Alastair Stewart announces dementia diagnosis

TV presenter Alastair Stewart has revealed he has been diagnosed with vascular dementia.

Samantha Benham-Hermetz, Executive Director at Alzheimer’s Research UK:

“Our thoughts are with Alastair Stewart and his family, following the news he has vascular dementia. We applaud Alastair’s brave decision to share his diagnosis publicly and raise awareness, while also urging others to seek help if they have their own concerns about dementia. By speaking so openly and honestly about his experience, we hope this will put a further spotlight on the desperate need to find new treatments for all forms of dementia.”

Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia, behind Alzheimer’s disease. Around 180,000 people living in the UK have vascular dementia. Vascular dementia occurs when blood vessels in the brain, specifically arteries, are damaged. Symptoms of vascular dementia include slower thinking, struggling with speaking, personality changes and problems with movement and stability.

Stewart, Britain’s longest-serving newsreader, revealed his diagnosis on GB News this morning on The Camilla Tominey Show. The 71-year-old presenter retired from regular broadcasting on GB News in March this year after nearly five decades in the industry. He spent most of his career with ITN on programmes such as News at Ten, ITV Early Evening News and Lunchtime News.

Alastair Stewart, speaking on GB News:

“I mean, the headline story, and it is relatively dramatic, I suppose, is that about six, nine months ago, I began to feel one of my favourite words, a bit discombobulated. I wasn’t becoming forgetful but things like doing your shoelaces properly – that’s how I wear these lovely moccasins now – making sure your tie was straight, remembering that the call time for your programme is four o’clock and not five o’clock, not turning up early or late, and stuff like that.

“I then decided at my ripe old age of late 50s, early 60s, that I might have something wrong.”

Following his diagnosis Alastair quit regular broadcasting and became a ‘contributor’ for GB News which has seen him appear hosting special programming including the coverage of the King’s Coronation.

There are currently no specific treatments for vascular dementia. Alzheimer’s Research UK exists to change that and has funded more than £4.3million of pioneering research to help advance our understanding of vascular dementia.

The charity has funded over 67 research projects, including studies to investigate how blood vessels can become damaged in the brain and how this damage causes the symptoms seen in vascular dementia. Alzheimer’s Research UK is also working to develop new ways of preventing and diagnosing vascular dementia.

Samantha Benham-Hermetz, Executive Director at Alzheimer’s Research UK:

“As Alastair said, dementia doesn’t only impact the person living with the condition, it has a heartbreaking impact on their loved ones too. Tragically, if nothing changes, one in two of us will know this devastation, either by developing dementia ourselves, caring for someone with it, or both. We’re working to change this, by funding the research that will lead us to new treatments. As the UK’s leading dementia research, we are leading the way and we will not stop until all forms of dementia can be cured.

“If you have questions about vascular dementia, or any other form of dementia, you can contact our Dementia Research Infoline on 0300 111 5 111 between 9.00-5.00pm Monday to Friday or send an email to infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org”