Tindall reveals toll of Parkinson’s on father

MIKE TINDALL has revealed that his mother refuses to enlist help to care for his father, who has Parkinson’s disease, as she is a “very stoic, northern lady who refuses to give her man up”.

He described the devastating impact the disease has had on his father, Philip, 74, the man who taught him how to play rugby, and acknowledged the importance of allowing professionals to take some of the burden.

Mr Tindall, patron of Cure Parkinson’s, husband of the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall, joined forces with the Duchess of Gloucester, patron of Parkinson’s UK, for a video conversation recorded for World Parkinson’s Day in early April. Its release was delayed due to the Duke of Edinburgh’s death.

As he paid tribute to his mother, Linda, 72, Mr Tindall said his father, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2003, has had a “tough five years”.

The pair praised those involved in supporting people with Parkinson’s and those working to find a cure.

Mr Tindall, 42, also gave an insight into family life with his newborn son Lucas, born just over five weeks ago.

He told the Danish-born Duchess, 74, who is married to the Queen’s cousin, the Duke of Gloucester, that the baby had been snoozing ahead of a feed.

The Duchess said of his daughters Mia, seven, and two-year-old Lena: “You’ve got those two little nursery helpers to do most of the work, haven’t you?” Mr Tindall laughed: “It’s a fine balance, I love that they want to help, but maybe they try a little bit too much.”