Fern Britton has seemingly taken a swipe at ex-husband Phil Vickery as she enters a ‘new chapter’ in her life.
The former This Morning host, 67, was married to the TV chef, 63, from 2000 until 2020 and they share daughter Winnie Vickery, 23.
Upon announcing the end of their 20-year marriage, Fern said they will ‘always share a great friendship’.
However, during her stint inside the Celebrity Big Brother house earlier this year, she declared that she’s trying to ‘slow down’ after working solidly since her twenties.
When fellow housemate Louis Walsh suggested that she might find a special someone, Fern retorted: ‘I don’t want to fall in love again…’
Now, in a new interview, the broadcaster has reflected on being in her single era after deciding to move to Cornwall.
Speaking on James Martin’s Saturday Morning, Fern told James on the relocation: ‘It was a brand new chapter, absolutely. I found myself single, children off my hands.’
James later said to her: ‘I get the feeling that you’ve gone through so many things in your life, highs and the lows… you’re at a happy place now.’
Agreeing, Fern replied: ‘I am, actually! I am very happy, and this is life for loads of people.’
She was then asked if her happiness comes from not having to ‘prove’ anything to people anymore.
Appearing to reference her marriage to Phil, Fern said she is now her ‘own boss’.
‘I think it’s good because I can sit down in the morning and watch all the daytime television I like. No one is going to judge me for it,’ she explained.
‘I don’t have to get dressed up and made up. This is especially for you, you understand that?’
She added proudly: ‘Life is good. I’m my own boss now, which is great – in every sense. My life, my work, everything. I’m my own boss and I’m enjoying that.’
Author Fern has opened up about the breakdown of her marriage on occasion before.
When announcing their separation, her statement read: ‘After more than 20 happy years together, Phil and I have decided to go our separate ways.
‘We will always share a great friendship and our lovely children.’
She later said that she and Phil ‘fell apart’ following the death of her mum and dad.
Phil was Fern’s second husband, as she was married to Clive Jones for two years before divorcing in 2000. Clive is the father of Fern’s three other children: Jack, Harry, and Grace.
As for the future, Fern has made it clear she doesn’t intend to don a white gown and exchange vows with anyone else.
Speaking to MailOnline earlier this year, she said: ‘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 freedom.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
