John Lydon 'wrecked himself' with alcohol and food after wife Nora's death

05 September 2023 , 09:16

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John Lydon 'wrecked himself' with alcohol and food after wife Nora's death

John Lydon, also known as Johnny Rotten, joined Good Morning Britain on Tuesday to discuss how returning to the stage has helped him cope with the loss of his wife Nora Forster after originally seeking solace in alcohol and food.

ITV presenter Susanna Reid asked: "John, you talked about the fact that for the first three months after [Nora] left this life, you found solace in a bottle, didn't you?"

"I tried to but, it didn't really work all it did was make me put on weight. I never got drunk and I thought, 'This is stupid.' so I stopped but, the trouble is it's not just the brandy, it's the instant microwave meals that go with it and you just wreck yourself and the only way I know how to get fit is it to get back on stage."

The Sex Pistols frontman announced he's heading on an tour with Public Image Ltd with their new album End of World, which Nora had given her seal of approval on before her death.

Nora died in April after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's (Redferns)

John became his wife's carer after she was diagnosed (WireImage)

Speaking about touring, John continued: "That's the only thing I'm good at. What else can I do? Sit at home and mope? I'm doing Lora proud. She heard this album and she loved it and she's always been my worst critic."

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John went on to say that "opposites attracted" when it came to his marriage as he added: "She was always incredibly healthy and wanted to excitingly physical things like running and I'm a couch potato."

The former Sex Pistols frontman was married to the German publishing heiress for 44 years, who died aged 80.

Earlier this year, the singer told the Sunday Times how he had been deeply changed by taking care of his wife after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. "It's hideous. So pernicious and vile to watch someone you love just slowly disappear," he said.

But their life together had been "worth every moment", he said. "No joy comes without pain and, boy, do I know that now."

Nora was formally diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2018 and John became his wife's full-time carer as her condition worsened.

If you are affected by dementia, worried about a diagnosis or a carer, please contact Alzheimer's Society on 0333 150 3456.

Charlotte McIntyre