There’s no denying Fern Britton is a formidable woman, having been a big TV star since 1994, when she first presented Ready Steady Cook, and going through a public split from TV chef Phil Vickery this year.
The 63-year-old tells us her grandmother was just the same: ‘She was strong and independent – which she needed to be to have had a baby out of wedlock back then, and then hide him away in Cornwall. She then moved to a rubber plantation in Penang with Ernest and produced three more children. As I say – formidable.’
Fern’s mother Ruth brought up Fern and elder sister Cherry single-handedly, as their father, actor Tony Britton, walked out when Ruth was pregnant with Fern. It’s unsurprising, then, that Fern’s new novel Daughters of Cornwall is a sweeping saga following the stories, spanning a century, of three generations of women, many of them from her own family.
The effect of her father’s absence in Fern’s childhood rippled down through the years. ‘Any insecurities I have can be traced back to losing my dad when I was a baby. There was no father on whose lap I could climb, no male role model who could give me a cuddle and make everything right with the world.’
This story is from the August 04, 2020 edition of WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 04, 2020 edition of WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
GARDEN notes
Vibrant annuals and fruit and veg
Springtime IN VENICE
A weekend in this floating city is a feast for the senses
Your wellbeing
LATEST HEALTH SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY
Breathe EASY
Do you need an air purifier at home? We find out
Stress-free ENTERTAINING
Enjoy a seasonal prep-ahead spread with friends or family
Bonded FOR LIFE
As a new mother faced the most agonising of challenges, her best friend stepped in to hel
The easy way TO EXERCISE AND HEALTH
You don't need a gym to get fit, just mini bursts of activity throughout the day to get you in shape. Here's how
TESTED BY US!
Dry shampoo refreshes hair between washes - and lifts roots and boosts volume. Here are our favourites
'Coronation Street changed my life'
Actor Georgia Taylor on finding fun and lasting friendships on the cobbles
Your wellbeing
LATEST HEALTH SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY