Fern Britton is mourning the loss of her "funny and ferocious" mother, who has died aged 94.
The 60-year-old TV presenter – who is best known for previously co-hosting ‘This Morning’ – has taken to Twitter to pay tribute to the retired World War II army sergeant.
Alongside a photograph of her mother, she wrote: "My Mum. Ruth. Both mother and father to me. Funny, ferocious, and a woman once met, you couldn’t forget. 24.1.24 / 17.4.18 . So brave and uncomplaining. An army sergeant WW2, beauty queen, teacher, and all woman. (sic)"
Fern later thanked the NHS for looking after her mum and shared a picture of some broad beans she planted in her mother’s honour, despite admitting she didn’t eat vegetables during her 94 years.
She wrote: "Broad Beans in memory of my mum who never ate a green veg in her life! Ps Thankyou @NHSEngland for all your loving care. #ThankGodForTheNHS (sic)"
Fern was inundated with messages of support from her followers and close friends, including Paul Ross and Clare Balding, and later thanked everyone for their "thoughtful" words.
She added: "Thank you got all your kind and thoughtful messages. The kindness of strangers is not to be undervalued. With love. Xxx. (sic)"
The news of Ruth’s passing comes after Fern recently opened up about her deadly battle with sepsis in 2016.
The presenter almost lost her life two years ago when she developed the dangerous infection after having a hysterectomy, and she has admitted, although she’s feeling "fitter", she doesn’t think she’s 100 per cent.
She said: "July 2016 I had a hysterectomy but unfortunately within the first three/four days. I started to feel so much pain, so unwell, sick, hot, sweaty, confused and I thought I am going to die. I am dying. This is a very important symptom of sepsis. The thought you’re going to die. I nearly died, but I didn’t, sorry! I had e coli. Spent another ten days in hospital,’ she said. ‘The ambulance were brilliant. I went straight to hospital and straight onto antibiotics.
"I am doing very, very well. The last month I’ve felt much better.
"My pain started to ease away recently and I’m feeling better. It can last up to two years. Thank goodness it was the year I took off from working … (sic)"
Fern Britton mourns ‘funny and ferocious’ mother
