Fern Britton admits the heartbreaking sound she feared most
Fern Britton has said the worst thing about marriage was hearing a key in the lock when things were strained — a sound that made her heart sink as she wondered what mood awaited her. The former This Morning presenter, twice married and now single, shared the candid reflection in a Telegraph interview.
Key Takeaways
- Fern Britton said hearing a key in the lock was the worst aspect of marriage when a relationship was struggling.
- She separated from TV chef Phil Vickery in 2020 after about 20 years together.
- She was previously married to Clive Jones and has children from both marriages.
- In September 2025 she told Woman's Weekly she values her freedom and does not want to remarry.
What did Fern Britton call the worst thing about marriage?
Speaking to The Telegraph, Fern Britton described a familiar domestic moment that filled her with dread. She said it was that instant when you hear the key in the lock and your heart sinks because things have not been going well.
"What's the mood? What's the temperature? That feeling of here we go again," she explained, according to Wales Online.
How many times has Fern Britton been married?
Fern Britton has been married twice. Her first marriage was to Clive Jones, with whom she has three older children. She later married TV chef Phil Vickery, and they share a daughter, Winnie.
The couple confirmed their separation in 2020, ending what they called 20 happy years. In a joint statement, they said they had chosen to go their separate ways and asked that their privacy be respected.
Is Fern Britton open to marrying again?
In September 2025, Fern Britton told Woman's Weekly she was enjoying life and felt she had found the person she used to be. She said she relies on a strong network of girlfriends who are good at putting the world to rights.
She indicated she was not looking for love and remained a bit too wary of losing her freedom. "I don't want to live with anyone — and I don't want to get married again," she said. "I'm a very independent person and the older I get, the more I realise I like my freedom."
She recently marked her 69th birthday with friends and daughters Winnie and Grace, sharing rare photos from the celebration. Catch more trending reads in our Future Tech & AI Wonders section on BlasterPost.