Fern Britton’s ex Phil Vickery admits ‘messing up something good’ with cryptic social media post following stars marriage admission

Fern Britton’s ex-husband has taken to his social media to share a cryptic message about “messing things up” – just weeks after Britton’s marriage admission.

Britton and Phil Vickery met on the set of BBC Two’s Ready Steady Cook and were married from 2000 to 2020 – sharing one daughter, Winnie, together.

After being married for two decades, Britton previously admitted that she struggled with the breakdown of the relationship.

The former This Morning star regained some of her popularity during her time on the ITV reality show which seems to have sparked a reaction from her ex Vickery.

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.

Phil Vickery

“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.”

Britton worked on This Morning from 1999 to 2009, with her relationship with Vickery being in the public eye and heavily rooted for by fans.

She recently discussed how she felt during the months and years after their split, and told the Daily Mail: “We simply needed to follow out own paths.

“Over time we realised we weren’t necessarily having the kind of life we once did. It seemed right to say ‘thank you’ and move on.

Phil Vickery and Fern Britton

“It was tricky because my mum and my father died very close to each other and unfortunately Phil and I divorced and the pandemic came.

“So Cornwall wrapped itself around me after a very difficult set of events.”

She also touched on her work and relationship life whilst in the Big Brother house and told Louis Walsh: “I’m ready to slow down, like you, I’ve been working solidly since I was 20.”

Walsh agreed and added: “You realise what life is, and realise why haven’t I done this before, why didn’t I go there, why didn’t I do that?

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Phil Vickery and Fern Britton

“Fern, if you pick the right person you’ll have great fun, you might fall in love,” but she quickly quipped back: “I don’t want to fall in love again.”

Britton quickly returned back to social media after finishing her stint on Big Brother and thanked her fans: “Home at last!

“Barbara and I thank everyone who supported me during my time in the #BigBrother house. A crazy, exhilarating ride!” (sic)