Husband of journalist and TV presenter Fiona Phillips has shared an update with followers about his wife. Martin Frizell has taken to social media to praise the incredible achievements of his wife as she remains on the Sunday Times Bestsellers list for the fifth consecutive week.
Fiona has released a book called “Remember When: My life with Alzheimer’s”, the broadcaster outlines her early-onset battle with the disease. It currently sits fifth in the Sunday Times Bestsellers list.
On Instagram, Martin wrote: “I’m sitting under a pink awning hence the colour of the Sunday Times Bestsellers list – the chart everyone wants to be on. And for the fifth consecutive week, Fiona is on the bestsellers list ( she made No1). She wants to say a massive thank you to everyone who has shown interest in her story, it’s really lifted her mood.
“Can I also thank the many folk who have been in touch with their own stories, suggestions of new treatments and memories of Fiona from her working days. I attach my favourite picture of her from a tv location shoot and shows what a force of life and vitality she had. It’s from one of the many photo albums we flick through as we enjoy Sting’s essential collection – he’s replaced the Stylistics!”
The former GMTV presenter was told she had early onset dementia in 2023, after suffering from months of brain fog and anxiety. In what she was hoping would be menopausal symptoms, Fiona soon learned she had inherited Alzheimer’s after both her parents had already lost their lives to the disease.
Martin Frizell, former editor of This Morning, has previously spoken about how the family are coping while Fiona is living with dementia. Martin shared his anger about the lack of awareness of the disease, and explained Fiona is releasing the memoir titled “Remember When” to start the conversation.
On the This Morning sofa, Martin explained the book gave his wife a purpose: “It started off when we knew it was Alzheimer’s. It was to give her a purpose, to give her something to do. This is a bubbly, smart, fearless, very modern woman and all of a sudden it stops.”
The two married in Las Vegas in May 1997 and they have two sons together. In her new memoir, Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer’s, Fiona has detailed how the couple struggled and grew apart in the years leading up to the diagnosis.
He told the ITV hosts: “We’re just getting through it as a family” but is keen for people to learn more about Alzheimer’s in the hopes there will soon be a cure.”
After the latest Instagram post about the success of Fiona’s book, the couple have been inundated with messages of support. Former This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby replied with a red love heart emoji and a fan of the book commented “Such a profoundly moving book Remember When is. Thank you for your courage and for shining a light on what so many families face in silence.”
Other readers of the book commented “our book is beautifully written and so bravely honest, I read it in one sitting! Martin … you’re an absolute rock by her side, please send much love to our beautiful Fiona.”
A further response was “I couldn’t put Fiona’s book down until I’d finished. Such a roller coater of emotions, such a beautiful brave lady” another said: “What a magnificent book which helped me a little understand my anguish at my darling Mum’s demise.
“She died 17 months ago and there are so many things I wished I’d asked her, written down or done differently.”