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This Morning presenter Siân Welby confirmed her father is battling vascular dementia while hosting a segment on the degenerative condition during Tuesday’s show. 

Welby, who has been praised for ‘bringing fun back’ to the beleaguered show, was on hand to discuss a revolutionary new blood test that can detect Alzheimer’s disease during its initial stages. 

Making her latest stand-in appearance alongside Dermot O’Leary, the presenter, 37, admitted her father Ian, 84, is one of more than 900,000 people currently living with dementia across the United Kingdom. 

Discussing the incurable condition, she said: ‘It’s one of the most devastating, my dad’s going through it, he has vascular dementia. 

‘You’re scared to lose a person that you know, it is quite frightening! Like you say, would I want to take a test knowing I could be susceptible to it? 

This Morning presenter Siân Welby confirmed her father is battling vascular dementia while hosting a segment on the degenerative condition during Tuesday's show

This Morning presenter Siân Welby confirmed her father is battling vascular dementia while hosting a segment on the degenerative condition during Tuesday’s show

Making her latest stand-in appearance alongside Dermot O'Leary, the presenter admitted her father Ian, who is 84, is one of more than 900,000 people currently living with dementia

Making her latest stand-in appearance alongside Dermot O’Leary, the presenter admitted her father Ian, who is 84, is one of more than 900,000 people currently living with dementia

‘It’s hard to know! I don’t know if I want to know, is ignorance bliss? But then again, if I could do something about it?’ 

Welby, who has previously discussed her father’s battles with cancer and COVID-19, was subsequently praised for her professionalism by viewers, with many taking to X, formerly Twitter, to express their views. 

‘Nice to see Siân on #thismorning Very professional and engaging,’ wrote one impressed fan. 

A second added: “I’m really enjoying the @Sianwelby and @radioleary mix.. they work well together. Well done to Sian, it must be nerve wracking presenting such a big morning show, she’s doing great.’ 

While a third urged ITV bosses to ‘sign Sian up. We’ve now found what we are looking for.’ 

Viewers were equally impressed with her debut on Monday alongside host Dermot O’Leary, as they said she was doing a ‘great job’ and ‘brought fun to the show’.

But behind-the-scenes in her personal life, Welby has had a tough couple of years – with her father being diagnosed with Leukemia.

In 2022 she admitted harboring fears for her elderly father after he contracted COVID-19  following his cancer diagnosis.

Ian’s health seriously declined after suffering from sepsis and pneumonia in both lungs. 

Welby was on hand to discuss a revolutionary new blood test that can detect Alzheimer's disease during its initial stages

Welby was on hand to discuss a revolutionary new blood test that can detect Alzheimer’s disease during its initial stages

WHAT IS DEMENTIA?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders

A GLOBAL CONCERN 

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

There are many types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.

Some people may have a combination of different types of dementia.

Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way.

Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?

The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK today. This is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 per cent of those diagnosed.

In the US, it’s estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.

As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.

Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.

IS THERE A CURE?

Currently there is no cure for dementia.

But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted, the more effective treatments can be.

Source: Alzheimer’s Society 

Welby, who has previously discussed her father's battles with cancer and COVID-19, praised for her professionalism by viewers of Tuesday's show

Welby, who has previously discussed her father’s battles with cancer and COVID-19, praised for her professionalism by viewers of Tuesday’s show 

They were equally impressed with her debut on Monday, with fans claiming she 'brought fun to the show'

They were equally impressed with her debut on Monday, with fans claiming she ‘brought fun to the show’

His weight dropped to six and a half stone during a seven-week stint in hospital – with Welby fearing the worst.

When he showed signs of improvement, she shared sweet snaps with her father on Instagram and wrote: ‘Doctors have said it’s nothing short of a miracle.

‘My dad has leukemia and then got COVID, which lead to sepsis, pneumonia in both lungs and got to the point where he couldn’t eat, walk or talk. He’s spent the last 7 weeks in hospital, and there was a chance he’d never come home.

‘I posted the second photo on my insta story last week after I was finally able to hug him and was flooded with positive messages from all of you. 

‘I just want to say thank-you for all your kind words. So much positivity was sent his way and literally the day after I had a text from my mum saying he had got out of bed. It’s incredible.’ 

She added: ‘I believe in the power of positive thoughts and seriously feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I’m back home and my dad’s out of hospital!! He’s making an incredible recovery, the doctors can’t believe it!! 

In 2022 she admitted harboring fears for her elderly father after he contracted COVID-19 following his cancer diagnosis

In 2022 she admitted harboring fears for her elderly father after he contracted COVID-19 following his cancer diagnosis

When he started to improve, Welby shared sweet snaps with her father on Instagram and wrote: 'Doctors have said it's nothing short of a miracle'

When he started to improve, Welby shared sweet snaps with her father on Instagram and wrote: ‘Doctors have said it’s nothing short of a miracle’

‘What an amazing day… I’ve showed him all your messages and he’s got a tear in his eye – he’s asked me to print them all off so he can read them again when I’m not here’

‘I just want to add, if you’re going through anything similar I truly send you all love in the world. Even when you feel totally helpless. 

‘Tell them you love them, hold their hand, hug them if you can. Be that positive voice repeatedly telling them to fight and if they can’t fight anymore, just tell them happy stories from their past.’

Welby admitted her dad couldn’t believe public figures including Spice Girl Emma Bunton and presenter Amanda Holden sent him well-wishes.

Speaking to The Sun, she explained: ‘A week after that post of me hugging him, and after 37,000 people liking and commenting on my story, I really believe in the power of positivity.

‘He couldn’t believe Emma Bunton and Amanda Holden sent him a message to get well soon!

‘He asked me to print all the DMs out so he can look at them when I’m not there!’

Welby is hosting This Morning alongside Dermot O'Leary this week

Welby is hosting This Morning alongside Dermot O’Leary as ITV continue to search for a replacement for Holly Willoughby

Welby is temporarily hosting This Morning alongside Dermot as ITV continue to search for a replacement for Holly Willoughby.

Viewers were impressed with her debut as she took the helm on Monday as they said she was doing a ‘great job’ and ‘brought fun to the show’.

She is best known for her work on Capital Breakfast, where she appears alongside Roman Kemp and Chris Stark every weekday between 6am and 10am.

Prior to Capital, she had her own Heart FM evening show and her own Heart FM Sunday morning show.

Her hosting debut on This Morning is not her first appearance on the show, as she also hosts regular showbiz segments from ‘Sian’s Shack’.

Further TV work for the star includes her weather presenting Channel 5 and her appearance on CBBC’s Saturday Mash Up alongside Sonny Jay.

Welby’s role on This Morning comes three months after Willoughby quit after 14 years at the helm of This Morning after an alleged kidnap plot was revealed.

Sian has been paired with Dermot to anchor Monday to Thursday next week while they continue to search for a replacement for Holly Willoughby (pictured in September)

Sian has been paired with Dermot to anchor Monday to Thursday next week while they continue to search for a replacement for Holly Willoughby (pictured in September) 

Former security guard Gavin Plumb has also been accused of incitement to murder her. Since then, ITV bosses have been searching for a replacement for her.

They were left ‘gutted’ last month when Cat Deeley ruled herself out of the role after signing for US talent show, So You Think You Can Dance.

Chiefs also had their eye on The Voice presenter Emma Willis but she is understood to have turned down the job as she can’t commit to three days.

Christine Lampard was also said to not be keen on working four days a week.

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This post first appeared on Daily mail