Cover Story Fern’s heartbreak: Star hopes better days are coming
TV star and author Fern Britton is feeling more optimistic after suffering heartbreak
Anyone who has tried to get back out there after splitting from a long-term partner will understand what Fern Britton is going through right now. And the pandemic, which has seen us all in lockdown for months, can’t have made things easier.
The TV presenter-turned-author, 63, always appeared to remain positive after separating from husband Phil Vickery in January last year – and recently was even spotted flirting on social media, seemingly telling the world she’s ready to move on.
But, like the rest of us, Fern has days when she’s not feeling as bright, and she’s doing everything she can to keep her head up and focus on the future.
‘LIFE IS WORTH LIVING’
Positive vibes
Fern regularly engages with her fans on social media and appears to use her own experiences to offer advice to those in need – reflecting on the sadness and heartbreak she’s suffered over the years.
Replying to a follower in a recent post, Fern wrote, ‘Life is worth living. I promise. There are times when each of us would like the whole damn noise to stop, but there is joy to be had. Just put your head to the wind and keep putting one foot in front of another. Sunnier days will come.’
This optimistic outlook comes after Fern was spotted getting flirty with some male followers on Twitter. She liked a comment from one who wrote, ‘How about I take you to dinner once a month?’ And when another cheeky fan said, ‘If you need tucking into bed later give me a shout. I’m your man,’ Fern quipped, ‘I’m ready to be tucked in.’
Change for the better
Despite being able to have a laugh with her followers, Fern recently suggested that all may not be so rosy, telling fans, ‘Trust your strength and willingness to survive. You are getting through it all just fine,’ adding, ‘We will get there eventually.’
But even though it may be tough at times, and the last year has undoubtedly been difficult, she remains resolute that splitting with now ex-husband Phil was the best thing for both of them. She said, ‘We simply needed to follow our own paths. Over time we realised we weren’t necessarily having the kind of life we once did. It seemed right to say “thank you” and move on.’
Fern and Phil share daughter Winnie, 19, and she is also mum to twin sons Harry
and Jack, 27, and daughter Grace, 24, from her first marriage to Clive Jones. And it’s her children who have helped Fern get through lockdown while also dealing with a relatively fresh break-up. She said, ‘It’s another chapter and we all have chapters. I’m in Cornwall and I’m living in a dear little house and I’m doing a bit of work to it… getting it nice. I’m building a little office, where I can sit and write. I’ve got the girls with me, my daughters.’
Ready to love again?
Fern previously suggested that, despite having been through two marriage breakups, she hasn’t turned her back on love.
She reposted a quote that read, ‘In life, you will fall out with people that you never thought you would. Get betrayed by people you trusted with all of your heart. Get used by people you would do anything for. But life also has a beautiful side to it. You will get loved by someone you never thought you would have. Form new friendships with people that will establish more meaningful and stronger relationships. And overcome things you never thought you would get over.
‘We all have chapters that end with people at some point in life. But take pride in knowing that the very best part of your book is still being written.’
But it’s also going to take someone pretty special to get Fern’s attention, as she said, ‘I am enjoying not having to share my life with somebody else. I’m not a man-hater. Men are great. I don’t think I’m prepared to hand over my autonomy yet.’
Don’t settle for anything less than you deserve, Fern!