Alastair Stewart ‘dispirited’ as damning new figures show dementia remains UK’s leading cause of death
Legendary broadcaster and former GB News star Alastair Stewart has told the People’s Channel that new dementia figures have left him “dispirited”.
Alzheimer’s Research UK revealed 75,393 people died from dementia in 2023, up from 2022’s figure of 74,261.
Speaking on GB News, Alastair said the figures represent a “wake up call” for the Government.
“I will make a little confession in that it’s a little dispiriting, even when you’re as lucky as I am to be surrounded by a loving family, to see the newspapers and GB News tell me that the disease or ailment I was diagnosed with less than a year ago is the most likely cause of death in the United Kingdom”, he said.
“In a curious sense, it sums up the problem. The cruelty about Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia is it slowly but surely shuts down bits of your brain.
“That’s why it’s such a potential killer. In my case, I can’t do my shoelaces or tie anymore. Imagine if your lungs don’t work as they should do and then pneumonia becomes a risk or you can’t swallow properly anymore and you choke on food.
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“All sorts of stuff like that can be a direct result of dementia or Alzheimer’s. These numbers are shocking but they’re a wake up call to the Government.
“Alzheimer’s Research UK is already a partner with the Medical Research Council in funding a platform that is looking into all these ghastly ailments to try and find a cure.
“One in two people within a decade will either have dementia, or like my lovely wife, be directly affected by it. This is a real wake up call for the Government as it does its 10-year strategy.”
Martin Daubney praised Alastair, saying he finds it “hard to believe” he is living with dementia as he is “so on point and on form”.
The 72-year-old went on to deliver a “clarion call” to people not to smoke and ideally, avoid alcohol as well.
“Don’t smoke and don’t drink heavily, ideally, don’t drink at all, because it raises your blood pressure”, he said.
“If your blood pressure is too high, it raises your risk of vascular dementia. What I do to try and keep on point is read as much as I can.
“I had lunch with an old girlfriend of mine whose mother has got Alzheimer’s and she spoke about holistic treatment as well.
“Do all sorts of things, do word searches, learn another language, but keep your brain going as much as possible.”
The crisis is set to worsen dramatically due to the UK’s ageing population, experts warn.
Nearly a million Britons currently live with dementia, with predictions suggesting this could surge to 1.4 million by 2040.
“This data reveals the tragic reality of dementia’s devastating impact across the UK,” said Hilary Evans-Newton, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK.
The condition already occupies a quarter of hospital beds for people over 65.
“The cost of dementia to the NHS has doubled in the last decade mainly due to often avoidable emergency admissions,” Evans-Newton added.
The charity is urging the Government to use its upcoming 10-Year Health Plan to “future-proof” NHS dementia services.