I understand the power of music on people living with dementia

MUSIC legend Tony Christie will record his version of Thank You for Being a Friend for a dementia charity after being diagnosed with the disease.

- TONY CHRISTIE

The crooner, who turns 80 in April, was friends with Andrew Gold who first released the track back in 1978.

The iconic song is being released on behalf of the Music for Dementia campaign for Thank You Day 2023.

It is aimed at carers, many of whom have changed their lives to care for people living with dementia.

Tony says: "I continue to tour as I've found music improves the symptoms of my dementia. So every time I go on stage and work it's helping me.

"If anyone deserves a thank you it's the UK's unseen- and unsung - army of carers. This one's for them!"

When I look back to how my love affair with music started, I can thank my Irish grandparents for igniting the spark.

They'd visit every other weekend and give me sixpence to sing while grandma played the fiddle and grandad the melodeon.

My six-year-old self thought it was a great way to make money.

In the 50s, when my dad was stationed in the RAF in Africa, he brought back a collection of LPs.