MAFS UK Star Laura Vaughan Reveals Battle with Crippling Eating Disorder
Laura Vaughan, the 35-year-old reality television star who gained fame on MAFS UK in 2023, has bravely disclosed her ongoing struggle with a severe eating disorder. In a candid new interview, she opened up about the emotional turmoil that led to this health crisis, shedding light on the hidden challenges behind her public persona.
Grief and Loss Trigger a Downward Spiral
Laura explained that toward the end of 2025, she faced a series of devastating personal losses. The death of her stepfather from cancer reignited old grief, as she had previously lost her biological father to the same disease years earlier. Compounding this pain, she split from her boyfriend, Hayden Cote, in November of that year. This accumulation of emotional trauma manifested physically, causing a significant loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss.
"My friend sounded the alarm, she said I was shrinking – not just physically but mentally," Laura recounted, highlighting how her mental state deteriorated alongside her physical health.
The Dangerous Cycle of Control
Once aware of her weight loss, Laura admitted to almost challenging herself to continue restricting food intake. "It's embarrassing to admit, but I thought to myself, 'I've noticed that now, I'm going to see how long I can continue to do that'," she said. "I was doing it because I needed to control something." She acknowledged that this behavior became more disordered than she cared to admit, emphasizing that eating disorders can appear in various forms and should not be shied away from in discussions.
This period saw her anxiety levels spike, leading to severe panic attacks and further appetite loss. Having experienced an eating disorder as a child, Laura found herself in a familiar but dangerous pattern, dropping three dress sizes in less than a year—from a size ten to a size six—and even noticing health issues such as kidney problems.
The Path to Healing and Support
Laura expressed that while she needed help, she wished it had been approached with more empathy, such as through a sit-down conversation, rather than feeling attacked by online scrutiny. Fortunately, those closest to her, particularly one supportive friend, initiated the healing process by starting open dialogues about her struggles.
Reflecting on her personal life, Laura revealed she had found love again with Hayden last year, describing him as "the best thing to happen to me" after difficulties dating post-MAFS UK. However, it was reported in November that they split after nine months of dating. A source stated, "Despite having a lot of love for each other, it wasn’t working and they both thought it was better to end things now before it got messy."
Moving Forward with Hope
In a March 2025 interview, Laura confirmed her new relationship, noting she initially kept it private due to the overwhelming experience of sharing her love life on MAFS UK. She expressed gratitude for the show, as it led her to meet her current partner organically through the industry. "Things were never destined to work between Arthur and I, this relationship is much more suited," she added, referring to her TV marriage to Polish tennis coach Arthur Poremba.
Laura's story underscores the importance of mental health awareness and compassionate support in overcoming eating disorders. If you have been affected by anything in this article, please call Beat eating disorders on 0808 801 0677.
