'It ravaged my family -now it's come for me'
New UK|July 17, 2023
After her heartbreaking diagnosis at the age of 62, TV presenter Fiona Phillips vows to battle on as she joins clinical search for an Alzheimer’s cure
ZARA ZUBEIDI
'It ravaged my family -now it's come for me'

TV presenter Fiona Phillips has revealed her worst fear has become a reality as she opened up about her 18-month battle with Alzheimer’s disease last week. The 62-year-old journalist said she had been given the diagnosis after suffering from brain fog and anxiety.

But Fiona, who for months kept her illness a secret from sons, Nathaniel, 24, and Mackenzie, 21, insists she won’t “just lie down and accept” the diagnosis, and hopes to help find a cure.

Her mother, father, uncle and grandparents all suffered from Alzheimer’s, and Fiona has always feared getting it, too. But she was shocked to get the diagnosis so young.

“This disease has ravaged my family and now it has come for me,“ she said. “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.”

Initially, doctors thought her symptoms were related to the menopause, but after tests, she and husband Martin Frizell – editor of ITV’s This Morning – were given the news they dreaded. Fiona 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.”

Fiona told her sons about the diagnosis only recently, before going pubic with the story.

Esta historia es de la edición July 17, 2023 de New UK.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición July 17, 2023 de New UK.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE NEW UKVer todo
A STICKY SITUATION
New UK

A STICKY SITUATION

Actors Chris Diamantopoulos and Guillaume Cyr bond with Margo Martindale and get beaten up by Jamie Lee Curtis in a riotous new comedy drama series

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
THIS IS CHRISTMAS ACTUALLY
New UK

THIS IS CHRISTMAS ACTUALLY

Love Actually writer and director Richard Curtis gifts the world a new festive film this year

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
New UK

LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF

The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for peoplepleasers who struggle to put their own needs first

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
Caught on dashcam injecting her ex with fatal dose of 'poison"
New UK

Caught on dashcam injecting her ex with fatal dose of 'poison"

Amanda Hovanec enlisted her lover and her mother in her cold-blooded plot

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
'I looked better getting married at 53 than I did at 23!'
New UK

'I looked better getting married at 53 than I did at 23!'

Wellbeing coach Sarah-Jane Clark, from Swindon, shares how she achieved her dream of wearing a size 10 wedding dress after losing 12st

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
'I am so looking forward to Christmas'
New UK

'I am so looking forward to Christmas'

Helen Flanagan shares her plans for the holidays with her new boyfriend Robbie Talbot and her kids

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
I'm turning the anger into positive energy
New UK

I'm turning the anger into positive energy

His best friend's death has made Gok Wan rethink life

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
‘I'm careful with who I allow in my inner circle
New UK

‘I'm careful with who I allow in my inner circle

Actress and presenter Kéllé Bryan on managing fame and fronting a new fashion initiative

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
'There were rats..it is a real jungle
New UK

'There were rats..it is a real jungle

Marvin Humes on his I'm A Celebrity experience, backing his buddies and the importance of kindness

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 02, 2024
'It's not going to be sexy Maura on I'm A Celeb'
New UK

'It's not going to be sexy Maura on I'm A Celeb'

Model Caprice Bourret tells new about her festive traditions and starring in and producing a Christmas film

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 02, 2024