Ferne McCann has returned to social media in what is the first time since an anonymous Instagram account leaked a string of nasty voice notes alleging they were from the reality star.
The former TOWIE star, 32, has been quiet on her online platforms for over two weeks after the shocking audio recordings were released - with the Instagram user claiming Ferne was behind messages calling best pal Sam Faiers a "fat c**t" and a "narcissistic b***h".
Ferne took to Instagram on Sunday night to reflect on her SAS: Who Dares Wins journey after passing the gruelling training camp.
Describing it as the "toughest thing I've ever done", the television personality said the experience changed her life for the better.
Ferne appeared to hint at a tough few weeks as she wrote: "Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out life will always throw something else up, and as the DS say, it’s about how you deal with it."
"What a journey. Taking part in @sas_whodareswins was one of the most humbling and toughest things I’ve ever done. I can honestly say it’s changed my life," she wrote.
"The whole experience makes you look at every single part of yourself - your strengths, your weaknesses, your deepest fears. It taught me resilience, self acceptance and that every moment is an opportunity for change. It’s given me the confidence to finally confront difficulties in my life, deal with them and move forward.
"I went into the series to prove to myself I can be strong and I wanted to make Sunday proud. It was a major shock to the system! Every day I cried for Sunday, every day I wanted to leave, my body ached and I missed home so much. But I had my personal reasons why I needed to stick it out.
"Yes I completed it and I passed but If SAS taught me anything, it taught me to take things step by step, push a little harder to the next morning, get through just to one more task.
"Moments will floor you, you will mess up but you’ve got to find that resilience & grit to pick yourself up and go again."
Mirror Online has contacted Ferne's representatives for comment.
The first Whats App recording the anonymous Instagram account released - reportedly from the star to a friend sent back in June - said about Sam: "Her thighs are so big and I looked really skinny today."
It was just one month after Sam, 31, had given birth to her third child, Edward.
Two separate voice notes were later released by the Instagram account – one allegedly calling Sam a 'narcissistic b***h' and another taking aim at Billie over the name of her son being the same as Ferne's jailed ex Arthur Collins.
Essex Police confirmed they had been in contact with Ferne over the voice notes to investigate the anonymous Instagram account behind the alleged leaks.
An Essex Police spokesperson previously told The Mirror: "We are investigating a report of malicious communication which was made to us in Brentwood on Thursday 29 September.
"We have spoken to the victim, a woman aged in her 30s, and our enquiries are ongoing."
Ferne, Sam and Billie have not made a public comment about the alleged voice notes. But, Billie and Sam's mum Suzie Wells took to Instagram to slam the first 'vile' voice note after it was released.
She wrote: "So after a few days of hurt and upset I can no longer sit back and say nothing.
"This vile voice note has been circulating social media, and now Press articles calling it a 'Fued' [sic] which it is not. This has come as a complete shock to myself and my family.
"Ferne has always been a very close family friend to all of us for over the past 20 years. It appears this voice note was sent just weeks after Samantha gave birth back in May.
"Since this voice note has surfaced more have been sent - very upsetting nasty things. We are as shocked as you are! Nobody should ever speak about their friends like this ever!
"My girls are my absolute everything and I'll do anything to protect them. I don't have anything to say on the matter."
