Josie Gibson is best known for her wacky antics on This Morning, bringing laughter with her rollercoaster screams and terrifying shark dives.
However, the 35-year-old’s appearance on Thursday’s show was a far more personal one, as she opened up about her brother’s heartbreaking experience of the coronavirus pandemic.
Josie’s brother, and his partner, are deaf, meaning they rely on lipreading in order to understand those they encounter.
However, as a consequence of the Covid pandemic, Brits have been advised to wear facemasks in public, keeping the lower halves of their faces covered.
Josie explained her brother has endured a “living hell” with the increased use of face masks, as he is unable to understand shop staff or restaurant employees.
Josie opened up to viewers about her brother’s disability on today’s This Morning (Image: ITV)
Turning to presenter Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, she said: “These masks are making their lives a living hell.”
Josie explained: “We are so privileged to still communicate and wear a face mask.
“They use this whole bottom part as expression.”
The Bristolian star then recalled a restaurant visit with her brother last weekend, revealing they were rejected from three premises as they weren’t wearing masks in order to lipread.
Josie’s brother and his wife are both deaf, meaning they rely on lipreading (Image: ITV)
She said: “We went to three places by the end of it I was absolutely drained.”
Speaking on behalf of her brother, she added: “The deaf community has been forgotten about.”
However, Josie revealed there was a lanyard available for members of the public with hidden disabilities, letting strangers know they were exempt from wearing a face mask.
Introducing viewers to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard, Josie explained the lanyard and accompanying card could be accessed at their website.
Turning to Eamonn and Ruth, she added: “Thank you so much for drawing attention to this.”
Giving Josie a warm smile, Eamonn said “no, thank you,” before letting her know she was a treasured member of the This Morning team.
This Morning airs on weekdays at 10am on ITV.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
