Winterwatch was first released in 2012, as a spin-off to the equally popular shows Springwatch and Autumnwatch.

Chris Packham and Kate Humble launched the show, with Michaela Strachan going on to replace the latter.

Winterwatch showcased various aspects of British wildlife during the harsher, colder months, with its live video feeds and thermal cameras capturing creatures in the wild.

The BBC has now revealed that Winterwatch will not continue as part of its “evolving commissioning strategy”, and a podcast is expected to replace it.

Chris Packham, one of the presenters of Winterwatch (Image: BBC/Jo Charlesworth)

It has also been confirmed that Springwatch will return in May 2027 for three weeks.

Instead of Winterwatch, a new video podcast, with the working title Naturewatch, is coming to BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.

Launching this autumn, it will provide a regular round-up of the biggest British nature stories every week.

It will celebrate seasonal wildlife moments, explore nature news, talk to experts, and share remarkable animal sightings from across the UK.

Each weekly episode will be accompanied by a special audio-only Q&A programme, exclusive to BBC Sounds, where hosts will answer audience questions about the natural world.

Jack Bootle, head of commissioning for Specialist Factual, said: “Nature never stops – and neither should we.

“Every week, Naturewatch will give Springwatch fans – and all wildlife lovers – a new way to stay connected to the natural world, whether that’s on TV, iPlayer or Sounds.

“The BBC is committed to celebrating British nature across all our platforms, and we hope this new series will encourage audiences to fall in love with the natural world around them.

“By expanding the Watches brand, we are making the BBC’s brilliant Natural History content even more accessible.”

Fans of Winterwatch have shared their sadness at the decision, with some urging the BBC to reconsider.

One said: “This is really sad, what a great programme.”

Another added: “This is sad news. They are wonderful programmes,” and a third wrote: “This is a dreadful decision.”

Others shared a link to the contact page on the BBC, saying: “It only takes a few minutes to write a quick, polite comment asking them to reconsider.”

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR

Published: 08:17 BST, 3 July 2026 | Updated: 09:05 BST, 3 July 2026

Andy Burnham is being tipped to bring back another New Labour big beast as the clock ticks down to his arrival in Downing Street.

There is speculation that Ed Balls, another stalwart from the Blair and Brown era, could make a shock comeback to the political frontline.

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Mr Balls – who launched a career in broadcasting after being humiliatingly ousted from the Commons in 2015 – was Mr Burnham’s long-term striking partner in the notorious Labour ‘Demon Eyes’ football team. 

He has heaped praise on his friend recently, quipping that he always ‘puts the ball in the back of the net’.

Mr Balls would join his former Cabinet colleague James Purnell, who is poised to become No 10 chief of staff. 

Many in Westminster expect David Miliband to be brought back as Foreign Secretary, while his brother Ed and Mr Balls’ wife Yvette Cooper are also in line for senior roles.

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A Labour source told the i paper that Mr Balls – a former Strictly Come Dancing contestant – would be likely to take a peerage and be an adviser or head a commission instead of running a Whitehall department.

There is speculation that Ed Balls, another stalwart from Blair and Brown era, could make a shock comeback to the political frontline. He is pictured on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016

Andy Burnham is reportedly lining up David Miliband and James Purnell with roles as he prepares to enter No 10

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Mr Balls launched a career in broadcasting after being humiliatingly ousted from the Commons in 2015. Pictured on ITV’s Good Morning Britain last year

Mr Burnham is looking almost certain to become Labour leader in a ‘coronation’ that would see him formally take over from Sir Keir Starmer as PM on July 20.

Last night the former Greater Manchester Mayor gave his first broadcast interview since winning the Makerfield by-election.

He gave a strong hint at tax rises, telling LBC there is ‘room’ within Labour’s manifesto promises for boosting revenues.

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But Mr Burnham argued he is ‘not indisciplined’ about the public finances, saying he has yet to pick his future chancellor.

Mr Burnham is facing a tightrope act in drawing up his senior team, with warnings from female Labour MPs that there must be gender equality in the ministerial ranks.

Ed Miliband has been heavily tipped to take charge of No 11, despite alarm from business, unions and party moderates.

But his brother David is also in the frame for a shock comeback, potentially resuming his old role as Foreign Secretary. 

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That would mean two of the four traditional great offices of state being occupied by Milibands, with only one – Home Secretary – available to be held by a woman.

Labour insiders believe that would not be tenable, with women Labour MPs demanding that half of ministers are female.

David quit UK politics after losing the 2010 Labour leadership election to his younger brother Ed. David is currently head of New York-based aid agency the International Rescue Committee, earning £1million a year. 

The older Miliband pointedly refused to rule out a Cabinet return when he was asked directly at an event last week, merely saying Mr Burnham would ‘make his own choices’.

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Mr Burnham was forced to distance himself earlier this week from a much-mocked briefing that he will be Labour’s first woman premier.

A senior figure had told the Spectator that he would be ‘a female PM in all but sex’. 

Mr Balls was Mr Burnham’s long-term striking partner in the notorious Labour ‘Demon Eyes’ football team (pictured playing together at the 2011 Labour Party conference)

Mr Balls’ wife Yvette Cooper is also in line for a senior role under Mr Burnham

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But the former Greater Manchester mayor told a meeting of Parliamentary Labour Party women: ‘I want to put on record that I never have and never will describe myself as the first female Labour PM.’

He added: ‘I want to make it clear that if anyone in my team was found to have done that they would be out of the door. Their feet wouldn’t touch the floor.’

The following article contains spoilers from the episode of Coronation Street dated July 3. It hasn’t aired on ITV1 yet, but can be viewed on ITVX and YouTube.

Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon) has been sentenced to prison after sexually abusing Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale).

The character was introduced to us last year, when Will arrived in Weatherfield to join his family as the new owners of the Rovers Return pub.

Megan claimed to Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley) and Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker) that she had found Will sleeping in some changing rooms and drove him to the cobbles.

When Megan and Will were alone later that day, we discovered that they were in a secret relationship.

What followed next was a storyline that saw Megan manipulate Will into keeping quiet about what was going on between them. Will spent months believing that Megan wanted to be with him, unaware he was actually being abused.

The first person to discover Megan’s true self was teenager Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan). He confronted his classmate about Megan grooming him, but Will denied everything and worked hard to defend the teacher.

Sam wasn’t going to just ignore his suspicions though. He knew something was wrong, but found himself being faced with Megan and her evil ways whenever he made it clear that he wasn’t going to keep quiet.

The sports coach completely destroyed Sam’s confidence. Things got so bad for him, Sam actually collapsed and was rushed to hospital.

It was at this point that Sam finally spoke out and told Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) about Megan. It took a little while for her to get arrested, due to the lack of proof that something inappropriate happened between her and Will.

Things changed after Will learnt that Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) had been through a similar situation to him when he was younger, and the shared experiences helped Will realise that he needed to report Megan.

This week, the Driscoll family have been in court for her trial.

Unsurprisingly, it hasn’t been smooth sailing. Megan’s chances of being released increased a couple of days ago, when Will fell apart and claimed that he had made everything up about them being in a sexual relationship.

Will’s dad Ben also had the potential to negatively impact the end result of the trial. While Megan was being questioned, Ben lost his cool and had to get thrown out because of his anger. This, along with Will stating that he had lied, made it look as though the family had just wasted everyone’s time.

Thankfully, the judge allowed Will to take to the stand again. He was well aware that he had lied under oath, but this time told the truth about Megan, confirming to everyone that he was abused by her.

Those impacted by Megan’s wicked ways were back in court in today’s episode, following the news the jury had reached a verdict.

Megan was found guilty on all of her charges and sentenced to five years in prison, bringing the chapter to a close for everyone involved – at last.

MORE: Smug and vengeful Megan closes in on terrified Will in Coronation Street with dark promise

MORE: Cast member’s tribute as major Coronation Street star exits – with final scenes very soon

MORE: Megan could get away with abusing Will in Coronation Street after twist

The Bolton News previously reported in May of 2025 that Bolton Council was set to enforce yellow box junction rules under plans in the “very near future” at the time.

The Trinity Street, with the junction of Newport Street in the town centre was earmarked

Since then, through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, there has been £0 made from the yellow hatch-box scheme.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “The council is working through the set-up of this enforcement and enforcement is due to commence soon.

“Our intention is to enforce this yellow box first, with a plan to roll out yellow box enforcement across the borough.

“Drivers are reminded not to enter yellow box junctions unless their exit is clear, as blocking the box can cause congestion.”

In Manchester, these are already in effect.

Manchester’s yellow box fines (officially known as Moving Traffic Contraventions) are roughly £70 penalty notices issued when drivers stop in a hatched yellow box junction.

These fines are captured by ANPR cameras, introduced in the city as far back to 2023.

So far, Bolton Council has not enforced this scheme, which is to start with the Newport Street Junction.

It is expected that other junctions across the borough will be introduced in this scheme once it has been introduced.

The Highway Code says a motorist cannot enter a yellow box junction unless their exit is clear, or if they are waiting to turn right across traffic and their exit route is also clear.

In 2023, The Bolton News reported that a consultation was underway about tightening up enforcement on the following box junctions:

Bridge Street/St George’s Street (Bolton), Higher Bridge Street/Topp Way (Bolton), Newport Street/Trinity Street (Bolton), Blackburn Road/Lawson Street (Astley Bridge), and Cricketers Way/Leigh Road (Westhoughton).

Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears after Portugal’s World Cup win over Croatia as he paid tribute to his old team-mate Diogo Jota, a year on from his death in a car crash.

At full time, Ronaldo held up and wore a Portugal shirt bearing the number 21 in memory of Jota, who died aged 28 alongside his brother Andre Silva on July 3 last year.  

Ronaldo stayed away from the Liverpool star’s funeral mass as he did not want to cause a ‘circus’ – a decision for which he was criticised – but a year later has left a beautiful tribute. 

‘We knew it before the game. It was such a special moment. We speak today, our group, about that, the coincidence of life, it’s unbelievable,’ Ronaldo said afterwards of the tribute to Jota.

‘I was amazed because of the situation of today. It means a lot to us, not only because we won the game, but also the way we won the game. It was a difficult game, we knew it.’

Jota racked up 49 caps for the national team, scoring 14 goals, and won the UEFA Nations League with them twice.  

Portugal’s superstar led his team-mates in remembering Jota a year on from his death

His death had a profound impact on football and throughout the years, Liverpool’s players and staff explained how much it had hurt them. 

Ronaldo was on holiday in Mallorca last year when Jota died and chose not to return to Portugal in the aftermath for the memorial, explaining to Piers Morgan: ‘Two things, people criticise me a lot. As I say, I don’t care about that, because when you feel your conscience is good, free, you don’t have to be worried about what the people say.

‘But one of the things that I don’t do, it’s after my father died, I’ve never been in a cemetery again.

‘And second, you know my reputation, wherever I go is a circus. I don’t go also because if I go, the attention goes for me and I don’t want this kind of attention.

‘People can continue to criticise me, I felt good with my decision.

‘I don’t need to be in the first line for people to see me, I’m planning the things, I’m thinking about his family.

‘I don’t need to be in the cameras for the people to see what I do. I do [it] behind the scenes, my friend.’

Liverpool revealed on Thursday they have installed a permanent memorial at Anfield to honour Jota and his brother Andre Silva. 

Portugal’s players stand around with Ronaldo and his Jota shirt after beating Croatia

Former Liverpool and Portugal forward Jota died in a car crash in Spain on July 3 last year

Reds supporters paid their respects to him throughout the 2025-26 season, singing his name in the 20th minute of every match, while his No 20 shirt was also retired by the club. 

And, on the eve of the first anniversary of his death, Liverpool have unveiled a memorial at their home ground for Jota and his brother. 

The poignant tribute is named ‘Forever 20’ in honour of Jota’s shirt number and Liverpool say ‘it celebrates their lives, their bond, and the love and respect felt for them by family, team-mates and supporters across the world’.  

At the centre of the memorial is a flowing heart sculpture, which is said to acknowledge Jota’s iconic goal celebration. 

It also reveals the numbers 20 and 30 when viewed from different angles. Silva, who played for Portuguese side Penafiel at the time of his passing, wore the No 30 shirt. 

The lyrics to Jota’s famous chant of ‘he will take us to victory, oh, his name is Diogo’, are featured too.

One side of the memorial reads: ‘In its creation and through the hands of sculptor Emma Rodgers, this memorial has been inspired by the many personal tributes and mementoes left at Anfield by visitors from across the international football community.

‘Some of these tributes are contained within the sculpture and plinth via a unique manufacturing process. It means they are forever embedded.

Liverpool have installed a memorial at Anfield to honour Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva

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‘Based on a continuous ‘flowing heart’ design incorporating the brothers’ shirt numbers 20 and 30, the artwork not only conveys the enduring bonds they shared, but also expresses the love and admiration in which they were held by their family, team-mates and fans – with the heart gesture itself reflecting Diogo’s signature goal celebration.

‘This memorial honours the brothers’ lives and celebrates their lasting legacy.’

The memorial is on 97 Avenue at Anfield, the location of the area where thousands of people came to pay tribute in the immediate aftermath of Jota’s passing.

A PlayStation controller also sits on the plinth to mark Jota’s love of gaming and his celebration. 

Liverpool added: ‘Every detail has been carefully considered from beginning to end, with the final touches of patina introducing soft hues of Jota’s home flag and the teams he loved throughout his journey.

”Forever 20′ will serve as a permanent symbol of love, unity and remembrance, and a place where everyone can reflect, remember and pay their respects.’

Major Jason Watson, an active-duty officer, criticized both Trump and Vance on Wednesday for actions such as engaging in war with Iran without congressional approval, according to an online video of the event.

The footage shows Capitol Police officers detaining Major Watson, who was holding a sign advocating for the impeachment, conviction, and removal of Trump and Vance.

While not naming Major Watson directly, the office of Air Force Secretary Troy Meink acknowledged reports of an Air Force officer protesting at the Capitol and stated that an investigation “will proceed unimpeded.”

In a post on X, the department affirmed, “The Department takes allegations of misconduct seriously, including any that might undermine the nonpartisan nature of our military.”

U.S. military regulations impose strict limitations on service members’ political activities, especially when in uniform.

Furthermore, Article 88 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice forbids officers from employing “contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, and other U.S. representatives.

Major Watson appeared to acknowledge the potential repercussions of his actions, stating: “What matters far more than who I am is what I have to say and the price I’m willing to pay to say it.”

Whether you’re after live music, comedy, community events, or maybe a little bit of magic, here are five things happening in Bolton this week that are worth adding to your diary.

A Night to Remember: Motown Show

This Friday (July 3) Bolton hosts The Voice UK finalist Bizzi Dixon, along with his backing vocalists, the Motown Divas, and their “soulful vocal dynamics” as their high-energy show takes us back to 1960s Detroit.

With tickets priced at £35, the show is said to include a night of high-energy dancing and feel-good songs in two 50-minute extravaganzas featuring 38 hits from the Motown and soul era.

With an estimated run time of 2 hours and 20 minutes (not including an interval), the event will start at around 7pm and will be taking place at the Octagon Theatre.

The event organisers ensure that the throwbacks of Motown, as well as the nationally celebrated vocals of Dixon, are guaranteed to have you dancing in the aisles, stalls, and even down the streets!

Tickets are selling quickly, so make sure to head over to The Octagon Theatre website to grab yourself one if you can see you and your loved ones enjoying this guaranteed night of retro tunes.

Ben Hart (Image: Matt Crockett)

Ben Hart: The Labyrinth

If you’re in the mood for some magic, mystery, and wonder this Saturday, July 4, The Octagon Theatre has just the show for you as they present Britain’s Got Talent finalist and internationally acclaimed magician Ben Hart’s brand-new theatrical magic show.

The show, which is being promoted as a “funny, dark, and baffling” experience, promises that Hart will “read minds, manipulate reality, and blow your mind,” and we’re told that the production focuses on the themes of human choices, hidden patterns, and finding a route through chaos.

The show will run for 65 minutes with no interval and will begin at 8pm. A fair number of tickets are still available to purchase from The Octagon Theatre website and are all priced at £20, regardless of where they are seated.

However, please be aware that this show should only be attended by people aged 12 or older, according to The Octagon Theatre’s guidelines.

(Image: Newsquest)

Smithills Hall Garden Party

If you and your family are in the mood for a sense of community, a range of activities, as well as delicious food, all while experiencing a historic site, the annual Smithills Hall Garden Party is just the thing for you on Sunday, July 5.

The event organisers promise that the garden party will offer “fabulous family fun”, stalls offering artisan goods, games, face painting, children’s workshops such as circus skills, as well as live music and much more entertainment for the whole family.

This year, the party is collaborating with local tearoom Bake & Roast, who are said to be offering a “special summer handmade afternoon tea”, which you are able to book on their website. The afternoon tea costs £28.50 per adult and £16.50 per child; however, a £10 deposit per head is required.

The garden party’s special afternoon tea will include finger sandwiches, mini sausage rolls, canapés, a selection of homemade cakes, and a mini cream tea with a choice of tea, coffee, or a soft drink.

Entry to the event is free; however, charges may apply for certain activities, rides, and amenities. It will be running from noon until 4pm.

Abba – Thank You for The Music (Image: Agency)

4 – Thank You for the Music – ABBA

If you’re a fan of classics such as Waterloo, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, and more, then you’ll want to get down to The Octagon Theatre on Thursday, July 9th to see the iconic ABBA tribute.

The international smash hit has been performing for 22 years and says that it combines the unmistakable harmonies, colourful costumes, and dazzling performances of its all-star cast to present a show like no other.

The event organisers prompt fans to join them for the “party of the year”, saying that you can dance, you can jive, and overall have the time of your life as they bring you all the hits.

The show, taking place at The Octagon Theatre, is set to begin at 7pm and tickets, available online, are £34 per seat.

5 – Music of James Bond by Candlelight

On Friday the 10th of July, Bolton’s very own Victoria Hall will be transformed into an atmospheric deep dive into the world of James Bond.

Starting at 7:30pm, the show is described as “more than a concert” and is said to bring together the music of Adele, Billie Eilish, Dame Shirley Bassey, Sam Smith, and more to explore the unmistakable sound of Bond.

Performed by world-class musicians and vocalists, every note is said to echo the sophistication of the James Bond universe and present the vast and unequivocal talent of The Great British Orchestra.

Tickets are available to purchase at xperiencelive.co.uk, varying from £45–£50 depending on the seating area.

Be aware, though, that last entry is at 7:15pm in preparation for the show to begin, so don’t miss out!

Multiple GMP cars and ambulances were seen in attendance

Officers descended on a Trafford street after a ‘disturbance’ left a man injured. Emergency services were called out to Aimson Road East, in Timperley, at around 5.20pm on Thursday evening (July 2).

Greater Manchester Police says it received reports of a disturbance at a property on the street. A man suffered a ‘minor’ injury, according to the force.

Officers arrested a woman in her 60s on suspicion of assault. The investigation remains ongoing today (Friday). An image from the scene showed at least four GMP cars and two ambulances in attendance on Aimson Road East.

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A GMP spokesperson said: “At around 5.20pm yesterday (July 2), officers responded to reports of a disturbance at a property on Aimson Road East, Timperley. One man suffered minor, non life-threatening injuries.

“A woman in her 60s was arrested on suspicion of assault. Enquiries are ongoing.”

The 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence has become yet another flashpoint in a politically divided America. There are even two different government organisations overseeing the celebrations.

The United States Semiquincentennial Commission was set up by the US Congress in 2016 as a bipartisan body to oversee the semiquincentennial celebration and signed into law by Barack Obama. They branded the celebration as America250 and set to work to plan the national jamboree.

Freedom 250, meanwhile, was set up by the Trump administration under the supervision of the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday. Federal funds were diverted from the congressional commission towards the events planned by the Trump-aligned celebration.

But more important than the squabbles over who owns the celebrations, the boycotts of the Great American State Fair or the controversies surrounding celebratory monuments such as the 250-foot triumphal arch, dubbed by its critics the “Arc de Trump”, are the battles being fought over whose interpretation of history will be presented as the nation looks back over its first 250 years.

The commemorative celebrations are being run through the National Park Service, part of the Department of the Interior. One of its most important monuments, the President’s House memorial in Philadelphia – where the first two presidents, George Washington and John Adams, lived and worked when the city served as America’s capital in the 1790s – has been at the centre of a controversy over competing interpretations of history.

This goes back to the early weeks of Trump’s second term. In March 2025 he issued executive order 14253: Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. The order requires the Department of the Interior to ensure that the educational materials in its jurisdiction – including the national parks – do not “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living (including persons living in colonial times), and instead focus on the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people”.

It also ordered the restoration of sites removed or changed since 2020, when Confederate monuments had been removed in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. Finally, it charged vice president J.D. Vance with implementing the same policies at the Smithsonian Museum.

In November 2025 an administration official, Jeffrey Anderson, published an essay alleging that “woke orthodoxy” had hijacked America’s story. This was circulated to members of the Trump administration. The President’s House, he wrote, focused too much on the evils of slavery. There was not enough information about the achievements of the men who lived and worked there.

Working under the Secretary of State for the Interior’s order implementing the president’s executive order, the national park service began the removal of historical panels in places of national significance early in 2026. This included the President’s House memorial in Philadelphia.

Washington had infamously brought his slaves with him to the house and had moved them every six months to avoid Pennsylvania’s emancipation laws. The President’s House exhibit had told this story, something that Anderson’s essay had particularly objected to. This and other explanations of US history deemed to “inappropriately disparage Americans past” were removed.

Legal battle

The City of Philadelphia, which had been instrumental in the development of the President’s House site, took the administration to court over the decision. The administration’s lawyers argued that: “Ultimately, the government gets to choose the message it wants to convey.”

Presiding judge, Cynthia M. Rufe, disagreed. In a decision comparing the administration’s actions to the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell’s novel 1984, Rufe held that the US government does not have the power to “dissemble and disassemble historical truths when it has some domain over historical facts”. She ordered the removals stopped and anything removed under the order to be replaced.

On June 18, her decision was unanimously overturned by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. In a decision written by prominent conservative judge, Thomas M. Hardiman, the court held that the city had no “statutory, property, or contractual rights that
empower it to curate the exhibits in the President’s House”. His judgment praised the historical context provided by the replacement panels.

Activists and government officials disagree with Judge Hardiman, and so do Philadelphia’s tour guides. At the open-air site, volunteers share copies and read aloud from the removed intepretative panels.

The legal battle to oppose Trump’s executive order is not over. A coalition of interest groups sued the Department of the Interior, challenging the lawfulness of the removal of hundreds of exhibits and markers across the US, including the President’s House.

Less than a week before Philadelphia lost on appeal, federal judge Angel Kelley found that the government was seeking “to rewrite the Nation’s history with a white-out pen”. She ordered the government to stop removing the signs, exhibits and artefacts and return those that had already had been removed by July 3. In her view, the government had rushed to remove the items in time for July 4 and “it is equally important that our shared history be honestly told and fully restored by the 250th Anniversary”.

That order has now been paused by the First Circuit Court of Appeals until the full case can be heard. But the First Circuit is not bound by the decision in the Philadelphia case and is dominated by Democratic appointees. Split decisions by the federal circuit courts can lead the US Supreme Court to take up a case on appeal. Ultimately it might fall to America’s top court to decide whether the order to remove and replace exhibits is lawful.

The executive order states that museums “should be places where individuals go to learn – not to be subjected to ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives that distort our shared history”. Many critics believe that is exactly what the executive order does.

Now – as with so many of the contested decisions taken during the second Trump administration – it will be down to the courts. At stake, as the US prepares to commemorate and celebrate its 250th anniversary, is the nature of America’s story about itself.

A GP shares four crucial warning signs of dementia that can appear before memory loss begins – here’s what to look for, and the importance of early detection

A GP has revealed that certain early indicators of dementia might become apparent even before memory loss sets in. Dementia is a progressive condition affecting brain function, resulting in a deterioration of cognitive abilities including memory and reasoning, alongside speech and emotional changes over time.

Studies indicate that more than 944,000 people in the UK are living with dementia. One in 11 people aged over 65 in the UK have dementia.

The prevalence of dementia is rising as life expectancy increases. While there’s no cure available, swift diagnosis is vital so that a treatment strategy and medications can be implemented to manage symptoms effectively.

Dr Johannes Uys, from Broadgate General Practice, has identified several early warning signs that might signal the beginning of dementia. Though many associate memory difficulties with dementia, Dr Uys points out that physical symptoms can sometimes emerge before memory loss occurs.

He outlined four early signs to watch for, which are more frequently associated with particular forms of dementia, such as Parkinson’s disease dementia.

The expert further stressed that symptoms differ from one person to another, with each individual experiencing dementia uniquely.

“However, if you notice any of these early signs in yourself or a loved one, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation. Early detection and intervention can help manage symptoms and provide the necessary support”, he added. Risk factors for dementia vary considerably, with some being unavoidable such as age, while others can be controlled through lifestyle adjustments in our earlier years.

Physical activity and a nutritious diet are recognised as reducing the risk.

Additional positive modifications include keeping a healthy weight, stopping smoking, lowering alcohol intake and cholesterol levels. The NHS recommends that reducing saturated fats, salt, and sugar, while boosting fibre consumption could also prove helpful.

The GP proceeded to outline these four early warning signs to watch for:.

Prompt diagnosis of dementia enables swift support for patients. Yet, a recent Alzheimer’s Society survey discloses that just one in three people visits a doctor within the initial month of spotting dementia symptoms in themselves or a family member.

A survey of 1,100 people demonstrated that most individuals delay seeking assistance due to doubt about whether the symptoms are connected to the condition or simply indicators of getting older. It’s vital to understand that dementia isn’t a normal aspect of ageing, and if you’re growing progressively forgetful, particularly if you’re aged over 65, it’s recommended to see your GP.

Specialists forecast that by 2050, an alarming 150 million people globally will be impacted by the condition, based on research published in the Lancet Public Health. Presently, approximately 900,000 people in the UK are living with it.