Table of contents for Issue 1121 in Closer

Last week it emerged that Holly Willoughby will be returning to our screens, hosting a new TV show this autumn. And now insiders tell Closer that the star - who stepped away from the spotlight last October following a terrifying kidnap plot and the shocking scandal involving longterm co-host Phillip Schofield is feeling excited to return to TV and in a much better headspace, all thanks to pal Bear Grylls. POSITIVE OUTLOOK A source says, “Holly is feeling excited for a new chapter in her life after everything that happened. She’s turned a corner and heading out to Costa Rica really helped her. Bear encouraged her to practise meditation and breath work and it’s really helped with restoring her positive outlook. “This last year she has had so many out-of-body…

Television star Michelle Keegan may seem like she has it all together, but the actress has been suffering from bouts of anxiety for years, and it hits her most when she reaches the end of filming her shows. The former Coronation Street star, 37, has talked openly about her anxiety over the years but, according to pals, it’s been building up again and Michelle is finding it hard to cope. BIG PROJECTS Insiders tell Closer that Michelle - who next year celebrates 10 years of marriage to former TOWIE star Mark Wright, 37 - seems to find that when her life gets better, she worries more. “Michelle is such an inspirational woman, but she admits she struggles quietly behind closed doors,” our source says, “Mark is her rock - and…

‘STACEY AND ZACH HAVE A SPECIAL BOND - SHE RELIES ON HIM A LOTs’ Stacey Solomon has been fighting back the tears despite being on a luxury getaway with her family, Closer can reveal. The star shared sweet snaps of her brood getting ready to board an aeroplane last week, grinning from ear to ear as she told followers she was going to take a social media break on the trip. But we can reveal that behind the smiles, Stacey, 34, was holding in a lot of emotions as a source tells us the mum-offive is worried it could actually be their last holiday all together. “Having family holidays is so important to Stacey, as they don’t get to spend as much time together as she would like since they’re…

After celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary last month, Victoria Beckham has opened up about her relationship with husband David, revealing they’re more in love than ever. And this was very evident from the pics they shared from their recent trip to Capri, Italy, with three of their kids, Romeo, 21, Cruz, 18, and Harper, 13. “I love spending time with my husband. I have a husband I very much am still in love with, possibly more than when we first met,” she told actress Nicole Kidman in an interview for Vogue Australia. “We really laugh. And we really support each other in regards to our careers and passions. Me and David can go away, just the two of us, and we laugh and we enjoy that time, and I think…

Toyin Odumala, 23, lives in Greenwich, south-east London and works in social media marketing. She says, “When I was seven, it felt as if my happy, carefree childhood vanished in an instant when my mum Kay, 59, told me she and my dad had adopted me at four months old. She explained that my birth mum couldn’t look after me, so I’d been put into care. Mum reassured me that I was wanted and loved, but it was a huge shock and difficult for me to accept. “I had so many questions about my birth parents and roots. When they couldn’t answer them all, I grew frustrated and angry with Mum and Dad. I’d look at strangers in the street, wondering if one of them was my biological mum. STRUGGLED…

Playground Perfect Whether you’re looking for playdate-worthy outfits or stocking up on back-to-school basics, H&M’s latest collection will have your kids’ wardrobes sorted. Packed with denim staples, comfy T-shirts and must-have jackets, they’ve got everything your little one will need to stay looking stylish throughout the school year, both in and outside the classroom. The best bit? Prices start from £2.99, so you’ll have enough left over for a trip to the sweet shop. GET HER LOOK NATALIE PORTMAN Stay stylish at the school gates by taking a tip from Natalie Portman, who was recently spotted in a cool-yet-chic knitted tee. The mum-of-two elevated her cream top with tailored jeans and a pair of stylish shades. Her Dior book bag completes the look and is ideal for storing those mum-on-the-run…

GET UP AND GLOW Smooth this all-in-one cream onto clean skin with your hands for an even finish with light coverage. Packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid, this is great for adding moisture while giving a little warmth and glow to your face. GREASE, BE GONE Say goodbye to oily strands in the morning with this overnight dry shampoo. The refreshing spray prevents oil buildup while you sleep and is infused with a soothing jasmine scent so you can wake up to hair that smells as good as it looks. DITCH DRYNESS This is one of the best multi-use moisturisers we’ve tried for intense hydration. It’s a godsend for busy days when you need a quick moisture hit, as it covers all bases, whether it’s your face, lips, cuticles or anywhere…

We’re used to seeing her busy school routines play out on ITV’s The Family Diaries, and Billie Faiers says that the return of the new term will bring just as much chaos whether the cameras are rolling or not. The star - mum to Nelly, 10, Arthur, seven, and Margot, one - says, “The mornings are pretty hectic! First thing, we all go downstairs and have breakfast together. Nelly will get herself ready, but Arthur likes me to help him. Nelly is always really eager to get to school, she clock watches and hates the thought of being late.” Billie, 34, and husband Greg Shepherd, 39, prepare as much as possible the night before. She says, “I make sure the right uniform is set out and that their school bags…

“The perfect assembly job for when it’s too hot to cook but you still want to eat something delicious. Jarred chickpeas are fantastic, but you can use two cans instead.” MEERA SODHA’S NO-COOK SALAD WITH TOMATOES, CHICKPEAS & ROSE HARISSA STEP 1 Put all the dressing ingredients into a bowl and stir. STEP 2 Drain the chickpeas, tip into a large bowl and add the onion, tomatoes, cucumber and olives. [If using cans, for super-soft chickpeas, boil the chickpeas and their water in a pan for 5 mins, then drain.] STEP 3 Pour the dressing over the vegetables and mix well. Finely chop the coriander and all but a small handful of mint leaves. Sprinkle over the chopped coriander and mint, and fold through the salad. STEP 4 To serve,…

Whether your little ones can’t wait to go back or they’re feeling a little anxious, there’s no doubt that the new school term brings a lot of logistics to think about. Dr Alison McClymont - child psychologist and author of new book, How To Help Your Child Cope With Anything shares her tips to make this term a happy and smooth one for you and your children. • “How To Help Your Child Cope With Anything” is published by Alison McClymont by Orion Books on 29 August in paperback, eBook and audiobook. PREPARE NEW STARTERS Have a little one starting school for the first time? Dr Alison says preparing them as well as possible is key. She says, “Explaining the routines they will go through each day can really help…

Model it! If you’re comfortable, take photos of yourself wearing the items - you can crop out your face and background. It gives the buyer a better idea of the “fit”. Take pictures in natural daylight, or use a ring light. Be descriptive When buying online, people use words and filters to search. Give info about the condition, if there’s any damage (however minor) and add measurements and sizes. Sell complementary items If you’re selling a few items that work together as an outfit, mention them in your description. This boosts your chances of selling more. Keep receipts and packaging For luxury items, you’ll almost always be asked for proof of purchase or a certificate of authenticity, so keep them safe. Dust bags and storage boxes will help to protect…

13-19 AUGUST THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN LEO 23 JUL - 22 AUG No one likes money issues - but guess what? On one level at least, they’re challenges sent from the Universe to test our selfesteem. The more we believe in ourselves and what we have to offer, the more money flows. How much do you value yourself? Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope. VIRGO 23 AUG - 22 SEP Your relationships are going through a testing time - that’s an astro fact and one you need to accept. So what to do? Be honest, true and strong. If they go low, you stay on the level. Learn lessons. No one said relationships were going to be easy, right? Love wisely. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope. LIBRA 23…

Despite being 15 years sober, Kerry Katona left fans questioning if that was still the case last week after she posted a TikTok video where she seemed to slur her words. While on holiday in Cyprus, Kerry, 43, posted the video reminiscent of her infamous 2008 This Morning interview in which Phillip Schofield hinted she was either drunk or high. And viewers were quick to voice their fears that she’d slipped back into old habits. But, according to pals, the reason for the strange behaviour was down to burnout. A source says, “Kerry’s immune system is struggling, which she thinks is down to stress, but it has set off alarms bells for those around her who fear she could be slipping backwards. “Comments of her taking cocaine came thick and…

She opened up to Closer earlier this year about her plans to wed long-term partner Matthew Sarsfield - but, last week, the news broke that Charlotte Dawson had caught her fiancé sending intimate texts to another woman. Now a source tells Closer that the heartbroken star is leaning on her close friend Helen Flanagan for support. It emerged that Charlotte and Matthew’s eight-year relationship had hit the rocks after Charlotte, 31, reportedly discovered intimate texts to another woman on his phone. While Matt, 32, quickly deleted his social media and hasn’t commented, Charlotte took to Instagram to address the rumours. Breaking her silence, Charlotte - who is the daughter of the late comedian Les Dawson - said, “I’m extremely hurt, upset and disappointed about the situation.” Denying rumours that she’d…

Lewis Capaldi’s heartbreak could be about to inspire some new tunes. The Someone You Loved singer, 27, is single again after splitting from actress girlfriend Ellie MacDowell, 24, who he had been with for two years, with an insider claiming that they struggled to find time together amid their long-distance relationship. “Lewis and Ellie had some long conversations and decided it was best for them to end things. It was a mutual decision,” a source says. “Ellie is still based in Edinburgh and Lewis lives in London, so it’s been hard for them to see each other. It’s sad but… it just wasn’t to be. They are still friends and have been talking.”…

They were recently the subject of divorce rumours, but Blake Lively has revealed why she’d never split from Ryan Reynolds - because she loves his mum too much. The It Ends With Us actress - who recently donned a dress Britney Spears once wore to pay homage to the singer, paying $10k for the vintage gown - said that Tammy is the sole reason keeping them together. “She’s very controlling…,” she teased, adding, “No, she’s the best. I’m so lucky. The only reason I’m with him is to be with her.” Ryan, 47, and Blake met on the set of Green Lantern in 2010 but only started dating the following year once Ryan had broken up from wife Scarlett Johansson and Blake from boyfriend Penn Badgley. They married in 2012…

Jamelia is no stranger to walking down the aisle. The mum of four has been married twice before, but after both of those relationships failed to work out, she’s now on the hunt for a new man in her life who’s going to bring some fun! The former Loose Woman, 43, is starring on the new series of Celebs Go Dating and is hoping the experts will be able to help her navigate this new world of singledom she hasn’t really experienced before. Here, Jamelia tells us more… How has your experience been so far on the show? My first date was so fun! I don’t know what happened to me in that [mixer] room. I turned into some sort of vixen. I worked the room and thought, “I’m going…

FAMILY MATTERS HOW TO COPE WITH YOUR TEEN GAINING INDEPENDENCE Parents can find it hard when their teens want more freedom, whether they’re still living at home or are leaving for uni, but there are ways to manage this empty nest syndrome Our children gaining independence and starting to make their own decisions and judgements is a healthy and important part of growing up, which prepares them for adult life, but it’s a hard transition for loving parents. You may worry what they’re getting up to, so have a really good open-door policy. Let your child know that you’re always there, no matter what situation they get into. While we need to have boundaries and expectations around how our children behave, we also sometimes need to suspend judgement, to listen…

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE Revamp your kitchen cupboard with Bart’s refresh of its herbs, spices and ingredients. Perfect for foodies. £2.25 each, from Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Ocado and independents. TROPICAL FLAVOURS These rum tonic drinks from Wha Gwan are available in three Caribbean flavours, and are perfect for sipping at a party or summer get-together. £3.99 from Tesco and drinkwhagwan.co.uk. SUMMER SIZZLERS Vivera has some tasty meat alternatives for your barbecue, including Plant Steaks (£2.85), Chicken Breasts (£3.10) and Plant Shawarma (£2.60). The range is low in calories, high in protein and packed with fibre. From supermarkets.…

DR CHRISTIAN GIVES HIS TAKE ON THE HOT HEALTH TOPIC OF THE WEEK New figures show that children have shorter playtimes and shrinking outside space, but playing in nature is so important. From a health perspective, rolling around in the dirt is important for immunity and for gut health, meanwhile getting out in the sunlight and fresh air means children sleep better. 1 PLAY OUTSIDE! Playing outdoors helps kids to build agility and stamina, and to develop bone density, muscle mass and stability. Little children fall over frequently, because those things are still developing. As they get older, they get better at that, but only with practice - falling down and getting back up. Bones are clever - if they take more strain, they remodel themselves to be stronger. Running around,…

AVAILABLE IN OTHER COLOURS! GREAT VALUE! BARGAIN! PERFECT FOR ARTS & CRAFTS…

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…

GRUMPY GRAM Andi looked livid when presented with his birthday cake this week on Good Morning Britain. They’d given him carrot cake, after he spent all week hinting that Vicky Sponge is his fave flavour. We’d be fuming too!…

They’re in the midst of a comeback tour - but last week, Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts had more to smile about as she proudly showed off her new diamond ring to fans, seemingly confirming her engagement to partner Mitch Hahn. Her bandmates looked on happily, and insiders say that Nicola’s best pal Cheryl, 41, couldn’t be more elated for her. “Cheryl’s over the moon for Nicola,” a source says. “It means the world to her to see her best friend happy, especially after she has had so much heartache in the past. She adores Mitch and knows how long Nicola has waited for this. “She can’t wait for all the wedding planning, the bridesmaid dress shopping, everything! It’s going to be such a magical chapter of their lives and…

When Laura Murphy* was studying for her exams, she missed vital lessons at her sixth form once a month - not through illness but because she couldn’t afford to buy products when she was on her period. Laura, now 19, who lives in Stockport and is studying international development at university, says, “Every month I dreaded my period coming. I lived with my mum and two younger brothers and, due to an admin error, our housing and welfare benefit was paused. Mum tried to shield us from everything as much as possible, but it was so difficult. It wasn’t just every pound that was watched, but every penny. ABSENCE “We had to rely on food banks for support so we had food on the table. But I was too embarrassed…

When Monique Sofroniou looked at her pert behind from a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) in the mirror, she loved what she saw. So much so, she wanted to go even bigger. But the idea of another general anaesthetic didn’t appeal, so she opted for a liquid BBL instead. After researching the procedure online, she found someone who charged £3,000 to inject hyaluronic acid straight into her butt cheeks. But the unlicensed practitioner she chose used insoluble silicone, which caused an infection and led to sepsis. Now, an angry Monique regrets the procedure, which left her in agony. She says, “I went for the liquid BBL because I thought it would be safer than having a general anaesthetic again. “If I’d known they were going to do what they did, I’d…

NEAT TRICK Peppa Pig fans rejoice! This fun find comes with a side compartment for a water bottle COOL CLASSIC Ideal for teens, this trusty sports-style bag will fit all of their books and essentials. TRIO OF TREATS A matching backpack, lunchbox and pouch for under £20? Yes please! COLOUR CRAZE We’re giving this bold buy an A+ thanks to the playful rainbow design. METALLIC MOMENT This iridescent bag is bound to be a hit with a Disney fan - not bad for a tenner. STRIKE RIGHT Everyone’s favourite Pokémon, Pikachu, takes centre stage on this fun buy. FANCY FLORALS Keep their uniform as fresh as a daisy with this pretty printed option. MAGICAL TOUCH Wands at the ready to step into the Wizarding World with a Harry Potter-approved backpack…

I TURN TO NATURE WHEN I’M STRESSED… I live in Devon; we’re surrounded by countryside galore. Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed, I take my dog Bonnie out for a long walk. It’s my form of mindfulness. RITUALS ARE KEY TO GOOD SLEEP… I make a conscious effort to spend an hour before bed winding down. I’ll start with a relaxing shower, then cleanse, tone and moisturiser. Then I’ll rub magnesium oil all over my feet. Finally, I like to brush my dog’s teeth using her doggy toothbrush and toothpaste - I can’t fall asleep until I’ve done that! BAKING IS MY SELF-CARE… It’s my form of therapy. Not only can you take out some of your frustrations on the dough, but research has shown that baking reduces stress hormones such as…

RECIPES SANDWICH KEBABS SERVES 1 • 2 slices of bread • Your chosen sandwich fillers (but nothing messy for this one - things like ham or spreads work best). • Some mini sticks like these pick sticks, or cocktail sticks if not. 1. Remove the crusts and make your sandwich as you normally would. 2. Cut into thirds one way. 3. Then again into thirds (or quarters) the other way, making nine or 12 mini sandwich bites. 4. Pop three sandwiches on a stick in a little stack. You’ll have packed carbs and possibly dairy or protein by now, so grab some fruit and veg and anything else you need. TOP TIP If you want to do multiple sandwich flavours, remove the crusts and chop your bread into thirds straight…

From uniforms to lunches and books to trips, it can often feel like you are always putting your hand in your pocket to cover school costs. Research by Child Poverty Action found that just going to school costs UK families £864 a year for primary and at least £1,755 a year for secondary - but there are savings to be made, so read on for top tips to make this term a thrifty one… REVAMP LEFTOVERS FOR LUNCH In England, reception, year one and year two students are all entitled to free school meals; in Scotland the same is true for primary one to five, and in Wales, universal free school meals are currently being rolled out. Type your postcode into gov.uk/apply-free-schoolmeals to check whether your child is eligible outside…

DAME JUDI: ‘I found a friend for life’ Acting legend Dame Judi Dench, 89, on her heartwarming new show How did this show come about? I had always been an admirer of The Repair Shop and everyone who worked on it. Then I was invited to take part in it, and now I have been asked to do this documentary, which is where I learnt about Jay’s family and where he lived - and got to know him as a good friend. If you hadn’t gone into the world of theatre, TV and film, what route would you have taken, career-wise? My intention was to be a stage designer, but I changed my mind when I saw Michael Redgrave in King Lear at Stratford in 1953 on a superb set by…