BBC presenter Janice Forsyth has quit the broadcaster after her devastating Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

The 65-year-old revealed that she has the degenerative condition in a recent statement. 

Janice has presented BBC Radio Scotland’s The Afternoon Show since 2013 until the beginning of last year.

According to the NHS, Alzheimer’s ‘is the most common cause of dementia in the UK’ and is the ‘name for a group of symptoms ᴀssociated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning’.

The freelance broadcaster said in her statement: ‘From 2022, I’d been experiencing deep feelings of anxiety and finding some tasks, especially navigation, extremely difficult.

‘I’d hoped that I was simply worn out by my many years as a freelance broadcaster and perhaps exhausted following the loss of our dear Mother, Patricia, the previous Christmas, but sadly, I now have a firm diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. 

BBC presenter Janice Forsyth has quit the broadcaster after her devastating Alzheimer’s diagnosis

The 65-year-old revealed that she has the progressive condition in a recent statement

‘It’s been a huge blow, but I’m also feeling some relief that I finally have an explanation for lapses I’d been experiencing, and I’m managing to remain buoyant most of the time. 

‘Much as I have loved seeking out and sharing the best of music/literature/theatre/cinema with you, I’m happy now to have the time and freedom to enjoy all of these simply for my own pleasure. 

‘Call it living in the moment, and you won’t be far off!’

She continued: ‘On another positive note, I’ve been able to continue to contribute to The Big Light – the podcast production company I founded 5 years ago with Fiona White.

‘The company is going from strength to strength, and we’re excited for more to come. 

‘I’m not done yet!

‘So, finding the cause of my trouble took a while, but I at least now know what’s been happening and am grateful for lovely friends & family, as well as for fine post-diagnosis care from NHS Scotland.’

Janice finished her statement by explaining that she will be leaving social media for both her mental health and privacy. 

She ended the statement with: ‘Dear Listener – I never took my role lightly and hope I always gave my best, both for your sake and that of my interviewees. 

Janice finished her statement by explaining that she will be leaving social media for both her mental health and privacy

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‘It’s been a blast, and I send a high five to everyone who tuned in on Saturday mornings or on more recent weekday afternoons and heard something interesting. 

‘For reasons of privacy and mental health, I plan to withdraw from social media for now, and I wish you all well.’

Head of commissioning at BBC Scotland, Louise Thornton, said: ‘Janice has been a hugely popular personality on our airwaves for many years.

‘The many production teams she has collaborated with have appreciated her outstanding skill as a presenter on radio and television.

‘Her warmth, relaxed interviewing style, and peerless knowledge of arts, music, and culture in Scotland and beyond, have made her a firm favourite with audiences over the decades.

‘Everyone at BBC Scotland wishes Janice all the very best and we’ll be pleased to continue to explore suitable opportunities where we can work together.’

Janice has also worked for a number of other shows with the Beeb including Radio Café, Authors Live and the Hogmanay Show. 

She’s also had a very successful career in print. 

Janice is a columnist for a number of newspapers and founded podcast The Big Light.

The star has also produced TV shows for the likes of Channel 4, BBC and ITV.

WHAT IS ALZHEIMER’S?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, in which build-up of abnormal proteins causes nerve cells to die.

This disrupts the transmitters that carry messages, and causes the brain to shrink. 

More than 5 million people suffer from the disease in the US, where it is the 6th leading cause of death, and more than 1 million Britons have it.

WHAT HAPPENS?

As brain cells die, the functions they provide are lost. 

That includes memory, orientation and the ability to think and reason. 

The progress of the disease is slow and gradual. 

On average, patients live five to seven years after diagnosis, but some may live for ten to 15 years.

EARLY SYMPTOMS:

Loss of short-term memoryDisorientationBehavioral changesMood swingsDifficulties dealing with money or making a phone call 

LATER SYMPTOMS:

Severe memory loss, forgetting close family members, familiar objects or placesBecoming anxious and frustrated over inability to make sense of the world, leading to aggressive behavior Eventually lose ability to walkMay have problems eating The majority will eventually need 24-hour care   

 Source: Alzheimer’s ᴀssociation