MEET THE HARTMANNS: ‘I THINK PEOPLE ARE READY FOR A WEE BIT OF NORMALITY'

THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF JERSEY STARS TESSA HARTMANN AND HER DAUGHTER TALLIA STORM ON MEETING PRINCE WILLIAM HANGING UP ON ELTON JOHN AND HOW PERSONAL TRAUMA LED THEM TO REALITY TV FAME

- CHLOE ALEXANDROU

The Real Housewives Of Jersey star Tessa Hartmann is without doubt a formidable woman. Having founded the Scottish Fashion Awards, earned herself a CBE and fought off breast cancer – all while running a business and raising four children – we can’t help but be in awe of her.

Tessa, 51, moved to Jersey five and a half years ago with her husband Sascha, 52, and their children Tessie, 23, Tallia, 22, Johnnie, 16, and Zac, 14.

The straight-talking Scot may come across as a little frosty on the show, but we’re pleased to report that this grounded Glaswegian lass is no ice queen. When we catch up with Tessa on Zoom she’s warm, chatty and very apologetic for the flatness of her post-workout hair.

“It hasn’t got its usual height,” she jokes.

We think Tessa is looking fabulous, and so does her daughter, Tallia Storm, who joins her mum for the call. The singer and former Celebs Go Dating star couldn’t be happier that her mum is finally getting her time in the spotlight.

“She’s been behind the scenes for so many years and I’ve always felt like people need to see all the amazing things she does,” Tallia gushes.

“It’s been brilliant fun,” says Tessa when we ask her how she liked her first major television gig. “As a family we are 100% ourselves. We’re a bit dysfunctional, take the mick out of each other and are as real and honest as it gets.”

That may be the case, but as we delve deeper into the lives of these two ladies it’s clear their stories are pretty extraordinary. Prince William, Elton John and Gemma Collins are but a few of the names dropped during our conversation, and Tessa and Tallia have fantastic tales to tell of them all.