Former MP Jonathan Ashworth's Remarkable Speech Recovery Journey
Former Labour MP Jonathan Ashworth has shared an extraordinary account of his battle to regain his speech after suffering a devastating stroke at just 47 years old. In a deeply personal revelation, Mr Ashworth disclosed how he turned to the timeless words of William Shakespeare during his hospital recovery, reciting monologues from his bed at Leicester Royal Infirmary as he tested both his speech capabilities and memory.
A Stroke on New Year's Day and Shakespearean Therapy
Jonathan Ashworth suffered his stroke on New Year's Day, an event that left him fearing he might never speak again. The former shadow health secretary described to the Press Association how he began reciting lines from Shakespeare's Hamlet in the days following his medical emergency. "They must have thought me very eccentric in the hospital, because I sat there quoting Shakespeare monologues," Mr Ashworth confessed after receiving his CBE at Windsor Castle.
He specifically referenced a particular monologue about human mortality, acknowledging its somewhat somber nature for a celebratory occasion. "There's a monologue about how a man is so infinite in his faculties and so noble in his movement and reason, and yet in the end, it's just dust," he explained. "Bit of a depressing monologue, probably not the most cheery monologue to be talking about on a day of celebration like this."
CBE Recognition Amidst Personal Challenges
Mr Ashworth received his Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) from the Princess Royal during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. The honour recognized his "political and parliamentary service" alongside his significant charity work, particularly his advocacy for children of alcoholics.
Remarkably, the former MP for Leicester South discovered he would receive this prestigious recognition just days before suffering his stroke. "I found out I was getting honoured by this prestigious recognition for my work on behalf of children of alcoholics. And then a couple of days later, I was hit with a stroke, but I'm recovering," he reflected. "One of those life's funny coincidences, I suppose."
Mr Ashworth expressed particular emotion about the recognition of his work with the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACOA), an organization for which he serves as patron. His advocacy in this area holds deep personal significance, as his own father died from alcoholism.
Political Future and Philosophical Reflections
When questioned about a potential return to frontline politics, the former chief executive of influential think-tank Labour Together remained characteristically philosophical. Quoting the late Labour politician Tony Benn, Mr Ashworth said: "Tony Benn famously said there's no final defeats or final victories, you just keep on going."
He admitted to significant anxiety about his ability to speak at the investiture ceremony, given his recent health challenges. "I was so worried I would not be able to speak at the investiture," he revealed, making his Shakespearean recovery efforts all the more poignant.
Other Honourees at Windsor Castle Ceremony
The Princess Royal also honoured several other distinguished individuals during Tuesday's ceremony. Among them was 102-year-old D-Day veteran Bernard Morgan, who received an MBE for services to volunteering and history. Mr Morgan, from Crewe, Cheshire, was the youngest sergeant to participate in the Normandy Landings at just 20 years old.
The former RAF codebreaker, who deciphered the telegram announcing German surrender, shared a remarkable personal anecdote with the Princess Royal during the ceremony. He reminded her of an encounter decades earlier when he found her sitting alone without security as a child during a show-jumping competition. His grandson confirmed that the Princess Royal did indeed recall this childhood meeting.
Mr Morgan continues to contribute significantly to historical education, volunteering with the Imperial War Museum where he speaks to school pupils about the Second World War during half-term holidays.
Broadcasting Veteran Recognized
Also honoured was veteran television sports presenter Hazel Irvine, who received an MBE for her services to broadcasting and charity. The 60-year-old Scot has covered both Summer and Winter Olympic Games since 1988, most recently co-presenting the BBC's coverage of this year's Winter Olympics.
When asked about professionalism in sports broadcasting, Ms Irvine reflected on her long career with characteristic humility. "To be honest, I'm a bit long in the tooth in these things," she admitted. "Everybody finds their way of doing anything in life. And you obviously try to constantly evolve."
She acknowledged the challenges of adapting to digital broadcasting while maintaining her traditional preparation techniques. "Not a great strength of mine, have to be honest. But so I'm a bit old-fashioned in my preparation techniques," she said. "In as much as they're tried and trusted for me, they don't work for everybody else, obviously."
The ceremony at Windsor Castle thus brought together remarkable stories of resilience, service, and dedication across generations and fields of achievement.
