Tony Christie says he won’t be beaten by dementia.
The music legend, 79, feared he would have to give up his career when he was diagnosed last year.
But he’s fighting back and determined to live a normal life.
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He’s set to record two new albums, perform in Ibiza and appear on TV – and even plans to work on his 80th birthday.
Tony told the Daily Star Sunday: “Having dementia isn’t life-changing. I’m carrying on. I’m just being normal.
I don’t let it affect me.
“The only difference is I forget people’s names, so occasionally I have to ask my wife to help me with that. But it’s not affecting my musical side. My singing is still the same.”
(Image: Getty Images)
The Keep On Dancin’ star has a packed diary.
He said: “I’m still working. I won’t be cancelling anything. I’ll be recording some new albums in Nashville and I’m doing two shows in Ibiza.”
Tony, best known for his hit (Is This The Way To) Amarillo, has his birthday on Tuesday (April 25) and will celebrate by doing what he knows best… performing.
The Yorkshire-born star has a gig at the Boisdale in Canary Wharf, east London.
He said: “It’ll be a good night. All my family and friends will be with me. I can’t wait.”
(Image: Will Ireland/PinPep/REX/Shutterstock)
Tony, who released his autobiography The Song Interpreter in 2019, has been performing for more than five decades, and he said: “I still love performing… it’s the only thing I’m any good at. I’ve always liked what I do.
“Thankfully my voice is as good as it ever was. It’s never changed.
“In fact, I’ve actually got a bigger range now than I had years ago.”
Since revealing his dementia earlier this year, Tony has found the response overwhelming.
(Image: David Parker/ANL/REX/Shutterstock)
He said: “I get people tapping me on the shoulder in the supermarket. It’s been staggering.
“They say things like, ‘Thank you for what you did… my wife or my husband has the same thing and now they’re not ashamed to admit it’.
“I didn’t realise how helpful I’d been. I want people to realise dementia doesn’t have to ruin your life – it is nothing to be ashamed of.”
Tony will release charity single Thank You For Being A Friend in July to help Music For Dementia.
He said: “It’s going to be fantastic – there will be some global stars on it. I think it’s going to be a worldwide hit.”
To donate visit musicfor dementia.org.uk.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
