Tony Christie has revealed his ambitions to participate in a new treatment study after announcing his dementia diagnosis earlier this year.
The 80-year-old musician spoke on Loose Women and announced his desire to participate in a new trial for a medicine that might potentially cure dementia.
This follows the singer’s vow to contribute revenues from a charity single to Music for Dementia.
When asked if he will participate in the trial, Tony said, ‘Well, I hope so.’
‘Hopefully, this drug breaks down the plaque, whereas the medicine he’s on now just keeps it at bay,’ explained Sue.
Sue continued: ‘Within the next year to 18 months this should be out and hopefully, he’ll be on it.’
Tony, who had been upbeat about his diagnosis, let out a little giggle and smile as the audience applauded.
‘Plaque’ is due to an overproduction of beta-amyloid proteins which then clump together in the brain, collecting between neurons and disrupting the brain’s ability to function.
These aggregates are considered to be a major cause of Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent kind of dementia.
Dementia is an umbrella word encompassing disorders that affect brain function, and it frequently presents as amnesia, particularly with regard to names, locations, and events.
There is presently no cure; however, research into varieties of dementia, such as the medications Tony is currently taking, is improving treatment of the illness.
Tony met a specialist last year after confessing to having difficulty remembering names.
He announced his illness on BBC Breakfast in January, but assured viewers he’s determined to continue performing and living his life.
‘I’ve got a feeling that within a few years, there will be tablets that will cure it,’ he said at the time. ‘I’m not worried.’
The artist explained how he was given pills to slow his degeneration, but a physician also advised him that music may benefit patients.
‘She said: “Music is one of the top therapies for dementia”,’ he told the BBC and added: ‘All I wanted to do was sing for a living, that’s what I felt that I was put on this earth to do.
‘And that’s what I did… I will carry on doing it, that is a threat.’
The singer, whose actual name is Anthony Fitzgerald, is best known for his rendition of Is This The Way To Amarillo, which reached at number 18 on the UK charts in 1971.
Tony recorded two further singles that year, both of which hit at number two on the charts: Las Vegas and I Did What I Did for Maria.
Is This the Best Way To When it was re-released with Peter Kay for Comic Relief in 2005, Amarillo saw a big popularity comeback, reaching number one.
Tony has also starred in Dreamboats and Petticoats on the West End and on the original cast recording of Evita in 1976.
Loose Women airs on weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV.
