The Instagram account behind the leaked voice notes alleging to be from Ferne McCann has returned to the social media platform.
The anonymous account, posting under the handle of @lucymay195, came up with a message saying ‘user not found’ just days ago, but has now returned posting under a brand new moniker. The account is now posting as @ladywhistledown195 to its 40,000 followers - a nod to the fictional anonymous gossip columnist in the Netflix series, Bridgerton.
Ferne's close friendship with former The Only Way Is Essex co-stars Sam and Billie Faiers made headlines last week, after the account alleged that Ferne made a series of nasty voice notes about the sisters. In the audio recordings, allegedly to be from Ferne, a voice can be heard calling call Sam a "fat c***" and a "narcissistic b****".
Following the social media posts from the anonymous account, Ferne reportedly got in contact with the police over the 'leaked' voice notes. An Essex Police spokesperson 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."
A source spoke to The Sun after Ferne reached out to the police for help regarding the online attacks. They said: "Ferne was visited by the police on Thursday night after having her life turned upside down by a fake account that has launched a malicious smear campaign against her.
"Officers spent a few hours with her and gave reassurances that they are prioritising this case, tracking the parties responsible. Having taken statements, the police are currently in the process of tracking the fake account’s whereabouts.
"The Online Safety Bill was discussed as they clamp down on cyber crime."
Posting to their Instagram Stories on Monday, October 4, under the new handle @ladywhistledown195, the anonymous account that originally shared the alleged 'leaked' voice notes shared a quote from Bridgerton which reads: "Dear Reader, If there is a scandal, I shall uncover it - Lady Whistledown."
In one of the reported 39 audio clips the account claimed to have possession of , the voice called Sam a 'fat c***' in a message sent a month after Sam welcomed her third child. The voice also says: "Her thighs are so big and I looked really skinny today."
Meanwhile, another leaked voice note appeared to show Ferne calling Sam a "narcissistic b***h". A third, separate voice note appears to allegedly show Ferne taking a swipe at Billie Faiers over her son being given the same name as Ferne's jailed ex Arthur Collins.
Ferne is yet to comment on the alleged voice notes, but has many fans coming to her defence already. However, the Faiers' sisters mum Suzie has taken to social media to slam the First Time Mum star after the audio recordings were leaked.
Suzie Wells, 53, said within a lengthy statement shared to her Instagram Stories: "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!"
In her Instagram update, Suzi also included a post from @ladywhistledown195 - then posting as @lucymay195 - in which one of the alleged 'leaked' voice notes could be heard.
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