'Cast Offs' launched

Tuesday, 3 November 2009

Channel 4 is launching a spoof reality show about a group of disabled people stranded on an island. Comedy 'Cast Offs' is a send up of reality series' such as 'Survivor' and features six people with different disabilities, who will be shown swearing, making jokes about sex and being politically incorrect.

Show star Victoria Wright - who suffers face-disfiguring cherubism, said: "This is not something that's really been seen before, showing us as adults who drink, swear and have sex."

Victoria is joined in the cast by blind Tim Gebbels, deaf Sophie Woolley, paraplegic Peter Mitchell, Kiruna Stamell who has dwarfism and thalidomide-affected Mat Fraser.

Two of three writers of the show are also disabled, and in one scene the stars will be seen discussing the representation of disabled people on TV by able bodied actors.

Series writer Jack Thorn said: "You wouldn't have a white actor playing Othello. Why are great disabled parts taken by able bodied actors? This is about breaking down barriers."

He also compared the show to TV landmark series 'Queer As Folk', which was praised for its honest and frank account of gay relationships.

He added: "I hope it will do for disability what 'Queer As Folk' did for gays - make everyone see that disabled people are no less screwed up than anyone else."

The six part series will focus on a different character for each show and will start at 11pm on November 24 on Channel 4.