ITV confirms brand new Freddie Flintoff documentary on Tourette’s syndrome – as star talks BAFTA incident

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I’m really excited about this new documentary ITV is doing! It’s called ‘Freddie Flintoff: Understanding Tourette’s,’ and it’s a two-part series. Apparently, it was inspired by the incredible film ‘I Swear,’ which won a BAFTA, so I have a feeling it’s going to be a powerful and insightful watch.

In this series, Freddie Flintoff travels across the UK to meet young people who have Tourette’s syndrome. He aims to understand their experiences and the challenges faced by their families, while also working to break down common misunderstandings and the stigma surrounding this often-misunderstood condition.

Over the course of the two episodes, Freddie Flintoff will meet young people at all points in their experiences with this condition – from those first seeking a diagnosis to those who have been living with it for a long time.

Freddie Flintoff explained that he’s always been passionate about working with young people, and because Tourette’s often begins in childhood, he feels a strong connection to those affected. He’s deeply saddened by the thought of children isolating themselves due to the stigma surrounding the condition, as he understands the feeling firsthand – after his accident, he struggled to leave his home, and wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone, especially a child.

The reaction to the BAFTA Film Awards, both at the event and online, highlighted how much prejudice still exists. While the film itself was a positive step forward for this community, the subsequent responses unfortunately seemed to undo that progress. I’m committed to helping those affected, working with both individuals and experts, and raising awareness to drive meaningful change. I believe this community deserves, and will achieve, the understanding and progress it needs.

John Davidson experienced a Tourette’s tic during the BAFTA ceremony, causing him to unintentionally say a racial slur while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award.

After the situation unfolded, Davidson explained he was very upset if anyone misinterpreted his involuntary movements as deliberate, and he contacted both Jordan and Lindo to offer his apologies.

This series, created by 72 Films with Tourettes Action, aims to show the wide range of experiences people have with Tourette’s. It will cover everything from noticeable tics to subtler, yet equally difficult, symptoms, offering a realistic look at the condition and moving beyond the common misconception that it’s just about involuntary swearing.

The series delves deeper than just surface-level news stories, aiming to provide a more accurate and complete picture of the condition. It focuses on the real experiences of people living with it and explores how they can successfully manage and overcome difficulties.

Emma McNally, CEO of Tourettes Action, expressed excitement about collaborating with Freddie and ITV on a new series that aims to accurately represent the experiences of people with Tourette’s. She noted that past depictions often relied on shock value or humor, which can perpetuate harmful stereotypes. McNally believes this series has the power to help everyone in the Tourette’s community feel understood, accepted, and supported, no matter how the condition impacts their lives.

Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s head of entertainment, reality and daytime programming, stated that they are very pleased to partner with Freddie Flintoff and Tourettes Action on this important and engaging show.

Freddie Flintoff: Understanding Tourette’s will air on ITV.

Authors

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality TV and celebrity news. Katelyn has a degree in Journalism.

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2026-06-08 18:34