“I HAVEN’T BEEN NEAR A GYM IN YEARS!”
TV presenter Fiona Phillips chats to us about keeping fit now she’s turning 60 and her work raising awareness of dementia
She’s been a favourite face on our TV screens for over two decades, impressing Prime Ministers and the Hollywood A-list with her no-nonsense interview skills. Now away from the limelight, Fiona Phillips is shining a light on dementia. The degenerative disease claimed her parents Phil and Amy.
During the Covid-19 pandemic Fiona teamed up with the Alzheimer’s Society to support their emergency appeal to help fund the Dementia Connect support line, providing support and assistance to those who need it most. “It’s a disease that just cripples the family, and for the person that has the disease, it’s so cruel. There’s no dignity. You lose that person while they’re still with you, which is quite tragic. When someone has a more physical illness like cancer, there is at least hope they can be cured and lead a healthyy life. With dementia,, it’s a long, painful road to death. It’s horrible”, says Fiona.
At the time of her parents’ diagnosis, Fiona was at the top of her high-flying career as anchor-women on breakfast TV show GMTV and a mum to two young children.
“I loved my job on breakfast TV, but I just couldn’t carry on. In the end, though, it was a positive thing, I got to spend more time with the boys, and I do different things now. I don’t think it’s good to do the same things for years. Especially as you get older as I think you need to challenge yourself, because you don’t use your brain as much and I’m obsessed with using my brain, given my parents’ history.”
Fiona, who lives in London with her husband, ITV’s This
Morning boss Martin Frizell, 61, and their sons Mackenzie, 18, and Nathaniel, 20, admits she worries about developing the disease herself. “My parents both had early-onset dementia which started in theirr fifties, that is why I worry. In your fifties, the menopause kicks the stuffing out of you and then this. I do get anxious about things. I worry I won’t bee able to find things when I go somewhere. I write everythingg down, so I don’t forget.”
“I walk absolutely everywhereh and d am fitter now than I have ever been”
It’s been a tough few months for the bubbly TV presenter, who believes she contracted coronavirus back in March and her much-loved father-in-law Martin passed away in April. “We haven’t been tested for the virus, so I still don’t know officially. But I had all of the symptoms. In the beginning, I thought it was just a dry cough, but as it progressed, I felt like someone had hit me. I was in bed for three weeks. I hate being ill because I don’t like not being active. I was physically drained. Then Martin [who shares the same name as his son] passed away, not long after. He was 86 and had a really nice life,” explains Fiona.
There was also one thing about the recent UK lockdown that Fiona just couldn’t get used to. “I don’t like the ‘new norm’ Zoom calls, It’s not a proper conversation, and everyone is looking weird and sounding weird. But it’s a big thing now. Then there are these ridiculous articles now saying, ‘Here’s your zoom outfit. Do people think, yes I’m going to dress up for my zoom chat?” She laughs.
Fortunately, there is a celebration on the horizon for Fiona, who turns 60 at the turn of the year. “I haven’t been thinking about my birthday; it hasn’t even featured in my mind at all. Martin was talking about his for a long time, saying I’m going to be 60 soon, and I’d say not for eight months, so shut up!”.
While Fiona admits ageing doesn’t faze her, she may have a change of heart when it comes to going under the knife.
“I never had anything done
to my face, not even a facial. I don’t like anything around my face, especially needles, so I am managing but getting more tempted. When I see people who’ve had fillers, and it has made them look more youthful, I do think, I might try that, but I haven’t yet.”
As a slender size 6, Fiona admits she doesn’t worry about her weight. “I follow a healthy vegetarian diet but I haven’t been near a gym in years. When I think about the gym membership money I spent, I think what a waste. I walk everywhere. I’ve only ever had two cars my whole life because I never use them. My cars are like brand new when I sell them. I walk everywhere and I am fitter now than I have ever been.”
“I haven’t weighed myself since I was 23. I remember that day chucking the scales out because I would get so depressed if I’d put on weight. I don’t know how I stay slim because I eat so much, it must be all the walking. We don’t need lycra or expensive clothes from sports shops. Just get out there and walk – it doesn’t cost a penny.”
The Alzheimer’s Society is here for anyone affected by dementia. They are calling on the public to support their Emergency Appeal to help keep the Dementia Connect support line going and extend telephone and virtual support. Donate at ALZHEIMERS.ORG.UK/