Singer Tony Christie opened up about his dementia diagnosis on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday.
The 79-year-old Road to Amarillo star said he’s “not worried” about the disease, is determined to keep performing – and wants to reassure others who have had the same diagnosis.
He said: “I have a feeling that in a few years there will be pills that will cure it. I’m not worried.’
‘I’m sure there will soon be pills to cure’ Tony Christie, 79, opened up about having dementia on Wednesday’s BBC Breakfast as he said he wasn’t worried about his diagnosis
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (affecting the brain) that affect memory, thinking and behavior.
Explaining in detail how he discovered he had the disease, he said: “I used to do two or three crossword puzzles a day and [I wasn’t able to]. I was like what happened to me.
‘[My wife Sue said] Let’s go and get you checked out. They told me I had early onset dementia and that was two years ago. i ignored it
“I just said keep going and I just kept going and working. So why did I speak out about this? Well I’ve met a lot of people who have it and are concerned about it.
He said: “I just said keep going and I just kept going and working. So why did I speak out about this? Well I’ve met a lot of people who have it and are concerned about it.
Hard Times: Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (affecting the brain) that affect memory, thinking, and behavior
Tony said: “The advice to people who are concerned about this is to go to a specialist and take pills.”
Looking good: Tony looked very elegant as he was pictured leaving the studio
The 12 steps to lowering your risk of dementia
- Get at least seven hours of sleep a night
- Challenge the brain regularly
- Take care of your mental well-being
- Stay socially active
- Watch your hearing
- Eat a balanced diet
- Stay physically active
- Stop smoking
- Drink responsibly
- maintaining healthy cholesterol levels
- maintaining a healthy blood pressure
- Treat diabetes as best you can
“I’m not worried about that.
“I spoke to specialists and they gave me pills and gradually they worked.”
He continued, “The advice for people concerned about this is to go to a specialist and take pills.”
Tony previously revealed he was concerned he was developing dementia after noticing his memory was deteriorating in 2019.
The star said that despite performing the same songs for 50 years, he now needs the lyrics on an autocue.
At the moment, Tony is trying not to deal with the diagnosis and is in the process of traveling to Nashville, Tennessee to record new music.
However, the star admits he fears the day may come when he can’t go on stage, despite the insistence of his wife Sue, 55: “He’ll never lose that. We won’t let him lose that.’
Tony added that he’s not worried about not having to sing Amarillo, and joked that the crowd sings it to him during his shows.
While his long-term memory is still good, he admits he has trouble remembering recent things.
But he sees the situation positively, if it encourages other people to get tested and take medication, then he’ll be happy.
And he insists the show must go on, with the singer planning a celebratory performance for his upcoming 80th birthday.
The hitmaker previously shared how a test two years ago revealed that a small build-up of plaque in his brain was causing memory problems.
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.’
Fears: The star admits he worries there may come a day when he can’t go on stage, despite the insistence of his 55-year-old wife Sue that he’s “not going to lose this”.
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.
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
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.
WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
Dementia is a collective term for a number of neurological diseases
A GLOBAL CONCERN
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (affecting the brain) that affect memory, thinking and behavior.
There are many types of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common.
Some people can have a combination of different types of dementia.
Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global problem, but it is most prevalent in wealthier countries where people are likely to live into old age.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
The Alzheimer’s Society reports that there are more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK today. By 2040, this number is expected to rise to 1.6 million.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 percent of people diagnosed.
There are an estimated 5.5 million people with Alzheimer’s in the United States. A similar percentage increase is expected for the coming years.
The risk of developing dementia also increases with age.
Diagnosis rates are improving, but it is believed that many people with dementia are still undiagnosed.
IS THERE A CURE?
There is currently no cure for dementia.
But new drugs can slow its progression, and the sooner it’s detected, the more effective treatments can be.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society