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Bill Steel: Broadcaster's son tells of pressure of being sole carer | Bill Steel: Broadcaster's son tells of pressure of being sole carer |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Bill Steel worked in TV and radio for decades | Bill Steel worked in TV and radio for decades |
The son of broadcaster and actor Bill Steel has told how the pressure of being his sole carer pushed him to the brink of despair. | The son of broadcaster and actor Bill Steel has told how the pressure of being his sole carer pushed him to the brink of despair. |
Mr Steel, 82, has Alzheimer's Disease and is receiving end-of-life care. | Mr Steel, 82, has Alzheimer's Disease and is receiving end-of-life care. |
Christian Steel, 45, tried to take his own life after his mum Isabel died suddenly from Covid and he struggled caring for his terminally ill father. | Christian Steel, 45, tried to take his own life after his mum Isabel died suddenly from Covid and he struggled caring for his terminally ill father. |
"I'd lost my best friend in my mum and I was watching my dad die. I thought 'I can't deal with this'," he said. | "I'd lost my best friend in my mum and I was watching my dad die. I thought 'I can't deal with this'," he said. |
Bill Steel played Bernard McKenna in Coronation Street in 1997 and was a presenter for Tyne Tees Television before becoming an announcer. He also voiced more than 20,000 advertisements. | Bill Steel played Bernard McKenna in Coronation Street in 1997 and was a presenter for Tyne Tees Television before becoming an announcer. He also voiced more than 20,000 advertisements. |
Christian lost his mum on his birthday which led to his suicide attempt and him being taken to hospital. | Christian lost his mum on his birthday which led to his suicide attempt and him being taken to hospital. |
But the comedian said that when he considered the responsibility of being his father's sole carer he realised he "had to get back". | But the comedian said that when he considered the responsibility of being his father's sole carer he realised he "had to get back". |
Christian Steel said caring for his father had brought them very close | Christian Steel said caring for his father had brought them very close |
"I am closer than I have ever been with him and I would fight to the death for him, I love him," he said. | "I am closer than I have ever been with him and I would fight to the death for him, I love him," he said. |
Bill, who lives in Newcastle, said having the disease has led to him wanting to do what he could to help others. | Bill, who lives in Newcastle, said having the disease has led to him wanting to do what he could to help others. |
"I am certainly interested in what other people are doing to help with the disease. I think once you get it you have got to do something about it," he said. | "I am certainly interested in what other people are doing to help with the disease. I think once you get it you have got to do something about it," he said. |
He also thanked people for all their support over the years, describing his life as "a good ride". | He also thanked people for all their support over the years, describing his life as "a good ride". |
Bill Steel with comedian Ken Dodd in 1981 | Bill Steel with comedian Ken Dodd in 1981 |
Social care covers areas like care homes and home-care services. It is funded mainly by local councils and accounts for up to half of their budgets. | |
Leading social care organisations warn they are facing a cliff edge because of funding. | Leading social care organisations warn they are facing a cliff edge because of funding. |
Bill and Christian are supported by the Alzheimer's Society, which wants the government to commit to a "clear, budgeted plan" for reform. | Bill and Christian are supported by the Alzheimer's Society, which wants the government to commit to a "clear, budgeted plan" for reform. |
Its head of services, Judith King, said: "People affected by dementia need help and support urgently now because the impact of the pandemic has only made a very difficult situation worse." | Its head of services, Judith King, said: "People affected by dementia need help and support urgently now because the impact of the pandemic has only made a very difficult situation worse." |
In his first speech as prime minister, Boris Johnson said he would "fix the crisis in social care once and for all". | In his first speech as prime minister, Boris Johnson said he would "fix the crisis in social care once and for all". |
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We recognise the vital role all unpaid carers play and the difficulties the pandemic has placed on those caring for family, relatives and their loved ones. | A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We recognise the vital role all unpaid carers play and the difficulties the pandemic has placed on those caring for family, relatives and their loved ones. |
"Our focus on supporting carers during the pandemic has included funding charities supporting carers, tailored guidance, actions to help carers self-identify and ongoing work to help carers access day care services, respite, and the support they need. | "Our focus on supporting carers during the pandemic has included funding charities supporting carers, tailored guidance, actions to help carers self-identify and ongoing work to help carers access day care services, respite, and the support they need. |
"The government is committed to sustainable improvement of the adult social care system and will bring forward plans for reform in 2021." | "The government is committed to sustainable improvement of the adult social care system and will bring forward plans for reform in 2021." |
If you've been affected by issues raised in this story, sources of support are available at the BBC Action Line. | If you've been affected by issues raised in this story, sources of support are available at the BBC Action Line. |