Former The Only Way Is Essex star Ferne McCann is donning her skates in the middle of a chaotic time in her personal life.
Just weeks before taking to the ice for the first live show, Ferne, 34, was forced to deny she had split from her fiancé Lorri Haines, after deleting photos of him from her Instagram page – but she did admit they had been ‘arguing’ over a lack of sleep following the birth of their daughter, Finty, 16 months ago.
The couple – who have been engaged since 2022 – had previously admitted to sleeping in separate bedrooms following the arrival of Finty, and even revealed last year they had been to see an intimacy coach after their sex life had dried up.
But last month she revealed, ‘We’re still very much together. Living together. We are even back in the same bed. What we aren’t getting is sleep. If we’re arguing, it’s about lack of sleep. Finty is not sleeping and I’m one tired mama. So if anyone has any tips on that it would be very much appreciated. Thanks to anyone who has messaged to see if we’re OK, but we’re still together.’
A source now tells Closer, ‘The sparkle of DOI has already been blown away for Ferne – she’s exhausted both mentally and physically. But she won’t let it dampen her spirits.
‘Ferne thinks she’s in with a good chance and is determined to win this competition.’
And it seems the bookies agree! Ahead of the first show, Ferne – who is partnered with professional skater Brendyn Hatfield for the competition – is among the top five, with odds of 8/1 to win.
It’ll be a welcome chance for her to move on from the dramas of the past few years, after Ferne was mired in a voice notes scandal in 2022 – with recordings leaked that allegedly saw her dub former TOWIE pal Sam Faiers ‘a fat c**t’ and the victim of her ex Arthur Collins’ nightclub acid attack as ‘one ugly f**king c**t’. Ferne has since apologised, both in public and privately.
But in order to go all the way on DOI, she needs to rely on Lorri to hold the fort with Finty and her older daughter Sunday, seven, from her relationship with Collins.
‘The dynamics have changed in her relationship with Lorri. She knows it’s only temporary, but she needs him to step up to the plate while she’s on the show,’ the source adds.
‘Training for the show has had its up and down moments, but Ferne is absolutely loving throwing her all into focusing and learning the routines. She loves it, but she’s feeling the pressure to skate well and prove her doubters wrong.’