A Wiltshire-based autism specialist has spoken out in support of Lewis Capaldi after he was left unable to finish a song at Glastonbury.

Capaldi was midway through his set on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday following an impromptu three-week break when the Scottish singer's Tourettes prevented him from being able to finish his hit song 'Someone You Loved'.

He announced that he was still struggling following the break, and repeatedly apologised to the crowd for losing his voice during his performance. 

When it came to the final song of the set, Capaldi's biggest hit, the singer's tic stopped him from being able to physically sing it, but in a show of support the large Glastonbury crowd took over and loudly sang the entire song back to him. 

Capaldi has since announced a further break from touring following the performance, and it has sparked a big debate online about neurodivergence and the impact of such a moment on public perception.

Now, a Wiltshire autism specialist Jodie Smitten has publicly commented in support of Capaldi.

Jodie, 40, is autistic and has ADHD, and has dedicated herself to researching and supporting neurodivergent people, having completed a master's degree on the subject. 

She now works with children and adults to help them come to understand their own neurodivergence particularly specialising in autism and ADHD over the last six years. 

"It's really hard to watch someone who is doing an incredible job and is extremely talented like Lewis beating themselves up because they feel they're not meeting certain neuronormative expectations."

Jodie, based in Marlborough, explained that even though certain aspects of society have improved when it comes to supporting neurodivergent people, including some workplaces, other aspects like the education system were still behind in making positive changes to accept and accommodate them. 

She added that the education system in particular is responsible for leading to 'internalised ableism' where someone who is autistic, or living with Tourettes, internalises the expectations of neuronormative people.

"This Lewis situation fascinates me because as much as it’s incredible that they supported him, there is so much that’s beneath the surface of that, and why it's happening. 

"Not everyone who is neurodivergent is given the same level of support as Lewis was, if someone had the same tics as him in a supermarket or car park, they would not get the same response.

"Lewis will raise awareness, but we need the next level really now, we need acceptance.

She added: "It was emotional seeing it happen, and you could feel how disappointed in himself he was, he feels people will not think he’s good enough, but he is an incredibly talented singer-songwriter who clearly enjoys that part of it, so I hate the thought he might be stepping away from what he loves and what brings him joy that because of that external pressure that comes with being in the public eye."