Fern Britton made things unintentionally spicy during a live interview on ITV’s Lorraine – when a pointed comment about “distrusting men” was immediately followed by a cut to her ex-husband Phil Vickery on This Morning, leaving viewers squirming over the accidental reunion.
Appearing on Tuesday’s episode, the 67-year-old former This Morning presenter chatted to Lorraine Kelly about her new novel A Cornish Legacy and her show Inside The Vets. While discussing the themes of her book, Fern reflected on aging, independence, and finding strength later in life.
“The curious thing about getting older is you think you won’t make new friends, but you do,” she shared. “I’m all about repowering – reclaiming that power we had when we were younger. My character has gradually empowered herself, distrusting of men, doesn’t want anything… It’s that whole idea of writing what you know.”
Seconds later, Lorraine’s segment ended and transitioned seamlessly – and awkwardly – to This Morning, where co-host Ben Shephard cheerfully announced who’d be in the kitchen that day. “Phil is in the kitchen with some ultimate delicious summer salads!” he beamed. Cue the camera cutting to a smiling Phil Vickery, Fern’s ex-husband of 20 years.
The moment was not lost on the internet. “That link from Fern to Phil (her ex) wasn’t awkward at all #ThisMorning #Lorraine,” one viewer wrote sarcastically on X. Another chimed in: “This is not going to end well… I am HERE for it.”
Fern and Phil, who were married from 2000 to 2020, share a daughter named Winnie, 22. The former couple’s frosty dynamic has become the subject of online speculation ever since their split, with Fern recently commenting on the joy of being single during an appearance on Saturday Kitchen: “I can watch all the daytime TV I want. No one’s judging me. I’m my own boss now.”
Fern also shares twins Harry and Jack, 29, and daughter Grace, 26, with her first husband Clive Jones.
Though best known for her work on This Morning and Ready Steady Cook, Fern has also made her mark on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother. But it was this unexpected TV crossover that had everyone talking – and wincing.
