SAD FAREWELL
Top BBC presenter steps down due to Alzheimer’s diagnosis after more than a decade in ‘huge blow’
The BBC presenter has been noticeably missing from her weekday afternoon show for some time
BBC radio presenter Janice Forsyth has revealed she has been forced to step away from her work after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
The 65-year-old thought she was suffering from anxiety when her symptoms first appeared in 2022 but doctors have since confirmed the onset.
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The BBC Scotland presenter has been noticeably missing from her weekday afternoon show for some time.
She has spoken out about first experiencing symptoms three years ago, having since struggled to perform some tasks.
Janice praised the care she has received from the NHS and described how the diagnosis has provided her with some relief.
In a statement, the former presenter recognised that she has been absent "for a while" and how she has now reached the stage of wanting to let people know the reason why.
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She has described how her symptoms first presented.
Describing anxiety, Janice also suggested she has found navigational tasks "extremely difficult".
At first the broadcaster put it down to being "simply worn out" by her many years of freelance work.
She also questioned whether she was "exhausted" after the devastating loss of her "dear" mother, Patricia.
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Describing the diagnosis as a "huge blow", Janice has confirmed she has managed to "remain buoyant" with some "relief" after finally receiving an explanation.
Trying to remain positive, she spoke of being "happy" to have "time and freedom" to enjoy with her lovely friends and family.
The statement read: "Sadly, I now have a firm diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's disease."
What is Alzheimer's disease?
ALZHEIMER'S disease is the most common cause of dementia in the UK.
Despite not being fully understood, there are a number of risk factors:
Symptoms can develop over time and often worsen as the condition progresses.
These can include:
: NHS
“Much as I have loved seeking out and sharing the best of music/literature/theatre/cinema with you, I’m happy now to have the time and freedom to enjoy all of these simply for my own pleasure. Call it living in the moment, and you won’t be far off!
“On another positive note, I’ve been able to continue to contribute to The Big Light - the podcast production company I founded 5 years ago with Fiona White. The company is going from strength to strength and we're excited for more to come. I’m not done yet!
“So, finding the cause of my trouble took a while, but I at least now know what’s been happening and am grateful for lovely friends & family, as well as for fine post-diagnosis care from NHS Scotland."
She added: “Dear Listener - I never took my role lightly and hope I always gave my best, both for your sake and that of my interviewees. It’s been a blast, and I send a high five to everyone who tuned in on Saturday mornings or on more recent weekday afternoons and heard something interesting.
"Love, Janice Forsyth AKA Janny aff the tranny.”
Janice also revealed she has taken a step back from social media for her own privacy.
She previously presented the Afternoon Show on Radio Scotland and formed her own production company called The Big Light.
More recently she has been one of a range of high-profile guests at Alzheimer's Scotland online dementia café.
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Last month she also posted on social media about the disease.
She shared on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Also wonderful to hear how much Denis did to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and indeed raise funds for much needed research into the disease."
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