Fern Britton praised for return to This Morning after eight-year hiatus

Fans were pleased to see Fern Britton return to This Morning after a eight-year hiatus from the show.

The star returned to the programme in a Christmas dinner segment, sharing a glass of prosecco with Ruth and Eamonn Holmes while they dined with her celebrity chef husband Phil Vickery.

Fern, who reportedly left the show eight years ago after it was discovered she earned a £250,000 less than her co-presenter Philip Schofield, joined the team to promote her upcoming quiz show based on the Royal Family. And it appears that fans of the presenter were thrilled to have the star back after her long absence.

'Watching you this morning (u should be on more) loved what u said about Harry n Meghan and admitting to the small jealousy part amidst all the loveliness. I feel it too! 😞 #ohtobeyoungandinlove,' wrote one viewer on Twitter.

'Loved watching @Fern_Britton on #ThisMorning miss you doing that wish you were back 👑,' said another user.

'How lovely to have @Fern_Britton on @thismorning brings back fond memories of when she WAS This Morning #mademyday,' agreed a third.

Although Fern looks upon her time with presenter Philip Schofield fondly, she found herself frustrated by another example of the gender pay gap.

Fern was believed to earn £750,000 from ITV at the time she was on the programme, while Phillip was reportedly on a much larger £1 million fee.

'It was great, Phillip and I did our five or six years together and he is an extraordinary force,' said Fern on her and the presenter's time together.

'Something between us was like lighting the blue touch paper, it made us laugh, and it was a great relationship and I really enjoyed it.'

Replacement co-host Holly Willoughby now earns the same as her male counterpart Philip, which is said to be around £600,000 a year.

Fern will be presenting a Right Royal Quiz, which will air on ITV on December 31 at 3.30pm.