
Fern Britton Opens Up About Painful Family Rift After Phil Vickery Split
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Fern Britton, the beloved former This Morning presenter, is set to make her highly anticipated return to television tonight on Richard Osman’s House of Games. In a heartfelt revelation, Britton has opened up about her relationship with her grown-up children, expressing a longing to spend more time with them despite their busy lives.
Fern shares her youngest child, daughter Winnie, with her ex-husband Phil Vickery, and is also a mother to Harry, Jack, and Grace from her first marriage to Clive Jones. In a candid interview with Hello! Magazine in November, Fern admitted that while she maintains regular contact with her children, the distance and their busy schedules often leave her wanting to see them more.
“The boys are nearly 31 and they’re busy in their own lives, but they’re good guys. We live a long way from each other, but we speak a lot – they ask me how I am and that’s great. That’s all I need. I’d like to see them more, but that’s life,” she shared. Since her split from TV chef Phil Vickery in 2020, which surprised many fans, Fern has been living with her daughter Winnie in Cornwall.
She praised Winnie’s resilience and creativity, stating, “Winnie is amazing. She lives with me and works as a laborer on a building site. Then she sits at the sewing machine; she made me a jacket the other day out of a great big cotton shawl. They are very kind to me and very thoughtful”, reported the Express.
Fern has emphasized the importance of maintaining a stable environment for Winnie, highlighting the strong bond they share. Despite the physical distance from her older children, Fern cherishes the frequent conversations and the support they provide. “We speak a lot – they ask me how I am and that’s great. That’s all I need. I’d like to see them more, but that’s life,” she reiterated, underscoring her acceptance of their busy lives.
In addition to her family commitments, Fern has been navigating her personal life with grace. She recently revealed in Woman & Home magazine that she and Phil have maintained a “basic level” of contact for Winnie’s sake. “On those basic levels [we connect], but I don’t need to know what he’s doing in his personal life. That’s not my business anymore,” Fern explained, demonstrating her focus on co-parenting while respecting each other’s privacy.
Fern and Phil first met on the set of BBC Two’s Ready Steady Cook before collaborating on other popular shows like This Morning. Their relationship blossomed both personally and professionally, culminating in over 20 happy years together. However, the couple decided to part ways, announcing their divorce on social media with a message that read, “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.”
As Fern prepares for her return to the small screen, her openness about her family life and personal struggles resonates with many fans who admire her strength and authenticity. Her upcoming appearance on House of Games is eagerly awaited, promising to showcase her enduring charm and resilience.
Fern Britton’s journey underscores the universal challenges of balancing career and family, highlighting her unwavering dedication to her children despite the demands of her professional life. As she steps back into the limelight, her story continues to inspire those who follow her.