Tony Christie reveals the very common dementia symptom he dismissed before wife dragged him to doctor - and makes defiant vow
The 82-year-old appeared on Thursday's episode of Good Morning Britain to chat to presenters Kate Garraway, 58, and Ed Balls, 58.
Back in January 2023, Tony revealed that he had been diagnosed with dementia and was taking medication to slow it down.
Since then the singer has been very honest and open about his diagnosis with fans.
'Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. There are many different causes of dementia, and many different types,' according to the NHS.
Speaking on GMB, Tony said: 'I think it was about three years ago. All my life, I've been a crossword fanatic. Cryptic crosswords, that was my big hobby.
'Suddenly, I was having problems doing them, and my wife said "Let's go and see a doctor".'
Tony met his wife Sue in 1968 and the pair have been married for 56 years.
He added: 'They gave me tests and found things on my skull and all this kind of thing.
'They said, "You've got the beginnings of dementia, we can put you onto tablets to stop it getting any worse".
'Which they have.'
Speaking about how he deals with the condition, he confessed: 'I've just carried on and I actually just push it to one side. I forget it's there, I don't think about it.
'I just carry on with my life and get on with it.'
WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders, that is, conditions affecting the brain.
There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer's disease is the most common.
Some people may have a combination of types of dementia.
Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
The Alzheimer's Society reports there are more than 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today, of which more than 500,000 have Alzheimer's.
It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia in the UK by 2025 will rise to over 1 million.
In the US, it's estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer's sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.
As a person's age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.
Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.
IS THERE A CURE?
Currently there is no cure for dementia.
But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted the more effective treatments are.
Source: Dementia UK
Back in March it was revealed that music legend Tony Christie continues to perform despite his dementia diagnosis, with his wife Sue praising his determination as he tours and records new music.
The singer, 81, best known for (Is This the Way to) Amarillo, has released a new album titled A New Life, and is now embarking on a packed touring schedule across the UK and Europe.
Sue, who met Tony when she watched him perform at a social club in Yorkshire back in 1967, has now spoken out on her admiration for her husband's resilience.
She told The Mirror: 'I am so proud of him. In fact, I am totally in awe. He has the condition and he deals with it really bravely.
She added: 'He is just the same person, just a little forgetful.'
Despite his diagnosis and the extra help, Tony has maintained his humour and joked to the publication: 'It's just short-term memory that's the problem, like paying the bills.'
His son and manager, Sean, added: 'That's how we cope - we use humour, and Dad loves a joke.'
It comes after Tony revealed he tries to 'ignore' his dementia diagnosis after vowing to carry on performing despite his health battle.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain last year Tony said: 'I actually ignore it. I just carry on and do my thing.
'Obviously, I've got to use my autocue, but I've used an autocue for donkey's years. I'm doing stuff from albums and I can't remember all these lyrics from 40 or 50 years ago so I do use an autocue to help me.
'Otherwise, if I make a mess of a song, the audience lose, not me.'
Tony added that he believes performing has helped him during his fight with the condition, saying: 'The doctor said "You're in the music business so you're very lucky, because that's one of the things that helps dementia people."
'The music takes your mind off the things, you don't forget music. You forget people's names and things and lyrics but as soon as music starts you're back. It's memory, you never forget it.'
Tony previously detailed the moment his wife Sue spotted the early signs that he had dementia ahead of his diagnosis.
The Amarillo hitmaker appeared on Loose Women alongside his wife Sue where they discussed his condition.
And the couple told how it was Tony's love of crossword puzzles that brought to their attention that something could be seriously wrong.
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour.
As host Coleen Nolan asked: 'What were the signs initially?', Tony responded: 'I've been a crossword addict for all my life, basically cryptic [crosswords] and I suddenly started having problems solving and forgetting names.
'And it was my wife Sue that said, 'I think we should go and see a specialist.''
Sue then went on to say how she had spotted changes in her husband before they then sought help.
She explained: 'He'd get anxious and cross with himself when he couldn't do the puzzles and I said, 'Look, I think it's time we get you checked out' because he kept saying, 'I'm losing it. I'm losing it!''
Tony then described how he'd undergone a series of tests and scans before being told he had the beginnings of dementia.
The performer went on to say that 'lot of people are embarrassed' about dementia, adding that he decided to speak publicly about his condition to show there was nothing to be ashamed of.
Meanwhile, Sue told of the moment Tony realised he needed to speak out about his dementia.
She explained: 'We went to an Age UK Christmas carol concert and there was a lot of people with dementia and Tony said, 'You know I've got to start talking about this because it's like I'm keeping a guilty secret. And, we go to lots of these events and they're going to think I'm ashamed if I don't come out.''
The couple, who've been married for 55 years, told how they were ''relieved' to get his diagnosis, with Tony adding that he's staying 'positive'.
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