Coronavirus: Former GMTV host Fiona Phillips shares details of symptoms
Earlier this week Phillips became the latest celebrity to announce she had contracted coronavirus
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Broadcaster Fiona Phillips has said having coronavirus brought a “body-sized cloak of sweat”, after contracting the illness last week.
Ms Phillips, 59, said the novel virus was an “unwelcome bed partner” that gave her an agonising “scratch gut pain”, a dry cough as well as aches and pains.
Writing in a column for the Daily Mirror, the presenter, who is best known for her stint on GMTV, said the illness kept her up all night.
She wrote: “[Coronavirus came] 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.”
“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.”
Earlier this week, Ms Phillips became the latest in a string of celebrities to announce they had contracted the illness.
“I am in bed with #coronvirusuk,” she tweeted. “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!”
Eamonn Holmes, Phillips’s former GMTV co-host, wished her a speedy recovery. “Get well soon Miss Fyona [sic],” he said. “Keep us posted x”.
British singer Sam Smith, 27, also took to social media earlier this month to share their battle with the novel infection.
London-born actor Idris Elba also confirmed he had been struck down by Covid-19.
The Wire and Luther star released a video announcing his diagnosis, adding that he was among those most at risk due to suffering from asthma.
Elba, 47, credited fellow actor Tom Hanks for inspiring him to go public with his diagnosis. “I’m really proud of Tom Hanks who is also someone in the public eye who came out and said they have it and has been public about it,” he said.
“I was really motivated by Tom’s move there.” Hanks had previously announced he and his wife Rita Wilson had contracted Covid-19.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments