Ever since the screening of its first episode four years ago, The Undateables has garnered a great deal of emotional response from its viewers, both supportive and critical. Indeed, the BAFTA nominated documentary, which follows young people with disabilities in their pursuit to find love, has provoked an array of mixed responses. Focussing on the romantic endeavours of young disabled people, the show aims to provide a realistic insight in to what it is like to live, and look for love, with being disabled. It goes without saying that this is a contentious angle to begin with, which is why it has provoked the question of whether the documentary is a morally ethical television series or not.

Whilst interpreted by some as Channel 4’s answer to a modern day freak show, its producers attest that the main objective in making the show is to dispel myths surrounding disability and dating.  In other words, it exists to illustrate that disabled people share the same experiences and desires as people without disabilities; it wants to dispel the belief that disabled people do not adhere to societal conventions of what it is to be normal. So, with this in mind, its refreshing to see a documentary that is not centred around the lives of characteristically hyperbolic individuals for once, which seems to be the premise for shows like Geordie Shore and Made in Chelsea. Essentially, what The Undateables delivers to its audience is a realistic representation of what it is like to try to lead a straightforward life whilst dealing with the difficulties that a disability can incur.

The documentary gives disabled people, a minority that is both misrepresented and underrepresented in the world of cinema and television the opportunity to share their experiences and to have their voices heard. For the most part, it gives people the chance to explain the stories behind their disabilities, and to eradicate any preconceptions that viewers may have. Brent Zillwood, for example, who suffers from Tourette Syndrome, a disorder that many ignorant people are ready to taunt, was able to demonstrate the struggle of living with such a debilitating disability, which in turn helps people to abandon their false assumptions regarding the issue. As well as being able to confront prejudices facing his disability, the documentary also enabled Brent to meet the love of his life, Challis Orme, who loves and embraces every aspect of his personality. From this snippet of the show, it’s clear that it has had a positive influence on the way in which people view those with disabilities and learning difficulties. The Undateables is, therefore, a show that succeeds in giving disabled people a voice within a public discourse from which they are often excluded.

Evidently, it’s true that the documentary is the first of its kind in representing a perpetually ignored minority. In spite of the good that the show has done for people such as Brent and Challis, however, it has also triggered the worst kind of reactions from viewers, too. Shockingly, after the first episode was aired in 2012, vicious bullies took to Twitter, expressing their cruel opinions on the appearance and behaviour of its stars. In addition to this distasteful response from the general public, the press has also responded negatively to the series, with well-regarded newspapers criticising its branding and its depiction of people with disabilities. One contributor from The Guardian asserted that ‘C4’s series following disabled people in their quest for love achieves honest portrayals, but hits new lows in marketing.’ [1]

Undeniably, the marketing of the show, and ultimately its name, could be seen as an insensitive and sensationalist attempt to attract spectators. When the title The Undateables first appeared on television screens, in fact, it left a feeling of unease in most viewers, who felt that it branded all disabled people as undateable, and that this would exacerbate animosity against those with disabilities. In criticising the name, it’s important to note that the producers of the Channel Four show have stated that the aim of the title is to play on preconceptions of disabilities and to disprove the common argument that people with disabilities are unable to establish long-lasting relationships. Despite the objective in creating such a contentious title, however, it is clear that it has caused a negative outcry from viewers and members of the press alike, citing that it’s beyond tactless. In light of this response, perhaps The Undateables has been too daring in its branding.  However, in their defence, the writers of the show argue that its contentious title was purposefully chosen to play with the prejudices that people hold towards disabilities, and to prove these unjust preconceptions wrong. The creators of the documentary, therefore, have taken a risk to revoke false conceptions of disabilities. Arguably, there is no onus on them for the offence that its title may cause; if anything, the outrage that it has caused demonstrates the prevalence of the show in public discussion.

Additionally, creators and writers of the documentary have been criticised for the portrayal of those pursuing romance, with many viewers attesting that their physical and mental differences are highlighted, rather than overlooked. One contributor to York Vision commented on the depiction of those with disabilities on the show, asserting that ‘[t]he show is narrated almost like an Attenborough nature documentary, offering helpful advice to the viewers on how disabled people can best find a soulmate.’[2] In concordance with this view, many other spectators have stated that there is a one-dimensional depiction of disabled people in the show, one that depicts such folk as victims, evoking sympathy instead of understanding. Other arguments concerning the depiction of the contestants have arisen, claiming that the documentary appears as a soap-opera style narrative, sensationalising the endeavours of disabled people in the dating world. Notably, however, the majority of reactions from the press towards the show have not included responses from the disabled community.

Contrasting to the aforementioned statements, disabled viewers have praised the depiction of people with disabilities, proclaiming that finally, television is presenting the disabled as people, not victims. Many people have flocked to social media to defend the show, professing that it portrays the disabled as expressive, relatable people. One writer for Mencap, an established charity for people with learning disabilities, affirmed that she ‘likes the way that the people from the dating agencies support the people on the show to be positive about going on dates.’[3] Thus, for disabled viewers, The Undateables has clearly achieved its aim of spreading awareness and understanding about disabilities.

A documentary that follows the dating lives of disabled people is bound to spark controversy. It’s inevitable. Nonetheless, if controversy leads to discussion, and discussion leads to a deeper understanding of an issue, then isn’t there something positive to be found in contention? With this argument in mind, it could be argued that, in spite of all the negativity surrounding it, The Undateables is changing the way in which the majority of television fans, which constitute the general public, consider disabilities. Perhaps, therefore, it provides a voice for a minority that is often omitted in the world of screen. 

[1] Frances Ryan, ‘The Undateables: Disability Rights, but Channel 4 Wrongs’ (2012) [accessed 17^th February 2016].

[2] Josh Salisbury, ‘The problem with Channel 4’s The Undateables’, (2016) [accessed 17^th February 2016].

[3] Ciara Lawrence, ‘The Undateables: people with a learning disability and relationships’ (2015) [accessed 17^th February 2016].