AHEAD of the release of his debut book, a Winchester actor has already received the support of famous TV stars and novelists.
Tommy Jessop, from Winchester, has written the first book by someone with Down Syndrome for an adult audience.
His memoir titled A Life Worth Living, available from Thursday, July 6, explores the life and views of someone with Down Syndrome.
The actor, activist and public speaker who’s starred in hit series such as Line of Duty and as Hamlet for the Blue Apple Theatre, was commissioned to write the book for the Headline Publishing Group.
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Tommy, 38, said: “I feel excited, proud and honoured and I really am looking forward to getting my memoir out into the world.
“I’m a man on a mission to show that life with Down Syndrome can be exciting and is worth living so that other people understand and give us chances in health, education and work to live life to the full and to be fulfilled.
“I want to help people understand us better and show that we are all different with different gifts, talents and personalities
“Hopefully readers will enjoy all the stories. I will take them on to film sets and behind the scenes as an actor, into my campaigns, parliament, and public speaking, tease them about sport and interesting facts, and share some emotional moments.”
The actor’s mum, Jane Jessop, founded Blue Apple Theatre in Winchester, to provide a theatre company for people with learning disabilities.
Reviewed as “simply wonderful” by Stephen Fry, A Life Worth Living will also have an accessible ‘easy read’ version.
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Novelist Mark Haddon, who wrote The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, said in his review: “Tommy Jessop makes the world a better place. Everyone needs to hear his voice.”
Stephen Fry, in his review, said: “The most instantly lovable and engaging personality to emerge from the pages of a book that I have encountered in decades.”
The actor’s mum Jane Jessop founded Blue Apple Theatre in Winchester, to provide a theatre company for people with learning disabilities.
A Life Worth Living will be available from Thursday, July 6.
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