Table of contents for Issue 954 in Closer

Few life changes are as potentially exhilarating, terrifying and all-encompassing as new parenthood. Throw in a pandemic and it’s no wonder that three-quarters of new mothers have admitted to struggling with their mental health. In our special report this week, women reveal how they coped without the lifeline of family and friends (page 12), and on page 42 Dr Christian talks about how and where new mums can get help and support. All of us want the best future for our children, so this week we’ve been looking at one of the most important ways to safeguard that – by caring for the planet. We’ve found sustainable alternatives for all those unglamorous essentials that end up in landfill, from nappies to tampons and toothbrushes. We’ve even found face masks you…

When Emma Gatenby found out she was pregnant in July 2019, she was thrilled and excited for the future. But when she gave birth to her son, Elliott, in March 2020, the country was just going into lockdown and Emma admits that since becoming a new mum, she has felt a loneliness and isolation that she has never experienced before. OVERWHELMED Emma, 27, who lives with her husband, Jonny, 28, a web developer, in Newcastle, says, “It was overwhelming. I think all new mums have a degree of fear, but I was terrified of everything – particularly any or all of us catching Covid. “In normal times you have visitors who come to see you and the new baby and help out. But obviously that couldn’t happen. “My mum lives…

Gemma Collins has been wowing fans with her weight loss recently. The 40 year old – believed to have lost around 3st over the last six months – posted films of her workouts, and earned praise from fans for her new physique. And Gemma’s new mindset has helped, too. She wrote, “Every day I’m a step closer to becoming the best version of myself. The feeling is incredible, there is no limitation!” She’s also moved on from her on-off romance with ex James ‘Arg’ Argent and is now reportedly dating Rami Hawash, who she was previously engaged to in 2014. The couple are said to have reconnected a few months ago and have been enjoying dating since lockdown restrictions eased.…

She may only be 28, but Amy Hart has revealed she will have a baby solo after a test showed she could be heading for an early menopause. The former Love Island star – who is single and has never had a boyfriend, despite falling in love with Curtis Pritchard in the villa – will start IVF next year after she previously froze her eggs due to her family’s history of ‘early menopause’. In an interview last week, Amy admitted some people have questioned her decision because “a baby deserves a mum and a dad”, but explained she knows lots of people who have had babies and ended up as single mums, so she “doesn’t see going it alone as a negative thing”. After taking a fertility test which showed…

I read a recent survey that said two-thirds of British men have said they’d rather die five to 10 years early than give up meat. That does seem a bit drastic – but animal products versus plant-based products is an interesting debate at the moment. My body thrives off animal products and the food I eat aligns with my performance and physical goals. But while I don’t see myself ever fully cutting meat out of my diet, I have been exploring other options recently and learning more about the benefits of a plant-based diet. It’s important for both our health and the environment that we all start eating less meat. I’ve recently become obsessed with a product called ‘The Unbelievable ALT’, which looks and tastes like beef, but it’s soya…

Sylvia Lancaster began a tireless campaign to end hate crime after her daughter Sophie was brutally murdered in August 2007, when she was just 20. Sylvia, who lives in Lancashire, says, “It’s great to see Coronation Street using their platform to raise awareness. When they got in touch with me, I was just so pleased that they were covering such an important issue. “The producers wanted to speak to me about Sophie to ensure the storyline was accurate and they handled it really sensitively. I spoke to the actors, too, who wanted to learn more about Sophie as they prepared for the roles. “It’s been hard watching the episodes, as it’s made me think about how scared Sophie must have been, and it has brought back difficult memories from the…

TRY A TOTE Plastic bags pile up in landfill and find their way into our oceans, where they kill marine life. Swap them for a reusable alternative like this organic cotton tote from White Stuff – 100 per cent of the profits go to charity Home Start. Or for forgetful types, M&S’ vibrant offering folds up neatly, so it’ll fit inside any handbag. Leave an extra one in the car, too. PLANT YOUR MASK! They may be a must-have, but 53 million masks wind up in landfill every day in the UK. Do your bit for the planet by using these compostable masks by Arena Flowers instead. They’re cleverly infused with wildflower seeds – just remove the wool strings after use and plant them instead. ARENA FLOWERS MARIE BEE BLOOM…

INSIDE GEORGIA’S FRIDGE • Blueberries • Tofu • Peanut butter • Alpro yoghurt • Honey • Courgette spaghetti • Plant-based burgers • Mushroom soup • Avocados • Lentil soup • Red onions • Salad leaves • Banana • Beetroot • Sweetcorn • Radish • Orange juice • Celery • Sweet potatoes • Coconut milk • Vanilla milk • Oat milk GEORGIA How much do you spend per week? Around £150-200. I live with four housemates, so it goes pretty quickly. We’re meant to keep to our own stuff, but it doesn’t always happen! Describe your daily diet... For breakfast, I’ll have a protein or electrolyte drink. I love to work out in the morning, but I can’t eat straight away as I’d feel sick, so I’ll stick to the drinks.…

YOUR GUIDE TO EMOTIONAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LIFE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIST EMMA KENNY I‘m often overheard chatting to myself in the kitchen, sometimes in different accents. I have fullblown conversations with myself, because when I say things out loud, it helps me figure them out. Forget the idea that it’s “the first sign of madness”, it’s healthy and even a sign of high cognitive functioning. Studies have shown that if you want to learn something new (a speech, say), you are three times more likely to manage it if you speak it out loud, as it helps to embed it into your memory. It also helps you to emotionally process what you are thinking about. When you chat to other people, you gain another perspective, but you can work things…

MY PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT… is my kids. Parenting is difficult, we all know that, but we adjust and get on with it. Roman’s [aged 13 months, his son with fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh] giving kisses out and Scarlett’s [aged 13, his daughter with ex Tina O’Brien] at the age where she just wants to hang around with her friends, so that’s another adjustment. I’m proud of how everything’s turned out. THE BRAVEST THING I DID… was take part in The Island With Bear Grylls in 2017. We had no food or water for days. It was testing and played tricks on my mind. With the hot weather conditions and the sand flies, it felt like an out of body experience. THE BEST ADVICE I’VE BEEN GIVEN… came from my dad, who used…

FIXING SPRAYS PRIMES & SETS Use this mist as a primer and setting spray. Spritz before applying base and then after you’ve completed your full face of make-up. It helped our base and blush stay put, without transferring onto the mask. RIMMEL LONDON INSTA FIX & GO PRIMER & SPRAY £6.99 HYDRATES PARCHED SKIN A skincare and make-up hybrid, this spray sets and soothes. Containing rose water and green tea, it’s a hydrating treat as well as a setting fix. Our complexions were glowing, plus make-up didn’t sit in fine lines. PIXI MAKEUP FIXING MIST £16 MATTE FINISH One of the best bargain sprays, this one’s a photo shoot favourite used by make-up artists to lock everything in place. The matte finish worked to absorb any excess oils in our…

MAXIMISE KERB APPEAL It’s likely local potential buyers will have a quick look at your house from the outside before booking a viewing, so make a good first impression. Paint your door a striking colour and add some potted plants to elevate the the exterior. Chalk paint works on all surfaces, including PVC, laminate and wood. FIX THE LITTLE THINGS We all have those odd jobs that we put off – filling in cracks, fixing that wonky shelf, tidying up the cables around the TV. Go around the house with a list for each room and note every job that needs doing. They’re likely to be little things that are all fixable within a weekend – but if you’re short on time (or not keen on DIY), hire a handyman…

Watch series one on the ITV Hub NEW SERIES 1 OLIVIA MEETS HER MATCH RETURNS FOR SERIES TWO! WED 19 MAY, 9PM, ITVBE The first series of Olivia Attwood’s show became ITVBe’s most successful launch of 2020, so naturally the Love Island star is back for more. Eight new episodes bring us an exclusive access-all-areas insight into the glamorous life of the straight-talking TV fave and her footballer fiancé Bradley Dack, as the couple draw closer to their wedding day. Fans will be able to join them every step of the way, with the pair moving into a swanky new pad – and gearing up to celebrate Olivia’s 30th birthday. “Guess who’s back?” teased the star, adding, “I loved bringing everyone along for the wild ride that is mine and…

11-17 MAY IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK This year, you need to find a balance between work and fun. It can be done! You could be the boss at work, if you’re ready to put in the hours. But don’t work so hard that you have no energy left for fun. Financially, someone you know could boost your cash flow. THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN TAURUS 20 APR-20 MAY Are you ready to put your post-pandemic party shoes on (if government restrictions will allow it)? As of this week, you have the most social stars you’ve had in a very long time, so it’s time to see your friends and have some fun. Find out your Rising Sign for free at moonmessages.com/freechart. GEMINI 21 MAY-20 JUN Do you have…

PR expert Nick Ede (right), who worked with the Spice Girls’ Mel B and Girls Aloud’s Sarah Harding, says it’s difficult for bands to work so closely together, as rivalry can cause issues. Nick says, “As soon as you have a band, you lose being ‘just you’. You have to appeal to the masses and may feel less popular and end up comparing yourself to your bandmates, which can create conflict. “In Sarah Harding’s book, she talks quite a lot about Javine [Hylton] being expected to be in the band in Popstars: The Rivals, rather than her. That had a massive effect on her throughout her career with Girls Aloud, because it made her feel insecure. “What Little Mix have done well – and why they’ve lasted so long –…

Dr Ellie Rayner – founder of The Maternity Collective, which provides expert-led antenatal classes – says, “Adjusting to motherhood is challenging – you are faced with huge physical, mental and social changes. And the pandemic has added to these, with many people having financial problems and being unable to access social networks and therefore feeling extremely isolated. “Communication is key to coping with new motherhood. Share your feelings – no one will judge you, they will reassure you that you aren’t alone. If someone offers to help by dropping off dinner or doing your washing, always accept. Don’t ever feel like you are a burden, you don’t have to do it all by yourself. “Try to exercise or at least get outside, and eat regularly. If you look after yourself…

She blew fans away with her incredible weight-loss transformation earlier this year, when she revealed she’d lost 7st after undergoing a gastric sleeve operation and overhauling her life last year. Now Chanelle Hayes has shared the lessons she’s learned after years of yo-yo dieting and hating her body – and how she has finally realised that a healthy mindset is crucial in getting your body healthy, and conquering your diet and weight demons. The 33-year-old mum of two has had a tumultuous journey with her weight since her time in the public eye. She was a size 6 when she starred on reality show Big Brother in 2007, but gained weight over the years due to depression. After splitting from footballer Matthew Bates – the father of her first son,…

‘GO WITH YOUR INSTINCTS’ Her glittering 36-year career began when she starred as Charlene Robinson in Australian soap Neighbours in 1985, before becoming a pop star two years later. Kylie says, “The advice I’d give my younger self is trust your instincts more. There were times when I didn’t really have a back-up for a thought that’s in my head, and would think [of those offering advice], ‘You’re the grownup, you know what you’re doing.’ Now I’m much quicker at saying yes or no to things.” ‘IT’S HARD TO MOVE ON IF YOU HAVE REGRETS’ Kylie’s sister, singer Dannii – who has son Ethan, 10, with her ex, model Kris Smith – said she felt “sadness” that her sibling had not become a mum. But Kylie has said, “I was…

With an aristocratic family and links to the Royals after dating Prince Andrew in her 20s – as well as being a frequent partygoer at some of Prince Harry’s favourite London nightclubs – Lady Victoria Hervey has a unique insight into life in The Firm. And as the royal scandal rumbles on, following the explosive claims made by Harry and Meghan after stepping down from palace life last year, Lady V tells Closer she fears that the Sussexes – who dated for just over two years before tying the knot in 2018 – will not weather the storm. Lady V, a close pal of Prince Charles’ late god-daughter Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, says, “I think Harry and Meghan’s courtship was way too short. I just don’t see it lasting. “I remember just…

While Closer’s shoot with Casey Batchelor and her adorable daughters, Florence, two, and Sadie, one, is one of the cutest we have ever done, the mum-of-two is the first to admit that getting these shots wasn’t the easiest task! “I’ve definitely had some anxiety thinking about doing this shoot with two babies!” she laughs when we speak on the phone afterwards. “Florence is a bit of a wild child and does what she pleases. Sadie isn’t properly walking yet, so she was easier, but everyone was in the garden singing, jingling toys and throwing pampas grass in the air to get the girls to look at the camera. So there’s a story behind this perfect photo! I absolutely love the pictures, though, and can’t wait to frame one for the…

DR CHRISTIAN GIVES HIS TAKE ON THE HOT HEALTH TOPICS OF THE WEEK I’m glad to see these new NHS hubs that will provide maternity services including psychological therapy and treatment. Although we are much more aware of mental health problems, it still requires a new mum to speak up, and many are still too nervous to. I hope making mental health a core part of maternal care will help to break the stigma. LOSE THE SHAME One of the strongest factors that prevents women from asking for help is the fear that they’ll be deemed an unfit mother and have their baby taken away. That fear overrides everything, and you can understand it. Making mental health part of maternal services makes it clear that it’s a common experience. Postnatal…

As a kid, I spent every spare second playing in the street or my garden. My childhood was glorious, thanks to my sense of freedom. Sadly, these kinds of childhoods are diminishing, thanks to parental fears, and what some are referring to as the “schoolification” of childhood. LET THEM GAIN SKILLS It’s important to help kids to do well at school and take up extracurricular hobbies, but they also need freedom to play outside. Kids who do this are more active, so they burn off excess energy and sleep better. The kind of unstructured play they enjoy outside also helps them to develop skills, so they better remember information, filter out distractions and sustain focus. You may think that to be developing they need their head buried in a book,…

SHOP FOR YOUR SHAPE If your body’s changed shape – perhaps you’ve had a baby in lockdown, or you’ve gained a few extra pounds from banana bread – that’s OK. It’s simply a case of reacquainting yourself with your figure and what works for you now. Not many women are ready to bare all after all these months hibernating. In the warmer months, lean towards midi and maxi dresses – flattering, tiered styles and florals are perfect. And go for bright colours, too – they can be layered up with boots and cardigans for winter. SPEND WISELY Of course, we’re all excited to get to the shops again, but the pandemic has impacted many incomes and spending habits have adapted, so we must buy wisely. Invest in a trend that…

SOOTHE WITH AVOCADO Blended for dry, sensitive skin, this avocado smoothie improves your skin’s elasticity the more you use it. Post shower, slather it on head-to-toe and it’ll instantly leave your skin soft and supple for hours. The recyclable bottle is created with flexible plastic, which can be rolled up – meaning there’s no product wastage, too. NIVEA NATURALLY GOOD ORGANIC AVOCADO BODY LOTION £7.99 EXFOLIATE WITH PINEAPPLE Packed with pineapple – which is rich in AHAs to dissolve dead skin cells – vitamin C, to brighten, and turmeric, which has healing benefits, this non-sticky serum is a brilliant choice for a lacklustre complexion. And, let’s face it, with all this time indoors, who doesn’t need it! Apply to face, day and night, before your moisturiser, to balance your skin…

STEP 1 MAP OUT YOUR DESIGN Use Pinterest to source images and inspire your panelling. When you’ve chosen a look, measure the length and width of the wall and divide into a grid of squares to fit the space; start from the centre and work outwards, marking the width of the panels and the desired space between them, vertically and then horizontally. Use a pencil or masking tape to carefully mark out the evenly-spaced squares on the walls. STEP 2 MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE Be precise when measuring for your grid so you can be sure you have the right dimensions before you start cutting the wood. Homebase, B&Q and Wickes have lots of wood options. MDF is the most obvious choice, but you can also try your local timber…

How does it feel to be back? SCOTT, 47: It’s my favourite week of the year. I get to be in my happy place - which is commentating on the good and the bad music that the world has to offer. RYLAN, 32: It feels so great to be back, we were all gutted last year when the contest had to be cancelled, but understood that safety is paramount. This year we need double the fun. Why do you think people love Eurovision so much? SCOTT: It’s just such a happy occasion. It is essentially the Olympics meets The X Factor, and after a year of bad news it’s the perfect tonic. The scale of Eurovision is ridiculous - it’s World Cup level, and that’s no exaggeration. RYLAN: It’s just…

CODE CRACK THE BIG CROSSWORD CRISS CROSS SUDOKU - EASY SUDOKU - MEDIUM WORD SEARCH CLUES & ARROWS GUESS THE FILM STILL A) EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL, AND VILE B) PEARL HARBOUR NAME THE STARS 1) MICHELLE MONE 2) NAME GUESS THE CELEB A) JOHN LEGEND B) JANE FONDA WORD LINK A) SPOON B) SPEECH C) TIN D) TIME E) WORLD F) KILLER SPOT THE DIFFERENCE CLOSER MAGAZINE TERMS & CONDITIONS 1. These terms and conditions together with any specific rules displayed or referred to on the relevant page of Closer magazine in respect of a prize draw or competition (a “Prize Draw Notice”) and H Bauer Publishing’s General Terms and Conditions (available online at http://www.bauerlegal.co.uk/competition-terms.html) are the prize draw rules (the “Rules”) that apply to each and every prize…

The Royal family has faced continuing fallout since the Oprah interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – dubbed the greatest upset for The Firm since the death of Princess Diana in 1997. Now there’s more drama in store, as it’s emerged a new documentary about Diana is in the making – featuring hours of unheard and unseen footage. It will be a sequel to the 2017 documentary, Diana: In Her Own Words, and will reportedly feature audio and video tapes of Diana which were created to help Andrew Morton write his 1992 book, Diana: Her True Story. It’s due to air next year – the 25th anniversary of Diana’s tragic death – on Netflix, posing an awkward situation for Prince Harry as it’s the same streaming giant that he…

❛BEN OFFERED A SHOULDER TO LEAN ON AND AN EMOTIONAL JEN POURED HER HEART OUT❜ A lmost 20 years since their broken engagement – and just one month after she split from fiancé Alex Rodriguez – Jennifer Lopez has reportedly become “friendly” again with Ben Affleck. Last week, Ben, 48, was seen being picked up from a hotel in a white SUV belonging to the 51-year-old star, before being driven to Jen’s Bel Air mansion by her security team. Jen was seen in the same car earlier that day as sources revealed she had met her ex three times that week, including one rendezvous at the famous Beverly Hills Hotel. Then, days later, Ben attended the Vax Live Concert to Reunite The World in LA, in which Jennifer was performing.…

She turned 33 last week, and Adele celebrated how good she’s feeling by posting pictures of herself, captioned, “Thirty free”. The singer is thought to have lost 7st since 2019, following her split from Simon Konecki, with whom she shares son Angelo, eight. The Hello singer reportedly overhauled her life by following a high-protein diet with lots of vegetables, as well as cutting out processed food and drinks. She’s also said to have hired a personal trainer to put her through her paces several times a week. She’s also found new happiness in her love life – with Closer recently revealing how she’s alleged to have found love with a childhood friend. A source said, “The romance came out of the blue while Adele was in London last year as…

GO TO BED EARLY “I put the girls to bed at 7.30pm and then Dane and I get into bed, have a peppermint tea and watch something on Netflix, before going to sleep about 9pm. Sadie is up at 5am and, on the odd occasion we’ve stayed up late watching TV, we’ve always felt terrible the next day. You need to get sleep whenever you can when your children are young!” BATCH COOK “I blitz up pepper and tomatoes in some passata and freeze it in small portion sizes. It means I can make pasta for the girls easily and they’ve got all their veg. I’m not a very organised mum, but I do find this helps when I don’t know what to make for dinner.” KEEP NAPPY CADDIES EVERYWHERE…

GO VEGAN YOU DON’T NEED MEAT TO MAKE A MEAL OF IT… MEXICAN LOADED SWEET POTATOES WITH ASPARAGUS SERVES 4 • 2 large sweet potatoes • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 small red onion, chopped • 1 tsp hot smoked paprika • 1 tsp ground cumin • 1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped • 250g bunch asparagus, cut into 5cm lengths • 1 small tin sweetcorn, drained • Sriracha, to serve • Tahini, to serve • 3 tbsp chopped coriander, to garnish STEP 1 Preheat the oven to 190°C/fan 170°C/gas mark 5. STEP 2 Put the sweet potatoes on a baking tray, prick all over and bake for about 40 mins, until they’re easily pierced with a knife. STEP 3 While the potatoes are cooking, set aside 1 tsp…

Iam the last person to complain about the easing of lockdown and the opportunity to eat, drink and be more than merry with mates and dates, but – and isn’t there always a but? – the pre-booking is annoying. While I fully appreciate venues need to have patrons pre-book, dates now require military planning around availability, weather and outdoor heaters – and that’s before I get onto the very unsexy date outfits of thermals and padded coats. In short, all of the spontaneity and some of the fun has been taken out of dating. I’ve been attempting to reconnect with the guy I’ve been dating since the summer and to inject some much-needed romance into things, but our lunch date didn’t go to plan and we spent a good hour…

USE YOUR BEST SKILLS “In business you have to be solution-focused and women already have those skills, it’s just a different problem. I say to people, ‘I run my business like it’s my family. There’s no difference.’” TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS “Target your audience based on yourself, because it will then feel authentic. Our customers aren’t Cheshire Housewives, they are normal, average women and that’s who I am. Never compromise your morals and principles, either.” FIND THE RIGHT PEOPLE “I’m not great at everything, and that’s OK. Finding the right people to bring in has been really important.” UNLEASH YOUR PASSION “You really want to feel positive about your business idea. My daughters now both work in the company too and our morals form the backbone of the business. Find something…

GET HER LOOK…

MUST READ The Wedding Party (TAMMY COHEN) Lucy’s nearest and dearest are gathered on an idyllic Greek island for her perfectly planned wedding. But why are her parents behaving so strangely? Why won’t the rather odd lady from the airport stop hanging around? Who is the silent stranger that her sister brought as a plus-one? And then they find the body… This is a brilliant, impossible-to-put-down whodunnit that’ll keep you guessing right until the end. TUNE IN Jorja Smith Be Right Back BRIT Award winner Jorja Smith is here with her second studio album, Be Right Back. As a follow-up to the success of her 2018 debut, Lost & Found, this offering features eight tracks, including her newest singles, Addicted and Gone. Out 14 May. Various Artists NOW That’s What I…