Goodbye Fern

Viewers and colleagues said goodbye to Fern Britton as she stepped down from ITV1's This Morning after 10 years. Fern plans to pursue new projects and spend more time with her family.

Announcing her departure in March, she said: "The This Morning team are simply the best and I will miss them all very much but I am looking forward to the freedom of exploring other things I want to do, and also spend more time with my wonderful family."

Fern Britton lives in Buckinghamshire with chef husband Phil Vickery (also a This Morning regular), twins Jack and Harry and daughters Grace and Winnie. The daughter of actor Tony Britton - best known for his work in popular sitcoms Robin's Nest and Don't Wait Up (starring Nigel Havers) - she is also the sister-in-law of legendary children's presenter Brian Cant.

Fern began her broadcasting career in 1979 as a continuity announcer and newsreader. Since then, she has worked on a variety of programmes including BBC's Breakfast Time, GMTV, Ready Steady Cook, Soapstar Superstar and Comic Relief. But it's her work on This Morning, alongside co-host Phillip Schofield, that has endeared her to the British public.

Following the 2001 departure of original presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, This Morning struggled to find the right presenting mix. The likes of Twiggy, Coleen Nolan and John Leslie were all drafted in, but it wasn't until Phil Schofield signed on in 2002 that the show struck gold again. Phil and Fern's warmth and chemistry greatly contributed to an increase in viewing figures and awards for This Morning. Fans are mourning the loss of a great TV partnership.

If Richard and Judy's This Morning stint was characterised by Judy's perennial exasperated cry of "shut up Richard!", the Phil and Fern period will go down in television folklore as one hysterical giggling fit after another. Usually sparked by sexual innuendo or just plain silliness. In our gallery below, we take a look at some memorable Phil and Fern This Morning moments including the muffin meltdown, the Princess Leia dress and the dunking of beef…  

• Will you miss Fern Britton on This Morning? Share your Fern thoughts and memories