Joe Tracini, the former Hollyoaks actor and CBBC presenter is to appear in a new mental health awareness documentary for Channel 4.
Ten years ago, Tracini was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, and has become known online for his very honest sketches about it on social media.
The genre-busting programme will mix documentary with scripted comedy, as Tracini invites cameras into his world and introduces us to “Mick” – the constant voice inside his head.
“Most films about mental illness are, ironically, depressing. I’m a lot of things, but serious is rarely one of them,” he explained.
“I think we can all agree that it’s not the easiest time to be alive, and with things getting worse faster than I can lower my standards, I’m very grateful to Channel 4 & Hungry Bear Media for letting me tell my story my way.”
Tracini, who is the son of Joe Pasquale, will show how “Mick” feeds him negative thoughts and often encourages him to hurt himself. In other parts of the film, he’ll speak to family, loved ones and experts in BPD to gain more understanding of his condition. He’ll also share his dreams of performing a stand-up comedy show, to reignite his stage career.
“I am hugely grateful to Joe for allowing us into his life and mind for this powerful, sensitive and at times very funny programme. It’s a unique mix of comedy and brutal authenticity, which all comes together to create a clear portrait of what it is to live with this tough condition,” added Tim Hancock, Commissioning Editor at Channel 4.
I have Borderline Personality Disorder.
— Joe Tracini (@joetracini) January 26, 2020
He lives in my head and it’s difficult to explain the symptoms, so I got him out to show you xx pic.twitter.com/cPmZlR8T96
Me and the Voice In My Head is a 1×60 directed and produced by Tom Green and Tommy Forbes. The Executive Producer is Dan Baldwin for Hungry Bear Media.
“Making this documentary with the phenomenally talented Joe Tracini was a huge highlight for us all. It is a tough, heart-wrenching, enlightening, terrifying and brilliantly funny film. In my opinion, it deserves to win everything – hearts, minds and awards,” said Baldwin.
