Gladiator star Jodie Ounsley is set to make a special appearance in the beloved children's series Peppa Pig, taking on a meaningful role in an upcoming storyline that addresses partial hearing loss. The athlete, who was born deaf and uses a cochlear implant, will voice an audiologist character in an episode that reveals George Pig as moderately deaf and fitted with a hearing aid.
A Personal Connection to the Role
Ounsley, known to fans as Fury on the hit show Gladiators, expressed deep gratitude for being involved in this significant plotline. The 25-year-old shared with the Press Association that she felt "so grateful" to participate, drawing on her own life experiences to bring authenticity to the role.
"When I was going through the scripts and things like that, I thought, 'I am speaking to actual parents right now'," Ounsley revealed. She described how portraying the moment when her character discloses George's hearing loss felt like speaking to her own parents, who learned she was deaf as a toddler.
Bringing Positive Representation to Children's Television
The athlete emphasised her desire to bring a "positive tone" to her role, contrasting it with what she described as her parents' "negative experience" when her deafness was first identified. "They could have said, 'don't worry, here are some resources. She still will have a very great life, she's just going to have challenges'. That would have completely shifted their mindset," Ounsley reflected.
She added that this personal connection made the project "even more special to work on" and that she put "more heart into it" because the situation felt "quite real." Ounsley hopes this authenticity will resonate with both parents and children watching the episode.
Peppa Pig's Global Reach and Development
Peppa Pig, which first aired in 2004 on Channel 5 Milkshake and Nick Jr, has grown into a global phenomenon. The animated series is now available in more than 180 territories and broadcast in over 40 languages. Created by Neville Astley and Mark Baker from animation studio Astley Baker Davies, the show has inspired theme parks in the UK and internationally, and even featured on collectable Royal Mail stamps.
In 2019, toy company Hasbro acquired the Peppa Pig brand as part of their purchase of Entertainment One's properties. This new hearing loss storyline represents another chapter in the programme's evolution, developed in partnership with the National Deaf Children's Society to ensure accurate and sensitive representation.
Air Date and Impact
The special episode will premiere on Milkshake from March 9, 2026. Ounsley admitted she was initially in disbelief when offered the role, saying, "Last year, had you mentioned this opportunity, I would have never even imagined, or believed, that I could do something like this."
She concluded by describing the experience as "incredible" and expressed hope that her involvement helps normalise discussions about hearing differences among young viewers. This storyline marks a significant step in children's programming toward greater inclusion and awareness of disability issues.
