SAYING SORRY
Ferne McCann apologises and says she doesn’t think acid attack victim Sophie Hall is ‘ugly’ after shock voice note leak
FERNE McCann has insisted she doesn't think acid attack victim Sophie Hall is "ugly or stupid" as she issued a grovelling apology.
The ITV star confirmed she made remarks heard in audio messages released last week — but insisted she "didn't believe" what she had said about Sophie.
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Ferne, 32, took to her social media on Tuesday night to apologise after messages appeared on an Instagram account that appeared to show her mocking acid attack victims.
“She is one ugly f***ing c***," a woman could be heard saying in the audio messages in a verbal attack launched at Sophie.
Sophie, 27, was one of 22 people injured by Arthur Collins — Ferne's ex-boyfriend and father of her daughter — who is serving 20 years for an acid attack at a nightclub in London in April 2017.
Despite being scarred for life during the attack, Sophie went on to compete in a beauty pageant wearing a dress made from newspaper clippings about her horror night out.
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Last night, Ferne penned an apology message to all the victims, as she insisted that she didn't think Sophie was "ugly or stupid"
The former The Only Way Is Essex star said: “In particular I want to apologise to Sophie Hall. I do not believe her to be ugly or stupid. She has been brave beyond belief.”
In her first full statement on the affair, Ferne added that she didn't believe what she had said about Sophie, pinning the blame on Collins.
She said: “I am aware that people will have a number of questions about the voice messages being put into the public domain and purportedly sent by me.
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“I feel I have no choice but to address these — to the extent that I can as there are restrictions on me.
“Most importantly I want to apologise to all the victims of Arthur Collins’ abhorrent actions in 2017 that they have to relive that night and the pain that followed because this matter is again in the public domain.
“Arthur Collins’ crimes created genuine victims so I am not trying to portray myself as one.
“I am unable to say much because there are important and significant legal proceedings that prevent me from setting the record straight at this stage.
“What I can say is that the voice messages that are being released are manipulated; edited and taken entirely out of context.
“Even so, I will have said things that are untrue and I did not believe – but I did so to protect my family and myself from serious harm and in the face of significant threats.”
Ferne was first caught out in September, when audio notes were leaked on an anonymously owned account called Lady Whistledown.
She was first heard calling her friend, reality star Sam Faiers, 31, overweight before further voice notes about the acid attack.
The voice notes have led Sophie to call for ITV to sack Ferne from her ITVBE reality show, First Time Mum as fans reacted with fury.
Sophie said: “Why should anyone who has been so cruel and vicious with their words be given the platform to tear down others, to make them feel worthless and like they’re not good enough?"
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Pals close to Ferne revealed that she had increased security at her Essex home amid fears of a reprisal.
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A source said: “Ferne is paying for a 24/7 patrol service. She is aware of how upset people are and is concerned about the welfare of her family.”
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