ITV has announced a brand new two-part series, Freddie Flintoff: Understanding Tourette’s, inspired by the BAFTA-winning film I Swear.
In the series, Flintoff will travel around the UK meeting young people living with Tourette syndrome as he sets out to understand what life is like for them and their families, and challenges the misconceptions and stigma around the often misunderstood condition.
Across the two episodes, Flintoff will spend time with young people who are at different stages of their journey – from those trying to get a diagnosis to those that who have been living with the condition for many years.
Freddie Flintoff 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. 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 aforementioned events surround John Davidson’s Tourette’s outburst at the BAFTA ceremony, in which he involuntarily shouted the N-word as Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award on stage.
Following the incident, Davidson said he was “deeply mortified” if anyone thought his tics were intentional, and reached out to Jordan and Lindo to apologise.
Produced by 72 Films, working in partnership with Tourettes Action, the series “will reflect varied experiences of Tourette’s – from more visible tics to those that are less obvious but no less challenging, revealing aspects rarely seen on screen and challenging the idea that it is simply a condition defined by swearing”.
The synopsis continues: “Its effects are much more fundamental and varied. The series looks beyond headlines and assumptions to offer a clearer, more truthful understanding of the condition – bringing audiences closer to the reality of living with it and the practical ways those living with it can overcome many of its challenges.”
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Tourettes Action CEO Emma McNally commented: “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.”
Katie Rawcliffe, director of entertainment, reality & daytime commissioning ITV added: “We are incredibly proud to be working with Freddie Flintoff and Tourettes Action to bring this compelling programme to viewers.”
Freddie Flintoff: Understanding Tourette’s will air on ITV.
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