Table of contents for Issue 879 in Closer

We know how much you love our fantastic real life – so we have an early Christmas gift for you this week with a 12-page special, packed full of incredible stories and hard-hitting investigations. On p31, we look at the tragic case of the mum who’s forgiven her husband for accidentally killing their baby twins. We also speak to one of the victims of the Instagram mummy blogger scandal that rocked the online world. Our investigation into vaping on p32 shines a worrying light on this supposedly safe alternative to smoking, and we uncover the growing plight of estranged couples forced to stay together as they can’t afford to live apart. Prepare to have your heart melted by Ricochet, the surfing golden retriever who helps mentally and physically disabled people…

His troubled love life has hit the headlines since dating Khloé Kardashian in 2009 – but Lamar Odom seems to have found happiness again after announcing his engagement last week. The former basketball player, 40, revealed his personal trainer girlfriend Sabrina Parr – who he’s been dating for three months – said yes after he proposed in Miami earlier this month. Lamar married Khloé , 35, in 2009 – but the couple split four years later, amid cheating allegations and after Lamar was arrested for drink driving. After he was found unconscious in a brothel following a drugs overdose, Khloé reapplied for divorce a year later, with the pair legally separating in December 2016. Sources say Lamar’s engagement has affected Khloé – who split from her baby daddy Tristan Thompson…

She’s been at war with Kieran Hayler’s new girlfriend ever since the romance began last summer – even being fined and slapped with a five-year restraining order in June this year, after a foul-mouthed rant outside the gates of her children’s school. And pals say Jordan is fuming after her rival Michelle Pentecost sparked pregnancy rumours last week when a beaming Kieran was snapped caressing her stomach. A source says, “Katie saw red when she saw those pictures – branding Michelle a ‘mug’ and joking that Kieran is probably cheating on her anyway. The thought of Kieran starting a family with Michelle and giving her kids a baby brother or sister makes her feel sick to her stomach.” Closer previously revealed Jordan – who Kieran cheated on multiple times –…

Her bitter divorce from ex Ant McPartlin is still ongoing and looks no closer to being settled – and Lisa Armstrong appeared to vent her feelings as she ‘favourited’ comments on social media that criticised him and his new girlfriend. Make-up artist Lisa liked a series of tweets slamming Ant, 44, and his girlfriend Anne-Marie Corbett, 43. One read, “I’ve gone right off Ant. Think I’m not alone in that opinion. The way he’s treated @lisaAmakeup has been disgraceful.” DISGUSTING BEHAVIOUR Seemingly referring to pictures of Ant and Anne-Marie in Australia ahead of the I’m A Celeb! launch, another critic posted, “It seems to be an unwritten rule that when a man has an affair then parades the woman around in public that the wife is always made out to…

She shot to fame on reality show Popstars: The Rivals 17 years ago, winning a place alongside Cheryl, Kimberly Walsh, Nicola Roberts and Sarah Harding in Girls Aloud. But Nadine, 34 – who has daughter Anaiya, five, with ex Jason Bell – isn’t counting on the support of her former bandmates, who she’s been estranged from since quitting the group in 2009. She said, “I spoke to Sarah [Harding] around the time of Big Brother, but I haven’t seen or spoken to them since the end of Girls Aloud or just before I had my daughter. So that’s about six years ago.”…

The internet sensation behind the Mother of Daughters Instagram account, Clemmie Hooper, has admitted to a secret online life in which she trolled her rivals – many of whom were her own friends. The 34-year-old midwife, who has over 600k followers, joined gossip website Tattle Life in 2018, and slammed her fellow influencers under the alias Alice In Wanderlust. She branded her friends “boring” and “inconsistent” and said that black influencer Candice Brathwaite, who has appeared on Clemmie’s podcast, was “aggressive” and used her “race as a weapon.” But when users on Tattle Life worked out that Alice was in fact Clemmie, she took to Instagram to confess. She said she joined the site to defend comments made about her – and when users started to suspect her true identity,…

Simah’s mum, Stacy Herman, 47, says, “In the US, 39 deaths and more than 2,000 illnesses have been linked to electronic cigarettes – it shocks me they haven’t been banned yet. “The vaping industry markets their products to young people on purpose, hence the sweet flavours and colourful packaging. Banning smoking in public places means less people smoke. Vaping companies have found a way around this by making e-cigarettes trendy so they can infiltrate schools and workplaces. After witnessing first-hand the damage vaping does, I’m so proud of my daughter for starting her campaign. I hope many people read her story and realise how deadly these cartridges are. I don’t want another family to suffer like we did.”…

While most dogs love going for walks and playing fetch, 11-year-old golden retriever Ricochet has an unusual talent... for surfing. She has her own surfboard and even helps people with mental and physical difficulties learn to ride the waves, as part of an animal-assisted therapy programme. Her owner Judy, from San Diego, USA, says, “I’m so proud of my clever dog. Not only is she physically skillful, using her strength to counterbalance the weight on a surfboard, but she’s emotionally intelligent too. She can connect with people in a way that humans can’t. She’s become a bit of a celebrity – it’s not every day you see a dog on a surfboard.” Judy founded Puppy Prodigies in 2006, a non-profit organisation that trains service dogs for people with disabilities. Judy…

Closer’s Emma Kenny says, “Living with your ex isn’t easy, but to try to make it as pain-free as possible, have a schedule of who is expected to do what when, such as chores, and stick to it. Make clear boundaries too – for example, whether you bring new partners home, or being clear about not eating each other’s food from the fridge. “Treat it like a business relationship. Have a set time at the weekend to sit down and discuss what’s worked and what hasn’t, and be prepared to listen. Co-operate, and if needs be, set more boundaries to keep everyone happy.”…

Back in 2015, Ferne took part in the fifteenth series of I’m A Celeb! , and now she reveals that meeting fellow campmate Vicky Pattison was life-changing for her. She says, “I loved my time on I’m A Celeb! . I’ll never forget all the Bushtucker trials. I had to eat a live spider, which was horrible. The crickets weren’t live and kicking, and they were actually really tasty. “Vicky has since become a really good friend of mine and we talk to one another every week. I love her to bits. Only me and her know what we’ve been through, and we shared that experience together in the Jungle. A lot of people didn’t want us to get on, but you gravitate to the people you’re most like. We…

GET HER LOOK ASHLEY ROBERTS, 38 We’re going to be stealing DJ Ashley’s dreamy autumnal style pronto! We love the tonal shades in this on-trend outfit. Jumpsuits can be dressed up with heels or down with boots, like Ashley. Invest in one now for your new go-to get-up. I WANT WHAT SHE’S GOT! IN THE NEWS... FATFACE TEAMS UP WITH SHELTER Look good and do good with FatFace’s latest fashion drop. The leading clothing brand is partnering with homeless charity Shelter, and 15 per cent of sales will go to help those struggling with homelessness. From winter woolies to stylish sleepwear, give something back this Christmas. In store and online now. FASHION WORTH TALKING ABOUT! Alison Brie, 36 Actress Alison’s amazing dress doesn’t disappoint in the fashion stakes. We love…

JUST LANDED HYDRATION HIT AVÈNE HYDRANCE AQUA GEL WHAT IS IT? This lightweight cream helps to moisturise, soothe and detoxify, providing a trio of benefits for skin needing a little TLC. WHY WE LOVE IT: The unique formula of this nourishing gel, which is made up of 75 per cent thermal spring water, left us with plump, smooth and brighter skin. You can also use as a mask overnight for the ultimate hydration boost. GET THE LOOK... HEALTHY HAIR Whether you’re straightening, curling or blow-drying, keep your locks protected and hydrated, just like Olivia Wilde and Olivia Munn... ❶ FIGHTS FRIZZ L’ORÉAL PARIS ELNETT SATIN HEAT SPRAY £5.99 Not only does this spray protect against heat damage, it’ll leave your hair smooth, shiny and super soft. ❷ REDUCES SPLIT ENDS…

‘Everything’s changing… but it’s a small price to pay’ Gently cradling her blossoming bump on our photo shoot, Chloe Goodman is positively glowing. The reality TV star is expecting her first child in May with her boyfriend of two years, QPR footballer Grant Hall. And while she’s thrilled about her next chapter as a mum, Chloe admits she’s been ready to have a baby since her early twenties. Chloe, 26, tells us, “I’ve wanted to be a mum for years. I’m from a family of five girls and I’ve always had maternal instincts. When I met Grant, we agreed early on that we wanted to become parents, so it feels like everything has fallen into place.” And the star, who found fame on Ex On The Beach in 2014 and…

INSIDE RACHEL’S FRIDGE • Milk • Oranges • Ginger beer • Dates • Chocolate • Coconut • Mango • Chicken • Onion • Mince • Fish • Broccoli • Tomatoes • Garlic • Green beans • Pears • Prawns • Pineapple • Red peppers • Strawberries • Carrots • Orange juice VERDICT NUTRITIONIST JULIETTE KELLOW SAYS, “Rachel has a down-to-earth approach to food, and has avoided following the latest diet fad. She hasn’t banned any foods, so her meals are balanced and nutritious. She should keep an eye on her portion sizes though, making sure they don’t gradually increase over time, as that could lead to unwanted weight gain.” FRIDGE HEALTH RATING 9.5/10 TAKEAWAY TREAT CHINESE I have egg fried rice, prawn balls, green beans and sweet and sour chicken.…

Loads of us aim to take 10,000 steps a day, but to improve your fitness and lower your chances of getting lifestyle-related illnesses, you should try Interval Walking Training. Essentially, it means walking briskly for three minutes, then recover by walking at a slower pace for the next three minutes, and repeat five times. Researchers tested it on nearly 700 people and after five months, they were 14 per cent fitter and had a 17 per cent drop in illnesses linked to lifestyle – plus they kept it up as it was so achievable. Clever!…

£5.35 on muesli and soya milk because I wasn’t sure about the breakfast in my hotel. £38 on a winter coat for my six-year-old daughter, Joy. She wanted a green coat like mine, so I bought her a padded green parka from Next. £20 on gold Havianas flip-flops at the airport. £38 on a dress from Fat Face. It’s a really simple yet pretty T-shirt dress. I dyed my hair pink recently and I wanted my hair to match my outfit. £25 on a black bralette – but I was disappointed with it. A Place In The Sun is at 4pm every week day on Channel 4…

This is also the week when Fiz finally admits to Tyrone that Hope has been starting fires (probably the factory one too, she reckons…). Naughty Hope sets the backyard alight, and Fiz tearfully tells Tyrone that she thought he would leave her if he found out the truth. They decide they need to be tougher on the little girl, but Evelyn’s got that look in her eye and suspicions about someone very close to home… FOLLOW OUR LIVE TWEETS OVER AT @CloserOnline…

1 HOW TO SPEND IT WELL AT CHRISTMAS TIPS FROM PIP SUN 24 NOV, 7PM, ITV Phillip Schofield returns with his popular series finding out which presents you should splash your cash on at Christmas. Kicking things off is this episode dedicated to gifts and gadgets, where Corrie stars Alan Halsall (Tyrone), Jack P Shepherd (David) and Colson Smith (Craig) have lots of fun testing hover boards and electric scooters. Phillip gets members of the public in a shopping centre involved too, and life-long dog lover Claire Balding investigates the best festive treats for your canine pals. Perhaps best of all is the fact Phillip is aided by his wife Steph, who is fab. 2 MICHAEL MCINTYRE’S BIG SHOW PHONE A FRIEND SAT 23 NOV, 8.10PM, BBC1 Filmed in front…

What was the inspiration for this? I watch a lot of movies in my down time, and this is a bit like a love letter to some of my favourite ones, such as The Godfather, Forrest Gump and Easy Rider. To visit some of the locations where they were set was amazing. New York has such a brilliant vibe about it – it was like walking around one big film set anyway . And you get to ride a Harley Davidson as well? I think Easy Rider was part of the inspiration for this series. What you didn’t see or hear was that I was playing tunes in my head – music from the 60s and 70s, from bands like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. I was in my own…

AMBER DAVIES... Memo to Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn and Jo Swinson: Forget all those expensive polling companies and get on the blower to Amber! DEMI SIMS... Demi, we’ve got Oxford University on the phone, they want to know if you’re up for next year’s English Masters degree? INSPIGRAM CALUM BEST Sorry, Calum, but you clearly haven’t enjoyed the benefits of Andrex. And it’s very, very long too.…

‘SHE IS STARTING TO THINK SHE’S BECOMING PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE’ The now iconic War of the WAGs gathered momentum last week when big-name celebrities waded into the bitter spat between Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy. And Coleen, 33, who is said to be desperate to move past the scandal, was dealt a fresh blow when Piers Morgan shared a selfie with Rebekah, 37 – who has furiously denied Coleen’s allegations that she sold stories from her private Instagram account – poking fun at Coleen by using her now-famous caption, “It’s… Rebekah Vardy”. Meanwhile, Robbie Williams, who is a longtime pal of Coleen’s husband Wayne, gave an interview calling out Coleen’s online sleuthing as “a dangerous game to play”, adding, “I understand Coleen’s need for revenge, and I probably would…

In stark contrast to his usual gaffes while discussing his ex Cheryl, Liam Payne paid a touching tribute to her last week, admitting he will find it hard to see her move on with another man – and even refusing to rule out a romantic reunion between them. Speaking to adventurer Ant Middleton in his documentary, Liam Payne: Straight Talking, the former One Direction star revealed how his struggles with global fame – after joining the band aged just 16 – had led him to alcoholism, and even contemplating suicide. Pouring his heart out to Ant, Liam, 26, stressed it is his ex who he turns to during his “bad days”, revealing, “Cheryl is always there for me. I’m lucky enough to have someone who understands what I go through.…

❛OVERTHINKING MAKES ME MY OWN WORST ENEMY SOMETIMES❜ The shocking death of her 39-year-old estranged ex-husband, George Kay, from a cocaine overdose in July was the latest in a long list of personal turmoils for Kerry Katona. The mum of five – who suffers from bipolar disorder – has a history of drug abuse, after being introduced to cocaine by her mum aged 14. She was declared bankrupt in 2008 and has three failed marriages under her belt – but while Kerry, 39, says she will never “fully be over her mental health struggles”, she is coping by having regular counselling sessions and going to church. TRAUMATIC MEMORIES In an emotional and honest chat on her Instagram Live, the former Atomic Kitten singer said, “Overthinking is the worst thing I…

Relationship expert and life coach Rebecca Lockwood says that Lisa should take a step back from the drama if she wants to be happy again. She says, “It’s clear Lisa still has a lot of emotions to deal with around the break-up and is still suffering. But in order to properly heal and be able to move on, Lisa must try to focus on herself, rather than what’s going on with her ex. Reading bitter tweets about him or feeling tempted to drag out the divorce process – something partners often do to feel in control of the process – will only cause her more heartache in the long run. The sooner she cuts ties and tries to move on, the better. She must let go of the need to…

Having starred on the US version of I’m A Celeb! in 2003, Caitlyn Jenner must be a glutton for punishment as she’s returning for a second stab at jungle life for the UK show. The Olympian turned 70 this year, and after everything she’s gone through – transitioning in 2017, living in the spotlight as part of the Kardashian clan and being a father of 10 – she knows she’ll be the camp’s peacemaker. She says, “I am definitely a peacemaker, and I bring people together. I am also very handy at making things and I am good at boiling water.”…

Landon Clary Eason, 62, says, “I had a very difficult childhood, and I don’t get on with my family. By 2001, I was in the grip of alcoholism, drinking countless cocktails every evening. “I joined my first chat group to meet people with similar hobbies to me – I like gardening and chess. But the moment someone made a comment that I thought was rude or patronising, I lashed out. It made me feel good – for the first time in my life, I felt powerful. “Soon, I was trolling every night. I’d spend at least five hours drinking and hurling abuse at total strangers. I picked on people who I thought were weak and wouldn’t answer back. But by 2007, I knew I had to make a change, and…

Neuroscientist and professor David Diamond, of the Department of Psychology at University of South Florida, spoke to Juan soon after the twins died, when the grieving dad contacted him to help him understand how it happened. Speaking to Closer , Professor Diamond says, “When Mr Rodriguez first phoned me, he was inconsolable. He thought he was the only person who had ever done this, he was deeply suffering. But in the US, in that same week, two other children died, and in a three-week period, 15 children had died in similar circumstances. “In each case where I’d spoken to the parent, they said they’d dropped the child off. But memory can be faulty and this can lead to catastrophic consequences. “Because a parent arrives at their intended final destination, the…

Closer’s Dr Christian Jessen says, “It’s shocking to hear about these teens’ illnesses – but I don’t think vaping is completely to blame. To me, it sounds like they suffered from ‘bird fancier’s lung’ – an inflammation in the lungs often triggered by an allergy to birds – but in these cases, caused by vaping. It’s possible the patients’ illnesses could have been due to an allergic response to a component of e-cigarette vapour. In the UK, 3.6m people use vapes, and if they were that dangerous, there would be more reports of illness. I fear that if we saw them banned, more people would turn to smoking and the consequences would be dire. I’m certainly not saying teens should vape – but I’ve seen many patients, with severe health…

ALLOW KIDS TO LEARN “It’s much harder being a mum than an actress, because no one taught me what to do as a mum [to son Billy, 15, and daughter Nell, 11]. I took parenting classes and I swear the self-help book Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting by Noël Janis-Norton is the answer to almost everything – it helped me tremendously with the kiddies and I also found it invaluable in dealing with their dad, Tim [Burton]! What it does is make people think and fend for themselves and stops you running around doing every single thing for them.” EVERYBODY AGES AT DIFFERENT RATES “My knees feel about 100, but there are other parts of me that don’t seem so old… Everybody ages at a different rate. My boyfriend is unbelievably…

ONE-PIECE WONDER For an effortless evening look that oozes opulence, a velvet jumpsuit is a no-brainer. Add metallic accessories for an extra-glam touch. SKIRT AROUND A versatile red velvet skirt can be dressed up or down. Wear with a fluffy knit and heels for a warm and stylish date-night look. SUITED AND BOOTED Make the fabric cool with a crushed velvet suit. Team with a slogan tee and trainers for a stylish weekend look. FANCY PANTS Ease yourself into the trend with a pair of velvet trousers. This super-soft black pair will go with everything, from slouchy jumpers to frilly blouses. COLOUR POP Switch up classic shades for punchy pink. The statement sleeves add a cool modern twist to this dress, too. Finish with contrasting red heels.…

PREGNANCY CRAVINGS “At first, I was eating nearly every two hours. After breakfast, I’d have another breakfast, and my portion sizes were huge. I’ve been craving wine, but I’ve been eating a lot of grapes to compensate. I’ve gone off meat and turned more vegan, as Grant is vegan through the week.” BEING A WAG “I’m not in that world and prefer my normal friends. Once, during a match, I walked into the viewing lounge and the other girls were wearing their Gucci and Chanel clothes, and I was there with my Adidas trainers on. They just looked me up and down. I left halfway through the game to sit with the fans!” KEEPING HEALTHY “Until I have my cervical stitch, I can’t do any exercise. The gym in my…

How much do you spend per week? If I don’t think ahead, then easily up to £200, but if I’ve planned, then £100. I’ll get a lot of stuff and make meals that last for a few days. I’m feeding my husband, Jason Finegan, and my 11-month-old daughter, and they eat everything. My friends come over for pancakes – my speciality. Describe your daily diet… Breakfast is toast with scrambled eggs or bran flakes with a green tea, but if I feel like something special I’ll have an Americano. Lunch is salmon and salad with some chips from the work canteen, or meat or fish with salad or veg. Dinner is shepherd’s pie or jollof rice with plantain and chicken. My meals are quite filling, as I’ll have a huge…

FAMILY MATTERS ALL KIDS SHOULD LEARN SELF-DEFENCE If you feel worried about bullying, Emma says martial arts can make a real difference Sadly, it is now more challenging than ever to stop bullies, as even after the school bell rings, kids can get attacked online. That’s why one of the most effective strategies to end a bully’s reign of terror is changing the mindset of their potential “victims”. Becoming “bully proof” takes work, but it also gives your child an invisible coat of armour emotionally. Aware my boys needed physical confidence to feel capable of managing threats, I signed them up for gymnastics and jujitsu at a young age. As teens, they started Thai boxing. Martial arts teach restraint, focus, and discipline, and to engage in physical conflict only in…

• As Kanye West confirms he’s running for President, his wife Kim Kardashian prepares to become America’s next First Lady • Kim is fully behind the campaign and aims to emulate Melania Trump or Michelle Obama • Her reality TV career may take a back seat He shocked fans by confirming he’ll be running for President in 2024, but rapper-turned-born-again Christian Kanye West has the full backing of his wife Kim Kardashian West – who is said to be the driving force behind his bid for power and is already hatching her plan to become First Lady. Unveiling his political plans last week, Kanye, 42 – who’s considering changing his name to Christian Genius Billionaire Kanye West – said, “When I run for President in 2024… We would create so…

She left her on/off fiancé heartbroken when she sensationally dumped him via text back in August – with personal trainer Kris Boyson reportedly threatening to break the legs of her replacement toy boy, Charles Drury. But one month on, insiders say Jordan, 41 – real name Katie Price – has now accepted Kris’ proposal and has started planning her wedding to the 31-year-old, in a bid to turn her life around after a particularly turbulent year. And sources say that getting noticed by her first husband, Peter Andre, in the process is an added bonus. A source says, “Katie does genuinely love Kris and wants to marry him, but she can’t help seeing the wedding as a way of getting one over on Pete, too. “Her life has been a…

Celebrating their milestone 20th wedding anniversary in July with a loved-up holiday in the south of France was a chance for Victoria Beckham to prove the doubters wrong – and to show that, despite reports of a rift, her marriage to David Beckham is currently stronger than ever. The pair posted sweet tributes to each other online and were pictured putting on a very tactile display. And while Posh, 45, has continued to gush over her “inspirational” husband – recently revealing how lucky she felt to have found a “soulmate” in the former footballer – insiders say the Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer is panicking their relationship could come under scrutiny again, as actress Davinia Taylor sensationally opens up about her colourful past with David’s BFF, Dave Gardner. WORRIES Nineteen years after…

She was forced to shoot down rumours last year linking her to Jacqueline Jossa’s husband Dan Osborne. And now, Gabby Allen says she doesn’t know whether the on/off couple are still an item. Despite starring in Celebrity Big Brother alongside Dan, 28 – who has denied numerous accusations of infidelity – former Love Islander Gabby, 26, says she has cut all ties with him. Gabby says, “There’s no need for me and Dan to be friends. Jacqueline and her family are more important than me and Dan being mates. I don’t really know Jacqueline. As far as I’m aware, her and Dan are still together, so I assume everything’s been figured out.” Gabby’s love life has rarely been far from the headlines. She split from fellow Love Island star Marcel…

‘JAMES WILL STRUGGLE’ NICOLA SAYS: “I know James. He’s a good character and will impress. I think he’ll be there near the end. It’s always good to have sportsmen, because they’re super competitive. But he’ll struggle with rations, and his muscles are going to get tired.” ‘ADELE COULD BE FIRST TO GO’ NICOLA SAYS: “I only remember her from Big Brother, so I feel like she’s a bit of an obscure choice. She has said she is very shy, and depending on the group dynamics, I think a quieter person like Adele could be the first to go.” ‘JACQUELINE COULD WIN’ NICOLA SAYS: “People wrongly judge her as this feeble pushover, but she’s not going to want to opt out. It’s her time to show what she’s about. She’ll be…

MATTHEW‘IN LOVE’ WITH COURTENEY On-screen, they were lifelong pals who discovered a mutual romantic attraction – and now insiders insist that actor Matthew Perry “has been in love” with his Friends co-star Courteney Cox for years. The claim comes amid reports that a Friends reunion is in the works, with Courteney, 55, unleashing a fan frenzy when she posted a selfie with Matthew last week, captioned, “Guess who I had lunch with today… I KNOW!! Could I BE any happier?” Rumours of the actor’s enduring devotion were fuelled by one source telling an American magazine that Matthew, 50, has “always been in love” with his on-screen wife and had never “fully been able to get over her”. September marked the 25th anniversary of the premiere of the sitcom. And despite…

• Closer’s psychological therapist, Emma Kenny, says, “It’s understandable that Clemmie wanted to defend herself. When your financial stability relies on what other people think of you, as it does with influencers, cruel comments matter. I’ve worked with women who’ve had their careers ruined because of gossip sites like Tattle Life. Clemmie probably didn’t mean to cause any harm, but by going undercover on the website, the lines and reasons why she was on there got blurred. We see it in covert police operations – people start to form connections and alliances, and they can take things too far. It takes willpower, but she should have ignored the trolls – rather than become one.”…

They were once seen as a “safe” alternative to smoking – but some health experts are now calling for a ban on electronic cigarettes after a teenage boy almost died from serious respiratory failure. Ewan Fisher, 19, from Nottinghamshire, ended up on life support after suffering from hypersensitivity pneumonitis – an allergic reaction that results in inflammation of the lung tissue. He began vaping in early 2017, when he was just 16, and continued for four or five months before falling ill. After finding it hard to breathe, his mum took him to A&E – where doctors said his lungs were failing. BRUSH WITH DEATH Despite being put on a ventilator, the teenager was still unable to get enough oxygen into his body. Eventually, he was attached to an artificial…

‘I WANT TO INSPIRE OTHERS – I AM PROOF IT CAN BE DONE’ Beatrix Ellis still pinches herself when she looks in the mirror and sees her slender frame, after losing almost half her body weight. And she credits her husband Mark for inspiring her whopping 10st weight loss, because it was his fitness drive that inspired her to copy him. Nursery worker Beatrix, 47, who lives in Havant, Hampshire, explains her motivation, saying, “A friend of ours died when he was only 51. He’d been playing football and fell down dead from a heart attack in August 2016. My husband, Mark, now 48, works in the military, and had always been fit – but the tragedy made him really health conscious and he started exercising every day and watching…

‘I’m all or nothing… I’m ready to get married’ Only two months ago, she was linked to ex-Love Islander Jordan Hames when they were snapped in a passionate embrace at a party. However, Ferne McCann is a lady in demand and moved on quickly from the Love Island star. After a short romance with someone she met on super-exclusive dating app Raya, she’s now loved-up with a new man – whose identity she won’t reveal. In an exclusive chat with Closer at the launch of Chiquito’s new menu, Ferne, 29, says, “I’m dating someone new and he’s really cool. It’s really looking promising. I was talking to five different guys and now I’ve met someone who I think is very special. I’ve actually known him for a very long time…

Rumours have been swirling since she was pictured with on-off boyfriend James “Arg” Argent on holiday earlier this month – and now Gemma Collins says the pair are back together after a “lovely” break in Dubai. Speaking at the ITV Palooza, she says, “I’ve just come back. I had a nice rest and I’m returning to work now. Arg came with me. I flew out there on my own first and he travelled on another plane. He is Mr GC, so he boarded that plane to come and see me. We had a lovely time.” Gemma, 38 – who’s been on and off with Arg, 31, since 2012 – showed off her tan and new hairdo on the red carpet. But after making headlines for a recent 2st weight loss,…

MORNING ‘:30AM: My Chihuahua, Bonnie, is my alarm clock. She’ll start barking at 7:30am and won’t stop until I get out of bed. The first thing I do is have breakfast – either a bowl of Coco Pops or marmalade on toast. 8:30AM: I hate feeling stressed in the morning, so I plan my outfit the night before. My go-to look is jeans and trainers. Peacocks is my fave shop – most of my clothes are from the high street. I love it when people ask where I got my outfit and I tell them how inexpensive it was. 9AM: I like to let my skin breathe, so I rarely wear make-up during the day. I try to take good care of my complexion, and I will always apply a…

Party season is approaching, and lots of us will be hoping to shape up and slip into that little black dress over the coming weeks. But the last thing you want to be eating in the chilly winter months is cold salad and smoothies. Closer’s nutritionist Juliette Kellow explains it doesn’t have to be that way. She says, “Depriving ourselves of the foods we love is a recipe for dieting disaster. It means we quickly start to crave them and end up giving into temptation, bingeing, then ditching the diet altogether.” The good news is, it really is possible to enjoy all your favourites – whether that’s chocolate or pizza – and still lose weight. Juliette adds, “The key is to enjoy these foods in small amounts, give them a…

SIMPLE SUPPER BEEF BIBIMBAP BOWL SERVES 4 • 250g basmati rice • 1 tbsp oil • 500g stir-fry beef, thinly sliced • 1tbsp gochujang chilli paste • 250g pak choi, quartered lengthways • 2 carrots • 4tbsp ketjap manis sauce • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds STEP 1 Cook the rice in boiling water for 10-12 mins until tender, then drain. STEP 2 While the rice is cooking, heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the beef for 2-3 mins. Add the chilli paste and cook for 1 min. Stir in 2 tbsp water. STEP 3 Blanch the pak choi in boiling water for 2 mins. Remove with a slotted spoon. STEP 4 Make ribbons with the carrots using a vegetable peeler and add to the boiling water.…

I’VE HAD NORMAL JOBS AS WELL AS ACTING I worked in a pet shop when I was a teenager and behind the bar at a sports centre before I got the role on Hollyoaks. I was also a child actor. I played Jane Eyre for the BBC when I was 10. I can’t remember how much I got paid as it was so long ago. MY BEST BARGAIN WAS MY RESCUE DOG MABLE When you rehome a pet instead of buying one, you pay a donation to the rescue centre but they come neutered or spayed, vaccinated, microchipped and sometimes even house trained! Most importantly, they are in need of a loving forever home. I’VE NEVER BEEN AFRAID TO HAGGLE I really enjoy doing a deal – on pretty much…

Claire King, 57, who made a huge return to Emmerdale a year ago, reveals the Kim Tate/Graham Foster fall-out won’t end well… “Kim’s worried Graham might be falling in love with Rhona,” she says. “She’s starting to feel threatened, and she expects Graham to come running back – but I think Graham now just wants a quiet life.” This week, she throws a big party – and everyone is gathered with baited breath. Claire adds, “It’s a fake celebration and it’s not going to end well.”…

What is the show about? I meet people who have come up with a product they want to get on the shelves in time for Christmas. They pitch it to an audience of shoppers, and we also get a team of well-known retailers on as well. If they like what they see, they might place a big order – and a life-changing amount of money might be coming the inventors’ way. Did you have your eye on anything? One product was basically a roasting tin – like a baking tray. Within about five minutes, I wanted to buy ten of them, purely for the name alone, as it was called the ‘Cock-o-pan’. It cut the time for cooking a whole chicken in half, which is literally a lifesaver on a…

MUST READ The Matchmaker (CATRIONA INNES) Caitlin runs a successful dating agency where she’s taken matchmaking back to basics – there is no swiping left or right and definitely no pervy pics… Her start-up is going from strength to strength, with clients wanting to find a love like that she shares with her husband Harry. Except, it’s all a perfect lie – and Caitlin doesn’t know how much longer she can keep it up… A brilliant read, we couldn’t put this down. BEST DAY OUT Hogwarts In The Snow at Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making Of Harry Potter If you are just like us at Closer HQ and are still waiting for your Hogwarts acceptance letter, then we have the next best thing. Taking place at the…

THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN SCORPIO 23 OCT-21 NOV As Mars moves into your sign, it may seem like there’s a rocket under you. What are your plans for before the end of the year? What about in 2020? This is the time to see what feels right and to make an action plan. PS Obsessed with astrology? Follow the Moon (for free!) at moonmessages.com/ moonlite SAGITTARIUS 22 NOV-21 DEC This is the week that the lights get switched back on, as the Sun moves back into your sign after an absence of one year. Prepare to start feeling like you’re back in the game. Deal with your fears now, lest they otherwise keep you up at night. PS Obsessed with astrology? Follow the Moon (for free!) at moonmessages.com/moonlite CAPRICORN…