Snuggling up with her new baby on our exclusive Closer shoot, Love Island's Laura Anderson admits that she can’t believe how much life has changed – and that she can’t wait to celebrate her daughter’s first Christmas this year.
"I still can’t believe I’m a mum,” she says, gazing at Bonnie, who is three months old. “She’s changed my life. I love getting up with her every morning because she’s just so happy and excited to see me. We have such a special bond already.”
For Laura and Bonnie, celebrations are in full swing. She says, “I’m taking her to see Santa and if it snows I want to take her sledging, she can sit on my lap! She doesn’t understand this year of course, but I’m looking forward to doing all the traditional things with her as she gets older, like leaving a carrot and cookie out for Santa.”
Laura, 34, met Bonnie’s dad – actor Gary Lucy – on Channel 4’s Celebs Go Dating last year but they sadly parted ways during her pregnancy. The pair remain friends and co-parent their daughter, but it does mean Christmas will involve a lot of travelling, with Laura based in Glasgow and Gary down in Essex.
“I think Bonnie will end up having two or three Christmas Days, and I’ll be doing a lot of driving so there won’t be much champagne for me this year!” she laughs. “My mum and dad aren’t together, so we’ll be visiting them both, and I’ll also go down south. I want to take her around and make sure everyone gets to see her. She won’t remember, but I want to include everyone. She’ll be spoiled, I’m sure!”
Laura – who found fame in the 2018 series of Love Island – says that while she didn’t intend on being a single mum,
she thinks motherhood has changed her as a person.
“Of course, I would love to wake up on Christmas morning and have that family unit in one place. I’m quite traditional so I never imagined being a mum by myself,” she says. “But I think when you’re pushed out of your comfort zone is when you grow the most and I do feel like I’ve grown as a person this year. Bonnie is the most important thing now and I just do everything around her, and it’s going to be like that forever now!”
Laura says she and Gary, 42 – who is also dad to India, 18, Elvis, 12, Sadie, eight, and Theodore, five, from his marriage to Natasha Gray – are long distance co-parenting for now.
She explains, “We’re on good terms, it’s early days but I’m trying to focus on her, rather than myself. I think putting your personal feelings aside and speaking to the person as a friend rather than your ex helps. It’s going to be a journey as she’s only a baby and this is all new to me. But I try to include Gary as much as I can. She has two parents and I want her to know that I always put her first.”
And Laura says Gary’s children are thrilled with their new sister, “I absolutely love that she has four siblings and it’s been lovely that since she’s been born, they have really wanted to be involved. We went out for dinner in Essex last week and Gary’s youngest was saying, ‘I’m a big brother now’, it was so cute. Even though they aren’t my kids I feel very connected to them. They’re so sweet and Bonnie is really lucky, I’m sure they will all look after her.”
Looking at Laura, you would never know she gave birth just four months ago. Her Instagram feed is full of glamorous images, and on our shoot she is positively glowing. But she says she hasn’t put any pressure on herself to “snap back”.
“I know everything takes time, I’m not back to my old size because a lot of my clothes don’t fit me, but I think I look OK. I’m not really a vain person, I knew my body would be different after giving birth. My belly is definitely a little jiggly, I don’t really mind though,” she smiles. “I try to make an effort when I can, but I definitely don’t always look glamorous!”
And while she can’t be short of admirers, Laura says dating is the furthest thing from her mind at the moment.
“The thought of it is terrifying,” she laughs. “It’s a lot of pressure, how do you even think about a man being good enough to come into your daughter’s life? It’s a difficult one and I’m definitely not ready. I also don’t have the time to date, I go to bed about 7pm when she does. I don’t think anyone is deserving of us just yet!”
Laura says she has been overwhelmed by the kindness and advice she has received from other mums – including some of her Love Island co-stars who have become mums themselves recently, too. She says, “Montana [Brown] has been lovely, she had her son just before I had Bonnie. She’s been messaging me and checking in, we’ve talked about tongue tie and vaccinations and everything. I’m supposed to be going onShaughna [Phillips]’ podcast, I love her, of course she had her little girl this year, too. I’m looking forward to going on there and having a good old natter about motherhood. I really didn’t expect other mums to be so amazing, but everyone has been so supportive and I do appreciate it.”
Laura outfits: Red dress, River Island, £xx. Pink top, H&M, £27.99, Trousers, Nobody’s Child, £65. Jumper, H&M, £27.99, Trousers, Reserved, £29.99
Bonnie outfits: Bear knit set, JoJo Maman Bébé, £29.50. Striped set, Next, From £21