FERN BRITTON ADMITS WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY

FERN BRITTON ADMITS WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY

Presenter Fern Britton has admitted misleading the public over her dramatic weight loss.

This Morning presenter Britton told ITV audiences she shed the pounds with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

But she has told Sunday newspaper News of the World a gastric band inserted in 2006 allowed her to lose the weight.

Britton, 50, dropped from a size 22 to a size 16, telling viewers cycling and diet changes made the difference.

In a statement to the paper, Britton said: "As I know, many people are interested in my weight loss over the past two years.

"As interest is so high I'm making public, as a personal choice, that I had a gastric band operation two years ago. I did this purely for myself and I would not wish to influence others to do the same. But for me it has worked and I am very pleased with the results."

News of the World said she initially denied the claim through her agent.

A gastric band constricts the stomach, lessening the amount of food that can be eaten.

The mother of four has previously denied having surgery to help her lose the weight, and has appeared in several magazine articles extolling the benefits of losing weight naturally.

An ITV spokesman told the newspaper: "We weren't aware of this matter - over the last two years Fern has cycled down the Nile, she exercises most days and has a very healthy lifestyle and healthy diet. As far as we're concerned, she lives and breathes what she talks about."

Britton is currently on holiday with husband, TV chef Phil Vickery.