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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Katherine Heslop

Ferne McCann's acid attacker ex 'gets engaged' behind bars just days after TV star

Ferne McCann's acid attacker ex Arthur Collins is engaged behind bars - popping the question just one week after his former lover decided to wed her boyfriend.

Arthur, 29, popped the question only a week after Ferne, 31, shared that she's to marry her boyfriend of six months, Lorri Haines.

Arthur, who shares a four-year-old daughter with the Towie star, 31, is serving a 20 year prison sentence after he was found guilty of hurling acid on a crowd in an East London nightclub in 2017.

He is now engaged to Essex businesswoman Annie Jane, 33, who confirmed their engagement with Mirror Online after she shared the news on Instagram.

In an Instagram post seen by MailOnline, Annie told friends and family: "I said yes", while posting a tattoo of Arthur's name that she has on her stomach.

Ferne and Arthur share a child together, with them now both reportedly engaged to other people (Instagram)

A source close to Annie said the pair met before he was sent to prison, through mutual friends, and they plan to wed later this year.

The source told MailOnline: "Annie is aware of Arthur's past but is prepared to commit herself to him, even getting a tattoo of his name to prove her love.

"They have a lot in common; Annie also has a young daughter, and believes the pair connect on a spiritual level."

Arthur Collins will reportedly wed his fiancée in prison (PA)
Ferne and her daughter Sunday, who is now four-years-old (Gary Moyes)

The source explained the pair fell in love by writing to each other and during prison visits, with Annie believing Arthur is sorry for what happened.

"Annie has done a lot for Arthur's rehabilitation, she feels they're soul mates, and together they are looking forward to the future and one day having a family life of their own," they added.

Arthur was convicted of five counts of GBH with intent and nine counts of ABH.

Of the 22 people injured in the attack in Dalston, 16 suffered serious burns and three people were temporarily blinded.

Ferne McCann and her boyfriend Lorri announced their engagement earlier this month (fernemccann/instagram)

Ferne only found out about her pregnancy shortly before Arthur was arrested.

She previously spoke on how she was 'robbed' of a normal pregnancy when he was jailed.

She dumped him immediately after the incident.

Speaking on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast in 2020, Ferne, speaking about her daughter Sunday, said: “She was a lovely surprise... I’m quite spiritual anyway but they are such a blessing, they are so meant to be.

Ferne admitted she sometimes felt jealous of other mums who still had their partners to help.

She added: “I’ve had many nights where I’ve been so upset and very emotional but you get through it.”

On July 2, Ferne announced her engagement to Lorri Haines, sharing a snap of her huge diamond ring on Instagram.

"So happily ever afters do exist. I cannot wait to do forever with you baby," she wrote in the caption.

Ferne started dating the 30-year-old real estate agent, who lives in Dubai, in January this year.

Going public with their romance in February, Ferne told fans: "When you least expect it, you could meet someone who will completely change your life forever."

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