0:00:02 > 0:00:06Condoms, syphilis, gonorrhoea. Chlamydia!
0:00:06 > 0:00:09Ruth is one of 300,000 people in the UK with Tourette's Syndrome.
0:00:11 > 0:00:12HE TICS
0:00:12 > 0:00:16Like Ruth, Steve lives with constant physical and verbal tics.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18HE TICS
0:00:19 > 0:00:21They're like...fat...
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Look out!
0:00:24 > 0:00:28Music has an extraordinary effect on their lives.
0:00:28 > 0:00:33# Oh, Lord, I see...#
0:00:33 > 0:00:37When they perform, their tics completely disappear.
0:00:40 > 0:00:45# Oh, baby, don't you know I suffer?
0:00:45 > 0:00:48# Oh, baby, can you hear me moan? #
0:00:51 > 0:00:56I have scoured the country looking for young people with Tourette's who have real musical talent.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01But it has been no ordinary journey.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03# You'll find it You'll find it next to me. #
0:01:07 > 0:01:10- Aaargh!- Aaaargh!
0:01:10 > 0:01:14Their tics become worse when faced with new and challenging situations.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16Out the door, go.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20This is the story of how they overcame their fears...
0:01:20 > 0:01:23- Hmm.- You OK, Ruth?- Yeah.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25..grew in confidence...
0:01:25 > 0:01:29# Get your old kit bag Don't worry about the cavalry
0:01:29 > 0:01:32# I don't care what the...#
0:01:32 > 0:01:34LAUGHTER
0:01:34 > 0:01:38..and came together to put on the musical performance of their lives.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43# You'll find it You'll find it next to me. #
0:01:43 > 0:01:46CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:01:51 > 0:01:54- 'Reggie Yates!- On BBC Radio One. The official chart,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57'with Reggie Yates.'
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Your number 15 is just around the corner,
0:02:00 > 0:02:02we are getting closer and closer.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04'I present the official chart on BBC Radio One,
0:02:04 > 0:02:06'and have hosted TV talent shows.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10'Now I am taking on something completely different.'
0:02:10 > 0:02:12Text me, 81199.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16'I have heard that music might help people with Tourette's.'
0:02:16 > 0:02:20And I'm really interested to see how that works and if it works at all.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25Music is something that has always been a part of my life, it is a huge, huge thing for me.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28I live for music and there is nothing better than hearing
0:02:28 > 0:02:30a new artist or seeing new talent,
0:02:30 > 0:02:32and part of the reason that this project
0:02:32 > 0:02:36is so exciting is that we are essentially looking for new talent.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38But new talent that is even more special
0:02:38 > 0:02:42because they are battling something that should get in the way of their talent blossoming.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44Five to go until your top ten.
0:02:44 > 0:02:4815, up 14, Ed Sheeran, Drunk. Official chart, BBC Radio One.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54I am aware of the fact that Tourette's definitely affects
0:02:54 > 0:02:58people to the point where they actually involuntarily swear.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02I am really really interested to see if there are other layers and levels to it
0:03:02 > 0:03:05and if Tourette's can affect someone in different ways,
0:03:05 > 0:03:07in other ways other than swearing.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12I'm a little nervous,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15I am nervous about what I am actually going to find,
0:03:15 > 0:03:18it is a huge statement to say we will put on this huge show where
0:03:18 > 0:03:23people will perform and they happen to have Tourette's. It is a big ask,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26but I hope we pull it off because it could be something fantastic
0:03:26 > 0:03:31and something really special if it is done well, so fingers crossed.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46Petrol bomb! Petrol bomb!
0:03:54 > 0:03:58With three months to organise the event, I will be travelling across
0:03:58 > 0:04:02Britain to find unknown talent who will become my Tourette's supergroup.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07The search begins in London,
0:04:07 > 0:04:09where I have heard about a singer called Ruth.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13Condoms! Syphilis! Gonorrhoea!
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Chlamydia! Cat AIDS!
0:04:17 > 0:04:21I am intrigued, to find out how Tourette's changes the lives of
0:04:21 > 0:04:25young people who have a talent in music and want to do something with it.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28SHE TICS
0:04:28 > 0:04:33It's fatty! Saturated fat. Gobshites.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37Pigs! Pigs!
0:04:37 > 0:04:39I am stealing!
0:04:41 > 0:04:44I am interested to find out just how open I really am,
0:04:44 > 0:04:48because we all like to believe, "Whatever, I can deal with this."
0:04:48 > 0:04:51But I know that it will make me uncomfortable.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Waiting!
0:04:53 > 0:04:55Aaaargh!
0:04:55 > 0:04:57I don't want it to jump on me.
0:04:59 > 0:05:05Ruth is 25 and works at a centre for autistic adults in north-east London.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09I will move those away because I will end up smashing them off the table.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- Petrol bomb! Wankers. Hello. - Hello.- Hello! Pleased to meet you.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15You too. Nice to meet you too. Nice to meet you too.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19Wicked. You all right? You all right? How are you?
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- I am not bad at all. - Wankers! Wicked.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24It is nice to finally meet you, I have heard a lot about you.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27You are the first person I have met, so tell me about...
0:05:27 > 0:05:29SHE TICS
0:05:30 > 0:05:32When did you first start getting your tics?
0:05:32 > 0:05:38- 16.- 16? No symptoms before then? - No.- How did you react to that?
0:05:38 > 0:05:41As a teenager I was mortified if I had a spot.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44SHE TICS
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Yeah, definitely.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49- I suppressed it hell of a lot.- How?
0:05:49 > 0:05:53I don't know how to describe it, but you go to another place.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56You just know that socially it is not going to be acceptable,
0:05:56 > 0:05:58and you feel uncomfortable by it,
0:05:58 > 0:06:03you are trying to get by with just normal teenage stuff.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06You get on the bus and all of a sudden you notice there is
0:06:06 > 0:06:09just space around you, people are moving away from you
0:06:09 > 0:06:12and the faces on them, people unite for some reason, in hostility,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15people are happy to not talk to their neighbour or smile at them
0:06:15 > 0:06:18but if they see something different or someone who is making
0:06:18 > 0:06:22a bit of noise, and all of a sudden they have become best friends.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24I am everyone's number one enemy.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27That gets to you, that really does hurt.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30So, does it ever subside with people?
0:06:30 > 0:06:33This is the first time we have met
0:06:33 > 0:06:37and, I mean, obviously you are ticing a lot now,
0:06:37 > 0:06:39maybe because we are talking about it...
0:06:39 > 0:06:41'As I sit opposite Ruth, I am surprised at how shocked I am
0:06:41 > 0:06:43'by the intensity of her tics.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46'Getting the middle finger every five seconds
0:06:46 > 0:06:49'and getting sworn at is something I have never had to deal with before.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51'It is really hard to ignore it.'
0:06:53 > 0:06:55What it is and how it affects you. There it goes!
0:06:55 > 0:07:00So I am going to hang out with you for a couple of hours today
0:07:00 > 0:07:03and get to see a bit of what you normally do, so what's the plan?
0:07:03 > 0:07:10- We're going to head to Camden, and I am going to try to pick up my nephew a T-shirt.- OK.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12Who does that look like?
0:07:12 > 0:07:19Oh my God! I spotted it straightaway. That is nuts.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22SHE TICS
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- How did you find yourself in front of...- Reggie has a wedgie!
0:07:26 > 0:07:30You know what? people said that to me when I was at school as a kid.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33- You are bringing back dark memories! - Hello!
0:07:33 > 0:07:37'Out in public with Ruth, I am struck by how
0:07:37 > 0:07:39'difficult it is for her to maintain a low profile,
0:07:39 > 0:07:43'especially as everyone seems to be staring at her.'
0:07:43 > 0:07:48Hello! Someone's got an STD! Cat AIDS! Hello!
0:07:51 > 0:07:55Hello! It's not an STD, Cat AIDS is.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01- So these two women in front of us. Have a little smirk.- Yes, syphilis.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04If it makes them feel all right to do that, that is cool.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07I already find myself feeling quite protective towards Ruth,
0:08:07 > 0:08:11and I am becoming more aware of people's reactions,
0:08:11 > 0:08:13especially to the swearing.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15People would often say that the swearing is the hardest
0:08:15 > 0:08:19part of it, but only 10% of people with Tourette's swear.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24That is very rare. It is... Fuck off! It is the rarest form.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26SHE TICS
0:08:26 > 0:08:28..symptom of Tourette's syndrome.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Hey! me, me, me!
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Sorry, people shouting my name.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37- You all right?- All right, mate? - Yeah.- All right, mate? All right?
0:08:37 > 0:08:42This is really annoying, they can see I am asking questions and they're shouting my name.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44All right, mate?
0:08:44 > 0:08:49Anyway, it is really bad. It is so funny finding myself doing that because it is a similar thing.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52And I said to you, didn't I? You will be quite short with it
0:08:52 > 0:08:55whereas I can tolerate it a bit longer.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Do you know what? Here's the thing, my tolerance levels
0:08:58 > 0:09:02go right down when it is people who should know better
0:09:02 > 0:09:05being silly or ignorant or being...
0:09:06 > 0:09:08This is a really funny saying that,
0:09:08 > 0:09:12but that is exactly the same for you, but it is harder for you.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15It is harder as well because I expect no less.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Funny what you said about the whole choice thing,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21because I suppose I have made the choice for this to be my life...
0:09:21 > 0:09:25- Baked beans. Baked beans.- Whereas you have not.- Ketchup. Choose.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Baked beans or ketchup? Choose.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30Go on, what are you saying?
0:09:31 > 0:09:33I am used to people stopping and saying hello,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36and people watching me while I am working,
0:09:36 > 0:09:38and it is never a problem,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41but I think because I have spent an entire day with Ruth
0:09:41 > 0:09:45watching people stare at her and looking down their noses at her
0:09:45 > 0:09:49and her not saying anything, it 's made me increasingly get annoyed.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51The minute I had an opportunity to vent that I did,
0:09:51 > 0:09:55I found myself acting out in a way I normally wouldn't.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58It surprised me.
0:10:01 > 0:10:07In 2006, Ruth went to university to study music,
0:10:07 > 0:10:09but was forced to quit two years later
0:10:09 > 0:10:12because of her outburst in lectures and during performances.
0:10:12 > 0:10:18Vagina for sale! Vagina for sale!
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Now that is an untapped market.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Tourette prostitute.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30Ruth has only recently started singing again,
0:10:30 > 0:10:32and I need a great singer for my show.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Petrol, petrol bomb.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40It is difficult to imagine how she will be able to perform without ticing.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49# You could be the one who listens
0:10:49 > 0:10:54# To my fears and inquisitions
0:10:54 > 0:11:02# You could never be as good as her...#
0:11:05 > 0:11:08It is amazing, if you walked into the room now,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11you would never know she had Tourette's Syndrome.
0:11:14 > 0:11:22# Pieces of the life I had before
0:11:22 > 0:11:28# I will be there As soon as I can but I'm busy
0:11:28 > 0:11:33# Any other pieces of
0:11:33 > 0:11:39# The life I had before. #
0:11:41 > 0:11:42That is it!
0:11:42 > 0:11:46I didn't have to encourage you to bring it to an end.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50That is great.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54Hello! In the name of the father the son, the holy cunt. Chip sticks.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59- I am really impressed, Ruth. - Thank you, Reggie. Wedgie!
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Thanks, Reggie!
0:12:03 > 0:12:06There is room to grow, that is the thing I am really excited about,
0:12:06 > 0:12:12- your start point isn't zero or one or even three...- Minus 10!
0:12:12 > 0:12:14Better than that.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18You are on your way already, and with help, we could do something amazing.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20Chew on a vulva!
0:12:20 > 0:12:24Oh, that's great.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27What do you get when you hear that round of applause?
0:12:27 > 0:12:30A sense of affirmation, I am a human being.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32SHE TICS
0:12:32 > 0:12:38A sense of worth, a sense of belonging, I suppose, to society.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43MOUSE!
0:12:43 > 0:12:47'I can already see that Ruth could be brilliant for my event.'
0:12:47 > 0:12:50The prospect of taking off from where she is now to potentially twice,
0:12:50 > 0:12:52even three times better is amazing.
0:12:52 > 0:12:58Because, it is always great seeing someone progress.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Seeing someone progress and knowing that it means that much to them,
0:13:01 > 0:13:04it just makes it all the more worthwhile.
0:13:04 > 0:13:05I am looking forward to it,
0:13:05 > 0:13:09I'm definitely looking forward to working with Reggie
0:13:09 > 0:13:11and what he has got in store.
0:13:13 > 0:13:21I will be nervous that I might get a little bit flapped but I am excited.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28It is amazing to have found a great vocalist, and Ruth has given me loads
0:13:28 > 0:13:33of advice on what to expect on my journey to put the lineup together.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40I am heading to meet 25-year-old Steve, a singer from North Devon.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45I don't know how he is going to react to me, and worst of all,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48I don't know which one of my insecurities he will point out.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53"Big head! Weird ears!" I just know that will happen.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55But hopefully, much like with Ruth, I will get to know
0:13:55 > 0:14:01the person and get past the fact that I am being insulted all day.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09HE TICS
0:14:35 > 0:14:40I find Steve on Putsborough Sands indulging in his great passion.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44It is bloody freezing.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48Thank you so much for meeting us, mate.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52- A pleasure.- It would be wicked to know more about you and your music.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56- How long have you had Tourette's? - Since I was about seven.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58I used to run backwards with my hands forward
0:14:58 > 0:15:02and it used to put an extra mile on my journey every time I went somewhere.
0:15:02 > 0:15:03That was annoying.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07I would be out with my mates and I would be back down the High Street.
0:15:07 > 0:15:08HE TICS
0:15:08 > 0:15:10You get so used to it.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13You're fat, you cunt. You're not fat.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15LAUGHTER
0:15:15 > 0:15:19That is the one that turns heads in Tesco.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21- Have you ever gotten any scrap over it?- Loads.
0:15:21 > 0:15:26You seem really confident and you seem really comfortable with your tics.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Have you ever hit anyone else with a tic?
0:15:29 > 0:15:32Yes, obviously, it is something that I hold dear to myself
0:15:32 > 0:15:36because it is part of me, so anything that people say
0:15:36 > 0:15:38I will take offence to, but it is how I deal with it.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41Sometimes, like anyone who gets drunk,
0:15:41 > 0:15:45everyone knows that sometimes you can take it the wrong way
0:15:45 > 0:15:48and sometimes I have lashed out at people. I will not lie.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50You said you hold Tourette's really dear to you,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52do you see it as something...
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- Did you just hit yourself in the nuts?- Yes, I will get the pillow.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59- Have you done that before?- I always hold a pillow when I sit down.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Are you serious? To protect yourself?
0:16:01 > 0:16:05- To protect my nuts.- Have you ever had yourself really hard in the balls?- Yeah, fuck yeah.
0:16:05 > 0:16:10- It is bad at the moment. You are seeing it at its worst. - What has made worse?
0:16:10 > 0:16:12There is stuff going on in my life,
0:16:12 > 0:16:16and I have not found the place I want to be at yet with my career
0:16:16 > 0:16:20and work and I do not have a lot of money and I am just trying to...
0:16:20 > 0:16:24It is great living down here and surfing, but you must have a goal
0:16:24 > 0:16:27and obviously music is my goal.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30You have your guitar and you have spoken about how much you love performing,
0:16:30 > 0:16:34it would be rude for you not to play, you've got to play me something.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36- Really?- Yeah, I want to hear your music.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40'I know that Ruth stopped ticing when she sang to me,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43but Steve's tics are so severe.'
0:16:51 > 0:16:55# There's no combination of words I could put on the back of a postcard
0:16:55 > 0:17:00# The song that I could sing that I could drive to your heart
0:17:00 > 0:17:05# It's not always easy Sometimes life can be deceiving
0:17:05 > 0:17:08# A tangled thing, it's always better when we're together
0:17:08 > 0:17:12# Yeah, it's always better when we're together
0:17:12 > 0:17:16# Yeah, it's always better when we're together. #
0:17:29 > 0:17:36Nice. Really nice, mate. I really like your voice, it is beautiful.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- Thank you very much.- Is that one of your favourites? Jack Johnson?
0:17:39 > 0:17:42HE TICS
0:17:42 > 0:17:45Sorry. Yes, I love his stuff.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48What is it about playing guitar and singing that stops your tics?
0:17:48 > 0:17:53I think it is because I am sort of lost in the music in a way.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57I do not know, when I am playing and singing you sort of get...
0:17:59 > 0:18:03You're just in a dream. I just sort of stare and don't think.
0:18:03 > 0:18:11When you stop that, your brain just creeps in again. I don't know why.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15We should go to the scientists for that one.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23Hang on!
0:18:23 > 0:18:26It turns out there is no medical explanation as to why tics
0:18:26 > 0:18:28disappear when they perform,
0:18:28 > 0:18:31and there is no cure for Tourette's, either.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35I am really excited about what we can do with Steve's musical talent,
0:18:35 > 0:18:37I definitely want him in the show.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40HE TICS
0:18:42 > 0:18:46Steve has invited me back home, where he lives with his mum, Jane.
0:18:49 > 0:18:55- I'm home!- Look at that. Amazing, is that one sugar?- Yes, one sugar.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- Steve?- How many sugars?- Two in there.- Amazing, thank you so much.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03And what would you say your relationship with your mother is like?
0:19:03 > 0:19:05Has Tourette's changed the way you are with him at all?
0:19:05 > 0:19:09No, I don't think so, Reggie. I think the Tourette's has made...
0:19:09 > 0:19:11You're mental, Mum.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14..has made him more exciting because he's really funny
0:19:14 > 0:19:17and I never know what he's going to say next.
0:19:17 > 0:19:18HE GRUNTS
0:19:18 > 0:19:22His friends all tell me stories that have happened and it's just,
0:19:22 > 0:19:25yeah, I think his Tourette's has enhanced our relationship if anything.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28Something that has come up I knew nothing about before I started
0:19:28 > 0:19:31meeting people for this, was the act of suppression
0:19:31 > 0:19:34and I didn't know that people with Tourette's could actually do that,
0:19:34 > 0:19:37suppress their tics and stop them for periods of time.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39I mean, have you ever been able to do that?
0:19:39 > 0:19:40When you were younger,
0:19:40 > 0:19:42did you suppress more for other people's benefits?
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Did you do that more often?
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Well, in class, I would try because it's embarrassing and I was
0:19:47 > 0:19:51trying my hardest not to do it and I found that that made it worse.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55'Growing up, Steve tried various things to help his Tourette's,
0:19:55 > 0:19:57'including medication, which can help control the tics.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01'But the side effects were so bad that he came off them aged 14
0:20:01 > 0:20:04'and has lived without ever since.'
0:20:06 > 0:20:08Steve is without doubt very much his own man.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11He's in control of his life and stuff
0:20:11 > 0:20:13and he seems to have a great way of dealing with other people
0:20:13 > 0:20:16in terms of the way they react to his Tourette's.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20But how much do you find yourself feeling protective of him
0:20:20 > 0:20:24and worried about him as well when he leaves the house in the morning?
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Oh, I don't think I ever worry about him.
0:20:26 > 0:20:27Oh, shut up, Mum.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30I don't worry about him, no. I think I...
0:20:30 > 0:20:34"Where are you going, what are you doing, who are you with?"
0:20:34 > 0:20:37No, school was hard, when he was at school. I found that hard.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39HE SNORTS
0:20:39 > 0:20:42They just wouldn't let him do things and they used to put him
0:20:42 > 0:20:45in the timeout room and he wasn't allowed to go to assemblies.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47I really struggled then.
0:20:47 > 0:20:52I think I used to get upset then because obviously it's not fair.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55- But now...- Tap the head.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59Now I think, no, I don't worry about him at all.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03You don't worry about me? That sucks.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- I worry about you all the time. - Do you?- 24 hours!
0:21:19 > 0:21:21I'm now off to meet 18-year-old student, Greg,
0:21:21 > 0:21:23a drummer from Yorkshire.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28Greg was diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome at the age of six.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32Like Steve and Ruth, I know he has severe physical and verbal tics.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- Hello, mate.- Hey.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39- How's it going?- OK, you? - I'm good. Reggie. Nice to meet you.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- Nice to meet you too. - Greg, right?- Yeah.- Good.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45You're not going to go on that at any point, because if you do,
0:21:45 > 0:21:46I will have a heart attack.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49I've not got the right skates for that so don't worry.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51OK, right. So is this your regular hangout?
0:21:51 > 0:21:53- Is this where you always seem to come?- Yeah.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56I come here a couple of times with my mates
0:21:56 > 0:21:58and then various places around where I live.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01Yeah. Already I've noticed that you've not ticed in any way at all.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03What sort of Tourette's do you have?
0:22:03 > 0:22:07I get the physical and I get the vocal tics a lot but over the years,
0:22:07 > 0:22:10I've built up by way of controlling it, so for instance...
0:22:10 > 0:22:15When I'm on my skates, I've been able to, through meditation
0:22:15 > 0:22:18and mind over matter, connect the fact that when
0:22:18 > 0:22:20I'm on skates I don't tic.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24- So whenever I wear my skates, I know I never tic.- At all.- At all.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26Same with when I'm drumming.
0:22:26 > 0:22:31I'm able to have total relief when I'm doing those activities.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33How long did it take you to get to this stage with the skates?
0:22:33 > 0:22:39This is out of... I didn't expect you to be completely ticless.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42I tell you what, it's nice. It's nice.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45When you see me off my skates, at home or something,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48you'll probably be shocked at the difference.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50You really probably will be shocked.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54And if I say anything, I don't mean it offensively.
0:22:54 > 0:22:55Yeah.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59A lot of people get the thought that what you're saying in your head
0:22:59 > 0:23:02is what your tics say but it's never the same.
0:23:02 > 0:23:03Never the same.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07I occasionally... If I see a girl I like, my tic will go, "Nice arse!"
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Something like that.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13That can be embarrassing, but aside from little things like that,
0:23:13 > 0:23:17if I was to shout "flying asparagus," which is one I have,
0:23:17 > 0:23:19totally random, but, you know.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22I'm not thinking it. It comes from nowhere.
0:23:22 > 0:23:23Let me get this right.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27- When you take these off, things might dramatically change.- Yes.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30- Is it literary that instant, the minute they come off?- Yes.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33- You fall back into it? - As soon as I take that one off,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36you'll get the full force of my Tourette's in your face.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39- Hopefully not in my face. - No, not like that.- I need that.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43Are you serious? So literally when they come off, everything changes.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47Yeah. It's a psychological trigger so it doesn't work that well when I've got them off.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Do you feel like a massive sort of anticipation whenever it gets there?
0:23:50 > 0:23:53I get nervous. As you can see I'm delaying taking that one off
0:23:53 > 0:23:57because as soon as I take off my skate or I stop drumming
0:23:57 > 0:24:00or something, I could walk out and put my fist through a wall
0:24:00 > 0:24:01or something like that.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Here we go.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09But basically... I get off stage and... Ooh!
0:24:09 > 0:24:13I start hitting people, ticing at them. Ooh!
0:24:14 > 0:24:18- See what I mean?- When you said they were loud, you weren't kidding.
0:24:18 > 0:24:19And then...
0:24:21 > 0:24:27..I can...get nervous because of people's reactions.
0:24:27 > 0:24:28And then...
0:24:28 > 0:24:30Flying asparagus! See?
0:24:30 > 0:24:32That one's random.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37And then tics get worse, I get more stressed and it builds up and up,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40one potato, two potato.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43The next thing you know, I can't stop screeching.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45- Yeah.- Or doing that.
0:24:45 > 0:24:46'I'm really blown away
0:24:46 > 0:24:49'by the change in Greg when he takes his skates off.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53'I had no idea it tics can be controlled in that way.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59'Greg has invited me back home where he lives with his mum, Kim,
0:24:59 > 0:25:00'and his dad, Paul.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03'They show me some video of Greg when he was younger.'
0:25:05 > 0:25:07HE SCREECHES
0:25:07 > 0:25:12- So this is from... How long ago was this?- I was eight.
0:25:15 > 0:25:16HE SCREECHES
0:25:17 > 0:25:20It started with a cough, a persistent cough
0:25:20 > 0:25:23that wouldn't go, so it was the usual trips to the doctors.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Is it asthma?
0:25:25 > 0:25:30We started to know the eye tics and the rolling at home but we found out
0:25:30 > 0:25:33later that he had been doing the squeaks and twitches at school.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42The video diary was how we put together...
0:25:42 > 0:25:45HE YELPS
0:25:45 > 0:25:47..the evidence to be able to show that it did exist
0:25:47 > 0:25:49because as soon as you go to the doctor, it goes.
0:25:49 > 0:25:54It's just not helping! Please help me!
0:25:54 > 0:25:56I've spent the entire day with Greg
0:25:56 > 0:26:01and you've ticed more in the last 30 seconds then you have all day.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03- Why is that?- It's that!
0:26:03 > 0:26:05Is it looking back at yourself?
0:26:05 > 0:26:07It's not exactly pleasant.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10What is it about looking at yourself at that age that makes you tic so much?
0:26:10 > 0:26:13- It's... Ng, ng! It was bad. - Then?
0:26:13 > 0:26:15Yeah. Really bad times.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18And just everything I went through was horrible
0:26:18 > 0:26:24so it's like bad memories, bad stress, immediately tics.
0:26:26 > 0:26:27Turn your face away.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29HE BLOWS A RASPBERRY
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Yeah.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41'Meeting Greg's family and seeing the video has made me realise
0:26:41 > 0:26:44'why skating is so important to him.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47'Apparently, drumming has the same effect.'
0:26:49 > 0:26:51Obviously apart from learning about Tourette's,
0:26:51 > 0:26:55one of the things we're trying to do is find people with a musical talent
0:26:55 > 0:26:57and as well as that, give them an arena to display it in.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01If he's a really good drummer... I see drummers as being the spine.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06They're the backbone of any band. I love a funky drummer. So...
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Yeah, fingers crossed he's good and if he's better than good,
0:27:09 > 0:27:13he could be an amazing addition to a great line-up of people.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34'I can't believe he's only been playing for three years.
0:27:34 > 0:27:35'He's really good.'
0:27:46 > 0:27:47Woo!
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Yeah!
0:27:55 > 0:27:57- All right?!- Go on, Greg!
0:27:57 > 0:27:59One more time! I'm only joking.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02What is it about drums that you think calms you down so much
0:28:02 > 0:28:04and makes you enjoy it as much as you do?
0:28:06 > 0:28:09It's more complicated than people think, you've got a lot more
0:28:09 > 0:28:11to think about and then you can beat the hell out of it.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14If you have some anger, it's just... aargh!
0:28:15 > 0:28:17Is that what it is for you?
0:28:17 > 0:28:21When your mind is active, it takes you away from all the other stuff.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23Yeah. As you can see, I've stopped playing now...
0:28:23 > 0:28:26Exactly, and it's gone quiet which hasn't helped.
0:28:26 > 0:28:27Hi, guys.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31# Born again
0:28:31 > 0:28:33# Born again
0:28:36 > 0:28:39# One day I know I feel... #
0:28:40 > 0:28:42It goes without saying, we've got a drummer now.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45This is an awesome sort of part of the band
0:28:45 > 0:28:48that we're putting together.
0:28:50 > 0:28:56In reality, getting a drummer that good at that age is quite hard
0:28:56 > 0:29:01to find, let alone finding one who has such an amazing story as well.
0:29:01 > 0:29:02And it's great.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05It's great to be able to do something like this for him
0:29:05 > 0:29:07and give him something to look forward to, as well as that
0:29:07 > 0:29:09something awesome to be a part of.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12# Moving on... #
0:29:12 > 0:29:15'In less than 10 weeks, this studio will be transformed
0:29:15 > 0:29:20'into the venue for our live event in front of hundreds of people.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22'I've travelled back to London to meet the voice coach
0:29:22 > 0:29:24'and musical director for our show.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31'Jo Price has coached members of Take That and the Spice Girls.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34'Chris Egan has worked with Annie Lennox and Lady Gaga.'
0:29:34 > 0:29:37One thing I should probably warn you about...
0:29:38 > 0:29:39OK! Here we go!
0:29:39 > 0:29:44Is that if you have any insecurities or any issues with anything
0:29:44 > 0:29:49you're wearing, or however you look, put it out the window now.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52There's going to be a big ginger thing going on, isn't there? Yeah.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54- I'm ready for that. - I don't think you are!
0:29:56 > 0:29:59I really don't think you've prepared yourself, so just get ready.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07I'm excited I found three musicians with real potential
0:30:07 > 0:30:10and I feel like the show is starting to come together.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13# Tell me how you feel... #
0:30:13 > 0:30:17No matter how much their music helps their tics, I can't ignore
0:30:17 > 0:30:20the fact that Tourette's makes their everyday lives difficult.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22I need to learn more about how they cope with it
0:30:22 > 0:30:26and I'm wondering how they deal with friendships and relationships.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32I go to meet Ruth and a group of her old university friends.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39- Hello.- Hello. - Hello, how are you doing? Reggie.
0:30:39 > 0:30:44- Reg, nice to meet you.- Freddie. - Hello.- Wedge!- How are you doing?
0:30:44 > 0:30:46- All right. Take a seat. - Ruth has renamed me.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50So you guys used to hang out socially while...
0:30:50 > 0:30:53- Jesus was a nigger! - ..whilst you were at university.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56I'm used to that one now. I think I've heard them all.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59When we went out in Camden, I think you got every single tic
0:30:59 > 0:31:01you've ever done out of you your system. Right?
0:31:01 > 0:31:04You guys are Ruth's friends. You know her well.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08How do you take it when she says racially offensive things?
0:31:08 > 0:31:10- Just kind of...- They smile.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14Yeah, we smile at her like it's just like we know she can't help it.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Makes it seem like it's not a big deal.
0:31:17 > 0:31:24- If there's some slight I guess unsureness...- Tickle him!
0:31:24 > 0:31:26Tickle him!
0:31:26 > 0:31:28Ruth's confidence a little, it...
0:31:28 > 0:31:30Tickle him!
0:31:30 > 0:31:32Can you just tickle him, please?
0:31:32 > 0:31:34She's not going to stop until you tickle him!
0:31:34 > 0:31:36You've been friends for quite a while now.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38What do you get for the friendship?
0:31:38 > 0:31:42There's a lot of stuff being thrown at you all the time,
0:31:42 > 0:31:43in terms of insults.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47You say you get to the point where you don't really hear them any more.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50So when you sort of discount that, how does the friendship actually work?
0:31:50 > 0:31:54- You have to help me to try and understand because there's a lot to get your head around.- Peroxide!
0:31:54 > 0:31:57I don't know. We always have a good time.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Ruth is very easy to chat to, to have a laugh with
0:32:01 > 0:32:04and Ruth is open and we chat away.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07Spread open. Legs open!
0:32:07 > 0:32:10That's not what I meant, but...!
0:32:14 > 0:32:17You've spoken in the past, Ruth, about there being tough times
0:32:17 > 0:32:21and moments where you found it a little bit difficult.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25How are you getting on with that whole partner side of things and relationships?
0:32:25 > 0:32:28- You're single at the moment, right? - All right, yeah!
0:32:28 > 0:32:29THEY LAUGH
0:32:29 > 0:32:31Ruth, I'm in the same boat, mate.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33I'm not one to throw sand, don't worry about it.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35So, if you're single at the moment, as a group of friends,
0:32:35 > 0:32:38I'd imagine you go out and maybe sometimes be on the pull.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40How does that work?
0:32:40 > 0:32:43- Has Ruth ever pointed out a guy that she fancies and...- Umm...
0:32:43 > 0:32:46Yeah but they don't approach me and I don't approach them so it's the end of it.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50That's not because you've got Tourette's. That's just how things are sometimes.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56Do you think it's something that she uses as an excuse not to meet people, not to talk to people?
0:32:56 > 0:32:59I can't be bothered to walk down the road with someone who's got
0:32:59 > 0:33:01a bigger issue with it, do you know what I mean?
0:33:01 > 0:33:05That's the first time I think I've seen her not be as confident.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08When it comes to her talking about guys, she suddenly goes
0:33:08 > 0:33:12within herself and almost is a bit defeatist and believes...
0:33:12 > 0:33:15I mean, you get the impression she believes
0:33:15 > 0:33:17she doesn't think anyone is going to want her.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19See you, guys!
0:33:19 > 0:33:20Bitch!
0:33:20 > 0:33:24'Ruth made me realise the important role confidence plays in relationships
0:33:24 > 0:33:27'and that's something I really hope the musical event can help with.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34'I wonder how Greg deals with it.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38'When I was 18, getting a girlfriend was one of the biggest things on my mind.'
0:33:40 > 0:33:43I swear my cymbal bag gets heavier and heavier each day.
0:33:46 > 0:33:47Right then, here we go.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49Welcome to my bedroom.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54Mate, you've got a proper cool bedroom going on here.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58Little bit jealous of this. It's awesome. But you're 18 now, right?
0:33:58 > 0:33:59Yeah. So how about girls?
0:33:59 > 0:34:02What happens with you and meeting new girls and stuff?
0:34:02 > 0:34:05- I mean I haven't even asked you, do you have a girlfriend?- No, I don't.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07And what about meeting girls then? How do you find that?
0:34:09 > 0:34:13When you walk up to someone, you go, "Hi, how are you? Bah!"
0:34:13 > 0:34:16In their face... It's quite... "Sorry, I have Tourette's."
0:34:16 > 0:34:19It's not the best chat up line in the world, is it?
0:34:19 > 0:34:22"Hi, do you want a drink? I'm going to split all over you."
0:34:22 > 0:34:24Do you find you get more nervous around girls that you fancy
0:34:24 > 0:34:27- that you're attracted to?- Yes.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30- And you tic more around them? - Yeah. It's like anybody.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33If you went up to... I don't know if you're in a relationship or not.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35But if you went up to someone you really liked,
0:34:35 > 0:34:39you get butterflies in your stomach and that turns into tics.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42It's like a greaseproof sheet of paper.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45Everybody sees the greaseproof piece of paper which is blurred
0:34:45 > 0:34:49but not the person behind and I feel by doing my drumming
0:34:49 > 0:34:52and skating, they see me, not the Tourette's.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55Can you play bongo?
0:34:58 > 0:34:59Yeah, all right.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03Oh, piss off!
0:35:09 > 0:35:12Ga-ga-g-ag-ga-ga-ga-ga!
0:35:12 > 0:35:15OK, well, look. When we get to London, I think you being involved
0:35:15 > 0:35:18with what we're planning could be incredible and you potentially
0:35:18 > 0:35:22playing with some of the other guys I'm meeting could be awesome.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25- Would you be up for that? - I would jump at the chance.- Perfect.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32# You won't find him drinking under tables... #
0:35:32 > 0:35:35It's interesting to hear Greg say that when he's drumming,
0:35:35 > 0:35:40he gains confidence and people see the real him, behind the Tourette's.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48I know that Steve, our singer and guitarist, has a girlfriend.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51I would love to know how Tourette's affects their relationship.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53SHE LAUGHS
0:35:54 > 0:35:57Hello. Hello, morning. Hello, guys.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00- All right?- Hello.- Hello.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04I take it this is the girlfriend we've heard loads about. Hello.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06- Reggie, lovely to meet you. What's your name?- Iona.- Hello, Iona.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08Lovely to meet you.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10- How are you doing, fella? Are you all right?- I'm Steve.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13"I'm Steve!" What you introducing yourself for? You all right?
0:36:13 > 0:36:15- Tit wank. Yeah, good. You? - Very good, thank you.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17Very good. Thank you very much. I'm liking the hat.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19You're looking a bit flash this morning.
0:36:19 > 0:36:23How did your friends react the first time you brought Steve round?
0:36:23 > 0:36:25- Everyone knew Steve before I did. - Cunts!- Right.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28I don't know how I was the last person to meet him, to be honest.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32- Everyone knows him.- Yeah. - Pan fry the cunt.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35So you're making breakfast now, are you? What are you making today?
0:36:35 > 0:36:38I'm making toast. Right. And some scrambled.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41OK. Did you know much about Tourette's before you met him?
0:36:41 > 0:36:43No, I had never met anyone with Tourette's.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45I'd never seen it before.
0:36:47 > 0:36:49No, never come across anyone.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51"Oh, this is different. Let's try this!"
0:36:51 > 0:36:54THEY LAUGH
0:36:54 > 0:36:57Tell us a bit about this name you've got for your Tourette's then.
0:36:57 > 0:37:01I went to France and it's like, it was called...
0:37:03 > 0:37:07Like "tu veux", in French, like you want something.
0:37:07 > 0:37:08So you're like, "Oh, tu veux."
0:37:08 > 0:37:10I was like, "Tu veux, tu veux!"
0:37:10 > 0:37:13Touretting all the time in France.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17And it just stuck for ages and when I came back from France,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20I was making my breakfast like this and I was frying a pan of eggs
0:37:20 > 0:37:22like this and I just fucking went, "Tu veux, egg veux."
0:37:22 > 0:37:24And lobbed all the eggs behind me.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27They went flying across the kitchen, right?
0:37:27 > 0:37:32Since that day, "Egg Veux" has been coming out like crazy. It's just been..
0:37:32 > 0:37:35You see Egg Veux as another personality?
0:37:35 > 0:37:38Yeah, he's like my alter ego.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41It's like, it's kind of like instead of calling it Tourette's,
0:37:41 > 0:37:44I call it Egg Veux.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46So it's like it doesn't...
0:37:46 > 0:37:48It doesn't sound as serious.
0:37:48 > 0:37:49He's my little friend.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Butter that bread. Fatty cunt.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54You said that your Tourette's has changed over the years
0:37:54 > 0:37:57and in the last few years, it's increased a bit.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59Has it got really serious recently?
0:37:59 > 0:38:00It's got a lot worse...
0:38:02 > 0:38:03Look out!
0:38:03 > 0:38:06It's got a lot worse.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Fuck, just took in loads more.
0:38:09 > 0:38:10Um...
0:38:13 > 0:38:14Sorry, what was I saying?
0:38:14 > 0:38:16Mate, I don't even want to talk to you right now.
0:38:16 > 0:38:21- I want you to concentrate.- Yeah! - Because I'm crapping myself.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23You've got a knife in your hand. Oh, my God!
0:38:23 > 0:38:26Can I just butter the bread for you?
0:38:27 > 0:38:30How do you stand and watch him butter bread when he's got a knife?! Oh, my God.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33That's nothing. You should see him with a sharp knife.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36- You cunt, you cunt, you cunt. - He can't get himself out of it.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Whoa!
0:38:38 > 0:38:41She is actually quite fit! He has done really well!
0:38:41 > 0:38:45He has got himself a lovely girlfriend and they clearly get on.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48And he has managed to maintain a relationship for about a year.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50Which is more than can be said for me and most of my mates.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53So it is really impressive to see that.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56But he is almost at a crossroads now.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59He wants to go on and take control of his life in its entirety.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02At 25 you're thinking about living with your girlfriend
0:39:02 > 0:39:04and maybe even a couple years down the line
0:39:04 > 0:39:06starting a family of your own.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09And it almost feels as if, as much as it feels horrible to say,
0:39:09 > 0:39:11his Tourette's has got in the way of that.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14In the eye, fuck off, fuck off.
0:39:14 > 0:39:19Yeah. It's... Oh! Mum, hoover.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22One of the ways Steve is able to earn money
0:39:22 > 0:39:25is to perform in local pubs and bars.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28I have only heard him sing in private
0:39:28 > 0:39:31so I don't know how he will cope in front of a crowd,
0:39:31 > 0:39:35or whether Egg Veux will make an appearance.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38One, two. HE SNORTS
0:39:38 > 0:39:41Oh, there he is! There he is!
0:39:41 > 0:39:42HE SNORTS
0:39:42 > 0:39:44Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48Welcome. Hi, Reg. HE SNORTS
0:39:48 > 0:39:50Oh, there he is.
0:39:57 > 0:40:03# The long city blows Down the cold dark streets tonight
0:40:03 > 0:40:08# And the children they were dancing To the music vibe
0:40:09 > 0:40:12# And you're singing the songs Thinking this is the life
0:40:12 > 0:40:16# Wake up in the morning And your head feels twice its size
0:40:16 > 0:40:20# Where you gonna go Where you gonna sleep tonight?
0:40:21 > 0:40:24# And she's singing the songs Thinking this is the life
0:40:24 > 0:40:27# Wake up in the morning And your head feels twice its size
0:40:27 > 0:40:31# Where you gonna go Where you gonna sleep tonight? #
0:40:31 > 0:40:34I hate myself for saying this, and I will probably deny this at a later date,
0:40:34 > 0:40:37but, when he was playing the piano and singing,
0:40:37 > 0:40:40I found myself getting a little bit emotional.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42Because I have heard him sing before
0:40:42 > 0:40:45but just the room and the fact that there is an audience,
0:40:45 > 0:40:51and, I think, more than anything, the fact that he caught everyone.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54There was a few people definitely caught by surprise.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57He was ticing a lot, us being there didn't help,
0:40:57 > 0:40:59it definitely set him off, and his nerves were present,
0:40:59 > 0:41:02but, the room went silent.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06That is always magical in a gig situation anyway.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08But seeing someone like Steve able to grab an audience
0:41:08 > 0:41:11in the way that he did was amazing.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14And then, when you throw in an amazing voice,
0:41:14 > 0:41:18it made for a really special moment, and it definitely got me.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26Cheers. Thank you very much. CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:41:26 > 0:41:29With Steve being able to play the piano and guitar,
0:41:29 > 0:41:31Greg's drumming, and Ruth's voice,
0:41:31 > 0:41:34I have got the beginnings of a great lineup.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38But I am still on the hunt for more performers
0:41:38 > 0:41:41and I have heard about a couple of really talented teenagers.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46Schoolboy Jake is 15.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50He was diagnosed with tourette's syndrome two years ago.
0:41:55 > 0:42:00Emily is also 15 and has been living with Tourette's since she was two.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03Her tics are mainly physical,
0:42:03 > 0:42:05from facial twitches to uncontrollable collapsing.
0:42:12 > 0:42:1615 is a bit of an interesting age. I know what I was like at 15.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20Everything's sort of changing and to have Tourette's at that age
0:42:20 > 0:42:25should throw up some really interesting situations and issues.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36- Hello.- Hiya.- How are you doing? Are you Jake's parents?- I am, yes.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39- I am Danny.- Hello, Reggie, lovely to meet you, Danny.- Judy.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43- Nice to meet you. Come on in.- Yes, sure.
0:42:49 > 0:42:55# I'm gonna to pick up the pieces And build a Lego house
0:42:55 > 0:42:58# If things go wrong we can knock it down... #
0:42:58 > 0:43:01I find it really hard to tell myself,
0:43:01 > 0:43:05"It's your Tourette's, you can't help it."
0:43:05 > 0:43:08I get thinking, "Well, I must be able to help it." But I just couldn't.
0:43:08 > 0:43:11# It's all for you... #
0:43:11 > 0:43:15- I do care what people think. - Why do you think you care so much?
0:43:15 > 0:43:20Cos I don't want to be known as the kid who has got a problem.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22I just want to be known as the kid that, you know,
0:43:22 > 0:43:26has got something wrong with him, but he just gets on with it.
0:43:26 > 0:43:29# If you're broken Now I'll mend you
0:43:29 > 0:43:33# I'll keep you sheltered from the storm that's raging on now... #
0:43:33 > 0:43:37Jake has mastered the art of suppressing his tics at school.
0:43:37 > 0:43:39Most of the time he can go all day.
0:43:39 > 0:43:41But then he comes home from school
0:43:41 > 0:43:43and obviously he has to release those tics.
0:43:43 > 0:43:45What happens when he releases them?
0:43:45 > 0:43:48It is like fireworks night. He goes off like a rocket.
0:43:48 > 0:43:51# And out of all these things I've done... #
0:43:51 > 0:43:55Clearly Jake is not as far down the line in coping with his Tourette's as the others.
0:43:55 > 0:43:57But he's got a good pop voice
0:43:57 > 0:43:59that we could definitely do something with
0:43:59 > 0:44:02and I really want him for my show.
0:44:02 > 0:44:05Nice work. Very nicely done. Very nicely done.
0:44:05 > 0:44:07You have got a really sweet voice. Nice work, sir.
0:44:07 > 0:44:10If you had an option to sing anything you want on our show,
0:44:10 > 0:44:12what sort of thing do you think you would sing?
0:44:12 > 0:44:15- Something pop?- I would love to sing an Ed Sheeran song.- Yes.
0:44:15 > 0:44:17I would really like to sing one of them.
0:44:17 > 0:44:20OK, I think we could do something pretty cool. Nice.
0:44:21 > 0:44:23Hello.
0:44:23 > 0:44:25'Next I am catching up with our other 15-year-old, Emily.
0:44:25 > 0:44:29'She has come along with her mum, Bridget, to sing for me.'
0:44:31 > 0:44:35# Over the sea and faraway
0:44:35 > 0:44:41# She is waiting like an iceberg Waiting to change... #
0:44:41 > 0:44:47(Oh! She's good! Really good!)
0:44:50 > 0:44:54I have that, like, kind of throat vocal tic.
0:44:54 > 0:44:56I kind of roll my shoulder a lot, when I can.
0:44:56 > 0:44:58What do you do to your shoulder?
0:44:58 > 0:45:01I roll it. It is really annoying. It hurts as well.
0:45:01 > 0:45:06# And the fire fades away Most of every day... #
0:45:06 > 0:45:10She has never been a particularly confident person.
0:45:10 > 0:45:12She has gone over and over what she thinks is going to happen
0:45:12 > 0:45:16and she is desperately worried about how people perceive her,
0:45:16 > 0:45:18how they are going to behave with her.
0:45:18 > 0:45:21Will they like her? That is her biggest thing. "Will they like me?"
0:45:21 > 0:45:25# You're close enough to see that
0:45:25 > 0:45:33# You're on the other side of the world to me. #
0:45:33 > 0:45:35Good. OK, you were worried about that...
0:45:35 > 0:45:37I just want to give her a hug.
0:45:37 > 0:45:42That was beautiful. She is a bit nervous. But she is bloody good. 15!
0:45:44 > 0:45:46She's really good. I like her.
0:45:49 > 0:45:52Emily and Jake are really promising.
0:45:52 > 0:45:54I think we could do a lot with their voices
0:45:54 > 0:45:57but their lack of confidence is a real worry.
0:45:57 > 0:45:59I thought my line-up was complete
0:45:59 > 0:46:03but I have heard about a 17-year-old student called Tom
0:46:03 > 0:46:05who I think would bring a very different dimension to the show.
0:46:07 > 0:46:10Quite full on, but that's nice.
0:46:21 > 0:46:25I wear suits that are like, what the sort of stuff Michael Buble wears.
0:46:25 > 0:46:29Obviously I like the little lapel down there.
0:46:29 > 0:46:33That's quite showbiz-y and sort of crooner style. But...
0:46:33 > 0:46:36I always wear grey and sort of the same stuff that Michael Buble
0:46:36 > 0:46:38wears when he is performing.
0:46:38 > 0:46:40Cos it makes me feel more like him.
0:46:50 > 0:46:53# How lucky can one guy be?
0:46:53 > 0:46:57# I kissed her and she kissed me
0:46:57 > 0:46:59# Like the fellow once said
0:46:59 > 0:47:03# Ain't that a kick in the head?
0:47:07 > 0:47:10# Like this sailor said, quote,
0:47:10 > 0:47:13# Ain't that a kick in the head?
0:47:13 > 0:47:16# My head keeps spinning
0:47:16 > 0:47:20# I go to sleep I keep grinning
0:47:20 > 0:47:23# If this is just the beginning...
0:47:23 > 0:47:27'Tom has a great voice but I am not sure about his music choice.'
0:47:29 > 0:47:33# There is sunshine enough to spread
0:47:33 > 0:47:36# It's just like the fellow said
0:47:36 > 0:47:37# Tell me quick
0:47:37 > 0:47:44# Ain't that a kick in the head? #
0:47:46 > 0:47:48APPLAUSE
0:47:51 > 0:47:55Sorry to interrupt, sorry, guys. Tom, right? Lovely to meet you.
0:47:55 > 0:47:59- That was amazing.- Thank you very much.- That was incredible.
0:47:59 > 0:48:02- How long have you been singing for? - For five or six years.
0:48:02 > 0:48:06- Since I was about 12 I have been doing swing and jazz music. - Why specifically that?
0:48:06 > 0:48:09- That is kind of a mature sound for someone like you.- I know.
0:48:09 > 0:48:13I watched Michael Buble, and Robbie Williams when he did Swing When You're Winning at the Albert Hall.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16- Yeah.- I just fell in love with the music.- What do you guys think of Tom?
0:48:16 > 0:48:20He's good, isn't he? He knows what he is doing.
0:48:20 > 0:48:21You have got some fans, mate.
0:48:21 > 0:48:24How long do you give yourself before you become professional?
0:48:24 > 0:48:26I would like to think...
0:48:26 > 0:48:29I have been doing it for five years, I suppose, for five years,
0:48:29 > 0:48:34but then, I suppose, in ten years I would like to be a global superstar.
0:48:41 > 0:48:44I am really happy my line-up is finally complete.
0:48:44 > 0:48:47I have now got eight weeks until the live show.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50I have arranged for all six of my performers to come to London
0:48:50 > 0:48:53and meet each other for the first time.
0:48:58 > 0:49:01I am just excited to meet people, really.
0:49:01 > 0:49:05Because I have not really met anyone with it before. It is going to be...
0:49:05 > 0:49:08I think there will be a mixture of things. Anxiety.
0:49:08 > 0:49:10I'm probably more anxious than worried, I guess.
0:49:15 > 0:49:17When you meet new people with Tourette's,
0:49:17 > 0:49:22it is always quite interesting to see how your Tourette's interacts with theirs.
0:49:22 > 0:49:27Because we set each other off. If one person tics, it always sets of the other person with Tourette's.
0:49:27 > 0:49:31You know, if there is six of us or so... Whoa!
0:49:33 > 0:49:38It is going to be quite loud at points. It may be quite, you know...
0:49:38 > 0:49:40It could be quite nerve wracking sometimes.
0:49:40 > 0:49:45Uh-uh. Chicken! But... Ah!
0:49:49 > 0:49:51As well as meeting each other
0:49:51 > 0:49:54they will be meeting their musical director, Chris,
0:49:54 > 0:49:56and their vocal coach, Jo.
0:49:56 > 0:49:58I have not ever met anyone with Tourette's before.
0:49:58 > 0:50:00So it is a complete unknown for me.
0:50:00 > 0:50:04So all you can do is just take it as it comes and, you know,
0:50:04 > 0:50:07I am sure it is a lot worse for them than it is for me.
0:50:07 > 0:50:10My insecurities, I think I need to just put them...
0:50:10 > 0:50:14I think I need to leave them all at home today! We will see.
0:50:14 > 0:50:16I think I am prepared.
0:50:16 > 0:50:19But, you know what? I just want to get on with it now.
0:50:19 > 0:50:21I will let you know in a few hours time.
0:50:21 > 0:50:24I am a little nervous about today.
0:50:24 > 0:50:27Especially seeing how apprehensive and scared Jo and Chris are.
0:50:27 > 0:50:29Obviously they do not know what to expect
0:50:29 > 0:50:32because they have not met anyone or really seen anyone perform.
0:50:32 > 0:50:36So their nerves are understandable.
0:50:36 > 0:50:39But I am a little concerned that I am giving them
0:50:39 > 0:50:41a bit of a baptism of fire.
0:50:41 > 0:50:45ALL SHRIEK AND SHOUT
0:50:48 > 0:50:52Wooh! Wooh!
0:50:52 > 0:50:55Would it be safe to say that you are setting each other's tics off, just a little bit?
0:50:55 > 0:50:59Just a little bit!
0:50:59 > 0:51:02The hat! Man down! Sorry!
0:51:03 > 0:51:05Steve, you are dying right now,
0:51:05 > 0:51:09because you have never met a group of people with Tourette's, have you?
0:51:09 > 0:51:13- Really?- I am just trying to get my head around it at the moment.
0:51:13 > 0:51:15It is a bit... I really like it.
0:51:15 > 0:51:19I want to be in a family, or living in a house together or something!
0:51:19 > 0:51:24- Have kids, mate!- I'm pregnant!
0:51:26 > 0:51:29Emily is suddenly confessing loads!
0:51:29 > 0:51:34- All right, let's push on, let's keep going.- Onwards!- Thank you!
0:51:34 > 0:51:37This is genuinely the hardest conversation I've ever had in my life.
0:51:37 > 0:51:41- Be professional!- But at the same time, the most amazing.
0:51:41 > 0:51:45This is incredible and... I like to think this is a bit of a baptism of fire for you guys.
0:51:45 > 0:51:50We will see. Oh, my God! Right.
0:51:50 > 0:51:52When I spent a bit of time with all of you
0:51:52 > 0:51:57I got a really good idea of what your tics are like individually.
0:51:57 > 0:52:01But this is a real opportunity for me to see what you are like together.
0:52:01 > 0:52:03And also how your Tourette's affects each other.
0:52:03 > 0:52:05And, as well as that, I think more than anything,
0:52:05 > 0:52:08it is amazing to see you all feel that you don't need to suppress,
0:52:08 > 0:52:12which is really, really special for me.
0:52:12 > 0:52:14And really amazing as well.
0:52:14 > 0:52:18- Now we have basically, in the next eight or so weeks...- Knob jockey!
0:52:18 > 0:52:23..we have got an opportunity to do something amazing and that is to get you on stage
0:52:23 > 0:52:26and to get you to perform in front of around about 500 people.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28Aaaaaaaargh!
0:52:28 > 0:52:31Greg is clearly a little bit scared about that.
0:52:31 > 0:52:34Just meeting people for the first time, with Tourette's has been...
0:52:34 > 0:52:36I don't know if this sounds bad, but I thought it was hilarious.
0:52:36 > 0:52:39I couldn't stop laughing for about an hour and a half. My stomach hurts.
0:52:39 > 0:52:44I have definitely picked up some kind of vocal ones.
0:52:44 > 0:52:48Bi...bi...bi...Itchy witchy! Like that!
0:52:48 > 0:52:51We are going to challenge you. All right?
0:52:51 > 0:52:53- These two people sitting next to me...- Challenge accepted!
0:52:53 > 0:52:57They're incredible when it comes to vocals
0:52:57 > 0:52:59and when it also comes to music.
0:52:59 > 0:53:03Jo is an amazing vocal coach and Chris will be looking after the band.
0:53:03 > 0:53:07I don't know if you guys have been told
0:53:07 > 0:53:09but we have got a live band.
0:53:09 > 0:53:13- Some of London's best musicians, you're going to love them.- Aaaargh!
0:53:13 > 0:53:15- Aaaargh!- And they are going to love you.
0:53:15 > 0:53:19We have got one fantastic drummer, for you, Greg. You'll love him.
0:53:19 > 0:53:23You two need to have a drum battle at some point, we're going to make that work.
0:53:23 > 0:53:27- Sticks!- Then we do live in front of 500 people.- Whoa!
0:53:27 > 0:53:32- You're going to get one go at it. - I want to jump off stage and die!
0:53:32 > 0:53:34You know what? this is going to be a great gig.
0:53:34 > 0:53:37But it is going to need eight weeks of concentrated work.
0:53:37 > 0:53:43Having a bit of a jam. We will see what happens musically.
0:53:43 > 0:53:45But you have got a great gig ahead.
0:53:45 > 0:53:47You know what? After meeting you guys today,
0:53:47 > 0:53:50I am so looking forward to this!
0:53:50 > 0:53:53It is going to be a really cool eight weeks.
0:53:53 > 0:53:57I am just really enthused by the whole thing. I think it is going to be brilliant. Definitely.
0:53:57 > 0:53:59Yeah! Uh...ah...oooh!
0:53:59 > 0:54:02It is nice to be able to be around people
0:54:02 > 0:54:04and not have to suppress my tics.
0:54:04 > 0:54:06HE TICS
0:54:06 > 0:54:08Fuck you!
0:54:09 > 0:54:11You have about four sessions with me.
0:54:11 > 0:54:15The first will be for a couple of hours. We will do vocal exercises.
0:54:15 > 0:54:18- Exercise!- Then I think you're going to sing me
0:54:18 > 0:54:22a couple of tracks that you are really comfortable with.
0:54:22 > 0:54:24So we are going to do that for the first session.
0:54:24 > 0:54:27After that the sessions will be as long or as short as you want them to be, basically.
0:54:27 > 0:54:29It's going to be fucking nuts.
0:54:29 > 0:54:34There is no way to tell what is going to happen.
0:54:34 > 0:54:38Thanks for that reassurance, there!
0:54:38 > 0:54:41Expect the unexpected because you're bound to get it.
0:54:41 > 0:54:44- I think we are already there!- Yeah!
0:54:44 > 0:54:46Crikey! That is what I thought.
0:54:46 > 0:54:49- Crikey!- That wasn't what I was expecting!
0:54:49 > 0:54:51You know what, I don't know what I was expecting,
0:54:51 > 0:54:54but it wasn't that. That was manic!
0:54:54 > 0:54:57- But cool.- They are really cool, actually.- I loved it.
0:54:57 > 0:54:58Yes, so did I.
0:54:58 > 0:55:02I was so scared all morning of what that was going to be like.
0:55:02 > 0:55:05And I thought it was brilliant. They are fabulous.
0:55:05 > 0:55:08- There is so much energy from them. - Yeah.
0:55:08 > 0:55:12- It is mad and bizarre and wonderful all at the same time.- Yes.
0:55:12 > 0:55:16- All at the same time.- I could not describe it any other way.
0:55:16 > 0:55:19To say that I am anxious would be a massive understatement.
0:55:19 > 0:55:23Because I think in their personal lives they have got to a point where
0:55:23 > 0:55:26they are used to dealing with Tourette's
0:55:26 > 0:55:29and are able to function without it getting massively in the way.
0:55:29 > 0:55:33And if it does get in the way, they have dealt with it.
0:55:33 > 0:55:36We are now setting them a challenge and asking them to do something
0:55:36 > 0:55:42and push themselves, and how much how they learn, how good they get,
0:55:42 > 0:55:44how much they progress,
0:55:44 > 0:55:47and how much they interact with the people that can help them
0:55:47 > 0:55:49isn't going to be determined by them,
0:55:49 > 0:55:52it is going to be determined by their Tourette's.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55Next time: rehearsals began.
0:55:55 > 0:55:58- They are all Michael Buble songs.- Not all of them.
0:55:58 > 0:56:01Their passion for music is put to the test.
0:56:01 > 0:56:06- Are you not happy, Jo?- No. - You're not?- No, I am not. - It can get better!
0:56:06 > 0:56:08Come on, Jo. Don't make them feel awful!
0:56:08 > 0:56:10It is going to get there though, right?
0:56:10 > 0:56:13But celebrity support arrives in the nick of time.
0:56:13 > 0:56:16Good to see you, Ed.
0:56:16 > 0:56:19The stage is set. But can they pull of the performance of a lifetime?
0:56:19 > 0:56:23This has been a long time coming. I've not been able to do it before.
0:56:23 > 0:56:26Tourette's has gotten in the way.
0:56:26 > 0:56:29Now I just really want to show people what I can actually do.
0:56:34 > 0:56:38Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd