Fern Britton’s Emotional Admission About Family Distance Following Phil Vickery Split

Fern Britton, set to make her TV return on Richard Osman’s House of Games, has opened up about the emotional distance she feels from her grown-up children, who are deeply engaged in their own lives.

The former This Morning presenter shares her youngest daughter, Winnie, with her ex-husband Phil Vickery, and is also mother to Harry, Jack, and Grace from her first marriage to Clive Jones.

In a heartfelt interview with Hello! Magazine last November, Fern expressed her longing for more quality time with her children, acknowledging the geographical distance between them.

“The boys are nearly 31 now and they’re busy in their own lives, but they’re good guys. We live a long way from each other, but we speak often – they check in on me, and that means a lot. I’d love to see them more, but that’s just how life is,” Fern admitted.

Since her split from TV chef Phil Vickery in 2020, Fern has been residing in Cornwall with her daughter Winnie. Reflecting on their close bond, she shared, “Winnie is incredible. She lives with me and works as a laborer on a building site. In her spare time, she loves sewing—she recently made me a jacket from a large cotton shawl. She’s very kind and thoughtful.”

Despite their separation, Fern revealed that she and Phil maintain a cordial relationship for the sake of their daughter. Speaking to Woman & Home magazine, she said, “We stay in touch on a basic level, but his personal life is no longer my concern.”

Fern and Phil’s relationship began on the set of BBC Two’s Ready Steady Cook, leading to further collaborations on shows like This Morning. They announced their split in 2020 via social media, stating: “After more than 20 happy years together, Phil and I have decided to go our separate ways.”

The statement continued, “We will always share a deep friendship and our wonderful children. We kindly ask for privacy during this time. Thank you for your continued support.”