Martin Frizell, husband of former ITV presenter Fiona Phillips, has spoken candidly about her daily struggles with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. In a recent appearance on ITV's Loose Women, Frizell described Phillips' 'biggest frustration' as her inability to work, a career she had pursued since the age of 11.
Frizell noted that Phillips' mood has improved thanks to a new antidepressant, and she is now in a 'much better place' than a few weeks ago. However, he explained that watching television triggers anxiety and frustration, as she longs to be working. 'This was a fearless woman,' he said. 'Seeing her now in that anxious phase is horrible.'
The couple has been married for 28 years and share two sons, Nat, 26, and Mackenzie, 23, who have tested negative for the hereditary form of the disease. Phillips' memoir, Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer's, details her journey since diagnosis in 2022, including the 'agonisingly difficult' nature of daily life.
Frizell also revealed that they have secretly hired a carer to assist Phillips with tasks such as dressing, bathing, and cooking. In a previous interview with The Telegraph, he recalled the 'gut-wrenching' moment of receiving the diagnosis, describing the leaflet given to them as irrelevant to their situation.
