Former TOWIE star Sam Faiers has vowed never to return to Essex amid hopes of ditching her former image for good.
Sam, 31, moved into her luxurious Surrey mansion with partner Paul Knightley before the pandemic struck in March 2020, and since then, she has been sharing snippets of her new life in the countryside.
The proud mum to son Paul Jnr, 6, and daughter Rosie, 4, has settled in the plush area and has made some amazing celebrity friends including Ashley Cole, John Terri, and his wife, Toni.
Sam, who is expecting her third child with partner Paul, has no intentions of ever returning to her home-place in Essex, as she feels as though she's 'moved on' from that scene, according to a close pal.
"She wants to continue building her brand as an affluent homemaker. She really looks up to Geri Halliwell and Victoria Beckham and wants to follow in their footsteps of giving herself an epic transformation," an insider told HEAT Magazine.
And Sam's image overhaul has caused some tension between herself and her friends back in Essex.
The source went on: "It's caused a bit of tension with her friends and family as they can't help but feel that Sam is ditching her Essex roots, but Sam has been clear that she's not shutting everyone out of her life.
"Everyone is welcome round to visit anytime they like, but they won't be catching her having a night out in Faces anytime soon.
"She's worked hard to shed her Essex past and all the stereotypes. She's proud of how far she has come. She's just changed and wants a better life for herself."
Sam is just weeks away from welcoming her third child with her partner Paul.
She recently announced the happy news via her Instagram page where she also said this time they aren't finding out the gender of the baby.
She did mention she will be welcoming a spring baby but no specific due date was revealed.
She shared a cute black and white photo of her two children kissing her bump along with Paul stood behind with his arms around her.
Alongside the sweet snap Sam wrote: "Soon to be a family of 5. We have a spring baby on the way.
"We’re so happy and feeling blessed ps keeping this little one a surprise."
The Mirror has reached out to Sam's representatives for comment.
