text: The wife of broadcaster John Suchet has died aged 73 after a decade-long battle with dementia. Bonnie was described by her husband as 'the love of my life'. She died on April 15. Last night Suchet, 71, declined to comment, saying it was a 'private family matter'. He has thanked those on Twitter who offered their condolences. Bonnie Suchet (pictured with John) was described by her husband as 'the love of my life' The family paid tribute in a death notice in the Telegraph, which read: 'Bonnie died peacefully on 15th April 2015 aged 73. 'Adored wife of John, devoted mother of Alec and Hereward, mother-in-law of Peta-Jane, grandmother of Finn and Alexa.' In recent years the Classic FM DJ and former ITN presenter has been extremely open about his wife's diagnosis, writing a book and becoming honorary president of the Dementia UK charity. In 2009 he broke down live on air during an interview on BBC Breakfast as he gave an account of his wife's battle. He was overcome as he told presenters how his wife had been unaware she had the illness, or that he was on TV talking about it. He added that he sometimes had to beat up a cushion as a way of dealing with his frustration at the loss of the relationship, which he described was 'made in heaven'. In recent years Suchet, pictured with Bonnie (left) and (right) in 2013, has been extremely open about his wife's diagnosis, writing a book and becoming honorary president of the Dementia UK charity . In 2009 Suchet was overcome as he told presenters how his wife had been unaware she had the illness, or that he was on TV talking about it . Two years later Suchet said could say about the 'wretched disease' was that it was 'taking its course' and confessed things 'will only get worse'. He admitted he had no idea if she knew who he was and said he had to build a life around the changed circumstances, which saw Bonnie being moved into a care home and Mr Suchet moving closer to his brother David for support. The newscaster, who presented bulletins at ITN for 17 years, added that if he chose to wallow in the tragedy of his wife's Alzheimer's disease, then the condition would have claimed another 'victim'. In September, Suchet, 71, said: 'The Bonnie I remember no longer exists.' There will be a private funeral.
target: Classic FM DJ and former ITN presenter's wife Bonnie died on April 15 .
  Suchet, 71, described Bonnie said marriage was 'made in heaven'
  He had been open about her dementia diagnosis and wrote a book about it .