Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social
Guardian columnist and journalist. Commentator of the Year 2024. Author of Who Wants Normal? and Crippled.
E: [email protected]
E: [email protected]
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Frances Ryan
@francesryan.bsky.social
· Apr 17
Four years on an iPhone in bed later, Who Wants Normal? is finally out in the world today.
Part memoir, part guide, it features 50+ of Britain’s best known disabled women. I hope it makes you laugh, possibly cry, and feel seen.
Order all formats here: linktr.ee/WhoWantsNormal
Part memoir, part guide, it features 50+ of Britain’s best known disabled women. I hope it makes you laugh, possibly cry, and feel seen.
Order all formats here: linktr.ee/WhoWantsNormal
An exquisite detail from my @theguardian.com news colleagues on why Robert Jenrick was late to meet Nigel Farage onstage today.
January 15, 2026 at 9:26 PM
An exquisite detail from my @theguardian.com news colleagues on why Robert Jenrick was late to meet Nigel Farage onstage today.
Pleased at least some of the media are saying this stuff out loud.
Sky's Rob Powell asks Nigel Farage that, given Robert Jenrick is the 7th person to have served in Boris Johnson's government to defect to Reform, how can his party be "a new, reforming force" when it is "bringing in so many people who caused the mess that you're trying to clean up"
January 15, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Pleased at least some of the media are saying this stuff out loud.
There’s clear benefits to Nigel Farage embracing Tory defectors: it reinforces idea Tories are dying and Reform are the victors. But it’s a funny thing to take on ministers who screwed up what you’re criticising from a party the public voted out. If the Tories are dead, why smile with their ghosts?
January 15, 2026 at 5:02 PM
There’s clear benefits to Nigel Farage embracing Tory defectors: it reinforces idea Tories are dying and Reform are the victors. But it’s a funny thing to take on ministers who screwed up what you’re criticising from a party the public voted out. If the Tories are dead, why smile with their ghosts?
Tory MPs leaving the disgraced party and trying to get elected under the Reform banner.
January 15, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Tory MPs leaving the disgraced party and trying to get elected under the Reform banner.
I can only respect Peter Kay for not wanting Phoenix Nights on streaming because a part of the humour has racism in it (like so much of 2000 era comedy) but 25 years on, I still mourn the fact I can’t see “shabba!” again unless I YouTube a grainy DVD recording. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Phoenix Nights: 25 years since Peter Kay’s record-breaking TV comedy like no other
The eccentric, sharp-eyed sitcom was so loved that it was once the fastest-selling DVD ever. A quarter of a century on from its Channel 4 debut, why has it fallen so far off the radar?
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:39 PM
I can only respect Peter Kay for not wanting Phoenix Nights on streaming because a part of the humour has racism in it (like so much of 2000 era comedy) but 25 years on, I still mourn the fact I can’t see “shabba!” again unless I YouTube a grainy DVD recording. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Today is 10 years of my Guardian column. When I started writing it in 2016 - back then under the (ironic) Hardworking Britain campaigning title - George Osborne was Chancellor, Covid hadn’t entered the lexicon, and Twitter had memes rather than revenge porn. Forgive me a very brief reflection.
January 14, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Today is 10 years of my Guardian column. When I started writing it in 2016 - back then under the (ironic) Hardworking Britain campaigning title - George Osborne was Chancellor, Covid hadn’t entered the lexicon, and Twitter had memes rather than revenge porn. Forgive me a very brief reflection.
The year ended with hysteria that disabled people are getting “free BMWs” through Motability. As 2026 begins, @theipaper.com asked me: what are disabled people in Britain really getting from the state? And what should politicians actually be arguing for? inews.co.uk/opinion/mota...
Angry about Motability? Disabled people face a far bigger crisis
Forget free luxury cars, many disabled people in Britain struggle to afford regular meals
inews.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 7:58 PM
The year ended with hysteria that disabled people are getting “free BMWs” through Motability. As 2026 begins, @theipaper.com asked me: what are disabled people in Britain really getting from the state? And what should politicians actually be arguing for? inews.co.uk/opinion/mota...
2025 ended with a backlash against disabled people supposedly getting “free BMWs” on Motability. To kick off 2026, the @theipaper.com asked me: what do disabled people in Britain really get from the state? And what do they actually need? inews.co.uk/opinion/mota...
Angry about Motability? Disabled people face a far bigger crisis
Forget free luxury cars, many disabled people in Britain struggle to afford regular meals
inews.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 12:45 PM
2025 ended with a backlash against disabled people supposedly getting “free BMWs” on Motability. To kick off 2026, the @theipaper.com asked me: what do disabled people in Britain really get from the state? And what do they actually need? inews.co.uk/opinion/mota...
There’s been a bit of fuss in recent days after tabloids picked up comments I made over media coverage of Jesy Nelson’s brave campaign for her twins. When I posted on Instagram, broadcaster - and fellow disabled blonde wheelchair user - Sophie Morgan amplified my remarks. Cue: MANY HEADLINES. 1/3
January 13, 2026 at 10:55 AM
There’s been a bit of fuss in recent days after tabloids picked up comments I made over media coverage of Jesy Nelson’s brave campaign for her twins. When I posted on Instagram, broadcaster - and fellow disabled blonde wheelchair user - Sophie Morgan amplified my remarks. Cue: MANY HEADLINES. 1/3
There is surely no greater January ritual than reading The Guardian’s “50 must see shows for the year.”
New Rivals! Malcolm in the Middle returns! A Game of Thrones spin-off that remembers humour! Lisa McGee’s follow up to Derry Girls! We are spoilt. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
New Rivals! Malcolm in the Middle returns! A Game of Thrones spin-off that remembers humour! Lisa McGee’s follow up to Derry Girls! We are spoilt. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
The 50 must-see TV shows for 2026
The return of hit bonkbuster Rivals, the horny hockey show taking the world by storm, Richard Gadd’s follow-up to Baby Reindeer … and Buffy is back! Here’s your complete guide to 2026’s unmissable tel...
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM
There is surely no greater January ritual than reading The Guardian’s “50 must see shows for the year.”
New Rivals! Malcolm in the Middle returns! A Game of Thrones spin-off that remembers humour! Lisa McGee’s follow up to Derry Girls! We are spoilt. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
New Rivals! Malcolm in the Middle returns! A Game of Thrones spin-off that remembers humour! Lisa McGee’s follow up to Derry Girls! We are spoilt. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Thanks to everyone who bought, shared, or reviewed Who Wants Normal? in 2025. It was a brutal news year for disability rights (like much else) and reading your messages about how the book gave you a lift was a huge highlight.
December 31, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Thanks to everyone who bought, shared, or reviewed Who Wants Normal? in 2025. It was a brutal news year for disability rights (like much else) and reading your messages about how the book gave you a lift was a huge highlight.
On the list of “must read articles you might have missed in 2025”, this on one man dealing with NHS wheelchair services is up there (and is much more fascinating and maddening than it might sound). www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
‘I wish I could say I kept my cool’: my maddening experience with the NHS wheelchair service
The long read: After I was paralysed in a climbing accident, I discovered how inconsiderate, illogical and incompetent many wheelchair providers can be
www.theguardian.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:08 AM
On the list of “must read articles you might have missed in 2025”, this on one man dealing with NHS wheelchair services is up there (and is much more fascinating and maddening than it might sound). www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by Frances Ryan
wow, sorry. Deleting now. I didn’t know she was French
December 29, 2025 at 8:31 PM
wow, sorry. Deleting now. I didn’t know she was French
If you’re looking for a festive watch, I reviewed Finding Father Christmas (Ch4) - a one off special starring Lenny Rush and James Buckley, with a cameo from Stephen Fry being a Very Good Sport.
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Finding Father Christmas review – Lenny Rush and James Buckley’s chemistry is just wonderful
The father-and-dad pair are a total delight in this tale of a 16-year-old trying to prove Santa’s existence. They deserve a whole new episode together
www.theguardian.com
December 26, 2025 at 12:48 PM
If you’re looking for a festive watch, I reviewed Finding Father Christmas (Ch4) - a one off special starring Lenny Rush and James Buckley, with a cameo from Stephen Fry being a Very Good Sport.
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
I reviewed tonight’s Finding Father Christmas - a lovely one off special starring Lenny Rush and James Buckley, with cameos from Stephen Fry and more being Very Good Sports. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Finding Father Christmas review – Lenny Rush and James Buckley’s chemistry is just wonderful
The father-and-dad pair are a total delight in this tale of a 16-year-old trying to prove Santa’s existence. They deserve a whole new episode together
www.theguardian.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:10 PM
I reviewed tonight’s Finding Father Christmas - a lovely one off special starring Lenny Rush and James Buckley, with cameos from Stephen Fry and more being Very Good Sports. www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Reposted by Frances Ryan
Unbelievably, #DuvetKnowItsChristmas generates such good will on social media that over the years we've raised somewhere approaching a quarter of a million quid for homeless charities. If you can spare a bob or two, sling some to Centrepoint, and here's the link: www.gofundme.com/f/duvet-know...
Donate to Duvet Know It's Christmas, 2025, organized by Rhodri Marsden
Unbelievably, it's the 15th year of this thing.
What is it?
Improbably, the nig… Rhodri Marsden needs your support for Duvet Know It's Christmas, 2025
www.gofundme.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Unbelievably, #DuvetKnowItsChristmas generates such good will on social media that over the years we've raised somewhere approaching a quarter of a million quid for homeless charities. If you can spare a bob or two, sling some to Centrepoint, and here's the link: www.gofundme.com/f/duvet-know...
A really touching piece by @jaseokundaye.bsky.social on balancing the often complex family dynamics and emotions that Christmas can bring up. (With a side note of celebrity gossip.) www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Bad blood between the Beckhams at Christmas might seem trite. But here’s why it’s important | Jason Okundaye
It’s celebrity catnip, but beyond the headlines this is also a tale of family dysfunction. At this time of year, so many people know about that, says Guardian Opinion assistant editor Jason Okundaye
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:19 PM
A really touching piece by @jaseokundaye.bsky.social on balancing the often complex family dynamics and emotions that Christmas can bring up. (With a side note of celebrity gossip.) www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
@thechiller.bsky.social I sent the book about a week ago second class. Hope it arrives and no fox disasters occur!
December 21, 2025 at 10:50 AM
@thechiller.bsky.social I sent the book about a week ago second class. Hope it arrives and no fox disasters occur!
I love this letter from a reader on why “we’re not doing presents this year!” is often a miserable, middle class pursuit. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Sure, Christmas isn’t all about presents – for those lucky enough to afford their own treats | Letter
Letter: Those who suggest ‘not doing presents this year’ tend to be people who already have all the socks and candles they need, writes one reader
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:26 PM
I love this letter from a reader on why “we’re not doing presents this year!” is often a miserable, middle class pursuit. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
The last bit from me for 2025 is the (Christmas) Opinion newsletter where a different columnist writes each Saturday.
On the 27th, I’ll be reflecting on a bonfire year in news and why the Radio Times double issue should actually be longer.
Sign up here: www.theguardian.com/global/2025/...
On the 27th, I’ll be reflecting on a bonfire year in news and why the Radio Times double issue should actually be longer.
Sign up here: www.theguardian.com/global/2025/...
Sign up to Matters of Opinion: a weekly newsletter from our columnists and writers
Guardian columnists and writers on what they’ve been debating, thinking about, reading, and more
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:25 PM
The last bit from me for 2025 is the (Christmas) Opinion newsletter where a different columnist writes each Saturday.
On the 27th, I’ll be reflecting on a bonfire year in news and why the Radio Times double issue should actually be longer.
Sign up here: www.theguardian.com/global/2025/...
On the 27th, I’ll be reflecting on a bonfire year in news and why the Radio Times double issue should actually be longer.
Sign up here: www.theguardian.com/global/2025/...
Actual Good News: Labour has launched its fair funding formula for local councils. The aim is to push more cash towards deprived communities like Middlesbrough and Birmingham. And less for wealthier areas such as Kensington and the Home Counties. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Council funding deal: who are the winners and losers – and will tax bills rise?
Cash is now being distributed using a new Fair Funding formula that gives greater weighting to local authorities with high ‘deprivation’ scores
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Actual Good News: Labour has launched its fair funding formula for local councils. The aim is to push more cash towards deprived communities like Middlesbrough and Birmingham. And less for wealthier areas such as Kensington and the Home Counties. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
I’m unflinching in my belief in the right to strike but there surely has to be a line when it comes to cancelling people’s chemotherapy and radiotherapy. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Officials fear NHS will be hit hard after resident doctors reject latest offer
Wes Streeting and BMA urged to seek mediation as hospitals in England struggle amid flu outbreak
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 12:56 PM
I’m unflinching in my belief in the right to strike but there surely has to be a line when it comes to cancelling people’s chemotherapy and radiotherapy. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Dr Jack Fletcher, the chair of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, has accused Wes Streeting of “scaremongering the public into thinking that the NHS will not be able to look after them and their loved ones”.
Are you going to tell Dr. Fletcher or should I? www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Are you going to tell Dr. Fletcher or should I? www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Resident doctors in England vote to go ahead with strike
Five-day strike to start on Wednesday as Wes Streeting’s offer is rejected by BMA members in online ballot
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Dr Jack Fletcher, the chair of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, has accused Wes Streeting of “scaremongering the public into thinking that the NHS will not be able to look after them and their loved ones”.
Are you going to tell Dr. Fletcher or should I? www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Are you going to tell Dr. Fletcher or should I? www.theguardian.com/society/2025...