Fern Britton has revealed the initial secrecy surrounding her weight loss via a gastric band was largely behind her shock departure from This Morning back in 2006.
The 62-year-old TV personality became a full-time presenter on the ITV staple in 1999, before departing in the summer of 2009 amid persistent rumours of a feud with co-host Phillip Schofield, 58.
But Fern now claims that telling the public she’d achieved her body transformation in 2006 – dropping from a size 22 to 12 – through ‘lots of hard work’ set the wheels in motion for her exit, after she ‘became a bit of a liability’ and ‘ruffled feathers’.
Revelation: Fern Britton has revealed that her weight loss via a gastric band was largely behind her shock departure from This Morning back in 2006. Pictured in March 2019
Speaking on TalkRADIO, she said of the reasons behind her departing the show: ‘It was all gastric band-gate. It ruffled a few feathers. I think perhaps I became a bit of a liability to ITV. I really don’t know.
‘But I know that the day I decided to leave – and I’m not going to get into this now – something happened that morning and I thought, “I’m done” and ITV went, “Thanks very much, goodbye.”‘
Shutting down long-running rumours of a feud between her and Schofield over differing pay salaries, she continued: ‘That got into a story and it was not to do with that. I didn’t know what Phillip was earning.
No Feud: She also shot down rumours of a feud with co-host Phillip Schofield. Pictured in 2008
Loss: Fern now claims that telling the public she’d achieved her body transformation in 2006 – dropping from a size 22 to 12 – through ‘lots of hard work’ set the wheels in motion for her exit
‘But I knew that I was earning plenty for me and you have to know what is enough for yourself. I’m old fashioned enough not to question what other people are earning. I was very well looked after.’
Fern, who was replaced on This Morning by Holly Willoughby, made her comments after she said she could relate to Schofield’s wife since the star came out as gay.
She praised her former co-host for his bravery in coming out earlier this year in February, but also admitted her thoughts are with his estranged wife, Stephanie.
Phillip released a statement earlier this year to reveal his sexuality after discussing it behind closed doors with his family.
Decade: The 62-year-old TV personality became a full-time presenter on the ITV staple in 1999, before departing in the summer of 2009. Pictured on her last day
Candid: Fern recently revealed that she can relate to Schofield’s wife since the star came out as gay earlier this year (pictured in 2008)
He has been married to Stephanie since 1993 and the couple have two daughters together – Molly, 27, and Ruby, 24.
Discussing her reaction to Phil coming out, Fern told talkRADIO: ‘We haven’t seen each other for a very long time or spoken for a while. I’m glad for him. It’s none of my business.
‘He’s getting on really, so, good. It’s terrible that people have to hide who they are.’
Turning her attention to how Stephanie would be feeling now, Fern continued: ‘I feel for his wife.
‘Steph’s a lovely girl and, you know, that’s difficult – as I’ve been talking about difficult transitions and processing stuff for me, it will be the same for her.’
Estranged: Schofield has been married to Stephanie since 1993 and the couple have two daughters together – Molly, 27, and Ruby, 24
Brave: Schofield, 58, released a statement earlier this year to reveal his sexuality after discussing it behind closed doors with his family. Pictured with Holly Willoughby in February
The TV presenter recently split with her chef husband of 20 years, Phil Vickery, 59.
Fern also spoke about learning to be single during the coronavirus lockdown.
She said: ‘We separated at the beginning of the year and fortunately it’s all smooth. We just came to the end of the road, you know, which is sad.
‘So, I’ve been adjusting to life as just me to think about, and my two daughters happen to be here because they got stuck in lockdown, happily for me.
‘It’s a time for me to really adjust my existence, which on the one hand is really quite exciting, but you’ve also got to process it for a while.’
Heartbreak: Fern recently split with her chef husband of 20 years, Phil Vickery, 59 (pictured in 2009) and is ‘learning to be single’ during the coronavirus lockdown