Then Barbara Met Alan Discussing the ground breaking BBC drama and the importance of the Disability Rights Movement in the UK and how we can keep pushing forward for change . Josh Merritt is a neurodivergent / disabled (autistic / dyspraxic) writer, director and now actor (apparently!). His play MADDIE recently completed a sold-out run at London's Arcola Theatre, garnering glowing reviews. He has been shortlisted for ITV Original Voices and is being mentored on the Media Trust / BBC / ScreenSkills 'Reframing Disability' programme by Rose d'Or-nominated Stu Richards (creator of BBC Three’s JERK). Josh is a commissioned writer-director with BBC Four/iPlayer and an Arts Council-funded filmmaker whose shorts have screened globally and been broadcast on television. A published playwright, his stage work has been commissioned by New Wolsey Theatre and Boundless Theatre. His plays have also been produced at Barbican, Folkestone Quarterhouse, and Shoreditch Town Hall. He is a founding member of the Barbican Young Filmmakers for whom he co-devised and created the stage show UNLEASHED. The Independent gave it five stars, and Josh's writing-directing work received an award from the producers of movie SIN CITY. He has also written for Rory Bremner on BBC Radio 4. Josh has numerous TV, film, theatre & audio projects in development including a coming-of-age film about autism with Nigel Cole (CALENDAR GIRLS, MADE IN DAGENHAM, DOC MARTIN) and Hannah Stevenson (BIFA-winning producer of EATEN BY LIONS), plus various audio fiction series with producer/director Jack Bowman (AudioMarvels, BBC Studios, Audible). www.joshmerritt.co.uk Josh’s agent: https://www.revolutiontalent.co.uk/writer-director-producers/josh-merritt www.twitter.com/Josh_Merritt1 www.linkedin.com/in/joshmerritt1 Follow us on The Sick and Sickening Instagram : https://bit.ly/3AiZzrb Follow our Host Roxy : The Multiple Sclerosis Fashionista on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3GFQETf