Jeremy Paxman reveals Parkinson's disease diagnosis
Former Newsnight presenter makes admission on podcast
Paxman stepped down from University Challenge after diagnosis
Jeremy Paxman has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
The 73-year-old broadcaster, who began his career on the BBC's graduate trainee programme in 1972, said the condition makes you "wish you hadn't been born".
Paxman made the admission on his podcast, The Jeremy Paxman Show, while talking to author and Parkinson's sufferer Michael J. Fox.
He said: "I have, as you know, Parkinson's. I was diagnosed two years ago."
Paxman said he had been experiencing symptoms for about five years before he was diagnosed.
"I can cope with most of it, but the lack of dopamine, which causes you to be constantly tired, is the most depressing thing," he said.
Paxman stepped down as the host of University Challenge after he was diagnosed in 2021.
He said he was "in awe" of Fox, who has lived with Parkinson's for more than 30 years.
"You are a great inspiration to me," he said.
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