Fern Britton’s ex-husband Phil Vickery caught smooching her best pal Lorraine Stanton two years after marriage split

FERN Britton’s ex-hubby Phil Vickery smooches with her best pal in pictures that will devastate the star.

This Morning chef Phil, 61, shared the lingering public kiss with Lorraine Stanton, 58, after a date in London.

Moments earlier they emerged together on to the street with their overnight bags.

A pal told The Sun: “They look like teenagers in love and that will be just so hurtful for Fern.

“Behaving this way in public will feel like a betrayal.”

Phil enjoyed a romantic walk with Lorraine before they disappeared into a plush Mayfair property.

They emerged at 2pm carrying overnight bags before twice stopping in the street for a passionate kiss.

Hospitality worker Lorraine — who has been bosom buddies with TV presenter Fern for decades — rose onto her toes to lock lips with Phil.

They enjoyed a long embrace before reluctantly going their separate ways.

This Morning favourites Phil, 61, and Fern, 65, separated after 20 years in 2020.

His public show of affection with Lorraine comes just weeks after Fern told how she has struggled to move on from the breakdown of their marriage.

A pal told The Sun: “Phil and Lorraine kissing on the street like this will be heartbreaking for poor Fern.

“They look like teenagers in love and that will be just so hurtful for her.

“They are two of the most important people in her life and them behaving this way in public will feel like a betrayal.”

Phil had starred on ITV’s This Morning a day earlier, cooking a sausage tray bake with Take That’s Mark Owen before sharing it with hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.

Phil is understood to have stayed in a flat in the capital after shooting Tuesday’s show.

On Wednesday morning, he and Lorraine were spotted strolling in Central London.

They then headed into a property near Berkeley Square in Mayfair.

When they emerged a few minutes later, Phil was lugging a smart brown holdall.

Lorraine, in a crisp white blouse, was wheeling a suitcase and black bag and clutching a posh Fortnum & Mason bag.

Fern and brunette Lorraine have shared pictures of themselves having fun together, and commented on each other’s snaps.

Since Fern’s marriage crumbled the pals have shared numerous images on social media of fun-filled days out on Lake Windermere.

And the two women have cuddled up while gossiping in a bar over glasses of wine.

'Cuddled up'

They beamed as they hugged each other on a shopping trip near Fern’s new pad in Cornwall, and posed in a group as they embarked on a charity bike ride.

Lorraine has bombarded Fern with public messages of support, including “fabulous gorgeous as ever xx” in reply to one of her online snaps.

Ready Steady Cook presenter and author Fern separated from Phil in January, 2020, and admitted it’s been a tough time.

She and Phil tied the knot after Fern divorced first husband Clive Jones, a TV executive and dad to three of her children, in 2000 after 12 years together.

She and Phil share daughter Winnie, 21.

Fern confided about Phil last May: “People say they bounce back from a long relationship, but it takes a while.

“The rebound is difficult. You chuck the pebble in the pond, but the ripples go on for a very long time.

“It’s been a long time getting to the dawn but I’m in another brand-new chapter and do feel it will be all right.

“I have a lot of peace in my life. I’m doing more yoga, meditation and walking ­— a bit of self-care.”

Fern, who starred in Strictly Come Dancing in 2012, moved to the coast following the break-up while Phil stayed closer to London in the former family pad in Buckinghamshire.

In March Fern told how she missed his friendship.

She said: “We had a wonderful time. We were the best of friends. And I miss that friendship.

“But there comes a point when the children are substantially off your hands and you look at each other and wonder where you are going to go from here.”

Before Fern and Phil split, Lorraine was regularly sending flirty messages on Twitter, including her messaging him, “Merry Christmas chef.”

In 2019 Lorraine penned an online article in which she said she lived in the Lake District.

She bragged of keeping youthful by playing tennis and applying olive oil to her face and knees.

Fern and Phil announced their separation by posting the same statement on social media, which read: “After more than 20 happy years together, Phil and I have decided to go our separate ways.

“We will always share a great friendship and our lovely children.

“We would appreciate it if our privacy is respected at this time.

“Thank you for your continued kindness and support.”

Phil 'Victory'

CELEBRITY chef Phil Vickery has cooked on daytime television hundreds of times since he started on BBC’s Ready Steady Cook in 1996.

He earned the nickname “Phil Victory” for his win rate on the show.

Phil, 61, has written or co-written dozens of books including Fern and Phil’s Family Feasts.

Following Gary Rhodes as the head chef of the Castle Hotel, in Taunton, he retained its four AA rosettes, won a Michelin star and gained the AA Chef of the Year.

His most recent book, Save Money Good Diet, was a Sunday Times Best Seller.

He has a history of working with brands too - with links to Aldi, Coeliac UK and Stork.