Ferne McCann’s future on This Morning in doubt as boyfriend Arthur Collins is hunted over nightclub acid attack
FERNE McCann’s future on This Morning has been thrown into question after it was revealed police are hunting her boyfriend in connection with a horrific nightclub acid attack.
Ferne has asked the 25-year-old to hand himself in for questioning and to “co-operate fully” with the police, before deleting him from social media - appearing to distance herself from the drama.
However, the successful TV personality's future on ITV show This Morning - which won a National Television Award earlier this year – is now in question, as bosses consider whether to continue including her in the show.
A show source exclusively told the Sun Online: “In light of events Ferne's management have asked if she can take a couple of weeks off from filming This Morning."
And a TV insider added: "ITV bosses like Ferne and appreciate the work she’s been doing on the show, but it’s a family programme and given the headlines that she’s attracting now, it’s not the sort of image they want to be associated with.
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“Families watch this show, it’s the home of the biggest names on TV, so bosses have a duty to maintain a wholesome image.
"At the moment Ferne has no appearances on This Morning planned.”
The popular former Towie star joined the award-winning daytime show as a showbiz reporter in 2016, after successfully finishing second on I’m a Celebrity behind best pal Vicky Pattison.
The public immediately fell in love with her and she enjoyed immediate success on the show.
However her appearances on This Morning dwindled after she went public with boyfriend Arthur.
The couple tried to keep their romance secret at first, with Ferne refusing to confirm they were official.
They were pictured on holiday together in Ibiza last year, before enjoying several romantic dates throughout the summer.
However, the couple split up shortly after, before Ferne then went on Celebs Go Dating in a hunt for love.
Weeks after wrapping the show, Ferne was then pictured in bed with her beau in March this year, but kept Arthur’s face hidden in the shot.
The Sun exclusively revealed it was Collins she was dating again later that month.
Now, they have finally gone public this week with their first cover shoot with OK! Magazine – just days before Arthur was hunted by police.
In a statement, Ferne’s representative said: “Ferne is aware that the police wish to speak to Arthur Collins and the nature of the accusations against him.
“Obviously these are highly shocking and Ferne has co-operated with the police in their inquiries. She was not with Arthur on Sunday night; was not at Mangle; and has no direct knowledge of the events that unfolded.
“As much as anybody she wants to know the truth and urges Arthur to co-operate fully with the police and attend a police station immediately.”
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Asked about her future, a This Morning spokesperson said: "There are no appearances currently scheduled for Ferne but she is a regular contributor on the show.”
Cops executed an arrest warrant at the suspect’s £1million home where a 54-year-old man and 52-year-old woman were held over the discovery of illegal firearms and a cannabis farm.
Police revealed a male being sought over the acid attack was not present.
A source told The Sun the confrontation broke out at the Mangle E8 club in Dalston, East London, at 1am on Monday.
Witnesses told how victims were hit by liquid they thought was water at first before it started burning their flesh.
In a statement issued today, police said "a dispute between two groups of people developed inside the venue, resulting in a noxious substance being sprayed by a male suspect directly at Victims 1 and 2.
"Other people inside the venue suffered the effects of the substance."
A heavy police presence remained at Collins’ home near Broxbourne, Herts, following the raid on Monday.
Scaffolder Collins appeared on the front cover of OK! Magazine with This Morning favourite Ferne this week discussing plans to move in together - and even marriage.
Ferne said: “We spend every night together anyway.
“Moving in is definitely the next step."
She added: “And I know that seems a bit rushed, but when you know, you know."
The pair got back together in March - after first calling it quits last summer following a trip to Ibiza.
Ferne had previously defended her man’s controversial past.
A Met Police spokesman confirmed an arrest warrant had been executed at a property in Hertfordshire.
He added: “We do not comment on the identity of anyone who may or may not have been arrested or are wanted.”
A Hertfordshire police spokesman said: “Police conducting an arrest warrant at an address on White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, at 19.50pm on Monday April 17, discovered cannabis plants and cultivation equipment.
“A 54-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis.
“Officers seized several plants and illegal firearms at the address.”
Stars including Towie’s Lydia-Rose Bright were present at the club but left before the fight broke out, it emerged today.
Reveller Scott Kempster said: “It was definitely an argument over drugs. I heard the two black guys rowing about it.”
Detectives today confirmed the total number injured had risen to 20 and urged any witnesses to get in touch after cops were contacted by a further four victims.
Yesterday an Australian model relived the horror of the club attack as she revealed her injuries.
Detective Inspector Lee McCullough said: "We now have 20 people suffering from the effects of an acidic substance being sprayed in a confined space in a busy nightclub. All have burn related injuries.
"The noxious substance used has not yet been confirmed but samples retrieved from the scene have been sent for analysis.
"If you were there and saw anyone involved inside or leaving the nightclub, please get in touch."
The two most seriously injured men, aged 24 and 29, have been transferred to a specialist burns unit in Essex where they remained in a serious but stable condition.
Officers said they were looking for a single man they believe was responsible.
Ferne McCann’s mum told The Sun: “I don’t know anything about it I’m sorry.”
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