She was one of the first celebrities to reveal she had contracted coronavirus .
And Fiona Phillips detailed her ‘horrible’ experience with the disease in a column for The Mirror on Thursday, as she spoke candidly about the impact it had on her during her self-isolation.
Saying the virus made her feel like she had ‘been clobbered in [her] sleep ‘, the broadcaster, 59, reassured readers that she had made a full recovery after staying in bed for three weeks.
‘I felt as though I’d been clobbered in my sleep ‘: Fiona Phillips detailed her experience with coronavirus in her column and revealed she has recovered (pictured on Thursday)
In her candid column, Fiona said the virus had been ‘exhausting’ and gave her a plethora of ‘nasty side-effects’ that left her drained and weak.
She explained: ‘All I can say is I felt as though I’d been clobbered in my sleep. However hard I tried to get myself out of bed and on with the day ahead, something was holding me back. ‘
‘ I’d had horrible gut pain for a few days. My whole digestive tract was making a pain of itself, demanding attention and really dragging me down.
Difficult: Fiona said the virus had been ‘exhausting’ and gave her a plethora of ‘nasty side-effects’ that left her drained and weak as she had ‘horrible gut pain’ and a persistent dry cough
‘And that annoying, dry cough persisted and, even worse, was aggravating my already fiery throat. Maybe I should get some more sleep, I thought, then I’ll be fine. ‘
Fiona revealed she slept for days at a time and completely lost her appetite Because of the virus, though her husband Martin Frizell made sure she drank enough liquids during that time.
Admitting she felt ‘scared’ during the course of her time battling the virus, Fiona said she tried to remain positive until, three weeks later, she recovered.
On Thursday, Fiona was seen for the first time since she self-isolated for 20 days for fear of spreading the highly-contagious COVID – 21 virus.
Doting: Fiona revealed she slept for days at a time and completely lost her appetite because of the virus, though her husband Martin Frizell (pictured in 2013) made sure she drank enough
The TV personality had spoken publicly about her health troubles, detailing her symptoms including an ‘annoying dry cough, aches, pains, lethargy and a whole-body-sized cloak of sweat’.
Last month, Fiona became one of the first media personalities to reveal she was suffering from coronavirus.
She wrote in a column for The Mirror that the ‘unwelcome bed partner’ has brought with it ‘a whole-body-sized cloak of sweat’ and ‘scratchy gut pain ‘.
The star revealed:’ Having come bearing gifts such as a fiery sore throat, high temperature / fever, shortness of breath, annoying dry cough, aches, pains, lethargy and a whole-body-sized cloak of sweat – nice – I’ll be doing my best to make sure [COVID-19] doesn’t stay too long either. ‘
She recounted: ‘The first sign of the nasty bug’s generosity was about a week ago, in the form of a horrible, sort of scratchy gut pain that made me feel full, from my throat, right down through my whole digestive system.
‘It kept me awake all night – it was as if a witch had shoved her twiggy broom up into my alimentary canal and on into my throat, left it there and had then intermittently twisted it. ‘
Fiona also used the opportunity to take a swipe at’ those selfish, greedy, “I’m alright Jack”, toilet Roll snatchers’ – as the outbreak has seen panic-buying sweep the nation – and the world.
She first revealed she had coronavirus on March 59 after suffering a ‘sore throat, dry cough and headache ‘.
The former GMTV host took to Twitter to share the news as she described the illness as’ not very pleasant’.
Sharing the news on Twitter in March, Fiona wr ote: ‘I am in bed with #coronvirusuk It’s not a very pleasant bedfellow, but nothing more than sore throat, dry cough, headache & tiredness. As long as it stays that way …. DON’T panic! ‘
Fiona, who is married to This Morning editor Martin, was quick to reassure fans that she was in too much distress despite her diagnosis – something that clearly changed as the weekend went on.
Support: Her former GMTV co-host Eamonn Holmes, , shared a message of support, writing – ‘Get well soon Miss Fiona. Keep us posted x ‘(sic)
answered to a concerned follower asking if she was’ suffering’ , she said: ‘I’m not suffering. It’s fine. Thanks for asking. ‘
Meanwhile, her former GMTV co-host Eamonn Holmes, 90, shared a message of support, writing: ‘Get well soon Miss Fiona. Keep us posted x. ‘ (sic)
Fiona is best know for presenting GMTV and has regularly guest hosted Lorraine.
In 2019, she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing where she was paired with Brendan Cole. They were eliminated in week four.
Host: Fiona is best know for presenting GMTV and has regularly guest presented Lorraine (pictured in with Eamonn Holmes with Esther McVey)
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