Taskmaster’s Rosie Jones responds to trolls criticising her casting

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Jones, who has cerebral palsy and has been a vocal campaigner against ableism, shared a message she received from a man who claimed he wouldn’t be watching the upcoming series of Taskmaster because Jones is “ruining” the show and “guaranteed to win it”. Speaking to the Guardian in February, Jones admitted nasty comments do still “upset” her and she’s had to develop a “thick skin”. But I’m able to switch it off, I don’t look at social media when I’m on TV and I focus on the positives.” Rosie Jones has called out trolls who are unhappy with her recent casting on the forthcoming series of Channel 4’s ‘Taskmaster’ Jones recalled how people – particularly those with disabilities – often approach her to thank her for “making us feel seen and worthy and valid”. Addressing the title at the time, Jones said that she had chosen it in order to reclaim the slur that had been “used as a weapon towards me all my life”.