Lucy: “Ryan and I always argue at the gym!”
Former TOWIE star-turned-fitness-fanatic Lucy Mecklenburgh tells Closer what makes her relationship with Ryan Thomas work and reveals her baby plans
She’s had her fair share of S heartache – having dated TV presenter Mark Wright, gymnast Louis Smith and former TOWIE co-star Mario Falcone, to whom she was engaged. But Lucy Mecklenburgh has finally found happiness with soap star Ryan Thomas, 34.
The couple – who started dating last year – have been in the spotlight recently following Ryan’s stint on Celebrity Big Brother, where he was falsely accused of assault by his fellow housemate, actress Roxanne Pallett, and Lucy was his number one source of support in the aftermath.
But like any couple, their relationship is not without its challenges, and fitness fanatic Lucy, 27, says that while their relationship is amazing, they tend to butt heads when they go to the gym.
She says, “Ryan’s amazing – but we can’t train together. We try to go to the gym, but we just end up falling out – we always argue at the gym. He doesn’t like it when I tell him what to do!
WEDDING TALK
“But he is amazing. He gives me lots of compliments and makes me feel beautiful – and I’m very complimentary to him, too.”
Lucy is no stranger to reality TV – her romances with ex-boyfriends Mark and Mario played out on TOWIE and she met former boyfriend Louis on talent show Tumble. She also met current beau Ryan, 34, while they were both starring in reality show The Island With Bear Grylls last year.
Lucy has revealed she fell for Ryan because “he really looked after me and he’s a very caring person.” And Ryan – who is dad to daughter Scarlett, ten, from a previous relationship with Corrie star Tina O’brien – has revealed he can see himself marrying Lucy one day, saying, “We’ll have a massive wedding… I’m a softie and I wouldn’t have her around my daughter unless I knew she was going to be around for a very long time.”
And now Lucy says that she can “100 per cent” see herself having a family one day, but she’s wary of her slim size 8 figure changing when she becomes pregnant.
She says, “I definitely want to be a mum one day, I’ve always wanted a family. It’s definitely something in my future, but right now? I’m not sure. I’m 27 and I’m so busy at the moment with my businesses. It’s in the future – but I don’t think any time soon.
“There’s definitely a worry about my body changing due to pregnancy, too. Your body is never the same afterwards. And there’s a hell of a lot of pressure on mums to snap back into shape. But your body does an incredible thing, so who cares if you’ve got a few stretch marks? You’ll have an amazing baby. Plus, Ferne [Mccann] and Binky [Felstead] look incredible after having their babies! They’re definitely yummy mummies.”
Lucy found fame on TOWIE in 2010 aged just 19, but has since evolved into a lifestyle guru, launching her own fitness company, Results With Lucy.
BODY HANG-UPS
She says, “I’m active and generally I eat well – I follow the 80/20 rule, where I’m healthy and I exercise during the week, but at the weekend I let my hair down and have wine, pizza and pasta – basically, whatever I want.
“I love that mental, as well as physical, health is being prioritised at the moment. I’ve suffered with anxiety in the past and I still have days where I feel anxious – but talking about it definitely helps.”
Despite her toned physique, Lucy adds she still gets body hang-ups, but that unlike many of her former TOWIE co-stars, she isn’t interested in surgery.
She says, “I do feel confident in my body and my appearance, but I still have issues with bloating, where my belly swells, and I have days when my skin isn’t great and
‘I definitely want to be a mum’
I have spots. Like all girls, I get nervous when I have to get in a bikini!
“I’m not one for surgery or cosmetic procedures – I’ve never had anything and I think, if you eat well and stay active, you will look amazing without all of that. It’s sad when people have [surgery] without properly thinking about it. It’s popular where I live – I’ve seen so many people get addicted to having it done, too. I have younger sisters, and I do worry for them in this day and age.”
NO REGRETS
When asked what advice she’d give if she could go back and talk to her 19-yearold self on TOWIE, Lucy says she’d tell herself to be more carefree. She says, “The show made me grow up really quickly – but I learned a lot of lessons. I don’t regret my time on the show, but it was definitely right to leave when I did. I wouldn’t change anything with my time on TOWIE, because everything’s got me to where I am today. I’m really happy with where I am, I’m proud of my businesses and I’m in a happy relationship. I guess I’d just tell myself to stop worrying so much – about what people say and what people think. Life is too short!” By Lily Smith ● Sign up for your free ten-day trial of Results With Lucy at Resultswithlucy.com