Celebrities you didn’t know have dyslexia – from James Martin to Holly Willoughby

Holly Willoughby looks back on how dyslexia affected her

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Although dyslexia is mostly diagnosed in children,  there are a range of methods that help people of all ages to cope with the disorder. This can include the use of technology like word processors or electronic organisers and reading with a coloured overlay. Celebrities also have to make adjustments in their workplace to support their dyslexia. But who does suffer with the learning disorder?

James Martin

Perhaps one of the UK’s most loved TV chefs, James Martin discovered he suffers from dyslexia when he was 30 years old.

After struggling to read an autocue, James was sent to learn how to walk and talk so he could still present shows such as Saturday Kitchen.

Instead of reading large chunks of text, James now remembers his scripts and uses an audio recording device when writing his recipe books.

READ MORE: Michael Parkinson health: Diagnosis came as a ‘great shock’ 

Holly Willoughby

Similarly to James Martin, she has to check autocues in advance and uses coloured scripts to help her present.

In the past she has emotionally opened up about struggling to learn at school and now she fears for her own three children.

Jamie Oliver

Another celeb who struggled in school was world-renowned chef Jamie Oliver.

After being put in the bottom classes he admitted in an interview with Celebrity Radio that: “he or the school really recognised my dyslexia.”

In an interview with The Radio Times, he said: “I genuinely think that when someone says to you, ‘Johnny’s got dyslexia’, you should get down on your knees, shake the child’s hand and say, ‘Well done, you lucky, lucky boy’.”

Jamie is a strong advocate for ridding of the stigma of the condition and in 2017 took park in Dyslexia Awareness Week which had the hashtag #positivedyslexia2017.

Lewis Hamilton

From cookbooks to cars, F1 superstar Lewis Hamilton has also spoken out about his diagnosis which he found out when he was 17.

Back in June 2020 he spoke out to a group of school children about the importance of never giving up.

He said: “I didn’t realise that I was dyslexic until I was 17 and I just struggled so much. I was always playing catch up.”

The star has teamed up with TOGETHERBAND a campaign targeting healthy and sustainable living by 2030 to try and support children who are struggling in school.

Richard Branson

One of the richest men on the planet, billionaire Richard Branson is another who suffers with dyslexia.

Much like Jamie Oliver, the Virgin founder focuses on the positives of the condition and has even gone as far to say that it has been “key to many of our successes.”

He puts this down to having such a vivid imagination and being more creative than those who do not have dyslexia.

“Problem solving, creativity and imagination will be in high demand with the rise of AI (artificial intelligence) and automation,” Branson said.

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