Good Morning Britain presenters Susanna Reid and Ed Balls have led messages of support to Fiona to Fiona Phillips following the broadcaster's Alzheimer's diagnosis at the age of 62.
The former GMTV host, who was brought up in Pembrokeshire, was first diagnosed with the disease one year ago after suffering with brain fog and anxiety.
The mother-of-two, who is married to ITV boss Martin Frizell, lost her mother, Amy, to the disease in 2006 and her dad, Phil, in 2012. She told The Mirror: "This disease has ravaged my family and now it has come for me. And all over the country there are people of all different ages whose lives are being affected by it – it’s heartbreaking. I just hope I can help find a cure which might make things better for others in the future."
Read more: TV presenter Fiona Phillips reveals Alzheimer's diagnosis at 62
Opening GMB on Wednesday, July 5, Susanna said: "We're all sending our huge best wishes to Fiona Phillips because of course well known to all of you as the former presenter of GMTV for more than a decade I think and just a hugely popular presenter and journalist.
"We all know and love her – she's also been an incredible advocate for families living with Alzheimer's. Her mother was diagnosed in her 50s, or her symptoms were certainly picked up in her 50s, her father then in his 60s, and her uncle as well.
"And now Fiona herself has been diagnosed – it's called young-onset Alzheimer's. She was diagnosed at the age of 61."
Ed then called Fiona an "iconic broadcaster" and said she has "such a connection with people," before stating: "I remember when Gordon Brown first became prime minister back in 2007, he really wanted to persuade Fiona to give up television and come into government.
"He thought she would be a brilliant public health minister – somebody who could communicate with people about things that would really make a difference their lives, as she did on the television, but I think she decided that broadcasting was her priority."
He continued: "As I know really well if you have a parent who has dementia – my mum has had it for 20 years – it's always in your mind: 'Is it hereditary?' I would guess that Fiona has been thinking about this for a long time and now it's a reality that she's been dealing with and so bravely.
"She's involved in a big trial to try and test out drugs which might make a difference and she wants to pioneer – she wants to talk about it. She wants to help other people deal with this but she'll be doing all of that, helping other people as she's always done, while also having to deal with it herself which is so tough." For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
