Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Everett

Inside Fern Britton and Phil Vickery's painful split as she wishes they had 'persevered'

Fern Britton split with her second husband Phil Vickery in 2020 but has since said she wishes the pair had persevered.

She has since opened up and revealed that she looks back and wishes their relationship had continued.

Fern released her latest book, The Good Servant, back in June where she talked about her love life and her 20 year relationship with This Morning chef Phil.

The 64-year-old said she doesn't want to be the 'poster girl for separation' as she is now enjoying a new chapter in her life.

Fern opened up about how the pair found it difficult when the children left home.

She told Prima Magazine : "This new chapter has come at the right time for me. I don’t want to be the poster girl for separation, though, because a lot of people go through the same thing.

READ MORE: Fearless Fern Britton built new life miles away after losing house amid crushing split

The couple have a daughter together (PA)
Fern wishes she'd persevered in her relationship (GC Images)

"Often, the children leave home and you look at each other and go, ‘Ah, where do we go from here?’ I only wish I was the sort of person who could have persevered through that, but I couldn’t."

The star spoke about not looking for another relationship right now and not getting into dating.

She said that she isn't seeing anyone and no one has approached her either which she described as 'nice'.

Fern said it would be 'lovely' if someone came along but she wouldn't want to live with them due to being happy in her own company.

She then described her life as 'pretty bloody perfect'.

Fern added: "If you find yourself in a situation where you’re at a crossroads, have courage. Look into yourself and ask, 'How do I feel?' If the answer is, 'Pretty depressed,' you don’t have to conform just because you think other people want you to. Do it for yourself."

Phil and Fern share a daughter, Winnie, 21 together.

Fern also has children Grace, 25, and twins Jack and Harry, 28, who she shares with her ex-husband Clive Jones.

The pair met on Ready Steady Cook (BBC)
They split in 2020 (PA)

Fern and Phil announced their separation in January 2020 via a statement on Twitter.

She wrote: "After more than 20 happy years together, [we] have decided to go our separate ways. We will always share a great friendship and our lovely children.

"We would appreciate it if our privacy is respected at this time. Thank you for your continued kindness and support."

Since splitting up, Fern has been living in Cornwall after moving out of the family home in Buckinghamshire.

Fern and Phil's romance first began in 1999 when they met on the set of Ready Steady.

This came just a year after she split from TV executive Clive Jones, who she has three children with.

They then went on to marry just a year later in 2000 when Fern's divorce from Clive had been finalised.

The next year then welcomed daughter Winnie in August 2001.

The two of them regularly appeared on on ITV ’s This Morning during their relationship, which Fern fronted for a decade from 1999 and Phil joined as chef in 2006, with Fern quitting in 2009 while Phil still makes occasional appearances.

Appearing to have one of the strongest marriages in showbiz, no one expected Fern and Phil's sad announcement in January 2020.

Since their separation the pair seems to be on good terms.

Neither have said anything bad about the other in public and rarely talk about their separation.

Fern now lives in Cornwall (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Fern now focuses on writing (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Fern says she got through the divorce with the help of her cats, dog and friends.

She told The Mirror it had been a tough few years, filled with loss, including the death of her father, The Day of The Jackal actor Tony Britton, and her mother Ruth in 2018.

She said: "Both of my parents died, my beloved cat died and, unfortunately, my marriage died. It was a bit of a tough time but we are getting through. And it is all okay. There is life afterwards."

It's thought that Phil is not in a relationship and is not dating either.

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct 0207 29 33033.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.