Fern Britton has explained how her marriage to Phil Vickery came to an end after a conversation between the pair.
The former This Morning presenter, 62, and her TV chef husband, 58, announced in January that they were separating after 20 years of marriage.
And now she's spoken about the reasons behind their break-up - reports Mirror Online.
Fern told Woman & Home magazine: "There are times when I’ve been very low.
“It was a difficult year, but now I’m fine again.
“Phil and I are both OK. 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.
"But we do have a good friendship. Phil and I had the greatest fun together and we have the most beautiful daughter together, Winnie.... as so we will always be connected."
She added: "Life has changed for me in the last 10 years, especially with my career. So it's lovely to think I can just concentrate on writing, the kids and getting on with life. This feels quite comfortable, and Phil and I knew it was the right thing to do."
Fern announced the split on Twitter in January.
She wrote: "After more than 20 happy years together, Phil and I have decided to go our separate ways.
"We will always share a great friendship and our lovely children . We would appreciate it if our privacy is respected at this time. Thankyou for your continued kindness and support."
Fern and Phil married in 2000.
They first met on the set of BBC Two's Ready Steady Cook and started dating.
They tied the knot after her divorce to TV executive Clive Jones was finalised.
They went on to have a daughter, Winnie, who is now 17.
Fern is also mum to twins Jack and Harry and daughter Grace, from her previous marriage to Clive, from 1988 to 2000.
Phil shared a very similar message about the split on his own Twitter account.
He wrote: "After more than 20 years together Fern and I have decided to go our separate ways. We will always share a great friendship and our lovely children. We would appreciate it if our privacy is respected at this time. Thank you for you kindness and support P"
The April issue of Woman & Home is on sale from Thursday.
