Kate's slow walk on fast track

Widely touted as one of the hottest young talents in British TV production, Markthree Media’s Kate Monaghan tells us why she works in TV, what she watches on TV and why she might always turn first to our Backlash column

What made you want to work in TV?
When I was about eight my parents took me to a CBBC event called The Big Bash where I watched CBBC being broadcast live right in front of my eyes. From that point on, I was hooked.

What’s your favourite TV show of all time?
I think my favourite of all time has to be The West Wing – there’s nothing else like it. I think Spooks is still top of its game, and don’t tell anyone but Strictly and X-Factor are also compulsive viewing.

What do you like most about your job?
I love the random nature of what I do. One day I’ll be dashing around on a shoot making sure everything’s running smoothly, and the next I’ll be sitting in an office discussing how we can make a series of Come Dine With Me but with dogs (that idea’s copyrighted by the way).

What do you like least about it?
I think there’s a lot of instability in our industry and no one seems to be in the same job for long – I’m lucky in that running my own company means I know I have a job, but at the same time I only have a job while work keeps coming in.

How do commissioning editors react to you as a disabled person?
I think that most of them are quite cool about it to be honest. If we’re talking about disability issues then I think I’m taken more seriously, otherwise I’m pretty sure I’m just viewed as any other producer. Which is exactly as it should be.

What makes you angry?
Aside from injustice, inequality and world poverty… I really get angry at people who say they hate slow walking people. There’s a group on Facebook called something like ‘I want to punch slow walking people in the back of the head’. As a long-time shuffler, this makes me really cross and it’s totally unjustified too I think. What’s so wrong with walking slowly?!

If you were Prime Minister, what would you do to improve things for disabled people?
Well I’d instantly stop all these ridiculous changes to DLA and ESA assessments. Plus I’d give everyone free chocolate.

Who’s your favourite disabled person ever?
I have to say that Disability Now journalist Paul Carter is my favourite ever disabled person. He is one of the funniest people on the planet, cheers me up whenever I feel down and I think he’s quietly done a lot for disabled people that doesn’t get recognised half as much as it should. I’d also say Ash Atalla, Mat Fraser and Tanni Grey-Thompson are up there too, but Paul just pips them to the post.

How would you sum yourself up in ten words or less?
I absolutely hate these questions! I couldn’t do it so crowd-sourced the answer instead... Apparently I am a: kind, determined, enthusiastic, engaging, football-loving, open, bossy, creative, smiley, clever-clogs.

Do you have any special or hidden talents?
The only hidden talent I can think of is that I can fit my whole fist in my mouth. That’s impressed you hasn’t it?!