News Alastair Stewart has given a health update after revealing his battle with dementia and shared symptoms he said people would look out for – and seek help if you have them. The former ITV newsreader turned GB News host revealed his dementia battle last year.
Appearing on BBC Breakfast he spoke about some details of his life and explained the ‘chaotic’ effect of dementia. He said: “My professional life is okay, I still do a bit for GB News, they’re very supportive.
“It’s my private life and my life at home that is chaotic, so for example, coming to see you guys this morning, [Wife Sally] had to do my tie, she has to make sure that the braces are okay on the suit and that it all matches, hangs together.
“It’s more than discombobulating, which is a good word I like to use. It’s demeaning for me, it’s slightly demeaning for her as well. She becomes a carer after half a century of marriage!”
Sally said: “It’s hard work, it’s frustrating, it’s quite depressing sometimes, but we try and find humour in it all. It’s not easy, you’re not trained to do it, you just have to make it up as you go along!”
Sally first noticed signs something was wrong two years ago – simple things like Alastair leaving the lights on when he used to be obsessed with turning them off.
She said: “He couldn’t tell the time on a clock; he couldn’t reset the clock. He was getting confused with days, leaving doors open, leaving gates open, little tiny changes but it was a concern.”
Alastair said he wants to others by sharing his diagnosis and symptoms. He said: “If you’re worried about your own condition, you can’t tell the time on an old-fashioned clock, you can’t do your shoelaces up, go and have a conversation with your GP. Our GP has been brilliant. The NHS has looked after us brilliantly.”