Friday 30 September 2022 10:12 PM PICTURED: The moment Phil Vickery shared a kiss with Fern Britton's friend ... trends now
Phil Vickery was pictured sharing a lingering kiss with his ex-wife Fern Britton's friend Lorraine Stanton as they left a swanky London hotel together in images that have left the presenter 'heartbroken and dumbstruck'.
The photos come as the retired hospitality consultant, 58, told MailOnline that revealed that her marriage to her husband Simon is over - and she has moved out of the family home.
Breaking her silence on the images, Lorraine admitted her family are going through a tough period and said she has moved out of the house she shared with Simon and their two children.
New couple: Phil Vickery was pictured sharing a lingering kiss with his ex-wife Ferne Britton's friend Lorraine Stanton as they left a swanky London hotel together in images that have left the presenter 'heartbroken and dumbstruck'
Fern, 65, is said to be understandably 'heartbroken and dumbstruck' after seeing the images of her ex-husband kissing her pal, who she has closely documented her friendship with online over the years.
Phil and Lorraine packed on the PDA as they locked lips on the street after leaving a Mayfair property together as they carried what appears to be some overnight bags before twice stopping in the street to kiss.
At one stage Lorraine rose on to her toes to kiss Phil while the famous cook looked on at her lovingly.
Clearly not ready to say goodbye, the couple then dropped all their luggage and enjoyed a long embrace before going their separate ways.
Smooch: The loved-up pair packed on the PDA as they locked lips on the street after leaving a Mayfair property together
Gaze: Phil placed a tender hand on Lorraine's cheek as they appeared in deep conversation
MailOnline understands Fern is trying to minimise the situation after the pictures emerged and has been feeling embarrassed.
A source said behind the scenes, Fern is feeling 'heartbroken and dumbstruck' over what she has seen, yet is still 'protective' over her friend.
The insider explained: 'Fern finds the situation weird and awkward and has learned that Lorraine is clearly not a great mate.
'She's shocked and is struggling to process her mixed emotions. On the one hand she had felt like she'd moved on from Phil but she hadn't expected this new romance and it's been hard to see.'
Fern's tweet comes after Lorraine revealed that her marriage is over - and she has moved out of the family home.
Separated: Fern and Phil split in 2020 after 20 years together and Phil's new public love comes weeks after the TV star revealed she struggled with her marriage breakdown (pictured together in 2007)
Home time: Lorraine looked stylish as she left the property on Wednesday
Bye for now: The new couple grabbed their personal belongings as they made arrangements to leave separately
Bye for now: The new couple grabbed their personal belongings as they made arrangements to leave separately
Breaking her silence on the pictures on Friday afternoon, Lorraine admitted her family are going through a tough period and said she has moved out of the home she shared with her husband Simon and their two children.
She exclusively told MailOnline: 'It's a difficult time for me and the family. I don't actually live in the marital home anymore and it's got nothing to do with the latest incident over the pictures.
'We are going through a grieving period as a family, and I've also just lost my step father. My children are feeling very vulnerable, and they are very upset about the whole situation.'
Upset: Fern's tweet has caused confusion among her fans. A source told MailOnline that Fern has been left embarrassed by the news becoming public so made a statement in order to minimise the situation
Shock: Phil, 61, was seen kissing Lorraine, who is pals with Fern (both pictured), 65. Behind closed doors, Fern is said to have been left feeling 'shocked' by the pair's betrayal but has tweeted that the story is 'not true' to 'minimise embarrassment'
'My family are going through a tough period': Fern Britton's best friend Lorraine Stanton, who was seen kissing her pal's ex-husband Phil Vickery, has revealed that her marriage to partner Simon is over - and she has moved out of the family home
Ms Stanton refused to reveal where she now lives or when she exactly moved out of the marital home and also said she did not want to speak in detail about the pictures.
Lorraine's husband Simon, when asked about the pictures, added: 'I don't know when I'll be in a position to speak to my wife about them. I'm not at home and the moment and neither is my wife; she hasn't been there for a while.'
The couple own an elegant £1million country home in Windermere, which they shared with their two children.
Exclusive: Breaking her silence on those pictures, Lorraine Stanton, 58, admitted her family are going through a tough period (Lorraine, Phil and Fern are pictured together in 2017)
When MailOnline called at the property, a young woman who answered the door said: 'Lorraine doesn't live her anymore and hasn't done for a while.
The trio's deep interwoven friendship has seen their social media pages littered with pictures of the group out together at various functions, with Lorraine spending time with both Fern and Phil on joint occasions as well as separately.
Fern still follows Lorraine's Instagram page, whose bio reads: 'Cherish your yesterday's, dream your tomorrows, but live for today oh yes!' The pair were last pictured together in September 2019, four months before the news of her divorce back.
They enjoyed a weekend together in June 2019 in Windermere, Cumbria, where hospitality consultant Lorraine has lived for many years.
Lorraine posted a selfie of the two of them grinning together as they enjoyed a cruise on Lake Windermere on the vintage steamboat Osprey during the break.
She captioned the picture: 'A fabulous Windermere weekend. My lovely friend Fern visited and the sun shone, we couldn't stop smiling.'
