12 January 2023 , 19:04
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Tony Christie has revealed that he has been diagnosed with dementia, explaining that he had been assessed for the condition after experiencing issues with his memory.
The singer, 79, shared the diagnosis on Steph's Packed Lunch this afternoon. He was a guest on the Channel 4 show, with his wife Sue Christie, 74, in the studio audience.
He spoke to presenter Steph McGovern, 40, about it. It was revealed that Tony - best known for the song (Is This the Way to) Amarillo - had received the news last year.
Tony recalled: "I said to my wife, 'I don't know what's wrong with me, I'm starting to forget people's names and things.' She said, 'Let's go and see a specialist'."
Tony Christie (pictured) has announced that he's been diagnosed with dementia (Channel 4)Tony continued: "I had all the tests and they said it's an early start of dementia. They started me on these tablets which slowed it right down and it's really slowed it down."
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The singer - whose other songs include I Did What I Did for Maria - then seemingly teased over his wife Sue. Pointing over to her, he said: "I can't remember her name now".
The discussion saw him explain that, like some other performers, he now has an autocue with lyrics on stage. He said that he doesn't use it much, but it makes him feel "safe".
He said the diagnosis came after he experienced problems with his memory (Getty Images Europe)
Tony, pictured with his wife Sue Christie (right), said he was later assessed for dementia (Getty Images)Do you enjoy reading about celebrities? Sign up for all the best celeb news from the Mirror .
He commented about the autocue: "I have to have a TV screen on stage with me with the lyrics. I don't very often use it. It's there just to make me feel safe."
Tony has expressed concern over his memory in the past. He told us in 2019: "I've noticed for a few years now that my memory has been getting worse, which is a serious concern especially as there's history of dementia in my family."
He discussed the diagnosis with Steph McGovern (pictured) on Steph's Packed Lunch (Channel 4)Tony - who's enjoyed a decades-long career after releasing his first album in 1971 - is still touring, having recently collaborated with folk band Ranagri on a tour last year.
Discussing his future, ahead of turning 80, Tony told Steph on the Channel 4 show: "I'm looking forward to working. I love working. [...] I'm going to carry on and carry on. [...] I feel good."
Steph's Packed Lunch airs weekdays at 12.30pm on Channel 4 and All 4. You can catch up on previous episodes via All4.