Guisborough stammering singer part of Britain’s Got Talent choir

A choir that auditioned on Britain’s Got Talent aims to challenge stereotypes of stammering and increase awareness of speech impediments.

Paul Jones, who lives in Guisborough, joined the group when he saw a social media post asking for people who stammer and who also love to sing.

Despite not making it on to the live show, the choir did enjoy auditioning in January, especially meeting hosts Ant and Dec.

Mr Jones said the best thing about the experience was how they were not treated differently “just because of our stammer”.

“I joined the choir because I love singing but it is also a chance to get stammering into the limelight, which I feel it doesn’t get a lot,” he said.

“Just don’t treat us differently because of our stammer, that is the message we want to get across.”

The group has members from around the country from Scotland down to Essex and the Isle of Man.

Allie Meek, a fellow chorister from Birmingham, described how she has loved meeting more people who stammer.

She said: “It’s been very therapeutic as I am trying to accept how I speak which is quite difficult for me.

“It’s felt like a family and knowing there is a guaranteed non-judgemental aura with the group makes me feel secure and comfortable.”

Claire Maillet, from Kingswood, Surrey, said people who stammer have typically been portrayed in popular culture as a source of comedy.

“Our coming together and audition succeeded in challenging those stereotypes by showing what people with invisible disabilities can achieve when people stop and listen,” she said.