According to her spokesperson, TV host Fiona Phillips is “hugely touched” by the support she has received since admitting she had Alzheimer’s disease.
Lorraine Kelly and shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper were among the celebrities who extended their well wishes to the former GMTV anchor, who revealed in Wednesday’s Daily Mirror that she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease more than a year ago.
The 62-year-old told the newspaper that she suffered ‘brain fog and worry’ at first, but assumed she was having menopausal symptoms.
Fiona, a Daily Mirror blogger and Alzheimer’s Society ambassador, said she had long feared receiving the diagnosis since the disease had ‘devastated’ her family, with her mother, father, grandparents, and uncle all suffering from the condition.
Following the outpouring of online support, a representative for the TV presenter told the PA news agency: ‘She is of course hugely touched by the outpouring of support that she’s received at this extremely difficult time.’
Lorraine, who also worked on GMTV, said on Twitter that ‘as expected’, Fiona is dealing with her ‘shattering’ diagnosis with ‘courage and optimism’.
The host of ITV’s Lorraine added: ‘She’s a good, kind soul and I pray the treatment works and results in a massive breakthrough for everyone dealing with this hellish disease. Sending her and her family all my love.’
‘We are all extending our big well wishes this morning to Fiona Phillips, widely known to all of you as the former GMTV presenter for more than a decade,’ host Susanna Reid remarked on Wednesday’s programme of Good Morning Britain.
‘Just a hugely popular presenter and journalist, we all know and love her, she has also been an incredible advocate to family’s living with Alzheimer’s.’
According to the publication, Fiona is taking part in a clinical study using a new medicine that might delay the consequences of the condition.
Her husband, Martin Frizell, the editor of ITV’s flagship show This Morning, said that University College Hospital in London, which promises to change future treatment, may be administering her “the actual medication or a placebo.”
‘It’s been weeks now and I like to think her condition is stabilising but I am too close to know really, that could just be my wishful thinking,’ he added.
Journalist Fiona, who hosted GMTV for over a decade and performed on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2005, also stated that she was revealing the news to help lessen the stigma associated with the condition.
She said: ‘There is still an issue with this disease that the public thinks of old people, bending over a stick, talking to themselves.
‘But I’m still here, getting out and about, meeting friends for coffee, going for dinner with Martin and walking every day.’
Fiona also stated that she was in “utter shock” once the doctor informed her that she had Alzheimer’s disease.
Martin said: ‘I just felt sick. We both sat in silence. There was no funny line to make this go away. Nothing smart to say. Nothing.’
According to the NHS website, Alzheimer’s disease is the most frequent form of dementia in the UK. Dementia is defined as a combination of symptoms linked with a persistent loss in brain function.
Ms Cooper also expressed her gratitude to Fiona, who presented Alan Johnson at the Labour Party convention in 2009.
She wrote on Twitter: ‘Huge admiration for her strength & care for others in speaking out like this on something so tough.’
Kate Lee, chief executive at the Alzheimer’s Society, praised Fiona’s decision to share her diagnosis, which raised ‘much-needed awareness of dementia’.
‘Our thoughts are with our ambassador Fiona Phillips and her family following the announcement that she’s living with dementia.
‘Fiona has frequently spoken out about her parents’ experiences of dementia, and her support of Alzheimer’s Society has been hugely impactful and greatly appreciated.
‘Sharing such personal news publicly raises much-needed awareness of dementia and we are extremely grateful to Fiona.
‘We are here to offer our support to Fiona and her family and to everyone affected by dementia.’
Fiona has long advocated for Alzheimer’s awareness and participated in a Department of Health and Social Care campaign in 2012 to urge families to have painful conversations with their loved ones about the illness and seek care.
Her 2009 Channel 4 documentary Dispatches: Mum, Dad, Alzheimer’s, and Me also provided insight into her role as a family caretaker.
Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: ‘We’re sending our love and support to Fiona and her family following her announcement that she’s living with Alzheimer’s disease.
‘It takes such courage to go public with a diagnosis and Fiona knows better than most just how much good that can do.
“Awareness is vital and Fiona’s bravery will help untold people who are going through their own dementia journeys.
‘Fiona’s been a friend of Alzheimer’s Research UK for well over a decade, and her support has shone such a valuable spotlight on the importance of research in overcoming the diseases that cause dementia.
‘There are around 70,800 people with dementia in the UK who, like Fiona, are under 65, and we’re determined to find a cure to end the heartbreak it causes.
‘And we’re so grateful to Fiona for standing with us in our mission.’
More information about Alzheimer’s disease
More information about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can be found at the Alzheimer’s Society website: alzheimers.org.uk.
You can contact their support line on 0333 150 3456.
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