Table of contents for Issue 1051 in Closer

‘SHE FEELS MEGHAN'S INFLUENCE HAS GIVEN HIM A DISTORTED VIEW OF REALITY’ The UK is just weeks away from celebrating the coronation of King Charles on 6 May, and while it's been a month since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle confirmed they had received an invitation, it's now looking highly likely that fans will have to wait until the day itself to find out whether the couple will be attending. However, last week Harry sparked shockwaves when he flew in from LA to attend a court hearing in London, as part of his ongoing trial against a British newspaper publisher. Harry, 38, is believed to have stayed with friends ahead of his appearance at the four-day preliminary trial, despite his lease at Frogmore Cottage being extended until after the coronation…

She's received rave reviews for her leading role in 2:22 A Ghost Story, with critics bestowing high praise for “delivering a dose of pure star power” to the spooky show. But Cheryl's West End performance was slightly tainted by commentary around her markedly different facial features last week, with pap shots of her leaving the theatre prompting speculation that she has gone under the knife. TOP OF THE WORLD And now insiders say, as her run in A Ghost Story looks to draw to a close at the end of April, Cheryl, 39, is looking to the future and feeling anxious. “Cheryl is really feeling the pressure right now, and it's all thanks to how well she's been doing on the stage,” a source tells Closer. “She should be feeling…

There's been ongoing drama between former Love Islander Laura Anderson and Hollyoaks star Gary Lucy since announcing they're expecting a baby together – then splitting just weeks later. And fan speculation that the pair have been making cryptic digs at each other on social media was fuelled last week when Gary, 41, let slip that the exes are expecting a baby girl – something Laura hadn't yet revealed. He posted a photo with the words “Daddy's Little Girl” on Instagram, later writing, “Let's hope she inherits her Mummy's good looks.” And an insider tells Closer that Laura was put out by Gary's revelation. The source says, “She was upset that he decided to announce they're having a girl without discussing it. Obviously she's pleased he's excited at becoming a dad,…

She's back on the Hollywood singles scene following her split from husband Jim Toth after 12 years of marriage and 10-year-old son Tennessee together. And insiders say Reese Witherspoon's newlysingle status has unnerved her close friend, Jennifer Aniston, 54, who fears a battle could break out between the A-list bachlorettes. COMPETITIVE Aside from a few flings, including a rumoured brief reconciliation with her first husband, Brad Pitt, Jen – who's referred to her The Morning Show co-star, 47, as her “little sister” – has been largely single since her divorce from Justin Theroux in 2018. A source says, “Jen is of course heartbroken for Reese and has been supporting her through a very painful time, but it's also sparked some fears of how Reese being back on the dating scene…

Britney Spears appeared to fuel speculation that her marriage to Sam Asghari is on the rocks when she was pictured without her wedding ring last week. The Toxic singer was seen looking strained and clutching a teddy bear in Los Angeles. Britney, 41, tied the knot with fitness trainer Sam, 29 – who has also been spotted without his ring – last June after five years of dating. However, there has been some scrutiny around their marriage of late, and a cryptic Instagram post shared on Britney's page only added to the narrative. She wrote, “Throwback to Mexico… before I got married… so happy and silly here.” While comments have since been disabled, it did leave fans questioning whether she was truly happy in her marriage, with one claiming it…

SHANE: ‘I've been in dark places and danced with the devil’ He rose to fame in the ‘90s as the “bad boy” of Boyzone due to his tattoos and potty-mouthed outbursts. But Shane Lynch is now passionate about religion and says he jumped at the chance to take part in Pilgrimage. He tells Closer, “I made the choice to get re-baptised in 2003, becoming a born-again Christian. Anyone who doesn't have that direct line to God is missing out, in my opinion. Christianity is a relationship not a religion, and it just makes life so much easier to have that guiding hand.” REBELLIOUS But Shane's close relationship with God didn't come easily. Describing himself as “sticking out like a sore thumb” in the squeaky-clean vibe of Boyzone, Shane said he…

ROCKY Rocky is a four-year-old Bull Mastiff. He's a sweet and affectionate boy who falls in love with everyone he meets. Rocky has been working hard on his training at Battersea and is looking for new owners who have a private garden for him to stretch his legs and to give him a space to continue his training. MERIDA Merida, a sweet eight-year-old Caucasian Shepherd, came to Battersea as a stray. She's had a full makeover, with plenty of TLC to help her feel like herself again and has shown a real sensitive side. Merida is looking for a home with owners who are willing to do breed research and understand her care requirements. POPPY Poppy, a three-year-old Springer Spaniel, is a sweet soul who came to Battersea as a…

SPRING CLEANING SPECIAL ● Change Your Space: Reclaim Your Home, Your Time and Your Mind by Dilly Carter is published by Welbeck, £16.99 hardback START WITH A SPACE AUDIT Know you need to start getting rid of the clutter, but don't know where to start? Dilly, who declutters homes on Stacey Solomon's Sort Your Life Out on BBC One, says to begin with looking at your home as a whole. “Start with a space audit, make a list of things you like, the things you dislike and the things you want to change,” she explains. “Then you can think, ‘What area is my priority? What area is affecting me or the family the most?’ And then ask yourself what you have time for and what you need help with. It's…

Break-ups are awful, end of. When you've been in a proper, loving relationship, there is a process for ending things in that you have an adult conversation, even if things don't go smoothly. However, when you're seeing someone more casually, the rules aren't as clear-cut. How do you let someone know you're not interested without making it dramatic or hurting their feelings unnecessarily? Ghosting has been around for far too long now, but it's for those of us who don't want to deal with the repercussions of being confronted by the other person's emotions. It's the coward's way out. The “slow fade” is the slighting gentler version, where you reply less frequently and engage less. Rather than a hard, slam-doorinface type scenario, the door simply closes very slowly. I'm not…

Got a piece of clothing from the high street that you just don't wear? It's time to be ruthless and sell it on! ZARA RESELL Find the resell tab on their site or on the app and you can sell your unwanted Zara items. Just scan the barcode or QR code on the label, and search for it, or if it's a bit too old and you can't find it, enter a description and price you want. Visit resell.zara.com REWEAR FOR H&M Upload a pic of your item and H&M will retouch it to look good, they'll also recommend a price for it, and you can save on shipping costs by arranging to meet in a safe place instead. Visit rewear.hm.com COS RESELL Realised the loose-fit style of COS doesn't…

SWEET SHADES Create scrumptious looks with a cocoainfused eye shadow palette with an array of matte, shimmery and metallic hues. BEAUTY-FULL SET Bag yourself 10 beauty buys, worth over £204! From body scrubs to skincare, you'll be glowing from head to toe. PAMPER PERFECTION For an eggstra-special soak after all the Easter fun, this set contains two sweetsmelling and luxurious bath bombs. HOP TO IT The cutest Easter tablescape addition, these bunny-shaped candles are scented with natural essential oils. SPRING BLOSSOMS Enjoy a foaming shower gel, body cream and hair and body mist, enriched with rice milk and cherry blossom. PERSONAL TOUCH A personalised candle makes a lovely gift: choose from several scents and finish with a message of your choice. NOURISHING ALMOND Discover the mouth-watering scent of almond with…

Tell us about this documentary… For me, what makes it fascinating is the fact that these men we follow are civilian individuals with no prior experience in terms of military life or war. It's literally like your own boyfriend or brother being asked to step up and fight the Russian army on the frontline – an unimaginable task. What did you struggle with most? You always feel daft saying what you've struggled with while making a doc – it's nothing compared to what these guys are going home to. But I suppose it's emotionally tricky when you establish a genuine rapport with these men, and you know that some of them just won't make it. Also, at the time of filming I was jumping over fences eight months pregnant, which…

IF IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK Dreams don't happen just by wishing for them. You've got to work for them too! Whatever you'd like to achieve, a bit of effort will go a long way. Buying, selling, renovating and moving are all possible. Get your finances in order and allow your dreams to come true! ARIES 21 MAR – 19 APR Money planet, Mercury, moves into your Money Zone and will stay for longer than usual. This means you may need to take your time getting to know your numbers. Get clear about what you earn, own and owe before making a money move. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope…

While Holly Willoughby was all smiles on This Morning last week, behindthescenes the ITV show was thrown into turmoil after her co-host Phillip Schofield took a break while his younger brother's sexual assault trial dominated headlines. Alison Hammond who, as Closer recently reported, has been supported by Holly during a terrifying alleged blackmail ordeal and recent break-up, stepped in for a “girls’ takeover” on Monday and Tuesday, with comedian Joel Dommett then taking over. DETERMINED And while she was upbeat for the cameras, insiders reveal how Holly, 42, has been “beside herself” over the tough time her best pals are going through, and felt overwhelmed as she tried to hold it all together and maintain her perfectly polished look for viewers. A source says, “It's certainly been a tough few…

Facing her camera, Louanna Jasmin stares into the lens and gives her best pout. Her hair and make-up are flawless but there's still one final step she needs to complete before she can hit “post”. Tapping her screen until her favourite filter appears, the 30-year-old model from Manchester watches in awe as her lips become fuller, her eyes bigger and her nose slimmer. But what could be seen as harmless fun has resulted in Louanna spending more than £20,000 on procedures to become that filtered version of herself. She says, “I started using face and body-altering filters to make my photos look more like those of my favourite celebs. But after using them for a while, I became obsessed with the idea of looking more like my filtered images.” OBSESSED…

Cheryl's ex bandmate Kimberley Walsh – who has been full of praise about her West End performance, saying she watched on like “a proud mother” – delighted fans when she revealed last week that Girls Aloud will be honouring 20 years of their debut album, Sound Of The Underground, by releasing new music. Speaking of how they intend to mark the milestone, Kimberley, 41, said, “We've got some fun, alternative versions of songs lying around and little re-releases just to kind of mark that because, you know, it's a big deal. “Twenty years is a long time and the love that we still feel for Sound Of The Underground and some of the songs from the first album is still huge.” Kimberley added that the band will not be recording any…

Donning her black latex trousers and leather boots, Queen Tricks looks forward to welcoming another client to her six-bedroom home in Southampton where he'll not only pay her generously for the honour of being in her presence, but happily spend two hours cleaning her house and sometimes wash her car, too! Queen Tricks, whose real name is Zara, lives with her business consultant partner, Owen, 43, and their children, Tyler, 18, Leo, seven, and Cassius, two, and has been a dominatrix for two years. She says, “I love my job and I'm proud of what I do. It fits perfectly round my family life, which is my priority. I take the youngest to school and nursery, then work for a few hours and go back to pick them up. Sometimes…

They were pictured looking more loved-up than ever this week, packing on the PDA at the premiere of Ben's new film, Air. And while Closer has previously reported that Ben Affleck, 50, and wife J-Lo, 53, are hoping to have a baby via surrogate, insiders now say that Jennifer has been delaying plans in a bid to find the perfect candidate. A source says, “Jen and Ben have been interviewing potential carriers for many months now, but right as they're about to sign papers Jen keeps changing her mind and putting it on hold for one reason or another. She's methodical in everything in her life, but she seems to be really overcomplicating the situation and stalling.” Bennifer – as they're affectionately known to fans – were the ‘90s IT…

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe is reportedly expecting his first child with girlfriend of over 10 years, actress Erin Darke. Rumours started circulating when Erin, 38, was spotted sporting a slight baby bump on a recent outing, with a rep for the actors later confirming the news, saying, “They are absolutely thrilled and can't wait to become a family of three.” Previously speaking about having children after his costar Rupert Grint welcomed his daughter Wednesday in 2020, Daniel, 33, said, “I was so happy for him. It's also, like, super-weird for me to think that we are at the age where we are all having children, but we definitely are.”…

‘THERE'S A PURPOSE FOR THE AWFUL TIMES’ Born in Gloucestershire in 1986, Daisy, 36, may be living the high life now, but many of her earlier years were spent struggling with payday loans and eviction notices. But she says her past has helped to shape the person she is today. Opening up in her memoir, Don't Laugh, It'll Only Encourage Her, she wrote, “All these bad things were happening and it was never-ending. But at least now there was a purpose for those really awful times,” – later adding, “If you've got nothing, then you have everything to gain.” ‘DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF TO ANYONE’ Until she was 30, Daisy was a struggling actor, sharing a mattress with her younger brother Charlie, 33 – until their big break came in the…

SPRING CLEANING SPECIAL She's been the queen of presenting tidying and cleaning segments on television since the ‘90s and even released her own book, How To Be The Perfect Housewife, and nearly 20 years on, domestic goddess Anthea Turner admits cleaning still gives her a daily boost. “I thrive in spring, the days are longer, the daffodils are in sight and this is where my year really starts,” Anthea, 62, tells Closer. “While it's lighter outside, it's the perfect time to look around your house and at what's building up around you, tackle mess and scrub away. We often put these jobs off, but cleaning isn't a waste of time, it actually gives you more time in the long run. There's nothing that doesn't benefit from a turf out and…

TV PRESENTER LINDA BARKER, 61, ON HOW SHE LOOKS AFTER HER BODY AND MIND I HAVEN'T LOST THAT ZEST FOR LIFE… I'm a real outdoors person and I enjoy exercise. I do yoga three times a week, and I have a personal trainer for two days. I enjoy swimming and running, and having a dog helps you keep fit and increase your step count because you walk them at least once if not twice a day. COLD WATER SWIMMING HAS ALL-OVER BENEFITS… I've been doing it over the last two years and I love it. It's good for my skin, my face feels tighter afterwards – which is amazing – and the tone of my body has improved. I WORK HARD TO GET EIGHT HOURS OF SLEEP… I'm usually asleep…

AFFORDABLE TREATS! GET HER LOOK PARIS HILTON, 42 Paris gives an expert lesson in how to dress for the transitional months. Embrace the new season with a fancy floral dress to add some colour to your ensemble, and beat the chill with a chic white coat and matching accessories – gorgeous. IN THE NEWS… SUNSHINE WARDROBE OVERHAUL Spring has arrived, the days are getting longer and the sun is showing its face a little more. So, what better time for Michelle Keegan's new collection at Very.co.uk to drop? The 31-piece edit will brighten up your days with colourful knits and fabulous floral prints, and the actress has ticked multiple trend boxes, with go-to denim pieces and neutral tailoring. Everything can be styled together or separately, so you can create the…

POUT PERFECTOR To combat chapped lips, we've switched out drying lipsticks for tinted balms. This sheer pink formula has a delicious grapefruit scent and is so hydrating, it borders on a gloss. Wear alone or layer over lip liner for a day-tonight look. E.L.F COSMETICS GRAPEFRUIT GOALS RIDE OR DIE LIP BALM, £5 BARGAIN FACE CREAM For an affordable moisturiser that feels expensive on the skin, add this affordable buy to your Easter basket. It's lightweight, non-greasy and harnesses a blend of cucumber fruit extract, green tea leaf extract and shea butter to combat dryness and leave skin feeling refreshed. BARRY M FRESH FACE SKIN HYDRATING MOISTURISER, £8.99 FUN FACTOR This whipped cream-esque bottle looks nothing like your average shower foam – but that's because it's anything but. Packed with…

4-10 APRIL TAURUS 20 APR - 20 MAY The chance to get to know yourself better arrives this week, thanks to Mercury moving into your sign until June. This extra-long stay gives you plenty of opportunity to change your mind about just about anything. Be open to change. Be willing to choose differently if you want a different outcome. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope GEMIN 21 MAY - 20 JUN Despite your social life being on fire right now, you might like to press pause for a little bit. Mercury, your sovereign star, has just moved into your Retreat Zone. A calm and clear mind can help you make better choices. Rest and meditate if you can and say “no” when required. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope CANCER…

Her career has soared to new heights this year and she's fast become one of the most sought-after presenters in television. But last week details of Alison Hammond's terrifying alleged blackmail ordeal surfaced. Revealing how, for the past eight months, an unnamed man who she had considered a close friend had been demanding thousands – including a £5,000 BMW – Alison, 48, said she had been left “in shock”, describing the ordeal as “heartbreaking and terrifying”. SCARED After reporting the man – who had allegedly vowed to “ruin her” and destroy her career – to the police, Alison is said to have cried to a friend, “I'm genuinely scared of what this man might do to me now that I've stopped with the handouts and reported him.” Now, an insider…

Former EastEnders actress Melissa Suffield, aka the. confidentmama, has grown a huge following due to her honest and unfiltered photos, and believes that declarations of the use of filters on social media should be mandatory. She says, “Social media can be an absolute minefield of physical comparison, and our self-esteem can take a real knock when we see what we perceive to be ‘perfection’. To make matters worse, so much of what we're comparing ourselves to doesn't even exist, with the use of face and body-altering filter apps becoming more sophisticated and difficult to spot. I was able to make this filtered image in less than five minutes, having never used the app before. While we can't fully avoid comparing (we're only human, after all!), I believe that we should…

She's been sharing her motherhood journey and new life with baby daughter Bambi on YouTube and social media with her millions of followers. But last week Molly-Mae Hague – who welcomed Bambi in January with boyfriend of four years Tommy Fury, 23 – broke down in tears while discussing some of the side effects of childbirth. She revealed that she experienced severe constipation for nine days after her daughter was born, describing it as “harder than my labour”. Bravely opening up about the reality of life as a new mum, she added, “At one point in the shower with [sister] Zoe stood outside, I was crouching down in the shower that constipated that I was screaming for her to call me an ambulance.” The former Love Island runner-up said she…

It's been a roller-coaster few weeks for Ferne McCann, who not only unveiled her pregnancy last month, but finally broke her silence on the shocking voice note scandal – opening up about her guilt and breaking down in tears on both This Morning and her reality show, First Time Mum. ROCK BOTTOM But now insiders say shamed Ferne, 32, is feeling relieved that she's finally addressed her shocking outbursts – when she apparently lashed out at pal Sam Faiers as well as the victim of her ex's acid attack – and is hoping to be able to put the past behind her. A source says, “There's been lots of tears and a lot of drama, but she is feeling more settled now. Lorri has been an absolute rock for her…

Four months after splitting from his Don't Worry Darling director girlfriend of two years, Olivia Wilde, Harry Styles has been spotted moving on with model Emily Ratajkowski after a video emerged online of the pair kissing in Tokyo. The footage showed Harry, 29, and Emily, 31, dancing in the street to the John Legend track Dope, before holding hands and making out against a car, not appearing to care that they were being filmed. Their kiss came after Harry – who previously dated model Kendall Jenner and singer Taylor Swift as well as Olivia – revealed in 2014 that Emily was his celebrity crush. Despite Olivia and Harry's November break-up being amicable and merely due to “different priorities that are keeping them apart”, Olivia, 39, reportedly found the footage “upsetting”,…

INSIDE JOANNA'S FRIDGE ● Yakult ● Eggs ● Philadelphia ● Sweet and sour sauce ● Black bean sauce ● Fruit winders ● Jelly pots ● Lemon ● Broccoli ● Babybels ● Salmon ● Garlic ● Beef mince ● Banana ● Raspberries ● Blueberries ● Bacon ● Ham ● Sliced chicken ● Avocado ● Lettuce ● Kefir yoghurt ● Apple juice ● Orange juice ● Oat milk JOANNA How much do you spend per week? I mostly shop at Tesco and spend about £50 a week. I live on my own and I try to keep costs down. Describe your daily diet… I have a poached egg, smashed avocado and bacon on a bagel for breakfast. Lunch is something like salmon with a bit of rice, and for dinner I like…

RELATIONSHIPS YOU CAN'T ‘CHEATPROOF’ YOUR ROMANCE Seen articles promising you can ensure there will be no infidelity if you follow a few simple rules? Emma isn't convinced Ioften see articles and videos that discuss “how to cheat-proof your relationship”, and while I understand why people would love to know the secret to a perfect partnership, sadly it's not that simple. Every couple has a set of boundaries and in some relationships these will be more flexible than in others. This is why it can pay dividends early on to be honest about your expectations to ensure that you are on the same page. Everyone has a different idea of what constitutes cheating, for example. Some women feel that watching porn is totally inappropriate and is a type of micro-cheating that…

1 SUAVE SUITING A short suit is a brilliant investment as it works with strappy sandals for a smart outfit, or rework it as separates with trainers for a casual vibe. BLAZER £28, TOP £18, SHORTS £16, TRAINERS £17, BAG £15, ALL TU KIDSWEAR GETS AN UPGRADE! 2 COOL CO-ORD Nothing takes the stress out of getting the kids ready more than a co-ord. Finish off the look with a pair of trainers and a cardigan to beat the evening chill. CO-ORD £9.99, H&M 3 PLAYFUL PRINTS A bias-cut dress will effortlessly drape over the body to give a soft yet elegant edge. Finish with these punchy pink platforms, which are a great alternative to the £1,100 Versace heels. DRESS £25, SHOES £16, BOTH PRIMARK GO FOR GREEN! 4 FRESH FOOTWEAR Sandals are…

NIFTY SCRUBBER Exactly what it says on the tin, this dualended brush is great for precision tasks like removing grime around sink taps, inside window ledges, and cleaning the gaps between tiles. KITCHENCRAFT NOOKS & CRANNIES WASHING BRUSH, £4.29 STAIN-REMOVING SOAP Use on delicates, or stained clothing as a pre-treatment, this modest bar can remove tough marks on clothes, carpets and upholstery without using harsh or toxic bleach ingredients. BIO-D LAUNDRY & STAIN REMOVER BAR, £4.12 BENDY BRUSH Tapered with hundreds of silicone bristles for a thorough clean, this 36cm brush can reach awkward spots inside water bottles, thermos flasks and vases. KOCHBLUME BOTTLE BRUSH, £13 SOFT SCOURER Ideal for removing bits of burnt food or stubborn sauce spillages, these scourers are gentle on surfaces, and Teflon approved. MARIGOLD CLEANING…

Closer TV TV WEEK: 8-14 APRIL 1 ANT & DEC'S SATURDAY NIGHT TAKEAWAY: BEHIND THE SCREENS WHAT GOES INTO MAKING THE SHOW! EASTER SUN, 7PM, ITV1 For the first time ever, Ant ‘n’ Dec are going behind the scenes on Saturday Night Takeaway to reveal what goes into making the happiest 90 minutes of the week! This one-off special offers a unique “up close and personal view of the TV duo's work”, with unprecedented access to everything that happens months, weeks, hours and seconds before they go live to the nation – as well as all the backstage dramas that unfold when on air. “We're really excited to lift the curtain a little, and we'll have footage of all the ups and downs that come with making a weekly live entertainment…

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…

Preach, Nicki – forget 30 days, we keep ours for years, usually down the back of the sofa. We've not moved for weeks, Stephen – and now Easter egg season is upon us, we're thinking of not moving until May! GRUMPY GRAM Whatever you do, don't upset Brooklyn if he invites you round for dinner. That cork in the beef bourguignon is designed to choke you to death!…