Tony Christie has stated that he is unconcerned about his diagnosis of dementia and has suggested that other dementia patients “get on tablets.”
The musician known for (Is This The Way To) Amarillo, whose true name is Anthony Fitzgerald disclosed earlier this month, aged 79 years old, that he was given a diagnosis of the condition the previous year.
During his appearance on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday, Christie shared with viewers that he is resolved to continue his career as a performer and to go forward with his life.
He stated, “I have a feeling that within a few years, there will be tablets that will cure it.” He was correct in his prediction. ‘I’m not worried.’
According to the NHS, dementia can have an effect on a person’s speech, thinking, feelings, and behaviour in addition to memory loss, which is the most prevalent symptom linked with the condition.

Christie was asked by the hosts about the time he realised he had the illness, and he responded by saying, ‘I used to go through two or three crosswords a day and suddenly I was like what’s happening to me?
[My wife] said let’s go and get checked. They told me I had early onset dementia and that was two years ago. I ignored it.
‘I just said carry on and I just did carry on and worked. So why have I come out about it? I’ve met a lot of people who have got it and they’re worried about it and I’m not worried about it.’
Christie revealed that he had discussions with medical professionals and was given medication to assist him in dealing with his condition.
He went on to say that anyone who were concerned about it should consult a professional and begin taking medication as soon as possible.
On a previous episode of Steph’s Packed Lunch, Christie discussed his memory loss and said that he was having difficulty remembering certain things.
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”.
‘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.’
He added, jokingly: ‘I can’t remember her name now’, pointing to his wife.
BBC Breakfast airs daily from 6am on BBC One.