Jeremy Paxman: Life with Parkinson’s

Television presenter and journalist Jeremy Paxman has spoken about the challenges of living with Parkinson’s since his diagnosis in May. The 71-year-old award-winning presenter of University Challenge was advised to go for tests after his doctor saw him on TV on the students’ quiz show and thought he looked unwell. Paxman had suffered a series of falls, but didn’t recognise it could be an early symptom of the progressive neurological condition. The presenter, who has three children with his ex-partner, Elizabeth Clough, has admitted it’s hard accepting he can never get better. However, the former Newsnight presenter, who has interviewed many senior political and cultural figures, says he refuses to be “beaten down” by the diagnosis. Distinguished career Paxman has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a journalist and presenter. Born in Leeds, Yorkshire, in 1950, his journey began in 1972 through the BBC’s graduate trainee programme. After working on local radio and reporting on the Troubles in Belfast, he moved to London in 1977. He worked on the BBC current affairs show Tonight and then moved to Panorama, before presenting the Six O’Clock News and Breakfast Time on BBC1. His most high profile current affairs programme was Newsnight, which he presented from 1989 to 2014. He has always stood out by presenting in a highly original style, such as when he interviewed Boris Johnson as they rode tandem on a bicycle. He began presenting University Challenge in 1994. The programme is still going strong today, making Paxman the longest-serving quiz-master on UK television. Early symptoms Paxman became increasingly ill during the Covid-19 lockdown, when he had a series of inexplicable falls, including one that left him with black eyes. He knew something was wrong, but believed tremors were a symptom of Parkinson’s, so he didn’t even consider it. After his doctor saw him looking ill on University Challenge, he agreed to go for tests. Initially, he blamed his dog for tripping him up, so the diagnosis of Parkinson’s came as a shock. Involuntary tremors are the most common symptom most people associate with Parkinson’s, but according to the NHS, it can also manifest itself through slow movements and stiff and inflexible muscles. Adapting to Parkinson’s Paxman has decided to face the disease head-on and says the only thing people can do is “adapt”. He admits the unpredictability of Parkinson’s is his toughest challenge. “How you are today is no guide to how you will be tomorrow,” he explained, describing it as being “really annoying”. He says he feels tired most of the time and that it’s hard knowing he isn’t going to get better. Parkinson’s affects around one in 500 people, causing muscle stiffness, slow movements, tremors, disturbed sleep and chronic fatigue. It can lead to impaired quality of life and at its worst, it can cause severe disability. The progressive neurological condition destroys the brain cells that control movement. People with Parkinson’s have diminished quantities of dopamine, as the nerve cells that make it have died. Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s, although research is being carried out continually by scientists searching for improved treatments. No retirement plans Paxman described his early symptoms as “mild” and said he was receiving “excellent” treatment. He continues to enjoy walks in the park with his much-loved dog, Derek. In a media interview earlier in September, he said the dog “invited interaction”. This enables Paxman to fall into conversation with people he meets as they walk. He feels this would not happen so readily without Derek. For many people, Paxman remains the most formidable political interviewer of his era. He has doggedly pursued politicians, such as former Home Secretary Michael Howard, on Newsnight. He also pushed the American politician Henry Kissinger so hard for answers that he walked off the set in anger. After revealing his diagnosis in May, Paxman wrote about his condition for Saga magazine to try and help others. The presenter says he doesn’t intend to join a support group. He has no plans to retire at present and says he will continue to present University Challenge “as long as they will have me”. Sleeping problems Sleeping problems can impact people with Parkinson’s, leaving them feeling drowsy and highly fatigued. This can be caused by Parkinson’s itself, insomnia, or the medication. Kinderkey provides safe sleeping solutions in the shape of our specialist beds for people with Parkinson’s. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for information on our products and services.

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