Latest news with #MartinFrizell
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Fiona Phillips' husband Martin Frizell reveals what you shouldn't do to those with Alzheimer's as he offers advice to families battling the disease
Fiona Phillips' husband Martin Frizell has revealed what you shouldn't do to those with Alzheimer's as he offered advice to families battling the disease. Former GMTV host Fiona, 64, who is mother to Nathaniel, 26, and Mackenzie, 23, was diagnosed with the progressive brain disorder in 2022 at the age of just 61. The former ITV boss has shared the huge lesson he has learnt from caring for Fiona over the past few years - to never say no. In the last chapter of Fiona's upcoming memoir Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer's, Martin says it is better to improvise with Fiona's delusion than cause her extra distress by arguing against it. It is something he has had to learn and has been sticking to after Fiona recently became obsessed with the belief Martin was a kidnapper holding her hostage. Instead of continuously denying the thought, Martin plays along and pretends to walk her back home to her late parents - but is really just walking around the block, which he feels is the kindest way to handle the situation. Martin writes: 'The textbooks say to never argue with a dementia patient, although even without the illness you could never win an argument with Fiona, so we play along. 'Sometimes Mackenzie has to fetch her electric-blue Whistles coat – one of the very few items of clothing this once-stylish woman now insists on wearing, despite having a room full of outfits – and then Fiona and I leave the house as if I am taking her home. 'Fiona and I leave the house as if I am taking her home. We walk around the block as she loudly proclaims, "I'll never forgive you for tricking me", and passers-by stare; then we are back home again, where she goes in and greets Mackenzie as if she hasn't seen him for days. 'She has forgotten about her mum and dad and is happy to sit down.' He adds: 'It feels as though I have read a million books and online articles about how best to cope with a partner with Alzheimer's. Some of the advice I agree with – but other bits I'm not so sure about. 'I think you just have to trust your instinct and deal with whatever is thrown at you as best you can in that moment. 'By trying to live up to being the perfect Alzheimer's partner, you are just heaping even more pressure on yourself when there is already so much. And every day is different.' Martin also shared how the broadcaster became 'terribly distressed' when she could not recognise their eldest son Nat. In the last chapter of Fiona's upcoming memoir Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer's, Martin says it is better to improvise with Fiona's delusion than cause her extra distress by arguing against it (pictured 2008) In an extract published in The Mirror he penned: 'One weekend, Nat was home from the Army and making tea in the kitchen while Fiona and I sat watching television'. 'She became terribly distressed. "Who's that man in the kitchen?" she asked me. "That's Nat" I said gently. "Our son. He's home for the weekend". She was in such a state that she didn't even seem upset that she had asked the question'. Martin said that Nat would have been 'devastated' to hear his mother being unable to recognise him, but thankfully he did not. Fiona first met Martin when she was working on GMTV as a presenter and he was its chief correspondent. He later popped the question after they had been dating for just four weeks, before they went to Las Vegas to tie the knot in 1997. Last year, he revealed he was stepping down as editor of ITV's This Morning after 10 years in charge, in order to be 'around much more' for his wife during her Alzheimer's battle. Having turned his back on his prolific job, in his own candid words, Martin revealed Fiona now needs 'a lot of help', with his care extending to showering Fiona, brushing her teeth, dressing her and ultimately 'making her feel as safe as possible'. He explained: 'It is January 2025 as I write this, and Fiona needs a lot of help. She needs help showering and brushing her teeth. She can do these things physically, but is unable now to think about how she should do them... 'I wash Fiona's hair because she wouldn't know what shampoo or conditioner to use or how wet her hair needs to be or that she must rinse the soap suds out afterwards... 'And most nights I'll say, 'Right, we need to brush our teeth before we go to bed,' and I'll put the toothpaste on the brush and hand it to her... 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
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Fiona Phillips' husband recalls heartbreaking moment she didn't recognise their son amid Alzheimer's battle
Fiona Phillips' husband Martin Frizell has opened up about the painful moment the TV presenter failed to recognise their eldest son during her ongoing battle with Alzheimer's disease. 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'. Alzheimer's is described as the most common cause of dementia, which is the name for a group of symptoms associated with an ongoing decline of brain function, according to the NHS website. In her upcoming memoir Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer's, Frizell, 66, recalls the moment Phillips became 'terribly distressed' after not recognising Nathaniel, 26. In an extract published in The Mirror, Frizell penned: 'One weekend, Nat was home from the Army and making tea in the kitchen while Fiona and I sat watching television. 'She became terribly distressed. 'Who's that man in the kitchen?' she asked me. 'That's Nat', I said gently. 'Our son. He's home for the weekend'. 'She was in such a state that she didn't even seem upset that she had asked the question.' He wrote that while Nat would have been 'devastated' had he heard it, he thankfully wasn't present at the time. The couple have previously spoken about their fear that the illness could be inherited by their kids; Nathaniel and Mackenzie, 23. When the presenter was first diagnosed, both she and Frizell were deeply concerned that the disease might be genetic and could potentially affect their sons in the future. However, after undergoing genetic testing, they were relived to learn they weren't in danger of inheriting the disease. Recently, Frizell recalled how the former GMTV presenter thought he had kidnapped her because of 'delusions' brought on by Alzheimer's disease. Speaking on ITV's This Morning, Frizell said: 'She'd love to be here, but she's got anxiety. 'She's got a kind of a 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'. Frizell added: 'She does recognise me most of the times. 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'.' 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 a number of 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. She has also served as an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society.
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
Fiona Phillips ‘distressed' after failing to recognise her own son in heartbreaking Alzheimer's battle, reveals husband
FIONA Phillips was 'distressed' after she failed to recognise her own son amid her Alzheimer's battle. The popular broadcaster, 64, was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's in 2022 and her condition has deteriorated since, with her even failing to recognise her son Nat. 6 6 6 Fiona has two sons, Nat, 24, and Mackenzie, 21. Her husband Martin Frizell, 66, whom she shares her boys with, has now revealed that Fiona became "distressed" when she asked who the man was who was in their kitchen In Fiona's new book, Remember When: My life with Alzheimer's, Martin narrates part of it. In an extract published in The Mirror Martin recalls the moment Fiona didn't recognise her eldest time. He pens in the tome: "One weekend, Nat was home from the Army and making tea in the kitchen while Fiona and I sat watching television." He added: "She became terribly distressed. 'Who's that man in the kitchen?' she asked me. 'That's Nat' I said gently. 'Our son. He's home for the weekend'," he explained. Martin went on: "She was in such a state that she didn't even seem upset that she had asked the question." He then said that Nat would have been "devastated" to hear his mother being unable to recognise him. Meanwhile, Mail had an exclusive extract, also, where Martin writes in the book: "We did tackle one fear and talked to Fiona's consultant about whether she had inherited the illness from her parents. "She then had a genetic test, because if she carried the gene for Alzheimer's there was a danger the boys would have it, too, which in turn might mean them thinking about IVF if they wanted children, in order to break the genetic line. Fiona Phillips' husband Martin Frizell gives devastating update on her Alzheimer's battle as he appears on This Morning "Thankfully, the test was negative.' He added: "That meant she didn't carry the gene so the boys wouldn't either. But the doctor said she was clearly predisposed to Alzheimer's. "I didn't entirely understand what he meant. How could someone be 'predisposed' to a particular disease if there wasn't something in their genetic make-up that determined it?". Fiona, whose late mum and dad both had Alzheimer's, left GMTV in December 2008 to spend more time with her family. She took on small jobs such as a stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2005 and presenting a Channel 4 documentary titled Mum, Dad, Alzheimer's And Me in 2009. But Fiona admitted she never felt 'completely right' and became 'disconnected' from her family. She was also starting to struggle with mood swings, erratic behaviour and an inability to complete everyday tasks, such as going to the bank. Things came to a head with Martin in 2021 and he moved out of the family home, accusing her of 'zoning out' of their marriage. After three weeks apart, the couple met at a hotel and agreed they wanted to stay together — but that things had to change. Fiona had initially suspected the exhaustion, anxiety and brain fog she had been battling was a side-effect of Long Covid. She contracted the virus in 2020. But by then, Fiona was wondering if her symptoms were down to menopause. Martin urged her to talk to telly doctor Dr Louise Newson, who specialised in the menopause and recommended a course of hormone replacement therapy. But after several months of seeing little change, Dr Newson recommended she be properly assessed. In 2022, a consultant broke the heartbreaking news to the couple that Fiona, then 61, had early onset Alzheimer's. 6 6 6
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Fiona Phillips' husband reveals devastating moment star, 64, 'didn't recognise their son' amid her battle with Alzheimer's in latest heartbreaking health update
Fiona Phillips' husband Martin Frizell has recalled the devastating moment the TV star failed to recognise their son amid her battle with Alzheimer's. The former GMTV host, 64, who is mother to Nathaniel, 26, and Mackenzie, 23, was diagnosed with the progressive brain disorder in 2022 at the age of just 61. In Fiona's upcoming memoir Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer's, Martin shared how the broadcaster became 'terribly distressed' when she could not recognise their eldest son Nat. In an extract published in The Mirror he penned: 'One weekend, Nat was home from the Army and making tea in the kitchen while Fiona and I sat watching television'. 'She became terribly distressed. "Who's that man in the kitchen?" she asked me. "That's Nat" I said gently. "Our son. He's home for the weekend". She was in such a state that she didn't even seem upset that she had asked the question'. Martin said that Nat would have been 'devastated' to hear his mother being unable to recognise him, but thankfully he did not. It comes after Martin, 66, and Fiona detailed the worrying time they feared their sons could inherit Alzheimer's. When the couple first learned of her diagnosis, they were concerned if the disease was genetic and would strike their sons. After a genetic test, Fiona and Martin were relieved to discover their boys weren't in danger of inheriting the disease. In the Mail's exclusive extract from her upcoming memoir, Martin said: 'We did tackle one fear and talked to Fiona's consultant about whether she had inherited the illness from her parents. 'She then had a genetic test, because if she carried the gene for Alzheimer's there was a danger the boys would have it, too, which in turn might mean them thinking about IVF if they wanted children, in order to break the genetic line. 'Thankfully, the test was negative.' He added: 'That meant she didn't carry the gene so the boys wouldn't either. But the doctor said she was clearly predisposed to Alzheimer's. 'I didn't entirely understand what he meant. How could someone be 'predisposed' to a particular disease if there wasn't something in their genetic make-up that determined it?'. 'But he assured me this was the case. While Fiona's chances of getting the disease had always been a lot higher, that didn't mean she would pass it on to her children. 'A few months later we told the boys what was happening. By then, she was even more withdrawn and forgetful and they knew she'd had a series of hospital appointments. 'Rather than the terrible news landing on them like a bomb, I'd gradually shared with them the sense that something was very wrong. 'When the moment came and I used the dreaded 'Alzheimer's' word, I think they were prepared for it – however awful that news was. 'They were just heartbroken for their mum, though she didn't want to make a big fuss about it all. 'She was able to dismiss it from her mind and so the conversation quickly moved on. It may sound strange, but that is how it was.' Elsewhere in the memoir, Martin gave a heartbreaking confession on his wife's condition. Martin emotionally admitted the family are 'slowing saying goodbye to the woman they love', who soon will be 'wiped away' by the disease. Martin explained how he and their sons are 'enduring a living grief' as they watch the 'glittering star' deteriorate through time. 'Bit by bit, it [Alzheimer's] takes everything. Through time, even the most glamorous, glittering star – such as Fiona was – will be wiped away', he wrote. He added: 'Sorting the bank accounts, utility direct debits, hospital appointments, clothes, washing, parking permits, shopping, cooking, tidying the house – in fact, all the stuff I took for granted because Fiona dealt with it (as well as her own career) – became my responsibilities, along with a seven-day-a-week job. 'It was knackering. There were times I felt drained, physically and emotionally. 'On top of the stress, the boys and I are enduring a kind of living grief – a slow goodbye to the woman we love.' In the memoir, the pair - who wed in 1997 and share two children - revealed their marriage was 'falling apart' as a result of Fiona's then undiagnosed battle with the disease. Fiona explained: 'My marriage was coming under increasing strain. 'I'm sure the disease was at least partly responsible, but at the time neither of us could see it. I just became more and more disconnected from Martin and the boys. '"You've totally zoned out of our family and our marriage," he would say to me. "Don't be so bloody ridiculous!" I'd yell back. 'But, if I'm honest, I think he was right. I just didn't seem to have the energy for any of it any more. 'I didn't realise quite how seriously Martin felt about it all until one evening he announced he was moving out. '"Stop being so ridiculous!'" I yelled. "I'm just worn out. I'm tired – of everything." '"That's what you've been saying for years,'" he replied. "Maybe this – our marriage – is what's making you so tired."' Fiona first met Martin when she was working on GMTV as a presenter and he was its chief correspondent. He later popped the question after they had been dating for just four weeks, before they went to Las Vegas to tie the knot in 1997. Last year, he revealed he was stepping down as editor of ITV's This Morning after 10 years in charge, in order to be 'around much more' for his wife during her Alzheimer's battle. Having turned his back on his prolific job, in his own candid words, Martin revealed Fiona now needs 'a lot of help', with his care extending to showering Fiona, brushing her teeth, dressing her and ultimately 'making her feel as safe as possible'. He explained: 'It is January 2025 as I write this, and Fiona needs a lot of help. She needs help showering and brushing her teeth. She can do these things physically, but is unable now to think about how she should do them... 'I wash Fiona's hair because she wouldn't know what shampoo or conditioner to use or how wet her hair needs to be or that she must rinse the soap suds out afterwards... 'And most nights I'll say, 'Right, we need to brush our teeth before we go to bed,' and I'll put the toothpaste on the brush and hand it to her... 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
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Fiona Phillips' husband says she's given up on her love of cooking and shuns her designer clothes
Fiona Phillips' husband says she's given up on her love of cooking and shuns her designer clothes Fiona Phillips, 64, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2022 and her husband Martin Frizell has now spoken out about the devastating impact it has had on her life The husband of Fiona Phillips, Martin Frizell, has disclosed that the ex-TV presenter hasn't cooked in years and no longer uses her dressing room full of designer clothes as she faces Alzheimer's. Martin Frizell revealed his wife's cherished pastimes have vanished - she hasn't cooked in two years and opts for the same T-shirt and trousers daily. He posed a question to The Telegraph: "What do I do with all these clothes?" Regarding her once-loved collection of cookery books now gathering dust in the basement, he pondered: "Do I take them to the dump? ... She's never going to open one again." Fiona Phillips with her husband Martin Frizell Yet, he is resolute in maintaining her favourite activities - looking stylish and enjoying fine food - by regularly assisting her with hair colouring and manicures. He also mentioned that the kindest gesture their friends could offer is to cook for them, leaving meals at their doorstep, as reported by MailOnline, reports the Mirror. Article continues below The former GMTV presenter, aged 64, received her Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2022 when she was just 61. This followed her departure from the ITV breakfast programme in 2008 to look after her father, who also suffered from the condition and passed away in 2012, while her mother died from the disease in 2006. Martin, aged 66, stepped down from his role as Editor of ITV's This Morning in February after a decade to dedicate himself to Fiona's care. She has penned a memoir titled Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer's, which was completed with assistance from her husband and journalist friend Alison Phillips, chronicling her experience with the diagnosis. Fiona's health is declining (Image: Karwai Tang, WireImagevia Getty Images ) Prior to its launch on July 17, Martin has now opened up about some of the most devastating effects of the condition, which stands as the leading cause of dementia. Whilst there's presently no cure available, treatments do exist that can help ease certain symptoms. Martin, who wed Fiona in 1997 and has two children with her - Nathaniel, 26, and Mackenzie, 23 - initially planned to write just a few paragraphs for his wife's memoir but ultimately produced over 24,000 words. He remembered the moment she received her diagnosis alongside a leaflet about living with the condition, which featured an elderly couple using a Zimmer frame. The image clashed starkly with how youthful she appeared, having recently celebrated her 61st birthday, with Martin explaining: "She was wearing skinny jeans and high-heeled boots. This was a degenerative disease for old people like the ones on the leaflet," he said. Initially, the pair attributed her symptoms - mental fogginess, social isolation, emotional volatility, depression and anxiety - to the menopause. Given his wife's consistently active nature, Martin questioned whether stress might have triggered her diagnosis. During one period, whilst presenting on GMTV between 1993 and 2008, she would begin work at 3am, participate in Strictly Come Dancing, raise her young sons, and look after her parents who resided in Wales. However, he also considered whether their earlier lifestyle choices might have played a role - particularly their habit of consuming a bottle of wine each every evening. Martin, who has previously edited GMTV and Loose Women, now dedicates himself to caring for her full-time at their London home. He disclosed that over the past year, she has significantly deteriorated, requiring assistance with simple tasks such as brushing her teeth, and experiencing increased confusion, pain, delirium, psychosis, and mostly remaining indoors. Martin appeared on This Morning (Image: ITV ) Martin made an appearance on This Morning on Friday, July 11, to discuss his wife Fiona's condition with presenters Alison Hammond, aged 50, and Dermot O'Leary, aged 52. He opened up about the difficulties their family has faced since Fiona was diagnosed three years ago. He recounted: "In the book, there's a picture of her at the end of our road, the most recent picture I took, only a few weeks ago. "And she's looking great and she's smiling and she's got her coat on. And what you don't know is she thought I'd kidnapped her. This was us going out. "Because you get delusions because you get so worked up. She keeps saying, 'I want to go home'." When asked by Alison if Fiona still recognises him, he responded: "She does recognise me most of the times. Doesn't quite know that I'm her husband but she knows who I am." Article continues below This Morning is on ITV1 weekdays at 10am and ITVX
