Fern pays tribute to Phil then spoils the moment

Fern Britton today spoiled her bid to quash rumours she was quitting this Morning because of a rift with Phillip Schofield - by mouthing a swearword. The 51-year-old presenter declared on the show that her co-host was "simply the best" and her time working with him was "magical" but then added, "that's enough of that bo***cks".

Britton's got talon: Fern Britton gestures with her hand and mouths "bo***cks" next to Phillip Schofield

She mouthed the swearword rather than saying it aloud, but then joked: "that was for our deaf viewers." It was rumoured Britton was quitting over a row about Schofield's salary after it emerged he earned three times more than her. Sources say she is furious that Schofield, 46, signed to itV for £2m a year, pockets £45,000 a show for Mr & Mrs, which they co-host, compared to her £15,000.

But today she said she wanted to "slow down my life a bit" and spend more time with her husband, TV chef Phil Vickery.

At the start of the show she thanked viewers for their messages of support and said it was her first chance to tell them herself she is leaving. She said: "i realise people like to speculate - rather hurtfully - as to why, but 10 years is a long time on any programme."

She added that her immediate plans were to make a vegetable patch and become a this Morning viewer, " cheerleading on" whoever replaces her.

Schofield last night released a statement saying he was "very sad" she was leaving and adding: "From day one we just 'clicked'. i'm really proud of what we've achieved together on the show."

Former GMTV host Fiona Phillips and ruth Langsford, who presents this Morning on Fridays, are believed to be in the running to replace Britton.

At the start of the show she thanked viewers for their messages of support and said it was her first chance to tell them herself she is leaving. She said: "i realise people like to speculate - rather hurtfully - as to why, but 10 years is a long time on any programme."

She added that her immediate plans were to make a vegetable patch and become a this Morning viewer, " cheerleading on" whoever replaces her.

Schofield last night released a statement saying he was "very sad" she was leaving and adding: "From day one we just 'clicked'. i'm really proud of what we've achieved together on the show."

Former GMTV host Fiona Phillips and ruth Langsford, who presents this Morning on Fridays, are believed to be in the running to replace Britton.