Fern Britton makes dig at ex-husband Phil Vickery as she speaks out on marriage

Former This Morning presenter Fern Britton enterted a ‘new chapter’ of her life after separating from chef Phil Vickery, with her having moved to Cornwall for a fresh start

Presenter Fern Britton opened up about entering a “new chapter” of her life without a partner this weekend after previously saying that she doesn’t want to get married again.

It was announced in 2020 that Fern, now 67, had separated from her husband, chef Phil Vickery, now 63. Following the end of their marriage, the former This Morning host, who has a daughter with her ex, decided to move to Cornwall.

She spoke about the relocation and her life now whilst on the latest episode of James Martin’s Saturday Morning on ITV. She was interviewed by host James Martin, 52, on the show and said about the move: “It was a brand new chapter, absolutely. I found myself single, children off my hands.”

James later said: “I get the feeling that you’ve gone through so many things in your life – highs and the lows … you’re at a happy place now.” Fern responded to the chef: “I am, actually! I am very happy and this is life for loads of people.”

The host then questioned: “Is that because you don’t have to prove it to anybody anymore?” Fern appeared to take a swipe at her ex-husband, saying that she can now watch whatever she wants on TV and is her “own boss” in life.

Sharing an update on her life at the moment, Fern told James: “I think it’s good because I can sit down in the morning and watch all the daytime television I like. No one is going to judge me for it. I don’t have to get dressed up and made up. This is especially for you, you understand that? Life is good. I’m my own boss now, which is great – in every sense. My life, my work, everything. I’m my own boss and I’m enjoying that.”

Fern Britton on James Martin's Saturday Morning.
Fern Britton spoke about her life whilst a guest on James Martin’s Saturday Morning this weekend 
Image:
ITV)
Fern and Phil, who got married in 2000, announced their separation in 2020. The former couple are parents to daughter Winnie Vickery, 23, together. Fern also has three kids from her first marriage to Clive Jones. They are parents to twins Harry Jones and Jack Jones, 30, as well as Grace Jones, 27.

She has spoken about her marriage to Phil on occasion since their split, including once telling Woman & Home magazine: “We simply needed to follow our own paths. Over time we realised we weren’t necessarily having the kind of life we once did. It seemed right to say ‘thank you’ and move on.” She added at the time that she has a “good friendship” with Phil.

Fern Britton photographed in 2022
Fern, pictured in 2022, teased that she found herself single and with her kids ‘off her hands’ as part of the latest chapter of her life 
Image:
Mike Marsland/Getty Images for Good Housekeeping Live)

Fern Britton and Phil Vickery at an awards show in 2007.
The presenter was previously married to chef Phil Vickery, though their separation was announced in 2020 
Image:
Getty Images)
Speaking to Good Housekeeping, she said last year: “My children are grown-up and I’m no longer married, and it’s as if this whole other world has opened up. I never thought this would happen; I didn’t expect to be 65 and single and really relaxed.”

Whilst earlier this year, Fern revealed in an interview with the Daily Mail in March that she doesn’t want to “live with anyone” or “get married again”. She said: “I’m a very independent person and the older I get the more I realise I like freedom.”

Fern however shared that she was open to romance, though described the prospect as the “icing on the cake”. She added: “But I don’t want to have to be cooking and cleaning and taking care of anybody. Separate houses would do me nicely.”

Related Posts

Kym Marsh suffers another tragic family loss as she shares heartbreaking tribute

Actress Kym Marsh has revealed her family has suffered another devastating death as she paid an emotional tribute on her social media following the loss of her…

David Beckham makes big gesture on social media towards son Brooklyn amid rift

David Beckham showed his support for his eldest son Brooklyn Beckham on social media this week following rumours of a rift between some of the family in…

Clarkson’s Farm star Harriet Cowan claims she is ‘not making any money’ despite show

Harriet Cowan became a hit with Clarkson’s Farm viewers when she stepped in to help Jeremy Clarkson while Kaleb Cooper went away as she revealed the harsh…

Danniella Westbrook confesses her biggest regret as she looks back on her troubled past

Former EastEnders actress Danniella Westbrook says she doesn’t have any career regrets, but drugs will “always” be her biggest regret, as she’s opened up about her past…

Alex Jones fights tears as her rarely-seen husband appears on The One Show

Alex Jones was brought to tears during tonight’s episode of The One Show as her rarely-seen husband Charlie made a surprise appearance as she celebrated 15 years…

Coronation Street fans beg for soap tribute to late Frank Grimes after sudden death

Coronation Street viewers have called for the ITV soap to pay tribute to Barry Connor actor Frank Grimes following his death after a short illness aged 78…