Emmerdale actor Danny Miller – who plays Aaron Dingle on the ITV soap opera – spoke about his father Vince Miller, who has dementia, in an interview on Loose Women today
Actor Danny Miller has opened about his father Vince Miller having dementia. He shared an update on his experience in a live TV interview this week and concluded with a touching message for his dad, who he hoped would be watching.
Danny, 34 – known for playing Aaron Dingle on Emmerdale – previously shared that Vince, 90, had been diagnosed with dementia. He’s posted updates from visiting his dad, at the care home in Manchester where he now lives, on occasion. Vince – whose career included working as a VIP host at Manchester United – was brought up whilst Danny was interviewed by video link on Loose Women this afternoon. Denise Welch, 67, shared that she’d known Vince for years.
She said on the ITV show: “He’s a great comic and a great compère, but I know that you’ve been open about the fact that he’s suffering from dementia at the moment.” Denise added: “I just want you to give him my love and our love, and I’m thinking of you because I know it’s hard. Like you say you’re mourning the person that was before they’ve actually gone.”
Danny responded: “Yeah, thanks for that Denise and I’ll absolutely pass [on your message] … I’m hoping he’s watching in his care home back in Manchester.” He said: “I did tell the care staff there, who are amazing, to pop it on so he could have a little 15 minutes of fame that he’s not had for a while.”
Speaking about Vince, the actor said: “My dad is the reason I’m in this business. The truth of the matter is I’ve lost my dad. And that’s hard for me to …” Danny, after clearing his throat, continued: “Excuse me … hard for me to cope with because I really, really miss him.”
He added: “I really miss picking up the phone to him. It’s just not possible anymore.” Danny shared: “And sometimes when we visit him in the care home we get the opportunity to have a good visit and there’s bad visits as well.”
The actor – who has posted videos from visiting his dad on Instagram – said: “I’ve started to sort of log that and sort of put that in almost an Instagram journal because I know there’s lots of people, and people that I’ve touched, and made relationships within America, that have got the same thing and are looking after their dad.”
He added: “It pains me that I can’t pick up the phone to my dad any more.” He said: “And I always want to make sure that y’know people out there that are suffering with dementia first hand, or second hand, y’know it’s … you’re not alone.”
Danny concluded: “It’s a horrible, horrible, terminal illness and it’s [a] long goodbye. There’s a great short film on that and it’s hard to watch but I love my dad so much and he’s the reason that I’m sat here talking to yous today. I love you dad, if you’re watching, and keep smiling.”
Loose Women continues tomorrow on ITV, STV, ITVX and STV Player from 12.30pm.
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Dementia UK.
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