ADDICTIVE VIEWING

Comedian and writer Rosie Jones has never let cerebral palsy hold her back and, as her brilliant (and controversial) new sitcom in which she plays an unlikely drug mule reveals, disabilities shouldn't be a barrier... even to a life of crime

- Richard Barber

ON June 24, 1990, Andrea Jones went into premature labour at 24 weeks and gave birth to a tiny daughter, who suffered a devastating brain haemorrhage on delivery. She was not expected to live.

At eight months, the baby was finally diagnosed with ataxic cerebral palsy and epilepsy, affecting both her voice and physical movement: today, when walking, she drags one leg behind the other.

Aged four, she announced to her class of primary school mates in Bridlington, east Yorkshire that her condition made her “talk slowly” and “fall over a lot”.

Her classmates probably didn’t suspect that this plucky little girl, Rosie Jones, would grow up to become a highly successful stand-up comedian, writer and actress — all while inspiring others with disabilities.

Rosie, now 34, will reach yet another milestone in her astonishing career at 10pm on Channel 4 today. Pushers is a six-part sitcom co-written by and starring Rosie, and tells the story of a disabled woman who turns, reluctantly at first, to supplying cocaine to the residents of a run-down housing estate.

Her character, Emily, is working as an unpaid volunteer at a local charity, keeping body and soul together via state benefits.

When the time comes for her case to be reviewed by the Department for Work and Pensions, she ill-advisedly tells the truth.

“Do you dribble?” asks the government employee. She says she doesn’t. “Do you soil yourself?” “No.” And so on. Until her benefits are summarily removed.

Then Emily bumps into local drug dealer Ewen (a spot-on Ryan McParland), a boy who was in her class at school. He’s far from being the sharpest tool in the box, a young man who, when he spots a sign for speed bumps, sees it as an invitation and puts his foot on the accelerator, resulting in the occasional bloody nose.