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Fiona Phillips’ husband Martin Frizell says ‘glittering star’, 64, will be ‘wiped away’ by Alzheimer’s and he and their sons are ‘enduring a living grief and a slow goodbye to the woman they love’

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Martin Frizell, Fiona Phillips‘ husband, shared a deeply emotional update about his wife’s ongoing struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

In 2022, when she was only 61 years old, the ex-host of GMTV received a diagnosis for a gradually advancing brain condition.

As a lifestyle expert, I find myself reflecting on a poignant moment shared by an individual named Martin, aged 66. In an exclusive excerpt from his memoir, he tenderly confessed that his family is gradually bidding farewell to the beloved woman they cherish, who is soon to be gently fading away due to the relentless grasp of the disease.

Martin shared that him and his two sons, Nathaniel aged 26 and Mackenzie at 23, are experiencing a deep, ongoing sorrow, as they witness the gradual decline of something precious to them over time, much like a once-bright star losing its luster.

Gradually, it erases everything. Over time, not even the brightest and most radiant stars, like Fiona, can withstand its power and eventually fade away, as he put it.

I found myself taking on a multitude of tasks that I had previously overlooked, now that Fiona was handling them no more. From managing the bank accounts and utility bills to scheduling hospital appointments, sorting through clothes, doing the laundry, arranging parking permits, grocery shopping, cooking meals, and keeping our home tidy – it felt as if an entire second career had been thrust upon me, a job that I now worked seven days a week.

‘It was knackering. There were times I felt drained, physically and emotionally. 

Apart from the strain, us boys are experiencing a prolonged sorrow – a gradual farewell to the woman we cherish deeply.

My Journey Through Alzheimer’s – a treasure trove of insights that I, as an ardent fan, simply can’t wait to delve into!

In their autobiography, the couple, who got married in 1997 and have two kids together, disclosed that their marriage was deteriorating due to Fiona’s unrecognized struggle with an illness at the time.

Fiona explained: ‘My marriage was coming under increasing strain.

It was likely that the illness played a role, although we didn’t realize it then. Over time, I found myself growing increasingly distant from Martin and the kids.

He would express his concern by saying, “You seem to have lost focus on our family and our marriage.” To which I would respond with strong emotion, “That’s absolutely preposterous!

To be truthful, I believe he was correct in his assessment. Frankly, I found myself devoid of the vitality required for everything, and that’s the plain truth.

It wasn’t until Martin declared he was leaving that I truly understood the depth of his feelings on the matter.

‘”Stop being so ridiculous!'” I yelled. “I’m just worn out. I’m tired – of everything.”

He responded, “You’ve been expressing that for quite some time,” suggesting, “Perhaps it is our marriage itself that has left you feeling exhausted.

The first time Fiona encountered Martin happened while she was serving as the host for GMTV, and he held the position of their chief correspondent.

After only four weeks of dating, he asked for her hand in marriage before their trip to Las Vegas, where they got married in 1997.

A year ago, he announced that he was resigning from his role as editor of ITV’s This Morning, a position he held for ten years, so that he could spend more time with his wife who is fighting Alzheimer’s disease.

After leaving behind his busy career, Martin, in his straightforward manner, disclosed that Fiona requires significant assistance from him. His role now encompasses tasks such as bathing Fiona, brushing her teeth, getting her dressed, and most importantly, ensuring she feels secure and protected.

In the year 2025, as I pen down these words, it’s evident that Fiona requires substantial assistance. She struggles with tasks like showering and brushing her teeth, despite having the physical capability to perform them. However, due to her current condition, she finds it difficult to recall or think through the necessary steps to accomplish these tasks effectively.

I take care of washing Fiona’s hair since she’s not familiar with which shampoo and conditioner to choose, how wet her hair should be before washing, or that she needs to rinse off the soap bubbles afterward.

Generally, at night, I’d remind her, “Time for brushing our teeth before sleep,” and then I’d place the toothpaste on the toothbrush and offer it to her.

She remains strongly independent and dislikes the idea of brushing her teeth or being instructed, which often leads her to resist or protest these situations.

He explained that he can’t argue with her objections due to the risk of falling ill, expressing it as: ‘However, this seems to be our course of action, as the most unfavorable outcome might be her developing a tooth infection at a time when she’s already susceptible.’

Fiona is able to dress herself, but she often doesn’t get it right, so Martin needs to help her with dressing and other tasks as well.

He is saying: ‘Although she can get her clothes on, she might struggle with putting them on correctly, so assistance with getting dressed would be beneficial for her.’

I make an effort to prepare her outfit each morning, arranging various clothes for her to choose from. However, she has a strong affection for certain garments and often wears them repeatedly instead.

In his forthcoming memoir, Martin admits that he regrets deeply if Fiona had been diagnosed with cancer instead of Alzheimer’s disease.

Expressing his feelings about Fiona’s condition, he confessed, ‘To put it bluntly, I would have preferred if Fiona were diagnosed with cancer rather than what she has now.’

A surprising statement to make, but if diagnosed earlier, she could potentially have options for a cure or at least a defined treatment plan, along with numerous support and care resources. However, this isn’t the case with Alzheimer’s disease.

Just as you won’t find TikTok videos that are humorous or inspiring, or fashion shoots featuring healthy, beaming survivors who have overcome cancer, there are no such things.

Once someone receives an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, there aren’t many additional interventions available. It becomes a personal journey of coping, as support systems may be limited.

Gradually, it consumes all that surrounds it. Over time, not even the brightest, shiniest stars – like Fiona – are exempt from being erased.

Over time, I’ve realized that should I become unwell or face a serious situation, our entire structure could crumble. That’s why I’ve been mindful about staying healthy, all for Fiona.

Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer’s, by Fiona Phillips will be published on July 17.

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2025-07-09 12:36

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