‘I told Lorri he had to be on my show – he secretly loves it!’
As First Time Mum returns, Ferne McCann reveals boyfriend Lorri Haines is her first partner to ever appear in the hit series
We’ve seen the ins and outs of Ferne McCann’s private life over the years, thanks to her popular reality programme First Time Mum. But Ferne’s love life has largely remained behind the scenes, with her boyfriends choosing not to go on camera.
However, as the show returns for series eight, that’s all set to change as Ferne introduces partner Lorri Haines – who has a son from a previous relationship – to viewers.
Ferne, 31, met real estate agent Lorri, also 31, earlier this year and she exclusively tells us that he recently moved in with her and her four-year-old daughter Sunday.
“We thought long and hard as a couple about what would be best for our families and we’ve made this decision,”Ferne tells us.“It’s been just amazing and I’m very excited about our future. He’s the first and only person that I see a future with – not only for me but for Sunday as well.”
Here, Ferne opens up about the big move, how she’s the happiest she’s ever been in a relationship, and why she gave Lorri no choice but to be in First Time Mum…
Hi, Ferne. Have you enjoyed filming First Time Mum this time around?
At the start of every series, I always feel a little bit rusty and think to myself,“What am I going to film?” But you get back into the swing of things and loads happens and, ultimately, I do feel some of the best scenes are at home, just being me. Also, Sunday’s now a little mini human – she’s very much a little girl now and I feel every age brings a newness and fresh content.That’s the beauty of the show.
What can fans expect?
With Sunday being my first and only child, I’ve always been honest with how I’m learning on the job, and learning how to be a mother with cameras around. Now that she’s a little mini human with her very strong personality, it feels different. Then, of course, I’ve finally got my new relationship. He’s the first romantic partner that’s filmed for my show, so that’s been so different for me.
Were either of you nervous about Lorri being part of the show?
I think we were both a little nervous. I was nervous for him because I’ve been doing it for such a long time. But, not blowing my own trumpet, whoever is filming with me, I like to make it as easy as possible. And it does feel quite natural.
Lorri has done really well and he’s handled it really well.
Were you glad that Lorri took part?
I’m so, so proud of First Time Mum, it’s so close to my heart because I started it at a time where I was pregnant – my world felt like it was very upside down – and there was a lot of uncertainty in my life. But I had this show to really get stuck into. Ever since that moment, it’s evolved and grown with me and Sunday. But in terms of relationships, my past two didn’t want to be involved with my show, or be on it and it was very straining on the relationship. I almost questioned how I felt about my show, which is madness because I know the work that goes into it and the amount of people that love it. I love being a part of it, so it’s quite sad that I felt like that.
Did you explain that to Lorri when you got together?
When I met Lorri, I laid all my cards on the table and said,“I’ve got a reality show of my life and if you want to be involved in my life, you are going to be expected to be on the show.”I know that sounds quite matter-of-fact and forceful, but that’s just the way it is. I couldn’t have someone that made me feel uncomfortable or awkward about filming my show because it’s something I’m really proud of and I want them to feel equally as proud. I think he actually secretly loves it. He’s like,“Oh, yeah, it’s easy.The cameras just turn up and we do fun things.”It’s been great, he’s brought a new lease of life to the show, so it’s been nice having to film with someone.
Does this series feel quite different to you then?
Very different. It’s the first time I’m happy in a relationship and it’s the first relationship I’ve actually wanted to be in. It just feels so healthy, fresh and exciting.Viewers haven’t seen that side of me and that’s something I’m really excited about because I know so many people have followed my journey of love and life. I’ve always been open and honest about my heartbreak, break-ups and ups and downs on the quest of finding love. I’m such a fan of love, so I’ve never given up.
‘I’ve always been open and honest about my ups and downs’
In the first episode Lorri sets up a very romantic surprise to ask you to be his girlfriend. Is he usually that romantic?
He’s so romantic! We’re very much settled into our relationship now. I’m not saying the honeymoon period is over, but we’re settled. He’s a true romantic. We had the most gorgeous family holiday to
the Maldives and it literally was like paradise and he bought me a lovely gift. He’s very thoughtful. It’s the little gestures in life that mean the most to me. For example, because I’m a busy working single parent, just having the support of someone else is what I value the most.
So you’re living together?
Yes, we made the decision to move in together, which you see in the show, so that’s really exciting. His son lives in Essex, and he made the decision to move back from Dubai. So we thought long and hard as a couple about what would be best for our families and we’ve
made this decision. It’s been just amazing and I’m very excited about our future.
Would you say you’re very much thinking about the future with him then?
He’s the first and only person that I see a future with – not only for me but for Sunday as well. I always used to want to find someone for me, but after previous relationships, I’ve learnt that me and Sunday come as one, and if you want to be with me
then you’re very much going to be with Sunday as well.
Ferne McCann: First Time Mum returns for a new series on Wednesday at 9pm on ITVBe