Table of contents for Issue 1166 in Closer

With just over six weeks to go until Strictly returns to our screens, two huge names have already been tipped for the upcoming series, with Stacey Solomon and Dani Dyer reportedly preparing to put on their dancing shoes. However, sources now reveal to Closer that bosses are worried the similarities between the two may force them to make a choice between the reality queens. It's been far from an easy ride for Strictly as the show has faced several controversies over recent years, and bosses know the pressure is on to put on the best series yet. Our source shares, ‘The date to decide the line-up is looming as celebrities need to start training in August. Strictly bosses know they need a standout year after all the controversy, and they…

It's been a year of highs and lows for Made In Chelsea star turned presenter and TV personality Sam Thompson, 32. After the end of his five-year relationship with Zara McDermott, 28, and a brief romance with Love Island's Samie Elishi, 25, Sam tells Closer he's embracing this new chapter. ‘It's been a time of change, but a time of growth,’ he reflects. And it's not just his love life that's been eventful. Sam's been throwing his heart and soul into charity work too after taking on the gruelling challenge of running and cycling all the way from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford to raise money for UNICEF. He tells us he couldn't have done it without his support system. ‘A lot of people don't have people who are so…

The fallout between the Beckhams and son Brooklyn drags on – and insiders reveal that mum Victoria's BFF Eva Longoria has now offered to act as mediator between the family members. Last week, Brooklyn, 26, appeared to twist the knife yet further after he posted a birthday tribute to father-inlaw Nelson Peltz – having failed to publicly acknowledge his own parents’ birthdays, including David's 50th. FAMILY FRIEND He also posted a message to wife Nicola, 30, to mark the fifth anniversary of proposing to her, saying it was the ‘best decision’ he'd ever made. But long-time family friend Eva feels she has the magic touch to help heal the toxic dispute. An insider tells Closer, ‘Eva and Brooklyn have always been extremely close. Eva's known Brooklyn since he was eight…

George Psaradakis, now 69, was driving the number 30 bus that fateful day. He says, ‘The morning of 7 July started like any other. I had been a bus driver for 20 years, after moving to the UK from Crete, and was on my usual route. But then suddenly, I was rerouted and traffic was gridlocked. I told my passengers they'd be quicker walking. A huge amount got off. ‘There was a thunderous noise and I saw pieces of metal falling around me and the windscreen was blown away. In slow motion, it dawned on me that a bomb had gone off. My first thought was for my passengers and I began helping the injured before being taken to hospital in my blood-stained uniform, where I was treated for shock.…

When Brook Fiske was asked out by the doctor in the hospital she worked at as a nurse, she was wary after her recent divorce. But Sikander Imran was charming, handsome – and persistent. They soon became a couple, but after Sikander moved away for training, they took the sad decision to break up. Only, Brook realised she was pregnant and while Sikander tried to talk her into an abortion, Brook refused as she wanted to be a mum. But weeks later, in May 2017, Sikander invited Brook over for a chat about it – only, when he handed her a strange-tasting cuppa, Brook fell ill and was rushed to hospital where she lost their baby boy. Shockingly, Sikander admitted poisoning her and was sentenced to 20 years. But in…

The celebrity hairstylist and founder of The Extensionist London reveals her top tips for healthy hair 1 Healthy hair starts with clean hair…. Use a natural shampoo rich in ginseng extract, which stimulates scalp circulation and boosts nutrient flow to follicles, rejuvenating hair from root to tip. 2 Focus on scalp health… Amazing hair begins with a healthy scalp! Look out for anything containing Redensyl™, a powerful ingredient that promotes hair growth while maintaining scalp health. 3 Invest in a good hairbrush… It can make all the difference, especially for extensions. Opt for one with soft bristles designed to prevent tangling and maintain your hair's health. 4 Boost moisture in cold weather… Keep your hair hydrated by using a leave-in mask on a regular basis. 5 Texturise your style… Add body and volume with a…

‘This is ideal for a summer gathering. Eton mess is traditionally made only with strawberries, but this is a fantastic way to showcase any summer fruits.’ PAUL HOLLYWOOD'S ETON MESS STEP 1 Heat your oven to 120°C/fan 100°C and line a large baking sheet with baking paper. STEP 2 Put the egg whites into a large clean bowl and beat with an electric whisk to stiff peaks. Gradually whisk in the sugar a little at a time, beating well after each addition until the mixture is shiny and thick enough to hold a stiff peak. STEP 3 Place 4 large dollops of meringue on the baking sheet, leaving space in between. Put the remaining meringue into a piping bag fitted with a 1cm star nozzle and pipe into tiny stars…

LENA DUNHAM: ‘It was a culture shock for me!’ Lena Dunham on her personal and profession Anglo-American associations This union – between the creator of Girls, Lena Dunham and the producers of Love Actually, could only ever have ended with a happy ever after. New York workaholic Jessica (Megan Stalter, Hacks) is a fish out of water when she arrives in London. She's reeling from a broken relationship and when she starts falling for Brit Felix (Will Sharpe, Giri/Haji) he looks to be not so much a knight in shining armour as a series of red flags… Lena, 39, who co-wrote Too Much with her British husband, musician Luis Felber, told us more. Where did the idea for Too Much come from? Originally, from me coming to London. It was…

CANCER 21 JUN – 22 JUL Spiritual breakthroughs, intuitive flashes and a new connection to the ‘unseen’ are all coming your way. And if all that sounds a little weird – it might be! Change your spiritual practices if they're stale. It's time to unplug and tune into the cosmos. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope IF IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK This could be a pretty amazing year for you, especially when it comes to love and abundance. Venus is making harmonious aspects to Uranus, Saturn and Neptune, which means you can expect the unexpected in love and money. A lucky year.…

When Cathy Foley's son Hudson decided to go backpacking around South America in 2023, she was excited for him. His trip was organised by a well-known travel company and it was arranged that he'd volunteer on various local projects in the mornings and learn Spanish in the afternoons as he travelled around the continent. They'd also arranged his accommodation. She'd already waved off his older siblings, Natasha, now 31, and Jordan, now 30, when they took successful gap years, and Hudson had also taken time out previously to travel round Australia, so she wasn't remotely concerned. But tragically, on 30 August that year, four months after he left, Cathy received a phone call every mother dreads – her beloved son had been found passed away in the bathroom of his…

EastEnders star Molly Rainford, 24, was all smiles at the TRIC Awards as the long-running show took home ‘Soap of The Year’. Speaking to Closer, the singer and actress who's played Anna Knight since 2023, opened up about how much she's enjoying life on Albert Square, saying, ‘I'm loving every minute of it.’ With Michelle Ryan returning as Zoe Slater after 20 years, Molly couldn't hide her excitement. ‘I can't believe Zoe's back. It's so iconic, I hope I get a chance to do some scenes with her.’ Molly hit the TRIC's blue carpet with broadcaster boyfriend, Tyler West, 32, revealing they were in holiday-planning mode. ‘We have such busy schedules’ she admitted, ‘but our favourite thing is to travel together. [Work] is a priority for me but we're hoping…

Five years ago, when Angie Peang announced she was pregnant, she attracted vile hate comments – because the father of her baby was her first cousin Michael. Angie, 44, says, ‘Someone commented, “Your baby's going to have 10 heads!” People were so cruel we turned off social media comments.’ It wasn't just trolls that the couple faced backlash from; when they first announced they were dating, even relatives were aghast. Angie says, ‘We posted a video of us kissing on the family Facebook page. One family member commented, “I'll never be OK with this, you share the same blood.” Another said we were bringing dishonour on the family. That hurt but ultimately we were just two adults in love. What's so wrong with that?’ CONNECTION Growing up, Angie had always…

Reality TV star Shaughna Phillips is expecting her second child. Taking to Instagram, the former Love Islander, 31, said she was ‘adding a little more love to our family’ and showed her two-year-old daughter Lucia wearing a T-shirt with ‘in my big sister era’ on the back. It's unclear who the father is, but in April 2023, Shaughna's partner Billy Webb, 29, was sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply 4.5kg of cocaine worth at least £360,000. The couple have still been enjoying days out while he has been on day release.…

On 7 July 2005, Sajda Mughal, then 22, was running late for her job in London – and it saved her life. Sajda, now 42, says, ‘I was living with my mum and working in the City. That day, my mum gave me a lift to the tube station. I was running late and I rushed down the the escalators. I always made sure I sat in the first carriage but, for some reason – maybe it was fate – I didn't sit there that day. I kept looking at my watch stressfully, wondering what I was going to tell my manager. Then suddenly, there was a massive bang.’ ATTACKS That morning, four men, who were British Islamist extremists, armed themselves with homemade explosive devices and dispersed across various routes…

Teaching assistant Malisha Jordan, 24, entered the villa as a bombshell, but her journey was savagely cut short when fellow bombshell Harrison picked Toni over her. Having had her eye on Dejon, she tells us she was gutted she didn't get to know him better, calling him ‘lovely, but just confused.’ Despite Dejon being coupled up with Meg, Malisha says it was ‘his smile’ that attracted her to him, but that he was different to how she expected. ‘He had mixed emotions,’ she admits. And speaking about her love rival Meg, Malisha says that while there's ‘no bad blood’, she's pretty sure they won't be friends. Malisha describes her Love Island journey as an ‘emotional roller-coaster’ but we might not have seen the end of her as she tells us…

Occasion Dressing at Goddiva Goddiva is the home of occasionwear dressing, whether for a wedding, the races, bridesmaid attire or for a special event. So, if you've previously found yourself endlessly scrolling or racing around the shops searching for a RSVP-worthy outfit, stop now, as this glamorous brand has something for everyone. From bold florals to delicate lace, silk, bows and statement prints, each dress is individually exquisite and sure to create a standout moment. And what's even better? We are giving you 20% off using code CHIC20. FOR 20% OFF, USE CODE CHIC20 GET HER LOOK HANNAH WADDINGHAM If you're unsure on how to sport this season's colour, then look no further than Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddington, who perfectly executes a buttery head-to-toe ensemble. As 3D beaded bags…

She's been open about going under the knife over the years, having had a boob job, liposuction, a tummy tuck, a brow lift, as well as Botox and fillers. And now Tanya Bardsley reveals she has also undergone a face and neck lift in order to boost her confidence and roll back the years. The star, who is mum to sons Rocco, 15, Renz, 12, and five-year-old Ralphi with former footballer Phil Bardsley, and daughter Gabriela, 23, from a previous relationship, underwent a MACS mid face and neck lift at Pall Mall Medical, a four-hour procedure which involved removing excess skin, and lifting and tightening her cheeks. Tanya, 43, tells Closer, ‘I kept looking at these jowls and thinking, “Oh no!” – I was feeling down anyway with my perimenopause…

ROCK A BOLD LIP As we get older, I've noticed many people tend to lighten up their lipstick – going for sheerer shades or just a gloss. It's understandable; sometimes we don't want to draw too much attention to our faces. But honestly, a bold, rich-coloured lipstick can instantly brighten your skin tone and give you an immediate feeling of being put together. I've even gone to the gym wearing a bright lipstick – it's a quick confidence booster. You find yourself thinking, ‘This looks great, I feel good’, and suddenly you want to wear something that matches that energy. Lipstick is more than just make-up – it's a small but powerful ritual that helps set your mindset for the day. For me, the routine is simple: wake up, cleanse,…

If your purse is overflowing with loyalty cards, lighten your load with the free SuperCards app instead. Instead of carting around hundreds of cards (and having to shuffle through them all in shops), it stores them all digitally in one place. You just take a photo of their barcodes with your phone to quickly add them to the app (no need to type in any long numbers). It will even store your library card for you! There are no ads or tracking, and you don't even need to sign up. Never miss out on points or loyalty prices again! THE Boost For more quick fixes to boost your money visit The Boost UK on Instagram.…

LEO 23 JUL - 22 AUG Your social life is due for something like an electric update. Your friends, networks and even your wishes and goals are all shifting. Don't do things like you always did them just for the sake of it. It's time for a turnaround. Align with your future, not your past. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope VIRGO 23 AUG - 22 SEP Get ready to rewrite your career script. Your ambitions are up for a revamp. Whatever career trajectory you've been on, ask yourself; is this still what I want for myself; constantly and for the foreseeable? Your professional path could take an unexpected turn. Stay flexible and follow your true calling. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope LIBRA 23 SEP - 22 OCT Just…

Her skincare brand Revive Collagen has been going from strength to strength, winning multiple awards as founder Sam Faiers jets around the world to promote and shoot campaigns with the company's star ambassador Amanda Holden – and Closer can now give an exclusive insight into the unlikely duo's close friendship. Former TOWIE star Sam, 34, first launched the collagen business in August 2020, winning an army of celeb fans, including 54-year-old Amanda, who signed a deal to become the face of the brand in March 2023. OVER THE MOON A source tells Closer, ‘Sam has always looked up to Amanda. She loves her glamorous sense of style and was over the moon when Amanda agreed to become an ambassador for the range.’ The pair's friendship goes back 10 years, after…

He was the proud recipient of an accolade at the 2025 TRIC Awards – but while his girlfriend Katie Alexander wasn't there to support him at the ceremony, Eamonn Holmes wasn't left feeling too lonely – as Closer can reveal that he was spotted looking cosy with his GB News co-star, Hayley Sparkes. TROLLS Marriage guidance counsellor Katie, 43, had travelled to London for the awards, but later shared on Instagram that persistent trolling online had put her off. She posted, ‘Was going to The TRIC Awards, but I'd rather protect my mental health and inner peace than be subjected to more online hate from people who don't know me.’ Despite Katie thanking Hayley, 41, for ‘stepping in’ for her, insiders tell Closer that Eamonn, 65, and his Not Just…

Azuma Wundowa was 16 years old when she lost her mum Gladys in the attacks. Azuma, now 36, says, ‘My mum was a really kind soul. She hated seeing people suffering or going without. ‘Mum went to work on the morning of 7 July, but it wasn't until four days after the attacks that we found out what had happened to her. I just remember hearing all these screams from downstairs. They got louder and louder. It was almost like they like rose through the floorboards like smoke. ‘She had been a passenger on the bus in Tavistock Square. My dad said, “We need to tell you that Mummy's not coming home. Mummy's passed away.” I just started screaming and no one could stop me. I lost so much more…

She coupled up with five Islanders during her stint on Love Island three years ago – including Luca Bish – and enjoyed a brief romance with Jamie Allen after the show, but Danica Taylor now only has eyes for her dream man, Nathan Grant. And Danica says she wouldn't have found love if it wasn't for her Love Island BFF Antigoni, who set the pair up a year and a half ago. Speaking for the Shein x O Beach party in Ibiza alongside pals Liberty Poole and Ella Rae Wise, Danica tells Closer, ‘Antigoni was with my boyfriend's best friend for about nine years. We were very close when we first came out of the villa and she said, “I think I found the right guy for you, I think…

LUXE LACE If you only invest in one slip dress this season, make it a lingerie-inspired lacey style. They look and feel incredibly expensive and also offer a sultry look that's perfect for a date night dinner or girls’ night out. FEELING CHILLY? ADD A BLAZER! CONCERT READY When it comes to festival style, anything goes, including a slip dress and cowboy boot combo. Tap into the western vibe by pairing your slinky mini with rich indigo denim and suede accessories for a coordinated feel. SUN CHASER For a chic holiday-ready vibe, try a printed frock teamed with sandals. This H&M option will look perfect worn beachside, while a supersized raffia bag will finish it off – plus you could easily wear it to a summer party, too. RSVP READY…

How much do you spend? I don't tend to plan my meals out, which means that I just shop as I go and don't have a strict budget. I know that it's more expensive, but I just find it easier for my lifestyle. I'll shop everywhere from M&S to Sainsbury's to Lidl. I love the middle aisle of Lidl, I always walk out of there with things I don't need! Describe your daily diet… I start my morning with a green tea and lemon and then have my breakfast. I'll have muesli with blueberries and raspberries, or maybe some Greek yogurt with honey. I like to have a matcha mid-morning, so will either make one at home or get one from Blank Street. For lunch I often have sourdough with…

It does feel like the number of young women announcing they've got breast cancer is going up – Jessie J recently told fans she's been diagnosed with early breast cancer, while actress Kara Tointon, 41, revealed she's had a double mastectomy after testing positive for the gene that puts her at a very high risk of developing breast cancer. We do know that breast cancer rates are rising in young women, but we don't know exactly why that is. Which is why it's so important to check your breasts and see your GP as soon as you spot anything different. WHAT'S BEHIND THE RISE? Many different factors may be pushing up the rates of breast cancer in younger women. It could be lifestyle, drinking more alcohol than previous generations, greater…

ADD OVERSIZED PLANTS FOR EXTRA IMPACT TEAM WITH POPS OF FUCHSIA AND ORANGE…

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Sorry to disappoint you, Ed, but it's not one of yours. Clever as you are, you'll never beat the musicality of Aquarium by Aqua. Barbie Girl crushes Galway Girl every time! Well, we've learned that with every passing year, bladders get weaker, knees get more painful and all policemen look like they're fresh out of Year 6. Happy b'day, Khloé! GRUMPY GRAM Poor old Anton – all that dancing over the years has left him with the world's worst case of sciatica. Let's hope that back unlocks again before the next series of Strictly!…