Ferne McCann admits sending a ‘manipulated’ voice message about an acid attack victim to protect her family

Ferne McCann has admitted sending a voice message about being an acid attack victim, but insists she did so to protect her family from “serious harm”.

The 32-year-old reality TV star has apologised to Sophie Hall, who was the victim of an acid attack by Ferne’s ex Arthur Collins – the father of her five-year-old daughter on Sunday – after a voice message surfaced online in which she called Sophie “ugly”.

Ferne now emphasizes that she does not think Sophie is “ugly or stupid” and claims that the voice messages were “manipulated, edited and completely taken out of context.”

In a statement posted on her Instagram account, she said: “I am aware that people will have a number of questions about the voice messages that were made publicly available and purportedly sent by me. I feel I have no choice but to answer these (to the extent that I can, as I am subject to restrictions which I explain below).

“Above all, I want to apologise to all the victims of Arthur Collins’ heinous actions in 2017 for having to relive that night and the pain that followed, as this matter is once again in the public eye. In particular, I want to apologise to Sophie Hall. I don’t think she is ugly or stupid. She was incredibly brave.

“Arthur Collins’ crimes created real victims, so I don’t try to portray myself as one.”

The former TOWIE star admitted that due to legal proceedings she was “unable to set the record straight at this time”, but insisted she said things that were “untrue” to protect her family “in the face of significant threats”.

She added: “I cannot say much about this as there are important and significant legal proceedings ongoing which prevent me from setting the record straight at this time. What I can say is that the voicemails released were manipulated, edited and taken completely out of context. Nevertheless, I will have said things that are not true and that I did not believe – but I did so to protect my family and myself from serious harm and in the face of significant threats.”

Last weekend, Ferne insisted she was the target of a “harassment campaign aimed at intimidating and discrediting her.”

A Ferne spokesperson said: “These voice messages are part of a larger harassment campaign aimed at intimidating and discrediting Ferne.”

“They are the subject of an ongoing investigation by Essex Police.

“Ferne is therefore unable to comment other than to express her deepest sympathy for the distress and pain this situation is causing Ms Hall.”

Sophie has called for Ferne’s ITVBe reality show First Time Mum – filming of which is currently on hold – to be cancelled.

She had previously said: “Why should someone who was so cruel be given the platform to destroy others?

“ITV must take action not only because of me but also because of other leaked voice messages.

“Those who body-shamed and were so unkind.

Ferne herself has said before that she struggles with her own appearance. So making comments about another person’s appearance – even if these comments were never intended for others – is wrong.

“My friends and family are as shocked as I am. They have been incredibly supportive.

“I would ask Ferne, ‘What have I ever done to you? Why are you targeting me when I was only trying to make something positive out of a horrific and traumatic experience that I sincerely hope no one ever has to go through in their life?'”

Collins is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for an acid attack in a London nightclub in April 2017.