FOR seven years, this TV host was a fan favourite face on This Morning, until a bitter fallout with her co-host caused an early exit.
Now, 15 years since last hosting This Morning, this star has hinted she could be making a triumphant return.
Fern Britton has confirmed she has been asked to return to the show as part of a new collection of clips.
Earlier this year, she returned to the studio after her star turn on Celebrity Big Brother, sparking interest in her coming back in a different capacity.
Speaking to Women and Home Magazine, Fern said: “When my interview finished and I left the studio, I was approached by a [member of the] production team who said, ‘Would you like to do some little films with us?’
“That conversation is yet to be had but those little four-minute films now and again? Perfect. If I could just do them in Cornwall, that would be even more perfect!”
Speaking of her history on the show, Fern added: “So many of the team that I worked with are still there and it was a real trip down memory lane. It was wonderful to be close to people who meant a lot to me.
“The morning that I resigned, I’d not even thought of leaving the show, so I left behind a lot of good stuff and a lot of good friends, so [going back] was lovely.”
Fern shocked viewers in 2009 when she announced that she would be leaving the series after seven years as a main host.
During an interview with MailOnline in April this year, Fern confirmed Schofield was the major factor that contributed to her saying goodbye to the show.
When asked, she said: “To leave This Morning? Ultimately, yes. I loved it and I would probably still be there if… Phillip and I were not getting on very well at that stage.”
While she stopped short of explaining what exactly went down to cause her to leave, she later added: “Lots of the men you work with are much more fussed about their piece to camera and how many words they’ve got than they are about you.”
She was replaced by Holly Willoughby, who would remain with co-host Phillip Schofield until 2023, when they both bowed out unceremoniously.
Phillip left the series first after an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a much-younger colleague came to light.
Shortly afterwards, Holly left too, without even getting a goodbye episode despite helming the show for over a decade.
Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard have been leading the show since the beginning of this year, after a series of temporary hosts including Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary filling the leading slot.
Alison and Dermot have continued on the show in their usual Friday slot.
The move has been given the seal of approval by Fern, who said they “very much get her vote.”
“It’s very good to see Cat back. She’s been in America, gaining more experience but to viewers, she’s fresh,” she told the magazine.
“Fresh, female, more mature, experienced and very nice – she’s got a lot going [for her] and Ben is simply 100% lovely.
“We were working together more than 20 years ago on things, so it was great to see him.’
Woman & Home’s July Issue will go on sale May 30.
Fern Britton and Phillip Schofield were once a golden pairing for ITV. But a bitter fallout behind the scenes stopped it in its tracks. Here's what happened between the pair.
1993 – Fern becomes guest presenter on This Morning
Sept 1999 – Fern announced as Friday This Morning host with John Leslie
2002 – John Leslie and Fern become main This Morning hosts
August 2002 – Phillip Schofield replaces John Leslie
2006 – Fern and Phillip host their first British Soap Awards together
2008 – Phil and Fern launch All Star Mr And Mrs together
March 2009 – Fern announces she’s leaving This Morning to ‘spend more time with family’
March 2009 – Fern pulls out of hosting that year’s British Soap Awards with Phillip
May 2009 – Reports surface reason for Fern’s exit was due to pay – with Phillip earning 3x more than her
17 July 2009 – Fern leaves This Morning, being replaced by Holly Willoughby
2013 – Phillip confirmed he and Fern were ‘no longer in touch’
10 September 2012 – Fern takes part on Strictly Come Dancing
17 April 2017 – Fern makes return to ITV for Culinary Genius with Gordon Ramsay
2 Oct 2018 – This Morning receives honorary BAFTA with Fern not present
3 Oct 2018 – Fern makes swipe she was never invited to BAFTA event, prompting Phillip to claim she was suffering from ‘memory loss’ on Twitter
3 Oct 2018 – Troika Talent Agency admit they ‘never passed along invite to Fern’ settling dispute
2020 – Fern denies This Morning exit was down to ‘pay dispute’ with Phillip, admits she felt she was ‘treated poorly’
2020 – Phillip confirms fallout with Fern was due to row behind the scenes over show content
2022 – Fern makes surprise appearance to congratulate Phillip on 40 years in television
2023 – Phillip resigns from This Morning after ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with younger staff member comes to light
2024 – Fern becomes housemate on Celebrity Big Brother
