Angela Rippon has opened up about her health, revealing she worries about developing dementia after watching her mother die from the condition.
The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 82, made the admission in her documentary, The Truth About Dementia, saying: "Although I'm fine, I do sometimes worry about my own risk."
At 81, one in six people are at risk of developing the condition, which prompted Angela to put her affairs in order at the age of 72.
A Family History of Decline
Angela's father died from a heart attack at the age of 86 in 2003, with the presenter revealing he showed early signs of decline towards the end of his life. Her mother, Edna, was diagnosed with frontal lobe vascular dementia in 2004 and died in 2009.
"None of us knows what's going to happen to us, but I can do things like make sure my will is up to date and put things in place," she added.
As the former newsreader has no children, she has told her godchildren about her wishes, including the care she wants if she were to be diagnosed with dementia.
Planning for the Future
"I can talk with my godchildren about the care I might like. At least they won't have to agonise over what to do with Auntie Ang because Auntie Ang will have told them," the Strictly Come Dancing star said.
Angela has been an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society since 2004 and regularly raises awareness around the condition.
Mum's Battle with the Disease
She opened up about her mother's battle with the disease in 2023, telling the Daily Express: "As people with dementia very often have a complete change of character, she would get very, very angry.
"I learnt not to take it personally, as that it was just the dementia speaking not my mum - and not to get upset by it.
"I learnt very quickly that there was no point arguing with [her] about things. I learnt very quickly to join my mother's parallel universe and to agree with what she said, and if she got very difficult, to change the subject."
Giving Back to the Charity
Angela credited the support she received from the Alzheimer's Society, which is one of the reasons she works closely with the charity to raise awareness.
"I rang the Alzheimer's Society, and asked them for some help and advice and they were very, very supportive. And I felt that I wanted to give something back to them," she remarked.
"So I became an ambassador for them and then have chaired various committees and things that they've done," Angela said of her work with the charity.
