Table of contents for Issue 993 in Closer

Psychologist Dr Audrey Tan says, “Being deprived of social contact and touch and the positive energy of being in the same room with loved ones can be very damaging. “During the height of the pandemic, we were stuck in our homes and had no escape. Unfortunately the campaigns were all about not touching, not going near to each other, which created a fear in us of something that is fundamental to human existence. Loneliness and lack of companionship and touch increases the likelihood of heart attacks, high blood pressure and depression. The pandemic has been a traumatic time and these effects can be long lasting. For those who’ve been alone and had no one to physically comfort them, it might be even worse. Touch is very healing – it produces…

Colin Firth, who is famed for his role as the romantic Mr Darcy in the Bridget Jones films, has fallen in love again – two years on from the sudden end of his 22-year marriage to film producer Livia Giuggioli. The Oscar-winning actor was spotted at a London restaurant last week with his new girlfriend, American writer Maggie Cohn, who he met while filming a TV adaptation of crime documentary, The Staircase, last year. Although the romance hasn’t been confirmed by Colin, 61, or Maggie, who is thought to be in her 40s, an onlooker said the pair appeared to be “close” and “giggly”. Their rumoured relationship comes after it was revealed how Colin’s ex-wife Livia had allegedly been involved in an affair with a childhood friend, which hit headlines…

Louise Redknapp told fans she was “absolutely heartbroken” after her beloved dog Bluebell passed away last week. And friends say the sad loss couldn’t have come at a worse time for the 47-year-old mum-of-two as, at the same time, her ex-husband Jamie was enjoying a lavish honeymoon with his new wife, Frida Andersson and their two-month-old son, Raphael. Model Frida, 38, shared a string of loved-up snaps from their break in the Maldives – showing-off her incredible post-baby figure as the couple lapped up the sunshine on the idyllic island. A source says, “Louise was already feeling a little low and it couldn’t have been easy to see a constant stream of happy-family pictures, which rubs salt into an already open wound. “Losing Bluebell of course sent her into a…

‘I thought Lockie would just be good sex!’ Former Love Islander Megan Barton-Hanson had her eye on one of her fellow celebs from the get-go – TOWIE’s James Lock. “I’d met James a few times before the show,” she explains. “I’ve got a reputation for getting what I want and having numerous relationships with people, and he’s been portrayed as a bit of a player.” The initial attraction paid off, as the pair continued their relationship after the series before splitting two months later, with Megan wiping any trace of Lockie from her social media in early December. “It just didn’t work out… he made a stunning Richard Gere for Halloween though,” she told fans on Instagram, referencing their Pretty Woman couples costume in October. But Megan, 27, says the…

Olivia Buxton, 49, is mum to Ella, 15, Amalie, 11, and Jude, 13 months. She says, “My partner, Perry, 60, and I didn’t set out to have a baby together. Between us, we already had five daughters, and adding to our brood was never high on our agenda. “When Perry, a music producer, and I started dating, I decided that in my late 40s, I could be carefree about contraception. I’d previously been on the pill, which had caused depression, weight gain and terrible mood swings, and friends’ horror stories about the coil put me off that, too. So we were being careful and assumed that would be enough. “But in May 2019, I learned I was pregnant. We were thrilled despite the shock, but when I was around 12…

BEING A BRIDE I can’t wait to organise the dress, the veil… When Kieron Richardson [her Hollyoaks co-star] got married he had 10 bridesmaids who wore wedding dresses, and I chose the biggest one! A dress changes everything so you can imagine the type of wedding dress I’ll be going for. GETTING ENGAGED Kieron organised my engagement party. I had a seven-piece band and a pizza van – I didn’t want balloons or glitter so I asked for loads of Pampas grass. The guy who owned the venue explained that Pampas grass has swinging connotations – I joked that everyone would be dropping their keys in a bowl! It was so nice for the rest of the cast to finally meet Ollie. Because of Covid he never came into work…

INSIDE SHARON’S FRIDGE • Extra mature Cheddar • Light & Free Greek-style yoghurt • Watermelon • Babybel light • Avocado • Chilli houmous • 90% dark chocolate • Linda McCartney sausages • Sugar snap peas • Salmon fillets • Red pepper • Stuffed mushrooms • Plum tomatoes • Baby spinach • Prawns • Lettuce • Quorn Roasted Sliced Fillets • Orange juice • Coconut milk • White wine • Volvic flavoured water SHARON How much do you spend per week? About £30, which is for me, plus food for my dachshund, Vienna. Describe your daily diet... I have a set meal plan from a personal trainer to keep me on track. I have a nice coffee machine, so I’ll make myself a coconut flat white first thing. Then I’ll have…

YOUR GUIDE TO EMOTIONAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LIFE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIST EMMA KENNY It can be helpful to see emotions as prompts, telling you to work on the way you feel. When you are sad, you are being informed to do things that make you feel happier, and that’s when a mood-improving toolkit can come in handy. First though, allow yourself to be sad. Denying such feelings may force them underground, where they can do more damage with time. Cry if you feel like it and afterwards notice if you feel relief. If you do, that’s a reminder that when you listen to your needs and allow yourself to be truly present, you feel a sense of positive release. Cognitive reframing is great for relieving sadness. This means looking at…

SMALL CHANGES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE HAVING A FITNESS GOAL HAS GIVEN ME A FOCUS... After my accident [Abbie suffered third-degree burns while filming a stunt for TikTok last May] I didn’t want to go out, but my boyfriend AJ [Pritchard] suggested I take part in the London half marathon and it’s given me something to work towards. Exercising and having fresh air has helped me heal mentally and physically. I ALWAYS GET MY VITAMINS IN... I take Berocca every day and also a hair and energy tablet from JS Health, without it I only have half as much energy. It’s also helped my hair grow back massively, as after my accident some of it burnt off and fell out with stress. LAVENDER SPRAY REALLY WORKS... I’ve struggled to sleep…

GET HER LOOK KATY PERRY, 37 Glossing up a cosy co-ord, Katy looked so on-trend in her knitted dress and leather coat combo. We’re adding this to our spring outfit mood boards immediately! We’d always go for ethical faux leather when recreating this look. I WANT WHAT SHE’S GOT! IN THE NEWS... HOLLY’S HIGH-STREET HOMEWARE Our favourite TV sweetheart is back with another collection for Dunelm, and it’s bigger and better than ever! Featuring a range of bedding, soft furnishings, curtains and wallpaper, all in homely vintage floral patterns, it has everything you need for a spring interiors refresh. Head online or to your local store for a vintage revival. FASHION WORTH TALKING ABOUT! THE BRITS SPECIAL Maya Jama 27 With all eyes on her, Maya Jama, who co-hosted with…

JUNE 2019 She took to Instagram to show off her pink pixie. Fun, funky and fresh, it was a brave move. JAN 2020 Frankie went for full-on glamour with her slicked-back and modern style. OCT 2021 A wet look showed off the star’s gorgeous blonde balayage nicely. FEB 2022 Frankie rocks a lovely loose wave that looks completely effortless and very chic. Her natural-looking brunette tone is also back and we love it – WINNER! NOV 2017 Back to the crop, the now mum-of-two went for a white-blonde choppy look. AUG 2016 Frankie’s extensions here prove she suits every hairstyle going. MAY 2015 Her side plait and heavy fringe added a boho vibe to an otherwise polished hairdo. NOV 2015 Hello, centre parting. Mrs. Bridge made everyone want her glossy…

How does it feel to be hosting this show? It’s amazing – I’m absolutely loving it. I always wanted to do something lighthearted and entertaining. Starstruck ticks all the boxes and it’s a match made in heaven in terms of what I wanted to do. It’s being compared to Stars In Their Eyes… There will be comparisons, which is a compliment because that was so successful – but the difference with this show is you’re getting four teams of three all performing as their favourite icon. That’s a lot of icons in each show! You could have three Lady Gagas on stage and you’re getting some of the best-loved songs from the biggest idols in the world. Tell us about the judging panel. Jason [Manford] is the comedian, and he…

CODE CRACK THE BIG CROSSWORD CRISS CROSS SUDOKU – EASY SUDOKU – MEDIUM WORD SEARCH CLUES & ARROWS GUESS THE FILM STILL A) RESPECT B) FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF NAME THE STARS 1) SHERIDAN SMITH 2) LIONEL RICHIE GUESS THE CELEB A) JANET JACKSON B) JUDE LAW WORD LINK A) COURT B) TEA C) DUTY D) LEAP E) FIRE F) SIDE 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…

She’s been by Prince Charles’ side for more than 15 years as his wife, and last week the Duchess of Cornwall was granted official approval by the Queen, who announced she’d become Queen Camilla when her husband is crowned King. In a public statement celebrating her Platinum Jubilee to mark 70 years as monarch, the Queen said it was her “sincere wish” that the Duchess of Cornwall, 74, will be Queen Consort, rather than Princess Consort, as was initially decided when she married Charles, 73, in 2005. The announcement divided public opinion, but the overwhelming response seemed to be approval. A poll published last week revealed that Camilla’s popularity had significantly increased in recent years, while Prince Harry, Meghan and Prince Andrew – who is facing a civil trial in…

Jo Hemmings, behavioural psychologist, relationship coach and member of the British Psychological Society says, “A broken heart is very similar to a bereavement, you will go through the same five stages of grief – denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance, not necessarily in that order. “As a general rule most people will recover within 18 months and they will notice it gradually. Rather than waking up every morning thinking about their ex, there might be days when they realise they haven’t and that’s a sign that you’re mending. “While the retreat will help, actually curing a broken heart is complex and emotional and you can’t force yourself to forget and move on in three days. “Things that will help you through the process are relaxation techniques such as yoga and…

Lying on a bed, spooning with a stranger, Ani Rose gently strokes his head. The man in her arms had come to her feeling stressed and unable to unwind, but now he’s so relaxed, he’s drifting off. To Ani this is as much a reward as the £70 an hour she earns from snuggling up with him. She’s a certified cuddle therapist and up to five clients a week come to her, for anything from an hour to three hours, to be hugged – meaning she can earn up to £1,200 a month. SURREAL Ani, who’s 40, and lives on her own in London, explains, “Every time one of my clients leaves, we’re both smiling. Strangers pay me thousands to cuddle them and I find it surreal that I’m paid…

Former TOWIE star Lauren Pope and her boyfriend Tony Keterman last week announced they are expecting their second child. Lauren, 39, revealed the news with a picture of herself on Instagram wearing loose jeans and a fitted top, which showed off her growing baby bump. The beauty entrepreneur and Tony, 35 – who is a foreign exchange investor and thought to be a millionaire – already share daughter, Raine Anais, one. Lauren captioned the sweet snap, “Another member to add to the squad… coming soon.” After nearly a decade of starring on the ITVBe reality show, Lauren announced her departure in 2019, but she still remains close to fellow TOWIE mums Chloe Sims and Georgia Kousoulou.…

It’s been on our screens for nearly 37 years and launched the careers of global superstars including Russell Crowe, Kylie Minogue, Margot Robbie, Guy Pearce, Natalie Imbruglia and the Hemsworth brothers. But fans were left devastated by news that the future of Neighbours is in jeopardy after Channel 5, where the programme currently airs, has pulled its funding. The Aussie soap is reliant on a UK broadcasting partner to stay in production, so unless bosses change their minds or another channel steps forward, it will sadly be the end for the residents of Ramsay Street. With time running out, there was a glimmer of hope for fans last week as a petition to save the soap reached almost 50,000 – as well as a bid by fans to propel the…

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! Before the pandemic, Lorraine Kelly had dropped two dress sizes thanks to joining a local dance fitness class and eating well but, like many of us, she fell into a trap of comfort eating and not exercising during the lockdowns. “I was eating pizza, fish and chips, jumbo bags of crisps and chocolate, and my husband Steve [Smith] and I would have a chocolate plate or cheese platter every night,” she explains. “Slowly the weight crept on and so did the lethargy. I felt very tired and weary and put on weight. I felt…

DR CHRISTIAN GIVES HIS TAKE ON THE HOT HEALTH TOPICS OF THE WEEK While a study suggesting bingewatching TV is linked to blood clots has some logic, it’s not quite as simple as that. In medicine there’s something called “virchow’s triad” which describes the factors that lead to clots. Damage to the blood vessel, plus stasis (blood not flowing well) plus dehydration equals a clot. It’s why there’s a risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on aeroplanes, because you’re sitting with your legs cramped up (damaging blood vessels), you’re probably dehydrated and you’ve got the potential for stasis because you’re not moving for hours on end. UNDERSTAND THE RISK OF TOO MUCH SITTING You can apply that logic to sitting in front of the telly, but not many people will…

I still remember the nurse coming to my school to tell us what would happen when we started our periods. The boys were sent out and even now I don’t understand why. After all, periods are nothing that either gender should be ashamed of – they affect both girls and boys as we share relationships. DISCUSS IT EARLY Research shows that periods are the biggest barrier to girls playing sport, and last year nearly two million girls missed school because of their periods. A third were worried about leaking, while two thirds said it was because of physical symptoms, like cramps or headaches. Shockingly, one in six also said they have been teased or bullied in school because of their period. Clearly girls are still feeling stigmatised for a routine…

HELPING YOU SPEND WISELY, SAVE MORE AND EARN BETTER MOVING IN TO YOUR PARTNER’S PLACE? DRAW UP AN AGREEMENT Moving in with a partner is exciting, but if they own the property, confirm what your rights are. “The rights of the non-owning partner are somewhat fluid and largely depend on whether they have acquired a beneficial interest in the property”, says Stephanie Espinosa, solicitor at Winckworth Sherwood. “A cohabitation agreement can help to clarify the situation. The basic principle is if the nonowning party has contributed financially to the property or added substantial value to it, they could be entitled to a share of the property proceeds, and even the right to continue living there, despite not being on the mortgage. For example, if they contributed to the deposit or…

1 REFRESH YOUR OUTERWEAR An update on the classic trench coat, White Stuff have reinvented this style staple in mid-blue denim. Perfect for creating an all-denim look or throwing on over a floral midi dress. All of White Stuff’s jeans feature recycled cotton and polyester thread. DENIM TRENCH £100, DENIM JACKET £65, JEANS £55, ALL WHITE STUFF 2 INVEST IN STAPLES It couldn’t be easier to create your perfect capsule of denim pieces at M&S. The collection features a classic stone-washed denim jacket and a utility-style jumpsuit, both in 100 per cent sustainably sourced cotton that’s soft and comfortable too. JEANS £29.50, SHIRT £29.50, JACKET £35, HAT £9.50, ALL M&S 3 SHOP ECO FABRICS Lucy & Yak is the ethical clothing brand you need on your radar. Their cool and…

MUST READ The Lighthouse (FRAN DORRICOTT) Six friends travel to a remote island north of the Scottish Highlands for an old-school reunion. They’ve rented The Lighthouse – a mysterious building that was once notorious for deaths at sea. On the first evening, James goes missing then returns the next morning but won’t say a word about where he’s been or what he’s seen. Is he protecting his friends from a terrible truth, or leading them into more danger? A brilliant page turner. BEST DAY OUT Back To The Future: The Musical Great Scott! ’80s classic Back To The Future has been adapted from the screen to the stage in a brand-new musical, currently playing at the Adelphi Theatre in London. The show features a whole score of original songs, as…

It’s two years since the “Wagatha Christie” drama began, and the war between Coleen Rooney and Becky Vardy raged on last week as shock messages came to light in court. While the trial isn’t due to start until May, there was a two-day hearing last week to decide what evidence could be used in the case, in which Coleen is being sued for libel after alleging that Becky sold stories about her to the tabloids – something she fiercely denies. And among the explosive revelations was a series of WhatsApp messages between Becky and her PR agent Caroline Watt. The exchanges seemingly include Caroline admitting “it was me” when discussing a story that had been leaked to the press, and Becky referring to Coleen as a “d**k.” BRUTAL MESSAGES Now,…

Confirming her engagement to Liam Payne is well and truly back on, Texan-born model Maya Henry looked thrilled as she flashed her £3 million ring while out and about in Los Angeles last week. And insiders say the 22-year-old billionairess used her trip to California – where she owns a home and lives part-time – to scout venues for her upcoming wedding to the former 1D star, 28 – which Cheryl has already been invited to. A source says, “Maya and Liam both love LA and Liam has missed it since selling his home there last year. “They’d been toying with the idea of getting married in the South of France, but with most of Maya’s loved ones being Stateside and their connections to LA, they’ve decided on a beach…

Maria*, 26, is single and lives in London. She says, “When the first lockdown started, I had panic attacks for the first time, which left me in pain because they were so severe. One day, as I suffered one, my aunt – who was living with my family at the time – grabbed me in a bear hug and it calmed me down. She later moved out of our house, though, and there was no one to hug me. My mother had had a hip replacement, so couldn’t physically do it, and the rest of my family weren’t into it. I don’t have a boyfriend and, although I’ve got close female friends, they didn’t feel comfortable hugging me, especially as I like to be completely entwined with arms and legs.…

She sparked engagement rumours after sporting a giant sparkler on her left ring finger at The Brit Awards last week, and again on The Graham Norton Show where she refused to confirm or deny a proposal. And insiders say Adele, 33 – who recently shot down reports of trouble in paradise with her sports agent beau, Rich Paul, 40 – could be set to secretly wed again following her 2019 divorce from Simon Konecki, 47. Last week, she also hinted she was hoping to have another baby next year. A source says, “Adele’s keeping mum even to loved ones, but she’s hinted that she and Rich have spoken about settling down so no one would be surprised if she tied-the-knot and kept it under wraps like she did last time,…

It was reported last month that Joe Alwyn had privately proposed to long-term girlfriend Taylor Swift during a “particularly special” Cornish holiday – and speculation intensified last week as she was pictured leaving a recording studio in New York with her left hand hidden inside her coat pocket. One fan said, “She is purposefully hiding her left hand in her pocket – she is engaged or married to Joe.” Another added, “Clearly hiding a ring but I love the fact they’re so private and not throwing it in people’s faces.” The pop star, 32, and British actor Joe, 31, have been dating for four years but are famously tight-lipped about their relationship. However, last week Joe briefly opened up about their romance as he promoted his new Hulu series Conversations…

‘YOU EMERGE FROM GRIEF STRONGER’ Sheridan was left heartbroken in 2016, when her father Colin passed away after a battle with cancer. The actress pulled out of her West End show Funny Girl to deal with “stress and exhaustion” following his diagnosis – but now says she talks to young fans about her grief. “One of my favourite mantras is: This Too Shall Pass. It’s what I try to explain to the young girls who write to me about the dark times they’re going through,” says the actress. “They can’t see any way through their problems. But I tell them nothing stays the same forever. Yes, there will be low days. But, in the end, they will pass. “I kind of lost it a bit after he died. But what…

I love watching Dancing On Ice because I have a passion for ice skating myself! I started figure skating at the age of six and continued with it right up until I was 14. I even won a few competitions! I stopped having so much time for it when I joined Geordie Shore, but I still go every so often with my mates. I really enjoy showing off what I can do on the ice! I love watching all the celebs on DOI – the standard this year is extremely high! I’m loving Regan Gascoigne and Kimberly Wyatt – they’re just brilliant. It’d be my dream to go on Dancing On Ice one day and it would still be a real challenge, as I’ve never done any sort of pairs…

Her almost million-to-one pregnancy – naturally conceiving four babies – ended in tragedy last year when she miscarried. But Jorgie Porter reveals how her heartbreak has helped shatter the stigma around pregnancy loss as she tells Closer of a “tidal wave” of women who have reached out to her with their own stories. And she’s determined they don’t suffer in silence. The Hollyoaks star and her property developer fiancé Ollie Piotrowski conceived quadruplets last April, but at a scan at around 14 weeks, the couple learned that all four embryos had sadly passed away in what is known as a missed – or silent – miscarriage, where there are no physical symptoms, such as pain or bleeding. Jorgie, 34 – who plays Theresa McQueen in the hit Channel 4 soap…

• TV chef Clodagh, says, “Lamb chops are a brilliant supper as they only take about 8 mins to cook and really hit the spot!” GO VEGAN YOU DON’T NEED MEAT TO MAKE A MEAL OF IT... JAPANESE EDAMAME AND BROWN RICE SALAD SERVES 1 • 3 broccolini stems • 80g frozen edamame beans • 150g cooked and cooled brown rice • 1/2 avocado, sliced SESAME MISO DRESSING: • 1 tbsp white miso paste • 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar • 1 tbsp mirin • 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds • 1 tsp minced ginger STEP 1 Blanch the broccolini and edamame beans in boiling salted water for 2 mins. Drain and refresh in cold water, then slice the broccolini into 5cm pieces. STEP 2 Toss the broccolini and edamame…

Singles nights have always come with stigma attached, in not too dissimilar a way to how we all thought of “online dating” before Tinder came along – it was for desperate lonely hearts who couldn’t get a date any other way. And yet now things have gone full circle, and it feels as if the only way to speak to single people in real life is to match with them on an app first. Invite-only dating app Inner Circle still hosts great events, usually with a theme such as a festival or sports match so it doesn’t feel too forced, to find someone you fancy, though this is in tandem to their app offering where you can scroll through potential matches. For the last year a new dating app has…

• START SAVING FOR GIFTS NOW Decide how much you can put aside each week or month and watch it grow, so that by the time Christmas rolls around, you have your budget waiting. Saving £5 a week now will net you £225 by Christmas! • USE YOUR LOYALTY All loyalty schemes work differently, but if you use all of your loyalty points for Christmas, you can save a fortune. The Boots Advantage card gives you four points for every £1 spent, while at Tesco, every point is worth a penny, which you can trade in for discounts at high-street stores (you also get points if you buy fuel at a Tesco petrol station or use a Tesco mobile). Paperchase’s Treat Me card offers discounts and freebies, so make them…

‘IT’S ABOUT LEARNING TO KEEP A GREAT MINDSET’ MORNING 7AM: The alarm goes off, which is lovely as I used to have to get up at 5.30am for Loose Women! 7.15AM: I always do some form of exercise. I either go for a run or I use the 7 Minute Workout app. 7.45AM: I shower, which I always finish with ice-cold water. It’s great for your metabolism and circulation. If I’m having a writing day I’ll wear comfy clothes. If I’m filming masterclasses for This Girl Is On Fire [Andrea’s life coaching programme], I’ll wear high-waisted jeans and a shirt. I recently treated myself to a pair of Donna Ida jeans, as an investment piece. 8.30AM: I meditate for at least 10 minutes using Insight Timer, an app with thousands…

INSPIRATION YOU’LL LOVE! SPACE SAVER Maximise your small space with a corner desk. This budget one also has a handy drawer. WAYFAIR £161.99 A folding chair is great if you don’t have a lot of room, as it can be tucked away when not needed. HOMEBASE £12 This smart calendar can be customised with a name and comes in a choice of five chic designs. PAPIER £14.99 This lamp doubles as a phone charger, so you can minimise the chaos of cables. DUNELM £45 Save desk space by hanging this memo board and basket on your wall. GEORGE HOME AT ASDA £14 Separate off working space in a larger room with a mini rug – it’ll feel cosier under your feet, too. MATALAN £25 HOME HUB Keep your mail organised,…

15-21 FEBRUARY IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK Expect change in your relationships this coming year. Good relationships can go to the next level, whatever that means for you. And dud ones? They are likely to fall away. Don’t cling on to anyone in your life if you know the relationship is over. THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN AQUARIUS 20 JAN-18 FEB The Full Moon this week is what you need to change the vibe a bit. With Saturn in Aquarius, life can feel quite a drudge. But this week can get things moving. Move on from any relationships you know are done, and don’t allow negativity to get to you. Visit www.yasminboland.com for your daily horoscopes PISCES 19 FEB-20 MAR This week, the Sun moves back into your sign,…