Fern Britton has spoken out for the first time after she split from Phil Vickery.
The former This Morning star said it had been "overwhelming" as she discussed her break up for the first time on social media on Sunday.
The showbiz power couple recently went public with their break up shortly after their 20-year marriage crumbled.
It has since been claimed the pair lived increasingly different lives and often didn't speak to each other which inevitably led to their secret split.
Now Fern has had her say on her 20-year marriage breakdown.
In a note to her 66.5K followers, the telly presenter thanked all her loyal admirers and strangers for their "overwhelming" support.
She acknowledged their kind messages were "so appreciated" at the difficult time.
Fern wrote: "Hello. Thank you so much for all your kind messages.
"They are so appreciated. More than you know. The kindness of strangers is overwhelming. Xx."
In the wake of the split, friends of the couple confided in The Mirror Fern and Phil often weren't speaking to each other.
Their marriage dissolving has coincided with their daughter Winnie turning 18 years old.
The insider told The Mirror: “Fern and Phil went through periods when they weren’t even speaking to one another.
“There were some really rough patches and it looked like deep cracks had developed. Things were fraught.
"They seemed to think it was something that happened to everyone, and it was just the natural ups and downs of any relationship.
“But those around them worried the damage might be irreparable.”
Fern also has three children from her first marriage to Clive Jones: Harry, Jack and Grace.
The exes were married from 1988 until 2000.
