Table of contents for Issue 1139 in Closer

Putting what has been described as ‘a year from hell’ behind them, the world watched on in tears earlier this month as Prince William and Kate Middleton, alongside their three children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six – stood reunited to poignantly celebrate individuals and organisations who care for others through difficult and often heartbreaking times. Taking centre stage at her Royal Carols: Together At Christmas service at Westminster Abbey was a glowing Kate, 42, who has bravely fought her own health battle after revealing her diagnosis of an undisclosed type of cancer in March. And now, as the royal family pull together more than ever, insiders say Prince William, who recently described this year as the ‘hardest’ of his life, is determined that the…

She’s been well and truly welcomed into the family fold, after arriving at her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s latest football game hand-in-hand with his mum, Donna – and the pair were in matching outfits. After getting the seal of approval from the sportsman’s parents and brother over Thanksgiving, friends say Taylor Swift, 34, is hoping for a New Year’s Eve proposal. A source says, ‘Thanksgiving was a really big deal for Taylor as it was the first time all their families met, which Taylor’s never done with any of her previous boyfriends. ‘There were lots of little comments hinting about a pending engagement, all of which filled Taylor with hope, and after Travis revealed he’s booked a surprise New Year’s getaway, it’s really got her hoping that he’s preparing to pop…

Paris Jackson – daughter of the late pop icon Michael – has announced her engagement to her bandmate Justin Long. Rumours of their engagement first began circulating back in October when Paris, 26, shared snaps to Instagram in which she wore a stunning 3-carat portrait-cut diamond ring. But it wasn’t until earlier this month that Paris – whose mum is Debbie Rowe – confirmed the news in a sweet birthday tribute to her fiancé, which included a shot of the music producer down on one knee, with lab diamond designer brand Jean Dousset tagged. The pair have reportedly been dating since 2022 – following Paris’ split from bandmate Gabriel Glenn in 2020 – after crossing paths in the music industry.…

It’s been quite a year for Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden. She hosted the Royal Variety Performance in November for the very first time, and she completed a lengthy 250-mile cycle from Cornwall to London to raise funds for Global’s Make Some Noise. Putting aside her professional success, 2024 was also the year of some major family milestones. This year, she and husband Chris Hughes, 51, sent their eldest daughter Lexi, 18, off to university and even welcomed a new member into their home – her adorable puppy, Minnie. So, as she tells Closer, a family Christmas has never been more important to her… How do you spend Christmas day? On Christmas, we’re super traditional. I’ll just be with my family, with my parents. We have everything that you…

Abbott Lyon x Stacey Solomon Abbott Lyon’s To The Moon And Back jewellery collection, created with Stacey Solomon, is here to add some extra shine to your holiday season. Inspired by the beauty of the night sky, the celestial-themed range features elegant designs with stars, moons and constellations. It’s the perfect way to bring a touch of glamour to your festive look, or to make a loved one’s Christmas extra special. SPARKLE THIS FESTIVE SEASON GET HER LOOK GIGI HADID Gigi was seen repping the rugby top trend, which she styled with a cropped brown leather jacket and a pair of high-waisted blue mom jeans. The model grounded her look with a dreamy striped socks and loafer combo. Steal her style with these high-street buys… COMFY & CHIC…

As our festive photo shoot with Charlotte Dawson and her two boys gets underway, her house is well and truly ready for the big day, with not one but three Christmas trees towering in her lounge, kitchen and bedroom, red garlands running down the bannister and a giant bauble display wrapped around her front door. Meanwhile indoors, three-year-old Noah is skidding across the hallway in-between the crew; 16-month-old Jude is fluttering his eyelashes at the glam team and, testament to her Northern roots, Charlotte is filling up on her beloved ‘chips and graveh’ before we get started. The 32-year-old star laughs, ‘You can’t beat it – this is just an average day in the Dawsy-Sarsy household!’ MUM GUILT And at six months pregnant with her third child, you could forgive…

SAY CHEESE These Cathedral City Our Cheddar & Chutney Mince Pies are a delicious alternative. Puff pastry with a pear and fig mincemeat – just warm in the oven for 10 minutes. Iceland £3/6. TIME FOR BUBBLES Crowned the best Champagne for Christmas 2024 by Good Housekeeping, Aldi’s new Veuve Monsigny Champagne Premier Cru Brut is delicious and well worth the extra pennies. Grab a bottle for Christmas Day! £21.99. SCRUBS UP WELL Elbow Grease’s Christmas cleaning products will bring some festive cheer to the big Christmas clear-up. The Snowman Scrub Mate (£1.49), Scrubbing Pads (£1.29) and washing up liquid (£1) will help with the stubborn grease and grime. From B&M.…

DANCE FOR DOPAMINE Kristina teaches at her dance academy every day, and she says it does wonders for her emotional wellbeing. ‘It’s an amazing way to boost your endorphins,’ she says. ‘Dancing makes you happy.’ Whether you’re busting some moves in your kitchen or hitting a club with your friends, try incorporating dance into your life. Not only has it been proven to reduce your levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, it also causes the brain to release dopamine, which is a natural mood booster. Kristina adds that dance is also a great way to strengthen your core and pelvic floor. She’s even worked with TENA to create a special routine, which includes both breathwork and exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor. FEEL PRIVILEGED TO AGE Kristina has admitted that…

KIMCHI TURKEY FRIED RICE (SERVES 2) Heat 2tsp vegetable oil in a large wok over a medium-high heat. Add two thinly-sliced spring onion whites, 10g grated ginger and two crushed garlic cloves to the pan and increase the heat to high. Stir fry for a minute, then add 100g shredded cabbage or other green veg. Cook until wilted, then stir in 1tbsp gochujang and 150g kimchi. Add 200g cooked and cooled jasmine rice and 150g shredded leftover turkey. Stir-fry for a few minutes, then add a tablespoon each of soy sauce, sesame oil and honey, and cook for another minute. Divide between two bowls. Fry two eggs and place one on top of each portion. Scatter with the spring onion greens to serve. SHREDDED SPROUT AND TURKEY CAESAR SALAD (SERVES…

PRUE: ‘Celebrities are never any good at baking!’ Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood on soap stars’ kitchen skills – and their plans for New Year’s Eve You’ve got some decent cooks on the show, but how was their baking? PRUE, 84: By and large, the celebrities are never any good at baking. They’re not there because they want to win Bake Off, they’re there because they love the show. PAUL, 58: You could tell Natalie had baked before, and Sheree was doing her best. Shobna was decent – she gave us some great bakes. The guys did quite well… well, Dean didn’t. [Laughs.] Dean struggled, bless him, but Chris did an amazing job. They had to make a festive soap showstopper… PAUL: Yeah, there were two Woolpacks and they weren’t bad.…

After an already difficult year, Holly Willoughby has suffered more heartache after her close friend Stephen Mulhern’s recent health scare. As well as worrying for her pal, we’re told Holly is now terrified she’ll have to host the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice without him. A source tells Closer, ‘Holly has told Stephen that he’s not alone and he’s far more important than a TV show. While she’s desperately worried about him, Holly doesn’t feel ready to go it alone – although, if it comes to that, she will. ITV bosses are having meetings to discuss Stephen’s future on the show.’ Incapable of staying off our TV screens for long, and despite a rough year, Holly is also back with You Bet! – a brand-new rebooted game show that…

Lauren LaRusso, 38, from Connecticut, is an infidelity specialist who offers ‘solution-focused consultation’ to individuals and couples who are struggling with cheating. Known as ‘The Affair Consultant’ she knows what it’s like to be cheated on. She says, ‘My husband and I had been married since I was 25, and our daughter was two when I discovered he was having an affair. I was devastated. That’s when my life took a really dramatic turn. I wanted to give our marriage another go, but we eventually split. I turned to therapy to try to understand and come to terms with what had happened. ‘During the process, I realised there is a niche for “affair therapy”. Not just for the betrayed spouse, but also for the affair partner and the adulterer. Some…

She’s had a roller-coaster year amid her shock split from Ben Affleck – less than two years after their lavish wedding following the showbiz reunion of the century. And while this Christmas will be a world away from last year’s festive season for J.Lo, 55 – when the loved-up star glowed as she and Ben, 52, hosted a star-studded holiday bash at their LA mansion – friends say she is determined not to let her fourth marriage breakdown destroy her chance of finding her happily ever after. INTENSE THERAPY A source tells us, ‘Jen’s been through hell over the last few months and has understandably been dreading the holiday season – especially given how much she and Ben loved Christmas and would go all-out to make it memorable for the…

Clad in grey loungewear complete with coordinating fluffy slippers, Katie Price is in high spirits when she arrives for Closer’s exclusive Christmas shoot at Holborn Studios. Unlike many celebs who would likely come flanked by an entourage, Katie, 46, has only brought along her boyfriend of almost a year, Married At First Sight star JJ Slater, 31, who happily sits back as she works the studio with ease. Despite the two-and-half-hour journey from her home in East Sussex, Katie is both animated and polite, greeting everyone with a hug and smile before ordering a cup of tea and scrambled egg on toast. When she later moves upstairs to get her make-up done by her trusted MUA, Steph, the conversation turns to the year gone by, where Katie allows herself to…

OLIVIA BOWEN Former Love Islander Olivia, 30, has turned her back on reality TV for a life in property investment – so it’s no wonder she’s a pro at making her house look sensational for Christmas. STACEY DOOLEY It’s a bow-tiful time of year for TV presenter Stacey. The 37-year-old will be enjoying the festive season alongside partner and former Strictly pro Kevin Clifton and their daughter, Minnie, who turns two in January. AMANDA HOLDEN BGT judge Amanda, 53, gave her followers a peek inside her fully-decorated home last week, and the TV star clearly has good taste. Her £7m Surrey mansion features not one, but two towering firs. KATIE PRICE Former glamour model Katie, 46, showed off the silver tree which she put up in November. This is one…

Over a year after welcoming daughter Elsie, Jack Whitehall and Roxy Horner have sparked engagement rumours. Last week, the model, 33, was seen sporting a huge diamond ring on her left hand as the family of three enjoyed a trip to London Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. The couple first met in early 2020 while Jack, 36, was in Roxy’s home country of Australia. Their relationship progressed quickly, and she moved into the comedian’s Notting Hill home during lockdown. In May 2023, they announced that Roxy – who has previously been linked to singer Jake Bugg and actor Leonardo DiCaprio – was pregnant with their first child, who was born in September.…

When Andrea Ivanova first got lip fillers in her early twenties, she loved her perfect pout. But within months, she wanted more. And as far as she was concerned, the bigger, the better… Now, Andrea, 26, has undergone 43 different procedures – and spent a whopping £20,000 on altering her looks. To help her capitalise on her unique image, last year she held a Christmas auction, with the lucky winner having the chance to kiss her lips, which have won the accolade of biggest in the world. Despite receiving backlash for her extreme transformation, Andrea says, ‘Everyone has the right to look the way they want to, and not be judged. There is room in this world for everyone.’ TWEAKMENTS Ever since she was a young girl, Andrea had always…

PEARL PERFECTION Channel quiet luxury with these pearl-inspired studs, which feature a gold-toned ridge for a timeless touch. BOW-TIFUL TOUCH Bows are big news this season. These earrings will look great with a slick up-do and a red lip. SHINE BRIGHT Inject some sparkle into your LBD or evening look, courtesy of H&M’s metallic pendant earrings. TWINKLE TIME Looking for an elegant finishing touch? Look no further than sparkly diamante drop earrings. GO GREEN Add a pop of colour to your ensemble with M&S’ glass drop earrings, which give a subtle nod to the ’80s. EYE-CATCHING EMERALD Add drama to your festive jewellery box with these emerald-toned beauties. DIAMANTE DRAMA If you’re wanting to jazz up your festive outfit, then these oval drop earrings are a real showstopper. BLOOM-ING LOVELY…

MOVEMENT IS MY THERAPY… It keeps me grounded and clears my mind. Whether it’s a walk, a workout or stretching, staying active is essential for my mental health. IRON SUPPLEMENTS ARE A GAME-CHANGER… When I have heavy periods, I often feel drained and exhausted, so I take an iron supplement to keep my energy levels up. Good nutrition is also a nonnegotiable. I’m not a big drinker, but I love food. Oily fish is a staple in my diet because it supports my joints and helps replenish collagen. SLEEP IS SACRED… Every night, I take two magnesium glycinate supplements to help me wind down. I avoid blue light, set my bedroom to a cool temperature and practise deep breathing. Before I fall asleep, I reflect on the things I’m thankful…

Where do you do your Christmas shop? I get it all from M&S. I do a big pre-order in November and spend at least £350. What do you eat on the day itself? We wake up and have a glass of Champagne, and I’ll lay on sausage or bacon sandwiches for breakfast. While the kids are playing with their presents, I start prepping. Michael [O’Neill, her husband] will help if I need him to, but I like to be in charge and serve dinner around 2pm. For starters, I lay out party food from M&S, the kids love the little samosas, pigs in blankets, mini quiches and chicken lollipops – it’s all handy for when people arrive. For Christmas lunch, I’ll do a leg of lamb as well as turkey,…

DR CHRISTIAN GIVES HIS TAKE ON THE HOT HEALTH TOPIC OF THE WEEK According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, people are now ‘substantially more likely’ to suffer a serious accident than they were 20 years ago. Accidents are now the top cause of preventable death for people under 40, and more than half of those accidents are happening in the home. At Christmas, everything from decorations to cold weather and food can present risks, so here’s what you need to know to stay safe. TREAT SOMEONE AFTER A FALL The report found that almost half (46%) of accidental deaths resulted from falls – and at Christmas there are plenty of ways to lose your footing. If someone topples off a chair putting up decorations, first check…

ADD DRAMA TO YOUR SITTING ROOM WITH A CHIC GILDED SCHEME KEEP IT CLASSIC WITH SOME ELEGANT PLANT POTS AND FRESH WINTER BULBS WIRED GOLD WALL ART MAKES A FABULOUS KEY HOOK…

• GET ONE THAT LASTS Theatre tokens don’t run out; Ikea gift cards don’t have an expiry date and National Book Tokens last eight years. • READ TERMS AND CONDITIONS For example, John Lewis gift cards can’t be used on waitrosegarden.com, and neither Sainsbury’s nor Asda gift cards can be used online. Meanwhile, Molton Brown gift cards can’t be redeemed in department stores. • CHECK LOCATIONS For experiences, check the recipient can easily reach the necessary location and that there aren’t too many restrictions – such as afternoon tea that can only be redeemed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. • PICK A SAFE BET Google how a company is doing – if it seems like it could go bust, you’ll lose all your money • MAKE YOUR OWN With a thoughtful…

17 - 30 DECEMBER THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN SAGITTARIUS 22 NOV - 21 DEC You know what they say about the more you know, the further you’ll go? This is the long-range forecast you’re adapting to. This week, though, take heed of the various sources of information you get. The key to your future is in the wisdom others offer. Visit Yasminboland.com for your daily horoscope CAPRICORN 22 DEC - 19 JAN The lightness you’ve been feeling for a while now is probably still taking some getting used to. That will become easier this week as the Sun arrives in your sign. For the first time in a long time, you can truly just be you! Bask in celebration of just how far you’ve come. Visit Yasminboland.com for your…

GRUMPY GRAM You’d think being a multimillionaire pop icon would be enough to bring Katy joy this yule… but no. For the love of God will someone get her a bigger tree, we can’t bear thinking about her suffering like this!…

She may have been pipped to the Queen of the Jungle title, but Coleen Rooney’s journey on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! has still proven to be a triumph. Winning over the public with her sweet personality and maternal, caring nature, Coleen, 38, reached the final on the reality show, where she narrowly lost out on the top spot to McFly’s Danny Jones. TV BATTLE But insiders tell Closer that it’s the WAG who will be the big winner in the long run, as different networks and streaming services are already battling it out to secure her next big TV project. A source reveals, ‘Coleen is at the centre of a huge bidding war between all the networks and streaming services who are desperate to sign her…

This Morning’s Alison Hammond has had a major change this year – and despite rumours, it isn’t a facelift! A source tells Closer that Alison, 49, is feeling amazing, and contrary to the rumblings that she’s had surgical help, it’s mainly because of one man. A source tells Closer, ‘She’s never felt more confident in herself than she does right now — especially with her body and how she looks. People are even asking her if she’s had a facelift because she looks like she’s turned back the clock!’ Alison – who is mum to 19-year-old Aiden from a previous relationship with cab driver Noureddine Boufaied – doesn’t credit any surgeon with her newfound self-assurance. Instead, she chalks it up to her toyboy boyfriend, David Putman. The source continues, ‘She…

They’ve been close friends since the mid-’90s, with Jennifer Aniston and Sandra Bullock being each other’s rocks during heartbreak in their personal lives. And friends say the single BFFs are now supporting each other in their joint mission to find love again after making a festive dating pact. Jen, 55, has been single since the breakdown of her second marriage to Justin Theroux in 2017, while Sandra, 60, tragically lost her long-term boyfriend Bryan Randall last August, following a three-year battle with motor neurone disease (ALS) aged 57. A source says, ‘After all the heartache and grief Sandra has endured, she’s finally ready to dip her toe back in the dating pool again, and knowing how much Jen is longing to meet someone too, she suggested they join forces and…

After a rocky four-year relationship, Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly are reportedly over, with a source claiming, ‘They broke up in late November. They were trying to make it work again after the pregnancy, but they are both too hotheaded and fell back into their constant fighting. They can’t get on the same page and it’s not easy for them being together.’ Following their meeting on the set of Midnight In The Switchgrass in 2020, mum-of-three Megan, 38, and MGK, 34, got engaged in January 2022 and last month announced that they are expecting a child.…

EYE-CONIC SHADOWS This palette might be purse-friendly, but with luxe mattes, shimmers and metallics, plus a creamy, rich foil-effect shadow in the centre, you get plenty of bang for your buck. BEAUTIFUL BASE A real handbag hero, this multi-tasking kit contains bronzer, highlighter and blusher so you can ace your base with minimal products. Use together for a glowy flush of colour, or separately. PUCKER UP Is there anything more festive than a glittery rouge lip? We think not. Perfect your pout with a sparkly gloss that contains passionfruit oil to deliver supreme shine and a sumptuously soft, silky finish. FLUTTER WORTHY The step you should never skip for a glam make-up look is mascara. As well as being a total bargain, this 17. mascara adds length and volume and…

She shot to fame on TOWIE in 2010 – the hit show known for its fake tans, false eyelashes and backcombed hair, and as Lauren Goodger gets glammed up during our festive photo shoot, she admits her three-year-old daughter Larose is the real beauty queen in the house. ‘I’ve had to buy so much make-up for Larose this Christmas,’ she laughs. ‘She is so girly, and my mini-me! I’ve bought her eye shadows, lip-gloss, a blusher and even a nail kit machine with stick-on gel nails and mini diamonds. When I do my face, she says, “Mummy, I want the make-up!” I’ve got a lock on my dressing room to stop her from going in there. One day she came out wearing my Louboutins – she’s definitely her mother’s daughter!’…

‘Whether you’re vegan or not, this rich and decadent tart is a totally delicious end to any festive meal.’ SARAH ROSSI’S VEGAN BLACK FOREST TART STEP 1 Remove the cherries from the freezer and set aside to defrost while you make the tart base. STEP 2 Line the base of a 25cm loose-bottomed flan tin (5.5cm deep) with baking paper. Combine the crushed biscuits with the melted spread and press into the tin, then chill in the fridge for 1hr. STEP 3 Put the chopped chocolate in a large heatproof bowl. Warm the coconut milk and sugar in a pan, and cook for 5min, whisking, until smooth. Pour the coconut milk over the chopped chocolate and leave to stand for 5min, then mix well to until the chocolate has melted.…

If you tend to get stressed out preparing the Christmas lunch, you might want to get some noise-cancelling headphones and download some nature sounds to listen to as you chop, stir and roast. New research has found that natural sounds, such as birdsong, can lower blood pressure, heart and breathing rates, and soothe stress and anxiety. Sounds like traffic, on the other hand, have negative effects on our wellbeing. When people listened to a natural soundscape, as well as reducing stress and anxiety levels, it also enhanced mood recovery after a stressor (think another person coming in the kitchen and asking when lunch will be ready!), but traffic noise can mask those positive impacts, so make sure your headphones are noise-cancelling so you can get lost in nature. Try the…

Guilty of scraping food into the bin on Christmas Day? It’s time to stop, and instead use your leftovers for different dishes in the days after the 25th. ‘Things can actually taste better,’ says Emily Gussin, recipe writer and author of Don’t Waste Your Turkey (Murdoch books £8.99). ‘Christmas dinner is usually quite set, but making a meal out of leftovers is creative and you can have some fun.’ ELEVATE YOUR SANDWICHES You might have ideas for the turkey, but there’s plenty you can do with the trimmings too. ‘Think outside the box,’ says Gussin. ‘Leftovers, such as a Brussels sprout gratin or cauliflower cheese, accompany gammon as an epic cheesy toastie. Braised red cabbage is also fantastic in sandwiches. In America, they dunk burgers in gravy. So why not…

1. These terms and conditions together with any specific rules displayed or referred to on the relevant page of Closer magazine in respect of a prize draw or competition (a “Prize Draw Notice”) and H Bauer Publishing’s General Terms and Conditions (available online at http://www.bauerlegal.co.uk/competition-terms.html) are the prize draw rules (the “Rules”) that apply to each and every prize draw and/or 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…