Love Island's Curtis Pritchard opens up about his dyslexia battle
'I work around it'
Last updated 17th Jul 2020
Curtis Pritchard was at the centre of some of Love Island 2019's biggest storylines. But now the professional ballroom dancer has spoken candidly about his 'struggles' with dyslexia and branded it his 'biggest weakness'
The original Islander, 23, confessed that his learning difficulty affects his reading and spelling but he has found ways to overcome certain challenges he faces on a day-to-day basis.
Curtis, who was slammed for dumping air-hostess Amy Hart in the Love Island villa in favour of other romances, opened up about his dyslexia battle in a candid interview with Lorraine.
He revealed: "I work around it. Yes, it makes things a little harder like reading, writing, I can’t spell at all. I just can’t.
"That’s one of the things that gets to me because I think to myself, 'I’m being silly in this position now, I can’t do this,' I can’t do that."
The dancer revealed that he has learned he cannot be 'afraid' to ask for help and his family have always helped by constantly supporting him.
He praised his loved ones: "My family have always supported me in a massive way. Everyone in life has strengths and weaknesses. My weakness is being dyslexic, slightly."
Check out the best Love Island transformations below:
NOW: Tommy Fury
Age: 20
From: Manchester
Occupation: boxer
What's your claim to fame? It's probably my brother, Tyson, but I'm my own man and I've said it throughout my whole boxing career. I don't want to be labelled as his little brother.
THEN: Tommy Fury
A fresh-faced Tommy was destined to be a boxer from a young age, posting this adorable snap of himself to his Instagram page in 2015.
NOW: Lucie Donlan
Age: 21
From: Newquay
Occupation: surfer
Claim to fame: The last guy I was with was Charlie Frederick from last year's Love Island. We got together a few weeks after he came out of the villa.
THEN: Lucie Donlan
Surfer girl Lucie has always been a fan of the water sport, posting this stunning snap of herself to her Instagram page back in 2014.
In 2018, Lucie posted a number of transformation pics to her social media accounts, showing off her two stone weight-loss.
NOW: Amy Hart
Age: 26
From: Worthing, Sussex
Occupation: Air hostess / cabin crew manager
Celebrity crush: Liam Hemsworth, he's fit. Ashley Banjo from Diversity is really fit.
THEN: Amy Hart
Amy looks totally different in this throwback snap she posted to her Instagram page in 2017, to celebrate working as an air-hostess for seven years!
NOW: Yewande Biala
Age: 22
From: Dublin, Ireland
Occupation: Scientist
Celebrity crush: Anthony Joshua
THEN: Yewande Biala
Yewande posted this snap on her Instagram page back in 2016, after she graduated from university with a First class Honours in Biotechnology.
NOW: Anton Danyluk
Age: 24
From: Airdrie, Scotland
Occupation: gym owner
Will you be loyal or do you have a wandering eye? That's a medical condition that I have… a wandering eye! I've never really been loyal in any of my relationships.
THEN: Anton Danyluk
Before entering the Love Island villa, Scottish hunk Anton posted this photo on Instagram, showing off his incredible body transformation over a 16-week period.
NOW: Anna Vakili
Age: 28
From: London
Occupation: Pharmacist
What's your definition of girl code? This is really difficult because the island isn't a normal place, the real world is different. I don't know how close I can get to a girl in a few weeks. If a guy likes me, I'm there for love at the end of the day, not girls.
THEN: Anna Vakili
London girl Anna doesn't look much different from this Instagram pic she uploaded two years ago.
NOW: Joe Garratt
Age: 22
From: South East London
Occupation: Catering company owner
What song sums up your love life? 'How Am I Supposed to Live Without You' by Michael Bolton.
THEN: Joe Garratt
Before he let the curls loose, Joe looked super cute in this snap uploaded with his friend back in 2015.
NOW: Michael Griffiths
Age: 27
From: Liverpool
Occupation: Firefighter
How would you rate your looks on a scale of one to ten? I'd rate myself ten out of ten, I would have said nine but I'm a hero so it bumps it up.
THEN: Michael Griffiths
We can't deal with the cuteness of Michael in this snap from 2014.
Callum Macleod
Age: 28
From: South Wales
Occupation: Aircraft engineer
What song sums up your love life? 'I Just Haven't Met You Yet' by Michael Bublé.
THEN: Callum Macleod
He only lasted in the villa for five days, but Callum's hair is giving us serious vibes on this school throwback.
NOW: Curtis Pritchard
Age: 23
From: Shropshire
Occupation: Ballroom and Latin dancer
What's your claim to fame? I would say my claim to fame is that I'm on Dancing with the Stars Ireland and AJ Pritchard from Strictly Come Dancing is my brother.
THEN: Curtis Pritchard
Aww! Ballroom dancer Curtis looking VERY smart before a show back in 2014. Look at that bow-tie!
NOW: Molly-Mae Hague
Age: 20
From: Hertfordshire
Occupation: Social media influencer
THEN: Molly-Mae Hague
Stunner Molly-Mae posted this photo back in 2017, so we suspect she's deleted earlier ones from her account before entering the villa.
NOW: Maura Higgins
Age: 28
From: Ireland
Occupation: Model and grid girl
THEN: Maura Higgins
Irish beauty Maura looks a lot different in this snap she posted back in 2013.
NOW: Tom Walker
Age: 29
From: Leeds
Occupation: Model
THEN: Tom Walker
Tom has always been a hunk! Here he is pictured back in 2012!
Explaining a few of the ways he overcomes his struggles, Curtis described how he dictates to his mum what he wants to write and she will make a note of it. (aww!)
He added: "I challenge it now. If I’m doing the showbiz slot when I was on here, I got it in advance and I read through everything. I revised it because it does take me longer to read things."
Curtis also used the interview to tease an insight at his blossoming relationship with fiery Irish vixen Maura Higgins. The couple came fourth on Love Island 2019 and since entering the real world, have faced speculation that their romance was over.
Curtis cheekily squashed the rumours saying: "Things are going fantastic...I left her in bed this morning."
Curtis, who had an awkward reunion with his ex-flame Amy Hart on the Love Island reunion show, recently made headlines when talking honestly about his sexuality and revealing he would never rule anything out.
We are so excited to see Curtis looking so smitten with Irish beauty Maura Higgins at the moment, despite admitting he would be open to having a relationship with a man in the future.
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