Rosie Jones, 33, is a writer, actor and comedian who began her career writing for panel shows such as Would I Lie to You? and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. She is a regular quizshow panellist, a successful standup comic, and has moved into acting, appearing on Call the Midwife. She made headlines last year with her Channel 4 documentary about hate speech and discrimination against disabled people, Rosie Jones: Am I a R*tard?
How hard was it to move from your default comedy setting to the much more serious documentary?
So difficult. Having a disability all of my life, I quickly learned that although I was different, although I couldn’t walk, what I could do was make people laugh. And when I did that, I broke down the barriers. I released tension or awkwardness around my disability and I felt “normal”. The first day of filming, I kept cracking jokes on camera and to the crew. Tom Levinge, the director, actually stopped me and said, it’s not that kind of show. It’s not up to you to make sure everyone is OK. I’ve now taken that out into my personal life. I started therapy, and I approach situations in a different manner, because it’s not up to me to make people feel comfortable around me and disability in general. It’s up to non-disabled people to be allies and educate themselves.
You ended the documentary with a plea for people to change, but it sounds like it has changed you too.
Yes. It sounds like a rubbish description, but a lot of my close friends and family have described me as more still, which will be hard for you to believe because you’ve just seen me lose my shit [when Jill Scott came in to say hello].
What’s your comfort watch?
I love old sitcoms from the 90s. So Dinnerladies, The Royle Family, The Vicar of Dibley, Ab Fab. I did Celebrity Mastermind last year – I won, obviously – and my specialist subject was Dinnerladies.
Best thing you did on screen?
Call the Midwife. Acting is this world that I never thought would be open to me, so to be able to play such a meaty part, and represent the disabled community, and not only that but disabled mothers, was so special.
Who would play you on TV?
I’m a narcissistic psychopath – of course I would play myself.
If you weren’t doing your job, what would you be doing?
I’d probably be in prison. I’d be good in prison! Oh my God, I’d be the daddy.
Any TV roles that you envied?
I’m watching The Bear right now, and because they play most scenes in real time, it feels so natural and organic.
Who do you watch TV with?
This will make me sound like the biggest loser in the world, but I’ve recently started to live on my own, and I love it, because I can’t bear people who talk through TV shows.
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I was going to ask if you ever get starstruck, but I’ve just seen your reaction to Jill Scott.
The last time, apart from 10 minutes ago, was when I walked into a bar and saw Craig Cash, because I just think he is an incredible comedy actor and writer. His working relationship with Caroline Aherne was something magical and out of this world. And he did not disappoint. He sat me down, we shared a bottle of wine, and we talked for hours. Inside I was freaking out. I was so starstruck.