Melissa Johns: The disabled actress and the stolen intimate photos

Image source, Melissa Johns

July is Disability Pride Month, which is to recog born and disabled means. Actress Melissa Johns reveals the moment she regained control of her body when her worst fears came true and intimate photos of her were stolen.

"Growing up I absolutely hated my body," the former Coronation Street actress told the BBC Access All podcast.

Melissa was born without her right arm below her elbow and did everything she could to hide it.

"I would have dates early so I could plan which side I would sit on, I would choreograph the sex.

"I literally became this master of the manipulation, and it was very exhausting."

For Melissa, who is best known for her roles in the BBC One drama Life and ITV's Grantchester

"My grandfather bought his first video camera in 1990 - l year of my birth issance. We were watching childhood footage and I just saw this little girl on screen and she was dancing and she was so free.

"I remember sitting down, looking at it and thinking, 'I'm not giving you the life you deserve.' turning point."

Melissa had just started coming to terms with being disabled - dancing at parties, rather than sitting where she wouldn't stand out not - when her "worst fear" came true.

In 2018, Melissa had just finished her stint as Imogen Pascoe on Coronation Street when she glanced at her phone. She had 21 missed calls from her agent.

She thought it might be about her next job, "maybe it was Spielberg calling it?". Excited, she called her agent.