A new drama from the creators of Esio Trot (pictured) is in development as part of the BBC”s commitment to boost disability representation on and off screen in 2020.

But When We Dance is a love story about Tony and Emma, two people with lots in common — a great sense of humour, a love of dance, and Parkinson”s.

It comes from writer Paul Mayhew-Archer and Endor Productions in association with Clearwood Films. Jonny Campbell directs.

Mayhew-Archer said: “People with Parkinson”s are also funny and loving and irrepressibly optimistic, and I know this because I‘m one of them.

“When I was first diagnosed, my neurologist, who is a lovely man, told me: ‘You seem to find it quite hard to smile”. Well, I thought, maybe that”s because you”ve just told me I have Parkinson”s.”

Producer Hilary Bevan Jones added: “But When We Dance is a captivating and unusual love story that Paul has written with warmth and wit. Tony and Emma have every reason not to fall in love – both live with a progressive disease that is currently incurable.

“But the experience of living with Parkinson”s can be mysterious as it can give as well as take away.”

The drama forms part of the BBC”s newly-unveiled plan to create new opportunities, see more disabled people working on some of the BBC”s biggest programmes, and help disabled staff to move around and up the BBC more easily.

Image: BBC.