John Lydon breaks down in tears while discussing his wife’s battle with Alzheimer’s
John Lydon broke down in tears over his Alzheimer’s-stricken wife, Nora Forster, on This Morning on Tuesday, just after awkwardly criticizing Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield for their appearance on the daytime show.
The 66-year-old Irish-British punk rocker, better known by his stage name Johnny Rotten, was talking about his new Eurovision song, Hawaii, which is dedicated to Nora.
The Sex Pistols singer married the 80-year-old German publishing heiress in 1979 and first revealed his wife’s devastating diagnosis in 2018.
Tough: John Lydon broke down in tears while discussing caring for his Alzheimer’s-stricken wife, Nora Forster, on Tuesday’s This Morning
Speaking on the daytime show, he discussed having to watch his wife suffer and the song he wrote afterwards.
He said: ‘It took me four years to do the lyrics for the song. Alzheimer’s is a huge problem, at the moment it is incurable and I am struggling to find and maintain a relationship with Nora and myself.
‘The song tells you not to ask too many questions and to be happy for them. It is a love song, with great tragedy and the message that love conquers all.
Couple: The singer married the 80-year-old German publishing heiress in 1979 and first revealed his wife’s devastating diagnosis in 2018 (pictured in 2013)
‘Music is fantastic, it organizes your brain!’
Reflecting on their romance, she added: “At this point in our lives, we pictured ourselves doing nothing.
‘That is no longer the case, she requires 24 hour care and now I don’t care, because of the amazing life she has given me.’
The conversation about his wife came after he had an awkward moment with Holly and Phil while introducing him to the show.
Plan: The 66-year-old Irish-British punk rocker, better known by his stage name Johnny Rotten, was talking about his new Eurovision song, Hawaii, which is dedicated to Nora.
When the presenters introduced the punk rocker as ‘John’ and with a montage of career highlights from the Sex Pistols, he blurted out: ‘Johnny!’ and then he criticized them for overlooking his introduction.
Awkwardly, he then said, “Let me tell you, your presentation was a bit lousy,” to which Phil replied, “We couldn’t fit everything in, so we thought we’d better come to you.”
Then Johnny said, ‘Well, it would have been better if you had started at the top and finished at the bottom!’
Phil eased the tension and said with a smile, ‘Make your introduction, how would you like to be introduced?’ and Johnny paused before he finally laughed and said, ‘Oh, superstar.
And he added: ‘You know you’re absolutely right. I’ve never accepted titles anyway, so what the hell.’
The star recently revealed that her song from the Eurovision bid representing Ireland is dedicated to her partner.
He hopes to win the spot with his band Public Image Ltd for the 2023 competition, with the song titled Hawaii.
Speaking about the song, he recently told GMB: ‘This is the start of a new journey. Interestingly, as bad as Alzheimer’s is, there are great moments of tenderness between us.
‘I try to capture that in song. Not everything is waiting for the Grim Reaper. I can see the personality in his eyes that lets me know.
‘Her communication skills are letting her down. I feel blessed to be able to be there and pick up on that and pass on something useful to other people.
Sad: He said: ‘It took me four years to do the lyrics for the song. Alzheimer’s is a huge problem, at the moment it is incurable and I am struggling to find and maintain a relationship with Nora and myself’ (pictured in 2005)
Now I care about all his victims. Particularly spouses who have to put up with this. What you have to do is fight.
John’s chosen track, Hawaii, is filled with emotion for him as he looks back on the relationship he has shared with his wife of over 40 years.
speaking to SunJohn recently looked at the lyrics that read ‘remember me, I remember you’ and was overwhelmed with the sadness of the disease.
“We had a wonderful vacation in Hawaii after touring once and it was the best week of our lives.
Now her memories are fading, I wanted to bring her something like that. I break down even thinking about it.
Initially formed in 1978, but later went on hiatus; John will now join fellow punk bandmates Lu Edmonds, Scott Firth and Bruce Smith.
Announcing the news on Twitter, the band said they will compete with a never-before-heard song titled Hawaii, dedicated to John’s wife, Nora.
Chance: The Irish-British punk rocker will bid for the spot alongside his band Public Image Ltd for the 2023 competition (2022 pictured)
Providing context to his song choice, John shared: “It’s dedicated to everyone who goes through a difficult time on life’s journey, with the person they love the most.
“It’s also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all.”
John found fame with The Sex Pistols in the 1970s alongside guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook and bassist Glen Matlock. Matlock was replaced by Sid Vicious in early 1977.
Lydon was the lead singer from 1975 to 1978, later leading the band on several revivals during the 1990s and 2000s.
Punk pioneers: (L-R) John, Sid Vicious, Steve Jones and Paul Cook of The Sex Pistols during their latest tour