The much-loved broadcaster was sixty-one when she learned she had early-onset Alzheimer’s disease back in 2022 – her family has opened up about how the disease is progressing
TV presenter Fiona Phillips, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease three years ago, has opened up about her everyday life with the condition. Television executive Martin Frizzell, who has been married to Fiona for 28 years, spoke of his wife’s vulnerability in the couple’s joint memoir titled Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in the UK, which causes an ongoing decline of brain functioning including memory, thinking skills and other abilities. The progressive, life-limiting condition is the UK’s leading cause of death for the last ten years.
Former Mirror columnist Fiona, 64, initially thought she was having menopause symptoms when she first started experiencing “brain fog and anxiety”. The mum-of-two went onto be diagnosed with the same devastating condition her parents suffered from, with the star caring for them both.
READ MORE: Fiona Phillips’ husband reveals her heartbreaking daily routine after Alzheimer’s diagnosis
Martin, who spent ten years at the helm of ITV This Morning, stepped down from his position in February to care for Fiona, taking on many tasks he had once taken for granted. The couple employ a trained carer to help too, with the 66-year-old explaining that on bad, confused days his wife demands to see her parents who have sadly passed away.
In excerpts from their heartbreaking memoir published in the Daily Mail, he told of his wife’s daily routine. “It is January 2025 as I write this, and Fiona needs a lot of help,” said Martin. “She needs help showering and brushing her teeth. She can do these things physically, but is unable now to think about how she should do them…
“I wash Fiona’s hair because she wouldn’t know what shampoo or conditioner to use or how wet her hair needs to be or that she must rinse the soap suds out afterwards. And most nights I’ll say, ‘Right, we need to brush our teeth before we go to bed,’ and I’ll put the toothpaste on the brush and hand it to her.”
Martin and Fiona married in 1997 and went onto have sons Nat and Mackenzie. With her Alzheimer’s disease progressing, Martin heartbreakingly shared that his wife sometimes forgets they are married, while Fiona told how she much she was struggling to accept the diagnosis in the beginning.
Martin explained that while Fiona can dress herself, she doesn’t do it “correctly” and sometimes puts things on the wrong way round. He also revealed his wife becomes very fond of one piece of clothing and will want to wear it “over and over again.”
Fiona is best known for presenting ITV breakfast programme GMTV Today. The star began her career in local radio and was also a Daily Mirror columnist and Loose Women panellist.
And while the presenter feels disconnected from her family as her illness progresses, her husband said he can get lonely. “It feels selfish to say that because this is not about me – it’s about Fiona and she’s the one who is really suffering in all this,” said Martin.
“She’s the one who feels lonely and scared and is often in pain.”
Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer’s by Fiona Phillips (Macmillan, £22), is published July 17
For information and advice about Alzheimer’s, visit the Alzheimer’s Society