Fern Britton is set to grace our screens again tonight on Richard Osman’s House of Games, and she’s opened up about her relationship with her grown-up children, admitting she yearns for more time with them.
The beloved former This Morning host shares her youngest daughter, Winnie, with ex-husband Phil Vickery, and has three other children, Harry, Jack, and Grace, from her first marriage to Clive Jones.
In a heartfelt chat with Hello! Magazine back in November, Fern revealed that while she craves more quality moments with her offspring, distance makes it challenging, reports the Express.
She said: “The boys are nearly 31 and they’re busy in their own lives, but they’re good guys. We live a long way from each other, but we speak a lot – they ask me how I am and that’s great. That’s all I need.
“I’d like to see them more, but that’s life.”
Since her split from TV chef Phil in 2020 – a separation that left fans stunned – Fern has been residing with Winnie in Cornwall. Singing praises of her youngest, the accomplished author said Winnie is “amazing”.
“She lives with me and works as a labourer on a building site,” she explained. “Then she sits at the sewing machine; she made me a jacket the other day out of a great big cotton shawl. They are very kind to me, and very thoughtful.”
Despite the end of her marriage, Fern mentioned that she and Phil maintain a “basic level” of contact for Winnie’s sake.
The star opened up to Woman and Home magazine, saying: “On those basic levels [we connect], but I don’t need to know what he’s doing in his personal life. That’s not my business anymore.”
Fern and Phil first crossed paths on the set of BBC Two’s Ready Steady Cook and later teamed up for other programmes including This Morning.
They took to social media to announce their separation, with Fern stating: “After more than 20 happy years together, Phil and I have decided to go our separate ways.”
She added: “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.”
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