‘We’re so worried’ admit Lauren Goodger’s pals as they reveal reason ex Charles Drury is moving back in
TOWIE legend Lauren Goodger’s friends have revealed their fears for the star after her ex Charles Drury moved back in with her.
In a twist that some might find upsetting, Lauren has apparently decided to move on from the events of 2022 – when Charles was arrested on domestic assault charges following an alleged attack on the day they buried their daughter.
Lauren‘s friends tell The Sun Charles, who works as a builder, has now quietly gone back to living under her roof.
Many believe the two are now “a couple on paper”.
And in a heartbreaking turn, sources say Lauren’s decision to welcome him back is heavily influenced by her ex Mark Wright, whose picture-perfect family life with wife Michelle Keegan and baby Palma has stirred old feelings and a longing for her own happy ending.
“She’s desperate for another baby, now it’s the right time for the daughter to have a sibling,” one source reveals.
“She thinks Charles is the love of her life and she’s willing to take this arrangement over nothing at all.”
Lauren first started dating Katie Price’s ex Charles in October 2020.
Within weeks, he moved into her Essex home and told an Instagram fan marriage and babies could be on the cards.
Three months after announcing they were an item they revealed they were expecting.
Lauren gave birth to their first daughter Larose in 2021 but they split up a year later.
Charles released a statement, saying: “Only going to post this once, me & Lauren have decided to go our separate ways.
“Things must remain civil for the sake of our daughter, Lauren is a great mum so when it comes to Larose we both have her best interest at heart so she will still see us both.”
However, weeks after their break-up, Lauren revealed she was expecting again.
The pair rekindled their relationship but suffered a tragedy when, in July 2022, their second daughter died minutes after Lauren gave birth.
On the day of the funeral Charles was accused of attacking Lauren who was later seen with a black eye.
Three months after the alleged attack, Charles was arrested for a second time after allegedly hurling abuse at Lauren in hospital.
Friends now fear Lauren is sacrificing her self-worth in the hope of rekindling a love that once left her broken – and are worried that she will end up getting hurt once more.
“He is not sleeping in the same bed, but it’s only a matter of time,” the source adds.
“He’s back and we’re worried he’s just back for an easy life, and Lauren’s too nice, she’s just letting it happen. Nobody wants to see her get hurt again.”
The pair’s troubled history has raised serious concerns among those closest to Lauren, with many worried this latest twist could leave her more vulnerable than ever.
To make matters worse, Charles, who began dating Lauren’s former best friend weeks after he allegedly assaulted her, appears to be calling all the shots and pals say Lauren is carrying on as if nothing ever happened.
Our source says: “Charles has been back staying with Lauren at her house over the last couple of weeks and they’ve been hanging out with friends and doing practically everything together again.
“They’re practically a couple ‘on paper’.
“Everything about this current set-up seems to be all dictated by Charles, it’s like he wants it on his terms.
“We’re worried he’s simply back at Lauren’s as he wants an easy life and to be closer to their daughter – and hasn’t got much else going on.”
Charles was due to stand trial accused of assaulting Lauren and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour, both of which he denied.
But Lauren withdrew her support for the case, dropping the allegations and a not guilty verdict was recorded for both charges.
Deep down, friends fear Lauren’s decision to welcome Charles back in could be down to her desire to move on following ex Mark Wright‘s baby news.
Another source added: “Since Michelle and Mark had their baby, it’s made Lauren even more desperate to become a mum again.
“Her friends are really worried for her and are praying that she isn’t about to be hurt again.
“Lauren went through a lot and no one wants to see her back in that place.”
Lauren dated Mark for 11 years after they met when they were just 15.
Finding fame together on Towie, they got engaged in 2011 and she once had his name tattooed on her bikini line.
The couple went through a heartbreaking abortion when Lauren was just 20 years old.
Mark dumped his Towie co-star amid reports she cheated – which she denied – and later married actress Michelle Keegan in 2015.
As Mark and Michelle appeared to go from strength to strength, welcoming their first child earlier this year, Lauren was hit by devastating setbacks.
In 2013 she suffered a miscarriage during her time on Dancing On Ice while in 2022, her ex Jake McLean was tragically killed in a car crash.