Dancing On Ice's Ferne McCann says she 'trusts supportive pro skating partner Brendyn Hatfield with her life' as she prepares for first live show after detailing problems in her personal life

Dancing On Ice's Ferne McCann has opened up on the 'trust' she has with her 'supportive' pro skating partner Brendyn Hatfield as she prepares to take to the rink. 

The ITV skating show returns to British screens on Sunday, and the former TOWIE star, 34, has revealed that Brendyn has helped her overcome 'massive fears' ahead of the launch show.

It comes shortly after Ferne got candid about her 'tough' relationship with fiancé Lorri Haines, 33, and how the pair are juggling their blended families with their busy careers.

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, Ferne explained: 'I completely trust Brendan with my life, like no pressure, but you need that. I have felt that support from the offset and it is so necessary because it is scary.

'I have really enjoyed it but there has been a massive block of fear that I have tried to break down.

'And having that someone who has faith in you is great.'

She went on to say: 'Skating in the studio for the first time was surreal. I got really emotional. I have been learning to skate for three months and to now get to this point, it's just insane.

'I found it very frustrating in the beginning. I was telling the coaches that I just couldn't get it. And I was second guessing what I had signed up for.'

Brendyn then reminded her that she is 'Ferne McCann, not Ferne McCan't.'

It comes days after Ferne got candid about her relationship with fiancé Lorri, as she admitted that the couple are 'not constantly upbeat and positive'.

The influencer and her partner share daughter Finty, 18 months, while Ferne is also mother to daughter Sunday, six, from a previous relationship and Lorri also has a son with a former partner.

Ferne admitted that juggling their blended families with their busy careers means that her and Lorri get less time alone together, but explained they were working on getting their spark back.

She explained: 'It's a juggle now because we're traveling to Bovington every day. So there's a bit more of a distance than just going to Chelmsford ice rink, but Lorri, my mum and everyone's getting involved to make it work. 

'I wouldn't be able to do this show if it wasn't for my family, because we've got Finty, who's 18 months and Sunday, who's at school, so it's a juggle.'

'Sunday is coming to watch me, she is very excited. This is the first show she can watch me in and enjoy!'

Ferne turned heads in a plunging blue mini-dress that flaunted her enviable figure at the Dancing On Ice photocall on Wednesday. 

Speaking on enjoying the glamorous side of the show, she added: 'The majority of my life I am doing the school runs and looking after my children. So to get glammed up, I just want to enjoy the glitz and glam.'

Last year, the reality star admitted that she and Lorri sleep in separate bedrooms and even sought the help of an intimacy coach to get their romance back on track.

But Ferne confirmed that the couple are now 'back in the same bed' and have been 'getting the intimacy back' into their relationship.

She explained: 'You really have to prioritise it when you’ve got children, it’s easy for it to be bottom of the pile. We had a baby and are very busy. 

'But now we prioritise intimacy, and communication is key. You get those rare moments where you can have quality time together.'

In a previous interview with Heat, Ferne had shared how her and Lorri's session with an intimacy coach had been 'really insightful'.

She recalled how they did a lot of non-sexual activities that were focused on helping them improve their communication as well as other skills that can be transferred to the bedroom.

Ferne insisted that most parents would agree that once a baby is born sex is out the window as it is no longer a priority.

She also cited her pets, business, and television show as reasons why she struggles to find the time and energy to be intimate with Lorri.

Elsewhere, Ferne said she was left 'scarred' after her first skating experience when she was seven-years-old.

'My first ever experience on the ice wasn't great and left me scarred and the first time I ever went to A&E and got stitches', she said.

'I went to an ice-skating party when I was seven and this boy skated into me and his skate went into my leg, but I love that story because like anything in my life, I get back up and here we are.'

She also said that her daughter Sunday 'is very protective and is worried about me falling over' but added that she thinks she will 'love watching me on the ice'.

Dancing On Ice returns Sunday January 12 at 6.30pm, live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.