American actor David Cassidy has revealed he’s been diagnosed with dementia, after admitting he’s been in “denial” for a long time.
The star of The Partridge Family, who was a heartthrob for teen girls in the ’70s, spoke to People magazine about his shock diagnosis this week.
“I was in denial, but a part of me always knew this was coming,” David said, as he explained the disease runs in his family.
“In the end, the only way I knew she [his mother] recognised me is with one single tear that would drop from her eye every time I walked into the room. I feared I would end up that way.”
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The Partridge Family, with David second row, far right
Following his diagnosis, David will retire from entertaining this year, after half a century in the spotlight.
“I want to focus on what I am, who I am and how I’ve been without any distractions. I want to love. I want to enjoy life,” he told the mag.
David sparked health fears during a recent performance in California, where he forgot the lyrics to some of his most famous hits.
On some news sites, Cassidy was accused of being drunk on stage.
Since musical series The Partridge Family wrapped in 1974, David has continued to work in entertainment, and has also married three times.
He shares a daughter Katie Cassidy, 30, from his relationship with Sherry Williams Benedon, and also has a son, Beau Cassidy, 26, from his third wife Sue Shifrin.
His life has been marred with alcohol abuse, and in 2014 he was ordered to check into rehab following his third arrest for driving under the influence.
“If I take another drink, I’m going to die, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. I’m dead,” David explained to Piers Morgan during an interview with CNN at the time.
“You know, they say it’s a slippery slope. It’s not a slippery slope. It’s from 12:00 to 6:00 on the clock and the whole face is ice. One sip, one drink, because there is no such a thing, not to an alcoholic. You have one and you’re done. I’d be done.”
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