Fern Britton has opened up about life after love, revealing she’s not quite ready to return to the dating world. The 67-year-old former TV presenter has been single since her split from chef Phil Vickery five years ago, after 20 years of marriage, and she’s currently relishing her independence.
In a candid interview with Woman and Home magazine, Fern admitted that she’s hesitant to give up her freedom. “I’m still a bit too wary of losing my liberty,” she shared. “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 messed up there.’”
While she acknowledged she doesn’t always feel great, Fern said she’s generally in a good place: “I’m feeling pretty good, but it would be foolish to say I feel spot on 100% of the time.”
She also opened up about her health journey, which includes a five-stone weight loss sparked by a conversation with her doctor. Fern decided to take control of her lifestyle after being advised to make changes before undergoing shoulder replacement surgery.
“I need to stop smoking, stop drinking, get eating under control and stop lying in bed feeling sorry for myself,” she said. She emphasized that her transformation has been entirely natural, proudly stating: “People often wonder when you lose lots of weight whether you’ve done it naturally. And I can look at you and say, ‘Yes, I have.’”
Fern, who shares twin sons Harry and Jack (31) and daughter Grace (27) with her first husband Clive Jones, and daughter Winnie (23) with Phil Vickery, said that her motivation is staying strong for her children.
“It is my duty to stay as healthy as I can for the sake of my children,” she explained. “I don’t want them to feel guilty about not seeing me or worried about me if I’m not well. It’s important that I show them I’m living my own life well.”