BBC Radio 2 presenter Paul Gambaccini diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease | Ents & Arts News

Broadcaster Paul Gambaccini has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

The 77-year-old BBC Radio 2 and Greatest Hits Radio presenter said in a statement confirming his diagnosis: “As Freddie Mercury once sang, ‘You can’t turn back the clock, you can’t turn back the tide. Ain’t that a shame’.”

He added that he was diagnosed in early 2025, and said that “there’s no denying it’s a serious condition with an uncertain future, but for now life goes on as normal and I continue to broadcast” on BBC and Greatest Hits.

“I’m grateful for the kindness and support I’ve already received. I will be as open as I can as things progress,” Gambaccini said.

“For now, I wish to be given the space to keep on broadcasting the music I love to the listeners I love even more. These are the days of our lives.”

Known as The Great Gambo, he has presented regular programmes on BBC Radio 1, 2, 3 and 4.

He was a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s long-running arts programme Kaleidoscope, and also hosted the Classic FM series Paul Gambaccini’s Hall Of Heroes, the Radio 4 music quiz Counterpoint, Pick Of The Pops on BBC Radio 2, and America’s Greatest Hits on Greatest Hits Radio, as well as the Paul Gambaccini Collection on Radio 2.

New York-born Gambaccini was inducted into the Radio Academy Hall of Fame in 2005.

The BBC’s Head of Radio 2 Helen Thomas said in a statement: “On behalf of everyone at Radio 2 as well as all of his listeners, we send our love and best wishes to Paul, and continue to support him with his beautifully crafted weekly music show on Sunday evenings.”

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He and his husband Christopher Sherwood have been receiving support from the Alzheimer’s Society since his diagnosis.

The charity’s chief executive, Michelle Dyson, said that the presenter’s experience “shows that there can be life after a dementia diagnosis – his fans will be delighted at his decision to carry on hosting his shows”.

She added: “Receiving a dementia diagnosis can be frightening, but it can also open the door to receiving treatment and support.

“We hope that by sharing his diagnosis, Paul will encourage others to spot the symptoms and reach out if they are worried about themselves or a loved one.

“The earlier someone is diagnosed, the better the chances are that they can continue doing the things they love and live independently for longer, and plan for the future.”

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias have impacted many notable figures worldwide: Last month, former Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow revealed he was diagnosed with the disease.

Hollywood actor Danny Glover revealed he has Alzheimer’s disease this month, telling People magazine and NBC show Today that he had been diagnosed three years ago.

Singer Tony Bennett, who died in 2023, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016 and went public five years later.

Actors like Bruce Willis and Robin Williams have also suffered from other distinct forms of progressive dementia.