The Chase’s Paul Sinha has revealed the Parkinson’s symptom he completely dismissed as he issued a rare health update on Thursday’s instalment of Loose Women.

Paul, 54 – who is also known as The Sinnerman on the ITV show – was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in May 2019. 

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative condition and the illness effects the nerve cells in the brain that control movement. 

The TV star appeared on Loose Women to open up about living with the progressive neurological disorder with Kaye Adams, Denise Welch, Brenda Edwards and Nadia Sawalha.

Kaye asked what his initial symptoms were, to which Paul said: ‘There were surprise symptoms. Everyone thinks you shake. That’s the one thing people know about Parkinson’s. 

‘I presented one morning with a stiff painful right shoulder. I’d never had a stiff joint before.

The Chase’s Paul Sinha reveals the Parkinson’s symptom he completely dismissed before life-changing diagnosis in rare health update

The TV star appeared on Loose Women to open up about living with the progressive neurological disorder with Kaye Adams, Denise Welch , Brenda Edwards and Nadia Sawalha

Paul is best known for his role on The Chase, where he is also known as The Sinnerman on the ITV show

‘I didn’t think anything of it. I thought that this is just going to go away, it just never went away.

‘For a year I had injections and X-rays and scans, eventually they did an operation in January 2019, it didn’t get any better.  

‘It was actually a physiotherapist who was the hero of this story, she was the one who had courage to say I think something neurological might be going on.

‘This is a year and a half after I presented. It was the physiotherapist who said see a specialist neurologist.’ 

Speaking about the diagnosis, he added: ‘Yeah it was a relief.

‘When you know something neurological is going on, when I went to the neurologist, please don’t let it be Motor Neuron disease, please don’t let it be more tangible faster decline.

‘When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, all it’s done is I kinda know I’ve got time to do the bucket list things.

‘Although oddly enough, I didn’t have a bucket list…

Paul pictured with his The Chase co-stars Anne Hegerty, Shaun Wallace, Mark Labbett and host Bradley Walsh

What is Parkinson’s ?

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative condition. The illness effects the nerve cells in the brain that control movement.

Over time the symptoms gradually get worse. It can cause symptoms related to movement as well as pain, depression and loss of smell. 

Most people who get Parkinson’s are over 60, but one in ten are under 50 and it affects more men than women. 

What causes the symptoms?

Nerve cells in the brain send messages to the rest of out body to control our movements. This is done using chemicals called neurotransmitters.

An area of the brain called the substantia nigra produces one of the neurotransmitters that controls movement: dopamine. But in 70 to 80 per cent of people with Parkinson’s these dopamine producing cells deteriorate and die. 

The loss of dopamine-producing neurons results in low levels of dopamine in the part of the brain that controls movement and balance.

Source: Parkinson’s Europe  

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‘I did go to Brazil last year, that was a big one!’

Brenda was keen to know how he is managing his day-to-day life now. 

Paul confessed: ‘Nothing is dramatic. 

‘The reason I’m her is not because I’ve had a major change in my lifestyle or drama, or any major  news, you just get on with it. 

‘You know it’s there. You learn to adapt.

‘I feel lucky I don’t do a 9-5. I’m self-employed as an entertainer. 

‘It means I can plan my schedules each day around what I’m doing, so if I’m busy in the evening, I try and make sure I’m fully rested in the afternoon.

‘If I’m busy in the afternoon, I try and make sure I get an early night that night.

‘You facilitate your sleep around your schedules. 

‘I think that’s very important to be proactive and a bit knowing about that whole thing, work out your time table. 

‘The one thing I do, is I do an online speed quiz at 6pm, called Tea Time Trivia.

‘That’s the one thing I always find time for.’

Kaye asked if he was worried about his brain function. 

Paul said: ‘It’s always on your mind.

‘My brain is my tool, if I come more physically disabled, I’ll still be able to do The Chase, I’ll still be able to do stand-up comedy. 

‘But if I become more cognitively disabled.. 

‘Those things are out of the question for me.’ 

Next he explained what other symptoms he has now. 

Paul said: ‘My thing is slowness. Things take time. I’ve got to sit down on a bed to put my trousers on. This is a new thing for me.’

Paul joined The Chase in 2011. 

The British gameshow has been on our screens since 2009.

Loose Women airs on ITV1 weekdays from 12:30pm and is available to stream on ITVX.