The Chase's Paul Sinha forced to give up vital part of career due to health struggle

Wales Online

4 days ago

The Chase's Paul Sinha forced to give up vital part of career due to health struggle
The Chase star and comedian Paul Sinha has opened up about his struggle with Parkinson's disease, revealing that he has been forced to give up a key part of his career
Paul Sinah, known as the Sinnerman on ITV's popular quiz show, The Chase
(Image: ITV )
Paul Sinha, known for his role on ITV's The Chase, ventured into stand-up comedy while working as a junior doctor, yet his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease has made his participation in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival increasingly difficult.
In 2019, after noticing his limp growing worse on one side, Paul was diagnosed with Parkinson's, a progressive neurological condition that gradually impairs parts of the brain. Symptoms include tremors, balance complications, sleep disturbances, psychosis, and emotional fluctuations.
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There is currently no cure for the neurological condition, and Paul Sinha, also known as The Sinnerman on The Chase, has opened up about living with Parkinson's and how it has impacted his life.
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Having been a dedicated attendee of the festival, revelling what he called the "exercise in masochism" of enduring multiple shows in compact, crowded spaces, Paul now faces significant challenges.
Speaking to Tim Lihoreau on the Guess Who's Coming to Dinner podcast, Paul, who turned 55 on Wednesday, admitted: "I now find with my health not being what it was, and my general energy levels, I find it a lot harder – not least the heat."
He further said: "The rooms at the Edinburgh Festival are really hot, the performing rooms, and I find it hard."
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Paul went on to discuss his reluctance to leave the festival prematurely, saying: "I don't think I could ever go to Edinburgh and leave early, because I just wouldn't feel like I was part of the gang.", reports Bristol Live.
"You've got to be genuinely suffering to a degree to feel that you're part of the gang." For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
Previously, Paul has candidly spoken about how early warning signs of his disease were overlooked. His friends in the medical field initially failed to spot his symptoms, but it was during a follow-up consultation that the extent of his illness came to light.
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Recapping his experience to The Sun, Paul relays a notable comment from his consultant: "I went to see him and he said, 'I've just been watching you on Taskmaster, I wish I'd known. I would have diagnosed you far quicker'," observing that certain gestures he made were symptomatic.
The renowned quizzer emphasised that while tremors are commonly associated with Parkinson's, there is less awareness about other symptoms. He mentioned diminished sense of smell as one of the first potential indications that could arise well before the more obvious tremors.
He also cited nerve pain, issues with urination, and memory lapses as potential early warning signs of the disease.
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On Loose Women, Paul discussed another symptom: a lingering shoulder problem that hinted at his condition: "I presented one morning with a stiff, painful right shoulder. I never had a stiff joint before," he explained. "I didn't think anything of it, I thought, 'this is just going to go away,' and then it just never went away."
Paul makes a concerted effort to preserve his mental sharpness through daily brain exercises. One of his go-to activities is participating in Tea Time Trivia, an online quickfire quiz at 6pm, emphasising the significance of this routine by saying: "It's something that's always on your mind because my brain is my tool," he said.
"If I become more physically disabled, I'll still be able to do The Chase and I'll still be able to do stand-up comedy."
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