Fiona Phillips' Husband Shares Heartbreaking Update on Alzheimer's Battle
Martin Frizell, husband of former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips, has given an emotional update on his wife's condition during an appearance on ITV's Lorraine program. The television personality was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease in 2022 at just 61 years old.
Memory Loss and Daily Challenges
During the candid interview, Martin revealed the progression of Fiona's condition, stating that she no longer remembers significant events like Christmas or New Year celebrations. He shared a new photograph of Fiona at their London home, showing her enjoying chocolate, though he noted she would likely be critical of her hair color in the image.
"She doesn't remember Christmas now, she doesn't remember New Year," Martin explained. "I don't want to give the impression she's some sort of basket case. She's very much with us. She is still the world's most stubborn woman and still around the house."
Caring Responsibilities and Personal Struggles
Martin spoke openly about the challenges of being a caregiver while maintaining his own professional life. The former editor of This Morning has returned to broadcasting and podcasting, but confessed to feeling guilty when away from Fiona, who is mother to their two children.
"I can free myself up for eight days in April - I haven't been away from home for more than three days in two years," he shared. "I feel guilty being here and not with her."
He plans to embark on a tour with his true crime podcast, marking his first extended time away from home since Fiona's diagnosis.
Increasing Difficulties with Daily Life
Martin described how simple activities have become increasingly challenging as Fiona's condition deteriorates. Leaving their home has become particularly stressful, with Fiona frequently asking where they are going and why during journeys.
"There's no way I could drive or we could take public transport as Fiona now rarely understands where she is going or why," he previously stated. "Constantly asking what is happening, probably four or five times a minute on loop for the entire journey."
He recalled nearly asking a taxi driver to turn around during one particularly difficult outing, describing the stress as unbearable while acknowledging that his struggles pale in comparison to what Fiona experiences.
Documenting Their Journey
Fiona's diagnosis has been chronicled in a book that Martin initially intended to write as "a few paragraphs" but expanded to 24,000 words. The work has been updated as her condition progresses, with Fiona contributing her own recollections with Martin's assistance.
In the book, Fiona poignantly described her experience with memory loss: "Everywhere I look there are memories. I know they are there. Yet so many of them feel out of reach now. It's like I reach out to touch them but then just as I am about to grasp it, the memory skips away from me. And I can't catch up with it. Like trying to chase a £5 note on a gusty day."
Martin expressed frustration with the lack of support available for families dealing with Alzheimer's, stating: "Then I just got very angry as to what little support there is. As a family, we just kind of get through it and at some point we will need more support, but there's just nothing really."
Fiona Phillips' Television Career
Fiona Phillips became a familiar face to British viewers during her tenure as a GMTV presenter from 1993 to 2008. Throughout her extensive broadcasting career, she hosted numerous documentaries and Panorama episodes while also writing a regular column for The Mirror newspaper.
