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words. I do it with numbers as well.
    My spelling also suffered because of the dyslexia. I used to spell phonetically. So if someone said the name ‘Siobhan’ I would spell it ‘Shivorn’.
    My mum bought me a computer so I could do my homework and then spell-check it all. It really helped and improved my spelling.
    Around the same time, my mum noticed that Jack was struggling too. He was also diagnosed with dyslexia. It’s obviously something that runs in the family.
    Over the years, I’ve found ways of dealing with my dyslexia, but it has been a massive struggle for me. It’s something I have to work on every day. Technology – like predictive text on my mobile phone – has made it easier.
    When I decided I wanted to do this book, I did ask someone to help me. I knew exactly what I wanted to say, but I realised that chatting to someone who would type what I’d said would be far more practical.
    In my line of work, I have to make sure I’m really focused. My peers will walk in, read the autocue and go home. But I have to be prepared if I am going to present a TV show. I have to write down what I’m going to say and memorise it.
    Years later, when I got a job at Radio 1 co-hosting The Surgery on a Sunday night, I would get so nervous when it came to the script read-through before the evening show. Sometimes I wouldn’t be able to read out loud and I’d fuck it up.
    In the end, I confessed to my producer that I was severely dyslexic. I explained that the way I had learned to deal with it was to prepare. So I explained that they wouldn’t be able to just shove something under my nose with a second’s notice. Of course, I knew it was live radio and I would have to react to people phoning and emailing in to the show. The one thing I have learned is that when you’re dyslexic it’s amazing how clever you become. You become very canny at covering things up.
    Worried that you have dsylexia?
    If you’re worried that you may have dyslexia, British Dyslexics is the largest website on the subject in the world. I’ve visited this site loads of times and I can’t recommend it enough. It understands everything you might be worried about and is even colour-coded so that it’s easy to navigate. It’s a registered charity too and it specialises in helping young people who are trying to adapt to being dyslexic.
    The charity is run by dyslexics so they totally understand what it’s like.
    ☎ 01352 716 656
    www.dyslexia.uk.com
    How to manage dyslexia
    Over the years I’ve learned different ways to manage my dyslexia and it’s enabled me to do live TV and present lots of programmes successfully. There is no reason why you shouldn’t fulfil your dreams.
    When I’m worried about reading out loud, I write what I want to say on individual index cards. It means I’m not so daunted by a massive chunk of copy. I put this into practice when I spoke to a whole bunch of experts on World Contraception Day.
    Another tip I’ve found useful is writing things out myself, instead of reading someone else’s writing. As I write, I make a mental note, which helps me remember it. It’s a tried-and-tested plan for me.
    Another charity that will be able to help you do your job and manage your dyslexia is Dyslexia Action. There are centres all over the country where you can go for advice and support – find your nearest centre on their site:

    www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk

    W HEN I was twelve, I started at Pipers Corner School. It was a private school tucked away in a corner of the Buckinghamshire countryside near High Wycombe. It’s a boarding school and a day school, and I came home every day. Usually Mum or the nanny would come and pick me up. We had to wear a white shirt, red jumper and grey skirt. It was really posh and incredibly strict.
    S OME people with dyslexia are unusually creative. It’s common for artists and musicians to have dyslexia, and they’re incredibly talented at what they do. It’s funny how the brain