Renowned Journalist Fiona Phillips reveals Alzheimer’s diagnosis at 62, aims to raise awareness

The disease has had a devastating impact on her family, with her mother, father, and uncle also succumbing to dementia. Despite the challenges, Phillips remains resilient and aims to share her story to support others facing similar battles.

Phillips, a mother of two and columnist for the Mirror, confided in editor Alison Phillips that she is striving to maintain a sense of normalcy while navigating her diagnosis.

However, she acknowledged the shock of being told by her doctor that she was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, despite harboring concerns about the disease’s potential onset.

“It’s something I might have thought I’d get at 80,” she expressed. “But I was still only 61 years old.” The presenter admitted feeling more anger than anything else due to the profound impact the disease has already had on her family.

Phillips disclosed her participation in trials at London’s University College Hospital involving a drug called Miridesap, which holds the promise of slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s. Her husband, Martin Frizell, the editor of ITV’s This Morning program, has been a pillar of support, assisting her with the administration of medication. “Poor Martin, he has been injecting my stomach every day, he has been brilliant,” she acknowledged. Phillips and many others have high hopes for the drug’s efficacy.In the face of her diagnosis, Phillips emphasized her determination to carry on with her life. “I am just getting on with it, I’m not taking notice of it,” she asserted. “I’m just doing what I normally do. I don’t want to not work, be sitting around playing with my fingers, or watching telly. I just like doing things.” Phillips is widely recognized for her long tenure as an anchor on GMTV and her participation in the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2005. She has been a staunch supporter of the Alzheimer’s Research UK charity, openly sharing her family’s experiences with the disease in the past.Fellow TV presenter Lorraine Kelly conveyed her love to Phillips, describing her as a “good, kind soul.” Kelly took to Twitter, acknowledging that Phillips is approaching her “shattering” diagnosis with courage and optimism. She expressed her prayers for successful treatment and breakthroughs for all individuals battling this devastating disease. Susanna Reid, the anchor of Good Morning Britain, extended the best wishes of the entire show’s team to Phillips, lauding her as a highly popular presenter and journalist.

Phillips’ work has earned her recognition from notable figures, including former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who sought to recruit her for a position in government due to her exceptional qualities. While Phillips chose to prioritize her broadcasting career, she actively participated in a government campaign in 2012 that aimed to encourage families to have difficult conversations about Alzheimer’s and seek assistance.

Kate Lee, chief executive at the Alzheimer’s Society, commended Phillips for her decision to disclose her diagnosis, which has raised crucial awareness about dementia. Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, acknowledged Phillips’ bravery in sharing her story and emphasized the significance of awareness in helping individuals on their dementia journeys. In the UK alone, there are approximately 70,800 individuals under the age of 65 living with dementia.

Understanding Early Onset Alzheimer’s

While Alzheimer’s predominantly affects older individuals, approximately 5% of cases occur in people under the age of 65, referred to as early onset or young onset Alzheimer’s.

Close relatives having early onset disease is the only known risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s at a young age, and there is currently no known prevention method. The disease progresses similarly to late-onset Alzheimer’s, impacting memory, thinking skills, and behavior.

Although drugs that moderately slow the disease’s pace have undergone clinical trials, they are not yet widely available. Ongoing research explores the potential of drugs such as miridesap, which is being trialed to determine if it can remove a protein from the brain associated with dementia.

Recognizing Early Signs

According to the NHS, the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease are often marked by memory lapses. Individuals may forget recent conversations or events, misplace items, struggle to recall names of places and objects, ask repetitive questions, exhibit poor judgment or decision-making abilities, become less flexible, and experience mood changes such as increased anxiety, agitation, or confusion.

FAQs

Q1:What is Fiona Phillips doing now?
She is currently taking part in a drug trial that scientists hope could revolutionize the treatment of the incurable illness and told The Daily Mirror that she was sharing her diagnosis in the hope of ending stigma.

Q2:Is Fiona Phillips still on TV?
On December 18, 2008, she bid farewell with her last show. However, in 2010, Phillips made a comeback to GMTV as a guest presenter in its final series. Since September 2010, she has been a frequent guest presenter on the ITV Breakfast program Lorraine, which succeeded GMTV with Lorraine.