Table of contents for Issue 1120 in Closer

• Never leave your drink unattended and never accept a drink from someone who you don't know. • Stay with your friends, know how you're all getting home and make sure your phones are charged. • If you are on a first date and want to accept a drink, then go to the bar with the person when they order and only take one from the server. • If you're with a new group of friends, let a trusted person or someone in your family know where you're going and whether you're expecting to come back. Also consider turning on the locator on your phone, so you can easily be found on apps such as Find My Friends or Snapchat. • If you are a bar owner or staff, watch…

During her five years on dating apps, Cassidy Davis had experienced many matchmaking mishaps – from a 33-year-old who needed his mum to order a drink for him, to an inebriated man who kept forgetting her name. Feeling disillusioned, Cassidy decided to bring the eligible bachelors to her by swiping through Tinder – and inviting single men to her house party. Miraculously, her bold move paid off, because in attendance was her now-boyfriend, Ken. And the success of the party even landed Cassidy a brand-new career in hosting her very own singles events. Cassidy, 30, says, “Being a hopeless romantic, I wanted to make dating fun again, but I never imagined it would lead to a new job or finding the love of my life. Focusing on matchmaking for others…

For months, the Hollywood rumour mill has been awash with whispers that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are on the brink of divorce after just two years of marriage. However, there has been no word from the couple themselves. But after Ben, 51, was notably missing from J-Lo's lavish 55th birthday celebrations last month – and having purchased himself a brand new Los Angeles home – it seems that an announcement is finally on its way. According to reports, there have been final attempts for the couple, who first dated two decades ago, to settle their differences in recent weeks. However, they're said to have failed, with multiple sources saying that, after two years of marriage for the pair, their divorce documents have been “finalised, but not yet turned in”.…

J-Lo She recently celebrated her birthday, and J-Lo looks just as fit at 55 as she did in her Jenny From The Block days. Jenny Powell Greatest Hits radio presenter Jenny, 56, is one fit lady, even giving the surfer babe lifestyle a go! Amanda Holden Nothing's holdin’ Amanda Holden, 53, back. When it comes to showing off her toned runner's body, the TV judge has seriously got talent! Leigh-Anne Pinnock She's used to performing with a band, but Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock, 32, stunned solo in this red two-piece. Kady McDermott The queen of Love Island, Kady McDermott, 28, swapped out the villa for turquoise waters as she lounged in a white bikini. Jessica Alba Jessica Alba is a hardcore cycling fan; if we looked as good as…

Six years ago, Brenda Langford feared for her life. After running a scan on her liver, one doctor warned her she wouldn't live for another five years, while another said her sleep apnoea was so severe, she could stop breathing and die in her sleep. Both health concerns, along with migraines and back pain, were a result of her weighing almost 35st. Enough was enough, and with the support of her husband Matt, Brenda was accepted for gastric sleeve surgery to remove 80 per cent of her stomach. Three years later, she then had four further surgeries to remove loose skin – costing more than £35k. Brenda used her retirement fund to pay for hew new body, and has no regrets after losing a whopping 22st, taking her to 12st…

FRESH FRAGRANCE A spritz of this zingy scent will transport you to an orchard of oranges. SCRUB UP Gently exfoliate your body with an energising scrub that leaves skin soft and smooth. HELPING HAND Hydrate hands and invigorate your senses with a luscious lemon aroma. SKIN SAVIOUR Apply this radiance-boosting serum after cleansing for a lit-from-within glow. COMPLEXION PERFECTION Minimise the look of dark spots and uneven tone with a vitamin C-enriched cream. BODY BRIGHTENER Struggling with dry and dull-looking limbs? Treat them to this ultranourishing lotion.…

ARTS AND CRAFTS HELP ME UNWIND… I like to sit in the garden and do paint by numbers. It just helps to take my brain away from everything else. My evenings normally consist of something crafty. MAGNESIUM IS A GAMECHANGER FOR SLEEP… In the evenings I have a cherry juice and a magnesium tablet from Healthspan Elite an hour before bed. I've found that magnesium doesn't necessarily help me fall asleep quicker, but it does help me stay asleep until my alarm goes off. I LOVE TO LISTEN TO AUDIOBOOKS… I use an app called Head Wave. It summarises great books in 15 minutes. A lot of my journeys in the car are around that time, so it's a great opportunity to listen to a book while I'm driving. •…

While it may not feel like a positive thing, anxiety does play an important role in keeping us safe when we need to be. But according to psychotherapist Anna Mathur, many of us live in a hypervigilant state, meaning we feel anxious and fearful a lot of the time. She explains, “We need to be aware of possibilities and dangers in life. Imagine a zebra in a waterhole; they need to have their wits about them in case a lion is near. But these days we have the internet, so we hear about illnesses we would otherwise have never known existed, and traumatic world events, so we have a lot of extra information. This can send our anxiety into overdrive.” In her new book, The Uncomfortable Truth, Anna addresses 10…

The true toxicity of Lauryn Goodman's ongoing feud with Kyle Walker came to light last week in an epic courtroom showdown that ultimately saw the football ace painted as the “good guy” and coming out on top – leaving Lauryn to be humiliated as his team blasted her for using him as an “open cheque book”. To make matters worse, Celebs Go Dating star Lauryn – who shares son Kairo, four, and one-year-old daughter Kinara with Kyle -was labelled “unreliable” by the judge, who described her expensive “wish list” of needs for her children as evidence of her “need to spend money”. But now a source close to Lauryn, 33, says the verdict has left her furious – and more determined than ever to get what she wants. DEVASTATED The…

Strictly Come Dancing‘s 20th anniversary should have been a sparkling cause for celebration. But with the show facing its biggest scandal yet, as numerous dancers face scrutiny over their behaviour, it feels like anything but for long-time host Tess Daly. Having been at the helm of the Strictly ship since it first aired in 2004, Tess, 55, has always been loyal to the show that turned her into a household name. MURKY CLOUD But with its future up in the air amid the BBC's formal investigation into Italian pro dancer Giovanni Pernice, and with further contestants reportedly preparing to speak out about their experiences, an insider tells Closer that Tess has been thinking about her future on the show – looking to her husband, Vernon Kay, 50, and fellow TV…

‘KIM CAN'T HELP BUT WORRY ABOUT WHAT SORT OF EXAMPLE IS BEING SET FOR HER CHILDREN’ Bianca Censori has dominated the headlines with her controversial outfits ever since she began dating Kanye West back in 2022. And now sources tell Closer that Kanye's ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, has been feeling concerned about just how much control Kanye has over his new spouse. The source reveals, “Kim genuinely pities Bianca. She knows first-hand how controlling Kanye is and how difficult it is to get away from him once he has you hooked. It feels to her as though Kanye is acting like a puppeteer and forcing Bianca to parade around practically naked in public. He allegedly spends hours deliberating over every item of clothing and critiquing Bianca's body. He's turned her into…

He entered the Love Island villa as the first ever celebrity bombshell in a bid to spice up the dating show. But Joey Essex's stint went down like a lead balloon, with many fans claiming the veteran reality TV star has ruined his career. Now sources close to the 33-year-old – who has been hit with bullying accusations – tell Closer that it's been a disastrous move, and even his family have been left disappointed by his behaviour. CRINGE FEST “Love Island hasn't been good for Joey – he's been all over the shop and made himself look a prize prat. The show was meant to be a big break for him – to boost his career and profile -but instead, he's taken a golden opportunity and messed it right…

Summer saviours Looking for that last-minute summer wardrobe inspiration? Banish those worries with Vicky Pattison's latest edit with high-street retailer New Look. Bag yourself a crisp white skirt co-ord which can be worn together or separately for maximum cost-per-wear, or a silky satin orange dress for those more formal occasions. You'll find an array of holiday heroes, soirée statement styles and al fresco dining looks, so no matter what you're on the hunt for, you'll find it here. Top, £22.99 Skirt, £27.99 Heels, £32.99 SIZES RANGE FROM UK 6 – 22, WITH PRICES STARTING FROM £2.99 GET HER LOOK KATHERINE JENKINS Take note from the stylish singer for your summer event outfits with the must-have layer of the season, a blazer. Make it easy to choose your colour by picking…

There has been a boom in people going abroad for budget surgery such as face lifts and tummy tucks, and it's led to a big rise in serious post-op complications and deaths. There's nothing wrong with foreign surgeons, the problem is the money-saving bit. ALONE IN A HOTEL ROOM The number of Brits needing treatment or corrective surgery following botched procedures abroad has doubled in three years. In 2023, six Brits died of complications, and there have been 28 deaths since 2019. Any invasive procedure carries risks of serious complications, but the big two are bleeding and infection. If you're alone in a hotel room in a foreign country and you don't speak the language, that can be terrifying – and life threatening. To recover from surgery, you need someone…

“Adding a mixture of summer berries to this sponge gives it a delicious taste and moistness. Top with whipped cream and extra berries to take it to the next level!” JANE DUNN'S SUMMER FRUIT DRIZZLE CAKE STEP 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan 160°C, gas mark 4) and line a 900g loaf tin with baking paper. STEP 2 In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Add the flour, eggs and vanilla extract and mix again. Fold through the berries and pour into the lined tin. Bake in the oven for 50 mins to 1hr, or until baked. STEP 3 Towards the end of the cake baking, for the topping, add the berries, sugar and lemon juice to a bowl and slightly mash the fruit and mix…

BARGAIN! AVAILABLE IN OTHER COLOURS HOW TO DO MAXIMALISM Stick to a coordinated palette first – use two to three colours and prints, to avoid it looking chaotic, If you're not sure where to start, try to add colour and pattern to your home with small accessories such as cushions and lampshades first, or choose a patterned wallpaper for a small space like a study or toilet room. If you love the idea of featuring several prints, you can make this work by choosing designs that all have similar colour tones.…

EDITH BOWMAN: ‘I tried not to cry with fear’ Radio presenter Edith Bowman, 50, is one of the new recruits on the latest series What made you want to take part? Well, I grew up in a kitchen. My family had a little hotel in Scotland, so I spent my childhood kind of running around and getting in everybody's way with my cousins. That environment is part of my DNA – and MasterChef is an institution, it's iconic! To get the opportunity to do it is that slight doubleedged sword of, ‘Yes!’ And then you go, ‘Oh, actually, this is going to be quite scary!” Did you have any concerns? I'm a mum, and I love cooking for my friends and family and for my kids – the kitchen is…

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 A lot can change for you, especially if you're at the right place at the right time. A little effort to rub shoulders with the right people and you'll be amazed by how many doors can open for you. Stretch yourself just a bit and see what happens! LEO 23 JUL – 22 AUG Any problem can be solved more easily if you approach it with confidence. Fortunately, you do have this in spades. If the problem is financial, then start thinking better thoughts. You can have it all, maybe just not all at once. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope…

Right you are, Andy! Just like we never ever liked watching an entire Netflix boxset in one go with an XL Domino's pizza, but still seemed to thrive at it. Oh Nicki, we're glad you asked. Right now, we're really willing to pack it all in, head to Ibiza and start a holiday romance with a local called Jose. Thanks for asking. GRUMPY GRAM VB didn't look too pleased to be on a secluded romanticvineyard date with hubby David in Corsica last week. But, even if you're in these beautiful, isolated surroundings, it's never fun if you desperately need a vino top-up and can't flag down a waiter.…

When Danielle Redman and her husband, Aaron, found out they were expecting twins, they were delighted. But their joy soon turned to heartbreak when in September 2020, Danielle lost both babies and was told by doctors that falling pregnant again would be incredibly risky for her. The couple were devastated at the thought of never being parents – but then Danielle's older sister, Nicole, made an incredible offer – she would have a baby for them. And in an amazing twist of fate, after starting their surrogacy journey, Danielle herself soon fell pregnant shortly after. Now, she and Aaron are the proud parents to Avery and Carson, and they couldn't be happier. Danielle says, “I'll never be able to thank Nicole enough for giving me the greatest gift in the…

6-12 AUGUST VIRGO 23 AUG - 22 SEP You're in a phase where you may be rethinking some of your personal habits, attitudes and even your appearance! A few adjustments in your personal style may give you the confidence you need now. Do banish self–doubt and negativity. Believe in yourself and everyone else will too. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope LIBRA 23 SEP - 22 OCT You've been in a cleansing phase for over a year now. Along with it, the change has brought loss as well as gain. This week, you may need some time alone to process it all and think. Some lessons are hard won. You don't ever lose; you win or you learn. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope SCORPIO 23 OCT - 21 NOV…