With 8.4 million followers on Instagram, a fashion business and a BBC reality show, it’s fair to say Charlotte Crosby is pretty busy. Add a new baby, Alba Jean, who was born in October 2022, into the mix and it’s understandable when Charlotte, 32, says, “My typical day is so mind-blowingly busy, I think you’d get a headache listening to it!”.
We caught up with Charlotte ahead of the final episodes of her BBC Three show, Charlotte in Sunderland. The 10-part series follows the reality star, and her boyfriend Jake Ankers, from their pregnancy announcement and first scan through to their gender reveal and Alba’s birth.
Yet there are some difficult moments along the way, including Charlotte’s mum being diagnosed with breast cancer and the death of her beloved nan, Jean.
Here, Geordie Shore star Charlotte reveals why she’s so happy cameras filmed her pregnancy, and how she’s finding motherhood.
How did Charlotte in Sunderland come about?
I was approached to film a show about my fashion business. Then I found out I was pregnant and the show followed that too.
It was very easy for me - I’ve been doing reality TV for over a decade – starting with Geordie Shore when I was 19 – and have spent most of my adult life on camera. I’ve never known any different.
What was it like being filmed during your pregnancy?
I’ve loved every single second of it. I can look back and remember every stage of my pregnancy and relive it. I’ve got all these memories. If I hadn’t had anyone to capture that stage of my life, I'd have been really gutted.
Viewers will see you give birth, how do you feel about sharing this moment?
I feel calm when the cameras are there, I'm very at one with it. It was as if they’re not there. We filmed Charlotte in Sunderland for a year, so I was very close to the crew.
Have you watched the episode where you give birth?
I have watched every episode but not the last two. Sadly, it was during the birth episode that I lost my nana. I don’t feel I'm ready to watch that just yet.
How are you finding motherhood?
Being a mum is amazing - a perfect dream. I feel guilty saying that, as all I see on Instagram is people having an awful time.
When I was pregnant, I was so scared of becoming a mother because everyone you speak to has something negative to say. There was never a positive.
No matter what you say, they come back with a negative: “Oh, make sure you sleep when the baby sleeps”, or “Best get time to yourself now as you won’t get that when the baby comes”. So I don’t want to brag, but it’s the complete opposite of what anyone said.
The one thing I’ve struggled with is my image. When I look in the mirror, I don’t feel I look as good.
Obviously, I’ve just had a baby, so I need to be kind to myself. There have been times when I’ve struggled with confidence and I’ve almost wanted to cry.
What’s Alba like?
She’s so calm and happy! We’ve got the smiles, so we’re desperately waiting for the giggle but she’s holding back on that.
"She’s so vocal. I can wake up in the morning, get her out of the cot, and say. “Good morning Alba, how was your sleep?” and straight away she’ll reply [with a sound]. I talk to her all the time like she’s my best friend. We’ve got seven different songs we sing that I made up. We just talk all day.”
Do you have a routine?
We know how many hours we’ve got between feeds and when her next feed is: that’s the only thing we’re strict about. She naps lots. She’s a sleepy baby and she sleeps through the night. Even when she was a newborn she slept 12-4.30am so we always had 4 and a half hours' sleep.
What activities do you do with Alba?
Alba is doing really well with her speech development. She’s only four months, but she takes turns with us - she’ll wait for me to speak and she’ll respond. She can also copy sounds that I make.
How is Jake finding fatherhood? Viewers saw him talk about his nerves before Alba arrived.
Jake loves being a dad, he took to it better than some mams, I think. At one point in the hospital they were in utter shock at how hands on he was and how confident he was, it's amazing.
He plays a Thunderbirds game with Alba. He’ll say in a deep voice, “Are you ready for your mission today?”, and then Alba must “fly” through the sky and then return to basecamp. It’s lovely.
Your mum Leticia was diagnosed with breast cancer during the show. How’s she doing now?
She’s doing really well. She’s had chemotherapy and finished her radiotherapy. We call her ‘Nanny Noo’ and she loves it. It’s the best thing that has ever happened to her, I think.
How’s your dad Gary enjoying being a grandad?
He loves being a grandad and loves Alba so much. He said to my mam, “I can’t wait for Charlotte to have another!”. She told him to hold on!
How’s your recovery from your C-section been?
I had to wait six weeks until I could exercise. I’ve got a fitness app and you don’t even have to leave the house. I put the telly on and do a short 10-minute workout. I do it every evening and love the endorphins: afterwards I feel charged up.
What’s next for you and your family?
My business is very busy and it’s going to the next level this year as we’re taking on new people. For us that’s a huge deal. And I’d love to do another series of Charlotte in Sunderland - I’ve been getting so many messages about it!
The final two episodes of Charlotte in Sunderland air at 22:00 Wednesday 1 March on BBC Three. All episodes to date are available on BBC iPlayer.
