Fern Britton hinted at a potential return to This Morning on Wednesday, fifteen years after her acrimonious departure from the show.

The veteran TV personality returned to the daytime show for an interview with new presenting team Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard as she discussed her recent appearance on Celebrity Big Brother.

It was familiar territory for Britton, 66, who fronted the show initially as a guest presenter from 1993 until joining forces with Phillip Schofield as a full time host until her eventual departure in 2009.

And following Wednesday’s appearance, she responded affirmatively when social media followers touted her as a potential summer holiday or Friday stand-in, slots usually filled by Alison Hammond or Josie Gibson.

‘So fabulous to see Fern back on the show……. Holiday stand in…..??? Hope so!!’ tweeted one fan after watching her interview.

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Fern Britton hinted at a potential return to This Morning on Wednesday, fifteen years after her acrimonious departure

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The TV personality responded affirmatively when social media followers touted her as a potential summer holiday or Friday stand-in, slots filled by Alison Hammond or Josie Gibson

The post was liked by Britton, whose 2009 departure from the show was mired in acrimony following a reported backstage feud with Schofield.

‘Would love to see you back on this morning could do fridays [sic], a ray of sunshine,’ read a second post liked by the presenter.

Britton was said to have felt like she was ‘undervalued by ITV’ and ‘living in Schofield’s shadow’ before she was ultimately replaced by Holly Willoughby.

It was also reported she was being paid £250,000 a year less than her male co-host, who was believed to be earning three times her salary when they were fronting game show Mr & Mrs together from 2008 to 2010.

In 2023 Britton confirmed she was no longer in touch with Schofield, but insisted she had fond memories of her time on This Morning.

She said: ‘We were involved in the show and mates at the time, but we don’t really [speak anymore].’

Contrary to initial claims, Britton refrained from speaking about her relationship with Schofield or the collapse of her marriage to TV chef Phil Vickery – a regular guest on This Morning – during her time in the Celebrity Big Brother house.

‘She felt like she was really hard done by when she left This Morning and now she wants to tell her side of the story,’ a source told OK! before her entrance.

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Britton fronted the show initially as a guest presenter from 1993 until joining forces with Phillip Schofield as a full time host until her eventual departure in 2009

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Her appearance on Wednesday’s edition of the show was her first since leaving This Morning fifteen years ago

‘She actually blames Philip Scofield for her losing her job and felt he had a lot to do with the fact she got pushed out for a younger model, she’s not afraid to speak out now and she’s not taking any prisoners.

‘Viewers can certainly expect fireworks. She’s using it as an opportunity to relaunch her career.’

The insider added it is a good opportunity for Britton after becoming ‘unexpectedly single.’

Britton and Vickery ended their marriage in 2020. Two years later, the chef was spotted kissing her former best friend Lorraine Stanton.

‘She feels she’s had a rough time recently – she’s openly spoken about her gastric band and also got divorced from husband of 20 years, Phil Vickery’, the source added.

A representative of Fern told MailOnline: ‘Fern has already said everything she wants to say about Philip Scofield and her departure from This Morning 15 years ago and won’t be commenting further.’

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Britton was said to have felt like she was ‘undervalued by ITV’ and ‘living in Schofield’s shadow’ before she was ultimately replaced by Holly Willoughby

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Britton refrained from speaking about her relationship with Schofield or the collapse of her marriage to TV chef Phil Vickery during her time in the Celebrity Big Brother house