Fern Britton makes thinly-veiled dig at ex Phil Vickery amid divorce after saying she’ll ‘never marry again’
FERN Britton made a thinly-veiled dig at her ex-husband Phil Vickery today after saying she’ll ‘never marry again’.
Presenter Fern, 67, declared, “I’m my own boss now,” before making a jibe about being judged for her TV choices as she appeared on James Martin‘s Saturday Morning.
Reflecting on her current routine, she shared: “I can sit down in the morning and watch all the daytime television I like.
“No one’s going to judge me for it. I don’t have to get dressed up and made up. Life is good.”
This Morning legends Fern and Phil, 63, were once known as TV’s golden couple – which is why fans were left shocked when they announced their split four years ago.
Now, Fern seems to be relishing life by herself, celebrating her “single” status while appearing on the ITV cooking show.
She said: “I am very happy, and this is life for most people. I’m my own boss, which is great in every sense – my life, my work, everything.”
When asked what she’s looking forward to, Fern replied: “Well, actually, currently a bit of arthritis in my knee and my thumbs in my hands, and being single again and coming into this new chapter.
“I was thinking about how to re-power – not be empowered, because that suggests somebody’s given it to you – but to find the power I had.”
Earlier this year, twice-divorced Fern insisted she would never marry again.
She told the Mail on Sunday: “‘I don’t want to live with anyone – and I don’t want to get married again.
“I’m a very independent person and the older I get the more I realise I like freedom.”
However, the TV personality said she would be open to love – but only if her partner agreed not to live in her home.
Fern added: “If someone incredible came along who could put up with me, I’d say yes. It would be the icing on the cake really.
“But I don’t want to have to be cooking and cleaning and taking care of anybody. Separate houses would do me nicely.”
The couple have never disclosed the reason for their split, however they say it was “amicable” and they will “continue to be friends”.
Fern revealed the news on January 30, 2020.
She wrote on Twitter at the time: “After more than 20 happy years together,
“Phil and I 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.”
However, in September 2022. TV chef Phil was spotted kissing his ex-wife’s best friend Lorraine Stanton.
Speaking in 2023 about their break up, Fern told Good Housekeeping: “I didn’t expect to be 65 and single and really relaxed.
“It’s like recovering from a shock and it’s taken me a while to do that.”
Phil and Fern met on This Morning back in the 90s, when she hosted alongside Phillip Schofield.
Fern told the Telegraph in 2016: “The boys were four; Grace hadn’t even started toddling.
“I remember thinking at the time that nobody was going to take a 40-something woman with three kids.
“Then, one day at work, someone said, ‘Phil Vickery fancies you.’ And I went, ‘Remind me – which one is he?'”
The pair went on to wed in 2000 and, before Phil, Fern was married to Clive Jones who she wed in 1988.
However, they divorced in 1998 after 10 years together.
Phil split from his long-term partner Sarah Ann Lock in 1999.
The former couple share daughter Winnie together, who was born in August 2001.
Fern also has twins Harry and Jack, and daughter Grace with her ex Clive Jones.