Why I Hid My ADHD Diagnosis: Big Brother Stars Speak Out

Today, Ben is joined by two unforgettable voices from Big Brother UK 2024: show winner and forensic psychologist Ali Bromley, and her fellow housemate Lily Benson. Both Ali and Lily live with ADHD, but the way the public saw them couldn’t have been more different.

In this powerful conversation, Lily reveals why she chose to hide her diagnosis from the Big Brother team. Ali opens up about the not-so-subtle ways she witnessed Lilly being misunderstood and othered, and why some of the reactions inside the house still haunt her.

Together, they confront the uncomfortable truths about how neurodivergence is perceived by the wider public, especially when it doesn’t fit expectations. They unpack the emotional toll of being made to feel “different” or “odd”, and the quiet strength that comes from finding an ally when the world feels stacked against you.

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00:00 Introduction

1:40 How Ali & Lily Describe Their Brains

2:11 ADHD Meds VS The Brain

5:53 The ADHD Daydreamers

6:06 When Lily Was Diagnosed With ADHD

6:32 ADHD Diagnosis VS The School System

9:30 Why Ali Encouraged Lily to Share her ADHD Journey

11:10 ADHD VS The Big Brother House

14:43 Why Ali & Lily Clicked

15:07 Why Lily Wishes She’d Listened to Her Mum

16:36 Big Brother House: What Would Lily Do Differently

17:15 Why Ali’s Protection of Lily is Personal

21:40 Public Reaction: The Cost of “Othering”

22:38 Neurodivergent People: The Social Disrupters

23:52 Do Ali & Lily Regret Going in The Big Brother House?

27:12 ADHD Diagnosis: Why Lily Decided To Go Public

28:49 ADHD Sisters: Why Ali & Lily Love Spending Time With Each other

30:03 Why Lily Loves Having ADHD & The Most Challenging Parts

31:28 Lily: What ADHD Means To Younger People

32:15 ADHD is Not An Adjective

33:52 Ali on Her Potential Autism Assessment

37:43 Lily: Growing Up in The Digital World Was Normal

38:30 Ali & Lily’s Thoughts on Social Media Neurodivergent Content

39:47 Lily & Ali’s Advice to The Next Generation of Neurodivergent Reality Stars

41:45 Managing Public Reaction & Online Trolls

44:04 Trolling: The Real Dangers on the ND Community

46:37 Lily & Ali’s Best Piece of Advice for Supporting Someone With ADHD

48:12 Lily’s Superwoman Mum: Linda

49:30 Lily’s Green Badge Choice

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On "The Hidden 20%," host Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent [ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's etc.] creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts to see how great minds.. think differently.

Host: Ben Branson

Head of Production: Bella Neale

Assistant Producer: Phoebe De Leiburné

Video Editor: James Scriven

Social Media Manager: Charlie Young

Music: Jackson Greenberg

Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348

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Lily Benson @_lily.benson

Ali Bromley @_ali.bromley

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