Table of contents for Issue 1149 in Closer

Following her Bear Hunt success, Holly Willoughby is returning to the world of TV – but far from cosy daytime shows, a source reveals that her sights are now firmly set on grittier documentaries. Ruling the This Morning sofa for 14 years, Holly, 44, garnered a reputation as daytime TV's bubbly blonde bombshell. However, after an appalling stalking plot turned her world upside down in 2023, she chose to step back from the spotlight to take time away. INSPIRATION But having made her return to the world of showbiz, an insider tells Closer that Holly hopes to be taken more seriously – shedding her golden girl reputation and delving into more serious and, possibly darker, topics. Revealing that she's ready to use her own traumatic experiences as inspiration for a…

She revealed how she's ready to walk down the aisle, but insiders now say that a wedding could be a distant dream for Alison Hammond – with her already packed work schedule about to grow even busier. Last month, Alison, 50, made a surprise admission on her Smart TV podcast about her relationship with 27-year-old boyfriend David Putman. Speaking about her relationship with the Russian masseur, Alison revealed, ‘This is going to make headlines but, yeah, I would marry him tomorrow.’ But while Alison dreams of walking down the aisle, a source tells Closer she may have to wait. It's been reported that Alison is set to host a new BBC revival of Hole In The Wall – on top of her already hectic filming schedule – meaning even more…

She may have narrowly missed a spot in the final, but focusing on Dancing On Ice has kept Charlie Brooks distracted from her love split. The former EastEnders star, 43, broke up with producer James Fuller earlier this month, just weeks after going official. A source says, ‘Charlie has thrown herself into work. She's so happy she has Dancing On Ice to focus on as she gets over the shock split. It's been a tough time for her, she's not been sleeping, has lost weight and is generally feeling low, but the show was something she could put her all into to get through this tough time.’ Unlikely support has come from her ex-fiancé Tony Truman, with whom she shares daughter Kiki, 20. The insider adds, ‘She's still best friends…

EMMA RADACANU At the age of just 22, tennis ace Emma Raducanu has twice experienced stalking. Earlier this month, she was forced to temporarily leave a match at the Dubai Tennis Championships and left in tears after spotting a man – at first assumed to be a superfan – who had been stalking her. He was later ordered to sign a restraining order. SHIRLEY BALLAS Strictly judge Shirley Ballas’ six-year nightmare came to an end last week when 37-year-old Kyle Shaw pleaded guilty to stalking her. He had made unwanted attempts at contacting Shirley, 64, and her friends and family, as well as monitoring her every move and even posting a picture of her house on social media. CHERYL Following a painful few months, Cheryl, 41, faced fresh hell when…

He was well-acquainted with Love Island before he first starred on the show last year, as he counts series three's Olivia Attwood and her husband Bradley Dack as best friends. And now, after Liv appeared to have had initial reservations about Ronnie Vint's partner, Harriett Blackmore, during the recent All Stars, he tells Closer what she really thinks. Before the foursome heads out on a double date, Ronnie, 28, reveals, ‘Everything's sweet, there's no issue! Liv loves Harriett. The thing with Liv, she knows what she's doing. She's been in the industry for so long. She doesn't have a filter. She has my best interests at heart – I couldn't say a bad word about her. She's had my back through everything.’ Ronnie and Harriett, 24, hit it off on…

The golden couple of TV in the noughties, Tess Daly and Vernon Kay will celebrate 22 years of marriage later this year. And last week, Strictly Come Dancing host Tess, who turns 56 next month, looked gorgeous when she posted a picture of herself on social media wearing a swimsuit during her working holiday in Dubai. Followers described the former model and mum of two – who shares daughters Phoebe, 20, and Amber, 15, with Vernon – as ‘perfection’ and ‘stunning’. Now an insider tells us that Vernon, 50, also feels ‘incredibly proud of how great she looks’ and that their marriage is better than ever. The source says, ‘Tess loves showing off her body, she looks incredible – she's turning 56 this month but isn't fussed, she feels better…

Ed Westwick looked very much the proud daddyto-be as he posed with his heavily pregnant wife, Amy Jackson. The Gossip Girl star, 37, was seen cradling the 33-year-old's growing bump in a photo on Instagram, ahead of her due date. ‘Counting down,’ he said. It's been a whirlwind romance for Ed – best known for playing Chuck Bass in Gossip Girl – and Bollywood actress Amy, who married at the Amalfi Coast last August, five months after he proposed. They announced her pregnancy two months later, in October. It will be Ed and Amy's first child together, although she has fouryear-old son, Andreas, from her relationship with entrepreneur George Panayiotou.…

1 WAISTCOAT WONDER The waistcoat has been big news over the last couple of seasons, and it's here to stay. A tailored top and trouser ensemble can be worn as it is, or layered over a shirt for an office-ready look. 2 COMFY BASICS A super-soft sweatshirt and skirt combo will feel as comfy as your loungewear but look much more polished. Opt for paredback hues and classic prints like stripes and polka dots for plenty of wearability. 6 DENIM DUO Sunnier days are almost here, and they're going to be calling for this supermarket steal. The denim shorts can easily be worn with T-shirts and cotton shirts throughout your holidays. 7 SPORTS STARS The humble tracksuit has been elevated into high-fashion territory and is perfect for a busy weekend. Take it from…

How much do you spend? £150 to £200. I try to shop in local butchers, fishmongers and fruit and veg shops as much as I can. For bigger shops, I'll go to my nearest supermarket. Describe your daily diet… For breakfast, I usually have toast with either butter and jam or honey and sometimes fruit. My constant, however, is coffee every morning. I easily have two or even three before lunchtime! Lunch is either a simple jacket potato, pasta or perhaps a steak with some leftover gratin dauphinoise. In the evening, it'll be something like a short rib beef curry, or a chicken chasseur – both equally delicious. Strangest thing you've eaten? I've eaten lambs’ testicles – my dad cooks these so well with a bit of butter, parsley and…

About 1.5 million women in the UK have endometriosis, and now research shows they're more likely to take lower-paid jobs or work fewer hours because of the condition. Endometriosis can be miserable – but if you've got it, you don't have to put up with it. WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS? Endometriosis means the cells that normally line your womb can be found in other places in the body. Every month, they also grow and then bleed. This causes inflammation and chronic pain, and can have a severe impact on your everyday life. These cells are most often found in the lining of the pelvis or around the pelvic organs like your ovaries, bladder and bowel. Very rarely, they can be found in unusual places like the lungs. CLASSIC SYMPTOMS Heavy periods…

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…

 ARIES 21 MAR - 19 APR Mars, your ruling planet, is still on the go slow. The process you've been through won't automatically get better overnight, but it is improving. What is required of you now is to figure out how you're going to integrate all of the changes. Start upgrading your personal wants and desires. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope TAURUS 20 APR - 20 MAY Even if you're not usually one to meditate, try it. You don't have to do anything fancy. Just tell your Higher Power what you need and want out of life. Even better, ask to be shown the right pathway to take. Once your intuition speaks to you, you must listen and take action. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope GEMINI 21 MAY…

When Kaye Farleigh's 40th birthday approached in 2022, she felt down about it, as she'd imagined she would have been settled with a family of her own by that age. Kaye, 42 says, ‘I'd always wanted to be a mum and was so frustrated that it hadn't happened for me. I ended up seeing a counsellor, who told me I needed to grieve the life I didn't have and just move on. But I thought, “No, I'm not giving up!”’ After lots of research, Kaye made the decision to go it alone instead and have IVF using a sperm donor in early 2023. She is now a proud mum to one-year-old Oscar, and pregnant with baby number two, who is due in August. Kaye says, ‘Part of me wishes I'd…

After getting back together with Ella Rae Wise, Dan Edgar has revealed that he's loved having her support during his skating journey. The TOWIE couple split last May after reports he had cheated on her with his ex-girlfriend Hannah Rally, but decided to give their relationship another go in December. Rumours were abound that they had rekindled their romance after Ella, 24, was spotted in the Dancing On Ice audience as the 34-year-old reality star made his debut, before the pair confirmed that their relationship is definitely back on after going Insta-official on Valentine's Day. Dan – who narrowly scraped through to the semi-finals after being in the bottom two with Traitors star Mollie Pearce – tells Closer, ‘I've been speaking to her pretty much every day. She's been very…

Taking to social media earlier this month to share a humorous video posted by an American zoo which jokingly offered to name piles of their elephant dung after ‘your c**t’ ex-partners, sources say Lisa Armstrong is still plagued by issues over her ex-husband, Ant McPartlin. BITTER Lisa, 48, and Ant, 49, separated in 2018 after 11 years of marriage. And while Lisa has moved on with her life – going on to date electrician James Green, who she split from in 2023 – sources say the Strictly make-up artist still feels ‘stuck’ and unable to move forward. An insider says, ‘She will tell her friends that she's moved on from it all one day, and then the next she will be sharing some post online that makes it seem like…

After winning over fans, Catherine Agbaje and Omar Nyame finished their All Stars journey in fourth place – with Gabby Allen and Casey O'Gorman voted winners. Having departed sunny South Africa with their new romance, Catherine, 24, and Omar, 26, now tell Closer that the right couple won. Catherine shares, ‘I would have been happy with any of the final five winning, because everyone was genuinely into each other by the end of it. I didn't feel any fake vibes – and I'm big on vibes!’ Spending weeks living in the villa, it's no surprise our Islanders grew close. When asked who she'll stay in touch with, Catherine says, ‘Most likely it'll be the girlies that were in the final. Towards the end, you're super-close to everybody. Least likely… I'm…

Three years after that Oscars slap drama when he walloped host Chris Rock, Will Smith left fans shocked when he appeared to kiss Spanish singer India Martinez at an awards show. The Bad Boys star, 56, came under fire for the ‘inappropriate’ act with the 39-yearold, which happened as the pair performed their new song, First Love, at the Premio Lo Nuestro Awards in Miami. ‘Inappropriate. Even if it is “entertainment”’, one fan said. Another remarked, ‘This whole thing is cringe.’ Will, 56, and wife Jada Pinkett Smith, 53, split in 2016 but remain close for their kids, Jaden, 26, and Willow, 24. ‘We're still figuring it out,’ Jada said.…

As the sun shone brightly, Levi Stanford and his new wife Amy looked across the picturesque reservoir and gave each other a quick kiss. Married just five days earlier, the young newlyweds were still in celebration mode and had gone to the local beauty spot with six family members for an afternoon of swimming and relaxing. LOVED Wanting to make the day extra special, Levi had a surprise for his bride and their family and friends. He'd designed a device that would make a huge geyser of water shoot out of the reservoir and erupt into the air in an amazing display which he hoped would make the guests all gasp – which they did, though not in amazement but in horror. Levi was supposed to have 60 seconds to…

OVERNIGHT WONDER Apply this leave-on face mask as the last step of your evening routine to banish dry skin while you sleep. It's powered by moisturising avocado, glacier water and hyaluronic acid. SMOOTH CRIMINAL This exfoliator combines the malic acid found in apples with lactic and glycolic acids to gently refine uneven texture. Massage into skin before rinsing off to reveal a brighter complexion. LIP PLUMPER Keep your pout looking plump with a fruit-fuelled balm. Antioxidant-rich apple extract fights harmful environmental elements and pollutants to keep lips soft and supple. EYE SAVIOUR The skin around our eye area is delicate and therefore benefits from a dedicated cream. This rich formula uses avocado and shea butter to provide intensive moisture.  HYDRATING CLEANSE Melt away make-up and impurities while delivering long-lasting hydration.…

I AM MORE ADVENTUROUS WITH FOOD NOW… I lost 5 ½ stone last year and since losing weight, my tastebuds have changed so much. I love cooking healthy food. I eat a lot of fish now. I EXERCISE FIVE DAYS A WEEK… I do the boxing-style fitness workouts from my plan [Shaughna's Shred It Plan]. They're only 12 minutes long so, if I have childcare, I do three in a row which takes just over 30 minutes. Otherwise, I'll try to fit some in with Lucia [her 23-month-old daughter] with me. It feels great to be fitter. I LOVE A SUNDAY WITH NO PLANS… I'm happy just walking my dogs and then chilling out and watching movies at home. I DON'T GO ON MY PHONE IN BED… Even if it…

‘If you're not a fan of paneer, swap it out for chicken; we shan't tell – but otherwise leave it be and give this easy dinner a good go.’ TWOCHUBBYCUBS’ TANDOORI PANEER SKEWERS, PICKLED RED ONIONS & CUCUMBERS STEP 1 First make the pickles. Put the sliced onion and cucumber into a bowl and add the white wine vinegar, salt and sugar. Toss to coat and leave to stand. STEP 2 Tip the paneer into a bowl with the red and green peppers. Add the yogurt and the tandoori spice mix and gently toss to coat. Divide the paneer and peppers equally between 4 small skewers. STEP 3 Mix the rest of the yogurt with the mint sauce and chill until required. STEP 4 Preheat the air fryer to 200°C.…

SAVE MONEY ON WINE! Henry Colyer, wine expert at Les Grands Chais de France, reveals how to get more booze for your buck: 1 Crémant is made in the same way as Champagne, in a different region, and can be five times cheaper. 2 Don't overlook boxed wine – it's better for the environment and helps reduce the urge to ‘finish off the bottle’ as, when stored properly, it can last up to six weeks. 3 A lot of research goes into where bottles are placed. Get to know your supermarket and give yourself a little more time to hunt out bargains. Identify how the wines are organised geographically, as this will focus your search and help you find the best offers. THE Boost For more quick fixes to boost…

 IF IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK If you're growing a little weary, hang on in there! Keep doing what you're doing. With a bit more optimism and by stretching yourself a bit, you'll be amazed by the progress you can make. Pull up your socks and align your actions with your priorities. PISCES 19 FEB – 20 MAR Money might be a bit funny now. It could be a cash flow issue or maybe you're redefining what you want. Desire is the basis of all manifestation. If you are dissatisfied with your current lot in life, reassess. Everything you've ever wanted begins with you. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope…

Aww, bless. Thanks, Paris, we really loved it too. And when we finally work out what ‘sliving’ is we'll be sure to catch up with you again to ‘slive’ a little more… Not entirely sure what Whip Shots are, Cardi, but just to be clear… the only thing going in our tea is milk, butter on our crumpets and cheese on our beans. As for bus parties, have you seen how cramped our public transport is? GRUMPY GRAM That awkward moment when all your friends’ orders have arrived at the table, but yours hasn't, so you have to nick forkfuls of theirs. Something tells us Olivia won't be tipping today.…

‘MAURA FEELS LIV DIDN'T THINK SHE WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR PETE’ They're both Love Island contestants who have graduated from the reality series to become queens of domestic TV – and Olivia Attwood and Maura Higgins have continued to trailblaze their way through a whole host of high-profile shows since becoming household names. FUEL TO THE FIRE But despite their individual success stories, talk of a bitter feud has followed the pair, making headlines last November when Liv appeared to suggest Maura had been ‘piggy-backing’ off her career instead of following her own path. In a not-so-subtle social media dig at her ‘nemesis’, who Liv didn't mention by name, the Loose Women star wrote at the time, ‘One day I'm going to write a book and some of the stuff…

Melanie Vicary, 33, is a nanny from Reading who used a sperm donor to become mum to Seth, four, and Emmie, two. Melanie, says, ‘On dating apps, I was upfront about wanting kids soon, it felt like a waste of time otherwise. ‘But at a fertility seminar in 2018, I had my light bulb moment. The presenter said you need to grieve the loss of a traditional family, but I didn't feel like I was grieving anything. I realised I'd been dating just to find someone to father my children and that IVF was my best option. ‘I found a reputable clinic near me, TFP Oxford Fertility, and discovered I was eligible for free IVF because of a hereditary genetic condition, though I had to pay £800 for the sperm.…

As this year's oldest finalist, TV presenter Michaela Strachan is proud that she made it this far. ‘I'm 58 years old and flying the flag for the older woman. Age does not, and should not, define you,’ she says. The Springwatch host – who has shocked viewers with her skating skills alongside partner Mark Hanretty – has suffered some painful injuries throughout her training for the competition. She admits, ‘When you get to this age, you just don't mend as well. I really enjoy my freedom to do things like hiking and exercise, so I didn't want that to be compromised by doing a TV show. Whereas now, I'm in it and loving it so much. I'm like, just give me the painkillers and let's get through this.’ Michaela, who…

She is still riding on a high after finishing Love Island: All Stars as a third-place finalist with boyfriend Curtis Pritchard. But the one part of her journey that Ekin-Su Cülcüloglu was ‘fuming’ about was the lack of accessories available in the hideaway. FALLOUT After Curtis admits they got ‘screwed over’ – particularly because other Islanders were treated to ‘handcuffs, whips and chocolate-coated strawberries’ – Ekin, 30, remembers, ‘There was no saucy stuff! They had some when Curtis went in there with Danielle [Sellers] and the same with Elma [Pazar] and Sammy [Root], but funnily enough, when I went in there, absolutely nothing. ‘I think it was done on purpose because [producers] knew if there were whips and creams, I would have used them all. The show would have gone……

When her job in a supermarket wasn't paying enough to cover her bills and university fees, Latiesha Jones decided to try out a side hustle – and discovered a niche that started earning her a fortune. Latiesha, 24, started selling her dirty bath water, spit, toenail clippings and even bedsheets that she had slept in for a week, to people who were willing to pay up to £1,500. She eventually ditched her job and dropped out of university to do it full-time and Latiesha, who lives in Manchester, says the money she's earned has enabled her to buy her own apartment, enjoy luxe holidays, pay off thousands of pounds of debt, as well as treat her loved ones. Latiesha says, ‘One bloke paid me £1,500 for just a travel-size bottle…

New Look's latest drop Ready to embrace warmer days in style? New Look's new collection is here to refresh your wardrobe. Think boho vibes with playful ruffles, flared silhouettes, earthy tones and a chic suede jacket for cooler evenings. Inspired by runway trends, this affordable range brings high-fashion flair without the hefty price tag. Prices from £29.99. Sizes from UK 6-18. PURSEFRIENDLY SPRING STYLE! GET HER LOOK KATIE HOLMES Actress Katie Holmes is the queen of looking polished with little effort. Take her shirt, trousers, and trench combo – simple but elevated with a pop of print on her shoes, while wearing her shirt backwards. Proof that basics can be reworked for endless stylish looks. 5 THINGS WE'RE LOVING THIS WEEK 1 Striped sneakers are still the ‘IT’ shoe – grab…

Our interview with Danielle Lloyd, which comes just days after she was diagnosed with skin cancer, is an emotional one. Understandably, there are plenty of tears as the mum-of-five explains her shock and fears for the future. She tells us tearfully, ‘When you hear that word, it is just so shocking. I felt gobsmacked, and then I felt numb. The first thing that came into my head was my kids. The worry just flooded in, and I was thinking, “Am I going to survive?” I am trying my best to stay positive, but it's hard.’ Last summer, Danielle – mum to Archie, 14, Harry, 13, George, 11, Ronnie, seven, and Autumn, three – spotted a mole on her collarbone that was changing shape. ‘I'd never noticed it before, but I…

COST PER SERVING 63P SWEET POTATOES WITH SPICED ROASTED CHICKPEAS SERVES 4, TAKES 1HR • 4 large sweet potatoes, pricked all over with a fork • 400g can chickpeas, drained, rinsed and patted dry • 1tbsp olive oil • ½tsp chilli powder • 2tsp curry powder • Salt • 20g butter • 100g soured cream • Pinch of chilli flakes, plus extra to serve (optional) • 2tbsp pesto • Fresh coriander leaves, to garnish (optional) STEP 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C. Place the potatoes on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake for 50min until the flesh and skin are soft. STEP 2 Mix the chickpeas with the olive oil, spices and a pinch of salt. Spread on a baking sheet lined with baking paper, place…