Alzheimer’s crippled my mum then my dad. I might’ve thought I’d get it at 80… but I was only 61, says Fiona Phillips
IT’S a cruel condition that claimed the lives of both her parents – and now television presenter Fiona Phillips has revealed she, too, has Alzheimer’s.
Her moving revelation at the age of just 62 triggered an outpouring of love and support from her friends across the showbiz world yesterday.
Lorraine Kelly praised the “incredible” former GMTV host, Talk TV’s Piers Morgan described her as “honest and courageous”, while GMB’s Susannah Reid sent “huge best wishes”.
Fiona told how she was “heartbroken” at being diagnosed with early-onset dementia 18 months ago after experiencing brain fog and anxiety for months, thinking it was related to the menopause.
Fiona’s husband — This Morning boss Martin Frizell — told the ITV daytime show: “We got in touch with a menopause specialist who took her under their wing and put her on HRT.
“But while that improved her symptoms, the brain fog remained.”
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‘She’s being really brave and optimistic’
Fiona, who is an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society, had always feared succumbing to the condition that afflicted her parents Neville and Amy, but admitted the diagnosis still came as a “total shock”.
She told The Mirror: “It’s something I might have thought I’d get at 80. But I was still only 61.
“I felt more angry than anything else because this disease had already impacted my life.
“My poor mum was crippled with it, then my dad, my grandparents, my uncle. It just keeps coming back for us.”
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There is no cure for Alzheimer’s — but the journalist and broadcaster is trialling a new drug which doctors hope will one day reverse the condition.
Susanna Reid told GMB viewers: “We’re all sending out huge best wishes to Fiona. We all know and love her.
“She’s been an incredible advocate for families living with Alzheimer’s.”
TalkTV’s Vanessa Feltz hailed Fiona as “remarkable”, in a chat with Holly Willoughby on This Morning.
She said: “I’ve known Fiona for over 30 years. She is a remarkable person — she’s incredibly bright, amazingly quick-thinking and highly intelligent.
“I can barely imagine how this must be affecting her.
“My heart goes out to her. I have never admired her more.”
Vanessa’s TalkTV colleague Piers tweeted: “What incredibly sad news, but how typically honest and courageous of @realmissfiona to speak out about it.
“Lovely lady, wish her and her family all the best as they battle this horrible disease.”
Lorraine Kelly said that Fiona was a “superwoman” for looking after her parents when they were suffering from Alzheimer’s, while also presenting breakfast TV and raising her two kids.
The TV host said on her ITV1 show: “She is being quite amazing. It’s really sad news but she’s being really brave, really optimistic as we we’d expect.”
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, and when a person is diagnosed before the age of 65 it is known as early or young-onset dementia.
There are an estimated 900,000 dementia sufferers in the UK, with experts predicting the number will rise to 1.6million by 2040 — and the risk increases with age.
Even if the drug trial isn’t helping me, these tests will be helping other people in the future so I just have to keep going.
Fiona Phillips
Younger people with dementia are less likely to notice memory loss as one of their first symptoms, and are more prone to experience problems with movement, walking, coordination or balance.
Paul Edwards, director of clinical services at Dementia UK, praised Fiona’s bravery in speaking out and hopes that by sharing her experience she will help thousands of people who might be living with undiagnosed Alzheimer’s.
He said: “For some women, dementia and Alzheimer’s symptoms may develop at the same time as the perimenopause or menopause, which can bring additional challenges when it comes to seeking a diagnosis.
‘Fiona will help others in a similar situation’
“Many people are unaware of these shared symptoms. And by choosing to speak publicly about her experience, Fiona will help raise vital awareness of this and help others in a similar situation receive an accurate diagnosis, enabling them to access the support and medication they need.”
Fiona — mum to sons Nathaniel, 24 and Mackenzie, 21 — has had blood tests to see if her children are likely to inherit the condition. Thankfully, they were negative.
Currently, medication can only mask the symptoms of Alzheimer’s — but Fiona has qualified for a clinical trial of the drug miridesap, at University College Hospital in London, which could one day slow down or reverse it.
Fiona added: “Even if it isn’t helping me, these tests will be helping other people in the future so I just have to keep going.”
The drug, given via three daily injections, is one of a handful giving hope to dementia patients and their families.
Other clinical trials last year showed that two drugs, donanemab and lecanemab, could be among the first to stop dementia in its tracks.
Signs to look out for
DEMENTIA is classified as early or young-onset when a person develops symptoms before the age of 65.
Sun GP Dr Zoe Williams said: “Last year a study found that the estimated number of people with young-onset dementia in England is 70,800.
“That figure is 7.5 per cent of all those living with a dementia diagnosis.
“Dementia can be poorly recognised and misdiagnosed in younger people, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.”
Although the early signs vary, common early symptoms of dementia include:
- Memory problems, particularly remembering recent events
- Increasing confusion
- Reduced concentration
- Personality or behaviour changes
- Apathy and withdrawal or depression
- Loss of ability to do everyday tasks
To find out more, visit the NHS website, the Alzheimer’s Society or Dementia UK.
If you are worried you might be showing early signs of dementia, speak to your GP.
They work by clearing nerve-damaging clumps of a protein called amyloid out of the brain.
Hailed as “game-changers”, the results marked a major step forward.
Kate Lee, chief executive at the 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 the Alzheimer’s Society has been hugely impactful.”
7 things you can do to prevent it
WHILE no one can predict exactly who will and won’t face dementia in their lifetime, scientists and doctors say there are small steps we can all take now to try to prevent it.
BRUSH IT OFF: Cleaning your teeth properly could help ward off dementia.
Japanese scientists found gum disease and tooth loss were linked to a greater risk of the disease.
People with poor oral hygiene saw more significant shrinking of the hippocampus – a part of the brain associated with thinking and memory.
So brush well and have check-ups.
STUB IT OUT: Around 14 per cent of Alzheimer’s cases worldwide are thought to be linked to smoking and tobacco use, says the World Health Organisation.
says there’s between a 30 and 50 per cent increased risk of developing dementia if you smoke.
MOVE IT: Plenty of studies show regular physical activity goes a long way to reducing your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s – lowering your chances by up to 30 per cent.
So it is never too late to get moving.
Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity – where you can just about still hold a conversation – every week.
EAT WELL: A Mediterranean diet packed with oily fish, fresh fruit and veg and low in ultra-processed foods reduces dementia risk.
High levels of antioxidants are thought to protect the brain and help lower cholesterol.
High cholesterol has been linked to memory loss.
REST ASSURED: Joint studies from France and the UK found people who sleep less than six hours a night in their fifties and sixties are 30 per cent more likely to develop dementia.
The British research tracked thousands of people from the age of 50 for around 25 years.
If ever you needed a reason to get an early night, it is this.
GET PUZZLING: WHETHER you love a crossword, Sudoku or a game of chess, keeping your brain mentally stimulated can delay the onset of dementia by 2.54 years, studies have shown.
What better excuse do you need to take up a new hobby?
LISTEN UP: People with mild hearing loss are twice as likely to develop dementia.
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A UK study showed, while those with severe hearing impairment are five times as likely to be diagnosed.
So don’t delay if your TV is getting louder every night – hearing tests are available at lots of high street opticians.
