Latest news with #ReadySteadyCook
Edinburgh Live
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Fern Britton addresses brutal sacking 'within a week' of job after disagreement
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Fern Britton said she was brutally sacked from a presenting role after she confronted a boss. The former This Morning presenter reflected on the earlier stages of her career, when she claims there was "an awful lot of" misogyny in the industry. Fern, who started off as a newsreader, went on to host several programmes including; Breakfast Time in the 1980s, Ready Steady Cook from 1994 to 2000, and notably This Morning from 1999 to 2009. Speaking about her experiences with misogyny in the media, Fern, 67, commented: "At the time, I didn't realise, but there was an awful lot of putting women down, there was an awful lot of misogyny in newsrooms and you just sort of go, 'OK'. "I appreciate that young women don't accept that any more." Recounting a specific incident when she challenged a producer over poor instructions, she told The i Weekend: "I worked with a producer on a show years ago and she was giving me instructions that were utter nonsense. "So I went, 'This is rubbish, this isn't any kind of research, this is all wrong'. Within a week I was off that show." Additionally, Fern shared that she was let go from After Five, following an emotional moment on air. The presenter said she struggled to hold back tears during an interview with a terminally ill cancer patient, at a time when she was dealing with postnatal depression. Fern is widely recognised for her stint as a presenter on ITV's This Morning, sharing the screen with Phillip Schofield. Over the years, she's been quite open about the ups and downs of their friendship, a topic she touched upon once again during her time on Celebrity Big Brother last year. While discussing This Morning with ex-housemate Gary Goldsmith, Fern remarked: "It was tricky at times. "It is an institution that like the monarchy it rocks. I think Ben [Shephard] and Cat [Deeley] will do a great job. It's a new era." Upon hearing Gary suggest that there were whispers of Phillip entering the house, Fern appeared visibly concerned and responded: "Oh, well. That didn't happen yet. Maybe that will happen as a surprise? I might have to leave at that point!". (Image: Getty) Fern's stint on the ITV programme lasted until 2009, when Holly Willoughby took over her role. In a previous conversation with MailOnline regarding her departure, she insisted her exit was down to her deteriorating relationship with her co-host. When probed, she admitted: "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." Phillip himself has reflected on their strained rapport in his 2020 autobiography Life's What You Make It. During a chapter, he said he tried to 'make things right' and that he 'missed her deeply'.
Metro
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Fern Britton claims ex Phil Vickery 'stopped talking to her' after huge loss
Fern Britton has claimed her ex-husband, TV chef Phil Vickery, 'stopped talking' to her following the loss of her mum. The TV presenter, 67, and Phil, 64, were married for two decades before their 2020 divorce, which came as Fern's parents died. In a new interview, Fern has claimed Phil stopped talking to her after the death of her mother in 2018, and she's had no contact since. 'He hasn't spoken to me for six years now. As soon as my mum died, he stopped talking to me,' she said told Yours Magazine. Fern shares daughter Winnie Vickery, 23, with Phil, so says she will try to never bad-mouth him. The former This Morning presenter explained: 'Winnie adores him. I'm not going to bad-mouth him in front of her; at least, I try very hard not to. I was the child of divorced parents and my mum never bad-mouthed my father.' When announcing their separation in 2020, Fern's statement 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.' She later said that she and Phil 'fell apart' following the death of her parents. Fern's mother, Ruth Britton, died in January 2018. Her father, actor Tony Britton, died shortly after. Fern and Phil's divorce came after her 2016 hysterectomy and a near-fatal sepsis diagnosis. 'Then my mum died in 2018 and my dad died in 2019, and then my marriage [to chef Vickery] died,' she said in a recent interview with The Telegraph, 'Next, I discovered that my phone had been hacked for 15 years. And last year a man who was stalking me for several years went to court and was given a restraining order. 'For a while, I was wondering what else could possibly happen. But lots of women endure difficult stuff and we just live with it and keep going.' Phil was Fern's second husband, as she was married to Clive Jones for two years before divorcing in 2000. Clive is the father of Fern's three other children: Jack, Harry, and Grace. She added that divorce was 'not a breeze', adding: 'No matter how you hope it's going to be easy and pain-free, inevitably it isn't. It's difficult and brings up a lot of unpleasant characteristics in everybody.' Fern previously opened up about her mental and physical health struggles following the divorce and her parents' deaths, saying she 'fell into this era of indolence' where she 'just started lying in bed later and later and later'. 'What was the purpose of getting up and getting dressed or getting showered or cleaning my teeth because I will soon be back in bed. 'Why don't I start smoking? Yes. Drinking. Yes, eating yes, the whole thing. And then it took me about a year to realise that I put a lot of weight on, that I was not breathing well.' More Trending Now, Fern says she's found her old self again, and is 'enjoying life and having fun' in her Cornish home, where she moved after her divorce. Phil and Fern originally met on the set of BBC Two's Ready Steady Cook and married in spring 2000. Fern has just released her 11th novel, A Cornish Legacy, which tells the story of a woman called Cordelia Jago, as she inherits a crumbling mansion in Cornwall having lost everything. Metro has contacted Phil Vickery's representative for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More »
Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Fern Britton's 'rock bottom' double tragedy that ended marriage to Phil Vickery
Fern Britton was left heartbroken following the breakdown of her marriage to Phil Vickery, with the former couple's split coming after they were hit with a double tragedy TV star Fern Britton has revealed the brutal way in which her ex husband Phil Vickery cut contact with her after their split, but sadly tragedy struck long before their estrangment. Fern and Phil, who met on the set of Ready Steady Cook and married in 2000, were known as one of television's most enduring partnerships before announcing their break-up to the surprise of many in 2020. Speaking to Good Morning Britain that year, heartbroken Fern revealed the personal struggles that led to their separation, as she explained: "My mum died and my father died and unfortunately Phil and I fell apart." Her mother, Ruth, sadly passed away in April 2018, with her father, Tony, following in December 2019, leaving her at rock bottom. And this week, five years on from their split, Fern admitted that Phil stopped talking to her after her mum died. In a new interview with Yours magazine. She said: "He hasn't spoken to me for six years now. As soon as my mum died, he stopped talking to me." READ MORE: Fern Britton reveals ice cold way Phil Vickery cut contact with her after 20-year marriage The TV presenter, 67, insists she tries "very hard" not to say anything negative about Phil for the sake of their 23-year-old daughter Winnie. She said: "Winnie adores him. I'm not going to bad-mouth him in front of her; at least, I try very hard not to. I was the child of divorced parents and my mum never bad-mouthed my father." After her split from the This Morning chef, Fern opened up in an interview with the Daily Mail and reflected on her struggles. She shared: "Life had knocked me for six". She recounted times despair, explaining: "I remember endless days of indolence, not being able to go anywhere, not doing anything, not wanting to get out of bed." Opening up further about life post-divorce, she said: "I'm rebuilt and I'm doing okay. I was lost, then I found a bit of purpose again and it's been lovely." While appearing on the Book Club podcast in 2021, Fern also reflected on the huge personal losses she's suffered. She said: "Too much happened in the past couple of years - I've lost my marriage and I moved out of what was our family home." And later speaking to Woman and Home magazine, Fern explained that the former couple's lives will always be intertwined, revealing: "We simply needed to follow our own paths. 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. But we do have a good friendship." "Phil and I had the greatest fun together and we have the most beautiful daughter together, Winnie... so we will always be connected." The star added: "Life has changed for me in the last 10 years, especially with my career. So it's lovely to think I can just concentrate on writing, the kids and getting on with life. This feels quite comfortable, and Phil and I knew it was the right thing to do." Fern has also previously revealed the surprising catalyst for her divorce from her first husband, TV executive Clive Jones. Appearing on the Walking The Dog with Emily Dean podcast, she said: "He had this degree and I don't. I secretly went off and did the Mensa. I lied, I said I was going somewhere else, and it took a day to do this test. I passed - and quite well too. "Then he was furious so he did it because he's got a huge brain. But he's not a problem solver and he didn't get it. So an immense rift opened." Fern split from Clive after more than a decade together and the birth of their three kids, twins Jack and Harry and daughter Grace. They called it quits officially in 2000, and later that year, she tied the knot with Phil.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Princess Anne to host new festival at Gatcombe with mouth-watering delights
PRINCESS ANNE has allowed a food festival with live demonstrations and more than 50 exhibitors to be held at her country estate in Gloucestershire. Gatcombe Food Festival, which takes place at Gatcombe Park near Minchinhampton on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27, claims to offer 'a culinary extravaganza' for the whole family. It will feature a Chefs Stage with talent including Ready Steady Cook star Lesley Waters, along with more than 50 food and drink exhibitors from across the region. There will also be crafts from the area and personalised items. A social media page for the festival said the event is being held at the estate 'by kind permission of the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence'. The festival will host live demonstrations from cooks including master chefs and popular contestants on The Great British Bake Off. With a special focus on the best British produce, attendees can reportedly 'look forward to tantalising their tastebuds with innovative dishes and learning new culinary skills from the best in the business'. Demonstrators include Ms Waters, pasta specialist Carmela Hayes and Michelin-starred Steven Doherty - formerly head chef at Le Gavroche. They also include BBQ Ben, game chef Chris Marney, Dan Wyatt and George McIvor. GBBO contestants Howard Middleton and Karen Wright will also be in attendance. Family entertainment will be on offer, with interactive cooking sessions, the late Queen Elizabeth's Range Rover, drumming from the Gloucester Sea Cadets and fun with the Party Workshops Family Circus. Organiser Ben Bartlett said: 'I am incredibly excited to organise a food festival at such a prestigious venue. 'This festival is a celebration of the finest British food and drink. 'I look forward to bringing together producers, chefs, families and foodies for an unforgettable weekend.' Tickets for the event cost £21.60 per adult and £5.40 per child aged five to 16 online. Children aged between zero and five go free. Tickets for senior citizens and people who are disabled cost £19.44. Stroud News and Journal and Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard readers can use discount code GFF25 for a 25 per cent discount off tickets in June. For more information and tickets, go to
Daily Mirror
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Fern Britton's opens up on 'difficult times' as she shows off mega weight loss
It has been a tough five years for TV favourite Fern Britton after her stalker hell and divorce but she is loving her new life in Cornwall - and her incredible new look Fern Britton has revealed how she has overcome a "catalogue of difficulty" in the past few years amid her incredible weight loss success. Last year, James Haviland was handed a 10-year restraining order after pleading guilty to stalking the TV presenter. She also had to come to terms with her divorce from Phil Vickery, and has battle health issues. There's been some creature comforts to help get her through it all and Fern hopes her new slim look makes her perfect for also heading back to the small screen and more TV work in the coming years if she returns to London. Losing five stone, the This Morning legend is feeling better than ever. She told The Sunday Times: "When I'm not feeling well, one of my cats will always sit on my bed with me. They take it in turns, like a shift pattern. This has been particularly comforting in recent years because I've had a catalogue of difficult things to face, from getting my home together here in Cornwall to discovering that I had a stalker." Fern is back in great shape but is not hankering for a TV comeback or a man in her life. Instead she wants to continue to write bestselling books from her Cornwall home. At 67, it is now five years since her 20-year marriage to TV chef Phil Vickery ended, but Fern insists: 'I'm not looking for love." She told Woman & Home: 'I'm still a bit too wary of losing my liberty. There's nobody to run something past but, on the other hand, I think back to running things past people and it never really worked out, so why don't I just make my own decision? Then I'm the only person who can go, 'I f***ed up there'." Her stalker hell was her biggest challenge since the collapse of her marriage. Haviland, 63, drove 200 miles to stay in 66-year-old Fern's holiday cottage in the village where she lived and last week admitted he'd stalked ther for two years. He started by sending Fern flowers and cards before embarking on a mega journey to be close to her - staying in the village she lives - Cornwall's Padstow. Fern first met Phil when she hosted Ready Steady Cook in 1999, and they married the following year, having daughter Winnie in 2001. They also appeared regularly on ITV 's This Morning, which Fern fronted for a decade from 1999 and Phil joined as chef in 2006, with Fern quitting in 2009 while Phil still makes occasional appearances. Appearing to have one of the strongest marriages in showbiz, no one expected Fern and Phil's split announcement in January 2020. "After more than 20 happy years together, Phil and I have decided to go our separate ways," Fern tweeted. "We will always share a great friendship and our lovely children . We would appreciate it if our privacy is respected at this time. Thankyou for your continued kindness and support."
