While he may be commanding the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! jungle, Manchester rapper Aitch's heart remains firmly with his family, particularly his twin sister Gracie, whom he calls his personal hero.
A Family Bond That Keeps Him Grounded
Harrison 'Aitch' Armstrong, 25, has consistently credited his close-knit family for keeping him humble amidst his skyrocketing fame and Brit Award success. During the Pride of Britain judging day, when posed with the question of who his heroes are, the 'Baby' hitmaker didn't falter.
He immediately named his twin sisters, Hattie and Gracie. "Gracie is my hero because she's just an absolute soldier," Aitch explained, highlighting her resilient spirit. "Just what she's been through, and all that. She just lights up every room she walks in."
He was equally effusive about Hattie, joking that he thought he was the family's superstar until she came along. He praised how both sisters handle life's challenges, solidifying their status as his inspirations.
Raising Awareness in the Jungle and Beyond
In a recent episode of the ITV reality show, fellow campmate Eddie asked Aitch about Gracie and her Down's syndrome. The rapper shared a touching anecdote about how Gracie loves watching Ellie on Strictly Come Dancing, seeing a kindred spirit.
"Ah she's like one of God's special children like me," Gracie would tell her brother. When Eddie commended him for using his platform, Aitch's advice was heartfelt and direct.
"It's not even about how to handle it, it's about how you view it," he stated. "They're the best people in the world. Obviously everyone would say this about their siblings but forget that she's my sister, she is the sickest person I've ever met!"
He also expressed his disgust at hearing stories about how some children with Down's syndrome are treated, reinforcing his commitment to advocacy.
From Music Videos to Mountain Tops for Charity
Aitch's dedication to his sister extends far beyond words. In 2022, he released the emotional track 'My G' featuring Ed Sheeran, a tribute to Gracie. All proceeds from the song were donated to the Down's Syndrome Association (DSA), for which Aitch now serves as an ambassador.
The music video began with a poignant dedication: "This song is dedicated to Gracie Armstrong. You have the biggest heart in the world! Don't change for no one. Love you kid x."
His commitment escalated earlier this year when he undertook a formidable challenge: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the DSA. The gruelling seven-day ascent successfully raised over £120,000.
Before entering the jungle, Aitch revealed that his primary motivation was to use the show's massive platform to shine an even brighter spotlight on people like his sister. "On an Aitch level, I feel like I have got this calling to raise awareness for Down syndrome and I feel that's the perfect place," he said, confident that Gracie would be cheering him on from home.
