Ollie Locke, star of Made in Chelsea, has candidly shared the struggles he and his husband Gareth have faced while building their family. In a raw and emotional interview, Ollie reveals how their journey to parenthood cost a staggering £500,000, including IVF, surrogacy, and unforeseen challenges.
The couple’s dream of becoming parents began with heartbreak, as they endured the loss of six pregnancies. The emotional and financial strain pushed them to sell their home to fund their fertility treatments. Yet, despite the immense challenges, Ollie and Gareth welcomed their twins, Apollo and Cosima, in July 2023 via surrogacy.
The Emotional and Financial Toll of Parenthood
Ollie opened up to Daily Mail, saying, “We wanted these children so desperately, but we didn’t expect to go through four years of heartache, especially due to the pandemic. We lost six babies and it cost us everything – £500,000 just to get here.”
Ollie Locke has offered new insight into his ‘humiliating’ financial struggles, revealing he spent around £500,000 on IVF and surrogacy in his journey to fatherhood
The couple’s struggles didn’t end with the birth of their twins. They also faced financial setbacks, including £25,000 in unpaid rent after moving into a lavish £4 million home in Chelsea. Their financial issues worsened when they were unable to pay rent for several months, which ultimately led to them vacating the property in February. Ollie, visibly distressed, spoke about the emotional weight of these setbacks, saying it felt “humiliating” and that he experienced a breakdown from the overwhelming stress.
“We are doing everything we can to pay it back. But the financial pressure has pushed me to a breaking point,” he said. “I’ve never been this depressed in my life.”
Due to the ‘sporadic’ nature of their careers as TV stars and influencers, Gareth insisted having a full-time nanny is a necessity, though he added that full-time childcare is ‘expensive’
Rising Costs and Priorities Shifted
With their lives now centered around raising twins born prematurely at 31 weeks, Ollie and Gareth’s priorities have shifted drastically. The couple admits that the costs of raising their children, including speech therapy and developmental support for their nonverbal twins, continue to add up.
The couple, whose careers as TV stars and influencers are sporadic, rely heavily on a full-time nanny to manage their demanding schedules. Gareth explains, “We didn’t go on holiday last year because we had to prioritize. Our kids come first, and they are expensive, especially when they’re born prematurely.”
Apollo and Cosima are receiving specialized help, with Ollie revealing the couple spends £1,000 a week on childcare and therapy. “We’re paying for classes, special therapy, and the kind of support they need. It all adds up,” Ollie said. “Raising twins is no easy task, especially when they need extra help.”
From Glamorous Reality to a Fresh Start
Despite the couple’s previous life in the spotlight, Ollie confessed that they’re ready for a change. After moving out of their luxurious £7,000-a-month Chelsea home, Gareth and Ollie have found a new place that better suits their new lifestyle. “We wanted to leave the old house behind. It had too many bad memories. Now, we’ve found somewhere we love – a quieter place where we can focus on family.”
Gareth also admitted that adjusting to their new lifestyle has been difficult, but necessary. “Living in Chelsea was exhausting. It was all about appearances, champagne, and nights out. Now, we want to focus on raising our family and having a fresh start.”
While their financial struggles remain, Ollie and Gareth are focused on raising their twins and embracing the next chapter of their lives with hope and resilience. Their journey, filled with hardship and heartache, has only strengthened their bond as a family. “We’ve had our fair share of bumps, but we’re still here, and we’re determined to move forward,” Ollie said.
