Ferne McCann has spoken out about the scandal surrounding a series of leaked voicemails.
It comes after Ferne, who is already a mother on Sunday, revealed that she is expecting her first child with Lorri Haines.
In November 2022, an anonymous Instagram account, named Lady Whistledown after the person who shared secret Bridgerton gossip, posted a series of voicemails from a woman they claimed was Ferne.
One heard a woman’s voice label one of Arthur Collins’ acid attacker’s victims a ‘dumb bitch’, while another saw Ferne accused of embarrassing Sam Faiers.
Referring to the voice memos in a new interview, Ferne said the circumstances surrounding them will be covered in an upcoming series of her reality show, First Time Mum.
The former TOWIE star, 32, told OK! Magazine: “She will be addressed on the show, but there’s not much she can say, which is very frustrating.”
‘I can’t wait to share my full truth’: Ferne McCann has spoken out about the scandal surrounding a series of leaked voicemails
She added: ‘I’m definitely someone who has always worn her heart on her sleeve and been transparent with anyone I meet, especially my fans and the people who watch my show.
“The frustration comes from just not being able to be completely transparent and I can’t wait to share my full truth and the full story, but unfortunately I can’t because there’s a criminal investigation going on and for that reason I can’t go in.” detail.
“What I will say is that we just want to look forward as a family, working as a team and being positive because that’s all you can be.”
It comes after filming for his ITVBe series First Time Mum reportedly resumed following claims he made disparaging comments about the victims of his ex-partner Arthur Collins’ acid attack.
Ferne McCann: First Time Mum began in 2017 and follows the reality star through her life as a single mother to her daughter Sunday the Five.
It was recently claimed that ITV bosses are backing Ferne amid his leaked voice memo scandal.
A source told The Sun of Ferne programme: ‘Ferne is resuming filming on First Time Mum and is heading to India.
‘She is booked to fly out of the country today and will be taking a film crew with her.
‘Initially, plans to film were halted when the voice memo scandal unfolded. However, Ferne has the backing of his ITV bosses and filming will begin in the next few days.
Ferne previously faced calls for his show to be removed after an anonymous Instagram account leaked voice notes allegedly sent by Ferne, in which a woman’s voice labels one of Arthur Collins’ acid attacker’s victims as “silly”.
It has been claimed that they were referring to Sophie Hall, who reached the final of Miss England 15 months after the sickening attack, exposing her scars.
Collins is currently serving 20 years in prison after he threw acid at an east London nightclub in April 2017, injuring 14 people.
Ferne’s friends say there is an “ongoing hate campaign” against her, while at the time ITV was said to be in talks about whether the show should continue.
Last month, Ferne came under fire from acid attack victim Sophie, 27, for her recent “insincere” apology after allegedly calling her “ugly” in leaked voice memos.
Pregnancy: It comes after Ferne, who is already a mother on Sunday, revealed that she is expecting her first child with Lorri Haines.
Ferne admitted that she was the voice in shocking audio files, but claimed that she recorded them because she feared “serious harm and facing significant threats.”
Sophie has since demanded that Ferne apologize on camera, claiming she was unable to read the statement since Ferne blocked her on Instagram.
She told The Sun: ‘To me, his words feel so insincere. Ferne is simply trying to save her career. I don’t think she regrets it at all.
‘If he had meant it, he would have found my account and talked to me personally. I want Ferne to come on camera with me and apologize to my face.
“She can really show how sorry she is then and if she gets filmed, she has nowhere to hide.” She would respect that. We all say things we regret but must be held accountable. If Ferne is really sorry, she will.
Ferne wrote in his online statement: “I am aware that people will have a number of questions about voicemails being put into the public domain that I allegedly sent.”
“I feel like I have no choice but to address these (to the extent possible as there are restrictions on me which I explain below).
“Most importantly, I want to apologize to all the victims of Arthur Collins’ abhorrent actions in 2017 who have to relive that night and the grief that followed as this matter is back in the public domain.”
Family: Ferne McCann: First Time Mum began in 2017 and follows the reality star through her life as a single mother to her daughter on Sunday Five
In particular, I want to apologize to Sophie Hall. She doesn’t think she’s ugly or stupid. She has been brave beyond belief.
‘Arthur Collins’ crimes created genuine victims, so I’m not trying to present myself as such. I can’t say much because there are important and significant legal proceedings that prevent me from setting the record straight at this stage.
‘What I can say is that the voice messages that are being released are manipulated; edited and taken completely out of context.
“Still, I may have said things that are untrue and that I didn’t believe, but I did so to protect myself and my family from serious harm and significant threats.”
The audio clips aren’t the first to make the rounds on the internet, with the reality star previously accused of punching and embarrassing friend Sam Faiers.
In a statement shared with MailOnline, Ferne called the scandal a “harassment” campaign against him, as well as offering condolences to those offended by the comments.
The mother-of-one was forced to speak out after an anonymous Instagram account leaked voice notes allegedly sent by Ferne.
Breaking their silence on the scandal, a statement released by Ferne’s representatives read: “These voicemails are part of a broader campaign of harassment designed to intimidate and discredit Ferne.
Apology: Last month, Ferne came under fire from acid attack victim Sophie Hall, 27, for her recent ‘insincere’ apology after allegedly calling her ‘ugly’ in leaked voice memos
“They are the subject of an ongoing investigation being carried out by Essex Police and as such Ferne cannot comment other than to say that he offers his deepest condolences for the anguish and pain this situation is causing Ms. Hall”.
A source close to the above I’m a celebrity…Get me out of here! The star previously told MailOnline that the messages had been ‘stitched’ from separate recordings in an attempt to ‘destroy’ her.
The Instagram account had previously been suspended after Ferne reported it to police when he posted posts purportedly from the reality star, claiming he branded Sam, 31, a ‘fat c*** ‘ and ‘narcissistic *** h’.
Sam, 31, and Ferne, who starred together in The Only Way Is Essex, have been friends for more than 20 years.
Falling out: The audio clips aren’t the first to circulate, with the reality star previously accused of beating up and embarrassing friend Sam Faiers (pictured together in 2019)