Ferne Cotton and Jake Humphrey reveal 'aggressive and catty' environment at children's channel CBBC

Ferne Cotton and Jake Humphrey have branded their former workplace CBBC 'aggressive and catty', claiming there was a battle of egos at the children's broadcaster.

Television presenter Ferne, 40, appeared on the channel and its associated programmes from 2001 before leaving to present Top of the Pops in 2004, with the star claiming the environment left her feeling 'very unhappy'.

According to The Sun, Jake, 43, who begun hosting on CBBC in 2001, said on a podcast: 'CBBC was probably the most competitive and aggressive and sort of catty place.

Past reflections: Ferne Cotton, 40, and Jake Humphrey have branded their former workplace CBBC 'aggressive and catty', claiming there was a battle of egos at the children's broadcaster

'Everyone was young. Everybody wanted to be the next big thing.'

He asked Fearne: 'Have you ever known a dressing room with so many tears?'

She responded: 'I used to stay out of it. It was too scary for me.'

Looking back: Jake, 43, now a sports presenter, Jake, 43, said on a podcast: 'CBBC was probably the most competitive and aggressive and sort of catty place'

The BBC declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline.

Jake presented CBBC shows BAMZOOKi, Against All Odds, and Rule The School, and also hosted the channel's coverage of Fame Academy with Holly Willoughby.

Ferne appeared on Eureka TV, Finger Tips with fellow presenter Stephen Mulhern, and Only in America with Reggie Yates.

Blast from the past: Jake and Ferne are seen here sitting alongside Holly Willougby during Jake and Holly's days of presenting Fame Academy's CBBC coverage in 2002

Meanwhile, Ferne took to Instagram on Saturday to wish her followers a Happy New Year.

The star encouraged her followers to not put too much pressure on themselves with their resolutions for 2022, insisting they just need to offer themselves some self love. 

She wrote: 'New year, same old me. I do not need to improve myself. You do not need to improve yourself.

Hello, 2022: Meanwhile, Ferne took to Instagram on Saturday to wish her followers a Happy New Year

'I just need to love myself a little more. You just need to love yourself a little more.

'When you love yourself you know when to rest, know when to push yourself creatively.

'Stop hanging out with people that make you feel like s**t. Do more of what you actually love

Kindness is key: The star encouraged her followers to not put too much pressure on themselves with their resolutions

'Don’t beat yourself up so much when you make mistakes and subsequently don’t mind so much when others make mistakes.

'[You] look after yourself, make sleeping and eating well a priority, let go of the past with ease, look to the future more positively, are up for trying new things

'It’s definitely worth a go.'

Gentle: Ferne wrote: 'New year, same old me. I do not need to improve myself. You do not need to improve yourself' (pictured 2019)