Fern Britton made an 'emotional' return to This Morning on Thursday, 16 years on from leaving the show.

The former ITV presenter, 67, anchored the programme alongside Phillip Schofield, 63, from 1999 and featured on screens for seven years before quitting in 2009.

On Thursday's instalment of This Morning, Fern sat down with co-hosts Cat Deeley, 48, and Ben Shephard, 50.

Since departing from the daily programme, she has presented a range of other shows including Fern Britton Meets..., Ready Steady Cook and even featured on Celebrity Big Brother and Strictly Come Dancing. 

Returning to the sofa, the TV star discussed her new show, Fern Britton: Inside The Vets, with Cat and Ben and admitted it was 'emotional'.

The six-part series delves into the work of veterinary surgeons and follows a range of pets and their owners. 

Ben introduced Fern as a 'friend of the show' and wished her a 'warm welcome'. 

Reflecting on her new series, Fern said: 'The thing about this programme is, when you have had to pass your animal over for some kind of procedure that might be anaesthetic, you have to go home and leave him/her there and wait for the phone call.

'And I think most pet owners will understand how sick you feel so we are actually taking you behind the reception, through the door and into the vet surgery to see exactly what does happen.'

She gushed: 'I must say, I was just blown away with how respectful the vets were to these animals who were in very insecure situations.'

Fern admitted the show pulled on her heart strings and added: 'I found the whole thing very emotional, but so do the vets. Fortunately, we didn't have any beloved pet who died.'

Viewers were happy to see Fern back in the ITV studio and gushed on X: '@Fern_Britton Saw you on This Morning today,looking fabulous. New series good don't see enough of you.'

Another said: '@thismorning great to see Fern back.'

'Fern is so lovely. And her dad was great in Don't Wait Up. #thismorning,' someone else added.

'I do love Fern. If anybody says anything against her, I'll fight them. #thismorning,' one viewer said. 

Someone else commented on Fern's show and penned: 'Another one on the animal bandwagon #ThisMorning.'

Ahead of Fern's This Morning departure in 2009, the star and Phillip famously fell out and haven't spoken since, with Phillip previously claiming in his autobiography their relationship was 'beyond repair'.

It was claimed at the time she felt 'undervalued by ITV' and that she was 'living in Phil's shadow'. 

Though 15 years on, Fern said she had 'great fun' hosting This Morning with her former pal whilst speaking about his own exit from the breakfast show.

Speaking to Saga, she said: 'It brought up a lot of mixed emotions.

'The years we worked together were mostly great fun and we were a very good partnership, which I can remember with fondness.

'I knew how much he loved his job and cared deeply for his public perception. It must have been a terribly difficult time for him and his family.'

In 2022, Fern ended their long-running feud when she congratulated Phillip in a video message to celebrate his 40th anniversary in television. 

Last year, the mother-of-four returned to screens, appearing on Celebrity Big Brother alongside Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne. 

Phillip stepped down from This Morning and subsequently all TV projects after he admitted to an 'unwise but not illegal' affair with a 20-year-old crew member on the daytime show.

Holly Willoughby, who took over hosting duties on This Morning from Fern, released a statement at the time saying she had felt 'hurt' by his 'lies'.

Holly stepped down from presenting This Morning after 14 years on the show due to a terrifying kidnap threat and subsequently took time out from the spotlight.