Line of Duty praised for casting actor with Down’s Syndrome despite criticism over ‘oddball’ line

A Down’s syndrome charity today praised Line of Duty for casting an actor with the condition after the show was criticised over a line calling him a ‘local oddball’. Viewers said the label given to Terry Boyle, played by Tommy Jessop, by Adrian Dunbar’s character Superintendent Ted Hastings was ‘disappointing’ and ‘appalling’. Others said the … Read more

Jamie Foxx pays a moving tribute to his late sister DeOndra on World Down Syndrome Day

Jamie Foxx paid tribute to his beloved sister DeOndra Dixon on World Down Syndrome Day on Sunday, five months after her tragic death aged 36. The Oscar-winning actor, 53, expressed his love for DeOndra, who had Down Syndrome, in a heartbreaking Instagram post, accompanied by a beautiful photo of his sibling. He wrote:  ‘My heart, … Read more

Line of Duty is blasted for calling Down’s Syndrome character a ‘local oddball’

The BBC‘s new series of police drama Line of Duty has been criticised over a line in the script referring to a character with Down’s Syndrome as a ‘local oddball’. Viewers said the label given to Terry Boyle, played by Tommy Jessop, by Adrian Dunbar’s character Superintendent Ted Hastings was ‘disappointing’ and ‘appalling’. Others said the … Read more

Toy brand creates doll inspired by girl, six, with Down’s syndrome

An Irish toy brand has created a new Down’s syndrome doll inspired by a six-year-old girl to mark World Down Syndrome Day. Lottie Dolls has released a doll, called Rosie Boo, designed to resemble six-year-old Rosie Barnett, from Wiltshire, who has Down’s syndrome. The toy company’s co-founder Ian Harkin decided to create the Rosie Boo doll after … Read more

Laura Byrne tearfully apologies for calling a Down syndrome doll ‘scary AF’

‘Sick to my stomach’: The Bachelor’s Laura Byrne breaks down in tears as she apologises following backlash over calling a Down syndrome inclusivity doll ‘truly petrifying’ By Alisha Buaya For Daily Mail Australia Published: 11:05 GMT, 20 March 2021 | Updated: 11:05 GMT, 20 March 2021 Laura Byrne tearfully has apologised for calling a Down … Read more

Number of teenage girls developing tics and Tourette’s syndrome surges as a result of lockdown

Number of teenage girls developing tics and Tourette’s syndrome surges as a result of rising lockdown anxiety  Specialists at Great Ormond Street and Evelina have reported a rise in referrals  Before pandemic, average of six teenage girls presented symptoms each year   Now experts say they are receiving three or four new referrals evey week   Tics … Read more

Alex Reid reveals he has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome aged 45

Alex Reid has revealed he has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of 45 after years of ‘relentless bullying for being different’. The cagefighter and reality star has said the diagnosis has helped him to understand why he’s always felt different and called it a ‘relief’ but admitted it was ‘unnerving.’ He told … Read more

Antidepressants could be prescribed by GPs as the new weapon in the war on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Antidepressants could soon be prescribed routinely by GPs to treat the UK’s most common bowel condition. Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, affects nine million Britons, causing agonising pain, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation – with few effective treatments available. Now, hundreds of GPs will offer a low dose of mood-boosting drugs to patients, as part of a … Read more

Singer, 28, died from ‘sudden adult death syndrome’ after pain clinic appointment twice cancelled

A singer who suffered from endometriosis was found dead aged just 28 after her appointment at a specialist clinic was twice cancelled due to the Covid pandemic. The body of ‘hugely talented’ Emma Panas was discovered by her father at her home in Bromley, south east London, after friends and family could not contact her, … Read more

Doctor who discovered extra chromosome that causes Down’s syndrome is tipped for sainthood

Doctor who discovered extra chromosome that causes Down’s syndrome – and then spent the rest of his life fighting abortions – is tipped for sainthood Pope Francis recognised the ‘heroic virtues’ of the ‘venerable’ Jerome Lejeune In 1958, the French geneticist discovered chromosome that causes Down’s The devout Catholic spent the rest of his life fighting against … Read more