Table of contents for Issue 1056 in Closer

NEWS ‘THEY TRIED TO MAKE IT WORK, BUT THE CRACKS HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A WHILE’ Coronation Street's Kym Marsh has reportedly split from her soldier husband after just 18 months, and fans are speculating that the dreaded “Strictly curse” has struck once again. Kym, 46 – who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing last year alongside Graziano Di Prima, 28 – is said to be divorcing Army Major Scott Ratcliff, 35, after the strain of their careers became too hard to handle. A source said last week, “Kym and Scott really tried to make it work, but the cracks have been there for a while. They just weren't getting to see enough of each other.” Revealing that Scott was based in military barracks down South while working mum Kym –…

She stepped in to replace Phillip Schofield as a key presenter on This Morning earlier this month, and fans couldn't get enough of Josie Gibson, applauding her as “a joy to watch” and “so engaging” as she took the helm alongside co-presenter Craig Doyle. HEARTACHE As well as bowling over viewers, Josie, 38, also flew to Paris after landing coveted interviews with Hollywood stars Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana, before attending the premiere of their new film, Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol.3 – where she looked gorgeous on the red carpet in a classy black suit. And while Josie's career is thriving, insiders say the confidence boost has prompted her into thinking about other areas of her life too. The single mum to son Reggie, four, is apparently keen…

NEWS Fans went into meltdown last week after it emerged that newly single Taylor Swift is dating The 1975 frontman Matty Healy. After her shock split from British actor Joe Alwyn, 32, in February, the pop legend is rumoured to have then rekindled her romance with Chocolate singer Matty, 34, with an insider saying, “Taylor and Matty are madly in love. It's super-early days, but it feels right. They first dated, very briefly, almost 10 years ago, but timings just didn't work out.” Taylor, 33, and Matty – who is the son of Loose Women star Denise Welch, 64, and Benidorm's Tim Healy, 71 – were first linked back in 2014, after she wore his band's T-shirt. SEAL OF APPROVAL In 2016, Matty gushed “I have said on countless occasions…

She's had her fair share of high-profile romances, previously dating actors Billy Zane, Jason Statham and rugby star Danny Cipriani. But last summer, Kelly Brook found her happily ever after when she tied the knot with partner Jeremy Parisi, and now tells Closer that she's loved every minute! Kelly, 43 – who lives with Italianborn Jeremy, 37, in an idyllic country house in Kent – says, “We try to keep our relationship fun! We don't get too serious. Quality time is a big thing for us too and we always try to make time for each other. We want to travel the world and recently we explored Texas, which was incredible.” PRESSURE Model, actress and presenter Kelly – who rose to fame in the ‘90s as a Page Three girl…

Rumours have been circulating for weeks after Amber Turner jetted off to Dubai without her on/off boyfriend of six years, and now the TOWIE star has confirmed that she and Dan Edgar have gone their separate ways. Amber, 29, took to Instagram to share the news saying, “Yes me and Dan have split.” The pair met on the iconic reality show back in 2017 and, once their previous relationships ended, they began dating the following year. However, the pair have had plenty of drama over the years – with Dan flirting with his ex Lauren Pope as well as sleeping with co-star Chloe Sims in a “secret fling” during his and Amber's brief break-up in 2019.…

He may have found fame on Love Island, but Dr Alex George has since thrown his energy into championing mental health. His new book, The Mind Manual, is packed with useful takeaways to help readers build their own mental fitness, including techniques that he's found helpful throughout his own struggles. Dr Alex is no stranger to heartache – he saw tragedies on the A&E frontline during the pandemic, and in 2020 suffered a devastating loss when his younger brother, Llyr, tragically took his own life aged 19. His experiences have fuelled his mission to “prevent other families from living with empty seats at their dinner tables”. “I'm only 32, but I've experienced a lot,” Dr Alex tells Closer. “The work I do around mental health gives me great comfort. We…

When you start to like someone, it's easy to see only the good in them – I know I've done this multiple times. Of course, this is part of the magic of the honeymoon stage but, as we all know, that chapter ends eventually and reality kicks in. At some point we have to become more aware of someone's flaws – and they of ours. But before that stage, it's key not to over-praise our latest matches. I get why people do it – after all, dating is beyond tough and over the past decade I've seen and experienced shocking behaviour and, sadly, it's on the rise. I'm talking ghosting. So when someone treats us properly and as if we're actually a human being, it's tempting to think, “Wow, what…

COLLECT RAIN! You don't need to buy a water butt to collect rainwater for your plants, just let it collect in a bucket or wheel barrow. You can use it to wash your car too. USE A WATERING CAN When you water plants with a hose, it gushes out fast and you lose lots, whereas the gentle flow of a watering can wastes less. TIME IT RIGHT Don't water plants in the middle of the day when the sun will evaporate lots of the mositure, instead tend to them in the morning or after the sun has gone down. DON'T OVER DO IT When watering potted plants and hanging baskets, stop when water starts to flow through the bottom. TRY THIS TRICK! Try Water Saving Gel Swell Gel, it apparently…

SADDLE UP This looks like the iconic Dior saddle bag, minus the four-figure price tag. EGO, £30 LADYLIKE TEXTURE Tweed will always remind us of the Chanel catwalk. ACCESSORIZE, £27 BIG ENOUGH TO FIT A LAPTOP DREAMY CARRY-ALL H&M's carry-everything tote is so similar to the dreamy Dior style. H&M, £24.99 CELEB APPROVED Gigi Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski have worn the Miu Miu version. MANGO, £32.99 ALSO COMES IN HOT PINK BEACH PLEASE This crochet Prada lookalike will make you want to head to the beach. H&M, £17.99 SHIMMER & SHINE Everyone will be fooled into thinking this is vintage Fendi. H&M, £24.99 WEAR IN THE CITY OR ON THE BEACH SUMMER STAPLE The cult Loewe summer basket bag has a high street doppelgänger. MARKS & SPENCER, £39.50 PRETTY IN…

Closer Tv TV WEEK: 13-19 MAY 1 THE BRITISH ACADEMY TELEVISION AWARDS 2023 ANNUAL STARRY BASH SUN 14 MAY, 7PM, BBC1 Hosted by comedian pals Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan, gongs will be handed out to the cream of British TV talent – with Clara Amfo and Michelle Visage on red-carpet duty. “I'm so happy to be back in my favourite place to celebrate the biggest night in British TV!” says the ledge that is Ms Visage. Meera Syal will be honoured with a BAFTA Fellowship, with the very best of 2022 TV being celebrated. Dramas including This Is Going To Hurt, The Responder and The Crown are nominated, with a starry audience looking on. FACTFILE Follow @BAFTA on Fact-book, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Twitter to get all of the latest…

IF IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK Take every opportunity that's available for you to move beyond your comfort zone this year. If you do, you'll be amazed by what will open up for you! That's your cosmic invitation – try something new, even if you're uncertain of where it may lead. TAURUS 20 APR-20 MAY Old ways of thinking won't open new doors. It's a challenge, I know. However, with Mercury retrograde in your sign, you need to be thinking differently if you want to grow and progress. I Pray for miracles, because when you do, they happen! Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope…

In 2002, Kym married EastEnders heartthrob Jack Ryder. The loved-up pair first met in a BBC canteen, whilst Kym was appearing on Top Of The Pops and Jack was starring as Jamie Mitchell in the TV soap. The couple tied the knot in 2002, but announced six years later that they were going their separate ways. In a fiery end to their romance, Kym sensationally admitted to cheating on Jack in their divorce papers. After her divorce from Jack was finalised in 2009, Kym began dating Hollyoaks bad boy Jamie Lomas, later that year. Within 12 months, Kym fell pregnant – but after going into labour at just 21 weeks, the couple tragically lost their baby son Archie. The couple later welcomed daughter Polly, 12, tying the knot the following…

She's been the golden girl of TV for over a decade, and Holly Willoughby only has to post a social media snap of the outfits she wears on This Morning for fans to rush to emulate her girl-next-door look. But a source says that while Holly, 42, has become a style icon for her cinched-in waists and floaty, floral dresses, she's been forced into rethinking her “mumsy” style amidst the ongoing turmoil at This Morning. An insider says, “Holly is still at a crossroads in her career, with the future of presenters at This Morning being uncertain – and it's making her weigh everything up. “She's only in her early 40s and feels that she's spent most of her 30s being this goodytwoshoes on the sofa with Phil, and it's…

Photographer Jourdan Kehr, 29, has been married to her 31-year-old mechanic husband for eight years, and they have two children together. She says, “Eight months ago, I felt uneasy about my relationship, so I went through my husband's phone – and discovered an X-rated video on there. “I was absolutely devastated that he'd been living a double life. It was an enormous betrayal as we'd discussed watching porn regularly and both agreed it was a form of cheating. “And yet it turned out he'd been watching it throughout our marriage on a daily basis. It explains some of his behaviour that I found difficult, such as making crass remarks about my body – I now realise he was comparing me to women he'd seen when watching porn, which was really…

Nasrin Corfield Smith had her first cosmetic surgery when she was just 18 – a boob job that took her from B cup to a DD. Over the following years in her quest for the perfect look she had had two more boob jobs, two nose jobs, two browlifts and eye surgery, along with fillers and Botox. Then in September last year, after her friend got bum implants, she decided to have surgery too – but it almost cost her life. INSECURE Student nurse Nasrin, 37, who lives in London, with her boyfriend Edward, 42, a business coach, explains, “I'd always wanted a huge derriere – I had quite a big one naturally anyway, but I wanted it to be noticeably larger, like Kim Kardashian's. “But it was the worst…

While Gwyneth Paltrow's “conscious uncoupling” with Chris Martin dominated headlines in 2015, the A-list actress also boasts two other very famous exes. At 24, she and Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt, then 33, met on the set of their film Seven – which she described as “love at first sight”. The couple were engaged but split three years later in 1997. Gwyneth moved on with actor Ben Affleck, who she dated for three years before he moved on with Jennifer Lopez – who he split with in 2004 before the pair reunited and wed last year. Now, over two decades on, fans were left gob-smacked when Gwyneth, 50, opened up about her sex life with Ben, 50, and Brad, 59 – even comparing the actors’ bedroom skills. Asked on the Call…

Wearing thighhigh cowboy boots, pink hot pants and a crop top, Lou Featherstone happily poses and pouts for the camera, before posting the shot to her 64,000 Instagram followers. Lou, 52, describes herself as an “accidental middle-aged influencer” – and she posts candid, sex-positive content about rediscovering her zest for life post-menopause. She travels round the UK and America, holding events to encourage women to love themselves. Lou, who's single and lives in London, says, “It's my mission to spread the message that menopause and ageing are not all doom and gloom. Midlife doesn't have to be awful. It can be empowering. “Your kids are grown up, your periods have stopped and you no longer have to live for everyone else. We need to talk about it more, so women…

GO VEGAN WHIP UP THIS DAIRY-FREE DESSERT FOR A TASTY TREAT CHOCOLATE PANCAKE STACK MAKES 5 ● 125g porridge oats ● 3 ripe bananas ● 35g cacao powder ● 250ml almond milk ● 2 tbsp maple syrup ● 120g cashew butter ● 2 tbsp coconut oil, for frying ● Fresh berries, to serve FOR THE SAUCE: ● 1 tbsp coconut oil ● 60ml almond milk ● 2 tbsp cacao power ● 2 tbsp cashew butter ● 2 tbsp maple syrup STEP 1 For the pancakes, whizz the oats in a blender for 1 min, until they become flour. Add the other ingredients except the oil and berries, and whiz again to form a thick batter. STEP 2 Pop 1 tbsp oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Once melted,…

COOKERY AUTHOR MELISSA HEMSLEY, 37, ON HOW SHE LOOKS AFTER HER BODY AND MIND I AVOID LONG PERIODS OF SITTING… While I'm on a work call, I'll get off my chair and hold a squat for five minutes to reset my posture. If I'm working, I'll set an alarm and work for 45 minutes, then get up and make myself a cup of herbal tea. BEING KIND LIFTS YOU… My whole family has grown up with the ethos of helping others. If someone moved to the area, we'd take them an extra portion of our dinner, or bake banana bread to welcome them. I often do charitable endeavours from a moral perspective, but it's also beneficial for my mental health, and it's also scientifically proven to combat stress and improve…

AFFORDABLE TREATS! GET HER LOOK KATIE HOLMES, 44 The American actress is always providing us with the best everyday outfit inspiration, and this might be one of our favourites. Katie takes the current denim trend to new heights with a bleached option and perfectly pairs it with a soft grey knit – a staple piece that'll take you through the seasons. IN THE NEWS… STACEY SOLOMON X PRIMARK KIDS SS23 Summer is almost here and if you need to kit out the little ones, look no further than this new collection from Stacey Solomon and Primark. The kids’ range is purse-friendly with prices starting from £5, and features printed playsuits, cute co-ords and poolside faves. Available from newborn to age 12, your brood will be looking stylish without breaking the…

1 MY FAVOURITE PRODUCT FROM THE RANGE IS… The Diamond Kiss Lip Oil, because it's just like a gloss. It also conditions and the weather is up and down, so it's a good thing to keep in your handbag. 2 I COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT… My It's Magic Brow & Lash Serum – there's no double-ended product like this on the market. A good tip is to use this, then apply mascara for a double lift. 3 MY SKINCARE REGIME CONSISTS OF… Cleansing, toning and moisturising – I've been doing it since I was 12. Glycolic Acid wipes are amazing for when I do Britain's Got Talent, they're the best to refresh the surface. 4 MY GO-TO MAKE-UP LOOK IS… A heavy eye, as mine are quite small. I go for…

FAYE MARSAY, 36 Faye plays housewife Annie. She says: “Michelle is a beautiful, positive soul and a joy to be around. There's a commonality between us Northerners. I think audiences will feel a sense of nostalgia, and they'll get an education about a period of history not many of us really know about.” WARREN BROWN, 44 Warren's character Terry is traumatised from the experiences of World War II. He says, “He uses alcohol to numb the pain, and this leads to a tumultuous home life.” Challenges on set? “It was meant to be the heat of summer, but it was p*****g it down.”…

She has become renowned for sharing insights into her busy family life at Pickle Cottage, where she's often rushed off her feet looking after her five children. But Stacey Solomon uncharacteristically let her hair down last week, as she partied the night away with best friend Sophie Hinchliffe – better known under her cleaning influencer moniker “Mrs Hinch” – plus sister Jemma and pals. Stacey documented the fun on her Instagram Story, joking with fans to “pray” for her husband Joe Swash the day after as she partied at a drag brunch. “Somehow I've ended up back out again. This hasn't happened since I was about 17. I'm a 5pm home girl!” she wrote. OFF THE RAILS Clad in thigh-high boots, the mum of five, 33, was captured by Mrs…

NEWS She has been keeping a low profile, taking a step back from the limelight to stay at the Californian mansion she shares with Prince Harry amid the build-up to the Coronation celebrations. But now Meghan Markle is said to be desperate to make her mark on Hollywood again now that the celebrations are over. Earlier this month it was revealed that she had recruited top Hollywood agency WME, who represent Serena Williams and singer Adele, to help her achieve her goal. SCANDALOUS In recent months, Meghan, 41, has appeared to have been frozen out by some of her Hollywood friends while her feud with the royals rumbles on. While she and Harry, 38, bowled over their Montecito neighbours when they first arrived in the glitzy neighbourhood, their bitter royal…

She opened up recently about the anguish caused by continual speculation over when she'll have a baby with reality star husband Mark Wright. And now insiders tell Closer that Michelle Keegan has been pushed to the edge by renewed speculation. Baby talk has plagued the couple since they married eight years ago, but it was recently triggered again when Mark shared a photo of himself and Michelle with their newborn nephew last month. Fans flooded the comments – with some bluntly demanding to know when the couple were going to start a family. And a source reveals it's left Michelle feeling more frustrated than ever. DESPERATE “The conversation about them having a baby has gone into overdrive again,” the source says. “And there's so much baby talk right now in…

She's reportedly loved-up with her Dancing On Ice costar Brendyn Hatfield – but Rachel Stevens has been embroiled in a scandal after her ex Jeremy Edwards suggested she cheated on him while they were together. Jeremy, 52, and S Club 7 star Rachel, 45, dated in the early 2000s, getting engaged in 2002. But they called off their engagement the following year. Now Jeremy has suggested that she cheated on him by getting together with her now ex-husband Alex Bourne while they were still together – something she has furiously denied. FRUSTRATED He said, “Since the story came out, it's brought all this up again and I've thought about it more. I've thought about our relationship, and I think she did have a fling. I'd never have had her doing…

When Rebekka Blue neatly packages up a parcel of her latest sale, she smiles at the thought of providing an increasingly popular service for yet another happy customer. But the entrepreneur isn't posting old clothes or homemade jewellery – she sells peculiar items that, for most people, would simply end up in the bin. The 29-year-old makes an average of £2,000 a month by selling unusual commodities, such as her dirty bathwater, saliva and dust from her vacuum. In one particularly busy month, she managed to rake in a whopping £8,000. Rebekka, says, “People might think it's crazy, but I'm selling hope, joy and love to people in a safe environment. I've been doing this for 10 years, so it's normal to me. I find it empowering to make money…

TV presenter Melanie Sykes has opened up about her sex life, saying that despite her high sex drive, she's been celibate for a year. Mel, 52 said on The Shift with Sam Baker podcast last week, “I've always had a high libido. Because I wanted to have sex with someone, I would. But it wasn't good for me. After a year I was so much more understanding of myself and had more respect for myself. I won't lay with anyone that isn't my equal ever again.” Mel has dated a string of younger men in recent years, and on the podcast she went on to defend her choice, previously saying, “It got to a point where I had a few boyfriends on the bounce that were 27. So what? I…

When she hit our screens marrying a stranger on last year's Married At First Sight UK, Sophie Brown had hoped to meet the love of her life. Sadly, her marriage didn't work out, and she's also struggled with the cruel side of fame and has been the victim of nasty body shaming. Sophie – who married carpenter Johnathan Wileman on the show – was left devastated when cruel trolls tore into her and commented on her weight after she was papped out in Manchester. CRUEL COMMENTS “My heart dropped when I saw the pictures and the comments,” she explains. “The pictures are really unflattering, they were taken on a long lens. But it doesn't really matter whether the pictures are nice or not, it doesn't mean people can say what…

INSIDE JASMINE'S FRIDGE ● Vegan butter ● Houmous ● Avocado ● Vegan yoghurt ● Green olives ● Artichokes ● Tahini ● Lettuce ● Tomatoes ● Vegan cheese ● Courgette ● Rye bread ● Leek ● Vegan kebab meat ● Kale ● Smoked tofu ● Vegan mayo ● Bagels ● Spring onion ● Carrots ● Peppers ● Rocket ● Tomato purée ● Almond milk ● Oat milk JASMINE How much do you spend per week? Around £100. I'll do little top-ups online or at health shops to buy vegan foods. Describe your daily diet… For breakfast, I vary up porridge with protein powder, nuts and seeds, fresh fruit, or dried apricots. At the weekend, I'll have avocado on toast. For lunch, it's an open sandwich made with rye bread and houmous,…

RELATIONSHIPS DON'T TAKE THE COWARD'S WAY OUT ‘Delicate dumping’ is when you stop investing energy and emotion, hoping your friend or partner will call it off. Emma isn't a fan… Realising that a relationship has passed its sell-by date leaves you with some challenging choices to make. You know that you need to extricate yourself from the friendship or partnership, but you also worry about the inevitable fallout. This is what motivates so many people to try to make the person they are no longer interested in make the decision for them. It's called “delicate dumping” and involves withdrawing attention, avoiding contact, or being disagreeable around them. This is the coward's way out, and will leave the other person confused, hurt, or trying to spend more time with you to…

FASHION STYLE TIP: MAXI LENGTHS LONG LINES WILL STREAMLINE YOUR FIGURE, AND SILKY TEXTURES MAKE THIS SET LOOK MORE EXPENSIVE. STYLE TIP: SHORT & SWEET SLEEK SHORTS ARE A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO TAILORED TROUSERS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS…

CREATE AN OUTDOOR LOUNGE Our gardens are increasingly becoming an extension of our living space, and an outdoor rug will zone-off the seating area and can also disguise a weathered patio. For smaller gardens, opt for runners to help visually lengthen the area. ADD A POP OF COLOUR A coat of paint is an easy way to turn a tired patio or wall from shabby to chic. Green will add a calming vibe, blues will make a small space feel larger, while grey is a timeless look. LIGHT IT UP For a cosy feel, even after the sun has set, experiment with lanterns, portable LEDs and fairy lights. With the latter, drape them over trees and plants to help accentuate the area. What's more, adding a mirror will reflect light…

Another harrowing storyline is on the cards for Ben Mitchell. Trying to keep it together while Lola's health deteriorates, and struggling to cope with his rapist Lewis being arrested for a new crime, it's set to go downhill for the mechanic – played by Max Bowden – who will start to restrict food and develop an eating disorder. EastEnders is working with Beat to highlight how this serious mental illness affects men. FOLLOW OUR LIVE TWEETS OVER AT @CloserOnline…

What's the show about? Ten gay guys on a holiday of a lifetime, in their search for that perfect date. It is sexy and romantic, and these connections could lead them to their perfect partner. The first time they meet, they will kiss – then it's time to get to know that person and discover why they were paired up by the I Kissed A Boy team. It's different to other dating shows because…? It's the first-ever gay dating series in the UK! Calls for this type of show fell on deaf ears for far too long! The door is now wide open and the possibilities are there for inclusion. Why did you want to host? I've had the privilege of being involved with the LGBTQ+ community for many years.…

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.ucompetition-terms.html) are the prize draw rules (the “Rules”) that apply to each and every prize draw and/or competition of any nature included in Closer magazine (a “Prize Draw”) unless otherwise expressly stated in the Prize Draw Notice. By entering a Prize Draw, entrants agree to be bound by these Rules. 2. Each Prize Draw is organised by Closer magazine, part of H Bauer Publishing Limited of registered address Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA. In the event of a discrepancy between these…

9-15 MAY GEMINI 21 MAY-20 JUN Rearranging your thoughts and thinking differently can do wonders for seeing a problem in a new light. The beauty of being in a bit of a hermit phase right now is to help you rest and reflect, without distractions. Knowing what your desires are is the first step in realising them. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope CANCER 21 JUN-22 JUL You'll get to enjoy increased support and connection as Venus arrives in your sign this week. With magnetic Mars already in Cancer, your powers of attraction are super strong. Be assertive and others will step up and help. Just say the word and you'll be surprised by who obliges you. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope LEO 23 JUL-22 AUG Have you ever…

Oh, Toff. Imagine those poor birds in Chelsea having to tweet loudly to be heard over people braying: “DAHLING, LOOK AT THE SIZE OF MY PROPERTY PORTFOLIO” We had no idea there was a particular mood for food, Ali. We just pile our plates up when we're angry, happy, sad, overjoyed, nervous, etc… GRUMPY GRAM Fiddy might be a hard-as-nails rap legend but, like most alpha males, when he's down with the man-flu he always takes to his bed with his fluffy toys. Bless.…