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Ferne McCann has apologised after alleged voice notes about the victim of her ex-boyfriend Arthur Collins’ acid attack were leaked.
Collins is currently serving 20 years in prison for the attack, which injured a total of 14 people – including Sophie Hall, who featured in an episode of First Dates back in February 2020.
In recordings that were leaked by an Instagram account, a voice that is alleged to belong to McCann can be heard describing Hall as ‘ugly’ and a ‘silly b***h’.
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McCann has now addressed the messages ‘purportedly’ sent by her, apologising to Hall and all of Collins’ victims while also claiming the voice notes have been ‘manipulated’.
In a statement posted to social media, McCann said: "I am aware that people will have a number of questions about the voice messages being put into the public domain and purportedly sent by me.
"I feel I have no choice but to address these (to the extent that I can as there are restrictions on me which I explain below).
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"Most importantly I want to apologise to all the victims of Arthur Collins's abhorrent actions in 2017 that they have to relive that night and the pain that followed because this matter is again in the public domain.
"In particular, I want to apologise to Sophie Hall. I do not believe her to be ugly or stupid. She has been brave beyond belief."
The Instagram user who posted the voice notes alleged that McCann was the person who had recorded and sent the messages.
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One referenced Hall wearing a dress made of newspaper cuttings for a beauty pageant, saying: "She'll probably win it I'm not gonna lie. Only because the event and the award she's entered or beauty competition, whatever it is, they're probably loving all this free press for their event."
McCann continued: "Arthur Collins' crimes created genuine victims so I am not trying to portray myself as one.
"I am unable to say much because there are important and significant legal proceedings that prevent me from setting the record straight at this stage.
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"What I can say is that the voice messages that are being released are manipulated; edited and taken entirely out of context.
"Even so, I will have said things that are untrue and I did not believe – but I did so to protect my family and myself from serious harm and in the face of significant threats."
Hall had been caught up in the 2017 attack when Collins threw acid over a number of partygoers in an east London nightclub, and was scarred for life.
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She opened up about her harrowing experiences on the show, telling date Bailey: "I was caught up in the crossfire of an acid attack in a nightclub in London.
"I was out dancing and got it in my face and body."
"I could smell burning. I started to think 'I really hope that's not acid. Please don't be.' But it was."
Hall went on: "All I could hear was people going 'Oh my God, what's on her face?' And I couldn't see it. I hadn't seen it myself. And I could tell that they were talking about me."
She added that the pain she felt at the time was indescribable, and that she had faced the ‘most horrific year’ in the wake of the attack.
Jess Hardiman