ELLA Morgan has a heartbreaking confession to make.
Despite being a scene-stealer on two top TV dating shows, she has never had a proper relationship – because any men she has seen in the past have endeavored to keep her “secret” and avoid going public.
The first transgender star to appear on Married At First Sight UK and now Celebs Go Dating, Ella, 30, feels like the “best version” of herself after undergoing dozens of clinical procedures over recent years.
But as she continues her quest for love on the E4 celebrity matchmaking show, she admits dating can still be a painful minefield.
Ella tells The Sun: “I have not had what I would call proper relationships as they wouldn’t introduce me to their family and friends, so I don’t count it as a relationship.
“They just wanted to stay in and keep me a secret. Hopefully now is my time.
“This is the best Ella I’ve ever been. I know who I am now and what I can offer and what I want and need from a guy.
“I have no filter. I don’t want to upset any of the guys if I’m not into them but it is best to throw myself into the deep end and I think it’s important to always be up front, and true to yourself in life.”
Ella is already causing shockwaves in the thirteenth series of Celebs Go Dating, alongside stars including Helen Flanagan, Jamelia and Lauryn Goodman.
This week, she threatened to quit after being quizzed by the experts about having sex on a first date.
Having been under the knife dozens of times over ten years in a bid to create the feminine face and body she always wanted, Ella now insists she is finished with cosmetic surgery after spending a staggering £50,000.
She said: “I had my Adam’s apple shaved, forehead lowered, brow lift, eye lift and a temple implant.
“I had fat put into my cheeks and under my eyes. I had a nose job and a lip lift. That is everything.
“I had it all in one go as it is called facial feminisation.
“I had a male skull which is different from a female skull. My chin was really square, my forehead was big, and I had a receding hairline.
“So, I had lots done at the same time to make my face structure change.”
The TV star, who was born Evan Morgan, knew she wanted to be a woman at the age of 12, had her first operation when she was 16 years old, and finally felt ‘feminine’ at the age of 20.
She had her sex change at an NHS hospital in Brighton in 2015, where she also had breast construction surgery.
Since then Ella has paid for a second breast enlargement and fillers in her face, as well as hormones, laser hair removal and voice therapy.
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The clinic consultant, from Weston Super Mare, is keen to speak out to help others understand what a huge undertaking becoming transgender can be.
“I think it’s important that people know what major surgery this is,” she said.
“It was something I thought about for many years, and I spoke to lots of medical professionals and did a huge amount of research before going ahead.
“I am done for surgery. The only thing I may have is a hair transplant as I have a big scar on my forehead.
“I have had my cheek filler taken out now too, which I am really proud of.
“I want to be more natural. My face is the most natural it’s been in a very long time – there is not anything left to do.”
She adds: “My life stopped from 16 to 20 as I had to focus on my transition.
“Then I felt like I was making up for lost time.”
Ella first found fame on Married At First Sight, but had trouble finding a man who felt comfortable being with her.
She dumped Nathanial Valentino, the groom she had been paired with, for another contestant JJ Slater, 31, who quickly moved on to a romance with Katie Price, 46.
When their relationship came to light in February, Ella was said to be furious and ‘betrayed’ after having become good friends with Katie.
In May she was spotted snogging EastEnders and Strictly Come Dancing star Bobby Brazier, 21, at a Bafta’s afterparty in London.
But Ella admits that she struggles when it comes to finding the right moment to tell men the truth about her past – in case they react badly.
While some men get angry and say she has led them on, others say they want a ‘normal woman’ and she fears being beaten up.
“It was always that fear – when do I tell someone?,” she says. “There were times when I was in dangerous positions.
“There have been some things that have happened which aren’t very nice.
“I have learnt from them though. You don’t know someone’s reaction.
“My dad didn’t want me out at night in case someone took advantage or tried to hurt me – so there were times when I couldn’t be myself.”
I want to be more natural. My face is the most natural it’s been in a very long time – there is not anything left to do
She adds: “If I can feel safe, I am fine, but I can only feel safe once I have told them I’m trans.
“I’ve had many different reactions while dating, some incredible, some disappointing.
“Some men will say ‘you’ve led me on’ if it’s not the first thing mentioned in conversation.
“But I think that’s unfair. I would never let it get too far into speaking to someone without telling them when the time feels right.
“Others have said, ‘Why would I date you when I can just date a normal woman?’
“That may be true, but they probably don’t have my amazing personality!”
Ella has also encountered men who just see her as a “fetish” or a fling.
“The guys that go for me generally just want fun,” she explains.
“Very few want to know me for me or take me seriously, which is such a hard pill to swallow when you’ve got so much to offer.
“I try not to take things too seriously, but deep down it does upset me.
“Because I date straight guys, a lot of them base everything they know from what they see online.
“There aren’t many trans celebs in the public eye, so they don’t know what’s ok to say and what isn’t.
“I really hope that through me speaking openly and sharing my experiences on the show, people will become more educated with what’s appropriate to ask and what’s not.”
