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Jeremy Paxman diagnosed with Parkinson’s

(15 Posts)
MawBe Fri 21-May-21 18:39:30

Love him or loathe him, it is sad to see a man with a ferocious intellect diagnosed with this debilitating disease.
The former Newsnight presenter said he was receiving "excellent" treatment and that his symptoms are "currently mild".
"I plan to continue broadcasting and writing for as long as they'll have me," he said.
The 71-year-old has hosted University Challenge since 1994 and is renowned for his fiercely inquisitorial interviewing style.
Born in Leeds in 1950, the presenter joined Newsnight in 1989 and remained with BBC Two's nightly bulletin until June 2014.
In recent years he has presented documentaries about the British Empire and Winston Churchill.
Paxman said he would be making no further comment and had written about his diagnosis for the June edition of Saga magazine.

Kali2 Fri 21-May-21 18:41:15

Agreed, such a shame and a debilitating disease.

Mapleleaf Fri 21-May-21 18:42:30

It's a dreadful disease, and I was saddened to hear this.

Redhead56 Fri 21-May-21 20:11:49

It is very sad to hear of anyone with this terrible disease. I remember watching him some years ago going to Glasgow where one of his grans grew up. When he was told about the tenements where she was brought up. The poverty and living conditions he was told were appalling he was reduced to tears. He does have a hard exterior it is a side of him I imagine not many have seen.

Witzend Fri 21-May-21 20:12:26

Sad news. I’ve always liked him, especially when he fronted Newsnight and wouldn’t let politicians get away with slithering around the question like oiled snakes.

MayBee70 Fri 21-May-21 20:30:45

Given how amazing scientists have been about developing the vaccine and treatments for covid wouldn’t it be great if the world could unite in finding cures for Parkinson’s, MS, Motor neurone disease etc. I hope the progress of Paxman’s disease is slow and the treatment available keeps him healthy for as long as possible. There are two kinds of Parkinson’s I believe, one more treatable than the other. I’m really saddened to hear this.

Mollygo Fri 21-May-21 20:35:46

Sorry to hear about this. It’s a terrible disease. Let’s hope the treatment continues to be effective and the symptoms remain mild.

Callistemon Fri 21-May-21 20:44:20

I'm sorry to hear this too.
It is a debilitating disease. I will never forget seeing my lovely aunt deteriorate with this horrible condition.

NotTooOld Fri 21-May-21 21:42:23

I am very sorry to hear this. I've liked Paxo since I heard a homeless man on the radio tell how he met him on a traffic island waiting to cross the road. I can't remember the whole story but it ended with Paxo advising him on how to get a job without having an address and giving him some money.

GrannyGravy13 Fri 21-May-21 21:49:24

So sad, I have a secret crush (not do now) on Paxo ?

Luckygirl Fri 21-May-21 22:10:43

I am sad to hear this. My OH was also a powerful intellect and he too had PD - I watched him deteriorate and slip away from us all year by year. A fall started the final miserable downward slide to the end of his life. Sad to see someone else going down the same road.

Alishka Fri 21-May-21 23:41:28

Dreadful news, so sad.

Shinamae Fri 21-May-21 23:44:22

In the care home I work in two ladies have Parkinson’s and it is a disgusting disease.....

BigBertha1 Sat 22-May-21 06:10:44

JP has always been my crush. I love his writing and University Challenge I hope he stays well. My SIL was diagnosed with this last year and is doing well with treatment.

Urmstongran Sat 22-May-21 07:15:47

Very sad. I hope treatment can keep it at bay for a good long time. What a brave man to write about it too. I subscribe to the Saga magazine where he writes a monthly column. I shall look out especially for his input next month.

Jenni Murray is a fairly new contributor since she left WHour.
Very readable.

Years ago the wonderful John Diamond from the Guardian wrote a weekly diary detailing his painful progress and treatment for the throat cancer that killed him. I have the book of those articles on my bookcase somewhere. Nigella Lawson was married to him at the time and their two children were very young. He called it ‘C - because cowards get cancer too’.