‘I’ve got stretch marks and wobbly bits but it’s fine’: Mcfly Tom’s blogger wife hits back at cruel mum shamers
Giovanna Fletcher talks body-shaming, post-pregnancy sex and texting Tom Hiddleston
SECONDS after her Fabulous photo shoot wraps with a round of applause, Giovanna Fletcher’s focus turns to her boobs.
“I express my breast milk for the night-time feeds,” explains the 31-year-old author, blogger and wife of McFly star Tom, grabbing a plateful of salad while debating when to use her breast pump.
“That way it doesn’t matter who puts him to bed.”
She’s referring, of course, to 15-week-old Buddy Bob, who arrived in February as a little brother to two-year-old Buzz Michelangelo.
Topics like breasts and birth aren’t every showbiz mum’s cup of tea, but Giovanna’s an open book on such matters, and while she’s known for her writing – she signed the first of three two-book deals with Penguin in July 2012 and pens successful blog Giovanna’s World – motherhood is now her area of expertise.
Giovanna and Tom – who met aged 13 at the Sylvia Young Theatre School and married in 2012 – are also famous for their super-cute YouTube videos, which have been watched tens of millions of times.
Following Tom’s tear-jerker of a wedding speech, the couple’s home-made pregnancy films “Bump To Buzz” and “Bump To Buddy” have had almost 15 million views in total.
Giovanna’s life isn’t all plain sailing, though. Recently victimised by a body-shaming stranger, she’s also experienced new-mum lows and the inevitable parenting rows with Tom, 30.
But Mrs Fletcher – Gi to her friends – isn’t one to dwell.
Here, she opens up about feeling proud of her body, getting her love life back on track and the other Tom she’s close to (she has Hiddleston’s number, FYI).
How has your relationship with Tom changed since babies came along?
We’re a real team. We were before, but now we really need each other.
You appear to be the perfect couple, but does any one thing causes rows?
Parenting. It’s one of you getting up in the night saying: “Oh, I’ll do it then.” It’s passive-aggressive arguing. I don’t like rowing around the kids. I remember bits like that from my childhood and I don’t want my kids to see or hear it.
Does it take long to get your love life back on track after having a baby?
It’s not a top priority. Sleep is better! Tom and I love each other and I think we’re both on the same page. That’s how we got into this mess!
Is having kids the toughest test you go through as a couple?
It’s the toughest test in life, let alone in a relationship. You’re feeling emotions you’ve never felt before. One minute I’m like: “I’m on top of this parenting thing!” then half an hour later it’s: “Oh god, I don’t know what to do!”
Watch Giovanna answer parenting questions in our .
You’ve hinted that more children could be on the cards. How many?
I’m not thinking: “Let’s go for the girl,” and we’re not set on a number. We’ll just do whatever we feel like.
Is motherhood less stressful the second time?
You’re so fearful with the first. This time around it’s much more relaxed and Buzz helps out. He loves being a big brother and isn’t jealous at all. He’s always saying: “Ah, I love Buddy.” It’s so adorable.
You said you find breastfeeding easier this time...
Yes. I think my boobs have just warmed up! I breastfed Buzz for 13 months, but the first three months were difficult. He was feeding for an hour and a half at a time and I struggled and cried a lot, but I knew it was working as he was gaining weight, so I persevered. I felt pressure from myself, not from anybody else.
You recently revealed on Instagram you’d been body shamed. Talk us through that...
Eleven days after Buddy was born, we were out and a lady wanted a photograph with Tom. She told me: “Oh look, Mummy’s still got her tummy!”And [when] I declined to be in the picture as well, she said: “Maybe another time, when your face has slimmed down.” I had to laugh otherwise I would have cried in her face. That night Tom went home and told his mum and dad, which was when I knew he was quite upset about it.
And how did you feel?
A few days later I was stood in front of the mirror looking at my body and I concluded that it has done an amazing thing and should be celebrated. I’ve had two kids and got stretch marks and wobbly bits. It’s fine. Your body goes up, it goes down. It’s part of life.
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What’s your brother, former TOWIE star Mario Falcone, like as an uncle?
He’s absolutely great. Everyone gives Buddy attention because they want newborn cuddles, but Mario just plays with Buzz. He’s such a family man.
What’s your biggest achievement as a stage actress?
Playing opposite Kenneth Branagh and Tom Hiddleston in Ivanov in the West End. I was understudy to Andrea Riseborough and in the middle of a show she fell ill, so I went on stage to continue. It was the most amazing experience. Ken and Tom were phenomenal.
Are you close to man of the moment Mr Hiddleston?
Close enough to text. He’s a dreamboat. He’s lovely. I can absolutely see why everyone’s falling in love with him.
How about all the other McFly and Busted wives and girlfriends?
We’re like a family unit. Emma [Willis] and I have always been close. She’s a great mum and role model.
Do you ever worry about a besotted groupie getting her claws into Tom?
No! You can’t live like that. If they’re going to do it, they’re going to do it and I’m the one he comes home to and has a family with. If he wants to [cheat], more fool him. Also, everyone always says that about the dad – but what about me having a bit of hot stuff?
Always With Love by Giovanna Fletcher is out Thursday (£7.99, Penguin).
Photography: EROTEME, PA, Planet, Wire.
