Table of contents for Issue 1024 in Closer

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Royal expert Katie Nicholl, author of Kate: The Future Queen and new book The New Royals, has been reporting on Kate Middleton, the new Princess of Wales, for over a decade. Katie tells Closer how, by “staying true to herself”, Kate will carve out her own role within the dynasty, and one that isn’t encumbered by expectation to follow in the footsteps of Princess Diana. She says, “Kate’s new role changes everything. The role of the Princess of Wales, which has years of history and heritage, is of course an evercloser association with the late Princess of Wales, Diana. “Her role changes exponentially, as not only is there going to be more work, but more profile and more time in the public gaze. William and Kate are absolutely vital, essential…

For the past four months, Samantha Phillips* has been leading a double life. On the one hand she’s a respectable 45-year-old woman, working in accounts and seemingly happily married to Michael*, also 45, her husband of 20 years. STRAIN Nobody would guess that since May this year she’s been meeting a married man on a weekly basis for sex sessions in London hotels. And she claims she was driven to it because of the strain on her marriage due to money worries. Samantha, who lives in Maidenhead, Berkshire, explains, “Michael and I have struggled for years, and I was miserable. We didn’t argue much, but we’d become more like friends, and sex, when we had it, was far from passionate. I think we would have muddled along, not least because…

After being embroiled in a very public feud with her ex-husband Kevin Federline and their teenage sons, Jayden James and Sean Preston, Britney Spears addressed her estranged relationship with the boys last week, saying that “a huge part of her has died”. The pop sensation – who recently bagged her first top-10 hit in a decade with her Elton John duet Hold Me Closer – added in the audio clip that she has “no purpose any more” and she can’t fathom how it’s been so easy for her sons to just cut her off. CONTROVERSY Now a source reveals that the mum-of-two, 40, is understandably heartbroken over the fallout, but wishes nothing but the best for Sean, 16, and Jayden, 15. “Britney loves her boys dearly and that will never…

Beatrice Blower had long been unhappy with her size 20 frame, but with her busy life as a trainee teacher and a mum of two young boys, she felt powerless to do anything about it. However the trauma of losing a close family member to suicide, made her realise life is short and she decided to overhaul her lifestyle. She ditched her expensive £600-a-month takeaway habit, opting for a diet of lean meat and vegetables instead. She says, “I used to eat about 3,000 calories a day and order takeaway four times a week. I’d get home after a 12-hour day and order in food because I couldn’t be bothered to cook. It wasn’t cheap, at £40 each time, but I was more bothered about convenience. “My husband worked nights…

Adele sparked yet more rumours that she has secretly wed beau Rich Paul when she was spotted wearing what appeared to be a wedding ring at Beyoncé’s birthday bash last week. The singer, 34, previously set tongues wagging when she was spotted with a huge diamond at the BRITs in February. But speculation surrounding her marital status has hit new heights after pictures of her heading home after Beyoncé’s star-studded event show her wearing a gold band on her fourth finger. Adele is notoriously private and aside from a recent interview – in which she denied that she was either married or engaged – she’s remained pretty tightlipped about her relationship with father-of-three Rich, 40. But they have already taken a huge step by moving in together earlier this year,…

Downton Abbey star Jessica Brown Finlay is expecting her first baby with husband Ziggy Heath. The actress unveiled her bump at the Venice Film Festival, after telling her Instagram followers earlier this year that she’d been having IVF. Alongside a video of her injecting hormones into her stomach, she said, “Your body is not the enemy. Love it. No matter what.” Jessica, 32, and actor Ziggy wed in 2020, three years after meeting on Hula drama Harlots.…

Since the beginning of the pandemic, patients reporting symptoms of gynaecological cancers has dropped by 20 per cent. Although symptoms are often benign, an early diagnosis could lead to a better outcome. There are five main types of gynaecological cancer – ovarian, uterine, vaginal, cervical and vulva – and each year in the UK, there are more than 22,000 diagnosed cases. When reality star Jade Goody died aged 27, in 2009, the number of people getting tested rose, but has since fallen, especially during the pandemic. This September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month and charities such as The Eve Appeal and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust are raising awareness to help people flag their concerns. Here, Charlotte Falconer, 30, tells Closer her story of battling with cervical cancer.…

Whether you want to Boost your mind, body, soul, finances, relationships, love life or style, we’ve got recommendations for things that actually work. Scan the QR code for more tips or search for @TheBoostUK on Instagram! FIND SOMETHING YOU CARE ABOUT Saundra Dalton-Smith, author of bestseller Sacred Rest, believes that spiritual rest means “engaging in something greater than yourself.” This could involve volunteering, helping out in your community, prayer or meditation. To find opportunities near you, check out online community doit.life/volunteer, which will help you find roles suited to causes you care about. Many people find being in nature a spiritual experience too, and psychologist Tony Ortega (www.drtonyortega.com) suggests spending time outside, or walking barefoot in your garden. “Nature’s energies are very spiritual,” he explains. “They engage your senses to…

DR CHRISTIAN GIVES HIS TAKE ON THE HOT HEALTH TOPICS OF THE WEEK Drink spiking makes you very vulnerable, because the substances added to an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink make the victim sleepy and forgetful, and unable to say no. That could leave you at risk of sexual assault because you can’t consent, and you’ll have little recollection of what’s happened afterwards, thanks to memory blackouts. STAY ALERT TO BEING JABBED For me, the most shocking thing is the increase in people reporting being spiked by injection. In January this year, the police said it has recorded 1,382 reports of needle spiking since September, so in just four months. That seems so calculated and sinister. By way of reassurance, you would be aware of being jabbed by a needle, and…

YOUR GUIDE TO EMOTIONAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LIFE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIST EMMA KENNY Children all over the UK will be saddened by the death of the Queen, particularly if they have never experienced grief before. It can be very difficult for young children to understand the concept of death, but it is important to explain that the Queen has died, and that she will not be coming back. Avoid using platitudes such she is in the sky, or has gone to sleep, as the last thing you want is for your kids to feel fearful of going to bed, or to imagine being able to see her the next time you hop on a plane. LET THEM OPEN UP While losing our monarch is deeply upsetting, her passing can provide…

HELPING YOU SPEND WISELY, SAVE MORE AND EARN BETTER Two years ago, transformational coach Frankie Clarke [@ frankiegclark] from Northumberland was in £9,000 of debt, including car loans, a student overdraft and multiple credit cards. But in August this year she became debt-free, and has already put away over £2,500 towards saving for her first home. The secret, Frankie says, has been small but manageable lifestyle tweaks which add up over time, versus big, unrealistic changes that just don’t last. “As somebody who has experienced poor mental health, I’m a big believer in still being able to enjoy your life while staying motivated to save,” she says. Here, she explains how she managed it… CLEAR DEBT FIRST “My big money goal has always been saving for a house deposit, so…

DATE NIGHT GLAM We all need an excuse to dress up every now and again, so take inspo from actress Alison in this super-chic monochrome mini. You can play around with your accessories – these platforms and checkerboard bag are so now, but add tights and knee boots for autumn. WEEKEND AWAY The ultimate smart-casual outfit is here and we love this striped top and skirt combo. Layering is the ideal way to make this look your own or tweak for chilly days – pop a trench over your mono gear, or slip a roll neck underneath. Thick sole boots will tone it down for the daytime. WORK-WEAR CHIC Your work-wear game just got a promotion, and this incredible jacket promises to have you looking the business. Team with tailored…

CONTRAST SKIRTING If you’re looking to give your home energetic oomph, without a big budget, then do it with colour. Choose two bold, contrasting shades, and use the darker shade to colour-wash window frames, ledges, doors and door frames for a fun injection. Always paint skirting last and use a low-tac masking tape for clean lines. Now there’s an Instagram reel worth posting! FRAME A SPACE Using painted circles or arches will up the décor factor, without needing to buy anything new. It’s a great trick to do away with headboards, or to carve out a designated space for a dressing table or work station. To create the perfect arch, tie a pencil to a string. Hold the string’s loose end firmly against the wall, in the centre of your…

NEW SERIES 1 INSIDE MAN STARRY CAST ALERT! MON 26 / TUE 27 SEPT, 9PM, BBC1 Prepare to be gripped by the BBC’s latest glossy thriller – which tells two stories about four very different people. In the US, Jefferson Grieff (played by the fab Stanley Tucci) is on Death Row and seeking atonement before he’s executed, while in a sleepy English village, trendy vicar Harry (David Tennant) is picking up his son’s maths tutor, Janice (Dolly Wells) from the station, and journalist Beth (Lydia West) is looking for a story to boost her career. Written by Sherlock supremo Steven Moffatt and tinged with dark humour throughout – plus outstanding performances from Tucci and Tennant – this multi-layered, four-part series will keep you guessing till the end… NEW SERIES 2…

MUST READ Before I Say I Do (SOPHIE COUSENS) Audrey is marrying Josh. But as the Big Day approaches, she’s found herself wondering if Josh really is “The One”. So, when Josh’s sister Miranda arrives at their rehearsal dinner with Fred – Audrey’s “What If?” guy, Audrey can’t help but see it as a sign. And when everything that could go wrong with the wedding starts to go wrong, Audrey has to wonder… could fate be trying to stop her from making a huge mistake? A heartwarming, witty read. BEST DAY OUT Squid Game at Immersive Gamebox This September Immersive Gamebox will be giving fans the chance to play six nail-biting mini games that are inspired by everyone’s favourite South Korean survival drama, Squid Game. Located in Southwark, Wandsworth, Essex…

CODE CRACK THE BIG CROSSWORD CRISS CROSS SUDOKU – EASY SUDOKU – MEDIUM WORD SEARCH CLUES & ARROWS GUESS THE FILM STILL A) THE HELP B) HOPE FLOATS NAME THE STARS 1) ROBERT DE NIRO 2) ZOE SALDANA GUESS THE CELEB A) HARRY STYLES B) JULIA ROBERTS WORD LINK A) TEA B) STAR C) INDEX D) HOUSE E) DIAMOND F) HERB 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 and/or…

20-26 SEPTEMBER IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK In the coming 12 months, focus on your most important one-to-one relationships. This includes your partner, or ex, friends and your parents. Now is the time to improve relationships with everybody and really move on, forgetting hurts from the past. THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN LIBRA 23 SEP-22 OCT Everybody’s so caught up with the hustle of life these days that it’s easy to forget to look after our mental health. Time out, meditation and contemplation will really help you now. Old fears can resurface, so having a clear mind is crucial. Visit yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope SCORPIO 23 OCT-21 NOV Think of an old friend you haven’t seen in a long time that you’d love to reconnect with. The first…

Royal expert and author Andrew Morton is most famous for his book, Diana: Her True Story – In Her Own Words, and was close friends with the late Princess. And he now tells Closer his thoughts on how Kate will step into the role and what Diana would have made of her successor. He says, “Kate has had a long apprenticeship, it’s been 10 years since she became the Duchess of Cambridge, and she’s now a fully-fledged royal. The position of the Princess of Wales is one that she will make her own. “When she joined the royal family, Kate had to find her own footing. But that’s what happens when you join the royal family – other new people that joined the royal family weren’t prepared to do that,…

Lizzy Adams, 36, a psychic medium, lives with her seven-year-old twins in Dover in Kent. She says, “During Covid, I started an affair with an old friend and it was a huge mistake. I think Covid was one of those crunch points where everything was up in the air – there was a lot of worry, including financial worries – and it made me think about happier times from the past. “Tom* was one of my best friends throughout childhood – we had a strong connection and in the back of my mind he’d been the one that slipped through the net. “It was 12 years since I’d seen him, but I contacted him through Snapchat and we started messaging. In June 2020, when things started opening up, we met…

Joe Wicks, aka The Body Coach, has welcomed a second daughter to his family with his wife Rosie Jones. Baby Leni Blossom Wicks was born 8 September, weighing 8lbs. In an Instagram post, Joe, 36, revealed that Leni had been born in a birthing pool and thanked the midwives “who were there every step of the way”. Already a dad to daughter Indie, four, and son Marley, two, Joe – who’s a personal trainer, best-selling author and boasts 4.5m Instagram followers after going viral during lockdown – regularly shares sweet snaps of his little ones, who help out with his workouts. His followers and fans were quick to congratulate him, with Marvin Humes saying, “Amazing news! Congrats to you and your lovely family bro” while Professor Green commented, “Allllll the…

When a handsome stranger liked her picture online in March 2020, Holly Joyce, 27, could never have predicted that she’d go from being an ambitious air stewardess to a traveller’s housewife, who always puts husband Dougie, 34, first. But, Holly, from Manchester, – whose story is featured in a hit TV show – says she wouldn’t have it any other way. “He’s a man, so in the travelling community, his say goes before mine,” says Holly. “The first thing Dougie’s mum and family taught me was, your husband comes before you.” She adds, “It’s my role to keep the house immaculate. If Dougie comes back home at midnight, then I’ll get out of bed and make him something to eat from scratch. “He doesn’t make his own tea and coffee.…

Charlotte Falconer works in travel hospitality and lives in Preston with her son Louis, 11, and her parents. She says, “In February 2016, aged 23, I’d had a copper coil in for about a year, and I wasn’t feeling quite right. I started experiencing lower back pain, bleeding after sex and a change in appetite. I knew my body was telling me something, so I had the coil removed. “The day after, while having a bath to ease the pain, I started to feel a discomfort. When I looked down I got the fright of my life seeing a jelly-like dark red substance. I had passed a blood clot the size of my hand. I was absolutely terrified and made an appointment with the doctor for the following day. “I…

IMPROVE YOUR MIND, BODY, RELATIONSHIPS & MONEY 12-PAGES OF EXPERT ADVICE! She’s no stranger to plastic surgery, having gone under the knife for a number of procedures in the past, including two Brazilian bum lifts, breast enlargement followed by a reduction, and several rounds of liposuction. But Nikita Jasmine, who found fame on Married At First Sight in 2021, admits she’s sworn off cosmetic operations for good. Looking back, she admits she became caught up in a quest for perfection. “I’ve had much pretty much everything done and went to Turkey three years in a row to lie on the operating table,” the 28-year-old tells Closer. “I always researched my surgery but now I realise how dangerous and life-threatening it can be. I’ve recently lost close family members, including my…

SWEET TREAT YOU CAN WHIP UP THESE TASTY DESSERTS IN MINUTES CHOCOLATE MOUSSE SERVES 4 • 3 medium ripe bananas • 2 small ripe avocados • 80g rough or smooth almond butter • 30g cocoa powder • 1 tsp vanilla essence • 100g fresh berries • 1 tbsp almonds, chopped STEP 1 Peel and roughly chop the bananas. Cut the avocados in half, remove the stones and scrape the flesh from the skin. STEP 2 Place the bananas and avocado in the bowl of a food processor. Add the almond butter, cocoa powder and vanilla essence. Blend for 30 seconds or until you have a smooth purée. Alternatively, use a hand whisk or blender to combine the ingredients. STEP 3 Divide the chocolate mousse between four serving bowls or glasses…

There was a time, possibly in my imagination, where I would get excited about going on dates. I’d match with someone, we’d speak on the phone and the emotional intimacy would build from there and then, when the real life date happened, I’d be nervous, full of anticipation and (what feels tragic now) optimism. Oh, how I yearn for those good old dating days. I’m pretty confident I don’t need to tell my fellow singles how dating has become a drag, another life chore that I endure. It’s the gamification of dating I hate most – only last week a male friend joked he’d deleted Hinge, because he’d completed it. I did chuckle, but deep down I wanted to cry, because dating now feels like I’m stuck in a game…

The sad passing of the Queen has meant many changes within the royal family. Not only has Charles become King, but William has become the Prince of Wales and Kate is now the first Princess of Wales since the late and much-loved Princess Diana, who tragically died in a car crash 1997 aged 36. During her time in the role, Diana became a worldwide icon, and was adored by supporters worldwide for her charm, her passion for her causes, and her fierce love for her children – earning her title “The People’s Princess”. Meanwhile, while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s titles have not changed, their children have become Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet – although the couple were reportedly “furious” that they were not given HRH titles. But for the…

Their toxic feud has dominated headlines since the Sussexes stepped back from the royal family in 2020. But while Harry and Meghan stood united with the royals last week, his upcoming memoir looms over The Firm, as does Meghan’s recent threat that she has not “signed anything” to prevent her from speaking. Royal expert and author of Prince Harry: The Inside Story, Duncan Larcombe says that this week will be crucial in deciding Harry and Meghan’s future relationship with the Palace – and believes that the couple, who have heavily criticised the royals in recent years – would be “bonkers” to continue on the warpath. He says, “With Harry and Meghan, we’ve seen a mild ceasefire since the Queen’s passing and it has the potential to be a good thing.…

TV personality Vanessa Feltz appeared on the 2013 season of Strictly Come Dancing – and recently, she opened up about the “curse”, saying that she fantasised about falling “deeply in love” with her dance partner James Jordan – who is married to fellow Strictly star Ola. And now Vanessa – who is engaged to long-term partner Ben Ofoedu – tells Closer it was easy to blur the lines between the show and reality, saying “You do find yourself falling. I think the romantic dances are the problem. You’re being whirled round in a beautiful gown, and your dance partner is staring into your eyes and leading you around the floor in a way you always wished. You suddenly feel very emotional and moved – and it’s not acting, it’s all…

Despite jokes that Leonardo DiCaprio never dates anyone over the age of 25, he was spotted getting cosy with supermodel Gigi Hadid – who shares daughter Khai, two, with former One Direction singer Zayn Malik – at a New York Fashion Week after-party last week. After splitting from his girlfriend of four years, Camila Morrone, Leo, 47, was said to have set his sights on the 27-year-old, with photos from the event showing the two chatting intensely before the Titanic star put his hands on her shoulders and held her hand. Gigi and Leo, who have been friends for years, are said to be excited for things to progress to the next level, with a source saying, “They’ve mostly been hanging out with friends, but they have been out on…

CHARLOTTE ‘My daughter will probably watch Geordie Shore – hopefully not the bad bits!’ She is expecting a little girl with her boyfriend Jake Ankers. And while Charlotte Crosby doubts that anyone will be watching the show that shot her to fame by the time her daughter is a teen, the mum-to-be is confident that she will dip into it. “Of course she’ll watch Geordie Shore,” the reality star, 32, tells Closer. “But I can’t imagine she’s going to want to watch the bad bits. It’d be a bit f*cking wrong, wouldn’t it?” Original cast member Charlotte starred on the show between 2011 and 2016, during which time her tumultuous relationship with co-star Gary Beadle was a regular feature. As she returns for the reunion series, she reflects on her…

She rose to fame this summer, appearing on our screens in season eight of Love Island – and since leaving the villa, 23-year-old Tasha Ghouri has hit the ground running. And she is going from strength-to-strength with boyfriend Andrew, who she finished fourth with on the show. Getting ready to move into their East London flat together, Tasha – who is the show’s first ever deaf contestant – talks marriage, work and how she hopes to use her “superpower” to inspire others. How has it been with Andrew since leaving the villa? It’s so much better not having cameras. You’ve got no one judging you or having opinions. We’ve completely broken out of that and are just enjoying doing normal things. We’re moving in together shortly, and we can’t wait…

REALITY TV… “I’d love to do Big Brother if they bring back the celebrity version, I know I’d smash the back ends of it and win, hands down. I’d jump at the chance to do Strictly, but they rarely have reality TV stars.” MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT… “I’m still friends with some of the gang. I speak to Morag every single day, we’re thick as thieves and have the closest bond out of everyone.” DATING… “I prefer to meet people naturally and I’m not on dating apps. A few well-known footballers, rappers and singers have slid into my DMs, but that doesn’t entertain me much. I’d prefer someone who isn’t famous.”…

INSIDE ISOBEL’S FRIDGE • Kiwi fruit • Eggs • Honey • Crème fraiche • Philadelphia cheese • Chocolate digestive biscuits • Gu desserts • Hot cross buns • Peaches • Mature Cheddar cheese • Sourdough bread • Red peppers • Strawberries • Vegetarian sausages • Cucumber • Salmon fillets • Ginger paste • Spinach • Orange juice • Oat milk • Skimmed milk ISOBEL STEELE How much do you spend per week? Between £35 and £40 for myself, although I live with a flatmate. Describe your daily diet… When I’m working on Emmerdale, I’m up at 6am and I struggle to eat first thing. So I tend to work for a couple of hours then around 10am, I’ll have Special K cereal or sourdough toast with cream cheese and cucumber.…

YOUR GUIDE TO EMOTIONAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LIFE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIST EMMA KENNY I dramatically reduced my access to the news around a year ago. I was going to bed with a ball of dread in my stomach, and it would be the first thing that hit me in the morning. I speak to so many people who identify with this feeling. It’s different to anxiety, because it tends to be about specific issues that are likely to affect you directly. The cost-of-living crisis is a good example, because it has the potential to cause you emotional, psychological and financial distress. Feeling helpless makes managing your emotions even trickier, which is why so many of us currently have a sense of impending doom. Digitally detox and switch off the news.…

DICK AND DOM’S RICH MCCOURT, 46, ON HOW HE LOOKS AFTER HIS BODY AND MIND I’VE RUN THE LONDON MARATHON TWICE… once in my 30s and last year in my 40s, and I was very pleased that I shaved half an hour off my time. It’s the best way to increase your energy levels and keep your mind calm. I’M A BIT OF A SUN WORSHIPPER… I take vitamin D because if it’s not sunny, I feel a bit sad. I’ve got one of those SAD lamps for the winter to increase my energy and it’s amazing. You literally sit in front of it for half an hour and it gives you a kind of glow. I MEDITATE TWO OR THREE TIMES A WEEK. I use any of the apps…

8-PAGES OF AFFORDABLE TREATS! GET HER LOOK GIGI HADID, 27 Gigi’s recent autumnal ensemble serves up serious style. Her laidback combo of cargo jeans, polo neck jumper and chunky boots couldn’t be easier to recreate on the high street. Layered gold jewels and metallic arm candy add a high fashion feel. IN THE NEWS… If, like us, you’re looking to invest in a new piece or two for your autumn winter wardrobe, look no further than high street hero M&S. Their new season offerings not only deliver on style, but on quality and value too. Tick off the top trends in a sophisticated way with bold prints, colourful hues and statement accessories. With versatility and the ability to dress everything up or down as the key focus of the designs,…

March 2019 With her huge, voluminous curls, bigger was most definitely better! An unforgettable disco look. November 2020 This rich, chocolate-brown shade complements her olive complexion perfectly – such a radical change. December 2021 We love this natural, curly look on Khloé, which has since become a new signature style for the star. May 2022 Polished and slicked back, this is one of our favourite looks yet. There’s nothing like a little Hollywood glam, and Khloé went all-out at this year’s MET Gala. The quiff is coming back! November 2018 Koko can’t get enough of a good high ponytail. Here she rocks a fantastic platinum spray style. January 2017 Khloé fronted the boxer braids trend back in 2017 with this seriously playful look. June 2016 Rocking long extensions after a…