Express & Star

Davina McCall and family open up about Alzheimer’s battle

The family have spoken about her father’s diagnosis together as they prepare to fundraise for charity.

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Davina McCall

Davina McCall and her parents have spoken together about her father’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease for the first time ahead of a charity walk.

The Long Lost Family presenter, her father Andrew McCall and his wife Gaby will join the Alzheimer’s Society for their Memory Walk, a fundraising event taking place at venues across England, Wales and Northern Ireland this autumn.

Speaking about her dad’s diagnosis with her family, McCall said: “My dad has always been my rock – he’s way smarter than me, funnier, stronger, I’ve always slightly hero-worshipped him.”

Davina McCall and dad
McCall with her dad (McCall family/PA)

“Our dynamic has changed, but he’s still my dad.

“My dad is very charming, everyone he meets falls in love with him – that’s one thing that hasn’t changed.

Davina McCall and parents
McCall, Gaby and Andrew will do the Memory Walk (McCall family/PA)

“The person I do worry about is my mum.

“It’s a lot, watching the man you love struggle and I know it’s tiring for her. Each day is a blessing.

Davina McCall and family
McCall and her parents with Gaby’s sister Rebecca Lake-Benson (McCall family/PA)

Andrew spoke about his diagnosis for the first time.

He said: “My family noticed the signs before I did – they tell me that occasional memory lapses associated with age became more frequent and more short-term.

Davina McCall with sister and dad
McCall, her sister Milly and their dad Andrew (McCall family/PA)

“That’s when I realised that this was more than just the natural decline in memory.

“I am blessed with a strong streak of optimism and there is no doubt that it has helped me come to terms with the diagnosis.

“I’m doing what I am told to do by the professionals: no more alcohol, plenty of exercise, plenty of reading and challenging my brain to keep things working as much as possible.”

Gaby added: “As anyone knows, if you have lived with someone for many years – 43 in our case – you will notice the subtlest of changes in their behaviour and personality.

“First, I noticed Andrew would repeat a story he had told only 15 minutes earlier and yet he had no recollection of the first occasion.

“Then I noticed he could not recall events that happened in the past few days. Eventually, he started struggling to find the words he wanted to say and to find everyday items around our home.

“Both our daughters, Davina and Milly, noticed a change… don’t dismiss the early signs and wait until it develops to a more advanced stage.”

McCall will join the charity for their Brighton Memory Walk, one of 34 events that include the annual campaign’s first-ever night walks in London, Liverpool and Cardiff.

Davina McCall and parents
Davina McCall got a visit from her parents during her Comic Relief challenge (Alex Walker/PA)

:: For more information go to www.memorywalk.org.uk.

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