Coronation Street star Cherylee Houston has opened up about the relentless abuse she receives over her disability, revealing that she is accused daily of faking her condition to claim benefits. The actress, who plays Izzy Armstrong on the ITV soap, discussed the trolling during an appearance on Good Morning Britain this week.
Abuse on the streets and online
Houston, who has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a rare connective tissue disorder affecting collagen, joints, and skin, said that when she appears on TV without her wheelchair in view, she receives bullying from viewers who question the legitimacy of her disability. She also recounted a distressing incident where a man shouted at her and a friend about the benefits they supposedly received.
"Myself and my friend were wheeling down the street and a man was shouting out about how much benefits we got. It happens a lot, all of the time," she told presenters Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley. The actress added that disabled people face such abuse "on a daily basis."
Lack of representation fuels misunderstanding
Houston attributed much of the abuse to a lack of understanding and representation of disabled people in media. "I think some of it is about our representation and understanding of wheelchair users and the same with neurodiversity. There's so much lack of understanding, but because we're not on screen, our stories aren't told, our news isn't told, I think that's a big change," she explained.
The actress has long been an advocate for disability rights, and in 2022 she was awarded an MBE for her services to disabled people and drama. She has previously stressed the importance of visible role models for disabled children, saying, "If you think when you were growing up who your role models were, who influences you, if you as a disabled child don't have that, how do you know what you can do?"
Coronation Street storyline highlighted pandemic struggles
In 2021, Houston's character Izzy was part of a Coronation Street storyline that highlighted the difficulties faced by millions of disabled people during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the pressures of working remotely and shielding simultaneously. The storyline aimed to shed light on the often-overlooked challenges of disabled individuals during the crisis.
Houston's comments come amid a broader conversation about online abuse, following singer Ariana Grande's announcement that she is stepping back from visibility after her tour ends in London. The Good Morning Britain segment discussed the abuse Grande has faced, prompting the presenters to ask Houston about her own experiences.
Ongoing fight for equality
The actress remains steadfast in her belief that greater visibility leads to greater understanding and equality. "I firmly believe the more we're on our screens, the more we're going to be understood, the more people care and empathise and will ensure that we will have equal rights and equal opportunity, because it's about equality," she said.
Houston's revelations have sparked an outpouring of support from fans and colleagues, many of whom have praised her courage in speaking out. The abuse she describes highlights the persistent stigma and discrimination faced by disabled individuals, despite increased awareness in recent years.
