Britton signs deal to stay at ITV

Britton has been a regular host on This Morning since 2001

Fern Britton has signed a deal with ITV to remain with the broadcaster for a further two years.

But a spokeswoman for ITV refused to comment on speculation about the This Morning host's pay deal, saying that it was a "private matter".

Earlier this week the Daily Mail reported that Britton had a £700,000 a year deal which would remain unchanged.

Britton said she was "delighted" to be continuing with the daytime show and exploring "new opportunities" with ITV.

Stomach surgery

The 50-year-old has also hosted Soapstar Superstar, The British Soap Awards and All Star Mr and Mrs, alongside her This Morning co-host Philip Schofield.

She has fronted the long-running magazine show since 2001, although she has appeared on the show since 1999 on an ad-hoc basis.

Dianne Nelmes, ITV Productions' head of daytime and lifestyle programmes, said: "Fern and Phillip Schofield are simply the stars of daytime and I am delighted they will be presenting the show together for a long time to come."

Britton recently took a short spell off work after admitting that she had stomach surgery.

She told viewers that she had gastric banding in 2006 after losing a considerable amount of weight which she credited to diet and exercise.

The TV star said she had no plans to reveal she had undergone the procedure, but was forced to go public after a Sunday newspaper said it planned to print the story.