Radio veteran Paul Gambaccini has revealed he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
The BBC Radio 2 star shared the news in a statement on Friday after being diagnosed with the condition early last year.
Quoting Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, Gambaccini said: ‘As Freddie Mercury once sang, you can’t turn back the clock, you can’t turn back the tide. Ain’t that a shame.
‘In early 2025 I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. There’s no denying it’s a serious condition with an uncertain future, but for now life goes on normal.
‘I’m grateful for the kindness and support I’ve already received. I will be as open as I can as things progress. 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.’
The American-born presenter confirmed he will continue hosting The Paul Gambaccini Collection on BBC Radio 2 every Sunday, alongside his programmes on Greatest Hits Radio.
Gambaccini also revealed that he and his husband, Christopher Sherwood, have been receiving support from Alzheimer’s Society since his diagnosis.
Michelle Dyson, the charity’s chief executive, said his decision to speak publicly about the condition showed ‘that there can be life after a dementia diagnosis’.
‘Receiving a dementia diagnosis can be frightening but it can also open the door to receiving treatment and support,’ she said.
‘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.’
Nicknamed ‘The Great Gambo’, Gambaccini joined BBC Radio 1 in 1974 after working as Rolling Stone magazine’s British correspondent.
He spent 16 years at the station before becoming part of the original presenting line-up when BBC Radio 5 Live launched in 1994, where he hosted the network’s first chart show.
He later moved to BBC Radio 2 and Greatest Hits Radio, while also becoming a familiar face on television through his film reviews for GMTV and TV-am.
In 2012, Gambaccini was among the first high-profile broadcasters to speak publicly about the allegations against his former Radio 1 colleague Jimmy Savile, saying he had been waiting three decades for the claims to emerge.