Former Lionesses team-mate Alex Scott is informed about her autism and ADHD diagnoses and how they impact her life both on and off the pitch. Former Chelsea and England defender Lucy Bronze exclusively speaks to BBC Sport.
Watch the entire interview on iPlayer.
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Lucy Bronze was always aware of her uniqueness.
The England international, who has almost every medal in women’s football, made an effort to imitate her team-mates’ behavior when she was younger to fit in.
The 2019 winner of the Ballon d’Or has since won 22 major awards while representing Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Lyon, Barcelona, and Barcelona, both domestically and abroad.
The 33-year-old inspires millions of young players and fans by winning the Euro 2022 championship and finishing second in the 2023 World Cup behind England. However, stats and honors are not the only characteristics that define a person.
Her mother had long suspected that she might be autistic, but it wasn’t until four years ago that Bronze was officially diagnosed with autism and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
Although Bronze was only diagnosed with autism in 2021, she didn’t expect it to come as a big surprise.
She claims that she was aware of it from the beginning. My mother noticed things in me when she first heard about it when she was a young child.
She was diagnosed with dyslexia and began to struggle with reading and spelling at school.
A sleep expert suggested that writing in a journal before bed since Bronze has struggled to sleep since childhood.
Then, Bronze says, “I’d end up writing a book.” Even when I lay in bed, my brain is pounding 100 miles per hour.
While her habit of touching her hair while playing soccer has been spotted by team-mates and fans, she struggles to make eye contact with people when speaking with others.
People mistakenly believe that she is always messing up, but I’m just doing it to relax myself, according to Bronze.
Bronze was exposed to autism and ADHD while attending a Lionesses training camp.
According to Bronze, “It didn’t change anything essentially, but it was a little eye-opening.”
“I just came away with more insight about myself and understood why I sometimes saw things differently or acted differently than other people.”
Bronze describes how, throughout her 20s, she “could the behavior of others to hide her autism.”
Masking is a practice employed by the National Autistic Society to “consciously or unconsciously appear non-autistic” in an effort to “fit in” with a neurotypical society.
It can have a devastating effect on one’s ability to identify autism, feel good, and have a sense of self.
When I first joined England, I was unable to communicate with anyone, according to Bronze.
Casey Stoney once said to me, “You’ve never looked me in the eye when speaking to me,” and I responded, “It’s not because of you, it’s me.”
“I would watch Jill Scott and how she speaks to people.” I envisioned a little imitation of her. I’m getting better at it right now, but I occasionally feel a little uneasy.
Because they are perceived as the norm and were so challenging, I had to learn the two things I had to learn: hugging people and making eye contact when you speak.
Thankfully, Bronze has always had close friends and family who are aware of what bothers her.
She continues, “I’ve come to a point where people don’t judge me for not doing it,” she continues.
Before, it was so frustrating because I felt forced to do it to comfort other people, but it made me feel even more uncomfortable.
Bronze has discovered that her strengths have contributed to some of her differences.
“How I process things while being extremely focused. People constantly say, “Oh, you’re so passionate about football,” according to Bronze.
“I’m obsessed, but I’m not sure if I’d say that.” My autism stems from my hyper-focus on football.
It is remarkable that Bronze, who started playing senior football at age 16, is still at the highest level.
She claims that her longevity is attributable to her having autism.
Exercise is a “truly effective treatment for autism and ADHD.” She claims that having that concentration, something to do, and moving forward.
According to Bronze, “knowing who you are is a good thing, but a diagnosis won’t change who you are.”
She has served as the National Autistic Society’s ambassador, helping to “raise awareness” and “get rid of the stigma” surrounding it.
According to Bronze, “there were times in my life where things might have been simpler for me if there hadn’t been a stigma or if I had felt more open about it.”
Being misunderstood when you’re younger is so challenging, which is why I decided to join the charity.
Bronze claims that football has given her a daily focus and the opportunity to be active all the while. What transpires, however, when she retires?
People worry about what I’ll do when I’m not playing football, but she says, “I’ll find something else.”
“Because I’m so obsessed with football, my head is always with it.”
One star sign tries to be more open-minded while the other makes an effort to stay focused on Wednesday.
There are 12 zodiac signs – Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces – and the horoscopes for each can give you the lowdown on what your future holds, be it in work, your love life, your friends and family or more.
These daily forecasts have been compiled by astrologer Russell Grant, who has been reading star signs for over 50 years. From Aries through to Pisces, here’s what today could bring for your horoscope – and what you can do to be prepared.
You are floating around in a cloud of your own creation while basking in the glow of some recent happy moments. Someone will apologize for being awkward recently, and you’ll soon forget any lingering stress because you’re so relaxed and upbeat. Your efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle are paying off.
You and your partner are at odds with some deceptive rumors. Issues in your relationship must be resolved right away. There are ways to enhance your relationship as long as you both maintain your feelings of love and respect for one another.
Take some time today to relax with friends. Enjoy yourself while avoiding responsibility for a while. Even though you can never leave your job or career, you sometimes have to take a step back and remind yourself that you also have a personal life.
If you want to succeed in your current plans, a strong work ethic is required. It’s not the right time to dwell on past errors. A long-term goal must be in your mind if you want to advance. seek the right mentors’ advice.
Your thoughts are filled with family and home issues. Both at home and at work, you’ll experience a palpable sense of harmony. Even the most senior coworkers appear to be at ease and helpful. Better communication between staff and management is made this way.
If someone suggests a different course of action for a project, be more open-minded. Take some time to consider their ideas at least. Finding new ways to accomplish tasks might be advantageous.
The state of the finances is encouraging. You might even have to consider how to use an unexpected windfall. You have the option of paying off some of your debts or giving yourself something you’ve been wanting for ages. Go for it if a friend’s advice on a practical subject resonates with you.
This indicates that you are not in the mood to be idle when boredom strikes. You require physical and mental stimulation. You can also help others if you begin a new project today. No one can accuse you of wasting your time as you develop methods to simplify routines.
By lying to you or breaking a promise, a friend or coworker will let you down. It’s crucial to stand up for what you believe to be true when you discover that they’ve been deceiving you. You should not allow anyone to ignore your feelings, and you deserve to be treated with respect.
Negative thoughts can cause unfavorable responses, which will make you miserable. Worry causes insomnia and other health issues. Your life has a lot of potential for fulfillment. Why would you waste time worrying about the future?
Better to chase after risky opportunities by knowing your goals and keeping these realistic. Listening to an older colleague’s advice and suggestions will help you understand what you should be striving for, and this will not at all alter your own beliefs or thoughts.
A potential change in leadership in a group might be overheard in conversation. The organization’s leaders’ decisions will be determined by their choices and values. Some of your long-term goals for the future will offend your partner vehemently. You won’t be surprised by their response.
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Friends of Zara McDermott have taken aim at her ex Sam Thompson – branding the TV personality “a loose cannon” – following their split.
Sam, 32, had mocked his former partner when he appeared on a podcast this week, suggesting Zara was “look for the other person instantly to fill that hole” in his absence. It is thought it was a dig at Zara’s date with Louis Tomlinson, as new pictures emerged of their cosy dinner at a luxury hotel.
According to some, Zara’s friends were upset over his comments on dating expert Paul C. Brunson’s Staying Relevant show. One person called Sam, who spent eight years with Made in Chelsea, “quite pathetic.” They continued, “He’s a loose cannon, as we saw with his remarks shortly after Zara’s relationship was exposed. Really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really. It seems like he must be the subject of it all the time.
Why would he act in this way? She made a lot of effort to keep her relationship with Sam going for five years, but ultimately she was just unable to.
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Sam and Zara, also of Made in Chelsea fame, split up shortly before Christmas after five years together. Zara, 28, has been snapped with Louis recently and a source said the pair are getting close and “share the same values”.
They were spotted having a posh fish and chips dinner washed down with cocktails at The Suffolk, a posh hotel near Ipswich. An insider also added that the pair “looked every bit the happy couple” as they enjoyed dinner together at the luxury venue, where hotel rooms can go for in excess of £300 a night.
Do you think Zara and Louis are a good match? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
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However, shortly after the photos’ release, Sam from west London appeared to be making a cryptic dig at Zara in the podcast. He said to the host, “I suppose many people look for validation in other people and look for the other person right away. That’s impossible for me to do.
And reflecting on this, Zara’s friend added: “Six months ago he was crying in the street with photographers watching because he was upset at Zara. You have to wonder what he is going to say next. Why can’t he just let her move on? Will she ever escape his clutches? Who knows.” They spoke to Mail Online, which also reports how Louis’s friends will be thrilled to see him find happiness.
The release of thousands of pages of government documents about the death of John F. Kennedy (JFK) has led historians and internet sleuths on a mad dash to uncover fresh information about one of the most seismic moments in US history.
The National Archives announced on Tuesday that “every record that had previously been withheld for classification” had been made public and accessible online or in person.
The archives initially posted roughly 63 000 pages of documents online, with more to follow as they get digitized, on its website.
The release, according to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, contained approximately 80 000 pages of previously classified documents under the direction of Tulsi Gabbard.
Following Trump’s executive order in January, the release comes after the former president’s assassination, as well as documents pertaining to the killings of former US Senator Robert F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
For more than six decades, popular intrigue and conspiracy theories have been at the forefront of the public’s attention as scholars and historians look through the documents for fresh insights into the circumstances surrounding JFK’s death.
According to a 2023 Gallup poll, 65% of Americans disapproved of the findings of the Warren Commission, which concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald, a former US Marine, was the one who killed the president on November 22, 1963, on his own accord.
20% of those surveyed said they thought Oswald had conspired with the US government, and 16% said they had worked with the CIA.
Scholars who examined Tuesday’s release found no deviation from the files’ initial assessment of Oswald’s dominant narrative.
After federal agencies, including the CIA and FBI, requested additional time to review sensitive documents, Trump pledged to release all outstanding records during his first term. However, he ultimately withheld thousands of files.
In 2022, Joe Biden’s administration will release thousands more documents.
The National Archives claims that more than 99 percent of the 320, 000 documents released to the public before Tuesday’s release, in accordance with the JFK Records Act.
If the president decided their release would “inflict such a significant harm” to national defense or other government functions of such gravity that it “outweighs the public interest in disclosure,” the 1992 law mandated that all remaining records be made public by October 26, 2017.
Former glamour model Katie Price celebrated overcoming her second bankruptcy on Tuesday – and has vowed to enjoy a healthy financial future.
The mum of five has endured a tumultuous six years of financial struggles, including two bankruptcies. The second of which happened following a significant tax debt of more than £750,000. However, she revealed she has been discharged from this – and is now ready to enjoy successes in the future. In full, Katie’s statement on Tuesday read: “I’m so happy. I can finally move on and leave these bankruptcies behind me, focusing only on the positive. Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout this process.”
The statement comes after Katie was discharged from her first bankruptcy on February 11, 2025. The TV star, originally from Brighton, East Sussex, is now “free to reset and rebuild,” a friend said on Tuesday.
The celebrity’s net worth once exceeded £100 million, but she has experienced difficult times in recent years due to her debt, which includes unpaid income tax, VAT, and other surcharges.
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Speaking to The Sun, a source close to Katie said: “She’s been through a lot, and this feels like a massive weight has been lifted off her shoulders. It’s been hanging over her like a cloud, but now she’s free to reset and rebuild. If anyone can make her millions back, it’s Katie.”
Despite setbacks, including a court order to pay OnlyFans 40% of her monthly income until 2027, Katie is now optimistic. She also incurred an arrest warrant after skipping a court appearance related to her finances, but she has since made significant progress in observing bankruptcy laws.
Katie’s attorney, Fieldfisher LLP’s Chris Keane, stated that “at first, Katie didn’t fully understand the bankruptcy process or the repercussions of missing meetings with the Trustee. She has been fully compliant and has been discharged from both bankruptcies, but she has worked with expert insolvency lawyers.
As she sat in line for a hearing to settle her finances, Katie received one of her bankruptcy discharges last month. After first being declared bankrupt in 2019, she was scheduled to answer questions about her finances at a hearing called a public examination.
Although bankruptcy orders typically expire in England and Wales after a year, she was still bound by the terms of her first bankruptcy, which was automatically discharged.