Tony Christie, the singer famous for his iconic hit (Is This the Way to) Amarillo, has spoken movingly about his wife Sue’s unwavering support since he was diagnosed with dementia in 2023.
The 83-year-old, who first realised something was wrong when he began struggling with his daily crosswords, described Ms Christie as “my rock” in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail.
Despite his diagnosis, Mr Christie remains determined to stay on stage, continuing his Farewell tour, which began in August 2025 and is scheduled to run until mid-2027.
“I am still recording new material and touring, so I don’t let me dementia slow me down,” he said.
Tony Christie has opened up about living and performing with dementia
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“Work is therapy for me, so it keeps me happy and healthy. I think my knees will stop me faster than dementia!”
The couple first met in 1968 and married that same year, going on to have three children together.
It was Ms Christie who initially urged Mr Christie to visit his doctor after noticing his growing frustration with crossword puzzles.
“She could see something wasn’t quite right,” he recalled.
Tony Christie rose to fame in the 1970s with hits including ‘(Is This the Way to) Amarillo’
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In daily life, Ms Christie helps him remember appointments, obligations and the names of people he encounters.
“She keeps me on track about what I need to do and where I need to be, and reminds me of people’s names when I forget,” the singer explained.
The veteran performer also credited their lasting bond to a mutual love of laughter.
“I think we share the same sense of humour and we both love to laugh,” he said.
The singer has credited his wife Sue with being his ‘rock’ as he continues to live and perform with dementia
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“That’s one of the secrets to our relationship.”
Mr Christie has been refreshingly candid about refusing to feel any shame over his condition, often joking on stage about forgetting his band members’ names.
“I never want to pretend I don’t have it, or be ashamed of it,” he said.
He acknowledged the condition has forced him to adapt his working life.
The musician now requires longer rest periods between shows, more sleep and relies on an autocue for song lyrics.
“I can’t say whether it is down to my age or dementia – it’s probably a bit of both,” he reflected.
At home, the effects are also noticeable, with Mr Christie frequently forgetting what objects are called and struggling to recall names.
“But I am 83!” he added with characteristic good humour.
Tony Christie was diagnosed with dementia in 2023 after noticing problems with his memory
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On Sunday, September 13, Mr Christie made an unexpected appearance at the m4dRADIO “switch-on party”, a landmark event marking the station’s expansion onto DAB radio across South and West London.
He and Ms Christie attended the monthly Dementia Disco at St John Fisher Church Hall in Merton, south-west London, where they joined dementia patients, their families and carers for an afternoon filled with music, dancing and singing.
The station, which broadcasts ad-free music around the clock without presenters or news bulletins, had previously only been accessible online.
The shift to DAB aims to make it far simpler for those living with dementia to tune in.
The singer said people can still do the things they love following a dementia diagnosis
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“Sometimes you just want to switch on a radio and have the music that you love right there,” Mr Christie said.
“That’s why we love what m4dRADIO is doing. It’s making it easier to use for people like Sue and me.”
Mr Christie offered advice to those struggling with dementia.
“Nearly one million people in the UK have dementia. It doesn’t get talked about nearly as much as other diseases like cancer, but there is definitely help out there. My doctor has been brilliant,” he said.
“The medication has really helped, so don’t hide your symptoms and put off medical help. Talk to someone right away,” he urged, adding a diagnosis need not signal the end of a fulfilling life.
“Some things change, but you can still do the things you love. I try to remain really positive and enjoy life as much as I can.”