Freddie Bentley has revealed how he proved his teachers wrong by achieving his TV dreams as he opened up about his 'hard times' and his council estate upbringing.
The TOWIE star, 27, told MailOnline that he was told to be realistic when he told everyone in high school that he was going to be a TV star when he grew up.
As a 'normal council kid', Freddie revealed that he 'did go through hard times', but he was always supported by his mother, who lives with bipolar disorder.
He explained that despite his upbringing, he had always aspired to be an entertainer and knew that he could never work a normal job.
Freddie told MailOnline: 'I have always been into my fashion since I was a little boy. I have always been stylish and even watched Gok Wan's How To Look Good Naked. I used to always love watching things like that.
'I have always been into my style. I have always made sure I looked presentable but I come from a very presentable family as well. And not necessarily in terms of privilege and wealth. I had a very normal upbringing and lived in a council house with my mum.'
Freddie Bentley, 27, has proved his teachers wrong, who shunned him for his TV star dream, as he opened up about his 'hard times' and his council estate upbringing
The TOWIE star told MailOnline that he was told to be realistic when he told everyone in high school that he was going to be a TV star when he grew up
He continued: 'I have a very normal background but we have always made sure we looked nice and tidy and presentable.
'I am just a normal council kid that had a dream and always been ambitious and always been a grafter. I feel I am an example of no matter where you come from, you can always achieve what you want to achieve in life.
'I have always been an entertainer. Since the age of four I was prancing around in a Snow White dress. And I remember being in school and in them senior ages I always loved Big Brother.
'And I remember telling everyone I am going to go on Big Brother when I am older and watch and it was time of Nikki Graham and Jade Goody - proper icons.
'I remember I was in a Spanish class once and we had to say what our dream job was in Spanish. But I told them I was going to be on the telly and my Spanish teacher said to me you have to have a realistic job.
'And I said to her "Sue, listen, whether I am going to be on TV in Spain or TV in the UK, I am going to be on it".
'And from that people telling me I cannot do something has given me the drive and ambition to do it.'
'When kids wanted to be around other kids, I always wanted to be around the adults. I think they always knew. It really isn't my mother's scene. The thought of her being in front of a camera, she would completely bottle it. I don't really know where I get it from.
As a 'normal council kid', Freddie revealed that he 'did go through hard times', but he was always supported by his mother (pictured), who lives with bipolar disorder
He explained that despite his upbringing, he had always aspired to be an entertainer and knew that he could never work a normal job
Freddie said: 'So my mum has bipolar so she doesn't work and is a stay at home mummy, which we call her. She is incredible and amazing. My dad has always been a builder - a proper geezer'
'My family are confident but none of my family have been on the telly or dreamed of being on the telly.
Speaking of his council estate upbringing and supporting his mother, Freddie said: 'I think my family have always known I was not going to be able to do a normal job.
'So my mum has bipolar so she doesn't work and is a stay at home mummy, which we call her. She is incredible and amazing. My dad has always been a builder - a proper geezer.
'Me and my mum are best friends. I love her to pieces. We are tight. I have always supported her and she is on such the right road at the moment and she is incredible and inspirational.
'You would never know, she takes her medication and she really does things to better herself like going on long walks.
'We got her a puppy last year, Queenie, my little dog. I feel the dog has helped her socialise and get out.
'I am here there and everywhere and though my mother would always want me to live my life and be the best version of me, I feel guilty that she may be lonely so I got her the dog and they're bestfriends.
'Times have been hard at times but now I feel that I am definitely in a privileged situation where I can help my mum and I would never let her go without.'
And after climbing the ladder to stardom, the glamour puss now enjoys a full life of luxury as last week he enjoyed a non-surgical Brazilian Butt Lift, salmon sperm filler and a touch of Botox.
Freddie's fame kicked off when he appeared on Netflix's The Circle in August 2018, which saw the star land second place after receiving a 2.67-star rating from his four other contestants - Kate, Sian and Dan.
The Circle is a social experiment and reality competition where contestants, isolated from each other, compete for popularity and a cash prize through online interactions.
Freddie's fame kicked off when he appeared on Netflix's The Circle in August 2018 (pictured), which saw the star land second place after receiving a 2.67-star rating
His fame then skyrocketed after he starred in season 31 of The Only Way Is Essex in 2023, where he and Big Brother's Ella Rae Wise (middle) saw a blossoming friendship
His appearance on the show kicked off his influencing career as he soon landed big brand deals from the likes of Pretty Little Thing.
He then started dabbling in modeling which saw him becoming a brand ambassador for companies such as Stone Valley Clothing.
Freddie then starred in smaller TV appearances, such as MTV's Celeb Ex In The City and even appeared on some podcasts.
His fame then skyrocketed after he starred in season 31 of The Only Way Is Essex in 2023, where he and Big Brother's Ella Rae Wise saw a blossoming friendship.
