Fearne Cotton Opens Up About Single Parenthood Struggles After Split from Jesse Wood

Fearne Cotton says struggling as a single mother has reduced her tears following her split from her husband Jesse Wood.

In her most candid interview since the breakup of her decade-long marriage, the TV presenter admitted that some days she is left ‘crying in her car’ as attempts to juggle the pressures of raising two young children single-handedly with her media career.

‘I’m just dropping lots of balls constantly and never feeling like I’m doing anything particularly well,’ Fearne, 43, told Women’s Health magazine’s new podcast, Just As Well.

Reflecting on what it’s like to be a single mother, she said: ‘We’re just juggling so much, it’s so full on and I’m dropping balls left, right, and centre in all the basic ways.

‘I had nothing the kids liked for breakfast on Monday, nothing. I had cereal, but no milk. I had butter, but no bread. I tried to make pancakes, I had no maple syrup. It is like an absolute s**t show.

‘So I’m just dropping lots of balls constantly and never feeling like I’m doing anything particularly well. But enjoying most of it. I would say enjoying most of it.’

Fearne Cotton says struggling as a single mother has reduced her tears following her split from her husband Jesse Wood

The mother-of-two announced her marriage split in December by taking to social media to make the announcement (pictured with Jesse in February 2024) 

The veteran presenter announced she had separated from Jesse, the son of Rolling Stones bass guitarist Ronnie Wood, last December after 10 years of marriage.

Fearne, who also hosts her own podcast, The Happy Place, said she relies on writing lists to keep on top of everything, while also leaning on her female friendships for support when she is having a bad day.

She added: ‘When I drop the balls, I probably have a slight tantrum. Sometimes I have a cry in my car, call one of my best mates and go “Are you having a s**t show too? Yeah. Okay, phew….it’s not just me”.

‘And then crack on. And then it feels slightly better the next day.’

Fearne, who had once vowed never to return to live radio or TV, also told Women’s Health editor-in-chief and podcast host Claire Sanderson how a media career had been a challenge to her mental health.

She said: ‘All of my mental health lows’ had been sparked by work, and also spoke about her struggles with anxiety, OCD and depression.

‘It doesn’t matter who you are, it doesn’t discriminate,’ Fearne explained. ‘You know what is going on in your brain is entirely separate to what other people assume your lifestyle is. So it really important to dispel that myth.’

The former radio host said that she focuses on ‘trying to exercise, eat well’ particularly when she notices she is starting to feel ‘a bit anxious’ or when ‘little patterns’ caused by OCD start to arise.

‘I’m just dropping lots of balls constantly and never feeling like I’m doing anything particularly well,’ Fearne told Women’s Health magazine’s new podcast, Just As Well

The TV presenter admitted that some days she is left ‘crying in her car’ as attempts to juggle the pressures of raising two young children single-handedly while juggling her career 

Fearne also told Women’s Health editor-in-chief and podcast host Claire Sanderson how a media career had been a challenge to her mental health 

She said: ‘The key to me not spiralling is to be nice to myself and go, ‘who cares? It doesn’t matter.

‘You’ll have a better day tomorrow, it’ll be fine. You can go for a run if you’ve got time or eat better or whatever.

‘And not berate myself for those days that aren’t the perfect health day. And to keep a check on the anxiety by again being nice to myself.’

It was due to her mental health struggles, which included suffering from panic attacks before going on air, that Fearne stepped away from live TV and radio in 2015.

A key factor in her decision to step away was the impact social media trolls were having on her wellbeing.

She added: ‘It’s the absolute pits, and I think you do have to learn to just see it as a thought in someone’s head that has now gone and they decided to write it down for whatever reason and it’s nothing more than that.

Fearne’s estranged husband Jesse Wood recently proved things are getting serious with in his new relationship with Gemma Gregory, a former Made In Chelsea cast-member 

L-R Gemma, Gabriella Tristao, Kimberley Garner and Richard Dinan on Made in Chelsea in 2012

‘But in the moment, it can feel, especially if you’re not in a good head space, which back when I was doing Radio 1 I wasn’t, but I was still receiving a lot of that and it took me under…I was very close to questioning everything in my life at that point.

‘Why am I doing this to myself? Why am I just go and have a quiet life somewhere? And luckily I didn’t because I love what I do and I’m glad that I didn’t give up.’

The blonde beauty kicked off her presenting career at just 15-years-old before joining BBC Radio One in 2005.

She later took over Jo Whiley’s mid-morning show in 2009 before deciding to leave after a nine-year stint, citing her mental health.

Fearne’s career is now focused on her wellness business, which includes her podcast Happy Place, as well as several self–help books.

Since the split, Fearne has admitted she was ‘happier than ever’ after being romantically linked with TV director Elliot Hegarty 

The mother-of-two announced her marriage split in December by taking to social media to make the announcement, telling fans ‘It is with a heavy heart that I let you all know that Jesse and I are ending our marriage.

She added that their priority would ‘always be’ their daughter Honey and their son Rex.

The couple had tied the knot in July 2014 three years after they started dating. They met while partying in Ibiza the year after his split from his first wife Tilly.

Since the split, Fearne has admitted she was ‘happier than ever’ after being romantically linked with TV director Elliot Hegarty, 53.

The presenter was spotted passionately kissing Hegarty in Soho earlier this year.

Just As Well is now available to stream on all major podcast platforms.