Jeremy Paxman missses months of podcast recordings amidst Parkinson's battle

Former presenter has sparked concerns after being absent from podcast recordings and a World Parkinson's Day event organised by his award winning Movers and Shakers podcast. The 74-year-old was diagnosed with in 2021 and stepped down from his role on in 2022. Since 18 March 2023 he has been one of the presenters of the Movers and Shakers podcast which details the realities of living with Parkinson's. However Jeremy has not appeared on the podcast since November 30 last year and also missed the Big Sing, a recent event organised by the group for World Parkinson's Day on April 11.

The podcast is hosted by Jeremy alongside, former News technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones, former presenters Gillian Lacey-Solymar and Mark Mardell, Vicar of Dibley writer Paul Mayhew-Archer, former top divorce lawyer and judge Sir Nicholas Mostyn. He was first missing from the podcast on December 7 last year which was their final recording of 2024 and the last episode in season four of the show. On that occassion Rory Cellan-Jones said "Jeremy Paxman sends his apologies. He's got a gammy leg, poor old Jeremy, and can't make it today, but he'll be back soon."

When the show returned for season five on February 1 this year he was still absent. This episode was recorded at a live show and Rory told the audience: "Unfortunately Jeremy Paxman sends his apologies but he can't be with us tonight."

Apologies were offered for his absence on the episodes which aired on February 8 and February 15. On February 22 and March 1 it was explained he was outside of London so couldn't appear.

On both March 8 and 15 he was absent and apologies were offered on his behalf. However there has been no reference to his absence for the past five episodes.

has contacted representatives for Jeremy for comment.

Jeremy has previously voiced his frustration at the lack of research into the disease on the podcast. Speaking on the debut episode in March 2023 he said: "I'm just, I'm really, really underwhelmed by the medics.

Explaining his frustration, he shared: "Well, you know, the L-DOVA, which is synthetic dopamine? They discovered that the only breakthrough they discovered was 60 years ago. That has been the only breakthrough in the treatment of Parkinson's, hasn't it?

"They discovered this messenger chemical was non-existent in or significantly reduced in a lot of people who had Parkinson's."

Jeremy also opened up on his symptoms on the broadcast. "Most of us (Movers and Shakers) don't shake," he says. "I shake in bed occasionally. My left leg goes bonkers sometimes. But by and large, I don't shake."