Mum-of-two Ferne McCann has been spotted for the first time since her engagement was rocked by split rumours.
The 34-year-old former The Only Way Is Essex star has been dating 33-year-old businessman Lorri Haines since 2021 and they became engaged the following year. In July 2023, the couple welcomed a baby daughter who they named Finty - who added to their blended family as Ferne has a daughter named Sunday from a past relationship and Lorri has a child from a prior relationship of his own.
On Tuesday, reports suggested Ferne had called off her engagement to Lorri after two years - but the star then hit back to reveal they are very much still together. Now the reality star has been seen for the first time since reports called the status of the couple's romance into question.
Next month, fans will watch Ferne take to the rink as one of the 2025 contestants on ITV's Dancing On Ice - where she has been paired with professional skating champion Brendyn Hatfield. The duo have been in training for the show for weeks as Ferne builds up her confidence on the ice in order to compete on the high risk reality show.
On Tuesday, snaps showed Ferne looking confident and focused in rehearsals with Brendyn amid the reports about her engagement. Wearing a black outfit, the mum-of-two was snapped gliding across the ice and also being lifted into the air by her hunky American partner. Ferne's involvement in Dancing On Ice was announced in September, with the star revealing on Good Morning Britain: "I'm so excited, it's going to be a huge challenge but I'm excited for the glitz and glamour of the show."
It was just this week that her pairing was revealed. Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the TV star shared a snap of herself on the ice with Brendyn and wrote: "The news is in! I’ve met my Dancing On Ice partner and it is……BRENDYN! @brendynhatfield While he defo has his work cut out (sorry Brendyn!) we’re super excited to hit the ice and bring the sparkle."
On Tuesday, Ferne was forced to speak out on the status of her planned marriage after a report suggested she had split from fiancé Lorri. A spokesperson for the Towie alum told the Mirror: "Ferne and Lorri have always had a tempestuous relationship but there was one big blow out over something and nothing so she has decided to take some time out. Pals are saying it is permanent but who knows as these two are so up and down. Lorri has been effectively wiped from her Instagram and Ferne is now taking some time for herself and her two kids."
And Ferne herself took to Instagram to clarify her relationship status, writing: "We're still very much together. Living together. We are even back in the same bed." The reality star was previously in a relationship with Arthur Collins - who was arrested in April 2017 and eventually jailed for twenty years, with another five years on licence, for crimes relating to a nightclub acid attack.
Ferne and Lorri announced their engagement in July 2022 - with Ferne taking to Instagram to share a photo of herself showing off a dazzling engagement ring. She wrote: "So happily ever afters do exist. I cannot wait to do forever with you baby.”
And the couple were delighted to welcome their daughter together the following year. Announcing her arrival with a simple black and white snap of the bundle of joy along with a caption that stated: "It’s a girl 06.07.23."
