Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Good Life star Richard Briers has revealed he is struggling with lung disease after being diagnosed five years ago.
The 79-year-old actor, who also starred in Ever Decreasing Circles and Monarch of the Glen, said years of smoking were to blame for his emphysema.
In a joint interview with actress Prunella Scales, he told the Daily Mail: "It's totally my fault. So, I get very breathless, which is a pain in the backside. Trying to get upstairs... oh God, it's ridiculous. Of course, when you're bloody nearly 80 it's depressing, because you've had it anyway."
Briers said he stopped smoking 10 years ago, but by then it was too late. He added: "If you do it in your 30s, you're OK, but after 30 it gets you.
"I was diagnosed five years ago and didn't think it would go quite as badly as it has. It's a bugger, but there it is. I used to love smoking."
Scales, 80, who co-starred with Briers in the 1960s sitcom Marriage Lines - but is best known for playing Basil Fawlty's wife Sybil in Fawlty Towers - said she struggled with her "day-to-day" memory, which she described as "ludicrous".
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments