Fearne Cotton opens up about one of her biggest career regrets
In her new book, TV and radio host Fearne Cotton admits she regrets changing her personality earlier in her career in an effort to be liked.
Fearne Cotton regrets changing her personality earlier in her career in an effort to be liked.
Describing how she altered her behaviour and silenced herself while working in television and radio, the TV and radio broadcaster, 44, made the comments in her new book Likeable, published by Vermilion.
In her book, Fearne reflects on her years in the spotlight during her twenties and early thirties while working as a presenter, including roles on Top of the Pops and BBC Radio 1.
Fearne, who began her broadcasting career as a children’s television presenter in the 1990s, later became one of the most recognisable voices on Radio 1 before leaving the station in 2015, and also writes about the pressures of public life, anxiety and the rise of online commentary contributed to her decision to step away from the role.
Reflecting on how she adjusted her personality while trying to meet expectations in the industry, Fearne wrote: “I feel p***** off that I've morphed into a version of myself other people have needed me to be, taken on too much responsibility, put myself down, shrunk and stayed quiet – all in the hope I would be liked.”
Fearne added: “I can look back on whole chunks of my life and see how unsure I felt about myself.”
The host also described how the pressure to be perceived in a certain way influenced her behaviour during her broadcasting career.
She said: “I either didn't feel enough, and so supercharged my personality in a desperate attempt to be seen as funny and vibrant, or I was so fearful that every word that came out of my mouth was wrong that I stayed silent.”
Turning to how her approach changed during the later years of her time at Radio 1, Fearne adds: “I stopped trying to be funny, I limited how much of myself I gave away, I diluted my personality to a weak imitation of the person I used to be.
“And then I quit. I stopped talking altogether. I believed at that point that the only way to be liked was to silence myself.”
Fearne said she does not regret leaving Radio 1, but says she felt “sad” she let outside voices influence her.
Fearne was previously married to musician Jesse Wood, the son of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood.
She and Jesse separated in 2024 after ten years of marriage.
Fearne also describes in her book how a news story linked to someone she had previously dated became difficult for her to discuss while presenting.
She wrote: “A horrible news story that doesn't involve me yet has a tenuous and life-altering link to me will be broadcast on my own radio show again that day.”
It’s thought the book refers to the period when Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins, who Fearne had briefly dated, was arrested in 2012 and later convicted in 2013 of child sex offences.
Ian died in prison in 2025.
Fearne writes the events contributed to feelings of shame during that time.
She said: “I feel simultaneously glared at, stared at, yet utterly ignored by those in the office.”
Fearne added: “Are they all talking about me behind my back? Or am I a narcissist for thinking that?”
She said therapy later helped her reassess those feelings.
Fearne added said: “It belongs to others – mainly men who have been in my life. Men who have shamed me, treated me badly and left me lumbered with it.”
Following her departure from Radio 1, Fearne launched the Happy Place podcast in 2018.
She also spoke about health issues that prompted her to slow down, including surgery to remove a benign tumour from her salivary gland in December 2024.
Fearne said: “It forced me to stop. It made me rest.”
She added: “If going to hospital was the only way I was going to rest, then that had to be a wake-up call. Something must be off kilter.”
Fearne also said she has since focused on living more authentically.
She added: “This is your life, and you deserve to live it, not just survive it.”
“There will continue to be ups and downs, joy and sorrow, people who like you and some who don't... but the least we can do is experience it all as our singular selves.
“Not as the person those around you want you to be or the person you think you should be.
She said: “Do it all as you. Unique, delightful, brilliant you.”
