'ALZHEIMER'S WAS LYING THERE IN WAIT FOR ME

AFTER LOSING BOTH HER PARENTS TO THE DISEASE, FIONA PHILLIPS IS ALL TOO AWARE OF WHAT THE FUTURE MAY HOLD FOLLOWING HER OWN DEMENTIA DIAGNOSIS

- MITYA UNDERWOOD

She’s known to millions as the bubbly face of television, so when Fiona Phillips shared the “horrible secret” of the Alzheimer’s diagnosis she’s been hiding for 18 months, it left many in a state of shock.

The courageous 62-year-old former GMTV and Watchdog presenter appeared upbeat and unbeaten, even as she described her “anger” at being diagnosed with the devastating disease that has already “crippled” her family.

“No one has known because I haven’t been blaring out loud, ‘Oh yeah, I’ve got Alzheimer’s,’” she revealed. “And I have been so worried people will judge me or put labels on me. It’s a horrible bloody secret to divulge.”

Fiona, who presented GMTV for 15 years after joining the show in 1993, spent her career displaying her unyielding spirit and ability to tackle anything – including the destruction Alzheimer’s wrought on her own mum and dad, Amy and Neville.

But, as she sits at home on the sofa, with her husband of 26 years, This Morning executive Martin Frizell, close by, it’s clear she’s still coming to terms with her new reality.

At times she seems almost flippant, but as anyone with experience of Alzheimer’s knows, it’s often difficult to distinguish between the symptoms and the real person.

“I’m just getting old now, I’m not taking any notice of it,” she said. “I’m just getting on with it. I’m not not doing anything. I’m just doing what I normally do. Otherwise, what do I do? I don’t want to not work, I don’t want to be sitting around playing around with my fingers. I just like doing things.”