Daniel Radcliffe's dyspraxia confession

Aug 18, 2008, 9:50 GMT

Daniel Radcliffe EPA/DANIEL DEME

Daniel Radcliffe struggles to tie his own shoelaces - because of a medical condition.

The 'Harry Potter' star has revealed he has the condition dyspraxia - a common neurological problem which causes sufferers to have difficulties planning any sequence of coordinated movements - and can sometimes struggle to complete the most basic of tasks.

He said: "Sometimes I think, 'Why, oh, why, has Velcro not taken off?' "

Despite his difficulties, Daniel admits his condition has been a blessing - because it was the inspiration for his acting career.

The 19-year-old actor - who can next be seen playing the lead character in 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth instalment in the film franchise based on J.K. Rowling's hugely popular book series - was allowed to start going to film auditions after his mother decided he needed a confidence boost because he was struggling academically.

Daniel added: "I was having a hard time at school in terms of being cr*p at everything."

The actor's spokeswoman said: "Yes, Daniel does have dyspraxia. This is something he has never hidden. Thankfully his condition is very mild and at worst manifests itself in an inability to tie his shoe laces and bad handwriting."