The Senedd group will meet immediately following the shock news of leader Dan Thomas’ departure from the role

Reform UK will on Wednesday begin the process of appointing a new leader after Dan Thomas stood down after being arrested by police.

Mr Thomas resigned on Tuesday after it emerged he had been arrested on suspicion of assault and coercive/controlling control.

Reform UK’s chief whip, Llyr Powell MS, admitted it had been a “challenging” day.

He was asked on BBC Radio Wales on Wednesday if Mr Thomas should remain in the Senedd. He said the investigation was ongoing and added: “I don’t want to presume anything”.

He said it was right for Mr Thomas, and his family’s wellbeing, he would stand down. He denied Mr Thomas’ presence in the Senedd would be a “distraction”.

“We’ll wait for whatever judgement comes,” he said. “In this country we have due process.” For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here

Reform UK’s Welsh Senedd group was set to meet on Wednesday morning with Helen Jenner, the deputy leader, as interim leader.

The group has a constitution, Mr Powell said, which determines the process of how a new leader will be selected.

The rules will be set there but he said if only one candidate puts their name forward there will be no contest. If there is more than one then there will be a vote of Reform UK Senedd members.

He said he expects the process to be concluded by the end of September.

Mr Powell said he expected there would be some people who would put their names forward on Wednesday.

But who could be in the running?

Llŷr Powell

A stalwart in Nigel Farage’s political journey in Wales Mr Powell refused to rule himself in our out of the race when he was asked on Wednesday morning.

He said he hadn’t had time to consider it.

He stood in the crucial Caerphilly by-election last October and lost but was elected to the Senedd in May. Since becoming chief whip he has been a key player in setting up the group as well as coaching staff and determining policy.

In terms of experience he is one of those who has been close to Nigel Farage, and key players in Reform’s Millbank HQ, and knows how the Senedd works.

Laura Anne Jones

Ambitious, certainly, and the most experienced Senedd politician in the group having served in the National Assembly, as was, from 2003 until 2007 and then again for the last six years. As a Welsh Conservative Laura Anne Jones was elected as a regional member in South Wales East for the second time in 2020. In 2025 she revealed a shock defection to Reform UK and was unveiled by Nigel Farage at the Royal Welsh Show and was elected to represent the party in Sir Fynwy Torfaen in May 2026.

James Evans

Another Conservative who defected to join the group James Evans’ journey into Reform wasn’t straightforward. However he is one of those sat on the front row of the group in the Senedd chamber alongside the other obvious frontrunners.

He holds the key health brief for the party and is clearly ambitious.

He has hinted he won’t stand again in 2030 as he wants to have a life away from politics and start a family so would such a high-profile role be a step too far?

Speaking to the BBC in July Mr Evans said “as things stand today I won’t be standing in 2030”.

He said it was going to be “a long goodbye” and “a lovely four years for me to go”.

“I’m a big believer that some people can go on in politics too long. It was always my intention to only stand two terms.

“I’ve got a wife… I’d like to start a family,” he said. “We’re seen as a bit of public commodity that can be attacked and then, obviously, that spills into our family life, and I don’t want to be bringing up children in that environment.”

Helen Jenner

The current deputy leader, and now interim, Ms Jenner is a former teacher who represents Bangor Conwy Mon. Thrust into the hotseat when Dan Thomas missed First Minister’s Questions on Tuesday she held her own against Rhun ap Iorwerth.

A Welsh speaker, she has experience from outside of politics she can bring to the table.

Jason O’Connell

One of the core members of Reform UK in Wales Jason O’Connell’s name was touted during the last leadership contest as he is seen as a safe pair of hands by those in power in the party.

He did a lot of media work before the election and he’s been given the economy and transport brief under Dan Thomas.

Sunday June 21 2020

3.34am: Noah is seen on CCTV leaving his home on Fitzroy Avenue off the Ormeau Road in south Belfast, turning towards the direction of Queen’s University before returning at 4.08am, barefoot and without his headphones. This footage was first made public in October 2025 as part of an inquest appeal for information.

5.40pm: After a day at home, Noah sets out by bike, wearing a cycling helmet and a backpack, to meet friends in the Cavehill area in the north of the city.

5.41pm: Noah’s friend sends him a message via Instagram telling him the planned trip had been cancelled. He is not thought to have received it as he did not have internet access on his phone outside his home wi-fi.

5.42pm: Noah is captured on CCTV passing Daryl Paul outside Queen’s Quarter housing building.

5.57pm: Noah is seen cycling along North Queen Street.

5.59pm: Noah is seen falling from his bike at bottom of North Queen Street.

6.01pm: Noah is seen cycling past the Grove Wellbeing Centre.

6.02pm-6.05pm: A number of sightings of Noah are reported on Northwood Crescent and Northwood Road, and CCTV footage from a property shows him cycling naked on his bike. The last sighting was of Noah going between two homes towards waste ground where the storm drain was located.

6.50pm: A picture of a hand is taken on Noah’s phone. His phone is later found by a member of the public who hands it into the police.

9.44pm: Noah’s mother Fiona reports him missing to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The police response is described as starting during the phone call which ended at 10.10pm with Noah assessed as being of “medium risk”.

– Monday June 22 2020

Search efforts involving police continue overnight with the police air support unit focused on the Cavehill area, and the Community Rescue Service (CRS) are mobilised.

– Wednesday June 24 2020

Police hold a press conference making an appeal for information to help find Noah, highlighting he had potentially suffered a head injury following the witness report that he had fallen from his bike.

As public interest grew in the case huge crowds turned out to try and help with the search for Noah across areas of north Belfast. Police hail a breakthrough after a member of the public handed in Noah’s backpack and his laptop computer.

Meanwhile the PSNI Hazardous Awareness Search (HES) team start searching the storm drain using camera equipment. They report their work being hampered by a “hostile” crowd which had gathered at Linear Park.

– Thursday June 25 2020

The PSNI’s Search and Rescue team divers take over exploring the storm drain tunnels amid continuing search efforts.

– Saturday June 27 2020

9.45am: Police find Noah’s body in the storm drain underneath a Translink depot, more than 600 metres downstream from where he had last been seen in the area of a culvert inlet behind houses at Northwood Road.

Cheryl belted out hits with The Voice co-star Kelly Rowland as they enjoyed a wild night out at a gay bar in Manchester on Tuesday.

The Girls Aloud singer, 43, and Destiny’s Child star, 45, got their groove on at Via in the world-famous Canal Street.

In clips shared on social media, the pair were seen singing and dancing to Cheryl’s hit Fight For This Love and Kelly’s 2010 tune Commander.

Cheryl looked glamorous in a fluorescent pink and green blazer with towering fuchsia high-heels, while accessorising with a statement ‘Love’ necklace.

Meanwhile, Kelly let her hair down as she stunned in a plunging PVC jumpsuit on the dancefloor.

In more clips as the night went on, Cheryl was later seen belting out her songs while putting on an animated display.

The Girls Aloud singer, 43, and Destiny’s Child star, 45, got their groove on at Via in the world-famous Canal Street

Cheryl and Kelly are currently in Manchester filming the new series of The Voice UK.

It was confirmed Cheryl would be joining the show as a judge amid fury over Tom Jones’s axing. 

Cheryl was pictured arriving at the studio in Salford last week to film The Voice’s blind auditions alongside fellow new coach Aitch. 

It has also been confirmed that Stacey Solomon and Alesha Dixon are set to replace Emma Willis as hosts on The Voice UK, after she landed the coveted role as a presenter on Strictly Come Dancing.

This new series of The Voice has been marred in controversy, after it emerged that Tom would not be returning as a coach on the show.

Tom has since insisted it wasn’t his decision to leave and said ITV ‘fired’ him ‘because of a financial difficulty with insurance’.

In a statement confirming the lineup, ITV bosses thanked Tom for his work on the show, saying: ‘ITV would like to thank the irreplaceable Sir Tom Jones for all his years on The Voice UK, and the countless incredible and unforgettable moments he gave the show.

‘He has brought joy to audiences, and to every singer who performed for him and with him.’

In clips shared on social media, the pair were seen singing and dancing to Kelly’s 2010 hit Commander

Cheryl looked glamorous in a fluorescent pink and green blazer with towering fuchsia high-heels, while accessorising with a statement ‘Love’ necklace

In more clips as the night went on, Cheryl was later seen belting out her hit Fight For This Love

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Meanwhile, Kelly let her hair down as she stunned in a plunging PVC jumpsuit on the dancefloor

Fellow coach will.i.am, who will remain on the show alongside Kelly Rowland, has vented his fury over Tom’s being dropped from the show, with sources claiming he’s made his feelings known backstage.

Sources have revealed that despite Cheryl and Aitch being welcomed as new additions to the lineup, any excitement on set has been replaced by awkwardness over the row.

A source said that while they normally kick filming off with welcome drinks in a swanky five-star hotel, this year things are different.

‘It’s seriously awkward as will.i.am is furious with how producers have handled things and is making his feelings known behind the scenes.’

They told The Sun: ‘It’s pretty uncomfortable for Cheryl, who is close with Will and has looked up to Kelly all her career.

‘This is her big TV comeback and right now ITV are letting her be the fall guy for taking Sir Tom’s seat. None of this is her fault, it’s been handled atrociously by the bosses.’

The Daily Mail has contacted will.i.am and ITV representatives for comment.

On Tuesday, Tom insisted he ‘did not want to leave The Voice’ in a furious statement hitting out at ITV.

Taking to Instagram, he wrote: ‘To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show and really appreciate the audience. ITV made this decision — obviously a while ago, and I was told just recently.

‘The reason given is because of a financial difficulty with insurance. They now say in the press they wanted to ‘refresh’ the show, and with a new coaching line-up there wouldn’t be a chair for me.’

This new series of The Voice has been mired in controversy, after it emerged that Tom Jones would not be returning. The music legend has insisted it wasn’t his decision to leave

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He added that ITV had offered him ‘a much-reduced role where I would make an appearance but without being actually involved from the start, and I’m not thrilled about that.

‘So the only thing I know right now, is that there’s never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who’s still pretty good at his job.’

When contacted by the Daily Mail, an ITV spokesman said: ‘We have loved working with Sir Tom Jones over the past nine years on The Voice UK.

‘While he will no longer be a full-time coach on series 15, we continue to talk to Sir Tom and his team about his involvement in the next series.’

Girls Aloud star and former X Factor judge Cheryl has not been on primetime TV in six years, with her last TV outing seeing her as a dance captain on BBC’s The Greatest Dancer in 2020.

Delays are building on the M56 motorway amid reports of a crash.

All traffic has been stopped on the eastbound side of the motorway this morning (Wednesday, September 16). Traffic is stopped from junction seven for Bowdon to junction six for Hale.

Motorway cameras show queues building up to the incident. In a post on X at 9.50am, National Highways said: “Traffic has been stopped on the M56 eastbound between J7 and J6 due to a multi-vehicle collision. @manairport.

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“Emergency services are en route. There are currently delays of 25 minutes on the approach.”

Follow our live blog below for the latest updates.

Big Brother aired emotional scenes last night, as housemate Frankie came out as bisexual. 

The 23-year-old Londoner said he had decided to go on the ITV reality show to share his sexuality for the first time.

Waking up for his first morning in the house, Frankie told his co-stars he had struggled to sleep the night before as he went to bed on ‘a really big low’.

The marketing manager decided to hash it out in the Diary Room on Tuesday night’s episode, explaining he had woken up ‘a little bit upset’. 

In what appeared to be the first time he had ever spoken about his sexuality, he said: ‘I needed to get it off my chest. I came on the show to come out, because I’m bisexual.’

Frankie continued: ‘I’ve been in pain for so long – probably a year and a half or two years – just from the guilt and shame that I’m carrying from it.

‘I just feel like I’ve let down a lot of people,’ he added, breaking down in tears while in the confessional room. 

‘I’m just upset and I’m obviously worried as well,’ he said, referring to his apprehensions about how the news will go down ‘on the outside world’.

He said: ‘Some people might not want to be friends anymore. Some people want to avoid me, not be around me; I guess it’s a little bit sad.’

The Diary Room producer’s voice then asked Frankie what made him feel ready to take such a big step, and he said he felt ‘comfortable’ in the Big Brother setting.

Q Movers MFS Ltd, which operates as Rylance Farm Foodservice, supplied more than 2,500 products to caterers across the UK.

It made more than 40,000 deliveries using a fleet of over 30 temperature-controlled vehicles.

The company stocked leading brands including Walkers, Nestle, Tetley, Pepsi, Birds Eye, and Coca-Cola.

Q Movers MFS Ltd falls into administration after 6 years in business

After six years in business (founded in 2020), Q Movers MFS Ltd has collapsed into administration.

Andrew David Rosler and Nick Clarkson of Ideal Corporate Solutions Limited were appointed joint administrators on September 3, according to The Gazette.

In accounts for the year to October 31, 2024, obtained by Business Sale Report, Q Movers reported a turnover of £16.8 million, down from £21.6 million the previous year.

However, operating losses fell from £205,000 to around £32,000.

Rylance Farm Foodservice’s address in Burton upon Trent is listed as “permanently closed” on Google.

Q Movers/Rylance Farm Foodservice has been contacted for comment.

What happens when a company goes into administration?

When a company enters administration, it means that it is unable to pay expenses, debts, or other liabilities, according to SquareUp.com.

Companies House adds: “When a company goes into administration, they have entered a legal process (under the Insolvency Act 1986) with the aim of achieving one of the statutory objectives of an administration. This may be to rescue a viable business that is insolvent due to cashflow problems.

“An appointment of an administrator (a licensed insolvency practitioner) will be made by directors, a creditor or the court to fulfil the administration process.”

A statutory moratorium is put in place once a company enters administration, giving it “breathing space” to allow for financial restructuring plans to be drawn up free from creditor enforcement actions.

A company can continue to trade while in administration, but daily management and control are handed over to the administrators.

Companies House continues: “Within 8 weeks it is the administrators’ role to formulate administration proposals.

“Creditors are then asked to vote by a decision procedure to approve the administrators’ proposals.

“If the administration involves a sale of all or part of the company’s business, the proceeds (after the costs of the procedure) will be distributed to creditors in a statutory order of priority.”

Administration will end automatically after 12 months unless the administrator asks the court or creditors for an extension.

Through administration, a company can be:

• Rescued and passed back to the directors
• Enter liquidation
• Be dissolved

Other UK companies that have closed or entered administration/liquidation in 2026

It has been a tough year for the UK high street, with several other retailers entering administration or liquidation and others announcing widespread store closures.

Major high street brands LK Bennett, Claire’s, and Quiz have been forced to close all their remaining stores after falling into administration.

UK fashion retailer Leading Labels is also set to close its remaining 15 stores after falling into liquidation in May.

Whitbread closed all its standalone UK restaurants earlier this month:

TG Jones and the British Heart Foundation will also be closing around 150 stores each across the UK.

Wynsors World of Shoes is shutting 17 stores across the UK, with closing down sales already underway at several affected branches.

Other retailers have been forced to close stores this year, including:

The company responsible for iconic British bikemaker Raleigh, Accell Group, has also collapsed into administration, putting the 139-year-old British bikemaker at risk of closing.

Several UK travel companies have ceased trading or entered administration in 2026:

Wayfairer Travel Limited has also suspended all services “until further notice” as it looks to appoint an administrator.

Meanwhile, four UK airlines have fallen into administration or liquidation:

UK delivery company Yodel is set to be phased out after being acquired by InPost.

It’s also been reported that Morrisons is looking to sell some of its in-store pharmacies as it continues to cut costs.

Meanwhile, iconic fashion brand Nasty Gal has shut down its website after being sold by Debenhams in a deal worth around £12 million (US$16 million).

It hasn’t all been bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Aldi, M&S, and Superdrug.

Meanwhile, brands including Evans and Bodycare have returned to the UK high street this year after previously closing all their stores.

Which company or store closure has impacted you the most in 2026? Let us know in the comments below.

By CONNIE RUSK, ASSOCIATE SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR

Published: 08:52 BST, 16 September 2026 | Updated: 09:28 BST, 16 September 2026

Bella Hadid proved she was every inch the fashion chameleon as she showed off four different outfits while attending events in New York on Tuesday. 

The supermodel, 29, made the streets her catwalk as she switched from minidresses to a vintage Ralph Lauren gown while party-hopping. 

Bella was seen leaving her hotel in a knitted grey midi-dress which she paired with a sheer blue shirt underneath. 

Only a short while later, Bella debuted another look as she headed to the Happy Diamond exhibition. 

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The fashionista showed off her model figure in a minidress and cream satin heels. She accessorised her look with a lemon yellow blazer and embellished handbag. 

Bella, who is an ambassador for Chopard, pulled out all the stops for their event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its free-moving diamond collection, held at Casa Cipriani. 

Bella Hadid proved she was every inch the fashion chameleon as she showed off four different outfits while attending events in New York on Tuesday

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The supermodel, 29, made the streets her catwalk as she switched from minidresses to a vintage Ralph Lauren gown

At the end of the night, Bella hid her tiredness with a pair of sunglasses and returned to her hotel hand in hand with a pal

She wore a vintage shimmering Ralph Lauren gown from 2008. The stunning piece featured a delicate cobweb design of thousands of tiny silver beads. 

Bella appeared in high spirits as she mingled with model Liu Wen and president of Chopard, Caroline Scheufele. 

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At the end of the night, Bella hid her tiredness with a pair of sunglasses and returned to her hotel hand in hand with a pal. 

She changed out of the glamorous dress and into a slinky white silk minidress and burgundy suede heels. 

New York Fashion Week wrapped up on Tuesday. 

Bella recently reflected on her career and what success now means to her.  

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‘Success means something completely different to me now than it did a few years ago. I used to think it was about always working, always saying yes, always chasing the next thing,’ she told ELLE.

‘Now it feels a lot more simple. It’s having the space to wake up and actually enjoy my life, take care of myself, spend time with the people I love, and feel present in the moments that matter. The more I listen to myself and live in a way that feels honest, the more grounded and confident I become.’

Bella was seen leaving her hotel in a knitted grey midi-dress which she paired with a sheer blue shirt underneath and Valentino heels 

Only a short while later, Bella debuted another look as she headed to the Happy Diamond exhibition

Advertisement

The fashionista showed off her model figure in a minidress and cream satin heels

She accessorised her look with a lemon yellow blazer and embellished handbag

Bella, who is an ambassador for Chopard, pulled out all the stops for their event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its free-moving diamond collection, held at Casa Cipriani

She wore a vintage shimmering Ralph Lauren gown from 2008. The stunning piece featured a delicate cobweb design of thousands of tiny silver beads

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Bella appeared in high spirits as she mingled with model Liu Wen and president of Chopard, Caroline Scheufele

She posed up a storm for photographers 

Bella then changed out of the glamorous dress and into a slinky white silk minidress and burgundy suede heels

She added: ‘As I’ve got older, I’ve realised how important it is to create space for myself. Whether that’s slowing down, moving my body, or just taking a moment to reconnect, those little rituals have become such a big part of how I take care of myself.

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A man aged 38 denies intimidation and possessing shotgun cartridges without a firearms certificate

A woman was left “emotionally and financially wrecked” after she was forced out of her home during a feud on a Co Down housing estate between rival loyalist factions.

Two statements from ‘Witness A’ which she made to the PSNI were read into the record at the Diplock-style non-jury trial of a man on charges linked to the feud.

Brett Sutcliffe, 38, now of Main Street, Ballynahinch, Co Down denies charges of intimidating ‘Witness A’ from her home in Weavers Grange, Newtownards, and possessing two shotgun cartridges without a firearms certificate.

Belfast Crown Court heard on Tuesday that in her first statement, dated June 13, 2024, ‘Witness A’ said that on March 18, 2024, between 12.30pm and 12.45 pm, her son was leaving their home address at 39 Weavers Grange to go to work.

“He had only left and returned immediately and shouted up the stairs: ‘Mum, come here. There’s bullets at the gate.”

The mother-of-two said she walked the five steps from the front door to the gate where she saw two shotgun cartridges, red and gold in colour, and sitting upright.

“My son took a few pictures of them on his mobile phones but we did not touch them. Both of us returned inside, locked the front door and I rang the police.”

‘Witness A’ said police arrived around 15 minutes later and seized the 12-bore shotgun cartridges..

She added: “After the police left, my son and I were too frightened to leave our home as we felt threatened and in fear of our lives.”

The witness outlined how she moved into 39 Weavers Grange in March 2021 with her daughter. Her son, who was living with his father, came to stay at the weekends.

In 2023, her daughter moved out and her son moved in permanently from January 2024.

She outlined that since moving into the social housing development, there had been a number of incidents “involving mainly one resident by the name of William McCabe who screamed in my face a number of times”.

During the opening of the trial on Monday, a prosecution barrister said McCabe was an associate of the defendant Sutcliffe who at the time lived at nearby Trasnagh Drive.

“Once he alleged that my son was speeding in the area which was a day or two after we moved into our house. He threatened to drag my son out of the car and beat him up.

“This scared the life out of me so much so I could not even get a word in to explain who was driving at the time as my son was too young to drive.”

She recalled another time when she was taking cigarette papers to a friend’s house and she ”waved the papers in the air”.

“About 20 minutes later, Mr McCabe and another male who I don’t know, came to my house. He was shouting at me that I was ‘doing drugs’, and shouting: ‘You’re out. You’re out. We’re getting you out’.

“I shouted back at him ‘why would I want to do drugs? And I get the police?’ My healthcare provider reported this to the police on September 16, 2022.”

She said she had been in hospital in 2024 after suffering from heart failure which she believed was caused by the “stress of living in Weavers Grange over the last three years”.

On March 20, 2024, police called at her daughter’s house where she and her son were staying.

“A police officer served a threat message on me which stated I had 24 hours to leave 39 Weavers Grange, or words to that effect.”

Witness A said that it was a week or so later that her son and other family members moved their personal belongings out of their home except large items such as kitchen goods, beds and a sofa.

“My son and I are living in temporary accommodation and I have no idea when or where we will be permanently rehoused.”

She said she had previously been formally diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and “living at Weavers Grange has added to the trauma”.

“I believe at the time I was the target of ongoing intimidation from the time we moved in until we were forced out fearing for safety,” said ‘Witness A’.

In a follow-up statement recorded on December 17, 2024, she said that when the anonymous threat message came through saying she had 24 hours to get out of her home, she said she was advised by police to request their presence at Weavers Grange when my family went to collect her belongings.

“When I returned on March 21 and again on April 2, 2024, police were requested but they did not turn up until we had been and gone.”

She said she eventually got a permanent address “but it is not the same as the home I left”.

Witness A added: “I have lost a lot of my belongings which took me time to build up. This whole incident has left me emotionally, physically, mentally and financially wrecked. Having to start all over again and rebuild, has left me, my son and the wider family terrified for our lives.”

She said the incident had left her terrified of every little noise, particularly around Halloween time.

Recalling one incident, she said “I heard what I thought was a gunshot. I dropped my shopping and ran home. I really thought someone was shooting at me but I know now it must have been a firework.”

It is the prosecution case that Brett Sutcliffe left the two shotgun cartridges at her gate as a forensic scientist identified a partial DNA profile on the ammunition which matched the defendant’s DNA which was by “direct contact”.

She concluded that it was “one a billion times more likely that the material recovered from the exhibit originated from Brett Sutcliffe”.

At hearing.

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Tony Christie has praised his ‘supportive’ wife Sue for being ‘his rock’ amid his dementia battle as he vowed that he will keep performing.

The singer, 83, best known for (Is This the Way to) Amarillo, was diagnosed with dementia in 2023 after struggling with his crosswords.

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which affect memory, thinking and behaviour. 

Following his diagnosis, Tony has credited Sue for being his biggest support and for ‘keeping him on track’.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, he said: ‘Sue is my rock. I fell in love with her the minute I saw her and I’m very lucky to have spent so many years with her. 

‘As we get older we support one another. Sue was the one that first encouraged me to go to the doctor.’

The singer, 83, best known for (Is This the Way to) Amarillo, was diagnosed with dementia in 2023 after struggling with his crosswords

He continued: ‘I was getting frustrated by my daily crossword and she could see something was quite right. 

‘She keeps me on track about what I need to do and where I need to be, and reminds me of people’s names when I forget.

‘I think we share the same sense of humour and we both love to laugh. That’s one of the secrets to our relationship.’

The pair tied the knot in 1968 after meeting earlier that year and went on to welcome three children.

As well as his devoted wife, Tony has credited music with helping to keep his dementia symptoms at bay.

One particular song that means a lot to him is The Folks Who Live On The Hill by Peggy Lee.

He explained: ‘It holds a special place in our hearts for Sue and I. It always brings a tear to my eye.

‘And I love Ella Fitzgerald – Someone To Watch Over Me.’

Gushing over his wife, he told the Daily Mail: ‘I think we share the same sense of humour and we both love to laugh. That’s one of the secrets to our relationship’ (pictured in 2011)

Since his diagnosis, Tony has continued to perform and tour and has spoken about how staying busy and involved in music helps him to live well with the condition

Since his diagnosis, Tony has continued to perform and tour and has spoken about how staying busy and involved in music helps him to live well with the condition. 

He is currently on his Farewell tour which kicked off in August 2025 and runs through to mid 2027. 

‘I am still recording new material and touring, so I don’t let me dementia slow me down,’ Tony said.

‘Work is therapy for me so it keeps me happy and healthy. I think my knees will stop me faster than dementia!

‘I have definitely slowed down a lot though. I need longer breaks between performing. I need more sleep. And I need an autocue.

‘At home I forget what things are called and often forget people’s names. But I am 83!’

He is also not ashamed to have dementia as he often makes a ‘joke about forgetting the names of my band’.

The hitmaker said: ‘I never want to pretend I don’t have it, or be ashamed of it.

‘As I’ve gotten older I’ve started to rely on an autocue to remember song lyrics. I can’t say whether it is down to my age or dementia – it’s probably a bit of both.’

And his message to those that have just been diagnosed with the condition is to know ‘they are not alone’.

He said: ‘Nearly one million people in the UK have dementia. It doesn’t get talked about nearly as much as other diseases like cancer, but there is definitely help out there. My doctor has been brilliant. 

‘The medication has really helped, so don’t hide your symptoms and put off medical help. Talk to someone right away.

‘The other thing I would say to someone is that their life isn’t over just because they have dementia.

‘Some things change, but you can still do the things you love. I try to remain really positive and enjoy life as much as I can.’

Last Sunday (September 13), Tony made a surprise appearance at m4dRADIO ‘switch-on party’ as he celebrated ‘music for everyone’.

Last Sunday (September 13), Tony made a surprise appearance at m4dRADIO ‘switch-on party’ as he celebrated ‘music for everyone’

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He and his wife joined people living with dementia and their family members and carers for a celebratory afternoon of music, dancing and singing at the monthly Dementia Disco event at St John Fisher Church Hall in Merton, south-west London

He and his wife joined people living with dementia and their family members and carers for a celebratory afternoon of music, dancing and singing at the monthly Dementia Disco event at St John Fisher Church Hall in Merton, south-west London.

The switch-on party marked the first step in bringing m4dRADIO to DAB radio, with the service now available across South and West London.

Until now, m4dRADIO has primarily been available online.

The move means people in the region can listen through a digital radio, making the station’s ad-free, 24/7 music without news or presenters more accessible for the people who need it.

‘Sometimes you just want to switch on a radio and have the music that you love right there,’ Tony said before adding: ‘That’s why we love what m4dRADIO is doing, It’s making it easier to use for people like Sue and I.’

Music for Dementia hopes bringing m4dRADIO to DAB will make it easier for more people to enjoy the service as part of everyday life, with South and West London the first area to receive the new DAB service.

Amy Shackleton, CEO at Music for Dementia says: ‘Music has the power to lift our spirits, spark memories and create moments of joy. 

‘We want everyone living with dementia to be able to experience that. 

‘Bringing m4dRADIO to DAB in South and West London is an important step in making that experience even easier and more accessible.’