Fern Britton and Phil Vickery took to Twitter on Wednesday to announced they were going their “separate ways”. The couple walked down the aisle 20 years ago, after starting the year before.
Those around Fern Britton and Phil Vickery worried the damage might be irreparable
Friends have now spoken out about the state of their relationship in the lead up to their sad news this week.
They claimed the famous duo often weren’t on speaking terms and there were “some really rough patches”.
The source went on to tell the Daily Mirror that Fern and Phil thought it was “natural” for a marriage to be like that.
The insider stated: “Fern and Phil went through periods when they weren’t even speaking to one another.
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“There were some really rough patches and it looked like deep cracks had developed. Things were fraught.”
They went on: “They seemed to think it was something that happened to everyone, and it was just the natural ups and downs of any relationship.
“But those around them worried the damage might be irreparable.”
Express.co.uk has contacted a spokesperson for Fern Britton and Phil Vickery asking for comment.
Less than three days ago Fern and Phil shared identical statements on their respective social media pages.
She told her 66,000 followers: “After more than 20 happy years together, Phil and I have decided to go our separate ways.
“We will always share a great friendship and our lovely children . We would appreciate it if our privacy is respected at this time.”
The pair added: “Thankyou for your continued kindness and support.”
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The pair met while appearing on BBC cookery show Ready Steady Cook, before later also teaming up for This Morning.
Fern welcomed daughter Winnie, now 18, with Phil in 2001, after previously being married to Clive Jones in 1988.
They share twins Harry and Jack, 26, as well as Grace, 23.
The presenter recently addressed her concerns about life at home without her youngest: “These are big hurdles. You’ve got to give it thought.
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“It’ll be only me and Phil, and I did talk to him about it, asking ‘Are we going to be all right?’ He went, ‘Yeah, we’ll be fine’.”
Meanwhile, in a 2018 interview, Fern recalled how the pair first got together, admitting she wasn’t sure who he was at first.
She added: “He is my life’s great love, a really amazing husband, partner, friend. Yes, we have humdingers, but then we’re normal.
“Anyway, that’s good for the children to see. This is a real relationship.”
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