Fiona Phillips, the former GMTV presenter who became one of Britain’s most recognisable breakfast television faces, revealed in July 2023 that she had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The announcement, made when she was 62, brought renewed attention to a condition that affects younger adults in ways the public rarely sees.
Her memoir, Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer’s, co-written with her husband Martin Frizell and journalist Alison Phillips, was published on 17 July 2025. The book offers an intimate account of her journey from the height of her television career to life with a progressive neurological disease.
Phillips spent 12 years co-hosting GMTV, joining millions of Britons each morning. Behind the camera, she was already navigating caring responsibilities for her parents, both of whom developed dementia. Her own diagnosis, at age 61, added another layer to a family history shadowed by the disease.
What is Fiona Phillips’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and current status?
| Fiona Phillips at a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 January 1961 (age 65 in 2026) |
| Profession | Retired journalist, broadcaster, television presenter |
| Known for | GMTV (ITV breakfast show) – 12 years as presenter |
| Health | Diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2022; both parents had dementia |
- Fiona Phillips revealed her Alzheimer’s diagnosis in July 2023 to raise awareness and reduce stigma.
- She co-authored the memoir Remember When with husband Martin Frizell and journalist Alison Phillips, published July 2025.
- Both of her parents were diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
- Genetic testing showed she does not carry an Alzheimer’s gene but has a predisposition.
- Her husband Martin Frizell stepped down as editor of This Morning in February 2025 to become her full-time carer.
- Early symptoms such as brain fog were initially mistaken for menopause.
- The memoir details her experiences with the NHS system and the confusion of early cognitive decline.
| Key Facts About Fiona Phillips | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Fiona Phillips |
| Date of birth | 1 January 1961 |
| Place of birth | Canterbury, England |
| Spouse | Martin Frizell (married 1997) |
| Children | Two sons |
| Father | Neville Phillips (had Alzheimer’s) |
| Mother | Had dementia, diagnosed in her 50s |
| Alzheimer’s diagnosis | Confirmed early 2022 at age 61 |
| Public disclosure | July 2023 |
| Memoir | Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer’s (published 17 July 2025) |
Fiona Phillips now – how is she living with Alzheimer’s?
Since her diagnosis, Phillips has continued to live at home with her family. Her husband Martin Frizell left his role as editor of This Morning in February 2025 to care for her full-time, citing changing family priorities. Public appearances have become limited, but she remains an advocate for dementia awareness through her memoir and the ongoing conversations it has generated.
The book describes the disorienting experience of early symptoms. Phillips initially attributed her brain fog to menopause, a common misidentification that delayed her diagnosis. The memoir also sheds light on navigating the NHS system while coming to terms with a life-altering condition.
What does the future hold? Fiona Phillips in 2026 and beyond
As of 2026, Phillips and Frizell continue to share their experiences publicly. The memoir remains a key resource for early-onset dementia awareness, offering a personal perspective that clinical literature often cannot provide. No specific information is available about 2026–2027 events beyond the book’s release, and the current stage of her disease has not been disclosed.
Who are Fiona Phillips’s family members?
Who is Fiona Phillips’s husband?
Fiona Phillips married Martin Frizell in 1997. Frizell is a journalist and television producer who served as editor of ITV’s This Morning before stepping down in February 2025 to become her full-time carer. The couple have been together for nearly three decades, and Frizell co-wrote Remember When alongside Phillips and Alison Phillips.
Martin Frizell’s decision to leave his role at This Morning to care for his wife highlights the often-unseen reality that many families face when a loved one receives an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. His public shift from editor to full-time carer has drawn attention to the demands of caregiving, especially in the context of early-onset dementia.
Does Fiona Phillips have children?
Yes, Phillips and Frizell have two sons. The children were born in the late 1990s and early 2000s, during Phillips’s tenure at GMTV. She had been balancing a demanding morning television career while raising a young family and simultaneously caring for her parents, both of whom were developing dementia at the time.
What happened to Fiona Phillips’s father?
Fiona Phillips’s father, Neville Phillips, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Both of her parents experienced dementia — her mother was diagnosed in her 50s, and her father in his early 60s. This family history of early-onset dementia raised concerns for Phillips long before her own diagnosis emerged.
How old is Fiona Phillips?
Fiona Phillips was born on 1 January 1961, making her 65 years old in 2026. She was 61 at the time of her Alzheimer’s diagnosis in early 2022.
What books has Fiona Phillips written?
Fiona Phillips is the author of Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer’s, a memoir co-written with her husband Martin Frizell and journalist Alison Phillips. Published by Pan Macmillan on 17 July 2025, the book traces her journey from a successful broadcasting career through her diagnosis and the realities of living with early-onset Alzheimer’s.
The memoir covers the confusion of early symptoms, the impact on family relationships, and Phillips’s determination to remain present in her own life. It also offers readers a window into the NHS system and the challenges of obtaining a clear diagnosis when symptoms overlap with other conditions.
In Remember When, Phillips writes: “I hope this book can show people a little about what it is like to live with Alzheimer’s… frightening and confusing… but also how much life can still bring joy.” The memoir is structured to provide both personal narrative and practical insight for others facing a similar diagnosis.
Phillips had never presented a programme called Remember When — the title refers to the memoir itself, not a separate television show. The book has become a reference point for early-onset dementia awareness since its release.
What is the timeline of Fiona Phillips’s life and Alzheimer’s journey?
- 1 January 1961: Born in Canterbury, England.
- Late 1980s–1990s: Built a career in journalism and television; joined GMTV.
- 1997: Married Martin Frizell.
- 1998–2008: Two sons born.
- 2012: Left GMTV after 12 years.
- Early 2022: Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at age 61 after noticing symptoms.
- July 2023: Publicly disclosed the diagnosis in media interviews.
- 2023: Announced memoir Remember When with Pan Macmillan.
- February 2025: Martin Frizell left This Morning to care for Phillips full-time.
- 17 July 2025: Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer’s published.
What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about Fiona Phillips’s health?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2022 at age 61. | Exact month of diagnosis has not been publicly specified. |
| Her father had Alzheimer’s; her mother had dementia. | Current stage of Alzheimer’s (early or moderate) has not been disclosed. |
| Married to Martin Frizell with two sons. | Prognosis and future trajectory of her condition remain private. |
| Memoir Remember When published 17 July 2025 by Pan Macmillan. | No confirmed schedule for future public appearances or media work. |
| Retired from full-time broadcasting; lives at home with family care. | Specific daily care routines and medical treatments are not publicly documented. |
What is the broader significance of Fiona Phillips’s story?
Fiona Phillips’s case has contributed to the growing public conversation around early-onset Alzheimer’s, particularly among people in their 50s and 60s who are still professionally active. Her decision to go public with her diagnosis aimed to break stigma and encourage research funding, and the genetic link with her father’s illness has underscored the hereditary risks associated with familial Alzheimer’s.
The memoir provides an intimate perspective on living with cognitive decline while having cared for an elderly parent with the same condition. Media coverage has focused largely on sympathy and awareness, with less emphasis on clinical details — a pattern consistent with how public figures often shape the discussion around progressive illnesses.
Phillips’s story also highlights the complexities of diagnosis. Early symptoms such as brain fog can be mistaken for menopause or stress, leading to delays in identification and treatment. The book’s portrayal of her journey through the NHS system has resonated with many readers facing similar uncertainties.
Early-onset Alzheimer’s affects people under 65, and symptoms can differ from late-onset forms. Memory loss may not be the first sign — behavioural changes, confusion, and difficulty with planning can appear earlier. Resources such as the NHS – Alzheimer’s disease information and Alzheimer’s Research UK offer guidance for those experiencing symptoms or supporting a loved one.
Where can readers find reliable information about Fiona Phillips?
The most comprehensive public record of Fiona Phillips’s biography and career is maintained on Wikipedia – Fiona Phillips, which includes verified details about her birth, family, television work, and health disclosure. The page is updated with citations from established media sources and serves as a factual baseline for her life story.
Details about the memoir Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer’s are available through Goodreads and Audiobooks.com, which provides the publisher’s summary and reader reviews. The publisher Pan Macmillan’s announcement of the book acquisition offers additional context about the project’s origins and Phillips’s motivation for writing it.
“I have Alzheimer’s. I’m only 61. I want to tell my story to help others.”
— Fiona Phillips, interview with The Mirror (2022)
“Pan Macmillan to publish Remember When by Fiona Phillips, who is writing with the help of husband Martin Frizell and journalist Alison Phillips.”
— Pan Macmillan press release (2023)
“TV presenter Fiona Phillips was only 60 when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.”
— Good Housekeeping UK (2022)
For broader support and medical information about early-onset Alzheimer’s, the Alzheimer’s Association provides resources for patients, carers, and families. Additional insight into Phillips and Frizell’s experience as a couple navigating dementia together can be found through Carer Mentor, which covers caregiving perspectives.
What does Fiona Phillips’s story teach us about early-onset Alzheimer’s?
Fiona Phillips’s public journey has shown that an Alzheimer’s diagnosis does not erase a person’s ability to contribute, advocate, or share their experience. Her memoir and the conversations it has sparked serve as a reminder that early-onset dementia affects not just the individual but an entire network of family, friends, and colleagues. For readers seeking to understand the condition from the inside, her story — told in her own words — remains one of the most accessible entry points available. Other British television figures such as Denise Welch – Biography, Age, Husband and TV Career and Adele Roberts – Broadcaster, Cancer Survivor, Stoma Advocate have also shared personal health battles publicly, contributing to a broader cultural conversation about illness, resilience, and advocacy.
Frequently asked questions about Fiona Phillips
Is Fiona Phillips still married?
Yes, she is married to Martin Frizell, a journalist and producer, since 1997. He is now her full-time carer.
What is Fiona Phillips’s net worth?
Net worth is not publicly disclosed. She earned from her long career in television and speaking engagements before her diagnosis.
Did Fiona Phillips’s father have Alzheimer’s?
Yes, her father Neville Phillips had Alzheimer’s disease. Her mother also had dementia, diagnosed in her 50s.
When was Fiona Phillips diagnosed with Alzheimer’s?
She was diagnosed in early 2022 at age 61 and publicly shared the news in July 2023.
What is the name of Fiona Phillips’s book?
Her memoir is titled Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer’s, published 17 July 2025.
Is Fiona Phillips still alive?
Yes, she is alive as of 2026 and living at home with her family, though public appearances have become limited.
What TV show did Fiona Phillips present?
She was best known for co-presenting GMTV on ITV, a role she held for 12 years until 2012.
Does Fiona Phillips have a genetic form of Alzheimer’s?
Genetic testing found she does not carry an Alzheimer’s gene but has a predisposition. Both parents had dementia, indicating a strong family link.
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Amelia Foster covers the economy, business and consumer affairs for BritView.uk.