Fiona Phillips has revealed that her decision to quit the GMTV sofa was partly due to a fear of developing dementia at an early age.

Phillips told the Sunday Times: “He keeps forgetting words and it’s so sad because he was such an active, intelligent man with an opinion on everything.

“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 ten years left of life as I know it.

“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?” she said.