Emmerdale‘s Danny Miller has shared an update about his father’s dementia diagnosis alongside “a small message to take away from it”. After visiting his father Vince Miller this week, the Aaron Dingle actor took to Instagram to share his experience.

Sitting in a car and speaking to the camera, he urged viewers to cherish every moment they talk with their parents, as “one day that might not happen”.

The actor said that he knew the visit would be tough when he arrived, and that his dad was asleep in a chair by the window.

He said it was a “quite a poor visit”, with his father regularly asking him the same questions, such as if he was back in Emmerdale and how his kids are.

“If you are lucky enough to still have a relationship with your parents, you still have them around – whether they are together or separated, whatever the case – if they’re still here and you still get to talk to them, just cherish that moment every time you talk to them,” he said.

“One day, that might not happen. I will tell you now, from my experience, it will bloody hurt.

“My dad has dementia, for those people that don’t know, and I have just had to pull over after [visiting] him just to calm down and reevaluate everything.

“If I can show a side of my vulnerability and my experience with dementia, then maybe somebody else might want to speak out about it… or other illnesses that have taken your parents so quickly away from you.”

Danny continued: “My friend spoke about her mum, and she said it’s almost like a selfish thing, a selfish need to go and see them to tick a box that you have seen them.

“I would do anything in the world to… let him rant at me and not feel fed up that he was ringing me or not look and go, ‘Oh here we go, I will call him back later’. Dementia is so cruel. It’s so, so cruel. If anyone else is resonating with this video or can relate to this video, I am really sorry you are going through the same situation.

“I miss my dad so much. I really do.”

Hundreds of people shared their support in the comment section, including former co-star Charley Webb, who said she was “proud” of Danny.

Emmerdale and Coronation Street star Paula Lane thanked Danny for sharing his story, while Alzheimer’s Research UK posted: “Thanks so much for sharing this Danny, sending you and your dad all our love. We promise our work won’t stop until everyone is free from the heartbreak of dementia.”