TV star Megan McKenna has hit back at MasterChef star Bernice Marie on social media after being publicly criticised for her 11-month-old son Landon not crawling
Megan McKenna has publicly confronted a BBC star who criticised her parenting on social media. The 32-year-old former TOWIE star reacted after MasterChef series 13 contestant Bernice Marie wrote a now-deleted comment claiming Megan was a “bad mum” because her 11-month-old son, Landon, has not yet started crawling.
The reality star, who shares Landon with footballer husband Oliver Burke, addressed the remark in detail on her Instagram Story on Sunday, describing it as “bizarre” and insisting she should not have to justify herself. Megan said: “Do you know what I never come on to just like out people but something these people need to be educated.
“So there is a lady that has just written something on my page about Landon saying that I’m clearly not a good mum because he doesn’t crawl yet and he’s nearly one.”
READ MORE: Megan McKenna’s shock phonecall amid ‘tough’ setbackREAD MORE: Gregg Wallace unrecognisable with full head of hair before his TV axe and BBC ban
She explained the natural variation in infant development: “Firstly, crawling can be from seven months to 13 months, some babies don’t even crawl, they just go straight to walking.
“Landon is literally on the verge. He is literally like on his knees and moving, he just hasn’t been able to do the actual moving with the knees. I don’t need to explain myself but he’s obviously 11 months [old].”
Megan also criticised the person making the comments, pointing out the irony of a fellow parent criticising her: “I just find it bizarre that another mum who is proudly stating she’s cabin crew, has kids, has been on TV, and I’m actually going to put her Instagram on my next post.
“I just think this mum-shaming needs to stop because it’s absolutely ridiculous,” she insisted.
Bernice, who left MasterChef in week one of series 13 in 2017, deleted her comment after Megan shared a screenshot.
This is not the first time Megan has faced online criticism since giving birth to Landon last year.
The former Celebrity Big Brother star has shared her parenting journey on Instagram, and trolls have often commented on mundane aspects of her day-to-day life.
Last month, she faced backlash over a video showing her cooking spaghetti with Landon by her side, with one critic writing: “Megan he’s sat in the direct sunlight in that position. Can you not tilt the blinds or something x”
Fans quickly defended her parenting. One follower responded directly to the troll: “Have a day off Trace.”
Megan’s message comes amid wider conversations around mum-shaming on social media, highlighting the pressure public figures face when sharing family life online.
She emphasised that such criticisms are both unwarranted and harmful, especially when they focus on natural differences in child development.
The reality star’s response has sparked support from her followers, who praised her for addressing the criticism firmly while educating others about the normal range of milestones for infants.
Megan remains vocal about defending her parenting choices and using her platform to challenge judgment from strangers online.
Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.
READ MORE: Shop Dani Dyer’s butter yellow midi dress as she announces Strictly news on The One Show