“We May Not Have Much Time Left” – Fiona Phillips’ Husband Breaks Down Over Her Alzheimer’s: A Devastating Confession That Shook Fans

Martin Frizell, husband of broadcaster Fiona Phillips, has recently shared a profound and painful truth about her progression with early‑onset Alzheimer’s—telling fans, “We may not have much time left.” His emotional admission underscores the urgent and heartbreaking reality facing their family.

A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

Fiona Phillips, aged 64, was formally diagnosed with early‑onset Alzheimer’s in 2022, after initially mistaking her symptoms for menopause or Long Covid. The couple kept the diagnosis private until July 2023, raising awareness only after it became clear that her condition was deteriorating YouTube+7The Guardian+7itv.com+7The Times+15Wikipedia+15HELLO!+15The Sun+3The Sun+3The Sun+3.

Life in Decline, Love in Loss

In the newly released memoir Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer’s—co‑written by Fiona, Martin, and journalist Alison Phillips—Martin recounts how her decline continues to accelerate: memory lapses, altered behavior, and confusion. She no longer cooks, ignores her wardrobe full of designer clothing, and often wears the same outfit day after day. He describes how “bit by bit, she’s not there” anymore, although she still lives in the house with him uk.news.yahoo.com+4Telegraph+4HELLO!+4.

In deeply painful moments, Fiona has failed to recognize her own son, Nat. On one occasion, when Nat was home from military service making tea, Fiona asked Martin: “Who’s that man in the kitchen?” — despite it being their son they both love The Sun+2gbnews.com+2The Sun+2.

Emptiness of Alzheimer’s vs. Cancer

Perhaps the most shocking revelation: Martin admitted he wished Fiona had been diagnosed with cancer instead—a disease with more treatment options, public understanding, and support systems. With Alzheimer’s, he says, they were “left to cope alone,” bereft of a treatment roadmap or meaningful public conversation The Sun+2The Standard+2The Standard+2.

Daily Grief and the Weight of Care

Since stepping down as editor of ITV’s This Morning in early 2025, Martin has become Fiona’s full‑time caregiver, managing everything from brushing her teeth and helping her dress to paying bills and hiring support staff to assist on difficult days. He candidly describes living with daily grief: “It’s like someone has passed, because bit by bit, she’s not there” The Standard+3HELLO!+3Telegraph+3.

He also shares the heartbreak of her confusion, such as mistaking a recent photo of him and wondering whether he had kidnapped her The Independent+3HELLO!+3uk.news.yahoo.com+3.

Raising Awareness Through Truth

The memoir and interviews are more than a personal chronicle—they’re a plea. Martin’s voice articulates anger and sorrow over the invisibility of Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers. Despite science advancing, he insists Alzheimer’s remains “not a sexy disease,” lacking the visibility of cancer or other conditions. “We may not have much time left,” he tells readers and viewers, urging us to see far beyond the statistics The Sun.

🧠 Why This Matters

It’s a stark reminder of early‑onset Alzheimer’s: rising even among those in their 60s.

It highlights the emotional and systemic crisis faced by caregivers stripped of formal support systems.

Martin’s words serve as a crucial wake‑up call for public empathy and renewed commitment to Alzheimer’s awareness and research.