Fern Britton has opened up about her decision to leave This Morning in 2009, saying an incident prompted the decision and that she was ‘treated poorly.’
After leaving the show, Fern was replaced by Holly Willoughby.
Speaking on The Ray D’Arcy Show on RTÉ Radio 1 today, Fern said: ‘I began not to enjoy it so much and the morning I resigned, I didn’t know I was going to resign.
‘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”’.
Fern continued: ‘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 also said media attention influenced her decision, saying: ‘The most difficult thing was the paparazzi. I would have three, four or five of them outside the house all of the time.
‘The police were wonderful and they would actually escort me to school so I could take the kids in without them taking pictures.
‘And obviously they are not allowed to take pictures outside the school.
‘The photographers would also block my car so I couldn’t get in or out, they were just awful.’
Fern – who announced her split from husband of 20 years Phil Vickery back in February – appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2012.
The mum-of-two’s other TV credits include For What It’s Worth, Ready Steady Cook and Fern Britton Meets…
Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for This Morning for comment.
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