The mighty Quinn... a tale of defiance from a true Welsh icon

regularly take him to task over it on social media.

“I tell them not to worry about it, because I don’t,” Quinnell explained. “One of the things we explore in the book is not being afraid to make mistakes and that applies to everyone in life. You have to come out of your comfort zone at times.

“I’ve said things on TV I shouldn’t have in the past, but show me someone who has never made a mistake.

“If I was scared about what people thought of my spelling every time I wrote something then I would never write. But I don’t care, as long as people can understand it.”

Quinnell is not flippant about his literacy, however. Far from it.

Ten years ago he underwent controversial treatment for his dyslexia pioneered by Welsh millionaire Wynford Dore, whose daughter Susie attempted suicide because of depression caused by the condition.

The Dore method stimulates the cerebellum, a tangerine-shaped organ at the back of the brain that affects eye co-ordination, processes information and governs balance and motor-neurone movements. Exercises can include juggling bean bags, balancing on a wobble board, bouncing on an exercise ball and walking downstairs backwards.

While many in the medical profession are sceptical about its effectiveness, it worked for Quinnell and also for his son Steele, now studying psychology at the Open University, and daughter Lucy.

Quinnell is still a patron of the Welsh Dyslexic Association and has campaigned vigorously for children to be taught according to how best they absorb information, be it visually, aurally or through touch.

His preparedness to tackle a condition which haunted him until he confronted it in his mid-30s is not a story that underpins his book venture with businessman and psychologist Paul Boross.

That said, Leader On The Pitch provides enough examples of the characteristics and mental approaches that the former Llanelli great drew upon during his rugby days, and continues to hold dear now. There’s colour too.

Quinnell speaks of ‘turning into a monster’ 24 hours before matches, when he used to follow a familiar routine that took him right to the very edge come kick-off.

“On a Friday night it would start when I came home from work,” said