'70s Pop Heart-throb Reveals He Has Dementia

'70s pop star David Cassidy has revealed in an interview this week that he has recently been diagnosed with dementia. 

The 66-year-old, best known for his role as Keith Partridge in US sitcom, The Partridge Family, announced the news when speaking to People.

"I was in denial, but a part of me always knew this was coming," Cassidy said.

Both the teen idol's grandfather and mother also battled dementia.

"In the end, the only way I knew she recognised me is with one single tear that would drop from her eye every time I walked into the room," Cassidy said of his mother, who passed away aged 89.

"I feared I would end up that way."

The announcement has resulted in the decision for Cassidy, half-brother of fellow pop artist Shaun Cassidy and father of Arrow actor Katie Cassidy, to retire from touring this year. 

"I want to focus on what I am, who I am and how I've been without any distractions," he said.

"I want to love. I want to enjoy life."

The news follows reports in recent days that the singer forgot lyrics to his songs during a gig in California. 

In his music career, Cassidy has released a number of works, including 12 studio albums and three live albums.