Jamie Oliver says 'amazing but bonkers' as he shares that his children are neurodivergent
Jamie Oliver says 'amazing but bonkers' as he shares that his children are neurodivergent
Although the 'Naked Chef' star declined to name which of his kids are neurodiverse, he believes understanding their conditions have helped him and Jools to become "better" parents
Jamie Oliver
(Image:) )
Jamie Oliver has a "very neurodiverse family". The 50-year-old chef - who has Poppy, 23, Daisy, 22, Petal, 16, Buddy, 14, and River, eight, with wife Jools, also 50 - has struggled with learning disorder dyslexia for all his life but was only formally diagnosed in January this year, and the last 12 months has also seen some of his kids diagnosed with conditions such as ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
Although the 'Naked Chef' star declined to name which of his kids are neurodiverse, he believes understanding their conditions have helped him and Jools to become "better" parents, and they like to discuss the needs of their brood in bed.
He told The Sunday Times magazine: "[We've] learnt to understand that their behaviour is because they're seeing things differently.
"Being aware of that allows you to be a better parent."
Speaking about their family life, he added: "[It's] amazing but bonkers. Imagine four neurodiverse people at the dinner table trying to get their point across."
Jamie turned 50 on May 27, and though he found hitting the milestone "a bit s***", he is determined to look after himself so he can continue living life to the full for his long as possible.
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Jamie added: "[Turning 50] isn't great, in fact it's a bit s***.
"I'm trying desperately hard to be the healthiest version of me, working on the right things at the gym and physiotherapy.
"Hopefully, I've got a few more years in me yet...
"I'm still here, I'm still alive. I'd like the fifties to be different. I'd like them to be celebratory. I like the idea that my fifties require a different Jamie."
To mark his birthday, the TV star is planning "a mini festival, a rave in the vegetable patch" at his home in Essex, East England, where he plans to call in some favours from fellow chefs.
He said: "[I want them to] "feed a bunch of reprobates until the early hours. I haven't thrown a party for a while, so I'm probably due one."
And Jamie said his hope for the future is to "get old cooking" and mentor the next generation of chefs.
He said: "To get old cooking, travel less and work with more young chefs. The happiest version of me is when I'm bigging up other people and shining a light on them."
Meanwhile, Jamie and Jools will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary later this month but the 'Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution' star doesn't believe grand gestures have been necessary in their relationship.
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Asked the key to their happy marriage, he said: "Don't have high expectations. You'll be let down all the time. Set them correctly and you'll get nice surprises.
"Don't hold grudges, hang around and it might work itself out."
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Wales Online
19 hours ago
- Wales Online
'Neighbour from hell' dad reported to council for hosting casino party for son's birthday
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Jamie took to his Facebook community group later that morning to brand the mystery complainant a 'Karen' before calling for them to 'grow some balls' and 'get a life'. The full-time carer says there are more than 40 flats or semi-detached homes in his close and the neighbouring street, which includes many 'elderly' residents. He insists the 'whirlwind little party' was finished by 7pm and that it was 'pathetic' to call the council instead of explaining their annoyance in person. However, Facebook users had split opinions, with some calling the neighbour 'sour' and 'pathetic' and others calling Jamie a 'neighbour from hell' who should stop believing he's 'always right'. The dad-of-three is sharing the story to discourage people from sending what he deems 'pathetic' noise complaints as families enjoy the summer sun. 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We've lived here for five years now and it's the first time the stereo has been an issue. We had a disco dome in the garden with music pumping from it last year. "If I had a problem with something the only way to address it is head-on and be civil. It would have looked pathetic but it's even more pathetic that he's had to bring it up (with the council). It's annoying but deep down it makes me laugh because I see it as a form of jealousy. God forbid anyone enjoy themselves and have a good time." Jamie, lives with wife Tammy Obrien, 39, and their three children Cain, Mia, 20, and Kurt, 11. He claims the council worker sided with him on the call and insists people should explain what the issue is if they make a complaint. Jamie said: "I took the call from environmental health and they said the noise complaint had been raised over the volume of our music. I explained we had the party from 4-7 and it was probably on for an hour tops and she told me 'that's absolutely fine. Even I have a party once in a while. Everyone's entitled to have a party'. "I asked her to tell whoever it is to grow a pair and knock on my door the next time, but she said she can't put it like that. She said she'd make them aware it was a birthday party and there's no foundation for the complaint. "If you've got a baby that's trying to sleep or you've worked a night shift, be logical, explain yourself and then we can all get on. I'd apologise if I offended anybody because my music was that bad or that loud but it genuinely wasn't and that's why they haven't knocked on the door. It's just a problem neighbour. "Our house is on an elderly residential plot. There's 44 flats and our house in the close but we've got a really good rapport with all the elderly residents." Jamie says he has not been put off hosting a party at the house in future and would hire a venue if he planned it to run late into the night. His post said: "On Saturday April 26, I had a birthday party for my son and he had a small group of friends attend our home, "Today I received a phone call from environmental health after a noise complaint was made about the music! Firstly, the party was from 4-7pm and as for the music it was probably fairly loud for about an hour tops! "I would just like to reach out to Karen and advise them to grow a pair and come knock my door in future or just to basically get a life of their own instead of hiding behind phones and computers! This was the first noise complaint in five years of living here as we never really have parties." One commented: "I hope your son had the best party ever. Too many sour people these days!" A second said: "Some people need to get a life. What a pathetic thing to do. Music loud at 7pm wow." A third said: "What sound in the whole world could possibly be more wonderful than children enjoying themselves to music? 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Scottish Sun
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- Scottish Sun
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Edinburgh Live
a day ago
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Jamie Oliver says there's one ingredient you should use to cook the best steak
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