She’s finally found happiness after a tumultuous few years. But Ferne McCann is now worried her future is in jeopardy after she reportedly made cruel remarks in a hateful message. The former TOWIE star, 32, is claimed to have insulted acid-attack victim Sophie Hall in a leaked voice note. In it, a woman who sounds like Ferne can be heard calling Sophie – who was left permanently scarred after Ferne’s former partner Arthur Collins threw the corrosive substance into the crowded nightclub in 2017 – a “silly b***h”, among other cruel jibes.
Ferne last week issued a statement about the shocking audio, saying, “Most importantly I want to apologise to all the victims of Arthur Collins’ abhorrent actions in 2017 that they have to relive that night and the pain that followed because this matter is again in the public domain. In particular, I want to apologise to Sophie Hall. I do not believe her to be ugly or stupid. She has been brave beyond belief.”
She went on to add that there were legal proceedings that have stopped her saying more, but said, “What I can say is that the voice messages that are being released are manipulated; edited and taken entirely out of context. Even so, I will have said things that are untrue and I did not believe – but I did so to protect my family and myself from serious harm and in the face of significant threats.”
Sources close to Ferne say she is also concerned that the drama will ruin her dream wedding to fiancé Lorri Haines. They started a whirlwind romance just last year, and in July Dubai-based businessman Lorri popped the question to Ferne – who shares five-year-old daughter Sunday with her criminal ex, who is serving 20 years in prison for the attack, which blinded two people and injured 18 others.
A source says, “Ferne is worried sick about what else is going to come out and who is behind it all, as she continues working with Essex police.
“Lorri has also been standing by her side, but Ferne feels terrible that this is how they are spending their time together as an engaged couple. She’s been crying, saying they’re never going to get this time back. As much as Lorri tries to put her mind at rest, Ferne can’t help but feel like the scandal has tainted their relationship and their forthcoming wedding.”
Ferne claims she has been the victim of an alleged “smear campaign” for a few months now, as the anonymous account continues to post “her” private messages. In one recording released in September, Ferne allegedly made insulting remarks about her longtime friend, Sam Faiers. In the audio clip, the person can be heard calling Sam a “fat c***” and a “narcissistic b****”. Sam and her sister Billie Faiers have since ended their friendship with Ferne.
Our source adds, “She thought that the worst was over, but now the whole ordeal with Arthur Collins’ acid attack has been brought into it, Ferne genuinely panicked about everything – including her relationship with Lorri and feared it could have been all over. She knows that whoever is behind all this wants to see her crumble. But Ferne is determined to get through this. She’s trying to listen to Lorri more and take what he says at face value because he has vowed to be by her side through it all – it’s just created such an uncomfortable atmosphere for all of them.”
Ferne’s career has also been affected, as it is thought that her hit ITVBe show, First Time Mum, has paused filming in the wake of the allegations. A source revealed that the series is now “up in the air” following the public’s outrage at hearing the vile voice notes.
Our insider says, “Right now, her reputation is in tatters, but she’s going to do her best to survive this – and it would mean everything to her to see Lorri stick by her through it all. Time will tell and it’s taking everything she’s got to dig deep and believe in miracles that this will all somehow get sorted.”
