She made her hotly-awaited TV comeback on TOWIE in March, 12 years after she left the reality show.
It marked a welcome boost for Lauren Goodger after a difficult couple of years which included the tragic loss of her second baby daughter and a turbulent love life that saw her then-boyfriend face claims of assaulting her.
But now, insiders say that Lauren fears her future and career have been thrown into jeopardy amid a new legal battle in court.
Mum-of-one Lauren is accused of promoting an unauthorised foreign exchange scheme on social media. A source says, “Lauren has told friends she’s in a panic, because she has her daughter to look after.
“She knows how serious this situation is, and she knows she could also have her Instagram account disabled and a permanent criminal record.
“Her Instagram is her main source of income, so she’s worried. She’s totally gutted and would never want to mislead anyone, especially her fans. She can’t believe she’s in this trouble now.”
Lauren, 37 – who is mum to two-year-old Larose with ex-boyfriend Charles Drury – is one of nine influencers who the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has brought charges against in relation to an unauthorised foreign exchange trading scheme.
The FCA claims that two influencers used an Instagram account as a means to offer advice on buying and selling for difference (CFDs) when they were not authorised to do so. The FCA – who state that CFDs are high-risk investment products – further allege that those influencers paid Lauren, as well as some other reality stars, to promote the account to their followers.
Lauren appeared in court via video link earlier this month and pleaded not guilty to one count of unauthorised communications of financial promotions. A trial preparation hearing is due to take place on 11 July at Southwark Crown Court, with the nine defendants granted unconditional bail until then. If convicted, they could each face a maximum penalty of two years in prison.
Lauren found fame on TOWIE in 2010 and won a legion of fans off the back of it. After quitting the show six series in, the reality star went on to build a lucrative social media presence, where she regularly promotes numerous brand deals, ranging from fashion to beauty.
Aside from stints on Dancing On Ice, Celebrity Big Brother and Celebs Go Dating, the mum of one has appeared to favour her online work over starring on the small screen, including starting up an OnlyFans page, which reportedly adds £1 million to her bank balance each month.
She previously told Closer, “Everyone working on TOWIE has been lovely – they gave me a big cuddle on set and said hello. I’ve loved filming again and enjoyed every minute of it. Apparently when I came back, everyone was talking about it, and saying, ‘Oh my God, Lauren is actually back filming.
“We hit 1.3 million viewers on my first episode, and they’re over the moon I’m bringing it in. I’m so glad I’ve gone back, and it goes to show to people who might have something negative to say that I hold the power. The way production speak to me – they make me feel like royalty. It’s like they’re in awe, it’s a lovely atmosphere.”
But sources say, irrespective of her TOWIE return success, Lauren’s main income remains her social media, which is a concern considering her legal battle.
Our insider says, “Lauren is massively panicking that her Instagram could be shut down. If that happened, she would lose almost a million followers and the opportunity to make money on collaboration deals – it’s her lifeline and a big earner.”
The legal drama comes as yet another blow to Lauren. The reality star has found herself at the centre of numerous heartbreaks over the years, including the devastating loss of her second child, Lorena, who passed away soon after she was born in July 2022.
On the day of her daughter’s funeral, Lauren’s ex, Charles, was reportedly arrested for assault, which he was later cleared of, and the couple broke up soon after. Lauren has since been raising Larose as a single mother, which she has documented regularly for her followers.
Her return to TOWIE was, Lauren hoped, a new chapter but has now been tainted with the potential threat she faces over the trial.
“Lauren’s comeback was going so well,” our source continues. “So all of this has come as a massive blow to her. She just wants to be a good mum and make a great life for her family.”