BBC Radio Scotland presenter Janice Forsyth has stepped down after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Forsyth has worked for the BBC for more than 30 years, presenting shows on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Four and BBC Radio Three.
Forsyth presented the Culture Show on BBC Radio Scotland, which then became the Janice Forsyth Show and then the Afternoon Show, a role which she served in from 2013 until recently. She has also appeared on BBC titles such as Radio Café, Authors Live and the Hogmanay Show.
During her career, she has interviewed stars such as Leonard Cohen, David Bowie and Billy Connolly. Away from the airwaves, she has worked as a columnist and is the chair of the Rothesay Pavilion charity, a group set up to restore the arts venue on the Isle of Bute.
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The host has been absent from her weekly afternoon slot for some time, and describing the diagnosis as “a huge blow,” today she explained in a statement that she first noticed symptoms around three years ago, and has since struggled with daily tasks such as navigation.
“I’d hoped that I was simply worn out by my many years as a freelance broadcaster and perhaps exhausted following the loss of our dear mother, Patricia, the previous Christmas, but sadly, I now have a firm diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer’s disease,” she said.
“Much as I have loved seeking out and sharing the best of music/literature/theatre/cinema with you, I’m happy now to have the time and freedom to enjoy all of these simply for my own pleasure. Call it living in the moment, and you won’t be far off.”
On a more positive note, Forsyth added that she would be continuing in her role at The Big Light, the podcast production company she founded five years ago with Fiona White: “The company is going from strength to strength and we’re excited for more to come. I’m not done yet,” she insisted.
Forsyth also took time to thank her friends and family, as well as NHS Scotland, for her care during this difficult period: “Finding the cause of my trouble took a while, but I at least now know what’s been happening and am grateful for lovely friends and family, as well as for fine post-diagnosis care from NHS Scotland,” she said.
Louise Thornton, head of commissioning at BBC Scotland, said: “Janice has been a hugely popular personality on our airwaves for many years. The many production teams she has collaborated with have appreciated her outstanding skill as a presenter on radio and television.
“Her warmth, relaxed interviewing style, and peerless knowledge of arts, music, and culture in Scotland and beyond, have made her a firm favourite with audiences over the decades.
“Everyone at BBC Scotland wishes Janice all the very best and we’ll be pleased to continue to explore suitable opportunities where we can work together.”
