Fern Britton addresses brutal sacking 'within a week' of job after disagreement

Edinburgh Live

14-06-2025

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Fern Britton said she was brutally sacked from a presenting role after she confronted a boss.
The former This Morning presenter reflected on the earlier stages of her career, when she claims there was "an awful lot of" misogyny in the industry.
Fern, who started off as a newsreader, went on to host several programmes including; Breakfast Time in the 1980s, Ready Steady Cook from 1994 to 2000, and notably This Morning from 1999 to 2009.
Speaking about her experiences with misogyny in the media, Fern, 67, commented: "At the time, I didn't realise, but there was an awful lot of putting women down, there was an awful lot of misogyny in newsrooms and you just sort of go, 'OK'.
"I appreciate that young women don't accept that any more."
Recounting a specific incident when she challenged a producer over poor instructions, she told The i Weekend: "I worked with a producer on a show years ago and she was giving me instructions that were utter nonsense.
"So I went, 'This is rubbish, this isn't any kind of research, this is all wrong'. Within a week I was off that show."
Additionally, Fern shared that she was let go from After Five, following an emotional moment on air.
The presenter said she struggled to hold back tears during an interview with a terminally ill cancer patient, at a time when she was dealing with postnatal depression.
Fern is widely recognised for her stint as a presenter on ITV's This Morning, sharing the screen with Phillip Schofield.
Over the years, she's been quite open about the ups and downs of their friendship, a topic she touched upon once again during her time on Celebrity Big Brother last year.
While discussing This Morning with ex-housemate Gary Goldsmith, Fern remarked: "It was tricky at times.
"It is an institution that like the monarchy it rocks. I think Ben [Shephard] and Cat [Deeley] will do a great job. It's a new era."
Upon hearing Gary suggest that there were whispers of Phillip entering the house, Fern appeared visibly concerned and responded: "Oh, well. That didn't happen yet. Maybe that will happen as a surprise? I might have to leave at that point!".
(Image: Getty)
Fern's stint on the ITV programme lasted until 2009, when Holly Willoughby took over her role.
In a previous conversation with MailOnline regarding her departure, she insisted her exit was down to her deteriorating relationship with her co-host.
When probed, she admitted: "To leave This Morning? Ultimately, yes. I loved it and I would probably still be there if... Phillip and I were not getting on very well at that stage."
Phillip himself has reflected on their strained rapport in his 2020 autobiography Life's What You Make It.
During a chapter, he said he tried to 'make things right' and that he 'missed her deeply'.