Julie Andrews makes emotional Parkinson’s plea in rare public appearance
Dame Julie Andrews has made her first public appearance in three years to raise awareness of Parkinson's disease.
The Sound of Music legend recorded a video message to welcome attendees at the seventh World Parkinson Congress.
Andrews, who provides the voice of Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton, has mostly stepped back from the public eye in recent years.
The Mary Poppins actress is now 90, and shared an important message in the video.
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"Good evening, everyone. I’m Julie Andrews, and I’m pleased to welcome you to the seventh World Parkinson’s Congress,” she began. “Your participation is invaluable as we seek to find a cure to this terrible disease."
The star continued: "I know well how devastating it can be. May we all become a beacon of light to stop it in its tracks. Count me in as a red thread. Thank you".
A 'red thread' is a reference to the Red Thread Project, run by the World Parkinson Congress, where they say an invisible, unbreakable thread represents the 'unbreakable bonds shared by patients, caregivers, researchers, and healthcare professionals.'
Fans were delighted to see the star, and praised her efforts to raise awareness.
One wrote: “Thank you Julie, it’s wonderful to see you helping those with PD. I lost my beautiful Mum. Bless you for your time and understanding,” one person wrote.
“It’s wonderful to see legend Julie Andrews again, especially championing an important cause," added another.
“There’s a lot to be said for good bone structure! Lovely lady with a heart warming message," praised one fan.
More than 90,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson's every year in the US, and 28,000 in the UK.
Sadly, there is no cure for the disease at the moment.
The Office star Steve Carell also appeared, saying he has a 'vested interest' in Parkinson's research, due to knowing 'friends and colleagues' with the condition.
"Together, I think we can make a difference, count me in as a red thread," he echoed.
In more recent years, Andrews has turned to writing books alongside her daughter, Emma.
"I would go completely mad if I didn't have some lovely thing to work on," she told Forbes in 2023.
"I think really, since I had a bad surgery on my throat, I've just turned to this with Emma and it's been such a joy. It has been very refreshing for me and reviving in a way, because of course, it was a very sad event."
She underwent surgery in 1997 which tragically meant she could no longer sing professionally.
Andrews later won an Emmy for her voiceover role as Lady Whistledown, but there are also rumours she will return to our screens for The Princess Diaries 3.
Topics: Health, Celebrity, TV And Film
Jen Thomas