Fern Britton exits This Morning with celebrity party

Fern Britton signed off from This Morning today, after ten years presenting the show, with an end-of-term party packed with celebrities and Pimm's cocktails.

Britton, who turns 52 today, wore a sparkly party jacket and brought in her camera to capture memories of her last time on the sofa of the ITV daytime show with co-host Phillip Schofield.

Emotional: Fern was serenaded by John Barrowman

She joined Torchwood star John Barrowman on stage for a dance and a singalong as he serenaded her with Frankie Valli's hit Can't Take My Eyes Off You.

Schofield paid tribute to Britton, saying that she had in the past ten years tackled such diverse topics as sex toys and muffin-making.

Studio guests included Footballers' Wives actress Zöe Lucker, singer Michael Ball, TV host Matthew Kelly and the "family" of this morning experts, including agony aunt Denise Robertson.

Tribute: John Leslie played piano and sang My Way

Other guests included an army officer who chaperoned Britton on a visit to Basra, and The Duchess of York wrote a message of support.

A modest Britton, who announced in March she was leaving This Morning to spend more time with her family, said: "I did ask for no fuss."

Britton was tears when disgraced former co-host John Leslie played the piano as he sang her a version of My Way via video message.

New girl: Holly Willoughby will join Phillip Schofield on the sofa

He sang: "Charm wit and beauty she's got the lot.
"We had a ball, it's the nation's call. Britain loves Fern's way."

Leslie signed off: "Cheers my love. All the best."
It was Leslie's first appearance on the show since he left in 2002 amid sex and drugs allegations.