Being sharper than the hopefuls is an important requirement for a Chaser, but Paul Sinha was concerned about his status as a top quizzer after a Parkinson's diagnosis.
The 53-year-old turned 53 in 2019 The chase star publicly announced his diagnosis, saying at the time: “I will fight this with every breath.”
Paul can no longer drive or dance due to his condition, but is determined to 'own it' as he lashed out at a fan who tried to hide his 'shaky' hand in the picture.
Five years later, he feels more determined than ever to continue proving that this is not the end of the Sinnerman in the beloved series.
“Every time I come in and do something well, it's a point of immense pride for me,” the comedian revealed to the Daily star.
'I feel that over the past three or four years I have shown that you can do it even if you have Parkinson's. There are no limits to what you think you can do.'
The disease is according to the NHSsees that 'parts of the brain become gradually damaged over many years'.
Common symptoms, including involuntary shaking, stiff muscles, and slower than normal movements, are all unhelpful in getting answers in quickly.
Spin-off show Beat The Chasers has a special place in Paul's heart, next to his husband Oliver Levy whom he married months after his diagnosis.
He shared that it is a “real point of pride” for him to manage to stay in the fast-paced show, which pits a hopeful player against a panel of Chasers.
Having to be so fast with sharp reflexes, Paul believes, has actually helped him keep track of his Parkinson's and its eventual decline.
'It's a good way to measure progress because my results haven't gotten any worse since I had Parkinson's. It's a good way to measure my brain's power and function.
“I've always said that if I felt there was a decline in power, I would call it out myself, and I still stand by that. But it's certainly not going down, so that's fine.'
Paul has previously admitted that things are moving a bit slower than they used to, but that hasn't stopped him from standing up for the disease, which Michael J Fox also has.
He called the NHS last Christmas because they sent him a letter 'demanding' he prove he is a British citizen – despite having lived here all his life.
“I have eight days to scan and email my passport and three utility bills,” Paul wrote on X.
'Meanwhile, another NHS trust is looking after another aspect of my health without concern. An unpleasant mess.'
'”Failure to provide this information may result in cancellation of an appointment, removal of waiting lists and billing for treatments.” I have an NHS pension.'
He did point out that he believed this was a computer error, but the whole debacle was unpleasant nonetheless.
“But despite my protests, which could easily have been checked, I now find myself in a bureaucratic nightmare,” Paul concluded.
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