Ryan Libbey has opened up about his heartbreak over his grandparents' Alzheimer's diagnoses. The 36-year-old 'Made In Chelsea' star is currently preparing to run the New York Marathon.

The star lost his grandfather, Tom, a former Marine, to the disease at the age of 80. Meanwhile, his grandmother, Christine, 85, is currently in the advanced stages of the disease.

The fitness enthusiast has shared his fears over one day inheriting the disease after two of his grandparents were diagnosed. In an interview with the Daily Mail, Ryan explained: 'Sadly, my grandma is probably in the final stages; I don't want to say that as it sounds negative, but that's the harsh reality.'

Sharing his 'hero' grandad's story, he said: 'I lost my grandad in 2015; he was my first male role model. He was a Marine and an international athlete.'

He added: 'My association with the charity is because of them, but it has left me with a fear that if my son Leo ever has to care for me and I don't recognise him, that would be my worst nightmare.'

According to the Alzheimer's Society, in the vast majority of cases (more than 99 in 100), Alzheimer's disease is not inherited. Libbey is using his platform to raise awareness about the condition.

His participation in the upcoming marathon is dedicated to the memory of his grandfather and support for his grandmother. The star emphasized the importance of early detection and research.

He noted that witnessing the decline of his loved ones has changed his perspective on health and longevity. Medical experts often highlight that while genetics play a role in some rare forms of early-onset Alzheimer's, the late-onset version that affected his grandparents is usually linked to a combination of age, lifestyle, and environmental factors.

Ryan remains committed to his fitness journey, hoping that maintaining a healthy lifestyle will mitigate his personal risks while continuing to advocate for better care and support systems for families dealing with dementia.