Former cricketer Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff hopes to break the stigma around Tourette’s in a new documentary exploring the reality of young people living with the condition.
The 48-year-old, known for hosting Top Gear, said he hopes to “spread awareness” and “push for change” as he addresses the misconceptions and stigma around the condition.
Flintoff also said that the controversy surrounding the Bafta Film Awards in February, when Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson could be heard shouting a racial slur during the broadcast, proves that “stigma is still out there”.
The upcoming two-part series, titled Freddie Flintoff: Understanding Tourette’s, is also inspired by Mr Davidson’s Bafta-winning film I Swear, which documents his struggles with the condition since developing it aged 12.
Tourette Syndrome causes involuntary sudden, repetitive sounds or movements known as tics, which can be triggered by different things including stress, excitement or tiredness, according to the NHS website.
Flintoff will travel around the UK as he meets young people living with the condition and hears about the challenges for those suffering from the often-misunderstood condition, and the impact it has on their families.
The former England cricketer said: “Working with young people has always been a huge passion point for me, and Tourette’s is a condition that primarily starts in childhood.”
Flintoff also said that he sympathises with those who “isolate” themselves because of the condition, reflecting on the car crash at Dunsfold Aerodrome in December 2022 which left him with serious facial and rib injuries that required extensive reconstructive surgery.
He continued: “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 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.”
The documentary has been produced by 72 Films in partnership with Tourette’s Action, which is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to helping people living with the condition, according to its website.
Emma McNally, chief executive of Tourette’s Action, said: “We’re looking forward to working with Freddie and ITV on this important new series and helping to ensure that the voices of the Tourette’s community are heard authentically.
“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.”
Freddie Flintoff: Understanding Tourette’s will air on ITV, with further details yet to be announced.
