Fern Britton is reportedly keen to tell her side of the story over her This Morning exit on Celebrity Big Brother.
The presenter, 66, is said to be joining the ITV show, which will kick off on March 4.
According to Insiders, Fern is seeing CBB as a career relaunch after her split from her husband Phil Vickery and ‘isn’t afraid’ to speak out about her feud with former This Morning co-star Phil.
Fern became a household name hosting This Morning alongside Philip, 61, from 1999 to 2009, when she was replaced by Holly Willoughby, 43.
The presenter reportedly blames Phil for her This Morning exit and isn’t afraid to speak out in the CBB house.
‘She felt like she was really hard done by when she left This Morning and now she wants to tell her side of the story,’ a source told OK! Magazine.
‘She actually blames Philip Scofield for her losing her job and felt he had a lot to do with the fact she got pushed out for a younger model, she’s not afraid to speak out now and she’s not taking any prisoners. Viewers can certainly expect fireworks. She’s using it as an opportunity to relaunch her career.’
The insider added it is a good opportunity for Fern after becoming ‘unexpectedly single’ after her marriage with TV chef Phil, 62, broke down.
The married couple split it 2020 and in 2022, Phil was spotted kissing her former best friend Lorraine Stanton.
‘She feels she’s had a rough time recently – she’s openly spoken about her gastric band and also got divorced from husband of 20 years, Phil Vickery’, the source added.
MailOnline has contacted Fern’s representatives for comment.
It was claimed at the time of Fern’s This Morning exit she felt ‘undervalued by ITV’ and that she was ‘living in Phil’s shadow’.
It was also reported she was being paid £250,000 a year less than Phil and that he was earning three times her salary when they were fronting Mr and Mrs together from 2008 to 2010.
Phil is said to have banked £45,000 an hour while Fern earned just £15,000.
However, Fern denied she left ITV because of her salary and upon her departure she mentioned the whole This Morning team rather than just Phillip.
Four years after her departure, Phillip admitted he and Fern no longer spoke.
Last year Fern confirmed while she had a ‘marvelous’ time working on This Morning, she hasn’t stayed in touch with Phillip.
She said: ‘We were involved in the show and mates at the time, but we don’t really [speak anymore].’
ITV bosses have reportedly secured a sensational line-up of stars including Louis Walsh and former Love Island winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu for the exciting reboot of the show, which was last broadcast on Channel 5 in August 2018.
Bigwigs have apparently spent a massive £2million on a number of high-profile stars for the programme after the civilian version proved to be a huge hit last year.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
