She shocked fans back in January when she confirmed the end of her 20-year marriage to chef husband Phil Vickery, in a joint statement on Twitter.
And, appearing on ITV’s Lorraine on Friday morning, Fern Britton, 62, spoke about the breakdown of her marriage to Phil, 59, admitting: ‘Unfortunately, we fell apart!’
The TV personality explained that she was trying to finish her book while everything in her personal life was going on, and confessed that she ‘needed the rest’ which was forced on her by lockdown.
Honest: On Friday, Fern Britton, 62, appeared on Lorraine where and spoke about the breakdown of her marriage to Phil Vickery, 59 (pictured in 2019)
Fern explained: ‘Unfortunately, Phil and I fell apart. And I had this book to write this book and get it out on the deadline.
‘And once all that was done, lockdown happened and it’s like three months of – I needed that rest, you know?’
Fern and Phil share 18-year-old daughter Winnie, whilst the Ready Steady Cook presenter also has twins Harry and Jack, 26, and Grace, 23, with former husband Clive Jones.
The former This Morning host was on Lorraine to promote the recent release of her new book, Daughters of Cornwall, which was delayed because of coronavirus.
Over! Fern admitted: ‘Unfortunately we fell apart!’ as she touched on the end of their 20-year marriage
Thankful: ‘And once all that was done, lockdown happened and it’s like three months of – I needed that rest, you know?’ explained Fern
She also spoke about life post-This Morning, admitting: ‘It’s been 11 years since I left This Morning. I am used to that now! No regrets actually I loved that show, if I hadn’t gone then I would probably still be there.
‘You see the same things coming through and think how can we give it a new… but of course new and young production teams come through.’
Earlier this month, Fern 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.
Heartbreak: ‘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’ said Fern earlier this year (pictured in 2009)
‘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.’
The TV host also reflected on their former relationship in an interview with Weekend Magazine: ‘We had a wonderful time. We were the best of friends. And I miss that friendship.’
‘There comes a point when the children are substantially off your hands and you look at each other and wonder where you’re going to go from here.’
‘I don’t want anyone. I can do it by myself. I don’t feel lonely. I like my own company. I realised not long ago that I was married, on and off, for 33 years.’
Announcement: The couple shared matching statements on their Twitter pages to announce the end of their marriage as they thanked fans for their ‘kindness and support’
Still friends: The television presenter and chef announced in their split statement ‘we will always share a great friendship and our lovely children’ (pictured 2007)
On Twitter in January, both Fern and Phil wrote matching statements which read: ‘After more than 20 happy years together, [we] 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. [sic]’
The couple tied the knot 20 years ago in 2000, after Fern had split from Clive in the same year following a 12-year marriage.
The couple met on This Morning when Fern hosted the show alongside Philip Schofield – who now hosts with Holly Willoughby – and the star previously said she never thought she would find love again as a mother of three children.