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Fans fell in love with their genuine and relatable friendship after the duo met at the age of 17 as young children’s TV presenters. But as Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton followed their career paths and met partners and new friends along the way, the BFFs drifted apart. However, after both celebrated their milestone 40th birthdays last year, a source reveals that Holly, 41, and Fearne, 40, have been rebuilding their friendship and leaning on each other more than ever. An insider says, “Holly and Fearne are in touch more than ever after rekindling their friendship. They had grown apart over the years as their lives and careers took them in different directions, but now they have so much in common – bonding over juggling motherhood, their careers and their…

They’ve had prolonged periods of time apart during their 10-year romance – now Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan are once again going long-distance as the actress jets to Australia for three months for a new work project. Michelle – who’s headed down under to film her new show Ten Pound Poms – shared photos of herself enjoying the beach and her new Aussie lifestyle. But fans were left concerned for the couple, with one writing, “Michelle going away again?? Hope all’s OK with them”, and another adding, “Why doesn’t he go with her?” Michelle previously spent eight months away from Mark filming for BBC show Our Girl in South Africa and Malaysia, while Mark lived in LA for three years presenting TV show Extra, and their time apart previously sparked…

Former Saturdays singer Una Healy is single again after it emerged last week that she’d split from her secret boyfriend of six months. Una, 40, is said to have been dating a Dublin-based police officer, who she purposefully kept out of the public eye, but the pair called it quits last month. The mum-of-two – who shares children Aoife, 10, and Tadhg, seven, with ex-husband Ben Foden – seems to be taking the change in her stride. A pal revealed, “She isn’t dwelling on it. She’s feeling great and embracing the single life. She’s busy with work and has her two kids to look after so it’s not like she’s twiddling her thumbs.” Una married former England rugby ace Ben, 36, in a lavish ceremony in 2012. The couple split…

GEMMA: ‘My dad told me to go for it’ Describing herself as “very competitive”, international dressage rider Gemma Owen is determined to make a splash in the villa. But perhaps she gets her fighting spirit from one particular member of her family – her dad, ex-footballer Michael Owen. While some might be wary of telling their fathers they’re taking part on the ITV2 show, Gemma, 19, says of her former England captain dad, “I wouldn’t say he was buzzing about it, but he’s very supportive in whatever I decide to do. He didn’t have a massive tantrum or anything like that! He trusts me not to do anything to embarrass him. “My dad was pretty chilled about it to be honest. He didn’t give me any ‘do’s or don’ts’. He…

He’s gearing up to head down the aisle with partner of six years Stacey Solomon. And loved-up Joe Swash tells Closer that he and Stacey make a great team in their busy household of six. “Me and Stacey are brilliant, everything is split down the middle. We cook 50-50, we have the kids 50-50, so no one’s hard done by,” actor and presenter Joe, 40, explains. “At the end of the day, they’re our children, we’ve both got exactly the same amount of love and passion for them. If anything, we argue about who’s holding the baby! We’re a good team, we work well as a family.” The couple welcomed their first child together, Rex, in 2019, and their only daughter Rose followed on Stacey’s 32nd birthday in October last…

What is it about summer and it being a doubleedged sword? Great, it’s hot and sunny (some of the time, we hope) but it comes with the expectation of being “Beach-Body Ready” – whatever that actually means. And then there’s “Hot Girl Summer” – initially coined to focus on feeling fabulous this season but somehow it has morphed into implying you should be a near-perfect version of yourself for three months of the year. It’s now such a thing that dating app Badoo found 87 per cent of single women feel pressure to succumb to this ideology, while 71 per cent say it’s impacting their dating life and a fifth of us singles have put off meeting love interests until we feel confident and good enough. This makes me sad.…

• PUMP UP YOUR TYRES “Under-inflated tyres cause a vehicle to use up to 10 per cent more fuel”, says James Baker at Reg Car Check. As the average petrol tank is 42 litres and the average household uses one full tank a month, driving with under-inflated tyres could cost an additional £7.50 a month. • SPRING CLEAN “Many of us are used to using our car boot as an additional storage space,” says James. It’s time for a clear-out as driving with an empty roof rack and unnecessary heavy items in the car’s storage spaces can increase fuel costs by 12 per cent. • DROP A JOURNEY A WEEK One in five car journeys in the UK is unnecessary as it is under half a mile, a walkable distance,…

EASTENDERS BEN LOSES IT After changing his mind about reporting Lewis to the police for rape, Ben shows his true Mitchell colours and takes the law – or rather a lethal-looking crowbar – into his own hands. Luckily for Lewis, Ben doesn’t find him, so in a rage, storms over to see Kathy and demands he tell her where his attacker lives. But when she refuses, he looks set to completely lose control. Yikes! Meanwhile, Sam may finally have got her hands on the club, but her first week doesn’t exactly go to plan… HOLLYOAKS FINAL RESTING PLACE Well, this is one solution to leaving the village – if you’re desperate to get the hell outta there, á la James and his mounting debts. With no one left to turn…

❛KATE IS THE FAMILY’S GOLDEN TICKET AND THE KEY TO THEIR FUTURE❜ Last week, the UK came together to celebrate the Queen’s 70-year reign for the Platinum Jubilee over a four-day bank holiday weekend – with the royal family presenting a united front. At the Trooping The Colour, the Queen and her family – which included Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince William, Kate Middleton and their three children, but not Prince Harry, Meghan Markle or Prince Andrew – stood proudly on the balcony overlooking the crowds at Buckingham Palace, with Charles moved to tears. But while the weekend was a joyous celebration, there were also eyebrows raised over the appearance of Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40 – who were back in the UK only for the second time since their shock…

TOWIE star Billi Mucklow’s upcoming wedding to her fiancé of eight years, Andy Carroll, hung in the balance last week after a snap emerged of the footballer in bed with a bare-shouldered blonde woman. The former England player, 33, had reportedly taken fitness instructor Phoebe Robb, 22, and bar manager Taylor Jane Wikey, 27, back to his five-star hotel suite after a day and night of boozing in Dubai on his stag do. Billi, his reality star fiancée – with whom he shares three children – is said to have branded him an “idiot”. While Taylor Jane has insisted “nothing sexual happened, ” Billi was left heartbroken after the shocking pictures went viral. One snapshot shows the bar boss posing for a photo next to the sleeping footballer, while another…

Love Island returns to our screens this week with a new cohort of single castmates all on the lookout for a summer of romance. And two former contestants have proved again that it’s possible to find genuine happiness on the ITV2 show, as they welcomed their second child together. Camilla Thurlow and Jamie Jewitt – who were runnersup on the third series in 2017, and welcomed their first daughter Nell three years later – happily announced the birth of baby number two to their collective 2.3 million Instagram followers. Jamie, 32, wrote, “Our beautiful early bird Nora Belle Jewitt. Born 27 May 2022, a sister for our gorgeous little Nell Sophia.” Pals, including former Islanders Theo Campbell, Olivia Bowen and Amber Davies, sent their wishes, with fans saying that the…

At 2.30am, Malak Choucair, 37, and her husband, Nabil, 47, were woken up by a phone call from a friend, who told her that the tower block where her brother, Bassem, 40, lived was on fire. Bassem lived in Grenfell tower with his wife Nadia, 33 – who was also Nabil’s sister – and their children, Miema, 13, Fatima, 11, and Zainab, three. Nabil’s mum, Sirria, 61, also lived there. While Nabil travelled to the tower in North Kensington, West London, Malak stayed with their children, Yasmeen, 15, and twins, Fatima and Ghassan, nine, and watched the horror unfold on TV. SHOCKED Malak says, “I was in floods of tears, and I was so shocked I couldn’t even stand up. I was constantly phoning Nabil, trying to find out where…

For most superfans, the thought of hooking up with their idol is a distant dream – but for Ed Sheeran obsessive Amanda Barron, that fantasy is closer to a reality. After joking with friends that she’d one day marry the singer, she now has the Perfect substitute, as she’s in a relationship with professional Ed Sheeran lookalike, Ty Jones – and she’s having his baby. MEETING ED Amanda, 37, says, “My house is full of Ed merchandise, from T-shirts and jumpers to bed sheets and figurines. It’s mad to think I’m having a daughter with a man who looks just like him.” Amanda has been a fan of Ed since he released his first album + in 2011. She says, “I connected with his music, but I loved how normal…

I read an article this week that said just a quarter of young people in the UK are now considering university. I went to university – sadly I didn’t finish my marketing degree, because I went on Love Island and then my career went in a different direction. But I’m considering completing my third year part-time, so I can get my degree. I’ve always prioritised my studies – I got all As and A-stars for my GCSEs! I think education is so important for opening doors – but equally, practical experience is just as important as studying and learning. University is a great option for those who can get there, but you could spend your life paying off your student loans, which just isn’t an option for some people. Do…

Picking out her perfect wedding dress should have been an exciting time for Melissa Williams, but at 25st 4lbs, only one store stocked size 30 frocks – and she hated the way she looked in them. So, when the pandemic put her wedding on hold, Melissa decided to tackle her weight. And by the time her big day came around two years later, she was unrecognisable, after losing a staggering 11st. Melissa, a stay-at-home mum from Bridgend, Wales, says she had been big for as long as she could remember. She says, “I was bullied at school because of my size, but I just turned to food for comfort. I was too embarrassed to eat around people, so I’d binge on chocolate, biscuits and crisps in secret. The habit stayed…

Campaigner Lisa Jones, 36, lives in Mold, Wales, with her husband and three children. She says, “In June 2018 when I was 32, I noticed a pain like a hot needle being pierced through my breasts. I wondered if I’d just pulled a muscle, but after two weeks I went to the GP. He checked my breasts and referred me to the hospital for a mammogram and biopsy. “A few weeks later, I was back at the hospital when I learned that I had triple negative breast cancer – an aggressive form of the disease. I remember crying and thinking, ‘Why me?’ I’d just had my third daughter, and got a new job. It didn’t seem fair. “But the medics had a treatment plan and just two weeks later, I…

She’s dated George Clooney, made it to the final three in Strictly and presented numerous TV shows, but for Lisa Snowdon, her 50s are already proving her best decade yet. The star hit her half-century in January, and she’s celebrated by bathing in Icelandic lagoons with fiancé George Smart, swimming in the sea in Dubai with her family and holidaying in Byron Bay, Australia, with her best friend, model Michele Merkin. And then there was the party at Nobu in London, where she had a cake made in the shape of her bikini-clad body. “I’ve been celebrating all year, ” laughs Lisa. “I didn’t stop in January – I’ve really kept it going. It’s my best decade yet, I feel really good. I’m definitely into my menopause now, and I…

INSIDE KIMBERLY’S FRIDGE • Honey • Flora butter • Tomatoes • Cottage cheese • Curry sauce • Crunchie bars • Heck sausages • Cucumber • Chicken pieces • Salmon fillets • Peppers • Pineapple • Raspberries • Broccoli • Red onion • Lettuce • Mango • Spinach • Dr Pepper • Cans of Mojito • Ketchup • Oat milk KIMBERLY HART-SIMPSON How much do you spend on your weekly shop? Between £30 and £40 a week and that’s just for myself. I like to shop locally, and I’ve got an Aldi next to where live so it’s convenient. Describe your daily diet… In the morning I tend to have a healthy shake to get going for the day. Sometimes I’ll have, fruit such as raspberries, mango, pineapple served with yoghurt.…

YOUR GUIDE TO EMOTIONAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LIFE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIST EMMA KENNY You’ll probably have heard the terms “mansplaining” (a man explaining something to you that you need no guidance on) and “manterrupting” (a man interrupting when you are talking because they believe they know better). Now there’s a new kid on the block, “hepeating” which involves a man repeating your ideas and then being praised for them as if they were his own. To be fair, “shepeating” could also be a category, as it isn’t just men who steal other people’s thunder. But if this keeps happening to you, take action. Put your ideas in an email ahead of a group meeting, so it is recorded in writing and no one can dispute where the idea originated. You…

EMMERDALE STAR EDEN TAYLOR-DRAPER, 24, ON HOW SHE LOOKS AFTER HER BODY AND MIND I MEDITATE DAILY… I use the Headspace app and it gets me in a good state. I also love exercise and get outside as much as possible. My aim is to do 10k steps a day. I drop into the gym when I can and do a yoga class once a week, but I don’t put pressure on myself. I START THE DAY WITH A SMOOTHIE… I have anaemia, an iron deficiency, so I always drink a smoothie containing spinach and it makes a big difference. I try to stick to a healthy routine and good diet so normally my energy levels are great. I’ve been on Emmerdale since I was 8 and it’s often a…

IN THE NEWS… VERY X JUDI LOVE Stand-up comic and Loose Women panellist Judi Love has great style, so it’s safe to say that her all-new collection with Very will be full of personality – just like her. It features everything from colour-block dresses to a bright-pink power suit, with a side note of basics such as denim shirts and tees. Designed by Judi herself, the debut range celebrates curves with all pieces being created to flatter, with a generous size range of 14-28. Prices start from £12. EVERYBODY’S WEARING… BLUE HUES After being spotted on some of the most stylish celebrities, a cool mix of pastel and aqua hues are officially big news when it comes to summer dressing. This upbeat colour is an instant mood-booster – and a…

1 THE BRITISH SOAP AWARDS 2022: LIVE TIME TO CELEBRATE! SAT 11 JUNE, 8PM, ITV After being off air for two years, The British Soap Awards return live – as Corrie, EastEnders, Emmerdale, Doctors and Hollyoaks battle it out to win 14 hotly contested awards. It’s an evening of glitz and glamour (and that’s just host Phillip Schofield!), celebrating a sensational year of edge-of-your-seat dramz and those unforgettable cliff-hanger moments. Who’s in the running? Paige Sandhu could well scoop a gong for being Meena the serial killer in Emmerdale, while Gillian Wright (Jean Slater in EastEnders) gets a look-in as well, along with the Coronation Street Seb-murder hate crime for Best Storyline. May the best person win! NEW SERIES 2 THE LAZARUS PROJECT LIVING YOUR LIFE OVER AGAIN THU 16…

MUST READ The People On Platform 5 (CLARE POOLEY) Every day at 8:05, Iona Iverson boards the train to go to work and sees the same people. But they never speak. Then, one morning, one of the commuters chokes on a grape and is saved by another passenger. Suddenly the eclectic group grow close. But when Iona’s life begins to fall apart, will her new friends be there when she needs them most? BEST DAY OUT UnderBelly Festival The famous Underbelly Festival is back in London with an extensive line-up of pure entertainment, amazing outdoor bars and premium street food. Running at Earl’s Court until 16 July and at Cavendish Square until 31 July, the line-up includes the trailblazing cabaret show La Clique, the hilarious untold story of Ursula the…

CODE CRACK THE BIG CROSSWORD CRISS CROSS SUDOKU – EASY SUDOKU – MEDIUM WORD SEARCH CLUES & ARROWS SPOT THE DIFFERENCE GUESS THE FILM STILL A) RIDING IN CARS WITH BOYS B) AQUAMAN NAME THE STARS 1) HELEN MIRREN 2) JOOLS HOLLAND GUESS THE CELEB A) VIOLA DAVIS B) QUENTIN TARANTINO WORD LINK A) KNIFE B) STREET C) TORCH D) IDLE E) SKIN F) USE CLOSER MAGAZINE TERMS & CONDITIONS 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…

IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK Having a birthday is sort of like a personal New Year. A time to put the past year behind you and look ahead to what’s possible. The good news is that this year, things really are on the up! You just need to patiently believe. Good things come to those who wait. THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN GEMINI 21 MAY-20 JUN You have the luckiest stars at the moment. At every turn, it’s as though the road rises up to meet you! The more social you are, the more opportunities come your way. Tune into your dreams and feelings – don’t let recent setbacks dampen your enthusiasm! Visit www.yasmindboland.com for your daily horoscopes CANCER 21 JUN-22 JUL You could be ready to make some…

❛SHE HAD HOPED HIS SPLIT WOULD PAVE THE WAY FOR THEM TO SPEND MORE TIME TOGETHER❜ They’ve remained close ever since their split in 2018, co-parenting son Bear harmoniously despite his new relationship. But sources say that Liam Payne’s recent eyebrow-raising behaviour has left his ex Cheryl “worried and disappointed”. Liam, 29, split from his fiancée Maya Henry last month, after an on/off four years together, but just days after the news broke, Liam was pictured holding hands with and cuddling his new flame – social media influencer Aliana Mawla. Fans were shocked by the sighting of Liam – who’d reportedly “abruptly ended” his engagement to “blindsided” model, Maya, 21 – with one writing, “Brutal to end an engagement and then to move on so fast and publicly!” The following…

They’re already parents to two-year-old son Roman, but Lucy Mecklenbergh and Ryan Thomas have added to their brood after welcoming a baby daughter. Sharing a photo of their little girl with her 1.7 million Instagram followers last week, former TOWIE star Lucy, 30, captioned the picture with a love heart, announcing, “She’s here!” While the couple are yet to announce her name, she was pictured snuggling into a toy bunny with “Baby Thomas” embroidered on its ear. Pals, including Olivia Attwood, Chloe Lewis and Sam Faiers, gave their well wishes. Lucy and Ryan, 37, met in 2017 when they appeared on Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls. The former Corrie actor proposed during a holiday in Italy two years later, and they welcomed their first child in March 2020. Ryan’s also…

Following the Grenfell fire, it came to light that thousands of other buildings had been constructed using flammable cladding, meaning those living there had to face extensive renovations, and couldn’t sell or rent out their properties. There were also other issues, such as flammable insulation and defective fire doors. It’s estimated up to 657,000 people have been affected – with many still stuck living in unsafe homes. Sophie Bichener, 30, lives on the second floor of a 17-storey building in Stevenage. She says, “I bought my flat in 2017 for £230,000, but two years later it was re-evaluated, and they discovered it had flammable cladding, insulation and render, defective fire doors and missing fire breaks. We were told we’d need to do remedial work costing £209k for each of the…

• Sarah Mhlanga earns up to £300 per appearance as a Meghan Markle double, even revealing that some have said she’s prettier than the real Duchess. But after Meghan and Harry’s infamous Oprah interview, she’s received abuse online for supporting the couple. Sarah, 37, says, “Meghan encourages others to be authentic. I hope that, in time, the royal rift can be mended.” • Canadian blogger and model Kamilla Osman found fame on Instagram when her photos were compared to Kim Kardashian. She even went on appear in an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians in 2016, when Kim’s friend, Jonathan Cheban, hired Kamilla to hang out with him because the real Kim wasn’t making time to see him!…

Iris: ‘I do 100 squats every two days’ Iris Law made a statement at the Cannes Film Festival last week in a print bikini and bright orange beads. The 21-year-old daughter of actors Jude Law and Sadie Frost has been modelling since age 16, and regularly works out and enjoys a healthy diet with her favourite raw cacao snacks made from dates, pistachio nuts and almonds. Iris previously said, “I really like running on a running machine, spinning and hot yoga. “I tried to run outside and it hurt my knees… but now I have a nice little routine. I do a little workout in the morning, doing things I remember from classes and various training sessions. I also do 100 squats every two days in the morning.” Nicola: ‘I…

40-YEAR ANNIVERSARY! ‘E.T.’ WAS A HEAVY SMOKER The loveable alien was made up of four mechanical suits controlled by puppeteers, dwarf actor Pat Bilon performing inside them and voice actor Pat Welsh providing its distinctive speech. Director Steven Spielberg described Pat Bilon – who was 2ft 10 inches – as the film’s “biggest helper”, despite being the smallest person. And Pat Welsh, a Californian housewife, was hired after the film’s sound designer overheard her talking in a camera shop. Pat reportedly smoked two packs of cigarettes a day, giving her voice that recognisable raspy tone. THE FILM HAD A DIFFERENT TITLE Spielberg was so passionate about viewers only seeing the masterpiece on the big screen – and to avoid pirating – that he didn’t want the film released on video…

She’s been in the spotlight for almost 30 years, and had a roller-coaster time in the public eye, going from a notorious party girl to now living a quiet, settled life in the countryside. And Zoe Ball – who lives with boyfriend Michael Reed in her Sussex pad – reveals her country living has ignited a love for gardening and nature When Closer caught up with mum-of-two Zoe, 51, at the RHS Chelsea Flower show, she admitted, “I love gardening! I’m still learning all the time, I don’t think you can ever stop learning about gardening. Michael is really good at it. He recently built a duck house in our garden, but no ducks would settle so we ended up buying some. It’s lovely! They’re called Candice-Marie, Keith and Daffy…

LOOK TO THE LEFT When you’re meeting new people, body language expert Carole Railton FRSA (livingsuccess.co.uk) advises against looking straight in the eye when you’re hoping to make a connection. “Look softly towards the other person’s left eye, which accesses the emotional side of the brain better, ” says Carole. “Keep both feet planted firmly on the ground to convey stability and reliability.” If you’re going into a space where you feel nervous, there are simple posture tricks you can adopt to increase your confidence. “Imagine you have a heavy tail coming from the base of your spine, ” she says. “You’ll feel your lungs open, your shoulders will go back. This stance enables you to be in your space, but still friendly and open.” TAKE THE LEAP Introducing yourself…

DR CHRISTIAN GIVES HIS TAKE ON THE HOT HEALTH TOPICS OF THE WEEK When researchers tracked 9,000 children from their second to fifth birthdays, those who stuck to a a “vegetarian” or “vegan” diet, as confirmed by their parents, – were up to 94 per cent more likely to be underweight. Children are growing, so if they’re underweight their stores of various vitamins and minerals and protein will be low, which can hamper development. What this study has found is sadly consistent with what I see in the real world. You shouldn’t impose any kind of overly restrictive diet on children as it can come with a whole host of problems. I’m not anti-vegetarian diets, I’ve just seen how easy it is for them to go wrong. You can be…

Some women are so concerned about this sometimes frightening world we live in that they are choosing not to have kids, while some mums-to-be seem to spend their entire pregnancies fretting about their decision against the backdrop of war, climate change and economic meltdown. Meanwhile, those who are already parents are worrying themselves sick about their children’s futures. This has to stop, not simply because these fears will mean you miss out on the absolute wonder that is being a parent, but because you risk bringing your kids up in a home full of anxiety. Life is full of uncertainty, but your job as a parent is to lessen the impact. If you have growing parental anxiety, think about reducing the amount of bad news you consume. When you stop…

A IS FOR ANIMAL PRINTS Whether it’s zebra stripes or leopard spots, wear your safari patterns in rainbow shades. NEW LOOK £22.99 B IS FOR BEACH DRESSES Throw on a loose-fit, mesh slip over your bikini. It’ll cover-up and flatter for a trip to buy ice creams! H&M £19.99 C IS FOR COLOUR POP COSSIE Get noticed by the pool for all the right reasons in a swimsuit with clashing shades. NEXT £40 D IS FOR DAYTIME COOL Hitting the shops or doing some exploring? Look chic in a loose-fit arty T-shirt and denim cut-offs. MONKI £15 E IS FOR EASY SLIDERS Comfy, waterproof and simple enough to match with any ensemble, these chunky slip-ons will work for the whole trip. MATALAN £6 F IS FOR FRUITY HUES Look for…

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