New mum and actress Jennifer Metcalfe chats birth, babies and being confident in her body
The Hollyoaks star, who welcomed her son Daye in June, opens up about her relationship with her post-pregnancy body and her plans for the future
It’s hard to believe that Jennifer Metcalfe gave birth just four months ago.
With self-assured ease, she’s comfortable in front of the camera but never over-confident, keen to point out there’s a glamorous army behind how she looks today.
“There’s gorgeous make-up, hair and lighting. All this is a glossy image with a big team and people need to know that,” she says.
After 11 years playing ballsy Mercedes McQueen on Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, Jennifer, 35, is taking a year’s maternity leave from the soap following the birth of son Daye in June with boyfriend of five years Greg Lake, 32.
The new family live together in Newcastle, and she credits the ex-Geordie-Shore star – who now owns an engineering company – with giving her the self-confidence she used to lack.
“Greg has been incredible. He just loves me when I look like a scraggly cat, as we call it, when I have no make-up on and my hair’s scraped back and a little scruffy. He’s really helped me embrace me.
“He’s my best friend. I didn’t think I could love him any more, but then the bond we have because of little Daye gets stronger every day.”
Which explains why Jennifer was happy to share a candid snap of herself on Instagram four weeks post-birth looking glowing and healthy while wearing just a bra and knickers.
“That was to say we don’t all look perfect. You can look perfect if you want all the filters, but this is the reality, too. I can’t be bothered with a filter. I just took a photo and then started thinking of these words.”
Ah, yes, the words. There was so much text speak in the post, it made it slightly tricky to read. Jennifer rolls her eyes.
“I had people say: ‘She can’t spell,’ but I wanted every single word in the caption. It wouldn’t fit on Instagram so I had to cut it down. I don’t really speak like that. I took ages editing it because a few years ago, when I wanted body confidence, they’re the kind of words that I’d have needed.
“I’ve always struggled with diets, exercise and my body,” she adds. “I think a lot of girls do in their 20s.
But there are bigger things in life than how you look, or a little bit of fat, or cellulite or a stretch mark. It just doesn’t really matter.”
Amen to that.
I'd do 10 labours over pregnancy again
Jennifer Metcalfe
How has having a baby changed your perception of your body?
I think women’s bodies are amazing. That we can give birth is just incredible. I don’t think it matters what you look like, as long as you feel happy and healthy and confident in your own skin.
How was the birth?
Oh, I loved it! It was such a good experience. Daye’s heartbeat dropped before I had to push him out and the cord was in a knot, but the midwives made me feel like superwoman. I’d do 10 labours over pregnancy again.
How have you found motherhood so far?
It’s amazing. Daye is brilliant – we’ve got a dream baby. Sometimes at the beginning he’d be waking up every hour or two, and I was breastfeeding as well so it was exhausting. But it’s so rewarding when you get that little smile in the morning. It makes it all worth it.
Are you still breastfeeding?
I was so sleep-deprived in the early days, I think that’s why I couldn’t breastfeed for much longer than a month. I loved doing it but it was definitely the right time to stop. It was a decision we made together as a family. The first weeks were like a conveyor belt.
What changes have you noticed in your body?
I had a little jelly belly. And the boobs! When I was breastfeeding, they were literally these rocks. I’m quite small, usually a B cup, but they went to these solid Es or Fs. They were like concrete! I was like: “What the hell are these?!”
How much weight did you gain in pregnancy?
I don’t know. I knew I felt good within my body. It doesn’t matter at the end of the day if you put on 1st or 5st.
Are you back to your pre-pregnancy weight?
I don’t weigh myself now, but I don’t want to lose weight. It’s about maintaining it. I follow the 5:2 plan using LighterLife Fast, which helps me keep that balance.
Dare we ask how Daye is sleeping?
He’s started sleeping for 11 hours with a 20 minute feed in the middle of the night. He’s in our room, and oh my god, it’s like Animal Farm – he sounds like a pig or a sheep! Man, does he make some weird noises. The first night we spent at the hospital, me and Greg were trying to get some sleep and we were just screaming with laughter at the noises he was making.
Has your relationship with Greg changed since having Daye?
I just love them both to bits. On day six, I was crying because I was so overwhelmed with love – that’s ridiculous! I thought: “Who the hell have I become, crying because I love you so much?”
Have you and Greg been able to spend time as a couple yet?
We have a few times. My cousin had Daye overnight while we went to a spa. That was amazing, but it was Sod’s law – I couldn’t sleep a wink on the one night we had away. I was up and down, off to the toilet, checking my phone and checking with my cousin that Daye was OK.
Do you and Greg talk about marriage?
Oh, yeah! We’ll probably do it like a party and be like: “Let’s get married next month and we’ll text our friends.” There’ll be no ring or anything.
Is it too soon to ask… Would you like more babies?
I have days like: “We need to do this again, I want five And days where I’m like: “I’m not sure, should we adopt?” Ask me this time next year!
- Additional photography: Graham Morris/, Instagram/Jennifer Metcalfe Hair: Dino Pereira using L’Oréal Professionnel Make-up: Aimee Adams using Clarins Styling: Lara Grayson Jennifer wears: T-shirt, Miss Selfridge; shorts, H&M The LighterLife Fast range is available at Superdrug from £2.49. Visit
