Alastair Stewart bravely shares dementia diagnosis and stroke ordeal as he speaks out on retirement
Alastair Stewart has shared news of his dementia diagnosis with GB News
GB NEWS
Legendary broadcaster Alastair Stewart joined Camilla Tominey on GB News on Sunday to discuss why he decided to step back from his role in March.
In a brave and candid conversation, Alastair revealed to Camilla he's been diagnosed with dementia.
The broadcaster admitted that "six to nine months" ago he began to feel "discombobulated" when doing simple tasks around the house.
Alastair's concerns led him to contact his GP and relayed his fears that he may have early-onset dementia.
After having scans at the doctors, he discovered he had suffered a series of strokes and was diagnosed with the disease.
The presenter acknowledged that the disease is "incurable" but he is taking numerous steps to try and alleviate the condition.
Alastair revealed he'd stopped smoking and is taking his adorable family dogs out on longer walks as well as taking on word puzzles to keep the brain active.
He also said he was "upset" by the ongoing NHS strikes but praised the doctors who've helped him throughout the ordeal.
Alastair also touched on the impact his diagnosis has had on his wife, Sally.
He told Camilla: "The thing I've found the most difficult thing to deal with is the impact it's had on Sally."
The presenter admitted it was heartbreaking to watch the person he loves "almost reduced to a carer".
Describing how the symptoms have manifested themselves in his day-to-day life, Alastair revealed the ways in which he's adapted his home life.
He admitted he's writing down a lot more notes and told Camilla his "very short-term memory is tricky" while "motor skills (are) very tricky".
Despite being told by doctors he'd suffered a series of strokes prior to his diagnosis, Alastair also revealed he had "no idea" they were happening.
The conversation drew to a close in an emotional fashion when Camilla revealed GB News had a surprise for Alastair.
Alastair was reduced to tears when Camilla told him GB News' new Westminster studios would be named in his honour and be known as The Alastair Stweart Studios.
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Camilla Tominey and Alastair Stewart discussed his diagnosis
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Alastair fronted his final edition of Alastair Stewart & Friends back in March but informed fans he would be staying on as an occasional contributor and commentator on major news events.
He is Britain’s longest-serving newsreader, having fronted both local and national news on television for just shy of five decades - 47 years.
In Alastair's farewell announcement he shared in the weeks after his final GB News show, he thanked his family for their support and described his time with GB News as a "privilege".
Speaking from his Hampshire home, he said at the time: "I’m nearly 71 and I still get the most tremendous lift from live television – it’s the best job in the world."
However, the rigours of preparing for two live interview shows a week, and commuting from Hampshire to London for them, are considerable.
"I want to reduce my commitment while I’m still ahead as an old broadcaster, rather than an ancient one.
"Thankfully the timing is mine; I just want to spend more of it with my family, my horses, and the charities that have meant so much to me over the years."
Turning his attention to his time at GB News, Alastair added: "It’s been a privilege to complete my regular broadcasting career with a sparky start-up like GB News that’s challenging the traditional moulds I’ve known for so long.
“It’s kept me on my toes, taught me new tricks, but above all GB News has liberated me.
"I’ve had the freedom to cover the stories I’m passionate about, interview the people I want, and to offer my perspective more freely than I’ve been allowed to in the past.
“I’m grateful to everyone at GB News, but also to all the fabulous colleagues I’ve known throughout these many years. Quite simply, I couldn’t have done any of it without them.”