Jessica: “I used to juggle three guys, now I’m settling down with baby No.4”
Apprentice star Jessica Cunningham opens up about how her partner Alex Daw has tamed her once wild ways as they prepare for their first child together
She shot to fame on The S Apprentice in 2016 – enjoying a reported fling with fellow contestant Courtney Wood – and raised eyebrows in Celebrity Big Brother months later over her admission that she was juggling three men. But pregnant Jessica Cunningham, 31, tells Closer her partner of 17 months, artist Alex Daw, has tamed her former single ways and insists she cannot wait to welcome their first child together next month.
She says, “I actually had a fling with Alex about ten years ago, but we were young and it just didn’t work out. We were both from Burnley originally and once, when we were back visiting family, we bumped into each other on a night out. It was instant. He’s my perfect man. We’re both so excited about this baby together.”
During her time in the CBB house, Jessica left her housemates stunned when she confessed all about her dating life, insisting, “Two of them know I’m seeing three of them, but the other one doesn’t. I’m not having sex with all three of them, maybe a couple... I’m very straight with where everyone stands. I don’t want to commit.”
But now, Jessica tells Closer, “I loved single life and going on dates with men, but I never felt a connection with any of them like I do with Alex. I never imagined meeting someone like him and settling down. But when it’s right, you know.”
FACING TRAGEDY
Jessica insists Alex has been her rock after enduring a devastating 2017. She suffered a harrowing tragedy last August when her former partner Alistair Eccles – the father of her three daughters, Poppy, six, Olive, five, and Hattie, three – committed suicide at just 35 years old. Adding to her pain, just three months later, Jessica revealed she’d faced further heartache after suffering a miscarriage with Alex’s child.
She tells Closer, “Last year was very challenging. Seeing my kids every day, the little people they are and what they’re becoming, helped get me through. As a mum, I knew I had to be strong for them. My girls are different ages, so they have handled the grief differently. My eldest speaks openly to me about her dad and when she’s feeling upset, whereas my middle child tends to get very quiet and I have to approach the conversation with her. My youngest didn’t really understand what had happened, but now she’s slowly realising the reality and missing her dad a lot.”
She adds, “Alex has been my rock through this past year and been so supportive. With him, I feel like my girls and I are part of a family unit.
“Now, we’re so excited to welcome this baby. It’s something that’s made us all happy. With grief, it’s an ongoing process. We’ll never forget our past, but we want to look forward to the future.” And while Jessica insists she cannot wait to welcome her bundle of joy, she’s refreshingly honest about how challenging pregnancy can be.
BODY POSITIVITY
She says, “A lot of women have said this to me, and I agree, that when you’ve suffered a miscarriage, you’re made to feel like you should love every aspect of pregnancy and embrace it all. And while expecting a baby is a miracle, the reality is also everything swelling up and you being in a lot of pain. I don’t look or feel my best and I don’t enjoy my body looking this way. I feel like I’ve lost my identity a bit. And after what happened with my last pregnancy, I’m paranoid every time I can’t feel the baby move or I get a bit of spotting. I’m excited about getting back in shape because I love exercise and feeling good. When you’re happy with yourself, I think that makes you a better mum.” And she insists Alex has boosted her confidence, adding, “He’s so nurturing and caring, always rubbing my belly and telling me I’m beautiful. He has been amazing throughout the whole pregnancy. Our sex life hasn’t drastically changed, but it can sometimes feel a bit weird when we get jiggy because I’m conscious there’s a baby in the middle!” She adds, “I honestly feel so lucky. After everything that happened to me and my girls last year, I try to count my blessings and think of all the positives that are in my life. I’m still here and I have got so much to look forward to.”
‘If you’re happy, you’re a better mum’