Aitch’s Strong Bond with Sister Gracie: Rapper Highlights Life Lessons and Down Syndrome Awareness in Jungle Journey

Aitch may be one of the biggest rap stars in the UK, but behind the millions of fans and hit singles, the Manchester-born icon is kept grounded by his little sister. 

The rapper, whose real name is Harrison James Armstrong, made his debut on I’m A Celebrity on Sunday evening’s launch episode on ITV.

He recently revealed he was going into the Australian jungle to raise awareness for people with Down syndrome, like his 13-year-old sister.

Down syndrome – which occurs when a person has three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two – alters brain development and can cause intellectual disability, learning difficulties and other health challenges. 

The star told the Daily Mail: ‘I’m not only just doing it for people with Down syndrome, I’m doing it for people around as well.

‘I don’t want anyone to be like disheartened or feel s*** if they do find out someone in the family’s got Down syndrome. It’s a blessing.

‘You’re going to have the best time of your life as long as you’re spending it with that person.

‘My main thing, really and truly, is because I don’t want Down syndrome to be seen as a negative thing.

‘I don’t want anyone to go like, oh yeah, my kid’s got Down syndrome, or my sister’s got Down syndrome.’

‘And anyone to have the reply of, “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that” because it’s just definitely not the case. They’re the best people in the world.’

Aitch has a close bond with his two twin sisters, Gracie and Hattie, who are ten years younger than him. 

Gracie, in particular, has played a big part in both his personal life and career. 

During an appearance on Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing’s podcast, Great Company, in June, the rapper opened up about their tight-knit. 

Speaking to Jamie, Aitch admitted: ‘I wouldn’t even be half the person I am if she wasn’t here.

‘And she actually teaches you lessons that you don’t even realise till after. She always used to grab my face before I used to go to bed and just go, “Harrison, don’t be afraid”‘.

Explaining the impact Gracie has had on him, Aitch explained: ‘It’s taught me, and this sounds bad, but it taught me more to treat everyone the same. And to understand that everyone is a human.’

Aitch dedicated his song My G to his sister, with all the funds generated from this song will be donated to the Down’s Syndrome Association.

The song’s lyrics read: ‘Baby, live your best life, you shouldn’t grow by force. All in your own time, G, the globe is yours.’

He then mentions G throughout the song, which refers to his sister’s name.

Introducing the song on his Instagram with a special video of his sister Gracie, Aitch wrote: ‘Track 14, My G- This one’s straight from the heart.

‘For my sister Gracie, the most perfect girl I’ve ever met. Life wouldn’t be the same without you kid and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Go live your best life mate and enjoy every minute.’

At the beginning of My G’s music video, Aitch includes a touching tribute that says: ‘This song is dedicated to Gracie Armstrong. You have the biggest heart in the world! Don’t change for no one. Love you kid x.’

The accompanying music video featured Ed Sheeran.

Earlier this year, Aitch decided to climb up Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the charity. 

In a video he posted to Instagram, he told fans: ‘Quick message. Just want to say big up everyone that donated for the DSA for the Kilimanjaro climb. We’re leaving in the morning to go to Tanzania in Africa.

‘It’s gonna take us six days to climb the mountain. 

‘Hopefully we get to the top, raise the flag. We’ve raised over 120 grand – well you lot have raised over 120 grand, so thank you very much.’

He captioned the post: ‘My sister Gracie lights everyone’s world up every time she meets someone and people like her deserve equal opportunities just like me and you. 

‘So I’ll be offline for a lil bit while me and the team go smash this mountain’s head in.’

The Manchester rapper broke the news about appearing on I’m A Celebrity last week.

Alongside a post of him dressed in the jungle gear, he penned: ‘I’ve made songs with most people I grew up listening to, now I’m going on the show I grew up watching.’

And one person who will be proud to see him on the box is Gracie, whom he recently revealed that he didn’t tell her for fear that she would blab about the top-secret news.

‘My Gracie thinks I’m going to LA because she’s a chatty mouth,’ he joked.

Asked if she will be surprised to see him in camp with his fellow celebrities, including Jack Osbourne and Kelly Brook, he said: ‘100 per cent. 

‘I don’t know think they’re going to tell her. I think they’re just going to sit her down and she’s going to find out that way, I reckon.’

‘So unfortunately, I won’t get to see that reaction.

‘She’ll probably just be like, ‘Oh, that’s Harrison!’ I don’t know, it’s funny. But she’ll definitely be excited, she’ll be buzzing for me.

‘Yeah, she loves it. She shouldn’t really be staying up that late but it’s all right.’

He also waded into controversial abortion laws which allow the termination of a baby with Down Syndrome up until birth.

Aitch, 25, whose real name is Harrison James Armstrong, said: ‘I’ve just learned certain things over the years that make me a bit sad. In terms of you can be a day before giving birth, and if you find out your child’s got Down Syndrome, you can still have the option to terminate it.

‘Whereas in another situation, if your kid doesn’t have that, you’ve only got a certain amount of time before you can abort.’