A lot has changed for Ferne McCann since she started her fly-on-the-wall reality show in 2017. At the time, she was navigating life as a first-time single mum to daughter Sunday, now six, after her former partner Arthur Collins was sentenced to 20 years in prison for carrying out an acid attack.
Now, Ferne, 34, is happily engaged to fiancé Lorri Haines, and the couple welcomed daughter Finty last July. Chatting to heat ahead of the 13th series of Ferne McCann: My Family & Me, it’s clear that she’s completely smitten with her family bubble. However, she does admit there’s one thing she’s keen to change – reigniting the spark with entrepreneur Lorri, 33, who is also dad to son Noah from a previous relationship.
After having a newborn and juggling work with parenthood, Ferne reveals that spending time as a couple wasn’t a priority and their sex life dwindled. Here, she opens up about getting the intimacy back, having more children and why her wedding is on hold…
Congrats on series 13! What can we expect this time around?
Navigating life as a mum of two, juggling work, and more family fun. Me and Lorri are also quite open about our relationship in this series. I think most parents will agree that when you have a baby, sex goes out of the window and it isn’t a priority. When you’ve got kids, fish, dogs and you’re filming a TV show and running a business, the months fly by! It was getting to the point where I was like, ‘We need to do it’, and it was becoming a bit more of a chore. So, we went to see an intimacy coach.
Did it help?
Yeah, it was really insightful. We did lots of different activities that weren’t actually talking about sexual stuff, but it was more communication techniques and exercises that you can transfer into the bedroom. Also, we don’t share a bedroom, and I do think that played a big part in it, because when you’re in a bed together, you’re there and it’s easier. But, like with anything in life, if you want to make something work, you just need to give more attention to it and make the time.
What’s the reason for not sharing a bedroom?
At first, it was more just to have our own space to get really good quality sleep. When Finty was a newborn, she wasn’t the best sleeper. Lorri is not very good when he doesn’t get much sleep, so I was like, ‘You’re grouchy and this isn’t pleasant, so let’s have separate bedrooms.’ But, it’s all the rage now, babes! It just works for us. Now, we get excited on holidays and special occasions when we do share a bed.
How are you finding life as a mum of two?
A lot of people speak about how going from one to two is really hard, and I’m sure it is, especially when you’ve got two under two. But, for me, where I had quite a big age gap, it’s really nice. Sunday is at school, so I can be present with Finty, and then when Finty goes to sleep, I’ve got those evenings with Sunday.
Is Lorri loving being a new dad again?
He’s so hands-on, and he’s an amazing dad. I had a night out with the school mums recently and I think he quite liked having the girls just with him by himself. Because he was already a dad, I just feel so calm and confident with him.
Do you want more children in the future?
I’m very happy with my girlies. They’re everything that I’ve wanted and they’re both absolutely gorgeous, so if they’re all I have, I’ll be happy. But who knows? I’m not going to rule it out.
You got engaged in 2022. How’s the wedding planning?
It’s taken a back seat. We made a decision not to plan stuff for any time soon. We launched our business over a year ago and then we had Finty, so we’re just enjoying our engagement. However, we are going to two weddings abroad this month. Maybe that might give me some inspiration and wedding fever.
One of them being your good friend Vicky Pattison’s in Italy…
Yes! It’s really exciting. I absolutely can’t wait to see her walk down the aisle. They’re such a gorgeous and genuine couple.
What’s next for you?
There are some really exciting projects in the new year. I can’t go into too much detail, but I am looking forward to stepping into something new.
Ferne McCann: My Family & Me returns to ITVBe and ITVX for series 13. The series will air weekly from Wednesday 18 September, 9pm