Jon Snow diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, will feature in documentary
11 reported
Former Channel 4 News anchor Jon Snow has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Society. Snow, who presented his last news bulletin in December 2021, will take part in a documentary titled “Jon Snow: A Last Big Story,” which will be broadcast on Channel 4. In the documentary, which focuses on a mining disaster in Zambia, Snow discusses his diagnosis and says he initially wanted to hide it due to prejudice. Snow’s diagnosis was hastened after he told his wife, Precious Lunga, he was late for work 10 months after leaving Channel 4. The documentary is scheduled to air at 8pm on 20 June.
What’s reported
Jon Snow has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, per the Alzheimer’s Society.
Snow presented his last Channel 4 News bulletin in December 2021.
He will appear in a Channel 4 documentary, “Jon Snow: A Last Big Story,” about a mining disaster in Zambia.
In the documentary, Snow says: “At the beginning I wanted to hide it, there’s so much prejudice.”
Snow’s diagnosis was hastened by him telling his wife, Precious Lunga, he was late for work 10 months after leaving Channel 4.
Snow was the face of Channel 4 News for 32 years and covered the fall of the Berlin Wall, the release of Nelson Mandela, and Barack Obama’s inauguration.
Before Channel 4, Snow worked as a correspondent for ITN, reporting from Somalia and Vietnam, and was its Washington correspondent during Ronald Reagan’s presidency.
Snow had been part of a clinical trial for the condition and has spoken about how his mother, Joan, struggled with the illness.
The documentary will be broadcast at 8pm on 20 June.
Michelle Dyson, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society, called Snow’s decision to talk publicly “a real act of courage.”
Louisa Compton, head of news at Channel 4, said Snow is “part of our very fabric.”
Key figures
Jon Snow, former Channel 4 News anchor
Precious Lunga, Snow’s wife
Kirsty Lang, friend and former colleague
Michelle Dyson, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society
Louisa Compton, head of news, current affairs, specialist factual and sport at Channel 4
Sources: The Guardian
