Fiona Phillips Reveals Marital Strain Before Diagnosis

Fiona Phillips, former GMTV presenter, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at age 61, the same disease that claimed both her parents. She and her husband, Martin Frizell, initially mistook her symptoms for menopause or work stress, delaying the correct diagnosis. The undiagnosed illness caused significant strain on their 28-year marriage, resulting in periods of separation and Phillips feeling increasingly disconnected from her family. After her diagnosis, Martin left his job to become her full-time carer and has spoken out about the lack of support for Alzheimer's patients, saying he wished she had cancer instead. The couple has co-authored a memoir, 'Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer’s,' to raise awareness about dementia and the isolation faced by families. Phillips describes her daily memory struggles as 'like chasing a £5 note on a gusty day,' highlighting the disease’s frustration.