Get ready for ‘The Assembly’, the game-changing series that’s turning celebrity interviews on their head – where neurodivergent and/or learning disabled interviewers take the reins, putting some of the UK’s most famous faces under the spotlight with their unfiltered questions and bold honesty.
From EastEnders’s Danny Dyer to Gary Lineker, David Tennant and Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall, nothing is taboo in this four-part series, set to hit our screens on ITV on April 26.
Each star ditches their usual PR sheen for a dose of genuine authenticity. The result? Some of the most raw and emotionally charged interviews they’ve ever given.
Danny Dyer, 47, himself spent a whopping three hours with the panel, baring his soul about everything from his humble beginnings to the trials and tribulations of being a dad, husband, and public figure.
He spills the beans on his dramatic farewell from Albert Square, including his true feelings about Mick Carter’s romance with Walford bad girl Janine Butcher. He even touches on his initial unease when his daughter Dani Dyer jetted off to Love Island in 2018.
But it’s not all laughs and gossip; Danny gets real about the tough times too, like when he was shown the door by his now-wife Joanne Mas way before they tied the knot in 2016 – after she popped the question, no less.
Yet, opening up wasn’t in vain, as he reflects: “Opening up about my feelings in front of such a beautiful, intelligent and honest group of people was really refreshing.”
Having been diagnosed with high-functioning autism and C-PTSD after a long history of misdiagnoses, I’ve experienced the transformative power of autistic curiosity.
Our questions aren’t just to break the silence – we seek to truly understand. This thirst for knowledge, detail, and connection is what fuels The Assembly.
Autism is a developmental condition that affects more than 1 in 100 individuals in the UK. It can alter the way we communicate, process emotions, and engage with our surroundings – yet each autistic person’s experience is unique.
Some can speak, others cannot. Some depend on caregivers, while others manage independently but may be silently coping.
My mind is always active. To regulate my nervous system, I find myself using vocal stims – sometimes rapping Tupac lyrics, other times reciting lines from Shrek.
I dress in black and white because colours can be too intense. My day doesn’t start until I’ve put on a pair of socks. These aren’t mere eccentricities; they’re tactics for getting by.
Being autistic also means I have to practice what I’m going to say repeatedly to avoid seeming “rude, “aggressive,” or “too much.” I’ve often been labelled as intimidating or strange – and I’ve reached a point where it no longer bothers me.
However, I know many are still struggling. They continue to mask their true selves, striving to fit in. They remain fearful of stimming, speaking out, or just existing authentically.
That’s the beauty of The Assembly. On this programme, we don’t shy away from autistic and neurodivergent traits – we celebrate them.
Things like direct eye contact, brutal honesty, straight-to-the-point questions, daring fashion choices and passionate hobbies aren’t swept under the rug – they’re put in the spotlight. But as fantastic as it is, we need to show more of the tough side of being autistic. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns.
Emotional instability, meltdowns, sensory overload – these are part of the everyday experience too. I’ve shed tears over the high-pitched sound of a train braking. I’ve raised my voice unintentionally. I’ve been brushed off as being overly dramatic when I was genuinely distressed.
After getting my diagnosis, it was suggested that I might not have learned to speak if I hadn’t been pressured into it during my school years. Now, I write, I interview, I share my story. But that doesn’t make my autism any less real. And there are many others out there whose voices are still not being heard.
Fast forward to 2025, and thanks to high-profile figures like Christine McGuinness and Sue Devaney speaking out, we’re finally seeing some progress in neurodivergent representation – but true inclusion means acknowledging the difficult parts too.
Because autism isn’t just a passing fad. It’s not all about glittery eyeliner and sharp-witted questions. It also involves feelings of overwhelm, confusion, intense emotions and the lifelong journey of figuring out how to navigate a world that wasn’t designed with us in mind.