Sophie Morgan unsure Strictly would be "even playing field" for wheelchair user
“It might feel slightly tokenistic."
TV presenter and disability advocate Sophie Morgan has said she’s unsure whether Strictly Come Dancing would be an "even playing field" for a wheelchair user.
Speaking exclusively to Radio Times magazine for this week's issue, the Channel 4 Fight to Fly presenter opened up about disability representation on the popular dancing show.
"It’s wonderful to have such positive representation and inclusion with the likes of Rose and Ellie and JJ Chalmers – it reminds me of what can happen when you give disabled people a space and a voice, look what we can do with that. But it should be an industry standard," she said.
Asked whether she would ever take part in Strictly, she said: "Sure. It’s not something that intimidates me, but I don’t know, is it a level playing field with a wheelchair user and people who have got the use of their legs?"
She continued: "I’m not sure how you would you judge that competition fairly. If they could figure that out then I’d say do it, but otherwise it might feel slightly tokenistic.
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"Do you know the one I really want to do, the Jungle [I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!]. I’m putting it out there."
Morgan spoke out against rumours that she had been signed up to take part in Strictly last year, insisting: "I am not a wheelchair."
It came after The Sun reported the rumours under the headline “Cha Cha Chair”.
Morgan tweeted in response: "‘CHA, CHA, CHAIR….’ is this actually for real? @TheSun we need to have a word. I am NOT a wheelchair. I am a PERSON who uses a wheelchair. WtAF."
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Sophie Morgan's Fight to Fly airs Monday 22nd July at 9pm on Channel 4.
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