03 March 2024 , 15:09
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TV host Fern Britton is rumoured to return to our screens very soon; a new series Celebrity Big Brother kicks off on Monday.
The 66-year-old, who is best known for when she stirred up laughter on the This Morning sofa for years alongside Phillip Scofield, is in the runner as one of this year's Celebrity Big Brother housemates. Other celebrities who have made the rumour list include Love Island star Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, X-Factor judges Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne, and Strictly dancer Nikita Kuzmin.
A source told OK! that Fern is expected to reveal all about her tumultuous work relationship with Phillip Scofield after his shock exit from ITV screens. According to those close to the star, the former Ready, Steady, Cook host not only wants to dish the dirt - after falling out with Phillip in 2009 and leaving This Morning when she felt undervalued but hopes to relaunch her television career.
If Fern graces our screens, this will be the first time she is back on TV after suffering a health condition which "almost killed her".
Recent surgery
Fern Britton has undergone shoulder surgery (instagram.com/fernbritton)At the end of 2023, Fern had to undergo a major surgical procedure at St Michael's NHS hospital in Hayle, Cornwall, after she was left in "constant pain" from chronic arthritis. Speaking ahead of her operation, she told Woman & Home: "I've got arthritis settling in everywhere. My knee is really bad and so is my shoulder.
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"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."
Post-surgery, Fern took to Instagram and said: "Shoulder replacement done and a success. I can't thank the staff enough. Such care and kindness." She added: "I'm very lucky. If you're in a similar situation, I send my love." The mum-of-four had to use a walking stick while recovering.
Near-death experience
This was not the first time the TV star has had a health scare; back in 2016 she almost died from sepsis. Fern admitted she was in such agonising pain she thought she wouldn’t survive. The pantomime star previously said she owes her to a doctor's receptionist who phoned her an ambulance after she was in extreme pain.
It was revealed Fern had several abscesses and E. coli - she had to undergo an emergency operation 24 hours later to remove them. Previously speaking to the Mirror, Fern said: "She said: "I started to have immense pain. So much so that my daughter called 999 and I’ll be honest – I genuinely knew I was dying.
"All I could think about was my four children and my husband. It was frightening. By the time the doctors discovered the sceptic abscesses, I was in a bad way."
Fern is thankfully now back to full health and now uses social media to raise awareness of sepsis.
Celebrity Big Brother airs at 9pm on March 4 via ITV, ITVX, STV, and STV Player.
Will you be watching Celebrity Big Brother's upcoming series? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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