Episode 3 Tourettes: Let Me Entertain You

12 weeks ago, I set out to find six young people with Tourette syndrome

who could take their musical aspirations to the next level.

What I did not expect to find was the level of talent, creativity and dedication

that will definitely inspire you tonight.

-Reggie!

-Reggie Yates...

-On BBC Radio 1.

I present the Official Chart on Radio 1 and host TV talent shows.

Number 15 is just around the corner. We are getting closer and closer.

But now I've taken on something completely different.

Condoms, syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia.

Petrol bomb.

Wankers.

I wanted to put together an event to showcase young people with Tourettes who have raw musical ability.

Reggie has a wedgie!

But it's been no ordinary journey.

All the performers tonight live with constant physical and verbal tics.

Hello!

# There's no combination of words I could put on the back of a postcard... #

But music has an extraordinary effect on their lives.

And I was surprised to discover that when they perform their tics completely disappear.

# ..It's always better when we're together... #

SHE SINGS A SCALE

For the past eight weeks, vocal coach Jo Price has put them through hours of intensive musical training.

Only when they all came together did I realise the enormity of the task I'd set myself.

Out the door, go.

To say I'm anxious is a massive understatement.

Shut up!

But music is their passion and hopefully tonight will be the greatest performance of their lives.

APPLAUSE

Now for those of you that don't know much about Tourettes, it can be quite confusing.

There are more than 300,000 people in the UK currently diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome.

HE SCREAMS

Now, there's a huge amount of misconception when it comes to Tourettes,

and part of the goal is to break down that stigma.

HE SHOUTS

Talent over Tourettes, you could say.

But enough of me, let's get the music started and, more importantly, meet the performers.

First up, Jake Ryall with hair fit for a pop star and a voice that isn't half bad too.

Right, let's go.

Jake is 15.

He was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome two years ago.

I do spend quite a lot of time in the house.

I don't always want to go out because of my Tourettes,

if it's bad on a certain day then I feel, like,

I don't want to go out and start ticking in front of everyone.

When I'm in school, I have to sit inside a classroom all day

and try to make it look like I'm not different to everyone else,

I just want to be not the same as everyone else,

cos I know I'm never going to be the same as everyone else,

but I don't want everyone judging me.

Jake lives in Bristol with his dad Danny and mum Julie.

Most of his friends at school probably don't ever see him tic.

But then he comes home from school and obviously he has to release those tics.

And what happens when he releases them?

It's like fireworks night.

Fuck you.

What's happened to your hand?

Tourettes. Punched a wall a couple of times.

You're kidding me!

Wow, OK.

I don't want to be known as the kid who's got a problem,

I just want to be known as a kid who, yeah, has got something wrong with him,

but he just does... he gets on with it.

This is Two Door Cinema Club's What You Know.

Please put your hands together for Jake!

# In a few weeks I will get time

# To realise it's right before my eyes

# And I can take it

# If it's what I want to do

# I am leaving, this is starting

# To feel like it's right before my eyes

# And I can taste it

# It's my sweet beginning

# And I can tell just what you want

# You don't want to be alone

# You don't want to be alone

# And I can't say it's what you know

# But you've known it the whole time... #

It's amazing. If you walked into the studio now,

you'd never know Jake had Tourette syndrome and there's no sign of any nerves!

Right, what's the time?

I'm hoping the same will go for 15-year-old old Emilly who's waiting backstage to go on next!

Mum, Mum, 12 minutes past what did they want me?

-They're running slightly behind...

-I am calm!

-Calm, calm!

I can't even lay down. I'll ruin my hair.

# ..But you've known it the whole time

# Yeah, you've known it the whole time... #

-You all right?

-Yeah, I'm just stressed out!

Emilly's lack of confidence has dogged her ever since she first sang to me eight weeks ago!

# Over the sea and far away she's waiting... #

She's a bit nervous, but she's bloody good for 15!

You ready?

Come on! It's only us, love, it's only us!

From the very beginning of her sessions with musical director Chris Egan and vocal coach Jo Price,

Emilly struggled.

# I get tired... # I'm sorry.

And with the live show less than a month away, she still couldn't make it through a whole song.

-I don't know, I just don't enjoy it!

-Do you want to take a minute?

-I'm sweating!

-OK. We have a wobble.

-I'm officially sweating.

It's nerves and it's coming up and it's properly interfering.

I do believe that in front of an audience she will do it, but is that good enough for you guys to go with?

Have we actually seen her nail it yet?

The only problem for us is that we have no way of knowing that until show day.

One, two, three, four!

# And I can tell just what you want

# You don't want to be alone... #

We're ready to go now, Emilly and Mum and Dad.

Let's do it! Are you ready?

Let's go! Come on, Emilly, let's go.

-Yeah, I'm coming!

-Put the phone down!

-After you.

-Oh, God!

# ..And I can't say it's what you know

# But you've known it the whole time

# Yeah, you've known it the whole time. #

Give your mum and dad a hug!

Jake's got the show off to a cracking start.

It's great to see his confidence sky high.

-Fuck off, did you!

-You didn't get your voice from me!

Let's hope our next performer will leave her nerves in the dressing room too!

Where've your shoes gone?! Where are they?

-Is this a new look you're trying out?

-Yeah!

OK. Please welcome on stage our youngest performer tonight.

It's the lovely Emilly Carter. Come on!

Now, when I first met Emilly, her nerves before performing were almost paralysing.

But having heard the beauty of her tone and watching her blossom as well,

I cannot wait to see what she's got in store for us tonight.

Emilly was first diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome 11 years ago.

I don't know, a lot of people do know I have it.

And, like, teachers know I have it and stuff, so at school it's fine,

and if I'm out of school, just out and about, people don't really ask,

because they don't want to, they're like embarrassed or a bit freaked out sometimes.

Her tics include involuntary twitching and uncontrollable falling to the ground.

Until the age of 4, Emilly's mum Brigitte didn't know what was wrong with her daughter.

When Emilly was first diagnosed with Tourettes, it was like a great weight had been lifted,

because she'd actually been given a diagnosis.

B-B-B-B-itchy Ritchie..

Whereas the doctors had kept saying she was attention seeking,

but it was quite obvious she wasn't attention seeking.

I-I'm pregnant!

With the live event fast approaching,

Jo had Emilly singing Eliza Doolittle's Pack Up,

but I was still worried that her lack of confidence

would get in the way of her performance, and so I invited Eliza herself along to help.

Do you want to say hello?

-Hello.

-There you go.

Did you for quite a while sort of get really nervous on stage then when you performed?

Yeah, I would totally hide behind my hair, and I'm still trying to get over lots of that,

and trying to just be myself and be happy to be me, you know.

Is there any way you could sort of help Emilly?

I think just knowing that you're good, I think that's just all you need.

Can I just say you look amazing this evening?

Do you want to give us a spin? Go on, show them what you're wearing. You look incredible.

Now a little while ago you got to hang out with Eliza Doolittle herself,

and she said what you're about to perform is absolutely incredible.

Your version of it is fantastic. Are you ready to prove her right?

-Er... Yeah!

-Good!

OK. Can you guys please put your hands together?

Performing Eliza Doolittle's Pack Up is the fantastic Emilly Carter, come on!

# I get tired and upset

# And I'm trying to care a little less

# When I Google, I only get depressed

# I was taught to dodge those issues, I was told

# Don't worry, there's no doubt

# There's always something to cry about

# When you're stuck in an angry crowd

# They don't think what they say before they open their mouth

# Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag

# And bury them beneath the sea

# I don't care what the people may say

# What the people may say about me

# Pack up your troubles, get your old kit bag

# Don't worry about the cavalries

# I don't care what the whisperers say

# Cos they whisper too loud for me

# Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet

# Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet

# Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet

# Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet

# Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag

# And bury them beneath the sea... #

I can't tell you how great it is to see Emilly conquering those nerves

and giving the performance of a lifetime!

# ..May say about me... #

Backstage, things couldn't be more different for 25-year-old Ruth.

HOARSELY: Hello!

When Ruth arrived this morning, she could hardly speak.

Is it that bad?

Yeah, I can't really even tic.

Petrol bomb.

Wankers.

Ruth was the first person I met with Tourette Syndrome.

Reggie has a wedgie!

I was surprised to learn that Ruth only developed her severe verbal and physical tics at the age of 16.

I was also surprised to learn that Tourette Syndrome can develop at any age and there is no known cure.

Syphilis.

Hello!

In 2006, with a promising career in front of her, Ruth went to university to study music,

but was forced to quit two years later because of her outbursts in lectures and during performances.

Four years on and Ruth has regained her confidence and started to sing again.

Vagina for sale, vagina for sale.

What happened next was one of the moments that turned our idea of staging an event into a reality.

# You could be the one who listens to

# My deepest inquisitions

# You could never be... #

She didn't tic at all during her performance and I was amazed.

-Yeah.

-That's great.

Ka-wow! Playing a part with the son and the holy cunt.

Chip sticks.

Steam, madam.

I can't believe that after all Ruth's been through,

she may not even be able to show off her wonderful voice tonight because of a sore throat.

Do you think she's actually going to get to perform?

I don't know.

Oh, man!

# ..Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag

# And bury them beneath the sea

# I don't care what the people may say

# What the people may say about me, yeah, yeah, yeah

# Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet. #

One more time for Emilly! Come on!

Where's that shy little girl gone?

Stop crying, you're embarrassing me!

Right, let's go.

What separates a great talent from the pack is the stamp of individuality.

Please welcome on stage the daddy of our group, it's Steve Ley.

One of my early recruits was 25-year-old Steve who's been living with Tourettes since the age of 7.

Fat cunt!

You get so used to it, fatty cunt, you're not fat...

That's the one that turns heads in Tesco's.

HE SINGS SCALES

From the moment I met him, I loved the tone of Steve's voice.

HE SINGS SCALES

But it was really important to challenge all of our performers

to find the right musical style for each of them.

So I sent Steve a track that I believed would be a great fit for him.

# No woman, no cry... #

No woman, no die.

# No woman, no cry

# No woman, no cry... #

-I don't feel like...

-No Woman, No Cry.

..Shows all the tone in your voice.

Yeah, I totally felt that as well, to be honest with you.

The reality of living with Tourette Syndrome really came home to me

when I spent time with Steve and his girlfriend Iona.

Take that, you cunt.

So how did your friends react the first time you brought Steve round?

-They all know him! Everyone knew Steve before I did!

-Cunt.

-Right.

-I don't know how I was the last person to meet him, to be honest, because everyone knows him.

-Yeah.

Mate, I don't even want to talk to you right now,

I want you to concentrate because I'm crapping myself that you've got a knife in your hand!

Oh, my God!

Can I just butter the bread for you?

Steve grew up in Devon and lives at home with his Mum, Jayne.

He'd come home and say, "There's something going on in my head and I can't help it."

Jelly legs!

When I first found out, I got diagnosed with Tourettes, I was very...

I didn't know what to think about the actual word, what it meant, like, "What is this?"

I thought, "Is this what life's all about?" I wasn't excited about life.

"I'm a kid, I need to be excited, I need to have some drive, I should be having loads of friends,

"I should be doing all these things."

At the age of 14, Steve began to play the piano and guitar,

and immediately found music an escape from his Tourettes.

Hopefully, I can just relax and just enjoy every moment of it, really.

Yeah, I'm buzzing about it, I can't wait, I'm so excited!

I'm just, like, "Fucking come on, come on!"

Now, if you're not welling up or openly crying by the end of this next song,

then call a doctor because you're dead inside.

Now, I had the pleasure of watching this being performed in rehearsals

and you could feel the mood in the room change as soon as it started.

Here's Steve Ley's take on the Coldplay classic Trouble.

# Oh, no, I see

# A spider web, it's tangled up with me

# And I lost my head

# The thought of all the stupid things I said

# Oh, no, what's this?

# A spider web and I'm caught in the middle

# So I turned to run

# And thought of all the stupid things I've done

# I never meant to cause you trouble

# I never meant to do you wrong

# Oh, if I ever caused you trouble

# Oh, I never meant to do you harm... #

Music has such a powerful effect on all of their lives,

but there's no medical explanation why they don't tic during their performance.

It's great to see everyone reaching their full potential...

..but, earlier in the day, things weren't looking so great for Ruth.

Shut up.

Five hours before Ruth was due to perform live in front of tonight's audience,

Jo called her to the studio to rehearse with musical director Chris Egan.

Stuck.

'Doors closing.'

Broken.

Crash.

Die.

'Second floor.'

Can you give us the first...just give us a chord on Use Somebody?

Let's see how you sound, then.

RUTH SINGS HOARSELY

I think we should rest it.

I don't think you should even try and sing during this.

I think you should rest it.

-We've just got to keep your voice safe now...

-They all look so worried, though.

-Don't even go there.

-Grr!

You've just got to think about what's best for you, what's best for your voice

and what give us the best chance of getting you on this stage tonight singing properly.

You know, I'm not a doctor, but that didn't sound great.

She doesn't seem to have a voice, it's marginally better than this morning, but not brilliant,

but I really don't know, I don't know which way this is going to go.

Right, lady, you don't speak to anyone for the next two hours,

you're back to your dressing room, you steam, you hot lemon and ginger.

You don't ask her any questions.

I don't want anyone speaking to you or making you speak.

I'll come and see you in an hour.

I'm drowning.

It wasn't looking good for Ruth.

It would be a complete nightmare if she couldn't take her place on stage.

Six hours later with the show underway, Steve is really rising to the occasion,

and the audience are loving it.

# ..A spider web

# For me

# A spider web

# For me

# A spider web

# For me... #

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

Thank you.

-So what did you think of Steve? Come on! Wow!

-CHEERING

Halfway through and I'm really pleased with the show.

On next is 18-year-old Greg,

a drummer from Yorkshire!

Erection!

Like Steve, Greg has severe physical and verbal tics.

SCREAMING

He was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at the age of 6.

I got bullied, I had problems being in class,

you know, doing the work, I'd be working, I'd snap my pencil.

And quite a lot of the time I can, you know,

shout out really weird things, like, the favourite one at the moment is chicken.

There's a chicken!

Greg has been playing the drums for three years.

Let's see how we can work that out.

To get him ready for the show, I organised a master class with top drummer Josh McKenzie!

This is better than being high.

I've never been high, but I'm sure it's better.

We're getting high right now, so let's just go deeper.

Get high on drums!

It was only when I went home to meet Greg's parents Paul and Kim,

and they showed me video of Greg when he was younger,

did I fully appreciate the impact that Tourettes has had on the whole family.

It started with a cough,

a persistent cough that wouldn't go, so it was the usual trip to the doctor's,

is it a bit of asthma? We started to notice the eye tics and the rolling at home,

but we found out later that he'd been doing the squeaks and twitches at school.

It's not helping.

Nothing is helping.

GREG: It's not exactly pleasant.

What is it about looking at yourself at that age that makes your tic start?

-It was bad.

-Then?

-Really bad!

-It was a tough time?

-Yeah.

I want to live, not be stuck as the "Ooh, look, the guy with Tourettes!"

I want to be Greg with Tourettes, on the side, something nobody really cares about.

HE SHOUTS AND SQUEAKS

Next up is a man whose flair for the drums knows no bounds.

Please put your hands together for the fantastic Greg Storey.

# So glad, so glad, so glad, so glad

# So glad, get up, so glad, get up

# Everybody, dance now

# Let's go

# Ho!

# Let's go... #

Greg's really seized his opportunity and is really pulling out all the stops.

# ..Let's go! Everybody, dance now... #

In the two hours since the failed rehearsal, Ruth's voice hasn't improved.

I'm really sorry.

But listen, we're not defeated yet!

We'll keep the boiling water coming.

And let's just stay positive.

This could be the time when things don't go wrong,

this could be the time when things looked like they were going to go wrong but actually they didn't,

this could be that time.

Look at me.

This could be that time.

Just because things have always gone wrong in the past,

it doesn't mean that that's what's going to happen now, and we could get you through this.

Hello.

With only two-and-a-half hours until Ruth is due on stage, a doctor is called.

-This is Ruth.

-Hello, are you the patient?

Let's have a look down your throat.

Say "Ah".

It's all inflamed, isn't it?

What we really need, Doctor, is we need Ruth on stage.

She's been rehearsing for months for a show which we're going to be doing in a few hours' time,

so we need to try and find a way to get her stage-ready as soon as possible.

-Now, in a situation like this...

-So you want a miracle worker!

Well, I've heard that you're the man.

What are the chances of being able to turn it around?

This is difficult, there's no way I tell you whether or not

she'll be fit to sing in three or four hours' time.

There's no way to tell.

-What do you think...?

-She's got laryngitis.

Keep drinking, drink, drink, drink, gargle, gargle, gargle, gargle and pray.

This is all I've been thinking about, everything I've been doing has been for this.

It's not over yet, I think we'll find out a bit closer to show time what's possible, but I don't know...

I've never been in your position before so I can't tell you what to do,

but I think the best thing to do is be as positive as possible.

-Is that the right way to deal with this?

-It's the only way to deal with this.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

One more time for Greg! Come on!

What are you thinking about?

You look incredible, fella, look at you with your rock-star hair!

Yeah, it's a change from the scruff!

The thing that I can't believe is that you've only been playing drums for about three years now.

You've got incredible in such a short space of time. How important are the drums to you?

Everything, if I was to come home one day and my drums weren't in my bedroom, I'd be devastated.

It's a release, it's fun, it gives me just a time out from my Tourettes.

Without it, I wouldn't be me, sort of thing.

I'm chuffed for you, mate, give him a round of applause one more time.

Thanks.

Bloody brilliant!

Argh, I'm being strangled!

-Brilliant!

-You just looked fantastic up there! You really did!

Hello, Ruth, you all right?

'Just before the show started, I went to check up on Ruth.'

Er, Ruth, we're pretty much at show time, and you look incredible by the way!

You look absolutely amazing, you look proper glam,

so if this get-up is anything to go by, you've made a decision, right?

Yeah, I want to do it.

You think that you can definitely deliver, then?

You can definitely hear my voice now,

so it's definitely much stronger than before,

and I think once I do this I probably won't be able to speak for the next couple of days,

-but I'm good to go for that.

-Yeah.

I'm just really happy to see you smiling again.

-Yeah.

-And to see that you're willing to get out there and do this.

So are you going to do some warm-ups now?

-I tell you what, I'll leave you to it...

-Fuck off.

And the next time I see you will be when I'm introducing you on stage.

-Can I have a hug, please?

-Yeah, of course!

-I'm really chuffed that you're doing this. Good luck, all right.

-Cheers, Wedgie.

-Cheers, Reggie.

-And I still get called Wedgie - amazing!

-Love it!

Right, lady...

VOCAL EXERCISES

The first time I heard Ruth sing, I was shocked into silence,

because Ruth on stage delivers so much passion with every word.

Now, today, she's been fighting to speak, let alone sing,

as she's suffering from a really sore throat but like the trouper she is, she's insisted on performing.

Please give a huge welcome to Ruth Ojadi.

CHEERING

# Ooh, baby, don't you know I suffer?

# Ooh, baby, can you hear me moan?

# You caught me under false pretences

# How long before you tell the truth?

# I thought I was a fool for no-one

# But, ooh, baby, I'm a fool for you

# You're the queen of the superficial

# How long before you tell the truth?

# Ooh, yeah, you set my soul alight

# Ooh, yeah, you set my soul alight

# Glaciers melting in the dead of night

# And the superstars sucked into the supermassive

# Glaciers melting in the dead of night

# And the superstars sucked into the... #

Waiting backstage, our final performer of the night, 17-year-old singer Tom.

# ..Glaciers melting in the dead of night

# And the superstars sucked into the supermassive

# Glaciers melting in the dead of night

# Ooh, yeah, you set my soul alight

# Glaciers melting in the dead of night

# And the superstars sucked into the supermassive

# Glaciers melting in the dead of night

# And the superstars sucked into the...

# Supermassive black hole

# Supermassive black hole

# Supermassive black hole

# Supermassive black hole! #

I am absolutely thrilled for Ruth! What a brilliant performance!

Really well done, I'm really pleased for you.

-Thank you, Jo!

-Really pleased for you!

-Thank you.

Now, tonight's all about incredible performers and this next man is no exception.

Tom Carpenter was first diagnosed with Tourettes when he was 12 years old,

but there was no way he was letting that get between him and his music.

When I first met Tom, he was obsessed with looking like a well-known Canadian jazz singer.

I wear suits that are like what the sort of stuff that Michael Buble wears.

Obviously, I like the little lapel down here, that's quite showbizzy and sort of crooner style, but...

But it wasn't just the look, he even copied Buble's vocal style.

TOM SINGS IN THE STYLE OF MICHAEL BUBLE

I set Jo the task of de-Bublising Tom.

I liked his voice, but he desperately needed to find his own individuality.

-They're all Michael Buble songs!

-Not all of them.

They're not all originally Michael Buble, though, are they?

How would you feel, Tom, if we banned his name in all sessions

and if I asked you not to listen to him?

# I know there's something beyond them

# I don't see what I can feel... #

But that was easier said than done.

# ..If vision is the only validation

# Then most of my life isn't real... #

Right, stop! That was all Buble!

# Validation!

# My name's Buble! #

Sing it again, try and sing it differently.

VOCAL EXERCISES

After a lot of hard work, Tom finally started to find his own voice.

To boost his self-belief, I wanted Tom to meet Aloe Blacc,

the singer-songwriter behind the track I wanted Tom to perform at our live show.

# It's inside the bottle

# It's inside the bottle

# I had a dollar but... #

Yeah!

I saw you in the...

I saw you... Oh, my God!

Tom, you've been working on this song for so long,

I figured, why not get someone who could give you some advice when it comes to performing it,

-the man who wrote it, Aloe Blacc.

-How are you doing?

-Great, thanks.

The most important thing is to be yourself,

to sing the songs that you feel represent you.

-Let's not hear someone else's voice when you sing.

-That...

Yes, that was unique.

-That was something that I think is very you, OK?

-Yeah.

-Stick with that.

When I was first diagnosed, Mum always used to say "You'll wake up tomorrow and it'll be gone,"

and I'd wake up and I was still the same.

I've got a whole range of tics that you'll probably notice throughout the day.

I keep going "Uh", like that, I've had that for about two years.

-My blinking is like when I've got too much energy, I just blink loads.

-OK.

-Tires me out loads.

I would like to have a day when I don't have to have Tourettes.

-Have you ever had a day where there's no tics?

-No.

You never have that, never, never, I can't remember the last day I didn't get tired from having tics.

What separates a great talent from the pack is a stamp of individuality

and the delivery of this next track proves Tom has it in spades.

Taking a song you definitely know and truly owning it, this is Tom Carpenter.

# I need a dollar, dollar, a dollar, that's what I need, hey, hey

# Well, I need a dollar, dollar, a dollar, that's what I need, hey, hey

# Said I need a dollar, dollar, a dollar, that's what I need

# And if I share with you my story, would you share your dollar with me?

# Bad times are coming and I reap what I don't sow, hey, hey

# Well, let me tell you something, all that glitter ain't gold, hey, hey

# It's been a long old trouble, a long old troublesome road

# And I'm looking for somebody to come and help me carry this load

# Well, I need a dollar, dollar, a dollar, that's what I need, hey, hey

# Well, I need a dollar, dollar, a dollar, that's what I need

# Well, I don't know if I'm walking on solid ground

# Cos everything around me is falling down

# And all I want is for someone to help me

# Well, I need a dollar, dollar, a dollar, that's what I need, hey, hey

# Well, I need a dollar, dollar, a dollar, that's what I need, hey, hey

# Said I need a dollar, dollar, a dollar, that's what I need

# And if I share with you my story, would you share your dollar with me?

# Come on, share your dollar with me

# Go ahead, share your dollar with me

# Share your dollar, share your dollar, share your dollar with me

# Come on, share your dollar, share your dollar with me

# I need, I need, I need a dollar! #

CHEERING

I'm thrilled.

Each of the guys have performed brilliantly on their own.

But our show has always needed a group finale.

Four weeks ago, I put together a list of possible songs to try out with Chris and Jo.

Do you know this one?

# I've seen you ride around town with the girl I love

# And I'm, like, forget you. #

Cunt twat.

I like it, but it's just been played so much that it's killed it.

Road kill.

- Elbow. - Elbow.

Holy cow!

Not keen on that one?

Big notes!

# Watch the world come alive

# Watch the world come alive tonight

# Stay close to me... #

It was a lot harder than I'd imagined.

I hadn't thought about the fact they'd all tic during the quiet sections of songs.

Penis!

What sounded best to you guys? What did you like most?

I don't like the Greatest Day really, or... I don't know...

What was it about that song that you don't like?

-We were saying that the actual feeling of the song...

-Greatest Day?

Yeah, Greatest Day, was just too...

< Sympathetic?

Yeah, yeah, "Look at us we've got Tourettes, we want loads of sympathy."

When I first saw the title, the first thing I thought was, "Oh, look, bless them"!

Whenever I hear that, it rubs me up the wrong way a little bit,

-because I think...

-RUTH: Rub it the right way, then!

If I could, I would, Ruth!

So, guys, what are we going to do?

Because I haven't got a suggestion at the moment.

Even though they weren't keen,

I still thought Take That's Greatest Day would be the best song to show off their vocal abilities...

..so two weeks before the show we tried again.

# Today this could be

# The greatest day of our lives

# Stay close to me

# Watch the world come alive tonight

# Stay close to me... #

Cool.

We need to get a hold of that outro.

-It's kind of dying on its arse a bit!

-Are you not happy with it, Jo?

-No!

-You're not?

-No! I'm not!

It was pretty obvious that we were getting nowhere, so I decided to find a new song.

But we'd run out of rehearsal time and the only chance of trying it out all together,

was the day before the show.

Getting the right song choice for them wasn't the only thing worrying me!

I was also worried about how they would cope performing together,

on the stage, in front of a big audience.

It's a set and a half, isn't it?

Pretty soon, you lot are going to be stood on here.

I spend a lot of my time in rooms like this

-in front of hundreds of people doing this sort of thing.

-Stripping. Bullshit.

It's quite normal for me. Is this going to be strange or are you looking forward to it?

-I'm actually really excited.

-Yeah?

It'll be like playing a gig at home, but not...

With your penis out!

I'm sure that you don't have that many people in your bedroom when you're playing your drums.

- No, not in my bedroom! - Unless you're having a wank!

-It's like playing a gig with my other band, but just on a bigger scale.

-Yeah.

If I think about it that way, I won't get as nervous.

Lovin' it, lovin' it, lovin' it.

It's a bit more intimate than I thought. All right, Mum?

What about that spotlight? It's going be on you when you're singing later on.

-That spotlight will be on you.

-You cunt.

I hope you fucking die, you twat!

Thank you.

I took them to the stage to inspire them,

but as they set off each other's tics,

it only reinforced how difficult it would be to get them to perform together.

So in the not too distant future, you lot will be on this stage,

there's going to be a big audience...

There's going to be Steve probably licking my face. And you're going to have to sing.

Is that something we're all looking forward to?

Can't wait!

Yeah.

-This is a massive opportunity!

-Let's get out of here, Emilly!

- Dirty cunt! - No, you are!

But at least I had finally made a decision on a song for them all to sing,

Emeli Sande's Next To Me!

Reggie's got a wedgie! Who's sat over there?

Ruth fancies Reggie.

I'll do three chords...

You're all gay, aren't you?

If you hold that...

Can we address the harmony?

You cunt.

They kept setting each other's tics off and it wasn't looking good.

Maybe I had just pushed them too far and simply left it too late!

In just over 24 hours, the audience would be arriving.

What have we realistically got?

We've got an hour to rehearse it with them, 20 minutes with the band and 20 minutes on set.

That's an hour and 40 minutes.

We're not being negative, but do you know what that is? That's a hard gig.

I mean, it could be quite full on.

-We'll be fine, we'll be fine!

-JO LAUGHS

As they walk to the stage, I've got absolute faith they'll pull this off.

After three months of hard work, this is the ultimate challenge for all of us.

- Utter cunt. - Shut up.

Fuck off.

Tonight they've all proved they've got individual talent,

and I hope their newfound confidence will give them the belief they need to pull off the finale.

Gonorrhoea.

OK, so you've met all our incredibly talented bunch.

Guys, let's go.

You've heard for yourselves what I've known for months, that they really do have something special,

so you could be forgiven for assuming that that's the end of the night, but no!

You cunt, I'll kill you!

We set these guys one more challenge, to create a supergroup,

and they've only had one day to rehearse this number.

So, for one night only, here they all are with Emile Sande's Next To Me.

# You won't find him drinking at the tables

# Rolling dice and staying out till three

# You won't ever find him being unfaithful

# You will find him, you'll find him next to me

# You won't find him trying to chase the devil

# For money, power, for fame, out of grief

# You won't ever find him where the rest go

# You will find him, you'll find him next to me

# Next to me, oooh

# Next to me, oooh...

# Next to me, oooh

# You will find him, you'll find him next to me

# When the money's spent and all my friends have vanished

# And I can't seem to find no help or love for free

# I know there's no need for me to panic

# Cos I'll find him, I'll find him next to me

# When the skies are grey and all the doors are closing

# And the rising pressure makes it hard to breathe

# Well, all I need is a hand to stop the tears from falling

# You will find him, you'll find him next to me

# Next to me, oooh

# Next to me, oooh...

# Next to me, oooh

# You will find him, you'll find him next to me

# When the sun and all the rain has gone

# When we spoilt the land and dried up all the sea

# When everyone has lost their heads around us

# You will find him, you'll find him next to me

# Next to me, oooh

# Next to me, oooh...

# Next to me, oooh

# You will find him, you'll find him next to me

# Next to me, oooh

# Next to me, oooh...

# Next to me, oooh

# You will find him, you'll find him next to me

# Next to me, oooh

# Next to me, oooh...

# Next to me, oooh

# You will find him, you'll find him next to me

# You will find him, you'll find him next to me...

# You will find him, you'll find him next to me

# You will find him, you'll find him next to me. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Come on, you can do better than that! Come on.

One more time, please, ladies and gentlemen, for our amazing performers.

Can you make some noise for Greg over there on the drums? Come on!

Make some noise for Jake, ladies and gentlemen!

Make some noise for Emilly and her bare feet.

Make some noise for Tom and his new hair.

Ruth and her new voice... and Steve without a hat finally!

I am so proud of what they've all achieved tonight,

proof that talent can overcome Tourettes.

-It was amazing.

-Thank you!

-Were you happy with today?

-Yeah!

You were properly having the time of your life!

# ..Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag

# And bury them beneath the sea... #

Emilly is no longer the shy girl I first met.

She oozed confidence out there on stage.

My secret weapon!

# ..I can tell you... #

Jake looked and sounded like a proper little pop star!

He really performed for the crowd.

# ..You don't want to be alone... #

Come here, you!

-There you go. Well done.

-Thank you.

-Well done, mate!

# ..A spider web... #

And when Steve played, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

# ..For me

# A spider web... #

It was a great show, wasn't it?

Is that what I get, Steve?

I'm so sorry! It got caught!

Can I have a hug to cancel that one out?

Tulip.

It was amazing!

The best feeling ever! I've never done anything like that!

# ..I need a dollar, dollar, a dollar, that's what I need... #

It was great to see Tom finally burst the Buble bubble and find his own unique style!

# ..Well, I don't know if I'm walking on solid ground... #

PUMPING DANCE MUSIC

And what about Greg's drumming? Amazing!

You are genuinely awesome.

What are you going to do next?

-You've got to do something!

-Now I've got to believe it, haven't I?

But you've got to do something with it. If you don't I'll take it personally!

Oh, yeah! So impressed with you, lady.

So impressed with you.

As for Ruth, I really hope she can finally put behind her the dark days

of having to quit university!

She was the original inspiration for putting the event on and she really came up trumps.

At one point today I didn't think you were going to get on stage.

-I know, I saw it in your face.

-I was like, "No! She's not going to not perform!"

But you did it and you did brilliantly! And well done, come here!

-I'm chuffed for you, well done!

-Fixed your wedgie yet?

Always the way this ends!

The way they all came together at the end blew me away. It was truly amazing...

and not a tic in sight!

# ..Next to me, oooh

# You will find him, you'll find him next to me... #

These aren't just your average performers,

these are people who have been through a lot to get to this stage,

so when I came off and I saw Jo and she was bouncing around, it felt special,

because we've not just watched a bundle of great performers...

what we've seen if people morph, change and become amazing in front of our eyes.

And being a part of that has been a real privilege, and today feels special

because it's not just another day at the office.

Today has been a day I don't think I'll forget in a long time!

Thank you for joining us, we'll certainly be celebrating tonight at our afterparty!

But first I can't be the only one wanting to hear that again, right? Good...

I didn't think so! Good night, everybody.

# Next to me, oooh

# Next to me, oooh...

# Next to me, oooh

# You will find him, you'll find him next to me

# You will find him, you'll find him next to me...

# You will find him, you'll find him next to me. #

CHEERING Thank you very much!