‘I’ll be there to calm him if I can’
Lewis Capaldi announced this week that he would be stepping down from touring for “the foreseeable future” as he adjusts to his life with Tourette’s syndrome.
The Scottish singer had to end his Glastonbury set early as he battled tics on stage over the weekend, losing his voice in the process. However, with the help of the crowd, he was able to create one of the more special moments of this year’s festival.
In the wake of the announcement, it’s important to highlight the support that Capaldi is receiving and the difference that can make to someone going through mental or physical health issues.
As he said in his statement, his friends and family have been a constant shoulder to lean on, and one of those who has helped him in the past is his pal Niall Horan.
In a recent interview with JOE’s Unfiltered podcast, the Irish singer-songwriter spoke about his relationship with Capaldi and the similarities they have in their musical career.
He said: “The second I met him we were just straight in, like, good mates. I think a lot of people think that famous people are all friends with famous people, not necessarily the case, there’s a lot of arseholes around there too. Me and Capaldi just happened to get on very well the minute we met.
The two musicians experienced similar meteoric rises to fame and it seems to be something they’ve bonded over.
“It happened very fast for him,” Horan explained. “Like one minute he’s throwing up a couple of YouTube videos and then he’s playing arenas. Now he’s an international star of his own and that happened very quick for him.”
Horan went into detail about how the two keep in contact while on tour and talk about what life is like on the road which, for a solo artist, can be an isolating experience.
But the comments that really hit home after Capaldi’s recent announcement are about how Horan helps his mate in times of need and highlights the support group the Scottish singer has around him.
He said: “We’ve had some darker conversations too obviously because that’s what friends do. But I’ve always felt like I’ve been there for him. He used to ask me questions early on about this and that and I’d just help wherever I could.
“His anxieties and his mental health is something I can’t control but I’ll be there to calm him if I can. He’s obviously got great parents as you can see and they’re just brilliant with him and all his mates and he’s got good folk around him.
“We do have a lot in common and I can help him wherever I can. I’m no genius either, there’s no book for it really, but I know a little bit.”
You can watch the full interview with Horan as part of JOE’s Unfiltered podcast right here.
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