Gladiator Star Jodie Ounsley to Feature in Peppa Pig Hearing Loss Storyline
Deaf athlete and Gladiators star Jodie Ounsley is set to make a special appearance in the beloved children's animated series Peppa Pig. Ounsley, known to fans as Fury on the hit revival of Gladiators, will voice an audiologist character in an upcoming storyline that addresses partial hearing loss.
George's Hearing Loss Revelation
The new plot development will see Peppa's younger brother, George Pig, revealed as moderately deaf and fitted with a hearing aid. Ounsley's character, the audiologist, will be instrumental in explaining this diagnosis to the Pig family. The storyline has been carefully developed in partnership with the National Deaf Children's Society to ensure authentic and sensitive representation.
Ounsley, who was born deaf and received a cochlear implant as a toddler, expressed profound gratitude for being involved. "I was so grateful to be part of the storyline," she told the Press Association. "Once we got into the storyline, it just made it even more special to work on, because it was something I've really related to in so many aspects of my own life."
A Personal Connection to the Role
The 25-year-old athlete described feeling a deep emotional connection while recording her lines, particularly during scenes where her character explains George's hearing loss to his parents. "I felt like I was speaking to my parents," Ounsley revealed. "I was so young when I was diagnosed, so I wasn't aware of this experience, only through what my mum and dad have told me. I don't think I realised how emotional it felt for them in that moment in time."
Ounsley shared that her own parents had a "negative experience" when her deafness was first identified. "When it's the very start of your kid's life, you really hang onto words," she explained. "For them it was very much, 'your daughter has been found as deaf, here's a leaflet, off you go'. 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."
Bringing a Positive Tone to Children's Television
Determined to bring a more supportive message to the screen, Ounsley focused on delivering a "positive tone" in her performance. "When I was going through the scripts and things like that, I thought, 'I am speaking to actual parents right now'," she said. "But even more so, I think it's why I put more heart into it, because it felt quite real. Hopefully that comes across in the episode, to the parents and kids watching it."
The athlete admitted she was initially in disbelief when offered the role. "Last year, had you mentioned this opportunity, I would have never even imagined, or believed, that I could do something like this," Ounsley confessed. "It's been incredible, and I'm so grateful to be part of it."
About Peppa Pig and the Upcoming Episode
Peppa Pig, created by Neville Astley and Mark Baker of animation studio Astley Baker Davies, first aired in 2004 on Channel 5's Milkshake and Nick Jr. The show has since become a global phenomenon, available in over 180 territories and broadcast in more than 40 languages. Its success has spawned theme parks in the UK and internationally, and even featured on collectable Royal Mail stamps. In 2019, toy company Hasbro acquired the brand as part of its purchase of Entertainment One's portfolio.
The special hearing loss storyline, featuring Jodie Ounsley's debut voice role, is scheduled to air on Milkshake from March 9, 2026. This initiative represents a significant step in mainstream children's programming toward inclusive storytelling and raising awareness about hearing impairments from a young age.
