Barbara Lisicki is a British disability rights activist, comedian, and equality trainer and appeared on ITV's This Morning, hosted by Phillip Schofield and Josie Gibson, to discuss the new drama made about her extraordinary life. The story is being told in a one-off episode on BBC2 and is called: Then Barbara Met Alan.
The story tells of how Barbara Lisicki and Alan Holdsworth, two cabaret performers, became the driving force behind the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act and Barbara joined Phil and Josie on the sofa to talk about it. But eagled-eyed viewers were quick to take to Twitter and point out that Barbara was displaying a message to the government on a badge pinned to her black roll-neck jumper.
One Twitter use said: "Loving Barbara wearing her 'Kick the Tories' out badge proudly in front of Pip." While another said: "Respect to Barbara for wearing her 'Kick Out The Tories' badge".
When Barbara Met Alan is inspired by the true story of a campaign of direct action that led to significant gains in the battle for disabled civil rights in Britain and it looks set to become one of the best BBC dramas to date. Earlier this year, Ruth Madeley who plays Barbara in the drama spoke to Stylist about bringing Lisicki’s story to the small screen.
She said: “I think it’s really important that more people know about (Barbara) because so many people still don’t. She blazed the trail to make sure that disability rights were taken seriously. And to make sure that disabled people have choice and rights, with everything that they do in life. I was a child when this was happening, and knowing my rights as a disabled woman are down to her is huge.”
Josie Gibson was in for Holly Willoughby on This Morning today as Holly is off work after testing positive for Covid. Then Barbara Met Alan is on BBC2, March 20, 9pm.
