Latest news with #RememberWhen:MyLifewithAlzheimer's
Daily Record
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Fiona Phillips husband shares 'daily torment' as Alzheimer's takes grip
Fiona Phillips was tragically diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2022 and now her husband Martin Frizell has opened up about her their daily struggles as the condition has taken over both their lives. Fiona Phillips husband Martin Frizzell has remained steadily by her side following her Alzheimer's diagnosis. The former This Morning producer, who has been married to Fiona for 28 years, opened up on the heartbreaking reality of her health decline. Fiona was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in 2022 but didn't publicly share her diagnosis until 2023. Both of her parents and her uncle also had the brain disease, which still stands as the most common form of dementia across the UK. It has remained the nation's primary cause of death for a decade, making it a deeply personal pain for Martin as he witnesses his wife of nearly three decades battling the condition. "I used to say good days and bad days, now I just say bad days or wretched days, I think wretched is a great word for it," he revealed during a recent BBC Newsnight interview, as reported by the Mirror. He also shared how the illness has impacted his wife, as he continued: "In the cab ride, 35 minutes, she asked me 72 times, where are we going?'" It comes following a recent interview when Martin gave an update on Fiona's health, in a heartbreaking revelation that she often doesn't recognise him as her husband. He admitted that she once believed she was being kidnapped, unaware of who he was. The former TV star has been opening up about his wife's condition prior to the release of their upcoming joint autobiography, Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer's. Speaking to Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary on This Morning, he revealed: "In the book there's a photo of her looking great and smiling but what you don't know is she thought I kidnapped her." Candidly discussing the heartbreaking nature of the illness, Martin explained Fiona often asks to 'go home' to her mum and dad, heartbreakingly unaware they have passed away. "She does recognise me most of the time - she doesn't quite know I'm her husband - but she knows who I am. Every now and then she'll want to go home to her parents and I haven't the heart to say 'they aren't here'," Martin explained. Fiona, 64, originally believed she was experiencing menopausal changes when she began suffering from "brain fog and anxiety". The mum-of-two later received the same tragic diagnosis of both her own parents, having previously cared for them herself. Martin, who presented This Morning for a decade, quit his role in February to look after Fiona. In extracts from their book featured in the Daily Mail, he described his wife's current needs. "It is January 2025 as I write this, and Fiona needs a lot of help," Martin stated. "She needs help showering and brushing her teeth. She can do these things physically, but is unable now to think about how she should do them... "I wash Fiona's hair because she wouldn't know what shampoo or conditioner to use or how wet her hair needs to be or that she must rinse the soap suds out afterwards. And most nights I'll say, 'Right, we need to brush our teeth before we go to bed,' and I'll put the toothpaste on the brush and hand it to her." While Fiona is capable of dressing herself, Martin pointed out that she doesn't always get it "correctly" and may wear items inside out. He also shared that she grows attached to certain clothes, preferring to wear them repeatedly.
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Fiona Phillips' daily torment in her husband's words as Alzheimer's takes hold
The much-loved broadcaster and her TV producer husband have written a book about her life in the public eye and what it's like to live with early-onset Alzheimer's disease - and it includes an agonising admission When TV presenter Fiona Phillips was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2022, her husband Martin Frizzell stuck by their vows of in sickness and in health. But the former This Morning producer, who has been married to Fiona for 28 years, has revealed how living with the brain degenerative condition is becoming more and more painful. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in the UK, which causes an ongoing decline of brain functioning including memory, thinking skills and other abilities. The progressive, life-limiting condition has been the UK's leading cause of death for the last ten years and it's a cause very close to Martin's heart after watching his wife suffer with the condition. "I used to say good days and bad days, now I just say bad days or wretched days, I think wretched is a great word for it," he told BBC Newsnight in a recent interview. And he also disclosed how the condition has affected his wife. "In the cab ride, 35 minutes, she asked me 72 times, where are we going?'" And in another interview he agonisingly admitted hat while she does recognise him, she sometimes doesn't understand that he is her husband and once thought he was kidnapping her. Martin has been speaking candidly about his wife's vulnerability ahead of the publication of the couple's joint memoir titled Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer's. Speaking to Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary on This Morning, he said: "In the book there's a photo of her looking great and smiling but what you don't know is she thought I kidnapped her." Explaining the cruel reality of the disease, Martin shared that Fiona will sometimes plead to 'go home' to her parents, not understanding that they are no longer here. "She does recognise me most of the time - she doesn't quite know I'm her husband - but she knows who I am. Every now and then she'll want to go home to her parents and I haven't the heart to say 'they aren't here'. Former Mirror columnist Fiona, 64, initially thought she was having menopause symptoms when she first started experiencing "brain fog and anxiety". The mum-of-two went onto be diagnosed with the same devastating condition her parents suffered from, with the star caring for them both. Martin, who spent ten years at the helm of ITV This Morning, stepped down from his position in February to care for Fiona. In excerpts from their heartbreaking memoir published in the Daily Mail, he told of his wife's daily routine. "It is January 2025 as I write this, and Fiona needs a lot of help," said Martin. "She needs help showering and brushing her teeth. She can do these things physically, but is unable now to think about how she should do them... "I wash Fiona's hair because she wouldn't know what shampoo or conditioner to use or how wet her hair needs to be or that she must rinse the soap suds out afterwards. And most nights I'll say, 'Right, we need to brush our teeth before we go to bed,' and I'll put the toothpaste on the brush and hand it to her." Martin and Fiona married in 1997 and went onto have sons Nat and Mackenzie. With her Alzheimer's disease progressing, Martin heartbreakingly shared that his wife sometimes forgets they are married, while Fiona told how she much she was struggling to accept the diagnosis in the beginning. Martin explained that while Fiona can dress herself, she doesn't do it "correctly" and sometimes puts things on the wrong way round. He also revealed his wife becomes very fond of one piece of clothing and will want to wear it "over and over again." Fiona is best known for presenting ITV breakfast programme GMTV Today. but began her career in local radio and was also a Daily Mirror columnist and Loose Women panellist.
Daily Record
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Fiona Phillips thanks fans for supporting Alzheimer's memoir in rare message
Fiona Phillips released her memoir Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer's in June. Fiona Phillips has thanked fans for their support of her newly released Alzheimer's memoir in a video message shared by her husband Martin Frizell. In her memoir, Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer's, she opens up about her experience of living with the condition, having been diagnosed three years ago. Former GMTV host Fiona, 64, announced in 2023 she had been diagnosed with dementia the previous year. The Mirror columnist released her memoir in June with the help of Martin, 66, and journalist Alison Phillips. Martin took to Instagram this week to share a message from his wife, who's said to have forgotten that she was writing a book by the time they reached its final chapters. He posted footage of Fiona thanking fans for their support over the memoir's release, yesterday, July 18, reports the Mirror. The video showed Fiona expressing her gratitude as she held an ice cream whilst in a park with Martin. She said in the message to fans: "Hello! Thank you for reading my book. Really good of you. Hope you like it. Okay, bye!" Martin, who stepped down as the editor of This Morning earlier this year, shared in the caption they had been out for a walk. He wrote: "Out for a walk and an Almond Magnum on a hot London afternoon and some words of gratitude for all the kind folk thinking of delving into her book." His post prompted an outpouring of supportive messages. One person wrote: "Oh it's so lovely to see your beautiful wife." Another said: "So nice to see Fiona looking so great." A third wrote: "Sending you both love, great to see you." Someone else said in the comments section: "Thank you Martin for this clip of Fiona. So lovely to see her." Sharing their thoughts, another fan wrote: "So lovely to see Fiona out in the sunshine. Thinking of you both Martin. Big hugs." Another person reacted to Martin's post: "Lovely little clip. Thank you for sharing." Whilst someone else commented: "Awwww.. it's lovely to see you." A host of celebrities responded to the post too. Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid: "Loads of love to you both." This Morning's Alice Beer said: "Congratulations to you both on getting the words on the page. I think you will really help the many many others in a similar situation." In a statement issued prior to the release of her memoir, Fiona said that she hoped to raise awareness around Alzheimer's following her diagnosis. She said: "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. 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." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Mirror
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Fiona Phillips in rare video message as she thanks fans for supporting Alzheimer's memoir
Fiona Phillips' husband Martin Frizell shared a video message from the former GMTV host this week following the release of her memoir, Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer's A video message from Fiona Phillips has been shared by her husband Martin Frizell this week. It comes following the release of her memoir in which she opens up about her experience of living with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Former GMTV host Fiona, 64, announced in 2023 that she had been diagnosed with dementia the previous year. The Mirror columnist has since worked on the newly-released book Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer's, with the help of Martin, 66, and journalist Alison Phillips. Following its publication, Martin took to Instagram this afternoon to share a message from his wife, who's said to forgotten that she was writing a book by the time they reached its final chapters. He posted footage of Fiona thanking fans for their support over the memoir's release. The video showed Fiona expressing her gratitude as she held an ice cream whilst in a park with Martin. She said in the message to fans today: "Hello! Thank you for reading my book. Really good of you. Hope you like it. Okay, bye!" Martin, who stepped down as the editor of This Morning earlier this year, shared in the caption that they had been out for a walk. He wrote: "Out for a walk and an Almond Magnum on a hot London afternoon and some words of gratitude for all the kind folk thinking of delving into her book." His post prompted an outpouring of supportive messages. One person wrote: "Oh it's so lovely to see your beautiful wife." Another said: "So nice to see Fiona looking so great." A third wrote: "Sending you both love, great to see you." Someone else said in the comments section: "Thank you Martin for this clip of Fiona. So lovely to see her." Sharing their thoughts, another fan wrote: "So lovely to see Fiona out in the sunshine. Thinking of you both Martin. Big hugs." Another person reacted to Martin's post: "Lovely little clip. Thank you for sharing." Whilst someone else commented: "Awwww.. it's lovely to see you." A host of celebrities responded to the post too. Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid: "Loads of love to you both." This Morning's Alice Beer said: "Congratulations to you both on getting the words on the page. I think you will really help the many many others in a similar situation." In a statement issued prior to the release of her memoir, Fiona said that she hoped to raise awareness around Alzheimer's following her diagnosis. She said: "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. 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." If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Dementia UK.
Edinburgh Live
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
ITV This Morning viewers given heartbreaking Fiona Phillips update by her husband
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info In a poignant interview on This Morning, Fiona Phillips' husband, Martin Frizell, revealed that she "doesn't quite know that I'm her husband." Martin appeared on the show on Friday to discuss Fiona's memoir, Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer's, which was released in June. Speaking to hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary, he gave an insight into Fiona's current condition, confessing that she now struggles to recognise him. "She does recognise me most of the time. She doesn't quite know that I'm her husband, but she knows who I am," Martin, who has been married to Fiona for 28 years, shared with the ITV presenters in a heart-wrenching revelation. Martin disclosed that Fiona suffers from anxiety and would have "loved to be" at the interview with him. He also mentioned: "She's got a secondary problem that causes her to be in pain a lot, which adds to the confusion," reports the Mirror. He recounted a recent incident where Fiona had mistakenly believed he was attempting to kidnap her, as she failed to recognise him while they were near their home. "In the book, there's a picture of her at the end of our road. The most recent picture I took, only a few weeks ago. She's looking great, she's smiling, she's got her coat on. What you don't know is, she thought I'd kidnapped her," he explained. "This was us going out, because you get all sorts of delusions, because you get so worked up. She's saying 'I want to go home'." He shared that sometimes Fiona expresses a wish to "go home to her parents," though tragically, he doesn't have "the heart" to remind her that they've passed away. When faced with such times, Martin explained his method of navigation to Dermot and Alison by saying: "Well, what you do is, you say 'Let's get our coats on, let's get our shoes on', we go out round the block a couple of times and come back in. She says 'Oh, I'm home now'." Fiona received an early-onset Alzheimer's disease diagnosis in 2022, but it wasn't until 2023 that this personal detail was revealed to the public. Alzheimer's had also affected both her parents and her uncle. In a candid revelation on This Morning, Martin acknowledged that Fiona had always been apprehensive about the prospect of an Alzheimer's diagnosis, given her family background. He conveyed on the show: "She knew this disease was going to come knocking at some point."
