Fern Britton has reportedly been left "heartbroken" and "dumbstruck" after photos of her ex-husband Phil Vickery kissing her best friend emerged this week.
The 65-year-old's TV chef ex Phil, 61, was photographed kissing Fern's pal Lorraine Stanton after a spending time together in London – two years after his 20 year-long marriage to Fern ended.
Former This Morning host Fern is now said to be feeling "heartbroken" following the release of the images earlier this week.
The pair reportedly couldn't keep their hands off one another as they were said to have stopped twice to share a kiss in London earlier this week.
Phil and Lorraine enjoyed a walk before entering a property in Mayfair. They later emerged with the overnight bags.
A source has told the Mail Online: "Phil and Lorraine kissing on the street like this will be heartbreaking for poor Fern. They look like teenagers in love and that will be just so hurtful for her.
"They are two of the most important people in her life and them behaving this way in public will feel like a betrayal."
Mirror has contacted Fern and Phil's representatives for comment.
Fern was clearly very close with Lorraine, 58, for many years – with the TV presenter following Lorraine, a former general manager of a restaurant, on Instagram and sharing photos of the pair together over the years on social media.
TV star Fern and pal Lorraine were photographed on a girls' cycling trip to Lake Windermere just four months before Fern confirmed her split from Phil.
The former Ready Steady Cook presenter and TV chef Phil announced their decision to split with a joint statement in 2020.
It read: "After more than 20 happy years together, [we] have decided to go our separate ways. We will always share a great friendship and our lovely children.
"We would appreciate it if our privacy is respected at this time. Thank you for your continued kindness and support."
Fern and Phil share 20-year-old daughter Winnie together. While, the TV star is also a mum to Grace, 25, and twins Jack and Harry, 28, who she shares with her ex-husband Clive Jones.
Following the breakup, Fern moved to Cornwall after moving out of the couple's home in Buckinghamshire.
In July this year, Fern discussed how she wished she had persevered with her marriage to Phil in an interview with Prima Magazine.
She said: "This new chapter has come at the right time for me. I don’t want to be the poster girl for separation, though, because a lot of people go through the same thing.
"Often, the children leave home and you look at each other and go, 'Ah, where do we go from here?' I only wish I was the sort of person who could have persevered through that, but I couldn't."
Fern went on to urge others to consider their options if they find themselves in an unhappy relationship, adding: "If you find yourself in a situation where you’re at a crossroads, have courage. Look into yourself and ask, 'How do I feel?'
"If the answer is, 'Pretty depressed,' you don’t have to conform just because you think other people want you to. Do it for yourself."
