Johnny Vegas’s New Series Explores Art, ADHD and His Roots in St. Helens

Image: Ch4 Press

By Jon Donnis

Johnny Vegas, the comedian, actor and trained potter, is set to take on his most personal artistic project yet in a new Channel 4 series called Johnny Vegas: Art, ADHD and Me. The two-part documentary, produced by Rumpus Media, follows Vegas as he attempts to create a piece of public art for his hometown of St. Helens in Merseyside. But what begins as a creative challenge soon turns into a deeper exploration of identity and mental health.

Vegas has long been known for mixing comedy with a kind of heartfelt sincerity. In this series, that blend comes through fully as he reflects on his own experience receiving an ADHD diagnosis. It's an unexpected twist that reshapes not only his artistic vision but also his understanding of himself. What could have been a straightforward story about making art becomes an honest and moving conversation about the struggles and surprises of learning who you really are.

Art has always played a vital role in Vegas's life. He began as a "dedicated wannabe ceramicist", practising pottery before his rise in entertainment. He remembers using art as his "educational saviour" at a time when schools seemed to be stepping back from the creative subjects he loved. Now, after years away from that world, he's throwing his hat back in the ring, but with something bigger in mind. More than just creating a sculpture, he wants to spark a wider conversation about culture, creativity and community while paying tribute to the town that shaped him.

There's a rawness to this project that goes beyond the usual celebrity documentary. Adeel Amini from Rumpus Media highlights how the series lets viewers see a different side of Johnny Vegas, one that's open, vulnerable and full of humour. It's a chance to watch a well-known figure wrestle with his creativity while confronting personal challenges, all told with the warmth and wit fans have come to expect.

Channel 4's Shaminder Nahal adds that the series captures the "power of art for everyone", its ability to heal, energise and inspire no matter who you are. Filmed over several years by Eddie Stafford, the documentary not only showcases Vegas's artistic process but also explores the emotional and mental demands that come with it. The result is a journey that is as enlightening as it is moving.

In a world where discussions around mental health are more important than ever, Johnny Vegas: Art, ADHD and Me promises to be more than just a look at making art. It is about finding yourself in unexpected places, facing challenges honestly and celebrating the small town that is at the heart of it all. For Johnny Vegas, this is not just another project, it is a genuine love letter to St. Helens and to the art that saved him.