HELLO! magazine 1760

With 15 acres of picturesque rolling farmland and an ever-expanding menagerie of animals to tend to, there is never a dull moment at Russell Watson’s idyllic Cheshire pile. “Jeremy Clarkson’s farm has got nothing on this place – Watson’s farm is manic,” says the world-renowned tenor with a hearty laugh, as he and his wife Louise welcome HELLO! to their farm in Congleton. “This place keeps you busy. I’ve hardly been to the gym, but I’m doing more steps and more cardio exercise than I’ve ever done – cleaning the place up, gardening, jet-washing, lots of grass to mow. Every day is a learning experience.” Salford-born Russell, 55, has seen his life change since he and Louise moved from nearby Wilmslow to their own slice of rural heaven last December. “I didn’t think…

Girls Aloud stars Cheryl Tweedy, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Nadine Coyle fulfilled their bandmate Sarah Harding’s dying wish by reuniting to host a fundraising gala in her memory. The uplifting occasion – named Sarah’s Primrose Ball after the Girls Aloud No. 1 hit The Promise, in which Sarah sang the lyrics: “Here I am, walking Primrose” – took place a year after her death from breast cancer aged just 39, in aid of ground-breaking research. The glittering star-studded gala, which was held at the new boutique hotel The Londoner, was presented by Fearne Cotton and featured Years & Years singer Olly Alexander performing The Promise; Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson – who appeared with Sarah in the second St Trinian’s film – tackling Love Machine (with help from a lyric sheet);…

The setting sun melting into the calm, iridescent waters of the Caribbean Sea on Jamaica’s palm-tree-fringed Montego Bay could hardly have made for a more perfect backdrop for the intimate wedding of JLS star Oritsé Williams and Kazz Kumar. “It was like a fairytale; it was out of this world. Marrying my queen in my mother’s homeland is the stuff dreams are made of,” smiles Oritsé as the newlyweds share their special photos and memories of the day exclusively with HELLO!. “It was like a movie; I can’t explain it any other way. You see these moments in films that you don’t think are real, but we were living it,” adds the 35-year-old. “I still can’t believe it happened. It was perfect,” adds beautiful bride Kazz of their ocean-side civil ceremony – the…

‘Can’t begin to tell you how awesome that felt being on stage with the cast of the biggest show on TV’Sara Davies It was a double victory for one of TV’s biggest shows as Strictly Come Dancing waltzed to glory at the National Television Awards (NTAs). Swapping the dancefloor for the red carpet, dancers, judges and contestants including Johannes Radebe, Amy Dowden and Ellie Simmonds brought a touch of sparkle to London’s Ovo Arena Wembley. Reigning champion Rose Ayling-Ellis shared a triumphant embrace with her friend and former dance partner Giovanni Pernice when the BBC’s hit show was named the Talent Show award winner as it celebrates its 20th series, and the pair’s acceptance speech got a resounding ten, as Rose led her co-stars in saying “thank you” in British Sign Language and…

Fifty-five years after becoming a CBE, stage and screen actress Dame Vanessa Redgrave got her sequel – and it was even more impressive than the original. The 85-year-old Oscar winner made a return trip to Buckingham Palace for her second investiture ceremony, this time a damehood, which she received in the Queen’s New Years Honours list for her services to drama. Despite winning numerous awards in a career spanning eight decades, receiving this honour was something different. “You don’t compare going for an investiture at Buckingham Palace with any other achievement, whatever it is,” said the Call the Midwife star. “It is unique.” Dame Vanessa was particularly delighted to have received the honour from the Prince of Wales (left), who, as president of Bafta, presented her with her Academy Fellowship in 2010. “I was thrilled…

The end of a long rein is something the late Queen’s favourite pony Emma knows all about. After so many years with her beloved owner, there was mounting curiosity about what would become of the faithful equine companion, who was last seen saying goodbye during the monarch’s funeral procession through Windsor (left). But in a treat for fans, Buckingham Palace posted a new photo of Emma (above) on the royal family’s Instagram account and assured well-wishers she is not off to pastures new, but will remain at the Royal Mews in Windsor. “Emma will continue to be much loved and cared for,” it added – just as the monarch would have wished. For 15 years, Emma was ridden regularly by the Queen in her free time. She also took part in several pageants, including…