Martin Frizell has shared a touching update on wife Fiona Phillips as she continues her battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
The former GMTV presenter, now 64, has been open about her illness since her diagnosis in July 2023.
Reminiscing about happier times, Frizell, 66, took to Instagram to share a sweet throwback photo of the couple at the 2022 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
In the accompanying caption, he shared that the TV star had recently remembered several details from the day, including meeting British F1 driver Lando Norris.
He wrote: “Fond memories in Lando’s garage at Silverstone from ‘22, good luck to This Morning’s adopted son today.
“Fiona remembers meeting and speaking with Lando, what a great treat this was and quite a few of the details - put a smile on my face today.”
Frizell has remained by her side throughout her diagnosis, balancing his demanding role in television with being her primary carer.
After two years, Phillips and her husband of 28 years, have shared the complicated journey of their life now in a new memoir, Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer’s.
He shared his devastating admission, confessing he wishes she had been diagnosed with cancer instead – according to an excerpt shared with the Daily Mail.
The former This Morning editor explained: “It’s a shocking thing to say, but at least then she might have had a chance of a cure, and certainly would have had a treatment pathway and an array of support and care packages.
“But that’s not there for Alzheimer’s. Just like there are no funny or inspiring TikTok videos or fashion shoots with smiling, healthy, in-remission survivors”.
He added that post-diagnosis you are just “left to cope alone.”
Since the diagnosis, Martin took on complete responsibility for the household, from paying bills to chores, with he said he used to “take for granted.” To help alleviate some of the pressure from himself and their 23-year-old son MacKenzie, he hired a trained carer.
As of January 2025, he helps Fiona “brush her teeth and shower”, dress herself, eat and drink.
On difficult days where Fiona has experienced moments of “extreme confusion”, Martin shared that she has demanded to see her late parents.
In November 2024, Frizell announced he would be stepping down as editor of ITV’s This Morning in order to support his wife, after more than a decade of service.
At the time, he wrote: “Next year I’m expecting my family priorities to change, so I need to free up time for them.’
Meanwhile, Fiona, who lost her mother to Alzheimer’s aged 74 in 2006, previously shared her concerns about how people will ‘perceive’ her.
She said: “There is still an issue with this disease that the public thinks of old people, bending over a stick, talking to themselves.
“But I’m still here, getting out and about, meeting friends for coffee, going for dinner with Martin, and walking every day,” she told The Mirror.
