Fia Tarrant reads scripts live on air for a living, and she’s dyslexic. In episode nine of Talking Dyslexia, released on 14 January 2026, she talks to my co-host Ellen Broomé, CEO of the British Dyslexia Association, and me about how she got here, and why she won’t hide her dyslexia.

Who is Fia Tarrant?

Fia is a broadcaster and presenter. She started in radio at 17, has presented shows across the UK and in Spain, and has appeared on the Disney Channel and Sky Sports. She now presents the breakfast show on Heart 00s.

She was diagnosed with dyslexia early, and went to Moon Hall School.

Fia Tarrant recording episode nine of Talking Dyslexia.

What the episode covers

• being diagnosed early, and the teacher who first spotted the signs

• Moon Hall School, and why she found it “nurturing” and confidence-building

• the shock of moving to a mainstream school, and being told “dyslexia isn’t real”

• why she calls herself “super dyslexic”, and won’t hide it

• scripts, live moments and the panic of reading under pressure

• how she approaches dyslexia as a parent, without piling on pressure

• her advice: lean into your strengths, chase the things you love, and back yourself

Her message, as the episode notes put it, is to be upfront about what you need, stop wasting energy on shame, and build your life around your strengths.

The difference one teacher can make

Fia’s story starts with one teacher noticing the signs. That moment matters, because what happens next often depends on someone spotting a difficulty and taking it seriously.

It also shows how much the setting counts. Somewhere a child feels understood, as Fia did at Moon Hall, can build confidence that lasts for years, and being told that dyslexia “isn’t real” can knock it just as quickly. Her advice to be upfront about what you need works for families too: if you think your child’s difficulties are being missed or misunderstood, say so early.

And her focus on strengths is worth holding on to. She credits visual thinking, editing and reacting on the fly with helping her thrive, and her advice is to put your energy into what you’re good at and what you love.

Listen and watch

• Listen on Spotify, where you can also watch the video version

• Watch a clip on YouTube (British Dyslexia Association channel)

• Listen on Apple Podcasts

Related reading: Processing speed and dyslexia: why some children need more time