David Cassidy has revealed he is suffering from dementia. The actor and singer, who is best known for playing Keith Partridge in The Patridge Family, confirmed the news, saying that he has been in denial. His revelation comes after fans were left concerned with his performances in California last weekend, in which David, 66, forgot his words and appeared physically unstable. The pop singer confessed to People: "I was in denial, but a part of me always knew this was coming."
David's grandfather battled the memory loss disease, as did David's mother until her death aged 89. The former teen idol recalled: "In the end, the only way I knew she 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." Now that he has come to terms with his condition, David said he will concentrate on his health and stop touring as a musician. "I want to focus on what I am, who I am and how I've been without any distractions," he said. "I want to love. I want to enjoy life."
© Photo: Getty ImagesDavid Cassidy has revealed he has dementia
The past decade has seen many ups and downs for the I Think I Love You singer. In 2014, after 23 years of marriage, his third wife Sue Shifrin filed for divorce. The couple had split months before. In 2015, David filed for bankruptcy. The actor has also had several brushes with the law. Between November 2010 and January 2014, he was charged with DUI three times and was ordered to rehab as part of his sentence.
David has openly admitted that he had a drinking problem. Speaking to Piers Morgan in 2014 after his third arrest, David said: "If I take another drink, I'm going to die, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. I'm dead. 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."
