This Morning star reveals heartbreaking update after dad's dementia diagnosis
This Morning star reveals heartbreaking update after dad's dementia diagnosis
This Morning presenter Sian Welby has heartbreakingly revealed her dad doesn't know her baby daughter's name.
The radio star, 37, welcomed her first child in June 2024, but her dad, Ian, suffers from dementia, and sadly, doesn't remember his granddaughter Ruby's name.
Sian - who made her debut hosting on the ITV daytime show with Dermot O'Leary last year - has been open about her dad's health struggles, previously saying he was 'going through it' and that she was 'frightened' to lose the person she knows.
In a new interview, the star has now opened up about the 'cruel' diagnosis and the impact it has had on the family, but said she still feels 'lucky' that her dad knows who she is.
Speaking on The Lulu Podcast last week, she said: 'I'm very close to my dad. He's very funny, he is very sharp, so it's scary to think I was going to lose that because it's him, you know?
'That's what's so cruel about it, that you won't wish on anyone. You're gonna lose the person.
Sian Welby and her dad Ian
(Image: instagram/@sianwelby )
"They're physically going to be there, but gradually, bit by bit, you're losing them. That was just horrible to imagine."
She went on: "I'm very lucky - and I will say it out loud - I'm lucky that my dad seems to have reached a very stable stage where he's not particularly getting worse, he's having good days and bad days, but he still knows who I am, he knows I have a baby, he doesn't know her name, that doesn't bother me, but he always remembers that I've got a baby."
Sian has been open about her dad's health in recent years, and spoke about him contracting Covid-19 in 2022 after a cancer diagnosis, when he lost six stone in just two weeks.
Sian is mum to baby Ruby
(Image: (Image: Sian Welby Instagram) )
In an interview last year, the Capital radio presenter told OK! : 'Thankfully, he won the fight. But it was awful. I don't know how he didn't die. There were some real low moments.
'At one point, he thought we'd put him in a home; he was so disoriented.'
She added that she feels 'very lucky' that her dad knows who she is.
Article continues below
'He was overwhelmed, seeing me on the telly every day, the other week. When he's in the moment, he's very present,' she went on.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Western Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Covid NB.1.8.1 cases rising: what is known about new variant
Covid NB.1.8.1 is a variation of the XDV.1.5.1 strain and was first detected back in January 2025. However, reports of the new variant are "growing rapidly", according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), and it is showing some signs of "additional immune evasion" compared to others. World Health Organisation monitoring COVID NB.1.8.1 The WHO has placed the Covid NB.1.8.1 "under monitoring" due to the rise in cases worldwide. It is one of six COVID-19 variants currently being monitored. The new 'Strategic and operational plan for coronavirus disease threat management: at a glance' sets out the global framework for supporting Member States in the sustained, integrated, evidence-based management of coronavirus disease threats, including #COVID19, MERS, and… — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 28, 2025 However, the WHO stated that the risk posed by the new variant was "low," and that approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be effective against it. The world health experts, in a recent risk evaluation, said: "Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalisations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation. The WHO added: "The available evidence on NB.1.8.1 does not suggest additional public health risks relative to the other currently circulating Omicron descendent lineages." Where has Covid NB.1.8.1 been detected? COVID NB.1.8.1 has already been detected in 22 countries. These include the likes of Australia, China, Hong Kong, Thailand and the US, according to The Independent. The coming COVID-19 Winter Surge in Australia will show the world where we are actually headed is happening in South-Eats Asia and East Asia are just the 'preludes'...watch how NB.1.8.1 spawns are evolving including PQ.1, PQ.2 and even sub-lineages like PE.1. — Thailand Medical News (@ThailandMedicaX) June 4, 2025 COVID NB.1.8.1 in the UK Cases of the NB.1.8.1 variant have also been confirmed in Northern Ireland, Wales, and "popular British tourist hotspots", the news outlet added. What are the symptoms of COVID-19? Health organisations are yet to list any symptoms unique to Covid NB.1.8.1. However, common symptoms of other COVID-19 variants, according to the NHS, include: High temperature or shivering (chills) New, continuous cough (this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours) Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste Shortness of breath Feeling tired or exhausted Aching body Headache Sore throat Blocked or runny nose Loss of appetite Diarrhoea Feeling sick or being sick How to tell if you have a cold, the flu or COVID-19 How to protect yourself from COVID-19 variants COVID-19 vaccines are available in the UK, and are usually offered on the NHS in spring and early winter. The vaccine is available for those: Aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 17 June, 2025) Aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment Live in a care home for older adults RECOMMENDED READING: The NHS said: "The COVID-19 vaccines are offered because viruses change and protection fades over time. It's important to top up your protection if you're eligible." The vaccine helps: Reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms Recover more quickly if you catch COVID-19 Reduce your risk of having to go to hospital or dying from COVID-19 Protect against different types of COVID-19 virus Eligible people can book in for a vaccination via the NHS website, the NHS App, or by attending a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site.
Powys County Times
7 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Covid NB.1.8.1 cases rising: what is known about new variant
Health experts have warned that cases of a new COVID-19 variant are on the rise around the world. Covid NB.1.8.1 is a variation of the XDV.1.5.1 strain and was first detected back in January 2025. However, reports of the new variant are "growing rapidly", according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), and it is showing some signs of "additional immune evasion" compared to others. World Health Organisation monitoring COVID NB.1.8.1 The WHO has placed the Covid NB.1.8.1 "under monitoring" due to the rise in cases worldwide. It is one of six COVID-19 variants currently being monitored. The new 'Strategic and operational plan for coronavirus disease threat management: at a glance' sets out the global framework for supporting Member States in the sustained, integrated, evidence-based management of coronavirus disease threats, including #COVID19, MERS, and… — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 28, 2025 However, the WHO stated that the risk posed by the new variant was "low," and that approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be effective against it. The world health experts, in a recent risk evaluation, said: "Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalisations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation. The WHO added: "The available evidence on NB.1.8.1 does not suggest additional public health risks relative to the other currently circulating Omicron descendent lineages." Where has Covid NB.1.8.1 been detected? COVID NB.1.8.1 has already been detected in 22 countries. These include the likes of Australia, China, Hong Kong, Thailand and the US, according to The Independent. The coming COVID-19 Winter Surge in Australia will show the world where we are actually headed is happening in South-Eats Asia and East Asia are just the 'preludes'...watch how NB.1.8.1 spawns are evolving including PQ.1, PQ.2 and even sub-lineages like PE.1. — Thailand Medical News (@ThailandMedicaX) June 4, 2025 COVID NB.1.8.1 in the UK Cases of the NB.1.8.1 variant have also been confirmed in Northern Ireland, Wales, and "popular British tourist hotspots", the news outlet added. What are the symptoms of COVID-19? Health organisations are yet to list any symptoms unique to Covid NB.1.8.1. However, common symptoms of other COVID-19 variants, according to the NHS, include: High temperature or shivering (chills) New, continuous cough (this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours) Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste Shortness of breath Feeling tired or exhausted Aching body Headache Sore throat Blocked or runny nose Loss of appetite Diarrhoea Feeling sick or being sick How to tell if you have a cold, the flu or COVID-19 How to protect yourself from COVID-19 variants COVID-19 vaccines are available in the UK, and are usually offered on the NHS in spring and early winter. The vaccine is available for those: Aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 17 June, 2025) Aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment Live in a care home for older adults The NHS said: "The COVID-19 vaccines are offered because viruses change and protection fades over time. It's important to top up your protection if you're eligible." The vaccine helps:
South Wales Guardian
7 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Covid NB.1.8.1 cases rising: what is known about new variant
Covid NB.1.8.1 is a variation of the XDV.1.5.1 strain and was first detected back in January 2025. However, reports of the new variant are "growing rapidly", according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), and it is showing some signs of "additional immune evasion" compared to others. The WHO has placed the Covid NB.1.8.1 "under monitoring" due to the rise in cases worldwide. It is one of six COVID-19 variants currently being monitored. The new 'Strategic and operational plan for coronavirus disease threat management: at a glance' sets out the global framework for supporting Member States in the sustained, integrated, evidence-based management of coronavirus disease threats, including #COVID19, MERS, and… However, the WHO stated that the risk posed by the new variant was "low," and that approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be effective against it. The world health experts, in a recent risk evaluation, said: "Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalisations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation. The WHO added: "The available evidence on NB.1.8.1 does not suggest additional public health risks relative to the other currently circulating Omicron descendent lineages." COVID NB.1.8.1 has already been detected in 22 countries. These include the likes of Australia, China, Hong Kong, Thailand and the US, according to The Independent. The coming COVID-19 Winter Surge in Australia will show the world where we are actually headed is happening in South-Eats Asia and East Asia are just the 'preludes'...watch how NB.1.8.1 spawns are evolving including PQ.1, PQ.2 and even sub-lineages like PE.1. Cases of the NB.1.8.1 variant have also been confirmed in Northern Ireland, Wales, and "popular British tourist hotspots", the news outlet added. Health organisations are yet to list any symptoms unique to Covid NB.1.8.1. However, common symptoms of other COVID-19 variants, according to the NHS, include: COVID-19 vaccines are available in the UK, and are usually offered on the NHS in spring and early winter. The vaccine is available for those: RECOMMENDED READING: The NHS said: "The COVID-19 vaccines are offered because viruses change and protection fades over time. It's important to top up your protection if you're eligible." The vaccine helps: Eligible people can book in for a vaccination via the NHS website, the NHS App, or by attending a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site.
