Lewis Capaldi was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome less than a year ago – but it's already impacted his life in a big way.
After cancelling a string of gigs earlier this year, the Scottish singer announced he was taking a step back from touring following his Glastonbury performance last weekend.
And now he fears he may have to quit music altogether if he can’t get his tics under control while he’s on stage.
In his new Netflix documentary ‘How I’m Feeling Now’, the 26-year-old star opened up about the first signs of his condition, which can cause people to swear as well as make involuntary sounds, movements and tics.
The Brit Award winner said before he was diagnosed he noticed he had developed a twitch in his shoulder.
The Someone You Loved hitmaker said the twitch suddenly “became out of control”, describing it as “absolutely horrific”.
Bizarrely – but perhaps not good for a musician – he says it is only music that does this to him and he is generally fine in his everyday life.
“It’s only making music that does this to me. Otherwise I can be fine for months at a time. It’s a weird situation,” he told The Times.
“But if it gets to a point where I’m doing irreparable damage to myself, I’ll quit... there’s a very real possibility that I will have to pack music in.”
Revealing his tic is getting “quite bad on stage now”, he said he is “trying to get on top of it” but if he can’t he’s “f***ed”.
He added: “It’s easier when I play guitar, but I hate playing guitar. I know, I’m a walking contradiction.”
Lewis went public with his diagnosis last summer because he “didn’t want people to think he was taking cocaine or something”.
Telling fans the twitches are “not as bad as it looks”, the star revealed he was relieved to know it wasn’t a degenerative disease.
He has since been treated with Botox injections which act to freeze the muscles in his shoulder and lessen the tics
Breaking the news to fans, he said: "I have been diagnosed with Tourette’s.
“I wanted to speak about it because I didn’t want people to think I was taking cocaine or something.
"My shoulder twitches when I am excited, happy, nervous or stressed. It is something I am living with.”
In an emotional statement on Instagram earlier today, he confirmed he had cancelled his upcoming tour dates while he focuses on his health.
Speaking after his emotional performance at Glastonbury, he thanked the festival for having him and referred to the touching moment that fans joined in to sing his song when he struggled on stage.
His statement said: "The fact that this probably won't come as a surprise doesn't make it any easier to write, but I'm very sorry to let you know I'm going to be taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future.
"I used to be able to enjoy every second of shows like this and I'd hoped 3 weeks away would sort me out. But the truth is I'm still learning to adjust to the impact of my Tourette's and on Saturday it became obvious that I need to spend much more time getting my mental and physical health in order, so can keep doing everything I love for a long time to come.
"I know I'm incredibly fortunate to be able to take times out when others can't and I'd like to thank my amazing family, friends, team, medical professionals and all of you who've been so supportive every step of the way through the good times and even more so during this part year when I've needed it more than ever.
"I'm so incredibly sorry to everyone who had planned to come to a show before the end of the year but I need to feel well to perform at the standard you all deserve. Playing for you every night is all I've ever dreamed of so this has been the most difficult decision of my life. I'll be back as soon as I possibly can. "
He ended the post with: "All my love, always, Lewis x."
