Table of contents for Issue 887 in Closer

Are the January blues setting in? Then let our 10-page mind and body special bring you some sunshine. Busy mum Izzy Judd confesses to mum guilt and reveals simple techniques that help her bring calm to the chaos of parenthood. Former Hollyoaks actress Sophie Austin explains how she managed to lose 3st and regain her old confident self, while Denise Welch discusses learning to deal with depression and how, at 61, she feels better than ever. Their stories are inspirational, but many of us struggle to find the willpower and time to make the changes we want to. That’s why TV’s Dr Rangan Chatterjee’s approach is so brilliant. He says you can improve mood, relationships, sleep and health in just five minutes a day. Why not try his lifestyle plan…

• Don’t buy real fur and boycott shops that insist on selling such products. Always opt for faux options. • Check the lining to see if an item is really faux fur. Faux fur will be sewn on to fabric, but real fur will still be attached to the skin (leather). Also, the ends of each strand of hair should be blunt, whereas real fur is wispy. • Tell friends about the animals suffering for fur, and share stories on social media. • If you think a market stall or shop is labelling real fur as faux, reach out to your local trading standards office at Nationaltradingstandards.uk . • Sign the petition at Furfreebritain.uk to help make Britain fur-free…

Mum-of-two Cynthia DiLascio was thrilled when she found out her best friend, Kaycee Lang, was pregnant with her first child. She threw a baby shower and organised a hamper full of gifts for Kaycee and her husband Geoffrey. But a month later, she was heartbroken to hear that their little boy had died, at just five hours old. However, after becoming suspicious over the details surrounding the tragedy, Cynthia turned detective and made the horrifying discovery that the couple had faked the entire pregnancy and death of their son – possibly in a heartless bid to rake in cash. It’s claimed that Kaycee, 23, and Geoffrey, 27, lied about everything, making over $500 on a GoFundMe page, as well as receiving gifts from well-wishers. They’re even said to have shared…

Dawn Woolmer’s daughter Zoe, 23, fell to her death in June 2014 while posing for a photo in Australia. Dawn, 64, who lives in Hertfordshire with her husband Steve, 62, and their daughter, Sophie, 25, says, “Whenever I hear a report of a similar death, my heart breaks for the family left behind. I can’t believe it’s still happening. “Zoe would never knowingly have put herself in danger – she just didn’t understand the risks. “She went to Australia in July 2013 and we were so excited for her. In June 2014, Zoe told us she’d booked onto a tour of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia for three days. I told her to be safe, and that same weekend Steve and I flew to Turkey on holiday…

CHARLIE SIMS: Ferne was already dating Charlie when she joined TOWIE in 2013, but they ended their six-year on/off relationship for good in 2015. She’s previously said she’ll “always love” him. RUSSELL BRAND: She had a three-month fling with comedian Russell in 2015, with sources saying they “clicked straight away and went on a few dates”, but it fizzled out when he moved to LA. ARTHUR COLLINS: Just weeks after going public with Collins in 2017, he was arrested for an acid attack in a London nightclub, for which he was later jailed for 20 years. Following his arrest, Ferne released a statement confirming she was pregnant but had split from Collins. CHARLIE BRAKE: Love Island millionaire Charlie was the first man to whom Ferne was linked after she became…

1 “Black dresses look instantly glam, and they’re such a classic. I wear them to death!.” NASTY GAL £22 2 “I love to wear both designer and high street shoes. I think it’s good to mix it up.” TOPSHOP £32 3 “I’ve been a big fan of KISS for years. I swear by their fake lashes – my favourites are definitely Lash Couture Naked Drama in Tulle.” KISS LASH COUTURE £7.99 4 “Press-on nails are a lifesaver when I’m in a rush. I love the Impress Press-On Manicure. I’ve always enjoyed wearing them.” KISS IMPRESS NAILS IN YEAH BOY £7.99 5 “I use this bronzer and highlighter to sculpt my cheekbones.” CHARLOTTE TILBURY FILMSTAR BRONZE & GLOW £49…

1 USE THE RIGHT PRODUCTS “Always make sure you’re using the right products for your skin type. Check the ingredients list, and avoid alcohol or fragrance. They’ll strip the natural oils from your skin which causes more oiliness, breakouts and sensitivity. If your face feels uncomfortably taut and tight after cleansing, it’s likely the product is too harsh. Hot water also can irritate as it may interfere with your barrier function. I’d always suggest cleansing with tepid water.” 2 RINSE & REPEAT! “Skin comes into contact with bacteria and pollutants daily – without properly cleansing, these particles build up. There’s no point using expensive serums and creams if you’re layering them on to unclean skin. This is why double cleansing is so important. Use an oil or water-based formula as…

AMBER TURNER How much do you spend per week? If I’m buying food for my flat, about £30 to £40. If I’m staying at my boyfriend’s (TOWIE’s Dan Edgar), we’ll spend the same again. We are really indecisive about what we want to eat and we buy food as we go. Describe your daily diet… I’m not a breakfast person, so if I do have something, it’ll be toast or a mixed berries and spinach smoothie. For lunch, I’ll have chicken and vegetables. For dinner, it’ll be pasta or chicken stir fry – I don’t really like salad. If I go out for dinner, I’ll have a penne arrabbiata or Bolognese. I’m really naughty – I like to snack on biscuits with a cup of tea. I try to limit…

FAMILY MATTERS MAKE YOUR KIDS EMOTIONALLY SMART Children who understand and manage their emotions get better grades. Emma explains how to raise them that way Emotional intelligence helps in every area of children’s lives. New research shows students who recognise their feelings and understand where they come from achieve more academically, with the ability to better deal with anxiety, boredom, and disappointment. You can help them by learning to take your kids seriously. It can be easy to give your child a treat or distract them with a toy when they’re angry or upset, rather than exploring their emotions. Instead, when they express themselves, give them your full attention. Ask them to explain how they feel, and reflect what they’ve said to show you understand and hear what they’re saying.…

If you’re already struggling to stick to your New Year’s resolution, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that 80 per cent of us fail to keep up our new-found healthy habits long-term. But now, a revolutionary plan promises to transform your lifestyle – for good. Feel Better In 5, by TV’s Dr Rangan Chatterjee, shows how doing daily five-minute activities can boost your mood, improve your relationships, sort out your sleep and help you shape up, too. Best of all, it requires only the smallest amount of willpower. “We need to take a more rounded approach to our health,” explains Dr Chatterjee, who is a best-selling author and presents BBC show Doctor In The House. “We often use our willpower to cut down on sugar or turn teetotal, but we end…

Tell us about your character, Heidi? She’s a woman who’s seemingly lived a ‘normal’ life, as she has her dream family business and enjoys a good time with her friends. She’s fiercely loyal and a fighter for her family. What could go wrong…? What appealed about this? The fact it’s not a comedy. It was a challenge, but I’m old enough not to be daunted. I do have a gentle compulsion to want to fall over and do jokes, but the script is so good and intense I found that wasn’t necessary. The series was filmed in Manchester... I grew up not far from there, so I know it quite well – although it has changed immeasurably. It’s one of my favourite cities, and home to my team Manchester United.…

MUST READ She (HC WARNER) Ben can’t believe his luck when Bella walks into his life – she seems to be everything he ever wanted. But Bella decides that everything is better when it is just the two of them together, making it harder for Ben’s friends and family to stay in touch. And then a sudden tragedy triggers a chain of events that throw Ben headlong into an absolute nightmare. A brilliant read with a twist you won’t see coming... BEST DAY OUT Walk All Over Cancer Cancer Research UK are challenging us all to walk 10,000 steps a day, every day in March to raise much-needed money for life-saving cancer research. Though 10,000 steps may sound like a lot, there are lots of ways to bump up your…

AQUARIUS 20 JAN-18 FEB The New Moon is in Aquarius this week, and with it a chance to start over again. Not a bad idea, especially if 2020 hasn’t started how you wanted. This is your week of second chances, so recommit to resolutions. Understand 2020’s promises and pressures at moonmessages.com/ pp2020 PISCES 19 FEB-20 MAR If you’re feeling a little lost right now, the heavens are there for you. There’s actually a celestial call going out to you, asking you to connect with the cosmos. Meditate, do yoga, or do whatever helps you feel connected – but make sure you get in touch with your spiritual side. Understand 2020’s promises and pressures at moonmessages.com/pp2020 ARIES 21 MAR-19 APR Are you ready to shape the year ahead? This week brings…

The lengthy bitter divorce battle between Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong was back in the spotlight once again last week, when the Strictly make-up artist denied claims the warring exes had finally reached a settlement, with reports she had landed over half of the presenter’s £50 million fortune. Shortly after the story broke that Ant had agreed to offer up a whopping £31 million, Lisa, 43, strongly denied the reports on Twitter, saying, “Nope, a load of nonsense AGAIN”, adding she’s taking legal action against the tabloid that reported the alleged settlement figure. She then went on to like a series of supportive tweets from fans referencing the “heartbreak” she is going through. One wrote, “No amount of money could ever compensate for what this poor girl has had to…

She once said Botox is “no different to heavy make-up”, even promoting a face filler and fat-dissolving aesthetics package – called ‘The Kerry Katona’ – at a Harley Street clinic to her 553k Instagram followers. But last week, Kerry provoked outrage when she seemed to make fun of reality star Charlotte Crosby’s dramatic new look, writing, “Charlotte is great entertainment, but I wish she would stop messing with her face, as it looks fragile. It looks like it has got stuck between two lift doors. She looks a bit like a cross-eyed fish. Charlotte said her lips look like a ‘baboon’s a**e’ and she’s not wrong.” Her comments came after the ex-Geordie Shore star’s appearance shocked fans on the Australian version of I’m A Celeb!, filmed in South Africa, where…

PR expert Nick Ede thinks releasing yet another memoir would be a bad move for Jordan’s career and reputation. He says, “Gone are the days when Katie Price had a big impact on her fans. I think releasing her seventh autobiography is likely to be a flop. “She was once one of the top-selling authors in the UK with her autobiographies, novels, and children’s books. She had millions of fans. But people have fallen out of love with her, due to the things she’s said and choices she’s made. She left the mansion that, ultimately, her fans paid for through the money she made, in total disarray. “It’s also unlikely there’ll be any bombshells, as everything she has to say she’s likely already said on social media or on her…

LATEYSHA: ‘I went over the top with my butt lift’ She’s a single mum to her five-year-old daughter Wynter, but is desperate to find ‘The One’ – so Lateysha Grace has signed up for Celebrity Ex on the Beach. And Lateysha, 27, reveals she initially told herself she’d drop a dress size before appearing on the show, but she gave up on trying to diet and embraced her curves instead. She says, “I told myself I was going to lose a bit of weight before going in, but I had a kebab three times a week. I honestly can’t diet. I was the biggest girl on the show, but I didn’t really care, to be honest. I know when the show airs, people will troll me and say, ‘Look at…

With her long brown hair and wide smile, Sarah Mhlanga is a dead-ringer for The Duchess of Sussex. And since Meghan and Prince Harry announced their engagement in November 2017, Sarah, 37, has barely been able to walk down the street without being stopped and told she’s the image of her. The resemblance is so striking, she’s regularly hired as a lookalike for the former Suits actress, opening shops, and endorsing products and companies. ❛PEOPLE TELL ME SHE’S MANIPULATIVE BUT I THINK SHE’S VULNERABLE❜ But now, with their fall from grace after Meghan and Harry announced that they are stepping down as senior royals and planning to split their time between North America and the UK, Sarah’s panicking that her work will dry up. The mum of two – who…

HIGH SHINE For a cool-girl take, opt for a vinyl number. The ’60s shape will offset a pair of knee-high boots and a mini skirt perfectly. NASTY GAL £75 ANIMAL INSTINCT Bold snake print is guaranteed to make a stylish impact. Keep this trench classy with neutral separates PRETTY LITTLE THING £55 FEELING BLUE Brighten up a grey day with this teal trench, which will look stylish worn over a blazer and slacks combo. It comes in five other colours. MONKI £60 IN CHECK A classic houndstooth pattern will see you through one season to the next. Finish with faux leather trousers and a red knit for a chic Parisian look. STRADIVARIUS £49.99 PINK PARADE This pastel style will work in any weather. With its classic shape, it’ll give you…

SPEND OR SAVE…

A study of more than 5,000 people found that those who have lots of diet drinks are more likely to gain weight. My problem with diet drinks is that people have them on their own, not with food, which makes them hungry. BE REALISTIC This research found that people who consume lots of artificial sweeteners didn’t reduce their overall sugar intake, because they felt like they could indulge in their favourite food, having had a “diet” drink. We kid ourselves like that a lot, and think, “Because I had a diet drink, I can have a pudding”, but we’re not very good at adding it all up. Research has also shown we overestimate the number of calories we burn during exercise by three to four times. On average, we also…

MY FIRST EVER JOB WAS AT MCDONALD’S I was 16, and I earned £2.73 an hour. I have so much respect for the staff in fast-food restaurants. Understanding the till and the food choices, plus working at such a pace, should warrant a degree! I CLEANED TOILETS WHEN I NEEDED CASH I have always found a way to make ends meet, by taking on any job necessary to pay my rent and bills – I’ve cleaned loos and I’ve waitressed. The entertainment industry is so precarious and full of ups and downs, so the key is to squirrel away your money as you earn it. I SAVED £500 ON A BED I bought a chunky, solid-oak bed for our spare room on Facebook Marketplace. My husband [personal trainer Alex Di…

MIND: ADJUST YOUR BREATHING While you can practise this breathing exercise at any time, Dr Chatterjee recommends trying it in the morning. “Just five minutes can help dramatically improve your mood,” he says. Sit upright in your chair and set a timer. Make sure your back is comfortably straight. Take a few deep breaths in and out through your nose, then allow the breath to return to its normal rate and rhythm. On the first exhale, count “one” inside your head; on the second exhale, count “two”… Keep counting on every exhale until you get to “five”. Try to stay focused on your breathing the entire time. Keep repeating this cycle until five minutes is up. If you feel your mind has wandered and you’ve stopped counting, don’t worry. Gently…

Downton Abbey star Siobhan Finneran plays cop Johanna. Dervla Kirwan plays Adam’s wife, Corinne – a teacher and “super-mum”. Anthony Head is Adam’s dad, Edgar…“I’m the one who’s trying to oust him,” he says. Hannah John-Kamen (Ornela in Game Of Thrones) is the mysterious ‘stranger’…  Shaun Dooley plays Adam’s neighbour – determined to protect his pal. Paul Kaye plays another cop, but he says he loved working with Jennifer Saunders. Oscar-nominated actor Stephen Rea is former cop Martin – a “strange man”. Chewing Gum’s Kadiff Kirwan works with Johanna… “His loyalty is tested,” he reveals.…

Following the shock announcement that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are quitting their roles as senior royals, the Duchess came out of hiding last week to make a surprise visit to a women’s shelter in Canada. The couple, who have eight-month-old son Archie, have faced a growing backlash since the scandal erupted, with Meghan dubbed a “ruthless social climber”, while a mortifying video surfaced of Harry “touting” his wife to a Disney executive at the Lion King premiere for voiceover work, with claims he’d snubbed a Royal Marines memorial service to be there. In a shock twist, Meghan’s dad Thomas Markle was said to be preparing to testify against his daughter in a court case brought by her against a national newspaper that published a private letter between the pair.…

She made the surprise announcement last week that she was quitting her “life-changing” role on BBC drama Our Girl – which is filmed overseas – amid reports she wants to spend more time with husband Mark Wright. Michelle Keegan’s decision comes just a year after Mark, 33, bowed out of his TV presenting role in Hollywood, saying at the time, “It just feels like the right time to come back to the UK and live here with my wife.” And after making the sacrifice for the sake of her relationship, insiders tell Closer that Michelle, 32, is nervous about the weight of expectation on her, and the pressure to start a family after spending the bulk of their five-year marriage living in different countries due to work. HIGH EXPECTATIONS A…

JESSIEANDCHANNING SPOTTEDTOGETHER AFTERSPLIT Their year-long relationship ended last month – but it now seems Jessie J and Channing Tatum may have rekindled their romance. The former couple were spotted in LA earlier this month, furniture shopping, with an onlooker describing the pair as “in great moods, and together the whole time”. They added they were dressed casually “in sweats and trying to be low-key”. Singer Jessie, 31, and actor Channing, 39, announced their split just before Christmas, saying they will remain “good friends”. Sources blamed the decision on their “busy schedules”, and Channing was spotted on celebrity dating app Raya days later. Jessie shared her post break-up emotions on social media, writing on Instagram, “Delayed emotions are not fun... Time is healing... The puzzle pieces of life [are] sometimes put…

They’ve charmed viewers for almost two decades thanks to a combination of effortless on-screen chemistry and cheeky banter. But Good Morning Britain co-hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard reveal the secret to their success is their enduring bond behind the cameras – and never arguing. “So much can go wrong on live TV, so you need to implicitly trust the person next to you,” says Ben. “If I drop the ball on something, I know Kate will have my back, and vice versa. We’ve been through a lot together off screen – lots of life-changing moments in our career and personal lives. When times have been tricky, I always turn to Kate – we’re incredibly close.” Kate nods, “We really understand each other and can read one another so well.…

Model Madalyn Davis, 21, from Lincoln, died last week after falling 100ft from a cliff at popular selfie spot Diamond Bay Reserve, near Sydney, Australia. It’s reported she climbed over a fence – which was erected after another woman fell to her death in 2019 – to get a “perfect” Instagram photo. While Madalyn’s case is shocking, it’s not unique. Between 2011 and 2017, 259 people have died taking risky snaps. In 2018, Louise Benson, 37, and her boyfriend Michael Kearns, 33, were killed after falling off a 100-ft high wall in Portugal while taking photos; and holiday-goers Jayden Dolman, 20, and Daniel Mee, 25, died while attempting to capture a selfie last year. Here, Closer speaks to one mum who knows what it’s like to suffer the pain of…

‘I love to indulge, so I’d never go on a diet!’ She’s put her love life on the back-burner for the past two years, focusing on being a single, hard-working mum to her two-year-old daughter Sunday. But now Ferne McCann, who rose to fame on TOWIE , has revealed she’s finally found love again. Last month, Ferne admitted there’s someone special in her life, but stayed tight-lipped on his identity, saying, “I’m dating someone new and he’s really cool. It’s looking promising. I’ve actually known him for a very long time.” Now, Ferne, 29, has revealed to Closer that adding to her brood is high on her list of priorities. She says, “I’d love to have more children – I’d say four max. A lot of people asked me that…

‘LBDs always save the day!’ ‘I would describe my style in three words as... Classic, fun and fresh. I get all my fashion inspiration from catwalks and social media… One of the positive things about Instagram is that you can find amazing outfits instantly. I love going to fashion weeks and finding out what’s on the runways. I think it’s good to know about the trends. I’ve loved clothes from a young age… When I was little, I remember going to nursery in a costume wedding dress! I look back at that now as I get to wear my own one soon – I’m getting married this year [to model Oliver Cheshire]. I have had some interesting fashion moments… The zip on my dress came undone during a gig once…

JUST LANDED STATEMENT SHADOW BARRY M WILDLIFE EYE SHADOW CHARITY PALETTE WHAT IS IT? These limited-edition Barry M eye shadow palettes help you look good and do good, too, as 20 per cent of profits go to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, which helps save endangered animals. WHY WE LOVE IT: With each palette containing nine long-lasting shades, getting creative with your shadow is easy. Prep lids with a primer, then apply your shade, blending outwards to the corners. GET THE LOOK... SMOOTH SKIN Get a flawless complexion, like Whitney and Maya, with these miracle-working moisturisers... ❶ SUPER HYDRATING NEUTROGENA HYDRO BOOST CITY SHIELD HYDRATING LOTION £12.99 Quench dry skin with this nourishing gel-to-cream formula, which absorbs quickly without feeling sticky or greasy. It has SPF25 sun protection, too, so…

LEEK AND TOFU NOODLE BOWL 322 CALS 17.8G FAT 5.6G SUGAR 2.2G SALT PER SERVING SERVES 4 • 15g dried porcini or shiitake mushrooms • 2 tbsp tamari • 2 tbsp rice vinegar • 1 tbsp mirin • 350g firm tofu, patted dry and cut into cubes • Cornflour • Vegetable oil • 100g fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced • /2 tsp grated ginger • 150g wok-ready rice noodles • 1 leek, shredded • 2 tbsp white miso paste • 2 spring onions, thinly sliced • Handful beansprouts • 2 soft-boiled eggs, halved • Sliced red chilli and coriander, to garnish STEP 1 Soak the mushrooms in boiling water for 15 mins, drain (save the liquid) and chop. STEP 2 Mix the tamari, vinegar and mirin. Add the tofu and coat.…

£14.99 On The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse, by Charlie Mackesy – a book about friendship. £1.50 For a carton of oat milk. I watched Game Changer on Netflix, so I want to become a vegan, but I still sometimes eat a bar of Dairy Milk at night! £56 On a pair of black winter lace-up boots from Kurt Geiger. £15 For knee pads. Falling over while training for Dancing On Ice has damaged my knees. £275 On a classic double-breasted blazer from Reiss. I wouldn’t usually spend that much, but it’s for work. • Ben appears in Dancing On Ice at 6pm, Sundays on ITV1…

TV WEEK: 25-31 JAN 1 THE NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS 2020 AND THE WINNER IS… TUE 28 JAN, 7.30PM, ITV It’s been an incredible 25 years since the NTAs first appeared on TV, so it’ll be an extra-special night of stars, surprises, and snazzy outfits, as everyone who’s anyone in television heads down to London’s O2 Arena. David Walliams is slipping into former presenter Dermot’s slingbacks as the new host, and he’s also up for Best Judge again this year, alongside his Britain’s Got Talent nemesis/true love Simon Cowell. We can’t wait to see who wins that one. Order your favourite takeaway, get settled on the sofa, and enjoy a genuine TV treat. 2 NEW SERIES NIGHT ON EARTH HIDDEN LIVES OF ANIMALS WED 29 JAN, NETFLIX Fascinating footage of wild…

hat do you hope to W achieve from this series? Like a lot of people, I’m always on the go and am rubbish at looking after myself properly. I don’t have the best diet or lifestyle and I’m no good at following strict health regimes. Plus, I’m often held back from trying stuff because of what I call the FOGS (fear of getting started). For me, this show had to be about trying things that aren’t too hard to incorporate into busy lives. We’ve packed the series with lots of variety. Have you come across any surprising health tips? I genuinely had no idea that singing could be a great form of pain relief – especially when you sing in a group. I was very sceptical about it until I…

She’s always been a bit batty, but since watching the Beeb’s recent Dracula dramatisation, Alexa’s a sucker for a fangtastic new look. The Masked Singer’s costume department has already blown its budget, judging by this contestant. Spoiler alert: it’s Nick Grimshaw. SOPHIE KASAEI It’s not necessarily down to willpower, Sophie. Spare a thought for those of us who only managed to keep the weight off at Christmas due to Norovirus… MEGAN MCKENNA Same here, Megs. Our morning bus journeys have been so badly delayed lately that we feel like we live and work in different time-zones. OLIVIA BUCKLAND Dr Christian reveals the weirdest case in the new series of Embarrassing Bodies, as Olivia hops on to his couch with a hairy 25lb growth on her bum. Looks painful. We’re not…