Ferne McCann is excited but extremely nervous about the launch of her new series First Time Mum tonight (May 2).
When Digital Spy caught up with the star just hours ahead of broadcast, she revealed that all of her friends from TOWIE had been in touch to wish her luck – with some even set to make cameos, including James Argent and Danielle Armstrong.
But one person who hasn't been in contact is her old pal Sam Faiers.
According to reports, the pair have fallen out over her decision to make First Time Mum because of its similarities to Sam's show The Mummy Diaries.
When we asked Ferne to set the record straight, she revealed exactly what's gone down between the pair.
"I never understood why she was unhappy that I took the opportunity to do the show – but that is her beef," she said. "You could have 10 pregnancy mummy shows and they would all be completely different because they're all different people."
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Ferne, who gave birth to her little girl Sunday six months ago, claimed that despite Sam making her feelings crystal clear about the show, it wasn't an option for her to turn down the opportunity.
She stressed that as a single parent with a baby she needs to provide for, she had to do what was best for her daughter.
"I would never want to go out of my way to upset friends – that would never be in my interest, especially at the very dark difficult time that I was going through," she added, referring to her baby's father Arthur Collins, who was jailed last year for his involvement in a nightclub acid attack which left 14 people injured.
"I didn't want to add more negativity or upset, but it was a fantastic opportunity that I absolutely couldn't refuse. And knowing that I was going to be a single parent, I had to think about my daughter."
Ferne's friend Vicky Pattison recently got engaged to boyfriend John Noble. When asked how she would feel if the I'm a Celebrity winner fell pregnant and decided to make a reality show about her journey, the Essex star insisted that she would not feel threatened at all.
"Absolutely not," she continued. "We've even spoke about it actually. We should do a show where she gets married and then I have another baby. That's the thing, our generation are all getting engaged and having babies, that's just what happens."
Opening up about what it was like to film the series, Ferne described it as "daunting" and "exposing".
She's been followed around by cameras constantly for the last eight weeks with every moment caught on film.
Although it's been an intense experience, she said it was somewhat therapeutic after the tough year she's endured.
"You have to wear your heart on your sleeve with a show like this," she added. "I absolutely do because I'm super honest. I think that's what makes me relatable.
"This was an opportunity I couldn't refuse. It has been good fun and I love the fact that I can inspire others and entertain others. I love being part of British television but also it is work for me and I now have somebody else to provide for."
Digital Spy has reached out to Sam Faiers for comment.
First Time Mum starts on ITVBe on Wednesday, May 2 at 9pm.
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