Molly-Mae Hague has spoken for the first time about having a nanny - and explained why she kept it a secret from fans.

The influencer and former Love Island star has faced criticism from other parents for talking about the challenges she faces raising two-year-old Bambi on her own for most of the time as she no longer lives with on-off boyfriend Tommy. Last month there were claims she was getting childcare or a nanny when she was working on her business brand Maebe which led to claims she was being "inauthentic" and not telling the full story.

Speaking in-depth about it for the first time, she explains her reasoning to her dad Stephen in a scene from Season Two of Molly Mae: Behind It All. Talking with her dad about being away for a Maebe photoshoot, Molly-Mae says: "We've got Tommy when he can, and then obviously childcare at home on some of the days, I only kind of like doing two nights away maximum now. I think now she's gotten older."

Molly, 26, adds: "There's always been a bit of speculation about Bambi's childcare and me having a nanny, but I never really knew how much of like a big thing it was gonna become. I guess I just shied away from it. I think I got a bit too scared to actually talk about it.

"I just feel like by not talking about it, I've then made it this big situation where people think I haven't been truthful. I do have help on the days that I need it, and me and Tommy are both working, and I do just wish I'd been honest about it from the start, but I feel like I just didn't want to upset anyone, and I didn't want to make anyone feel less than. I shied away from talking about it because the last thing I wanted to do was make any other mum feel like invalid."

In response her dad tries to reassure her. Stephen says: "Mum lives three hours away. I'm working full time. You're a working mother who is not sometimes in the UK, you need support."

Molly says: "Obviously, as you know dad, like it isn't round the clock care, like it's literally just when we're working and we need it. It has allowed me to keep working and build my businesses and also create the life I want to create for Bambi, and also still be at home and be present with her whilst working like it's just what we wanted to do.

"But I also get that it isn't normal. I'm in a very, very privileged position that I am able to have someone that can watch her for me, so that I can go and do these things and grow my business."

The Maebe brand continues to grow and, in the series, a Summer launch of new clothing sees most products sell out on launch night.

There are also some heart-warming moments of Molly-Mae and Bambi together, including when she serves her daughter like a waiter and another time when they go to feed ducks in a park.

Elsewhere in the series, Molly says she hopes to move back in with boyfriend Tommy Fury by the end of the year but it does make her anxious to think about it.

She says: "The thought of going over there and putting all my eggs into one basket again? It's just obviously it's scary, because with me and him, I never know what tomorrow's gonna bring.

"I just think I get anxiety, because I don't know if I'm gonna, like, wake up and just be in a big problem. Because there's been many a time I wake up and I've got a big problem on my hands."

Molly Mae finally admits she has a nanny despite solo parenting complaints - The Mirror