'I turned on the TV and no one was like me': Dylan Alcott delivers powerful Logie acceptance speech

Wheelchair athlete Dylan Alcott has won the Graham Kennedy award for most popular new talent, and the trophy signifies a very personal win for the rising star.

Dylan Alcott poses with the Logie for the Most Popular New Talent during the 2019 Logie Awards

Dylan Alcott wins the Logie for the Most Popular New Talent during the 2019 Logie Awards Source: AAP

Wheelchair athlete Dylan Alcott's Logie win means more to the rising star than just adding another award to his already impressive trophy cabinet.

Alcott, who won the Graham Kennedy award for most popular new talent, said it was time someone who looked like him was celebrated as normal.

"Growing up I deeply struggled with being in a wheelchair, and the worst thing was when I turned on the TV no-one was like me," Alcott told reporters on Sunday night.

Dylan Alcott after winning the Graham Kennedy award for most popular new talent during the 2019 Logie Awards at The Star Casino on the Gold Coast, Sunday, June 30, 2019. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Dylan Alcott after winning the Graham Kennedy award for most popular new talent during the 2019 Logie Awards at The Star Casino Source: AAP


“One of the reasons I did hate it was when I turned on the TV, I never saw anybody like me and 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 was someone like me whose life was over. And I was like ‘that’s not my life.’ I wanted to get a job on TV because I love sharing stories but also to show that people with disability can be talented, funny, humorous, just normal people enjoying their lives.”

During his acceptance speech Alcott joked he didn't think he'd win because he couldn't see a ramp leading up on stage, but realised soon after there was a suitable back entrance.

The paralympic gold medalist and radio host said his Logie Award showed that people resonated with diversity and different kinds of people on television.

Alcott, who recently won the French Open title is off to Wimbledon in a few days, and made sure to check-in with his coach before celebrating his success.

"I wasn't going to drink but I just texted my coach and said couple of beers, and he said, a few."

Previous winners for the award include Chris Hemsworth and Miranda Tapsell.


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Published 30 June 2019 9:44pm
Updated 1 July 2019 10:04am

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