TV presenter Jay Blades opens up about learning to read at the age of 51

His journey in learning to read will be documented in a one-off BBC One film, Jay Blades: Learning To Read At 51.

Speaking to the PA News Agency on how he finds it trying to read he said: “What I see is, it’s like having a book of ants.

“So the letters are all ants, and they just keep on moving around. So you try and hold them down.

Read about one of the hardest journeys I’ve ever had too do.

I have some news to share:
On Wednesday 26th January on BBC1 at 9pm you can see a one-off hour long documentary ‘Jay Blades: Learning to Read at 51’https://t.co/xxbPTs0HEJ pic.twitter.com/bXAuFSH99m

— Jay Blades MBE (@jayblades_) January 18, 2022

“It’s insane, I’m telling you. And it gives you a headache because imagine trying to see something that’s constantly moving”.

Blades added that “too much confidence and a lot of naivety” had meant he had not been impacted too much in his career, nor had he felt embarrassed by it.

He said: “It’s like not everybody is a David Beckham, not everybody can kick the ball and get it in the back of the net. It just doesn’t work like that.

“Some of us can’t do these things. It hasn’t impacted (my life) that much”.

READ MORE: The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades on his memoir, Making It – and how he mended his own life

Additionally, Blades wanted to use the film to inspire others in his position.

“(Reading means) more opportunities for me. Anything is possible,” he said.

“Look at six years ago, I was on rock bottom, and then to be where I am six years later…having a TV documentary, being on a very successful show.

“It’s insane. It’s possible. It really is possible.

“No matter where you are in your life, no matter what you think you can’t achieve, there are some people that are out there ready to support you.”

Jay Blades: Learning To Read At 51 airs on BBC One on Wednesday, January 26