Fern Britton has admitted the past three years have been ‘very hard’ after splitting from her husband Phil Vickery.
Gracing the cover of Good Housekeeping magazine, the presenter, 64, insisted she ‘isn’t lonely’ since she relocated to Cornwall following the end of her marriage last year, and added she’s ‘not afraid’ of change.
Fern went onto admit that since becoming single she’s undergone a ‘transition period’ in her life that’s included making her own decisions for the first time, but now feels ‘the world is her oyster.’
Challenging: Fern Britton, 64, has admitted the past three years have been ‘very hard’ after splitting from her husband Phil Vickery, as she graced the cover of Good Housekeeping
Reflecting on this new phase in her life, Fern said: ‘Yes I’m not afraid of change… The last three years have been very hard; I lost my parents, I lost my marriage.
‘I lost my other home in Buckinghamshire, too, because Phil lives there now and I’m in Cornwall. But the magic I’ve found here is incredible. I’ve made some wonderful girlfriends and that’s been a lovely surprise.’
The former This Morning presenter announced her split from Phil in January 2020, with the pair both tweeting in matching statements: ‘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]’
Tough: The presenter insisted she ‘isn’t lonely’ since she relocated to Cornwall following the end of her marriage last year (pictured with Phil in 2017)
Hard: Reflecting on this new phase in her life, Fern said: ‘Yes I’m not afraid of change… The last three years have been very hard; I lost my parents, I lost my marriage’
The couple tied the knot 20 years ago in 2000, after Fern had split from former husband Clive in the same year following a 12-year marriage.
The couple share daughter Winnie, 19, whilst the Ready Steady Cook presenter also has twins Harry and Jack, 27, and Grace, 24, with former husband Clive Jones
During the interview Fern also discussed the challenges she’s faced since becoming single, saying: ‘Being wholly in charge of a situation and not having someone to discuss it with is a double-edged sword. I can say, ”Let’s blow up the house and build something else,” and I don’t have to justify it, which is great.
‘But it’s also a big decision – and I have to arrange everything myself! I’m not lonely but I’m in this transition period where I’m working out what’s next for me.
‘My approach has always been, head down, keep going, and for the first time in my life, I’m thinking, ”Hang on, where shall I go now?” – and that’s quite nice. Suddenly, the world is my oyster.’
Getting better: Fern went onto admit that since becoming single she’s undergone a ‘transition period’ in her life that’s included making her own decisions for the first time
Since relocating to Cornwall Fern has thrown herself into writing, and has recently penned the novel Daughters Of Cornwall.
Asked whether she’s learned anything about happiness, she said: ‘First of all, that you’re only as happy as your unhappiest child. But also, not to rely on anyone else for your happiness.
‘Reassurance and reaffirmation doesn’t work, it comes from you thinking, ”Yes, I’ve made mistakes. Yes, there are things I’m sorry about doing. But actually, I’m all right. I’m not too bad.”
But despite being a TV fixture as the host of various TV shows, Fern admitte she’s had her fair share of bumps in the road admitting: ‘Plenty! I’ve been fired a couple of times from jobs and thought, ”Hmm.”
‘But then it toughens you up. The roughs in life make you much less precious about yourself, and that’s important.’
Happy: She added: ‘But the magic I’ve found here is incredible. I’ve made some wonderful girlfriends and that’s been a lovely surprise’
Earlier this month Fern candidly detailed how she went through a ‘tough time’ after her split from husband of 20 years Phil.
Read the full interview with Fern Britton in the September issue of Good Housekeeping on sale 28th of July
Reflecting on a ‘hard’ couple of years which saw her ‘marriage die’ and both parents pass away, Fern admitted it hasn’t been easy but remained positive revealing her friends have been keeping her spirits up and saying ‘there is life afterwards’.
Fern detailed the tough time while chatting to the BBC’s Carol Kirkwood, 59, for online platform Fane.co.uk.
She explained: ‘It’s been hard, but there is life again. We did have three cats. I lost one of them two summers ago.
‘I have had a bad two or three years. Both of my parents died, my beloved cat died and unfortunately my marriage died.
‘It was a bit of a tough time but we are getting through. And it is all OK. There is life afterwards.’
The TV star also told how her friends have been helping her adjust to to single life and spent the day unpacking boxes for her when she moved to a new home.
Fern admitted she ‘couldn’t face’ unpacking and that her good girlfriends in Cornwall, who ‘just make me laugh all the time’, helped her.
Read the full interview with Fern Britton in the September issue of Good Housekeeping on sale 28th of July. It is available in all supermarkets and online at MagsDirect.
Honest: Earlier this month Fern candidly detailed how she went through a ‘tough time’ after her split from husband of 20 years Phil (pictured on This Morning in 2019)