Review: Can't Read, Can't Write, Channel 4

1:37pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008

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JUST when you think Channel 4 has turned into a load of old rubbish (usually just after Big Brother has finished) it comes up with something like Can't Read, Can't Write and all is instantly forgiven.

The premise of the show is to take illiterate adults and teach them to read.

Which sounds pretty simple. Until you take into account the emotions of a group of nine adults who have spent their lives hiding their illiteracy, in some cases even from their family, feeling ashamed of themselves, or being labelled "thick".

The raw emotions and the journey these people go on is what turns this from entertainment into an uplifting, moving, and at times difficult-to-watch documentary.

The teacher in question is the award-winning Phil Beadle, who you might remember as the guy who taught naughty schoolkids in The Unteachables.

Last night was the first episode of the three-part series and we met 28-year-old James who can only write his own name, 46-year-old Linda who can't read a word and 58-year-old Teresa who breaks down in tears when faced with the alphabet.

What teacher Phil didn't bank on was having to tutor his students through the emotional stress of dredging up their school failures.

There is light at the end of the tunnel and you find yourself rooting for the students.

Will they be able to read and write at the end of the six-month course? After taking the brave decision to expose their biggest insecurity, I really hope so.