What once seemed like a royal comeback has taken a sharp and painful turn for Sarah Ferguson.
The former Duchess of York, who was once celebrated as a fresh and relatable face on ITV’s daytime lineup, has now been quietly dropped by the broadcaster following renewed controversy over her ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
For years, Fergie — as she’s affectionately known — had rebuilt her public image through TV appearances, charity work, and her career as a children’s author.
But the lingering shadow of Epstein’s name has once again disrupted that hard-earned redemption arc.
The Fall from ITV’s Favour
Just two years ago, ITV insiders reportedly saw Ferguson as a breath of fresh air.
Her appearances on This Morning and Loose Women were said to be adored by executives who loved her warmth, humor, and down-to-earth personality.
Viewers, too, responded well — she was seen as fun, unfiltered, and genuinely relatable.
But according to industry sources, those days are now firmly over. ITV has confirmed that Ferguson won’t be appearing on any of its shows moving forward.
“There is nothing in the pipeline for her,” one insider said. “There will be no more Fergie on ITV. She’s done with the channel now.”
From Star Guest to Sudden Exit
Fergie’s fall from ITV’s favor comes after fresh attention was drawn to her past connection with Epstein — the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender who also ensnared her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, in a long-running scandal.
The controversy reignited when The Mail on Sunday revealed an old email Fergie had written to Epstein in 2011.
In it, she expressed deep regret for publicly distancing herself from him, describing him as a “steadfast, generous and supreme friend.”
The tone of that private apology clashed sharply with her earlier public remarks, in which she had called her dealings with Epstein a “gigantic error of judgment” and insisted she would “never have anything to do with him again.”
Once Seen as ITV’s “Saviour”
Ironically, not long ago, Sarah Ferguson was seen as something of a hero at ITV.
During a turbulent period for the network — when This Morning was reeling from the Phillip Schofield scandal and Holly Willoughby’s sudden exit in 2023 — executives reportedly viewed her as a stabilizing, positive presence.
She was personally welcomed by then-editor Martin Frizell to guest-present alongside Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, even helping to edit the show from the gallery and studio floor.
ITV bosses were so impressed with her natural energy and warmth that they hoped to make her a regular feature.
“I love live TV and am an enormous fan of the show,” Ferguson said at the time, thrilled to be part of the daytime staple.
On-Screen Moments and On-Air Tension
Fergie made her Loose Women debut in April 2023, quickly bonding with the other presenters and earning praise for her candidness.
But not all moments went smoothly. In one memorable episode from November 2024, she clashed with comedian Romesh Ranganathan after teasing him into doing dance moves he clearly didn’t appreciate — prompting him to tell her she was “out of order.”
Still, for a while, she brought a sense of unpredictability and fun that producers seemed to value. That is, until the Epstein email resurfaced.
Backlash from the Loose Women Panel
When the controversial message was uncovered, some of Ferguson’s former ITV colleagues didn’t hold back.
Loose Women panelist Jane Moore publicly criticized the duchess on the show, saying her behavior reflected “craven greed and rampant self-preservation” rather than innocent misjudgment.
“The deadly cocktail of her naivety and fondness for the high life has always made her something of a loose cannon,” Moore said.
“This shameless grovelling to a deeply nasty man isn’t a forgivable human frailty.”
According to a source from the program, any potential return for Fergie is off the table.
“It’s safe to say she wouldn’t be given a jovial welcome if she was wanted back,” they added.
A Career at a Crossroads
Now 66, Sarah Ferguson faces one of the toughest chapters of her public life.
Beyond ITV, several charities have already distanced themselves, and insiders say she fears her reputation as a children’s author could also be damaged beyond repair.
The Duchess once seemed poised for a second act — a reinvention rooted in honesty and humility.
But as the Epstein scandal continues to cast its long shadow, ITV’s decision to cut ties underscores just how fragile that comeback has become.
What’s Next for Fergie?
For now, Ferguson has stayed quiet publicly about ITV’s move.
Friends say she remains focused on her family and her writing, though the future of her broadcasting career looks uncertain.
The woman who once saved a struggling daytime show is now facing an uphill climb to save her own reputation.
Whether she can rebuild — yet again — remains to be seen.