04 July 2023 , 22:16
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TV presenter Fiona Phillips has been flooded with support following the Mirror columnist publicly sharing a health update.
The former GMTV host revealed this evening that she's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at 62, and is currently being looked after by her husband, This Morning boss Martin Frizell.
The star has received messages from support from many colleagues across the industry including former ITV pal Lorraine Kelly.
Taking to Twitter this evening, Lorraine shared a video of Fiona speaking with the Mirror about her heartbreaking diagnosis.
Quote-tweeting the video, Lorraine told her followers: "As expected our much loved Fiona is dealing with this shattering diagnosis with courage and optimism.
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"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."
Lorraine Kelly and Fiona Phillips with their ITV co-stars during the early 00s (REX)"Amazing lady one of my all time favourite presenters," one of the Scottish TV star's followers replied this evening.
Another added: "Very very sad news. My Grandpa died in 2005 of Alzheimer's and my Gran in 2020. Thinking of Fiona her husband and family. It's heartbreaking. Fiona is an amazing lady and very much missed on ITV Breakfast xxxx."
One fan of Fiona's shared the Mirror's article reporting the sad news, telling their own followers: "It’s incredibly brave of Fiona Phillips to open up about her Alzheimer’s diagnosis at the age of just 61.
"I’ve attached her interview with The Mirror in the next tweet, and please don’t forget if you or a loved one need support a great place to start is."
Fiona's bravery has been praised by fansFiona opened up about her diagnosis as doctors told her she had the illness a year ago after suffering months of brain fog and anxiety.
Speaking to the Mirror's editor Alison Phillips, she revealed: "It’s something I might have thought I’d get at 80. But I was still only 61 years old.
"I felt more angry than anything else because this disease has already impacted my life in so many ways; my poor mum was crippled with it, then my dad, my grandparents, my uncle. It just keeps coming back for us."
Fiona, who is mum to Nat, aged 24, and Mackenzie, 21, hopes by telling her story she can raise awareness and reduce the stigma attached to the disease.
"There is still an issue with this disease that the public thinks of old people, bending over a stick, talking to themselves," she says.
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"But I’m still here, getting out and about, meeting friends for coffee, going for dinner with Martin and walking every day."