Fiona Phillips has opened up on the heartbreaking circumstances in which she kept her Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis hidden from her two grown-up children.
The former GMTV presenter shares sons Nat, 24, and Mackenzie, 21, with her husband, This Morning editor Martin Frizell, whom she met as the pair worked on the ITV morning show.
Now, the 62-year old has revealed she has been suffering with the condition for over a year, which was first detected following bouts of brain fog and anxiety.
READ MORE: ITV presenter Fiona Phillips reveals she has Alzheimer’s in emotional video
Ex-ITV star Fiona is now undergoing trials for a new drug which experts believe could slow down or reverse the condition.
(Image: S Meddle/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Fiona, who lost both of her parents to the incredibly cruel illness, said it was the right time to tell them before the story broke, but acknowledged it was likely they had already picked up on changes in her behaviour in recent months.
“I just didn’t want to make a big thing out of it where we all sit down as a family and announce we’ve got something to tell them,” she told the Mirror.
“And I was worried they might be embarrassed in front of their friends or treat me in a different way. And it’s not like I’m doing anything out of character.”
As Martin gently referred to his wife’s “episodes of forgetfulness and memory lapse”, Fiona added: “But they’re not profound, they’re not ruining peoples lives.”
(Image: Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
With the disease so prevalent in Fiona’s bloodline, the couple arranged blood tests to check if their sons could have inherited it too.
Thankfully, however, Fiona said the results came back negative, something of a “huge moment” and “enormous sense of relief”.
Fiona joined GMTV back in 1993 and presented her final show in 2008.
Speaking about Fiona’s diagnosis, 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.
(Image: PA)
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“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 alzheimers.org.uk and dementia support line on 0333 150 3456.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
