Fiona Phillips, 64, has been seen for the first time in over a year – and the moment is both beautiful and heartbreaking. The former breakfast TV presenter has stepped back into the spotlight with a lovely new photo as she promotes her upcoming book, Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer’s – three years after being diagnosed with the devastating illness.
Fiona, beloved for her warm presence on British television, was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2022, but only made the revelation public a year later. Now, in 2025, she is sharing the most personal details yet of her journey with the disease.
The moving new photo of Fiona – smiling with quiet grace – comes more than a year after she was last seen publicly at the funeral of Kate Garraway’s late husband, Derek Draper, in 2024.
Her upcoming memoir, written with the support of her husband Martin Frizell, 66 – former editor of This Morning – is set to be released on July 3 through publishers Pan Macmillan. The book promises an unflinching look at early warning signs, her increasing memory loss, and the emotional impact on her life and relationships. Martin, her husband of 26 years, stepped down from his ITV role in February 2025 to care for Fiona full-time.
In February, Fiona opened up in an emotional statement about the terrifying and disorienting nature of Alzheimer’s – but also about the small joys that remain. “I hope this book can show people a little about what it is like to live with Alzheimer’s,” she said. “How frightening and confusing it is. But also how much life can still bring joy and be valued… you are not alone.”
Martin also shared a deeply emotional post on Mother’s Day, revealing a photo of Fiona from four years ago – just before symptoms began to appear. “If Mother’s Day is tough, you’re not alone,” he wrote. “This was Fiona four years ago just before symptoms started. It’s my favourite picture of a wonderful mum.”
In a follow-up tribute, he posted a photo of a specially engraved glass Fiona received in 2007 when she was named ‘Mum of the Year,’ writing: “This was more important in our house than any Bafta, NTA, or RTS.”
Fiona’s resilience has been remarkable. She revealed that she is currently part of a revolutionary clinical drug trial aimed at slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s – a move that, so far, seems to be helping. “When I went for my six-month check-up in October,” she explained in Women&Home magazine, “they did cognitive tests… and I was in the same place as I was the previous year. I’m hopeful the drug is holding the disease where it is.”
Although she doesn’t know if she’s receiving the real drug or a placebo, Fiona remains optimistic. “There are risks, including bleeding on the brain,” she admitted, “so I’m a guinea pig. But there’s a real chance it could help.”
Despite the diagnosis, Fiona continues to live her life to the fullest. She still meets friends for coffee, enjoys walks, and is determined not to let Alzheimer’s define her. “I’m pretending it hasn’t happened and not giving it any space in my life at the moment – or as little as I can,” she said. “I’ve still got so much I want to do.”
Martin remains her biggest supporter, though he worries about her when he’s away. “I know Martin worries about what I’m doing… and whether I’m eating. But this isn’t me now. I’m not about to give up. I’ve still got so much to look forward to.”
Fiona, who left GMTV in December 2008 for family reasons, has found that her diagnosis has changed the way she communicates. “Martin says I have no filter now – and it’s true,” she laughed. “I come out with some funny things. I’ve become more honest with people, which I don’t see as a negative thing.”
She added that her friends have embraced her candidness. “No one has reacted badly. Most of the time I’m complimenting people or saying things I would’ve thought but never said out loud.”
Ultimately, Fiona remains hopeful. “My diagnosis is definitely not all doom and gloom. There is still a lot of light in the darkness – and you’ve always got to look for that.”
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Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
