 Fiona Phillips has given her first interview since revealing her Alzheimer's diagnosis, thanking the public for their support. The GMTV presenter revealed earlier this week that she had been diagnosed with the condition, which has a long-running history in her family as she lost both of her parents to it. Fiona, 62, even kept the diagnosis from her two adult sons for as long as possible out of fear of them treating her differently. Now, the ITV broadcaster has explained that she previously worried people would see her as a 'batty old woman' once she went public with the heartbreaking news. Speaking to The Mirror, the columnist shared her reaction to the outpouring of love she's received. 'People have been so kind to me. Because I was worried about sharing the news I have this awful disease,' she began. The GMTV presenter was diagnosed with the disease aged 61 (Picture: John Phillips/UK Press via Getty Images) 'I was anxious people would be staring or whispering about me or would just write me off as a batty old woman. 'But there has been incredible kindness. And so many people have told me about how Alzheimer's has hit their families, as it has attacked mine, and somehow it just makes them feel a little bit less alone.' Fiona – who is married to This Morning boss Martin Frizell – went on to recall meetings with people from decades ago, saying how nice it was that they had reached out to her in recent weeks to wish her well. One message came from a supporter who bumped into her at a TV studio when he was a bodyguard for Wayne Rooney, who is now at 'the same stage of Alzheimer's as she is'. 'I remember him. How sweet of him to write,' Fiona said. And while she still has such strong long-term memory, Fiona's recent memories are harder for her to recall. Fiona even kept her diagnosis from her two sons for months (Picture: PA) It was her husband Martin Frizell who enc){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Fiona Phillips has given her first interview since revealing her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, thanking the public for their support.
The GMTV presenter revealed earlier this week that she had been diagnosed with the condition, which has a long-running history in her family as she lost both of her parents to it.
Fiona, 62, even kept the diagnosis from her two adult sons for as long as possible out of fear of them treating her differently.
Now, the ITV broadcaster has explained that she previously worried people would see her as a ‘batty old woman’ once she went public with the heartbreaking news.