As one of the original stars of Made In Chelsea, Binky Felstead grew up in the spotlight.
Just 20 years old when she joined the hit E4 show, viewers watched as she navigated difficult romances and friendship breakups before leaving the show to focus on motherhood.
Binky, now 36 and happily married and mother of three, is “happier than ever” as she prepares to launch her new show, Beyond Chelsea, which will see her reunite with her former MIC co-stars Rosie Fortescue and Lucy Watson. .
It’s clear how happy she is when she invites me to her home, a cozy family abode in south-west London where she lives with her husband Max Darnton, daughter India, seven, and sons Wolfie, three, and Wilder. , 18 months. .
“I feel like it was a completely different life ago,” she says of her time on Made In Chelsea. ‘I mean, I had India at 26 and I left the show when I was pregnant. “I had to grow up very quickly.”
As Binky Felstead prepares to open up like never before on Beyond Chelsea, she opened up about her past on Made In Chelsea and what fans can expect from her new show.
Binky invited MailOnline to her home in south-west London, where she lives with husband Max Darnton, daughter India, seven, and sons Wolfie, three, and Wilder, 18 months.
Binky was part of the original cast of Made In Chelsea in 2011 (LR) Amber Atherton, Millie Mackintosh, Binky, Rosie Fortescue, Caggie Dunlop, Gabriella Ellis and Cheska Hull.
Explaining his decision to return to TV, he says: “Since leaving Made in Chelsea, most days I’m asked ‘when will we see the OGs together again?'” So I pitched the idea to Channel 4. last October.
‘It’s basically the next stage of our lives after being on reality TV when we were in our early 20s. Some of us got married, had children, we all have our own businesses and we are all at quite different stages of our lives.
“I think for those die-hard Made in Chelsea fans, it will be very interesting to see what life is like after being on reality TV or in the public eye: how we film campaigns, business meetings, work with brands.
“It’s very raw and filmed more organically. We have people following us in our homes, whereas it’s never been filmed like that before.
“I couldn’t film how Made In Chelsea is filmed anymore because I have three children; I couldn’t be on location for hours.”
“There is supposed to be something quite fresh and new beyond Chelsea. “I feel like this could be something much bigger than just a Made in Chelsea spin-off.”
Reflecting on her time on the original reality show, she admits she sometimes cringes when remembering her outfits and antics.
“It’s crazy,” he laughs. “No one can really say that they filmed their 20-somethings in front of the public. The mistakes, the arguments or whatever, they are there for people to see.’
Despite this, he insists that he has no regrets. But he does admit: ‘I definitely made some questionable decisions in my early 20s, but who didn’t? Sadly, mine just got caught on camera.’
Explaining his decision to return to TV, he said: “Since I left Made in Chelsea, I’ve been asked ‘when will we see the OGs together again?'” So I pitched the idea to Channel 4.
He continued: “I think for die-hard Made in Chelsea fans, it will be very interesting to see what life is like after being on a reality show or in the public eye.”
“Beyond Chelsea is supposed to be something pretty fresh and new,” he shared. “I feel like this could be something much bigger than just a Made in Chelsea spin-off.”
While there is a whole new generation of stars appearing in Made In Chelsea (none of the original cast remain), Binky admits she hasn’t been tempted to watch it.
“I have nothing against it,” he explains. ‘I just can’t relate to them anymore because I’m married now with kids.
“The viewers who grew up with us will be the ones who can relate to us the most now, if you know what I mean.”
Motherhood is obviously a vital part of Binky’s life now and, together with her husband Max, she seems to have the perfect fairytale family.
However, her romantic journey, well documented on MIC, was far from easy and she admits she experienced some “questionable” relationships.
One of her central stories was her on-again, off-again relationship with her co-star Alex Mytton, who was unfaithful to her on numerous occasions.
After splitting from Alex for good, she began dating Josh ‘JP’ Patterson and the couple left the show during season 13 after revealing they were expecting a baby girl together.
However, their relationship was not meant to be and they separated 15 months after India’s birth.
However, Binky insists there are no hard feelings with his former flames, reflecting: “I get on with everyone I like to think of.” There is no bad meat. There are no problems with me or anyone.
Last year, JP accused producers of “beating him up and making him a villain” with his performance on the show, claiming that was what led to their “toxic” relationship.
He is one of the many MIC stars who have come to stand out on the program for their editing.
However, Binky has made peace with her time on the show.
She shares: ‘Without going into it too much, it’s pretty much the name of the game (creating drama). You signed a contract and we were all young then.
‘I try not to regret things in life. I try to learn from mistakes instead of regretting them.’
It is true that without Binky’s romantic story she would not be the woman she is today.
“Before I had India, I had no idea what I was doing and I had no responsibility,” he confesses. ‘I always say that India saved me. She was like my angel.’
And while she may have been heartbroken when she split from JP, it led to her meeting her “amazing” husband Max, who she will marry in 2021.
“It’s really special,” says Binky. ‘I am very grateful and lucky to have met someone like him.
‘Especially being a single mummy at the time. He embraced India as his own and still does, and I feel very lucky to have met someone like him.
And my children, obviously, are my life, they are my everything. I am happier than ever.
Motherhood is obviously a vital part of Binky’s life now and, together with her husband Max, she seems to have the perfect fairytale family.
However, her romantic journey, well documented on MIC, was far from smooth (pictured with ex Josh ‘JP’ Patterson, with whom she shares daughter India, on the show).
At a time when hundreds of people are finding overnight fame with stints on shows like Love Island and Big Brother, Binky’s advice to the next generation of reality stars is to “be yourself.”
Beyond Chelsea sees Binky reunite with her former co-stars Rosie Fortescue and Lucy Watson to continue their lives now with children and new adventures. It will air on Tuesday at 10pm on E4.
Binky’s story is a rare positive in the world of reality TV, where many have spoken out about the dangers and pitfalls of fame.
At a time when hundreds of people are finding overnight fame with stints on shows like Love Island and Big Brother, what is Binky’s advice for the next generation of reality TV stars?
“Be yourself,” he assures. ‘Do good with it and be true to yourself. And if you have a social media platform with a lot of followers, I think you have a responsibility to post something good.”
It’s an approach that certainly benefited Binky and her Beyond Chelsea co-stars.
Beyond Chelsea airs on Tuesday 29 October at 10pm on E4.