Fern Britton struggled after her public breakup with TV chef Phil Vickery four years ago.
The Celebrity Big Brother star and TV presenter famously wed Phil Vickery with the pair making their mark as a beloved couple within the industry. However, they sadly announced their split four years ago.
They shared the news in January 2020, but Fern has now explained that it was a particularly challenging time for her. She spoke on the split prior to going into the Big Brother House last week.
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Speaking to Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine, she admitted the start of the split had her not being able to leave the house or want to get out of bed.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock for Big Brother)
She said: “I’m rebuilt and I’m doing okay. I was not suicidal, but life had knocked me for six.
“I was lost, then I found a bit of purpose again and it’s been lovely.” Fern added that the pair needed to follow their own paths. She said: “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.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Fern confirmed their split on Twitter at the time and said they would “always share a great friendship” after 20 years together. At the time they asked for privacy and support.
The pair met on This Morning in the 90s when she was a host on the show alongside Phillip Schofield. They tied the knot soon after in 2000.
While Fern later waved goodbye to This Morning, Phil has regularly appeared back on the show for his cooking segments. She left the show prior to Holly Willoughby’s debut after a reported row with her co-star at the time.
A feud has been ongoing with the pair ever since, with Fern mentioning on CBB last week that if Phil entered the house she would leave. Gary Goldsmith mentioned to Fern that he’d heard a rumour that Schofe could be in the line-up.
Fern responded: “Maybe he’s coming in as a surprise… I might have to leave at that point.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
