David Cassidy reveals he is battling dementia: I was in denial

The former teen pop idol David Cassidy has revealed that he is fighting dementia, the memory loss disease, and said he will now stop touring to concentrate on his health.

The singer forgot his words and appeared to fall off the stage during his recent performance in Agoura Hills, California, reported People magazine.

Cassidy, who watched his grandfather battle the disease and witnessed his mother "disappear" into dementia until she died at age 89, said of his diagnosis, "I was in denial, but a part of me always knew this was coming."

He added, "I want to focus on what I am, who I am and how I've been, without any distractions. I want to love. I want to enjoy life."

Videos taken by fans showed the singer struggling to remember words to some of his old hits at small venue concerts in southern California. At one point he appeared to fall off the side of a small stage before climbing back up.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)