Brian Cox, Rose Ayling-Ellis and more to star in special talk at Edinburgh TV Festival

Virgin Radio

8 Jun 2022, 16:01

Exciting news for Edinburgh TV Festival. Big names are set to appear up-close and personal at the 2022 event including Succession's Brian Cox and Strictly Come Dancing’s Rose Ayling-Ellis who will lend their expertise to this year’s Alternative Mactaggart speech.

EastEnders actor Rose who won the hearts of the nation as Strictly’s first deaf contestant and British Sign Language (BSL) campaigner will talk about her time in the hard industry with a disability.

Cox will discuss his career, his iconic role as Logan Roy in Succession and his Scottish roots, while Heartstopper's creator Alice Osman and EP Patrick Walters will join actor Kit Connor on stage to talk about the coming-of-age hit.

The festival’s creative director Stewart Clarke said: “As we head back to Edinburgh, we are delighted to reveal some of the amazing talent and industry speakers who will be joining us.

"Rose Ayling-Ellis will deliver a landmark Alternative MacTaggart, we have the casts of some of TV’s most exciting and loved shows, and of course, the inimitable Brian Cox, as well as sessions discussing urgent industry matters. And that is just the start, with lots more to come.”

TV favourite Ayling-Ellis said: “I am so excited to be delivering this year’s Alternative MacTaggart lecture. It is a privilege to be able to use my platform to raise awareness and understanding of the deaf community.

"It is vital that we keep talking about the realities faced by those with disabilities in the industry, and I am so thrilled to be given the opportunity to address these important issues at this year’s lecture.”