'It's very difficult seeing Josh and Stephanie together': Stevie Johnson talks all things Made in Chelsea with HELLO! Fashion

With Made in Chelsea's eighth season in full swing, all eyes have been on Stevie Johnson as he navigates the return of ex-girlfriend Stephanie Pratt into his life, including the beginning of her new relationship with his close friend Josh Shepherd. "It's hard in a friendship group like ours where you see each other every day," he told HELLO! Fashion exclusively. "I found that with Josh and Steph. I try and take a step back but then I see them and it's very difficult." As he prepares to head to Birmingham for Clothes Show Live, Stevie opened up about all things Made in Chelsea, and what he really thinks of Alik Lafus and Louise Thompson's relationship… Scroll below for the full interview

Stevie Johnson revealed he wants ex-girlfriend Stephanie Pratt to be happy

It's been a really long year, but it's been good! I think some of us were a bit worried about coming back after New York because we didn't know if everyone would be up for it, but as soon as cameras start rolling, we get so into it and love doing it.

It's good, but there's a lot more pressure. My first year on the show I could drift in and out, and Andy was going through a lot so I had to be there for him. But when we signed up to do the show, it was all about giving our life to TV. We want to make a show that's as good as possible – it can be difficult when you're going through a hard time, but you have to take a step back and realise that's why we do it. It's quite rewarding to watch it back and see everything you're going through on screen. It's cool to have the country watching with you.

Even though we've had a few cross words and things are a little bit fragile at the moment, we still have a friendship there. There's that respect and I felt like it was lacking a bit at times, but the fact that she could stand there with me and tell me Josh is making her really happy, I would never be the person to stand in their way. I do care about her and want her to be happy in life.

There is a girl I've been seeing a bit recently, but I'm taking it quite slowly after coming out of a hectic relationship. I would definitely bring her on the show – we want to show every part of our life. We'll see!

Stephanie is now dating Stevie's friend Josh Shepherd

I think they will last. Louise and I have always had a bit of a rocky relationship mainly due to her relationship with Andy. But in New York, I fell in love with Alik. I think he's such a great guy. He's had a really positive impact on Louise and I think she realises it, which is very important. She's grown up quite a lot. I think the fact that they're both willing to work past the blip they've had, and to let it go, is important. They don't want to lose each other, the love is really strong there.

I don't think he is. It's hard, because I think his intentions are being misunderstood by some of the girls. It's never easy if your ex is lingering around, but at the end of the day I don't think he's trying to sabotage anything, he cares about Louise and wants her to be happy. Andy has such a good heart, he's not the sort of guy who would try and come in the way of two people. As soon as he realised they were serious and that Alik is a really good guy, he wanted to take a step back, but it's hard in a friendship group like ours where you see each other every day. I found that with Josh and Steph. I try and take a step back but then I see them and it's very difficult.

We all love doing it, and at the moment it's doing so well that we have that feeling that if we walk away, what was the point? We're all really proud and like doing it, plus we get to hang out with our friends. Obviously there's a time when the show's not going to want to surround us, for example when we have babies and take the kids to school. But I'm not thinking about that anytime soon! I think right now, nobody has the intention of walking away.

Alik and Louise met while filming Made in Chelsea NYC

I actually went last year and it was mental – one of the most hectic experiences of my life, but such a cool atmosphere! I'm excited to go back this year – plus, I usually leave my Christmas shopping until about the 23rd December so maybe this year I can actually sort it out a bit earlier.

Yeah definitely, especially in the last six months. Obviously living with Proudlock in New York changed my style – he's so on point with all his fashion, I like to think it's rubbed off on me a little bit. I would steal stuff from his wardrobe and he was really good about it, telling me I could pull it off… even though sometimes I probably looked a little bit ridiculous! It's about pulling off that cool persona that comes from what you're wearing.