James Martin
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Saturday Morning host James Martin opens up about failing cookery at school because he is dyslexic

Struggles with reading an auto cue

Saturday Morning host James Martin has revealed why he failed cookery school – he was dyslexic.

Opening up to his guests – the singer Lisa Stansfield and chef Ainsley Harriott – on what he did at school he surprised them both when he explained dyslexia nearly ruined his chances of being a chef.

“I failed cookery at school,” he told a shocked Lisa, 53, and Ainsley Harriott, 62.

James Martin's Saturday Morning (Credit: ITV Hub)
James Martin failed cookery school (Credit: ITV)

The crew could be heard laughing in the background, as the Saturday Morning star declared: “I did! What are you laughing at?

“The only exam I passed at school was art.”

James Martin explains to guests Lisa Stansfield and Ainsley Harriott about being dyslexic (Pic: ITV)

The 47-year-old car enthusiast then went on to explain: “I mainly failed it [cookery] because I’m severely dyslexic.”

James said dyslexia has affected his television career as he has trouble reading from the autocue.

“A lot of this crew think I’m ignoring them,” he joked.

The chef James Martin says he has trouble reading a script (Pic: ITV)

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“I am most of the time but it’s mainly because I have trouble reading a script.”

“We’ve recognised it now, James,” Ainsley chipped in.

“I think there was a period in time when people didn’t recognise dyslexia.”

“And now we’re there and it’s people like you who are saying, ‘I was’ and admitting it, gives them the confidence to say, ‘You know what? I can achieve things in life.”

Well done James.

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