Our Dementia Choir viewers in tears as Vicky McClure and families struggle with brutal illness

Virgin Radio

11 Oct 2022, 14:12

Viewers of Our Dementia Choir were left in pieces after watching the emotional journey of families battling the cruel disease. The tear-jerking series led by Line of Duty's Vicky McClure follows a group of dementia sufferers teaming up to create an original song, What's Your Story?, to raise awareness of the illness.

Actress and campaigner Vicky said: "I want music to be available to everyone and I want the world to see what people with dementia can achieve.

"It'd be great to be number one, but that's not the goal. The goal is to raise the profile raise the conversation and that to me is more important than anything."

Studies have found that music has a positive affect on people with dementia, while personal playlists for sufferers can 'reduce anxiety and depression, and help maintain speech and language'.

Dementia sufferer Mick's wife Karen had viewers in floods of tears after opening up about his illness and the struggle their family have faced, which has been particularly hard on the couple's daughter.

An estimated 209,000 people will develop dementia in the UK this year and it's the nation's seventh biggest killer. A lack of funding means there is a huge financial worry on families including Mick's to cover costs for care.

One viewer wrote on Twitter: "Sobbing at the dementia choir."

Another said: "Balling my eyes out at the dementia choir, oh my."

A third posted: "I'm watching Our Dementia Choir and I'm sat here in tears, it's so sad."

Towards the end of the episode, the choir were seen recording inside the iconic Abbey Road Studios in West London, with Mick struggling to remember his solo lyrics but when he did, applause and happy tears filled the room.

The Alzheimer's Society tweeted: "We're incredibly proud to be a part of this series, highlighting the need for dementia to be taken seriously and prioritised by decision makers. Our CEO, @KateLeeCEO, will make several appearances across the series."