Fern Britton's Two Year Quit Plan

6 months ago 15th May 13:00

Fern Britton has wanted to quit 'This Morning' for two years.

The presenter - who departs the ITV daytime programme in July - admitted she has been preparing to quit long before her decision was announced in March.

When asked how long she had been thinking about it, Fern said: "Two years, it takes a long time and I don't jump into things.

"You mull it over and mull it over and actually you've done all your goodbyes and things in your mind over those two years. Then you go and everyone else is surprised."

The 51-year-old host - who is married to chef Phil Vickery, who has a regular spot on the show - plans to be a stay-at-home mum when she leaves the show, because travelling and filming has taken up so much of her time over the last 10 years.

She added to TV host Paul O' Grady: "The journey to work every day is between three-and-a-half to four hours. I was missing the children and not seeing much of Phil and not being mistress in my own home any more.

Two years, it takes a long time and I don't jump into things.You mull it over and mull it over and actually you've done all your goodbyes and things in your mind over those two years. Then you go and everyone else is surprised.

"I'm very lucky as this is my 30th year in television and I can still catch my boys because they're doing their GCSEs next summer. I'm ready to help them concentrate and all that stuff.

"When I'm off, all I do is get up, take the children to school, nip down to the local supermarket, go home and hang the washing out. I like that."

Fern has 15-year-old twins Jack and Harry and daughter Grace, 12, from a previous relationship, as well as seven-year-old Winnie with Phil.

Fern Britton's interview will be shown on The Paul O' Grady tonight on Channel 4.