Frances Ryan

George seems a very nice young man but being Big On The Internet is keeping him in past his prime.

I promise you this was a joke.

I know, that’s why it’s an unpopular opinion!

Besides, there’s no other sort of fairness in Strictly. George is only still in because he’s a YouTuber. Do you ban people with big social media followings who can rig the vote? Karen hasn’t had to do much ballroom. Do you let people win without fully testing them? Life is unfair. So is TV etc etc.

My unpopular opinion is “previous dance experience” doesn’t matter. 8/10 people in showbiz went to theatre school. Even sports players like Karen have dance history. If you cut out a guy who danced at 11, why not all actors? All musicians? I don’t need justice. I just want to see a lovely dance.

You knew it was going to go wrong when social media was filled with, “I think Lewis was let down by the song.” West Side Story didn’t appeal, you say? One of the greatest scores of all time needed some work?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Strictly proves that the British public can’t be trusted with democracy.

Women highlighting sexism exists is not judgemental, just as black people highlighting racism exists isn’t judgemental or gay people on homophobia. Maybe consider why you think an analysis of structural inequality is a comment on you personally. I promise it isn’t!

We don’t get to choose whether this axis is necessary - it’s there regardless and it won’t change unless we say it out loud. Gender combines with disability as it does race etc. You might find the research in my book interesting. I’m glad your wife has a great partner. Many lovely blokes out there!

There are lots of wonderful men out there being fantastic boyfriends, husbands, and unpaid carers. But it’s not anecdotal to suggest gender plays a huge role in ableism. From the “white knight” trope to women’s duty to run the home/provide sex, gender is deeply embedded in so much of what we see.

Bluesky won’t let me DM but feel free to email me at work (address on bio).

Yes, there’s limited research on the leaving thing and no quick conclusions should be drawn but it’s in the context of all the other research out there on everything else. How do men treat disabled women in bars? On the apps? In the workplace? Are disabled men treated that way by women? Guess!

The truth about the ‘gender care gap’: are men really more likely to abandon their ill wives? It’s one thing facing a major diagnosis; it’s quite another dealing with your partner pulling away. But does the stereotype match the reality?

This is really interesting by @gabyhinsliff.bsky.social exploring idea men are more likely to leave if a partner gets sick. I cover this in my book and the wider context that disabled women are treated differently than men full stop, especially in dating. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

That’s great.

Families to be offered help to leave temporary accommodation under UK child poverty strategy Government says series of measures, including childcare support, will lift 500,000 out of poverty

This is a genuinely welcome policy that could enormously improve people’s lives: families will be offered help to leave temporary accommodation, one of the worst conditions imposed on children by years of Tory housing and benefits policies. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Classic.

Thanks so much, Dan!

NHS braces for ‘unprecedented flu wave’ as hospitalised cases in England rise Average of 1,717 flu patients in beds last week, up 56% on a year ago, after ‘unusually early’ start to season

Look forward to seeing 95% of NHS staff not wearing a mask around clinically vulnerable patients! www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

The Bedside Guardian 2025 A better place to buy your books. Support independent journalism with everything you buy. Free UK P&P on online orders over £25

Get a copy here or from your preferred book provider: guardianbookshop.com/the-bedside-...

The front cover of the book. It has white, black and orange geometric pattern.

A photo of my column in the book. The title is: Disabled people deserve full lives. Instead we’re scrapping for basic rights.

Always a pleasure to be in the Bedside Guardian - our round up of 2025 with “the most revealing interviews, thought-provoking commentary and incisive reporting from the last 12 months.”

My bit is July’s column on the welfare reform debate. Other more cheerful topics are available.

@thechiller.bsky.social You won a copy of my book! Thank you for playing the low paying lottery. Email me your address and who you’d like me to dedicate it to when you get chance to frances.ryan.freelance@guardian.co.uk and I’ll post.

Women’s Institute will no longer accept trans women as members from April Exclusive: CEO says decision taken with ‘utmost regret and sadness’ after supreme court ruling on definition of a woman

Even people who have concerns about sport or refuge spaces would do well to justify why trans women should be excluded from the Women’s Institute or Guides. Just cruelty and spite. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Who Wants Normal? is out in hardback, audiobook and e-book from all the usual places:

linktr.ee/WhoWantsNormal

“Illuminated and spirited. Such a necessary book” - Marina Hyde.

Happy International Day of People with Disabilities to all who celebrate by buying a book by a disabled author for everyone on their Christmas list.

A copy of Who Wants Normal? (with its orange and yellow striped cover) stands upright on a small table. Next to it is a small snow globe with a Santa inside.

CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY.

If you’d like to gift a copy of Who Wants Normal? to someone who needs it this Christmas (but can’t afford it), I’m giving away my last author copy I just found. I’ll sign and dedicate it.

RT and I’ll pick an account at random. Ends Wednesday 3rd December 8pm. U.K. only.

That’s so kind! I hope Santa brings it.

Saunas, skating and celebratory toilet seats: 25 ways to get into the Christmas spirit Are you feeling festive? If not, here are some great and unexpected shortcuts, from fish pie to ‘intermittent wrapping’ to watching a seasonal film every day of December

“By the 25th, you’ll be grabbing a novelty bowl and devouring Christmas pudding off baby Jesus’s face.”

The Guardian is here with 25 ways to get you in the Christmas spirit. Mine: festive dinnerware. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

Some of you are ‘liking’ this and some are ‘sharing.’ Please RT if you want me to see your entry! Don’t make me choose between two columns of people. It’s Christmas.

If you RT the original post, I won’t lose you

A copy of Who Wants Normal? (with its orange and yellow striped cover) stands upright on a small table. Next to it is a small snow globe with a Santa inside.

CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY.

If you’d like to gift a copy of Who Wants Normal? to someone who needs it this Christmas (but can’t afford it), I’m giving away my last author copy I just found. I’ll sign and dedicate it.

RT and I’ll pick an account at random. Ends Wednesday 3rd December 8pm. U.K. only.