Fiona Phillips is cured of Alzheimer’s, as experimental treatment proves effective? She makes an emotional return after a year battling the disease
Fiona Phillips has stepped back into the spotlight for the first time in over a year, sharing a powerful and intimate look into her life with Alzheimer’s as she prepares to release a deeply personal memoir.
The former GMTV presenter, 64, was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s in 2022 and went public with the news in 2023. Now, she is ready to tell her story in her upcoming book Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer’s, due out this July.
To mark the announcement, Fiona appeared in a new photo — her first public image since her diagnosis — offering a warm smile that belies the struggles she has faced. Her husband, Martin Frizell, who left his role as editor of This Morning earlier this year to become her full-time carer, has been instrumental in helping shape the book.
Fiona reveals that what she once assumed were symptoms of menopause — brain fog and anxiety — turned out to be the early signs of Alzheimer’s. The diagnosis came as an especially painful blow, as both of her parents had battled the same disease.
Today, however, there’s a glimmer of hope. Fiona is taking part in a groundbreaking clinical trial that involves daily injections of a potential new treatment. According to those close to her, this regimen appears to be slowing the progression of the disease. While there is no known cure yet, early signs suggest that the therapy may help stabilise her condition and give her more quality time.
“I want this book to show people the truth about living with Alzheimer’s — how confusing, how scary it can be,” she says. “But I also want people to know there’s still beauty and laughter to be found. You’re never truly alone.”
Although she retired from regular broadcasting in 2018, Fiona has long been a champion for dementia awareness, having previously fronted documentaries on the topic. Now, as a patient herself, she continues that mission more personally than ever — through courage, honesty, and the hope that her journey might help others.