Last Updated on 13/05/2024 by Crip Life
Jack Carroll is a disabled comedian, actor and writer who rose to fame after competing on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, performing his very funny and witty stand-up routines a decade ago. He has gone on to star in the BAFTA award-winning BBC comedy Mobility, which he also co-wrote. Also, in December 2023, Jack joined the cast of Coronation Street, playing Bobby, Carla Connor’s nephew in the ITV soap.
Speaking exclusively to Crip Life™, Jack Carroll discusses what life is like living with cerebral palsy, his career in comedy, acting and writing and how Mobility came about and what it was like to film.
Jack Carroll is a disabled comedian, actor and writer from Halifax, West Yorkshire. The 24-year-old was born with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that affects his movement, balance and coordination and he uses a walking frame.
Discussing how his cerebral palsy affects him and if he has faced many challenges, Jack said:
“My legs are affected by poor balance, tightness, fatigue and an abnormal walking pattern. I have pain in my left foot most days recently and have had to watch out for it a bit more.
I suppose it depends on what you mean by challenges. I take it for granted now and don’t really think about it. It can present some logistical difficulties but I am pretty resourceful and the pain can be annoying but I try to remain stoic as CP is always going to be part of my life.”
He added: “I’ve not had anything to compare it to and I had a great childhood with cerebral palsy, which was just a part of life. I think it also had a positive impact on my sense of humour and forced me to develop good verbal skills and quick thinking.”
Jack Carroll on Britain’s Got Talent
Jack competed on Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) in 2013 at aged 14. He wowed both the judges and the audience with his clever and amusing sense of humour, in which he featured his disability in the routines.
Being asked what encouraged him to audition for BGT, Jack said:
“They asked me to apply after seeing me at the Pride of Britain Awards. I didn’t have much on and fancied a day off school so I went ahead and did it.”
He added: “I also realised when I was very young that some form of comedy/writing/performing was what I wanted to do with my life and decided it would be a great platform.”
Jack continued to share his thoughts on his BGT experience: “The whole experience was amazing. Meeting one of my comedy idols – David Walliams – was a highlight and I’m pleased to say that we are still firm friends and even occasionally colleagues and he’s offered a lot of help and advice.
My experience on BGT was a brilliant one and I’ll always be grateful to them for the platform.”
As for Jack’s reaction on making the final and being runner-up on the talent show, he admitted: “I was disappointed for about 30 minutes and then I took stock and decided while the money would’ve been nice, I still had a supportive group of friends and family and hopefully a long career to come.
Jack Carroll on his stand-up comedy, acting and writing careers
Away from BGT, Jack has appeared on a variety of comedy TV shows including Live at the Apollo and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order.
Jack expressed what it felt like to perform on the same stage as the Scottish comedy legend Frankie Boyle: “Frankie was probably my biggest inspiration stand-up-wise growing up and we talk most days now over text. So, it’s amazing to get his advice and input and also to receive various troubling conspiracy theories from him.”
He continued: “Live at the Apollo was my main milestone when I started and Frankie presented that episode, so it was a very special moment.”
As well as performing on TV, Jack also mentioned his current stand-up tour: “I’m on tour at the moment with my show, Walking Funny, which is my first tour and it’s been lovely to see that so many people want to come out and watch me for an hour.
Jack also had some acting experience before his upcoming star role in Mobility. He told us a bit about his previous roles and what was his favourite:
“I acted before I was on BGT in a CBBC show with Vic Reeves. It’s hard to pick a favourite but I’d have to say Eaten By Lions, a British comedy movie, which I was involved in from its genesis. You can find it on BBC iPlayer.”
Writing is another talent of Jack’s and he reckons he has had a passion for it since he was a child:
“I’ve always written stuff from being very young and probably liked that aspect of stand-up more than the performing. I have various scripts in development but Mobility, written with Tom Gregory, is my first commissioned piece.
Jack added: “Also, taking part and graduating from the BBC Wrtitersroom programme I think really gave me a good technical grounding and the confidence to write more scripted stuff.”
We also asked Jack what advice would he give to other disabled people aspiring to be a comedian, actor and/or writer. He said: “You probably have a unique experience to share and that’s a great place to start. If you feel you want to, please give it a try! Just don’t be too good and take work off me.”
Jack Carroll on starring in Mobility
Mobility is a comedy short for BBC Three that follows three Huddersfield teenagers with nothing in common except that they all have to catch the mobility bus to school. Jack will take on the role of Mike and has co-written the short with Tom Gregory.
Jack explained how the idea came about: “Tom Gregory approached me on Twitter at the start of Covid and said he’d had a basic idea featuring disabled characters and would I be interested in co-writing it with him and being in it. We got on really well and went from there.”
The plot summary of Mobility is said to take place on the first day of 6th Form, and Mike is looking forward to a bit of social mobility. He’s way better than the group of loser friends he’s somehow accrued and aspires to higher things.
But for now, Mike is stuck with Sonny (Zak Ford-Williams), an upbeat and unapologetic geek, and Dan (Ruben Reuter), a lad so acerbic he only communicates in put-downs. Mike thinks he can do better, but he’s going to find it hard to shake them off: Mike, Sonny and Dan all use the mobility bus.
Mike has cerebral palsy, Sonny uses a wheelchair and Dan Syndrome has Down’s Syndrome. So Mike, Sonny and Dan are trapped together, at least for the ride to school.
Jack revealed the storyline is “not directly” linked to his own experiences “but the tone is certainly informed by the sense of humour cerebral palsy has helped create” he thinks.
Jack also praised the cast of Mobility for their incredible work: “Everyone was amazing! I’m so pleased we managed to find such a talented cast to bring Mobility to life.”
On Sunday 12th May 2024, Mobility won Short Film at the
2024 BAFTA Television Awards.
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Mobility is available on BBC iPlayer NOW.
You can also watch Jack Carroll as Bobby on Coronation Street on weekdays on ITV and stream on ITVX.
Follow Jack Carroll on Twitter and Instagram.
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