Rosie Jones Looks Back: From Pub Jokes to Standup Stardom
In a candid reflection, comedian Rosie Jones opens up about her journey, revealing how she unknowingly honed her craft in local pubs with lines like, "I'm not disabled, I'm drunk." Born in 1990 in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, Jones has carved a niche in comedy through television appearances on shows such as Live at the Apollo and Taskmaster, alongside hosting duties on Out of Order for Comedy Central.
Early Life and Education: Breaking Barriers
Jones recalls a childhood marked by cerebral palsy, a condition she has had since birth. At three years old, she attended a disabled nursery, but her teacher soon advocated for her placement in a mainstream school. This shift coincided with the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act when she was five, a pivotal moment that opened doors to better opportunities.
"I was one of a few disabled children in my year, so I had a teacher's aide, one-to-one, for my entire primary school experience," she explains. With government funding, she received a laptop to overcome handwriting challenges, ensuring she never missed out on education. Today, she expresses concern over the lack of similar support for disabled students, noting, "It breaks my heart to think of the disabled people starting school today. The funding they need to succeed simply isn't there any more."
Finding Humour as a Defence Mechanism
From a young age, Jones discovered that humour could bridge social gaps. "Being disabled, I couldn't walk or talk properly, but I realised that if I made a funny face or said something silly, getting laughter from people was all I needed," she says. Her family played a key role, with her mother and brother fostering a joke-filled environment, while she often set up punchlines for others.
This skill evolved during her teenage years, where she preferred feeding lines to peers rather than taking the spotlight, due to unwanted attention. It wasn't until her postgraduate studies in comedy writing at the National Film and Television School, under mentor Bill Dare, that she was pushed towards standup. "He looked at me and said, 'You're a standup. Go and try standup comedy,'" Jones recalls, sparking her career shift.
Career Beginnings and Internalised Ableism
Starting out, Jones balanced a TV researcher role on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown with nightly gigs and coursework. She reflects on how internalised ableism initially held her back, but she grew in confidence, realising, "Why the fuck can't I be the one telling the joke?" Her early material, including pub-tested jokes, served as a defence mechanism to showcase her personality beyond disability.
The grind of standup was intense. "During those first five years of gigging, I barely slept," she admits, describing performances in small venues to unresponsive crowds. She advises aspiring comedians, "You literally need to go to Reading on a Wednesday night, perform to four people who fucking hate you, cry on the train home and be £40 out of pocket." For Jones, perseverance is key, and standup remains a passion that "got out of hand."
Fame, Representation, and Challenges
While fame was never a goal, Jones values the platform it provides. "Through my career, I'm able to go on TV or write for newspapers, and people pay attention to what I say," she notes, emphasising the importance of representation for disabled people in media. Growing up, she rarely saw disabled characters portrayed as independent adults with flaws, making her current role on primetime TV significant.
However, fame comes with downsides. As a vocal liberal, she faces daily online abuse amid rising political tensions, impacting her mental health. "I've got to work hard on my mental health and choose not to expose myself to social media," she says. Public outings also bring anxiety, with strangers sometimes overstepping boundaries by hugging or even attempting to pick her up, actions she attributes to her small stature and friendly persona.
Reflections on Mobility Aids and Self-Acceptance
Jones shares a complex relationship with mobility aids, viewing them with a "love-hate – emphasis on hate" dynamic. In her youth, they were practical tools, but over time, they became negative symbols of disability. Through therapy, she is working to shed internalised ableism, inspired by childhood photos where she happily used a rollator. "When I see how happily I'm using my rollator at the age of three, I realise that 35-year-old Rosie could learn a lot from her younger self," she reflects.
In summary, Rosie Jones's story is one of resilience and humour, navigating the entertainment world while advocating for greater inclusivity and understanding for disabled individuals.
