Penny Lancaster Appointed Ambassador for British Dyslexia Association

Penny Lancaster, the prominent model and television presenter, has recently announced on social media her engagement in a new professional endeavor. Having been a familiar presence on the ITV panel show ‘Loose Women‘, Lancaster is now taking on a role that holds personal significance. She has been named an ambassador for the British Dyslexia Association, a decision influenced by her own experiences with the condition.

Diagnosed with dyslexia in her late 40s, Lancaster has expressed a strong desire to support others dealing with the disorder. “I experienced fear when I sat school exams but found joy when I passed my dyslexia test,” Lancaster commented in a statement shared by the British Dyslexia Association. “Finally, I understood my challenges and was able to nurture my hidden talents.”

The British Dyslexia Association publicly welcomed Lancaster via Instagram, expressing enthusiasm about the partnership. Their post described her as a “valued ambassador” and looked forward to collaborating on fostering a dyslexia-friendly society. The announcement was met with positivity by Lancaster, who wrote on her Instagram stories, “So happy to be on board!”

Lancaster has been open about her struggles with dyslexia, a learning difficulty she kept private until her diagnosis. In a previous interview with the Mirror, she disclosed, “I’m dyslexic – something I’ve always known and kept secret until I recently got diagnosed.” She credited her husband, music legend Sir Rod Stewart, with helping her gain confidence, recounting an event where his encouragement helped her overcome fear.

Lancaster’s determination has roots in her childhood challenges with literacy. She recalled instances of being labelled as easily distracted, and shared how her father sought additional support for her learning difficulties, despite discouragement from educators who doubted her potential.

Interestingly, Lancaster’s experiences with dyslexia have been shared on ‘Loose Women’, encouraging co-panellists to explore their own possible diagnoses. She highlights how dyslexia has gifted her with unique perspectives and abilities, saying, “Instead of relying on the written word, you might… read the room and you can read people… a great skill set to have.”