Britton 'clashed with publishers over book'

Rex Features

This Morning host Fern Britton clashed with her publishers as she made plans for her first autobiography, according to a report.

While the 51-year-old presenter was keen to speak openly about her marriage to Phil Vickery, 47, in the book, it is claimed that bosses at Michael Joseph Ltd wanted her to focus on the controversy surrounding her gastric band surgery.

An insider told Now magazine: "The publishers wanted to go big on the gastric band, but Fern said that it shouldn't even have a chapter.

"She wants the book to be a 'to hell and back' tale of Phil rescuing her from loneliness after the break-up of her first marriage. She's less keen to talk about the fact that she's been almost as low this summer as she was back then."

Britton faced a backlash in June after it was revealed that she had a gastric band fitted two years ago. The TV star had previously credited exercise and a healthy diet for her dramatic weight loss.

Fern: My Story will be released in November.