Fiona Phillips, 64, reveals she 'blocked out' memories of Strictly because she was 'traumatised' by Brendan Cole - as husband Martin Frizell issues update on her Alzheimer's diagnosis

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

Fiona Phillips has revealed she 'blocked out' memories of her 2005 Strictly Come Dancing stint because he was 'traumatised' by professional dancer Brendan Cole.
The broadcaster, 64, was reflecting on her life and career in the wake of her Alzheimer's diagnosis, which she received in 2022 at the age of just 61.
In an extract from her upcoming memoir, Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer's, she detailed her time on the BBC show, sharing how she felt when footage of Brendan 'shouting and swearing' at her during rehearsals resurfaced amid the show's bullying probe.
Fiona wrote: 'He could also be seen looking at my dancing and saying, "Pathetic, it's not good enough!" Then I'm begging him to "stop shouting" and worrying that I look completely ridiculous.
'There's a clip where I say to the cameraman that Brendan is looking at me like he's stepped in something.
'I really don't remember much of that time now – maybe I blocked it out because all I recall is the sense that it was incredibly traumatic.'
Fiona continued: 'I was on the brink of tears most of the time and felt utterly exhausted.
'And it all seemed so pointless. Brendan would be swinging me around the dance floor for a paso doble and I'd be thinking, "I've just put Mum in a care home, what on Earth am I doing dressed up to the nines in a dancing competition?"
'I should probably have told the crew – or even Brendan – how much I was struggling, but I didn't. I just stumbled on. Literally.
'Fortunately (although I don't think Brendan saw it that way), we were voted out in week four. It was all over on Bonfire Night. What a relief!'
Brendan did not have his Strictly contract renewed in 2018 and famously became tearful when he announced the news on Lorraine in January of that year.
Fiona later branded his axing 'karma'.
MailOnline has contacted Brendan's representatives for comment.
On the weekend, Fiona's husband Martin Frizell issued an update on the former GMTV host's condition as he revealed she had remembered an outing they'd had three years prior.
He shared a throwback snap of the couple attending Silverstone in 2022, in which the pair cosied up for the camera.
Martin revealed he had a 'smile on his face' because Fiona had remembered an outing they'd had to Silverstone three years prior with 'quite a few of the details'
Martin captioned the post: 'Fond memories in Lando's garage at Silverstone from '22, good luck to This Morning's adopted son today.
'Fiona remembers meeting and speaking with Lando, what a great treat this was and quite a few of the details - put a smile on my face today.'
Following Fiona's diagnosis she revealed she was put on a drugs trial in an attempt to slow down the symptoms, something which she says appears to be working for her.
In a previous interview with Women&Home magazine, Fiona said: 'I'm on a clinical trial and the signs are positive.
'I'm taking part in a revolutionary drug trial that's trying to find a cure. It involves a brand-new drug and a placebo, and I have no idea which one I'm on.
'When I went for my six-month check-up in October, they did cognitive tests to see where my brain was at, which showed that I was in the same place as I was the previous year.
'I'm hopeful that the drug is holding the disease where it is. I'd rather not have to be on the trial but I'm very grateful I am.
'There are risks, including bleeding on the brain, so I'm a guinea pig, but there's a real chance it could help.'
Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer's, by Fiona Phillips will be published on July 17.
What is Alzheimer's?
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, in which build-up of abnormal proteins causes nerve cells to die.
This disrupts the transmitters that carry messages, and causes the brain to shrink.
More than 5 million people suffer from the disease in the US, where it is the 6th leading cause of death, and more than 1 million Britons have it.
WHAT HAPPENS?
As brain cells die, the functions they provide are lost.
That includes memory, orientation and the ability to think and reason.
The progress of the disease is slow and gradual.
On average, patients live five to seven years after diagnosis, but some may live for ten to 15 years.
EARLY SYMPTOMS:
Loss of short-term memory
Disorientation
Behavioral changes
Mood swings
Difficulties dealing with money or making a phone call
LATER SYMPTOMS:
Severe memory loss, forgetting close family members, familiar objects or places
Becoming anxious and frustrated over inability to make sense of the world, leading to aggressive behavior
Eventually lose ability to walk
May have problems eating
The majority will eventually need 24-hour care