Henry Winkler appointed honorary OBE for dyslexia work

Henry Winkler has been awarded an honorary OBE.

The actor, best known for playing Arthur 'The Fonz' Fonzarelli in sitcom Happy Days, received the honour at the British embassy in Washington DC for his work to help children in the UK with dyslexia.

Winkler said: "Receiving this honour is a very humbling experience. My goal when I started working with children was never to bring accolades on myself but to change how people think about those around them for whom learning is a struggle.

"I am flattered to have had my work recognised in this manner, and hope to continue showing kids that their learning difficulty isn't a disability."



Nigel Sheinwald, the British ambassador to the US who presented Winkler with the award, added: "Improving the lives of children is one of the highest acts of good one can pursue, and Mr Winkler has certainly done that.

"Through him, thousands of young people have seen a role model and an inspiration for overcoming their learning challenges.

"Henry Winkler is living proof that difficulties can be overcome and that for those suffering disability and self-doubt, happy days can nevertheless lie ahead."

Winkler was diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult and has spent the last two years touring UK schools to talk to children, teachers and policy makers about his experience.

He also has written 17 books featuring a boy with dyslexia named Hank Zipzer, based on his own childhood struggles.

Earlier this year, Winkler admitted to feeling "angry" when he was diagnosed with dyslexia so late in life but he added that he had learned to "embrace the dyslexia rather than be embarrassed by it or defeated by it".

Watch the famous scene where Henry Winkler 'jumps the shark' as The Fonz in Happy Days below: