Table of contents for Issue 1042 in Closer

Rumours have been swirling about the line-up of the Britain's Got Talent judging panel ever since comedian David Walliams quit following a scandal last year. And insiders say there's been more drama as Amanda Holden is said to be at loggerheads with her BGT bosses in a salary row. Amanda, 51, has reportedly sent the latest series into turmoil alongside fellow judge Alesha Dixon, 44, after it was reported that the pair have refused to sign their contracts. The duo are said to be furious that new judge Bruno Tonioli, 67, will see his salary match their own at an estimated £850,000. A source previously shared, “Amanda has been on BGT for 17 years, while Alesha is going into her 11th year. They don't think it's fair a newcomer could…

He's wowed fans with his 14st weight loss since his gastric sleeve surgery and now James “Arg” Argent has undergone a skin removal procedure after his dramatic shape-up left him with baggy skin. A source reveals, “James is really proud of his body and how far he's come, so he wanted to be able to confidently show off his new look. He's had the procedure done now so it's sorted by the summer and he can jet off on holiday, beach-body ready.” Arg, 35, has completely turned his life around after previously battling issues with drugs, alcohol and food, hitting rock bottom in December 2019 when he was rushed to hospital twice after bingeing on cocaine and suffering two drug overdoses. A rehab stint in Thailand followed and Arg was…

She kicked off her year with a bang as the Strictly tour audience voted for her to lift the Glitterball trophy. And last week, Helen Skelton took some time out of her gruelling rehearsals to take her 13-month-old daughter Elsie swimming. Looking incredible in a black bikini, Helen, 39, who split with her husband of nine years, rugby player Richie Myler, last April, appeared happy and content as she spent the day with her children. The Countryfile presenter also shares sons Ernie, seven, and Louis, five, with Richie – who went public with his new romance just weeks after their separation – and revealed in October that he was expecting a baby with new love Stephanie Thirkill. Helen, who was left “dumbstruck” by the split, has since thrived after joining…

Ever since she was a little girl, Julie Hornby, has dreamed of being a mum. Having worked in childcare for more than a decade, she couldn't wait until the day she would welcome a child of her own. When she fell pregnant two years ago, she thought her wish was finally coming true. But sadly, she suffered a miscarriage. She was trying again to fall pregnant when the cost-of-living crisis happened – and everything changed. Julie, 37, from Welling, Kent, says, “I've always desperately wanted children. But I'll never have a baby now. I've been robbed of that chance. “Rising costs in gas, energy, petrol and food mean that my husband and I simply can't afford to bring a child into the world.” And even if prices do start to…

Stephanie Davies-Arai, organiser of Transgender Trends, a campaign group for parents concerned about transgender issues, believes that 16 is too young for a person to choose to change gender. She says, “16-yearolds do not have the ability to weigh up all the risks of such a permanent decision. By allowing children to change their birth certificates, the Scottish government is encouraging them to choose an identity they may grow out of as they get older.”…

LAURA: ‘I hated clothes shopping – now I love wearing bright colours’ Laura Allen, 27, a Slimming World Consultant, from Nottinghamshire, lost 9st 7lbs and a staggering eight dress sizes (from a 24 to an 8) by overhauling her whole lifestyle. She says, “I'd always been an emotional eater and used food as a reward. At school, I'd eat my packed lunch before having more food in the canteen. In the evenings at my grandparents’ house, I'd have a bag of sweets in front of the TV, but when my granddad commented they weren't healthy, I'd binge them in secret. I'd put weight on steadily throughout my childhood, but aged 23, I weighed over 20st. I struggled to enjoy life as a young woman and clothes shopping was a no-no.…

INSIDE ESTER'S FRIDGE ● Organic eggs ● Houmous ● Tomato ketchup ● Mayonnaise ● Soya yoghurt ● Babybel cheese ● Soup ● Peppers ● Smoked salmon ● Organic salmon steaks ● Cucumber ● Prawns ● Tomatoes ● Mushrooms ● Avocados ● Onions ● Strawberries ● Salad leaves ● Sourdough bread ● Carrots ● Potatoes ● Salad ● Soya milk ● Orange juice ● White wine ESTER How much do you spend per week? £150 for me, my mum and my daughter, Pearl, seven. I never shop online as I don't trust the sell-by dates and I like to choose my products. I go to supermarkets and look at all the offers. Describe your daily diet… I start with coffee and my first meal will be lunch, normally at 2pm. If…

RELATIONSHIPS TRY TO DATE PEOPLE OUTSIDE YOUR ‘TYPE’ Lots of us are always attracted to the same sort of person but sometimes that can lead us down an unhappy path The problem with having a very specific “type” is that you could be excluding someone that would be your perfect fit, if only you would give them a chance. Think of all the times you've agreed to do something that you genuinely didn't believe you would enjoy, only to end up having a great experience. So often we think we know what we like and dislike, but the truth is we've simply adapted to living in our comfort zones and stopped pushing the boundaries. If you feel frustrated that you keep being disappointed by dates, cast the net a little…

WIDE-LEG FLARE It's rare when a trend comes round that not only looks chic but also works to elongate legs and helps to balance out curvier hips. Flares will give a nod to ‘70s styling and by going for a floor-skimming style, they'll make you appear taller. AVAILABLE IN PETITE WEAR WITH … HIGH-WAISTED MOM Most likely to already beyour go-to, the mom jean has been dominating our wardrobes for a while. The high waist is greatfor hourglass figures while the roomy fit at the thighs make this style a great alternative to skinny or straight-leg jeans. WEAR WITH … COMES IN DIFFERENT COLOURS VERSATILE GIRLFRIEND The sweet spot between skinny and wide-leg denim, this style is easily dressed up or down. A good pair of girlfriend jeans is comfy,…

Ben Price, 50, on this week's action on the cobbles… Let's talk Bistro dramz… It's awful! Nick is a father who wasn't there for his son for 10 years, and now he's putting Sam at the centre of a gun siege. He's about to really ruin his kid's life! Do you enjoy “dark Nick”? There are definitely sides to him! He's trying to get stability for his family – but the way he does it is always wrong. Can Nick and Leanne get through this? Yes. I think the audience wants those characters to stay together, even when it's hard. It's real. FOLLOW OUR LIVE TWEETS OVER AT @CloserOnline…

Notorious gossip columnist and friend to the stars Perez Hilton – who is pais with reality-TV queen Kim Kardashian – tells Closer he can see Harry and Meghan launching a reality show in a further bid for celebrity status and money, and believes they won't hold back. Perez says, “It does not surprise me that Harry and Meghan are said to be in talks for a reality-TV show. They've become like the Kardashians and I'm sure the producers of that show would love to be involved. They are hypocrites who have put greed over their family. They are not royals in America – they're celebrities. They know their currency is tied to how much people are talking about them. Nothing these two do anymore shocks me after Harry went on…

She confirmed her split from husband Paddy McGuinness last July, saying they had reached the decision “a while ago”. And last week, Christine McGuinness admitted that she wasn't always true to herself during their 11-year marriage. MASKING Opening up in an interview, she said, “I'd always wanted to be a wife so once I met Patrick, I fully went into “perfect wife” mode, you know, ‘I'll stay in, I'll cook and clean and make sure I'm the best wife I can be’. I was always pretending to be something else rather than simply just me, that's all part of masking.” Christine, 34, met Paddy, 49, when she was modelling at the Liverpool Tennis Tournament in 2007, aged just 19. They tied the knot four years later at Merseyside's Thornton Manor…

Love dramas THE LATEST HOOK-UPS, MAKE-UPS AND BREAK-UPS Sharing a sweet snap of her two-year-old son Santiago holding up two baby scan pictures last week, Dani Dyer, 26, shared with fans that she and footballer boyfriend Jarrod Bowen are expecting identical twins. The former Love Island star and daughter of actor Danny Dyer has been dating Jarrod, also 26, since late 2021 and revealed to fans she is now five months pregnant, saying, “So excited to meet our babies and watch Santi be the best big brother.” Speaking of her pregnancy symptoms, she admitted, “I've never felt so tired in my life” adding, “I could eat a bowl of mash with vinegar and Tabasco every night!” Dani – who won Love Island with Jack Fincham in 2018 – shares Santi…

Love dramas THE LATEST HOOK-UPS, MAKE-UPS AND BREAK-UPS It was revealed earlier this month that she'd split from boyfriend Travis Scott, and last week, Kylie Jenner was spotted hitting Paris Fashion Week and enjoying the single life. Wearing a monochrome outfit, Kylie – who shares Stormi, four, and one-year-old Aire with rapper Travis – looked seriously glam as she spent the evening with friends. Kylie, 25, and Travis, 31, have been dating since 2017 and split in 2019 before rekindling their romance in 2020. But over Christmas, fans became suspicious when Kylie spent the holidays in Aspen with her family, without Travis. A source later confirmed, “Kylie and Travis are off again. This has happened so many times before, they're known to be on again, off again, but always remain…

• There are a range of schemes designed to help with rising childcare costs. Go to moneysavingexpert.com/family/childcare-costs for more information. • If you have a three or four-year-old, FREE childcare is available. Parents across the UK can get up to 30 hours free per week. • If you're on Universal Credit and in work, you can reclaim some of your childcare costs (up to a maximum per month of £646 for one child, and £1,108 for two or more children) for children up to the age of 16. • If you're on tax credits, you can claim child tax credit until 31 August after your child turns 16. • If you're not on benefits but entitled to Tax-Free Childcare, you can get a top-up of up to £2,000 per year,…

EAT AN APPLE A DAY – BUT DON'T PEEL IT! So it seems there is truth in the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. “We know that the skin of apples is rich in fibre and flavonoids [a beneficial compound], and recent research has shown that apples feed the good bacteria in your gut and help stop sugary cravings,” says Dr Mosley. He also explains that flavonoids from fruit can increase the production of a molecule in our body called nitric oxide that regulates blood pressure and maintains blood vessel health. “Most of an apple's flavonoids lurk in or just under the skin – so ideally you should eat your apples unpeeled to gain the maximum benefits.” SOAK UP SOME SUN While we, of course, have to…

You'll have heard that Lisa Marie Presley suffered a cardiac arrest at 54. Cardiac arrest doesn't mean heart attack – it basically means that her heart stopped. There will be a second part on her death certificate, which says why. THINK ABOUT THE WHOLE PICTURE Usually, the main causes of a cardiac arrest are heart problems, so heart disease, inherited heart conditions, inflammation of the heart muscle and that kind of thing and given her dad, Elvis, died at 42 of a heart attack, she almost certainly was at a heightened risk herself. You would have thought her medical team would have known about that, but it's still possible to have a known heart condition and not be able to avoid what happened. I obviously don't know how good Elvis…

Attention singles, something revolutionary is happening… dating apps are declining. I know. This is major! A recent survey of British singles found 64 per cent of people would prefer to meet their partner in person, compared with half of that just four years ago. What's more, for the first time ever since they revolutionised romance, downloads of dating apps have started to decrease by 10 per cent over the last two years. I know I'm very vocal about the negative impact the apps have had but, and this is a big but, they can be wonderful ways to facilitate introductions. I don't know how I'd have survived lockdowns living alone without them, plus I've made many friends from people I've met via Hinge and they are a great tool for…

Selina Flavius, founder of the financial coaching and training company Black Girl Finance, shares three new ways to approach money… • TALK ABOUT YOUR FINANCES MORE “Start with simple conversations, for example if you're going for a new job, talk about the salary. The person you are talking with may be able to give you some hints and tips about what salary to expect.” • CHAT ABOUT CASH WITH YOUR PARTNER “Plan a time in advance, ensure there are no distractions, have your facts and numbers ready, and just be honest with yourself and your partner. It may not be an easy conversation, but you are bound to feel better from no longer having the stress of keeping money worry or debt secret from someone you care about.” • DON'T…

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Closer TV TV WEEK: 4-10 FEB 1 CLARKSON'S FARM SEASON TWO LANDS FRI 10 FEB, PRIME VIDEO Despite the big question mark hanging over the future of this show since Clarkson's controversial comments about Meghan Markle, Amazon is pressing on with series two of Clarkson's Farm – meaning we get to see another eventful year at Diddly Squat Farm. The first season saw Clarkson (aka Britain's most unlikely agriculturalist) attempt to learn the workings of his new venture, aided by a host of entertaining characters (all set to return, actual farmer Kaleb included). It's been quite the hit with viewers! FACTFILE It's full steam ahead for the already- commissioned Clarkson's Farm and The Grand Tour but Amazon is reportedly not renewing contracts with Jeremy Clarkson after that. 2 TONIGHT WITH TARGET FRESH MUSIC…

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 Academic House, 24-28 Oval Road, London NW1 7DT. In the event of a discrepancy between these terms and…

31 JANUARY – 6 FEBRUARY PISCES 19 FEB – 20 MAR Let your hair down a little this week. Treat yourself and indulge in a little luxury. You'll be glad you did because soon, things are about to get serious. As your personal priorities come into focus, practice the concept of boundaries. Learning to say “no” isn't easy, but it is important. Visit yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope ARIES 21 MAR – 19 APR A bright idea is one thing. Taking action on that idea is quite another. This week, you'll get the opportunity to start putting things into place in a way you haven't been able to for several months now. It's go time! In terms of the big picture, you've only just begun! Visit yasminboland.com for your daily…

Not so sure we can agree with you on this one, Ry – we've never had a date yet where a man has complimented us on our ‘tache. Surprisingly, Paul, we've been online dating men for years and can confirm that a good 90% of them don't seem to be able to do anything but mess around with their measurements! GRUMPY GRAM After launching a hunt for her stolen headscarf, furious Nicole finds the culprit. Despite previously vowing revenge, she decided against it. After all, the thief turned out to be completely armless.…

‘ALL SHE'S EVER WANTED IS TO HAVE A FOOTBALL TEAM OF KIDS RUNNING AROUND’ She's made no secret of her longing to have a second child – previously confessing she was looking into “alternative options” to give her five-year-old son, Bear, a sibling in the absence of a partner. But as Cheryl approaches her 40th birthday in June, the star admitted that her age could have dashed her baby dreams, as she revealed she's now considering adoption to expand her family. Opening up in a rare interview about her personal life ahead of her West End debut in Ghost Story 2:22 last week, the former Girls Aloud star – who shares Bear with her 1D star ex, Liam Payne, 29 – said, “I was so hell bent on having another…

Fans have always admired her candid confessions about her ongoing weight and health battles over the years, and last week, Kerry Katona posted a video during which she revealed she's put on 3st. Despite admitting that she'll be with fiancé Ryan Mahoney until “the day I die”, Kerry, 42, admitted that she's refusing to marry while feeling insecure over her new curves. “I'm not walking down the aisle looking like this, bleeding hell!” Kerry told fans, confiding in them that she's put on weight after ditching her smoking habit three years ago. Kerry added, “I'm tripping over all of my body parts. Once you get to 40, that's it. Everything drops, your face, your t**s, your knees…” Kerry, who jokingly told Closer last month that she'd put on weight to…

Strictly Come Dancing couple Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez have revealed they are adding a baby boy to their brood – a brother for their three-year-old daughter Mia. Posting the news on Instagram alongside a black and white picture of Mia kissing Gemma's blossoming baby bump, the actress and radio host, 38, joked, “Impossible to hold my belly any longer. I've officially ‘popped.’” Their celeb pals were quick to congratulate the couple, with Stacey Solomon, Giovanni Pernice, Oti Mabuse, Joe Wicks and Claudia Winkleman all sending their well wishes. Gemma and Gorka met in 2017 after Gemma – who last week shocked fans by showing how she could suck in her bump – joined the Strictly cast, being paired with Aljaz Skorjanec, while Gorka was partnered with Alexandra Burke. They…

She's pregnant with her fifth child, and now Stacey Solomon has announced that she is expecting a little girl. The heavily pregnant star – who is due any day – shared the update on Instagram alongside smiley photos with her one-year-old daughter, Rose. She wrote, “So excited to share with you that we are going to be saying hello to another darling daughter soon. The boys [Zach, 14, Leighton, 10, and Rex, three] are so excited. And the thought of Rose having a little sister as well as all of her amazing big brothers has filled our hearts!” The 33 year old – who is preparing to welcome her third child with husband Joe Swash added that it's extra special for her, as her own bond with her sisters is…

She's now happily loved-up with boyfriend James Green after her toxic split from Ant McPartlin five years ago. And insiders say that Lisa Armstrong will walk down the aisle for a second time and is planning an extravagant occasion – but it may prove awkward for her ex-husband Ant, who she was married to for 11 years. STRENGTH A source tells Closer, “Lisa and James have been going from strength to strength for a while now – they already feel like they're married. They've both decided that it would be a shame not to go through with it as they've had such lovely support from their friends and family. With her head of make-up duties on Strictly over, Lisa is finally getting round to drawing up a guest list for…

HOW IT WORKS: 1 Choose one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner every day. You can repeat any you enjoy. 2 Because Slimming World's eating plan is based on the science of energy density and satiety (how filling a food is) it helps you to cut calories without having to count a single one, so you can lose weight without going hungry. 3 Free Food is at the heart of the Slimming World plan. These are foods you can enjoy without weighing, measuring or counting. There are more than 350 Free Foods to choose from, including fruit, veg, pasta, rice, potatoes, pulses, lean meat (and some plant-based proteins eg Quorn), fat-free dairy, fish and poultry. Basing your meals around Free Food and reaching for them first if you feel hungry…

DECADENT CHOC (Tony's Chocolonely, supermarkets, £3.49) Inspired by Ben & Jerry's classic ice-cream flavours, you can get your hands on two new indulgent Love A-Fair bars in dark milk chocolate brownie and white chocolate strawberry cheesecake. Both are sweet and crumbly! SUSTAINABLE SWAPS (Ask Italian, prices from £6.95) If you're continuing with Veganuary, there are plenty of new additions to tuck into including Spaghetti Lentil Ragu, Vegan No'Duja Dough Bites, plus garlic bread with a plant-based mozzarella.…

TV PRESENTER, AMANDA LAMB, 50, ON HOW SHE LOOKS AFTER HER BODY AND MIND… SLEEP SPRAYS REALLY WORK… I take Life Armour Drops of Slumber, which are amazing, or I'll take OTO CBD Sleep Drops. I'm terrible at taking supplements, but I'm getting better. I AIM FOR 10K STEPS A DAY… It sounds hard, but I live close to a park and we have a dog, so I take him out for an hour a day. Before I know it, I'll average 13,000 steps a day. “Walk more often,” was the first thing my personal trainer said to me when I started with them. Where I can, I'll walk instead of driving and I'll get off the bus two stops early. AFTERNOON NAPS ARE UNDERRATED… Sometimes I need just 20 minutes…

AFFORDABLE TREATS! GET HER LOOK RACHEL STEVENS, 44 With plenty of purse-friendly fashion inspo to feast our eyes on, the former pop singer showcases everything from her collab with high-street brand Oasis to classic looks. Her day-to-day outfits are timeless, chic and perfectly accessible. Take this outfit, for example, from the boxy grey blazer and straight-leg jeans to her ever-stylish accessories, we couldn't love this more. FASHION WORTH TALKING ABOUT! Taylor Russell Revving up the red carpet in head-totoe leather and hardware, actress Taylor Russell celebrated the return of BAFTA's Tea Party by pulling out all the style stops in this stunning ensemble. Danielle Deadwyler Proving you can never go wrong in Dior, actress Danielle looked a vision in this floral frock with paper-bag detailing at the waist and pointed…

IF IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK It may be hard to fathom at this point, but you're in the process of embarking on a brand-new, long-term cycle of confidence and growth. There's no need to change anything, just keep doing what you're doing and the magic will happen. AQUARIUS 20 JAN-18 FEB It may be hard to believe you're coming to the end of a long and arduous cycle. The tides are sure changing for you. It may be difficult to imagine now, but the struggles do become triumphs. A brand new you is about to emerge – so don't give up! Visit yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope…