´óÏó´«Ã½

Jeff Pearce is a British entrepreneur who made millions in business - without being able to read or write.

He started out as a small boy selling second hand clothes in Liverpool in the North West of England.

As an adult he built up a hugely successful clothing company, earning him the most coveted award in the industry.

But all the way he had to hide what he saw as his shameful secret - he was illiterate.

He went to enormous lengths to do this.

When he met bank managers to negotiate loans, his wife Gina would come along and fill out the forms.

When they went out to eat with friends Gina would take charge of the wine list saying, "Jeff's terrible at wine let me pick it."

But it all came to a head one night when his children asked him to read them a bedtime story.

He could not do it.

He said goodnight, went downstairs and cried.

It was only in his retirement that Jeff finally taught himself to read and write, and now he has published a book - the story of his life, which he has called A Pocketful of Holes and Dreams.

Jeff Pearce spoke to Outlook's Jo Fidgen and told her about his struggles as a young boy at school with undiagnosed dyslexia.