Table of contents for 12 April 2016 in Closer

When her marriage to George Kay ended amid allegations of assault, many expected Kerry Katona’s life to unravel. In typical Kerry style, however, she seemed to bounce back, dropping two dress sizes on a health kick while keeping her smile in place. Now she’s under yet more scrutiny due to a leaked video of her boozy antics, and claims linking her to a convicted murderer. If we’ve learned anything about Kerry, it’s that we should never underestimate her ability to find the positives and rise above the negatives – she’s the queen of comebacks.…

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini caused shockwaves last week after announcing she was sensationally quitting as a judge on The X Factor . The star, who came under the spotlight during the last series of the TV show for her dramatic weight loss, and subsequent split from second husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini, said she was stepping down to focus on her music career. But sources close to Cheryl, 32, say that while she decided to sacrifice her lucrative role on The X Factor to work on her new album, she has also hinted she would love to start a family with her boyfriend, One Direction star Liam Payne, soon. FAMILY HOPES Cheryl has been hibernating in LA with Liam, 22, for the past month while recording her new album and recently told pals she…

YOU SAY “Kerry just jumps from one car crash to another. I have no idea how she comes out smiling every time, but she does!” Kat, via Facebook “People should just let Kerry be. It’s not a big deal that she had a few too many on holiday – we’ve all been there !” Reanna, via Facebook “When will Kerry learn? I just hope the next man she ends up with is a good guy.” Louise, via Facebook She’s spent the past four months working tirelessly to turn her image around, and slimmed down from a size 14 to a 10 as she picked up the pieces following the collapse of her turbulent 13-month marriage to George Kay, who she split from in October after he allegedly assaulted her. But…

Tess Daly put on a united front with husband Vernon Kay at a friend’s birthday party last week, just days after he was accused of messaging Page 3 model Rhian Sugden and trying to arrange a secret hotel tryst. But despite their public solidarity, sources close to Tess, 46, have revealed that behind closed doors, she isn’t letting Vernon, 41, off lightly and has devised a list of rules for her husband of 12 years. A source says: “Tess may have plastered a smile on her face for the party, but in private she was seething. She’s laid down a list of rules for Vernon to abide by, which include him giving her all of his passwords so she can keep track of what he’s doing until she can trust…

Jenny Paul, 39, a writer from Bristol, longed to be a boy from a young age but grew out of it and believes kids shouldn’t worry about their gender until after puberty. She says: “I remember wanting to be a boy from as young as five. I’d watch my older brother David on his motorbike getting muddy and wanted to be doing that too. “I wasn’t like other girls my age. I gave my dolls a crew cut and dressed them in Action Man army outfits. I laughed at my girlie younger sister, Angie, who loved pink and make-up. “As I grew up I dressed, looked and acted like a boy. I had no interest in make-up and preferred having my hair short. I hated puberty and found having periods…

She’s just announced her divorce from third husband Will Kopelman, and now sources close to Drew Barrymore reveal she’s vowed to never wed again, insisting she’s not cut out for marriage. Drew, 41 – who was previously married to bar owner Jeremy Thomas for two months in 1994 and MTV host Tom Green for five months in 2001 – is mum to Olive, three, and Frankie, 23 months, with art consultant Will. And last week she confirmed the failure of her third marriage in a statement that read: “Sadly our family is separating legally, although we do not feel this takes away from us being a family. Divorce might make one feel like a failure, but eventually you start to find grace in the idea that life goes on. “Our…

Harry Styles and Chelsea Handler have denied they’re anything more than friends, despite reports of a flirty night last year at a party. However, sources close to the 1D Lothario have told Closer that Harry, 22, wanted a fling with the 41-year-old chat show host but was rejected by her, due to their 19-year age gap. A source says: “Harry’s always had a soft spot for Chelsea and thinks she’s really sexy and looks great for her age. He admitted that he tried it on with her and would have loved a night of passion with Chelsea but she said he was too young. “They laughed it off and Chelsea joked that it was the best confidence boost she’d ever had and would forever thank Harry for her sky-high self-esteem!…

With a combined height of just over 5ft 10, Paulo Da Silva Barros and Katyucia Rochedo are one of the smallest couples in the world. And although life may not be easy when you’re only 2ft 11 tall, the tiny couple – who’ve just got engaged – refuse to let their small stature stop them living their lives. Katyucia, from Brazil, says: “We’re like any other couple – except we’re smaller. People point and stare at us, whisper and even laugh openly – you can’t escape it – but it doesn’t bother us. I was bullied as a child and learnt to deal with it.” FIRST LOVES Paulo, 30, has diastrophic dysplasia dwarfism – which affects cartilage and bone development – but drives a specially adapted car and works as…

Presenter Amanda Holden again sparked speculation over whether she’s had surgery after an appearance on TV show Lorraine last week. One fan wrote on Twitter: “Amanda needs to lay off the lip Botox – can’t get her words out properly!” Another Tweeted: “What has happened to @ AmandaHolden’s face? She looks like a waxwork.” Now cosmetic expert Dr Richard Marques tells Closer he thinks Amanda is having Botox treatment and lip fillers. Dr Richard says: “Amanda has a distinct line across her forehead – this happens when Botox begins to wear off. In my opinion, she probably had Botox three to six months ago. “Her bottom lip also looks as though it has a rubbery texture to it, and her Cupid’s bow appears undefined, suggesting she may have had lip…

According to new stats, one in five British women aged 45 are childless – nearly double the amount of previous generations. But even though it’s increasingly common to be child-free, either by choice or circumstance, women over a certain age – including celebs – often feel forced into justifying their decision not to have a family. A-lister Jennifer Aniston, 47, has said: “I don’t like [the pressure] that people put on me, on women, that you’ve failed yourself as a female because you haven’t procreated. I don’t think it’s fair.” So why do women feel this kind of pressure? And can you be childless and happy? Two writers have their say……

Her incredible strength and courage has inspired us all, but while Katie Piper may seem invincible, she confides to Closer that she’s turned to therapy to overcome the emotional impact of her life-changing injuries. Model and TV presenter Katie, 32, suffered horrific scarring after she was attacked with industrial strength sulphuric acid in 2008 by an accomplice of her ex-boyfriend, Danny Lynch. She was left blind in one eye and endured more than 40 operations, with treatment still ongoing. Despite her ordeal, Katie is determined to focus on the positives in her life – like her two-year-old daughter Belle, her husband Richard Sutton and The Katie Piper Foundation, which she set up to help burns survivors. But she admits there are still some days she struggles to cope. She says:…

IN THE NEWS MANGO’S MUST-HAVES The style team at Closer HQ all have different fashion obsessions, but the current range from Mango has caught everyone’s attention, mainly because it has everything we need for this season! From preppy tailoring and floaty skirts to sporty stripes and playful prints, we’re hugely impressed with what’s in store, and the best bit is that most of our faves come in at under £35. It’s not just the clothes, either – the accessories are just as on-point, with daytime and playtime options for barg-tastic prices. You’ll be just as impressed as we all are… Go, go, go! CATWALK TO SIDEWALK Had a posh invite in the post? Solve your “what to wear” dilemma by stealing Downton Abbey star Laura Carmichael’s Olivier Awards style thunder…

THE MOVES Tamzin, 45, admits she’s stopped obsessing over her weight as she’s grown older. She says: “I’m never going to land myself a role playing a size 8 model so there’s no point me dwelling on it.” However, the size 10 star admits exercise puts her in a good mood and helps her sleep better, so she spends a few hours a week doing hot yoga classes. THE FOODS The mum-of-two says she loathes stars who spend their lives on a “continuous diet” so she just tries to eat healthy and balanced meals. Breakfast is porridge and a glass of cherry juice, while lunch is chicken noodle soup and dinner is a jerk chicken salad. She snacks on crackers and houmous, but enjoys her treats, too. “I love all…

Juggling a job, social life and relationship is challenging; throw planning the biggest day of your life into the mix and the pressure can really get to you. Whether it’s family politics about who should be invited, or coping with a friend who feels let down because she isn’t a bridesmaid, your perfect day can soon become a major headache. But you can avoid wedding woes – here’s how… GET WED, NOT STRESSED! • YOUR WEDDING, YOUR WAY Others may have expectations on the venue, guest list or dress, but getting married is about you and your man. Stick to your vision. • DON’T COMPETE It’s the atmosphere that counts and that comes from the people you invite and the fun you create. • DODGE DEBT Stick to your budget.…

IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK A great year for you when it comes to love and romance. Also, it could be wonderful, spiritually-speaking. Issues related to home and family could be looming large this year, too – make sorting them out your priority. It could be a year of big changes! THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN ARIES 21 MAR - 20 APR Trouble at home or with family could mean you're not quite sure about how best to proceed right now. Seek out a balance between doing what you want to do for yourself versus attending to the needs of the people in your personal life. Yasmin has a message for you – call 0906 7511 677* TAURUS 21 APR-21 MAY This week is about what you want deep…

“I was surprised to hear Cheryl had quit – but also relieved. She has a sparkling new relationship and probably wants to try to avoid the scrutiny that comes with being on the show. She’s had a tough time with her marriage break-up and I’m sure right now she just wants to do what makes her happy. Being on the show is hard. When Cheryl mentored me in 2014, I could see how much of a support JB was. They were always together and he seemed in awe of her – I don’t know how she coped last year without that. She doesn’t need The X Factor any more – she’s got her music career and is having a fabulous time with Liam. I’m sure she’d rather be making music…

SIMON: ‘I can’t bear David’s ego!’ Reports surfaced recently that Simon Cowell, 56, hadn’t been getting on with his co-star David Walliams, and the media mogul has revealed that the comedian’s “ego” is a problem. Speaking on a video message to the BGT launch, Simon jokes: “I couldn’t be there in the UK for the launch of the series because I can’t bear David’s ego!” He adds: “The most dangerous act ever is going to be on the show this year. In 10 years, it’s the best series we’ve ever made.” AMANDA: ‘Simon wants me & Alesha to fall out!’ Amanda Holden, 45, says: “Simon loves playing practical jokes. He told me to ask a woman auditioning when her baby was due, but the woman wasn’t pregnant, then Simon told…

Soon-to-be divorced couple Jennifer Garner, 43, and Ben Affleck are preparing to make a temporary move to the UK together later this year, but sources tell Closer how Jen is adamant they live apart during their stay. The Hollywood actors, who separated last year after 10 years of marriage, are set to move to England with their three children – Violet, 10, Seraphina, seven, and Samuel, four – so that they can continue to co-parent while Ben films his next blockbuster, Justice League: Part One. However, they won’t be sharing a home. A source says: “Ben’s desperate for them to set-up home together for the sake of the children, but Jen is adamant they live apart to allow her breathing space. “She’ll obviously be there for the kids, but she…

After reports surfaced last week that Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin have just one more paper to sign before their divorce is complete, insiders say the actress wants her boyfriend, Brad Falchuk, to ask her ex’s permission before they get engaged. Chris, 39, and Gwyneth, 43 – who are parents to Apple, 11, and Moses, 10 – are still good friends but decided to “consciously uncouple” in 2014 after more than 10 years of marriage. She has been dating TV producer Brad – who has two children, Isabella and Brody, with his ex-wife Suzanne Bukinik – for several months. Gwyneth revealed in an interview earlier this month that marrying again wasn’t off the cards, saying: “Life has some incredible surprises and you never know what is going to happen and…

He plays heart-throb Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, and last week Kit Harington and his former GOT co-star Rose Leslie made their red-carpet debut as a couple. The pair – who were also on-screen lovers – have been at the centre of relationship rumours for years, but both denied any romance between them. And last week, they stepped out on the red carpet together at the Olivier Awards and were seen kissing and holding hands. A source says: “Kit and Rose didn’t want to make their romance public initially, but now they want to embrace it. Working together only made them closer – they’re smitten.” Recently, 29-year-old Kit admitted he started dating Rose, also 29, while filming GOT abroad. The actor said: “I fell in love in Iceland; I…

MUST WATCH! If you like kittens, you’re going to LOVE this. Meet two real-life Puss in Boots as this duo play hide ’n’ seek in a pair of wellies. Let’s just hope they didn’t get so excited they had a little accident – otherwise it’ll be Poos in Boots. See them at lifestyle.one/closer/news-real-life/real-life/cute-viral-videos. SUPER-GRAN! Two years ago, 78-year-old granny Shirley Webb could barely walk upstairs and struggled to get out of her armchair. But since joining her local gym in Illinois, USA, she’s found her inner superwoman! Shirley has even set a record for lifting 237lbs – the same as a Vespa Scooter (or Rob Kardashian at his biggest). Never mind Keeping Up With The Kardashians, she could Keep A Kardashian Up! WE’LL MEET AGAIN! Some things in life are…

Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt, 25, last week confessed to having lip fillers after feeling self-conscious about her looks. She revealed: “I’ve had lip fillers about three times, it’s addictive! But I wouldn’t go mental with it.” But Dr Marques warns that Scarlett should be careful not to go overboard. He says: “Scarlett’s lips look great at the moment but I would advise her against having too many procedures at such a young age as it can damage your appearance irretrievably.” YOU SAY “Why can’t anyone be happy with their natural beauty? It’s so sad that celebs need to keep messing with their faces.” Issy, via Facebook “I think Amanda looks incredible, she’s not gone overboard and still looks like herself. But some people go too far with cosmetic work.” Sue,…

…HER PAST BATTLE WITH DEPRESSION “There is no magic trick for when you feel down or overwhelmed or whatever, it is just one of those things where you have to dig deep. I did.” …GETTING OLDER “The older I get, the more seriously I take it all. And now I try to be very mindful of what I post on social media and how I dress – all while still being true to who I am. I never want to lose sight of that.” …FINDING TRUE LOVE “I have to believe in it. I’ve had some terrible relationships over the years, some good boyfriends and some bad.” …LEAVING GEORDIE SHORE “I know a lot of the people in the house are going to be quite content to be…

TV presenter Carol McGiffin, 56, is engaged to Mark Cassidy, 34. She says: “I felt from very early on that I didn’t want children and I’ve never felt any differently. “It made me so angry when there was a case recently about Holly Brockwell, now 30, having to fight for four years to be sterilized on the NHS as she knew she didn’t want children and reacted badly to the Pill – they said she was too young at 26 to make that decision. That’s rubbish. It doesn’t make you a freak if you don’t want children and you shouldn’t have to constantly justify it. “I’ve even had friends tell me I’d be a ‘better person’ if I had children and that I was selfish. I had a theory that…

WHO WORE IT BEST? Drew Barrymore vs Emma Willis We’re a little bit in love with this Stella McCartney dress, but at just over £2k it’s slightly out of budget. Not that that’s a problem for actress Drew and TV host Emma, who both looked stylish in this satin number. VERDICT The A-line silhouette flatters both ladies, and skims over Emma’s baby bump. Overall, we prefer Emma’s sweptback hair and shoe choice. STYLE CRUSH! SHINE ON Taylor Swift, 26 It takes a brave woman to tackle a super-tight black jumpsuit (Catwoman aside). And we don’t think we’ve ever seen pop star Taylor look better. Long gone are the days of her sweet and girlie dresses she used to wear as a country star – now it's all about taking fashion…

“I WAKE UP AT 7.30AM. Once I’m up, I’ll head to the studio to work out with my trainer for around an hour, before grabbing a juice. If I’m really hungry I’ll have scrambled eggs. AFTER THAT IT’S OFF TO WORK. I’ll pop into my dress shop in Essex, then check any work emails about upcoming shoots for my fitness website, Results With Lucy. I’LL STOP BY THE HOUSE I’VE BOUGHT IN ESSEX, which I’m doing up. There’s usually some sort of problem to deal with! LUNCH IS AT 1PM. I’ll have chicken or salmon salad. I also keep healthy snacks on me, such as almonds, in case I have an energy dip. AFTER LUNCH I USUALLY HAVE A PHOTO SHOOT. Last week I was shooting in a studio one…

ALEXA’S ‘CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT’ LIST Breton top “I went to Muji the other day and my friend had to pull me away from the Breton top selection.” ZARA £9.99 Tailoring “I love the kind of tailoring in the ’70s that women adopted.” ARCHIVE BY ALEXA FOR M&S £45 Hot pants “I found my pair in a charity shop – we’re inseparable.” VERY £25 Red lipstick “For a pillar-box red, I love Topshop’s Rio Rio.” TOPSHOP £8 Ankle boots “You can wear them with literally anything.” RIVER ISLAND £45 Dungarees “It’s fine that only toddlers and me like dungarees.” BOOHOO £28 ‘I like to dress in a way that’s personal to me – and also has a bit of nostalgia. When I visited the M&S archive they had this dress from…

We’ve all had Oooops moments™; from leaving the office loos with toilet roll stuck to our shoes to laughing hysterically and causing an unfortunate leak. The latter might not be an incident you choose to share with girlfriends over coffee, but the chances are they have experienced light bladder weakness too. In fact, research shows that one in three women experience light bladder weakness at some time in their life.* And it is common for women at all life stages, not just those who have had children. Even women in their twenties are experiencing it. But an Oooops moment doesn’t have to ruin your day – you can take control. Feminine sanitary products might seem like the obvious solution, but they’re not actually designed for bladder weakness. Try lights by…

Getting into a bikini just three months after giving birth is a daunting thought for most new mums, but former TOWIE star Sam Faiers has found that a combination of healthy eating and working out for just three hours a week has helped her get her body back on track. Since starting her exercise plan six weeks ago, 5ft 6 Sam has lost almost a stone, taking her from 10st 9lbs to 9st 11lbs, and she is feeling body-confident. “My body isn’t completely back to how it used to be, but I feel great wearing a bikini. For me, it’s about feeling fit and healthy rather than being a certain size again,” she tells Closer. Refreshingly, 25-year-old Sam – who has three-month-old son Paul with businessman Paul Knightley, 27 –…

GUILT-FREE TREAT BBQ APPLE KEBABS WITH GINGER YOGHURT DIP STEP 1 Core 1 Pink Lady apple and slice into 12 wedges. Cut 150g fresh pineapple flesh ( 1/2 a small pineapple) into 4 chunks. Thread the apples and pineapple on to 4 skewers. Brush with 1tbsp honey. STEP 2 Heat a griddle pan until really hot and cook the fruit skewers for 4-5 mins, turning until chargrilled. STEP 3 In a small bowl, mix 150g fat-free Greek yoghurt, 2tbsp freshly grated ginger and 1tbsp honey. Serve the kebabs with the dip and garnish with fresh mint. • Recipe courtesy of Pink Lady apples, www.pinkladyapples.co.uk AMELIA FREER’S POACHED THAI SALMON WITH PAK CHOI SERVES 2 • 1tbsp of coconut oil • 2 shallots, finely chopped • 2 cloves of garlic, finely…

“I don’t feel secure with my finances or my job. I should be able to manage my money and have some left at the end of each month, but instead I’m short on a regular basis. “I was made redundant from my job of eight years as a warehouse operative in December and was paid £4,000 in redundancy, which I spent in three weeks on clothes, a holiday, and having a £2,000 modelling portfolio made. “I quickly got another job with an agency doing the same type of work, but my contract could end any time. I should be able to get something, but not knowing is nerve-wracking. In the past, I’ve had to borrow money from friends just to pay my bus fare. I owe £300 on a credit…

Coronation Street’s Samia Ghadie, who plays crimper Maria Connor, is getting back into the swing of things after six months’ maternity leave following the birth of her son Yves Joesph last September – but anyone nipping into Audrey’s salon had better watch out! “I nearly took Barbara Knox’s [Corrie ledge Rita] head off once, and I almost cut off Kate Ford’s [Tracy Barlow] fringe,” Samia laughs. “I’m not great at multi-tasking!” Luckily, she is good at other things, such as learning French [her fiancé and Yves’ dad is dancer Sylvain Longchambon, who she met on Dancing On Ice]. “I can have a conversation now with Sylvain’s family without my heart rate rising if he leaves the room,” she tells us. “We had 20 of them at ours last Christmas, so…

1 KRIS TRIED TO ‘CURE’ BRUCE The family matriarch is victim to several scathing claims in the book – the most explosive being that she pushed her ex-husband Bruce – now Caitlyn Jenner – into having Christian therapy to “cure” him of his urges to transition. Kris – a devout Christian – allegedly asked him to “pray for guidance.” 2 KIM ‘PUSHED TO POSE NUDE’ She may now be happy to pose naked on a magazine cover, but in the early days of her courting fame, the book reveals Kim did not want to strip. When she posed nude for Playboy, it was allegedly Kris who persuaded her into doing it, while the book’s author said Kim “vehemently fought” against the idea. 3 KIM COPIED PARIS Kris and Kim allegedly…

‘Kieran’s told her surgery is self-mutilation and it needs to stop’ She underwent emergency surgery and was forced to have her infamous breast implants removed just last year after they became painfully infected. Now insiders say former glamour model Jordan rowed with husband Kieran Hayler last week after she revealed plans to have an eighth boob job. After finally ditching her implants in 2014 and returning to her natural 32B from her enhanced 32G boobs after 17 years, Jordan – real name Katie Price – admitted: “I’m so glad I’ve got rid of my old boobs! It’s nice to be natural. I’ve finally got the body and boobs I want.” But it is thought, just a few months later, she had new D-cup implants put back in. Now, insiders say…

‘I was adamant from age three that I was a girl’ It’s a subject that was once taboo, but with celebs such as Caitlyn Jenner speaking openly about their transition to the opposite sex, issues around gender identity are becoming better understood. Now schools in the UK are being encouraged to support transgender children – the sooner the better. GENDER LESSONS Recent reports reveal children as young as four are being taught about being transgender at school and there have been calls for schools to modify changing rooms and toilets to accommodate children with gender issues. And stats suggest there may be a need for it. The number of British under-18s having treatment for gender issues has risen by a huge 1,000 per cent in the past five years. Between…

After Britney Spears posted a throwback picture on Instagram of her and Leonardo DiCaprio, pals close to the singer reveal she had an ulterior motive for uploading the snap and is desperate to strike up contact with the Oscar winner in the hope of bagging a date. Britney, 34, has always said Leo reminds her of her first love, Justin Timberlake, 35 – who she dated for three years until their split in 2002 – and insiders say she is even begging her team to help set up a date between them. However, pals are already airing their concerns over Britney’s emotional stability. A source tells us: “Britney has insisted she’ll do whatever it takes to catch Leo’s attention and has even sent him tickets to her Vegas show, as…

After Millie Mackintosh reportedly spent the night with her ex Hugo Taylor just six weeks after announcing her split from Professor Green, pals tell Closer the former MIC star refuses to feel guilty about moving on. Millie, 26, was pictured arriving at her home with her former co-star, 29, just a week after they were spotted looking close at the British Polo Day in Dubai. The star announced her split from her rapper husband, 32 – real name Stephen Manderson – in February after two and a half years of marriage. A source says: “Millie refuses to be guilt-tripped for falling back into Hugo’s arms and says she has nothing to hide. She’s on speaking terms with Stephen and he’s given them his blessing.” The pair dated for around six…

She’s been making headlines all year for her on/ off romance with Jeremy McConnell, 25, but last week Stephanie Davis attracted attention for different reasons after a pic emerged of the actress with an enlarged pout and puffy cheeks. And Dr Marques thinks Steph, 23 – who recently Instagrammed before and after pics of her lips after having fillers – has gone too far. He says: “Steph’s lips look very rubbery, which is a sign of filler, and her face is puffy, suggesting she’s had cheek fillers, too. I think she’s altered too much and her face is starting to look unnatural.” • Find Dr Richard Marques at www.wimpolestreetdental.com…

She’s no stranger to surgery, after admitting to having Botox, lip fillers and a nose job. But last week there was speculation Geordie Shore reality star Charlotte Crosby, 25, had undergone more cosmetic work after stepping out with plumper lips and a seemingly wider space between her eyes and eyebrows. Dr Marques says: “It’s possible Charlotte has had an eye lift – the skin around her eyes appears very taut and the whole eye area looks different. The wider space between her eyes and eyebrows could be down to Botox, which tightens the skin in that area. “Judging by the skin between Charlotte’s lips and nose, which looks quite swollen, it seems she has also had lip fillers all along the top line of her upper lip.”…

After reports surfaced that Madonna is planning a move back to the UK to improve relations with her estranged son Rocco, insiders tell Closer the one-time “Queen Of Pop” has reached out to Victoria Beckham for help. The singer, 57, is currently embroiled in a bitter custody battle with ex-husband, Guy Ritchie, 47, over Rocco, who is refusing to return home to his mum in New York, choosing to stay with his director father and his new wife, Jacqui Ainsley, in London instead. NO RESOLUTION Last month a High Court judge begged the pair to settle their differences as he warned them they could ruin what’s left of their son’s teenage years. However, sources say they’ve failed to come to a resolution and Madonna is now turning to Victoria, 41,…

Author Samantha Brick, 45, is married to Pascal Rubinat, 54. She says: “I always wanted to be a mum, but I hadn’t met the right man until I turned 36. Then I met Pascal and we couldn’t wait to have children. We tried naturally for about nine months, then we started having tests and over the next six years we had two rounds of IVF costing £20,000. Sadly, it didn’t work, which was heart-wrenching; two years ago, aged 43, I called time on my dream. “It was far from an easy decision, but I had to preserve my sanity and avoid those crippling lows when it didn’t work. But what makes it even more difficult is that our society is obsessed with babies. “Do you have children?” is often one…

‘It’s not my fault I was born into a wealthy family’ Pampered Julia Stakhiva splurges hundreds of thousands of pounds every year on designer clothes and luxurious holidays – all funded by her super-rich parents. Every two months high-maintenance Julia flies more than 1,500 miles from her townhouse in South Kensington, London, to Moscow, Russia, to get her hair cut by her favourite stylist. And each year she spends up to £200k on her designer wardrobe and £30k on cosmetic procedures including fillers, brow lifts and semi-permanent make-up. “Every two months I fly to Moscow and book a whole salon for a haircut, at a total cost of around £5,000,” Julia reveals. “I also have all my cosmetic procedures and treatments done in Moscow. I’ll have lip and cheek fillers,…

TRADE SECRETS… Celeb hair stylist Adam Reed shares how to get rid of root fuzz. He says: “Smooth the back of warm GHD Platinum Stylers or the Curve Wand along root shafts to flatten hairs. For extra stubborn flyaways, finish by brushing over roots with a spare toothbrush smothered in hairspray. ON TRIAL This week we tried shampoo from £2.99 to £9.99. Here are our top three. BEATS DRYNESS This includes coconut oil and peppermint oil and cleansed hair without drying it out – especially Afro and curly hair. It’s paraben, silicone and sulfate-free, so it didn’t lather like other shampoos, but it revived brittle locks in no time. TACKLES LIMP LOCKS This promised fuller, lustrous locks and, after just one wash, limp hair was bouncy and shiny. You only…

Where do you shop? I do a big shop at Tesco once a week and nip to Waitrose every few days. I live by myself and I usually spend around £70 a week. What’s your typical daily diet? I start the day with a smoothie made with avocado, banana, spinach and coconut oil, followed by scrambled eggs and chopped tomatoes. For lunch, I’ll have an omelette with broccoli and goat’s cheese, and dinner is chicken with vegetable stir-fry, or if I’m out I’ll have fish with rice. I snack on celery with red pepper houmous, or Oreo biscuits if I’m feeling naughty. Is there anything you refuse to eat? Anchovies – they’re too fishy for me. What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten? Crocodile spring rolls. They tasted like chicken,…

MY POCKET MONEY WAS… Ten shillings [50p] a month – it looked like a £10 note. I would buy a box of toy soldiers. MY FIRST JOB WAS… Working on a farm for £2.50 a day when I was 13 or 14. I gave 50p to Mum to do my washing because it was covered in muck, and kept £2. WITH MY FIRST ‘PROPER’ PAY CHEQUE I GOT… A blue “sit up and beg” Peugeot moped for £600 to ride to work. The insurance was £11 a year fully comp and it cost 50p to fill up with fuel. MY BIGGEST IMPULSE PURCHASE WAS… Two magnums of Cristal Champagne [up to £1,000 each]. I was with friends in St Tropez and didn’t realise what I’d spent until the bill came!…

For your new three-part TV docu-series on TLC you went to a sex dungeon, met a young female prisoner on death row and explored whether death really is the end. It all sounds pretty crazy… It was very challenging and it really changed my perception on so many aspects of life. I lost my dad in November 2010 to a stroke and it was really hard. Brian was very supportive and I spoke to him about the afterlife – I have always believed that your soul and spirit remain long after you die. Tell us about meeting the inmate on death row… I went to an institution in Florida where I met convicted murderer Emilia Carr, who at 30 is the youngest female prisoner on death…

ALONG CAME POLLY JEN ANISTON ROMCOM WED 20 APR, 10.45PM, ITV Ben Stiller plays Reuben, who discovers (on his honeymoon no less) that his wife has been cheating on him. Back home, he bumps into old schoolfriend Polly Prince (yep it’s Jen) and comes up with lots of entertaining ways to make her fall for him. GET HIM TO THE GREEK RUSSELL BRAND IS A ROCK STAR SAT 16 & FRI 22 APR, 9PM, E4 Russell Brand is extremely entertaining as Aldous Snow, an out-of-control British rock star required to perform at a concert at LA’s Greek Theatre. Aaron Green (Jonah Hill) is the unfortunate record company employee who has to accompany him to said do, where Aldous relapses into drugs and booze after a disastrous break-up. Hmmm, can’t have…