Ferne McCann breaks silence after voice note scandal as she announces expecting first child with Lorri Haines

Ferne McCann has confirmed that she is expecting her first child with fiancé Lorri Haines.

Back in January, it was reported that the former TOWIE star, 32, and Lorri Haines, 31,were expecting a new baby just six months after announcing their engagement. In a photoshoot with OK! Magazine, she confirmed today that the rumours are true and said she is excited to choose an “unusual” name for the new arrival.

Ferne already has a daughter, Sunday, five, from a previous relationship with Arthur Collins. Lorri also has a son who is five, who he shares with his ex-partner.

Ferne and Lorri told the magazine that they’ve chosen not to find out the baby’s gender and that they “don’t believe” in due dates, but that she’s set to give birth in the summer. Despite having a “smooth and lovely” birth with Sunday in hospital, Ferne has hinted that she would like to have a home birth this time.

Ferne has been vocal about her desire to have a baby and stated that she hadn’t “thought too much about wedding plans” as the couple had decided to prioritise having a baby over getting married. She is keen for Sunday to have a sibling and definitely wants to have more children with Lorri in the future.

The loved-up pair met during a trip to Dubai just over one year ago and he proposed during a romantic holiday to France in July. Viewers watched the couple’s relationship go from strength to strength on ITV’s Ferne McCann: First Time Mum.

Ferne’s fans were happy to see that she had met a kind and reliable partner after her previous tumultuous relationship with Sunday’s father, Arthur Collins.

The reality TV star revealed she and Lorri found out they were expecting after a romantic trip to India.

She told OK Magazine: "I just sat on the toilet with the door open and was like, I knew it! It’s positive!”.

Lorrie added: "I was over the moon – I couldn’t believe it!”

The couple’s good news comes after the former TOWIE star found herself caught up in a shocking voice note drama last November. Ferne’s world came crashing down around her when an anonymous Instagram account began leaking damaging voice notes claiming to be from her.

The account, which goes by username ladywhistledown195, leaked a slew of recordings - accusing the reality star of making “disgusting” comments about one of her ex-boyfriend’s acid attack victims. She was also said to have been bad-mouthing TOWIE friends, Billie and Sam Faiers, which made front page news. Reports have suggested that Ferne is now estranged from Sam and her sister Billie Shepherd.

When questioned about the voice note drama, Ferne replied “It will be addressed on the show, but there’s not a lot I can say, which is so frustrating”.

The star added: “I am definitely someone who has always worn their heart on their sleeve and have been transparent with anyone I meet, especially my followers and the people who watch my show”.

Keen to clear her name, Fearne commented: “I cannot wait to share my full truth and the full story, but unfortunately, I can’t because there is a criminal investigation and for that reason I can’t go into detail”.

Fans and viewers of the show will have to wait to see what unravels, but for now her celebrity followers have taken to Instagram to congratulate the Essex beauty.

Fellow ‘I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!’ pal, Vicky Pattison commented: “Arghhhhhhhh 😍 I am so happy the news is out!!!!! I am the worst secret keeper ever so this has been killinggggg me!!! ♥️

TOWIE star Danielle Armstrong posted: “YASSS FINALLY ITS OUT!!! So happy for you guys 👶🏻 💗💙 beaut pic 😍

Ferne’s feed was infiltrated with comments from her celebrity pals including Courtney Megz, Kate Ferdinand, Amber Turner and Jessica Wright.

The new series of Ferne McCann: First Time Mum is available on ITVBe and ITVX on 15 March at 9pm