Retired ITV News anchor Alastair Stewart has revealed he has begun questioning "whether life is worth living" as he opens up about his battle with vascular dementia. The 72-year-old, who retired from broadcasting two years ago shortly before announcing his diagnosis, now relies on his family and his wife Sally for care.
A candid admission about dementia struggles
In a new interview, Stewart admitted he feels "like a toddler again" and has reached a point of questioning life's value. He told the Daily Mail: "It's not uncommon among people who are living with dementia. It's why the psychological support needs to be taken as seriously as the physical symptoms."
Stewart, who spent more than three decades leading ITV News, had long stopped driving. Although he retired from broadcasting, he would often make ad hoc appearances on GB News. He also revealed he had become less confident when leaving the house.
Physical and mental decline
The former broadcaster has experienced physical decline and noted the state of his mental health, dealing with depression as a result of the disease. He explained: "I get down in the dumps realising that my symptoms are permanent. There are so many, to everybody else, dead easy things to do. Your shoelaces. Telling the time. I can't and that makes you feel inadequate. My functioning as a human being, as a husband, is seriously impaired."
Stewart is worried for his wife, admitting he has become "utterly dependent" on her.
Thoughts of self-harm
In a heartbreaking admission, he said a GP asked him, "Have you ever thought about self harm, or the ultimate form of self harm – taking your own life." The broadcaster replied, "I jokingly said to him, 'I'm a Roman Catholic. We don't do that. It's a mortal sin.'"
He remarked: "But in the last couple of months, I have begun to think about it. When I get really depressed, it does cross my mind thinking, what's the point of all of this?" Stewart stressed he had no intention of acting on those thoughts and would never want to leave his family heartbroken.
