David Cassidy Reveals Dementia Diagnosis, Says He Was 'In Denial' Yet 'Always Knew This Was Coming'

David Cassidy is opening up about his battle with dementia.

The singer and former star of The Partridge Family was recently diagnosed with the memory loss syndrome, ET can confirm.

Cassidy recently spoke about his history with dementia -- including watching both his grandfather and his mother, actress Evelyn Ward, suffer from the illness -- and admitted to People that he had long feared that he would also receive the diagnosis.

"I was in denial," the 66-year-old "I Think I Love You" singer shared, "but a part of me always knew this was coming."

WATCH: David Cassidy Reveals the Real Story Behind His Onstage Tirade: 'I Couldn't See'

Cassidy also reflected on watching his mother "disappear" into her struggle with the disease, recounting, "In the end, the only way I knew she recognized me is with one single tear that would drop from her eye every time I walked into the room."

"I feared I would end up that way," he added.

Ward died in December 2012 from Alzheimer's-related dementia at the age of 89.

WATCH: Carey Mulligan Opens Up About Her Grandmother's Dementia: 'She Hasn't Recognized Any of Us' for 7 Years

Cassidy's diagnosis comes after several tumultuous years, including a number of high-profile arrests for driving under the influence, a divorce from his third wife, Sue Shifrin, filing for bankruptcy and a couple of on-stage meltdowns, among other personal trials.

In the wake of his dementia diagnosis, Cassidy revealed that he's decided to focus on his health and therefore will no longer be touring as a musician.

"I want to focus on what I am, who I am and how I’ve been without any distractions," he explained. "I want to love. I want to enjoy life."

Cassidy's reps told ET that Cassidy will still perform his upcoming tour dates at the Greenwich Odeum in Greenwich, Rhode Island, on March 3, and B.B. King's Blues Club in New York City on March 4.

WATCH: David Cassidy Lashes Out at Morning Show Anchors When Asked About Bankruptcy

Cassidy recently spoke with ET following a blow-up he had on stage during a concert when he went off on a tirade directed at a fan in the audience who was shining a cell-phone light at him during his performance.

"I could've fallen off the front of the stage because I couldn't see," said Cassidy, who's had five eye surgeries over the last few decades and told the audience member that he was "highly sensitive" to bright lights. "I got to a point where I was really angry." Check out the video below to hear more about the incident.

EXCLUSIVE: David Cassidy Tells the Real Story Behind His Onstage Tirade

This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors.

If you are using ad-blocking software, please disable it and reload the page.

Up Next