Ferne McCann pregnant by boyfriend arrested by cops over nightclub acid attack
HEARTBROKEN Ferne McCann is pregnant by acid attack suspect Arthur Collins.
The Towie star told lover Collins she was having his child just before the nightclub attack in which two people were blinded.
Friends of pregnant Ferne McCann say she is horrified — but will battle through for her unborn child’s sake.
Ex-Towie star Ferne, 26, told lover Arthur Collins that they were expecting a child only shortly before the attack.
One friend said: “We are all so worried about her.
“Ferne is absolutely devastated by what has happened.
“She cannot believe someone she loved is capable of doing what Arthur is accused of.
“She is under an incredible amount of stress.
“But Ferne will roll her sleeves up and make the best possible life for her and the child.”
Collins, 25, was seen at the nightclub at the time of the attack, in which two clubbers were blinded and many others injured.
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He vanished afterwards and was subject of an international manhunt by Scotland Yard. He was arrested by armed officers last night at an address in Rushden, Northants.
Ferne, a This Morning showbiz reporter, has not seen or spoken to Arthur since he was named in connection with the attack on the Mangle club in Dalston, East London, on Easter Monday.
Police investigating the attack have also arrested two men aged 21 and 24.
Before Collins’ arrest, a source said: “Ferne has no idea where he is.
“She is appalled by the injuries suffered in the attack and would not defend anyone capable of such a cowardly act.
“The only thing she would say to Arthur is to face up to the situation that he’s in and stop running.
“Ferne is horrified that some people would think that she in any way condones what has happened — or that they may want to blame an innocent child.”
Ferne was not at the nightclub, a popular haunt of Towie stars, when the attack took place.
She discovered she was pregnant shortly before posing for her first-ever shoot with Arthur for OK! Magazine. It was published on the day of the attack.
In the interview Ferne revealed they were planning to set up home together.
She said: “We spend every night together anyway.
“Moving in is definitely the next step. And I know that seems a bit rushed, but when you know, you know. And we’ve been mucking about, so let’s just go for it!
“We’ve spoken about our wedding. We want to get married on a beach. I want it to be a party and celebration.”
The friend said: “Ferne agreed to feature in the glossy mag as she felt the pair would have a long-term future — especially as they were expecting a child.
“She cannot believe how quickly what she thought her life would be has changed.”
Sophie said trouble broke out near her table at 1am, believed to relate to a drugs deal.
She said: “There was a plume of white smoke that smelled like petrol. It hit me and there was the most awful burning sensation. My face felt as if it was on fire.”
Police who raided Arthur’s £1million home in Broxbourne, Herts, days after the attack arrested a man of 54 and a 52-year-old woman. Officers allegedly found guns and cannabis.
Reports have falsely claimed that Ferne fled the country after the attack.
But a source said: “Ferne has gone to Ireland where her management are based for a series of pre-arranged meetings.
“The suggestion that she is somehow running away from all this is nonsense.”
Brentwood-born Ferne began her career as a model.
She won Miss Essex and was placed in the top 15 for Miss England in 2012.
She joined Towie in 2013 and dated co-star Charlie Sims before he left the show in 2015. Ferne has appeared as a panellist on Loose Women and on Celebs Go Dating.
She came third in I’m a Celebrity in 2015 and briefly dated singer George Shelley after they met in the jungle.
She had a fling with Russell Brand after meeting him backstage on The Jonathan Ross Show and dated him for three months.
But she said the relationship fizzled out because “I wanted more from him than I was getting”.
When contacted, Ferne’s representatives said she was with them on a pre-arranged trip.
They added: “Ferne has been advised not to discuss her ex-boyfriend or her personal circumstances.
“She is extremely upset for the victims.”
Ex-Scotland Yard detective Ian Horrocks said the London attack may have been inspired by a US TV crime drama broadcast in the UK a fortnight earlier.
The Criminal Minds episode featured an acid attacker deliberately maiming and blinding young people in Philadelphia.
The show climaxes with the attacker’s arrest as he is poised to strike with a modified spray gun containing acid — like one used at the Mangle club.
Mr Horrocks said: “There is a good possibility the London nightclub acid attack was a copycat of the Criminal Minds episode.
“The London attacker clearly got the idea from somewhere. It wouldn’t be the first time a TV show or film has influenced someone into committing an evil act.”
- ANDRE Phoenix, 21, who was previously arrested, was charged in connection with the acid attack last night.
- Arthur Collins, 25, was arrested at an address in Rushden, Northants late last night on suspicion of attempted murder and will be taken into custody at a London police station
The only affray is Essex
FERNE McCann is far from the first Towie star to find herself linked to a bad boy.
Here are some of the show’s other women with iffy taste in blokes:
Mario Falcone and Lucy Mecklenbugh
LUCY enjoyed an on-off relationship with co-star Mario, who once assaulted a boy of 11.
He lashed out when Lucy became the target of lewd comments from the child and his pals while they hung outside their home in 2012.
Mario was arrested and quickly apologised.
In 2014 he was pictured appearing to snort cocaine.
He was later axed by bosses.
Lauren Goodger and Joey Morrison
LAUREN is dating jailed thug Morrison, who is not due for release until next year.
He was arrested in 2009 and got a 16-year sentence over violent drug-related charges including possessing a firearm and kidnap.
He was found with £60,000 of cocaine.
Lauren, who visits Joey in jail, insists he deserves a second chance on his release.
Daniel Harris and Cara Kilbey
Harris was also charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs but denied any involvement and was cleared.
He was released from prison a few weeks later after serving almost a year on remand.
Amy Childs and Bradley Wright
AMY is expecting a child with Wright, who has a criminal record and wears a tag.
He was sentenced to 18 months’ jail in 2014 for handling stolen goods and to 16 months in 2013 for three charges of theft.
In 2010, he spent 19 months in a young offender institution for burglary, handling stolen goods and driving offences.