Latest news with #CorticobasalDegeneration
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Salt Path author Raynor Winn's fourth book delayed
The Salt Path author Raynor Winn's fourth book has been delayed by her publisher. It comes amid claims that the author lied about her story in her hit first book. Winn previously described the claims as "highly misleading" and called suggestions that her husband had Moth made up his illness "utterly vile". In a statement, Penguin Michael Joseph, said it had delayed the publication of Winn's latest book On Winter Hill - which had been set for release 23 October. The publisher said the decision had been made in light of "recent events, in particular intrusive conjecture around Moth's health", which it said had caused "considerable distress" to the author and her family. "It is our priority to support the author at this time," the publisher said. "With this in mind, Penguin Michael Joseph, together with the author, has made the decision to delay the publication of On Winter Hill from this October." A new release date will be announced in due course, the publisher added. Winn's first book, released in 2018, detailed the journey she and husband took along the South West Coast Path - familiarly known as The Salt Path - after they lost their family farm and Moth received a terminal health diagnosis of Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD). But a report in The Observer disputed key aspects of the 2018 "true" story - which was recently turned into a film starring Jason Isaacs and Gillian Anderson. Experts 'sceptical of health claims' As part of the article, published last weekend, The Observer claimed to have spoken to experts who were "sceptical" about elements of Moth's terminal diagnosis, such as a "lack of acute symptoms and his apparent ability to reverse them". In the ensuing controversy, PSPA, a charity that supports people with CBD, cut ties with the couple. The Observer article also claimed the portrayal of a failed investment in a friend's business wasn't true, but said the couple - whose names are Sally and Tim Walker - lost their home after Raynor Winn embezzled money from her employer and had to borrow to pay it back and avoid police action. Read more from Sky News: It also said that, rather than being homeless, the couple had owned a house in France since 2007. Winn's statement said the dispute with her employer wasn't the reason the couple lost their home - but admitted she may have made "mistakes" while in the job. "For me it was a pressured time," she wrote. "It was also a time when mistakes were being made in the business. Any mistakes I made during the years in that office, I deeply regret, and I am truly sorry." She admitted being questioned by police but said she wasn't charged. The author also said accusations that Moth lied about having CBD/CBS were false and had "emotionally devastated" him. "I have charted Moth's condition with such a level of honesty, that this is the most unbearable of the allegations," Winn wrote on her website.
Daily Record
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'I binged The Salt Path book series and now I can't help but feel conned'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Bestselling memoir The Salt Path is making headlines this week after major accusations have been made against its author, Raynor Winn. An investigation by the Observer, published last week, accused Winn of embezzling 'around £64,00' from a former employer, rather than being shafted by a money-hungry friend, as she had claimed in her memoir, which was recently released as a film starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs. She was also accused of lying about two main aspects of her book- her husband's terminal illness and the couple's homelessness status. As a fan of both Raynor and her memoirs, I was shocked. I spent many hours this year pouring over the pages of Raynor Winn's The Salt Path (2018) and its subsequent sequels, in an inspired state of disbelief and admiration. A 'true' tear-jerker of a tale and the 45th best-selling memoir since records began, The Salt Path follows tough, 50-something, nature-loving Raynor (real name Sally Walker) and her husband Timothy 'Moth' Walker, who is diagnosed with a terminal illness, as they tackle the 630-mile South West Coast Path walk after losing their home. In The Salt Path, the first book of the series, Moth is diagnosed with Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD), which is a type of Parkinson's, just before the couple lose their home and embark on a journey that strips them of all material possessions, with nothing to do but put one foot in front of the other, together. (Image: Hugh) The pair's subsequent perseverance and strength allows them to discover the true value of nature from their tent on the Coast Path. Their journey leads them to take further extreme walks in Iceland, and even along Scotland's Cape Wrath Trail and West Highland Way later in the three-part series, which is to see a fourth, according to Winn's publishing deal with Penguin. Upon reading the heinous allegations made against Winn, anyone - like me - who connected with these books that seemed to prove the persistence of love, resilience and beating the odds, would feel manipulated. Winn claims in the book that the pair lost their home due to a failed investment and subsequent legal row with a long-time friend. The memoir also details how Moth's disease progresses, and somehow regresses, throughout the series, as the demanding physical activity of long-distance walks appears to reverse the condition, in what Winn describes as a 'miracle'. To think that any elements of the story, particularly details of Moth's illness, are lies or exaggerations fabricated to manipulate sympathy from readers for profit- the original paperback edition of The Salt Path grossed a whopping £4.97 million- is sickening. The Observer's investigation scrutinised Raynor's accounts of her husband's terminal illness, with health experts including Proffesor Miche le Hu, a consultant neurologist and professor of clinical neurosciences at Oxford University, expressing scepticism. The neurologist said she has 'never treated anyone who has lived that long' with CBD. Moth was diagnosed in 2013, and the average time until death for the condition is around five to 10 years, leading readers to question the supposed 'miracle' of his partial recovery. A third serious allegation made by the investigation was that the couple owned a property in France for the entire duration of their 'homelessness', rendering the entire premise of this triumphant story of resilience and love a complete lie. But Winn has hit back at every single accusation made by the investigation in a lengthy statement that seems to provide legitimate NHS letters confirming Moth's diagnosis. The author said that they did indeed own a property in France, but that it was run-down and impossible to live in, and so the couple had not lied about being homeless either. She also claimed that the backstabbing friend who they were indebted to was not the employer that Winn allegedly stole from, and that the dispute briefly described in The Salt Path was a separate matter altogether. However, Winn admitted that she 'deeply regrets' and is truly sorry' for any 'mistakes' she made while she worked for the accusing employer, which could suggest some truth in the embezzlement allegation. I don't believe that Raynor Winn created her husband's illness, or that she faked homelessness to evoke sympathy from her readers for money (although I do believe certain details may have been exaggerated). The accusation of embezzlement, however, and her response, do suggest that she perhaps is not the gritty, hippy at-one-with-the-Earth character portrayed in her memoirs. As someone who deeply connected with her writing, I can't help but feel conned- but perhaps it's my bad for idolising her.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Salt Path author Raynor Winn responds to claims she lied about 'true' story
Salt Path author Raynor Winn has said claims she lied about her story are "highly misleading" and called suggestions her husband made up his illness "utterly vile". A report in The Observer disputed key aspects of the hit book, billed as an "inspiring and life-affirming true story" about a couple's coastal trek. Winn released a lengthy statement denying the paper's claims and shared medical letters apparently sent to her husband, Moth, that appear to support a diagnosis for a rare neurological condition, Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD). One letter mentions his prior "CBS [Corticobasal Syndrome] diagnosis", while another concludes he has "an atypical form" of CBD. The author said accusations he lied about having CBD/CBS are false and have "emotionally devastated" him. "I have charted Moth's condition with such a level of honesty, that this is the most unbearable of the allegations," Winn wrote on her website. The Observer claimed to have spoken to experts who were "sceptical" about elements of his story, such as a "lack of acute symptoms and his apparent ability to reverse them". PSPA, a charity that supports people with CBD, ended their relationship with the family following The Observer's claims. Winn said she had never suggested walking was "some sort of miracle cure" and that there can be "symptoms for many years before they finally reach a diagnosis". "Even then, many sufferers' symptoms present in an atypical way," she wrote. "They might not present with the same symptoms, occurring in the same order, or with the same severity." Winn also posted the letters on Instagram and said they are grateful Moth's condition is slow-progressing. She clarified it is now commonly referred to by specialists as CBS, "which describes the symptoms observed during life". The bestselling book was also recently released as a film, starring Jason Isaacs and Gillian Anderson, charting the couple's 630-mile trek along the Cornish, Devon, and Dorset coast - a journey sparked by the devastation of losing their house. The Observer claimed the portrayal of a failed investment in a friend's business wasn't true, rather they lost their home after Raynor Winn embezzled money from her employer, Martin Hemming, and had to borrow to pay it back and avoid police action. Winn's statement said the dispute with Mr Hemmings wasn't the reason they lost their home - but admitted she may have made "mistakes" while in the job. "For me it was a pressured time," she wrote. "It was also a time when mistakes were being made in the business. Any mistakes I made during the years in that office, I deeply regret, and I am truly sorry." She admitted being questioned by police but said she wasn't charged. Winn added: "I reached a settlement with Martin Hemmings because I did not have the evidence required to support what happened. The terms of the settlement were willingly agreed by both parties." Read more from Sky News: The author reiterated the book's version of events: that the loss of their home in Wales stemmed from an investment in a friend's property portfolio that went sour. Her statement goes into legal detail about how it transpired and admits - as The Observer suggested - that the couple at one point tried to raffle the house. However, the author said they "quickly realised it was a mistake as it clearly wasn't going to work. We cancelled it and refunded the few participants." The 63-year-old also denied having any outstanding debts and said it was "blatantly untrue" the couple were hiding behind pseudonyms after The Observer quoted people who said they knew them by the surname Walker. "Winn is my maiden name and like most women who have married I've used both my maiden name, Winn, and married name, Walker," said the statement. She also explained she preferred the first name Raynor, rather than her birth name Sally Ann, so took that as her pen name; while Moth is an abbreviation of her husband's name, Timothy. "The legal names we use on our bank records, our utility bills etc. Our friends and neighbours use Sal and Tim interchangeably with Ray and Moth - there is nothing hiding in our names," she said. Sky News has contacted The Observer for a response to Winn's statement. Raynor Winn had been scheduled to make numerous appearances over the summer, performing with Saltlines, her collaboration with Gigspanner Big Band. However, the band has since announced on social media that she will no longer be taking part in the tour. She was also scheduled to take part in various Q&As, conversations, writing courses and festivals.
Sky News
10-07-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Salt Path author Raynor Winn responds to claims she lied about 'true' story
Salt Path author Raynor Winn has said claims she lied about her story are "highly misleading" and called suggestions her husband made up his illness "utterly vile". A report in The Observer disputed key aspects of the hit book, billed as an "inspiring and life-affirming true story" about a couple's coastal trek. Winn released a lengthy statement denying the paper's claims and shared medical letters apparently sent to her husband, Moth, that appear to support a diagnosis for a rare neurological condition, Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD). One letter mentions his prior "CBS [Corticobasal Syndrome] diagnosis", while another concludes he has "an atypical form" of CBD. The author said accusations he lied about having CBD/CBS are false and have "emotionally devastated" him. "I have charted Moth's condition with such a level of honesty, that this is the most unbearable of the allegations," Winn wrote on her website. The Observer claimed to have spoken to experts who were "sceptical" about elements of his story, such as a "lack of acute symptoms and his apparent ability to reverse them". PSPA, a charity that supports people with CBD, ended their relationship with the family following The Observer's claims. Winn said she had never suggested walking was "some sort of miracle cure" and that there can be "symptoms for many years before they finally reach a diagnosis". "Even then, many sufferers' symptoms present in an atypical way," she wrote. "They might not present with the same symptoms, occurring in the same order, or with the same severity." Winn also posted the letters on Instagram and said they are grateful Moth's condition is slow-progressing. She clarified it is now commonly referred to by specialists as CBS, "which describes the symptoms observed during life". The bestselling book was also recently released as a film, starring Jason Isaacs and Gillian Anderson, charting the couple's 630-mile trek along the Cornish, Devon, and Dorset coast - a journey sparked by the devastation of losing their house. The Observer claimed the portrayal of a failed investment in a friend's business wasn't true, rather they lost their home after Raynor Winn embezzled money from her employer, Martin Hemming, and had to borrow to pay it back and avoid police action. Winn's statement said the dispute with Mr Hemmings wasn't the reason they lost their home - but admitted she may have made "mistakes" while in the job. "For me it was a pressured time," she wrote. "It was also a time when mistakes were being made in the business. Any mistakes I made during the years in that office, I deeply regret, and I am truly sorry." She admitted being questioned by police but said she wasn't charged. Winn added: "I reached a settlement with Martin Hemmings because I did not have the evidence required to support what happened. The terms of the settlement were willingly agreed by both parties." The author reiterated the book's version of events: that the loss of their home in Wales stemmed from an investment in a friend's property portfolio that went sour. Her statement goes into legal detail about how it transpired and admits - as The Observer suggested - that the couple at one point tried to raffle the house. However, the author said they "quickly realised it was a mistake as it clearly wasn't going to work. We cancelled it and refunded the few participants." The 63-year-old also denied having any outstanding debts and said it was "blatantly untrue" the couple were hiding behind pseudonyms after The Observer quoted people who said they knew them by the surname Walker. "Winn is my maiden name and like most women who have married I've used both my maiden name, Winn, and married name, Walker," said the statement. She also explained she preferred the first name Raynor, rather than her birth name Sally Ann, so took that as her pen name; while Moth is an abbreviation of her husband's name, Timothy. "The legal names we use on our bank records, our utility bills etc. Our friends and neighbours use Sal and Tim interchangeably with Ray and Moth - there is nothing hiding in our names," she said. Sky News has contacted The Observer for a response to Winn's statement. Raynor Winn had been scheduled to make numerous appearances over the summer, performing with Saltlines, her collaboration with Gigspanner Big Band. However, the band has since announced on social media that she will no longer be taking part in the tour. She was also scheduled to take part in various Q&As, conversations, writing courses and festivals.
Metro
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
The Salt Path scandal as author Raynor Winn calls allegations 'misleading'
After an investigation into Raynor Winn's The Salt Path questioned the truth behind the story, the author has slammed the allegations as 'grotesquely unfair'. The bestselling 2018 book details the inspirational 'real-life' tale of Raynor and her husband, Moth, who claim they are evicted from their home (a farmhouse in Wales) after they are betrayed by their childhood friend over a bad investment. Days later, the latter is diagnosed with a terminal neurodegenerative condition – Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD) – and the couple decide to pack all their belongings on their back and begin a 630-mile trek along the South West Coastal path. Penguin described the prize-winning novel as an 'unflinchingly honest, inspiring and life-affirming true story'. Sex Education star Gillian Anderson and White Lotus actor Jason Isaacs starred as the couple in a movie adaptation, which came out at the end of May, flinging their story back into the spotlight. Earlier this week, a new investigation from The Observer unearthed claims that key elements of this tale have not been entirely truthful. Now, Raynor has called the below claims 'highly misleading', and responded to each with counter-evidence. Delving into the financial claims made in the book, The Observer claims that the couple (real names Sally and Tim Walker) have not been fully transparent. Per the investigation, Raynor was arrested for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of pounds (reportedly totally around £64,000) from her employer (an estate agent for whom she worked as a bookkeeper). A relative of Moth's [James] claims he loaned the couple £100,000 to repay the stolen money in exchange for dropping the criminal charges. This claim contradicts the narrative in the book which outlines that their financial issues stem from when they were forced to repay a debt they couldn't afford to one of Moth's childhood friends, Cooper, after a poor investment in one of his companies. Unlike in The Salt Path which says James took them to court to recoup the debt, The Observer found the debt they owed to James was ultimately transferred to two men to whom he owed money. 'Her claims that it was all just a business deal that went wrong really upset me. When really she had embezzled the money from my husband. It made me feel sick,' Hemmings (wife of the man who Raynor is believed to have stole the £64,000 from) told the publication. Meanwhile, although the book hinges on the idea that the Walkers were left effectively homeless, according to The Observer uncovered documents show that the couple owned a property in South West France which they had previously visited. There has also been doubt cast over Moth's medical condition, which he was first diagnosed with 18 years ago. The NHS website says that this disease produces 'gradually worsening problems with movement, speech, memory and swallowing'. It also confirms that there is currently 'no treatment' and 'the average life expectancy for someone with CBD is around six to eight years'. Although the book explores the impact of this on Moth, over the course of the now three books Raynor has written detailing various walks the pair have undergone, his condition seems to have conversely improved. Prof Michele Hu, a consultant neurologist and professor of clinical neurosciences at Oxford University, told The Observer that she would be 'very sceptical that it is corticobasal'. Raynor has said that she has had 'vitriol poured on me from all quarters' and 'threats' directed at herself and her family as she confirmed she is seeking legal advice. She characterised The Observer investigation as 'grotesquely unfair [and] highly misleading' which 'seeks to systematically pick apart my life' but she has been inspired by the lessons she learnt in The Salt Path to speak up. The statement detailed that the book is 'not about every event or moment in our lives' but rather 'a capsule of time when our lives moved from a place of complete despair to a place of hope.' Then, claimed that The Observer were offered a chance to discuss the allegations to 'correct their inaccurate account' by Raynor's lawyer but declined. Divided into six sections, the statement addresses the claims made around Moth's health condition, the embezzlement of money, the circumstances around the loss of their home, the property in France and their changed names. Regarding Moth's health condition, she says the 'utterly vile, unfair, and false suggestion has emotionally devastated Moth'. She has provided two clinic letters discussing Moth's medical condition 'on the advice of his neurologist'. The writer has clarified that going forward Moth's condition will be referred to as Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS) as this is the 'clinical diagnosis which describes the symptoms observed during life'. Calling this the 'most unbearable of the allegations' she added: 'I have never sought to offer medical advice in my books or suggest that walking might be some sort of miracle cure for CBS. 'I am simply charting Moth's own personal journey and battle with his illness, and what has helped him.' 'As I've explained many times in my books, we will always be grateful that Moth's version of CBS is indolent, its slow progression has allowed us time to discover how walking helps him. Others aren't so lucky,' she concluded. Regarding the allegation of the embezzlement of money, Raynor says the dispute with Martin Hemmings is not the case discussed in The Salt Path 'nor did it result in us losing our home'. 'Any mistakes I made during the years in that office, I deeply regret, and I am truly sorry,' she said regarding the Hemmings debacle. Raynor explains that 'a part of that settlement was that I would pay money to Mr Hemmings on a 'non-admissions basis'. This is why we needed the money back from Cooper [the childhood friend] that we invested.' The recount of how they lost their home echoes what was described in The Salt Path and, in acknowledgement of The Observer finding a 'book-based house raffle' said the 'quickly realised it was a mistake' and refunded participants. Regarding the property in France, Raynor describes the home as 'an uninhabitable ruin in a bramble patch' with 'missing walls, a collapsed roof, no running water, drainage, or electricity'. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video According to Raynor, the property shown in a video accompanying the Observer investigation is not the same as the one they own. She claims they have never lived there, haven't visited since 2007 and have 'no debts outstanding'. They were also told the land was 'virtually worthless'. Elsewhere in the statement, Raynor says they have 'no debts' adding that 'over the subsequent years I tracked down our remaining debts and now believe I have tracked down and repaid everyone'. She also rebutted further claims by adding, 'we have never used it as our legal address for the purpose of avoiding debt.' Finally, she explains the origins of their new names (moving from Sally and Tim to Raynor and Moth) as affectionate nicknames, claryfing 'there is nothing hiding in our names'. The full statement can be found here. Discourse about The Observer's claims has swept social media as backlash against the couple rises. The couple, now both in their 60s, confirmed they are no longer homeless. In an interview with Country Living, Raynor said: 'After hearing our story, a kind stranger offered us a flat at the back of an old chapel. 'We moved to a beautiful Cornish village and Moth began a degree in horticulture and garden design. In many ways, we were so lucky…' The author explained that she started writing The Salt Path as a way to commemorate what her and Moth had done as his 'illness progressed' and that she was encouraged to submit the manuscript by her daughter. She also credits the rewilding project on their Cornish farm with helping alleviate Moth's symptoms. 'As the landscape has become healthier, so has he. Nothing will cure his disease, but we've found a way to keep it at bay,' she added. At the end of her third book, Landlines, which recounts the 1000-mile walk from Scotland to the South West Coast Path she explains that 'the old DAT scan [of Moth's brain] showing an abnormal reading, and this, the new one, showing a normal reading.' Both Anderson, 56, and Isaacs, 62, have also shared their own thoughts on the real-life people they were portraying. 'I was surprised at how guarded she was. Of course, it must be strange: you've got two relatively famous actors who are going to play you showing up at your house. More Trending 'But it was interesting to encounter a certain steeliness. It was informative for me to see that,' the actor told the Guardian about her impressions of Raynor. Describing his own time with Moth, Isaacs told Collider: ' He's the most lovely person I've ever met. Everyone who ever meets him falls completely in love with him. When you see the two of them together, they're so devoted to each other.' Metro has reached out to Raynor Winn's, Gillian Anderson, Jason Isaacs' representatives, Black Bear and Penguin for comment. This article was first published on July 7, 2025. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: The Salt Path couple call accusations of lying 'highly misleading' as backlash grows
