Today’s Wills and Probate’s podcast host David Opie spoke to veteran broadcaster Alastair Stewart OBE, who, in a frank discussion, shares his experiences of living with dementia and highlights the importance of dementia awareness for wills and probate lawyers.
“Be prepared, because the person who turns up might be that bloke who used to read the News at Ten.”
In the first of the latest series of the Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast, host David Opie is joined by one of Britain’s most authoritative newsreaders, former News at 10 broadcaster and journalist Alastair Stewart OBE, to discuss his personal journey and challenges of living with vascular dementia. In a candid and personal discussion, Stewart shares details of his early life, and the formative influences which took him from Southern Television to a long career with ITN and later GB News, becoming one of the country’s most recognisable broadcasters.
Reflecting on his decision to become a journalist, Stewart discusses life as the son of a serviceman in the RAF, remembering the tensions of the Cold War and dinner‑table conversations about democracy and communism. It was, he says, the perfect training ground for a budding journalist, and he went on to read economics and politics at the University of Bristol before starting his career.
His journey to diagnosis, like many, began long before confirmation in 2023. Stewart’s symptoms first showed in subtle ways: arriving at the studio an hour early out of fear he would forget his shift; feeling unsteady on his feet; misjudging simple motor tasks; occasionally wearing his shoes on the wrong feet.
His colleagues at GB News noticed these early warning signs and handled them, he says, with outstanding compassion. Their concern prompted him to visit his GP, who in turn referred him for an MRI scan. The results confirmed a pattern of mini‑strokes. These tiny interruptions to blood flow act like a scattergun, disrupting specific micro‑functions of the brain: tying shoelaces, fastening a tie, locating spectacles, or judging physical distances.
“It’s terrifying… it comes from ‘demented’, and you think you’ve gone a bit nutty,” he confesses. “But dementia doesn’t mean you’re stupid or mad. Some bits of your brain don’t work, but the rest can be entirely intact.”
While Stewart continues to work, he has scaled back his previously hectic lifestyle. He no longer drives and is advised against navigating busy cities alone. His wife Sally, now effectively his carer, manages his diary and accompanies him when necessary. He avoids London trips unless supported, relying instead on remote appearances via Zoom or Teams. On the rare occasions he does travel, it’s with careful support and meticulous planning.
One of the biggest challenges facing those living with dementia is the ongoing support for both them and their wider families. There is an initial flurry of activity, Stewart says, from charities and the NHS, but it quickly dissipates. He reflects on the experiences of the late actor Timothy West, whose public reflections on caring for his wife Prunella Scales resonated deeply with him. That sense of being ‘on your own’ shortly after diagnosis is, Stewart says, entirely accurate. There is limited psychological support for people with dementia, no structured support for spouses or family carers, no financial guidance for the loss of income or early retirement, and inconsistent information about available services.
Take, for example, the “enormous difficulty” of navigating systems such as Attendance Allowance, Council Tax discount schemes and Pension Credit – which are “almost impossible” to complete for someone living with dementia. “Try filling in Attendance Allowance on your own with dementia,” Stewart says. “It’s a bloody nightmare.”
“There’s nobody there to help, apart from Sally,” he adds, calling on government to simplify the process and provide better guidance.
Stewart reflects on the role his solicitor played in providing reassurance around the time of his diagnosis:
“He was helpful and we feel much safer as a result of those conversations.”
Both he and Sally revisited their Wills, drafted when their children were still minors, and ensured they secured Powers of Attorney. In a moving and impassioned call to action, Stewart concludes the discussion by reminding professionals of the importance of their roles, and their conduct when dealing with those living with dementia.
“Dementia is terrifyingly common, but it’s not terrifying. It changes your life, and it makes you dependent upon other people. My appeal would be don’t dismiss us because you don’t completely understand the word. If you’re in one of those support professions like being a lawyer or an accountant, then make allowances for someone with dementia… because the person who turns up might be that bloke who used to read the News at Ten.”
Listen in to the full discussion on the Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast, available on your preferred podcast provider, and at www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk. Subscribe today to hear all the latest news and views across the wills and probate sector.
Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Estates.
