Phillips admits father's dementia behind decision to quit GMTV
Fiona Phillips admits that her father's dementia was partially behind her decision to quit
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Sunday, 21, Sep 2008 12:25
GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips has admitted that her father's dementia was partially behind her decision to quit the breakfast show.
Phillips, 47, is to leave the popular ITV programme after 15 years, announcing she wanted to spend more time with her family.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, the presenter admitted that her father's deteriorating condition prompted her decision.
Her mother died two years ago after suffering the same illness and she said the strain of juggling a career and a family life left her exhausted.
Phillips said it all became too much and she suffered a mini-breakdown.
She explained: "It was a sort of silent scream. I could keep it together on screen, but when I was sitting at my desk at home I would dread the phone ringing. I felt I couldn’t take any more."
She told the paper that her 72-year-old father's condition was getting worse and voiced her concerns for her own health.
"I'm 47 and my mum was in her late fifties when she developed Alzheimer's, so I am very aware that I may have only 10 years left of life as I know it," Phillips said.
"I must admit that it has contributed to my feeling of time flashing by. Why slog away getting up at 4am when you might not be able to look after your family in the way you want to later on?"
Phillips joined GMTV in 1993 as an entertainment correspondent before moving onto the main presenting role.