Fern Britton and husband Phil Vickery split was 'on the cards for years'

Fern Britton, 62, and her estranged husband Phil Vickery, 58, were reportedly 'often not on speaking terms' and their shock split is said to have been 'on the cards for years'. Fern Britton, 62, and her estranged husband Phil Vickery, 58, were reportedly 'often not on speaking terms' and their shock split is said to have been 'on the cards for years' An insider told The Mirror: 'Fern and Phil went through periods when they weren't even speaking to one another. Sad: The former This Morning star and celebrity chef announced their shock separation earlier this week after 20 years of marriage Milestone: Fern and Phil's daughter Winnie turned 18 in August 2019, with her famous mother marking the occasion with a sweet post on Twitter The television presenter and the celebrity chef shocked fans when it was revealed they were going their separate ways after two decades. TV partnership: Phil and Fern met on This Morning when Fern hosted the show alongside Philip Schofield - who now hosts with Holly Willoughby Where it all began: Fern and Phil are pictured on her last day on This Morning in 2009 after meeting on the set of the famed daytime show The past month has proven a difficult time for Fern, who announced her father's death in December.