Former This Morning host Fern Britton has reportedly been gearing up for a "big TV comeback" following her recent stint on Celebrity Big Brother.
The 66-year-old has reportedly been eyeing up her own talk show as the "ultimate revenge" against Phillip Schofield who's seen his on-screen career diminish in the past 12 months.
Schofield and Britton clashed while working together on This Morning, leading to her departure from the show 15 years ago while he remained as a staple on the programme until last year’s controversy saw him leaving for good.
As the ITV show became clouded by reports of a feud with his co-star Holly Willoughby, Schofield later admitted to having had an "unwise but not illegal" affair with a younger colleague. He has since kept away from the public eye and hasn’t made any other television appearances.
Last month, Britton was back on TV as she took part in Celebrity Big Brother, reaching the final after winning over fans and it's since been reported the presenter is hoping to make a more permanent return to the limelight, with Bella magazine reporting the author could soon be fronting her own chat show.
An insider told the publication: “She’s desperate to do her own chat show and is already in talks with TV networks.
Britton won over fans on this year's Celebrity Big Brother
ITV
“Celebrity Big Brother has done her the world of good. The public forgot how likeable she is, but the show has given her that new lease on life.
“It’s no secret she was treated badly before, and it put her off doing TV again, but now she feels ready to be back on screens. She’s warm, caring, and fun – all the things TV producers look for in a host. Now Phillip isn’t in the picture anymore, she can get her ultimate revenge and be a success on TV once again!”
However, Britton herself has now quashed the reports after sharing her reaction during a candid interview on Wednesday.
Britton admitted she hadn't expected her reality show stint to spark rumours of a TV comeback but said during her latest televised interview: "I've had my time in the sun."
Britton was back on screens last month when she joined Celebrity Big Brother
ITV
Britton went on to explain to Christine Lampard it was time for new presenters to be given their chance to shine on the screen, putting to bed any plans for the aforementioned "revenge".
She went on to say she would be keen to work behind the scenes on television but wouldn't want to be front and centre anymore.
The rumours came after Britton and Schofield famously rowed while presenting the ITV show, which sparked Britton to quit in 2009 after rumours suggested her co-host was being paid £250,000 more than her for the same role.
The duo have since shared brutal remarks about each other through the years, but the true reason for their fall-out remains a mystery.
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Britton made it to the final of Celebrity Big Brother
ITV
It isn't just Britton's life on-screen that has been thrust into the spotlight following CBB, but her personal life too.
Following her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother, her ex-husband Phil Vickery talked about "messing up something good" in a cryptic social media post.
Posting on his Instagram story – which has since been deleted - it read: “A lot of people mess up something good by looking for something better, to end up with something worse.”
The couple announced their divorce in 2020 and shared a joint statement saying: “After more than 20 happy years together, Phil and I have decided to go our separate ways.
“We will always share a great friendshipand our lovely children. We would appreciate it if our privacy is respected at this time. Thank you for your continued kindness and support.”