Table of contents for Issue 973 in Closer

She’d already endured years of agonising health issues with a preventative mastectomy and hysterectomy to minimise her cancer risk. So the news of Michelle Heaton’s recent battle with alcoholism – and a shocking photo revealing how close she was to death – was simply heartbreaking. Thankfully, following a lengthy stint in rehab, she was back to her usual, sunny self for our interview (see p4-5). But she reveals her drink problem took a heavy toll on her family life – and admits she put husband Hugh “through hell” and, at her worst, left him wanting to leave. Fortunately, he stood by her “in sickness and in health” and gritty Michelle has made a miraculous recovery, fighting her way out of that dark place. Now, she is determined to help others…

GET HELP If alcohol is creating issues in your life, such as physical and mental health, or problems in your job etc, ring the AA helpline on 0800 917 7650. EXERCISE It releases endorphins that can help you battle the urge to reach for the bottle. And while building up to doing some exercise might feel difficult you never regret it – unlike drinking. TALK When I went into rehab, I was scared that my life was over, but it’s been the complete opposite. People understand that it’s a disease, not a choice, so reach out to them. MEDITATE I use the Calm app, and I’ve learned to breathe deeply, to fill my lungs before I make a decision, and to be present in each moment.…

BROTHER THOMAS JR: ‘I hope Meghan gets in touch’ Not shy of speaking out about his sister, Meghan’s halfbrother Thomas Jnr – who shares a dad with the Duchess – is currently starring in Australia’s Big Brother VIP. In a recent trailer for the show, the 55 year old teases, “I’m famous for writing letters. I’m going to write a letter to Meghan.” He then reads, “Dear Meghan and Harry, the first thing I want to say to both of you…” before trailing off. Thomas Jnr first wrote a letter to Prince Harry in 2018, pleading with him not to marry Meghan and adding, “She will ruin your life.” However, fans believe the second letter will call for a truce after he retracted the statement of his first letter and…

Community healthcare specialist Stacie Goddard, 26, lives in Margate with care home worker Stephen, 32, and their children, Aurora, four, and Stephen, three. Their cat, Lily, was tragically killed by two out-of-control dogs. Stacie says, “On 11 August our cat was mauled by two huskies who ran into our neighbours’ garden, where Lily was at the time, and tore her apart. I don’t blame the dogs though, there’s no such thing as a bad dog, just a bad owner. There needs to be more regulations when it comes to who can own pets – and this man shouldn’t have been allowed to. It wasn’t just our cat – they also killed three other cats, two rabbits and badly injured another cat. Aurora has autism spectrum disorder and, since Lily was…

She made a name for herself due to her super-glam lifestyle and love of bling on The Real Housewives Of Cheshire, and now Ampika Pickston has found love with a man 32 years her senior. Last week, it emerged that Ampika is engaged to billionaire West Ham United owner, David Sullivan, 72, a Welsh business mogul and former pornographer, who once owned half the UK’s adult entertainment industry. It’s said he proposed on her 40th birthday in July, with an 11½ carat, emerald-cut engagement ring, and a source close to the pair revealed Ampika “said yes straightaway”. AGE GAP Now, fellow Real Housewives star Ester Dee, 36, who has been friends with Ampika since they met on the show in 2017, says her “funny and hard-working” pal couldn’t be happier…

She revealed in February 2021 that she had embraced a year of sobriety, but Jordan reportedly returned to her party girl ways last week at the National Television Awards. The former model, 43 – who attended with her 19-year-old son, Harvey, after the pair were nominated for best Authored Documentary – was said to have been knocking back glasses of wine throughout the evening after Harvey was taken home. It came after reports she had called time on her six-month engagement to her seventh fiancé, Carl Woods. She also claimed she was attacked in her home recently. It was also alleged that Jordan – aka Katie Price – had told pals at the star-studded event that they’d split, while a journalist said she had “flirted” with him during the evening.…

It’s estimated that 95,000 students will fund their way through their degrees by becoming sex workers. Of those, one in five has slept with someone or escorted for money, and 27 per cent are selling X-rated images on OnlyFans. Student sex workers have doubled in the past few years, mainly due to financial pressures. Save The Student, a student money website, estimates that £795 per month is required in living fees at university, but the average maintenance loan is £571 per month, leaving a £224 shortfall. Last year, Leicester University caused uproar by publishing a tool kit for sex work, with critics claiming it was encouraging it, but a spokesperson for Save The Student said, “It’s important that universities provide appropriate support and guidance to those who do wish to…

In the early ’90s, TV presenter Michaela Strachan was an icon for many due to her upbeat, inspirational nature and wildlife shows such as nature program The Really Wild Show. Indie-pop group Scouting For Girls even recorded a song in 2007 about their childhood crushes on her. Now Michaela, 55, tells Closer that she wasn’t always confident – but vows she won’t conform to the pressures of surgery as she has learned to love herself. She says, “I think, go for it if it’s something that’s going to improve your self-esteem and make you a less depressed person. But for me, I believe there’s usually a much deeper reason for someone to want to change. “What I’m really struggling with right now is social media. I’ve only just joined Instagram…

Despite her healthy lifestyle, Jo still lives with debilitating skin condition acne, which developed in her late 30s. She says, “It can make me feel really insecure. If I’m having a bad day, or get stressed or feel a bit low, the first thing that happens is my face will break out. Unfortunately, it’s scarred now, so I spend all my time trying to cover it up. I have a knack of doing it now, but when I take the make-up off, it’s pretty bad. I wish I could wave a magic wand and my skin would be what it was 20 years ago. I’ve tried light therapy and spent so much money on expensive products that didn’t work. I can’t have facials because my skin is so sensitive. I’ve…

INSIDE AMY’S FRIDGE • Eggs • Bananas • Raspberries • Strawberries • Greek yoghurt • Galaxy chocolate • Nandos mayonnaise • Ketchup • Brie cheese • Camembert cheese • Chutney • Gruyre cheese • Asparagus • Peppers • Stilton cheese • Cooked chicken slices • Avocado • Baked beans • Sliced Wiltshire ham • Cumberland sausages • Carrots • Mushrooms • Coconut milk • Apple juice • Wine AMY How much do you spend per week? I’m a real foodie and love cooking. I usually spend between £80 and £100 a week. Describe your daily diet... Breakfast is berries with zero-fat yoghurt, chocolate granola and honey. For lunch, I’ll make a Greek salad, with lettuce, rocket, feta cheese and olives. I try to avoid creamy dressings and make my own…

YOUR GUIDE TO EMOTIONAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LIFE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIST EMMA KENNY From an early age, I taught my sons to make easy meals and to experiment in the kitchen, even though the end result was often inedible. I believe that life is better without fear, so I wanted to instil confidence in them. Ask yourself, when you feel the urge to do things for your kids – why? Is it that they can’t cook, clean or look after themselves, or is it that they fall short of your standards? Allowing your children to develop life skills is one of the most powerful gifts you can give them. Yes, they will make a mess preparing beans on toast, but rather than getting cross, focus on the fact that they…

FORMER DANCING ON ICE PRO SKATER ALEX MURPHY, 33, ON HOW SHE LOOKS AFTER HER BODY AND MIND USING A DIFFUSER HAS IMPROVED MY SLEEP... During the pandemic, my schedule went wonky and I needed to get into a good routine again, so I bought one that plugs into the wall. I put a few drops of lavender oil inside and it fills up the whole room and knocks me out. NO MATTER WHAT, I GO FOR A WALK EVERY DAY... Even if I’m on a call or just listening to music, I have to get outside for at least an hour. I run and lift weights for physical exercise, but walking is for my mental health. If I’m feeling anxious, I can stick on a podcast while walking and,…

SHORTEN YOUR SHOWER By choosing showers over baths, you can cut your water bills in half. Shave a minute off your shower and turn off water while lathering to save even more. BE CLEVER IN THE KITCHEN Only fill the kettle with the water you need – fill your mug first, then pour it in. Aways cover pots and pans, too. Water and food will cook faster, and you will lose less energy in the process. TRAP HEAT IN Pull furniture away from walls to improve the circulation of heat, open curtains on the south side of your house during the day, and at night close all your curtains properly to keep out the cold. CHANGE SOME HABITS Turn off your laptop – not leaving it on standby could save…

BUDGET SPECIAL! PRETTY EMERALDS Rich jewel tones always work for this time of the year, and this glossy green pair proves our point perfectly. Team with cropped trousers and a chunky knit. SHEIN £25.75 EMBELLISHED BIKERS Heavier biker boots are a good pairing for winter leggings, and these lace-ups come complete with lashings of pretty gems and pearls to balance out the boyish tone. PRIMARK £20 SUNSHINE SUEDE These soft faux-suede boots will perk up classic back-to-work outfits with minimal effort, while the kitten heel and flexible sole will add some lift minus the ouch! JD WILLIAMS £20 COSY KICKS The longer length and quilted design make this calf-high pair a great choice for when the temperatures drops. Your tootsies will be toastie whatever the weather! MATALAN £30 PRINT PERFECTION…

CHIC ACCESSORIES Statement candles and holders have taken over the interiors world – they’re an affordable way to add a luxe touch to a dinner setting, or to perk up your mantlepiece. SLEEK CHAIR Rattan isn’t just for summer – this bold chair will be a design classic for years to come, thanks to its monochrome tone and sleek shape. It looks so designer – we’re impressed! ELEGANT MIRROR Pill-shaped mirrors are the new circle – this one will bring a luxe touch to a hallway, bathroom or bedroom. LUXE LIGHTING Updating lighting can make a huge difference to a room – this gold and glass design will add warmth while filling a room with light. It’s ideal for small spaces. VINTAGE-STYLE RUG Primark has expanded its homeware range to…

JULIET GETS IT HOLLYOAKS We’re still not sure we can take a stalker named Timmy seriously, but it does indeed appear that the newbie tech genius has developed obsessive feelings for Ms Lomax… It’s Peri’s other half Juliet who ends up in danger, however, when she spies him loitering outside the hospital and the penny drops. In a bid to cover his tracks, Timmy shoves Juliet down the stairs – and panics when he then realises she could land him in it. Is it time for drastic measures to hush her up? Elsewhere, Charlie and Ella prepare to do the deed – with Nancy trying to talk them out of it as they’re still underage. Awks. EASTENDERS CRUISE SHIP CROONER Desperate for a piece of Whitney action, Gray pretends to…

MUST READ Apples Never Fall (LIANE MORIARTY) Joy and her husband Stan have four wonderful grown-up children, a family business to envy and the golden years of retirement ahead of them. Then Joy vanishes – and Stan has a scratch on his face. For the Delaney children, there is a terrifying question to answer – did they ever know their parents at all? A brilliant read from the bestselling author of Big Little Lies. BEST DAY OUT Cadbury World – Freddo’s Goulish Gameshow! Taking place from 16 to 31 October at the home of chocolate, Cadbury World, is Freddo’s Ghoulish Gameshow! Perfect for families, dress up in your best fancy dress and take part in Count Dracula’s Conundrum, Freaky Fortunes and Spook Am I to potentially win some terrifyingly tasty…

CODE CRACK THE BIG CROSSWORD CRISS CROSS SUDOKU – EASY SUDOKU – MEDIUM WORD SEARCH CLUES & ARROWS GUESS THE FILM STILL A) ABOUT A BOY B) WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY NAME THE STARS 1) TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET 2) ELVIS PRESLEY GUESS THE CELEB A) MEL B B) MICHAEL B. JORDAN WORD LINK A) SWEEP B) SUPPORT C) AXE D) MEDIUM E) FAST F) WILL SPOT THE DIFFERENCE CLOSER MAGAZINE TERMS & CONDITIONS 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…

21-27 SEPTEMBER IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK It’s a mixed bag this year. Your chart suggests you could worry yourself into a tiny ball – or, instead of living in your head, you can decide to get into your body and do whatever it takes to build the life you want. The choice seems clear – but it’s up to you. THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN LIBRA 23 SEP-22 OCT The worst thing you can do this week is to get into arguments with family and/or the people you live with. It could all spiral very much in the wrong direction. One of the best things you can do is be proactive about having fun, because then you can actually have it. Visit yasminboland.com for your daily horoscopes. SCORPIO…

Three months after begging a judge to “let me have my life back”, Britney Spears excitedly announced her engagement to long-term boyfriend Sam Asghari last week. Showing off her giant £50k four-carat sparkler – engraved with her nickname, “lioness”, in a nod to her courage amid her recent battle to end her 13-year “abusive” conservatorship – Britney, 39, wrote on Instagram, “I can’t f**king believe it!” before adding it was “long overdue”. The announcement came just weeks after the star’s dad, Jamie Spears, filed a petition to step down from his role as her conservator – that he took on after her tragic 2007 breakdown – which controlled many aspects of her life, including reportedly stopping her from getting married and having a baby. Jamie cannot be officially removed until…

Their 2019 reunion was left hanging in the balance when Mel B sensationally revealed during a TV interview with Piers Morgan that she’d had a secret lesbian fling with Geri Horner at the height of the band’s fame – a claim Geri denied as being “simply not true” – and now the star is once again putting their tour plans in jeopardy. Last week, Mel, 46, appeared to reignite their 20-year feud by publicly mocking Geri on TV. When asked who she thought was hiding in the Big Breakfast loo during an appearance on the Channel 4 show, the mum-ofthree quipped, “Ginger Spice, because she’s full of p***!” HURT AND HUMILIATED And after praising Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham later on Steph’s Packed Lunch, Mel then said, “And Geri, where…

Ampika’s former RHOC co-star Dawn Ward is also celebrating, after her daughter Darby, 25, made her a first-time grandma at the age of 48. Showing off the newborn in a sweet Instagram pic last week, she wrote, “This is by far the best post I’ve ever posted. Meet my gorgeous granddaughter Skye Lynne Jackson. We are so in love with her – I cannot believe I’m a nanna.” Dawn – who is married to former Blackburn footballer Ashley Ward – was even present at the birth of baby Skye, and thanked her daughter’s fiancé, Michael Jackson, for sharing the “most incredible experience” with her. It’s the icing on the cake for the family, who recently celebrated 23-year-old daughter Taylor’s engagement to Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez with a lavish, all-white…

Jessie Hyer Griffin, 26 (left), lives in Manchester with her husband Marcus, 27. She’s the CEO and Support Lead at Support For Student Sex Workers and a student sex work researcher at The University of Leicester. She says, “I grew up on the 12th most deprived estate in the UK and when I went to university to study English and Drama in 2014, having become estranged from my family, I had nothing. I have bipolar disorder, which meant I found it difficult to hold down a ‘regular’ job. “I’ve always been quite sexually liberated – I’ve slept with a lot of people and, growing up, I was fascinated by Hugh Hefner and his girlfriends – I wanted to be one of them. I knew I could earn more from sugar…

Wearing a hat and sunglasses as he sat next to pal Bradley Cooper at the US Open final in New York last week, Brad Pitt was said to be keen on keeping a “low profile”. His public appearance came as insiders claim the 57 year old has been “hurt” by new bombshell allegations made by his ex-wife Angelina Jolie. Despite saying she couldn’t legally discuss their ongoing custody battle – the pair legally separated in 2019, but have still have not reached a settlement on how to split their multimillion dollar fortunes or child custody – Angelina claimed in a recent interview to publicise her new book that she had “feared for [her] whole family” while married to the actor. The couple share Maddox, 20, Pax, 17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh,…

GET OUTDOORS During this last year and a half, a lot of us have really started to appreciate the natural world and what it can do for us. If I’m stressed, I know that walking my dogs in natural beauty will make me feel better. BREATHE PROPERLY It’s something that helps me a lot. We have to breathe to survive, and yoga teaches you how to breathe properly so that it relaxes you and takes away extra stress. EAT WELL What you put in your body is so important for your mind. It’s also important not to overeat – even if it’s the right foods – because it will boost your energy levels.…

SUPERCHARGE YOUR ENERGY WITH MAGNESIUM In a study by the Department of Agriculture’s Human Nutrition Research Centre, women with magnesium deficiencies required more oxygen to do physical tasks and had a higher heart rate than they did if their magnesium levels were healthy. This means the body has to work harder if you’re not getting enough magnesium, which can leave you feeling lethargic and depleted. Increase your magnesium intake by eating more whole grains (bran cereal in particular) and nuts (especially cashews, almonds and Brazil nuts). KISS YOUR PARTNER TO IMPROVE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM Kissing not only creates intimacy and connection in a relationship, it also boosts your endorphin levels. A 10-second daily kiss will not only bring a bit of spark to your relationship but having high endorphin levels…

DR CHRISTIAN GIVES HIS TAKE ON THE HOT HEALTH TOPICS OF THE WEEK The UK’s four chief medical officers have decided that all children aged 12-15 should be offered a Covid-19 jab, so parents may soon get a letter or text asking their kids to come forward. You might be surprised, as the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JVCI) had previously said that while the health gains from vaccinating this age group were greater than the risks, that margin of benefit was too small to support it. You may, then, be wondering why it’s now being advised. Let me explain. LOOK AT ALL IMPACTS The JVCI look very specifically at the risks and benefits of a disease and a vaccine, they don’t consider anything else, and we already know…

So many people have told me they’re terrified of returning to the workplace or that going back has been tough. Some are concerned about Covid, while others are anxious about leaving a life they’ve grown used to. If you were furloughed, you will have had more time for yourself, and if you have kids, you probably enjoyed more quality time together, so re-entering old routines can feel daunting. BE KIND TO YOURSELF Many will have enjoyed the flexibility of home working and resent the additional hours the commute will add. For those of you who have been on maternity leave, using a nursery or child minder could create some understandable separation anxiety, too. Acknowledge how genuinely tough this is. If your life has felt better, safer, more relaxed and happier,…

GET HER LOOK HOLLY WILLOUGHBY Holly returned to This Morning in this pretty but preppy dress, which is sure to be a sell-out. Make like the star and add sleek, strappy sandals or, if you’re heading out, circular shades and a basket bag are great finishing touches. I WANT WHAT SHE’S GOT! IN THE NEWS... FASHION FOR A FIVER! Fancy a new wardrobe on a budget? Say hello to everything5pounds.com, where everything is – you guessed it – £5. Housing a variety of high-street stock, they pride themselves on low prices and high quality. So, whether you’re after back-to-work garb or fabulous accessories, you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck here! FASHION WORTH TALKING ABOUT THE MET GALA 2021 Rose Leslie 34 Rose’s Oscar de la Renta gown…

BUDGET SPECIAL! DEEP-CLEAN PORES Clay is a great ingredient when it comes to oily, blemish-prone skin. It helps draw out impurities and deep-cleans pores. This one uses pink clay combined with Dragon’s Blood, a tree sap that is a natural anti-inflammatory, to banish blemishes and soothe redness. Use weekly for an affordable pamper. PINK CLAY FACE MASK, SUPERDRUG, 99P NAIL YOUR MANI There’s no need to spend a lot of money on a nail polish – they all do a similar job. This one provides a lovely pop of colour with just one coat, but it’s best to do two for a bolder shade. Start with a base coat, paint two thin layers of colour, then finish with a top coat to help it last. PS... QUICK DRY NAIL POLISH,…

It’s been four months since Michelle Heaton left rehab after battling alcohol and cocaine addiction, and last week she gave a heartbreaking insight into the depths of her struggles in the days before she entered The Priory. Posting a picture of her swollen face and bloodshot eyes on Instagram, Michelle told her followers she had been “ruined” and her “immune system was shutting down”. She contrasted the photo with a recent selfie, where she looks happy and healthy. Speaking to Closer the morning after sharing the image, in which she says she was just “days away from death”, Michelle, 42, said it was a “very big decision” to show people the reality of what her life was like in the throes of her addictions. PAINFUL She says, “I had sent…

Her fractured family relationships have made headlines for years, but last week Meghan Markle’s dad Thomas and brother Thomas Jnr both hinted that they hoped for a reconciliation with the Duchess. And despite Meghan telling Oprah Winfrey that she found her father’s betrayal “hard to reconcile” during her infamous interview earlier this year, royal expert and author of Harry And Meghan: Life, Loss, And Love Katie Nicholl says Meghan should consider making amends with her family – for her own public image as a humanitarian. UNFORGIVING Katie says, “Because of Meghan’s work as a philanthropist, it doesn’t sit very well that she has no relationship with anyone in her family apart from her mother, Doria. “We’ve seen her father reach out publicly in a bid to reconcile with his daughter…

When Julie Jones looks at her French bulldog George, she’s filled with pride. Her seven-year-old pooch is well behaved, the perfect weight and has a gleaming coat. It’s a far cry from the condition George was in just a year ago. Before being adopted by Julie, he was so overweight that he had trouble breathing, his claws were too long because he wasn’t exercised enough, and a poor diet had left him with just two front teeth. Julie, 37, from West Yorkshire, says, “It breaks my heart that George was so neglected. His previous owners bought him during lockdown and had obviously done no research into his needs. I think they just thought it would be fun to have a pet. They kept him for about seven months before they…

Closer’s psychological therapist Emma Kenny believes that, while Lisa is over Ant emotionally, she is still struggling to accept the betrayal she felt at the end of their marriage, which is causing her to “take revenge”. Emma says, “It’s been nearly four years since their marriage ended, so it’s highly likely Lisa is over Ant – but what she probably hasn’t got over is how unfairly she feels she was treated. “She posted that message very openly, so she knows it’s going to get picked up, and she made it clear who she was directing it at, which is Ant’s management. She’s letting them know that Ant and Dec have got to where they are but she feels it’s been done at her expense. She’s basically saying she is collateral…

Like millions of James Bond fans across the world, Aliia Roza can’t wait to head to the cinema to watch No Time To Die when the 25th film in the franchise is finally released next month. But the aspiring actress will be closer to the edge of her seat than most, as Aliia is a former secret agent who lived her own Bond-style life, fraught with intrigue and danger. Trained as a spy in her home country of Russia, Aliia learned to fight, shoot and fly jets, but eventually had to flee the Russian military when she fell in love with the drugs lord she was ordered to seduce to get vital information out of him. And now, 15 years on, her life is virtually unrecognisable. The 36 year old…

The whole world fell in love with British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu this month. At just 18, she stunned us all by beating fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez [who’s 19] to become the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title – the youngest winner since Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2004. She is also the first British woman to win a singles title for 44 years, with £1m prize money. It was an incredible match, and her success is just what the nation needs after the last 18 months. She even got an invite to the Met Ball – where the crème de la crème of celebrities go – and that is really incredible. Emma should be extremely proud of herself. That type of success at a young age is…

Kirsty Adams*, 23, lives in Sheffield with her boyfriend. She says “In 2019, I went to university in Huddersfield to study psychology. I qualified for full student funding of £9,000 but, due to a mistake with my paperwork, I only received £3,000 at first, half of which immediately went towards paying for my accommodation. I had a bit of money left over from the PPI job I’d left to start university, and I scrimped and saved, but as the end of term approached, I was in a financial mess. I didn’t have the money to eat, and was surviving on one meal a day of tinned hot dogs and noodles. I tried working in retail, but it was hard to find the hours around my studies. Then, a friend of…

Make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury has spoken about the secret to maintaining the spark in her six-year marriage to film-maker George Waud, 54, and says it’s partly down to wearing make-up to bed. Multi-millionaire Charlotte, 48, revealed her night time routine involves removing all of her make-up, cleansing and then reapplying her make-up, including eyeliner and mascara. She said, “George has never seen me without my bedroom eye. Never! I tell you, keep the magic alive.” Closer speaks to two celebs with very different views on the subject... NICOLA: ‘YES! I don’t want him to lose the glam girl he met’ FORMER GLAMOUR MODEL AND REALITY STAR NICOLA MCLEAN, 40, HAS BEEN MARRIED TO EX-FOOTBALLER TOM WILLIAMS FOR 12 YEARS. She says, “When I first started dating Tom, things moved quickly.…

One of the things I struggle with is between-date communication – the period of time between arranging the date and actually going on it. For me, once the logistics are sorted, there’s not a lot more to say until you meet up. But in these hyperconnected times, it appears that won’t wash any more. For some reason, just because you can message non-stop all day long, you should. I had a nice first date recently, and the following day he asked to meet up again. I suggested the next week and we continued to message a little more that evening. Fast-forward two days and I got a passive aggressive one-word message of “understood.” When I questioned it, I was informed that my lack of contact was translated as “offish” and…

Ella Foote, 38, from Camberley in Surrey says, “I set up my business – outdoor swimming-guiding company, Dip Advisor – three years ago with no savings. A year earlier, I was made redundant from my editorial job at John Lewis/Waitrose, but my redundancy pay only settled my debts of around £15,000. Having cleared those, I found freelance work as a writer, which led me to meet a woman who ran a swimwear company. After speaking to her, I decided to set up a business offering swim experiences in wild and open water locations. To get it off the ground, I moved in with my boyfriend for a year and asked friends for their help – one built my website and another designed a logo for mate’s rates. I used my…

BUDGET SPECIAL! 1 LAYERED CHAIN There isn’t a single outfit that a layered chain necklace won’t improve. Need proof? Take a look at supermodel Ashley Graham. From bright blazers to sweater sets, you can rest assured that golden chains will be the cherry on the sartorial cake this autumn – and beyond. RIVER ISLAND £12 2 LUXE CARDIE Keeping warm needn’t be a chore thanks to this cool colour-pop cardigan. A collared style looks just as good worn as a top with jeans as it does undone over a slinky slip dress. However you wear it, you’ll tick off multiple trends with this one. GEORGE AT ASDA £14 3 PICK ‘N’ MIX Comfortable, slouchy tailoring ruled the new-season catwalks. Worn as a set or separates, with heels or flats, this…

BUDGET SPECIAL! £16 AND UNDER! MOODY AND WARM Fancy switching up your fragrance for autumn? This rich and heady scent has a moodier feel to it that is perfect for darker nights and chilly weather. The lighter top notes of mandarin and pink pepper settle to make way for woody amber and orchid. It lingers nicely without being too strong and is a surprisingly luxe-smelling perfume for such a small price tag. PRIMARK PS…LOVE OUD £3.50 50ML PLAYFUL AND BRIGHT Inspired by some of the most exciting cities in the world, River Island’s “Fashion Capital” scent range has recently added “London” into the mix. Thankfully, instead of the aromas of the Tube and red buses, the brand opted for a light mix of raspberry, vanilla and sandalwood – and the…

How does it feel to be back? MEL, 53: It’s weird, because we haven’t filmed Hitmen for two years. The second series kept getting pushed back because of you know what. There was a lot of anticipation and excitement but also, we felt quite nervous. SUE, 51: We’ve basically been given the chance to come back out of lockdown and play, albeit in a careful way. Any funny stories from filming? SUE: There was one day where we literally spent all afternoon in a coffin... MEL: Five hours. The two of us, snuggled up, in a six-foot-long, three-foot-wide underground cavity. We started to lose oxygen and hysteria was kicking in. SUE: It didn’t help that Mel had the cauliflower option for lunch, it added a real sense of danger to…