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TV Personality Aidy Smith Opens Up About Childhood Tourette’s Diagnosis and Career Impact
Celebrated TV personality and drinks expert Aidy Smith has disclosed how his early career as a child actor was significantly impacted following a Tourette’s syndrome diagnosis at the age of seven. The Three Drinkers host developed involuntary tics, including eye-rolling, head movements, and a vocal whooping sound, leading to bullying and ridicule during his formative years. “I vividly remember it. At the time, I was unaware of what was happening – I knew my body was performing actions involuntarily, which was frankly terrifying,” he confessed. “I genuinely believed something was seriously wrong with me.”
Early Career Setback and Personal Struggles
The former child actor, who transitioned into a notable mixologist and drinks influencer, recounted being dismissed from his role on the children’s television program, The Big Bag, due to his Tourette’s syndrome. He further revealed that the relentless taunting and isolation he endured at one point led him to contemplate suicide. “As soon as my Tourette’s became apparent, I was removed from the show and my acting school. All my aspirations crumbled, it was utterly devastating,” stated the 34-year-old, who spent his childhood in Bradford.
Social Isolation and Lack of Understanding
Smith detailed the pervasive social challenges he faced beyond his professional setbacks. “The impact extended beyond my career; parents stopped inviting me to social gatherings because I was deemed ‘different.’ Educators misinterpreted my tics as misbehavior and publicly humiliated me in front of my peers. Other children targeted me because I was an easy target. It’s undeniable that Tourette’s makes you stand out. Furthermore, a school careers advisor dismissed my university aspirations, and a university placement officer discouraged my dream of studying abroad in America, asserting that my disability would prevent me from securing a placement.”
Triumph Over Adversity: The Rise of ‘The Three Drinkers’
Today, Aidy Smith co-hosts The Three Drinkers on Amazon Prime Video with Helena Nicklin and various guest presenters, including Colin Hampden-White. The show has gained international recognition for its blend of travel, gastronomy, and drinks exploration. However, Smith emphasized the arduous journey he undertook to reach this point. “Children mocked me for my unusual movements and vocalizations. My circle of friends diminished rapidly as parents discouraged their children from associating with someone like me,” Smith recounted.
“From the age of seven until I finished school were undoubtedly some of the most distressing and isolated years of my life. This was largely due to the severity of my tics during that period, compounded by the negative perceptions from the world around me.” He elaborated, “I constantly felt like a burden, as if I would never belong or achieve anything. I became one of the 48% of individuals with Tourette Syndrome who consider suicide, and I nearly succumbed to the negativity. Fortunately, I persevered.”
Advocacy and Challenging Misconceptions
“This experience fuels my ongoing efforts to raise awareness about Tourette Syndrome. Increased awareness fosters greater understanding and compassion.” Citing data from the Tourette Association of America’s latest survey, which indicates that 70% of individuals with the condition experience bullying, Smith criticized public figures who perpetuate harmful stereotypes through humor.
“Certain comedians, such as Ricky Gervais, deem it acceptable to use Tourette’s syndrome as a punchline, and public figures like Gary Lineker make light-hearted tweets about having ‘dad joke Tourette’s’,” he pointed out. “Furthermore, film portrayals in movies like ‘Matchstick Men’ and ‘Alien,’ where characters are depicted with Tourette’s without narrative justification, contribute to misrepresentation.”
Overcoming Industry Bias and Achieving Television Success
As an adult, Smith, who identifies as gay, initially faced rejection from television networks who perceived him as a liability. However, he remained persistent and is now recognized as possibly the only TV presenter globally with Tourette’s.
“Upon graduating from university, I relentlessly pursued opportunities to return to television. However, due to societal stigmas surrounding Tourette’s and swearing, many broadcasters were hesitant to hire me, fearing excessive editing costs and considering me more trouble than I was worth. The reality is that only 10% of people with Tourette’s exhibit coprolalia, the swearing tic. Had they been aware of this, their decisions might have been different. I realized then that I needed to chart my own course.”
Creating His Own Path: ‘The Three Drinkers’ Success
Subsequently, he conceived and produced the award-winning series.
“No commissioners approached me; I created my own TV show through sheer determination,” he asserted. “The Three Drinkers, available on Amazon Prime, is a series that combines travel, culture, and the enjoyment of fine beverages – peppered with humor. As someone who embraces neurodiversity, I am passionate about dismantling stereotypes. This program is not just about drinks; it’s about connection, culture, and celebrating the magnificent diversity of our world.”
“Remarkably, I find that I don’t need to consciously manage my Tourette’s while filming. As I’ve previously stated, when individuals with TS intensely focus on activities they are passionate about, tics often recede. For me, that passion is being in front of the camera.”
“However, once filming concludes and the adrenaline subsides, the tics return, often intensely. Yet, during those on-screen moments, when I’m engaged in what I love most, there’s an incredible sense of calm. It feels like home.”
Advocacy and New Culinary Ventures
Currently residing in London, Smith serves as a Global Ambassador for both the Tourette Association of America and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme. He is also a member of the Inclusivity Board for the Soho House Group, a patron for the ADHD Foundation and Neurodiversity Charity, and an Inclusivity Advocate for MIPCOM. Additionally, he manages @DisLabeled, a neurodiversity-focused platform on Instagram and TikTok.
Easter Savory Cocktail Creation
This Easter, the acclaimed mixologist is embracing a new trend: savoury cocktails, which are gaining traction on social media. He is partnering with the renowned cheese brand 1912, handcrafted by cheesemakers at Long Clawson Dairy in Leicestershire, to promote this innovative approach. Smith has developed a cocktail named the Strawberry Velvet, featuring 1912 Stilton and Mozart Chocolate Liqueur.
Smith elaborated, “I have always embraced challenges, and when the opportunity arose to create a savory-inspired cocktail for Easter, I immediately knew what I wanted to experiment with. The Strawberry Velvet combines blue cheese, creamy white chocolate, and a delightful strawberry twist.”
The Art of Savory Cocktails: Fat-Washing Technique
“Many might question how to create a cocktail with blue cheese, but it is surprisingly straightforward. The key is a technique called ‘fat-washing,’ which is very simple. Melt 1912 Stilton blue cheese with butter, and once cooled, pour it into a sealed container with rum.”
“After approximately eight hours at room temperature, freeze the mixture for 24 hours. The fat will solidify at the top, allowing you to easily skim it off before finely straining the liquid through a 400-count sieve. Pour the infused rum back into a bottle, and you have a blue cheese-infused rum ready to use.”