Actor David Prowse, who became popular for portraying the epic Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise, revealed that he is suffering from dementia, reason why he has opted not to join the latest installment in the greatest sci-fi film series, The Mirror reports.

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79-year-old Prowse divulged news of his incurable disease a few hours after the first teaser of JJ Abrams' upcoming film was launched online.

The seventh Star Wars film is slated for release December next year.

According to Prowse, he is interested to reprise his role, but it's already very difficult for him to remember his lines already.

"Sometimes I can't remember things I did yesterday," he told The Mirror in an interview.

That is something that worries him a lot these days.

 "There's nothing you can do. They've put me on tablets. I don't feel it working though. I don't feel improved at all.

"I don't feel in any shape or form like I am demented - I'm not staggering around and I've never worried about it. It's other people who noticed it - my wife has probably noticed it more than me," he continued.

The former bodybuilder and weight-lifter played Darth Vader in Star Wars, The Return of the Jedi and The Empire Strikes Back, although it was James Earl Jones who is best associated with the character's unforgettable role. Olympic swordsman Bob Anderson, meanwhile, doubled for Prowse during the in the fight scenes.

However, Prowse also reasoned that it would be impossible for Vader to reprise his role because his character got killed in Empire Strikes Back.

"But the fans ask me if I'm going to be in the new movies and I just say 'Sorry, not that I know of'," he said.

"I would have loved to have done something in it, even if it was just a cameo, but I would probably forget my lines."

Prowse's Star Wars costars including Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, will be appearing in the seventh installment to reprise their old roles.

Tagsdavid prowse, darth vader, Star Wars, david prowse darth vader dementia