You can’t be old and wise if you’ve not been young and daft
Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison talks to GABRIELLE FAGAN about learning to accept her body and why moderation is key
VICKY PATTISON has become a hugely popular presenter since first finding fame on MTV reality show Geordie Shore but, in 2018, her personal happiness was shattered.
She broke up with her fiancé, John Noble, which she documented in Vicky Pattison: The Break Up, while also sharing her feelings with her 4 million Instagram fans in her characteristically upfront and honest way.
Now, she reveals, she has lots to celebrate. Her career’s flourishing: she’s a regular guest on Loose Women and last year competed in Celebrity MasterChef and joined E4’s Celebrity Coach Trip.
She has also found love with
Towie star Ercan Ramadan, 26.
“I feel grown up, confident and happy in my own skin,” declares the down-to-earth, Newcastle-born star.
“I’ve discovered a lovely sense of acceptance about who I am.”
Vicky, 32, is a WW (formerly Weight Watchers) ambassador and is following the new myWW programme.
Here she opens up about her relationship with food, hopes for marriage and children and why her new rule is ‘moderation’...
How have you changed over the last year?
I’M just working on being the best version of me: I’m Vicky Pattison, 32, who’s got boobs and a bum and I’m about a size 10-12.
Most important of all, I’m healthy. Women should love whatever shape they are, as long as they’re strong, healthy and happy.
Over the years, I’ve had some real ups and downs and a love/hate relationship with food and my body in particular. I’ve always loved food in a big way, but I have a tendency to overindulge when I’m not feeling confident or happy. Other times, I’ve really restricted myself and worried about my food choices. I don’t want to have this unhealthy mindset anymore – life is for living.
I’m never going to be a size six, I’m done trying to pursue that or comparing myself to those glamorous, glossy but unrealistic Instagram images.
Do you regret your hard partying in the past?
I ALWAYS say, ‘You can’t be old and wise if you’ve not been young and daft’ and, put it this way, with my past, I’m on my way to being very old and wise!
Everyone’s seen the Geordie Shore years and me falling out of nightclubs, although I don’t particularly think I did anything more excessive than any other people my age, but the difference was mine was filmed.
I did repeat some of the mistakes over and over and over again, and I do look back and wish I’d learned a bit quicker.
Are those days behind you?
NOWADAYS, I try to apply an ‘everything in moderation’ rule. Sure, I love good nights out along with the next person, but now I don’t let it snowball out of control because I realise how negative it can be for my wellbeing.
I was very shocked to hear from a doctor when I did a fertility test for my TV show that although my eggs are healthy, drinking heavily could affect my egg count.
Fortunately, I’d already cut down on my drinking.
These days instead of getting smashed with the girls, it’s usually just a night in with my fella, watching TV and having a lovely bottle of wine. Years ago, I dreaded being what I thought was that ‘boring’ person, but I’m there now and it’s so good.
All I can hope is that the excesses of the past didn’t have any longterm ramifications on my health – particularly my fertility.
How is your romance with Ercan?
HE’S wonderfully romantic and spoils me with incredibly thoughtful gestures.
Of course, we occasionally have niggles and rows, in my book a little bit of jealousy and tension means you really care, but there’s enough love there, enough respect and enough good times for it not to be an issue.
Ercan’s got my best interests at heart, is very supportive of my career so he’s got to be a keeper!
Will you marry?
WE do talk marriage, but just like we talk about everything else, from holidays and houses to kids.
I don’t want to go, ‘Yeah, he’s Mr Right’ because, if you look back, how many times have I said that before?!
I don’t want to jinx it, but he’s a refreshing change from the people
I’ve gone out with before.
How do you feel about the six-year age gap?
EVERY so often, he teases me about being a cougar and I go off in a massive huff!
But we don’t look any different in age, we get on great and he’s a helluva lot more grown up than anyone else I’ve ever been out with.
Would you like children?
I’M dying to be a mam, but I’m trying to just do it for me when it’s right. Of course, those maternal feelings have got stronger now I’m with Ercan.
Put it this way, if I turned around to him tonight and said, ‘I want kids tomorrow’, he’d be compliant, but I don’t want that. I want it to be when we’re engaged, married and then we both say, ‘Hey, we’re ready for this’.
How do you look after your
wellbeing?
EXERCISE is a huge part of my life and I can’t champion it enough. Training and eating well keeps me fit and is essential so I sleep properly. I urge everyone to do something, whether it’s a work-out, a run or walk in the park with your dog, Pilates or whatever.
Frankly, do whatever gets the endorphins going, as it’s so positive and beneficial.
Also, I’m cutting down my time on social media so I’ve got more time to relax with Ercan, my wonderful supportive mum Caroll and my family and friends.
Time with them is key to helping me feel good and grounded.
Vicky Pattison is a WW brand ambassador and will be following the myWW programme with her mum, Caroll. To start your own weight loss and wellness journey, visit ww.com for information and advice.