The chat-show host with Tourette's

Pilot for teenager Lewis Nickell

A teenager with Tourette's Syndrome is piloting a comedy talk show.

Lewis Nickell has a form of the condition which makes him swear involuntarily and blurt out inappropriate comments.

His video blogs have become a hit on the internet and in January, Nickell hit the headlines when a video went vital of him taking a flight, while constantly exclaiming things like 'Bomb!' and 'I'm a terrorist!'

Now the 17-year-old,from Bangor, has begun filming his own entertainment show What Makes You Tic?

Fatboy Slim and actress Bronagh Waugh from The Fall will be the guests, and Nickell – who uses the name Qball online – has already posted pictures of himself online with the superstar DJ.

Lewis Nickell

The show will feature Lewis in the studio and on location interviewing celebrities, alongside comedy segments, games and performances from the new stand-up comedians.

He said: 'I'm buzzing about the chance to present my own TV talk-show and hope everyone who likes what I've done online will really like this as well.

'Raising positive awareness about Tourette's and having fun doing it was my goal from the start.

It will be directed by Ed Tracy, who previously worked on Fonejacker and is a co-production between Belfast's Nice One Productions, and Hindsight Productions,a new company set up by former BBC head of light entertainment David Young .

Nice One boss Chris Jones said: 'I sent David a selection of clips of Lewis' vlogs – he immediately spotted Lewis' star potential and put his money where his mouth is and committed to privately funding a pilot.

'I really hope this co-production gives Lewis the chance to fulfil his dream of becoming TV's very first talk-show host with Tourette's."

Young added: 'Quite simply this was one idea that had to be made."

What Makes You Tic? will be shot entirely in Northern Ireland with backing from Northern Ireland Screen.

Here is Nickell on the Stephen Nolan Show earlier this year.