Fern Britton, the beloved former This Morning presenter, has opened up about her career in television, including sexual harassment from Frank Bough, her abrupt departure from the show, and her journey toward forgiveness and happiness at age 69.
Sexual Harassment in the 1980s
Britton recalled an incident during her time on BBC's Breakfast Time when co-anchor Frank Bough made a crude comment. At a team lunch, Bough told her: 'I wonder how long it'll be before I'm having an affair with you. Because I do have a very big cock.' Britton described the remark as 'strange, silly man' and said resilience was necessary to survive such behavior. She also detailed a culture of 'bottom pinching' and unwanted advances, which she believes gave her 'inner strength.'
Abrupt Exit from This Morning
Britton resigned from This Morning in 2009 without a plan, amid rumors of a feud with co-host Phillip Schofield. 'It was a day that turned on a sixpence, and suddenly I thought, I've got to get out of here,' she said. While she declined to elaborate, she acknowledged the rift was 'very difficult, very upsetting.' She now wishes Schofield well, saying: 'I hope it all settles down, and he finds some happiness.'
Life After Television
After leaving This Morning, Britton hosted her own chat show and The Big Allotment Challenge before becoming a successful author. She now lives in Cornwall, where she is writing her 12th novel and has taken up bellringing at her local church. Weekly therapy has helped: 'Life feels lighter and easier, and you can be kinder.'
Overcoming Personal Challenges
Britton's 60s were marked by the deaths of both parents and the end of her 20-year marriage to TV chef Phil Vickery. She also faced intense tabloid scrutiny over her weight and a gastric band surgery in 2008. In 2024, she received damages from News Group Newspapers for phone hacking. Despite impostor syndrome, she remains resilient: 'You get through troubled water. I'm getting tougher and less worried about things.'
Forgiveness and Moving Forward
Britton emphasized the importance of forgiveness, quoting her mother's advice that bad times pass. 'That was then, and this is now,' she said. She now enjoys single life, spending time with friends, and working on Fern Britton: Inside the Vet's on ITV. 'I think back to the person who's still inside me, who I was when I was younger, and it's still there. And that cheers you up for the day.'
