Table of contents for Issue 1114 in Closer

NEWS Simon Cowell, 64, wants to reach out to the former members of One Direction after reportedly upsetting them with recent comments he made on a podcast. The music manager, who formed the boy band on The X Factor back in 2010, was talking on The Diary Of A CEO podcast where he said his “one regret” was not owning the boy band's name so that he could use it for other business ventures. Shortly afterwards, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan unfollowed him on social media. “Simon is shocked and upset that the 1D boys have unfollowed him,” a source tells Closer. “Liam Payne only visited Simon recently and brought along his son Bear. And Louis Tomlinson was being touted to join Simon on his new TV show to hunt…

• Take it one day or one event at a time – Promise yourself that you “Won't drink today”, or “Won't drink at this event”. Small promises are much easier to keep. • Take care of yourself – Go to bed early, read or find a creative hobby. Download the free I Am Sober app for motivation and to track your sober milestones. • Read “Quit Lit” – The Unexpected Joy Of Being Sober and Sunshine Warm Sober by Catherine Grey, and The Sober Girl Society Handbook by Millie Gooch are inspiring. • Consider swapping evening plans for daytime activities – It's far easier to turn down booze when you're not surrounded by it (or people drinking it). • Enjoy finding alcoholfree alternatives – Gordon's alcohol-free gin is best for…

DWIGHT YORKE Katie dated Premier League footballer Dwight Yorke in 2001, splitting soon after falling pregnant with disabled son Harvey, now 22. She previously revealed, “I think he's seen Harvey about nine times in his life. Any man can make a baby, but it takes a real man to be a dad.” ALEX REID She tied the knot with Alex Reid, 48, during a whirlwind Las Vegas wedding in 2010, a mere eight weeks after her marriage to Peter ended. Katie later revealed she was on the “rebound” when marrying Alex, adding that he “changed from the man I fell in love with.” LEANDRO PENNA After meeting at Elton John's Oscars party in 2022, Katie had a brief fling with Argentinian model Leandro Penna, 37, in 2012. She initially wrote…

Justin Timberlake hit headlines last week after being arrested for drink driving in New York following a night out with friends. And while the pop star, 43, and his wife of 12 years, Jessica Biel, 42, are yet to release any official statements as he awaits his court date in July, the actress was pictured looking tired on the set of her new Prime series just hours after Justin's release from custody. A source says, “Jessica will be colossally disappointed and embarrassed. “She has shown the patience of a saint, forgiving his various misdeeds over the past few years, but this is really testing her.” To make matters worse, Justin's ex, Britney Spears, also appeared to wade in, posting a picture of a cocktail on social media with the caption,…

When Chloe Smith sits down to watch England play Slovenia in the Euros – on the day this issue of Closer hits the shelves – she may feel a little less nervous than other fans. That's because professional psychic Chloe has a hotline to the Spirit world – and she's got a “gut feeling” England will do well in the tournament. It's a message Chloe was recently able to pass on directly to England forward and Manchester City player Phil Foden, in a mediumship reading for his family. “I told Phil over the phone that I felt things were going in the right direction for him and that he's going to win – or be in the final,” Chloe, 27, says. “I don't really understand football, but all I can…

INSIDE MEGAN'S FRIDGE • Eggs • Gluten-free puff pastry • Jalapenos • Lemon juice • Balsamic dressing • Ketchup • Onions • Tuna • Lamb steaks • Tangerines • Raspberries • Strawberries • Cherry tomatoes • Tabasco • Pork mince • Tomatoes • Mixed salad • Cheddar • Mayonnaise • Baby spinach • Potatoes • Spinach • Almond milk • Orange juice MEGAN MCKENNA How much do you spend? It can be £200, other times much less. I like Lidl for their fruit and veg and Tesco for my luxury items. Describe your daily diet… At the moment [she is five months pregnant] breakfast is two waffles, baked beans with Worcestershire sauce, grated cheese and a baby leaf and rocket salad. I like to add maple syrup on top…

I went on a date recently. With a guy I met in real life. It was fun. There, that's the big reveal this week. After weeks of dancing around the dilemma, we finally went for a drink. He's quite a bit older than me (not an issue) he's been married and divorced twice (not an issue either) but he was super confident and liked to remind me how many women approach him (kind of an issue.) He was a gentleman, a great conversationalist and while he had a very interesting life and lots of intriguing stories, he took the time to ask about me. It was flattering. However (and isn't there always a catch) it felt a bit rehearsed. I don't drink much these days – he managed three beers…

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LILAC…

Sophie Khan Levy, 34, on Priya's dramatic week… What is Priya's reaction to the news that Nugget has collapsed? It's a complete shock. She's missed it completely, and that makes her feel incredibly guilty. And when she hears about her son's kidney issue? She's got no level of medical knowledge so she immediately catastrophises the situation – going straight to the worst-case scenario. She's on her knees in devastation. Is Priya fun to play? I love that she ends up saying the things that a lot of people might be thinking but would never, ever dare to say! Priya doesn't seem to understand the word “consequences” at all! FOLLOW OUR LIVE TWEETS OVER AT @CloserOnline…

What made you sign up? I hadn't read the book, but my daughter had – so I was aware that lots of people were going crazy for it. When something comes along that your children are going mad for, you do tend to have a little look and get involved. And it's quite nice that I'm in something they can watch rather than things that are inappropriate or make them cringe massively. Additionally, I'd wanted to be in Dolly's [director Dolly Wells] orbit for a long time… Tell us about your character, Leanne… She is Pip's mum and trying to do a good job. Trying, sometimes failing. I think she's pretty nice, she's just a bit worried about Pip and can see her going down a precarious road. She has…

Six The Musical The sensationally sassy hit musical Six has just extended its run in the West End at the Vaudeville Theatre through to Sunday 4 May 2025, with two new sing-along performances. The Tudor Wives of King Henry VIII rewind the clock to reclaim their crowns and re-tell their stories of love, loss and their infamous ex! With a line-up of songs that will have you singing your heart out all year long – just try not to lose your head! Tickets are on sale now via www.sixthemusical.com. MAGIC RADIO IS NOW AVAILABLE ACROSS THE UK ON YOUR DAB DIGITAL RADIO FOR MORE INFO VISIT: WWW.MAGIC.CO.UK City Cruises With a fleet of 20 boats operating on the Thames, the River Ouse in York and Poole, there's a buoyant array…

She's had the adventure of a lifetime filming in a tropical jungle in a sun-soaked paradise -but insiders tell Closer that Holly Willoughby has been fighting back the tears as she worries about her future. Last month Holly, 43, flew to Costa Rica to film her new reality endurance series with Bear Grylls for Netflix, but despite that being a hugely exciting move, it also left the star feeling emotional, especially as it took her away from her husband Dan Baldwin and their three children – Harry, 15, Belle, 13, and nine-year-old Chester – for two months. And now sources tell us that the reality of not having her familiar This Morning routine has taken a toll on the star, leaving her questioning her decision to quit ITV's flagship daytime…

It's been a year of milestones for Gemma Collins, who announced her engagement to Rami Hawash earlier this year. And after debuting her incredible new weight loss online, the former TOWIE star now tells Closer that she hopes her new health kick will bring her one step closer to motherhood. Gemma recently announced on social media that she had lost weight by adopting the Fibre First diet, alongside help from fitness guru Steve Bennett. Now the reality star claims that the diet has not only helped her shed pounds, but also healed her fertility issues. Gemma, 43, has been candid in the past about her struggles to conceive, suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and experiencing multiple miscarriages. IMPROVED FERTILITY The star – who got engaged to Rami, 49, back in…

After her beloved boyfriend died in a freak accident at her 30th birthday party, Kaitlin Palmieri struggled to come to terms with the tragedy. Then she met handsome Eric and believed she had a second chance at happiness as she revealed to us when we first spoke to her in 2022. But on the morning of their wedding day, she was woken with unthinkable news – her husband-to-be had died in the night. And as Kaitlin slowly tried to get over the pain of losing Eric, she was dealt yet another cruel blow when she discovered he'd been seeing another woman in secret. Kaitlin, now 38, says, “I was heartbroken all over again. I'd been grieving for a man I loved – but it turned out I didn't know him…

From day one in the Love Island villa, Samantha Kenny asserted herself as an Islander not to be messed with. The fiery make-up artist, 26, spent her two weeks on the show coupled up with its number one bachelor: Joey Essex. Unfortunately for Samantha, the arrival of Joey's ex, Grace Jackson, turned the TOWIE star's head, and Samantha was dumped from the island after Grace decided to couple up with Joey. She talks exclusively to Closer about life inside the villa, Joey, and why the girls can't get enough of Ronnie. How has it been watching the Joey debacle back? I think I probably did like him a little bit more than he liked me. At the beginning, it was very slow. Initial attraction was there – he's gorgeous, there's…

“A warm chicken salad is a very lovely thing. Cooking chicken thighs skin-side down in a frying pan means releasing all that flavour.” SOPHIE WYBURD'S COCONUT CHICKEN & BEAN SALAD WITH JAMMY SHALLOTS STEP 1 Season the chicken thighs all over with salt. STEP 2 Place a frying pan over a medium heat and add the chicken thighs to the pan while still cool, skin-side down. Pop a square of baking paper over the chicken, then top with a heavy pan to ensure a really crispy skin. Fry for 10 mins. STEP 3 Remove the pan and paper from the chicken. Flip each thigh over and fry for another 5 mins. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside to cool. There should be lots of chicken fat left…

CLOSER NUTRITIONIST JULIETTE KELLOW SAYS: “As Megan is pregnant, it's vital her diet is packed with nutrients to feed her developing baby. It's important to have enough calcium to support the growth of her baby's bones – milk, cheese, yoghurt, beans and nuts are a great choice. Megan might also like to have a portion of oily fish each week – these provide omega-3 fats, which are vital for her baby's brain and eye development.” CLOSER ONLINE GET RECIPES, DIET AND FITNESS ADVICE AT CLOSERONLINE.CO.UK/DIET-BODY Follow @juliettekellownutritionist on Instagram COMFORT FOOD… COSY DINNERS Pie, mash and gravy. I love a chicken pie more than a steak pie these days. FAVOURITE TIPPLE… FRUIT JUICE Orange juice is my favourite at the moment. It has to be in a cup with a…

Life balance WELLBEING YOUR GUIDE TO EMOTIONAL ISSUES & FAMILY LIFE WITH COUNSELLOR, PSYCHOTHERAPIST AND LIFE COACH ANNA WILLIAMSON Use of tech is something all of us – not just kids – need to boundary more. It's why there is a lot of sense in having a “tech” or a “social media buddy”, who helps you to retain the boundaries you've set yourself – like Lily Allen and her actor husband, David Harbour. You could think it sounds a bit controlling – a husband deciding what apps you can use – and yes, if somebody is dictating what you should and shouldn't do, that is not OK. However if, as is the case here, it's something you've asked for support with, I'm all for it. As long as they're deciding on…

PROFESSIONAL DANCER JOANNE CLIFTON, 40, ON HOW SHE LOOKS AFTER HER BODY AND MIND BALANCE IS ESSENTIAL… As a very competitive and active person, I need rest in order to keep my mental health in check. I have hobbies to help me de-stress, such as solving jigsaw puzzles and building Lego models. Every week on tour, I'll take a 1,000-piece puzzle with me. It allows me to practise mindfulness and stops my thoughts from racing. I AIM FOR 10,000 STEPS A DAY… I have arthritis in both knees, so I like to do low-impact forms of movement in order to protect my bones and joints. I keep fit by getting outside for a walk or doing the cross-trainer and stretching at the gym for half an hour. TRASH TV HELPS…

COVER STAR A trusty trench will always come in handy when dealing with the great British weather. Swap beige for something spicy, just like Mel B. Finish off with matching heels. SKIRTING AROUND If you want to create a sleek outfit with minimal effort, then grab a slip skirt. This bargain buy works perfectly for casual-yet-dressy occasions, when paired with a slogan tee, blazer and block-heel sandals. DENIM DELIGHT Give your denim a new-season spin by opting for printed jeans. Keep the rest of your outfit simple: a blue, oversized shirt and tan accessories complete the look in style. MIDI MAGIC For a versatile piece, look no further than the printed tea dress. Wear with ballet flats like Nicky Hilton, or pair with heels and a clutch for an evening…

Closer TV TV WEEK: 29 JUNE-5 JULY TV WEEK: 29 JUNE-5 JULY 1 SURANNE JONES: INVESTIGATING WITCH TRIALS INFAMOUS SALEM LEGACY SUN 30 JUNE, 9PM, C4 With her documentary-making hat on, actress Suranne Jones brings us the final part of her fascinating tale of witch trials through the ages – heading to the American town of Salem. Back in 1692, when two young girls began to behave in an “alarming manner” – barking like dogs and convulsing as if having a seizure – it was naturally assumed that an “evil hand” was upon them, and witches were at work. Making cakes with their urine and feeding those to dogs didn't seem to work, and so hysteria took over – with devastating consequences. Suranne also meets a real witch, and finds out…

He's already been linked to two different women since announcing his divorce from Ruth Langsford, and now Closer can exclusively reveal that presenter Eamonn Holmes is also seeking support from a third woman, according to our insider. The GB News presenter has been working with podcaster Hayley Sparkes for some time, and friends have told Closer that she's been helping him through the separation. ANOTHER BLOW It was announced just last month that Ruth, 64, was divorcing Eamonn, also 64, after she discovered messages on a laptop between him and another woman. So the news of him also reaching out to travel presenter Hayley, 40, will come as another blow to the Loose Women star. “Eamonn met Hayley through social media. He loves travelling and cruises and wanted to try…

Sitting in front of the TV, Olivia Kennedy thought nothing of having a bottle of wine in the evening. And at the weekend, she would drink even more. It was a bad cycle that the 29-year-old charity worker from Preston had got into – but it was when her partner Gabby* fell pregnant that she knew she needed to make a change. POPULARITY Olivia says, “The hangovers and anxiety were getting worse. I was sluggish all the time and hated that I would have blackouts and not remember everything. “When Gabby fell pregnant, I knew that I didn't want my child coming into the world with me drinking so much. I wanted to be a present parent, not so hungover and full of anxiety and loathing that I couldn't take…

'THE VENDETTA IS TIRED AND THE NARRATIVE IS THE SAME' They were one of showbiz's best-loved couples before their bitter split. And, 15 years on, emotions are still running high as Peter Andre has told pals he's fed up with Katie Price blasting him in public and is begging her to stop for the sake of their kids. Katie often speaks candidly about the ups and downs of her relationships and recently has been talking about a number of her exes in interviews. Just last week Katie, 46 – who is training to become a life coach, mentored by self-proclaimed “Psychopath Life Coach” Lewis Raymond Taylor – reflected on her past romances. She said, “I just call all my exes Mr. Prices. They all gang up together and they all…

As rumours of a divorce with his wife J-Lo continue to swirl, insiders say Jennifer Garner has offered her ex-husband Ben Affleck a spare bed to sleep in. The Batman actor moved out of the home he shares with J-Lo, 54, back in May to a rental in nearby Brentwood, but now pals say his ex-wife, 52, is offering him a room at hers. “Ben's got a key to come and go as he pleases, and he's been spending a ton of time at her place, coming over for dinners and hanging with the kids,” our source reveals. “It's great for his state of mind and the kids love having him around. That's why Jen's open to the idea of having him move back in, she's got a lot of…

She made her hotly-awaited TV comeback on TOWIE in March, 12 years after she left the reality show. It marked a welcome boost for Lauren Goodger after a difficult couple of years which included the tragic loss of her second baby daughter and a turbulent love life that saw her then-boyfriend face claims of assaulting her. But now, insiders say that Lauren fears her future and career have been thrown into jeopardy amid a new legal battle in court. 'IT'S A MASSIVE BLOW – SHE JUST WANTS TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE FOR HER FAMILY' Mum-of-one Lauren is accused of promoting an unauthorised foreign exchange scheme on social media. A source says, “Lauren has told friends she's in a panic, because she has her daughter to look after. CONSEQUENCES “She…

SEX SPECIAL! She's usually on our screens dishing out advice to the newlywed couples on Married At First Sight, but now sex expert Charlene Douglas is sharing her wisdom with you. As she releases her debut book, Come Closer, Charlene gives advice on reigniting the spark, having more orgasms and finding the time for sex. • Come Closer: Everything You Ever Wanted To Ask A Sex And Relationship Therapist by Charlene Douglas is out now. SCHEDULE IT IN If you have busy jobs, young children or just struggle to find the time, Charlene suggests carving out time for sex in advance. She explains, “It's not unsexy to schedule it in. We know that if we want to go to a concert, it isn't any less fun because we've had it…

PERFECT BITES The Picnic and Deli Bites range from Asda is perfect for picnics and picky-bit lunches. We love the Pickle Pot and Marinated Ploughman's Pot (both £3). From stores nationwide and online. CHOCS AWAY Happi's creamy oat-milk chocolate bars are the perfect plant-based treat. Available in six varieties, there is something for everyone. From happichoc.com, Waitrose, Holland & Barrett and WHSmith. BERRY FROZEN Del Monte's frozen British strawberries are frozen at the height of freshness. Use in a variety of summer desserts, or whiz in a blender for a strawberry daquari! £2.25 from Iceland.…

If you're unhappy, figure out why. Do you feel unloved, disrespected, hurt or deprioritised? If a line has been crossed with physical or verbal assault, the relationship should end. If you feel under-appreciated or lacking intimacy, however, that can be worked on. Have a conversation where you're both actively listening. Say, “I recognise what you're saying, this is how I feel, so where can we meet in the middle? What are the compromises and solutions we can come up with?” It can be hard to walk away – you may have children together, a home you've bought – so be really honest and ask what is keeping you together. Is it because it's “easier” or is it because you still love them? Recognise what needs to change. Too many of…

From late payment fees and missed appointment charges to auto-renewals and forgetting to cancel a free trial, getting behind with your life admin can cost you dear. Plus, feeling out-of-control with it can really affect your mental health. Catherine Ann Reid created doqit (doqit.io) for this very reason. It's a life admin app to help reduce time, cost and stress, allowing you to store documents and information in one place and reminding you when you need to take action. Catherine Ann says, “We have more life admin than ever before due to regulation, subscriptions and everything being self-serve – we book our holidays ourselves rather than using a travel agent, for example. Plus, we used to get our information through the post, now it comes to us via apps, platforms,…

IN THE NEWS… WOMEN'S DRESS, £55; GIRLS' DRESS, £20 Giving a whole new meaning to summer dressing, FatFace's latest collaboration takes inspiration from one of our all-time favourite warm-weather treats. Joining forces with Jude's Ice Cream, the edit is packed with summer-approved stripes, pretty pastel tones and fun ice cream-inspired accessories so you can quite literally look ice (cream) cool. Even better, the collection includes pieces for the whole family as well as beach staples like towels and water bottles, so you can get decked out with all your summer essentials in one fell swoop. Prices start from £7.50, available now.…

SPEND OR SAVE £96 £12 REVOLUTIONISE YOUR LAUNDRY With notes of rose petals, honeysuckle and sandalwood, Comfort's new Scent Boost Elixirs have all been inspired by botanical fragrances. Pour into the conditioning compartment of your machine, and your clothes will be given an extra dose of freshness. Choose from Heavenly Fresh, First Bloom or Summer Bouquet. Prices from £3…

Tell us about the road trip… It was mega – amazing! A lot of people in the crew are friends; we've all worked together for a long time, so it was really good fun. And what makes it special is meeting the [food] producers and suppliers up and down the country, who are always constantly battling – or rather embracing – the weather… The main challenges of cooking in a truck? It looked very, very cool – especially when it was set up on location with the awning out and the pizza oven lit, and we had an electric oven and a barbecue too. But there were points where the wind was blowing so hard, I was twisting salt and pepper a meter away from the plate, but you have…

MUST READ I Love You, I Love You, I Love You (LAURA DOCKRILL) Ella and Lowe are teenagers when they first meet in summer 2000. For her, it's love at first sight, but they are safely in the friend zone. Over the next 15 years, they share everything, but Ella will have to choose whether it's enough to be just friends with the love of her life, or if she's prepared to let the truth come to light… A brilliant, nostalgic read.…

1. These terms and conditions together with any specific rules displayed or referred to on the relevant page of Closer magazine in respect of a prize draw or competition (a “Prize Draw Notice”) and H Bauer Publishing's General Terms and Conditions (available online at http://www.bauerlegal.co.uk/competition-terms.html) are the prize draw rules (the “Rules”) that apply to each and every prize draw and/or competition of any nature included in Closer magazine (a “Prize Draw”) unless otherwise expressly stated in the Prize Draw Notice. By entering a Prize Draw, entrants agree to be bound by these Rules. 2. Each Prize Draw is organised by Closer magazine, part of H Bauer Publishing Limited of registered address Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA. In the event of a discrepancy between these…

IF IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK Words, connection and togetherness will really make you feel special. The more you have to give, the more you'll receiv Life really looks onwards and upwards! However, don't let overthinking or mistakes from the past haunt you. THIS WEEK'S CELEB STAR SIGN Cancer 21 JUN – 22 JUL There's a lot of good in your chart right now. You have the blessings of Venus in your sign, which is great for anything to do with love and abundance. It also looks very nice for your social life, too. Keep counting your blessings to attract more blessings. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope LEO 23 JUL – 22 AUG If you want your cash (and your sex life) to get stronger and better, then you…

GRUMPY GRAM After years of being abused for his “cheesy” tunes, pop ledge James reveals that it's triggered an addiction to the stuff. Don't worry, Blunty, we still think you're GRATE!…