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Fern Britton says she was 'treated pretty poorly' on 'This Morning' before exit

Fern Britton attends the Women of the Year lunch at Intercontinental Hotel on October 14, 2013 in London, England  (Photo by Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage)
Fern Britton attends the Women of the Year lunch at Intercontinental Hotel on October 14, 2013 in London, England (Photo by Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage)

Fern Britton opened up on her decision to leave This Morning once more, now declaring that she was treated "pretty poorly" by ITV at the time.

She departed the popular daytime show in 2009 after 10 years, six of which were spent presenting alongside Phillip Schofield.

Speaking on The Ray D’Arcy Show on RTÉ Radio 1 on Saturday, she said: "I began not to enjoy it so much and the morning I resigned, I didn’t know I was going to resign. Something happened and I thought, 'That’s it really' and I walked away and resigned.

Read more: Fern Britton says her marriage with Phil Vickery 'fell apart'

"I was treated pretty poorly, actually. And after a while I just thought, 'Sod it'".

This Morning presenters Phillip Schofield and Fern Britton arrive for the Britsh Soap Awards at BBC TV Centre in west London. Hosted by Paul O'Grady, the show will be broadcast on ITV1.   (Photo by Yui Mok - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)
This Morning presenters Phillip Schofield and Fern Britton arrive for the Britsh Soap Awards at BBC TV Centre in west London. Hosted by Paul O'Grady, the show will be broadcast on ITV1. (Photo by Yui Mok - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)

The 62-year-old also shot down rumours she left the role due to a dispute over her and Schofield's pay.

She said: "There was also a persistent rumour that I left because Phillip was being paid more than me and I always say to people, 'Why would I leave a show to go to nothing if I was worried about money?'."

Britton added that media attention at the time was the "most difficult thing" as paparazzi were regularly outside her home.

Yahoo News UK has contacted a representative of This Morning for comment.

Last month, Britton said she was seen as a "liability" by ITV before her exit after it was revealed she had undergone gastric band surgery, which caused controversy for some who believed she should have disclosed the weight loss procedure.

English television presenter Fern Britton, who presents the BBC television gameshow Ready Steady Cook, pictured in August 1995. (Photo by Larry Ellis Collection/Getty Images)
English television presenter Fern Britton, who presents the BBC television gameshow Ready Steady Cook, pictured in August 1995. (Photo by Larry Ellis Collection/Getty Images)

It comes as the mother-of-four announced her separation from husband Phil Vickery back in January after 20 years of marriage.

The pair shared almost identical statements to social media with Britton writing: "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. Thankyou for your continued kindness and support."