Tom Holland praised for 'powerful' message on dyslexia after turning down SNL role

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Tom Holland praised for 'powerful' message on dyslexia after turning down SNL role3 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleManish PandeyBBC NewsbeatGetty ImagesActor Tom Holland has previously spoken about his neurodivergent experience of living with ADHD and dyslexiaActor Tom Holland has been praised for his "powerful" words after opening up about the impact dyslexia has had on him. The Spider-Man star revealed he turned down presenting Saturday Night Live (SNL) because of the "concept of trying to read something and they change". The US comedy sketch show features cue cards to guide hosts through their performances.

"They've asked me a few times to do it and the truth is that I'm just really scared," he said, adding he's "heavily dyslexic". According to the NHS, dyslexia is a common learning difficulty where your brain works differently to most people. It mainly affects things like reading, writing and using numbers.

The Details

There is no cure but there are things you can do to help manage the condition. "That kind of honesty really helps others feel seen and understood," says Kay Carter from The Dyslexia Association, adding, Holland's words are "powerful and genuinely brave". James Taylor from equality charity Scope feels "it highlights the real challenges disabled people can face at work or in the spotlight".

Speaking on Amy Poehler's podcast Good Hang, the 30-year-old actor said he loves SNL and "the idea of having fun and making a fool of yourself in such a creative way". "I'm just so petrified at the concept of trying to read something and they change. "'You have to go that extra mile'Ashley Walker has lived with dyslexia her entire life and says Holland's comments make her "feel happy" because it "isn't spoken about enough".

"Especially by people who have it. We tend to try and not speak about it because of the stigma," she tells Newsbeat. In his interview, Holland also mentioned he dreads a read-through for his roles and tries his best to prepare for it.

What Experts Say

"When I have to read out loud, it just becomes like a kind of mental block. And I can freeze," he told Poehler. "Like at the read-through, I will try and highlight everything and learn my lines ahead of time.

"Ashley, 25, relates to Holland's experiences, particularly when she was a child. "They would ask you: 'please read out loud to the class'. It was a horrible experience.

"Because you can lose your place while you're reading. "Government statistics show that 6. 3 million people in the UK have dyslexia, while one in six adults have the reading level of an 11-year-old.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.