Ferne McCann’s rows with Lorri Haines: ‘She’s struggling – it’s mayhem’

As Dancing on Ice takes its toll on Ferne McCann, insiders say the busy mum-of-two’s romance with Lorri Haines has come under new strain

Ferne and Lorri

by Lauren Hill-Roger |
Updated on

After making her Dancing On Ice debut earlier this month — and being promptly voted off the show in week two — Ferne McCann described taking on the ITV skating show as ‘one hell of a juggle’ as she balanced her new career move with life as a busy mum-of-two.

And, after it was reported last month that her fiancé, Lorri Haines, and her mum Gilly had ‘barely spoken’ during her debut dance with partner Brendyn Hatfield, Ferne was forced to deny split rumours for the second time in the past three months.

However, insiders tell Closer that Ferne, 34, is ‘struggling’ and needs Lorri, 33, to take on more responsibility at home.

A source says, ‘Ferne is really feeling the pressure. She's told pals Lorri needs to step up as the show is taking every bit of her energy and she is struggling.

Ferne McCann
Ferne McCann was voted off DOI in the second week ©Imago

'She gets home and all she wants to do is have a hot bath and spend time with the kids but instead she comes back to mayhem and it’s causing stress with Lorri. They're arguing a lot.

‘She loves Lorri but feels he’s not pulling his weight. The minute she steps foot in the house she's back to picking up after everyone. She needs Lorri to step up.’

Ferne, who shares daughter Sunday with ex Arthur Collins - who she split from in 2017 when he was jailed for 20 years for carrying out an acid attack in a nightclub - welcomed daughter Finty with Lorri in 2023.

Ferne and Lorri’s whirlwind romance began when he first invited her on a date in Dubai over New Year in 2022, before popping the question just seven months later.

Ferne McCann
Ferne is determined to make it work with Lorri ©Imago

But in December the couple were hit by split rumours when she was spotted without her engagement ring during DOI rehearsals. Addressing the speculation, Ferne said she and mental health practitioner Lorri, who has a son from a previous relationship, were ‘very much still together’ but admitted, ‘We're a blended family, with lots of different personalities. Don't get me wrong, we're not constantly upbeat and positive.’

And the source says that Ferne's short DOI stint wasn't great for their relationship, though they're determined to make it work.

Last year, Ferne revealed she and Lorri had reached out to an intimacy coach when their sex life dwindled following the birth of 18-month-old Finty.

She said, ‘I think most parents will agree that when you have a baby, sex goes out the window and it isn't a priority.

‘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 an intimacy coach.’

ferne mccann lorri haines
ferne denied split rumours recently ©Imago

And now the source says the couple could reach out for support a second time to get their relationship back on track after Ferne recently shared their wish to have another baby.

The insider adds, ‘Ferne wants some romance from Lorri but date nights can sometimes descend into rows and they go to bed resenting each other. Talking to someone could definitely iron out issues - before they become bigger cracks

‘Fern loves Lorri - Just some days it feels like they are on opposite sides of the playing field  when she wants them to be a solid team.

‘She wants to make it through and work but she needs Lorri to up his game and they need to work out a way of sharing the load and communicating better.’

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