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AIBU?

To wonder if Joey Essex Towie has learning difficulties?

83 replies

Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 16/04/2013 23:23

Apologies if this is well known, I don't really follow it. Just watching Celebrity Juice (I know) and they're obviously taking the mickey out of this guy Joey. Now I don't know if he really is as dense as he's making out to be or whether its an act and he's know for pretending to be like that, or whether he genuinely has learning difficulties?

He just correctly answered the question 'how many sides has a rectangle got' and 'what country borders Wales' and he seemed genuinely thrilled that he got the answers right.

Is he really that daft or does he have learning problems? I genuinely don't know. And for some irrational reason am now concerned.

OP posts:

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MissyMooandherBeaverofSteel · 17/04/2013 09:32

Wow, this is a lovely thread.

Regardless of how any of us perceive him he is a young guy who has suffered a lot at a young age and despite that has done very well for himself, however he got there. There aren't many lads his age have their own business and own home so he can't be that 'thick'.

valiumredhead · 17/04/2013 09:35

Well, he can...

CelticPixie · 17/04/2013 09:38

No, he's just very ignorant and poorly educated. Though I do wonder if he maybe exaggerates his "thickness" a bit.

Floggingmolly · 17/04/2013 09:41

I don't watch it, but what's the attraction in being thick???? Why would he put it on? As unique selling points go, I've seen better...

valiumredhead · 17/04/2013 09:43

You need to watch it to see.

AnotherAlias · 17/04/2013 09:55

I think making a "feature" of never knowing anything is quite a clever survival mechanism on his behalf - as others have said he can't help the way he is - so he may as well embrace it rather than constantly being on the back foot. How is this different to 'fat and proud' (or whatever the slogan is) ?

merlottits · 17/04/2013 10:03

He's the male Jade Goody. Low IQ, difficult childhood and all exaggerated for the cameras.

Feminine · 17/04/2013 10:06

I think this is a horrid thread.

and op even if you have been here only a short while, you'd know it is silly to start it!

THICK?

DeskPlanner · 17/04/2013 10:42

What a nasty thread.

LessMissAbs · 17/04/2013 10:59

Who cares if he has learning difficulties or not? He has charisma, he is making a success of his life, and he comes across as a genuine person. I know plenty of people who have the benefit of a university education behind them who still cannot write legibly and who have more blinkered, stupid views than he does. He strikes me as more of an open canvas, which is more than you can say for some.

MajaBiene · 17/04/2013 11:16

Genuine question, but what distinction are posters making between being thick and having LDs?

Birdsgottafly · 17/04/2013 12:16

I would say that being "thick" (I don't use this term), without LDs, is through a rejection of learning and education, then it is usually coupled with not wanting to improve your thinking, so in a way, as an adult, it is a chosen state of being. LDs can be literacy problems and can be easily overcome by having good parenting or education, in terms of knowing things. I have two DDs with LDs, who have an extensive ranch of knowledge, helped by documentaries etc. Some people don't want to know things, other than fashion, beauty and the Cleb world and because of that know very little and are, in some people's words, "thick". But having LDs is different and you cannot hang a "one fits all definition", onto people with LDs.

MajaBiene · 17/04/2013 12:53

Are we talking about learning difficulties or learning disabilities?

angelos02 · 17/04/2013 12:57

His girlfriend seems bright (by TOWIE standards). I wonder what she thinks about it. It would be impossible to have a normal conversation if someone had such a poor grasp of basic knowledge.

valiumredhead · 17/04/2013 13:26

It seems that people who think this is a horrid thread are the ones that don't actually watch the show - it's all scripted and full of the typical Essex stereotypes, the whole show is a stereotype!

Only on Mumsnet could you ever possibly have a thread about TOWIE and how it's nasty to call them thick! You spend the entire show thinking 'They didn't really just say that did they?' with your jaw on the floor.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 17/04/2013 13:43

I have seen it.

It still doesn't sit right with me to laugh at someone who may have LDs and have gone to special school and call them thick.

DeskPlanner · 17/04/2013 13:44

Err, I watch it. But I still think this is a horrible thread.

CookieB · 17/04/2013 13:46

Who cares if he's a little bit daft? He comes across as a nice guy who treats his girlfriend and family with a lot of love and respect. He stands up for his friends too. That should be applauded.

Feminine · 17/04/2013 13:48

Plus, what if he has?

I don't understand why op started this thread?

What is anyone supposed to say?

"No, he has no L/D he is just thick" like that makes it alright?

Lucyellensmum95 · 17/04/2013 13:48

YABU for watching Towie in the first place! They are all fucking idiots - and all loaded, no-one that stupid could earn enough money for their lifestyles see, i never watch it

MissyMooandherBeaverofSteel · 17/04/2013 13:49

I watch TOWIE, I have seen every episode, I still think its uncalled for to sit and speculate on whether a young lad has learning difficulties or is 'just thick'.

Owllady · 17/04/2013 13:50

learning difficulties and learning disabilities are a different thing
it makes my teeth itch when people say someone off this silly program has SLD's, urgh!

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currentbuns · 17/04/2013 13:51

Some of these comments are incredibly spiteful.

bollockstoit · 17/04/2013 13:55

Why is it ok to make fun of someone who is "just" thick, but not ok to make fun of someone with learning difficulties? Surely it's pretty unpleasant either way?

Lucyellensmum95 · 17/04/2013 13:57

But they are actors surely??

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