Tony Christie has revealed how he is coping after his dementia diagnosis, insisting he ‘doesn’t hide’ from the disease as speaking about it helps break the stigma.Â
The singer, 82, best known for (Is This the Way to) Amarillo, was diagnosed with dementia in 2023 after struggling with his crosswords.Â
However the star has refused to slow down and is still performing and touring as he confessed: ‘Most days I don’t give a second thought to my dementia.’
Speaking to the Daily Mail after collaborating with Music For Dementia for their Christmas film, he shared his advice for anyone with dementia or anyone caring for someone with the disease.Â
Addressing why he went public he began: ‘Don’t hide from it. It’s nothing to be ashamed off. I was diagnosed in January 2023, and going public with it was the right decision for me.
‘I want to use my voice to help break down the stigma. I have been told the earlier you are diagnosed the more help the doctors can be, so if you’re even slightly worried you have symptoms go and see your GP.
Tony Christie, 82, has revealed his dementia is ‘nothing to be ashamed of’ and he doesn’t want to ‘hide’ from it as the singer refuses slow down and continues to tour amid diagnosis
He confessed: ‘Most days I don’t give a second thought to my dementia… I like to focus on what I can still do. Performing keeps me sharp’ (pictured performing in 2024)
‘I hear of a lot of people shutting themselves in doors because they think that leaving the house will be too hard. I can understand that fear, but I do think you need to try and live your life and enjoy it.’Â
Tony added: ‘There are more and more accessible events now – concerts, walks, galleries etc. that run dementia-friendly events, so I would encourage families to give them a go. Keep those passions and interests going.
‘Also, try and laugh more. Humour is medicine. Sue and I laugh all the time, and it definitely helps us get through a bad day.’
Tony isn’t the only star to go public with his dementia diagnosis.Â
Birds Of A Feather star Pauline Quirke Pauline, 65, was diagnosed with the disease in 2021, and her husband Steve Sheen went public with the news in January.
Similarly Fiona Phillips, 64, was told she had Alzheimer’s in 2022, but only publicly shared her diagnosis in 2023.
Earlier this year the broadcaster published her memoir Remember When: My life with Alzheimer’s, amid her battle with the disease.Â
Commenting on Pauline and Fiona’s decisions to go public he explained it helps ‘remove the stigma’.Â
Tony said:Â ‘I hear of a lot of people shutting themselves in doors because they think that leaving the house will be too hard. I can understand that fear, but I do think you need to try and live your life and enjoy it’ (pictured with his granddaughter Deia)Â
Birds Of A Feather star Pauline Quirke Pauline, 65, was diagnosed with the disease in 2021, and her husband Steve Sheen went public with the news in January (pictured in Birds Of A Feather)
Similarly Fiona Phillips, 64, was told she had Alzheimer’s in 2022, but only publicly shared her diagnosis in 2023
Speaking about the ad (pictured) he said: ‘The advert really resonated with me, not only because it shows how magic music can be, but because it shows a granddaughter helping the woman finally play music’
‘It says: this isn’t something to be ashamed of, this isn’t something to hide. Both Pauline and Fiona have been brave, and they’ve opened doors for others to have conversations about dementia without fear or embarrassment.
‘I decided to go public because silence doesn’t help anyone. I’ve had strangers stop me in supermarkets, in the street, saying thank you for being honest. That feedback alone proved it was the right decision.Â
‘If my story can help even one family feel less alone or encourage someone to seek a diagnosis earlier, it’s worth it. We need more people speaking about this – celebrities, public figures, ordinary people.Â
‘The more we talk about it, the more it becomes part of the normal conversation, not something whispered about behind closed doors. Nearly one million people in the UK have dementia – it’s not something that should be brushed under the carpet.’
Tony is currently on tour until December 19 before he takes a break for Christmas.Â
‘I like to focus on what I can still do. Performing keeps me sharp. When I’m on stage, nothing else matters. I love touring and I’m on the road at the moment.’
He added: ‘I’ve released a new album earlier this year, I’m still touring, I’m still connecting with audiences and all of that is because I have music as part of my daily life. ‘
Tony has paired up with Music For Dementia for their Give The Music Back Christmas film.Â
Sian Welby also shared the film on Instagram as she said: ‘Music is so powerful for those suffering with dementia and in those moments where the music is playing, I get my dad back’
Broadcaster Alastair Stewart, who lives with dementia, said: ‘Music is vital for those of us with dementia. It tests and stimulates memory and brings good stuff flooding back’
Inspired by the John Lewis ad it demonstrates the unspoken power of music on the lives of families impacted by dementia, with Tony contributing as a voiceover.Â
Speaking about the ad he said: ‘The advert really resonated with me, not only because it shows how magic music can be, but because it shows a granddaughter helping the woman finally play music.Â
‘I’m 82, and my granddaughter Deia has to help me navigate tech all of the time. The Christmas film captures that intergenerational connection beautifully.’
Explaining how younger people can help elder relatives with dementia he added: ‘They just need a bit of patience.Â
‘Deia helps me with technology, yes, but more importantly, she just spends time with me. I’m lucky, we are a very close family.
‘We love listening to music together. She set up the Alexa device in my house, so Sue and I find it easier to listen to music.’
