Frances Ryan

Frances Ryan

@francesryan.bsky.social

Guardian columnist and journalist. Commentator of the Year 2024. Author of Who Wants Normal? (paperback out now) and Crippled. E: frances.ryan.freelance@guardian.co.uk

29.8K followers135 following2.6K posts

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

Properly blown away to win non-fiction readers’ choice for Who Wants Normal? at the Diverse Book Awards. It was voted for by the public, so that’s YOU lot. Thanks so much to all the readers who keep supporting this book.

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

Thanks so much for all your lovely comments on this. Means the world Who Wants Normal? can keep finding readers who might get something from it. I’ve not got my hands on the trophy yet but self-esteem will hopefully rocket in a few days 🤞

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

Finally got my hands on a copy of British Vogue’s November issue! Never gets old seeing disabled joy in the world’s premier fashion mag. (That I wrote it is a bonus.)

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

Properly blown away to win non-fiction readers’ choice for Who Wants Normal? at the Diverse Book Awards. It was voted for by the public, so that’s YOU lot. Thanks so much to all the readers who keep supporting this book.

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

They aren’t my fingers, by the way. They belong to my (showbiz) agent who gamely turned up when I couldn’t to read out my speech calling for better disability representation in publishing. Get yourselves an ally!

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

My review of The Experiment is now the most read article on the whole of The Guardian website. It is genuinely one of the most shocking, disturbing, and timely things I’ve ever watched. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

theguardian.comThe Experiment review – easily the most disturbing thing on TVAs members of the public tour a fake ‘residential home’ for disabled people riddled with Nazi ideology, you desperately hope someone will speak up. Prepare for the most excruciating viewing of your li...
Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

“It’s still rare for a disabled actor to be interviewed by a disabled journalist in prestige media and it felt freeing - dare I say radical - to enquire from the disabled-lens, like two people who knew the code word to the private club.” Me on representation: frances336.substack.com/p/behind-the...

frances336.substack.comInside British Vogue’s November issueThe story behind my profile of Ruth Madeley, and how big interviews can work for disabled journalists.
Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

It’s still uniquely rare for disabled people to be in prestige publications or fashion spaces. So, I wrote a behind-the-scenes at November’s British Vogue: including my interview with Ruth Madeley, and that time I saw Angela Rayner’s 5 ft pink flamingo. frances336.substack.com/p/behind-the...

frances336.substack.comInside British Vogue’s November issueThe story behind my profile of Ruth Madeley, and how big interviews can work for disabled journalists.
Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

I had the pleasure of interviewing Ruth Madeley for November’s British Vogue. We spoke about her big Hollywood break, body shaming, and why she’s never again withholding liquids because of no accessible loo on set. On newsstands tomorrow and online now: shorturl.at/uapVD

shorturl.at‘Being Heumann’ Star Ruth Madeley: “I Had To Be Nominated For A Bafta To Get Work”An awards-tipped role, a red-carpet rise, a Hollywood moment: it’s all happening for British actor Ruth Madeley.
Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

News! I’ve decided to expand my Substack newsletter to talk about the wider media and generally anything I can’t get past the Guardian lawyers. Tomorrow: behind the scenes at November’s British Vogue. Subscribe for free to get it in your inbox: open.substack.com/pub/frances336

open.substack.comPress Access | Frances Ryan | SubstackInsider tips and advice for disabled journalists navigating an industry that wasn't built for us. From multi-award winning Guardian columnist and author Frances Ryan. Click to read Press Access, by Fr...
Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

Excited to finally(!) be able to say I interviewed Ruth Madeley for the November issue of British Vogue. We spoke about breaking Hollywood, discrimination in the industry, and why she always pins Stella McCartney for her wheelchair. On newsstands Tuesday 20th October.

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

Bluesky has become bizarre as a left wing journalist. Messages from people who say the Tories have done less damage to the country than this Labour government. Arguing the Left as a movement is defined by the Labour Party. It’s like a flood of Russian bots come to irritate and confuse.

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Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

I of course understand the immense disappointment in Labour, particularly Starmer. I write about it all the time! But we can be livid about, say their treatment of trans people or gross failure on Israel whilst not pretending the Tories did less damage. I don’t see how that helps the cause at all.

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

“Never let George Osborne off the hook” is my personal mantra. That and “time for a revolution” but it’s a Saturday so I’ll probably catch up with Celebrity Traitors first. Have a good weekend, everyone x

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

Bluesky has become bizarre as a left wing journalist. Messages from people who say the Tories have done less damage to the country than this Labour government. Arguing the Left as a movement is defined by the Labour Party. It’s like a flood of Russian bots come to irritate and confuse.

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

There will never be anything weirder than left wing people who hate Labour so much they are willing to downplay the horror the Tories inflicted on this country. You can think Labour is shit whilst acknowledging the Tories are worse! It’s not an either or. Spread that disappointment around, lads.

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

As two major government reviews into “welfare” are set to finally report back, the right wing press are not even hiding their attempts to shape the reforms. The Left needs to get ready. My col. in today’s paper on Britain’s big benefits debate: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.comThe right’s scrounger rhetoric dominates the benefits debate. Labour must fight back – and win | Frances RyanThe prime minister has a once-in-a-generation chance to reintroduce fairness to the system. He has to seize the moment, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

Almost got to respect this comment in response to Labour potentially raising taxes on banks. I don’t particularly want to pay 40% on my earnings and would prefer to spend the cash on gin and cashmere. That’s not really relevant to HMRC or a functioning society, babe!

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

“For decades, the right has set the boundaries for what Britain’s safety net can be. The conventional wisdom is change can only go one way: the benefits system can become more punitive and error-strewn, but never more compassionate or accurate.” Today’s col. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.comThe right’s scrounger rhetoric dominates the benefits debate. Labour must fight back – and win | Frances RyanThe prime minister has a once-in-a-generation chance to reintroduce compassion to welfare, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
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Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

Much of it is just spreading vibes, a sense that this disability problem is getting out of control (or having one is becoming “cool”, as the Telegraph recently put it), and that disabled people – particularly the young – are somehow grifting “perks” while everyone else struggles with rising bills.

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

Anyone who’s read my column for the last decade - or indeed, been alive in Britain - knows Labour bloody loves to buckle to this pressure. A red govt hardly guarantees progressive change. But it does provide a chance. Write to your MP. Share these articles. The right are lobbying. The left must too.

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

“For decades, the right has set the boundaries for what Britain’s safety net can be. The conventional wisdom is change can only go one way: the benefits system can become more punitive and error-strewn, but never more compassionate or accurate.” Today’s col. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.comThe right’s scrounger rhetoric dominates the benefits debate. Labour must fight back – and win | Frances RyanThe prime minister has a once-in-a-generation chance to reintroduce compassion to welfare, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

For a leader who’s defined himself as unafraid of large-scale change, Andy Burnham is well placed to challenge that orthodoxy – if he wants. Next month sees two long awaited government reviews into benefits (Timms and Milburn) make their recommendation. Will Labour grab the opportunity or fumble it?

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

Watch out for the right wing press to try to shape the reforms before November. They’re already started. This week, The Times launched a “welfare inquiry” to investigate the impact of the benefits “crisis” on public finances. (Generous!) The Daily Mail has pitched to radically means-test Pip.

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

When I started this Substack, I said I’d share the reality of the British press to try and help more disabled journalists in. This week, please enjoy that time i interviewed the cast of The Last Leg with a mild fever (and why needing a rest isn’t shameful). frances336.substack.com/p/5-things-i...

frances336.substack.com5 things I’d like every disabled journalist to knowSome unsolicited advice from Britain’s first newspaper columnist sat in a wheelchair
Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

I was lucky enough to see a press preview of this and I was blown away. I’m not an easy crier but I shed a tear at least three times. A beautiful piece of film-making with a disabled-led cast (we’ll let Rob off) that feels all too groundbreaking.

Rob Delaney@robdelaney.bsky.social

And here’s the trailer for BEING HEUMANN. In cinemas Nov 6, streaming on AppleTV Nov 13. I saw it last night at the London Film Festival & it’s a triumph.

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

This is incredibly sad. I once interviewed RJ Mitte on the Southbank and he was very friendly and joyful on a sunny day by the river. He leaves a legacy of disability representation on the screen; something that is far from easy to achieve and still too rare. www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...

theguardian.comRJ Mitte, actor best known for Breaking Bad, dies aged 34Actor who played Walter White Jr on the acclaimed show and advocated for disability representation remembered by Bryan Cranston as ‘my sweet son’
Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

“Welfare has become an economic opiate,” the Centre for Social Justice says today in a landmark report on Britain’s “worklessness crisis.” Which is funny because I only had to start taking codeine when I got chronically ill? You’re almost there, lads! Just join some dots!

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

God, I don’t know about you but I’d love an economic opiate right about now. I wouldn’t have to spend today writing a column about this stupid report in pain rather than bathing in £50 notes and downing 30mg of codeine with a jug of Moët.

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

I’m so sorry to share such very sad news. Beautiful Mabel has passed away. It was sudden and we’re of course heartbroken. I know how many of you adored her from afar. 5 feels no age at all but it’s a real comfort to know she spread an incredible amount of love in such a short spell of time.

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

“Jimmy McGovern grabs you by the throat, asking you to question whether it’s possible to change or if the horrors of the system dooms certain people – certain children – before they ever really get a chance.” My preview of tonight’s new series of Time. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

theguardian.comTime: David Tennant and Siobhan Finneran are stellar in this horrifying and exceptional TV dramaJimmy McGovern’s grab-you-by-the-throat prison show is back and it could hardly be more urgent, prescient or excellent. Brace yourself though … Bake Off it is not
Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

I want an interrogation with the Strictly producers. Viewers loved Claudia’s comedy after the dances so they’ve given us…JoJo’s empathy. They hired a comedian in Josh so they’ve put him with…Tess’s autocue. Have these people ever seen television before?!

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

“I won’t give any spoilers but I will say you will be thinking about a moment in the first episode for days.” My preview of the new series of Jimmy McGovern’s Time. Brace yourself. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

theguardian.comTime: David Tennant and Siobhan Finneran are stellar in this horrifying and exceptional TV dramaJimmy McGovern’s grab-you-by-the-throat prison show is back and it could hardly be more urgent, prescient or excellent. Brace yourself though … Bake Off it is not
Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

“That the rightwing press has greeted ‘Keminaissance’ with a relief bordering on delusion gives a hint of how low the bar is. The most successful electoral force in the world has collapsed into irrelevance – and with barely a whimper.” My col. ahead of Tory conf: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.comI’m not buying into the ‘Keminaissance’. If the Tories lowered the bar any further, they’d be Reform UK | Frances RyanRather than ridding the Conservatives of their ‘nasty party’ status, Badenoch has a plan – to cut benefits for young people and demonise the unemployed, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

That’s not to say the Tories are dead, of course. But it is to say the “Kemi has saved us!” narrative of the RW press (and the BBC yesterday) fudges how shocking the decline of the party has been, whilst missing the vital factor: what is Badenoch doing to improve ratings? And who’s she sacrificing?

Frances Ryan reposted

Jane
@localnotail.bsky.social

Replying to @localnotail.bsky.social

MAKE IT STOP 😭

Robert Hutton@roberthutton.co.uk

I keep thinking I've found the day's most sketchable moment, and I keep being wrong.

Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

I’m not saying that I know I’ve done my job when Laura Kuenssberg has said the opposite but I’m also not not saying that. In completely unrelated news, here’s today’s column: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.comI’m not buying into the ‘Keminaissance’. If the Tories lowered the bar any further, they’d be Reform UK | Frances RyanRather than ridding the Conservatives of their ‘nasty party’ status, Badenoch has a plan – to cut benefits for young people and demonise the unemployed, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

“Two years since crushing defeat, the Tories have made no substantive efforts for reputation rehabilitation. Are they regretful of Brexit? What about Partygate or austerity?” My col. ahead of Tory conference on the vandals of Britain. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.comI’m not buying into the ‘Keminaissance’. If the Tories lowered the bar any further, they’d be Reform UK | Frances RyanRather than ridding the Conservatives of their ‘nasty party’ status, Badenoch has a plan – to cut benefits for young people and demonise the unemployed, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

Disability doesn’t care how old you are. Specialist food is no cheaper if you’re 19. Employers don’t lose their prejudice if you’re 21. This is blatant intergenerational inequality from Labour. Younger disabled people of all severities deserve better. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.comKey disability benefit for young people may be axed under major welfare changesExclusive: Plan under discussion involves intensive support to help young people into employment
Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social

It’s important to note “those with the most severe and debilitating disabilities would not lose any money.” But we know too often state tests are not accurate in judging “severe”, just as we know people with less severe conditions still face vast expenses and discrimination.