Liam O’Dell (He/Him)
@liamodell.com
Award-winning deaf and disabled journalist | Author of ‘Selling Out the Spectrum’ (2024) 📖 | Theatre critic | Views my own.
Website 🔗: liamodell.com
Website 🔗: liamodell.com
Pinned
Liam O’Dell (He/Him)
@liamodell.com
· Mar 22
Liam O'Dell
Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner
liamodell.com
Hey, Bluesky! 🦋
I’m Liam, a Deaf and disabled journalist, author and theatre critic.
Let's connect if you're interested in/commissioning pieces on deafness, autism, disability, OCD, social media, tech, theatre or politics.
I can also moderate/speak on panels, too.
📧 Get in touch: liamodell.com
I’m Liam, a Deaf and disabled journalist, author and theatre critic.
Let's connect if you're interested in/commissioning pieces on deafness, autism, disability, OCD, social media, tech, theatre or politics.
I can also moderate/speak on panels, too.
📧 Get in touch: liamodell.com
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wished "everyone in the United Kingdom" a "very happy Christmas" on Wednesday, despite his Christmas message coming without British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation.
Keir Starmer wishes ‘whole country a very happy Christmas’ – in speech inaccessible to thousands
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wished "everyone in the United Kingdom" a "very happy Christmas" on Wednesday, despite his Christmas message coming without British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation.
liamodell.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wished "everyone in the United Kingdom" a "very happy Christmas" on Wednesday, despite his Christmas message coming without British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation.
A Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) signer has branded her experience at a Christmas event in Ascot "distressing, inappropriate and deeply upsetting", after her hearing child allegedly had to interpret a meeting with Father Christmas instead of a qualified interpreter.
Lapland UK criticised over BSL access as hearing girl allegedly ‘had to interpret Father Christmas’
A Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) signer has branded her experience at a Christmas event in Ascot "distressing, inappropriate and deeply upsetting", after her hearing child allegedly had to interpret a meeting with Father Christmas instead of a qualified interpreter.
liamodell.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:27 PM
A Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) signer has branded her experience at a Christmas event in Ascot "distressing, inappropriate and deeply upsetting", after her hearing child allegedly had to interpret a meeting with Father Christmas instead of a qualified interpreter.
Finishing the year having seen more than 165 shows, I share my top 10 theatrical productions of 2025.
The 10 best UK theatre shows of 2025
Finishing the year having seen more than 165 shows, Liam O’Dell shares his top 10 theatrical productions of 2025.
liamodell.com
December 20, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Finishing the year having seen more than 165 shows, I share my top 10 theatrical productions of 2025.
The dark comedy from Bag of Beard Theatre (The Messiah Complex) plays the Omnibus Theatre ahead of performances at the Cockpit Theatre in the new year.
‘The Highgate Vampire’ review – Corny paranormal comedy curtailed by bickering
The dark comedy from Bag of Beard Theatre (The Messiah Complex) plays the Omnibus Theatre ahead of performances at the Cockpit Theatre in the new year.
liamodell.com
December 20, 2025 at 8:31 PM
The dark comedy from Bag of Beard Theatre (The Messiah Complex) plays the Omnibus Theatre ahead of performances at the Cockpit Theatre in the new year.
The British Deaf Association (BDA) has criticised plans for the government’s Best Start Family Hubs to focus on “evidence-based interventions” for deaf children from three to four years of age, describing it as a “missed opportunity”.
‘Missed opportunity’ as Best Start Family Hubs focus on support for deaf three to four-year-olds
The British Deaf Association (BDA) has criticised plans for the government’s Best Start Family Hubs to focus on “evidence-based interventions” for deaf children from three to four years of age, describing it as a “missed opportunity”.
liamodell.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:09 PM
The British Deaf Association (BDA) has criticised plans for the government’s Best Start Family Hubs to focus on “evidence-based interventions” for deaf children from three to four years of age, describing it as a “missed opportunity”.
Freema Agyeman, Samuel West, Gwyneth Keyworth and Daniel Monks star in Prasanna Puwanarajah’s take on the Shakespeare’s comedy, now playing at London’s Barbican Theatre.
‘Twelfth Night’ review – Soulless, sluggish Shakespeare
Freema Agyeman, Samuel West, Gwyneth Keyworth and Daniel Monks star in Prasanna Puwanarajah’s take on the Shakespeare’s comedy, now playing at London’s Barbican Theatre.
liamodell.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Freema Agyeman, Samuel West, Gwyneth Keyworth and Daniel Monks star in Prasanna Puwanarajah’s take on the Shakespeare’s comedy, now playing at London’s Barbican Theatre.
Mason Alexander Park stars as Mary Todd Lincoln in the West End transfer of the hit Broadway play, now playing at the Trafalgar Theatre.
‘Oh, Mary!’ review – Mason Alexander Park shines as flailing First Lady
Mason Alexander Park stars as Mary Todd Lincoln in the West End transfer of the hit Broadway play, now playing at the Trafalgar Theatre.
liamodell.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Mason Alexander Park stars as Mary Todd Lincoln in the West End transfer of the hit Broadway play, now playing at the Trafalgar Theatre.
Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee has called on the culture secretary to fund the next Deaflympics cycle to 2029, after Great Britain won 12 medals in Tokyo with no financial support from the UK Government.
‘Show them some respect’: MPs call for £3m Deaflympics funding package
Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee has called on the culture secretary to fund the next Deaflympics cycle to 2029, after Great Britain won 12 medals in Tokyo with no financial support from the UK Government.
liamodell.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee has called on the culture secretary to fund the next Deaflympics cycle to 2029, after Great Britain won 12 medals in Tokyo with no financial support from the UK Government.
A new play from Olivier Award-winning playwright Sam Grabiner, of ‘Boys on the Verge of Tears’, plays London’s Almeida Theatre.
‘Christmas Day’ review – Heavy and hilarious Jewish Christmas dinner
A new play from Olivier Award-winning playwright Sam Grabiner, of ‘Boys on the Verge of Tears’, plays London’s Almeida Theatre.
liamodell.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:21 PM
A new play from Olivier Award-winning playwright Sam Grabiner, of ‘Boys on the Verge of Tears’, plays London’s Almeida Theatre.
The Fifth Step and Ulster American playwright's play is staged at London's Soho Theatre.
‘Most Favoured’ review – KFC and Christianity in David Ireland’s pointless play
The Fifth Step and Ulster American playwright’s play is staged at London’s Soho Theatre.
liamodell.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:03 AM
The Fifth Step and Ulster American playwright's play is staged at London's Soho Theatre.
After runs in Leeds and North America, a stage play based on the hit horror franchise arrives at London’s Ambassadors Theatre.
‘Paranormal Activity’ review – Jaw-dropping mind games
After runs in Leeds and North America, a stage play based on the hit horror franchise arrives at London’s Ambassadors Theatre.
liamodell.com
December 16, 2025 at 12:04 AM
After runs in Leeds and North America, a stage play based on the hit horror franchise arrives at London’s Ambassadors Theatre.
Mischief's latest festive production stops off at London's Apollo Theatre on the West End for the latest venue on its UK tour.
‘Christmas Carol Goes Wrong’ – Merry and bright ideas in Mischief’s festive farce
Mischief's latest festive production stops off at London's Apollo Theatre on the West End for the latest venue on its UK tour.
liamodell.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Mischief's latest festive production stops off at London's Apollo Theatre on the West End for the latest venue on its UK tour.
Michael McKeever’s play has its UK premiere at London’s Marylebone Theatre.
‘Daniel’s Husband’ review – A compelling, cautionary tale
Michael McKeever’s play has its UK premiere at London’s Marylebone Theatre.
liamodell.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Michael McKeever’s play has its UK premiere at London’s Marylebone Theatre.
The touring mixed reality installation on disability benefit deaths has its latest stop at London’s Young Vic Theatre.
‘Museum of Austerity’ review – Holograms tell harrowing tales of disability benefit deaths
The touring mixed reality installation on disability benefit deaths has its latest stop at London’s Young Vic Theatre.
liamodell.com
December 13, 2025 at 7:05 PM
The touring mixed reality installation on disability benefit deaths has its latest stop at London’s Young Vic Theatre.
England’s qualifications regulator Ofqual has said it would ‘welcome any interest’ from an awarding organisation looking to gain recognition to provide GCSEs, after all four existing exam boards in the country ruled out developing courses for the proposed British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE.
Ofqual responds as all four exam boards in England rule out developing BSL GCSE
England’s qualifications regulator Ofqual has said it would ‘welcome any interest’ from an awarding organisation looking to gain recognition to provide GCSEs, after all four existing exam boards in the country ruled out developing courses for the proposed British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE.
liamodell.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:54 PM
England’s qualifications regulator Ofqual has said it would ‘welcome any interest’ from an awarding organisation looking to gain recognition to provide GCSEs, after all four existing exam boards in the country ruled out developing courses for the proposed British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE.
Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Paapa Essiedu are among the stars in Ivo van Hove’s latest take on Arthur Miller.
‘All My Sons’ review – After sluggish first act, van Hove presents sharp staging of Miller
Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Paapa Essiedu are among the stars in Ivo van Hove’s latest take on Arthur Miller.
liamodell.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Paapa Essiedu are among the stars in Ivo van Hove’s latest take on Arthur Miller.
Eduqas has opted not to develop a course for the proposed British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE, Liam O’Dell understands, in news which comes a day after two other qualifications providers confirmed they had made the same decision.
Fresh blow for BSL GCSE hopes as third qualifications provider rules out plans
Eduqas has opted not to develop a course for the proposed British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE, Liam O’Dell understands, in news which comes a day after two other qualifications providers confirmed they had made the same decision.
liamodell.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Eduqas has opted not to develop a course for the proposed British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE, Liam O’Dell understands, in news which comes a day after two other qualifications providers confirmed they had made the same decision.
Therapy using sound modification techniques and synthesised musical notes has been found to reduce the loudness of people's tinnitus by around 10 per cent on average, in a study led by Newcastle University.
‘Promising’ sound therapy reduces tinnitus’ loudness, with potential smartphone rollout
Therapy using sound modification techniques and synthesised musical notes has been found to reduce the loudness of people's tinnitus by around 10 per cent on average, in a study led by Newcastle University.
liamodell.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Therapy using sound modification techniques and synthesised musical notes has been found to reduce the loudness of people's tinnitus by around 10 per cent on average, in a study led by Newcastle University.
Awarding bodies AQA and Pearson have commented on their decisions not to develop a GCSE course in British Sign Language (BSL) - an outcome which has been met with frustration by the British Deaf Association (BDA).
AQA and Pearson issue statements on BSL GCSE decisions as deaf charity criticises ‘setback’
Awarding bodies AQA and Pearson have commented on their decisions not to develop a GCSE course in British Sign Language (BSL) - an outcome which has been met with frustration by the British Deaf Association (BDA).
liamodell.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Awarding bodies AQA and Pearson have commented on their decisions not to develop a GCSE course in British Sign Language (BSL) - an outcome which has been met with frustration by the British Deaf Association (BDA).
Dr Joanna Atkinson has been appointed the next co-chair of the UK Government’s British Sign Language (BSL) Advisory Board, co-leading a new panel of sign language advocates whose appointments were announced on Wednesday.
New BSL Advisory Board co-chair named as panel enters fresh three-year tenure
Dr Joanna Atkinson has been appointed the next co-chair of the UK Government’s British Sign Language (BSL) Advisory Board, co-leading a new panel of sign language advocates whose appointments were announced on Wednesday.
liamodell.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Dr Joanna Atkinson has been appointed the next co-chair of the UK Government’s British Sign Language (BSL) Advisory Board, co-leading a new panel of sign language advocates whose appointments were announced on Wednesday.
Two online adverts for autism "supplements" have been banned by the UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), with the regulator finding the promotions from Customized Autism Treatment (CAT) and Onecare claimed their products could "alleviate" or "help prevent, treat, or cure traits" associated wi
Autism ‘supplement’ adverts banned by watchdog over claims they can ‘prevent, treat or cure’ condition
Two online adverts for autism "supplements" have been banned by the UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), with the regulator finding the promotions from Customized Autism Treatment (CAT) and Onecare claimed their products could "alleviate" or "help prevent, treat, or cure traits" associated with the disability.
liamodell.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Two online adverts for autism "supplements" have been banned by the UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), with the regulator finding the promotions from Customized Autism Treatment (CAT) and Onecare claimed their products could "alleviate" or "help prevent, treat, or cure traits" associated wi
Major London theatres - alongside deaf journalists, advocates, hearing care professionals and technology companies - have called on arts venues to commit to “working towards a future” that is enabled with Bluetooth’s new Auracast technology by 2030.
UK theatres issue call for ‘Auracast-enabled future’ by 2030
Major London theatres - alongside deaf journalists, advocates, hearing care professionals and technology companies - have called on arts venues to commit to “working towards a future” that is enabled with Bluetooth’s new Auracast technology by 2030.
liamodell.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Major London theatres - alongside deaf journalists, advocates, hearing care professionals and technology companies - have called on arts venues to commit to “working towards a future” that is enabled with Bluetooth’s new Auracast technology by 2030.
The awarding bodies AQA and Pearson have ruled out designing a GCSE course in British Sign Language (BSL), according to the sign language qualifications body Signature.
AQA and Pearson have decided against developing British Sign Language GCSE, qualifications body says
The awarding bodies AQA and Pearson have ruled out designing a GCSE course in British Sign Language (BSL), according to the sign language qualifications body Signature.
liamodell.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:05 PM
The awarding bodies AQA and Pearson have ruled out designing a GCSE course in British Sign Language (BSL), according to the sign language qualifications body Signature.
Leeds City Council has rejected a Deaf woman's homelessness application, with the local authority arguing her current property - which she claims has issues with rats and drug dealing - is "reasonable".
Deaf mother has homelessness application rejected – despite reports of rat droppings and anti-social behaviour
Leeds City Council has rejected a Deaf woman's homelessness application, with the local authority arguing her current property - which she claims has issues with rats and drug dealing - is "reasonable".
liamodell.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Leeds City Council has rejected a Deaf woman's homelessness application, with the local authority arguing her current property - which she claims has issues with rats and drug dealing - is "reasonable".
The British Deaf Association (BDA) has said it is “concerned” that the Department for Education (DfE) is “looking at the development of AI solutions” for enhancing British Sign Language (BSL) accessibility without engaging with the charity.
Deaf charity ‘concerned’ as Department of Education confirms work on AI BSL
The British Deaf Association (BDA) has said it is “concerned” that the Department for Education (DfE) is “looking at the development of AI solutions” for enhancing British Sign Language (BSL) accessibility without engaging with the charity.
liamodell.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:36 PM
The British Deaf Association (BDA) has said it is “concerned” that the Department for Education (DfE) is “looking at the development of AI solutions” for enhancing British Sign Language (BSL) accessibility without engaging with the charity.