Charles Biétry: “He has difficulty speaking”, Michel Denisot reveals how he continues to communicate with him

Invited on Saturday November 16, 2024 on the set of “Quelle époque!”, Michel Denisot returned to his relationship with Charles Biétry, an emblematic figure of sports journalism in France. A poignant testimony, which moved the audience present, but also made them laugh!

Charles Biétry: A disease that progresses

Questioned by Léa Salamé about this relationship with Charles Biétry, Michel Denisot declared: “Charles is a friend from before Canal. We obviously think of him a lot today. He fights against Charcot's disease. Charles has a lot of courage. He was at sports at Canal. We talked a lot together about sports broadcasts and when the channel started I gave his phone number to Pierre Lescure who already knew who it was and it started like that.”

With a lot of emotion, Michel Denisot also spoke of Charcot's disease from which his friend suffers: “Today he has difficulty speaking but we communicate a lot by text about light things“, he explained.

This disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), causes progressive degeneration of the neurons that control muscles, making everyday actions such as speaking, walking or even swallowing difficult or even impossible.

Predictions to keep the link

Despite the illness,
Charles Biétry and Michel Denisot have found a way to continue to exchange and share complicit moments. “We make predictions on matches sometimes and we have never won“, revealed the former presenter of the Grand Journal with humor and tenderness. A way for the two friends to maintain a link despite the distance and the difficulties linked to the illness.

It remains to be known that Michel Denisot is not the only one to have praised the courage and dignity of Charles Biétry in the face of illness. Grégoire Margotton, who worked with the journalist at Canal+, confided to Télé 7 jours: “He manages to remain dignified until the end, magnificently accompanied by his wife. What is happening to him is a horror“. Strong words which testify to the affection and respect that Charles Biétry arouses among his loved ones and former colleagues.