Tuesday, 31 March 2009

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Fern Britton finally cracks

Her shock exit from This Morning has actually been planned for a year

Breaking point: Furious Fern Britton's finally had enough of the pressure after her gastric band scandal and is quitting the show for good

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Queen of daytime TV Fern Britton shocked many when she announced last Wednesday that she’s quitting This Morning, but it was far from a sudden decision.

In fact, she’d actually brooded over resigning from her £750,000-a-year job for up to a year, until constantly being in tears from the pressure at home and at work drove her to breaking point.

‘There have been times when it’s been all too obvious on set that she’s been crying,’ reveals a source who’s worked with Fern for years.

‘The stress of having to keep a stiff upper lip has really got to her over the months and she’s really looking forward to a bit of time away from the coalface. She says she’s finally snapped.'

Phillip Schofield, 47, and Fern, 51, never really rebuilt their relationship after the scandal of her gastric band broke last May, followed by her fury when her salary was frozen for two years.

‘That was a real kick in the teeth for Fern, especially when she knew that Phillip was being paid loads of cash and promoted as ITV’s big new primetime star,’ says the source.

See the full story about Fern Britton in Now magazine dated 6 April 2009 - out now! 

SEE PICTURES The amazing shrinking Fern Britton>>

Beth McLoughlin