Fiona Phillips says Dame Barbara Windsor’s Alzheimer’s disease battle will be "a test" of her and husband Scott Mitchell’s relationship.
The 57-year-old TV presenter reached out to the former ‘EastEnders’ actress after Scott revealed she had been diagnosed with the disease, and the former ‘GMTV Today’ host believes he will be "affected hugely" by the situation.
She said: "Scott is in touch with me. [He] is going to be the one that is the affected hugely and it will be a test of their relationship.
"It will become frustrating for him."
Fiona – who lost her parents to Alzheimer’s – hasn’t ever been especially close to Barbara but decided to send her some words of support after hearing about her plight.
She added to the Daily Express newspaper: "Barbara hasn’t been out recently and I did wonder about her."
The former ‘Loose Women’ panellist took a break from ‘GMTV’ following the death of her mother from the disease in May 2006, and has since supported charities associated with Alzheimer’s and breast cancer, which her mum also had.
In February 2007, she competed on ‘Supermarket Sweep’ – presented by late TV host Dale Winton – alongside her brother to raise money for Alzheimer’s charities.
Fiona has revealed her mother also suffered from depression earlier in her life.
Speaking on ‘Lorraine’, she said: "My poor mum, when we were little, she used to lock herself in the room for a day in the dark because she was just so, so depressed.
"I think it can run in families as well. Things happen to you … and the menopause, that is a horrible thing.
"I remember my mum in a real state with her menopause and I just thought, ‘It can’t be that bad surely’ – and yes, it can."
Fiona Phillips supporting Barbara Windsor in Alzheimer’s battle
