Comic and Chase star reveals his diagnosis

Paul Sinha has revealed he is suffering with Parkinson's disease – and vowed to fight it ‘with every breath I have.’

The comic made the disclosure on Twitter and in a longer blog post, saying he received the ‘devastating’ news two weeks ago.

I have Parkinson's disease. I will fight this with every breath I have. https://t.co/csp72zZmGQ

— Paul Sinha (@paulsinha) June 14, 2019

He has been suffering from health problems for almost two years, having been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in September 2017. 

Sinha has cancelled his planned appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe following the diagnosis and even missed his beloved World Quizzing Championship to have brain scans.

The stand-up and Chase star wrote: ‘I spent May this year in New Zealand simultaneously having the comedy month of my life, and worrying about why a right-sided limp was now getting worse. Behind the facade of the cheerful, late night comedy festival drunk was a man deeply scared about facing the truth when back in the UK.

‘With the diagnosis now confirmed, and a treatment plan in place, I now feel far more prepared for the new challenges ahead. I have an amazing family, no strangers to serious medical illness, I’m blessed to have a fiance who is there for me, and I have a multitude of friends and colleagues whom I consider to be exceptional human beings.

‘ I don’t consider myself unlucky, and whatever the next stage of my life holds for me, many others have it far worse.’

He said he intended to keep working as before – although joked that  Dancing On Ice may be out of the question.

Sinha concluded: ’A lot of people have asked "What can I do to help?"  The answer is to treat me exactly the same as before.’

Comics were quick to lend their support. David Baddiel tweeted: ‘Sorry to hear this Paul.  Give it hell’; Dave Gorman said: ‘Sorry to hear it. Sending love and strength your way’; Chris Addison said: ‘Paul! My God, that’s appalling. Sending you love and wishing you strength’ and Jenny Eclair added: ‘Bugger - this is tough - sending love.’

And Steve Ford, Chief Executive of Parkinson’s UK, said: 'Paul Sinha bravely speaking about his Parkinson’s diagnosis, and the journey he has been on to get to this point, will do so much to raise awareness of this much misunderstood condition.

'With more than 40 symptoms, Parkinson’s undoubtedly throws up new challenges, but with the right treatment and support we can help people to take control of their lives with this unpredictable condition.

'Paul’s determination to live well with Parkinson's is mirrored by an incredibly passionate Parkinson’s community, determined both to find new and better treatments but also to not let Parkinson’s hold them back. We wish Paul all the best with his future projects.'

Vicar of Dibley writer Paul Mayhew-Archer has been touring the UK with his stand-up show based on Parkinson's, Incurable Optimist.

Published: 14 Jun 2019