Tony Christie, 81, admits he tries to ‘ignore’ his dementia diagnosis after vowing to carry on performing – but still relies on an autocue to stop him from forgetting his lyrics
As I delve into Tony Christie’s heartfelt tale of courage and resilience, I find myself deeply moved by his spirit. It takes immense strength to confront one’s own vulnerabilities, especially when they are as profound as dementia.
Tony Christie shared that he aims to disregard his dementia diagnosis, persisting in his performances even amidst his health struggles, after making a promise to continue doing so.
As an ardent admirer, I must confess, at the ripe age of 81, the legendary singer has come clean about his reliance on an autocue to keep those magical lyrics flowing without a hitch. Diagnosed three years back, he’s chosen to soldier on, undeterred by life’s curveballs and continuing to captivate us with his enchanting performances.
On Tuesday during Good Morning Britain, Tony remarked: “I simply disregard it and continue with my usual activities.”
It’s clear that I need to rely on my teleprompter, as I’ve been using one for quite some time. For this performance, I’m pulling songs from albums and I find it challenging to recall lyrics from four or five decades ago. To assist me, I do utilize the teleprompter.
‘Otherwise, if I make a mess of a song, the audience lose, not me.’
Tony mentioned that he feels playing a part in helping him through his battle with the condition, stating: “The doctor suggested I was fortunate, as being in the music industry can be particularly beneficial for those battling dementia.”
As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’d put it this way: “Music has an extraordinary ability to transport me away from my worries. It’s not that I always remember people or events, nor the lyrics perfectly, but once the music begins, I’m instantly brought back. There’s something about it that imprints itself deeply within me, a kind of memory I never forget.”
Previously, Tony described the instance when his wife Sue noticed the initial symptoms of his dementia before the official diagnosis.
On the chat show Loose Women, the musician from Amarillo was joined by his spouse Sue, and together they talked openly about his health situation.
Instead, they explained how Tony’s fondness for solving crossword puzzles alerted them to the possibility that something might be severely amiss.
Dementia refers to a group of brain-related conditions that cause memory loss, changes in thinking abilities, and modifications in behavior. These conditions progress over time.
In response to the question posed by host Coleen Nolan, “When did you first notice something was off?”, Tony shared his experience: “I’ve been deeply into crossword puzzles for my entire life, mainly cryptic ones. However, I began encountering difficulties in solving them and remembering 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 stated: “When he struggled with the puzzles, he grew frustrated with himself, and I remarked, ‘Perhaps we should have him evaluated’ since he repeatedly expressed concern, ‘I’m slipping. I’m slipping!'”
Afterward, Tony explained that he had gone through multiple examinations and imaging studies which eventually led to him learning that he was developing early signs of dementia.
The speaker continued by expressing that many individuals feel ashamed about dementia. He chose to share his personal experience openly in an effort to demonstrate that there is no reason for embarrassment associated with this condition.
Meanwhile, Sue told of the moment Tony realised he needed to speak out about his dementia.
She shared that they attended an Age UK Christmas carol service, where many individuals with dementia were present. Tony expressed, ‘I need to start discussing this openly because it feels like I’m hiding a secret I feel guilty about. We regularly attend such events, and if we don’t disclose our presence, people might think I’m ashamed.’
As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share an inspiring story from a remarkable couple who’ve shared 55 beautiful years together. They recounted their feelings when my husband was recently diagnosed, expressing a sense of relief amidst the uncertainty. My husband, Tony, added a heartening note, emphasizing his determination to maintain a positive outlook throughout this journey.
Tony first revealed that he had dementia back in January this year.
In my recent chat with Steph on Channel 4’s Packed Lunch, I shared that I learned some significant news a year ago.
Tony shared with his wife Sue, aged 74, that he was having trouble recalling names and small details, and she suggested he have it examined.
He conveyed: “To my wife, I admitted, ‘I’m finding it hard to recall faces and names lately.'”
She told me that we should consult a specialist. After doing all the necessary tests, they concluded that it appears to be the early onset of dementia.
‘They started me on these tablets which slowed it right down and it’s really slowed it down.’
Joking, Tony added: ‘I can’t remember her name now,’ pointing to Sue.
In his own words, he shared that after the diagnosis, he now requires a teleprompter or lyrics displayed on a screen during his performances.
He added: ‘I don’t very often use it, it’s there just to make me feel safe.’
Following the disclosure by Tony in 2019 that he had growing concerns about potential dementia due to memory loss, this event occurred subsequently.
Despite having performed the same tunes for five decades, the “Amarillo Star” finds it necessary to use teleprompters (autocues) to help him remember the lyrics these days.
While in Germany at the moment, Tony indicated that he would get tested upon returning to the UK, as he hoped to remain uninformed about his health status if possible.
Tony shared with The Mirror: “For several years, I’ve observed that my memory has been deteriorating, which is worrying, particularly given the family history of dementia.”
As a seasoned performer with over half a century of experience under my belt, I’ve found myself at a point where I can no longer rely solely on memory to deliver my lyrics during live performances. The complexity and intricacy of modern songs have made it necessary for me to use autocue to ensure that every word is delivered accurately and with the intended emotion. This may not be the most romanticized or traditional method, but it’s a practical solution that allows me to continue sharing my music with audiences far and wide.
Despite his efforts to stay optimistic, he remarked humorously, “Even if it’s bad news, I fully expect jokes about people saying they’ve always suspected this, given that I still can’t find the way to Amarillo 48 years after that song became popular.”
As a devoted bandmate, I often find myself jotting down my fellow musicians’ names backstage to avoid any embarrassing mix-ups during our live performances.
At his latest performance in Germany, mistakenly believing it was Hamburg, the performer of “I Did What I Did For Maria” found himself instead in Leipzig.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share a personal experience: Although I attempted to find humor in the situation, it turned out to be quite serious for me.
In the process of penning his autobiography, The Song Interpreter, he faced challenges recalling events and needed assistance from his spouse, Sue.
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2024-08-07 18:20