Latest news with #Jamie'sDyslexiaRevolution
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Holly Willoughby's hidden struggle before diagnosis after 'writing herself off'
Former This Morning host Holly Willoughby spoke about her experience with dyslexia in the new documentary Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution which aired on Channel 4 last night Presenter Holly Willoughby has opened up about feeling "different" when she was younger in a new documentary that she has described as "important". She's suggested that she ended up "writing herself off" due to a challenging experience. Holly, 44, has previously spoken about being diagnosed with dyslexia shortly before her GCSEs. She once shared whilst hosting This Morning that she felt "shameful" about struggling with spelling for years, but also revealed on the ITV show that she's since become proud to have dyslexia. She's now further discussed her experience with the learning difficulty at school. Holly opened up in the documentary Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution, which aired on Channel 4 on Monday, with her among the participants in the project. The one-off special saw chef Jamie Oliver, who has spoken about his own experience with dyslexia, explore the challenges faced by pupils who have dyslexia. It also shows him campaigning for more support for those affected by dyslexia. Like other participants, including Jamie Laing, Holly makes brief appearances in video messages shown during the documentary. She's seen talking about her experience, including sharing that she felt "different" when she was at school. Opening up about her difficulty with spelling, she said in her first appearance: "I definitely was terrible at spelling." She continued by sharing with viewers: "I knew that because in spelling tests I'd always get really poor results." Holly later said that she was "always" expecting feedback on her homework to include "silly mistakes" being brought to her attention. She said in the documentary: "I always knew that when I'd get my homework back, there would be red pen all over it where there would be 'silly mistakes'." She said: "I felt like I was working really, really hard with not getting much results. So I felt different." She later added: "The school system is made for a certain type of learning and it's so hard when you don't learn like that." Holly suggested that it had an impact on her even after she had left school. She said: "When you then write yourself off at school as being 'non-academic,' that does shape your future somewhat." Following the broadcast of Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution, Holly responded to the documentary and a post made about it by Jamie. He had reflected on the reaction to the project in a post on Instagram this morning. He wrote: "I've been completely blown away by the response to Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution. The stories so many of you have shared- about your own journeys, struggles, and strengths - have been powerful, emotional, and deeply moving. "If you've got something to say about dyslexia or neurodiversity -whether it's your own experience, a frustration, or a big idea -please share it with [Secretary of State for Education] @bridgetphillipsonmp with the hashtag #ComeOnBridget and let her know that change is needed! If you missed it last night on @channel4 hit the link in my bio to catch up #ComeOnBridget." Holly later shared the post on her Instagram Story and wrote in her caption: "Well done [Jamie] such an important documentary! Just the beginning of this conversation." Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution is available through Channel 4.
ITV News
10-06-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
'I tried to take my own life': Somerset MP on teenage struggle with dyslexia
A Somerset MP has revealed his struggles with severe dyslexia once led to him trying to take his own life, as he opens up as part of a campaign being led by Jamie Oliver. Liberal Democrat Adam Dance is joining the celebrity chef in calling for teachers to be better trained in offering the support that children with the condition need, and for mandatory early screening to be introduced. "When I was at school I used to play up to get out of the classroom because I felt stupid," Dance says. "I felt stupid, I was bullied, and I even tried to take my own life at one point." Free school meals to be expanded to all families on universal credit Oliver's documentary on Channel 4, called 'Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution', is targeted at decision-makers in Westminster and hopes to pick up enough momentum to force those in power to listen. Already, it has encouraged the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to commit to proper training for new teachers from this September. The chef has already rallied outside Parliament with campaigners, parents and those with lived experience, and he plans to keep putting pressure on the Labour government along with other MPs, like Dance. The Yeovil MP was elected to the Somerset constituency in July last year and has spoken publicly about how he navigates living with dyslexia and ADHD. Speaking with Oliver in the documentary, he says he has been "really touched" by the chef's campaign, admitting that he chose to go into politics "because people like me and you need someone to speak to them". Dance's first encounter with local politics was when he was 16 years old and, with the support of his local Lib Dem MP, he helped save his local youth club from closure. The centre was a "saviour" for Dance, who was struggling with a lack of support in school for his dyslexia. It was then that the late Paddy Ashdown - former Lib Dem leader and Yeovil MP - spotted a future politician in the teenager and encouraged him to get involved with the party at a local level. Dance then went on to become a local councillor, and in 2022 became the lead member for public health at Somerset Council. Two of Dance's most high-profile campaigns as an MP have been related to saving services at Yeovil District Hospital. He admits he never expected to become an MP, but is open about the fact his challenges at school made him more resilient, and he says he wants to be the voice in Westminster that he feels he didn't have when he was a young boy in Yeovil.
Daily Mirror
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jamie Oliver tearful as dyslexic teen tells him 'I don't see any hope'
The campaigning chef is calling for a huge overhaul of the school system so that dyslexic and neurodivergent kids can thrive alongside their classmates Jamie Oliver is winning the first stage of his latest Channel 4 campaign after getting Bridget Phillipson onside in his battle to overhaul the education system for dyslexic kids. The education minister has pledged her support for Jamie's mission to revolutionise the school experience for those with special educational needs. The chef, who previously tackled school dinners and sugary drinks, is calling on the government to bring in early screening, within the first two years of primary school, and for teachers to receive proper training on dyslexia - currently just half a day is given over to the subject during a three-year teacher training course. Dad-of-five Jamie said he was inspired to bring about change because of his own painful experience at school. 'It wasn't great,' he sighed. 'Everything to do with learning and getting it down on paper was terrible, I hated words. I had nothing to offer. That feeling of sadness, of feeling thick, stupid, worthless and dumb. READ MORE: Vernon Kay and Paddy McGuinness join Celebrity Gogglebox for first time - and promise 'no filter' 'School was just tough because I didn't get it. But seeing other kids and parents going through that pain in 2025, it does make you quite angry.' The film, Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution, uses statistics showing that one in ten kids is dyslexic - meaning there are three in the average classroom - but for every 10 dyslexic children, only two will be diagnosed. These children are 3.5 times more likely to be expelled, and those who lose their place at school are 200 times more likely to get involved in violent crime. This could explain why 50% the UK's prison inmates show signs of dyslexia. 'I am starting to see the patterns of getting into trouble and ending up in prison are all massively amplified by dyslexia and neurodiversity…and I don't think it is because this is destiny for them, I think it's a reaction to a feeling that they never fit it,' he said at a launch event in London. 'Dyslexia is bigger than letters jumping around and a few kids struggling to read. It's about getting tens of thousands of kids a year to thrive, and not just survive, in school. An education system that only works for some kids, and not everyone, is broken.' Jamie said he believes the current education minister is the right person to bring about the changes so many kids and families are desperate for. Having met with mum-of-two Bridget at her parliamentary office, he says: 'I like her. She's doing things that others haven't done for a long time. Out of the 17 or 18 [education ministers] that I've seen over the last 20 years, she sticks out as being one worth putting a bet on.' Since filming ended, Bridget has agreed that 1 in 4 kids being left out of education is a sign the system needs an overhaul and has committed to improving teacher training around neurodiversity for all new teachers from this September. The education minister said: 'I am determined to reform the system for children with SEND so that all children can achieve what they're capable of.' All new teachers will be fully trained when it comes to SEND neurodiversity and existing teachers will also be 'upskilled' as part of reforms she will set out later this year. 'What a lot of our teachers tell me is that they don't feel they've got the support that they need to really provide a brilliant education to children with a much bigger range of needs than might have been the case when they did their initial training,' she said. The film also hears from 15-year-old Amira, who felt 'isolated' at school, where she failed to get a formal diagnosis and now expects to fail her GCSEs. 'It feels like I have no opportunities. I don't see any hope,' she tells Jamie, who says she's being badly let down. - Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution, Channel 4, 8pm, Monday
Daily Record
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Jamie Oliver opens up about 'desperately hard' health battle over the years
Jamie Oliver has openly discussed his journey with dyslexia after being diagnosed last year, having not been aware of the condition for all of his life Jamie Oliver has opened up about the realities of ageing as he struggles with turning 50 and his efforts to stay as healthy as possible for as long as he possibly can. Jamie has been one of the UK's most famous chefs for decades, after bursting on to the scene in 1999 when he first started filming The Naked Chef at the age of just 23. Since then, the chef has gone on to present a variety of cooking shows as well as having his own programmes. Jamie has continued to work hard raising awareness of the importance of healthy eating, nearly three decades after his career starter show aired. Now the star has started to talk more about his struggles with living with dyslexia, a form of neurodivergence which he was diagnosed with earlier this year. Speaking about his overall health, Jamie told the Sunday Times he was working hard to preserve what strength and vitality he had left. He expressed: "I'm trying desperately hard to be the healthiest version of me, working on the right things at the gym and physiotherapy. Hopefully I've got a few more years in me yet." But this is not the first time the celebrity chef has talked about his physical health. Back in December 2024, Jamie spoke about struggling with several painful slipped discs in his back. At the time he spoke to The Times telling them about the demands of his job, and how it has caused great strain on his body. He said: "I've had four years of three slipped discs. It's about managing it. My job doesn't allow me not to work. "If I stop, this whole thing falls apart. I've had weeks where I've been able to stand for only 40 seconds at a time." However, it isn't just his physical health he is focussing on, Jamie is looking into his mental health too. The star is coming to terms with his dyslexia diagnosis and is only know just releasing he has been living with a condition he didn't know anything about for most of his life. Dyslexia is a form of neurodevelopmental disorder, it can also be known as a learning difficulty as it affects how the brain processes information. Just like other forms of neurodivergence such as dyspraxia, dyslexia can affect memory, personality and, in some cases, people's ability to do physical movements. Jamie has been sharing his experience of finding out about his dyslexia diagnosis, and what it actually means, with Channel 4. He is producing a new documentary titled 'Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution'. The chef revealed that filming the documentary has had a strong impact on him. Jamie told the Sunday Times just how emotionally the journey has been. He admitted: "Genuinely, of all the things I've ever done, this documentary is the most viscerally painful. I've seen so many high-flying, talented grown men cry about this - I've just done it to you - the concept of being worthless [when you're] young is real. It's really triggering."
Daily Mirror
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'Dyslexia made me feel worthless at school - but it's been a superpower'
Successful businesswoman and author Maddy-Alexander Grout was reduced to tears as a schoolgirl struggling with dyslexia. Having put her shame behind her, Maddy now embraces her differences and is showing support for Jamie Oliver's important new campaign Much like Jamie Oliver, Maddy-Alexander Grout does not look back on her schooldays with much affection. Similarly to Jamie, Maddy had to navigate school life with dyslexia, which saw her unfairly labelled as "stupid" and "slow". Now 41, successful businesswoman and author Maddy has painful memories of crying during spelling tests, and remembers how, even though the words were potentially spelt correctly, "the letters were around the wrong way". Initially, Maddy's teacher believed her difficulties reading from the board were due to short-sightedness, and so she was given a pair of glasses she didn't even need. Maddy, from Southampton, laughingly admitted: "I fudged the test because I wanted to wear them." At the age of six, Maddy was diagnosed with dyslexia, a widely misunderstood learning difference that affects a person's reading, writing, and spelling abilities. As a creative child, Maddy loved drawing, painting and reading, and had a particular love of comics such as The Beano and The Dandy. However, visual learner Maddy found she read in a "different way" from her peers, reading quickly but then having to go back and re-read certain parts. Reading aloud in front of the class was also a nightmare. Maddy told the Mirror: "I used to get filled with absolute dread when the teacher at school used to make you stand up and read in front of the class. I'd always stumble over my words and repeat words or miss words out, and I used to get told off for it, and kind of ashamed." In his one-hour Channel 4 documentary, Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution, the TV chef opens up about the challenges he faced as a pupil with dyslexia, pushing for early screenings and better neurodiversity awareness. Speaking with The Sunday Times, Jamie shared that making the doc had been the "most viscerally painful" thing he's ever done, reflecting: "I've seen so many high-flying, talented, grown men cry about this — I've just done it to you — the concept of being worthless (when you're) young is real. It's really triggering." This is something Maddy can relate to all too well. She shared: "I wasn't supported in the right way. I think with the right support, people who are divergent—and you know, that includes dyslexia—can really thrive. So what Jamie is doing to raise awareness is absolutely incredible. I can really relate to how he felt at school because there were times when I felt like that." Following her initial diagnosis, Maddy switched schools as she wasn't getting the help she so desperately needed. She liked her next teacher, who helped her to "thrive", but this was far from the end of her difficulties. In high school, Maddy received external support from an English coach, but didn't receive any extra exam time or other means of assistance now available for pupils who are dyslexic. Maddy recalled: "I remember this one English class being asked to read something from Romeo and Juliet, and I think I actually even got one of the main characters' names wrong. I think I called him something else that was not even in the book, and it was just like, 'Where did that come from? ' "But it was really hard, you know, imagine like standing up in front of 30 people, knowing that you're gonna get it wrong, like that's it, it's scarring, and it does stay with you as a child." Outside of academics, socialising was also a struggle. As a youngster, Maddy suffered the cruelties of being picked on, and also struggled when it came to making friends, "smothering" those she did get close to. At that time, Maddy hadn't yet been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition which often coexists with dyslexia. This common link is something that Maddy, who now works as an ADHD money and business coach, is keen to draw attention to. Looking back with a far better understanding of herself, Maddy now knows there was never anything wrong with her, aware that learning in a neurotypical setting was just a case of trying to "put a CD in a tape player". Considering what she'd say to her younger self, Maddy said: "Believe in yourself, you're not broken, you're just different." Although Maddy is comfortable in her own skin now, it's been a long journey to get there. From her early to late teens, Maddy felt "completely and utterly useless". Her ADHD also affected the way Maddy dealt with money, landing her in £40,000 worth of debt. She was thankfully able to pay this hefty sum off, using self-taught "tips and tricks", which she discusses in her ADHD-focused finance book, Mad About Money. Indeed, as well as accepting her differences, Maddy has learned to embrace them and is eager to show that there are many benefits to having dyslexia and ADHD, which aren't talked about enough. Highlighting how those with dyslexia can often be "really strategic thinkers" and excellent storytellers, Maddy remarked that "lots of dyslexic people go on to be really good entrepreneurs." Pointing at the prime example of Jamie, Maddy noted: "I mean, Jamie Oliver is an incredible entrepreneur. He's not just a chef, he's somebody who is actually going out there and telling his story and changing lives, and that's what I wanted to do with my book. "I think there is a common misconception that dyslexic people are not very clever when actually we are really clever, we just have different brains that process things in a different way." Jamie has spoken out about how entering the kitchen "saved" him, allowing him to carve a path for himself after feeling alienated by the traditional school system. For Maddy, this lifeline was public speaking, a talent which has allowed her to find her voice and speak up for others navigating similar journeys, through channels such as her Mad About Money podcast. Nowadays, Maddy is happy to "show up imperfectly" and encourages others to learn more about their brains so that they can show up as the person they're meant to be. She's also cautioned against shame, urging others to see the strengths in their "different operating systems " instead of flaws. Maddy is now mum to Ben, 10, and Harriet, 6, both of whom have dyslexia. Although she's seen improvements in how dyslexia is handled in modern schools, she believes there's still some way to go. Expressing her wishes for the future, Maddy continued: "I want there to be more education for children. Not just education for children who are dyslexic, but I'd like to see education for all children in school about what dyslexia actually is, so that they don't bully their friends, or they don't have negative conversations or call people stupid. "I want people to actually be talking about the positives about dyslexia as well because I think that's something that's not done enough. I think you need more people who have dyslexia who are successful at speaking in schools. I think that would be a really good thing to show people that you can achieve things and not to see yourself as negative." You can catch Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution on Channel 4 at 9 pm on June 9.
