Doctor Who star gets mistaken for a Paralympian all the time ‘just because she’s disabled’-Larushka Ivan-Zadeh-Entertainment – Metro

We spend 60 Seconds with BAFTA-nominated actress Ruth Madeley (Picture: PA)

Bafta-nominated actress Ruth Madeley, 36, is best known for her TV appearances on Doctor Who and Years And Years.

She was born with the spinal defect spina bifida, dreams of a role in the Marvel superhero franchise and co-stars with Rebel Wilson in new indie movie, The Almond And The Seahorse.

In this week’s Sixty Seconds, she clears up her assumed connection to Richard Madeley, why she won’t be wearing her corset outside of Renegade Nell, and her proudest moment in the Tardis.

Can we clear up one thing – are you related to Richard and Judy?

That’s so funny. I get that ALL the time. Like I am this child that they just don’t mention. To set the record straight, I am not, in any way, shape or form that I know of, related to Richard Madeley.

Richard Madeley is not Ruth’s dad (Credits: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

What’s your new movie The Almond And The Seahorse about?

It’s a really beautiful and truthful look at the impact of brain injury on people and their loved ones and how it can affect lives.

The majority of my scenes are with Meera Syal, who I absolutely adore. I play her assistant at a brain injuries clinic and we have had the best time together. We’re like the light comedy relief in the film.

It’s got Rebel Wilson in it, but it’s not a Rebel Wilson comedy, right?

No it isn’t. It’s just a really different way to see Rebel, where you can fully appreciate her acting range and everything that she can bring to the screen besides comedy. 
I think people will be really, really impressed with her.

You’ve said you grew up never seeing anyone like you on TV. Have things improved?

Oh, absolutely, 100 per cent. And it’s really important to celebrate every little improvement and to recognise how far we’ve come as an industry. But also not be afraid now to keep pushing, because there’s still a long way to go. I’m a big advocate for seeing disabled people for all different kinds of roles.

I am incredibly lucky. I do get seen for quite a range of different things across many genres: sci-fi, comedy, drama – the works! But I do absolutely recognise that sadly this isn’t the case for a lot of disabled artists.

What’s the one thing you wish people would never say to a disabled person?

If you have any worries it’s best to just ask (Credits: Cat Morley/SOPA Images/Shutterst)

Ooof! How long have we got?! Actually, if you’re worried about saying the wrong thing I would simply say, just ask.

I’m never going to be offended if you ask me what my needs are. So many things can be gotten rid of, worry-wise, if you just have an open conversation.

What do fans recognise you for?

At the moment I’d say Doctor Who.

It’s such a powerhouse of a show. I was very happy to be the character who was able to reveal that the Tardis had a disability ramp to the world. That was a very, very cool moment for me.

I also get recognised for The Paralympics. I’ve never been a Paralympian, but a lot of people see a disabled person and assume they’re a Paralympian. I’ve got many free drinks on that basis.

What’s your dream show to be part of?

As a kid, Gladiators was always like the pinnacle for me. But, let’s face it, that was never going to happen. And I wouldn’t be turning down a Marvel Universe call-up.

It’s such a great thing and they need to up disabled representation in that world.


I grew up wanting to be a Disney princess and now I am part of a Disney franchise with Renegade Nell.

It was so exciting to dip into a completely different genre [18th-century costume adventure] that 
I’ve never thought, as a disabled person,
I would be able to be in because disabled people were hidden away or just not out and about in ‘polite society’.

Did you get a corset for Renegade Nell?

I had a corset. I had a bustle. I had about 12 pieces of stuff in my hair. But it’s not something I’d love to wear outside work.

As somebody who grew up wearing a scoliosis brace from the age of 18 months, I was like, ‘You can keep that corset, thank you very much.’

Do you collect anything?

Whisky. I’m a big lover of bourbon. I’ve got a 12-year-old Weller.

It makes me cry when I think about how much it costs but, luckily, I’m the only one in the house that drinks that, so no one’s gonna have a drink of it when I’m not looking.

What is your most controversial food opinion?

I don’t think it’s controversial, because it’s obvious. But celery is disgusting. Beyond disgusting. I struggle to see how anyone could find celery appealing.

Do you have any pets?

I have a British Shorthair cat called Rosa.
I would actually die for my cat and she would calmly step over my cold, dead body.

And we have our baby – a British bulldog pup called Buford, after a character in Smokey And The Bandit, the old Burt Reynolds movie.

Basically, Rosa completely rules everything and Buford lets her. That’s how our household works.

The Almond And The Seahorse 
is out now in cinemas

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