Will dementia defeat Dibley’s Jim Trott? No, no, no, no...
Trevor Peacock can’t remember his life in showbiz. But he’s still raising smiles (and cash) as he battles with Alzheimer’s
FOR years he was one of the best-loved actors in one of Britain’s most popular sitcoms. But Trevor Peacock, who played bumbling Jim Trott in the Vicar Of Dibley, can’t remember anything about it – or the rest of his 50-year career.
Trevor, 85, famous for his stock response of ‘No, no, no, no...!’ to just about any situation in Dibley, has Alzheimer’s disease and has been left confused, frustrated and, at times, unable to name objects or people.
He has no recollection of starring alongside comedian Dawn French and others in the much-loved show, and is baffled when he is recognised by fans.
His daughter Sally, 57, said: ‘As a character actor, he has made so many people laugh for such a long time. Sadly, now he doesn’t understand why people want to come up to him to talk to him or thank him for his work.’
Trevor’s heartbroken family have decided to reveal his struggle to raise awareness of the illness which is expected to affect more than one million Britons by 2025, but also to share a message of hope.
His second wife, actress Tilly Tremayne, 67, and his other children – Daniel, 58, a writer and director, actor Harry, 39, and Maudie, 35, who works for the BBC – are pulling together to make his life as comfortable as possible.
They are also supporting the Alzheimer’s Society’s new fundraising drive, the United Against Dementia campaign. The message is that we can all play our part in improving care for the 850,000 people with dementia in the UK.
As well as regular visits from his children, six grandchildren and one great grandchild, Trevor’s family are using art and music as forms of therapy. Maudie, who has taken time out from her job in radio to support her father, said: ‘Music is a great mood changer and enhancer, and I know what will move him and make him smile.
‘I also remind Dad of as many comic moments as I can remember. He told a joke or a story like no other and was able to make you laugh or cry. Thanks to YouTube, I can put his favourite sketches, film clips and music on.
‘He has rediscovered Tommy Cooper and he loves the Pharrell Williams song Happy. It takes him out of himself and his illness and he has a little dance.’
With daughter Sally he has been making ‘Trevor Trees’ – tree-shaped mobiles made from sticks from his garden at his home in Somerset, where he has lived for the past 17 years.
Sally said: ‘I wanted to do something special with Dad that meant we could spend precious time together, and at the same time distract him from whatever was going on in his head.
‘Dad and Tilly have the most beautiful garden which is full of sticks and wood ready for a bonfire, and my dad is never without a stick in his hand, or as the family fondly call it, Dad’s “pointer”.
‘So I came up with the idea of collecting these sticks and, with some twine, securing them together to make a tree-like structure.
‘Dad and I made the first Trevor Tree in February 2016 to feed the birds in his garden. Three months later, in May, we spent another wonderful weekend together getting Trevor Trees into production and larking about as we did so.
‘It was cold and rainy in the garden, but Dad was happy and full of laughter. There was no Alzheimer’s getting in the way and, for a while, I had my dad back.
‘When I went away he collected sticks of different sizes and put them into order so we could make the trees when I next visited.
‘I had found something we enjoyed doing together, and maybe it can help others as all the profits from the sale of Trevor Trees goes to the Alzheimer’s Society.’
Trevor’s career has spanned acting on stage, film, radio and TV and songwriting – he wrote the 1960s pop hit Mrs Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter, which was a US No1 for Herman’s Hermits.
He started experiencing health problems in 2003 when he had a mini-stroke while performing in Hobson’s Choice at the Exchange Theatre, Manchester. In 2009, he was diagnosed with vascular dementia – the death of brain cells brought on by a stroke – and in 2013 he was told he had Alzheimer’s disease, in which abnormal proteins cause brain cells to die, leading to gradual mental decline.
Sally said: ‘I first noticed a change when he was preparing for his part in the film Quartet, which came out in 2012. He was staying with me in London and I noticed he was struggling to learn his lines.
‘All the family was aware that he was slowly changing and something wasn’t quite right. He was getting more forgetful – and it wasn’t just forgetful through old age, but something wasn’t there any more. The disease made him frustrated and confused and was beginning to take some of his spirit and this wonderful soul. ‘When as a family we got together for special occasions, which can be quite animated affairs, we were all aware that Dad was no longer able to participate as he once did. Instead, he would quietly take himself away to another room to listen to music, walk in his garden or take himself up to bed.
‘Now it is like he is lost within himself. He no longer knows what a daughter is, or who Sally is, but he recognises me when I see him. A smile comes across his face and it melts my heart.
‘The last job Dad did was for Comic Relief a couple of years ago. It was a Vicar Of Dibley sketch to raise money for the charity
‘He stopped working after that. It’s such a shame that he can no longer remember this amazing part of his life and the happiness he has brought to so many.’
Sadly, a further deterioration in Trevor’s health now means he is no longer making his ‘trees’ – though Sally is still going strong and has now produced about 120 and raised more than £700 for the charity.
She said: ‘I am so proud of our achievement. Sadly Dad’s health has deteriorated since Trevor Trees started 15 months ago, so now he has very little involvement, but he is often still found with a pointer in his hand.’
The family believe that making people with dementia feel safe and comfortable is the most important thing carers can do.
Maudie said: ‘Websites with advice are one thing but it requires a team effort to look after someone with dementia, and that’s where Government help and funding should come in.’
‘My family haven’t avoided any pain but we’ve all had each other. Sadly not everyone has that. My heart reaches out to all those dealing with this dark condition.’
Trevor Trees cost from £5 and can be bought to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society from www.facebook.com/Trevor-Trees1002329436469583/ or the Trevor Trees Just Giving page. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease go to: alzheimers.org.uk.