Fern Britton had opened up about what lockdown was really like for her after she underwent a trio of traumatic events.
The presenter, 67, found herself entering an ‘era of indolence’ after the UK was plunged into a national lockdown following the deaths of both her parents and the breakdown of her marriage.
The TV star lost her mother Ruth in April 2018 before her dad Tony Britton also passed at the end of the following year.
Then in 2020 she announced her split from husband Phil Vickery after almost 20 years together.
Speaking to The Mirror, Fern candidly explained: ‘My mum died and a year later my father died and the next year my marriage died.
Fern Britton has reflected on her horrific lockdown after the traumatic loss of both parents and the breakdown of her marriage to Phil Vickery
Speaking to The Mirror, Fern candidly explained: ‘My mum died and a year later my father died and the next year my marriage died’ (pictured with Phil in 2008)
‘I fell into this era of indolence I call it, where I just started just lying in bed later and later and later.’
Fern revealed she soon found herself struggling to find the point of getting out of bed and began smoking, drinking and eating badly.
The star, who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year, then noticed the physical side effects starting to have an effect on her health as she realised she had gained weight and was having problems breathing.
She added: ‘Looking back I was in a very bad place and gradually I started to pull myself out of it.’
Fern even revealed that one night it all came to a head as she decided to quit smoking after too many cigarettes led to her pulling over mid car ride to throw up in a field.
Feeling much more herself almost five years on from the start of the 2020 lockdown, the star now has regular therapy sessions and is exercising again.
Preparing for her new book which is out for release later this year, Fern has taken a step back from her regular TV appearances and has relocated to Cornwall.
Back in April Fern revealed that she wants to find love again – four years on from her divorce from her chef husband Phil.
The TV star lost her mother Ruth (pictured) in April 2018 before he dad also later passed at the end of the following year
Fern revealed she soon found herself struggling to find the point of getting out of bed as she said: ‘Looking back I was in a very bad place and gradually I started to pull myself out of it’ (pictured with her dad Tony Britton in 1995)
The couple met on BBC Two’s Ready Steady Cook and share one child together, daughter Winnie, 22, and Fern announced on Twitter that they had split (pictured in 2007)
Appearing on Lorraine, Fern told Christine Lampard: ‘People say to me: “Are you dating? Are you doing this, are you doing that.”
‘The answer is no. I’m not dating at all. I’m not looking for anything, but – although I’d never want to get married again, or live with anyone again – I’d like just a bit of romance.
‘A little bit of going out to supper or maybe having a bit of a holiday. Someone to talk to at the end of the day to run things past. That would be nice.’
She finished: ‘I don’t need it. But it would be nice.’
Fern and Phil, 63, met on BBC Two’s Ready Steady Cook and share one child together, daughter Winnie, 22, and Fern announced on Twitter that they had split.
In a statement she wrote at the time: ‘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. We would appreciate it if our privacy is respected at this time. Thankyou for your continued kindness and support.’
The year she married Phil, Fern divorced her first husband Clive Jones CBE, former Chief Executive of ITV News and Regions.
The fifth-placed Celebrity Big Brother star wrote at the time: ‘After more than 20 happy years together, Phil and I have decided to go our separate ways’
The year she married Phil, Fern divorced her first husband Clive Jones CBE, former Chief Executive of ITV News and Regions
In 2022, Fern revealed their split was caused by a rift which began when she was revealed to be smarter than he was.
Fern recalled on the Walking The Dog with Emily Dean podcast: ‘He had this degree and I don’t. I secretly went off and did the Mensa [test].
She continued: ‘I lied, I said I was going somewhere else, and it took a day to do this test. I passed — and quite well too.
‘Then he was furious so he did it because he’s got a huge brain. But he’s not a problem solver and he didn’t get it. So an immense rift opened.’
The couple had three children together: twins Harry and Jack, 29, and first daughter Grace, 26.
She insisted she could have presented more serious programmes such as Newsnight if she’d taken her career more seriously.
Fern said: ‘Some people think: “Oh she’s too stupid.” But I’m bright, actually.’
