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The latest season of *The Traitors* has delivered numerous surprises, including the presence of a secret betrayer within the group. While much of the public discourse centers on the strategic gameplay and deception, contestant Jessie Stride has also captured attention for a different reason. At 28 years old, Jessie, who works as a hairdresser from Hull, is the show’s first participant with a stammer. In the premiere episode, she described introducing herself as “one of the biggest tests ever,” a sentiment that resonates deeply with others who share the condition.
Hayley Rawlings, a 34-year-old from Newport who has experienced a stammer since early childhood, welcomes this representation. She believes that seeing someone like Jessie on screen is particularly impactful for young women, a demographic she feels is often underrepresented. Reflecting on Jessie’s appearance, Hayley commented, “I think people at home will watch that and think, ‘oh, actually, they’re not going to laugh or think I’m stupid’.” She highlights how Jessie’s confidence and skill in the game show that those with speech disorders are very capable, shifting the focus away from the stammer itself.
Hayley also pointed out the progress made in normalizing stammering, noting the supportive atmosphere among *The Traitors* cast. “It wasn’t a big deal,” she said, emphasizing how others gave Jessie the time to speak without rushing or judging her. For many, this is a breakthrough moment, as traditionally, people who stammer have been stereotyped or misunderstood in media portrayals. “I think it’s going to teach people a lot about what [stammering] is and that it’s normal,” Hayley remarked, stressing the significance of seeing a young woman confidently navigating the spotlight. She also mentioned that female stammerers are especially rare in public view, making Jessie’s presence even more meaningful.
Joe Dilling, a 26-year-old physiotherapy technician from Vale of Glamorgan who has stammered since he was six, shared similar views. He acknowledged that introducing oneself is often one of the most anxiety-inducing moments for those with a stammer, explaining that Jessie’s experience was relatable. Joe noted that people with stammers rarely appear on television, and when they do, their speech disorder tends to be the main focus. He praised how Jessie’s stammer is treated as a normal part of who she is, without undue emphasis. “It is good to see no-one is making an issue because it’s not – it just might take her longer to talk at times,” he said. Joe added that he was watching *The Traitors* specifically to support Jessie and noted that raising awareness about stammering helps dispel misconceptions about people’s abilities.
Supporting these perspectives, Kirsten Howells, deputy chief executive of the charity STAMMA, shared insights on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast about how challenging certain words—such as one’s own name—can be for those who stammer, as Jessie demonstrated. She highlighted that tasks involving specific phrases that cannot easily be substituted often bring about noticeable moments of stammering. Howells praised Jessie for openly discussing this experience on national television, saying, “The general public are really not aware of that so it’s great that Jessie was on there talking to an audience of millions explaining that.” She emphasized the importance of patience and understanding, urging viewers to “make space for that, let’s expect it, let’s give people who stammer some time to talk.”
*The Traitors* continues to air on BBC One and iPlayer, inviting viewers to witness Jessie’s journey firsthand
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