Fiona Phillips revealed on Tuesday that she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease last year after suffering months of anxiety, brain fog and forgetfulness.
And now, the 62-year-old journalist has revealed she was also recently brutally scammed by a fraudster over the phone, reports the Mirror.
The cruel scammer managed to siphon thousands out of her bank account - luckily for Fiona, and husband Martin Frizell - the bank was able to refund the funds.
However, this event was another poignant reminder of Fiona’s increased vulnerability for the pair.
Recent memories can be difficult for Fiona to remember, but there are other life experiences which sit heavily with her and to which she frequently returns.
These include the terrible toll Alzheimer’s has taken on her family and whilst doctors have explained the former TV star's condition is not hereditary, they have said she is predisposed to it due to her family history.
In her 50's Fiona's mother, Amy, began to show signs of Alzheimers and sadly died of the disease in 2006, aged 74.
"This disease has already taken a whole big chunk out of my life", she recalls.
"My mum got it very badly. I was living in London then and my parents were in West Wales but every weekend I’d be putting the boys in the back of the car and bombing down in my little car to see Mum."
Adding: "She became very scared and would be crying all the time and go out and get lost. That’s terrible if you get lost and you can’t make yourself known and you are frightened and crying. That happens to a lot of people"
Prior to her diagnosis, Fiona was an ambassador for dementia charities, addressed conferences on it, and even presented television documentaries about it.
"Yes", she says. "It can be very different for different people.
"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 and what he said went. But when he fell ill with dementia he became really warm and lovely and would be laughing at everything."
Fiona bought her Dad a flat near the sea where it was quicker for her and her brothers to visit him.
However, she was angry with the care her father, Neville, who began suffering from dementia in his 60s, received before his death in 2012.
At the time she said he was ‘so coshed by drugs that his poor body couldn’t cope’.
As well as Fiona, the past few months have been a struggle for her husband Martin, who as editor of This Morning found himself dragged into the drama which surrounded Phillip Schofield quitting the show over a relationship with a junior member of staff.
When asked if he has found it difficult coping with Fiona’s episodes of memory loss he said: "My only frustration is just I want her to get better."
Continuing: "I want her to remember things. I want the apathy to go and I want this person back who was vibrant and interested in things and eager to do new things. But she’s not there at the moment."
Commenting on their relationship since her diagnosis, Fiona said: "I try not to rely on him too much."
"And he hasn’t really ramped it up because he has always been good."
Martin laughs. "That’s too kind Fiona. I have absolutely ramped it up. Before I didn’t ever have to worry about Fiona before and now I do. ‘what is she doing all day while I’m at work? what is she doing in the evening if I’m out? what has she eaten?"
"Oh get lost", Fiona chimes in. "As if I wouldn’t be fed.’ And what are you worried about? That I’m out rampaging around the place!!"
Despite their struggle, the pair seem hopeful for the upcoming clinical trials Fiona will undergo.
"I am very positive about the trials - but I have to be", says Fiona.
"I want to try to make things better for people in the future who have this disease. And also I think now I have to talk about it openly. I have been reluctant to do it because I think people look at you in a different way if they think you have Alzheimer’s.
"But attitudes change.. People used to only refer to ‘Cancer’ as the ‘Big C’ in hushed tones but that has all gone now - maybe it can be the same for Alzheimer’s.
"But most of all we have to find a cure or way of managing this terrible disease because it is crippling people - and crippling the health service. Care homes are full of people with it."
Fiona hopes playing her part in new clinical trials will be a step towards defeating the illness which has caused her family so much pain and heartache.
"That’s why I want to do the trials", she says. "I can’t just lie down and accept it. Especially as I have already been through so much of it. I have to do something to help end this bloody awful disease."
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