Chef Jamie Oliver has opened up about his lifelong battle with dyslexia ahead of a Channel 4 documentary that’s set to air later this year.
The programme will spotlight the UK’s education system and its shortcomings, particularly for the 1.3 million children living with dyslexia.
For Jamie, the documentary is not just a professional project. It’s also a deeply personal project rooted in his own experience growing up with dyslexia and ADHD.
Despite leaving school with just two GCSEs, he found his calling in the kitchen, which he credits with saving him.
Jamie Oliver on dyslexia struggle
Reflecting on his struggles in school, Jamie said: “It’s no secret I struggled at school – but I was one of the lucky ones. I knew I wanted to be a chef, so I had somewhere to go, catering school, where I could thrive. The kitchen saved me.”
However, he is aware that many children with dyslexia don’t have the same luck.
“What happens to those who don’t know where to go? We can’t leave kids’ futures up to luck. We need the education system to update, so everyone has the best possible chance in life.” Jamie added.
Jamie’s upcoming documentary will explore how schools can celebrate neurodiverse ways of thinking.
He hopes to push the Government to reform what he calls an “archaic” education system.
“I just want to look 13-year-old kids, who are struggling with reading, in the eye and say to them: ‘You are NOT worthless.'” Jamie mused.
‘Constant battle’
Jamie has been candid about his challenges in the past, most notably in a heartfelt Instagram post in 2022.
He shared his frustrations with reading and writing, admitting to a “love-hate relationship” with words.
“Something I don’t really talk about much is the constant battle I have with words and reading,” the TV chef wrote. “In the old days at school, it made me very frustrated and resentful about school as an institution and over the years I’ve come to terms with not learning the same way as most people not as a failure, but as an opportunity.”
The chef has published more than 20 cookbooks despite never physically writing a word of them.
He previously revealed his unconventional method of dictating ideas to editors.
“I’ve never ever physically written a word,” he admitted. “I used to write my books on a dictaphone then when I was eventually able to afford to employ an editor I would then dictate to them and that’s how I work.”
Through his documentary, Jamie aims to spark a broader conversation about inclusivity in education.
“Our teachers and schools are our secret weapon,” he explained. “We need to propagate and take real care of the seedlings of the future and that will fruit all that we dream and crave for our diminishing economy.”
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