Exclusive:
Former TOWIE star Ferne McCann has called it quits on her engagement with Dubai businessman Lorri Haines - just 16 months after welcoming their first child together
Ferne McCann has insisted she and fiancé Lorri Haines are back on track after sources claimed they had split just 16-months after welcoming their daughter, Finty, together.
The former TOWIE star, 34, first started dating the businessman, 33, in 2021 after meeting in Dubai, and the pair got engaged less than a year later in July 2022. Mum-of-two Ferne, who is also a proud mum to daughter Sunday from a previous relationship Arthur Collins, previously described Lorri as 'the one' as she shared her excitement about their future together.
Ferne is said to have taken some time out from her relationship with Lorri after the big blow out which started over 'nothing'.
Speaking to The Mirror, a source exclusively told us: "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."
Following the news, Ferne took to Instagram to clarify her relationship status. "We're still very much together. Living together. We are even back in the same bed " she said.
"What we aren't getting is sleep. If we're arguing it's about lack of sleep. Finty is not sleeping and i'm one tired mama. So if anyone has any tips on that it would be very much appreciated. Thanks to anyone who has messaged to see if we're OK but we're still together."
While their relationship appeared to be perfect on the surface, behind closed doors it appears that Ferne and Lorri struggled with every other couple in long-term relationships. Earlier this year, Ferne admitted that she and Lorri saw an intimacy coach after their sex life dried up in the wake of the birth of their baby.
Since Finty's arrival, the couple had been sleeping in separate bedrooms which reduced time for intimacy between them. Opening up about the blip in her sex life, Ferne previously detailed how she and Lorri sought out specialist help because they went months without getting it on.
In an interview with Heat! magazine, she said: "It was really insightful. We did lots of different activities that weren't actually talking about sexual stuff, but it was more communication techniques and exercises that you can transfer into the bedroom.
"Also, we don't share a bedroom, and I do think that played a big part in it, because when you're in a bed together, you're there and it's easier. But, like with anything in life, if you want to make something work, you just need to give more attention to it, and make the time."
However, at the time, Ferne insisted that her and Lorri's bedroom issues are common for parents of babies. She said: "I think most parents will agree that when you have a baby, sex goes out the window and it isn't a priority. When you've got kids, fish, dogs and you're filming a TV show and running a business, the months fly by! It was getting to the point where I was like, 'We need to do it,' and it was becoming a bit more of a chore. So, we went to an intimacy coach."
Ferne also praised Lorri for being a "hands-on" dad and even remarked she thinks that he even likes parenting solo. She said: "He's so hands-on, and he's an amazing dad. I had a night out with the school mums recently and I think he quite liked having the girls with him just by himself."
The split comes ahead of Ferne's Dancing On Ice debut in January. The former TOWIE star will be partnered with professional ice skater Brendyn Hatfield. In a recent Instagram post, she said: "The news is in! I’ve met my Dancing On Ice partner and it is……BRENDYN! While he defo has his work cut out (sorry Brendyn!) we’re super excited to hit the ice and bring the sparkle."
Ferne is no stranger to putting herself through her paces as she had appeared on I'm A Celebrity..Get Me Out of Here!, where she finished third. She joins a number of celebrities including TOWIE star Dan Edgar and Hollyoaks actress Chelsee Healy and Love Island star Chris Taylor.
The Mirror has approached Ferne's representatives for comment on this story.
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