Tinsel Girl

All seventeen episodes of the BBC Radio 4 sitcom about the life, loves and misadventures of wheelchair user Maz

Nicknamed 'Tinsel Girl' by her best friend Lisa because of her sparkly view of life, Maz is an eternal optimist. But having just turned 30, she's all too aware that not only is she single, but also disabled. Her degenerative disease means she now has to use a motorised wheelchair, which isn't exactly the sexiest accessory a girl can have...

In Tinsel Girl, the prospect of finding a partner through the minefield of online dating makes Maz reassess her situation and other people's perceptions of her. Can a man really find a woman in a wheelchair attractive?

Tinsel Girl and the Tropical Trip finds Maz preparing for her first holiday abroad as a wheelchair user, as she heads to the Seychelles to be maid of honour at Lisa's wedding. But she is broke, unemployed and apprehensive - can she raise the money for her trip, and is she up to the challenge?

In Tinsel Girl and the Big Reunion, Maz makes a startling discovery about flatmate Rachel, leading her to move out and plan a fresh start with new friend Verity. But is ditching Rachel really the best move?

Tinsel Girl and the Support Worker sees Maz struggling to come to terms with needing a carer: can she find a way to make it work with Hayley?

And in Tinsel Girl and the Pain Clinic, Maz hits rock bottom and reluctantly checks into a pain clinic. As she embarks on an adventure and finds friendship, she discovers that if she wants to change other people's outlooks, she must first change her own...

Starring Cherylee Houston (Coronation Street), Tinsel Girl is inspired by her own experiences, and adapted from her diaries by Lou Ramsden.

*Cherylee Houston was the Bronze Winner in the Audio Performer of the Year category at the 2020 Audio Production Awards for her performance in Tinsel Girl *

Cast
Maz - Cherylee Houston
Donny - Mikey North
Rachel/Student - Kathryn Pemberton
Wes/Doctor - Ged Mulherin
Kev/Pete/Seamus/Guard/Barry/Compere/Clive/Bernie/Ed/DS Warren/Specialist - Toby Hadoke
Jason/Robert - Benjamin Sadler
Angus/Photographer - Hamilton Berstock
Jim - James Quinn
Lisa - Rosina Carbone
Didier - Quentin Surtel
Ollie - Sonny Flood
Ruth - Wendy Patterson
Callum - John Catterall
Didier - Quentin Surtel
Verity/Juliet/Mrs Coates - Krissi Bohn
Felipe - Phil Perez
Sid - Ged Mulherin
Hayley - Sarah McDonald Hughes
Andy - Chris Jack
Liz - Enid Dunn
Keira - Beatrice Baxter
Dawn - Julie Hesmondhalgh
Richard - Kevin Davids

Production credits
Written by Lou Ramsden
Produced and directed by Charlotte Riches (Tinsel Girl, Tinsel Girl and the Tropical Trip, Tinsel Girl and the Big Reunion, Tinsel Girl and the Support Worker) and Nadia Molinari (Tinsel Girl and the Pain Clinic)
With the BBC North Staff Choir
Tinsel Girl and the Pain Clinic is dedicated to Ian from Bath Pain Clinic