Alastair Stewart, 72, Shares Heartbreaking Dementia Struggle: Can’t Tie His Shoelaces Anymore

TV legend Alastair Stewart shared a touching update about his dementia diagnosis. The longest-serving male newsreader in Britain, Stewart, 72, announced his retirement in 2023 after 50 years in television.

Stewart revealed that his condition prevents him from performing simple tasks, stating, “I can’t tie my own shoelaces or choose my own shirt.”

He built a remarkable career, covering significant events such as the Gulf War and the fall of the Berlin Wall. He began at Southern Television in 1976 and joined ITN in 1980. After a brief hiatus, he joined GB News in 2021 and retired two years later.

After his retirement, Stewart announced he had been diagnosed with vascular dementia. He discussed his feelings candidly, saying, “There’s no point feeling self-indulgent about it.” Stewart emphasized he would not let his diagnosis define his quality of life.

Vascular dementia occurs due to reduced blood flow to the brain, damaging brain cells. This can follow a major stroke or multiple smaller strokes. Unlike Alzheimer’s, there are currently no effective drugs to slow down vascular dementia.

Throughout his career, Stewart reported on many high-profile events, including royal weddings and King Charles’ coronation.

Stewart’s journey serves as a reminder of the impact of dementia and the importance of understanding this condition.