'It's nice being known for me and not for my disabilities'

Traitors finalist Mollie Pearce has described being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis as "harder to deal with" than having a limb difference.

The 22-year-old from Nailsea, was born with one hand and was later diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when she was 11.

Earlier this year she made it to the final of TV series Traitors using the platform to help her raise awareness of her "double whammy" disabilities - stating how important it was to her that "real people are represented on our TVs".

She said while her disabilities were not the only reason she went on the game show, the positive responses she had received from the Limb Difference and Inflammatory Bowel Disease communities after participating were "incredible".

Mollie says she believes there has been a generational shift surrounding disabilities and invisible illnesses as younger people are more accepting

Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the large intestine triggering ulcers and debilitating pain.

Mollie says as an adult, she is no longer phased by her limb difference, describing it as part of who she is - comically referring to it as "nug" because she thinks it resembles a chicken nugget.

But she said being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis was much harder for her due to the stigma attached to having a stoma bag.

Mollie says she feels there is often a common misconception that stomas smell or are dirty.

Host Claudia Winkleman with Traitors contestants (left to right) Harry, Andrew, Evie, Jaz and Mollie

Mollie said: "I think we now live in a society where having a stoma bag is becoming a bit more normal and people are starting to talk about it.

"But generally speaking, I think poo has always been an embarrassing and taboo thing for people."

She said because her father also has ulcerative colitis, she was brought up in a family where they have to speak about it, but admits it has taken a long time for her to get that point.

Mollie hopes to keep raising awareness and breaking common misconceptions around both the autoimmune disease and also limb differences.

She said: "It's about getting everyone else to the same point now."