Table of contents for Issue 906 in Closer

Nothing about these unprecedented times has been easy, but youth mental health charities reveal that the impact on the under-25s has been especially significant –so much so, they’re calling for the government to launch a national campaign to provide support. In particular, many teenagers are struggling with overwhelming stress due to isolation and concerns about their academic and social lives. In our special report this week, we talk to parents battling to help their children find some normality, and we provide expert tips and suggestions. And on page 28 we speak to Loose Women’s Andrea McLean, who reveals how she helps her teenage children stay calm and connected. She vows her family will emerge stronger from all this and we hope that her advice will help yours do the same...…

Coleen: ‘Wayne has really stepped up’ When Coleen Rooney sparked one of the most discussed showbiz stories in years by publicly pointing a finger at Rebekah Vardy’s Instagram account as the source of leaked stories about her last October, friends expressed their surprise that the “very private” WAG had turned the spotlight on herself. Her pal Lizzie Cundy told Closer the outburst was unusual as Coleen “wants a quiet life away from any drama”, after her husband’s often unruly antics had placed her under much scrutiny. Over the years, he has been subject to numerous cheating allegations, including allegations of a threesome with sex workers Jenny Thompson and Helen Wood when Coleen, 33, was pregnant with their eldest son Kai, now ten, and drink-driving in party girl Laura Simpson’s car…

Before the country was put into lockdown, Betsi Mason, 15, was a typical teenager. She worked hard at school and loved spending time with her friends. But in the past 10 weeks, Betsi’s mum, Nicki, 53, has noticed a difference in her daughter. She’s become anxious, withdrawn and struggles to get out of bed in the morning. Nicki, from Hastings, says, “Lockdown has been tough on her. She feels under pressure to keep on top of her schoolwork, and she’s missing her friends. This is the time in her life when she should be becoming more independent but, instead, she’s stuck indoors.” Since the lockdown was announced in March, youth mental health charities have reported an increase in demand for their service. YoungMinds revealed that 83 per cent of under-25s…

She vowed that she would hit her target weight of 11st 8lb this year – and last week, actress Rebel Wilson showed off the incredible results. The Pitch Perfect star recently told her 8m Instagram fans, “I’ll be honest with you guys – with my ‘Year of Health’ mission I’m trying to get to 75kg… it’s a daily effort and there’s constant setbacks – but I’m working hard.” Her fitness pledge comes after she became the proud plus-size poster girl of Hollywood. Five years ago, she revealed that she saw her size as an asset to her acting career, saying, “I saw my size as being an advantage, whereas so many women see it as a disadvantage. Being unique and different was a good thing. I wouldn’t ever want to…

She celebrated her 50th birthday last month by proudly showing off her toned stomach in a crop top, but Saira Khan hasn’t always felt so body confident and reveals she has suffered years of anxiety over the way she feels about her appearance. The mum of two has a rare skin condition – similar to vitiligo – which has left her with white pigmentation patches all over her body and crushed her confidence during her youth. The hereditary skin disorder is so rare that Saira doesn’t know what it’s called, but recently said she’d suffered “so many anxious years” because of it, which had left her “skin red raw, bloody or inflamed due to the amount of scratching that I did” due to the itchiness. ACCEPTING IMPERFECTIONS Now, opening up…

As her tiny baby fought for his life, Ellyse Jerome couldn’t even hold her son, as the five-week-old had been diagnosed with coronavirus. But miraculously, Charlie Jr – who is one of the youngest patients to battle the virus – is now back at home and thriving. Ellyse, 21, says, “Seeing Charlie covered in wires and wearing a breathing mask was terrifying. But he battled against the odds and pulled through.” SPECIALIST CARE Ellyse, who is diabetic, was just 32 weeks pregnant when her blood sugar levels dropped dangerously low. She was in hospital with her partner, Charlie, 24, when doctors said they had to deliver the baby immediately. Born eight weeks early via C-section on 7 March, weighing just 4lb 10oz, Charlie Jr stayed in hospital under specialist care…

• IF YOU’RE SINGLE: “At the moment, the only thing you can’t do is meet up in real life, so if you’re dating or looking to meet someone, use this time to really hone your communication skills while chatting. If you’re someone who is on all the apps and dating websites, look at all the platforms available and decide which are the best for you and what you’re looking for. It’s time to get picky!” • IF YOU’RE DATING BUT ISOLATING APART: “Utilise modern technology to continue building your relationship and spend this time getting to know each other. Have dates on video, go for a socially-distanced walk, play games, and if you want to, get a bit saucy on the phone! The most exciting part of dating is the…

RELATIONSHIPS HOW TO SPLIT UP WHEN YOU’RE STUCK TOGETHER Many couples who had decided to go their separate ways are still at home with each other, but Emma says it can be positive The whole idea of a break-up is to move on and gain space to heal. As that is impossible at the moment, you may feel hurt, but avoid getting into conflict with your ex, particularly if you have children at home. You once loved this person, so try to remember what you liked about them to help reduce negative feelings. Having clear roles helps keep the peace, and means you can both feel grateful for the other pulling their weight, so split chores fairly. Check in daily to organise childcare, discuss budgets, and agree on life admin…

GO VEGAN OAT BARS FILLED WITH JAM MAKES 12 • Oil, for greasing • 300g rolled oats • 130g spelt flour •1/2tsp vanilla powder •1/2tsp ground cinnamon • 1tsp baking powder •1/2tsp salt • 170g brown rice syrup • 130g sunflower oil • 4tbsp naturally sweetened fruit jam STEP 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/ gas 4. Grease a 23cm x 30cm baking tin. STEP 2 Mix the oats, flour, vanilla, cinnamon, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Add the syrup and oil and mix thoroughly. STEP 3 Spoon half into the prepared tin and press down evenly. Spread over the jam, then spoon over the remaining oat mix, smoothing the top with a spatula. STEP 4 Bake in the oven for 20 mins. Remove from the baking…

1 DIY TIE-DYE Give an old piece of clothing a unique spin by trying out tie-dye in a sunny colour. It’s a great way to pass time and there are loads of online guides. Don’t fancy doing it yourself? Buy a ready-made piece to rock the ’90s trend with minimal effort. VERY £25 2 LAYER A DRESS OVER JEANS Get extra wear out of your favourite by layering it over skinny jeans or tailored trousers. Tuck part of the dress into the trouser waistband to add shape and prevent it from looking too frumpy. 3 SMARTEN UP SPORTSWEAR Give casuals a work-wear twist by layering them underneath a blazer. This will give you a suited and booted appearance, while still being super-comfy – perfect for last-minute WFH video calls. DOROTHY…

How does the show work? It’s for people who’ve got things hidden away at home that they’re intrigued about and would quite like to shift. Actually, a lot of people have got stuff in their garage and their wives are saying, ‘Please get that out of there before I go mad!’ They bring the item along to five expert dealers, and they might walk away with cash in their back pocket. What sort of things did you come across? There was a train set that was almost identical to one I had as a kid, and it sold for quite a lot of money! Someone also brought in a wonderful bottle of wine, and it ended up with me and four other dealers paying 125 quid for a glass of…

GEMINI 21 MAY-20 JUN This week’s Full Moon eclipse is in your Love Zone. What can change in your most important relationships? At least one (romantic or not) should look different after lockdown. Get rid of toxicity now. PS Connect with the eclipse via the free Moon Lite Club at moonmessages. com/moonlite CANCER 21 JUN-22 JUL If you’re starting to suspect you really need to run your life differently for the good of your health, the skies agree. Maybe you’ve started to make changes to your well-being patterns already. If not, this is the time to begin. Change your routines and your life. PS Connect with the eclipse via the free Moon Lite Club at moonmessages.com/moonlite LEO 23 JUL-22 AUG It’s time to find a balance between how well you…

❛SHE’S NO WALLFLOWER AND IS NOT AFRAID TO SAY OR DO WHATEVER SHE WANTS❜ It’s been one drama after another for Jacqueline Jossa, who was last week forced to shoot down claims she’d moved out of her £1 million Essex home amid reports her husband Dan Osbourne was messaging other women – something her representative denied. Opening up about her decision to take some time away from the marital home, the actress revealed she was “struggling” after the UK was put into lockdown amid the pandemic. The former EastEnders actress, 27 – who is dividing her time between the home she shares with Dan and a property her parents own in Kent – reassured fans in a lengthy Instagram post that her move was in no way a reflection on…

Ahealthier and happier James “Arg” Argent spoke out about his severe battle with cocaine addiction last week, and showed just how far he’d come by revealing that after endless all-nighter drug binges and two overdoses last year, he’s now five months clean. On top of that, the former TOWIE star, 32, showed off his impressive 5st weight loss – going from 23st to 18st over the last five months. And Arg – who has admitted his cocaine addiction spanned seven years – credited his longterm girlfriend Gemma Collins for kick-starting his recovery, and said he was eternally grateful that she’d stopped at nothing to try to get him help. He admitted, “I really feel for Gemma because she has had to go through so much. When I was deep in…

YoungMinds share their advice on how to help your teenager through lockdown... • Look out for signs that your child might be struggling to cope. A change in their mood, sleeping and eating habits, or generally becoming quiet and withdrawn could all indicate they may need support. • Keep talking to your child and dedicate some quality time that you and your child can spend together and do something they enjoy. This is a great way to help them open up. • Minimise their exposure to news updates. While staying informed is important, constant news and speculation can be overwhelming. Try watching the same news update together, daily, and let them know that however they’re feeling is OK. • Keep your family routine as consistent as possible – children benefit…

CHARLEY AND MATTHEW ‘We learn our lines together’ They fell in love on the set of Emmerdale in 2007 – and 13 years on, Charley Webb and Matthew Wolfenden are happily married with children Buster, ten, Bowie, four, and ten-month-old Ace. Charley, 32, is currently on maternity leave, but when she is filming they have strict rules. Matthew, 40, previously said, “We go home together and learn our lines together as it is – the thought of waking up, travelling to work together, and then being at work all day together, doing scenes together, and then going home together… It’s nice to get up and go be with our Emmerdale families and then get back home together at the end of the day. “They once told us they were considering…

‘I struggle to be kind to myself’ Ten weeks into lockdown, restrictions are only just starting to ease – but Loose Women’s Andrea McLean still has a smile on her face. And while the 50-year-old presenter has welcomed the chance to slow down and bond with her family, she admits she was wary of the country’s sudden major shift to a “new normal”. “At the start of lockdown, I was worried for us all,” says Andrea, who has Finlay, 18, and Amy, 13, as well as stepdaughters Tia-Lily, 17, and Sienna, 15. “I was worried about how it would affect our mental health, and about our safety, too. But the kids have all coped, and I think we’ll come out of this an even stronger unit.” CHALLENGES For Andrea and…

‘Loads of people can’t stand me but I can’t be taken down’ She forged a successful career as a provocative columnist and media personality, but last year it all came crashing down for Katie Hopkins when she was forced to give up her house, car and job after losing a number of high-profile court cases. The former Apprentice star, 45, has made headlines over recent years for her contentious comments and spats with celebs. In 2017, food writer Jack Monroe won £24,000 in damages in a libel action against Katie after she wrongly accused her of vandalising a war memorial; Katie was also ordered by the court to pay the legal costs of the case, amounting to £300,000. The star says she was also being sued by a number of…

She’s become a household name thanks to hits such as Titanium and Chandelier, but singer Sia, 44, prefers to keep her private life under wraps. The star – who has also written songs for the likes of Beyoncé and Rihanna – usually keeps her face hidden to help protect her identity. But recently, she opened up about her personal life, discussing her drug and alcohol addiction and her two adopted teenage sons. She’s also spoken out on causes close to her heart – supporting the gay community and advocating for animal rights group PETA. Here are her thoughts on life, love and everything else WORK HARD AT WHAT YOU LOVE “I was an average singer at best. I was a slightly overweight, spiky-fringed, rat’stailed ’80s girl who was just showing…

We can take multiple trips out, go to garden centres and meet one person outside at a safe distance, so Dr C says we need to protect our skin I don’t agree that there’s no such thing as a safe tan, because the sun is our best source of vitamin D, and as a nation we’re very deficient. That’s particularly important now, as researchers have shown that those with a vitamin D deficiency are twice as likely to die from coronavirus. They found a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency and the huge and dangerous overreaction of the immune system to COVID-19, called a cytokine storm. It is particularly important for minority ethnic groups, too, as they often have poorer absorption of vitamin D, and are more likely to end…

The pandemic has taught us all that being sensible with money and having a financial cushion to fall back on is essential. So how do we teach our kids these lessons so their futures will be more secure? A report by the University of Cambridge revealed that children’s money habits are formed by the age of seven. But whatever their age, money expert Sam Jennings, founder of Jennings & Co and a dad of five, says there are plenty of activities we can do to help our children learn about budgeting so they’re better with money as adults. INTRODUCE YOUNG ONES TO COINS Studies have shown that children can have a basic understanding of money from the age of three, and Sam says it’s important to start introducing the concept…

INSIDE CHLOE’S FRIDGE • Eggs • Halloumi • Full-fat milk • Houmous • Greek yoghurt • Feta • Chilies • Turkey mince • Chicken • Lime • Carrots • Mixed salad • Tomatoes • Sweet potato • Peppers • Courgettes • Rye bread • Strawberries • Dark chocolate • Asparagus • Hazelnut milk • Rosé VERDICT NUTRITIONIST JULIETTE KELLOW SAYS, “Chloe packs her meals with protein, which maintains healthy muscles and keeps us fuller for longer. Most people get enough protein in their diets – two palm-sized portions a day of either meat, fish, tofu, as part of a balanced diet, usually meets needs. If she’s hungry or lacking energy when exercising, she could add fibre-filled carbs such as brown rice or rye bread to her diet.” • @juliettekellownutritionist FRIDGE…

1 AS A FORMER MODEL, MAKE-UP ARTISTS HAVE TAUGHT ME SO MUCH OVER THE YEARS… The best tip is to curl lashes before applying mascara. It really opens and lifts the eyes. 2 I’M ABSOLUTELY FINE WITH GOING MAKE-UP FREE… It’s good for your skin to breathe. I like to feel a bit more myself by wearing mascara. IT Cosmetics is one of my favourites. 3 WELEDA DO AMAZING PRODUCTS… Their Skin Food moisturiser is so rich, and I’ve been using the Birch Cellulite Oil too. I like that they’re an eco-conscious brand. 4 RED LIPS MAKE A STATEMENT… but I find a nude glossy look easier to apply. I like using a Charlotte Tilbury nude lip liner with a bit of gloss on top. 5 SHELLAC NAILS ARE ADDICTIVE……

STEAL HER STYLE…

1 MICHAEL MCINTYRE’S BIG LAUGHS BEST MOMENTS LOOK-BACK  SAT 6 JUNE, 8.15PM, BBC1 It’s not possible to film a new series of Michael McIntyre’s Big Show at the moment, so here is the next best thing. A new four-part series reminding us of some of his most memorable surprises and pranks on celebrities and the audience (think along the lines of Judge Rinder’s face when he’s startled out of slumber to play Midnight Gameshow...) “Although there are many hilarious Send To Alls and surprises, my favourite thing has been seeing my hair when it was cut professionally, before my wife took over!” comments Michael. He’s referring here to his lockdown hair, which he reckons is a “disaster” since he “let his wife loose with the clippers”. Oh dear… 2 AGATHA…

MUST READ Five Hundred Miles From You (JENNY COLGAN) Lissa loves her job as a nurse, but after a traumatic incident at work, she agrees to swap lives with Cormac, who lives in a quiet village in Scotland. He’s just out of the army and in need of distraction, so London is perfect. As Lissa and Cormac adjust to their new lives, emailing back and forth about anything and everything, things finally seem to be falling into place. But each of them feel there’s still a piece missing… A heartwarming read – we loved it.…

Kelly O’s not one to be judged by anybody – so if she’s going to wear a mask, it’s obviously going to be a Judge Judy one! Like most of us, Joe reveals that the last few months have made him completely lose his head. Chin up! We’re made up for Camilla and Jamie and the fantastic news that they’re expecting. Judging by this pic, we’d say he’s only got another couple of months to go! Uber-stylish Michelle launches a chic range of PPE wear – these are the most fabulous protective goggles we’ve ever seen, dahling! As lockdown is loosened, Ant & Dec set off on the long trip north for a home visit. They should have taken an eye test before hiring that car, though! OLIVIA BOWEN... It’s…

● Singer learns from mutual pal that ex Ashley Cole is thinking of proposing to his girlfriend ● Friends think she’s shocked how it still upsets her to see him live the family dream she’d wanted with him ● News comes after Cheryl expressed wish for another child after two failed marriages This month marks 15 years since her whirlwind engagement to Ashley Cole – the man she vowed she’d “never stop loving” and dubbed her “soul mate”, with whom she planned to start a family of “five kids”. But her dream came crashing down around her just 18 months after their fairy-tale wedding in July 2006, amid claims the footballer had had sex with hairdresser Aimee Walton after a drunken night out before vomiting on her twice and passing…

They were catapulted into the spotlight on TOWIE in 2010 – and now Arg has revealed that his long-term best friend Mark Wright also played a large part in his recovery from drug addiction. Arg revealed that he’d rung up Mark, 33 – who starred on TOWIE from 2010 to 2012 – on Boxing Day 2019 asking for support, and that Mark had helped get him to rehab, getting in touch with the facility’s owner as well as helping to pay for his stay and his flights to Thailand. The pair also did an Instagram Live workout last week, where Arg revealed, “I want to let you know how much I love you and I want to thank you. You went out of your way to look into rehab centres,…

KIERAN: ‘Having a child with Michelle would be great!’ He had a toxic on/off relationship with ex-wife Jordan and split in 2018 after five years of marriage – but Kieran Hayler found love again with Michelle Pentecost, and now reveals he’d love to have a baby with her. The personal trainer, 34 – who is already dad to Jett, six, and Bunny, five, with Jordan, real name Katie Price – said during a recent Instagram Live chat that having a baby with Michelle would cement their family and bring them all closer. He said, “Having a child with Michelle would be great – it would make the relationship solid. It would join us together, we’d all be linked. That’s a nice feeling. I think it’d be nice for all the…

CREATE A ROUTINE: “Even during lockdown, we still get everyone up at 8am on Monday to Friday. At the weekend, the kids can sleep in until midday.” BE ADAPTABLE: “Some days Amy’s heart isn’t in her school work and she looks so sad, so I’ve urged her to jump on her trampoline instead. It’s not all about doing your maths – it’s about being flexible.” CHECK IN ON THEM: “If we think something is bothering the children, Nick and I pre-plan a discussion around the dinner table. We’ll open a dialogue about whatever it is, so it trickles out and doesn’t feel like a big deal. For example, it might be that they’ve heard their friends have met for a Zoom chat without them. That doesn’t work for Amy though,…

Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson was praised for her documentary Odd One Out last year, about online trolling – in which Jesy, 28, name-checked Katie as being one of the trolls whose words had sent her spiraling into depression and suicidal thoughts. And Jesy came under fire from Katie yet again last month after she commented on a photo of the singer wearing a bikini, writing, “Girls. Be better than this. Beauty is in strength, not weakness that needs validating daily.” Jesy hit back by uploading another revealing photo and replying to Katie, “Have another one hun.” While Katie admits that she does regret causing Jesy emotional turmoil in the past, she says she wishes the star could use her platform to send a different message to her young female…

‘Having two makes me feel complete’ Smiling as she cuddles her two children, Anna Williamson says giving birth to her second child, Eleanora, in December has completed her as a mother. But it’s been a long journey to get here. The Celebs Go Dating star – who is also mum to Enzo, three – suffered with crippling perinatal anxiety and postnatal depression following his traumatic birth, but she says having a great pregnancy and birth with Eleanora has been a healing experience for her. “It feels like the plug socket has gone in now with motherhood – like it connects now,” she reveals. “The whole experience this time around was wonderful. Having two of them now really makes me feel complete as a mother.” POSTNATAL DEPRESSION Anna’s first pregnancy was…

• GOHENRY CARDS ARE A GOOD PLACE TO START “Cards such as gohenry are a great way to introduce kids to money and the modern way that we spend and exchange money for goods,” explains Sam. “It’s a pre-paid card and app that has parental controls and is designed for youngsters between 6–18.” Sam suggests paying your children’s pocket money into their gohenry account, as kids will love the opportunity to pay with a card like a grown-up! • SETTING UP A BANK ACCOUNT FOR YOUR CHILD IS A GREAT IDEA “Having their own savings account makes children more money-aware and can encourage them to develop good savings habits as grownups,” says Sam. “Children’s savings accounts are much the same as adult ones and are offered by banks and building…

GET HER LOOK CHARLOTTE HAWKINS, 45 Presenter Charlotte looks grrr-eat in this leopard-print maxi frock. A stylish-yet-comfortable choice, she teamed the loose-fitting dress with a denim jacket, starry trainers and an oversized tote bag. Recreate her lust-worthy outfit with these hero high-street buys… EVERYBODY’S WEARING... RETRO CHECKS The classic print never goes out of style, and these celebs show how you can make them work during lockdown. Take inspiration from The Hills star Whitney and team a printed blazer with cycling shorts for your next Zoom call, or follow Myleene’s lead and make the pattern work with a flowing maxi dress. Here are our top picks… RED CARPET VS OFF DUTY  These celebs always look stylish, whether all dressed up or chilling out at home... Vogue Williams, 34 Is there…

Tell us about Lockdown Laughs… It’s full of random, spontaneous viral clips – all sent in by viewers, filmed from their homes. It’s very like You’ve Been Framed!, which I watched all the time as a child. To think I’ve gone from that to being the presenter of a show very similar to it – I feel like it’s a massive achievement. How does it work with social distancing? It’s filmed in my house, with the team connecting over Zoom. They guide me on how to set the cameras up and stage the space – and once the cameras are plugged in, they’re able to control everything through the computer. It’s been an amazing experience. I’ve learnt loads of new skills and I feel so lucky to have these new…

Sh**ged. Married. Annoyed. Chatting about everyday topics like parenting, arguments, relationships, and anything in between, Chris Ramsey and his wife Rosie will have you laughing out loud from the start to the finish of their podcast. This Geordie couple are still recording every week and are brilliant at bringing the humor into every situation. It’s perfect listening for an escape from your day-to-day life in lockdown, and with 65 episodes available to listen to, we love hearing about what this couple have been up to. Listen now on iTunes, Spotify, Acast and SoundCloud. Harry Potter at-home readings For some everyday magic, we’ve been listening to chapters of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone being read by a whole host of famous voices on Spotify. With chapters released every couple of…