Table of contents for Issue 1050 in Closer

‘SHE'S NOW GOT THE FREEDOM TO GO AND TAKE ON NEW VENTURES’ Fans were left shocked when Alison Hammond revealed on This Morning that she was “single” – weeks after engagement rumours with boyfriend of two years, landscape gardener Ben Hawkins, surfaced. During a recent episode with co-host Dermot O'Leary, the presenting duo were discussing ITV's new show, The Romance Retreat, which has been coined the “middle-aged Love Island”. After Dermot read out the casting call – which he revealed was looking for “vibrant, single parents from across the UK” – Alison giggled and revealed, “Well, I am single, I'm single!” DEVASTATED But insiders say that, behind the scenes, Alison, 48, is devastated after her shock split from Ben – who she reportedly met after employing him to tend the…

Royal expert Jennie Bond – who has been reporting on the Royal Family for over 30 years – says she believes Prince Harry has been “incredibly naive” over his drug confessions and is urging him to attend the coronation for his father's sake. Jennie says, “Unless Harry is incredibly naive he must have been expecting some comeback on that [his drug admissions]. It was unwise to share his drug taking and it shows a lack of responsibility for people who take it under medical supervision. But I don't think the Americans will rescind his visa. It would have to be a very formal and legal admission of taking drugs from what I understand. I think he's on safe ground and that the Americans feel proud that a member of the…

Every day, Georgia Latham* deals with grief over the loss of her parents. But they haven't died. In fact, they live just a two-hour drive away – but she has cut all contact. Georgia, 40, a hairdresser from Preston, made the heartbreaking decision after suffering years of emotional abuse, particularly from her mother. She says, “My abusive parents are getting on with their lives, but for me, it's like they're six-feet-under. Cutting them out and no longer contacting them has been the most painful decision of my life, but I'll never let them back in.” INTRUSIVE The mum-of-three says that becoming a mother herself was the catalyst for her decision. She says, “I felt unconditional love for my children and realised I'd never had that. Instead, I'd been emotionally abused,…

She's made no secret of her desire to have a sixth baby, which fans suspected could be sooner rather than later after Danielle Lloyd appeared to reveal a hint of a baby bump last week. Showing-off her incredible figure in a cut-out khaki dress at a Mother's Day lunch, fans couldn't help but notice her more rounded belly as the glowing mum-of-five, 39, posed with her 14-month-olddaughter, Autumn. And pals tell Closer that the former glamour model could well be expecting again. A source says, “While Danielle's not made an announcement, rumours are rife among her friends and family and it's more a case of ‘when’ she'll announce another pregnancy than ‘if’. “She's pulled out of a couple of get-togethers recently which isn't like her, and she hasn't been drinking,…

‘LET HORRID COMMENTS GO’ Born 4 April, 1963, Graham grew up in Ireland, where he wasn't always accepted for his quirks. Opening up about his childhood, he explained, “I never felt like a confident child. I always felt very timid.” But early on in life, his mother, Rhoda, gave him some advice that completely shaped his future – and became a mantra he lives by even today. In 2017, he revealed, “My mother saw I was ripe for bullying and, when I was four, told me if people picked on me, never to react. It worked! I let horrid comments online go off into the ether.” ‘BEING DEVASTATED IS SOMETIMES WORTH IT’ Last year, Graham found his happily ever after marrying filmmaker Jonathan McLeod, 45 – but the path to…

Even before starring on Love Island, Faye had always worked with Guide Dogs UK, volunteering her free time to help. She did guide dog fostering for five years, something she's very proud of, and even took part in Crufts this year with Bonnie. She explains, “I've done it since 2016. All of my dogs went on to make amazing guide dogs – but being with the dogs and volunteering helped me so much too. “I'm very headstrong and strong-willed. I didn't really go into Love Island for it to change my life – and to move to London. I just wanted to bring a part of my life that I had prior to Love Island with me because it is incredible, and I've absolutely loved doing it. Every dog should…

It's been just three months since she revealed she had tragically lost her childhood friend, Jamie Aitchison – who she poignantly described as “the light in a dark room” – to suicide aged just 20 years old. And now Love Island winner Paige Turley reveals she's channelling her grief into raising money and awareness in memory of her late pal. Speaking about her sadness, Paige, 25, who lives with boyfriend Finn Tapp after meeting on the ITV hit show in 2020, tells Closer, “When Jamie died, it really struck us all because it was so unexpected. He was so young and had his whole life ahead of him. For the first few weeks I was in shock, and I was quiet over the festive period. New Year was really tough,…

Realistically, if you're knocking about with people who have had norovirus, you'll probably catch it too. As with all highly contagious illnesses, the only way to avoid it is to isolate until it's passed, so if you're in a school or nursery and people are getting norovirus, brace yourself. KNOW RISKY AREAS Recent laboratory reports have shown that it's running rife in nurseries and care homes – that's probably because in both of those settings lots of people are in close contact. Little people don't think about washing hands, and put everything in their mouths. Older people in homes are all together in one place, so if it affects one person it will inevitably spread. They may not be in the greatest of health either, so they'll be far more…

We all have a geeky interest or, in my case, a fair few, right? Dedicating time to a passion whatever it may be – is a good thing in my book. The more interests you have, the more interesting you are – whether it's climbing, DJ-ing, action films or knitting. So it surprised me that new stats from Candy Crush Saga found that 60 per cent of us conceal our hobbies from dates, with a third of us worrying it'll give other people the “ick”. But I've found it to be very much the opposite. I used to hide a lot of myself on apps and in a bid to match with the men I was attracted to, I'd talk about the sports I watched, the clubs and bars I…

Whether you're getting wed or someone you know is, Majestic is offering wedding wine for as little as £6 per guest. ● BOOK IT Book a free private, hour-long consultation with your local Majestic store to find out how the wedding wine will taste on your big day. Other services include an online wedding drinks calculator, free glass hire, and “sale on return” (which allows you to bring back any wine not drunk), plus nationwide delivery. ● SURPRISE YOUR GUESTS Majestic's Master of Wine, Elizabeth Kelly, reveals how to help your guests drink better for less by serving bottles from unexpected countries and regions. Toast with Graham Beck Brut, South Africa (£11.99 a bottle). It was served at Nelson Mandela's inauguration and Barack Obama's presidential win! With the meal, serve…

What drew you to working on Dreamland? I'd just moved to New York, but I bring my kids back to the UK for summer to spend time with their dad. So, when this landed on my desk and I heard it was shooting in Margate – and I love Margate – I was instantly hooked. What's your character like? Mel is a bit of a dark horse within her family. She has aspirations outside of Margate where her family live. She's tried to make a life for herself away from that, but she's failed, and has now returned. She loves her family, each person for different reasons. I think she just feels a bit misunderstood – and maybe not seen and not heard, but she's probably not well equipped to…

IF IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK This is your year for dreaming big. Through some kind of cosmic magic, everything will fall into place if you believe it will. There will be some effort required, there's no avoiding that, but everything will be so much easier than it has been in a while. ARIES 21 MAR - 19 APR Your guiding star, Mars, is now in your Home and Family Zone, where it will stay for a while. Thus, you'll benefit from slowing down and enjoying more of what domestic life has to offer. Success doesn't happen in isolation, it takes a village! Visit yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope…

She's been down the aisle twice but has been single since her marriage to Justin Theroux ended five years ago – now it seems single Jennifer Aniston is being helped in her search for love by two close pals. According to insiders, Jennifer has teamed up with fellow A-listers Demi Moore and Sandra Bullock to help her find Mr Right. EXCITED A source says, “Jen has high hopes that her run of bad luck in love is just a temporary thing. It's a sign of the times that it takes a whole lot more time and selectiveness to find a partner in Hollywood these days. “Jen and Demi are trading ideas on eligible guys, male pals in their shared social circle, as well as dinner parties and functions they can…

They only appear to have been friends for a short amount of time, but already Nicola PeltzBeckham and Selena Gomez – who refer to each other as “My Queen” and have matching “soul-sister” tattoos – have become inseparable. And last week, Nicola addressed the rumours that she and husband Brooklyn Beckham, who will celebrate their first anniversary next month, are a “throuple”. The actress and model told Cosmopolitan magazine, “Oh my God. We're like, yeah, we are a throuple. We are all three best friends.” During an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, Brooklyn added, “I love when my wife makes new friends, especially really great friends. You know, we all get along… [Selena] says we're a throuple.” INSULTING But now an insider reveals that, despite Brooklyn regularly being photographed…

CBT therapist, Navit Schechter, says, “We are hard-wired to desire love and nurturing from primary care givers, especially our mothers. When we don't receive this, it can foster beliefs like ‘no-one cares about me’ and ‘I'm unlovable’. “If you make the decision to cut contact fully, it will likely bring contradictory feelings like freedom and grief. Many people won't understand your need to protect yourself from toxic and damaging relationships, and may not think your reasons are valid. Others may fail to recognise you are experiencing grief, blame you for the loss of the relationship and fail to understand that going ‘no contact’ was a last resort. Your decision to cut contact is valid. “Reach out to the friends and relatives you trust, support groups, or a therapist. Compassion for…

With any toddler, you need eyes in the back of your head. But mum-of-one Jordanna Tait, 25, has to be more watchful than most as her daughter, Dolly, three, has a rare disorder and regularly tries to eat inedible objects including books, furniture, shoes – and even the walls of their home. “Dolly was a lockdown baby,” says Jordanna, from Bradford, West Yorkshire. “She was born at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. It meant I wasn't going to the usual baby groups where I might have compared her to other babies and we barely saw a health visitor in her first year. “To me she was just a really good baby, who rarely cried. It was my mum, who used to work as a nursery manager and…

Loved-up Marnie Simpson has tied the knot with fiancé Casey Johnson. The 31-yearold Geordie Shore star – who shares sons Rox, two, and Oax, 10 months, with the former X Factor contestant, 27 – said, “We're over the moon”. A host of the pair's close friends and family attended their big day last week, including many of Marnie's Geordie Shore co-stars – with rumours reporting that the celebrations were filmed for an upcoming reality show. The pair were forced to postpone their nuptials back in 2021, after ongoing Covid restrictions threw a spanner in the works. They first met on MTV's Single AF show back in 2017, where a host of celebrities were sent on dates with different people across the globe. The pair confirmed their relationship months after the…

Ashleigh Pearce, 24, from London, was consuming over 5,000 calories a day during the first lockdown in 2020. But when her worried mum, Agnieszka, 52, saw how much her daughter was eating, she knew she had to say something. She encouraged Ashleigh to hit the gym and change her diet and now, three years later, she's half the woman she used to be, having shed over 9st 5lbs through rigorous exercise and healthy eating. OUT OF CONTROL Ashleigh says, “Before, I was in a bad place mentally and didn't recognise the person I had become. But these days I've found happiness and energy I never knew existed before. My entire life has completely changed!” Ashleigh first started struggling with her weight in 2016. She was 18 and at university, but…

Fans were left disappointed when Cheryl pulled out of a recent performance of her West End show, 2:22 A Ghost Story, after her theatre debut was blighted by a “stalker” who is said to have been leaving “disgusting” notes for the star backstage. But last week, Cheryl, 39 – who is believed to have ramped up security – returned to her role and was photographed beaming as she bravely greeted theatre-goers after her performance. However, while her shows continue to receive rave reviews, fans couldn't help but notice Cheryl's new look, which didn't go down well with some. Among unkind comments about her “puffy” and “frozen” appearance, one wrote, “She was so gorgeous. Such a pity she's tampering with nature”. OBSESSED It's been 20 years since Cheryl found fame with…

GRIEVE IN YOUR OWN WAY “Grief is often associated with death and dying but can be more accurately defined as a reaction to loss,” explains Dr Marianne Trent, Clinical Psychologist & Author of The Grief Collective. “It's said there are between five and seven stages of grief, including shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance and hope. They might feel confusing and you might find that you move in and out of these stages over days, weeks, months and years. When you are in the depths of grief, it can be hard to imagine that you'll ever find anything enjoyable and worthwhile again, but it is important to remember that, even though you may always grieve, you still deserve to have a life you find enjoyable.” CONSIDER THERAPY FOR TRAUMA IF…

SHOWSTOPPER ULTIMATE BELGIAN DARK CHOCOLATE NUTTY EGG, £9, MARKS & SPENCER Part of a luxury collection, this egg has a Belgian dark chocolate and almond butter exterior, studded with caramelised hazelnut and almond pieces for maximum indulgence. BOOZE INFUSED BAILEYS CHOCOLATE EASTER EGG WITH A HINT OF BAILEYS, £12.99, SAINSBURY'S This grownup Easter egg is unashamedly decadent and delicious to boot. LITTLE CHOCOHOLICS KINNERTON CRAYOLA DECORATE YOUR OWN CHOCOLATE EASTER EGG, £5.50, SAINSBURY'S Let the kids unleash their creativity by having them decorate their own Easter egg from scratch – it's perfect for keeping them busy over the bank holiday weekend. CROWD PLEASER MONTEZUMA'S ORLOFF MILK CHOCOLATE BUTTERSCOTCH HEN, £12.50, JOHN LEWIS Orloff the hen not only looks delightful, but tastes absolutely scrumptious too! SAVOURY SENSATION BUTLERS FARMHOUSE CHEDDAR CHEESE…

CHESHIRE HOUSEWIVES STAR LYSTRA ADAMS, 45, ON HOW SHE LOOKS AFTER HER BODY AND MIND WORK HARD TO KEEP MY AMAZING BUTT IN SHAPE… Before lockdown I used to hit the gym a lot but now I do most of my exercises at home. I lift weights and do lunges and squats, about 20 reps of each, before moving on to something else. It's good for the derrière! MUSIC HELPS MY MENTAL HEALTH… it really is therapy to me. I play it in the car and around my home and it just lifts my mood instantly. I listen to Nicki Minaj, Sean Peal, Beenie Man, Beyoncé, or country music like Dolly Parton and Ed Sheeran. I PRACTISE GRATITUDE DAILY… Before bed and when I wake up, I'll say a prayer…

AFFORDABLE TREATS! GET HER LOOK VICTORIA BECKHAM The designer shows us how to effortlessly pull off a colour clash with this cleverly styled look. The secret? Picking out a hue from her ensemble to accessorise with, whether that's a bag or shoes – it adds the perfect finishing touch. Try these high-street swaps… SOME STYLES AVAILABLE IN PLUS SIZES 18-28 IN THE NEWS… RIVER ISLAND'S NEW-SEASON DROPS Just in time for spring, River Island has launched a whole variety of new-season styles, and they're blooming lovely! Whether you've booked in a brunch, need a new frock for wedding season, or are on the hunt for a show-stopping accessory, there's something to suit every occasion, with pretty pastels and floral nods throughout – not forgetting the bold colours of the year:…

As Chelsea grows closer to bad boy Ravi – much to mum Denise's horror – actress Zaraah Abrahams, 36, explains her character's dilemma. She says, “It feels like her mum is getting in the way for reasons that Chelsea can't really understand. She is willing to listen to her mum if she can provide some clear reason as to why this man is so awful. But as far as Chelsea can see, he's done things wrong in the past – we all have – but he's rectified them.” Hmm, would Chelsea be quite so understanding if she knew how just how well Denise knows Ravi…? FOLLOW OUR LIVE TWEETS OVER AT @CloserOnline…

28 MARCH-3 APRIL TAURUS 20 APR - 20 MAY You don't have to dance to the beat of anyone else's drum. Unless of course you want to. This week, you'll be reminded of the importance of authenticity. You could be faced with a choice to go down the road less travelled. Do what is right for you, at all costs. Visit yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope GEMINI 21 MAY - 20 JUN When it comes to extending yourself in your social circles or being a person of influence, you've got it in spades right now! Friendships, both old and new are providing you with opportunities, personally and professionally. What you say “yes” to now could set you up for future success. Visit yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope CANCER 21 JUN…

Sleep? There's no way we can get any rest with this level of Euro excitement, Rylan! Only 46 more sleepless nights to go – can't wait! Well, we've been three times so far this year, Jason, and can confirm that the wobbly bits are still reassuringly wobbly. GRUMPY GRAM When Billie bought a mansion with an enormous fishpond, she hoped to relax beside it while composing pop hits. Looks like climate change had other ideas… The other side of Madge's board is less friendly: 6. Wash up or move out. 7. Lights out by 8pm. 8. My fridge, my food. 9. No visitors (other than male 20-something dancers). 10. Rent paid two months up front.…

NEWS She recently flew to Washington to spend the week with husband Wayne, sharing several photos, captioned, “Had the best time visiting @waynerooney”. But insiders say that the trip has left Coleen Rooney longing for Wayne to come back home. A source says, “Coleen is struggling with the fact that Wayne is so far away. She had a brilliant time visiting the States, but leaving him behind was really tough. She supports him and is proud he's turned things around, but that doesn't make it any easier for her to deal with things. She's effectively having to bring up the boys on her own and it can be really difficult at times.” Former England and Manchester United footballer Wayne, 37, has turned his hand to football management since retiring from…

They became every pop music fan's dream couple in the ‘90s, when Westlife's Brian McFadden tied the knot with Atomic Kitten's Kerry Katona, both aged just 22. While their romance ended somewhat bitterly amid claims he cheated, they've both happily moved on. And with Brian now gearing up for his third marriage – this time to PE teacher Danielle Parkinson, 41 – he tells Closer he has no regrets. Brian says, “You live and learn, you go through life living and learning! Getting married is a great thing, but if the marriage isn't working there's nothing wrong in walking away from each other. I have no regrets about any of my marriages or any of my relationships. Everything I've gone through in my life has got me to where I…

After weeks of rumours, Megan McKenna has gone Instagram-official with her footballer boyfriend. Posting pics of their Parisian getaway, the TOWIE star, 30, shared loved-up snaps of her and Millwall FC player Oliver Burke, 25, alongside the caption, “Perfect trip with the perfect person”. Sharing his love for his girlfriend, Oliver commented “I love you” with a heart emoji. Meghan's friends were quick to share their congrats for the new couple, with Charlotte Dawson writing, “So happy for you, my Miley. So deserved”. Rumours first swirled after the pair were spotted looking cosy outside a London hotel, before posting pictures of them getting tattoos. And around Valentine's day, Megan teased fans about her new romance – sharing a snippet of her singing a romantic song with a bouquet of pink…

When Sophie Bracken collapses back into her wheelchair after her daily walk, she marvels that she's still alive – because a friend's birthday celebration ended in disaster when Sophie fell 40ft from a balcony. Sophie, 23, was left with 39 breaks in her bones. Doctors feared she'd be paralysed or lose the ability to walk. She says, “I just wanted some fresh air when I fell from the balcony of my friend's flat. Every time I'm low or in pain, I just remind myself of how lucky I am to be alive.” QUEASY On the day of her accident, in September last year, Sophie, who was staying at the family home to care for her dad, made sure he was OK before setting off. She says, “He'd just had open…

Business graduate Jay Shetty was just 22 when he shaved his head, traded his suit for robes and left London to train as a monk in India. Now, a decade on, he's a world-famous life coach, showing people how to apply the wisdom he has learned to their own lives. He has a Facebook audience of 29 million and counts Jennifer Lopez among his friends. He's also written two bestsellers, Think Like A Monk and 8 Rules Of Love (Harper Thorsons, £20). Here, Jay, 35, reveals his top tips to help you stress less, be more productive and have stronger relationships… • 8 Rules Of Love: How to find it, Keep it, and Let it Go by Jay Shetty is available now (Harper Thorsons). For tickets to Jay's UK Love…

INSIDE MICHELLE'S FRIDGE ● Eggs ● Nando's sauce ● Cheddar cheese ● Protein yoghurt ● Grenade bars ● Halloumi ● Plain yoghurt ● Apples ● Low-fat burgers ● Turkey rashers ● Broccoli ● Oranges ● Plums ● Lean steak ● Chicken breasts ● Raspberries ● Blueberries ● Corn on the cob ● Salad leaves ● Oat milk ● Almond milk MICHELLE How much do you spend per week? For our family of four we usually spend around £150 – £180 a week as we like the fruit and veg as fresh as possible. Describe your daily diet… Breakfast is a bowl of cereal with oat milk. Lunch would be a big green salad with a source of protein like chicken breast or turkey rashers. For dinner we try to eat…

RELATION SHIP GET YOUR PARTNER OFF THEIR PHONE! Is your other half always staring at their mobile phone? Here's how to cut their screen time without a row There's nothing more frustrating than having a conversation with someone who appears perpetually distracted by their phone. Aside from it being rude, it's also hurtful as it sends a message that they don't value what you have to say. The average adult is on their phone for at least three and a half hours every day, and when you consider that this is usually outside of working hours, that means we are potentially spending more time interacting on our handsets than directly with those closest to us. Research suggests this is having a pretty devastating impact on our relationships, with up to…

COOL CLASSIC You can't go wrong with an oversized bomber in a neutral hue such as navy or black. Emulate Hailey's look and throw on over full-length jeans and a white tee, then add colour-pop kicks and ‘90s-style sunnies. EXACT MATCH! DENIM DELIGHT Denim is big news right now. Double up on the much-loved fabric with a blue bomber and an ecru midi skirt. Elevate the ensemble with a halterneck top, ankle boots and gold jewels. It's the perfect lunch date look. QUILTY PLEASURE Give this quilted number a smart spin by pairing with tailored, wide-leg trousers and a collared crochet knit. Chunky trainers and a crossbody bag add practicality as well as style. COLOUR CRUSH We love a bright bomber for a dose of dopamine dressing. Layer over a…

Closer TV TV WEEK: 1-7 APRIL 1 NAKED EDUCATION BODY POSITIVITY SHOW TUE 4 APR, 8PM, C4 Naked Atztraction's Anna Richardson joins forces with TV presenter Yinka Bokinni to present this amazing “bodypositive, educational series aiming to normalise all body types”. People of all ages will share their experiences – from mastectomy scars and penis size, to the ageing body and skin conditions (no subject matter is too big or small!). With the help of (Love Island's) Dr Alex George, plus life models and a group of teens – who've been bombarded by “perfect” Instagram bodies – discussions will be had on perceptions of “normal” and “beautiful”, getting answers to questions folk have been afraid to ask. 2 SIMON REEVE'S RETURN TO CORNWALL ON HIS TRAVELS SUN 2 APR, 9PM, BBC2 This…

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