Two-part documentary coming to Channel 4

Johnny Vegas has made a Channel 4 documentary about how he was diagnosed with ADHD while attempting to create a piece of public art for his hometown of St Helens.

Two years ago the comedian revealed he had been diagnosed with the condition at the age of 52, saying that the ‘chaos’ in is brain made him who he is and speculating that it helped him to be a better standup comedian.

Now he is to explore the subject more in the two-part series Johnny Vegas: Art, ADHD And Me.

It started off by charting the comedian and trained potter’s attempts to create an ‘artistic love letter to his hometown’ – a vision which falters in the wake of his diagnosis. 

He said: ‘I used to sit at a potter's wheel on stage. People thought it was a gimmick but I actually started out as a dedicated wannabe ceramicist. Art was my educational saviour. 

‘Over years of witnessing what felt like an ongoing decline in educational commitment to the very same arts I felt it was time I threw my hat back into the ring. To kickstart a debate about culture in general, whilst giving something of a visual a symbol of gratitude back to my honestly beloved town.’

The two hour-long episodes were made by Rumpus Media, whose head of enterainment, Adeel Amini, said: ‘Johnny Vegas is already well-known and revered as an actor and comedian, but now we’re thrilled to bring you his journey back to his first love: being an artist. 

‘In this unique two-part series, Johnny tackles art and creativity with his trademark wit and humour, as well as a great deal of honesty and emotion, showing us a brand new side to one of Britain’s best-loved figures.’

And Shaminder Nahal, head of specialist factual programming at Channel 4 added: ‘This series brings to life the power of art for everyone – how it can soothe, help, energise and inspire. 

‘Beautifully filmed over several years by Eddie Stafford, the series showcases Johnny’s unique humour, heart and passion – uncovering the intricacies and demands of artistic process along the way. It’s an enlightening, eye-opening and emotional journey.’

Vegas revealed his ADHD diagnosis on BBC Breakfast in 2023. 

He then explained: ‘It’s that sense of disorganisation and doing basic tasks. Everybody has an element of it. It’s how strong your filter is, I think.

‘When you don’t have a filter at all, very simple things become very time consuming. It’s like, [I’ll say] I’ll shift that cup, and then you have 10 other ideas and you haven’t shifted that cup, and then three weeks later that cup’s still there and somebody’s like, "Why haven’t you shifted that?" and it’s become this monumental task and it’s built up.

‘It’s just, I suppose, how your brain organises itself. I always knew I was disorganised … but [the diagnosis] helps make sense of a lot of things at school. I’m just on the verge of learning about it.’

Of being diagnosed so late in life, he added: ‘In some respects you can go back and look at it with regret, but I’ve had a bit of a charmed life, so it’s no regrets. I know now and it helps you make changes, I suppose, as you want to get more responsible later in life. I don’t see it as defining me.’

Vegas previously made two series of Carry On Glamping for Channel 4, charting his attempts to set up a campsite using vintage vehicles as the accommodation.

And also coming soon is Johnny Vegas’ Little Shop of Antiques for the Quest channel, in which he will open an antiques shop in the north-west of England. 

Published: 11 Jun 2025