She gave birth to baby Margot four months ago, and former TOWIE star Billie Shepherd says it’s only now life as a busy family of five is starting to feel more settled.
“I found going from two children to three a big adjustment because suddenly you’re outnumbered. It’s a different ball game! But Margot is such a lovely, happy baby. It has involved a lot of juggling, but I'm finally feel like I’m in the swing of things.”
And Billie – who also shares Nelly, eight, and Arthur, six, with husband Greg Shepherd – says her older two children have adapted well. “It was a big adjustment for Arthur in the beginning but he’s been amazing, they both have. They’re completely in love with her.”
Dream home
It’s been a big period of change for the family – who star on ITVBe’s The Family Diaries – as they moved into their dream home just weeks before Margot’s arrival in December. Billie and Greg bought the Essex mansion in 2020, but spent two and a half years renovating before finally moving in last autumn.
“We are so happy to be finally here, but everything’s not fully complete yet,” says Billie. “I don’t want to be one of those people who moves into a new house and never finishes it! We’ll get on to it all soon.”
But after that, Billie, 33, says they plan to make good use of the garden this year, which boasts a swimming pool, hot tub and beautiful outdoor furniture.
“We’re going to have a huge pool party. We’ve been speaking about it for about three years and now we can finally do it. I’m so excited about summer in this house, the garden is such a nice space.”
Designing her own home inspired Billie to create her interiors range, Chapter B, because she wanted to “create something that is affordable, but looks premium”. And she has the range in her own home, including in her favourite room in the house, which she affectionately names “the posh front room”.
“It’s not a child-friendly room,” she laughs. “I need to get my friends round for a cheese and wine night in there, but then they said, ‘Are you joking, I’m not drinking red wine in there, everything is cream!’ It might have to be a cheese and white wine night.”
Staying in shape
Meanwhile, Billie is looking incredible just months after having a baby, but she says she isn’t a fan of diets.
“I haven’t dieted, but I drink lots of water and am always on the go. I have toast for breakfast and biscuits with my tea every day, but I do generally eat healthily and I like cooking,” she explains. “When the kids go back to school after the Easter holidays, I’d like to get back into exercising though. I want to feel fit again and a bit more toned. My tummy definitely feels like it could be more toned – you know what it’s like after having a baby! But also to have an hour to myself – it’ll be a bit of a release.”
Family holidays
Billie has also just enjoyed the chance to relax on a family holiday to the Maldives. It was Margot’s second time away, after the family enjoyed a trip to Abu Dhabi with Billie’s sister Sam [Faiers], partner Paul and their children Paul, seven, Rosie, five, and Edward, 11 months, earlier this year.
The sisters are famously close and have maintained a united silence over the recent scandal involving Ferne McCann. She and Billie used to be best friends, but last year leaked voice notes emerged in which the ex-TOWIE star made “hurtful” comments about Sam. And although Ferne has since apologised publicly, she recently admitted she’d lost her “whole relationship with Billie” as a result.
Now, Billie says that having Sam, 32, experience motherhood at the same time has been a great support to her. “There are only seven and a half months between Margot and Edward, so my sister has just been through all the stages that I’m in now. I’m always texting her asking her for advice and we chat. We all went on holiday recently and the kids had the most amazing time together. All the kids are so close, it’s really lovely.”
● Billie & Greg: The Family Diaries returns for series 4 on Wednesday, 26 April at 9pm on ITVBe and ITVX. The latest Chapter B By Billie Faiers collection is now available at Tesco stores nationwide. More ranges are also available online at Next and Very.
