The Chase's Paul Sinha speaks about Parkinson's battle ahead of Edinburgh Fringe show

Virgin Radio

5 Jul 2023, 16:01

Paul Sinha, best known as one of the chasers on ITV quiz show The Chase, spoke about his struggles with Parkinson's and wondered how long he'd be able to continue his stand up comedy career as he prepares for the Edinburgh Fringe.

Mainly famous for his appearances alongside Bradley Walsh on the teatime quiz show, Sinha arrived slightly earlier than usual at the London Studios, where The Chase used to be filmed, to speak on ITV's Good Morning Britain.

In conversation with hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls, the master quizzer light heartedly joked about his former "abject failures" of his early stand up appearances, with some shows having to be cancelled because "nobody turned up".

He then continued to speak about how these experiences taught him to be "a better comedian" and gave him "resilience".

This "resilience" has certainly been put to the test in recent years as Sinha has been dealing with a Parkinson's diagnosis since 2019. The comedian has also decided to push himself, in what could potentially be his final comedic performances, by incorporating his musical abilities into the upcoming Fringe shows.

Noting he may lose these talents in the near future Sinha said :"Eventually I won't be able to play the keyboard at all, so while I still can, I've turned myself into a musical comedian," Sinha told ITV's Good Morning Britain.

"The audience know I can't really sing, and I'm not especially good at the keyboard, but they know that because I've got Parkinson's."

Best known as the Sinha-man on The Chase, said he had a "positive outlook" about his condition, adding: "I think that's really, really important for your own health.

"There's been a lot of discussion obviously today about neurological illnesses for very sad reasons, but I want to reiterate the fact that having a positive attitude is good for your health and will help slow down the disease."

Sinha was referring to the recent news of former GMTV host Fiona Phillips has announcing she’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. 

The broadcaster was initially given the news 18 months ago after suffering from brain fog and anxiety, and she was originally put on HRT after the symptoms were believed to be linked to menopause. 

Speaking to The Mirror, Fiona explained: “This disease has ravaged my family and now it has come for me. And all over the country there are people of all different ages whose lives are being affected by it - it’s heartbreaking. I just hope I can help find a cure which might make things better for others in the future."

Fiona continued: “It’s something I might have thought I’d get at 80, but I was still only 61 years old. I felt more angry than anything else because this disease has already impacted my life in so many ways.”

The columnist admitted she waited to tell people out of fear of judgement. She added: “No one has known because I haven’t been blaring out loud, ‘oh yeah, I’ve got Alzheimer's'. And I have been so worried people will judge me or put labels on me. It’s a horrible bloody secret to divulge.”