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'Line of Duty' star Vicky McClure on mission to raise awareness about dementia - with a new singing programme about a dementia choir.

Danny Thompson
·Contributor
British actor Vicky McClure poses on the red carpet on arrival for the BRIT Awards 2019 in London on February 20, 2019. (TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images)
British actor Vicky McClure poses on the red carpet on arrival for the BRIT Awards 2019 in London on February 20, 2019. (TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images)

Line of Duty star Vicky McClure has opened up about her mission to raise awareness about dementia – with a new singing programme about a dementia choir.

The 35-year-old will front a BBC documentary, Our Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure, to raise awareness about a condition close to her heart. McClure’s beloved nana Iris died four years ago after living with Alzheimer’s, a cause of dementia, for several years.

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The This is England star told the Sun’s TV Mag: “We’ve got to share with everyone and make sure everyone understands the benefits.

“Those living with dementia can enjoy the stimulation that comes from singing or listening to music. It makes them feel good about themselves – it’s about trying to live well with the condition.

“The choir gave its members a purpose. it challenged them. We see some beautiful sides to them. We didn’t just do this to highlight an issue but also to look at the positive side. I feel music is a powerful drug.”

Talking of her own experience with the condition, the actress said: “We’ve got footage of my nana when she was quite bad with the dementia because my mum cared for her and had no idea how hard it would be.

“So we did a local news programme about it – she wanted to help other people. When you know someone is going through something at the same time as you, you don’t feel like you’re on your own. Raising awareness is hugely important.”

Read more: Vicky McClure: Government needs to do more for dementia research

The programme sees McClure forming a choir made up of people of all ages with dementia, in her home town of Nottingham. A Camera crew followed her for three months as she recruited singers, aged between 31 and 82, and worked with specialists to show the benefits music can have on those living with the condition.


Our Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure will be aired this Thursday (2 May) at 8pm on BBC 1.