One final family Christmas, marked by a dramatic intervention from the London Fire Brigade, provided a bittersweet and unforgettable farewell for a former couple navigating the cruel stages of dementia.
A Festive Crisis and an Unexpected Compliment
On Christmas Eve, Glenys Roberts returned to her central London flat with her daughter and her ex-husband, the renowned celebrity tailor Doug Hayward. The festive mood was instantly shattered by noxious smoke filling the apartment. A swift 999 call brought six fire engines and at least 20 firefighters to the scene, who traced the source to a mysteriously exploded wine fridge.
Far from spoiling the day, the incident added a surreal, cheerful chaos. Doug, seeing the swarm of "absurdly fit" firemen, exclaimed with delight: "They’ve all come for Christmas. It’s just like the old days." For Glenys, this last celebration, after more than 30 years of divorce and silence, was a conscious, cherished decision.
Navigating Dementia with Humour and Heartbreak
Doug Hayward, who had dressed stars like Roger Moore, Clint Eastwood, and Lord Lichfield, was diagnosed with dementia in his sixties. The once-dynamic raconteur became heartbreakingly vulnerable, his limited vocabulary leading to enchanting phrases like calling his house key "the moon."
Glenys chose to re-enter his life to help, despite advice against it. Her own doctor warned she would destroy her health, while feminist lawyer Gloria Allred called it a "betrayal of the sisterhood." Even staff at Doug's Mayfair shop and famous friends were lukewarm. Only club owner Mark Birley, himself unwell, remained a constant companion, sharing daily lunches of affectionate gibberish.
The Power of a Traditional Christmas
Determined to keep life as normal as possible, they upheld their traditional Christmas. Doug insisted on the proper trimmings, chastising Glenys for perpetually forgetting the bread sauce and chipolatas. For the first time since their separation, he visited the flat they once shared, looked at the decorations, and told her: "You’ve made it into a proper home"—a treasured compliment from the man who had once divorced her for a lack of domesticity.
The season was touch-and-go, with moments of distress requiring medical intervention, but they persevered. They even celebrated what would have been their 38th wedding anniversary at Scott’s restaurant in Mayfair on New Year's Eve. Doug Hayward passed away four months later, in the spring of 2008, aged 73.
Reflecting on that final festive period, Glenys Roberts underscores a profound lesson: you never stop caring for someone, however damaged they are. The chaos, the forgotten chipolatas, and the unexpected fire brigade visit all formed part of a last, loving chapter they were profoundly grateful to share.
