Fern Britton has spoken about her "difficult and upsetting" departure from the television program This Morning in 2009 and her subsequent falling out with former co-host Phillip Schofield.
Britton and Schofield presented This Morning together for seven years, from 2002 until Britton's exit, when she was replaced by Holly Willoughby. Speculation at the time suggested Britton's departure was due to feeling overshadowed by Schofield and concerns about salary disparities, with claims he earned three times her pay.
In a 2013 interview, Britton stated that she and Schofield were no longer in touch. Reflecting on her exit with The Guardian, she described it as a day that "turned on a sixpence," leading her to believe she "had to get out of here."
Regarding Schofield's stepping down from This Morning following an affair scandal, Britton expressed "very mixed emotions." She told The Guardian, "I can't really explain it, because we did have a very good working relationship until we didn't, so it was tricky. I wish him well and I hope it all settles down and he finds some happiness."
Schofield resigned from This Morning and other television projects after admitting to an "unwise but not illegal" affair with a younger crew member. Holly Willoughby, who took over hosting duties, released a statement at the time indicating she felt "hurt" by his deceptions.
Willoughby herself later stepped down from This Morning after 14 years, citing a "terrifying kidnap threat." Reports also surfaced of animosity between Schofield and Willoughby, with Schofield allegedly referring to her as "The Witch" and claiming she "brought him down" before his resignation. Tensions were further highlighted when Schofield discussed "three s**ts" at ITV on his Channel 5 show Cast Away.
Since leaving This Morning, Britton has built a successful career as an author, with several novels becoming Sunday Times bestsellers. She has also appeared in various television projects, including the BBC series Fern Britton Meets, The Big Allotment Challenge, and The Watercolour Challenge, and participated in Celebrity Big Brother in 2024.
In 2020, Britton announced her separation from her husband of 20 years, chef Phil Vickery. Speaking to Good Housekeeping in 2023, she described entering a "new phase of her life" at 65, feeling relaxed and single. The year prior, Vickery was reported to be kissing Britton's former friend Lorraine Stanton, a revelation Britton described as leaving her "heartbroken and dumbstruck."
Britton has also recently focused on her physical and mental well-being, noting that about a year ago, she realized she wasn't adequately looking after herself. She has since incorporated yoga and the Couch to 5k running app into her routine, despite managing arthritis in her knee and awaiting shoulder replacement surgery. She emphasized that her fitness efforts are focused on personal enjoyment and not competitive running.