Freddie Flintoff lands new series about Tourette's
Former Top Gear star Freddie Flintoff is exploring Tourette's in a new ITV documentary.
Freddie Flintoff is exploring Tourette's in a new ITV documentary.
The former Top Gear host is set to front Freddie Flintoff: Understanding Tourette's, which has been inspired by BAFTA-winning film I Swear and will see the 48-year-old presenter exploring the impact the condition has on individuals and their families.
He said in a statement: "Working with young people has always been a huge passion point for me, and Tourette’s is a condition that primarily starts in childhood.
"The thought of kids isolating themselves and facing such strong stigma both breaks my heart and resonates deeply with me – after my accident, I wouldn’t leave my own house and that’s a feeling I would never want anyone, let alone a kid, to go through."
The two-part series has been made by 72 Films in partnership with the Tourettes Action charity.
It will explore people with more visible tics, as well as those that are less obvious but no less challenging.
Earlier this year, the BAFTAs was engulfed in controversy after Tourette's campaigner John Davidson - whose life inspired I Swear - involuntarily blurted out the N-word while Sinners co-stars Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan were onstage presenting a prize.
Tourette's sufferer John Davidson left the ceremony early and later apologised for what happened admitting he felt "deeply mortified", while the BBC issued an apology for airing the moment and BAFTA bosses confirmed they were launching a "comprehensive review".
Flintoff added: "The events at the BAFTA Film Awards and the online discourse that followed only emphasised how much stigma is still out there – whilst the film made such positive strides for this community, these secondary responses seemed to set those advances right back.
"If there is any way I can help those affected, working directly with them and experts in the field, and also help spread awareness and push for change, then that is what I’ll do. I hope this community will bring the change and understanding they deserve.”
Tourettes Action CEO Emma McNally said the charity is "looking forward to working with Freddie and ITV on this important new series".
She added: "Too often in the past, portrayals of Tourette’s have focused on shock factor or humour, which can reinforce misunderstanding and stigma.
"By showing the different ways Tourette’s can present, this series has the potential to help all members of the community feel seen, supported and validated, regardless of how their Tourette’s affects them.”
