Latest news with #AfterFive
Edinburgh Live
16-06-2025
- 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!".
Edinburgh Live
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Fern Britton addresses brutal sacking 'within a week' of job after disagreement
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 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'.
