Fiona Phillips was worried about being branded a "batty old woman" after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
The TV presenter was told she had the illness a year ago after suffering months of brain fog and anxiety. She's now undergoing trials for a revolutionary new drug which scientists hope could slow or even reverse the illness for millions of sufferers in the years to come.
She said the disease has "ravaged" her family, after losing both her parents to Alzheimer's. Since announcing to the world she had been diagnosed with the condition earlier this week, Fiona, 62, has spoken out to thank the public for being so kind to her, MirrorOnline reports.
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She said: "People have been so kind to me. Because I was worried about sharing the news I have this awful disease. I was anxious people would be staring or whispering about me or would just write me off as a batty old woman.
"But there has been incredible kindness. And so many people have told me about how Alzheimer’s has hit their families, as it has attacked mine, and somehow it just makes them feel a little bit less alone"
A number of people have written to Fiona since she announced her diagnosis. One of those used to be Wayne Rooney's bodyguard, who says he bumped into her at a TV studio.
He said: "She was lovely and bubbly. I still smile when I remember that very brief meeting. I am at the same stage of Alzheimer’s as she is now, sadly.”
Fiona was delighted by the message but full of sympathy for someone sharing her shattering diagnosis. She says: “I remember him. How sweet of him to write.”
Although Fiona can remember this passing meeting perhaps 20 years ago, events of the last week are far harder for her. When The Mirror asked how she felt about seeing her picture and story in the newspapers and on TV this week, she is uncertain.
Other celebrities and former colleagues also paid tribute to Fiona this week. Holly Willoughby, Piers Morgan, Kate Garraway, Lorraine Kelly and Susanna Reid were joined by politicians including Harriet Harman and Yvette Cooper.
Fiona said: “I didn’t want to make a big thing about it. But then Martin said, ‘Do you want to embrace this and what is happening to you… or do you want to hide away?’ And I didn’t want to hide away. I want to go out and I want to work.”
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