Lost Voice Guy has explained that winning Britain's Got Talent made people "more comfortable" approaching him as a disabled person.
The star who won the programme back in 2018 was catapulted to fame thanks to his quick wit and comedy instantly won the hearts of the nation before landing the opportunity to perform at the Royal Variety Show.
Now, he's opened up to Robson Green for his BBC's Weekend Escapes series on how finding fame has changed his life and made people have a different take on him.
Lost Voice Guy whose real name is Lee Ridley speaks through a speech tool on his iPad was diagnosed with a neurological form of cerebral palsy and was subsequently left in a coma for two months after a brain infection.
The results of his infection left him unable to speak and affected his movement.
But speaking about winning the show, he told Robson: "Obviously I'm a lot richer for a start, but please don't tell the Department for Work and Pensions.
"Seriously though, winning the show has changed my life in so many ways."
He continued: "One of the best things to happen since I won is the people that engage with me more than they would have in the past.
"For the first time, they seem comfortable talking to a disabled person."
But when asked about his whether he had always been able to send people into fits of laughter, he responded: "I think I've always liked to make people laugh - it just gives me a good feeling.
"I think that humour definitely helped me cope with everything when I was growing up, and it still helps today.
"I've always been able to see the funny side of my disability, and that's been really helpful.
"I've lived with my disability for 41 years now, so I've got plenty to talk about, it would be a shame not to use all my experiences."
After winning the show, Lee has gone on to perform at events up and down the country, including Live At The Apollo, Comic Relief and The Last Leg – as well as appearing on the likes of Pointless Celebrities.
He's also performed across his own headline tours, titled I'm Only In It For The Parking and Cerebral LOL-sy – leading him to win the Ents 24 Hardest Working Comedian Award back in 2019.
Robson Green's Weekend Escapes airs on BBC2 from Monday to Friday at 6.30pm.
