Former ITV host Fiona Phillips says living with Alzheimer’s disease is “frightening and confusing”.
The British TV presenter was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s in 2022, sharing the news publicly the following year. Both her parents died of the disease. She has now written a book about her journey with the condition.
Fiona, 64, said she initially thought her “brain fog and anxiety” were due to menopause.
Her book about caring for her parents is called Before I Forget: A Daughter’s Story. She has now written a book about her own experience with the disease called Remember When, with the assistance of her husband Martin Frizell and journalist and friend Alison Phillips.
Fiona said her reason for writing the book was to show how life “can still bring joy” despite the disease.
“I hope this book can show people a little about what it is like to live with Alzheimer’s. How frightening and confusing it is,” she explained.
“But also how much life can still bring joy and be valued.
“And if you or someone you love is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, I hope this book brings you some comfort. I want you to know, you are not alone.”
Dementia Australia ‘disappointed’ after Alzheimer’s drug rejected by TGA
While majority of the book is based on Fiona’s experiences, Frizell also gives his perspective on caring for his wife of 27 years.
Frizell stepped down as editor of ITV’s This Morning in 2024 to help care for Fiona.
“Next year I’m expecting my family priorities to change, so I need to free up time for them,” he said in a statement.
“I love my team at ITV and will miss them, and the thrill of live telly, but it’s an always on, 24 hours a day, seven days a week commitment, and I won’t be able to do both.”
The couple wed in 1997 and share two children, sons Nat and Mackenzie.
Fiona is best known for presenting ITV’s breakfast program GMTV Today from 1997 to 2008 and later as a panellist on Loose Women.
Following the loss of both her parents, Fiona began working with Age UK.
Fiona told The Mirror in an interview she was worried about how people would perceive her following her diagnosis. Instead she has been met with “incredible kindness”.
“And so many people have told me about how Alzheimer’s has hit their families, as it has attacked mine, and somehow it just makes them feel a little bit less alone,” she added.
