Penny Lancaster opening up on dyslexia in 'daunting' new career move

Penny Lancaster has opened up about her little-known condition as she reveals her "daunting" new career move with her loyal legion of fans online. Back in June, the 54-year-old model excitedly announced the release of her autobiography titled Someone Like Me. The TV star's book explores her untold life, including her upbringing, how she coped with undiagnosed dyslexia, and a horrific sexual assault.

It also delves into her career in the fashion industry, her family life with her rocker husband Rod Stewart, and her campaigning efforts for women's health and safety. On Monday (September 15), the Loose Women star took to her Instagram Story to share the latest update on her journey to becoming a published author.

While sat in a recording booth, the mum-of-one could be seen beaming in a caramel cable jumper which she accessorised with a pair of round glasses and a gold pendant necklace.

Giving fans an insight into her activities, she revealed: "Well, here I am at the RNIB [Royal National Institute of Blind People] Talking Books recording studios. I am recording my audio of my autobiography, Someone Like Me, that is out in physical form very soon, this September 25th."

She confessed: "It's been a really daunting task recording the audio, mostly because I'm dyslexic, and the very idea of reading - particularly reading out loud - has always been a really scary prospect for me.

"It certainly made me realise that it's a different skill set altogether, delivering the words almost as if it's a performance to an audience. I have really enjoyed it, and it's really helped me dig even deeper into some of my stories that go from childhood all the way up to today."

Ahead of the release of her book Someone Like Me later this month, Penny revealed Rod has one bizarre rule for his wife in their marriage. The former model, who married the hit singer in 1997, admitted the musician has influenced her fashion choices since the early days of their romance.

In a recent interview, she confessed her husband "firmly prefers his wife in skirts" and on occasion reminds her of this with the words: "Oi, trousers!" Although Penny insists that Sir Rod's input is not used in a "controlling" manner, she claims that he's simply steering her dress sense to appropriately display their wealthy lifestyle.

Speaking on the Hot Legs star, Penny shared: "When you think about controlling, coercive behaviour and the signs to look for, you could think, hang on - telling me how to dress, what to wear." The Loose Women panellist added: "But (his preferences weren't) coming from that direction."

Penny continued: "He knew I was coming into a lifestyle where there were wealthy people, and I was going to require different outfits, and he thought: 'She's special, I'm going to treat her. I'm going to surprise her.'"

The star also recalled that during a trip to Barbados, Sir Rod instructed her not to unpack because he had stocked the villa with rails of designer clothes in her size. She said: "He was clearly a man used to being in command of his world, including what I'd wear on holiday."