Fern Britton

Few celebrities have captured the imagination of the British public quite like Fern Britton. Beamed into our living rooms every week, the bubbly host of "This Morning" has befriended an entire nation. Praised for her honesty and down-to-earth appeal, it's no wonder she was once voted the public's most enviable celebrity. Beautiful and confident, Fern is living proof that you don't need to be a size 10 to be successful. The daughter of actor Tony Britton, Fern landed her first job with Westward Television in 1980, but her big break came in 1995 when she fronted Ready Steady Cook. Married to TV chief Clive Jones, Fern gave birth to three beautiful children. But away from the public eye, Fern was hit by a series of setbacks. To her shock, she was diagnosed with a fibroid tumour, and although able to switch on smiles for her TV audience, behind closed doors she was battling with severe post-natal depression, and even contemplated suicide. The failure of her marriage in 1998 left Fern a single mother resigned to living alone for the rest of her life. Fortunately, a rosier future was on the horizon. At the age of 40, Fern unexpectedly fell in love with her handsome Ready Steady Cook workmate, celebrity chef Phil Vickery who encouraged Fern to take on the greatest challenge of her career, presenting "This Morning". Following the birth of their daughter Winnie, he supported Fern as she sought help to prevent a second spell of post-natal depression. Giving credence to the cliche that life begins at 40, Fern Britton has never been happier. Able to juggle a successful career with being a doting wife and committed mother, she is an inspiration to us all.