Tennis star and disability advocate Dylan Alcott has won the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular new talent at the 2019 TV WEEK Logie Awards.
The 28-year-old, who has represented Australia at the Paralympics and has won numerous Grand Slam tournaments, was nominated for his work as co-host of the ABC’s live music show The Set.
His nomination also covered his amazing work as a host on the ABC’s coverage of the Invictus Games in October 2018, where he interviewed Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle during their royal tour of Australia.
Dylan was born with a tumour wrapped around his spinal cord. When he was three days old, he underwent surgery to remove the tumour, which left him a paraplegic and in a wheelchair.
But Dylan, who is also a presenter on Triple J, has fought for disability rights his entire life and is determined to ensure that Australians with disabilities have the same opportunities as those without.
Dylan Alcott during his emotional Logies’ acceptance speech.
(Credit: Getty)During his emotional acceptance speech, Dylan said winning the award would go a long way to showing other disabled Australians what they are truly capable of.
“This award means a lot to me, because I used to absolutely hate having a disability,” Dylan began.
“I’ve been in a wheelchair my whole life. I hated it. One of the reasons I hated it was because when I turned on the TV I never saw anybody like me,” he said.
“When I did see someone like me, it was a road safety ad where someone drink drives has a car accident and the next scene is someone like me, whose life is over.
“I was like that’s not my life. I want to get a job on TV. I love sharing stories. Also to show that people with disability can be talented, funny, humorous, just normal people enjoying their lives.”
Watch Dylan’s perform with the Wu Tang Clan below. Story continues after video.
Dylan’s speech was met with thunderous applause from the audience and has been labelled an “inspiration” by fans on social media.
But Dylan says he couldn’t be where he is today without the support of Australia’s mainstream TV networks.
“I’ve been lucky to go on lot of networks. Every single person that gave me an opportunity, thank you so bloody much,” Dylan said.
Ultimately, Dylan hopes that by increasing the visibility of disabled Australians, more young people like him will have access to more opportunities.
“There are 4.5 million people like me with a disability,” Dylan said.
“Whether it’s in education, employment, going on a date, whatever it is, please give them an opportunity too, because there are a lot of bloody talented people out there.
“I promise you they won’t disappoint. Thanks guys.”
