Fiona Phillips, 62, worried she’d be seen as a ‘batty old woman’ after revealing Alzheimer’s diagnosis

Fiona Phillips has responded to the outpouring of support after revealing her diagnosis (Picture: Getty)

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.

‘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.

She struggled to remember how she felt when seeing her photo and her story in the newspaper for the first time.

Fiona admitted she ‘didn’t take much notice’, after her Alzheimer’s began as brain bog and anxiety.

One thing’s for certain, though, and it’s that she doesn’t want pity.

Fiona added: ‘I’m not brave. I’ve just got to get on with it.

‘I mean, what’s the alternative, to lie down and give up?’

She was also reluctant to make a big announcement, but it was her other half who encouraged her to speak out.

‘I didn’t want to make a big thing about it. But then Martin said, “Do you want to embrace this and what is happening to you… or do you want to hide away?” And I didn’t want to hide away. I want to go out and I want to work.’

‘I was anxious people would be staring or whispering about me.’