A Blackfen businesswoman has defended the boyfriend of The Only Way is Essex star Sam Faiers, after viewers of an ITV show about the birth of their first child branded him a "joke" and a "pig".

Paul Knightley, 27, was slammed by fans of the 25-year-old - after he was shown missing pregnancy classes and family dinners on one-off show The Baby Diaries.

However, Blackfen Road resident Dany Griffiths, who made Sam's hypnotherapy birthing plan, has revealed that "supportive" Paul attended private classes away from the cameras.

Mrs Griffiths, 47, told News Shopper: "They did not portray Paul particularly nicely, which is a shame because he was really lovely and supportive.

"He did a reading and she opened her eyes and looked at him and smiled and said 'that's absolutely beautiful'.

News Shopper:

"He was absolutely loving doing it. Listening to his voice it made her feel so relaxed.

"It's unfortunate. It made me a little bit sad that that's the only side people would see of him because people judge."

Hypnotherapist Mrs Griffiths launched The Wise Hippo after the birth of her only daughter, who is now eight years old.

Sam had planned to have a home birth, but after going into labour with baby Paul two weeks early was forced to abandon her plans and go into hospital in December.

Mrs Griffiths added: "I wrote my own programme because I wanted to create something which was absolute tools for life, not just pregnancy.

News Shopper:

"The lovely thing about Sam for a young woman as well she was just so calm and relaxed.

"Our focus is on the right birth on the day, because a lot of woman feel that they fail if they do not have the birth they were hoping for.

"Her plans had to change but she absolutely managed to have the right birth on the day, and that's so important and quite unique to Wise Hippo."

Mrs Griffiths added of the Essex residents: "They were just like any other pregnant couple.

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"Sam was very natural, like any other pregnant woman wanting to prepare well for the birth.

"I think she's a fantastic role model and a lot of women will be looking at birth and pregnancy differently because of her."

Click here to find out more about Mrs Griffiths' company.