Model Vogue Williams talks those Laurence Fox dating rumours, babies and moving on from ex-husband Brian McFadden
VOGUE Williams appears to be the girl who has it all.
At 5ft 11in, the model, presenter and ex-wife of Westlife’s Brian McFadden stands out from the crowd with her svelte size-8 figure and megawatt smile.
Even when she’s chatting to Fabulous wearing workout leggings, a black sweatshirt and trainers with her hair scraped back underneath a baseball cap, the 31 year old somehow manages to still look nigh on perfect.
But dismiss the Irish star as just another pretty and pouty Instagram regular at your peril.
In 2015, Vogue spent 12 days in the rainforests of Costa Rica eating scorpions and drinking her own urine to win ITV’s Bear Grylls: Mission Survive.
She also met the world’s toughest women in prison as part of her Vogue’s Wild Girls documentary series for Irish channel RTÉ, and from next week she’ll be competing in Channel 4’s The Jump – labelled as TV’s most dangerous show.
It’s a brave move considering the number of celebs who have seriously injured themselves while taking part. Last year, seven stars fell victim to the slopes, including former Olympian Rebecca Adlington, who dislocated her shoulder, and Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle, who broke her neck.
But when Fabulous meets Vogue, she seems unfazed by what lies ahead.
Maybe that’s because she’s already faced some pretty slippery slopes in her personal life.
Vogue split from Brian, 36, in July 2015 after three years of marriage before dating recently divorced Lewis actor, Billie Piper’s ex Laurence Fox, 38, last year.
The pair had grown close after appearing on Mission Survive together, but by the end of 2016 it was all over.
Today, Vogue insists they are friends and that she’s enjoying being single before flashing us a charming smile.
Come on, Vogue! It’s time to dish the dirt…
So, Vogue, what’s going on with you and Laurence?
[Laughs] We’re definitely not more than friends. I’m currently single and very happy.
When you met Laurence on Mission Survive, did you hit it off straightaway?
Yeah, although I think in the jungle Tom Rosenthal [Friday Night Dinner actor, 29] was my closest friend.
But then me and Laurence became close over the last few months.
But yeah, we’re just friends.
So if you’re now single, have you joined any dating apps?
No, I’m too busy right now!
What do you look for in a guy?
They have to be funny and easy-going.
I definitely go for personality over looks, and they need to like doing fun things because I don’t enjoy sitting at home doing nothing.
Would you only ever date guys in the spotlight?
Of course not.
I dated someone for six years who wasn’t famous.
There are some things that they find weird, like when I was modelling and whipping all my clothes off backstage!
But if you avoid celeb hot spots, you can have a normal relationship with anyone.
Are you still friends with Brian?
[Makes a face] Yeah…
You don’t sound so sure. Do you think it’s possible to be mates with an ex-husband?
Yes. It takes a while to get to that stage, but it can happen.
Would you like to get married again?
My mum [Sandra] will kill me for saying this, but I don’t think I would.
Marriage isn’t as important to me as it was before.
But if I met someone and getting married was on their agenda, then I’d think about it.
Do you want to have a family?
Definitely.
About a year ago I felt the pressure of being 30 and thought: ‘Oh, what am I going to do? I really want to have kids!’
But now there are so many ways to have children.
I can have them on my own if I want!
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You’ve spoken before about suffering from anxiety. Is that something you’re still dealing with?
At the moment, it’s the best it’s been in a year.
Before, I was waking up at 4am with pains in my stomach and my heart would be racing.
I’d have panic attacks, which can be so scary.
Simplifying my life and exercising have both helped.
I was on beta-blockers for a while, and they were a crutch through the really bad times.
Do you think you’ll hit it off with someone on the slopes of The Jump?
You never know!
I’ve wanted to do this show for years.
I’ve always loved skiing and snowboarding so I’m really looking forward to it.
Do you think you can win?
I’m not entering a competition not to win, but everyone seems really talented.
Didn’t Brian bruise a rib on last year’s show?
[Laughs and rolls eyes] Brian didn’t hurt himself.
You’re in great shape at the moment – has the training been brutal?
There have been days when I go to stand up and my legs are too sore! But I go to the gym a lot, around six days a week.
People always ask how I motivate myself, but it’s so ingrained in me now that it’s just part of my day.
Most of the time I eat healthily, but I’ve been super-bad lately.
When I’m hungover, you’ll definitely find me in Five Guys having a milkshake.
What’s your ultimate career goal?
I’d love to act in a film – I did a bit of acting before I did my TV documentaries. Oh, and [presenting on] This Morning would be a nice gig!
Watch The Jump next Sunday on Channel 4.
Vogue is brand ambassador for Sunkiss tanning products (Sunkiss.ie).