Fern Britton, 66, reveals she’s in talks to RETURN to This Morning after 15 years as she reflects on ‘difficult’ divorce from Phil Vickery and opens up about her sex life and therapy

Fern Britton has hinted she is in talks with This Morning bosses to return to the show, 15 years after her departure.

The 66-year-old presenter revealed that ITV has approached her to make a series of films for the show, following her guest appearance earlier this year.

Speak with magazine Women & HomeFern also reflected on her ‘difficult’ divorce from celebrity chef Phil Vickery and vowed she will never marry again.

She said: “When my interview was over and I was leaving the studio, I was approached by one [member of the] production team that said, ‘Would you like to make some videos with us?’

‘That conversation still needs to be had, but those four-minute videos every now and then? Perfect. If I could just do them in Cornwall that would be even more perfect!’

“Many of the team I worked with are still there and it was a real trip down memory lane. It was wonderful to be close to people who meant a lot to me.

“The morning I resigned, I hadn’t even thought about leaving the show, so I left behind a lot of good things and a lot of good friends, so [going back] was delicious.’

Following her Celebrity Big Brother stint, fans were reminded of how good Fern is in front of the camera.

Then rumors began to circulate that she would return to This Morning – 15 years after her dramatic departure following a feud with Phillip Schofield.

Fern ducked the subject somewhat and said, “Doing it [TV] interviews would be the dream. I would really like to do something with politics. I’m not interested in party politics, but in politicians, and where the heads of the characters we vote for are located.

‘I don’t care which party they are in favor of, as long as they speak honestly to the country to understand what is going on in the world, what the departure from Europe was and how desperate they are. trying to cover up the terrible things that happen because of it.

‘Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard really get my vote. It’s really good to see Cat again. She has been to America and has gained more experience, but for viewers she is fresh.

‘Fresh, feminine, more mature, experienced and very nice – she has a lot to offer [for her] and Ben is just 100% nice.

“We worked on stuff together over 20 years ago, so it was great to see him.”

During the interview, Ferne then reflected on her divorce from Phil.

The television star has been married twice, first to television hotshot Clive Jones CBE and second to celebrity chef Phil Vickery, 63.

Fern and Phil announced their split after 20 years of ‘happy’ marriage, with almost identical tweets shared in 2020.

Phil was then seen kissing Fern’s best friend, Lorraine Stanton, in 2022, but Fern insisted they remained good friends.

Fern revealed she now has a more distant relationship with Phil, with whom she shares daughter Winnie, 22, in a recent interview with Woman & Home magazine.

Fern said: ‘The break-up of my marriage was a very difficult time. Phil was in my life for 20 years and we share a daughter. It’s not ideal that our marriage didn’t work, but toward the end it didn’t, and here we are.

‘Now there is generally no pain or sensation anymore. Winnie wants to see us both happy and settled, so he and I talk about important issues like “Is Winnie okay?” or “Do you think we should buy her a new car together because the old one is now older than her?”

‘At those basic levels [we connect] but I don’t need to know what he does in his personal life. That’s none of my business anymore.

‘I’ve had a lot of therapy over the past twelve years. We have breaks, but my therapist is a huge part of my life and has gotten me through some grim things. ‘

Looking to the future, Fern, who is also mum to twin sons Jack and Harry, 30, and daughter Grace, 27, said: ‘Love would be amazing. I’m not looking for it, but if it arrives I would welcome it with open arms.

‘I never want to get married again. I never want to live with anyone again.

“It’s enough to take care of myself and I’ve done enough to take care of other people. I haven’t dated anyone properly in 25 years. It’s a long time ago!

Fern famously told it Good cleaning in 2018: ‘Sex is great, but a cup of tea is great too. There’s nothing better than going to bed with a cup of tea and a cuddle and a chat – that’s love.’

And she doubled down on her comments, as Fern shared: “Is sex important as a woman in your 60s?” is a question I’ve been asking myself.

‘It’s not hugely important, but for me it’s more [about] exposing yourself to a stranger’s eyes and [thinking]: ‘Will I be severely criticized? Do I want to be criticized?’

‘I want ideal sex, which is romantic, gentle, satisfying and looking into each other’s eyes. No gymnastics, no getting accessories to wear or use, no sex for sex’s sake.

‘It’s much more about having someone who really loves me as a person, and then of course I would have to go for someone with a big beer belly and hairy ears.

“Well, if I love him, that’s fine! We all want to be seen.’

The year she married Phil, Fern divorced her first husband, Clive Jones, former CEO of ITV News and Regions.

In 2022, Fern revealed that their split was caused by a rift that started when it turned out she was smarter than him.

Fern recalled on the Walking the dog with Emily Dean podcast: ‘He had this diploma and I didn’t. I sneaked out and did the Mensa [test].

She continued, “I lied, I said I was going somewhere else, and it took a day to do this test. I passed – and very well.

“Then he got furious, so he did it because he has a huge brain. But he’s not a problem solver and he didn’t get it. This created a huge gap.’

The couple had three children together and started dating while Clive was still married.

Fern broke off their affair after a year, but Clive turned up on her doorstep two days later and revealed he had left his wife for her.

The couple married in 1988 and separated in 2020.

The July issue of Woman & Home will go on sale May 30.