Fern Britton has embraced life after her divorce from Phil Vickery, finding joy and independence as she navigates her new chapter at the age of 67. The former television presenter, known for her time on This Morning, announced her split from celebrity chef Vickery after over two decades together back in 2020, making this transformation more poignant following the loss of her father, actor Tony Britton.
Since her marriage ended, Britton has taken significant strides to reinvent her life, moving to Cornwall and branding her current situation as 'life is good.' During her recent appearance on James Martin’s Saturday Kitchen, she remarked, “I can sit down in the morning and watch all the daytime television I like. No one’s going to judge me for it; I don’t have to get dressed up and made up.” This refreshing attitude is clearly indicative of her desire to reclaim her identity and autonomy.
Filming her time inside the Celebrity Big Brother house, she candidly shared her perspective on love and relationships, quipping to fellow housemate Louis Walsh, “I don’t want to fall in love again.” Her sentiments reflect both relief and contentment with her current lifestyle. Despite Vickery encouraging her to explore the possibility of new love, Britton has firmly declared her independence.
Reflecting on her marriage to Vickery, which she described as full of happy times, she announced their breakup with grace. “After more than 20 happy years together, Phil and I have decided to go our separate ways. We will always share a great friendship and our lovely children,” she stated. The couple shares a daughter, Winnie, 23, who is now adult enough to support her mother’s new adventures.
Britton has admitted on various occasions how deeply the loss of her parents had affected her marriage, saying, “We fell apart after my mum and dad passed away.” This acknowledgement of the emotional toll adds depth to her current experience as she seeks to establish herself as her own person.
She elaborated on this newfound freedom, saying, “I am my own boss now, which is great, in every sense—my life, my work, everything. I’m my own boss and I’m enjoying it.” Living independently has invigorated her, giving her the chance to focus on what truly matters to her. She explained, “I don’t want to live with anyone – and I don’t want to get married again. I’m very independent, and the older I get, the more I realize I like freedom.”
Adding to her reflections on independence and reinvention, Britton has expressed the unexpected surprise of discovering new opportunities at this stage of her life. “My children are grown-up and I’m no longer married, and it’s as if this whole other world has opened up,” she mentioned during her interview with Good Housekeeping.
While some might perceive divorce as the beginning of the end, for Britton it marks the start of something truly exciting. She acknowledges the challenges of modern dating, stating, “When you were younger, everything was fun… now it’s all swiping, and I hate it.” With this candid assessment, she reveals her sentiments about the current dating culture, reiteratively expressing her reluctance to embrace it.
Even though she reminisces about the simplicity and excitement of meeting people before the digital age, she’s not showing any signs of longing for those days. Instead, she has her priorities set on self-discovery and growth. "There’s an awful lot I’d like to know about myself first… otherwise, you might turn up as another kind of hysterical mess,” she quipped, emphasizing her focus on personal clarity.
The insights Britton offers provide valuable reflections on self-fulfillment against the backdrop of her previous relationships. Now, as she carves out her space under the sun—independent and empowered—she hopes to inspire others who might have walked down similar paths.
Fern Britton’s assertion of confidence and joy is evident; stepping away from external validation and embracing her truth leads her to happiness. Three years post-divorce, she seems to finally feel contentment as she remarks, “Life is good.” This is not just her story but also encourages other individuals to find fulfillment and happiness regardless of their relationship status.
