Tony Christie lucky he does one thing doctors recommend for dementia
The singer has explained it was a puzzle that first prompted him to get a diagnosis
Tony Christie receives the Icon Award onstage during the Nordoff & Robbins' O2 Silver Clef Awards 2025
Amarillo singer Tony Christie has said his doctor told him he was 'lucky' he was a musician when he was diagnosed with dementia because of the positive effects of music on people with the condition. Appearing on Good Morning Britain (GMB) on Thursday, Christie said he was diagnosed with dementia three years ago.
Describing himself as a lifelong cryptic crossword 'fanatic', he said he visited his doctor after noticing he was struggling to complete the puzzles. He told GMB: 'That's one of the things the doctor said – you're very lucky that you're in the music business.
'Music is one of the things that we recommend for people with dementia – to have music playing – it stops you thinking and worrying.'
Christie, who received the icon award at the O2 Silver Clef Awards in London on Wednesday, said that since being diagnosed: 'I've just carried on. 'Although it's there, I don't think about it. I just carry on with my life.'
His talking about the issue has also had a positive response on others. Christie added: 'I've been stopped in the street by people saying 'thank you for what you do. My wife now is not ashamed of it. She's not ashamed to come out'.'
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There is strong scientific evidence supporting the idea that music has therapeutic benefits for people with dementia. In 2014 Särkämö et al found that regular music sessions (listening or singing) led to improvements in mood, orientation, and memory, particularly verbal memory.
In 2005 Cuddy and Duffin found that even when verbal memory is impaired, musical memory can remain intact and music accesses brain systems that are less affected by dementia. Studies in 2015, 2017 and 2018 also found that music can delay and suppress some dementia symptoms and that persoanlised music can 'awaken' parts of the brain.
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Daily Mail
2 days ago
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Tony Christie reveals the very common dementia symptom he dismissed before wife dragged him to doctor - and makes defiant vow
Tony Christine has revealed the very common dementia symptom he dismissed before his wife dragged him to the doctor. The 82-year-old appeared on Thursday's episode of Good Morning Britain to chat to presenters Kate Garraway, 58, and Ed Balls, 58. Back in January 2023, Tony revealed that he had been diagnosed with dementia and was taking medication to slow it down. Since then the singer has been very honest and open about his diagnosis with fans. 'Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. There are many different causes of dementia, and many different types,' according to the NHS. Speaking on GMB, Tony said: 'I think it was about three years ago. All my life, I've been a crossword fanatic. Cryptic crosswords, that was my big hobby. 'Suddenly, I was having problems doing them, and my wife said "Let's go and see a doctor".' Tony met his wife Sue in 1968 and the pair have been married for 56 years. 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Wales Online
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Tony Christie lucky he does one thing doctors recommend for dementia
Tony Christie lucky he does one thing doctors recommend for dementia The singer has explained it was a puzzle that first prompted him to get a diagnosis Tony Christie receives the Icon Award onstage during the Nordoff & Robbins' O2 Silver Clef Awards 2025 Amarillo singer Tony Christie has said his doctor told him he was 'lucky' he was a musician when he was diagnosed with dementia because of the positive effects of music on people with the condition. Appearing on Good Morning Britain (GMB) on Thursday, Christie said he was diagnosed with dementia three years ago. Describing himself as a lifelong cryptic crossword 'fanatic', he said he visited his doctor after noticing he was struggling to complete the puzzles. He told GMB: 'That's one of the things the doctor said – you're very lucky that you're in the music business. 'Music is one of the things that we recommend for people with dementia – to have music playing – it stops you thinking and worrying.' Christie, who received the icon award at the O2 Silver Clef Awards in London on Wednesday, said that since being diagnosed: 'I've just carried on. 'Although it's there, I don't think about it. I just carry on with my life.' His talking about the issue has also had a positive response on others. Christie added: 'I've been stopped in the street by people saying 'thank you for what you do. My wife now is not ashamed of it. She's not ashamed to come out'.' Article continues below There is strong scientific evidence supporting the idea that music has therapeutic benefits for people with dementia. In 2014 Särkämö et al found that regular music sessions (listening or singing) led to improvements in mood, orientation, and memory, particularly verbal memory. In 2005 Cuddy and Duffin found that even when verbal memory is impaired, musical memory can remain intact and music accesses brain systems that are less affected by dementia. Studies in 2015, 2017 and 2018 also found that music can delay and suppress some dementia symptoms and that persoanlised music can 'awaken' parts of the brain.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
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