CHANNEL 4 BROADCASTER Jon Snow has revealed he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, speaking publicly about the condition for the first time in a new documentary.

Snow, best known for more than three decades as the face of Channel 4 News, said he had initially wanted to keep his diagnosis private due to stigma surrounding dementia.

“At the beginning I wanted to hide it, there’s so much prejudice,” Snow said.

“Any sort of hint of mental decay, you’re sort of dead.”

He added that while he experiences periods of memory difficulty, the condition is not constant.

“There are moments when it pops up but it’s not an all day, every day condition, and that’s what I cling onto,” he said.

The 77-year-old broadcaster stepped down from Channel 4 News in 2021 after more than 30 years in the role, during which he reported from conflict zones and covered major global events including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the release of Nelson Mandela.

In the documentary, Snow will reflect on the impact of the diagnosis on his daily life.

His wife, neuroscientist Dr Precious Lunga, will also feature in the documentary, and will describe the emotional impact of the diagnosis on their family. She has spoken previously about the importance of early diagnosis and support for people living with dementia.

Jon Snow and Dr Precious Lunga. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Snow said the condition has not removed his desire to engage with the world around him, adding: “I’ve witnessed a great deal, I hope I’ve learned something – but I’ve still got a huge amount to learn. We all have. There’s still more to do.”

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, which affects tens of thousands of people in Ireland and hundreds of thousands in the UK.

According to Irish health data, more than 64,000 people are living with dementia in Ireland, with Alzheimer’s accounting for around 60 to 70% of cases.

A true giant in journalism, Jon Snow has spent his life asking difficult questions and telling important stories.

Now, in sharing his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, he is helping others feel less alone and raising awareness of a condition that affects so many families.

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 5, 2026

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described Snow as a “true giant in journalism”, saying his decision to speak publicly about his diagnosis would help others feel less alone.

Snow retired from Channel 4 News in 2021 after more than three decades as one of Britain’s most recognisable broadcasters.

Jon Snow: A Last Big Story will be broadcast on Channel 4 on Saturday 20 June at 8pm.