Imogen Thomas says daughter Arianna is ‘obsessed’ with being famous – OK! magazine

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, new magazine couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than meeting up with one of our favourite celeb mums, Imogen Thomas.

For new‘s exclusive shoot, we joined the former model at her gorgeous home in Wandsworth, London, which she shares with her adorable daughters Ariana, seven, and Siera, four.

When we arrive, the girls are quietly watching TV together while Imogen is upstairs getting dolled-up by her glam squad, including hair stylist to the stars Gustav Fouche.

Halfway through our chat about all things motherhood, Ariana joins us and Imogen asks her what she thinks is the hardest part about being a mummy.

“Getting your make-up done?” the cheeky youngster replies, to everyone’s amusement.

Before we start grilling Imogen on her life, her mum Janette, who’s visiting for the weekend, steps in to help out.

“My mum lives in Wales, so she’s not usually around to help me with the girls,” Imogen tells us. “I have an au pair now because if I’m working I can’t always do the school run.”

Imogen is single after splitting from the children’s father Adam Horsley in 2018 after six years together. She tells us they’re on civil terms and are successfully co-parenting – and admits she’s now ready to move on and meet The One.

Here, the 37-year-old opens up about her close bond with her daughters, dating disasters and coping with dark days…

Hi Imogen! What are your plans for Mother’s Day?

I’ll be going for some nice lunch somewhere with the girls and hopefully my mum will be here, too. Mother’s Day is so lovely. I like being made a fuss of.

Will the girls spoil you?

Yeah. I love it when they make me cards because there’s something so special about it. Especially Ariana – she’s really creative and loves to make very out-there cards. Siera’s still young, so it’s more like a little scribble. But Adam always makes sure there are flowers here for me and he gives them something to give to me, which is nice.

Do you have a favourite Mother’s Day memory?

I took my mum to Venice last year. I always spoil her, but I do like to go all-out on Mother’s Day.

What’s your favourite thing about being a mum?

I’d definitely say the affection and love they bring you. You’re never alone. Before becoming a mum, I was really lonely in that sense. You become complete and know they’re there by your side forever. They’re my best friends.

What do you find most difficult?

The lack of sleep! And when they don’t listen to you. Sometimes you question, “Am I doing this right?” But there’s no right or wrong. There are so many hard things, like helping Ariana with her homework. It’s bloody stressful! Also, Ariana has tantrums now she’s a bit older and she hits me. It’s her hormones and she’s really starting to come into her own and won’t listen.

How do you deal with that?

I say to her, “You’re going to hit Mummy, are you?” And she thinks about it and I tell her to have some time out and to leave me alone. That hurts her then. Our arguments don’t really last for long.

How has your body changed since becoming a mum?

I constantly have to work on this body. I go to the gym four times a week and it’s a struggle. I’ve got the Italian hips and the stomach pouch. People who’ve had C-sections get the mum pouch that doesn’t go away no matter what you do. I could be sick for two weeks and not eat and I’d still have a bit of a pouch. But I don’t have any stretch marks, which I’m grateful for.

Do you enjoy working out?

I do. It’s really good for me. Don’t get me wrong, when I’m doing it, I hate it, but the feeling afterwards is so good. It gives me such a buzz and it’s great for your mental state.

You had a breast reduction in 2017. Would you ever get anything else done?

I think I’d like them a bit higher up now. The thing is, I did have a lift, but I’m getting older and they’re drooping. It’s so hard to be a woman.

Do you ever worry about financial struggles?

Of course. The kids constantly need things and it’s expensive. You’ve got to keep working and they have to know the importance and value of working.

Do the girls get on well with each other?

Really well. Ariana is a good big sister. I’d say she’s a bit more timid than Siera. Siera is quite naughty and it’s her way or the highway. And she really plays on the fact she’s the youngest. They’re both really strong-willed girls, which I’m happy about. I don’t think they’ll ever be bullied or anything like that.

How often does Adam see them?

He has them every other weekend and he also comes one day in the week to see them.

Do you miss them when you don’t have them?

They don’t go until about 7pm on the Friday, and the Saturday is the only full day I get to myself where I’ll go shopping or do lunch. I miss them on the Sunday, but then they’re back!

Are things amicable with Adam?

I wouldn’t say we’re friends, but we’re civil. As civil as we can be. I think it’s the same with anyone who’s gone through a break-up.

Is he dating anyone new?

Yeah, he is. I don’t really care. As long as she’s nice to my kids, that’s all that matters.

Are you dating?

I’m taking some time out at the moment because right now I feel a bit exhausted by it all. It’s so hard out there. Since my break-up, I’ve been dating loads. You enjoy it, but then you get to the point of, “I need a break!” There’s nobody really special who I really want to pursue anything with.

Do you want to find The One?

One hundred per cent. I’m ready to meet someone. Nobody has met my kids because I wouldn’t introduce them to just anyone. But I’m totally ready to move on. It’s just hard.

I go out for dinner a lot so I was meeting guys when I was out. And I’ve been on the dating app Raya for a year, but I’m so bored of it.

Have you matched with any celebrities on there?

There are lots of people on it, but I’m not even allowed to say who! If you screen grab anything they give you warnings and you get kicked off. I’ve had a fair few dates from it and I’m still talking to guys on it now, but there are a lot of guys out there who just want to have fun and I’m looking to settle.

Would you date someone in the public eye?

It wouldn’t bother me, but I really want someone who isn’t. I don’t want to be doing stuff in the public eye when I’m 40-something, so for me, having someone who’s a private person would be great.

Have you ever had any dating disasters?

I once had a guy turn up on my doorstep. I thought I was speaking to my friend Ash, but it was actually a guy I’d met on a night out called Ash. I only saved him in my phone so I knew not to answer the phone when he rang! I sent who I thought was my friend my address and organised a wine and face mask night – then he turned up with a bottle of wine! I was in my pyjamas with no make-up on and he was like, “Can I come in?” I was like, “No!” He said, “Can I at least come in to book a cab?” I was like, “Sorry, no.” I blocked him and that was it.

Awkward! What do you look for in a man?

I love the kind of vibe where the man is all over you, picks you up, walks past you and gives you a kiss. I also want someone who’s five years older than me because when they’re young, they’re too immature and not ready to take on me and my kids. I think the older I get, the more fussy I get. It’s not that I’m looking for perfection, I’m just looking for that something special that’s missing from my life.

Would you like to get married in the future?

I’ve always said I don’t want to get married, but now I do want to one day. I don’t want to be an old bride, though, so I’m a bit like, “Come on!” I’d love my girls to be flower girls.

Would you have more children?

If I met someone and he wanted them, yes, but I’m not getting any younger. It’s so hard for the first two years, but then it’s just so beautiful when you’ve got them. I’d definitely have more, yeah.

Let’s talk fame. How do you think the industry has changed since your Big Brother days?

It’s saturated now and the money isn’t there any more. You get your five minutes and that’s literally it. And you have to deal with being trolled. Social media wasn’t really a thing when I came out of Big Brother, so we never had that. If my kids wanted to do reality TV, I’d question it. Especially Ariana – she’s obsessed with being famous. We go to premieres and she says things like, “Can you tell them to photograph me one more time?”

What was the craziest thing that happened at the height of your fame?

I couldn’t walk down the street without people screaming. It was crazy. That fame was another level. It turned my life completely upside down, but in a good way.

Did you ever splurge?

I invested in property and I’m so happy I did because God knows where I would be now otherwise.

I’ve got a few properties I rent out, so when I’m not working I still get an income. I came from a really poor background. We lived on a council estate and never had anything, so I knew I wanted to invest to make sure that when my kids grow up we can have a nice life.

I never bought one thing designer. I used to buy dresses, but send them back because I felt guilty. I’d go for cheap and cheerful – I was a high street girl. Now I’m the opposite! I’m like, “Where’s the designers?” But it’s my money and I’m getting rental income and I’m working, so bugger it. I don’t have a man to buy them for me, so I need to buy them myself!

Have you ever struggled with your mental health?

Yeah. I’m not embarrassed to say I have dark days. On a weekly basis, I’ll have at least one or two. It gets me emotional thinking about it, but I get days where I can’t move from my bed. But I’ve got such a close knit group of friends who are not in the public eye and they know about my dark days. They’re always checking in on me, which is so nice.

What do you think triggers it?

I think a lot of it stems from having the amount of fame I had very quickly, then having another bout of fame and dealing with a lot of press. I lost my dad, then my uncle quite soon after – then my stepdad, who was my only father figure left. And then Adam and I split. There’s just a lot of stuff that was pushed away and not spoken about and it builds up. I’m having therapy now. When I sit with my therapist, she’s like, “Tell me what it is…” But you just don’t actually know yourself what it is. I’ve got everything I could possibly want – a beautiful house, beautiful kids, a lovely car, amazing family and friends – but you can’t help how you’re feeling. I also try not to drink alcohol because if I let myself go, the depression for the next few days is on another level.

How long have you been seeing your therapist?

Seven months. It really helps. It’s just nice having someone who doesn’t know everything about you and isn’t going to judge.

Would you go back to reality TV?

Definitely. Cooking is my passion so I would love to do Celebrity MasterChef.

Have you ever thought about a complete career change?

I’ve always wanted to be a midwife. I think when Siera is in school full-time I’ll think about it.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Hopefully with another little baby and a husband!

Would you ever move back to Wales?

All my family are there so I’d like to, but I’d have to be at that point in life where I’m done with enjoying myself because there’s not a lot going on back home.

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