Fern Hits Back At Diet Critics

Fern BrittonThere's been a lot of talk about Fern Britton's weight lately - ever since she was snapped on holiday in a bikini.

Since then, the voluptuous telly host has been slagged off in the media for saying diets don't work.

But now the mum of four has hit back at her critics, saying she does try to eat healthily and has taken up cycling to keep fit.

"There has been a lot of stuff in the newspapers about my size," she said on This Morning.

"On this show we promote health and well-being and that is what I believe in.

"I think yes we should eat healthily, yes we should lose some weight and do lots of exercise.

With Phillip Schofield"I don't wish to be ill and die early and leave my children motherless."

She added, "The people writing these things don't know me - you don't know what I think, what I eat, how hard I'm trying to keep in shape."

Fern sparked off fury earlier this week after revealing she hated diets.

"Let's face it, if diets worked we'd all look like Carol Vorderman and be a size eight," she said in an interview.

"I know medical experts are telling me I'm cutting my life short and, with a young family, that's pretty terrifying."

"But do I want my kids to see me moping around depressed or frustrated?"

Fern also revealed on the programe that she has taken up cycling in an effort to keep fit and healthy.

She's currently planning to take part in a charity bike ride along the Nile.

"I got into training in April and started with three to four miles," she said. "Now I'm up to 50 miles, doing 60 miles in a couple of weeks."

"When we get to the Nile on November 6 we're cycling 400km in five days. I'm so looking forward to it."