Before I Forget

by Fiona Phillips

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.

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2010

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was very informative about alzheimers and the effect it can have on your family. I enjoyed it

[Aileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Fiona’s life, her parents the struggle with her late
Mum had with Alzheimer’s and now her Father has it too. Her decision to
quit GMTV, her boys and Martin her husband. This is quite a sad book,
it is easy to read and follow I would definitely recommend, I found the
book to be a quick read.

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book over two days and could not put it down. As my late Mum died at Christmas from Alzheimers I could totally relate to Fiona’s account of her Mother’s battle with Alzheimers.

Just like Fiona’s Mum, Amy, my first signs that Mum was not herself was a deterioration in her beautiful handwriting and her spelling. We went several times to the opticians because Mum knew something wasn’t right but they said her eyes were fine. She also kept notebooks everywhere to remind herself what she needed to do and what she must remember to tell me.

It is a very sad story and just like my Mum’s death it is almost a relief when she passes away as it is agony to see a vibrant, fun loving woman reduced to someone with dead eyes, unable to walk and who can only say a couple of words.

Sadly Fiona’s Dad is also then diagnosed with Alzheimers while her sons are still very young.

My Mum’s story is almost a carbon copy of Amy’s story except my Mum was older.

I admire Fiona Phillips very much and hope we see more of her on our screens again because she is open, honest and engaging.

[Kevin Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I Forget is a very well written book that's full of emotion and events that every one can identify with. The beginning of this book was for me full of personal memories. I was at school with Fiona when she lived in Canterbury and loved the forgotten memories that this book evoked. I found it interesting to discover what happened to her when she moved away with her family.
I would thoroughly recommend this to all those who love a realistic and heartfelt read.

[Sherry Mackay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very sad story of a woman losing both her parents to dementia. The writer used to be a TV presenter in England apparently. I don't know anything about her other than this book tho. There is quite a lot about her and her childhood which was not so interesting to me. It is a very sad story and I feel for her having to deal with not one but two parents being sucked down by this disease.

[Siobhán Cullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having watched Fiona on GMTV & followed her journey with both her parents this was a much read for me. Not only is it heartbreaking for someone young to go through this terrible disease it is also a heartbreaking read but also heartwarming. I feel for her wonderful husband and sons

A must read

[Janet goldstaub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiona philips

Loved this book once I started I couldn't put it down ! It was funny and heartwrenching at the same time .....how could she carry on I will never know ! Tears were definitely flowing at the end .

[Michelle Chadwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute pleasure to share the life of this wonderful lady. It's a long time since I cried reading a book but I sure did over this one.

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had me laughing and crying. Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease 🥺

[Caroline Glinka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devastating

[Amanda Brome · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really interesting, it gives an intimate inside into dementia

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

i am a fan of Fiona Phillips, as a GMTV broadcaster I remember how down to earth and friendly she came across and her book does not disappoint. I am glad that Fiona is able put her journalistic skills to the front to raise the mater of Alzheimer's and euthanasia, whatever viewpoint you have. With more and more elderly people having this illness, the power and emotions of how Fiona came to live with it is something that many people will relate to.
On a lighter note, the book also made me smile as I also enjoyed reading her childhood references to fashion, culture, friendships. Being the same age as Fiona I knew the influence of Donny Osmond and the song Puppy Love.

Thank you Fiona for sharing your life with us in such a true account. Her husband Martin is too good to be true though, what a wonderful gentleman he is.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sad account of her mothers decline into the cruel world of Alzheimers and how Fiona tried to juggle her career on GMTV with being married and a mother of small children and having to travel down to Wales every weekend. Her father was also acting very coldly- and it was subsequently discovered that he also suffers from dementia.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book and so well written about how Fiona was juggling her career, family life and spending time with her Mum who was suffering from Alzheimers. I laughed and also cried a lot with this book. It also goes into a lot more about Fiona's career and upbringing which i wasn't expecting in this book. I hope she writes more material in the future.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could relate to so much, as my mother had Alzheimer's for 8 yrs and for those 8 yrs, I was her full-time carer. This is an excellent read and a book that I will keep.

[Elviey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read this as my dads got Alzheimer`s I thought it was wrote very well Very sad that Fiona had suffered with both parents from this awful illness.

[Jacqueline Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty story if you are interested in Fiona it's a good read.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very moving insightful look at Fiona's life.