Latest news with #Freddie
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jeff Brazier recalls son Freddie's 'challenging' diagnosis at age 10
Jeff Brazier has opened up about his son Freddie's ADHD diagnosis, as he spoke to families and those diagnosed with the disorder on The One Show Jeff Brazier made a heartfelt appearance on The One Show this Wednesday, opening up about his personal experiences with ADHD as he met individuals living with the condition. The familiar face from This Morning engaged with families to understand the impact of ADHD on their lives. Nicky Campbell, who found out he had ADHD at the age of around 60, was also featured in the enlightening segment. Before meeting a mother and her ADHD-diagnosed daughter, Jeff shared insights into his own son Freddie's early diagnosis. "My son was diagnosed with ADHD at 10 years old. School was really challenging," Jeff admitted. "But, his diagnosis helped me understand better that he needed support." In a candid conversation with a guest, Jeff reminisced about how someone once described Freddie, now 20, with a memorable analogy. "My son was described, compassionately, as a Ferrari engine in the chassis of a Mini," he chuckled, finding common ground with the guest's experience. Jeff, also dad to 22 year old Bobby, previously discussed Freddie's ADHD when they both took part in Celebrity Race Across the World, reports Wales Online. On the BBC programme, Jeff expressed his unwavering belief in his son's potential: "I couldn't hazard a guess on how Fred's mind works but I know he's going to do something amazing in his lifetime. "We need the pioneers, we need the people that give a completely different opinion. That's what Fred's role is gonna be. And I see it. I've always seen it and I look forward to him realising it, one day it's all gonna click and fall into place." Freddie recently disclosed his Bipolar Disorder diagnosis. In a TikTok video discussing his mental health, the 20 year old shared his epilepsy experiences and offered advice. "Just coming on to say that seizures - or any illness - shouldn't be made a joke or something to laugh about," he advised viewers. Freddie then confessed: "Me myself, I suffer from serious mental health, and I've got ADHD and bipolar. And it's not nice when people want to belittle you or talk down on you because of it."
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Jeff Brazier opens up on son's 'challenging' diagnosis at just 10 years old
Jeff Brazier opens up on son's 'challenging' diagnosis at just 10 years old Jeff Brazier has candidly opened up about his son Freddie's ADHD diagnosis, recalling how he had found things 'challenging' beforehand Jeff Brazier returned to TV screens in a segment on The One Show on Wednesday (18th June), where he discussed ADHD and met with those who have been diagnosed with the disorder. The TV star, who is a regular on shows such as This Morning, met with families whose children had been diagnosed with ADHD. Broadcaster Nicky Campbell, who was diagnosed with ADHD herself at around 60, also featured in the segment. As Jeff geared up to meet a mum whose daughter had been diagnosed with ADHD, he spoke about his son Freddie's diagnosis, which came at a young age. "My son was diagnosed with ADHD at 10 years old. School was really challenging," the dad-of-two said. "But, his diagnosis helped me understand better that he needed support." Jeff Brazier opened up about his son's ADHD diagnosis (Image: BBC ) Article continues below Later on, while speaking to a guest, Jeff recalled what he'd been told about his son Freddie, now 20 years old, when he was diagnosed. "My son was described, compassionately, as a Ferrari engine in the chassis of a Mini," Jeff laughed, as the guest shared a similar story. Jeff, who is also father to Bobby, 22, spoke about Freddie's diagnosis when the father and son duo appeared on Celebrity Race Across the World last year. Speaking about his son on the BBC show, Jeff said: "I couldn't hazard a guess on how Fred's mind works but I know he's going to do something amazing in his lifetime. "We need the pioneers, we need the people that give a completely different opinion. That's what Fred's role is gonna be. And I see it. I've always seen it and I look forward to him realising it, one day it's all gonna click and fall into place." Jeff with his youngest son Freddie (Image: BBC ) Freddie recently revealed he's also been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. The 20-year-old appeared in a TikTok video where he spoke about his mental health struggles and shared advice for those struggling with epilepsy as he does. "Just coming on to say that seizures - or any illness - shouldn't be made a joke or something to laugh about," he said in the clip. He then revealed: "Me myself, I suffer from serious mental health, and I've got ADHD and bipolar. And it's not nice when people want to belittle you or talk down on you because of it." Article continues below The One Show airs on weekdays on BBC One at 7.30pm
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Our perfect son lost his balance - now we face a living nightmare
Freddie Elwood seemed happy and healthy until he was 18 months old when he started to lose his balance, strength and ability to speak A British mother has made an emotional appeal for help following the diagnosis of her young son with a rare and devastating illness that struck seemingly out of the blue. Little Freddie Elwood seemed a picture of health until he reached the tender age of 18 months, when he began to lose his balance, muscle strength and even the ability to speak. Emily, 33, Freddie's mum, said he became quieter and struggled with tasks he had once found easy. She said: "Life before Freddie's diagnosis was like any typical family of four: school runs for my oldest son Harry, forever in soft plays and spending lots of time with family and friends." Emily, from Essex, said: "Freddie could communicate with the few words he had learned, like ball or mummy and daddy. You could say to him 'what does a lion do?' and he would roar! "When he first showed signs like being off balance and being withdrawn, we didn't know what to think. We knew this was not normal but struggled to get anyone to listen." After eventually seeing a paediatric consultant, Emily, together with husband Louis, was confronted with the heartbreaking reality that Freddie's condition was deteriorating. The child had suffered further loss of motor functions and become almost entirely nonverbal - you can donate to help the family here. Emily said: "I remember vividly the consultant expressing huge concern and mentioning the word 'degenerative.' At the time I had not heard of that term. When looking it up, I kept saying 'that can't be, he was born ok and has been for 18 months'." Freddie was quickly scheduled for blood tests, an urgent MRI and a referral to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). However, as weeks passed, his condition deteriorated, reports Cornwall Live. "We knew it was something serious. I kept saying 'something is wrong but hopefully they have a treatment that will help him'," she said. In November 2023, the heart-breaking diagnosis was delivered: Freddie was suffering from Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (INAD), an extremely rare disorder affecting just one in a million, with no cure or hope beyond a life expectancy of 5 to 10 years. The news left them heartbroken. "We left the hospital knowing we had to go home to break the news to our family and navigate our way through this with our older son," Emily said. "Freddie was ready for bed when we got home, I remember cradling him, looking down at his little innocent face, sobbing. Our world fell apart." Now aged four, Freddie's ability to sit, crawl and swallow has significantly declined. He no longer communicates verbally and has a limited understanding of his environment. Simple pleasures are fraught with challenges, and even minor outings require careful planning. "Freddie is confined to a pram and that alone limits us," Emily explained. "His lack of understanding means he becomes very unsettled in loud, busy settings. "Just getting my eldest to school can be challenging and wouldn't be possible without help. A typical day for us consists of pump feeds which can take up to two hours each feed. I have to do daily physio on Freddie to stop his muscles from stiffening. He needs fluid through his tube throughout the day as he is unable to swallow water now. "If we get out, which isn't too often, instead of soft play and parks we would head to a local café or coffee shop just to get some air and a change of environment. If I could sum it up, it's like waking up every day, and for a split second you think you've dreamt it all, then you realise you haven't, you realise you've got to face another day, watching your child deteriorate in front of you, grieve the child and life you had while trying to navigate the one you're currently living. It's a living nightmare." Yet there is a glimmer of hope: a gene therapy clinical trial is nearing completion and could potentially halt the progression of the condition. But due to INAD's rarity, the research is not commercially funded and requires public support. Emily is actively fundraising to aid the INADCURE Foundation's efforts to launch this trial and offer Freddie a chance at life. "Freddie's team has been extremely supportive," Emily said. "From his consultant and nurse at GOSH, to the local teams. "He has a physio, an occupational therapist, a dietician, a feeding and swallowing specialist and a team of community nurses. The gene therapy programme is a glimmer of hope, but without the funding it will be delayed and children like Freddie don't have years to wait. The research so far shows significant improvements in survival and motor function. "Freddie and others could be given a chance to fight back against this awful condition. To think that there is a potentially life-changing treatment almost ready to be trialled and that it is being delayed due to funding is a really hard reality to accept. "We also have to take into consideration that our only option for treatment for Freddie may be in America. Therefore funds may also help us pay for treatment and expenses to get us there if needed."
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Toddler diagnosed with one-in-a-million illness with no cure
Toddler diagnosed with one-in-a-million illness with no cure Freddie seemed perfectly normal for the first 18 months of his life Freddie's birthday with his mum, dad and brother A mum has made a desperate appeal for help after her little boy was diagnosed with a one in a million disease. Freddie Elwood was born in May 2021 and had appeared happy and healthy until around 18 months old when he began to lose balance, strength and speech. His mum Emily, 33, was beside with worry as she watched him regress, become less vocal and struggle with the skills he had only just acquired. 'Life before Freddie's diagnosis was like any typical family of four: school runs for my oldest son Harry, forever in soft plays and spending lots of time with family and friends,' Emily says. 'Freddie could communicate with the few words he had learned, like ball or mummy and daddy. You could say to him 'what does a lion do?' And he would roar! When he first showed signs like being off balance and being withdrawn, we didn't know what to think. We knew this was not normal but struggled to get anyone to listen.' By the time Emily and her husband Louis, from Upminster, Essex, saw a paediatric consultant, Freddie had lost more of his motor skills and was almost nonverbal. 'I remember vividly the consultant expressing huge concern and mentioning the word 'degenerative,'' his mum says. 'At the time I had not heard of that term. When looking it up, I kept saying 'that can't be, he was born ok and has been for 18 months'.' Freddie Elwood was born in May 2021 and had appeared happy and healthy Freddie was sent for blood tests, booked in for an urgent MRI and referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GSOH). But as each week passed, he was declining. 'We knew it was something serious. I kept saying 'something is wrong but hopefully they have a treatment that will help him',' Emily says. . Article continues below In November 2023, Freddie was finally diagnosed with Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (INAD) a one-in-a-million disorder with no cure and a life expectancy of just 5 to 10 years. The family was distraught. 'We left the hospital knowing we had to go home to break the news to our family and navigate our way through this with our older son,' Emily recalls. 'Freddie was ready for bed when we got home, I remember cradling him, looking down at his little innocent face sobbing. Our world fell apart.' Now aged four, Freddie can no longer sit, crawl, or swallow. He is non-verbal and has limited understanding. Even the simplest activities are challenging and the smallest outing needs careful planning. 'Freddie is confined to a pram and that alone limits us,' Emily says. 'His lack of understanding means he becomes very unsettled in loud busy settings. Just getting my eldest to school can be challenging and wouldn't be possible without help. A typical day for us consists of pump feeds which can take up to two hours each feed. I have to do daily physio on Freddie to stop his muscles from stiffening. He needs fluid through his tube throughout the day as he is unable to swallow water now. 'If we get out which isn't too often, instead of soft play and parks we would head to a local café or coffee shop just to get some air and a change of environment. If I could sum it up, it's like waking up every day, and for a split second you think you've dreamt it all, then you realise you haven't, you realise you've got to face another day, watching your child deteriorate in front of you, grieve the child and life you had while trying to navigate the one you're currently living. It's a living nightmare.' By the time Emily and her husband Louis saw a paediatric consultant, Freddie had lost more of his motor skills and was almost nonverbal There is hope: a gene therapy clinical trial is in the final stages of development and could potentially halt the condition's progression. However, because INAD is so rare, the research lacks commercial funding and needs public support. Emily is raising money to support the INADCURE Foundation's campaign to get this trial underway and give Freddie a fighting chance. 'Freddie's team has been extremely supportive,' Emily adds. 'From his consultant and nurse at GOSH, to the local teams. He has a physio, an occupational therapist, a dietician, a feeding and swallowing specialist and a team of community nurses. The gene therapy programme is a glimmer of hope, but without the funding it will be delayed and children like Freddie don't have years to wait. The research so far shows significant improvements in survival and motor function. Article continues below 'Freddie and others could be given a chance to fight back against this awful condition. To think that there is a potentially life changing treatment almost ready to be trialled and that it is being delayed due to funding is a really hard reality to accept. 'We also have to take into consideration that our only option for treatment for Freddie may be in America, therefore funds may also help us pay for treatment and expenses to get us there if needed.' Please donate to Emily's fundraiser at
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Frankie Goes To Hollywood's Holly Johnson on Relax beating Queen's Radio Ga Ga to No.1: 'Poor Freddie'
Frankie Goes To Hollywood's Holly Johnson believes the late Freddie Mercury would have been miffed about Relax beating Queen's Radio Ga Ga to No.1. Relax only entered the UK Top 75 singles chart in November 1983 and made its way into the Top 40 in January 1984. Three weeks later it topped the chart, replacing Paul McCartney's Pipes of Peace. Holly admits the chart defeat probably felt "like a knife through the heart for poor" Queen frontman Freddie. Taking part in NME's Does Rock 'N' Roll Kill Braincells?! quiz, he recalled of '80s: 'It was highly competitive, and no one liked being usurped in the charts or magazine covers, because it was all considered so important. The fact that 'Relax' kept Queen's 'Radio Ga Ga' off Number One must have been like a knife through the heart for poor Freddie [Mercury], because no one had heard of us the week before.' Holly confessed that he and Freddie were never that close but they crossed paths at gay bars regularly. Asked if he ever discussed the chart battle with the Bohemian Rhapsody hitmaker, he said: 'No, we exchanged looks in gay bars – but they were friendly looks! I was shy and would go to gay bars on my own, so I wouldn't approach Freddie with his entourage. We weren't best mates, put it that way. We smiled at each other, though.' Elsewhere, Holly admitted it's unlikely that a full brand reunion will take place after Frankie Goes To Hollywood reunited to perform their 1984 song Welcome to the Pleasuredome at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in their home city of Liverpool. The singer said of the one-off reunion: 'The lead-up was exhausting. The preamble between Universal Records, who bought the Frankie and ZTT label, and the amount of emails that went on was ridiculous. When I actually got into the rehearsal room with the band, everything was fine. It was like it had been all those years ago, and Mark [O'Toole] and Paul [Rutherford] did their 'Ooh-ahhs' [backing vocals], and I did the vocal of the video version that I'd been performing for 10 years, so it was absolutely fine. It was not 'closure'; it was just good to see everyone and no one was hostile. The Eurovision Song Contest being held in Liverpool seemed a big enough moment for Frankie Goes to Hollywood to turn up.' Asked if they could reform, he replied: 'I can't see it happening. It could have done after that event. Promoters were offering things, but not all the members were on board and that's OK. It's always 'never say never', but we're all getting a bit long in the tooth so it's unlikely.'
