Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff is set to front a new two-part ITV documentary examining the daily realities faced by young people living with Tourette’s syndrome.
The 48-year-old former England cricketer and television presenter will travel across the UK meeting individuals at various stages of their journey with the condition in Freddie Flintoff: Understanding Tourette’s.
The series, produced by 72 Films in partnership with charity Tourettes Action, takes inspiration from the BAFTA-winning film I Swear and aims to tackle widespread misconceptions surrounding the neurological condition.
Mr Flintoff has expressed his determination to challenge the stigma that persists around Tourette’s.
Freddie Flintoff hopes to help young people living with the condition
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He stated: “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.”
The former Top Gear host has spoken about his personal understanding of isolation, drawing parallels with his own experience following a serious accident at Dunsfold Aerodrome in December 2022.
Mr Flintoff sustained significant facial and rib injuries requiring extensive reconstructive surgery when a vehicle he was driving flipped over during filming at the Surrey test track.
He revealed that he remained housebound for months afterwards, a feeling he says deeply informs his approach to this project.
Freddie Flintoff suffered serious injuries in the BBC Top Gear crash | GETTY
“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,” Mr Flintoff explained.
His passion for working with young people has long been central to his television work.
The documentary arrives in the wake of controversy at this year’s BAFTA Film Awards in February, when Scottish campaigner John Davidson involuntarily shouted a racial slur while actors Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting on stage.
Mr Davidson, whose life story inspired the award-winning film I Swear, left the ceremony early and later expressed feeling “deeply mortified” by the incident.
John Davidson, a prominent Tourette syndrome campaigner, shouted the N-word involuntarily at this year’s Baftas
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The BBC subsequently apologised for broadcasting the moment, which could have been removed due to the time-delayed transmission.
Mr Flintoff referenced the episode directly, saying: “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.”
Emma McNally, chief executive of Tourettes Action, welcomed the collaboration with Mr Flintoff and ITV, emphasising the importance of authentic representation.
She noted that previous media portrayals have often prioritised shock value or comedy, which serves to reinforce harmful stereotypes and misunderstanding.
Freddie Flintoff said his 2022 accident makes him able to resonate with isolation
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“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,” Mr McNally said.
The programme will feature individuals with more prominent tics alongside those whose symptoms are less visible but equally challenging.
Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s director of entertainment, reality and daytime commissioning, described the broadcaster as “incredibly proud” to be partnering with Flintoff and the charity on what she called a “compelling programme.”
A broadcast date has yet to be confirmed.