Binky Felstead opens up about her mother’s MS, life after Made in Chelsea, and a new M&S kidswear line

Former Made in Chelsea star Alexandra “Binky” Felstead says there is more to her public persona than the glossy feeds suggest. In a forthcoming interview tied to her first children's clothing range for Marks & Spencer, she reveals the behind-the-scenes heartache, ongoing therapy, and a family medical diagnosis that changed everything: her mother’s long battle with multiple sclerosis.

Felstead recalls a childhood in East Sussex that she describes as “very Darling Buds Of May,” with ducks in the garden and tartan dresses. She credits her mother, Jane Felstead, with steering her toward the world of television after others doubted her path. In the early days, Binky’s brother reportedly tried to stage a family intervention, arguing against her joining a reality show, while their mother offered a different view: why not? She believed Binky might not pursue conventional careers and urged her to try Made in Chelsea. That decision, she says, became a turning point that pushed her into a lifelong career as an influencer.

Her upbringing was punctuated by a glamorous, outdoorsy lifestyle and a childhood she still describes as “amazing.” Yet beneath the surface lay a family health story that would only come into focus years later. Jane Felstead, once a regular presence in the public’s eye as a blunt, entertaining mother figure, began to experience a range of neurological and physical symptoms. Optic neuritis—temporary loss of sight in one eye—occurred in both eyes at different times, followed by a prolonged period of fatigue and muscle weakness. Doctors offered various diagnoses before the family faced a formal diagnosis of multiple sclerosis later in life. The revelation came as a devastating moment, and it reframed the way Binky viewed her mother’s decade-by-decade resilience.

Today, Jane Felstead is in a wheelchair and relies on help for many daily tasks, though she remains a forceful, witty presence who still lights up when meeting her grandchildren. Binky says she was unaware of the full extent of the MS history until her mother’s diagnosis—despite occasional signs of unsteadiness that the family chalked up to other causes such as alcohol. “We googled everything,” Binky notes, “and it was a quick deterioration from then.” The family has processed much of the experience away from the spotlight, including episodes highlighted on a Made in Chelsea spin-off, Beyond Chelsea, which followed Binky and her mother as they navigated life with MS.

The program captured a moment many viewers had not seen: Jane, now in a wheelchair, still living a full life and delivering her distinctive, larger-than-life personality. She needed help with basic tasks like cutting food and using the restroom, and she required support to manage day-to-day life. Binky describes the period as “miserable” but emphasizes her mother’s enduring spirit: “She’s a tough cookie.” The show’s next season is slated to air next month, and its depiction of their evolving relationship continues to resonate with viewers who had long assumed Binky’s life was all sunshine and fame.

The family’s MS history also reshaped Binky’s approach to health. Although genetics can play a role in MS, there is no single test to predict who will develop the disease. After a private consultation with her mother’s MS specialists, Binky sought screening for herself and was reassured that she was unlikely to have MS, given the absence of symptoms at the time. Still, she says she’s keeping a watchful eye and remains committed to staying healthy for her three children.

The personal is inseparable from the professional for Felstead, who is widely regarded as a pioneer among a new generation of influencers who grew up online. She publicly reflects on the ups and downs of being a public figure, including periods of heartbreak that she humorously notes readers saw in real time on Made in Chelsea, from relationships to the sometimes brutal realities of public dating. She says she cringes at parts of those days but stresses that she came out the other side with a sense of perspective. “I cringe, of course,” she says. “I never want my daughter to see it.” Still, she acknowledges that those experiences helped shape the resilience that now informs her work and your parenting choices.

Felstead’s life moved on from her early 20s, and her relationship with India’s father, Joshua “JP” Patterson, ended while India was young. She later formed a partnership with Max Darnton, a Swedish-born businessman, whom she married in 2021. The couple has three children—India, eight; Wolfie, four; and Wilder, two—making family life the anchor of her contemporary public persona. While Darnton is supportive, he has chosen not to participate heavily in her social-media life or in the Beyond Chelsea saga, noting that his business commitments require him to avoid the cameras. Felstead says she respects his boundaries and keeps him involved in the logistics of family life so she can focus on the creative and social aspects of her career.

Her career, which includes a growing line of children’s wear, has become a central pillar of her identity. The forthcoming Marks & Spencer collection draws on cherished memories of her countryside childhood: “I had the most amazing childhood,” she recalls. The line was conceived as a way to celebrate family life and to give other parents access to well-made, kid-friendly pieces. The story behind the designs is personal: the familiar country-house rituals, the sea-and-country aesthetic, and the sense of whimsy that underscores her family life are echoed in the collection’s playful yet practical styles.

The collaboration with Marks & Spencer is more than a merchandising moment; it is a milestone for an influencer who has built a brand around authenticity and warmth. Felstead’s large following—about 1.5 million people across social platforms—reflects her ability to blend candid family moments with aspirational fashion and lifestyle content. She notes that her approach to sharing has evolved as her children have grown and as she has become more aware of their privacy and autonomy. “This is my life and my life is my family,” she says. “It would feel weird if I didn’t show that part of my life because it is me.” She adds that she expects involvement to shift as her children decide what they want to share when they’re older.

Despite the challenges, Felstead has maintained a sense of humor about the journey. She speaks frankly about the pressures of being a public figure and the responsibilities that come with an immense audience. Therapy has been a steady companion since her teens, she says, a tool that helps her navigate the relentless pace of public life and the emotional demands of parenting. She first sought counseling at 13, after her parents’ separation, describing those years as “a bull running through a china shop.” The experience, she says, laid a foundation for ongoing mental-health work that she continues today.

Her personal history has not prevented her from reflecting on the “perfect life” of an influencer. She recognizes the tension between sharing meaningful family moments and protecting her children’s privacy. Still, she emphasizes that the decision to document aspects of her life is tied to her identity as a mother and her pride in her family. “My mother is one-of-a-kind,” she notes, reflecting on the example Jane set—one of resilience, humor, and an unapologetic zest for life that has helped shape Binky’s own parenting and career choices.

The Marks & Spencer Kidswear collection is scheduled to be available in stores and online from September 25, offering a tangible link between Felstead’s upbringing and her current professional life. Beyond Chelsea, the Channel 4 reality show spinoff featuring Felstead and her mother is set to return to television next month, continuing to document their evolving relationship and the realities of living with MS. For Felstead, the project represents a natural extension of her brand: fashion that speaks to families, curated by someone who has navigated public exposure from adolescence into motherhood.

As she looks to the future, Felstead says she hopes to model a healthier balance between public life and private family moments. She expects her children to determine how much of their lives they want to share as they grow older, a gradual transition that mirrors the maturation of her own brand. In the meantime, she remains grateful for the support of her husband and for the opportunities that have come with her role as a parenting-influencer. “I’m just a very proud mummy,” she says, smiling at the idea of her children growing up with a watchful, compassionate lens on the world around them.

Beyond Chelsea returns to E4 next month, promising more candid moments as the family negotiates the shifts in their public and private lives. For Felstead, the intersection of motherhood, resilience, and a public-facing career continues to define her—one that she says is as much about care and connection as it is about style and success.