Ferne McCann's huge transformation as she reveals 'tough' time amid fiancé Lorri Haines split rumours

One lady clearly ready to take 2025 by storm is Ferne McCann. The reality star and mum-of-two is in for a busy 12 months, starting off with her upcoming stint on sparkling ITV show Dancing On Ice. And she certainly looks ready to reign supreme on the rink, looking nothing short of stunning as a snow queen in our exclusive shoot. “I’m so excited, Dancing On Ice is going to be really fun,” says the bubbly mum-of-two, as we chat in her gorgeous Essex home.

Life’s not been plain sailing lately, however. Late last year, Ferne and her fiancé, Lorri Haines, were hit with false split rumours, which led to them taking to social media to admit that, like any couple, they have “arguments” but nothing serious and all is well and they are in a “committed relationship”. And the star, who shares daughter Finty, 17 months, with Lorri – has clearly move on, opening up about hitting the ice and keeping the spark alive with Lorri.

The first question on the agenda when we meet is about those “split” rumours. “It was so out of the blue,” Ferne, 34, reveals. “My heart sank – I even had family members messaging me and asking what had happened. But we are good. We feel like we have to justify ourselves sometimes because, you know, every couple has their ups and downs.

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"I think this is my first proper relationship and we are juggling so much with businesses and raising our children together; we’re a blended family, with lots of different personalities. Don’t get me wrong, we’re not constantly upbeat and positive, but we’re very much together and doing life together.”

The last time we spoke, she admitted she and Lorri had seen an intimacy coach to bring the spark back after having daughter Finty. And now, she says they are “back in the same bed” after sleeping separately for several months. “Ha, getting the intimacy back...,” she giggles, before explaining, “You really have to prioritise it when you’ve got children, it’s easy for it to be bottom of the pile. We had a baby and are very busy. But now we prioritise intimacy, and communication is key. You get those rare moments where you can have quality time together.”

Meanwhile, Ferne admits she’s been facing a different set of challenges, as she gears up for Dancing On Ice, which begins on 12 January. “I couldn’t skate to start off with, so I found it really frustrating. I was just trying to trust the process,” says Ferne, who is bundled up in a pretty ensemble of white winter warmers.

“I can’t wait until I just fully immerse myself into this whole experience and transform into different characters – kind of like I have today by wearing these amazing outfits. It feels like I’m a new character!” she says. “I’ve wanted to perform since I was little, so I’m so looking forward to that.”

While she’s loving this latest adventure, which she began training for last October alongside partner Brendyn Hatfield, Ferne admits she has suffered her setbacks. “I fell on my first day of training and it really knocked my confidence. As an adult, learning a new skill, especially ice-skating, is super scary. Children have no fear, but skating on frozen water on a thin blade is hard! A few weeks in, I thought, ‘What have I let myself in for?’”

Mum to daughters Sunday, who she shares with an ex-partner, and Finty, who she and Lorri welcomed in July 2023, Ferne’s hoping to make them proud. “This is something for me,” she explains. “As a mum, you do feel you can lose your sense of identity. But I want to do it for my girls, too. Sunday’s at an age where she can come along to the studio – every time I think about her in the audience, it brings me to tears. How gorgeous that I can share this with my family.”

Also taking to the ice are the likes of fellow TOWIE star Dan Edgar, Coronation Street’s Sam Aston and Hollyoaks’ Chelsee Healey. “I set up a WhatsApp group the first week of training!” laughs Ferne, who calls herself a “complete social butterfly”.

“We have a lovely group. Everyone’s so good and has really brought their A game. We all have skills in different areas so it’s tough to say who my biggest competition is. But I love the real camaraderie between the group.”

Ferne’s also found a new BFF in skating partner, Brendyn Hatfield. “We have the same banter, and both love a chat. So it’s been very relaxed – we chat away in between the skating.” The duo are now planning a double date meal with their respective partners after Ferne and Lorri invited Brendyn and his wife Rachel over for dinner.

"We love hosting people, cooking is one of my favourite things to do. I am also looking forward to making more quality time with Lorri this year, life was so busy last year having a new baby, juggling parenting, work – and romance."

After meeting in 2021, the pair fell fast for one another and were engaged the following year. They now live together in a stunning Essex home. It’s been three years since Lorri popped the question, but the couple are in no rush to get married, Ferne says.

“I did have wedding fever over the summer, we went to some amazing weddings. I even started a Pinterest board! But it’s about priorities and this year’s a big year. Planning a wedding is a mammoth task and, if I’m honest, I’m not sure I can take the added stress at the moment. Maybe 2026, we’ll see!”

It’s evident how hands-on Ferne is as a mum, as during our interview, her daughters frequently pitch in to chat with her. And as she tells us, she hasn’t ruled out the possibility of more children. “I feel like I’m not done,” she admits. “But right now, I feel blessed. We’re a blended family of five [Lorri has a son from a previous relationship]. I just feel so happy with my girls and they’ve got such a lovely relationship, they’re already really close.”

In recent years, fans have been given an access-all-areas pass into Ferne’s family life via reality show; My Family And Me. However, Ferne recently made the shock decision to stop filming the show after seven years, which she confesses was bittersweet.

“I made this decision for the kids, so they can just be themselves without cameras around. That’s not to say it’s forever, but it’s right for now. It was emotional and don’t get me wrong, it’s an ending, but it was my decision. I need to stand by it and remind myself of why I made it.”

Looking ahead, Ferne adds, “I’m excited for the future. I’ve got so many other passions, and I love being on TV. I’ve always said I can’t imagine my life without cameras.” And she assures us, we’ll be seeing plenty more of her.

“I love a challenge, I’m big into sport – I love to swim and I’ve seen lots of people doing world records so I thought, ‘I fancy a bit of that.’ So I will be, and all will be revealed, very soon!” laughs Ferne. “I also want to do more documentary-style presenting, and write a book. I’ve been on such a healing journey, having therapy for a long time, and I’d like to share my experiences with others, especially women.”

She may have stepped back from her own reality show, but evidently there’s no such thing as a quiet year for Ferne. No doubt, as ever, she’ll skate right through it all in style.

Dancing On Ice returns Sunday 12 January from 6.30pm, live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player