Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zara Woodcock

Jeremy Paxman to share his Parkinson's battle in new ITV documentary

Jeremy Paxman will open up about his battle with Parkinson's disease in a new ITV documentary.

The University Challenge host, who was diagnosed with the condition a year and a half ago, will talk to other stars living with the illness as well as experts.

He will also be reflecting on the changes in his life ever since he was formally diagnosed.

Titled Paxman: Putting Up With Parkinson's, the 60-minute special will air on ITV and will have cameras following his day-to-day life.

"For the very first time, Jeremy Paxman will allow cameras into his life as he reflects on how Parkinson's is impacting him," ITV revealed.

Jeremy will speak to the president of Parkinson’s UK, Jane Asher, attend an English National Ballet therapy dance class and learn to play bowls and even observe a brain dissection.

The special comes from Docsville Studios, Altitude Factual and Expanded Media.

Jeremy revealed he has Parkinson's in May 2021 (Getty)

The broadcaster revealed his diagnosis in May 2021.

He told that he has been receiving "excellent treatment" and that his symptoms are "currently mild".

In a statement to the PA news agency, 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."

Get all the biggest showbiz news straight to your inbox. Sign up for the free Mirror Showbiz newsletter.

Parkinson's disease is a condition that affects the brain. Symptoms include tremors, slow movements and stiffness.

Earlier last year, Jeremy revealed he'd suffered a fall while he was out walking his dog, a Spaniel-Dalmation cross named Derek.

In his column for Saga magazine, he admitted he had "no recollection" of taking the tumble as he "blacked out beforehand or did so when my nose hit the ground".

He added there was "certainly a lot of blood afterwards" and confessed he told Derek it was "all his fault."

The telly star thinks the pooch must have "must have seen a squirrel and jerked on his lead".

Paxman added of the fall: "What kind of fool falls flat on their face?..."

He added: "To my mind, a life well-lived involves minimum contact with the emergency services. But it’s inescapable when you get older."

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct at 0207 29 33033.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.