Table of contents for Issue 992 in Closer

She’s been lapping up the Los Angeles sunshine on a romantic break with her boyfriend James Green – and pals say Lisa Armstrong is happier than ever as her career and love life are soaring. According to insiders, Lisa, 45, has introduced dad-of-two James to her US pals, and rumours are growing of a secret proposal. Meanwhile, a series of work meetings have seen her rubbing shoulders with the elite of Hollywood’s make-up world. OPPORTUNITIES A source says, “Lisa’s in high demand right now. Her work on Strictly, as well as her toughtalking stint as a judge on Glow Up [the UK make-up talent show that also aired in the US on Netflix], and the success of her new cosmetics line, has caught the eye of many Hollywood players who…

Pole fitness instructor Sabrina Cowley lives in Mere, Cheshire. She has three kids, Megan, 21, Cai, 17, and Nancy, three. She says, “When I met Matthew Hardy in 2015, it barely registered. He was a friend of a friend who I met when I dropped something round their house. I said hello and left five minutes later. But it was the start of five years of hell – he destroyed my relationship because of the stress, and I feared for my life. “His stalking was all online – sending thousands of social media messages, not only to me, accusing me of having affairs, but to my friends too, telling them I was seeing their husbands. He set up accounts pretending to be me and sent messages to my family and…

There’s been a lot of debate recently about the ideal age to have children, sparked by the news that the average first time mum in the UK is 31. I had my son Noah in 2009 when I was 27 because I wanted a baby and my husband [Mark Hebden] and I felt ready. Society often tells us not to listen to our instincts, but as women, it’s so important to take note of what your body is trying to tell you and not worry about conforming to other people’s timelines. If you’re fit and healthy and can raise the child afterwards, go for it. A lot of women seem to have to sacrifice progression in their career in order to have children, but I was very lucky because when…

❛HAVING TO STRIP HERSELF DOWN AND BE VULNERABLE WASN’T EASY❜ As her iconic diva alter-ego, “The GC”, Gemma Collins has become one of the UK’s biggest TV stars thanks to her outspoken, eccentric and no-nonsense persona, which has amassed her a whopping £3 million fortune. But in a new documentary set to air next week, fans are set to see a far more vulnerable side to Gemma, 41, as she bravely opens up for the first time about her history of self-harming, which began when she was 13. In Channel 4 show, Self Harm & Me, she candidly admits, “I wasn’t self-harming to kill myself, it was like a release, a tension build up, like, ‘Oh I feel better now’. You’d just cover it up and get on with your…

She was once famed as a rock ’n’ roll party girl, but Fearne Cotton now prefers to be tucked up in bed by 9pm, reading a good book. After a struggle with anxiety and depression, the TV star – who turned 40 last year – has found inner peace thanks to spirituality. So much so that she’s even penned a book about it, called Bigger Than Us: The Power Of Finding Meaning In A Messy World. “I had a really tough patch in my early 30s where I felt terrible, and in those moments – whether it’s circumstantial or depression or anxiety – you sort of crack open,” she said, speaking at an event to celebrate her book last week. “But in hindsight, I can look back at periods of…

TANYA: ‘It’s tricky with four kids – but we still manage it every day!’ Mum-of-four Tanya Bardsley reveals how she maintains intimacy with her footballer husband They met over 13 years ago and have been married for the past seven, but Tanya Bardsley says she’ll never let her sex life slip with Burnley FC footballer husband, Phil Bardsley. Tanya, 40, laughs as she tells Closer, “I still really fancy Phil and find him attractive, even more than I did when we met. It’s probably because I’ve trained him up!” The pair met when Phil asked her out by text after spotting the former glamour model on the cover of FHM, and Tanya admits she couldn’t imagine a sexless relationship. She adds, “My mum has always said to me, ‘Look after…

INSIDE KRISTINA’S FRIDGE • Vegan chocolate • Gherkins • Dairy-free butter • Tomatoes • Apple • Dairy-free mayo • Coconut yoghurt • Blueberries • Cauliflower • Falafel • Vegan sausages • Watermelon • Cucumber • Avocado • Grapes • Vegan cheeses • Strawberries • Bananas • Beetroot juice • Spinach • Coconut milk • Innocent smoothie • Bottled water KRISTINA How much do you spend per week? About £60 for me, my partner Ben, and my five-year-old daughter, Mila. Tesco and M&S both have a good variety of meat alternative ranges. Describe your daily diet… I haven’t eaten meat or dairy for five years. Breakfast is always on-the-go, like any busy mum. I’ll have a glass of water with some Forever Living aloe vera juice. Then around 9am I’ll have…

YOUR GUIDE TO EMOTIONAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LIFE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIST EMMA KENNY I tend to be the cook and comforter, while my husband is the tidying nag and family taxi. I suspect there’s a similar set-up in the majority of families, but it also means that children start associating those roles with the gender of their parent. We needn’t overthink that – my husband can do DIY brilliantly but he is awful at baking pavlova, whereas I would likely need an ambulance if I tried to put up a shelf, but we do agree to mix some tasks up so we both get to experience all elements of our boys’ lives. An activity overhaul is particularly needed if one of you is feeling bored or resentful of always doing…

LOVE ISLAND STAR, JOANNA CHIMONIDES, 22, ON HOW SHE LOOKS AFTER HER BODY AND MIND WORKING OUT HAS BEEN LIFE-CHANGING... I’ve always been an overthinker, but exercising has changed my mood completely. It forces you to have time away from whatever is happening at home or at work and gives you a focus. I have a personal trainer and we concentrate on muscle building. I don’t work out to lose weight and I never do it more than three times a week. MEDITATION HELPED MY SLEEP PARALYSIS [A FEELING OF BEING CONSCIOUS BUT UNABLE TO MOVE]... I had it every night for a year at university. It tended to happen when I was overthinking, but listening to calming music or rainforest sounds distracted my mind and made me fall into…

IN THE NEWS TWINNING STYLES AT LINDEX Perfect for Valentine’s Day and beyond, Lindex’s latest mini-me collection features loveable matching pyjamas, T-shirts and sweatshirts for you and your little ones. From uplifting slogans to joyful heart prints, these gorgeous designs will be sure to spread the love. You and the kids will feel as good as you look too, as the entire range is made from 100% soft organic cotton. Kind to your skin and the environment, the cotton is grown without toxic chemicals or genetically-modified cotton seeds. Plus, the clever foldable cuffs mean that little ones can grow a size and still fit in the same jammies! Prices range from £9.99 to £29.99. I WANT WHAT SHE’S GOT! EVERYBODY’S WEARING... RED-HOT HUES Take note from these celebs and wear…

HOLLY’S CHIGNON CELEBRITY HAIR STYLIST LEE STAFFORD OFFERS US HIS ADVICE ON HOW TO MIMIC THIS STYLE… 1 Start by rough drying your hair. To add more texture, twist small sections of hair around your fingers as you blow-dry it or by loosely tonging a few random mid sections of dry hair. Shake them out a little afterwards. 2 To add texture, spray hair at the roots with dry shampoo. The instant lift will make the style seem effortless and undone while giving it more volume and staying power. 3 Next, create a centre parting and bring hair together just above the nape of your neck, level with your ears, and tie with a clear hair elastic. Twist the hair in the ponytail around your finger and then wrap it…

His highly-anticipated Amazon Prime documentary is set to be released this week, in what is expected to be the most candid insight yet into Wayne Rooney’s personal and professional life. Interest surrounding the self-titled documentary, Rooney, has been mounting since the release of a trailer, in which his wife Coleen, 35, looks set to address the footballer’s infamous indiscretions and cheating scandals over the years. And friends say they are hoping their raw honesty will mark a fresh start, both for Wayne’s public persona and for their marriage, too. A source says, “Wayne was initially hesitant about doing the programme, knowing how much criticism it could receive, not to mention putting their marriage back into the spotlight. “But it was actually Coleen who inspired him to do it, in the…

She hasn’t stepped foot in America in eight years, since she visited New York on a royal tour with husband Prince William in 2014. But it seems Kate Middleton has still made her mark there, with a recent poll in the US showing she’s the most popular royal. While Kate has long been a hit with the British public – coming third after the Queen and Prince William in the most recent popularity vote – she easily topped the American poll, clinching over two-thirds of the vote. Surprisingly, she was more than twice as popular as her American sister-in-law Meghan Markle, who left the UK to live in California with husband Prince Harry in 2020. From the moment she burst into the spotlight as a 19-year-old student at the University…

❛SHE’S BOTTLED UP A LOT OF PAIN AND WANTS TO GET THINGS OFF HER CHEST❜ After she launched a furious attack on EastEnders with an ominous warning to “be afraid” of her upcoming autobiography, insiders say Danniella Westbrook’s former co-stars have been left worried about what she could reveal. Last week she learned that she’d been snubbed for Sam Mitchell’s return to EastEnders – the role that launched her career in 1990 – in favour of her replacement, Kim Medcalf. Danniella, 48, furiously Tweeted, “Wishing Kim the best of luck at @ BBCEastenders__ yet again this poor woman has to recreate a Samantha Mitchell as close to my last two recent comebacks on the square go smash it darling..x oh but not to @bbceastenders my legal team will be in…

Having starred with Gemma on TOWIE from 2013 to 2016, Danielle Armstrong knows The GC inside out. And she says she’s over the moon that her friend has found love. Danielle says, “I’m so happy for Gemma. She’s always been such a romantic and I’m pleased she’s getting her happy ending, she deserves it. I’m sure the wedding will be absolutely fabulous – in true GC style! I’m excited for her.” Danielle adds that she hopes the airing of Gemma’s new documentary will help those struggling with self-harm themselves. She adds, “Raising awareness about mental health like Gemma is doing is really important. I’ve had times I’ve felt low, but never to the extent of self-harm. “To anyone who is in a place where they are feeling low or depressed,…

When Emma Pelkiewicz was searching for a cat to adopt in 2019, she had no idea the feline she’d give a home to would become an internet sensation. But that’s exactly what happened when she took in 10-month-old Dmitri. The adorable moggy, who now has over a million followers on TikTok, had his eyes removed due to an extreme infection, but his blindness doesn’t hold him back. Emma, 27, says, “There’s something very special and beautiful about Dmitri. He’s so affectionate.” RESCUE Prior to Dmitri’s adoption, he was a stray on the streets of Athens in Greece. The plucky feline, who turns four in March, was rescued by London-based cat sanctuary Catcuddles, which is where Emma found him. She says, “I’d always wanted a rescue cat, but as I don’t…

The amount of men selling pictures and videos of themselves on adult site OnlyFans is rising all the time. And with unemployment at record levels in the UK, it’s thought many are turning to the subscription service to pay bills. And there seems to be a huge market for it – the site claims it has a staggering 1.2 million women signed up to view pictures and videos of men in increasingly erotic poses. Last month, Jordan’s fiancé Carl Woods urged his Instagram fans to subscribe to his OnlyFans page. He’s following in the footsteps of her ex-husband, Kieran Hayler, who’s been on the site for nearly two years now. American singer Aaron Carter and Kylie Jenner’s ex, Tyga, also have successful accounts. Here, we talk to one woman about…

THE MENOPAUSE CAN CAUSE HAVOC – BUT TALKING HELPS Hot flushes and night sweats are common symptoms of the menopause, but the most disruptive symptoms for your sex life are often vaginal dryness and irritation. This is because having low or no oestrogen causes a decrease in blood circulation, therefore the vaginal walls get thinner and less elastic, and natural lubrication stops. The dryer you are, the more prone you become to infections, particularly Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). This also means you may experience painful penetrative sex. On top of this, lower hormone levels means women often lose the desire for sex or find becoming aroused takes longer, and decreased blood flow means less sensitivity, which can lead to difficulties reaching orgasm. It all sounds doom and gloom, but there…

DR CHRISTIAN GIVES HIS TAKE ON THE HOT HEALTH TOPICS OF THE WEEK A recent survey of 18-to-24-year-olds found that seven per cent had undergone a cosmetic lip enhancement, and nearly 70 per cent knew someone who had. Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague has talked about having her lips enhanced when she was 17 – nobody should have given that to her at such a young age. It’s been illegal to give cosmetic enhancements like lip fillers and Botox to under-18s since October last year, but it should have been the case far sooner. TAKE IT SERIOUSLY Because we see enhanced lips all over TV and social media it has become normalised, like getting your nails done, but there are health and psychological risks. Firstly – and I don’t see…

First, we must recognise that people do things like gamble, overspend, drink, or overeat in secret because they feel ashamed and know that if you call them out they will have to admit it to themselves and change. If they are doing these things because they think it helps them avoid difficult emotions, stopping will scare them as they are unlikely to have a positive strategy to replace it. SHOW EMPATHY When you approach the conversation, make sure neither of you have any distractions or are likely to be interrupted and that you’re both sober. Remember that you are dealing with an adult and not a child, so avoid lecturing them. If they struggle to understand why you are worried, explain how their actions are impacting you and your relationship,…

1 THROW ON A SHIRT Grab a striped shirt in a size (or two) up and it’ll be a layer to wear every season. Tie over a dress, with jeans or over swimsuit bottoms in summer – it’ll sweep over bums and thighs and also keep arms covered. 2 FINISH WITH UPLIFTING ACCESSORIES Matchy-matchy bold accessories are an A-lister hack. Lifting any outfit to dreamy new heights, it’s all about joyful shades that elevate any look. 3 OPT FOR SUSTAINABLE STYLES Made from 100% recycled materials, a slinky slip dress not only looks incredible but is also better for the planet – which always gives us a mood boost. Perfect for a date night – just add a blazer and heels. 4 COMPLETE WITH LOOK-AT-ME JEWELS Receiving a compliment instantly…

TERRIFIC LIP TRIO Line your lips with the creamy pencil, fill in with the highly pigmented satinsmooth lipstick and finish off with the high-shine, non-sticky gloss. The full package, this kit is made to create the perfect red lip that’ll last all night. Use the gloss on its own for daytime, too. MORPHE OUT AND A POUT LIP TRIO IN FIERY RED, £18 (WORTH £27) BARGAIN BUSTER For the price of a glass of vino, this purse-friendly lipstick has many five-star reviews, thanks to its amazing staying power. A date-night essential, the luxe-looking velvet-finish lippie will be the perfect companion to the matching Satin Kiss lip liner. REVOLUTION SATIN KISS LIPSTICK IN DECADENCE, £5 REFILLABLE CELEB CLASSIC In 11 shades inspired by A-listers including Jennifer Aniston and Olivia Palermo, this…

The best thing about doing this show? The main thing for me is that in each episode, it’s two women I’m going to say, of a “certain age”, having a good time and enjoying ourselves. And the film crew is like family so we all kind of muck about together. The real danger is I sometimes forget we’re filming, and I might say mildly inappropriate things that are probably not suitable for broadcast! There are a lot of chuckles with Sarah Millican! I’ve known Sarah for a very long time, and she always makes me laugh. She keeps me up to speed with things and teaches me about social media. She can’t quite believe how disengaged I am as I still write people handwritten letters… Who else are you gallivanting…

CODE CRACK THE BIG CROSSWORD CRISS CROSS SUDOKU - EASY SUDOKU - MEDIUM WORD SEARCH CLUES & ARROWS GUESS THE FILM STILL A) THE WEDDING SINGER B) UPTOWN GIRLS NAME THE STARS 1) JAMES BLUNT 2) BARBARA WINDSOR GUESS THE CELEB A) PAUL RUDD B) HELEN MIRREN WORD LINK A) STORAGE B) DISC C) PEDAL D) CORNER E) PUFF F) SOLDIER SPOT THE DIFFERENCE 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…

Closer’s psychological therapist, Emma Kenny, believes that, although Coleen may be feeling “anxious” over the documentary’s revelations, she and Wayne are very much united in their approach. She says, “Coleen has been criticised for standing by Wayne in the past, so she’s likely to be feeling anxious about the possibility of a backlash from the documentary. It’s also likely to expose difficult times in their relationship, and nobody likes being faced with those. But while I think the show will contain some hard truths, Wayne and Coleen are coming from a position of strength. They’ve come through the hard times and they want to show their marriage is good, because they know it is. “I think this documentary is really important for them. The public question their relationship because they’ve…

When Kerri Layton opened her Facebook page and saw the message her blood ran cold. It read, “I’m coming to London to see you” – and meant her stalker had found her again, leaving her in a constant state of fear and panic. Her years of hell started when she was 19 and had a one-night stand with a man she met through friends at a nightclub. She’d made it clear she wasn’t interested in him but, days later, she left for work and spotted him outside her house. When she came home she found a bunch of flowers on her doorstep. Within five minutes of going inside, her landline started ringing non-stop. TERRIFYING Over the following three years he’d turn up at her home, work, and wherever she went…

ADELE’S ‘WORKING THROUGH’ HER ROMANCE WOBBLE AFTER BABY U-TURN There was devastation, anger and concern when Adele postponed her Las Vegas residency at the 11th hour last month, with suggestions she might not perform at the BRIT Awards amid rumours of relationship woes with boyfriend Rich Paul. But last week Adele confirmed her BRITs gig would go ahead, before defiantly hitting back at reports of trouble with sports agent Rich, writing on Instagram alongside a pic of her laughing, “Hiya, so I’m really happy to say that I am performing at the Brits next week!! Oh, and Rich sends his love.” The post sparked a mixed response from fans – while some expressed their relief that the star was happy and her BRITs performance was on, others criticised her for…

For over a decade, Gweneth Lee has been living a luxurious life funded by her rich and powerful lovers – all of whom have wives or partners at home. But despite her pursuit of married men, Gweneth, who’s in her forties, doesn’t feel guilty about her actions. She says, “I fill a void in these men’s lives. Many of them are unhappy in their marriages, and intimacy is missing from their relationships. If a man cheats, it has nothing to do with me, because they have made a conscious choice to be unfaithful.” Gweneth – who is currently seeing five married men – meets her partners through IllicitEncounters.com, a dating site for men and women seeking extramarital affairs, which she joined shortly after her husband passed away in 2007 and…

She may be preparing to celebrate her milestone 60th birthday later this month, but Vanessa Feltz insists that age is no barrier to a sizzling sex life. The radio and TV presenter confesses that, after 16 years together, she and musician partner Ben Ofoedu, 49, still enjoy an incredible connection in bed. Vanessa tells Closer, “It’s delusional to think that after a certain age you transform into an old person and don’t want excitement, affection, adventure and a great sex life. I’m astounded I’m about to turn 60 – it sounds and feels so old. But inside I still feel like an 18-year-old bristling with hormones.” Vanessa, who has daughters Allegra, 36, and Saskia, 33, from her first marriage to Michael Kurer, met Ben – former singer with ’90s duo…

I hate to sound like a prude, but why does everything have to turn sexual so early on in dating now? During my past month of looking for love, I’ve found that, if it’s not brought up in the first few messages, then somehow the topic comes up on the first date. I fully appreciate that some people are on dating apps to find someone to have sex with rather than to date, but I don’t agree with them parading around on the likes of Bumble and Hinge acting as if they want a relationship when, in reality, they actually want anything but. I also take issue with people who put on their profile that “they’re not sure yet” what it is they’re looking for. If you don’t know that,…

Lots of us are trying to shop secondhand and buy less new stuff. One great way to stop spending on things that you only need now and then is to borrow. Here are some ways... • OLIO This started out as a food-sharing app to reduce food waste, but now has a Borrow function so users can list commonly used household items that are available for their neighbours to borrow temporarily – everything from power tools and airbeds, to pasta makers and disco balls! • FAT LLAMA is another app that lets neighbours rent stuff for a small amount, from sewing machines to cameras, drones to scooters. If you fancy lending stuff, there’s insurance to protect your items up to a value of £25,000, so it isn’t risky. • LIBRARY…

FEEL-GOOD JEWELS A modern take on the friendship bracelet, this dainty arm candy makes a heartfelt gift for your bestie or sister. SPRING SCENT-SATION Top notes of clary sage, bitter orange and wild grass give this new natural fragrance a light, springtime feel. HANDMADE HERO For a thoughtful gift, why not get crafty? This cross-stitch kit has everything you need to create an impressive masterpiece. KEY TO YOUR HEART They say home is where the heart is, and that’ll be the case every time they unlock their door with this cute accessory. TALKATIVE TOP Spread the love with this slogan sweatshirt. Team it with matching lippie and jeans and you’re all set for movie night. ART WITH HEART Choose a special destination, date and initials for a personalised illustration that…

DO IT YOURSELF PRETTY PLACEMATS The base to your tablescape (if you don’t want a tablecloth) will be stylish placemats. This cotton set is stainresistant to make it last longer, but the mats can also be popped in a 40 degree wash, too. BAMBOO BOWLS Paper plates may save on washing up, but reusable bamboo styles are a chicer alternative. Biodegradable and lightweight to transport in or outside, these sets can be used all year round. FOREVER FLOWERS The finishing touch to any fabulous table has to be flowers. Save cash on buying fresh every time you’re entertaining by opting for a dried bouquet you can use for any occasion. NIFTY NAPKINS Switch linen serviettes that can get ruined easily for recyclable paper styles. Make them party-ready by having a…

MUST READ The Boyfriend (MICHELLE FRANCES) When Amy comes round following a serious fall, she doesn’t remember anything from the previous six months. Not even the upcoming skiing holiday with her mum and best friends to celebrate her birthday. She certainly doesn’t remember being swept off her feet by the handsome Dr Jack Stewart. He is the full package – charming, caring and devoted to Amy. But is he too good to be true? A thriller that will have you gripped. BEST DAY OUT Legoland Windsor For the first time since 2020, Legoland Resort Windsor’s amazing Brick Week is back for February half term fun. From 12-27 Feb, grab your family and friends and enjoy over 30 different rides and attractions and get creative at the Lego build experiences. Make…

IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK You could have an amazing breakthrough with a family member this year. Do make the effort and don’t cling on to bad thoughts about whatever has been going on. Allow for a shift. Your key to success this year is thinking good thoughts. THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN AQUARIUS 20 JAN-18 FEB As much as you like to stay busy, this week is made for downtime. Take time off the giant hamster wheel of life and just b-r-e-a-t-h-e. Good things will happen when you do less and just be. You need a chance to process everything. Visit yasminboland.com for your daily horoscopes PISCES 19 FEB-20 MAR Your chart is a bit torn this week. On the one hand, it’s a good time for you…