Fearne Cotton reveals she's been sacked 'millions of times' (2024)

Fearne Cottonhas admitted that she's been sacked 'millions of times' throughout her long career and sometimes without even being told.

The star, 42, who was replaced by Alan Carr as host of BBC's Interior Design Masters, refused to name the shows in question but said twice over the last decade she'd only learned the news of her axe after turning on the TV and seeing someone else doing her job.

Fearne who has now turned her back on broadcasting in favour of her wellness brand Happy Place, found fame onCITV and CBBC before going on to Radio 1, Celebrity Juice as well as briefly fronting The Xtra Factor and Love Island.

She toldThe Times: 'I've been sacked a million times, I've been sacked and not told I've been sacked. You just turn the telly on and someone else is doing your job.'

'It's all a big game. You've got the Monopoly board out and you're moving around [trying to] dodge the danger.'

Fearne Cotton, 42, has admitted that she's been sacked 'millions of times' throughout her long career and sometimes without even being told.

The star who was replaced by Alan Carr (pictured) as host of BBC 's Interior Design Masters, refused to name the shows in question but said twice over the last decade she'd only learned the news of her axe after turning on the TV and seeing someone else doing her job

Fearne hosted the BBC design show for one series in 2019 before the show was relaunched in 2021 as Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr with the funny man at the helm (pictured on the show with interior designer Michelle Ogundehin)

Fearne hosted the BBC design show for one series in 2019 before it was relaunched in 2021 as Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr with the funny man at the helm.

She also fronted X Factor spin off the Xtra Factor for one series in 2007, later being replaced by pal Holly Willoughby, as well as co-hosting 2006's celebrity Love Island withPatrick Kielty.

Elsewhere in the interview Fearne admitted that 'all of her mental health lows' have been due to work and that 'no money in the world' would make her return to live radio or TV.

She told how it is impossible to be in the public eye when you're young and 'get through it in one piece' as she admitted big red carpet events never felt 'safe' to her.

The blonde beauty also reflected on her mental health struggles in her early years, saying she would not sleep the night before live radio and would end up feeling ill which escalated into 'anxiety and panic attacks'.

This continued until she began to question why she was doing it to herself and decide to step away.

Fearne left Radio 1 in 2015.

She became the first regular female presenter of the BBC Radio 1 Chart Show in 2007, which she co-hosted with Reggie Yates.

She said:'I've been sacked a million times, I've been sacked and not told I've been sacked. You just turn the telly on and someone else is doing your job' (Fearne pictured on Interior Design Masters in 2019)

Fearne hosted the BBC design show for one series in 2019 before it was relaunched in 2021 as Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr with the funny man at the helm

She also fronted X Factor spin off the Xtra Factor for one series in 2007 (pictured) before being replaced by pal Holly Willoughby

As well as co-hosting 2006's celebrity Love Island with Patrick Kielty

And then two years later she went on to present her own BBC Radio 1 show.

Last month Fearnereflected on her decision to leave BBCRadio 1 in 2015, admitting in the nine years since so much has changed'for the better'.

The broadcaster has been a solid part of the TV and radio world since she began her presenting career in 1996 at the age of 15.

She joined Radio 1 in 2005, and two years later became the first ever permanent female presenter of a BBC radio chart show.

In 2009, Fearne then took over from Jo Whiley in hosting Radio 1's weekday mid-morning show, but left the station in 2015 with her final show taking place exactly nine years ago, later citing her mental health.

Marking the anniversary, she took to her Instagram to share a video looking back on how far she'd come since and admitting at the time she 'mentally was not in a great place' and had 'very low mood' and 'self loathing'.

Fearne said:'So apparently it's been nine years since I left Radio 1, which I can't believe. On one hand it feels like another lifetime ago and in another way it feels like it was yesterday.

Elsewhere in the interview Fearne admitted that 'all of her mental health lows' have been due to work and that 'no money in the world' would make her return to live radio or TV (seen in 2000)

The broadcaster joined Radio 1 in 2005, but left the station in 2015 with her final show taking place exactly nine years ago, later citing her mental health (pictured on show)

'But I don't often stop and take stock of how much or what has changed, I'm just like racing through life like we all are.

'But today I've gone, "Oh my god so much has changed in nine years", and luckily for the better because at that time I really mentally was not in a great place.

'And that's not to say that I have perfect mental health now but I really wasn't in a good head space and I had a lot of self doubt and self loathing and all sorts of stuff going on and very very low mood and anxiety, which I still deal with today here and there.'

She explained that she had made 'progress', by growing in confidence enough to trust her gut and set boundaries for herself.

She explained:'But there's been progress and I'm not talking about career achievement here, I'm talking about me mentally and knowing that I can say no to things and knowing that I can set boundaries and knowing that it's okay to follow my gut and just a whole host of things that I didn't feel I had access to back then.

'So although I don't often stop and go what's happened over the course of a decade, today it definitely feels like a lot has happened.

'And I'm really grateful because I've been able to sort this whole new chapter of my career which I hadn't anticipated at all.'

Fearne went on to explain how live radio and TV is no longer for her due to the 'level of risk and judgement', saying her 'nervous system can't take' being thrown into a 'pit of lions'

In August 2021, Fearne admitted that she quit her job at BBC Radio 1 because it was 'ruining her mind' (pictured on radio)

Fearne then voiced her joy that she had managed to achieve so many great things, such as her Happy Place podcast and the accompanying Happy Place Festival, as well as her upcoming debut novel,Scripted.

She gushed: 'I'm so grateful for Happy Place, I'm so grateful that I get to do the podcast, I'm so grateful that we've got the Happy Place Festival coming up again.

'I'm so grateful that I've had the opportunity and dived headfirst into writing my first novel, which I feel just sort of feel mind blown about.'

Urging her followers to have hope they can also make positive changes, she concluded:'I guess I wanted to do this message because change is possible. You know, whether it is a life pivot or mentally like a mindset.Change is possible, new things can happen. It doesn't feel like it at the time, but it is possible.

'I didn't think I was going to write a novel. I didn't think I was going to do a festival and a podcast and all these other lovely Happy Place projects, I didn't have a clue.

'So change is possible, you're not stuck. And you gotta hold onto any bit of hope that's there and trust and keep learning and keep growing. That's all we can do. But you're not stuck! Change is most definitely possible.'

Captioning the inspirational post, Fearne wrote that while she was still 'on the mend from tough times', she was improving.

She penned:'9 years ago I left Radio1. I don't often look back, or take stock but today I do feel the need to stop and recognise how much has changed.

'I'm still on the mend from tough times and I still have work to do to regulate my nervous system, but I'm getting a bit better at looking after myself and having self compassion.

'I'm up for trying new things and constantly seek out new challenges that keep me on my toes. These tweaks have opened up so much that I'm grateful for.

'If you feel stuck, I promise you you're not. There's always another way if you want change and are willing to try something new or change your mindset.

'None of its easy but it is possible. On this grey, s****y Wednesday I'm sending you love and big encouragement on your path to make changes that work for you.'

Fearne Cotton reveals she's been sacked 'millions of times' (2024)

FAQs

Fearne Cotton reveals she's been sacked 'millions of times'? ›

Fearne Cotton, 42, has admitted that she's been sacked 'millions of times' throughout her long career and sometimes without even being told. Fearne hosted the BBC design show for one series in 2019 before it was relaunched in 2021 as Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr with the funny man at the helm.

Why is Fearne Cotton not on TV anymore? ›

She told The Times: “I've learnt that I couldn't do live radio or TV today for any money in the world. “The thought of going on to someone else's platform [with] that level of risk and judgment, and that element of the unknown? “My nervous system can't take it — it's absolutely shot.

Is Fern Cotton married? ›

Cotton is married to Jesse Wood, the son of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood.

Are Fearne and Holly still friends? ›

Fearne Cotton

While Holly stuck to mainstream presenting duties, Fearne launched her own podcast series, Happy Place. But when they both turned 40 back in 2021, the duo allegedly decided to work on their friendship. A source told Closer: "Holly and Fearne are in touch more than ever after rekindling their friendship.

What did Fearne Cotton present? ›

Fearne Cotton (born 3 September 1981) is an English television and radio presenter. She is known for presenting a number of popular TV programmes such as Top of the Pops and the Red Nose Day telethon.

Who replaced Fearne Cotton? ›

Alan Carr will replace Fearne Cotton as host when Interior Designer Masters returns to BBC Two for a second series.

How old was Fearne Cotton when she had her first baby? ›

Fearne, 31, made the happy announcement via Twitter on Thursday morning. "Jesse and I are over the moon to announce the arrival of Rex Rayne Wood born on the 21.2. 13," she wrote at 7.35.

What happened to Chrissy Wood? ›

But Krissy Wood, whose lovers included Eric Clapton, George Harrison, John Lennon and Jimmy Page, left an estate worth just £300,000 in her will. The 57-year-old former model died of a suspected Valium overdose in June 2005, having battled depression linked to financial difficulties.

How did Fearne Cotton meet Jesse Wood? ›

Fearne Cotton met her husband Jesse Wood on a girls holiday in Ibiza in 2011. In an exclusive piece written for Red's August issue as part of series of summer memoirs from notable people, Fearne shares the memories from that summer that are etched in her memory forever...

Who was Jesse Woods' first wife? ›

Wood has been married twice. He has two children from his first marriage to Tilly Wood, whom he married in 2003. Wood began dating TV presenter Fearne Cotton in 2011.

Does Fearne Cotton have anxiety? ›

anxiety, and how her book helped her manage it.

Who is Fearne Cotton's best friend? ›

Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton have grown up together, from fresh faced teenage kids presenters to TV's sweethearts and now firmly as national treasures. The pair are reaching their 40s and are still best friends.

Why did Fearne Cotton leave BBC? ›

Fearne Cotton has revealed she quit BBC Radio 1 as the job was “ruining her mind”. The former TV regular parted ways from the station in 2015, having presented the Radio 1 Chart Show since 2007, and then her own daily show since 2009.

What does Fearne Cotton eat? ›

Dinner is usually vegetarian, quinoa or rice, or something a bit Asian like a nice broth. I also make lots of big vegetable soups. I don't eat any meat, I haven't eaten it since I was a kid, but I'll have fish around once a month.

Does Fearne Cotton like Keith Lemon? ›

Fearne Cotton has been friends with Keith Lemon for years

It was the same when I left Radio 1 – I left on a bit of a high and wanted to try something new and have a new adventure.

Why is Fearne Cotton not on TV? ›

“I've learnt that I couldn't do live radio or TV today for any money in the world,” she said. “The thought of going on to someone else's platform [with] that level of risk and judgment, and that element of the unknown? My nervous system can't take it — it's absolutely shot.

Did Fearne Cotton breastfeed? ›

The TV star admits that she has well and truly embraced motherhood and even found herself breast-feeding in front of her father-in-law Ronnie Wood and the other Rolling Stones.

Is Fearne Cotton still on the radio? ›

Fearne Cotton says she will never return to live TV or radio “for any money in the world”, in a candid new interview.

How many tattoos does Fearne Cotton have? ›

Fearne Cotton has admitted that she has regrets about "one of two" of her tattoos. "There may be one or two tattoos I regret now that I have the wisdom to know not to put certain things on your body," said the TV presenter, who in total has 16 body inkings on various parts of her body. "But it's all beautiful art.

Who was Fearne Cotton engaged to? ›

The 38-year-old was formerly engaged to skateboarder Jesse Jenkins, but the relationship "imploded" after the royal wedding, which Cotton covered for the BBC, where she realised it "wasn't going to happen" for her.

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