Fiona Phillips, 62, blames her early diagnosis of dementia on starting breakfast TV at 3am 11 years ago, as the former GMTV presenter reveals her symptoms may be slowed by a groundbreaking drug trial

Fiona Phillips has revealed she believes her 11 years presenting breakfast television could be the reason why she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at such a young age.

The television presenter, who announced she had been diagnosed with the disease in July, presented ITV’s GMTV between 1997 and 2008, which meant getting up at around 3am on the days she presented the show.

The 62-year-old star, who worked with Eamonn Holmes on the show which started at 6am, said: ‘I ask myself why I got this terrible disease. I wonder if all those years of waking up so early while working on GMTV contributed to me developing Alzheimer’s so young.’

The star, who is married to This Morning editor Martin Frizell, was diagnosed with the disease in 2022.

She was put on a drug trial in an attempt to slow the symptoms, something she says seems to be working for her.

The television presenter, who announced she had been diagnosed with the disease in July, presented ITV’s GMTV between 1997 and 2008, which meant getting up at around 3am on the days she presented the show.

In an interview with Women&Home magazine, Fiona said: ‘I’m taking part in a clinical trial and the signs are positive.

‘I’m taking part in a revolutionary drug trial trying to find a cure. It involves a brand new drug and a placebo, and I have no idea which one I’m taking.

‘When I went for my six-month check-up in October, they did cognitive tests to see where my brain was at, which showed I was in the same place as the year before.

‘I am hopeful that the medicine will keep the disease there. I would rather not have to be on the test, but I am very grateful that I am.

‘There are risks, including bleeding in the brain, so I’m a guinea pig, but there is a real chance it could help.’

Fiona, who has two sons with Mark, stunned her millions of fans earlier this year when she revealed that, like both her parents, she had Alzheimer’s disease.

Still, the star says she ‘pretends’ she doesn’t have the disease so she can continue to enjoy her life.

She still meets friends for coffee and goes for walks, although she admits that Mark, her husband of 26 years, worries about her when he is at work.

In an interview with Women&Home magazine, Fiona talked about the drug trial she is currently on that will hopefully slow down symptoms

‘I know I can still have a great life. I just get on with things. I pretend it didn’t happen and don’t give it any space in my life right now.”

The journalist has spoken highly of her husband Martin Frizell – who is editor of ITV’s This Morning – describing him as ‘amazing’ (pictured together in 2013).

‘I know Martin is worried about what I’m doing when he’s at work or out in the evening, and whether I’m eating. But this isn’t me now. I have no intention of giving up. I still have so much to look forward to’

‘My diagnosis is certainly not all doom and gloom. There is still a lot of light in the darkness, and you should always look for it’

Fiona presented GMTV for over a decade before leaving the show (pictured alongside Eamonn Holmes)

‘I know I can still have a great life. I just get on with things. I pretend it didn’t happen and don’t give it any space in my life right now. Or as little as I can. I still have so much I want to do.

‘I know Martin is worried about what I’m doing when he’s at work or out in the evening, and whether I’m eating. But this isn’t me now. I have no intention of giving up. I still have so much to look forward to.’

Fiona, who left GMTV in December 2008 for family reasons, said that since her diagnosis she has become more vocal and ‘honest’ with people.

She added that no one reacted badly to her more candid comments.

“Martin says I have no filter now, and that’s true,” Fiona said.

‘I come out with funny things. I have become more honest with people, which I don’t see as a negative.

‘No one has reacted badly, and I usually end up complimenting people and saying things that I had thought but didn’t blurt out.

I think Martin gets a little annoyed sometimes, but all my friends are used to it now.

‘My diagnosis is certainly not all doom and gloom. There is still a lot of light in the darkness, and you should always look for it.’

If you need support, contact Alzheimer’s Society on 0333 150 3456 or visit alzheimers.org.uk.