Still Game star Sanjeev Kohli opens up on heartbreak at watching dad's battle Alzheimer’s disease

dailyrecord.co.uk:

He was Sanjeev Kohli’s comedy inspiration for the cantankerous but hilariously funny Navid in Still Game.The actor, who nicked his dad’s most famous phrases to bring the shopkeeper to life, remains his hero but now for different reasons.As Sanjeev reveals today in a heartbreaking interview, his father, retired teacher Parduman is battling Alzheimer’s disease.The comedy star said: “For someone who could never sit still and loved travelling it’s hard to see him like this.

I know he is 90-years-old and has done a lot and seen a lot but he is my dad and I don’t ever want to lose him.“There are advantages to losing someone slowly, as you have time to mentally prepare yourself.

Despite knowing there will be relief when their suffering is over, you are never be ready to let them go.”The comedian said seeing his 6ft 2in proud dad is distressing but said the family are determined to remain positive and want to honour him for Father’s Day today.He said: “Dad still recognises family but his mobility has gone so he is more or less housebound.

We’ve had to move his bed downstairs and he has four wonderful NHS carers coming in every day to help my incredible mum look after him.“Dad is still very much in there and that twinkle and his sarcasm are still very much alive.”That wicked sense of humour and hilarious catchphrase is exactly what Sanjeev would use when playing Navid in the much-loved BBC comedy.Sanjeev, 53 said: “I didn’t write Navid but I channel my dad’s spirit when I play him - if he wore a turban he would be my dad. “He could be quite bad tempered with us when we were kids - we found out later it was because he had taken on a lot of overtime to get more money for our education.“My brothers and I would be playing football in