Singer Tony Christie has announced he has been diagnosed with dementia.
During an appearance on Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch, singer Steph McGovern, 79, said he got the news last year.
He explained, “I said to my wife, ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I’m starting to forget people’s names and things.’
Sad news: Singer Tony Christie has announced that he has been diagnosed with dementia
She said, “Let’s go to a specialist.” I had all the tests and they said it’s early onset dementia.
“They gave me these pills that really slowed it down and it really slowed it down.”
Tony jokingly added, “I can’t remember her name now,” pointing to his wife Sue.
He explained how he’s adjusted since receiving the diagnosis: “I need to have a TV screen with the lyrics on stage.
He added: “I don’t use it very often, it’s just there to make me feel safe.”
Elsewhere in the chat, Steph asked what Tony is most looking forward to before he turns 80.
He said: “I’m looking forward to the work. i love working My grandfather used to say, “You retire, you die,” and I just said I’m not going to die.
“I’m going to keep going and keep going… I’m feeling good. I can go on forever, that’s how I feel.’
Fears come true: It comes after Tony revealed he was concerned he might be developing dementia after noticing his memory was deteriorating in 2019 (pictured)
It comes after Tony revealed he was concerned he was developing dementia after noticing his memory was deteriorating in 2019.
The (Is This The Way To) Amarillo star said that despite playing the same songs for 50 years, he now needs the lyrics on an autocue.
Although he’s currently touring in Germany, Tony said he’ll have a check-up when he gets back to the UK – although he’d rather not know if he has the condition.
Actor: The (Is This The Way To) Amarillo star, pictured in 1973, revealed he must have his lyrics on an autocue now, even though he’s been singing them for half a century
Tony told The Mirror: “I’ve noticed for a few years that my memory is deteriorating, which is a serious problem, especially as there’s dementia in my family.
“It’s gotten to the point where I have to have the lyrics on Autocue for every song I perform live, and I’ve been singing most of them for half a century.”
However, the star tried to remain positive, adding: “If it’s bad news I expect jokes from people who say they always suspected so much because 48 years after that song I clearly still don’t know as it comes to Amarillo hit first.’
Support: Tony’s wife Sue, pictured together in 2005, had to help him remember details of their life together when he was writing his autobiography as he couldn’t remember
Tony also revealed that he had to write down his bandmates’ names to make sure he didn’t misintroduce them on stage.
And at a recent gig in Germany, the I Did What I Did For Maria singer got the city he was wrong about thinking he was in Hamburg when he was actually in Leipzig.
Tony explained that while he tried to make a joke out of it, the moment was “actually no laughing matter for me.”
He also struggled with remembering things while writing autobiography The Song Interpreter and had to ask his 51-year-old wife Sue for help.
Tony also revealed how he met his wife while she was in front of the audience in 1967 when he was on stage singing.
Tony explained that he knew right away that he wanted to marry her, but his father wasn’t so convinced.
He said in his autobiography: “My father was a little concerned that everything might be like a hurricane. He said, “Tony, you don’t just marry a girl because she has great legs.”
“Well, she still has great legs, but what I was like was, ‘Why are you looking at my girlfriend’s legs?’ ‘
Recall: Tony not only needs a nudge to remember lyrics pictured in 1991 on the left and 2005 on the right, but also needs to write down the names of his bandmates so he can introduce them properly
Although Tony’s hits included Las Vegas and I Did What I Did For Maria, Amarillo was his first song to sell millions.
The catchy tune was a hit again when it was used by Peter Kay for a comic relief video in 2005.
Tony was originally slated to star in the act with Peter Kay, but his involvement was scaled back until he was dropped from the schedule altogether.
It was only an angry call from his manager’s son, Sean, who threatened to refuse permission to use the song, that brought him back to office. . . for just 14 seconds of footage.
Star: Tony’s hits include “Las Vegas” and “I Did What I Did For Maria,” but the sing-along classic “Amarillo” was his first song to sell millions. Tony performs in 1967