Fiona Phillips’ husband Martin Frizell has opened up about her life, four years after the broadcaster was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, aged just 61Daniel Bird Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor
16:30, 11 Feb 2026Updated 16:46, 11 Feb 2026
Inside Fiona Phillips’ life now
Fiona Phillips’ husband has shared an insight into her life now. The former GMTV anchor was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2022, aged just 61.
But in a fresh interview, Martin Frizell, the former producer and editor of This Morning and Good Morning Britain, has opened up about Fiona’s life now, revealing that she can no longer remember Christmas or the New Year period. While Fiona, now 65, was once known for her bubbly appearance and outgoing nature on TV, life is very different.
Nowadays, Martin admits that leaving the house with his wife can be challenging as she often forgets where they are going, causing “unbearable” stress for Martin.
Fiona’s husband, Martin Frizell, has shared an insight into her life now(Image: Getty Images Europe)
In a new interview, Martin explained that while Fiona is “very much with us” every day presents a new challenge. “She doesn’t remember Christmas now, she doesn’t remember New Year,” he explained, adding: “I don’t want to give the impression she’s some sort of basket case. She’s very much with us.”
However, Fiona is “still the world’s most stubborn woman”. Martin, however, while he takes time for himself, admits that this could be a challenge due to caring for Fiona, with whom he shares two children. He explained: “I used to say it’s not me that needs to be asked if I’m ok, it’s not me that has the diagnosis. I’ve gone back to broadcasting, doing stuff ourselves and podcasting.”
In April, he’ll be heading out on tour for eight days, despite having previously not been away from home for more than three days. “I feel guilty being here and not with her,” he said about Lorraine.
The TV anchor was diagnosed in 2021(Image: Daily Mirror)
However, his absence is not only difficult for Fiona but also for their wider family. He explained: “Nothing changes in that respect but it’s wretched. I use the word wretched because I think it’s applicable to what we’re going through, not just for her, but family and the people around her as well.”
Speaking previously about the difficulties the family face, he said: “There’s no way I could drive, or we could take public transport as Fiona now rarely understands where she is going or why, constantly asking what is happening, probably four or five times a minute on loop for the entire journey.
“Honestly, I got close to telling the taxi driver to turn around and take us home – Fiona’s only safe place – as the stress was unbearable. But of course that self-pity pales into insignificance compared to what Fiona was going through.”
Martin explained that leaving the house with Fiona can be difficult at times(Image: PA)
Speaking to the Mirror’s former editor in chief, Alison Phillips, in 2022, Fiona, a former columnist for us, said: “This disease has ravaged my family, and now it has come for me. And all over the country, there are people of all different ages whose lives are being affected by it – it’s heartbreaking. I just hope I can help find a cure which might make things better for others in the future.”
Deep down, Fiona had long feared this moment was waiting for her. And yet it was still the most gut-wrenching, shuddering shock when a doctor told her one afternoon in 2021: “Your results are back.. And yes, I’m afraid they do show early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease.”
“It’s something I might have thought I’d get at 80,” she said. “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.”
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