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Jamie Oliver has described a new documentary on dyslexia as the 'most viscerally painful' experience he has ever had. The 50-year-old TV chef, who has experienced learning
challenges his entire life, will present a one-hour documentary on Channel 4 titled Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution. The show will examine the obstacles faced by children with dyslexia in
Britain and consider if the Government can improve our education system. "I'm unpacking quite a lot of stuff," Jamie said while speaking to The Sunday Times. "I thought
I’d buried it but it’s hitting a nerve. Genuinely, of all the things I’ve ever done, this documentary is the most viscerally painful." He added: "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." The NHS defines dyslexia as a
widespread learning difficulty that affects reading, writing, and spelling. Figures suggest that up to one in ten people in the UK may have some degree of dyslexia. It is a lifelong issue
that may present challenges on a daily basis. People with dyslexia often have good skills in other areas, including problem-solving and creative thinking. For Jamie, cooking was a lifeline.
After leaving school with two GCSEs, he shared that the kitchen 'saved' him from various difficulties. At times, he felt 'stupid, worthless, and thick' and spoke about
fostering 'a hatred of words and a total resentment for education.' At school, other children also referred to him as a 'stupid dunce', instilling in him a profound fear
of falling behind. Jamie continued: "I didn’t have any extra time in exams, there were no strategies, just a bit of extra tutoring help. There was no robust dyslexic knowledge
then." Later, he added: "I didn’t tell mum, dad or the teachers. I just bottled it up inside. The kitchen saved me. I knew I had something to offer. I knew I wasn’t a useless piece
of s***." The chef and author hailing from Essex is known for his cooking shows and documentaries like The Naked Chef and Jamie’s Kitchen, in addition to his collection of cookbooks,
including Jamie’s 30-Minute Meals. Over the years, he has actively advocated for more government assistance in providing healthier school meals and has helped establish a sugar tax on soft
drinks. Now, he is promoting enhanced support within schools, calling for early dyslexia screenings and greater awareness of neurodiversity. The 50-year-old noted that teacher training
lasting two to three years allocates only a limited amount of time to neurodiversity education. "I’ve only got love for teachers, we need to appreciate them more," he said.
"But they want to be trained, they want to have the tools to notice, understand and react." Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution can be watched on Channel 4 on June 9 at 9pm.