DJ Jensen: My wife and friends help me through Parkinson’s

LEGENDARY DJ David “Kid” Jensen has revealed how his showbusiness pals got him through his darkest days when he was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

The former Top of the Pops and Radio 1 star said his wife Gudrun and close friends helped to keep his spirits high.

David, 71, said: “I’ll forever be in debt to those who have helped me through the past 12 years of Parkinson’s.”

“My good friends and those like Chris Tarrant and Jools Holland, who were among the first to pick up the phone.”

Canadian-born David was nicknamed “Kid” when, at the tender age of 18, he became the youngest radio presenter in Europe to join Radio Luxembourg in 1968.

More than 50 years later, he is still best known for his famous nickname.

Father-of-three David has now lifted the lid on his ordeal with Parkinson’s.

In an exclusive interview with this week’s Radio Times magazine, the veteran DJ explained how hopes are high that a cure for the degenerative brain disorder will be found.

He said: “There is genuine hope, and I follow the latest encouraging developments in a realistic way.”

“Those in the know suggest I’m coping well, thanks to diligent exercising and following all the instructions on medication.

“Age 82 – that’s the latest response when I ask the experts, ‘How long do I have?'”

“So I likely won’t be around into my 90s, unlike many in my family.”

“I’m 71 now – and still a kid!”

David’s big break came in 1976 when he landed the Saturday mid-morning slot on BBC Radio 1 before being promoted to the afternoon show.

Alongside being one of the most recognised voices across the UK, his profile was further boosted by regular appearances hosting Top of the Pops. In 1984, he quit Radio 1 and joined London’s Capital FM.

In recent years, he has hosted “golden oldie” shows. But his illness has slowed down his once phenomenal output.

However, he has presented a recent series for Jazz FM entitled Jensen’s Jazz and he also broadcasts a weekly online show on Boom Radio, insisting he’s not ready to hang up the microphone just yet.

David added: “Hopefully, my voice sounds much as it used to. That’s certainly what people say to me. I appreciate it may trickle away, but for now the adrenaline and the excitement of doing radio are enormously valuable.”

Parkinson’s causes uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness and difficulty with balance and coordination.

Related Posts

The three foods we should eat every day, according to doctors

These foods, in addition to the important benefits they have for our body, do not require special preparation and we can take them anywhere (from the office…

How many steps should you take per day for good health?

The latest applications allow us to count the steps we take every day, with the hope that this type of physical activity improves health. Experts have always…

‘American Pie’ singer Don McLean talks true meaning of his 50-year song

“American Pie” singer Don McLean has been belting out his classic for the last 50 years.  McLean recently spoke to Fox News Digital, and shared the compliment…

Agri crops in 6,905 hectares damaged in Navsari: Officials

The Navari district administration that has started a survey to assess the damage to life, crops and property during heavy rain over the past week found that…

The world’s best restaurant is in a football stadium

The best restaurant in the world is Geranium in Copenhagen. At Geranium, the specialty is seasonal Scandi food, served on the 8th floor of a football stadium with views…

Ryan Gosling is Interested in Playing Ghost Rider in the MCU

In the last few days, the rumor that Ryan Gosling is ready to play Nova in MCU, a member of the Nova Corps to whom a future serial project…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *