Alzheimer's made Fiona Phillips think her husband was kidnapper
The Kent-born journalist, 64, announced in 2023 that she had been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, after initially thinking she was having menopause symptoms when she first started experiencing 'brain fog and anxiety'.
With the help of her husband Martin Frizell, the former This Morning editor, she has since written a memoir titled Remember When, which aims to help others who have been diagnosed with the disease.
Mr Frizell, 66, offered an update on Phillips's condition on Friday, recounting that at times she does not remember that he is her husband.
Speaking on ITV's This Morning, Mr Frizell said: 'She'd love to be here, but she's got anxiety. She's got a kind of secondary problem that causes her to be in pain, a lot, a lot of pain, which adds to the confusion. So it's difficult.
'In the book, there's a picture of her at the end of our road, picking the most recent picture I took, only a few weeks ago, and she's looking great, and she's kind of smiling, and she's got a coat on and what you don't know is, she thought I'd kidnapped her.'
He explained that the condition causes 'all sort of delusions', adding that Phillips would get 'kind of worked up'.
Mr Frizell said: 'She does recognise me most of the time. Doesn't quite know that I'm her husband, but she knows who I am.
'On these occasions, and it's not frequent, but every now and then, she'll want to go home to her parents. I haven't got the heart to say they aren't here.
'What you do is, you say, 'Let's get our coats on, let's get our shoes on', we go up around the block a couple of times and come back in. And she says, 'Oh, I'm home now'.'
Alzheimer's is described as the most common cause of dementia, which is a syndrome associated with an ongoing decline in brain function, according to the NHS website.
It is a 'progressive condition' that can affect memory, thinking skills and other mental abilities, with symptoms developing gradually over many years and which often become more severe.
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but there are medicines available that can temporarily improve some symptoms.
Mr Frizell said: 'Society has decided we're not going to take it as seriously as we should. The money that's there for Alzheimer's research, it's like buying a Starbucks cup of coffee, basically trying to fight a disease. It's impossible.'
He also said the pair had conversations early on about Phillips giving him lasting power of attorney to ensure that if she cannot make health or financial decisions for herself, then he can on her behalf.
Despite this, Mr Frizell said he has been accused by some banks or utility groups of trying to 'win one over on' Phillips.
He said: 'There's [sic] two types. There's health and finance, but it gives me control of those things. If she's not able to make decisions for herself, then I have the power of attorney to do it on her behalf.
'Pretty much everyone, banks, utilities, should accept that – most of them do. There's one or two, I'm not going to name them, who actually are accusing me of well, actually, maybe you're trying to sort of win one over on. This needs a bit more evidence.
'I'm thinking, what evidence do you need? But by and large, LPA (lasting power of attorney) is a must for folks. Once you get to your 50s, you should definitely get it.'
'Family priorities to change'
Mr Frizell announced in November that he was stepping down as the editor of This Morning, after a decade in the post, saying he was expecting 'family priorities to change' and needed to free up time for them.
He oversaw the long-running morning show as it won numerous awards, including a Bafta and seven National Television Awards.
Phillips is best known for presenting GMTV from 1993 to 2008, before going on to head up several documentaries and episodes of Panorama.
She quit TV in 2018 after she started to suffer from anxiety and was also one of the Mirror's longest-serving columnists.
Phillips cared for her parents after both of them were also diagnosed with the condition and has made two documentaries about the disease, one in 2009 called Mum, Dad, Alzheimer's And Me, about her family's history of dementia, and My Family And Alzheimer's in 2010.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Sun
Snoop Dogg hints at possible investment in former Premier League club as he launches new kit
SNOOP DOGG has appeared in Swansea City's new kit launch and looks set for an even bigger role with the club. The 53-year-old rapper was the surprise face of the Swans' 2025-26 home shirt campaign on social media. 3 3 3 In a short video, Snoop said: "Hail to Wales and to Swansea City. It's your boy big Snoop Dogg. "Coming to a hood near you. Oh yeah, these are the new jerseys." Swansea's American owners have now suggested the link-up with the Drop It Like It's Hot star may not end with just the kit campaign. A club statement read: 'We appreciate the considerable interest and enthusiasm generated by Snoop Dogg's appearance in a Swansea City shirt. 'While we are not in a position to share specifics with you all just yet, we will be able to provide more details soon and we're excited about what's to come.' Snoop posted about the kit online to his followers, who total more than 100million. Madrid star Luka Modric becoming a co-owner in April. Their US-based ownership group, led by Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen, have made no secret of their ambition to grow the club's brand internationally as they push for success on the pitch. The Swans finished 11th in the Championship last season but they would have been comforted by the relegation of rivals Cardiff City, who finished bottom of the Championship. They will now hope that the off-field investment can lead to a return to the Premier League after a seven-year absence.
Daily Mail
32 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Pete Wicks details close relationship with Strictly partner Jowita Przystał as he brands her 'one of the most important people in my life' and reflects on backlash he faced in overwhelming' show stint
Pete Wicks has revealed his Strictly Come Dancing pro partner Jowita Przystał has become 'one of the most important people in his life,' after his 'overwhelming' stint on the show. The former TOWIE star, 37, was dubbed an unlikely signing when he took part in the BBC show last year, but became such a fan-favourite, he made it all the way to the semi-finals. Speaking to MailOnline, Pete himself admitted he thought he'd be the first celebrity to be voted off the show, having entered Strictly with zero dance experience. But the star did the opposite, winning over viewers with a string of light-hearted performances, including a viral Samba dressed as George Of The Jungle, and a hilarious Cha Cha Cha in Blackpool. Reflecting on his time on Strictly, Pete, who has joined forces with Lynx to celebrate the launch of their new Lower Body Spray, credited his progression to his dance partner Jowita, and said they are still close friends, six months after the series ended. Pete said: 'I thought as soon you could vote people out, what is it week two? I thought I'd be gone, I genuinely did and that would be it, and every week after that I thought I'd be gone. 'I certainly never expected to get to the semi-finals and be that far along and have that experience for such a long time, but I was very fortunate, it was very overwhelming. 'A lot of that, if I'm totally honest, is down to Jowita, she was the best partner I could have had, I was with her on Saturday night, she's become one of the most important in my life. She's one of my best mates, and I adore her. 'She had to put up with me, she dragged me through it, because it certainly wasn't the dancing!' 'I didn't take myself too seriously but I took the show really seriously, and I took the process really seriously, I took the learning really seriously. 'I didn't really enjoy learning things, and that was my favourite part of the whole thing, obviously I didn't take myself too seriously because I knew I wasn't the best dancer, and that's why I was dressed as George of the jungle and wearing pink PVC trousers. 'I don't think anyone expected me to be doing that – it was like a fever dream!' While Pete's Strictly stint earned him many new fans, he also faced backlash from a select number of viewers, who complained he'd been voted to stay on the show over other celebrity couples who had scored higher. But the star brushed off the complaints, telling MailOnline: 'I'm used to it, it doesn't matter what you do, if you're the type of personality that divides people, which I think I am, you're never going to please everyone. 'It wasn't about pleasing everyone, it was about doing something for me, it was about not letting Jowita down, it was about the people around me who matter, and to try as best I could to make them proud. 'I think that's how I've managed all this stuff over 12 years, it's really the people around me that humble me, and as long as they're happy and safe I don't really care what everyone else thinks, I mean I probably wouldn't even like me if I wasn't me. 'With things like Strictly, people obsess over it, and that's amazing because you've got so many people that watch it, and so many amazing fans of Strictly and the show, but the problem with that, is that it's a dance show, it's a bit of entertainment. 'People probably do need to slow down a little bit, this year it will be the same thing, you've got amazing people just going out there trying to do their best, and do something they've not necessarily done before, or something they're not confident doing, so I think as much support as they can get, I would urge people to give them as much support as possible, rather than tear people down.' During his time on Strictly, Pete also paid tribute to his late Nan with an emotional Couples Choice, earning him a 10 from head judge Shirley Ballas. Having previously described his grandmother as his 'best friend,' the star also opened up her passing in his book Never Enough. Describing his Nan as his 'safety net,' Pete told MailOnline that he's made many changes in his life since her death in 2022. He said: 'Since I lost my Nan a few years ago, life has changed for me, and a lot of that was down to the fact that she was kind of a safety net for me, things change in your head and you have to kind of have a word with yourself in a way. 'The book was cathartic, it was something I wanted to do, because I don't think I'm the only one that feels the way I do in certain situations, it's got nothing to do with what I've been through, because everyone's been through different things. 'If you can put everyone's problems together in a pot, you'd probably be a lot happier just taking away the original problems you had, because there's so many people doing so many things, that's why I want it to be relatable to people.' Pete added that much of his decision to open up about his past for the first time came from his mum Tracy, and in his book, he revealed how he saved her life when he was just 12 after he found her in the kitchen following an attempted suicide. He added: 'It's got nothing to do with me, it's got my name on it, but it's a lot to do with my Mum, she's now really open about the struggles she's had and has had over the years, and how that's impacted her. 'She's my absolute hero and she's just an angel and a lot of it is kind of her story as well, and her giving my blessing to tell that story, in order for someone else who might relate to it or understand it a little bit better. 'I'm just a vehicle for things, it's got nothing to do with me. 'She's my hero, she's my absolute hero, there's not a stronger person on this earth than my Mum.' Currently, Pete is filming second and third series of his W series For Dog's Sake, and as well as hosting Staying Relevant with pal Sam Thompson, now fronts podcasts Man-Made, and The Sunday Roast with Olivia Attwood. He and Sam are set to host the red carpet at the National Television Awards next month for the third time, just a week before they take to the stage at London's 02 Arena for a live version of their podcast. As part of the launch of Lynx's new Lower Body Spray, Pete, his pal Chloe Burrows and Joe Weller unveiled a giant boxer-shaped scented ball pit at Boxpark Shoreditch, inviting the public to share whether they identify as 'team spray' or 'team no-way'. The former TOWIE star went onto tell MailOnline that there is still a 'taboo' surrounding men when it comes to looking after themselves, but did say he's going to encourage Sam to add the products to his new 'glow-up' routine.
Daily Mail
37 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Bec Hewitt and husband Lleyton appear tense at Wimbledon after it emerged a 'Beckham-style feud is brewing' between tennis champ and daughter Mia's rocker boyfriend
Lleyton Hewitt and his wife Bec Hewitt are enjoying a getaway to catch some of the world's most prestigious tennis matches. The power couple attended the Ladies' Doubles Final at Wimbledon in London on Sunday, sitting in the A-list Royal Box. The two looked a tad tense at times, amid recent claims that 'Beckham-style feud is brewing' between the retired tennis champion and his daughter Mia's rocker boyfriend in recent weeks. Lleyton, 44, was formally attired in a dark blue suit along with a dress shirt, and matching tie. Singer Bec, 41, chose a bright red frock and at times hid her famous face behind a pair of designer sunglasses. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The couple chatted throughout the match, but wore tense expressions, perhaps over what was happening on the court. It comes amid reports that Lleyton has concerns about the fast and loose lifestyle his eldest daughter Mia leads with her rock'n'roll boyfriend, Vanda Erich. The 19-year-old musician and her Liquid Zoo frontman partner were first romantically linked in May last year when they were seen going for lunch in Surry Hills. They are now often seen living wild and free, with sources claiming tennis champion Lleyton fears Mia is being led astray, according to Woman's Day. 'Lleyton is just like any dad out there and is super protective, especially of his girls. He is very much serving up the tough dad act right now,' an insider said. 'He wants Mia to be happy but he thinks she's still too young to be getting into any kind of serious relationship.' The publication went on to claim there are signs a 'Beckham-style feud is brewing behind the scenes'. The former Wimbledon star was reportedly unimpressed with images that emerged last year of Mia and Vanda smoking and acting up for cameras. The two looked a tad tense at times, amid recent claims that 'Beckham-style feud is brewing' between the retired tennis champion and his daughter Mia's rocker boyfriend in recent weeks He is said to want Mia to experiment and enjoy life, but not at the cost of a healthy lifestyle and quality time with the family. 'Living her dreams is important but so is maintaining her relationship with her family,' the source said. Notably, Mia is the only member of the Hewitt family who follows Vanda on social media. Not even her younger brother Cruz can be found in Vanda's follow list, despite the singer following the 16-year-old's Instagram account. Mia and Vanda have frequently been spotted spending time together at the beach and with their friends. In September last year, the rising star, often dubbed a 'nepo baby', performed her first gig with her band Father's Favourite. Mia, the daughter of Lleyton and his Home and Away star wife Bec, looked stylish in a tiny white skirt and black top as she wowed the crowd at a brewery in Sydney. Her band's Instagram page describes the group as a 'bohemian folk rock duo'. Mia was earlier seen during an outing with a group of friends in Sydney's Rose Bay as they stepped out at Rose Bay House for a meal. The Father's Favourite folk singer shocked onlookers as she was seen smoking during the outing. Her rock star boyfriend Vanda, the lead singer of the band Liquid Zoo, also acted up for the cameras as he was seen wearing shades and swearing while the group laughed. The duo were also joined by one of Vanda's Liquid Zoo bandmates as they all got out of Mia's car together and headed for a bite to eat. Mia's parents, Lleyton and Bec, met on the tennis court for a charity game at the Starlight Cup back in 1999. The couple didn't reconnect until a few years later and finally met up in person in 2005, before getting engaged after a whirlwind romance that lasted six weeks. Grand Slam champion Lleyton married actress Bec 18 years ago in a romantic ceremony at the Sydney Opera House. As well as singer Mia, they also share another daughter, Ava, 14, and son Cruz.
