FIONA'S FIGHT
Fiona Phillips, 62, reveals her heartache as she’s diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
FIONA Phillips has revealed she's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's at 62.
The TV star said she is "heartbroken" at having the same condition that has devastated her family.
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She told : "This disease has ravaged my family and now it has come for me. And all over the country there are people of all different ages whose lives are being affected by it - it’s heartbreaking. I just hope I can help find a cure which might make things better for others in the future."
Both of Fiona's late parents - Neville and Amy - died from Alzheimer's, and she has tragic memories of their deterioration.
The cruel blow, which Fiona has been secretly living with for 18 months, has come earlier in life than she had anticipated.
She said: “It’s something I might have thought I’d get at 80. But I was still only 61 years old.
“I felt more angry than anything else because this disease has already impacted my life in so many ways; my poor mum was crippled with it, then my dad, my grandparents, my uncle. It just keeps coming back for us.”
She is being supported by her husband Martin Frizell, 64, who is the editor of ITV's This Morning.
He said he "felt sick" upon learning of the diagnosis.
Fiona, who is mum to sons Mackenzie and Nathaniel, added: “It’s a horrible bloody secret to divulge.”
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The popular star suffered from brain fog and extreme anxiety prior to her diagnosis, which was so bad she feared she'd never work on TV again.
She put it down to the effects of the menopause and said she cried "a thousand rivers" and "feared for her sanity".
She added: "God, it’s horrible, I haven’t worked for the first time in my life, I can’t do television work because I’m so anxious and just scared of everything and I’m not that kind of person at all.
"I have the intent to do everything I used to do, but then your body, your brain, doesn’t let you.
"I hope to God this isn’t the end of my career."
She is currently taking drugs to slow the illness's progression and is hoping to join a trial programme through University College Hospital for experimental medication Miridesap.
Kate Lee, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Our thoughts are with our Ambassador Fiona Phillips and her family following the announcement that she’s living with dementia.
"Fiona has frequently spoken out about her parents’ experiences of dementia, and her support of Alzheimer’s Society has been hugely impactful and greatly appreciated.
“Sharing such personal news publicly raises much-needed awareness of dementia and we are extremely grateful to Fiona.
“We are here to offer our support to Fiona and her family and to everyone affected by dementia, through our website and dementia support line on 0333 150 3456.”
The broadcaster is best known for being the lead anchor, alongside Eamonn Holmes, on GMTV in the 90s and early noughties.
She joined the show in 1993 as entertainment correspondent, but hit the big time when she was promoted to being the ITV breakfast show's main host.
But in August 2008, Fiona announced that she was to leave GMTV for "family reasons".
In a statement released at the time she said it had been "the hardest decision I have ever made".
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She said: "I love the job but I've got other responsibilities - the children, a home life and an elderly dad who needs me - and I've recognised that I can't have it all."
She presented her final show on December 18, 2008.
What are the early signs of Alzheimer's disease?
IN the early stages, the main symptom of Alzheimer's disease is memory lapses.
For example, someone may:
- forget about recent conversations or events
- misplace items
- forget the names of places and objects
- have trouble thinking of the right word
- ask questions repetitively
- show poor judgement or find it harder to make decisions
- become less flexible and more hesitant to try new things
There are often also signs of mood changes, such as increasing anxiety or agitation, or periods of confusion.
And trouble with language, thinking and reasoning difficulties, and a shift in how things are seen and heard are also common.
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