THIS Morning star Fern Britton will make a huge TV comback this Christmas after splitting with her ex-husband Phil Vickery.
The television presenter has been limited to Countdown’s Dictionary Corner and The One Show as part of a “period of transition” earlier this year.
She and ex-husband Phil Vickery, a celebrity chef who frequently cooks live on This Morning, split last year soon after her parents’ death.
Now, Fern, 64, is planning to step it up a gear and star in the Christmas special of ITV’s All Star Musicals following the recent divorce.
Mother-of-four Fern will compete with five other celebrities in the festive show and perform on a West End stage with an ensemble.
Those taking part will have professional training from vocal coaches and choreographers to put on a five-star show.
All Star Musicals – hosted bvy John Barrowman – sees the stars scrutinised by judges Elaine Paige, Samantha Barks and Trevor Dion Nicholas.
TV star Fern is set to wow fans with her stage experience – having taken part in panto in 1988 as Dandidi in Cinderella.
She also danced to Singing in the Rain for Comic Relief in 2009, and has plenty of dancing expertise having competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2012.
John Barrowman is set to host the upcoming Christmas special, and a second episode of the competition early next year.
The news caused a stir among fans who insisted John, 54, should be “sacked from all shows” after claims of sexual misconduct arose at ITV.
In a statement released following the news, an ITV spokesperson insisted it was not the end of the line for his telly duties on the channel.
They said they were “pleased to be working with him again as host of the forthcoming All Star Musicals specials.”
This left some fans hugely annoyed and taking to Twitter to share their gripes.
One demanded: “John Barrowman must be sacked from all shows, not just one! How can you let a man with a history of gross sexual misconduct host ITV All Star Musicals?”
Another wrote: “John Barrowman being dropped from an ITV show but still appearing on another ITV show should tell you about how society deals with his victims.”
One then mused: “What’s the point in removing someone from one of their shows because of that person’s behaviour if they’re still going to work with them on other shows? Hardly a good image.”
The Celeb Report exclusively revealed John lost his role on prime time series Dancing On Ice after sexual conduct claims resurfaced.
The I’m A Celeb star was accused of repeatedly exposing himself on the sets of other shows.
He was on the DOI panel for two years but was axed after admitting he should not have exposed himself on sets.
The entertainer was accused of flashing at the cast on Doctor Who and its spin-off Torchwood.
John went into therapy earlier this year.
He added: “They were different times, which is why I wouldn’t do now what I did then. I’ve acknowledged that by the way – my behaviour has changed.
“I’ve always believed that the reason I was put on this planet was to bring joy to people, make them laugh. How I do that has evolved over the years.
“I’m still using humour, just in a different way than might have been the case ten or 20 years ago.”
