Sally Phillips recalls 'horrible' abuse aimed at her son Olly, 21, after her Down's Syndrome documentary and says 'it really cost me'

has recalled the 'horrible' abuse aimed at her son Olly after he starred in her 2016 documentary, A World Without Down's Syndrome?

The Miranda actress, 56, who shares Olly, 21, with her ex-husband, shipping director Andrew Bermejo, released the documentary to highlight their family life and the joys and unique challenges of raising a child with the condition.

It also explored prenatal testing and challenges societal prejudices against those with Down's Syndrome. 

While it was meant to offer an educational insight, Sally has now revealed that 'people said the most horrible things' about her son after it aired. 

She told The Sunday Times: 'Olly has definitely been bullied online, and I feel like people with Down's Syndrome are more sensitive. 

'They are more sensitive to grief, but will feel great joy, and so if you could make a social media environment that is safe for people with Down's syndrome, we'd all benefit. But I don't see it. 

'Even when I did that film, people said the most horrible things.' 

Sally added that she doesn't think 'anything good has ever come out of social media'.  

When asked if she would ever do a follow-up documentary, she admitted that the last one 'cost her'.

While she is not sure about another documentary, the actress remains determined to keep writing things that have people with Down's syndrome in them.

On the topic of inclusivity, Sally shared her upset in 2024 after Olly was denied access to a trampoline park.

The comedian revealed that Olly was not allowed to play at Oxygen Acton in .

Sally said the company refused him entrance because someone with Down's syndrome needs a letter from the GP.

She told Breakfast: 'Olly is used to being able to do what his contemporaries (do) ... so we went with his younger brother, and younger brother's friend, and we've been hundreds of times before, and the lady on the desk says, 'oh, sorry, can I have a word?' and called the manager over... I was so, so upset for Olly to be prevented.'

She added that 'they're weeding out people with visible disabilities' and 'so if you have an invisible disability, you're not required to bring in a doctor's letter'.

As a member of the British Gymnastics association, she said Olly has previously had an X-ray to test for neck instability issues but this 'didn't give the information required' to take part in these types of activities.

Sally, who is a patron of the Down's Syndrome Association, said: 'So, either you're using NHS resources to get an appointment with the doctor for a private company and their insurance, or you're needing to pay for a doctor's letter, which means that this sort of admin burden on special needs parents, just to be part of the community ... to do a normal thing, to take normal risks that everyone is allowed to take is just unbearable.

'We can spend weeks and weeks not leaving the house, just filling in forms for our children to be able to do very, very normal things, and once I put this out (on social media) the number of people that got in touch saying it happened to them despite their children being you know, British gymnasts... it's clearly something that needs looking at.'

She said this has a 'big psychological effect on our children' as they are being 'singled out for being different' and not allowed to do the same thing as other kids.

Sally has regularly campaigned on Down's syndrome issues and released A World Without Down's Syndrome?, about the debate on screening tests that detect Down's syndrome in pregnancies and what effect it could have on society, on the BBC.

A spokesman for Oxygen Activeplay said: 'We are deeply sorry that Sally's son, Olly, was not able to participate and was left disappointed.

'Like a number of activity centres, we follow the Safe Participation Guidance from British Gymnastics which includes guidance related to specific circumstances prior to participation.

'The only reason a company like ours exists is to help everyone, but particularly children, enjoy active play. We would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the relevant parties to review the current guidance and enable as much active play as we can, safely.'