Coronation Street star accused of ‘making disability up for benefits’ with abuse coming daily

Coronation Street star accused of ‘making disability up for benefits’ with abuse coming daily | Soaps Reporter Published August 4, 2026 11:43am Updated August 4, 2026 11:44am To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Coronation Street’s Cherylee Houston has shared details about the abuse she suffers regarding her disability. Cherylee’s character Izzy Armstrong arrived on the cobbles back in 2010, and during that time fans have seen her romances with Kirk Sutherland (Andy Whyment) and Gary Windass (Mikey North). Izzy and Gary aren’t together anymore, but are often seen co-parenting their son Jake Windass (Bobby Bradshaw). Away from her life as an actress, Cherylee is hugely passionate about working to remove barriers for other disabled people. Cherylee has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which is a rare connective tissue disorder that impacts collagen proteins, joints and skin. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Sadly, abuse and trolling is something Cherylee regularly faces. The star suffers regular abuse (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock) Cherylee is best known for her role as Izzy in Corrie (Picture: ITV) This week, the star appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss the news singer Ariana Grande is taking a ‘step back from visibility’ after her tour ends in London. After talking about the abuse Ariana has faced, presenters Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley asked Cherylee, a performer herself, about her own experiences with trolls. Cherylee revealed that during times she’s been on TV and her wheelchair hasn’t been in view, she has received bullying as a result. The star shared that she’s had comments from people accusing her of making her disability up, and added that ‘we all get that on a daily basis as disabled people’. She further explained: ‘Myself and my friend were wheeling down the street and a man was shouting out about how much benefits we got. It happens a lot, all of the time’. ‘I think some of it is about our representation and understanding of wheelchair users and the same with neurodiversity. There’s so much lack of understanding, but because we’re not on screen, our stories aren’t told, our news isn’t told, I think that’s a big change.’ The star is a disability rights activist (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Women in Film and TV) In 2022, Cherylee was awarded an MBE for services to disabled people and drama. ‘If you think when you were growing up who your role models were, who influences you, if you as a disabled child don’t have that, how do you know what you can do?’, the actress said at the time, discussing the importance of seeing disabled people on screens. ‘I firmly believe the more we’re on our screens, the more we’re going to be understood, the more people care and empathise and will ensure that we will have equal rights and equal opportunity, because it’s about equality.’ Deals of the Day Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin In 2021, Cherylee was part of a Corrie storyline that highlighted the difficulty millions of disabled people experienced during the pandemic and the pressures they were under while trying to work remotely and shield at the same time. Arrow MORE: EastEnders star rushes son, 6, to hospital after mystery illness Arrow MORE: Real-life soap couple share update with romantic picture: ‘I love you’ Arrow MORE: ‘Glowing’ Emmerdale star Isabel Hodgins shares beautiful update with baby The Soaps Newsletter – Weekly Sign up for exclusive spoilers and interviews, handpicked by our Soaps Editor.