Comic Rory to take chemical cosh for his ADHD
HIS rapid-fire impersonations may have won him fame and fortune, but Rory Bremner says it was the curse of hyperactive mind that set free his gift for mimicry.
The Scots-born impressionist was recently diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and has now revealed he will be treated with the controversial drug Ritalin for a television documentary.
Bremner, 55, said he first suspected he suffered from the condition after a relative was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago.
He realised he had many of the characteristics, including his relentless showing off as a child that only found a focus through his talent for doing voices. The comedian is now making a Horizon documentary on the subject, during which he finally went to get the official diagnosis.
He will also be taking Ritalin – decried by critics as a ‘chemical cosh’ – for the first time as part of the programme, which will be shown on the BBC in the summer.
In an interview with The Times, Bremner describes the challenges the condition poses, saying: ‘Attention-seeking, being impulsive and irrepressible and disorganised. Mine is mild, and I have learnt to cope with it, and also I am in a job where ADHD is an asset.
‘It’s my worst enemy in that it’s no fun being disorganised, having problems concentrating and so on. It’s my best friend because it allows me to make the jumps and leaps I need for my job. I think in analogies all the time.’
He admitted he felt troubled after his diagnosis. He said: ‘As a performer I spend a lot of time projecting confidence. When you spend the best part of a day acknowledging that there are areas in your life where you regularly fail, that can be quite overwhelming.’
Rory Bremner: Partly Political is on tour to June 9.