Tony Christie says he's not worried about having dementia trends now
Singer Tony Christie has opened up about his dementia diagnosis on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday.
The Road to Amarillo star, 79, said he is 'not worried' about the disease, is determined to keep performing - and he is keen to reassure others who have had the same diagnosis.
He said: 'I've got a feeling that within a few years, there will be tablets that will cure it. I'm not worried.'
'I'm sure there will be tablets to cure it soon': Tony Christie, 79, discussed having dementia on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday as he said he's not worried about his diagnosis
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour.
Detailing how he discovered he had the condition, he said: 'I used to go through two or three crosswords a day and [I wasn't able to]. I was like what's happening to me.
'[My wife Sue said] let's go and get checked. They told me I had early onset dementia and that was two years ago. I ignored it.
'I just said carry on and I just did carry on and worked. So why have I come out about it? Well, I've met a lot of people who have got it and they're worried about it.
He said: 'I just said carry on and I just did carry on and worked. So why have I come out about it? Well, I've met a lot of people who have got it and they're worried about it'
Tough time: Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour
Tony said: 'The advice to people who are worried about it is to go and see a specialist and get on tablets'
'I am not worried about it.
'I've spoken to specialists and they've given me tablets and they gradually worked.'
He continued: 'The advice to people who are worried about it is to go and see a specialist and get on tablets.'
Tony previously revealed he was concerned he was developing dementia after noticing his memory has been getting worse back in 2019.
The star said that despite performing the same songs for 50 years he now needs the lyrics on an autocue.
For now, Tony is trying not to 'dwell' on the diagnosis and he is about to travel to Nashville, Tennessee to record new music.
However, the star admits he fears the day may come when he won't be able to get up on stage again, despite his wife of 55 years Sue's insistence: 'He will never lose that. We won't let him lose that.'
Tony added that he doesn't worry over not being to sing Amarillo, joking that the crowd sings it for him during his shows.
While his longterm memory is still clear, he admits he struggles to remember things in recent times.
But he sees a positive in the situation in that if it encourages other people to get tested and go on medication, then he will
