The Last Leg

Alex Brooker deserves a medal

Alex Brooker was given the toughest possible of starts to his presentation career - but has risen to the challenge.

Metro, 2nd September 2012

The Last Leg with Adam Hills is something of a high-risk venture, and the comedian fronting it reminds us frequently that he has a prosthetic leg, giving him licence to crack jokes that most of us wouldn't dream of.

The fact that he's an Australian helps - no one expects him to be subtle. "You will say the wrong thing," he said in the first show. "Don't worry." Then he went on to ponder whether in the equestrian events it should be the horse rather than the rider that is disabled.

Rather more edgy was the contribution of Josh Widdicombe, a vaguely recognisable comic who has no disabilities. His report on the day's events included an item on how horses defecating in the arena was supposed to be beneficial to their performance. If horses are to be the focus of attention at these Games, then someone in the production department has got the wrong idea. No wonder that Balding is anchoring the coverage.

But it's not quite as wrong as Widdicombe's jokes about how the weightlifters don't have to lift the weights very high. Joshing Josh may have to raise his game a little - or they may as well go for his namesake Ann. Or Frankie Boyle.

Andrew Tong, The Independent, 2nd September 2012

Adam Hills: 'I was born without a foot. Dull. Move on'

During the Paralympics, Adam Hills will front a nightly comedy show for Channel 4 called The Last Leg. But can disability and comedy work on TV?

Emine Saner, The Guardian, 24th August 2012