Lauren tells ex: “We need to get back together”
Lauren Goodger reaches out to former flame Jake McLean in a bid to have the family life she craves
She started following her “toxic” ex again on Instagram last week – almost four years after their bitter split following a tumultuous romance.
And Lauren Goodger, 33 – who recently joked she’d be “pregnant in a week” if she had a boyfriend to isolate with – has told pals she’s keen to reunite with Jake McLean, after reconnecting with the former jailbird.
A source says, “Being stuck at home is making Lauren stir crazy – she’s bored and has been feeling nostalgic. She started following Jake in a bid to get his attention and see if they might spark something again. They’re back in touch, although they’re already having little spats – she’ll suddenly blank him, then they’ll flirt again and reconnect. It’s all a bit playschool, but that’s the dynamic they share.”
The pair first began dating in 2012, and were on/off before finally calling it a day in the summer of 2016, with the former TOWIE star admitting she was relieved it had ended.
In an interview shortly after their split, she said, “My last relationship [with Mark Wright] was toxic and I jumped straight into a relationship with Jake and that turned out to be toxic too.”
But the unlucky-in-love star, who Closer recently revealed had hit dating apps as she re-evaluates her life, has struggled to find happiness. Towards the end of last year Lauren revealed she had been hospitalised – something she later attributed to her struggle with anxiety and panic attacks – and insiders say Jake reached out to her.
The source says, “Lauren was touched he went to the effort to check on her and it’s evoked good memories of their time together, which spurred her on to reconnect.
“They got back in touch, which has led to them FaceTiming. Lauren says she’s been getting stomach flutters every time she sees his name ping up on her phone. They’re still in the early stages of speaking again, but the old feelings are still there. She can’t wait until the isolation is over so they can see each other again.”
Lauren was reportedly hurt to learn close pal and co-star Yazmin Oukhellou, 25, had enjoyed a brief fling with Jake, who was jailed for his part in an armed raid on a family just two days before Christmas in 2006.
Meanwhile, despite being slammed in July for promoting a webcam business to fans, last week Lauren shared another recruitment ad on Instagram, encouraging women to sign up to “webcam modelling agency” The London Gems while they were on lockdown at home.
The star – who tragically suffered a miscarriage during their romance – had been adamant a reunion with Jake wasn’t on the cards, but pals say the reconciliation has sparked a change of heart.
The source adds, “Jake’s been talking about the changes he’s made to his life and has indicated he’s looking to settle down.
“Lauren’s always regretted how things ended and has convinced herself Jake coming back into her life is a sign.
“She’s saying she doesn’t want to waste any time – and would love to be pregnant by her 34th birthday in September.”