Adam Frisby has shared the homophobic abuse he has been subject to since announcing he is expecting his first child with fiancé Jamie Corbett.
It was revealed by Daily Mail last month that the the In The Style founder, 38, and his partner, 37, are set to welcome a baby via surrogate, who is now 19 weeks pregnant.
However since the news was announced, Adam opened up about the negative reaction they have received online, with some even referring to them as 'child abusers and sex traffickers' for wanting to have a baby.
Speaking about the experience with Paul C Brunson on the We Need To Talk podcast, Adam explained: 'We've had horrendous comments under online articles about our baby - there has been over 2,500 calling us child abusers, sex traffickers, saying we're stealing babies from mum's... it was awful to read it. It's scary.'
But despite the experience, Adam is still looking forward to their journey into fatherhood, saying: 'We're bringing a child into the world that's going to have so much love... my biggest fear in life is not being a good dad. I think I have that fear as I didn't have that as a child.'
Adam explained that they do not know who the biological father of their unborn child will be, but insisted it doesn't matter either way.
He said: 'We don't know [if it's Adam or Jamie's sperm]. We have no idea what gender they are or who they are biologically connected to. It's special because it will be a surprise and it really doesn't matter to me and Jamie - we are the dad's and I love the bones of Jamie.'
In an exclusive interview with us, Adam and Jamie excitedly shared the news, saying: 'We've kept it such a big secret! It has been really special sharing the news with our friends and family.'
'I don't think anyone was expecting it, and everyone was just so shocked and emotional. I think that has been our favorite part of the process in a way, like letting people who love us know because they really wanted this to happen for us.'
Adam and Jamie explained that it has been a complex process, and that they previously had a match, but she sadly had a miscarriage.
'We did match with a surrogate back in 2022 and went through the full process, but unfortunately, last year she miscarried and then she pulled out of the process. It was obviously a lot for her to go through and then we were kind of back to the start of the process which was gutting for us after three years.'
Speaking on Paul's podcast, Adam said it was 'crazy' that he was set to become a parent because it is not something he ever thought would be possible.
Detailing their lengthy journey, Adam said: 'We've been talking about it for the last eight or nine years and for the past five we have been trying to make it happen.
'And now we are going to be dads, which just feels incredible. For me it almost gives me the chance to be the person I needed when I was young.'
However since the news was announced, Adam opened up about the negative reaction they have received online, with some even referring to them as 'child abusers and sex traffickers' for wanting to have a baby.
Speaking about the experience with Paul C Brunson on the We Need To Talk podcast, Adam explained: 'We've had horrendous comments under online articles about our baby - there has been over 2,500 calling us child abusers.'
'I always knew I wanted kids and I feel like that is one of the reasons why, I've got so much love to give and I want to do everything that perhaps my parents didn't do.'
Adam explained that they joined the surrogacy agency five years ago to say 'look we want to try and do this', before matching with their surrogate.
After suffering a miscarriage the surrogate pulled out and they had to begin the process again of finding a match to carry their baby.
Reflecting on the difficult parts of the process, Adam said: 'There were times when we thought this wasn't for us. Maybe it just wasn't meant to happen for us. We can't force it, I'm 38 and Jamie's 37 so we felt like "is this ever going to happen?".
'And then this year it did, it's been incredible.'
Revealing why they chose to undergo surrogacy in the U.S., Jamie revealed that the laws in the UK for same-sex parents are not yet where they are in America.
Adam said in the U.S. you are the registered parents of the child from day one, but in the UK you have to go through an adoption process once the baby is born.
The couple are holding off for their gender reveal on August 31 before deciding on names or sorting their nursery.
Adam and Jamie are godfathers to Charlotte Crosby and Jake Ankers' two children, Alba and Pixi, and said that spending quality time with them has taught them a lot.
They shared: 'We're lucky to be godfathers to Charlotte and Jake's children, and it is amazing. We love them to bits and we've had so much useful and special time with them already, like checking nappies and staying over that we wouldn't have got to practice.
'Charlotte's lots of things like crazy, funny, you know, but most of all, she is an incredible mother. We've learned so much from her. And I think she's just so excited.
In an exclusive interview, Adam and Jamie excitedly shared: 'We've kept it such a big secret! It has been really special sharing the news with our friends and family'
Adam and Jamie explained that it has been a complex process, and that they previously had a match, but she sadly had a miscarriage
Adam and Jamie are godfathers to Charlotte Crosby and Jake Ankers' two children, Alba and Pixi, and said that spending quality time with them has taught them a lot
'When we told her she couldn't speak, she was crying, and she's just delighted. So yeah, we got some great tips from her and Jake, and lots from our friends and family.'
Since leaving In The Style, Adam has been building a new brand and has been working on a behind-the-scenes mini series.
He told Daily Mail: 'I'm underway with a new career path, which is exciting and coming in the next few weeks. And over the last 10 years, Jamie has helped me out and works in the businesses, and I wouldn't be able to do it without him.'
'It's been nice to have a little bit of time off prior to this, to be in the moment and recover from what has been a really busy time here.'
Speaking about juggling work and the baby, Jamie added: 'When we get back to the UK, because of the line of work that Adam does, he is and always has been his own boss. And I'm there as well. If there are days when we're both in office, we can take baby with us. We've always worked like that.'
Earlier this year, Adam broke his silence after staff were 'made redundant without any pay' after the retailer collapsed into administration, owing £21million.
The fashion company was founded by Adam in 2013 but was acquired by UK-based private equity firm Baaj Capital for £1.2million in March 2023.
Ben Armstrong became managing director in December 2023 when Adam stepped down from his position but he has since left the business.
The retailer was at the centre of a media storm after EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa publicly hit out at them and demanded to be 'paid what she is owed' after 'bringing in lawyers as the fashion retailer faces administration'.
'We love them to bits and we've had so much useful and special time with them already, like checking nappies and staying over that we wouldn't have got to practice'
Since leaving In The Style, Adam has been building a new brand and has been working on a behind-the-scenes mini series
Speaking out on the situation surrounding his former employer, Adam wrote on Instagram: ' I've spent the morning trying to find the right words but honestly I am at a loss. I know I can't stay silent about this.
'No matter what threats of legal action come my way. What I've learned about how people are being treated at In The Style this week has left me with no choice but to speak about. Longtime, loyal employees who have poured so much into this company are being called into meetings, dismissed on the spot and denied ANY pay. Among those affected are two pregnant employees, as well as many mothers with children to support. It's heartbreaking. I've reached out to anyone I know affected to offer whatever support I can but it's hard to find the right words when something feels so wrong. In The Style will move forward, that much I know and mark my words, the same owners will still be in control. I just hope people start to see them for what they really are now.'
In a later post, Adam revealed he will be helping employees with money for legal aid to try and fight their dismissals.
Charlotte Crosby, one of Adam's close pals who had a collection with the brand, also spoke out on the In The Style pay row and hit out at the company on Instagram.
The Geordie Shore star has thrown her support behind celebrities including Jacqueline , who claimed they haven't been paid what they are owed by the fashion retailer , as well as supporting Adam and Jamie who were 'silenced'.