Ed Balls opened up about his stammer during a recent episode of Good Morning Britain, describing it as "a nightmare" when faced with certain letters like 'H'. Speaking to BBC Traitors contestant Jessie Roux, who campaigns with the charity STAMMA, Balls and co-host Susanna Reid highlighted the challenges faced by people who stutter.
Campaign Against Hang-Ups
The conversation centred on STAMMA's Don't Hang Up. Hang On. campaign, which aims to stop call handlers from ending calls when there is a long silence. Reid noted that many people with stammers are often hung up on, a point Roux confirmed from personal experience. "It is hard because I've had it where I have been hung up on, and 'H' is hard. Like, 'Hello' on its own is a nightmare," Roux said.
Balls empathised, saying, "I can't do H's! From the autocue, every now and again, and there is one, it's a nightmare!" Roux added that all they ask is for people to wait: "We'll get there eventually."
Balls' Journey with Stammer
Balls has been open about his stammer, revealing he did not realise he had one until his political career was well underway. He went public in 2009 and became a patron of the British Stammering Association a year later. Reflecting on his time on Good Morning Britain in 2021, he said: "Sometimes it goes wrong, but that's fine. The idea that I could be on GMB, reading the autocue with noise in my ear—twelve years ago, I would be in meltdown, and today, loving it!"
In a previous emotional moment on the show, Balls thanked singer Gareth Gates for inspiring him to speak openly about his stammer. In 2024, he said: "You inspired me. I thought, 'If Gareth Gates can do this, I can too.' And if he can be public, I can be public too." Gates embraced Balls as Reid commented: "Nothing to be ashamed about, it's part of your identity."
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV from 6am.
