‘I love you so much’: Davina McCall wishes her Alzheimer’s-stricken dad Andrew a happy 76th birthday as she brands his illness ‘cruel’ but insists ‘your soul is still shining through’
- Davina’s dad Andrew was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016 aged 73, while her grandmother, who died peacefully in 2018, Pippy also battled dementia
Davina McCall wished her father Andrew a happy 76th birthday on Friday, as he continues to battle Alzheimer’s.
The 53-year-old TV presenter took to Instagram to share a snapshot of her beloved parent as she said his ‘soul is still shining through’ amid ‘cruel’ Alzheimer’s battle.
Captioning an image of a bespectacled Andrew posing for the camera, she wrote: ‘Happy birthday Daddy!!!! Sorry I can’t be with you… but thank you for giving the Best Hugs! And always picking up the pieces when my world fell apart.’
Family first: Davina McCall wished her father Andrew a happy 76th birthday on Friday, as he continues to battle Alzheimer’s. The star is pictured in September
She continued: ‘You have taught me so much… Alzheimers is a very cruel illness, but your soul is still shining through … love you so . And thank you mumma for taking such beautiful care of him and auntie Becca too ❤️ love you both x.’
Three years ago, Davina spoke emotionally about the tell-tale signs she picked up on which made her suspect her father had Alzheimer’s.
The presenter said the family started noticing Andrew, who was diagnosed aged 73, was showing subtle changes in his behaviour and personality.
Beloved: The 53-year-old TV presenter took to Instagram to share a snapshot of her beloved parent as she said his ‘soul is still shining through’ amid ‘cruel’ Alzheimer’s battle
They picked up on him repeating a story he had told only 15 minutes earlier and how he had forgot about events that happened in the previous few days.
Eventually, Andrew started struggling to find the words he wanted to say and to find everyday items around the home, as well as making odd remarks.
Davina said at the time: ‘My dad has always been my rock. He’s way smarter than me, funnier, stronger. I’ve always slightly hero-worshipped him.
‘So when he started saying funny things like, “I took the overland train” and “Call me when your work is less explosive”, it didn’t take us long to all come together and ask each other if we should be concerned.
Signs: Three years ago, Davina spoke emotionally about the tell-tale signs she picked up on which made her suspect her father had Alzheimer’s
Parents: Davina’s father Andrew was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s last year at the age of 73, while her late grandmother Pippy also battled dementia (both above)
‘The psychologist that first assessed him said that he could have been affected for a while – but he is so clever that he had come up with strategies. That’s my dad – see a problem, come up with a strategy.’
She continued: ‘My dad is very charming, everyone he meets falls in love with him. That’s one thing that hasn’t changed.
‘He still gives the best hugs and my kids adore him. Since he’s had Alzheimer’s, he has become calmer and kids respond very well to that.
‘I have grieved the loss of my old dad. But we are forging a new relationship, a different one – one where perhaps he might need me more. Our dynamic has changed, but he’s still my dad.’
Her hero: Davina has said of Andrew, ‘My dad has always been my rock. He’s way smarter than me, funnier, stronger. I’ve always slightly hero-worshipped him’
Health: The presenter had previously confessed her father’s diagnosis had made her aware of her own health – resulting in several tearful phone calls to her GP