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Wales Online
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Fern Britton claims she was 'sacked' TV show after savage comment to producer
Fern Britton claims she was 'sacked' TV show after savage comment to producer Former This Morning presenter Fern Britton has claimed she was 'sacked' from a show after giving her honest opinion to a 'rubbish' producer behind the scenes Fern Britton has shared one particularly brutal comment a colleague made to her (Image: ITV ) This Morning veteran Fern Britton has shared her experiences of the cutthroat nature of the industry, revealing she was axed from a programme for giving candid feedback to a producer. Amid news of significant job cuts within ITV's daytime team, Fern reflected on the stressful nature of television work. Speaking to the i newspaper's 7 Days magazine, she recalled one particular incident where she was summarily sacked after challenging a producer's ideas. "I worked with a producer on a show years ago and she was giving me instructions that were utter nonsense," Fern said. "I went, 'This is rubbish. This isn't any kind of research. This is all wrong.' Within a week I was off that show." Her career has seen quite a few tough moments, including being let go after returning from maternity leave in the mid-1990s while grappling with post-natal depression. Fern was dismissed after breaking down in tears during an interview with a terminally ill cancer patient. In 2001, after welcoming her daughter Winnie, Fern faced pressure to return swiftly to her role on This Morning beside John Leslie. She was brutally told that, if she did not return to work straight away: "There's no job for you." Fern eventually departed from the morning show that she says she "loved," reportedly due to ongoing tensions with Phillip Schofield, who had stepped in as John Leslie's successor. Article continues below Fern has reinvented herself as a novelist (Image: PA ) Dismissing speculation that she left the programme due to a salary disagreement, she explained: "There was also a persistent rumour that I left because Phillip was being paid more than me and I always say to people 'Why would I leave a show to go to nothing if I was worried about money?'" Though she hasn't disclosed the precise incident that marked the end of her strained partnership with Schofield, in a conversation with Ray D'Arcy, she revealed: "Something happened and I thought, 'That's it really' and I walked away and resigned. I was treated pretty poorly, actually. And after a while I just thought, 'Sod it'." When she participated in Strictly Come Dancing, she claimed her professional dance partner Artem Chigvintsev had been physically tough with her. Fern moved permanently into her Cornish holiday home in Padstow five years ago (Image: PR HANDOUT ) Reflecting on her experiences, she said: "I remember once I burst into tears and sobbed that I wasn't enjoying it, Artem's response was, 'You're rubbish, that's why you're not enjoying it,' so I picked myself up and ploughed on." Artem denied all allegations made against him, claiming: "I treated her with respect and care." Aware of the brutally competitive nature of television, especially for those off-camera, she added: "It's harder for the people behind [the cameras] because they're having to deal with the budgets and with `upstairs'. Presenters, you've got to take it on the chin and you're lucky to be there, really". Simultaneously, she admits she can comprehend the bosses' rationale as they mandate the massive job cuts: "There are times when everything does need a reset. So maybe that's it. Maybe they're planning a reset." Fern will soon be back on TV, taking viewers inside a vet's surgery (Image: ITV ) Today, at 67, Fern is contentedly residing in Cornwall with a profitable career outside of television as a best-selling author. However, she still makes occasional appearances on screen and will soon return to ITV with a new six-part series titled Fern Britton: Inside the Vet's. Describing the programme, she stated: "Every pet has their story and every owner has theirs, so I'm absolutely thrilled to be part of this new series for ITV. Animals have always been a huge love of mine and getting a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible work the veterinary team does every day has been a privilege. Article continues below "Handing your pet over to the vet for any procedure is a worrying time. This series gives us a glimpse of what happens beyond the consulting room door, and is full of heart, fascinating stories, and, of course, plenty of adorable animals-I can't wait to share it with viewers!".
Edinburgh Live
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
ITV This Morning's Fern Britton 'sacked from show' after showing true feelings
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info TV veteran Fern Britton has reflected on being axed from a programme following her frank critique to one of the producers. She revealed the precarious nature of the television industry in light of ITV's recent decision to cut roughly half of its 440 daytime production staff, conceding that it's "not an easy industry". In an interview with the i newspaper's 7 Days magazine, Fern recounted an incident where she called out a producer's poor show guidance. "I worked with a producer on a show years ago and she was giving me instructions that were utter nonsense," she said. "I went, 'This is rubbish. This isn't any kind of research. This is all wrong.' Within a week I was off that show." During her time as host of After Five in the mid-1990s, Fern had her first child and was dismissed shortly after when post-natal depression led her to weep during a sensitive interview with a terminally ill cancer patient, reports the Manchester Evening News. Circa 2001, while co-hosting This Morning with John Leslie, Fern shared how she was pressured to return swiftly postpartum, facing an ultimatum: "There's no job for you." Fern ultimately parted ways with the beloved show amid reputed conflicts with Phillip Schofield, who stepped in for Leslie. Refuting claims that she left her television show due to a pay dispute, she clarified: "There was also a persistent rumour that I left because Phillip was being paid more than me and I always say to people 'Why would I leave a show to go to nothing if I was worried about money?'". She has kept the details of her final breaking point with Schofield private, but in an interview with Ray D'Arcy, she hinted at the severity of the situation: "Something happened and I thought, 'That's it really' and I walked away and resigned. I was treated pretty poorly, actually. And after a while I just thought, 'Sod it'." Her experience on Strictly Come Dancing at the age of 55 brought further challenges, as she claimed her dance partner Artem Chigvintsev was physically rough and unsupportive. Reflecting on a particularly difficult moment, she shared: "I remember once I burst into tears and sobbed that I wasn't enjoying it, Artem's response was, 'You're rubbish, that's why you're not enjoying it,' so I picked myself up and ploughed on." She acknowledged the harsh realities of the television industry, noting it can be even tougher for those working behind the scenes: "It's harder for the people behind [the cameras] because they're having to deal with the budgets and with `upstairs'. Presenters, you've got to take it on the chin and you're lucky to be there, really". At the same time, she acknowledges the rationale behind the significant job cuts ordered by management: "There are times when everything does need a reset. So maybe that's it. Maybe they're planning a reset." Now 67, Fern enjoys a contented life in Cornwall, having carved out a successful career as a best-selling author, separate from her television endeavours. Yet, she still makes occasional TV appearances and is set to return to ITV with a new six-part series titled 'Fern Britton: Inside the Vet's'. Speaking about the upcoming show, she expressed her excitement: "Every pet has their story and every owner has theirs, so I'm absolutely thrilled to be part of this new series for ITV. Animals have always been a huge love of mine and getting a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible work the veterinary team does every day has been a privilege." She added: "Handing your pet over to the vet for any procedure is a worrying time. This series gives us a glimpse of what happens beyond the consulting room door, and is full of heart, fascinating stories, and, of course, plenty of adorable animals-I can't wait to share it with viewers!".
