FERNE McCann is certainly no stranger to life in the full glare of the public spotlight, and revealing her ups-and-downs.
Yet when the reality TV star, 29, discovered she'd developed incontinence, following the birth of her daughter Sunday in late-2017, she admits she was so embarrassed that for months she simply "suffered in silence".
Now, McCann has partnered with Always Discreet to raise awareness of this common issue. Two-thirds of women in the UK experience bladder leaks, the brand highlights, which can often be significantly helped, and sometimes cured, by pelvic floor exercises.
"The anxiety and worry it caused me was absolutely horrible," says McCann. "It was a problem I associated with the elderly and not someone in their prime, like I felt I was at 28 when it started.
"I first noticed the leaks when I was working out and it got progressively worse," explains the celebrity mum – who first found fame in The Only Way Is Essex and took part in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015, and now also has her own ITVBe reality show, Ferne McCann: First Time Mum.
"Eventually, the leaking was affecting my day-to-day life, preventing me feeling confident and sexy as a woman and literally stopping me doing things. It made me nervous about leaving the house, going on long car journeys, doing energetic cardio exercising."
She eventually opened up to her personal trainer, who referred her to a physiotherapist and a consultant who diagnosed her with a stage one prolapsed bladder.
"It's still embarrassing for me to talk about this, but I feel so strongly we have to break the taboo around this issue," adds McCann, whose ex partner, Arthur Collins, was jailed in 2017 for carrying out an acid attack in a nightclub.
"I'm a very open person, but initially I only felt I could mention it to friends in a jokey way. I'd try to laugh it off by saying causally, 'I wee a bit if I sneeze', and hope someone else would open up about how they were feeling."
Research by Always Discreet found 64% of women aged 18-24 have experienced leaks, and over half (51%) have never exercised their pelvic muscles.
"I didn't do any pelvic floor exercises before I gave birth and as a first time mum, my whole focus was coping with motherhood, and so I didn't do any afterwards. I just kept hoping the problem would resolve itself," confides McCann.
"Many women think they're taking good care of themselves, but don't prioritise pelvic floor exercises as part of their daily routine. It should be just part of life, like a skincare routine.
"I know first-hand how a few squeezes a day can have a huge impact. I've definitely seen an improvement and thanks to them, am back doing cardio and boot camp classes with no problem."
Here, McCann talks about turning 30, single parenting, and feeling more 'herself' than ever...
:: You'll be 30 this summer – how do you feel about the milestone birthday?
"I'm really, really looking forward to to being 30. I've got to the age where I finally feel I've found myself. For the first time in my life, I actually feel 100% content and in a really good place. I've got a wonderful daughter, I've just moved to a beautiful house, and I'm seeing someone.
"Of course, I'd love to get married one day, because I'm a real romantic who loves love, but actually I feel like I've got my happy-ever-after already and I can just look forward to lots of exciting moments coming my way."
:: What does motherhood mean to you?
"I wasn't particularly maternal before I had [my daughter] but she's changed me totally. I can't imagine my life without Sunday. She's definitely brought serenity into my life and through her, I've learnt how to enjoy every moment and be more calm and patient.
"She's helped me sort out my priorities and given me such focus to work hard to provide for us. Every baby is a blessing and she's such a wonderful, happy, spirited young child – she's gorgeous.
"I love the fact I've got a daughter and I want to raise her to be a strong, independent girl. It would be wonderful to have more children one day."
:: Do you ever feel lonely as a single parent?
"Of course, I get lonely, but I've been a single parent right from the beginning of my pregnancy, so it's all I know, and as Sunday gets older that loneliness is kind of diminishing.
"I really felt it when she was a newborn and I was a nervous first-time mum and felt overwhelmed, but now she's a little more independent it's a lot easier and so rewarding.
"I love that saying, that it takes a small village to raise a child - and that's my experience because I've got so much support with my mum and all of my friends."
:: Do you enjoy opening up your personal life on your show, Ferne McCann: First Time Mum?
"I grew up on TOWIE and I have no regrets, as it was a wonderful springboard for my career. But while that was a scripted reality show, mine is a 'fly on the wall' documentary style, focusing on my genuine life and parenting.
"I have some control over it, but I'm totally open about the difficult times, as well as the good times of being a mum. At the moment, Sunday's very much hit 'the terrible twos' and the tantrums are coming in thick and fast!
"I love turning to other parents for help. Away from TV and red carpet appearances, I'm just like any other mum. Sometimes you wish the cameras weren't rolling, but at the end of it, I'll have my very own home video of Sunday growing up."
:: What have you learnt over the last few years going through tough times?
"It's been quite a journey but I think life experiences and the highs and the lows shape the person you are, and teach you so much. You don't realise how resilient you are until you have to face those tough times."
:: How do you look after your health?
"I train three to four times a week for an hour a time. A good workout puts me in such a positive head space and boosts my energy. If I've got a spare 10 or 15 minutes, I'll fit in exercises or stretches."
:: How do you look after your wellbeing?
"I'm a positive, laid-back person, who's a bit eccentric and loves to have fun. When I feel negative, I give myself a talking to, to try to put things into perspective.
"Also, I've been seeing a therapist for the best part of two years. I've always worn my heart on my sleeve and it's nice to see someone who's impartial, just so I can off-load and process things properly.
"It makes just as much sense to see a therapist to keep your mind fit and healthy, just as you see a personal trainer for your physical health.
"I've taken up bird-watching and have binoculars and a little sanctuary where I can sit and observe them – it's very calming. And I use sleep meditation apps to get me to sleep at night."
:: Ferne McCann has partnered with Always Discreet to encourage women of all ages to do their pelvic floor exercises as part of their daily routine, to put the squeeze on bladder leaks.
