Veteran broadcaster Fern Britton has offered a candid look back at her extensive career in British television, reflecting on her sudden departure from the popular daytime show This Morning and the challenges she faced, including sexual harassment in her early days. Britton, who will turn 69 this Friday, shared insights into her professional and personal life, highlighting a journey of resilience and adaptability.
Britton's decision to leave This Morning in 2009, after a decade as a co-presenter, was unexpected and widely reported amid speculation of a rift with Phillip Schofield. She described her exit as an instinctive move, stating she isn't afraid of stepping into the unknown. Following her high-profile departure, Britton successfully transitioned into other presenting roles, including her own chat show and programmes such as BBC Two's The Big Allotment Challenge, before establishing herself as a prolific author.
Her early career in the 1980s, which began at Westward Television as a continuity announcer, saw her navigate a challenging environment. Britton recounted an incident involving then-presenter Frank Bough, who she claims made an inappropriate comment to her. She suggested that newsrooms of that era often contained elements of sexism and racism, a sentiment she believes was also experienced by colleagues like Moira Stuart.
In her personal life, Britton experienced significant upheaval in her 60s, including the loss of both her parents and the end of her 20-year marriage to TV chef Phil Vickery when she was 63. She openly discussed a subsequent period she terms her "era of indolence," detailed in her 2024 book, during which she stopped exercising and developed unhealthy habits, all of which she has since reversed. She attributes her ability to overcome these challenges to a developing toughness and a philosophy of not dwelling on past hurts.
Today, Britton appears to be in a content phase of her life, living in a Cornish village where she is currently writing her 12th novel. She speaks of enjoying the freedoms of single life, fostering strong friendships, and pursuing new passions such as bellringing at her local church. Her latest television endeavour is the second series of Fern Britton: Inside the Vet's on ITV, a programme that showcases the work of Bristol-based veterinary professionals.