Fearne Cotton swipes at ‘insane’ school WhatsApp groups after ’97 messages’

| Freelance Entertainment and SEO Reporter Published September 21, 2026 7:40pm Updated September 21, 2026 7:40pm Fearne Cotton has said what most parents are probably thinking (Picture: YouTube/Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place) Fearne Cotton has opened up about an insanely relatable annoyance for many parents of school-age children. The TV star and podcast host, 45, shares Rex, 13, and Honey, 11, with ex-husband Jesse Wood, 49. While speaking on the latest episode of her Happy Place podcast, she opened up about how ‘overwhelming’ the secondary school experience can be, especially one particular aspect. She slammed constant notifications she receives from school class WhatsApp groups, describing them as ‘insane.’ ‘It is overwhelming sometimes. I think we do really, really worry that our kids will struggle,’ she said. Fearne continued: ‘The thing that I know we won’t cope with, Jennifer, is the WhatsApp groups, the school WhatsApp groups. Why? Why are they pinging all day long? The presenter has children Rex and Honey with ex-husband Jesse Wood (Picture: Beretta/Sims/Shutterstock) Fearne called the WhatsApp notifications from schools groups ‘insane’ (Picture: Instagram/Fearne Cotton) ’Even if I’ve got my phone on silent, I get to the end of a workday, check it out, I’ve missed like 97 messages. It’s like it’s nuts. It’s insane!’ ‘Our parents coped absolutely fine with going, “Bye. Have a good day at school.” And they’d see us at the other end. ‘They didn’t know what we did there, what homework we had, or what extracurriculars were going on. They didn’t have a clue. I might as well go to school with my kids. I know so much. It’s a joke.’ It comes after Fearne’s ex-husband Jesse welcomed his fifth child with his Made in Chelsea girlfriend, Gemma Gregory. Fearne and Jesse split after 10 years of marriage 18 months ago, confirming their separation in a statement in December. Jesse and Gemma announced they were expecting a baby in April, and in August, he shared on Instagram that the couple had welcomed a son. She and Jesse announced they were separating in December (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock) He has since welcomed a baby boy with girlfriend Gemma Gregory (Picture: Instagram/Gemma Gregory) He wrote: ‘Our perfect little Indigo Robin Charles Wood was born 23/08/26 which happens to be the same August birthday as his biggest sister, Lola! Happy 21st beautiful and welcome to the ride little dude… ‘He is heavenly. So chill and CUTE! He squeaks like a little cub and smells like meadows! He’s very lucky to have the best gang of siblings, OBSESSED mama and papa and will be surrounded by love forever and always’. Jesse also shares Arthur, 24, and Lola, 21, with his first wife, Tilly Wood. Fearne has since moved on with Elliot Hegarty, a television director, whom she went public with last year. They got together after both of their long-term marriages ended, with the Bafta nominee known for working on shows like Bad Education and Ted Lasso. He and Fearne typically keep things out of the public eye, apart from the odd outing. Speaking about her new chapter after splitting from Jesse, the broadcaster told Lorraine Kelly: ‘I’m good, really good, happy, and it’s all very amicable, and the kids are doing great. So yeah, I’m in a very good space.’ Deals of the Day Primark's new £14 co-ord has autumn styling on a budget covered Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind From £700 MacBooks to discounted iPhones, the best Apple tech for studentsb Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale Arrow MORE: Parents label school a ‘military base’ after headteacher suspends 25 pupils in a week Arrow MORE: Full list of food and drinks being banned in schools across England Arrow MORE: School dinners undergo major health kick decades after Turkey Twizzlers ban Switched On Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.