Fiona Phillips’ husband Martin Frizell has revealed his wife thought he had “kidnapped her” just weeks ago, as he gave a heartbreaking update on the broadcaster’s deteriorating condition during an appearance on This Morning today.
The 66-year-old former editor of the ITV programme told hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary that the popular presenter, 64, was not well enough to join him on the sofa to discuss their new book about her Alzheimer’s battle.
“She’d love to be here, but she’s got anxiety. She’s got a kind of a secondary problem that causes her to be in pain, a lot, a lot of pain, which adds to the confusion. So it’s difficult,” Frizell said.
The couple have written a memoir titled Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer’s, set for publication on 17 July, chronicling Phillips’ journey since her diagnosis with early onset Alzheimer’s in 2022.
In one of the most distressing revelations, Frizell described how his wife of 28 years had failed to recognise their relationship during a recent walk near their home. “In the book, there’s a picture of her at the end of our road, picking the most recent picture I took, only a few weeks ago, and she’s looking great, and she’s kind of smiling, and she’s got a coat on and what you don’t know is, she thought I’d kidnapped her,” he told the visibly moved hosts.
Depression and Work Frustration
Frizell revealed Phillips is battling severe depression linked to her inability to continue working. “She’s got bad depression because she wants to work, she’s not well enough today to come and talk to you,” he explained.
The former GMTV presenter, who fronted the programme from 1993 to 2008, has largely withdrawn from public life since her diagnosis. She was last seen publicly at Derek Draper’s funeral in February 2024.
Describing the impact on his wife, Frizell said: “This is a bubbly smart, fearless woman, very modern woman and all of a sudden it stops. I just get very angry no one talks about it. We become invisible with Alzheimer’s, no one wants to talk about it.”
Delusions and Recognition Issues
While Phillips still recognises her husband, she often doesn’t remember their marital status. “She recognises me, but doesn’t know I’m her husband sometimes,” Frizell admitted.
He revealed she suffers from delusions alongside the memory loss, though stressed “the old Fiona is still very much there” and she remains “totally mobile” and “whipsmart and intelligent” in many ways.
In a touching moment, Frizell told Hammond that Phillips still remembers her from their time working together in television. “She watches you and she remembers you,” he said, bringing visible emotion to the presenter’s face.
Candid Admissions
In a moment of raw honesty, Frizell acknowledged the strain on their relationship. “I’m not Mother Teresa,” he admitted, revealing he sometimes gets frustrated, which can lead to arguments.
He made a shocking comparison when discussing the lack of public awareness about Alzheimer’s, stating: “I wish she got cancer, at least there would have been some hope. It’s not a sexy disease, the pictures aren’t great, on your deathbed you look bloody awful.”
The book project initially began as a way to give Phillips “a purpose, to give her something to do” after her diagnosis. What started as Frizell planning to write “a few paragraphs” became 24,000 words as his anger over the lack of coverage given to Britain’s biggest killer grew.
Family History and Early Signs
Phillips’ battle with Alzheimer’s carries particular poignancy as both her parents died from the condition – her mother Amy in May 2006 and father Neville in February 2012. Her late uncle also had dementia.
The broadcaster initially attributed her symptoms to Long Covid after contracting the virus in 2020, then suspected menopause was causing her brain fog, anxiety and erratic behaviour.
The couple’s relationship came under severe strain in 2021, with Frizell moving out for three weeks, accusing her of “zoning out” of their marriage. They reconciled at a hotel meeting, agreeing to stay together but acknowledging things needed to change.
Television doctor Louise Newson recommended hormone replacement therapy, but when symptoms persisted, she advised proper assessment. A consultant delivered the devastating diagnosis in 2022 when Phillips was 61.
Career Sacrifice and Family Support
Frizell stepped down from his decade-long role as This Morning editor in November 2024, citing changing “family priorities”. He explained: “I love my team at ITV and will miss them, and the thrill of live telly, but it’s an always on, 24 hours a day, seven days a week commitment, and I won’t be able to do both.
The couple’s two sons, Nathaniel, 24, and Mackenzie, 21, have rallied around their mother. Phillips had only recently told them about her diagnosis, worried they might be embarrassed or treat her differently.
Blood tests confirmed the sons had not inherited the Alzheimer’s gene from their mother’s side of the family. “When the results came back as negative, it was a huge moment – such an enormous sense of relief,” Frizell said.
Clinical Trial Hope
Phillips is participating in a clinical trial at University College Hospital, London, taking an experimental drug. In a February interview with Woman & Home magazine, she expressed cautious optimism: “I’m hopeful that the drug is holding the disease where it is. I’d rather not have to be on the trial but I’m very grateful I am.”
She acknowledged the risks, including potential brain bleeding, describing herself as “a guinea pig, but there’s a real chance it could help.”
Legacy of Advocacy
Throughout her career, Phillips championed Alzheimer’s awareness, presenting two documentaries – Mum, Dad, Alzheimer’s And Me in 2009 and My Family And Alzheimer’s in 2010. She has served as an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society since 2007.
Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, praised Phillips’ courage: “It takes such courage to go public with a diagnosis and Fiona knows better than most just how much good that can do. Awareness is vital and Fiona’s bravery will help untold people who are going through their own dementia journeys.”
The memoir Remember When aims to help others facing similar challenges. Phillips 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.”
With approximately 70,800 people in the UK under 65 living with dementia, Phillips’ story highlights the devastating impact of early onset Alzheimer’s on individuals and families.
Frizell’s appearance on This Morning served as both a update on his wife’s condition and a passionate plea for greater awareness of a disease he says makes sufferers “invisible.
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Image Credit:
Fiona Phillips – Photo by Chris McAndrew, licensed under CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
