BIRMINGHAM stammerers hope the new Colin Firth film will get people talking about speech impediments and become more understanding.

Out in cinemas now, The King’s Speech reveals Prince Albert’s moving battle to overcome his stutter and inspire the nation during the Second World War.

It’s already received a thumbs-up from 29-year-old stammerer Jonathon Bell, of Harborne, who watched a preview last month.

“I thought Firth really captured the negative feelings that go along with stammering,” he said. “I was cringing along with him.”

Jonathon is one of 28 clients who sees speech and language therapist Heather Williams, at the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Thanks to her help, he is learning to accept his speech impediment and not allow it to rule his life.

“I used to avoid situations where I had to speak,” said Jonathon. “I ended up studying engineering because I knew it was a profession where I wouldn’t have to talk so much. But it wasn’t what I really wanted to do and I found it very isolating.

“I’m now training to be a teacher and I would never have been able to do that before.”