Fiona Phillips hopes that her involvement in clinical trials will contribute to the fight against Alzheimer's disease. The 62-year-old broadcaster confirmed that she has been diagnosed and living with the disease for more than a year now.
Phillips, a former GMTV presenter, said: "I can't just lie down and accept it." Initially, Phillips believed that her symptoms, which included "brain fog and anxiety," were related to menopause. However, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's last year.
As part of trials at University College Hospital in London, she now receives three daily drug injections that have the potential to revolutionize treatments for Alzheimer's patients.
In an interview with the Daily Mirror, the former GMTV presenter revealed that while her doctors have informed her that the condition is not hereditary, she is predisposed to it due to her family history. Her parents, grandparents, and uncle have all been affected by the illness.
Her mother, Amy, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in her 50s and passed away in 2006 at the age of 74. Her father also developed the disease before his wife's death.
Phillips hopes that her involvement in clinical trials will contribute to finding a solution to the disease that has caused her family so much pain. She stated, "That's why I want to do the trials. I can't just lie down and accept it. I have already been through so much of it. I have to do something to help end this bloody awful disease."
Phillips, who is a mother to two sons, Nat (24) and Mackenzie (21), shared the impact Alzheimer's has had on her life. She described how her mother's illness led her to frequently travel from London to Wales with her children to visit her.
“This disease has already taken a big chunk out of my life," she said. “My mum got it very badly. I was living in London and my parents were in Wales. Every weekend I’d put the boys in the back of the car and bomb down in my little car to see Mum.
“She became very scared and would cry all the time and go out and get lost. That’s terrible if you get lost and can’t make yourself known, and are frightened and crying. That happens to a lot of people.”
She added: “I think my dad got it towards the end of Mum’s life and it actually made him very funny.
“When me and my brothers were kids he was always strict. But when he fell ill with dementia he became really warm and lovely, laughing at everything.”
Phillips' husband, Martin Frizell, the editor of This Morning, has increased his efforts to take care of her. The couple recently faced a phone fraud scam that drained thousands of pounds from her bank account, highlighting her increased vulnerability.
Despite the challenges, Phillips maintains a positive outlook. She expressed her optimism about the clinical trials she is participating in, stating that she wants to improve the future for others.
Phillips acknowledged her initial reluctance to openly discuss her condition, fearing that people would perceive her differently. However, she believes that attitudes towards Alzheimer's can change, just as they have towards cancer. She emphasised the need to find a cure or effective management strategies for the disease, as it not only affects individuals but also burdens the healthcare system.
Having anchored GMTV for over a decade and participated in BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2005, Phillips has been a prominent figure in the media. In the UK, Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia, a condition characterised by a decline in brain function. Phillips has long been an advocate for Alzheimer's awareness and has actively participated in campaigns to encourage families to have difficult conversations about the condition and seek support.
In her 2009 Channel 4 documentary, Dispatches: Mum, Dad, Alzheimer's And Me, she offered viewers an intimate glimpse into her experience as a caregiver for her family.
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