Fern Britton has revealed that the 'worst thing' about marriage was the moment she heard the key in the lock, a sound that made her heart sink. The former This Morning presenter, who has been married twice, opened up about the dread she felt when a relationship was struggling.
Fern Britton on the 'Worst' Aspect of Marriage
Speaking to The Telegraph, Britton said: 'That moment when you hear the key in the lock and your heart sinks because things haven't been going well. What's the mood? What's the temperature? That feeling of here we go again.'
Britton was married to Clive Jones, with whom she shares three older children, and later to TV chef Phil Vickery, with whom she has a daughter named Winnie. She confirmed her separation from Vickery in 2020, ending what they described as '20 happy years'.
Life After Divorce: Embracing Independence
In September 2025, Britton spoke to Woman's Weekly about her single life, saying she was 'enjoying life' and had found 'the person that I used to be'. She credited a 'really great girlfriend network' for helping her. When asked about finding love again, she admitted she was not looking, saying: 'I don't want to live with anyone - and I don't want to get married again. I'm a very independent person and the older I get, the more I realise I like my freedom.'
Fern Britton's BBC Breakfast Exit
Britton also reflected on her departure from BBC Breakfast, which she hosted from 1983 to 1986. She told James O'Brien on his Full Disclosure podcast that she left because she was 'very unhappy' and that the editor 'hated' her. She recalled an incident where the editor told her she was 'terrible' and 'awful' during a live broadcast, then called her into his office and 'shredded' her. She said: 'I cried and cried and cried.' A BBC spokesperson said: 'We're sorry to hear if anyone has had a bad experience in the past. Today's BBC has robust policies and processes in place to ensure duty of care for all who work for us.'
Britton will appear on Richard Osman's House of Games on BBC Two on July 20 at 6pm.
