Table of contents for Issue 1087 in Closer

'THIS IS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR KATE TO PUBLICLY DENOUNCE THE VILE CLAIMS' Christmas clearly holds a special place in Kate Middleton’s heart. Not only is she a doting mum to three children – Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five – but last week, the Princess of Wales was glowing as she spearheaded the “Together At Christmas” royal concert at Westminster Abbey and took a surprise tour of the Strictly Come Dancing studios. But behind the picturesque scenes of festivities and grandeur, Kate, 41, has had one of her toughest years yet. And last week, as the Christmas countdown continued, things only seemed to be getting worse for the popular royal, when Meghan Markle’s “chief cheerleader”, author Omid Scobie, appeared to “out” the Princess of Wales…

'THERE’S A SADNESS THAT THEY HAVE NOBODY TO SHARE THEIR SUCCESS WITH' Their careers have soared over the last year, with Alison Hammond being dubbed “TV royalty”, while her BFF, Josie Gibson, has become one of the most in-demand UK stars following her stint on I’m A Celeb!, which is set to net her millions in endorsement deals alone. But despite their professional successes, pals say the single pair – who’ve both endured heartbreaking splits in 2023 – are determined to focus on their personal lives in 2024 and embark on a joint mission to find love. READY TO MINGLE A source says, “Alison and Josie’s careers reached new heights this year, but there’s an underlying sadness at not having special someone to share that with – especially in the…

SHOCK SURGERY REAL LIFE When she was a little girl, Elisa Sanches loved playing with Barbie dolls. She admired their glossy locks and slimline figures and, in her teens, the fascination stretched to real-life models, like Pamela Anderson, whose perky looks quickly became an obsession for her – and a goal. INSECURE Thanks to a successful career in the adult entertainment industry, Elisa went on to have several cosmetic procedures, including a boob job. But in October this year, she went all-out – and treated herself to a new vagina. Elisha, 39, says, “I didn’t feel tight down there and it was getting me down. I didn’t like the way it looked and wanted to become a virgin again – so I treated myself to an early Christmas present and had…

He was one of the favourites to get his hands on the Glitterball trophy, so Nigel Harman’s abrupt exit from Strictly came as a shock to fans last week. As Nigel explained he had been forced to leave the competition after sustaining a rib injury during rehearsals which landed him in A&E, his dance partner Katya Jones broke down, explaining it was “hard to talk”. Following the emotional moment, viewers took to social media platform X to share their thoughts. One person wrote, “Really really missed Katya & Nigel tonight”. Another wrote, “We all love Nigel and Katya I’m heartbroken they’re gone” and a third commented, “Nah Nigel and Katya weren’t supposed to make me cry this week wtf”. Nigel’s surprise departure from the show comes after the former EastEnders…

HEART RATE: Your baby’s heart should be no faster or slower than 100-160 beats per minute. ENERGY: Does your baby seem quiet or floppy? Are they too tired to feed or do they fall asleep during feeds? APPEARANCE: Is your baby pale, dusky, blue, purple, mottled or waxy in appearance? RESPIRATION: Your baby should breath roughly 40 -60 times per minute. TEMPERATURE: Is your baby cold to the touch? Pay special attention to their hands and feet. ● https://www.tinytickers.org/support-info/think-heart/…

Olly Murs and Amelia Tank are set to start their next chapter as husband and wife after announcing they are expecting their first child. Taking to Instagram to share a sweet snap of himself holding a baby scan picture and pointing to Amelia’s blossoming baby bump, Olly, 39, told fans that they can expect the pitter patter of Baby Murs feet in 2024. The couple’s celebrity pals including Davina McCall, Ronan Keating, Joe Wicks and Michelle Keegan all took to social media to congratulate the parents-to-be. Olly and bodybuilder Amelia, 31 – who first met online in 2019 – married in a three-day festival on Osea Island off the coast of Essex in July.…

ABBEY & KAREN Wearing a plunging cream satin dress and a feather boa, Abbey Clancy looked stunning as she attended ITV’s special Kylie Minogue concert last week. But while fans are familiar with mum-offour Abbey’s glamorous style and endless legs, many were shocked when they saw her stunning mum, Karen Sullivan, standing beside her in a floor-length leopard-print dress. At 62, one fan commented that Karen looks like her 37-year-old daughter’s twin, while another called her “smoking hot”. Another added, “Wow, I thought it was another sister. She’s gorgeous”. Abbey has previously praised former hairdresser Karen for bringing up her and her three siblings – admitting life had been much harder for her mum as she juggled taking her children into work with her. Abbey has paid tribute to her…

With five excited children to entertain on the run-up to the big day, Danielle has Christmas fun down to a fine art: “Elf On The Shelf is back and it’s the bane of my life!” she laughs. “My older kids aren’t having any of it, but I want to keep the magic alive for the younger ones. “We have a little red letterbox in the kitchen for them to post their letters to Santa. I said the Elves would take them to him, but they had to be good! “Every year on the Saturday before Christmas, we travel to London to go to Winter Wonderland and see Santa, and it’s always a really magical day. “On Christmas morning, we’ll all go down together to see if Santa’s been and dropped…

INSIDE CANDICE'S FRIDGE ● Mayonnaise ● Peanut butter ● Mozzarella ● Cheesetrings ● Butter ● Cream cheese ● Protein yoghurts ● Smoked salmon ● Celery ● King prawns ● Salmon fillets ● Ramen broth ● Chicken fillets ● Turkey mince ● Ham slices ● Sweet potato ● Mushrooms ● Raspberries ● Blueberries ● Spinach ● Oat milk VERDICT CLOSER NUTRITIONIST JULIETTE KELLOW SAYS: “Candice seems to have a balanced diet. Basing meals on starchy foods, fruit and veg, dairy and proteinrich foods, such as salmon, eggs and chicken, means it’s easier for her to get the nutrients she needs. She could add more whole grains – oats, wholewheat sourdough, wholemeal noodles, pasta and rice – to her diet. These are rich in fibre so help to support gut health and…

ALL ABOUT YOU! AVOID FESTIVE BURNOUT! Life can feel manic as the big day approaches, so plan well, delegate, take time for yourself and learn to say no When it comes to avoiding burnout, be realistic, plan, prep, write a list and circle what needs to be done and on what date, then work out which things can wait, be delegated or maybe don’t even need to be done at all. We get burned out because we say yes to everything and we don’t have time to do it all, so this year, prioritise – because nobody will have a good Christmas if you’re a stressed-out shell of a person. Create a WhatsApp group for the people coming and delegate – let people know you’re running out of time and…

Like one third of Brits, you may leave all your Christmas shopping to the last minute, or like many others, you may have most of it done, with just a few last names on your list to tick off. Wherever you are with your shopping, here’s how to get the best prices… SEARCH SMARTER ONLINE “Even if time is tight, there are steps you can take to control your costs, ” says Which? retail editor Ele Clark. “It’s always worth shopping around – but this doesn’t mean you have to individually check dozens of different websites, as price comparison sites such as Google Shopping, Kelkoo and Price Runner will do the hard work for you. Then try Googling the name of the site you’re buying from along with the words…

FASHION…

Paula Lane stars as Ella Former Coronation Street star Paula Lane has started filming on Emmerdale – ahead of her latest role as new Dales character, Ella Forster. She appeared in Corrie between 2010 and 2016, until she was killed off in a shock stabbing storyline. “I’m so excited to play Ella – everyone has been so welcoming, and I can’t wait to see her navigate a new life in the village and hopefully make friends,” says Paula, 37. Ella finds herself with ties to Mandy and Paddy after meeting at a vet convention. She has a chance encounter with Manpreet, who offers a new opportunity… FOLLOW OUR LIVE TWEETS OVER AT @CloserOnline…

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…

SAGITTARIUS 22 NOV – 21 DEC As the year ends, think about your 2023 finances. Did you start a savings plan and stick to it? Are you ending 2023 in a money mess? Whatever the case, you are being handed a golden opportunity by the skies now. Revise your financial habits for a wealthier 2024. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope IF IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK Use 2024 to rethink your finances. Explore the idea that money is energy, and how the way you feel about it affects its flow. If you think you’re worthy of more cash, back yourself, and more could follow. If you feel you’re not, work on your money mindset.…

12-18 DECEMBER CAPRICORN 22 DEC – 19 JAN You could feel like your life is a little bit on hold as we move towards the end of the year. Reason being, the communications planet Mercury has gone retrograde and this time, it’s happening in Capricorn. If you want 2024 to be different, this is a gift. Carve out time to rethink everything! Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope AQUARIUS 20 JAN – 18 FEB An old fear could come back this week – not to haunt you, but to help you move past it. Which negative belief has held you back for as long as you can remember? Now is the time to work through it. Make an appointment to see a counsellor if your friends are all talked out.…

VAGINAL WEIGHTLIFTER Kim Anami has taken a more natural – though quite shocking – way of tightening her vagina. Kim shot to fame for her vagina weightlifting exploits as well as her expertise in holistic sex and relationships. In jaw-dropping clips she demonstrates her “vaginal kung fu”. Kim says, “Having a vaginal weightlifting practice gives me and anyone who practises it the best sex of their lives.” Kim uses a small piece of jade carved into the shape of an egg. This has a hole drilled through for string so that objects can then be tied on to the end of it. She admits to now being able to lift skateboards, coconuts and tropical fruits with her strong vagina.…

While King Charles’ scandalous affair with his now-Queen Camilla has been making headlines once more with the arrival of a new season of Netflix hit The Crown, a new royal romance has come to light. Last week it was reported that former The Weakest Link host Anne Robinson, 79, has been dating Camilla’s ex – army brigadier Andrew Parker-Bowles, 83 – for a year following his 1995 divorce from the new Queen, with whom he shares two grown-up children. Confirming that his ex-wife is supportive of the romance, a source says, “Anne and Andrew get on splendidly – she makes him laugh a lot, and he is one of the few people to get away with poking fun at her.”…

Despite what you might see online, as a busy mum-oftwo, cleaning queen and social media sensation, Sophie Hinchcliffe has had to get used to letting things go during the runup to Christmas. She says, “The build-up to is so beautiful, but we always just go with the flow. With two young boys, you never know what is going to happen – toys can go flying across the room!” The star, who is mum to sons, Ronnie, four, and Lennie, two, believes the magic of Christmas is actually found in the little things, like snuggling in your PJs or gifting something from the heart. Discover how she keeps her cool during the festive period. LEAN INTO THE MESS With a constant flow of visitors and excited children, you have to expect…

This is one of my biggest bugbears. This use – and misuse – of the word “natural” to make money out of people. It’s a word that’s misunderstood by the general public, and companies manipulate that to flog stuff. KNOW THE TRUTH When I see something labelled as “natural”, it immediately makes me slightly suspicious. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad, but if a plant can do something medically, chances are scientists will have had a look at it and it will be used already. A good example would be aspirin, which comes from willow bark. You could chew willow bark if you had a toothache and it would be mildly effective, but what would be a lot more effective would be to get a nice purified extract of the…

Are you a cheerleader who loves manga, biryani and horror movies? Nope, me neither. But if we were, according to the latest dating trends from Tinder, we’d be pretty popular. While I don’t believe an algorithm can find any of us true love, I can’t deny the power and popularity of dating apps, with Tinder being the king of them all. So when they released the most popular trends on their app globally, I paid attention. While I’ve waxed lyrical about the shallowness of dating apps with a focus on the images alone, I champion anything that puts attention on the person over the photos. Which is something Tinder has done in this report – the most popular interests were a love of horror films, hip hop, voguing (late ’80s…

Could you do with a little extra cash thanks to festive spends? Consider opening a new bank account, or switching. £125 FROM CO-OPERATIVE When you refer a friend to become a Co-Operative Bank customer, you both get £125. They (or you) need to open a standard Current Account or Everyday Extra account, switching using the Current Account Switch Service (CASS, Currentaccountswitch.co.uk). Then deposit £800, set up two direct debits, and make a minimum of five card payments. £175 FROM FIRST DIRECT Use CASS to move your balances, standing orders and payees over and open a 1st Account. Pay in at least £1,000 within three months and you'll get the money within 28 days of all the criteria being met. £200 FROM NATIONWIDE Close your account and switch to a FlexPlus,…

STAR SCENT Spritz this ceramic star decoration with Neom mist or fragrance oil, and it’ll gradually diffuse for bursts of luscious scent. NEOM CATCH A SHOOTING STAR CERAMIC NATURAL DIFFUSER, £5 LUXE CANDLE Combining fragrances of eucalyptus, pine and cedar, this magical candle will give your home a fresh, woody scent. THE WHITE COMPANY FIR TREE CANDLE, £22 SKIN MIRACLE This cedarwood and frankincense cleanser comes in a decorative tin with two cloths and a marble and gold-effect hook too. LIZ EARLE CLEANSE & POLISH WARM CEDARWOOD & FRANKINCENSE GIFT SET, £34 CLASSIC RED Nothing says Christmas like a ruby-red pout, and this glittery lippie will take it to a whole new level. KIKO HOLIDAY PREMIÈRE SPARKLING LIPSTICK IN DARING BURGUNDY, £14.99 HERO HYDRATER This uplifting citrus-scented hand and body…

TV WEEK: 16-22 DEC 1 STRICTLY COME DANCING: THE FINAL FINAL LIFTING THE TROPHY SAT 16 DEC, 7PM, BBC1 It’s time to find out which couple will lift that Glitterball Trophy – as the glizty grand finale is upon us! Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are on hosting duties as the three couples left in the competition perform a trio of spectacular routines in a bid to become this year’s Strictly champion! The legend that is Cher will be performing on the night, and the cast of 2023 will be back to strut their stuff in one final epic routine (though perhaps not poor Nigel Harman, who injured his ribs and had to pull out). Who’s going to be pulling out all the stops in a bid to impress judges Craig…

Yes, we know something, Nicki. We know that we really shouldn’t have had that 14th prosecco on top of gin cocktails last night. What advice do you have if you only qualify for one of those, Cardi? And it’s not the one about looks or wealth. Asking for a friend… GRUMPY GRAM Rylan turns off the heating and layers up in a fleece after receiving his latest gas and electric bill. We’re all being “fleeced” by the energy companies, Ry – ironic huh?…

Within minutes of releasing tickets for their 2024 show arena tour next year, the reunion of Girls Aloud had officially broken the internet as fans scrambled to get their hands on them. It’s been 11 years since the girl band phenomena parted ways back in 2012 and over two decades since they first formed on Popstars:The Rivals in 2002. But as Cheryl, Kimberley Walsh, Nadine Coyle and Nicola Roberts took to their promotional tour earlier this month, the girls were already in sync with perfectly coiffed ’dos and colour-coordinating outfits. And as Closer recently reported, following the devastating loss of their band mate Sarah Harding to breast cancer last year at the age of 39, the band had vowed to put past feuds or tensions behind them to give fans…

Two years ago, Chris Cairns was facing a bleak Christmas. Six months earlier she’d discovered that her ex-partner and her best friend were having an affair. She’d never felt lonelier and had no idea how she was going to face the festive season. But looking back now, Christmas 2021 was one of the happiest she’s ever had – she found solace and adult company online and now knows she need never feel alone again. Chris, 43, a proof reader, lives in Ayrshire with her three children, an 18-year-old daughter and twin son and daughter who are 13. She explains, “I felt lost and very lonely and I was dreading Christmas. Though my children were physically there, they spend most of their time in their rooms, so I felt as though…

She left fans reeling after announcing her shock departure from her Radio 2 show last week, 15 years afterClaudia Winkleman joined the station. Telling listeners that comedian Romesh Ranganathan would be taking over from her next March, Claudia – who first joined Radio 2 to present comedy quiz Hot Gossip in 2008 before taking the helm of the Saturday morning show in 2021 – shared a heartfelt reason for stepping down. DIFFICULT DECISION She said, “Time is going too fast, my daughter is getting ready to leave home and she was three about five minutes ago. “I still have a little one who wants to be with me, but don’t know how long that will last, and I just need to be at home more.” And a source tells Closer…

Rather than sitting round the table eating turkey and pulling crackers, Natalie Waine and her partner Nathan spent the days leading up to Christmas 2021 in intensive care worried sick about their new baby. Three-month old-daughter Pippa had been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect weeks earlier, but on 25 December her heart had stopped entirely. Natalie, 28, says, “The hospital had just had a visit from Santa and his elf, and I thought Pippa looked so peaceful. Then, seconds later, the nurse noticed her heart rate and oxygen levels had dropped and pressed the emergency button. It was terrifying realising that she might die on her very first Christmas day.” But fortunately, Pippa rallied, returning home from hospital in January 2022. This year, Natalie has teamed up with charity…

He may have broken his on-screen mistress Kate Winslet’s heart in Christmas rom-com The Holiday, but offscreen, Rufus Sewell’s love life is far less complicated. Last week, the actor, 56, was revealed to have proposed to girlfriend Vivian Benitez, 26, after two years of dating. Announcing the news, Vivian took to social media to reveal a picture of her stunning diamond ring while Rufus kissed her cheek. This will be Rufus’ third wedding after being married twice before – to fashion designer Yasmin Abdallah from 1999 to 2000, and actress Amy Gardner for two years from 2004 to 2006. He and Amy share a son William, 21.…

Last week, Joshua Jackson and Lupita Nyong’o appeared to confirm their romance when they were spotted strolling hand-inhand together in California. The Dawson’s Creek actor and the Black Panther star were first spotted together at a concert they attended with friends back in October – and a few weeks ago they were seen outside a food shop in LA. Joshua, 45, had been married to Jodie TurnerSmith for nearly four years up until three months ago, when the Queen & Slim actress filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences”. “It turned into an unhealthy marriage that made her unhappy,” a source said at the time. The former couple share three-year-old daughter, Juno Rose. Meanwhile, Lupita, 40, also announced her split from sports commentator Selema Masekela in October, after a year of…

PARTY DISH SMOKED SALMON MOUSSE SERVES 4 ● 250g Norwegian smoked salmon ● 200ml double cream ● 1tsp lemon juice ● 1tsp white wine vinegar ● 1/2 cucumber, fresh ● 4tsp soured cream ● Few sprigs of dill, to garnish STEP 1 Put aside a small bit of the smoked salmon for topping, then blitz the rest with the cream, lemon juice and white wine vinegar in a food processor, or using a hand blender, until you have a smooth cream. Season with black pepper and chill in the fridge, until needed. STEP 2 Slice the cucumber in half lengthways, remove the seeds, then cut into small cubes. STEP 3 Place a layer of diced cucumber in four serving glasses. Top with the mousse, then garnish each with a spoonful…

APPRENTICE 2023 WINNER, MARNIE SWINDELLS, ON HOW SHE LOOKS AFTER HER BODY AND MIND IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A SOUNDING BOARD… When I’m feeling stressed, I always feel so much better after talking to someone. The person I’m talking to doesn’t even need to offer advice or say anything back, they’re just acting as a sounding board that encourages me to speak my mind. BOXING HELPS ME STAY MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY FIT… I own a boxing gym called Bronx in south London, and love to regularly join in with the sessions. It’s the perfect outlet for releasing stress. WELLNESS DOESN’T LOOK THE SAME FOR EVERYBODY… It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have to do certain things to be “healthy”, such as no tech or blue light…

AFFORDABLE TREATS! GET HER LOOK CARA DELEVINGNE Want a new way to do festive dressing? A suit can be your secret weapon. Supermodel Cara demonstrates a brilliant way to do this with a satin green combo which can be worn together or as separates. Style with a block heel to give the look a more formal feel, or keep it casual with a white pair of trainers. FASHION WORTH TALKING ABOUT! LITTLE BLACK DRESS Carey Mulligan Actress Carey kept it chic and timeless in an off-the-shoulder, one-sleeve Roland Mouret outfit. We love the modern twist of the asymmetric neckline, which reflects the angled hem. Taraji P Henson Hitting high on the style scale, Taraji wowed in a leather take on the trend by Jason Wu. From the chic seam detailing…

OPULENT PURPLE Dazzle guests and make your dining table sparkle with warm violet tones and gold accents. EVERGREEN FINISH Adding bursts of lush cedar green and rattan is an eye-catching way to add texture and gives a fresh, outdoorsy feel.…