Danny Miller, who plays Aaron Dingle on the ITV soap opera, spoke on Loose Women today about his father’s dementia-prone father in an interview.
Actor Danny Miller has opened about his father Vince Miller having dementia. He shared an update on his experience in a live TV interview this week and concluded with a touching message for his dad, who he hoped would be watching.
Danny, 34 – known for playing Aaron Dingle on Emmerdale – previously shared that Vince, 90, had been diagnosed with dementia. He’s posted updates from visiting his dad, at the care home in Manchester where he now lives, on occasion. Vince – whose career included working as a VIP host at Manchester United – was brought up whilst Danny was interviewed by video link on Loose Women this afternoon. Denise Welch, 67, shared that she’d known Vince for years.
She said on the ITV show: “He’s a great comic and a great compère, but I know that you’ve been open about the fact that he’s suffering from dementia at the moment.” Denise added: “I just want you to give him my love and our love, and I’m thinking of you because I know it’s hard. Like you say you’re mourning the person that was before they’ve actually gone.”
Danny responded, “Yes, thanks for that Denise and I’ll absolutely pass on your message]”… I’m hoping he’s watching in his Manchester care home. He continued, “I did tell the care staff there, who are amazing, to pop it on so he could enjoy a little 15 minutes of fame that he hasn’t had in a while.”
The actor said, “My dad is the reason I’m in this business,” in reference to Vince. I’ve lost my dad, in actuality. And I find it difficult to do that.” After clearing his throat, Danny continued, “I really, really miss him. I’m having a hard time.
He continued, “I miss picking up his phone so much. Simply put, it’s not feasible anymore. And, according to Danny, “sometimes we get the opportunity to have a good visit and also there’s bad visits when we visit him in the care home.”
The actor – who has posted videos from visiting his dad on Instagram – said: “I’ve started to sort of log that and sort of put that in almost an Instagram journal because I know there’s lots of people, and people that I’ve touched, and made relationships within America, that have got the same thing and are looking after their dad.”
He continued, “I feel pain that I can no longer pick up my dad’s phone.” He continued, “And I always want to make sure that you know people who are suffering with dementia either first-hand or secondhand, and that you are not the only ones.”
Danny said, “It’s a terrible, horrible, terminal illness, and it’s a long goodbye. A fantastic short film about that is difficult to watch, but I’m so in love with my father and am talking to you today. If you’re watching, I’d like you to love you, dad.
Beginning at noon tomorrow, Loose Women will be available on ITV, STV, ITVX, and STV Player.
Dementia UK offers support and guidance if you have been impacted by this tale.
Source: Mirror
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