Britton eyes a bestseller in novel new career

Published on Thursday 8 October 2009 22:00

FORMER daytime television presenter Fern Britton is penning her debut novel about fame and jealousy – based on her experiences in the TV industry.

The story will centre on a woman named Christie Lynch, a journalist and single mother-of-two, who lands a high-profile television job. But as she climbs the ladder of fame, publisher Harper Collins said, Lynch discovers that "friends can be enemies and jealousies can be deadly".

Britton said farewell to the viewers of ITV's flagship daytime show This Morning in July, after ten years on its famous sofa. The 52-year-old left to work on new projects and was replaced by Holly Willoughby, 28.

Britton said: "Are the characters based on people I have worked with – have any of the storylines actually happened? Or have I made it all up? Readers will have to read the novel to decide."

Harper Fiction has bought the rights to two novels from Britton, who has also hosted the BBC's Ready Steady Cook, with the first book to be published in time for Mother's Day 2011.

Neither novel has a name as yet and the plot of the second is under wraps. Britton's autobiography, My Story, was published in autumn last year.

Lynne Drew, publishing director for Harper Fiction, said: "This riveting story is full of all Fern's warmth, insight and humour, delivering a really enjoyable novel that will reach out to women everywhere.

"I am hugely excited by Fern's move into fiction, and look forward to a terrific best-seller."