Quitting over Schofield's salary? That’s b******s says TV Fern

Fern Britton today denied she was quitting This Morning over a row about her co-host Phillip Schofield's salary.

The ITV presenter paid tribute to her colleague as she told viewers that he is "simply the best" and her time working with him has been "magical".

But she slightly spoiled the moment by saying: "That's enough of that b******s."

She mouthed the word rather than saying it aloud, adding: "That was for our deaf viewers."

At the start of today's edition of the ITV1 programme, she thanked viewers for their messages of support and said it was her first chance to tell them herself that she is leaving. She said: "I realise people like to speculate — rather hurtfully — as to why, but 10 years is a long time on any programme."

Referring to her husband, TV chef Phil Vickery, Britton said: "There's another Phil in my life and I would like to slow down my life a little bit and spend more time together."

She added that her immediate plans were to build a vegetable patch and become a This Morning viewer, "cheerleading" on whoever replaces her.

Schofield told viewers: "Nobody will miss you more — but we still have four months left to wreak havoc on the airwaves."

It has been revealed that Schofield, 46, is earning up to three times more than Britton and sources say she is furious that Schofield gets £45,000 a show for Mr & Mrs, which they co-host, compared with her £15,000.

Schofield is paid £2 million a year by ITV and has landed presenting roles on Dancing On Ice and a new game show, The Cube.

Britton earns the same for This Morning as Schofield — £750,000 a year — but has not been offered any other show.

Schofield last night released a tribute to Britton, saying he was "very sad" she was leaving.

He said: "We have cried together over stories and we have laughed ourselves breathless too. From day one we just clicked and I'm really proud of what we have achieved together on the show."

Former GMTV host Fiona Phillips and Ruth Langsford, who presents This Morning on Fridays with her partner Eamonn Holmes, are believed to be in the running to replace Britton.

Britton, who admitted last year that she lost five stone after having a gastric band fitted, will make her last appearance on 17 July — her 52nd birthday.

William Hill have opened a book on who will replace Britton on the sofa, with Langsford the favourite at evens.

Phillips is at 4/1, while Schofield's Dancing On Ice co-presenter Holly Willoughby is at 16/1.

Schofield's one-time furry sidekick on children's TV, Gordon the Gopher, is at 100/1.