Engelbert Humperdinck had his own “Christmas miracle” when his wife spoke his name for the first time in three years.
Patricia, 83, has Alzheimer’s disease, but Engelbert, 83, hopes her condition can improve.
The singer said: “She’s slowly progressing with this complaint of Alzheimer’s. It’s a very difficult disease to cure.” He revealed that actress Patricia, who he married in 1964, had begun to talk “a little bit”.
He said: “She hasn’t spoken for three years, she even called my name three days ago which is wonderful to hear. It’s the best Christmas miracle ever. I’m thrilled.”
The couple live in LA and Engelbert revealed Patricia was being treated by an “acupuncturist doctor”, who had “invented a new machine” which could help restore her ability to talk.
Engelbert, from Leicester, admitted he missed spending Christmas in the UK. He said: “I really miss not being home for Christmas. Most of my family live there.
“My wife can’t get on a plane yet so until she can fly we will spend our Christmases in LA.”
But the star, who had hits with Release Me and The Last Waltz in 1967, will return to the UK to play at the London Palladium on May 4, and says he “hopes and prays” his wife will be able to join him and watch him perform.
