Lauren: “I was celibate for eight years – now I’ve found my Prince Charming”

Sex-swap TV star Lauren Harries reveals all about finally meeting The One and how she can’t wait to get married and have a baby

Lauren Harries has never L trodden a conventional path – and her love life is no exception. In the last few years, she’s tried celibacy, claims to have dated Russell Brand (though he denies it), and last year had a roller-coaster romance with toyboy Connor Yemm, who she now refers to as “The Rat.”

But now she’s just started dating dental hygienist Bruce, who’s transgender, too. And despite first meeting just three weeks ago, she says she’s finally found “The Right One” and they are already talking about marriage and babies.

Lauren, 39, who lives with her parents in Cardiff, says, “Brucie is the man for me. We connect on every level and have so much in common. We have the most amazing chemistry. He treats me like a princess and this time I’m sure I’m with the right person. I’ve never had a happy relationship before, but I’m sure this one will work.”

TORMENTED PAST

Reality star Lauren first became famous aged nine when she was a boy called James and appeared as an antiques expert on shows such as Wogan.

But she faded into obscurity during her teens, and for years was tormented by the feeling that she was born into the wrong body. Aged 18 she started dressing as a woman and changed her name to Lauren. Then in 2001 she had a sex change operation and breast implants and started taking female hormones.

Lauren had a series of one-night stands in her early twenties, before becoming celibate for eight years, while waiting for Mr Right. Last year she dated Connor Yemm, 21, but says he was only ever with her for publicity. Connor even branded their whole relationship a sham, which Lauren denies – saying they were very much a couple, even though they didn’t sleep together.

FLIRTING ONLINE

But now she’s certain her Prince Charming has come along.

Lauren says, “Brucie first contacted me via Instagram at the end of January, but I was going away on holiday and just liked his message. But when I got back, he got in touch with me again with his mobile number and I texted him.”

The pair had grown up in neighbouring streets and Bruce’s parents had even worked The couple for Lauren’s parents met online when they were running a magazine in the ’80s.

After initially texting and talking on the phone for two weeks, the couple arranged to meet on 15 February 2018.

Lauren says, “He’d sent me my first ever Valentine’s card, which I will always treasure. I was so excited to finally get one.

“The following day we got together for a fairly low-key date. We met at a local

national park and went to a café for tea and cake. I’d thought that, at the very least, I’d have a new friend, but the chemistry between us was really powerful.

“We chatted for ages and had so much in common – we both like being outdoors and going for long walks and love watching soaps. And because Brucie is transgender, too, he knows exactly what it’s like to transition and the problems you go through during the teen years when you realise you’ve been born into the wrong body.”

Later that day the couple sat in the car and shared their first kiss before Bruce went back to his home in Bournemouth.

They met again ten days later and Bruce even came to Lauren’s brother Patrick’s wedding in Cardiff Castle last weekend. Afterwards, they spent three nights together in a hotel, where they had sex for the first time and she ended her celibacy.

Lauren says, “Brucie is wonderful and the sex was too, I call him my pocket rocket! He’s got a lot of energy.”

And the size 8 star, who exclusively bared all for a Closer photo shoot, admits that her new romance has boosted her confidence.

She adds, “I feel more attractive than ever now that I’m with Brucie. He loves my body and makes me feel so good about myself. Everything else feels better when you’re in a happy relationship. I suffer with vitiligo, but it doesn’t bother me as lots of celebrities and models have it, too. I feel happy in my body.”

A GENTLEMAN

But Lauren is convinced that there’s more to the relationship than sex and that this time round it will definitely work. She says, “He’s just a bit older than me and more mature than my other boyfriends. He’s a gentleman and he really looks after me and makes me feel safe and protected. “Brucie has had a hard time with relationships too, he’s been cheated on and suffered with dishonest partners and we’re both determined that this time round we’ve found the right person. “We’ve been talking about marriage and babies – I feel ready to be a wife and mum. I’d like to adopt from Turkey.” Meanwhile, the couple are looking forward to many more dates. Lauren says, “To start with, ours will be a longdistance relationship. But I know we can make it work. We are a very strong couple and completely in love. Brucie is all man and I can’t wait to spend more time with him.”

‘I call Brucie my pocket rocket!’