A DISABLED professional dancer performed on live television to challenge disability prejudice.

Kate Stanforth, 28, danced in her wheelchair on Channel 4 show, The Last Leg on February 10.

Kate is an ambulatory wheelchair user, meaning she can use her legs in limited circumstances and her mobility-needs change daily.

Kate, an award-winning dancer from Horsley, said: "After a week of ableist comments stemming from Strictly Come Dancing's rumour of a wheelchair user competing this year, and causing havoc myself by moving my legs on The Last Leg while dancing in my wheelchair, it certainly makes you reflect on which people, and organisations offer inclusive practice."

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"Over the years, I have had a wide range of experiences being a disabled person in a number of roles from volunteering all the way up to paid consultancy. Very few get access and inclusion right, which is a sad statistic when one in five people have a disability."

Kate was diagnosed with ME when she was 14 before being diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a disease that weakens the body's connective tissues.

"I am determined to get access and inclusion improved in the arts industry, especially for disabled people. I don’t feel as though there are equal opportunities or adequate support available at the moment and that needs to change.

"One organisation I can vouch for is Mortal Fools, which I have been a trustee for since 2021. I’m incredibly lucky that the organisation has helped me grow not just as a trustee, but as a person, and I’m proud to be part of a charity which is making such positive changes in the world."

A spokesperson from Mortal Fools said: "We are extremely proud of Mortal Fools trustee Kate Stanforth and her continuous advocacy for change for disabled people in an ableist world. Her performance on The Last Leg with her dancer Matt was beautiful and captivating.

"Kate is a dancer, teacher, model, disability and inclusion activist, charity founder and all-round brilliant human. She’s not only an advocate for inclusive performance opportunities but also runs her own inclusive dance school."