‘I can’t wait to have more kids - but I’ve got to find a husband first!’

TV star Amy Childs talks exclusively to Closer about life as a single mum and why she didn’t pressure herself to lose her baby weight

he recently beat off stiff S competition from the likes of Cheryl and the Duchess of Cambridge to win Celebrity Mum Of The Year, and it’s clear that Amy Childs is relishing her role as a first-time mum.

“I love everything about it,” says the former TOWIE star, as she waves to her adorable six-month-old daughter Polly, who’s gurgling happily on the lap of Amy’s mum, Julie.

But the past few months haven’t been plain sailing for Amy. She became a single mum just six weeks after giving birth, when she split from Polly’s dad, builder Bradley Wright. Although Amy has said that Bradley still sees Polly, she’s the one doing the hands-on parenting.

Explaining their reasons for parting ways, Amy, 27, said at the time, “After Polly arrived, he was sleeping in a different room. Towards the end, I became more like a friend and his mum.” Now, the star candidly reveals, “Doing it on your own is hard. I haven’t got a partner to say, ‘You go and relax for half an hour,’ so it’s full-time. Polly and me are together all the time, but she’s my life and you just get on with it.” FAMILY SUPPORT

Amy now says her cousin, and former TOWIE co-star, Harry Derbidge has been her rock from the outset. “Harry is Polly’s godfather and he’s so good with her,” she reveals. “He travelled back from Manchester when he heard I was in labour and walked into the hospital room as I was mid-contraction. You should have seen his face – he didn’t know what to do and couldn’t speak. He was traumatised!”

While she’s known for her knockout curves, Amy insists she didn’t put pressure on herself to lose her baby weight or get back to the gym. “I wanted to enjoy the baby and not worry about that,” she shrugs. “What’s the big rush?”

And the star, who was happy to be pictured in a bikini with newborn Polly during their first holiday together, adds, “I haven’t been going to the gym. I keep active with Polly – we walk to the shops every day and do swimming lessons. Just carrying the car seat is a workout!” Amy was criticised for promoting slimming shakes just days after giving birth, which she admitted was a “mistake” and she insists there haven’t been any miracle diets, either.

She says, “After giving birth, I had a bit of a belly and was wearing a size 12 – now I’m a size 10. I had 3D-lipo, which reduces fat and tightens skin, plus it’s non-surgical so it’s perfect for me. I’ve also been trying to eat healthily. I make Polly’s meals from scratch, so I’ve been doing the same for myself.” EMBRACING MOTHERHOOD

The former party girl admits her social life has taken a hit since Polly’s arrival, but she’s not complaining. She reveals, “I got together with some mum friends recently and, instead of talking about lip gloss and Ibiza, one of the girls asked, ‘How much does Polly poo now?’ It’s a very different conversation when you’re a mum, but I love it!”

And while she’s in no hurry to throw herself back into dating, Amy admits she’s keen to add to her brood. “I’d love to have more children, but I’ve got to find

a husband first!” she laughs. “There’s no rush, though – I don’t need a man in my life. If I meet someone, I meet someone, but it won’t be any time soon. I’ll go on dates, but I’ll never bring anyone into Polly’s life unless I’m 100 per cent certain they’re going to be with me.”

BOOB JOB

And she reveals her one regret as a new mum was realising her implants meant she wouldn’t be able to breastfeed Polly. She says, “When Polly was born, I put her on my breast every hour because I wanted to make it work, but she wouldn’t latch on and I was told it was to do with the implants. I later read that eight out of 10 women with implants struggle to breastfeed.”

Amy, who had a boob job at just 18, and then a second breast op when she was 23, taking her to a 30EE, says she now has a different perspective on cosmetic surgery.

“I’m done with it,” she says, emphatically. “I went under the knife too young and then I went too big. I get a pain in my boobs and in my back every day. If Polly wanted to do it, I’d have a different attitude.”

So what does the future hold for Amy? She says, “Growing up, I had the best life – my mum and dad are amazing. I want to do for Polly what they’ve done for me.” ● Amy is the 3D-lipo Celebrity Mum Of The Year 2017. Visit 3D-lipo.co.uk

‘Gym? Carrying the car seat is a workout!’