Fern Britton has suggested that ITV considered her a “liability” before she stepped down as the co-host of This Morning.
Britton, 62, presented the ITV daytime show from 1999 to 2002 with John Leslie and then appeared alongside Phillip Schofield until 2009. She was replaced by Holly Willoughby.
Discussing her departure on LBC, the TV star claimed that speculation around her weight loss in 2008 “ruffled a few feathers” at the channel.
Britton was accused of using a gastric band to help her lose around five stone, though the presenter has always maintained that her transformation was down to exercise and diet only.
“It was all gastric band-gate,” she said. “ It ruffled a few feathers, and I think perhaps I became a bit of a liability to ITV. I really don’t know.
“But I know that the day I decided to leave – and I’m not going to get into this now – something happened that morning and I thought, ‘I’m done’ and ITV went, ‘thanks very much. Goodbye.’”
Britton also shut down speculation that she had left the show due to a disparity in pay between her and co-presenter Schofield.
“I didn’t know what Phillip was earning,” she said. “ But I knew that I was earning plenty for me and you have to know what is enough for yourself.
“I’m old fashioned enough not to question what other people are earning. I was very well looked after.”
Since leaving This Morning, Britton has presented a handful of series for ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC, and appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2012. She has also released several best-selling novels.
