Fern Britton has addressed Phillip Schofield’s departure from This Morning and reflected on their time hosting the show together after their falling out.

The 67-year-old anchored the ITV programme alongside Schofield, 63, for seven years before quitting in 2009.

Ahead of her departure, the pair famously fell out and haven’t spoken since, with Phil previously claiming in his autobiography their relationship was ‘beyond repair’.

It was claimed at the time she felt ‘undervalued by ITV’ and that she was ‘living in Phil’s shadow’.

Now 15 years on, Fern said she had ‘great fun’ hosting This Morning with her former pal whilst speaking about his own controversial exit.

Speaking to Saga Magazine, she said: ‘It brought up a lot of mixed emotions.

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Fern Britton has addressed Phillip Schofield ‘s departure from This Morning and reflected on their time hosting the show together after their falling out

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The 67-year-old anchored the ITV programme alongside Schofield, 63, for seven years before quitting in 2009

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Ahead of her departure, the pair famously fell out and haven’t spoken since, with Phil previously claiming in his autobiography their relationship was ‘beyond repair’

‘The years we worked together were mostly great fun and we were a very good partnership, which I can remember with fondness.

‘I knew how much he loved his job and cared deeply for his public perception. It must have been a terribly difficult time for him and his family.’

In 2022, Fern ended their long-running feud when she congratulated Schofe in a video message to celebrate his 40th anniversary in television.

Last year the mum-of-four returned to screens, appearing on Celebrity Big Brother alongside Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne.

Phillip stepped down from This Morning and subsequently all TV projects after he admitted to an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a 20-year-old crew member on the daytime show.

Holly Willoughby, who took over hosting duties on This Morning from Fern, released a statement at the time saying she had felt ‘hurt’ by his ‘lies’.

Holly stepped down from presenting This Morning after 14 years on the show due to a terrifying kidnap threat and subsequently took time out from the spotlight.

Phillip is also said to have called Holly ‘The Witch’ following the pair’s departure from their presenting roles.

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Last year the mum-of-four returned to screens, appearing on Celebrity Big Brother alongside Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne

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Phillip stepped down from This Morning and subsequently all TV projects after he admitted to an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a 20-year-old running on the daytime show

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Tensions between Holly and Phil reached further heights when he boldly declared there were ‘three s**ts’ at ITV on his Channel 5 show Cast Away

Tensions between the pair reached further heights when Phil boldly declared there were ‘three s**ts’ at ITV on his Channel 5 show Cast Away.

The pair used to be best friends, with their families even taking annual holidays together, but the bitter feud appears to have been reignited.

Phillip is said to have told Holly that she ‘brought him down’ before he resigned from This Morning.

Meanwhile, last week Phillip was making the most of the warm summer weather as he took his dog for a walk in west London on Wednesday.

He cut a casual figure in the outing in a light blue shirt and a pair of cream knee-length shorts.