After a break away for the summer, the Pridecast is back! Joining Liam on this episode is Sam Tatlow, who plays an integral role in promoting diversity and inclusion across ITV. Since December 2020, Sam has worked for the company as a Creative Diversity Partner and she looks to ensure that ITV is reflecting modern Britain both on and off-screen.

Sam also works very closely with ITV’s colleague networks, including the ITV Pride network, where she acts as an ally to LGBTQ+ people. In this episode, she talks about the ways people can support members of the LGBTQ+ community, which she says starts by always wanting to learn about others and being empathetic. She also talks about the importance of challenging preconceived ideas and offers advice and tips on how people can support the community.

For Sam an area of diversity and inclusion which is particularly important, is supporting disabled people. In 2021 she was listed in the top 100 most influential disabled people in the UK in the Shaw Trust’s Power 100. And in June this year, she was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s final Birthday Jubilee Honours list, for services to disabled people.

Sam says that it is through her own lived experience which has helped her have the empathy for many marginalised groups in society. For her, the work towards having a more inclusive and equal society has now become more important than ever, especially as pressures on living standards increase for so many. She believes that TV in particular has an important role in telling these stories and reflecting all people in the UK and it is for companies like ITV to continue leading the way on this.