WENDY Williams’ brother Tommy Williams Jr shut down the rumors that the daytime host is suffering from dementia amid her months-long absence from her daytime talk show.
While The Wendy Williams Show’s Instagram has released several explanations as to why the 57-year-old host has not yet returned to her purple chair, reports began to circulate over the weekend that she has been suffering from the effects of early onset dementia.
However, Wendy’s younger brother Tommy, 54, exclusively told The Celeb Report that his famous sister has not been “displaying that type of behavior to the family.
He said: “We haven’t had any alerts like that and I haven’t seen anything like that or have had conversations with her that would lead me to believe that.
“We routinely go up and check on Wendy even though we’re all down here in Florida.
“I try to make it up there and my dad speaks with Wendy frequently. So no, we don’t have any concerns concerning her mental state. It’s all physical.”
Wendy’s brother said that the star is mentally well enough to possibly travel to see her family in Florida for the upcoming holiday weekend.
“I am trying to find out if she’s coming down for Thanksgiving. I mean- she’s normal like that,” he added.
FILL-IN HOSTS
The Celeb Report reported that Leah Remini, 51, and Michelle Visage, 53, will return to The Wendy Williams Show as guest co-hosts later this month.
The longtime friends previously proved their chemistry and quickly became fan favorites during their first stint as guest hosts on the daytime talk show.
Leah and Michelle will serve as co-hosts for two full weeks of episodes beginning on Monday, Nov 29 through Friday, December 10.
The announcement confirms that Wendy will not be returning to the show until at least mid-December.
Earlier this month, Wendy was spotted for the first time since giving an update on her health status amid her show absence.
The media personality was seen in a wheelchair as she was pushed by a pal in New York City.
FROM WENDY, TO FANS
The host took to Instagram on November 8th to tell her fans: “HOW YOU DOIN’? I MISS YOU ALL! As everyone knows, my health has been a hot topic. I’m making progress but it’s just one of those things that’s taking longer than we expected.
“I’m a woman of a certain age, and I know enough to listen to my doctors and will return to my purple chair as soon as we all agree I’m ready.”
Wendy continued: “I want to thank all of my staff and our guest hosts for stepping up and stepping in while I can’t be there. I also want to thank Debmar-Mercury and our stations for being so understanding and supportive while I work my way back.
“Most of all, I want to thank my fans. I have heard your prayers and comments and feel all the love! You are everything to me.
“I love spending my mornings with you all and I’m doing everything I can to get back to work, but right now Wendy has to focus on Wendy. I love you for watching…”
HEALTH BATTLE
Back in September, The Celeb Report was first to report that police received a 911 call from Wendy’s Manhattan building at 8 am about a “57-year-old female in need of psychiatric services.”
The Celeb Report later reported that the TV personality had been “struggling with addiction” leading up to her hospitalization.
“Wendy was drinking every day, even while filming the show,” an insider previously revealed to The Celeb Report.
As the host’s health complications continued, the popular program was postponed from its original return date of September 20th.
RAVING OVER SHERRI
While The Wendy Williams Show has seen a number of guests hosts in recent weeks, fans have also raved over Sherri Shepherd’s turn in the role.
Fans are demanding that Sherri, 54, permanently replace Wendy as the host of the talk show after she made quite the impression during her hosting duties the week of November 1.
Among all of the guest-hosted episodes, The View alum earned the show’s highest ratings this season.
The Wendy Williams Show landed a 0.9 rating for Sherri’s week, according to The Wrap.
The viewership is even higher that the talk show’s premiere week- which is often times one of the highest rated- that earned a 0.8 rating.
