Walking The Dog with Emily Dean - Ferne McCann (Part Two)

Episode Date: January 16, 2025

We’re back in Thorndon Country Park with the brilliant Ferne McCann and her lovely cockapoo Clemmie! Ferne tells us all about how going into the jungle for I’m A Celebrity changed everything for her, why she always says yes and she gives us an update on her very exciting new project…We also chat about Ferne’s brilliant reality show - My Family and Me - how it bought her out of a challenging period in her life and then why she made the very difficult decision to bring the show to an end. Ferne is currently starring in the 2025 series of Dancing On Ice - you can watch Dancing On Ice on Sundays on ITV1 and ITVX!Follow @fernemccann on Instagram All episodes of Ferne McCann: My Family and Me are available on ITVX Follow Emily: Instagram - @emilyrebeccadeanX - @divine_miss_emWalking The Dog is produced by Faye LawrenceMusic: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice LudlamPhotography: Karla Gowlett  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to part two of Walking the Dog with Fern McCann. Do go back and listen to Part 1 if you haven't already and do make sure to watch Fern in the brand new series of Dancing on Ice on Sundays on ITV and do also remember to vote for her because Ray and I most definitely will be. I'd also love it if you gave Walking the Dog a like and a follow

so you can catch us every week. Here's Fern and Clemy and Ray Ray. After you left, Towie, you got... An offer to do I'm a celebrity, which I feel was one of those, we all have moments in our life, which turn out to be really significant in ways we can't possibly imagine. And I feel that would be up there in your top five. Oh my goodness.

Yeah. Like, it makes me feel emotional thinking about the jungle because the jungle, I know I said, Taoie changed my life, but the jungle completely took my life and just propelled it. It was an amazing chapter. It was insane. I couldn't believe my luck that I got offered to go in. I was actually a replacement, a substitute. Someone didn't pass some sort of test.

And I got the call and I couldn't believe it. But I'm such a believer in that you can create opportunities in your life by when you're willing. So for example, when I was on Towey, I always said yes to everything. Like, yep, I'll go and do the press day. You know, even you don't get paid for these sort of things, but you're like, yeah, I'll be there because I was eager, I was excited. And I think because I was such a people person, I was just like, yeah, I'll do it. And I remember someone didn't turn up for the press day, one of the girls, one of the Towie girls. And because I was quite new, I wasn't the first person that they'd ask.

But anyways, it was on the day, and they said, fern, someone, whatever, hasn't turned up. If we get you there, can you do it? And I was like, yep, straight there. And it just so happened that I met some producers, I don't know if it was the exec of Jungle, because they come in to meet Joey Essex because he was doing it that year. And I'm a Celebrity is a show that I've watched growing up

and absolutely loved. And I just started chatting to them, you know, talking about Yuri Geller, bending the spurt, all my I'm a celeb knowledge, not strategically, genuinely just getting stuck into a conversation. And then they booked me to do the after show. And I've never done anything like it before. They flew me out to Australia just off that one chance meeting.

And then that has almost been like, that stayed with me because I'm like, you never know who you're going to meet. And it's not, I guess you could say, oh, you're being an opportunist. But that's what excites me about life is that by saying yes, by being willing, by sometimes doing the things that aren't going to be like, you know, the biggest paycheck or whatever. You just don't know. You don't know who, and you can apply this to your love life or whatever. You don't know who's going to be sat next to you or in that room.

And then obviously made a good impression on the after show and then got called up to do the... I always seem to be a replacement though. It's like, someone can't do it. Can you come in and do the job? But yeah, that was an amazing opportunity. Couldn't believe that I was even on that show and just completely changed the course. But then that's often how stars are kind of,

that's often where people do get. I mean, Graham Norton was a replacement. I love Graham Norton. There was a guy who used to have a chat show on Channel 4, and I think he took two weeks off, and Graham Norton stepped in to do it. Amazing. And I can't remember that guy's name,

which kind of says it all really. Yeah. So there's no shame in being a replacement. It's the person who says yes. Yeah. You know. I remember Catherine Ryan telling me a story who's a mate. And she was on this podcast and she said she got a call.

And she wasn't as big as she is now. Yeah. And she got a call and it was literally at something like 5 o'clock saying, we've had someone drop out. Can you do the Jonathan Ross Show? And she had a kid and she was like, they said, you need to be camera ready in an hour. And she went, I'll do it.

Yeah. And she said, and I think. Oh, I love that. I love that. It gives me goosebumps. that's the thing sometimes Would you do that? You would, wouldn't you? Oh yeah. Oh, good.

Yeah. Even if I'm like, I've got an amazing agent and she's a friend, she's like family to me and even if I'm like, do you know what, I'm not feeling this. I've had moments in my career where I'm like, I don't know if I'm even feeling this.

She's like, she's Scouse her. She's like, just go and do it. Just get on and do it. And then nine times out of ten, you'll turn up and you'll see a or you'll bump into an old friend that you work. And I love that. It's those yes moments even when you don't want to do it.

And you then got off with the opportunity to do your own reality show, which was on ITV for 13 series. 13 seasons. Yeah. And it's a brilliant show. It's actually still up there on ITV X. X, isn't it? It's called.

And I loved it Fern. Oh my goodness. Look at Climmy. She's gone straight in that. muddy puddle. Clemy has to go straight in a muddy puddle and you know what I like? She looks like she's now wearing black lebuttehands. She does.

She's adorable. So you did Fern McCann, which was then rebranded to my family and me. Yeah. Initially it was first time mum and you really elected to kind of go there with this because I don't know how it was pitched to you and what you thought you were getting into. Yeah. It was a brilliant show. And like a lot of people who watched it became kind of addicted to it.

But it was a lot fun that you were exposing. Yeah. Wasn't it? My reality show was a complete lifeline. You know, I feel so grateful to Potato who gave me that opportunity and ITV. We should say Potato is a production company, not a man or something. No, no. So grateful to Potato.

They are a production company. and to ITV for giving me that chance. They took a complete chance. Oh, sorry, but oh, good job you got your wellies on. They took a complete chance on me because I was in the thick of a, I don't know what to call it, like. A challenging period in your life. Yeah, thank you.

I was going to call it a shit store, but yeah, let's put it that way. It was really difficult. I was pregnant. I'd lost a lot. and it was just an amazing lifeline. And I feel so proud of the show that even when I talk about it now, it makes me so emotional because, you know, 13 series, you really, when you're filming a show like that,

you really do have to, I don't see the point in going in half-hearted or holding anything back or self-editing because... I know you don't. The viewers, they feel it. Yeah. They feel it from you. sometimes see those reality shows and they never lost those ones. They don't get 13 series because what happens is it's very set up.

Yeah. And they're like, today we're going to go, you know, whatever, strawberry picking. And you can sort of sense the crew in the background and everyone's nice to each other. Whereas I felt it was pretty raw. Some of the stuff that you showed, you were very vulnerable. And I think one of the things that really struck me, because you showed obviously you're a single mom. Yeah. And you show you trying to raise and juggle this with work.

Sunday, your daughter, who's adorable. But like all toddlers, had her moments. Oh, she loved a tantrum. She's a very strong-willed girl. But it was interesting, Fern, because I think it was very important that... I don't think it had even occurred to me just how much work that is.

And it was watching it like that, where every episode there was something. just the most mundane things like I need you to put clothes on no I need to brush your hair and actually I think that's healthy for people to see all that emotional labour

that mums are doing yeah I think that that's what not what I loved about the show but that what people loved about the show is that how raw and authentic it was and it was warts and all and I think coming near towards the end

of the 13 series, I almost didn't want to share as much anymore. And I was like, I felt like a protection. I wanted to protect Sunday more and just, so it's very muddy. Do you know what? He's such a prince. Look at Clemy. He's waiting for you. She's getting, I don't know what on earth has happened to her harness. Look at Clemy and her little black Lebutan's trotting around and you're no good. Yeah, there were moments of real vulnerability in that show. and I wondered when you were filming it, were there times, which I'm sure there are, that you've said at the outset, look, yes, you know, I'm going to go big or go home, I get it, I know the deal with this show. Yeah.

But were there times when you felt, and this is no disrespect to the production crew, because, you know, no one knows what's going to happen in your life, but were there times when you thought, I just have had enough today and I don't want to do this? You must feel that sometimes. So many times like that. so many times. The majority of the show, I've not got a scrap of makeup on because I was just like, oh, I couldn't be asked.

But the show gave me and my family so many amazing opportunities. Like we wouldn't have done half the stuff that we'd done on the show in life if we wasn't filming. Because we were filming, I was always like,

oh, we've got to do this, let's do this. And in the end, it becomes very exhausting. I was like, I can't throw another party if I even tried. I was like, you know, I'm just making parties up for fun. You've got Sundays christening. And then we had a dog party. And then we had a peacock glam theme party.

It was just mad. Did you kind of look at someone like, say, Kim Kardashian and see the way that she managed her career, I suppose, and turned herself into a brand? Was that kind of, was she an aspirational figure for you or people like that? No. I like the Kardashians but I haven't aspired to be like them I just did me I just did the show the show isn't like the Kardashians at all their show's brilliant but the show was more real time well it was things like you

going on this morning I think it summed it up and you've got all your hair and makeup you've had your glam squatting you're looking amazing and then I think I think it was Finty did a massive shit on Holly Willoughby's lap. I think that's a claim to fame. I'm sorry. Like I, because someone actually said to me, how are you going to feel that's digital footprint that's out there now from when she's getting older.

And I have protected my children on the show with things like, oh, you know, if Sunday's done something that I'm like, I'm not sure how she'd feel. I love that you've just walked straight in the muddy puddle there. Do you know, I've got that in me fan. Yeah. Have you? I don't know. I have got that in me.

Do you know that thing? I'm going for it. Oh, it feels good. Oh my God. Oh my goodness. So I've taken bits out of my kids over the years with the show and I'm like, no. I'm not sure if Sunday'd like that when she gets old or what have you. But with that, I mean, it was live TV.

But I mean, who else can say that they've had a Poonami on Holly Willoughby? Come on. Well, I don't think anyone can with that a lawyer present. But yeah, in the end, it got to a point where for a year I'd been thinking, oh, like, I'm not sure how long I can do this. Sundays now she's going to be in year two, and she's still such a baby, and I feel like it's such a long time enough, like say if she does want to go to uni, she was always going to be known, right?

That was her destiny. She was always going to be known and in the public eye. How do you feel about that? It is just how it is. Right. I don't know if I want to give it too much thought because then I'll just like do my head in. But I thought about it so much more recently and I was like, do you know what? If she does want to go to you and if she does want to do something out of the public eye,

then she's got enough time to create her own destiny and go on her own path. And that is when I was like, well, I had a moment on camera where she asked me if she was famous. and I could see the sort of like wheels turning in her mind where she's like realising and becoming aware and it made me uncomfortable and I know that that's such a contradiction because we've got a reality show and all of this and I'm in the public eye but I'm like I don't know

like I feel like now's a good time but honestly Emily it was the hardest decision I've ever made it was harder than any breakups any sort of I'm not very good with endings and I just knew in my heart that it was the right decision I watched Howie. Yeah. And then I was just like, no, I need to do it now.

I need to make this decision now. Yeah, but it makes me sad. It's the end of an amazing chapter. Who knows what the future holds? Well, we do know now. Well, we do. Which brings us on. So after this, we're all reeling.

And I watched that final episode. I mean, I was in bits. You announced it at dinner. no one warned me and you gathered all the friends together and you said this is going to be well you never actually said on the show but I worked it out

you weren't stupid but you have recently announced that you are going to be starring Fern McCann in the brand new series of dancing on ice the most exciting thing ever oh so exciting I feel so so excited

and you're literally training at the moment, I presume. Yeah, so we come from Bovindon Studios to the Thorndon Park here to meet you and it's all getting very real now. Isn't it? I skated in the studio for the first time today. How was it?

Oh, it's just, it's so magical. Like, it's such an incredible show to be a part of. Like, seriously, seriously brilliant. Had you skated before? No, well, so many people, asked me this, right ahead you can see your gruffalo. This is the moment that you've been waiting for. I know that this is the main reason why you wanted to come to Thorndon Park, wasn't

to interview me, it was to see the gruffalo. Anyway, so I, yeah, people had asked me if I skated before and I was like, oh yeah, like I can get round. But honestly now, like going through this process, I know that I couldn't skate before. You did. I saw you on the show once because you took Sunday to the ring. Do you remember? Yeah, she wouldn't get on, would she? No. It's a nightmare, convincing her. But, um, It's been so, so fun. Like, I just feel like these types of shows don't come up very often and to be able to do it.

Again, I just feel so, so lucky. But you're quite sporty though, because you're very surfy. And I think having seen you on SAS as well. Yeah. I love a challenge. You did really well in that, didn't you? I got to the end of our past. I don't know how.

I think they were surprised. Oh, they couldn't believe it. They was like, how is Furman can still here? Like seriously They could not be Foxy called me Anomily Anomily

Anomily, anomaly He was like, do not know But I guess I've just got Well, I know that I've got Tenacity and Resilience to get to the end But ice skating is a whole different level Because you can't, it's not you

With your mind just like I just need to ice skate You can either ice skate or you can't So it's been very challenging and frustrating. And can you? Yeah, do you know what? I want to back myself and, but everyone's very good, you know, some really good talent.

That's irritating. We went to, um, they put on like an extra, uh, training session over the Christmas period, right? And I went along to Rompford Ice Rink. There was Chris Taylor from Love Island, Dan Edgar, from Tawi, Anton Ferdinand, who's ex-pro footballer, Sir Steve Redgrave. and I was like, oh my God, this has made me feel worse and it's completely not my confidence. Chris Taylor was doing the most wildest, like, tricks.

I think men have naturally got less fear, and I stood next to poor Sir Steve Redgrave. We were just holding onto the side, and I was like, this has made me feel worse. But anyways, it seems like a, yeah, everyone's a really, yeah, great cast, really nice people, and I can't wait to get stuck into their lives now. I'm so excited.

Yeah, I only want to be positive because I've been a little bit like, I'm nervous. Oh, I caught my toe pick and fell. Oh, my goodness. I just want to now just be like, bring it on, excited, can't wait to wear the costumes and just channel that. Nervous energy. You've got to say to yourself, do you know, I remember my late sister, who I quote a lot, she was amazing. And she would always say to me, whenever I was worried about anything, she would say, come on, you're better than that.

And I'll say that to myself. And I think you've got to say that, fan, you've got to say, I'm better than this. Yeah. I can do it. Yes. I think you're going to really smash it. Well, I have to say,

I always back you in these shows, and I don't know what it is. I don't know whether it's a belief thing, but I always think, like with SAS, as soon as I started watching it, I thought, oh, she's going to do this. Yeah. It's like, I wonder if part of it

is getting through something like Taoie. Yeah. No, seriously. Yeah. Which requires a hell of a lot of resilience, Because that's hardcore. And yet you're committed. So you have these huge dramas, very hugely stressful, almost like combat situations.

Yeah. Constant confrontations. Your adrenaline and your cortisol is going like that. And then you have to go back and miss it, do it all again. Yeah. I wonder if that gave you like 10,000 hours of stress management. Put it this way. I'm not afraid to fall on my feet and get back up again.

I've done it time and time. again and I'll do it on the ice if I have to. And then you're allowed to say who your partner is? Yes, I'm partnered with Brendan Hatfield and he's just amazing. Like he's super supportive. We've got the same banter and we do half ice skating and half having a chat. So we'll skate round and then we'll be having a good old chat because you spend so much time with this person.

It's so important that you get on with them and we have such a laugh. Like he's an absolute gent really feels so lucky. and here is the gruffalo oh fun we're going to take a picture hang on let's get a little picky we should mention Laurie yes because Laurie is your other half who you met while you were filming the show yeah and I had high hopes for you and Laurie from the start I loved Laurie I was very invested in your romance yeah yeah but again you sort of showed on that show the realities of having a relationship which is it's it's not all You know, you get lovely things and lovely proposals and roses and romantic nights out.

But then you're picking up dog shit and dealing with the kids. Me and Laurie are both strong personalities and we jumped in the deep end when we met each other. We went all in. We were like, yeah, we are obsessed with each other. We're in love. Like first day, I was like, I love you. And he matched my energy. And I was like, oh, this is amazing.

And it felt super intense and just. brilliant and then obviously we then had to start doing life together and we was like wow like had to and film a reality show so it was it was intense and a lot but you know we we make a good team we like I think most couples have disagreements and he comes at everything at a complete different angle to what I do so we often like not but heads but but try and really like argue our case and I'm like no we should do it like this

and he's like we should do it like this what would he says your most annoying quality um I think he probably thinks that I'm messy but I've got so much better since being with him like I've really really tried so much to be tidy he I think

his most annoying quality meat swerve I think his most annoying quality. No, he's, listen, right, we are, I love him. I absolutely love him to death. And I love raising children with him. I love doing life with him.

Like, he is a lot of fun. But yeah, like on the show, you saw us have our ups and downs, disagreements. But that's like most couples. But the good thing is, is that now we've got to a place where our house feels really calm. And we know, like, each other. almost like you almost sort of figure out your role in the household

I think Laurie's my first proper adult relationship first guy that I've like properly lived with yeah you're doing life together yeah exactly but he's he's a great guy Fern what do people get most wrong about you when they first meet you

before they get to know you what's the biggest misconception about you I think that people think that I'm confrontational and yeah like to be involved in the drama and I think this is sort of stem from Tawi and then things that have happened over the years when actually I don't like that I don't like to have arguments disagreements like I'm quite laid back I'm like, yeah, whatever, you know, and would always, I always wanted like try and solve and just squash things before they erupt and turn into something that they shouldn't, you know. What do you think?

Did you have like any pre? Well, I think because I'd seen your show. Yeah, you know me. I had an, well, I didn't. And that's what's an interesting point is that you think you know someone. Ah, so true. But I think what has really, what I'm really struck by meeting you, which I don't think I'd quite expected in person, was just this, I don't know, I keep coming back to the word charismatic. That's all I can think, which is there's something very light up the room. I know we're not in a room. We're in some sort of forest you've lured me too. But you've got something, I can see, all I'm saying is I can see why. I can see why. the teacher said, or that parent,

when you were a kid and you were in the school play or whatever, and they said she's going to be famous, I get it. Oh, really? There's just something about you that's a bit glittering. Oh, babes, bless you. Thank you so much. Now I've got to say something back to you. Now I've got to say something back to you

because that was very kind. And I'm going to return the compliment. you have been so so bubbly, so warm, equally as charismatic as how you think I am. And I'm not just saying this, but this has honestly been almost like kooky in the best possible way. I don't mind me saying that. But so much fun. This has been the best podcast I think I've ever recorded. Absolutely fantastic.

All on a dog walk. And do you love Raymond as well? Love Raymond, look. Just one arm. Just look at that. Such a prince. Brilliant. We should say Fern is now carrying Raymond.

I am. I really loved watching the way that you raise your kids as well. Thank you. I can see. Oh, we'll go this for you. I'm going to pass him back just because I'm going to get on the league. I can see that you're raising your daughters. I would say to be feminists because...

Yeah. Oh, come on. I'm sorry, but I... You know, I would never, I had this conversation with my friend the other day, I would never and have never, and I know it's such a cliche thing to say, like, I would never rely on a man, but I couldn't. I couldn't, it's just not in me. I just, I have to make my own way and have full independence,

and that is how I want my girls to be. Like, you can achieve great things if you put your mind to it, and you work hard. Like, seriously, if you want something, you can go out and get it. And I just, I want them to be strong females. I feel so blessed that I've got girls. I pray to have girls.

I even wanted girls or gays, because I'm telling you, I did not want to raise. No, no, thank you. I feel so blessed to have two girls. Climmy! Climmy! Oh, God, no, not the end of the pod. We've lost my dog.

Good girl! Look at the state of my dog. What she's like, so happy. Oh, Plymy and so is Ray. They'll sleep well tonight. They will. They will. But you know, I love that. I think that's really, and I've noticed you really do say to your girls,

well, certainly, you know, I know Finty's a bit young still. Great names, by the way. Thank you. You pick good names, aren't they? Yeah, they're cool, aren't they? I notice you're always saying to your kids, I suppose just instilling in them a work ethic and I get the sense education is very important to you as well.

Yep, education. Sundays in a great school. She's super, super sporty. You know, for me, I just want them to, like, I want to spot their strengths. Like Sunday, I don't know if I should say this, but she's not really good at maths. She really struggles with it, and I wasn't.

So I'm like, let's not focus on that. She's brilliant at tennis. She's a fantastic runner. And I'm like, let's focus on that. Because when she gets down, if she can't get a sum or what have you, and I'm like, yeah, but babe, you can, my God, can you run? And I'm like, just focus on what you're good at. We've all got our strengths.

I really want to focus on that, like instill that confidence that we've all got something to bring whilst we're here on this earth. we've all got that, we all possess brilliant qualities. And I think sometimes we're like, oh, I'm got anything to bring to this world or, you know, even me earlier. I'm like, I'm not that intelligent. I want to be more intelligent. But we've all got something. So that's what I want my girls to understand that your uniqueness, just you being you, is going to be your superpower.

And it's just discovering exactly what that is. Well, Fern McCann, what a thing. thoroughly wonderful woman you are. Thank you, right back at you. I've loved this walk, have you? It's been so fun. Oh, I love it. Look at Raymond.

And I think Clemy and Raymond... Yeah, I think that they're... I mean, let's be honest. It's not the romance of the century. Are we going to be honest, Ben? Because I know you always are. No, I'm not sure. I think that...

I would describe it as... I think Clemmy's going to leave him on red. Yeah, I think so. Come on. I think Clemmy's had enough. Clemmy, we loved meeting you. Will he give me a kiss? Goodbye, Clemmy.

You were ever so sweet. Look at him just come. He's so lovely. How long have you had him? I've had him. Well, he's seven. He's nearly eight. So he's an old man now.

How old's Clemmy? She was two the other week. Oh, he's disgusting. It's never going to work. No. That's disgusting. It's like a you have to. No.

Now I understand why you picked him up. Look at the same. Leonardo DiCaprio. God. Do you know what? I do fancy him though. I think I'm a bit too old for him now, Leo. Do you know what?

This is the best compliment I think I could ever give you. I think he might make an exception for you. Yeah. Do you know, absolutely. Who is your crush? No, I figured mine out. Because I'll tell you mine. Go on.

Henry the 8. Oh, fucking. What? Are you winding me up? No, I really like him. You like to roll the dice, don't you? Oh my God. What is it?

Beheaded, divorced, benign. Yeah, but you know, benign. Is that it? Is that the wrong word? Okay, I'll tell you exactly what it is. It's my specialist subject. If you're everyone who wants to be a millionaire or anything like that. I'll call a friend.

Catherine of Arican divorced. Anne Boehed, unfortunately. Jane Seymour died. Anne of Cleves. Died, yes. No. Was it benigned or if I made that up? No, not benignine.

What does that mean? Divorced. Anne of Cleves. That doesn't mean anything. Anne of Cleves was the ugly one. Remember he said she's too ugly, I'm not going to marry her. So savage. She ended up, yeah, but guess what?

She got turned down by him, got an annulment, didn't even have to sleep with him, ended up with a castle and a palace, and outlived them all. The moral of this story is, if a man rejects you for being ugly, you're going to win out in the end of the day. Think of our Jane.

Was it Jane? No, Anne. I'll think of our Anne. Anyway, it's a weird one, but I like Henry the 8th. We'll talk about it another time. Who's your favourite crush? Not as niche as Henry the 8th. Mine is Adrian forgot his surname.

He was the pianist. Brody. I am so obsessed with him. He's so like, I like like an awkward face, but you're giving Hollywood as well. Fern, we're going to have to love you and leave you. And listen, I want to say everyone should watch you in dancing on ice. And vote for me and wish me luck.

Please, I'm going to need it. We're going to vote for you. You're amazing. Thank you, darling. Good luck in dancing on ice. We'll be rooting for you. Thank you for having us. I don't want to call it.

I'm feeling... Final. Final at least. Finalist. Come on. Bye-bye. It's got to happen. Say goodbye to Roman Fern.

Bye, Raymond. You've really been the star of the show. Come on. I really hope you enjoyed that episode of Walking the Dog. We'd love it if you subscribed. And do join us next time on Walking the Dog wherever you get your podcasts.