Inhoudsopgave van Issue 882 - Closer

Have we got an issue for you this week! Chantelle Houghton exclusively reveals her top-to-toe transformation, including a non-surgical facelift and two stone weight loss. We look at the reason for the surprising change in Coleen’s face, Sinitta lifts the lid on Cheryl and Simon, and on page 22, celebs debate whether you can ever REALLY be friends with your ex. We know you love our real life stories, so we’ve got a bumper selection – from the woman who lives with 27 disabled dogs, to a young widow who found love again with her best friend’s husband. Consider our special mini mag an early Christmas pressie! Talking of which, if you’re still looking for gift inspiration we’ve some great ideas for under £20 – and don’t forget to look…

Showing off the results of her latest round of surgery on the beach in Dubai last month, Danielle Lloyd looked happier than ever as she flaunted her washboard abs and perky bum in a shiny green bikini alongside her equally ripped husband, Michael O’Neill. And while the mum-of- four, 35, recently told Closer she was “more confident than ever” after undergoing another boob job, a Brazilian bum lift and liposuction, insiders say her obsession with attaining the “perfect body” is rooted in deep pain that still haunts her after the breakdown of her marriage to cheating ex-husband Jamie O’Hara, 33. The former Miss Great Britain – who’s recently revived her glamour modelling career and has been charging fans £125 to view her sexy snaps on the adult app OnlyFans in…

QUESTIONING HER TRUST In 2014 he said, “Hopefully I’m with someone who knows enough about me to trust me. Is Jacqueline ‘The One’? I’d like to think so.” MARITAL TENSION In April, Dan opened up about his marriage, saying, “There is a real negative energy, and life’s too short to live like that. I just want to be happy, and I want Jac to be happy. Whether that’s with me or not… When I feel it’s getting too much, I’ll get out of the house and go to the gym or something.” BREAKING UP Asked if he was scared Jac would leave him, he said earlier this year, “It’s got to the point where I’ve had enough. If we were to break up, then that’s life. I don’t know what’s…

She’s fought an ongoing weight battle, fluctuating between a size 6 and 14 over the years. But now, after losing 2st, Kerry Katona – who is 5ft 2 and a size 8 – believes she’s finally beaten her body demons, so much so that she loves taking off her clothes. Kerry, 39, tells Closer, “I love my new figure and my confidence has gone through the roof. I’m surprised to be even wearing clothes at the moment, as I love walking around in the nude! I’m confident and loving life. I feel the healthiest I have been in a long, long time.” EMOTIONAL Her transformation comes after an emotional and turbulent time, following the shock drug-related death of her ex-husband George Kay in July. But the mum-of-five – who has…

Can you stay friends with an ex? It’s an age-old debate, reignited recently by a number of celebrities who seem to prove you definitely can. Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux – who married in 2015, but split two years later – have remained close pals, spending Thanksgiving together last month. Meanwhile, since splitting in 2016, Gary Lineker and ex-wife Danielle Bux have maintained their close relationship, despite Danielle marrying US businessman Nate Greenwald earlier this year. And exes Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck seem to spend a lot of time together co-parenting their three children, two years since they split and moved on with new partners. Now, Closer asks two celebrities if they think it’s a good idea to try to maintain a friendly bond with your ex-partner……

‘IT’S MY DREAM HOME – I’M ENTITLED TO IT’ When Carla Bellucci hit the headlines after boasting about conning the NHS into giving her a free nose job by faking depression, she was dubbed Britain’s most hated woman. Now Carla, 38, is courting fresh controversy as she gloats about her move into a newly decorated four-bedroom house – paid for with housing benefit. Brazen Carla, who hopes to keep the location of her new home in rural Hertfordshire a secret, says, “I’ve always wanted a big house and now I’ve got one. It’s amazing and I couldn’t be happier. DISGRACE “I’m only getting what I’m entitled to. I’ve got three children [Jermaine, 16, Tanisha, 14, and Jayden, 12]. I qualify for housing payments and £350 in child benefit, and receive…

Sarah, 33, says, “In July 2017, I was out in London with friends. My phone had died and I was pretty drunk, so a friend ordered a taxi from an app for me. I sat in the front seat next to the driver and passed out. The next morning, I woke up in my underwear, feeling sore. My thighs were covered in bruises – I knew I’d had sex. I checked the CCTV outside my house and was horrified to see myself stumbling out of the taxi in my knickers. I have no recollection of it, but it’s changed my life. I can only remember the weight of the driver on top of me and his musty smell, which was still on my skin the next day. Despite reporting the…

GET THE LOOK... RADIANT GLOW Cheat a winter tan, like Jessica and Holly, with these bronzers. No sun required! ❶ EASY APPLICATION MILK MAKE-UP MATTE BRONZER, £20.50 This smooth and nourishing stick foundation is ideal if you want to contour. Swipe under cheekbones, jawline, nose and forehead, and blend for a natural matte finish. ❷ SUPER HYDRATING L’ORÉAL PARIS GLOW CHERIE NATURAL GLOW ENHANCER, £9.99 Infused with watermelon, this offers a great moisture hit and instantly luminises skin. Blend over the face before make-up. ❸ BUILDABLE COLOUR E.L.F BRONZER PALETTE, £7.50 Mix all four shades of this vegan and cruelty-free product, or use separately to create your desired effect. Featuring matte and shimmer tones, there’s something for everyone. CELEB SECRET If you’re looking for a new lippy this party season,…

PERSONAL TOUCH With room for plenty of cards, plus a transparent ID slot, this cool card holder will perk up any commute. FASHION FIX Whether you’re buying for your dad, brother or significant other, they’re sure to appreciate a grown-up festive knit. GO GREEN This hanging tool holder – which can be personalised with the recipient’s name – is perfect for garden-loving grandparents. RETRO REVIVAL A vintage-inspired battery-operated radio will make a welcome addition to a kitchen or living space. WOODEN WONDER Little ones will adore knocking down animal figurines in this colourful wooden skittles game. For ages 3+. STYLISH SLIPPERS Even the fussiest fashionista will be impressed with these oh-so-snuggly slip-ons. The pom poms are a fun touch, too. HERO HAMPER Indulge the in-laws with this box of goodies,…

INSIDE GABRIELLE’S FRIDGE • Eggs• Cheddar cheese• Melon• Port Salut cheese• Avocado• Chicken fillets• Smoked salmon• Ham• Kale• Lemons• Yoghurt• Broccoli• Cherry Pepsi Max• Prune juice• Coconut milk• Almond milk• Champagne VERDICT NUTRITIONIST JULIETTE KELLOW SAYS: “It’s great she’s honest about her diet, but structured, proper meals, with healthy snacks, would benefit Gabrielle. Skipping meals means her blood sugar levels drop, leaving her tired and eating treats for an energy boost. This won’t just affect her health – she could lack nutrients, which may impact on her skin, hair, nails, and mood.” FRIDGE HEALTH RATING 7/10 GET RECIPES, DIET AND FITNESS ADVICE AT CLOSERONLINE.CO.UK/DIET-BODY TAKEAWAY TREAT CHINESE Beef in black bean sauce and noodles. NAUGHTY BUT NICE PUDDING Gü-Zillionnaires cheese cake. I love it – it’s delicious.…

Want to age well? Then keep your Vitamin D levels topped up. You’ll increase your chances of remaining independent, staying mobile and enjoying a good quality of life as you grow older, and be less likely to become frail. It’s also been linked to more youthful hair and skin. We don’t get enough from sunlight between October and early March, so try to eat more oily fish (salmon, sardines and mackerel), red meat, liver, egg yolks and fortified foods like milks and cereals – or take a daily 10 microgram supplement.…

£88 On diesel for my car. I’ve been doing a lot of driving, because I’ve been on tour. £38 For everything to make chicken fajitas – plus a couple of bottles of Prosecco – from Co-op. £60 On a T-shirt and jumper in the sale at All Saints. £8 To get a coffee and a prawn and avocado salad from Pret A Manger. £50 Buying a round of drinks at The Ivy Club for my husband Drew and his family. It was a special treat for us all. • Ian is appearing in Cinderella at The Pavilion Theatre, Worthing. For details, visit Worthingtheatres.co.uk…

Jason Donovan, 51, plays one of an eclectic mix of characters hanging out at the Shady Creek Caravan Park, where Gemma and Terry are forced to take refuge… How did you end up in this? I laughed a lot when I read the script. I also thought there was some great dialogue which I could get my teeth into. I thought the first two films were hilarious. Do you think it will be a hit? I think people will fall in love with the characters! It’s lighthearted fun and has a very cheeky sense of humour. Have you enjoyed working with Sian and Johnny? Sian has brilliant timing and Johnny has this wonderfully dry sense of humour. It appears as if they’re putting in minimal effort, but they are skilful…

SOPHIE KASAEI That’s nothing, Soph. Last night we dreamt we were eating a giant marshmallow – when we woke up, our pillow was gone! CHARLOTTE CROSBY Memo to anyone visiting Charl’s house on 25 December. Expect pancakes for dinner… INSPIGRAM KHLOE KARDASHIAN Oh god, Khloé’s right. If only we’d read this before we told the in-laws we can’t make theirs for Xmas as the dog is having surgery on its anal gland...…

Her recent public appearance at a swanky business lunch in Manchester was her first since her nowlengendary WAGatha Christie row, so all eyes were on Coleen Rooney. And fans couldn’t help noticing she was sporting a very different look – with plumper lips, fuller cheeks and brighter, tighter skin. One admirer commented online, “She looks completely different. It’s not just Botox... It’s her eyes... I think she looks really beautiful but nothing like the face she had before.” Another queried, “I can’t work it out but something is different – maybe weight loss and some filler?”, while a third said, “She’s had some work done, morphing into Cheryl Fernandez Versini.” And while Coleen has neither confirmed nor denied anything, Closer spoke to aesthetics practitioner Amar Suchde, who believes her shock…

Closer’s I’m A Celeb! columnist Nicola McLean – who starred on the show in 2008, and also endured claims her footballer husband Tom Williams had cheated – says, “People want to see her do well. She’s a triple star – she can sing, dance and act and she’d make a brilliant presenter too. People have fallen in love with Jac’s personality, and I think the Dan stories will have increased their love for her. “What’s she’s going through is horrendous. I hope that she can sort things out, because it’s awful when any family breaks up. But it’s for her to decide what’s best.”…

NICOLA McLEAN THE 2008 CAMPMATE, 38, SHARES HER JUNGLE THOUGHTS AND SECRETS EVERY WEEK ‘I GORGED MYSELF ON FOOD WHEN I GOT OUT!’ The campmates will be so happy to return home. Everyone’s contracted to stay in Australia until the final, even if they’re voted out. When you leave camp, you go to catering to gorge yourself. The food was insane! On the way to the hotel, I had a McDonald’s even though I’d just eaten – I was so hungry! Some stay after the show ends, as the producers let you book your flight home when you want, but most leave as they’re desperate to see their family and friends – and their own beds! ‘ROMAN, NADINE & JACQUELINE WILL MAKE MILLIONS’ The show is over – and what…

They are two of the biggest British actors at the moment, and had been dating since 2014 – but now it seems Lily James and Matt Smith have called time on their relationship. Lily, 30, and Matt, 37, allegedly split for a number of reasons, including “hectic schedules”, differing views on marriage, and Matt’s “female friendships” – including his reported close friendship with The Crown co-star Claire Foy. The pair were pictured together leaving a restaurant earlier this month, after reportedly having a tense lunch following their split. Mamma Mia! 2 actress Lily also sparked rumours recently, after she left the British Fashion Awards with actor Max Ianeselli.…

Actress Denise Van Outen split from Lee Mead in 2013 after four years of marriage, but the pair – who share daughter Betsy, now nine – remain closer than ever. And Denise, 45, says it’s extremely important to her to remain pals with Lee, and reveals he even gets on with her new boyfriend, Eddie Boxshall. Denise said, “I love what I have now with Betsy and Lee. Betsy is amazing; she is my main priority, and we both work to bring her up together. And Eddie and Lee get on really well! “It’s amazing, because what I have with Lee and Betsy works so well. If I have to work one week and can’t see her, I don’t feel bad, because I know Lee will be looking after her…

After more than 30 years in the spotlight, she’s no stranger to rubbing shoulders with A-listers. Sinitta has dated Brad Pitt and Simon Cowell, and has many celebrity pals, including Cheryl. Sinitta met the singer ten years ago on The X Factor . And even though Cheryl – who has Bear, two, with ex Liam Payne – quit the show in 2016, they still catch up regularly. And Sinitta, 56, loves seeing the change in Cheryl since she became a mum, and also how parenthood has changed Simon, 60, who has Eric, five, with Lauren Silverman. She says, “Bear was at Eric’s birthday party earlier this year, and Cheryl was letting him indulge, but trying not to let him overindulge. In public, you don’t want to be the disciplined mother…

When Lily Wright got in a taxi after a night out with friends, she was looking forward to going home to bed. Instead, the 26 year old was sexually assaulted by the taxi driver and left fearing for her life. Lily, from Reigate, Surrey, says, “I trusted the driver to get me home safely. Instead, he attacked me. I was left terrified – and completely violated.” Shockingly, the number of women being attacked in taxis is on the rise. Last year, police conducted 151 rape enquiries into taxi drivers, and a further 353 sexual assault allegations – a four per cent increase since 2018. But just 23 out of 44 police forces in England and Wales answered a Freedom of Information request, meaning that number could be higher. Following the…

I WANT WHAT SHE’S GOT! GET HER LOOK HILARY DUFF With the Lizzie McGuire reboot around the corner, actress Hilary Duff is dressing to impress. We love her emerald green suit, which is perfect for work and weekends. And those silver heels are made for dancing! IN THE NEWS... CHRISTMAS PJs FOR EVERYONE With the holidays coming, it’s time to stock up on matching cosy pyjamas for the whole family (including the dog!). There are lots of festive designs to choose from at Primark, with sizes ranging from XS to XL for adults and children aged between 1.5 years and 15 years – with prices starting at £5. Grab them while you can! THE FASHION AWARDS FASHION WORTH TALKING ABOUT! Cate Blanchett, 50 Actress Cate grabs the attention with this…

1 I DON’T LIKE THE FEELING OF HEAVY FOUNDATION… which is why I prefer L’Oréal True Match. I rarely wear make-up but, when I do, I like to look as natural as possible. 2 FALSE LASHES ARE FANTASTIC… because I haven’t got many of my own left, so I often wear a strip lash and I love Ardell Demi Wispies Strip Lashes. 3 I ALWAYS OPT FOR A NUDE LIPSTICK… which I know is a bit boring! Honey Love or Shy Girl from MAC are my signature colours. 4 I WEAR BOTH BLUSHER AND BRONZERS… at the moment. I’m loving Laura Mercier bronzer, which I use on my forehead, cheeks and chin. It’s amazing. 5 FLORAL SCENTS ARE MY FAVOURITE… I mix and match my perfumes, but my all-time favourite…

We’ve met Chantelle Houghton many times over the years, but as she arrives for Closer’s photoshoot, she looks almost unrecognisable. The star – who found fame as the first non-celebrity to enter Celebrity Big Brother and was crowned winner in 2006 – has undergone a jaw-dropping transformation. Not only has she lost 2st in recent months, but Chantelle, 36, has also had a nonsurgical face lift as well as Botox to her forehead and cheek fillers, after feeling “down in the dumps” over her appearance. And to say she’s delighted with the results would be a huge understatement. “I love my new look! I feel about ten years younger,” Chantelle beams. “It’s given me a massive confidence boost. My face looked tired, sunken and drawn, and I just wanted to…

How much do you spend per week? Around £150 on a big shop. I’ll then top it up with fresh veg, fruit and bread during the week, spending anywhere between £50 and £60. It sounds like a lot, but that’s for my daughter Patricia, 16, and my son Jordan, 24, too. Describe your daily diet… There’s so much healthy food in my fridge, but I don’t like eating it a lot of the time. For breakfast, I’ll have a coffee. Midmorning, if I’m naughty, I’ll have more coffee and half a packet of biscuits, but if I’m being good, I’ll have smoked salmon or a bagel and scrambled eggs. When I’m touring, I’ll get a salad with nuts and pulses and some mango for lunch, but sometimes I’m bad and…

ALL ABOUT YOU HOW TO MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF In the festive season, we have more plans than ever – Emma explains how to ensure you get enough rest to survive it! The run-up to Christmas can be cripplingly tiring, and finding space to relax and recuperate may feel impossible. First, accept you deserve some downtime, too. You might think setting your alarm 30 minutes earlier seems counterintuitive, but this provides a pocket of peace just for you. Use the time to relax, practise mindfulness, or find a calming download to set you up for the day. Note all the events you have to attend on a calendar, then plan your time around them. Prioritise things you can’t get out of, and ditch less important events which you can politely…

1 A BERRY ROYAL CHRISTMAS PARTY LIKE IT’S 2019 MON 16 DEC, 8.30PM, BBC1 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge invite Mary Berry to accompany them on special visits, ending with a Christmas party hosted by Kate ’n’ Wills (OMG), plus special guests… Enter Nadiya Hussain, who’s helping with the festive nibbles, following a menu designed by Mary herself. Wish we’d been invited! 2 SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2019 ANNUAL AWARDS BASH SUN 15 DEC, 7PM, BBC1 Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and Gabby Logan present this star-studded night, celebrating all things sport in 2019. Who will be getting the top gong at the end? 3 STICKS AND STONES NEW DRAMA ALERT! MON 16-WED 18 DEC, 9PM, ITV A gripping new drama about workplace bullying from Mike ‘Doctor Foster’ Bartlett.…

You’re doing an ’80s special – tell us about it. We’ve done an over-50s special in the past, but this one is about the decade. It’s celebrating the 1980s, so I’ve gone back to my Miami Vice days… I’ll be in a white suit with a pastel vest, and all the girls will have big hair. The music and everything about the show will be ’80s. I’m really looking forward to it – it will be a lot of fun! Do you think a fancy-dress element will change the dynamic a bit? The show always has a party atmosphere, but this will ramp it up a bit. What will be interesting – because everyone’s dressed in ’80s attire – is that the girls and boys will be going on a…

‘SHE DOESN’T SEE WHY THEY SHOULD GET THE CHANCE TO MOVE ON AND BE HAPPY WHILE SHE’S STILL SUFFERING’ • The bankrupt star faces claims she could be homeless over the holidays • She vows to expose those who have crossed her, as insiders say she’s out for revenge against exes Pete and Kieran • Pals reveal the mum of five feels she’s got nothing left to lose A question mark has been hanging over whether Jordan will lose her £2m “mucky mansion” before Christmas after she was declared bankrupt – and last week reports claimed she was living like a squatter in her own home and can’t afford to heat it. During an interview on Flex FM last week, Jordan shot down the claims but revealed, “I don’t live…

Once again, Gabby Allen, 26, has been forced to hit back at claims she’d slept with Dan Osborne last year, after her ex Myles Stephenson reportedly told Jacqueline Jossa the allegations were true while they were both on I’m A Celeb!. The accusations, which they both strongly deny, were first made by former boyfriend Marcel Somerville. “Sadly, my ex-boyfriend is accusing me of improper behaviour,” she wrote on Instagram in response to the claims. “I never did anything wrong during our relationship and was 100% faithful.” Closer spoke to the Love Island star recently, following claims that Dan had kissed Love Islander Alexandra Cane on a night out – which he denies. “I hope that it didn’t happen, for Jacqueline’s sake,” she said. “Dan gets himself into situations. He is…

His return to the jungle was supposed to mark a triumphant return after sensationally pulling out of last year’s show, following a shock drink-driving arrest and stint in rehab – which left his 25-year career hanging by a thread. But it seems Ant McPartlin’s fall from grace is still troubling him. The TV host has been slammed by I’m A Celeb! fans after rejoining comedy partner Declan Donnelly, 44, for the latest series of the ITV reality show. Shock ratings have revealed this series lost half its initial viewers, dropping from the 10.6m who tuned into the opening episode to 5.4m by the second week. Critics were quick to point the finger of blame at Ant, also 44, for the drop, following revelations of his alcohol and prescription pills addiction…

They’ve had a tumultuous relationship over the years, filled with make-ups, break-ups and health scares – but now there’s more drama for on-off couple James ‘Arg’ Argent and Gemma Collins. Arg, 32, was hospitalised last week after a suspected drug overdose – just two months after another drama when an ambulance was called to his home – with paramedics reportedly breaking into Arg’s £1.3m pad in Essex after friends didn’t hear from him for 48 hours. The former TOWIE star was said to be disorientated” and “out of it” when he was eventually taken to hospital. He then reportedly discharged himself after spending the night there. And sources say the scare has been a “wake-up call” for Arg, who has now “admitted he needs help” with his issues. While Gemma…

She was the runner-up in Love Island 2018, splitting from then-boyfriend Paul Knops shortly after leaving the villa. And now Laura Anderson, 31 – who has since had romances with reality star Max Morley and The Bachelor’s Alex Marks – says that she doesn’t believe you can ever have a true friendship with an ex. Laura said, “I absolutely don’t speak to Paul, or any of my exes. I just don’t think you can be friends with an ex if you actually, really loved them. It can’t work – a break-up is almost always one person dumping the other, so one person is going to be raging, and the other is going to be like, ‘Sorry, bye’. Civil break-ups never really happen. “It would be nice to be able to…

Sinitta starred on Celeb First Dates in 2017, following the end of her relationship with Jason Gale. She says, “I’d never been on a date with someone I didn’t know. There’d always been an introduction through work or a friend. It was very funny to be sat at a table on a date. He had no idea who I was, which was funny, because he kept apologising about that. He asked me, ‘What do you do?’ I told him I was a singer, and as the date went further in, I told him I’d had a hit record years ago, and he asked, ‘Are you the Sinitta?’ He had no idea. “Other people were eating in the First Dates restaurant too, so you don’t have any idea who’s on a…

Julie Bailey, 57, says, “From the moment I walked into Stafford Hospital, I was horrified. The corridors were crammed full of patients and those with dementia were wandering around aimlessly. Food was placed out of reach of patients, pleas for medication were ignored, and people were left in dirty sheets for hours. “I even saw elderly people drinking water out of flower vases because they were so dehydrated. We knew we couldn’t leave Mum alone – not even for a second. “We clung on to the fact that we’d been told Mum’s condition was treatable, but after four weeks, a nurse was helping her go to the toilet and dropped her. HEARTBREAKING “Everything changed after that. Her breathing worsened, and she was diagnosed with heart failure – but she wasn’t…

• If you’re travelling solo, always sit directly behind the driver, as it makes it harder for them to overpower you. • Never take a taxi alone if you’re drunk, and stay awake during the ride. • If you’re using a minicab app, book your ride inside and wait for the app to notify you when your taxi has arrived. This makes it harder for unlicensed drivers to spot you outside and pretend they’re your driver. • If you are travelling in London, Transport for London (TfL) has a licence checker that can be found at Tfl.gov. uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/licensing/licence-checker. • If you are using an app to travel, have the driver confirm your name before you get in the car. Once a driver has accepted your journey, you should be able…

I love getting dressed up for the red carpet… but it can be really stressful. I feel so lucky to get invited to such amazing events, but there’s always so much pressure to look perfect, and finding the right outfit can be really time-consuming. It’s all worth it in the end, though. Social media is a great place for finding inspiration… I browse Instagram and Pinterest to see how celebrities such as Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Kim Kardashian are styling outfits, then I’ll search for similar pieces on the high street. I look back at some of my past outfits and think, ‘What the hell?’ – but, at the time, things like bandage dresses and sky-high heels were on-trend. When TOWIE first aired [Billie starred in the show between 2010-2016], I…

QUICK MEAL LEFTOVER TURKEY CURRY SERVES 4 • 2 tbsp whole coriander seeds • 1 tbsp whole cumin seeds • 3 tbsp coconut or vegetable oil • 6 green cardamom pods, crushed • 3 bay leaves • 4 cloves • 1 cinnamon stick • 2 tsp dried chilli flakes • 2 large onions, peeled and chopped • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated • 4 cloves garlic, crushed • 1 tbsp curry paste • 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes • 2 tbsp tomato purée • 500g cooked turkey leg meat, cubed • Fresh coriander, chopped, to garnish STEP 1 Toast the coriander and cumin seeds in a dry pan until lightly toasted and fragrant. Grind with a pestle and mortar and set aside. STEP 2 Heat the oil in a…

Paying pregnant women hundreds to quit smoking when the NHS is at breaking point is ridiculous, but next year Hertfordshire County Council will trial giving expectant mums up to £300 in vouchers for food, baby clothes and equipment to help them kick the habit. The women they are targeting are mainly from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and using financial incentives to get them to do things feels wrong. RISK OF NEW SMOKERS Labour councillor Margaret Eames-Petersen expressed concern that some pregnant women might even start smoking just to get £300 of vouchers. It’s a valid concern – it’s as if they’re incentivising smoking. We already know that some young women smoke because they think they’ll give birth to a smaller baby. That’s awful enough – this could encourage even more. IT’S…

USE A CHILD BANK ACCOUNT TO SAVE “Current accounts are best for instant access to cash, while regular savers and Junior ISAs are better to save and for money you don’t need to access regularly,” says money coach Catherine Morgan. Accounts for kids aged 11 and over let them set up direct debits and use online banking. There are usually no fees, most can be opened with a pound, and they usually get a debit card – plus they earn interest. TSB’s Under 19s Account gives over-17s discounts on AA driving lessons. PICK A PREPAID CARD FOR SAFE SPENDING Prepaid cards nimbl, GoHenry and Osper are for kids aged eight plus, but four year olds can use Rooster. Cards usually have an annual fee and won’t earn interest, but give…

Murder On The Blackpool Express became Gold’s most watched show ever. What’s your secret? SIAN GIBSON, 43: I think the series has proved so popular because the cast draws people in, and it’s easy viewing you can watch as a family. I also hope people love the relationship between Terry and Gemma. JOHNNY VEGAS, 49: It’s a terrific ensemble each year, and there is always the buzz of, “Who’s in the next one?” It has what I call the “Bingo Factor” – it’s discussed at the bingo by your mum and her friends… Where do we find Terry? JOHNNY: He’s in a very good place. At the end of the first film, he got the girl of his dreams. At the end of the second film, she agreed to marry…

MUST READ Woman On The Edge (SAMANTHA M BAILEY) In a split second, Morgan’s life changes forever. A stranger hands her a baby, then jumps in front of a train. Morgan has never seen the woman before, but when the police question her, she discovers none of the witnesses can corroborate her version of events. And when they learn Morgan longs for a baby of her own, she becomes a suspect. To prove her innocence, Morgan tries to retrace the last days of the woman’s life. Was she a new mother struggling with paranoia? Or is something much darker going on? Simply brilliant. BEST DAY OUT Nativity! The Musical The star-studded musical Nativity! is back again for one final run in London’s West End, with a fantastic line-up of celebs…

THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN SAGITTARIUS 22 NOV-21 DEC Your new, improved money cycle starts now – if it hasn’t already. Jupiter’s recent move into your Money Zone (which will last 12 months) is possibly the best cash bonanza you’ve had in years (as long as you’re ok with some hard work…) Find out where you’re getting lucky in 2020 at moonmessages. com/jupiter2020 CAPRICORN 22 DEC-19 JAN The good news will keep coming right now. Expect a good week, with the milk of human kindness flowing your way again – even if the past few months have been a complete drought! There are people around who love you and who aren’t afraid to show it. Find out where you’re getting lucky in 2020 at moonmessages.com/jupiter2020 AQUARIUS 20 JAN-18 FEB Do…