Fern Britton in hospital for surgery after being left in 'constant pain'

03 October 2023 , 15:08

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Fern had shoulder surgery

Fern Britton has been in hospital for surgery after being left in "constant pain" from arthritis.

The TV star has opened up about having a sore shoulder and now undergoing a shoulder replacement surgery to help manage the pain. The 66-year-old took to her Instagram page to tell her followers she had a trip to hospital but she is back home home recovering.

The mum-of-four shared a mirror selfie as she stood with her arm in a sling and described her experience so far. She captioned the post: "Morning all!! shoulder replacement done and a success. I can’t thank the staff at #StMichaels #NHS hospital in Hayle, cornwall, enough.

Fern shared a photo on Instagram

Fern has been waiting for surgery for months (Mike Marsland/Getty Images for Good Housekeeping Live)

"Such care and kindness. Back home, Barbara is in her doctors uniform and attending to me constantly…. Mostly telling me it’s time for her breakfast, elevenses, lunch, tea, supper.. Thank you to my friends Jane, Two Cups, Double C and my lovely girls Grace and Winnie . I’m very lucky! See you soon .. when I can train my left hand to put a bit of lippy on without looking like The joker. And if you are in similar situation I send my love."

Fern has been waiting to undergo surgery for months as she told Woman & Home last year: "I've got arthritis settling in everywhere. My knee is really bad and so is my shoulder. I'm waiting on a list for a surgeon to sort it out. It's very boring when your body starts to be in pain all the time."

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Shoulder replacement surgery involves replacing the shoulder joint with an artificial joint. It is used to help with shoulder joint damage, or wear and tear which can be from arthritis or an injury.

The Daily Mail reported that Fern previously said: "About a year or so ago, I realised that I wasn't looking after myself – physically or mentally. I wasn't doing exercise, I was eating too much and suddenly, it was like I flipped a switch and I thought, 'No, you've got to look after yourself'.

"So I started doing that, and it's given me a new sort of energy. I do a bit of yoga and I've started doing the Couch to 5k running app. I'm very slow - I've got arthritis in one of my knees and I'm about to have a shoulder replacement – but I just thought, 'It's only three miles, come on!' I'm not intending to run a long marathon or beat anybody, but I do enjoy the fitness side of it."

Charlotte Everett