A Unique Experience on The Assembly
Aitch has shared his thoughts on the intense nature of The Assembly, a show that features autistic and neurodivergent interviewers. He compared the experience to the popular reality series I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, stating that the hotseat on The Assembly is “more intense” than the Bushtucker Trial.
The critically acclaimed program has been praised for its honest and refreshing approach, featuring interviews with notable figures such as Danny Dyer, David Tennant, Jade Thirlwall, and Gary Lineker. Aitch, who has a little sister with Down’s syndrome, described his time on the show as an “absolutely unreal” experience that gave him a “breath of fresh air and faith in humanity.”
When asked about the difficulty between the Bushtucker Trial and the hotseat, Aitch admitted he “sweated a lot” during the interview. He said, “I would actually say it’s more intense in the Assembly hotseat than a Bushtucker Trial. I really don’t know why but I sweated more in that chair than I did in my whole time in Australia – put it that way.”
Aitch’s Picks for Future Guests
Aitch was also asked which of his celebrity friends he would like to see on The Assembly next. He suggested Ed Sheeran, stating that the singer is “just a good person” who brings “good vibes no matter where he is.” Aitch added, “I can’t lie, I would definitely be locking into that episode solely for entertainment purposes. I feel like it would be a good laugh.”
This comes after Sir Lenny Henry faced a challenging interview on the show, where he was asked personal questions about his relationship with his girlfriend of 13 years. The actor, known for his work in comedy and acting, was left shocked when an interviewer asked, “Why haven’t you put a ring on it then?” Lenny responded with a groan and placed his hands over his face, asking, “Have you been talking to her?”
Nicola Sturgeon’s Emotional Interview
Nicola Sturgeon, the former First Minister of Scotland, also faced a difficult interview on The Assembly. During the discussion, she was asked about her signature hairstyle, which led to a comment comparing her to the character Mrs Doubtfire from the 1993 film. The comparison left Sturgeon in shock, as she doubled over in her chair and covered her face.
Sturgeon also spoke about her emotional experience on the show, including discussing her miscarriage in 2011. She described the interview as “cathartic” but admitted she felt “exhausted and drained” afterward. She shared, “There were a couple of points when I felt quite overwhelmed. For example, when I started talking about the baby I lost to a miscarriage, the tears just started to flow and I didn’t think I was going to be able to stop.”
A Unique and Honest Approach
Sturgeon highlighted the unique nature of The Assembly, noting that the interviewers had “no agenda other than hearing honest answers.” She emphasized the importance of being able to express herself without filtering her emotions for public consumption.
Despite the challenges, Sturgeon found the experience to be emotionally rewarding. She described it as “a genuine rollercoaster of emotions” and noted that it sparked more raw emotion in her than any previous interviews.
The Assembly continues on ITV1 and ITVX, STV, and STV Player at 10:05pm on Tuesday, 21st April, and Wednesday, 22nd April.
