Fern Britton 'snubbed ITV colleagues'

Fern Britton snubbed her own leaving party after fronting her final This Morning episode earlier this month, according to a report.

The presenter said goodbye to the ITV1 daytime show on July 17 after deciding to quit for family reasons.

It has now been claimed that Britton left the programme's studios immediately after making her last appearance. She then made her way to Heathrow airport for a holiday in France with husband Phil Vickery, missing out on the traditional end-of-series bash.

An insider told The People: "It was unbelievable. She didn't even pop up to the party to say a quick hello and thank everyone for all their hard work over ten years.

"Instead, at the end of the show, she walked out through a lineup of crew and as she went she stopped and gave a few a kiss and said goodbye. No one realised that would be it, she was going to leave the building for good."

The source added: "People were devastated. We always have a party at the end of the series run. It's like any work leaving do. People make speeches and say thank you to everyone for working so hard. When there is someone leaving there's always a speech for them."

Britton's final months on the programme saw persistent reports of ill-feeling between the host and ITV executives. She allegedly missed out on a substantial pay rise following the row surrounding her gastric band surgery last summer. It was also suggested that the star had angered producers by taking time off unexpectedly.

An ITV spokeswoman insisted: "The production team were aware Fern had a flight to catch straight after the show. This is why we made such a fuss of her during the programme and gave her presents on air. The wrap party was never intended to be a leaving do for Fern."