Fern Britton’s wholesome new life by the sea: How TV star has rebuilt herself as a successful author, shed five stone and embraced a healthy routine in Cornwall as her ex husband Phil Vickery cuts ties after painful end to their 20-year marriage

Since permanently relocating to her Cornish vacation residence in Padstow five years back, Fern Britton has experienced a significant personal change.

Currently, the TV personality-turned-author at 67 years old prefers a healthful lifestyle near the sea. She dedicates her days to penning novels and exercising in her personal fitness center, with her feline companions Dr. Iain Mackerel and Barbara by her side.

After the dissolution of her 20-year marriage in 2020, a significant shift occurred in her life as her former spouse, Phil Vickery, unexpectedly ended all communication following the passing of both her parents.

Fern confessed to facing numerous challenges after the subsequent events, yet she’s discovered tranquility in her recently established lifestyle and daily routine.

Following her successful recovery, she has become a renowned Sunday Times best-selling writer and lost a remarkable 5 stones by eliminating sugar from her meals and attending early morning gym sessions at 6 am.

Sign up for our showbiz newsletter from Daily Mail to catch up on all the latest celebrity news, including high-profile scandals, fashion faux pas on the red carpet, exclusive photos, and viral moments that everyone’s talking about. Stay informed and never miss a beat!

Novels

Fern has been passionately telling stories for quite some time now; she published her debut novel titled “New Beginnings” in 2011, which came exactly two years following her departure from This Morning.

Since the onset of Covid, she has been quite productive in her literary endeavors, publishing “Daughters Of Cornwall” in 2020, followed by “The Good Servant” two years after, and with “A Cornish Legacy” scheduled for launch in June.

On Instagram, the author of a bestseller from The Sunday Times has unveiled the cover of their upcoming book, teasing another thrilling journey through history along the south-west coast.

Over the delightful announcement in a caption, Fern enthusiastically shares: “Hey there! I’m thrilled to reveal the cover for my upcoming book, titled ‘A Cornish Legacy.’ It will be available in hardcover, eBook, and audio formats starting in June!

‘Enter Wilder Hoo House and discover its secrets!

Tucked up against the dramatic cliffs along the Atlantic Ocean in Cornwall unfolds an endearing tale of fresh starts and discovering a sense of belonging in the most unlikely of places…

‘You can pre-order A Cornish Legacy with the link in my bio! Love, Fern. x #ACornishLegacy’

quickly received an abundance of uplifting feedback from admirers of her ten preceding books, as several expressed their delight over the ‘attractive’ cover design and predicted it would become a ‘top seller’.

About her newest book, the celebrity shared with Femail: “The title is, ‘A woman who has lost everything inherits a crumbling house. Can they rescue each other?’ A friend of mine recently commented that this sounds like my own story, and I couldn’t agree more!

The most recent endeavor follows on from when she wrote “The Older I Get…: How I Regained My Vitality” in November, where she shared her experiences of overcoming obstacles that she encountered in recent times.

The book provided her with a chance to lay much of her burden bare, following a harrowing three-year period that claimed the lives of both her parents.

In April 2018, the television personality’s mother, Ruth, passed away. Sadly, her father, Tony, an actor known for movies like “The Day of the Jackal,” followed in December of the following year.

She mentioned last year that she found herself in a deeply troubled state, but over time, she managed to climb her way out of it.

Weight loss journey

In a more straightforward manner, it can be stated as: Fern is progressing past tough periods by exercising at her home fitness center and sharing her remarkable achievements on social platforms.

This week, she unveiled the two transformative actions she took to shed approximately 63 pounds (five stone).

For many years, the television host has been candid about her battles with weight, going from a size 12 to a size 22 at different points in time.

Fern claims that she’s shed pounds through natural means alone, not relying on Ozempic. She reports making changes such as eliminating sugar from her meals and attending early morning workout sessions, along with transitioning from a sedentary lifestyle to running 5 kilometers.

She shared with Woman & Home magazine: “Frequently, people question if weight loss was achieved naturally. I can confidently affirm to you that indeed, I did it without any artificial means.

Fern reflected on the powerful moment she decided to take back control of her health.

18 months ago, she underwent a total shoulder replacement surgery. Approximately two and a half years prior, during her consultation with the orthopedic specialist, he informed her that he would perform a complete shoulder replacement and scheduled a follow-up visit for a year later.

I realized it’s time to regain control of my life. I must quit smoking, cut down on alcohol, manage my diet better, and stop spending my days wallowing in self-pity.

I embarked on the Couch to 5K program, reduced around 80% of sugar in my diet, and began paying attention to my food choices – something I hadn’t done previously.

In her recently adopted fitness routine, it seems like Fern has converted one of her rooms into a personal workout space. A variety of weights can be seen scattered across the floor, suggesting they are likely used for exercises.

In a video posted in January, Fern disclosed that she had begun a fresh exercise routine encompassing running, biking, walking, and weightlifting.

She said: ‘I’ve started running again and gone back to couch to 5K.

This new year brings a fresh approach to fitness. In the latter part of the year, I plan to hike a segment of the southwest coast path, roughly a week’s worth of walking.

I’ll soon catch up with my friend, who plans to cover the entire 360-mile coastal trail. In preparation, I’ve been taking daily walks throughout the week, wearing a weighted backpack and breaking in my boots.”

This version keeps the original meaning but simplifies some of the phrasing and makes it more conversational.

I plan to resume running about twice a week and also cycle regularly. Additionally, I aim to strengthen my arms and shoulders by doing some weightlifting exercises.

Over the years, Fern’s weight loss journey has been extraordinary. In 2006, she opted for a gastric band surgery that helped her transform from a size 22 to a size 12, losing approximately 5 stones in the process.

She’s been consistently losing weight due to her commitment to exercising at home, tackling the Couch to 5K program that turned her into a frequent runner, and giving up a very unhealthy habit.

She is also a fan of bike rides, yoga and long walks.

After completing the Couch to 5k program, the writer consistently ran three times per week, with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes.

After receiving approval to resume weightlifting post-shoulder injury, the presenter expressed her eagerness to return to the gym as well.

Instead of opting for junk food, she started incorporating more proteins and vegetables into her meals, making healthier choices overall.

She acknowledged the benefit, saying previously: ‘I once again found the feeling of satiety. 

The part of your mind that signals satiety, I’ve had a knack for ignoring it rather consistently for some time.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’d like to emphasize that by focusing on a balanced diet filled with fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and good fats, while keeping a check on processed foods, sugars, and excessive salt intake, we can truly set ourselves up for long-term success.

Towards the end of last year, the presenter shared that she had undergone significant changes in her life due to the challenging experiences brought on by lockdown, which ultimately prompted a transformation in her lifestyle.

Previously, Fern openly admitted that she quickly fell into a state of questioning life’s purpose and turned to unhealthy habits such as smoking, excessive drinking, and poor nutrition.

After recognizing it, the star began to experience health issues due to visible weight gain and breathing difficulties that became apparent.

Reflecting on it now, I realize I was in quite a difficult situation. Little by little, I managed to extract myself from it.

One evening, it culminated when Fern made the decision to give up smoking, having smoked too many cigarettes and feeling compelled to pull over during a drive and vomit in a nearby field.

She now has regular therapy sessions and is exercising again.

Family

2020 saw Fern’s world crumble when her 22-year marriage with Phil ended, leaving her heartbroken. The subsequent Covid-19 lockdowns intensified the solitude she felt.

The television presenter became divorced from the TV chef, 64, in 2020 after two decades together.

After the passing of my beloved parents, I found myself at a crossroads, recognizing that it was time for me to embark on my unique journey and walk my own path.

Recently, in a fresh interview, Fern revealed that her friendship with Phil came to an end following the death of her mother. Earlier reports suggested that despite their separation, they managed to keep up a minimal form of interaction.

During an interview with Yours magazine, Fern openly shared that she hasn’t had contact with him for the past six years. The communication ceased entirely once her mother passed away.

A representative for Phil has been contacted by TopMob for comment. 

In simpler terms, the contestant on Celebrity Big Brother 2024 emphasizes that she makes a conscious effort not to speak negatively about Phil, considering they share a 23-year-old daughter named Winnie.

In her first marriage to Clive Jones, Fern has twin sons, Harry and Jack (aged 31), and a daughter named Grace (aged 27). Additionally, she has another daughter, Winnie, from her relationship with Phil.

She mentioned that Winnie truly likes him. In her presence, she makes an effort to avoid criticizing him, if possible. As a child of divorced parents, she recalls that her mother never spoke ill of her father.

In her latest interview on James Martin’s Saturday Kitchen, Fern expressed that life has become particularly enjoyable for her since becoming single because she no longer has anyone to pass judgment on her.

She shared that she enjoys spending her mornings watching as much daytime TV as she pleases, without any fear of judgment since there’s no need to dress or put on makeup.

She continued, expressing, ‘Now I’m self-employed, and it’s fantastic in all aspects – my life, my work, everything. I’m the one calling the shots, and I’m loving this newfound independence.’

Previously a star on This Morning, she now shares her days with her two feline companions, Barbara and Dr. Iain Mackerel. From time to time, she shares charming photos of them on Instagram, provided they manage to stay still long enough for a good shot.

Recently, a photo emerged showing Doctor Iain having a post-busy-night rest on the couch, to the joy of Fern’s Instagram audience.

She titled her post: “Dr. Iain Mackerel has wrapped up a late workday and is now enjoying a filling breakfast and a nap at home. He sends his greetings!

In a comfortably warm setting, you’ll frequently find Barbara either hiding under the sofa or near the fireplace within the Britton home.

Previously, Fern, who is a mother of three (Harry, Jack, and Grace) aged 29, 26, and 26 respectively, from her first marriage with Clive Jones, confessed that she felt lost and found it difficult to manage following her separation from Phil.

On Morning Live, Fern shared: “The past seven years have presented some challenges. I’ve lost both my parents, gone through a divorce, dealt with the pandemic, and somehow, I feel like I’ve also lost touch with myself.

She went on to say: “I was struggling a lot with those matters. I found myself overeating, and I barely had any exercise.

Struggling a bit. Then, I realized I needed to regain my strength, and that thought led me to the term ‘recharging’.

In a discussion about her romantic life, Fern stated: ‘We hold the control. Reflecting on my past, things seemed exciting back then. They were real experiences – now it’s just swiping, and I despise it, so I choose not to participate in that.’

As an enthusiast who once reveled in the thrill of attending parties, there was nothing more exhilarating than the prospect of meeting new faces. However, my perspective has shifted now; I no longer yearn for encounters with strangers. The allure of massive gatherings has lost its charm, and I find myself longing for a quieter, less crowded scene.

Apart from Fern, Winnie and Grace frequently drop by as well. They recently went to Looe for a meal earlier this month, and they shared a sweet photo of the whole family on social media.

Just a few weeks back, the joyful threesome reunited and displayed radiant grins while capturing a photograph together.

Read More

2025-06-16 03:54