'It's quite telling': Fans praise 'lovely' Fern Britton as she returns to This Morning while Phillip Schofield is away AGAIN... after quitting eight years ago 'due to gender pay gap'

Fern started hosting This Morning with Phillip Schofield back in 2002, but quit in 2009
At the time it was claimed the 60-year-old felt like she was 'living in Phillip's shadow' and was furious about their difference in pay
Phillip, 55, admitted in 2013 the pair were no longer in touch - despite developing a huge fan base with their giggly appearances on the ITV show
Fern appeared on This Morning back in April, again while Phil was away
His new co-host Holly Willoughby, 36, now earns the same salary of £600,000 at ITV

Published: 13:49 BST, 21 December 2017 | Updated: 18:10 BST, 21 December 2017

e-mail

516

View
comments

She left the show eight years ago, reportedly due to her significantly lower salary than male presenter Phillip Schofield.

And Fern Britton set tongues wagging on Thursday when she returned to This Morning, while her former co-host was on holiday for Christmas.

Fans were quick to praise 'lovely' Fern's appearance on Twitter, but noted the timing was 'telling' - after the 60-year-old was claimed to be furious about the pay gap and was no longer in touch with Phil.

Scroll down for video

'You're not on it enough!': Fern Britton returned to This Morning on Thursday, and was showered with praise for her appearance on Twitter

Separated: However, viewers noticed Fern appeared while former co-host Phillip Schofield (above) was away - amid claims she left the show eight years ago due to their difference in pay

Fern had been on the show to discuss her new ITV quiz show about the Royal family, simply titled A Right Royal Quiz.

Having presented This Morning for many years, the blonde later joined hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, as well as her husband Phil Vickery, for a playful Christmas cookery segment at the end.

After eight years away from the morning show, fans immediately took to Twitter to praise the host, and call for her to return.

New project: Fern had been on the show to discuss her new ITV quiz show about the Royal family, simply titled A Right Royal Quiz

Say cheers! The blonde later joined hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, as well as her husband Phil Vickery, for a playful Christmas cookery segment

Sparkle like Ruth in a sequin jumper by Monsoon

Monsoon 'Sadie' sequin jumper

Now reduced to £45

Visit site

Ruth Langsford injected an appropriate amount of sparkle into today’s episode of This Morning, with the help of this festive jumper by Monsoon.

Featuring a flattering V-neck, this knit is created in alpaca wool with all-over micro sequins, which make it perfectly party-ready for December!

In fact, it can take you straight from day to night: team with jeans and ankle boots during the daytime, switching to a midi skirt and heels in the evening. Or take note from Ruth and add slim-fit black trousers and court shoes to elevate your look without going over the top.

The best thing about this jumper? It’s currently reduced to a purse-friendly £45! Click (right) to bag yourself an early Christmas treat.

We’ve also scoured the high street for the best alternatives. Check out the carousel below for our favourite find by White Stuff and a shimmering must-have by Boohoo.

* PRICES MAY NOT BE AS ADVERTISED

...NOW GET ONE LIKE IT FOR LESS

Huge support: After eight years away from the morning show, fans immediately took to Twitter to praise the host

Viewers wrote in their droves: 'Awe it was lovely to see @fern_britton back today ! She looks amazing as always .. really enjoyed the show today !' and 'Loved seeing you on my screen again, you're not on it enough!'

While others added: 'How lovely to see @fern_britton on #thismorning', '@Fern_Britton that has made my year! You back on the #thismorning sofa' and 'Wish you were back for good Fern, miss you on the show.'

Further fans claimed she was a far better front-woman than the current hosts, writing: 'Shame that lady ever left this morning, really professional and no childish giggling....' and 'That programme went downhill when you left.'

'You're not on it enough!': Fans showered Fern with praise, and called for her to make a full time return to the show

However another viewer acknowledged Fern was appearing while her former co-host Phillip was away - having done the exact same back in April.

They wrote: 'It's always quite telling that @fern_britton is only ever on #thismorning when Eamonn and Ruth are presenting.'

Fern and Phillip first hosted the ITV morning show together in 2002, and became known for their playful and giggly presenting style.

'It's quite telling': However another viewer acknowledged Fern was appearing while her former co-host Phillip was away

Flying solo: Fern appeared on This Morning while Phil was off for Christmas - having done the same back in April

However the blonde announced in March 2009 that she was permanently leaving the show, after a brief break in November the previous year.

It was then claimed her departure was due to the fact she was 'sick of living in Phil's shadow' while he was paid a higher salary for the same job.

Fern was believed to earn £750,000 from ITV at the time, while Phillip was reportedly on a much larger £1million.

Back in the day: Fern and Phillip first hosted the ITV morning show together in 2002, and became known for their playful and giggly presenting style

End of an era: However the blonde announced in March 2009 that she was permanently leaving the show, after a brief break in November the previous year

It was also believed the former Ready Steady Cook star was irked by the fact Phil was earning three times more than her for the same role on Mr & Mrs.

Insiders told the Mirror at the time: 'Fern has not been happy with the way things have gone and she feels she and the show are being undervalued.

'As one of the most recognisable faces on TV she is not being paid anything like what Phillip is. Fern simply isn't enjoying the show as she once did. She felt she was living in Phillip's shadow and decided it was time to move on.'

'She feels she is undervalued': It was then claimed her departure was due to the fact she was 'sick of living in Phil's shadow' while he was paid a higher salary (pictured in 2003)

Jingle belles: Fern and Ruth both looked festive in their glittering ensembles during the show

Having a ball: Fern appeared to enjoy her time on the show as she shared a giggle with hosts Eamonn and Ruth

Phil, 55, then revealed back in 2013 that he was no longer in touch with Fern, 55, following her departure from the show.

He told Heat magazine: 'We were involved in the show and mates at the time, but we don't really…I see Phil [Vickery] when he's in This Morning, but we're not in touch now.'

MailOnline has contacted This Morning for comment.

It was recently revealed that Phillip's current co-host Holly Willoughby, 36, earns the same as him, with a salary of £600,000 a year.

However, the blonde was receiving £200,000 less than Phillip before the shocking gender pay discrepancies emerged earlier this year - which Holly deemed 'outrageous'.

Having a ball: She later playfully completed a crossword with Eamonn while her husband Phil and Ruth cooked

Level pegging: It was recently revealed by the Mirror that Phillip's current co-host Holly Willoughby, 36, earns the same as him, with a salary of £600,000 a year

She told The Sun: 'If you have two equally qualified people who have been doing something for the same amount of time, then there is absolutely no excuse.'

Meanwhile Phil was quick to gush of the Celebrity Juice host earlier this week, and reveal their relationship both on and off screen is incredibly 'rare'.

He revealed to the Mirror: 'Holly is an absolute dream – it's like presenting with my best friend or sister.

'We have never had a row in all of the years we've been working together on anything we've done.

'We've never even got tetchy. It just doesn't happen, and that's a lovely relationship to have, and quite rare.'

'It's like presenting with my best friend': Phil was quick to gush of the Celebrity Juice host earlier this week, and reveal their relationship both on and off screen is incredibly 'rare'