Fern Britton 'backs Holly Willoughby' in legal row with old management

‘She is a real trailblazer’: Fern Britton ‘champions Holly Willoughby amid her legal row with old management over claim to future earnings’

Fern Britton has reportedly shown support for her This Morning successor, Holly Willoughby, amid her legal battle with her former management, YMU, who want part of her future earnings. 

Holly, 40, is believed to be in crisis talks with ITV, stating she would rather step down from the daytime show than allow her former agency – who she severed ties with last year – to take £200,000 from her new contract.

Meanwhile Fern, 63, who left the company in 2020, previously Tweeted an ‘ex-agent’ wanted 10 per cent of her future earnings. 

Backing: Fern Britton has reportedly shown support for Holly Willoughby amid her legal battle with her former management, YMU, who want part of her future earnings (pictured 2018) 

The author said on Twitter last year: ‘An ex-agent is asking for 10 per cent of any future earnings,’ before clarifying that she was not referring to her literary agents. 

And Fern, who left This Morning in 2009, was reportedly ‘shocked’ to learn YMU were still expecting such a large percentage from Holly and applauded the star for speaking out and being a ‘trailblazer’ in the industry.  

A source said to The Sun on Saturday: ‘Like Holly, Fern was shocked that she is expected to hand over large percentages of her deals to an old agency and felt empowered to speak out about it.

Oh no! Holly, 40, is believed to be in crisis talks with ITV, stating she would rather step down from the show than allow her former agency to take £200,000 from her new contract

‘She is supportive of Holly in what she is doing. Holly has been a real trailblazer in the industry and inspired many to make a stand. It could lead to a female powerhouse revolution.’

Fern is now represented by Pangolin Talent and the publication also revealed that This Morning host Eamonn Holmes, 61, has left YMU in favour of Intertalent.

Despite leaving the company last year, YMU are allegedly entitled to a portion of Holly’s future earnings- believed to be 15 per cent – due to a ‘sunset clause’.  

Another source told the publication that the company are ‘trying to handcuff her for years to come’ and that ‘it’s just not right.’

The insider pointed out that Holly left YMU and set up her own firm, Roxy Management, in order to ‘take back control’ of her future.  

Similarity:  Meanwhile Fern, 63, who left the company in 2020, previously Tweeted an ‘ex-agent’ wanted 10 per cent of her future earnings (pictured in 2019)

Disagreement: Despite leaving the company last year, YMU are allegedly entitled to a portion of Holly’s future earnings- believed to be 15 per cent – due to a ‘sunset clause’

Of Holly’s current predicament, the source told the publication: ‘She loves This Morning, and really doesn’t want to leave. She is committed to the show, but has been given no choice but to discuss her options moving forwards.

‘She wants to stand up for women, and won’t roll over when it comes to unfair renegotiations.

‘She has spoken to ITV execs and explained the situation – in essence, she said she’d rather leave the show than let YMU take such a high percentage of her earnings, when they aren’t entitled to it.’

The insider pointed out that Holly ‘obviously’ adores Phillip Schofield and that ITV are ‘pulling out all the stops’ to try and resolve the crisis as amicably as possible and to stop her from leaving This Morning.    

MailOnline has contacted ITV and Holly Willoughby’s representatives for comment. 

Self-managed! The TV presenter formed her own all-female agency called Roxy Management (pictured) last year – and is now managing herself

The principle! An insider said the disagreement in not about money, but is purely about ‘the principle’ of what is happening

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