Ferne McCann burst onto our screens all the way back in 2013 with her The Only Way Is Essex debut, quickly gaining recognition as a controversial character on the ITV show.
Ten years on from her rise to fame, the reality star, who is currently expecting her second child, exclusively shares with OK! how the show had quite the lasting impact, and not for all the right reasons.
Cast as an outspoken character, the now 32-year-old was often centre to drama-filled storylines and even had her on-off relationship with ex-boyfriend Charlie Sims documented throughout.
"I got caught in this warped sense of reality – ironic for a reality show," Ferne explains.
While she joined the show being close pals with many of her co-stars already, the star now has a smaller social circle after a decade in the limelight.
Despite a previously close relationship with TOWIE co-stars Billie Shepherd and sister Sam Faiers, last year's voice note scandal – means they are no longer in contact.
Turning to therapy to help her deal with recent trauma, and the increased public scrutiny, Ferne shares: "I’ve been tested with things that have happened in my personal life and I’ve needed therapy to help me through a very difficult time.
"Over the past six years, it’s been vital and I’ve worked hard to get to know my truest self and figure out unhealthy behaviour patterns and why I behave in certain ways."
Ferne, who is now engaged to Lorri Haines, remained on TOWIE until 2016, starring alongside the likes of Lucy Mecklenburgh, James Argent and Joey Essex.
Many of these first-generation Essex reality stars have gone on to do other TV endeavours, begin influencing on social media and even work on their own brands.
Alongside her own ITVBe show First Time Mum, which has been running since 2017, Ferne is now launching her own app. Aiming to help mental health through meditation, the wellbeing app is called Shoorah.
While TOWIE has opened up the door to this and many more opportunities, the star does admit that it's been difficult adjusting to fame meaning less true friendships.
She says: "My circle is really small now. I’ve always had a massive group of friends and it was hard for me not having that anymore. Life feels very different, but I know I’ll always have my true friends.”
For more on Shoorah, go to shoorah.io
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