Jeremy Paxman lifts lid on harrowing Parkinson’s battle in gritty new ITV documentary

JEREMY Paxman will open up about living with Parkinson’s disease since being diagnosed more than a year ago.

ITV cameras will follow the University Challenge host, 72, as he lives his daily life with the incurable condition which affects the brain.

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Jeremy Paxman will allow cameras to follow him for an ITV documentary about Parkinson’s diseaseCredit: PA

The one-hour special TV event will be called Paxman: Putting Up With Parkinson’s.

“For the very first time, Jeremy Paxman will allow cameras into his life as he reflects on how Parkinson’s is impacting him,” ITV said in a statement.

Along with examining the affects of Parkinson’s on his life, Jeremy will also speak with Parkinson’s UK, Jane Asher, try an English National Ballet therapy dance class, learn to play bowls and observe a brain dissection.

Jeremy announced his diagnosis in May last year and at the time said his symptoms were “currently mild” – and he was receiving “excellent treatment”.

In a statement, he said: “I can confirm I have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

“I am receiving excellent treatment and my symptoms are currently mild.

“I plan to continue broadcasting and writing for as long as they’ll have me and have written about my diagnosis in more detail for the June issue of the marvellous Saga Magazine.

“I will not be making any further comment.”

In a brief extract from his column last year, he wrote: “The other day I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

“It isn’t a fatal prognosis, but it sure as hell can make living a bit of a b*gger.

“There will be plenty of readers who know what I’m talking about from personal experience: according to my fellow Parkinson’s incubator, the comedy writer Paul Mayhew-Archer, two people in the UK are diagnosed with the disease every hour of the day.

“Which, as he points out, means that ‘some people get told at three o’clock in the morning.’

“At least it happened to me in daylight.”

He added in his Saga Magazine column: “I will not pretend that being diagnosed with an incurable brain disease is fun.

“But it could be worse. I have at least the consolation of being in the enjoyable company of people like Billy Connolly and Alan Alda.

“I am lucky to have understanding family, friends and colleagues, and I am also fortunate in seeing the funny side of unexpectedly falling over.”

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The University Challenge host revealed he had the disease in May last yearCredit: BBC

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The documentary will explore the impact of Parkinson’s on Jeremy’s lifeCredit: BBC