Before I Forget

(Paperback)

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Television journalist and presenter Fiona Phillips gives a frank and open account of her complex relationship with her parents, both of whom have succumbed to dementia. Fiona Phillips is one of our best-loved television presenters. Well-known for being warm, chatty and down to earth, she attended her local comprehensive in Southampton before studying English in Birmingham. For over twelve years she presented GMTV, during which time she interviewed some of the most famous and influential people on the planet, from film stars to royalty, politicians to local heroes. But in August 2008 Fiona announced that she was to quit the job she loved, revealing that her father, Phil, had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's just a year after her mother had died of the same disease and that she had decided to devote more time to him and to her family. Before I Forget is a wonderfully honest account of growing up in the 1960s and 70s within a complex family. During her childhood her father could sometimes be distant and demanding which both saddened her and drove her to succeed, her mother always the devoted wife and the steady heart of the family. When Fiona lands the job at GMTV she revels in how proud they are of her achievement. When her mother and then her father succumb to Alzheimer's we share in Fiona's sadness as she movingly describes watching them fade away, one moment interviewing George Clooney the next taking a call from Pembrokeshire Social Services to say that her mother had wandered away from her care home. Before I Forget is an extraordinary book which will resonate with Fiona's millions of fans and the millions of people who day-by-day are going through, or have gone through, the same experiences.

Reviews

This memoir is an honest account of Fiona's life so far. From growing up in the 1970s, landing the job of a lifetime, to coping with her mum's death and then coping as her father succumbs to the same cruel disease * The Sun 4 stars *
A poignant account of her parent's descent into Alzheimer's * Daily Mail *
Painful honesty * Daily Mirror *
Heartfelt ... a frank and moving read * Best *
A poignant, personal account * Woman & Home *

Author Bio

Fiona Phillips is a television presenter who until recently presented GMTV for over 12 years. She has presented numerous television and radio programmes, has appeared in two feature films, writes a weekly column in the Daily Mirror and is a columnist for Tesco magazine. Fiona has written widely on Alzheimer's in newspapers and magazines and campaigns for more support from the government for carers. In January 2009 she made the Channel Four programme Mum, Dad, Alzheimer's and Me and in January 2010 followed it up with My Family and Alzheimer's. She lives in London with her husband and two children.