Britton Admits To Gastric Band

TV host Fern Britton has admitted that she had a gastric band fitted two years ago.

The 50-year-old, who presents ITV1's This Morning said in a statement, "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."

A spokesman for ITV has said that the network will be standing by Fern and rejected claims that she had misled This Morning viewers.

"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," he said. He added, "This is not a con."

Gastric banding is a surgical procedure that involves fitting a band around the upper part of the stomach. Aparently this can lead to you having to eat smaller meals.