Comedian Paul Sinha says Parkinson's diagnosis has been ‘comedy goldmine'
The quizzer and comic, 55, will talk about the progressive neurological condition in a stand up show he is taking to Edinburgh Festival Fringe, two years after he had two heart attacks while at the arts event.
Paul Sinha is known for being a Chaser on quiz show The Chase (Ian West/PA)
Speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain (GMB), he said: 'I was actually here a couple of years ago plugging the 2023 show.
'And it was a bit of a wild show. It was very much about my life as a gay, disabled son of immigrants, but it was quite a political show, and it was a big show.
'I was in a room with 400 people in and it all got on top of me and I had two heart attacks in the same Edinburgh Fringe. Two! Week number one and week number three.
'The first one, I was shaking the hand of Levi Roots (Reggae Reggae Sauce creator) in a bar when I had a heart attack.'
He added: 'I didn't want to cause a scene. I didn't want to call an ambulance. I thought I might as well just get into a cab to take me to the nearest hospital as quick as possible, which is what I did.
'The first time they didn't diagnose it properly, so they sent me home and the second time they said, 'These have been two small heart attacks'.
'And I said, 'Can I carry on?' And they said, 'We're not going to tell you what to do.'
'So I carried on. But looking back on it, that's not the right thing to do. I know why I did it, because of the Edinburgh Festival, and I didn't want to lose a huge amount of money.'
Asked how he deals with his Parkinson's disease diagnosis in the show, he said: 'I do lots of jokes about it. It's as simple as that. You deal with the cards you've been dealt, and if you've been given a comedy goldmine, as Parkinson's is, then you deal with it.
'I mean, as far as I'm aware, no other comedians at the Edinburgh Fringe will be talking about their own struggles with neurological degeneration so might as well be me.'
Parkinson's disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years and its main symptoms are tremors, slow movement and stiff and inflexible muscles, according to the NHS website.
Charity Parkinson's UK says it is not known exactly what causes the condition but researchers think it is a combination of age, genetic and environmental factors that cause the dopamine-producing nerve cells to die.
Sinha will take his 30th anniversary show, 2 Sinha Lifetime, to Edinburgh's The Stand Comedy Club this summer.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
18 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Radio 2 DJ Steve Wright's sweet final gift to his kids and amount left in will
DJ Steve Wright left over £40,000 to charity as well as to his children in his will. The much-loved broadcaster passed away aged 69 in his London flat on February 12 last year. The Metropolitan Police previously said his death was unexpected but not suspicious. However, it was later revealed that his cause of death was acute peritonitis and a perforated gastric peptic ulcer. Peritonitis is an infection of the lining of the abdomen. According to the NHS website, perforations are a rarer complication of stomach ulcers. This is when the lining of the stomach splits open. It can be very serious because it lets the bacteria that live in the stomach escape and infect the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum). His children Tom and Lucy Wright are the executors of his estate, with the radio star leaving behind a total of £40,623 after tax. He donated £15,000 to Cancer Research UK and donated £10,000 to the British Heart Foundation. The rest goes to his two children to be split between them. Steve's relative registered the DJ's death at Westminster Register Office on July 3 last year, after a coroner's court confirmed on May 20 that no inquest would be held. The Metropolitan Police previously said the star's death on February 12 "was unexpected, but is not being treated as suspicious." After the beloved star died, Steve's family released a statement saying: "It is with deep sorrow and profound regret that we announce the passing of our beloved Steve Wright. In addition to his son, Tom, and daughter, Lucy, Steve leaves behind his brother, Laurence and his father Richard. "Also, much-loved close friends and colleagues, and millions of devoted radio listeners who had the good fortune and great pleasure of allowing Steve into their daily lives as one of the UK's most enduring and popular radio personalities. "As we all grieve, the family requests privacy at this immensely difficult time." Gary Davies, who took over Steve's Pick of the Pops as a temporary host following his death, paid tribute to the radio legend and said: "I'm Emotional. I love Pick of the Pops. I've loved Pick of the Pops ever since my my old colleague, Alan Freeman used to do it back in the eighties. It's an iconic programme. "It's an absolute pleasure to to do Pick of the Pops and for the short time that I'm doing it. But obviously, the reason for me doing it is not great at all, you know? I wish I wasn't having having to do it at the moment and I wish it was still Steve." * This is a breaking showbiz news story. Join The Mirror's WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads - or visit The Mirror homepage.
Wales Online
18 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Comedian Paul Sinha says Parkinson's diagnosis has been ‘comedy goldmine'
Comedian Paul Sinha says Parkinson's diagnosis has been 'comedy goldmine' The quizzer and comic, 55, will talk about the progressive neurological condition in a stand up show he is taking to Edinburgh Paul Sinha (Image: ITV ) The Chase star and stand-up comedian Paul Sinha has said having Parkinson's disease has proved to be a "comedy goldmine" for him. The quizzer and comic, 55, will talk about the progressive neurological condition in a stand up show he is taking to Edinburgh Festival Fringe, two years after he had two heart attacks while at the arts event. Speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain (GMB), he said: "I was actually here a couple of years ago plugging the 2023 show. "And it was a bit of a wild show. It was very much about my life as a gay, disabled son of immigrants, but it was quite a political show, and it was a big show. "I was in a room with 400 people in and it all got on top of me and I had two heart attacks in the same Edinburgh Fringe. Two! Week number one and week number three. "The first one, I was shaking the hand of Levi Roots (Reggae Reggae Sauce creator) in a bar when I had a heart attack." Article continues below He added: "I didn't want to cause a scene. I didn't want to call an ambulance. I thought I might as well just get into a cab to take me to the nearest hospital as quick as possible, which is what I did. "The first time they didn't diagnose it properly, so they sent me home and the second time they said, 'These have been two small heart attacks'. "And I said, 'Can I carry on?' And they said, 'We're not going to tell you what to do.' "So I carried on. But looking back on it, that's not the right thing to do. I know why I did it, because of the Edinburgh Festival, and I didn't want to lose a huge amount of money." Asked how he deals with his Parkinson's disease diagnosis in the show, he said: "I do lots of jokes about it. It's as simple as that. You deal with the cards you've been dealt, and if you've been given a comedy goldmine, as Parkinson's is, then you deal with it. "I mean, as far as I'm aware, no other comedians at the Edinburgh Fringe will be talking about their own struggles with neurological degeneration so might as well be me." Article continues below Parkinson's disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years and its main symptoms are tremors, slow movement and stiff and inflexible muscles, according to the NHS website. Charity Parkinson's UK says it is not known exactly what causes the condition but researchers think it is a combination of age, genetic and environmental factors that cause the dopamine-producing nerve cells to die. Sinha will take his 30th anniversary show, 2 Sinha Lifetime, to Edinburgh's The Stand Comedy Club this summer.
Scottish Sun
27 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Love Island fans convinced producers ‘stepped in' and TOLD star to pull coupled-up girl for chats saying ‘it's obvious'
It comes after one of these Islanders even suggested a 'throuple' VILLA THEORY Love Island fans convinced producers 'stepped in' and TOLD star to pull coupled-up girl for chats saying 'it's obvious' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOVE Island's fans say it's "obvious" producers "stepped in" and told an Islander to pull a coupled-up girl for chats. Over the last few days, Conor has made a play for Megan, despite the fact she has been coupled up with Tommy since the star AND he's with Emily. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Love Island fans think Conor has been told by producers to chat up Megan Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 3 Over the last few days Conor has been pulling Megan for chats Credit: ITV 3 Tommy and Emily have been left wondering what's going on with Conor and Megan Credit: ITV Rugby lad Conor has been making an effort in recent days to pursue Megan, despite being with Emily. However, during last night's recoupling the Irish beauty chose to stay with Tommy, while Emily picked Conor. But it quickly became clear that Conor only sees it as a friendship couple with Emily and seems determined to win Megan. Over the last few days, with Tommy watching on, Conor has pulled Megan for multiple chats, but fans have a theory about his brazen attitude. Taking to Reddit to discuss, one said: "I just see some producer telling both of them to spice things up. "I just can't seem to get a natural feel for those two trying to actually have something going. "Feels made up to me." Another added: "I agree especially when Conor pulled her for a chat I was like where did that come from my first thought was production." This fan agreed: "Sooo obvious this has come from producers." 'THROUPLE' SUGGESTION Meanwhile, last night Megan left Conor blushing when she made a saucy suggestion, after he continued to pursue her. Love Island's Megan stuns villa hunk as she proposes saucy throuple relationship after dramatic The Irish lass said the situation between her and Conor "was difficult" and that she still wanted to share a bed with Tommy but jokingly asked: "Can we be in throuple?" Megan and Tommy's seemingly solid relationship has been put to the test following Conor's interest in her. The couple was tested properly for the first time this series during a recent game of spin the bottle. Conor acted out his favourite sex position with the girl he thought was best in bed, and chose Megan. All the while, Tommy was sat stewing after learning Megan said she had "unfinished business" with Conor.
