Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden opened up to fans about saying an emotional goodbye, before celebrating their life

Amy Dowden has opened up to fans about saying an emotional goodbye, before celebrating their life, as well as that of her own and her loved ones, during a stunning sunset during a break in Cornwall.

The Strictly Come Dancing star took to social media in May and shared that her “darling friend” had died. At the time, she shared a carousel of snaps with her “darling friend” Bex, before admitting she had been “a little quiet”.

Amy, who has faced a breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment in recent years, said that Bex had sadly died in a heartbreaking tribute after learning that she had a blood clot on her brain, with Bex’s mum calling to tell her the news.

The professional dancer wrote on social media t the time: “On Friday, I got a call from my darling friend Bex’s mum, Anne, to tell me that Bex had a blood clot on her brain. I still can’t quite find the words or make sense of it. How something like this can happen to someone so fit, so healthy, so kind… a truly good soul.

“Bex was the kindest person, always putting others before herself. Even in the end, she was giving, an organ donor helping others right until the very end. She had just given birth to her perfect baby boy the day before, completing her beautiful family with her little girl 3 and her true love, Sean.

“I feel so lucky to have had her in my life. My voicemails are full of her, and I’ll treasure them forever. So many memories I’ll hold close… being Blackpool roommates, sleepovers with Anne telling us to get some sleep while we giggled, sharing a room on my hen when I realised you were pregnant and we couldn’t contain the excitement, calming me down before my first day of Strictly rehearsals and you drove to see me and go through everything.

“Making an 8-hour round trip to visit me during chemo and coming to hospital apts, Ben and I doing the beep test and numerous blood count tests for your uni assignment, and looking after us with physio between the rounds that night we won Blackpool. What I loved most were our random, overdue phone catch-ups, where I always knew I’d never be judged, only supported and understood.”

She continued: “My sister said earlier how at Blackpool you were always more worried about me than your own dancing. That was you. Always selfless. Always thinking of others. Bex, I’ll keep you close always. I promise to look out for your darling mum, dad, Sean, and your beautiful babies. Love you dearly, my angel. xxxx”

In a new update, shared on Wednesday (July 8), Amy shared how she had earlier this week said a final goodbye to Bex. Alongside pictures of the pair, she wrote on her Instagram Story: “On Monday morning we said our goodbye to Bex, but I know she will be looking down looking after her loved ones forever and I’ll never stop thinking and talking about her!”

She went on to share a GoFundMe link, and said: “Please, if you can help in any way for her darling children, I’ll be forever grateful. I’ll love you forever and always my beautiful friend.”

Amy is currently on holiday in Newquay, Cornwall, with her husband, Ben, twin sister, Becky, and some of their friends. She later posted pictures from a sunset visit to the beach, where they paid tribute to another loved one they had lost. Alongside a picture of the group raising a glass, she wrote on her Instagram Story: “To Bex and Kev xx always in our hearts.”

She then posted a video of the group rushing into the sea as they celebrated the lives their departed friends lived, as well as enjoying their own time together, especially due to what Amy has gone through with her own health. She captioned the post: “Live life to the full, every sunset is a blessing and a privilege #newquaycornwall #grateful #sunset #rememberinglovedones #cornwallcoast.”

Fire crews are still tackling a blaze at a building on Princes Street in Edinburgh after emergency services were called at 2.52am on Thursday.

The fire has broken out on the upper floors of the old Debenhams building in the city centre which is currently home to a Levi’s store and a River Island.

Images and videos posted on social media showed flames leaping into the night sky and plumes of smoke rising over the city centre as crews battled the fire.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service told the Mirror this morning that seven appliances had been dispatched to the scene and three specialist appliances.

There is no word yet on the cause of the blaze and no information has been given on any casualties from the fire.

There is disruption to local tram and bus services as the roads around the fire have been closed for emergency services to work at the scene.

This extreme day trip has social media users eager to try it themselves

Day trips are becoming an increasingly popular way for travellers to squeeze more into their time off, with many swapping weekend breaks for a whirlwind adventure doesn’t requite a hotel booking or even annual leave.

Thanks to budget airlines and early morning flights, these so called “extreme day trips” are becoming popular with travellers who are keen to tick destinations off their bucket lists in just a matter of hours.

From hopping across Europe for lunch to visiting famous landmarks and cities before heading home the same evening, the trend has been gaining popularity on social media. Travellers share their carefully planned itineraries proving just how much can be packed into a single day.

Now, one Scottish TikToker has gone viral after showing how her family managed to spend a full day at Disneyland Paris and still make it back home in time for bed.

Posted by TikTok user @vickyescapes, the video was shared with the caption: “Hear me out… What if you didn’t need a hotel, a long weekend or loads of annual leave to experience Disneyland Paris?

“Is it a long day? Absolutely. Is it a memorable adventure? I think so.”

In the clip, the creator explains that the family caught a 7am flight from Edinburgh to Paris before making their way straight from the airport to Disneyland Paris.

They arrived at the park by around 11am, giving them roughly eight hours to enjoy everything the magical park had to offer. During their visit, the family squeezed in rides, live shows, character meet-and-greets, food stops and even stayed long enough to watch the evening fireworks display.

After a packed day of what the creator described as “Disney magic,” they headed back to the airport for their 10.30pm return flight back to Edinburgh.

Sharing clips from their time in Disneyland, the creator revealed they even made it “home in time for bed,” rounding off what many viewers described as the ultimate extreme day trip.

The video quickly sparked the attention of other social media users, with many saying they were tempted to try an extreme day trip themselves.

READ MORE: Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in exclusive offer to celebrate the World Cup

One person wrote: “I’m game for this every weekend if I could,” while another admitted the video had inspired their own holiday plans, commenting: “I’ve been looking to do this over summer lol.”

Others couldn’t quite believe how much the family managed to fit into a single day, with one viewer writing: “You must have been shattered.”

Many were also curious about the cost of squeezing a Disney holiday into one day, with one parent asking: “Can you do a wee cost breakdown? I’d love to budget this for my daughter.”

Responding to the question, the TikToker explained that travelling during the winter helped keep costs down, especially when it came to the flights.

She replied: “We went in winter so flights were much cheaper but roughly €50/70 for Ubers each way and around £80 per person for park tickets! Then spending money for food and treats! Not necessarily a cheap day out, but one to remember.”

It’s a delicious twist on the classic beans on toast, using just two simple cupboard ingredients for a comforting and delicious upgrade

Everyone has that go-to meal they reach for when craving a late-night snack or simply can’t face cooking after a long day. One timeless favourite that everyone loves is beans on toast, and it hits the spot every time.

However, one recipe developer has shared her take on this classic, offering a straightforward “upgrade” that transforms it into a delicious, comforting dish. Georgia Hughes showed off the recipe on the Channel 4 Served TikTok, using two everyday cupboard staples to elevate the meal.

Georgia said: “These are my satay beans on toast. A proper comfort food upgrade. Taking the humble bean and giving it a glow up. That is delicious.”

The recipe developer named beans on toast as her favourite option when she’s not keen to make much effort. It’s also a truly nostalgic childhood treat for those looking for something familiar.

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Everything can be prepared in a single pan, so there’s no need for too much washing up. To add a spicy and flavourful dimension to the beans, Georgia relies on two ingredients most home cooks will have to hand.

All that’s required is a dollop of peanut butter and some curry powder. She said: “It’s still the same comfort food, just a little bit elevated… Simple, comforting and delicious.”

A fan in the comments said: “Love satay, love beans on toast, this is a must try and I can see it being just as popular as smashed avocado on toast is!”.

Served replied: “It’s SUCH a good combo.”

So, if you’re keen to put a fresh twist on your next serving of beans on toast, here’s how you can recreate Georgia’s recipe in your own kitchen.

Satay beans on toast

Ingredients

• Two slices sourdough
• One tin butter beans
• Two shallots, diced
• One tbsp tomato paste
• One tsp curry powder
• One tbsp peanut butter
• Juice of half a lime
• One tsp light soy
• One tbsp honey

For the toppings

• Peanuts
• Pickled red onions
• Spring onions

Method

Warm a small drizzle of olive oil in a pan over a medium heat. Add shallots (two, diced) and fry for six minutes until softened.

Stir in tomato paste (one tbsp) and curry powder (one tsp) and cook for one to two minutes. Add butter beans (one tin). If using tinned beans, drain and rinse them, then add water (two tbsp).

If using jarred beans, add them with their brine instead.

Stir in peanut butter (one tbsp), soy (one tsp), lime juice (half a lime) and honey (one tbsp) and leave to simmer for a few minutes.

Spoon over buttered toast (two slices) and finish with peanuts, pickled onions and spring onions.

Footage showing the complete destruction inside the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s compound following a deadly US-Israel airstrike has been released for the first time by the Iranian regime.

The compound was blown to pieces on February 28 at the start of the joint operation against Tehran, with 86-year-old Khamenei being killed in the blast.

The 50-second clip was released as the Islamic Republic continues its huge six-day funeral procession for the former leader, which will conclude with his burial in Iran.

The video shows mounds of rubble, collapsed ceilings, warped support beams and doors blown off their hinges in the aftermath of the US-Israel attack that kicked off the four-month-long war. 

Mounds of dirt and debris can be seen filling up the Imam Khomeini Hussainiya – the hall inside the supreme leader’s compound where he used to hold meetings and deliver public sermons.

While satellite footage of the obliterated compound was released shortly after the strike, a view from the interior was not published until now. 

Khamenei was succeeded by his son, Mojtaba, following the attack, but the new leader is yet to make a public appearance amid rumours he was seriously injured in the same airstrike that killed his father.

On Thursday, the US struck scores of targets in Iran including the railway line between Tehran and Mashhad hours before the late supreme leader was due to be buried in the eastern Iranian city. 

The 50-second clip was released as the Islamic Republic continues its huge six-day funeral procession for the former leader, which will conclude with his burial in Iran

The compound was blown to pieces on February 28 at the start of the joint operation against Tehran, with Khamenei being killed in the blast

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The attack ahead of the burial in Khamenei’s hometown came on a second consecutive day of tit-for-tat barrages launched by the two sides, testing a fragile ceasefire as the foes battle over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Two days of US strikes against Iran have killed 14 people and left 78 injured, Tehran’s health ministry said on Thursday.

‘Of the injured, 47 are still hospitalised and the rest have been discharged after receiving medical care,’ Hossein Kermanpour, the ministry’s head of public relations posted on X.

Iran’s military said it had targeted sites in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain with one-way attack drones on Thursday, state media reported, in retaliation for US strikes earlier in the day.

The army said ‘in continuation of the attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s army on US bases in the region’ it had targeted a Patriot missile interceptor system in Kuwait, an early warning system in Qatar and fuel tanks in Bahrain with ‘a large number of various types of army kamikaze drones’.

AFP journalists heard blasts in Bahrain’s capital early Thursday morning and Kuwait said it was responding to hostile missile and drone attacks.

In Qatar, which has played a key role mediating between the US and Iran in recent weeks, residents received an alert warning of an elevated threat level, the first since the start of an April ceasefire between the US and Iran.

Earlier, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had struck ‘key infrastructure and facilities’ at US bases in Arifjan and Ali Al Salem in Kuwait, and Juffair and Sheikh Isa in Bahrain.

The train service between Tehran and Mashhad has been suspended after US strikes, state TV reported on Thursday, hours before Khamenei was due to be buried in the holy city.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways blamed ‘a criminal attack by the US-Israeli enemy’ on the route and said it had dispatched repair teams, the state broadcaster reported, adding that road transport was being arranged for stranded passengers.

Earlier, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards accused the United States of targeting ‘two bridges in the eastern provinces leading toward Mashhad in an effort to overshadow’ Khamenei’s funeral, state TV said.

The burial in Mashhad, Khamenei’s hometown, will be the final act of a multi-day funeral, after Iran’s leader for more than three decades lay in state in Tehran before being processed through the Iranian capital and the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala.

US military officials said Wednesday that they hit approximately 90 Iranian military targets in their latest strikes, targeting air defence systems, missile and drone storage sites, and other assets.

The United States ‘completed an additional round of strikes against Iran, July 8, to further degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping and innocent civilian mariners in the Strait of Hormuz,’ US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement posted to X.

A day earlier, the US military said it had struck over 80 targets including Iranian speedboats in response to Iranian attacks on ships in the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Mourners gather during a funeral procession on the day of the burial of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 in Israeli and U.S. airstrikes, in Mashhad, Iran, July 9

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Iranians were preparing on July 9 to bury their slain leader Ali Khamenei in his hometown of Mashhad in northeast Iran

Mourners attend the procession of the funeral of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on July 8, 2026 in Karbala, Iraq

Thousands of mourners attended funeral processions for Khamenei on Wednesday in the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala as part of a dayslong ceremony.

At some moments, the scene turned chaotic, with mourners swarming the coffin, forcing pallbearers to lower it to avoid losing control. 

The ceremonies began on Saturday, with authorities shutting down streets, airspace and daily life in Tehran, Iran’s capital, as throngs commemorated the life of the man who led Iran for decades with an iron fist while confronting the West. 

His body was later taken from Najaf to Karbala before it is to be returned to Iran. 

Talks on ending the war between the United States and Iran appear to be on hold until after the burial.

However, the strikes from both sides in the Persian Gulf in recent days raised risks that the interim agreement to end the monthslong conflict that engulfed the Middle East could completely break down.

Khamenei’s body arrived on Tuesday in Najaf, considered one of the holiest of cities for millions of Shiite Muslims worldwide. 

Mourners holding portraits of Khamenei welcomed the body and senior officials escorting it, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The body was placed in a casket draped in the Islamic Republic’s flag and encased in glass.

Some supporters performed self-flagellation on the streets, while others waved Iranian as well as red and black flags symbolizing mourning and revenge.

Muhammad Taqi al-Hakim, a senior scholar at the Najaf seminary, led the funeral prayers at the Shrine of Imam Ali, the Prophet Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law.

As the coffin was carried into the shrine, large crowds pushed and shoved their way to get close to it. 

Some threw themselves onto the casket, as attendants struggled to control the crowd, urging the pallbearers to carry it closer to the ground for fear it might fall. 

‘We, the people of Iraq, will remain a thorn in the eyes of the enemies,’ said Jaafar Jawad, a funeral attendee. 

‘(His body arriving here) is the greatest possible honor, and God willing, we will be loyal and repay a little of his debt in the holy city of Najaf.’

The body later arrived in Karbala, also a holy city for Shiites, where Imam Hussein, the grandson of the prophet, was killed in 680 AD.

Thousands of supporters gathered in the desert heat in and around the shrine while Abdul Mahdi al-Karbalaei, a representative of Iraq’s top Shiite religious authority, led the prayers there. 

In Karbala, also, crowds repeatedly swarmed the coffin, which nearly fell several times in the journey between two shrines. 

Inside the Imam al-Abbas Mosque, organisers decided to lower the coffin in an attempt to stop people who were pushing forward to seek blessings or to participate in carrying it. 

The EES was first introduced in October last year, before the rollout ramped up on April 10.

The new system requires travellers from the UK and other non-EU visitors to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and facial scans, when entering the Schengen Area.

The new EES has received significant backlash since its introduction, with it causing long waits for passengers at airports.

Brits have already been warned of six-hour waits at several major European airports, with these long waits expected to continue for another two years, according to industry experts.

CEO of Malta Air, David O’Brien, even threatened to pull all flights to Malta due to the extended wait times caused by the EES at airports.

EU refuses to suspend EES

Major airlines, including Jet2 and Ryanair, have urged the EU to suspend the EES rollout until after the peak summer travel period or risk “major disruptions”.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) also called for an EES suspension until next summer, with passengers experiencing “delays and missed connections” in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece and Belgium.

Greece temporarily suspended the rollout of the EES back in April, while Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said he is “unhappy” and could suspend the system if delays continue.

Aeroporti di Roma chief executive Marco Troncone also threatened to suspend the new system at Rome’s Fiumicino and Ciampino Airports.

The European Union (EU) has now rejected calls for the EES to be suspended, just weeks out from the summer holidays and peak travel season, according to The Guardian.

EU officials said the new system was “not perfect”, but a full suspension was “not needed” and “not possible”.

If the system were left open in some countries and closed in others, it could lead to travellers being stranded at border crossings, officials explained.

The EU, speaking in The Guardian, said that of the 1,500 border crossing points, only 20 were “difficult spots”, and it would pressure those members to put measures in place to ease congestion.

As well as significant delays, airports have also raised concerns that automated EES booths do not always work, the Financial Times reported.

Airports have raised concerns about automated EES booths not working. (Image: Lucy North/PA)

This means passengers who have already passed through EES and are supposed to skip the queues are often forced to carry out checks again, adding to congestion.

Head of the airports industry group ACI Europe, Olivier Jankovec, said: “The processes need to work better.”

“We need the self-service tills to work, and at the moment they don’t work.”

Meanwhile, more than 30,000 people have been denied entry into Europe since the rollout of the new EES, according to the latest data from the European Commission (acquired by the Majorca Daily Bulletin).

EU to delay introduction of new visa system

The EU is also set to delay the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a separate pre-authorisation visa system, according to the Financial Times.

The ETIAS was expected to launch later this year, but it has now been delayed until 2027.

Under the scheme, visa-exempt travellers, including UK passport holders, will need permission to enter 30 European countries for short stays.

Applications will cost €20, although under-18s and over-70s will be exempt from the fee.

Do you think the EU’s new Entry/Exit system should be suspended? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.

Save money and protect your food in the heatwave by making the simple change

Another heatwave is here, with Brits urged to make an important change in their kitchens this week. Britain has entered its third heatwave of the year so far, with the mercury set to hit 36C this week.

Temperatures are expected to rise throughout the week, with the East of England set to be the warmest region on Thursday and Friday. Amber and yellow heat health alerts have been issued, and the warm weather is here to stay into next week.

It comes after June marked England’s warmest on record. Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, said: “June’s heatwave was a significant weather event, with a Red Extreme Heat Warning issued. Human-induced climate change has made events like this more likely and more intense.

“To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply.”

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Homes also heat up during hot weather, with kitchens amongst the warmest rooms. Experts have warned about the importance of protecting your fridge-freezer not only to save money on energy bills but also to ensure food stays safe.

Create room around your fridge

Fridge-freezers are working overtime during heatwaves to stay cool. It can mean the appliances use up more energy to do so.

In an effort to reduce cuts, make sure you allow enough room to circulate fridges and freezers.

BBC Good Food said: “Check that appliances are far enough from the wall at the back for air to circulate; the manual will have told you how far this should be, if you can’t find it, then look online, most manuals are available to download.”

You should also make sure the back of the fridge is clear of dirt and debris, so the air can fully circulate the coils.

Don’t overpack your fridge

Fridges work more efficiently if air can circulate the shelves. Make sure you don’t overpack it with food, especially at the top of the fridge.

Freezers need enough items inside to work efficiently, but they shouldn’t be overfilled either. Cold air needs to circulate to freeze food properly, so make sure there is some space between the items.

Beko explained: “It is important to leave enough room for air to circulate the fridge’s interior when packing your fridge. If the appliance is crammed with groceries, cold air will not be able to circulate fully, meaning temperatures will vary.”

Keep it shut

Another way to keep fridges and freezers working well during hot weather is to avoid opening the doors often.

Argos said: “Each time you open the door, this allows warm air to enter and increases the appliance’s workload in maintaining an appropriate internal temperature.”

The 16-year-old is aiming to run 300 miles in just six days

A Welsh rugby star’s son is running 50 miles through the streets every day as he embarks on a huge challenge.

Toryn Knoyle, son of former Wales scrum-half Tavis Knoyle, is aiming to run 300 miles in just six days in a bid to raise money for a cancer charity. The 16-year-old set himself the remarkable challenge to raise money for Maggie’s Cancer Centre in Swansea, which has been support his aunt Becca since she was diagnosed with the disease.

While most 16 year olds who have just finished their exams would be looking forward to some lie-ins in bed, Toryn is spending the start of his extra-long summer getting up at 5am to run between through the streets of Neath Port Talbot.

Since Monday morning, he has been running loops of the 12-mile stretch between his home in Pontneathvaughan and Unit9 Gym in Neath, which is owed by his dad and his stepmum Jo.

With a few short breaks to recover and refuel, he’s been running from early in the morning until 6pm or 7pm in the evening, where he gets ready to do it all again the next day.

Knoyle, who won 11 caps for Wales, is helping to motivate his son by running or cycling alongside him.

Jo said the family had initially tried to put him off such a huge challenge, but are amazed and proud of the resilience he has shown.

“He came to us and said he wanted to do 300 miles in less than a week,” she said. “We tried every way to put him off. He wanted to do it while his exams were on at first and we were like ‘absolutely not’.”

After his exams were over, he asked the family to help him set up a JustGiving page. “We tried to tell him that even trying to do a marathon a day was a huge achievement, but two marathons a day over six days is crazy. Everyone is saying he’s crazy,” she added.

“He’s so determined – he was either going to do it on his own or with our support, so we’ve supported him all the way.” Stay informed on everything Neath Port Talbot by signing up to our newsletter here

He has already ran 150 miles and although he can barely walk at times, Toryn is determined to keep going and says that whatever pain he’s feeling, it’s not the same as what the people being supported by Maggie’s are going through.

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He has already raised close to £5,000 for the charity on his JustGiving page, smashing his original target of £1,000. Jo says the community have also been incredible in coming out to support Toryn, with people, including his grandparents, joining behind on bikes to do parts of the loop alongside him.

“People are driving up and down the old road where they know he’s going to be running just to beep their horns,” she added.

Due to the ongoing heatwave, Toryn is also racking up some of the miles on a treadmill at the gym, to keep him out of the sun during the hottest part of the afternoon. “He didn’t want to do that, but we forced him into doing it,” Jo laughed.

It’s been whole family effort to keep the youngster going, with Jo explaining that she and Knoyle are “tag-teaming” with Toryn’s mum Julie Williams to make sure he’s getting everything he needs. “Julie’s taking him home in the night, feeding him, rubbing his feet, doing everything for him and then dropping him here at 5am for Tavis to take him out all day again.”

Knoyle, having played rugby professionally for years, is the “best coach for him to have”, Jo said. “Me and Julie are on the sides asking if he’s ok and telling him he can stop if he needs to, but Tavis is there to tell him he can do it” she laughed.

“Toryn is awesome. I’ve asked him if if it’s harder than he thought because we were all convinced he thought it would be easy but he just turns around and says: ‘Yeah, it’s as hard as I thought it was going to be’. He could hardly walk and he still was saying he expected all this. He’s just so tough mentally.”

Jo added that Toryn’s motivation for the challenge – aunt Becca – is so “happy and proud” of the teenager.

“She’s obviously worried about him now because of how many miles he’s doing but she’s ecstatic because Maggie’s helped her so much. He loves Becca and I think his main motivation is how much money he’s raising for them. His target was only £1,000 but he’s over £4,000, which is unbelievable really.

“He’s just not showing any signs of stopping at the minute.”

Toryn is due to finish the challenge at Seven Sisters RFC on Saturday evening. You can follow his journey on Instagram @trw__9 and donate to his fundraiser here.

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Struggling at work and being less productive could be a warning sign of early-onset dementia more than a decade before a diagnosis is made, a study suggests.

Early-onset dementia is when the debilitating disease strikes before 65, causing a premature deterioration of a patient’s emotional and professional lives. Often, it has no apparent cause. 

Younger patients typically wait years for a diagnosis because the disease is not normally searched for in those younger than 60. 

But now, researchers in Finland say the condition could be detected up to 15 years earlier by tracking work performance.

In a study of nearly 800 early-onset dementia patients and 7,000 healthy individuals, researchers found those who had early-onset dementia earned $13,800 less per year on average than others from a decade-and-a-half before their diagnosis, which they said was due to them being less productive.

Overall, researchers estimated that patients lost about $86,000 in wages over the course of the 12-year study due to the condition.

Dr Eino Solje, a neurologist who led the research, said: ‘Early-onset dementia affects people during their most productive years and is associated with a decreased ability to work, increased unemployment and leaving jobs sooner than planned.

‘These changes can reduce household income and contribute to broader economic impact.

‘Our study found an association between reduced work productivity and early-onset dementia up to 15 years before diagnosis.’

He added: ‘These findings may partly be explained by delays in diagnosis, which can prolong the period of unrecognized symptoms, and they underscore the harmful, long-term socioeconomic impact of early-onset dementia.’

Many early-onset dementia patients say their symptoms begin at work. Warning signs include struggling to remember appointments or how to do something they have done for a long time before. Some also struggle to concentrate or follow conversations.

In later stages, patients also suffer from severe mood swings, deepening confusion about time, place and life events and suspicion of family or friends.

There is no cure for the disease, but medications are available that may help to slow its progression.

Everyone experiences dementia differently. Use this checklist to help you make a note of your symptoms before you talk to your GP.

About 200,000 Americans suffer from early-onset dementia, estimates suggest, but that number is rising. Latest health insurance data shows claims for the condition rose 200 percent between 2013 and 2017.

In the study, published in the journal Neurology, researchers tracked 793 early-onset dementia patients for 12 years before their diagnosis.

Overall, 421 patients were struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, while 179 had frontotemporal dementia and nearly 200 others had other forms of dementia, including vascular dementia. 

They were matched to 7,000 healthy individuals with a similar age, background and wages over the same period. In the analysis, data was adjusted for factors such as salaries and medical conditions, which can affect earnings.

Broken down by dementia type, researchers found those suffering from early-onset Alzheimer’s had lower earnings compared to healthy peers six years before their diagnosis. 

Those with frontotemporal dementia had lower earnings from 11 years before their diagnosis.

The study did not conclusively prove that lower wages compared to peers show someone has dementia, only that this is a potential warning sign. Other factors may also be behind the results.

It isn’t clear what causes early-onset dementia, but scientists say about one in ten people have genes that raise their risk. Those with relatives who have the disease are at a higher risk.

Other factors such as a brain injury from an early stroke or heavy alcohol use may also raise someone’s risk of the disease.

The disease is diagnosed by doctors who assess patients for warning signs of the disease. 

Some patients do continue to work for years after a diagnosis, doctors say, but others stop. 

Those with early-onset dementia live for about nine years after their diagnosis.