Lauren Harries' life - child antique star, health woes, Russell Brand 'fling'
Reality TV star Lauren Harries claimed she was left feeling used by Russell Brand after their alleged fling in 2006. Lauren stated the pair had a months-long consensual fling but the comedian would shun her in public, while he has always denied that he ever had a relationship with her.
The 45-year-old reality star, who is transgender, met 48-year-old Russell when he was the host of Big Brother's Big Mouth in the noughties. And Lauren's claims about their alleged romance have resurfaced after a number of women made severe allegations about Russell in a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary and via an investigation by The Times and Sunday Times. The comedian has been accused of rape, sexual assault, and abusive and coercive behaviour - accusations he has vehemently denied.
Lauren met Russell on Big Brother's Big Mouth in the noughties (Channel 4)Although Lauren met Russell during his stint on Big Brother's Big Mouth, the reality star had actually been on telly long before that, as she began her career as a child antique expert. Lauren reportedly took an interest in art and antiques from the age of five and had a natural affinity for spotting bargains at car boot sales.
She got her big break in the antique world when a piece of porcelain she found was valued at several thousand pounds, and her dad hailed her as a prodigy, prompting her to score appearances on shows, including the late Terry Wogan's talk show, Wogan, in 1988 when she was just 10. By the time she was 13, Lauren had published an antiques guide called Rags to Riches.
In 2001, Lauren underwent gender reassignment surgery and was later featured in a Channel 4 documentary titled Little Lady Fauntleroy, which featured her whole family being interviewed by Keith Allen. In 2015, Lauren described the feeling of being born in the wrong body as like 'being trapped in a burning building'.
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She told Sky News at the time: "Being born in the wrong body is like being trapped in a burning building, you get out or die. I was suicidal and couldn't wait six years until the NHS deemed me eligible for a gender reassignment operation. I raised the £12,000 and had the operation when I was 22."
She claimed she felt 'used' by Russell during their romance (Beretta/Sims/REX/Shutterstock)
Russell has always denied they ever had a relationship (Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)Lauren also detailed the abuse she received after she went public with her story, and said she would have "bricks thrown through" her windows with "diabolical messages" attached. She added: "I believe it will take many many more years for people, especially heterosexual men to accept female transgenders."
A few years after coming out as transgender, Lauren met Russell Brand and their alleged fling began. Although Russell has always denied the pair ever had a relationship, Lauren released a song in 2015 titled All Dressed Up which she said was inspired by the fling and the feelings of rejection that she was left with when Russell abruptly ended things.
Speaking to the Star magazine at the time the song was released, she said: "He left me all dressed up with nowhere to go. I don't think Russell wanted to be seen with me, so we didn't go out. We had our moments, but he can't admit to it. It was going on for six months at least. Let's just say he liked the bedroom department, but that was all! That was all I was good for."
Russell had denied the relationship took place - and also took a swipe at Lauren’s past as an antiques expert. He told the MailOnline: "Lauren's claims are as fraudulent as her evaluation of Ming vases on Wogan. And before she starts, I also have not had sex with a Ming vase or Wogan."
Lauren has been battling health woes in recent months (WireImage)
She was recently told she may 'never walk again' (Instagram)In recent months, Lauren - who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2013 - has been struck by health problems after undergoing emergency brain surgery for an undiagnosed illness in April this year. In June, she was placed in an induced coma for several days and in July, she underwent an additional emergency spinal surgery.
Last month, the reality star revealed the devastating news that she "may never walk again" following her surgeries. Her family previously said she had been in "constant pain" as a result of a "life-threatening spinal tear".
They said: "We were informed yesterday that Lauren has a life-threatening spinal tear. She is having emergency surgery today, the first of two operations. This has meant she is in constant pain and unable to walk it could also lead to more bleeding on the brain. She has been through so much in her 3 1/2 months in hospital, this is her 3rd operation. She's strong but needs your love. We are praying that they are successful and hope you do the same."
If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or by calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999
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