Fern BrittonFern BrittonWe were really worried for a while there...

But it seems we can all breathe a sigh of relief.

Fern Britton's fella is fighting her corner.

In a traumatic couple of weeks which saw the normally upbeat presenter at the centre of a weight row, Fern's hubby, TV chef Phil Vickery, has jumped to her defence.

Phil told Hello! magazine: "The past two weeks have not been the best with the attention over Fern's op.

"But we have pulled together and the boys (their 14-year-old twins Jack and Harry) have been very protective of her."

"I'm very proud of her," he added.

This public act of moral support is no doubt much appreciated by Fern, who recently took time off from her ITV presenting stint on This Morning.

She was rumoured to be upset by all the furore caused by the revelation that she had a gastric band fitted two years ago to lose weight, and was taking time out to work things over.

She was reportedly worried she'd upset her fans with the surprise news, because some believed her slimming down was just due to diet and exercise.

However, we're happy to say that Fern is now back at the helm of the show, with Phillip Schofield firmly by her side.

An ITV spokesperson told the London Lite: "We are all delighted to have her back."