in 16th-century Britain.
Read: Arthur Hughes on being an actor on stage and screen with an upper-limb difference
Tiffany Yu
My most recent interview was with Tiffany Yu, founder of Diversability. She spoke about disability pride, internalised ableism, PTSD, social media activism, and the business case for inclusion. Her honesty and advocacy make her a standout voice.
Read: Tiffany Yu: Redefining Disability And Championing Inclusion
These interviews are just a snapshot of my work over seven years as a freelance journalist. I still have a wish list of disabled celebrities to interview, including Daniel Radcliffe, Warwick Davies, Stevie Wonder, Adam Hills, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Maisie Adam, Miranda Hart, Lucy Bronze and many more – many of whom you may not have been aware have a disability… Watch this space!
You can view all of Emma’s disabled celebrity interviews on Crip Life™ and follow Crip Life™ on Facebook, Threads, Instagram and LinkedIn.