Mike Tindall has opened up about his fears of experiencing brain damage complications after a successful career as a rugby player.
The former rugby player, 43, said the reported link between multiple blows to the head from playing rugby and early dementia is a health concern of his.
Appearing on Loose Women’s special all-male panel, Mike referred to fellow former rugby pro Steve Thompson, who has been open about his struggle with dementia.
The 43-year-old sports star has revealed he cannot remember large parts of his career and at times forgets the names of his wife and their children after he was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in November 2020.
Mike said he has spoken with Steve a few times over the past week, after he recently revealed he was placed on suicide watch as his dementia brought him to the brink of despair.
Mike said: “Now, rugby’s going through a bit of a change through everything around it in terms of the mental side and concussion and what that leads to.
“That’s the thing that jumps out of me with health and playing the sport that I played. Is any of that going to ever show on me? Then it's being proactive to go and actually check.”
Loose Men host Vernon Kay asked Mike if he would ever go and get a CT scan or an MRI, to which Mike said he would.
He said: “I think it’s important. There’s a lot of ex-pros now that are doing that to put together a bigger picture.
“The whole protocols have changed, but it’s mainly making sure you’re well.”
There have been growing calls for the Rugby Football League to introduce mandatory limits on contact in training to minimise the risks of current and future players developing the same problems as Steven after their career.
The Rugby Football League has previously said in reaction to reports of the case: “Rugby league is a contact sport and, while there is an element of risk to playing any sport, player welfare is always of paramount importance.
“As a result of scientific knowledge, the sport of rugby league continues to improve and develop its approach to concussion, head injury assessment, education, management and prevention across the whole game.”
Vernon and Mike featured in an all-male takeover of Loose Women to mark Mental Health Awareness Week alongside Strictly Come Dancing pro Johannes Radebe and radio DJ Roman Kemp.
Vernon hosted the special edition of the ITV morning programme, dubbed Loose Men, in the fourth all-male panel to feature on the show.
The panel discussed the importance of men speaking out about their mental health to mark the week.
