Tony reveals how music allows him to cope with his dementia

TONY Christie says music has helped him cope with dementia and believes it should be prescribed like medicine to others living with the condition.

- By Julia Kuttner

The Amarillo singer, 82, was diagnosed four years ago but has refused to let it stop him from performing.

He is currently touring the UK before heading to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

His Tony Christie: The Great Farewell Tour will see the crooner spend several years on the road, with new dates constantly being added.

"This is the biggest tour I've ever done," Tony said. "Music keeps me going — and I hope by talking about dementia, I can give hope to other people going through it."

In 2005, Tony reached a new audience when he teamed up with comic Peter Kay for a celebrity-packed song for Comic Relief.

(Is This The Way To) Amarillo was originally released by Tony in 1971, when it reached No.18.

But the charity re-release hit the top spot, selling 1.28 million copies.