Model and television personality Penny Lancaster has candidly discussed the significant challenges she faced during her school years, revealing she was bullied for her height and struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia.
Overcoming Educational Barriers and Bullying
Appearing on BBC One's My Life At Christmas with Anita Rani on Sunday, 7 December, Lancaster admitted she felt "sort of dismissed" by the education system. She explained that her dyslexia went unrecognised, which created real difficulties in learning as she processed information differently from her peers.
"I was told by a teacher that I wouldn't make anything of myself," Lancaster revealed to host Anita Rani. The star also confirmed that her exceptional height made her a target for bullies, compounding her feelings of isolation and self-doubt during her formative years.
Reframing Dyslexia as a Strength
Lancaster, now 53, has since come to view her neurodiversity not as a hindrance but as a unique advantage. She described dyslexia as a "skill set" that fosters resilience and innovative problem-solving.
"We learn to go under them, over them, around them," she said, referring to the obstacles dyslexic individuals often face. "So actually, we tackle problems not just head-on, but from a different perspective. We're great problem solvers." She added that the challenges have given her deep empathy for others, calling it a "gift."
From School Struggles to Modelling Success
Her academic worries led to genuine fears about her future. "I always wondered, well, if I can't pass exams, then I'm not going to get a job. And if I can't get a job, then how am I going to pay the bills?" she recalled.
Her path changed when a careers advisor suggested she consider modelling, leveraging the very trait she was bullied for—her height and slender frame. This advice set her on a "natural path" to a successful career in front of the camera.
The programme also featured a heartwarming segment about how she met her husband, music legend Rod Stewart. The couple first connected in 1998 and married in 2007. Lancaster recounted how Stewart's bass player initially withheld her phone number from Rod, who was finalising a divorce from Rachel Hunter at the time, believing it wasn't the right moment. The bass player later presented the number when he felt Stewart was ready, a moment recreated on the show which moved Lancaster to tears.
My Life At Christmas with Anita Rani is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
