Fiona Phillips’ husband, Martin Frizell, has opened up in devastating detail about life behind closed doors as his wife continues her heartbreaking battle with Alzheimer’s.

In a deeply personal piece, the former This Morning editor revealed how Fiona – the once-sharp, outspoken TV journalist – has been slowly losing herself to the disease since her diagnosis in 2022.

Now 64, Fiona admits that many of her memories feel “out of reach”, describing the struggle as “like chasing a £5 note on a gusty day”. Speaking about the change, she confessed that she used to talk to anyone about anything – but now finds discussing her own life “agonisingly difficult”.

Martin explained that over the past year, everything they once loved doing together had become “too difficult” for Fiona. She’s now unable to remember where the bedroom is, who texted her, or how to use shampoo or even brush her teeth.

“She can put clothes on, but often gets them the wrong way round,” he shared, admitting he lays out outfits for her each morning. But Fiona clings to familiar items, wearing the same clothes again and again. “There have also been things I’ve had to do for her that are far worse than putting toothpaste on her brush,” Martin admitted, before asking: “Can this get any worse?”

Tragically, it did.

In one of the rawest parts of the piece, Martin confessed: “Being brutally honest, I wish Fiona had contracted cancer instead. At least there might have been a treatment, a pathway, a plan. Alzheimer’s offers nothing but slow loss.”

Before Christmas 2024, Martin brought in a trained carer – disguised as a “housekeeper” – because Fiona would have been “appalled” at the idea of needing care. The carer now helps her prepare food and drink – tasks Fiona can no longer mentally process.

Martin also described terrifying episodes of confusion. Fiona has cried out for her deceased parents, accused him of lying, and even failed to recognise him, asking for “her husband” while denying Martin was the man she married.

“She simply exists,” Martin said painfully. “There’s no past. No future. Just now.”

He confessed he sometimes feels “lonely” – a feeling that brings guilt. Fiona, he added, becomes upset when they talk about her Alzheimer’s, so they mostly avoid it.

Despite his love and devotion, Martin ended with a heartbreaking truth: “I’d love to say Fiona is at peace. But that would be a lie. She’s frustrated. Every single day. And depressed.”

Fiona’s upcoming memoir, Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer’s, is due out later this month.