Fearne Cotton, a familiar face on British television since age 15, has revealed that hosting Top of the Pops made her lose her sense of self. Now 44, she has stepped back from the relentless TV industry to focus on her wellness brand, Happy Place, which includes a podcast and bi-annual festivals.
From Children's TV to Mainstream Pressure
Cotton started her career on GMTV's The Disney Club and later Diggit. She became one of the most recognizable TV presenters in the UK, but constant criticism from the public and tabloids took a toll. 'I wish I knew I was good enough as I was,' she says. 'I didn't question that until I got to about 19 or 20 when I started doing more adult stuff, like Top of the Pops.'
She recalls trying to fit in by dyeing her hair various colors and feeling uninteresting. 'I felt very uninteresting and that started to slightly eat away at me.' This led to poor mental health, including bulimia, OCD, and depression, for which she took antidepressants.
The Happy Place Festival
Cotton's Happy Place festival, now in its sixth year, offers a judgment-free wellness experience. 'The premise is that you get to come and do whatever wellness means to you,' she explains. The festival features talks, podcasts, workouts, and shopping, and takes place in London's Old Deer Park (July 11-12) and Cheshire's Tatton Park (September 5-6).
Guests include Ruby Wax, Tom Reed Wilson, and Jordan Stephens. Cotton emphasizes that the festival is for those who find big music festivals overwhelming. 'They don't want to be in big crowds, they don't want to be drinking loads of booze, and this is the opportunity to go to a festival and leave feeling better.'
The Podcast That Changed Her Life
Cotton's podcast, Happy Place, features candid conversations about mental health. 'Without sounding too dramatic, the podcast changed my life,' she says. 'Before, I was beholden to what anybody wanted to write about me... and you couldn't retaliate or defend yourself.'
Her latest book, Likeable: How I Broke Free From The Need To Please, explores her addiction to approval. 'I'm not saying that every single mental and physical issue I've had is down to people pleasing, but it's definitely contributed.'
Support from Davina McCall
Cotton credits Davina McCall as a mentor and friend. Both underwent tumor removals in 2024—Davina had brain surgery, and Cotton had two tumors removed from her jawline and parotid gland. 'Davina is a bloody angel,' Cotton says. 'We've just chatted relentlessly on the phone about all sorts of things.'
A Tentative Return to TV
Despite stepping back, Cotton is co-hosting Landscape Artist of the Year with Stephen Mangan. 'There are parts of my old career that just broke me,' she admits. 'It's scary stepping back into it, but I'm going to give it my best shot.'
Now, Cotton prioritizes genuine connection with loved ones and painting. 'And to care less what people think. It's a lifelong quest, and I'm not there yet.'
