Mind Matters: Pop star Gary Numan opens up about life with Asperger's | 5 News

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► What's it like to be shy - and yet spend much of your life in front of hundreds of thousands of people?
Pop star Gary Numan was huge in the 70's and 80's, with hits like "Cars" and "Are Friends Electric". But Gary's always felt like he struggled to fit in - and as a child, was told he probably had Asperger's - a form of autism.
For today's Mind Matters with Dr Sian Williams, Gary interrupted his international tour to talk about his four decades in music - and how he manages his mental health.
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[@robandchristheateam5053]

Absolute hero to disclose such vulnerability. Well done Gary

[@ps.6023]

I am also autistic, I will never forget metting Gary candidly, while I was doing a theater troupe and he came to see my cast's show wiht his family. we discussed our sturggles with autism and shared what it is like living with it as well as tips, our convesation lasted for 1 hour and he was very kind and made sure to answer all my questions. The epitomy of humbleness and kindness.

[@inr2412]

I'm so happy for you to have had this incredible experience. Good luck! Best wishes for your future.

[@robertthrossell4321]

Gary's the most honest open person, wonderful man and genius musician 👍

[@arno-luyendijk4798]

I don't know why, but this interview is something as a point of relief for me. I have accepted my autism since my diagnosis in 2008 more and deeper, but the way Gary searches for words is soo recognizable. Just love that. I am not alone.Thanks Gary.

[@robandchristheateam5053]

A great hero to show such character in revealing his vulnerability. Vamos Gary.

[@djpattos]

I myself am Asperger's and a successful Producer for many great singers. Yes I see Asperger's as my friend and view the world in a very different way to most and it shows in my own current album I am writing after surviving heart Bypass surgery. When I do my craft I am safe and where my emotion is revealed. Thanks Aspergers for making me the person I am and are.

[@TheWillHadcroft]

Interesting. In my youth I exhibited many of the aspects of Asperger syndrome. I escaped into creativity. Now in my fifties, I write BBC "Doctor Who" audiobooks. I also write and record songs. Best wishes for a quick recovery from your surgery.

[@edwardtruman8327]

My musical idol since I was 13 and a lovely down to earth man to speak to. 100% gentleman.

[@josephberg1586]

He’s just 😎 he doesn’t know it. His music got Us through some tough days

[@markbeetham5118]

I went to Gary's house in April 1983. I was 18 and never expected anything. Just wanted to give it a try. He spent two hours with us in his garden on a gorgeous April summers day. We were all awkward. But we had such a fantastic time I know Gary only thinks of the future... But thank you for my past

[@alicegrant3731]

Hats off Gary... so open, so honest, top man

[@alisonkovacs9871]

Our lovely beautiful gorgeous Gary is asperger just like myself love him so much I can really relate to him love him forever

[@jamesdevine02]

Really nice interview. I like hearing about this side of Gary since I relate to it a great deal (I got diagnosed myself this year). Found school really hard and acted up at certain points, never been good at maintaining friends or general social interaction, and generally quite happy in my own company, though sometimes I get insecure and feel that I'm supposed to be going out and making friends more. I'm at university, still very young, and really uncertain about my future but hearing from someone like Gary who has been through many of the same struggles and yet seems to have found his place and achieved many great things is especially comforting and inspiring. :)

[@user-js3rg9sj1k]

He is such a lovely man....I met him...he was so modest.😊

[@j.dmetalhead7517]

As ever Gary is brutally honest about his life. Unfortunately the same can not be said about the researchers of this interview. Gary has not been on Beggars banquet records since the mid 1980's

[@ernestinegrace4593]

Ive met Gary years ago in here in Australia he was very cool. I sang happy birthday to him after a show

[@rachelminall2121]

An amazing man who just gets better and better.just loving his music.

[@monotion83]

The time @ school isn't easy in general I think. I was suffering @ school too. So I'm happy that this past is over. Great interview 👍🏻

[@clairelouise335]

Saw him in Leeds last night. Awesome.

[@slumdogjay]

I was at that Glasgow gig. Brilliant.

[@alisonkovacs9871]

I'm so in love with gorgeous Gary and I'm so happy he has got his lovely wife Gemma I know she loves him too

[@catherinewholey3630]

Very interesting interview. My own diagnosis of (c)PTSD has some very similar symptoms but of course the 2 "conditions" are very different. I liked his honesty and vulnerability.

[@AmandaMoore253]

Bless him 😊

[@beendoneagain]

This shit never gets old!

[@terrylewis4766]

Having met Gary twice and chatted to him, he handles his problems very well and is a genuinely lovely bloke

[@comond]

Intruder is NOT on Beggars Banquet Records and it would have been good if they could have spelled his name correctly at 3:46 .

[@user-js3rg9sj1k]

❤❤❤❤

[@alisonkovacs9871]

Gorgeous gary I'm just happy you and I have asperger in common babe

[@user-js3rg9sj1k]

I was like this.

[@alisonkovacs9519]

Darling gorgeous gary i too havent got very good eye contact either babe❤

[@mrgladstone4044]

A decent gent.

[@alisonkovacs9871]

Gorgeous gary darling because of my asperger I had a temper as well

[@christinavuyk7875]

2:18 in and as well as Oor Gary lying through his teeth all journalistic integrity went out of the window. Well done Channel 5 and there’s still 5 minutes to go 😂😂😂

[@nicoladavies8878]

They could have at least spelt his name correctly.

[@johnryder8464]

Aspergers wasn't even a term when he went to St Thomas Hospital. Seriously Gary stop pedalling untruths.

[@christinavuyk7875]

Don’t get me started 😂

[@johnryder8464]

I don't know why he comes out with this stuff but i can tell you genuine sufferers do find obsessiveness a big problem. Gary's ignorance is breath taking.

[@outpost31737]

Spot on! Disgrace if you ask me. Never been diagnosed and he certainly does NOT have a problem with eye contact.

[@Scratiznutz]

Wow I didn't know you were all there 🙄

[@dantheman92317]

Yeah I liked the interview but that part definitely didn’t add up. He was 14 or 15 in the 70s. Asperger’s didn’t even begin to get any traction as a diagnosis until the 90s

[@outpost31737]

He suffers with anxiety but Aspergers is just total rubbish. I heard his wife told him to take an online test and ever since then he's run with it. He is doing a great disservice to genuine sufferers who do find some of the traits he dismisses utterly debilitating. Disgraceful.

[@useryou2]

I'm afraid your wrong and Spreading lies I have it and everything he said is right so please don't send bad Energy this way your the one who's disgraceful sorry to say that for real doc what's that your not a doctor? My bad

[@peterrinaldi6048]

Suprise Suprise it's our Jeremy again Gary's number one stalker giving his us his diagnosis on Gary's condition your the one that's a disgrace some so called fan you are

[@AW-dt8ct]

Bullshit. He always have had very poor facial expressions like an android so I wasn't surprised when Gary Numan came out as an Aspie. And I don't think he makes anyone suffer.

[@Scratiznutz]

"I heard his wife told him......" Usual hearsay, and as non of you were stood beside him at St Thomas's when he was with the psychiatrist, It would be flippantly ignorant and assuming of what you don't know to be truth or otherwise. Nevermind, keep up the Numan hate.

[@jonathonaldington1295]

Well jeremy if you watched the documentary on sky arts the other evening, im sure you would like to apologise to gary for doubting his comments especially when he shows written proof of his condition ffs!!