Table of contents for Issue 969 in Closer

Getting ready for a new school year is always full on but after the strangest 18 months most of us can remember, it feels as if there is even more to think about. So we’ve devoted 12 pages to making things run as smoothly as possible. Dr C addresses all your health worries, we’ve got expert tips on soothing children’s stress – and yours. We’ll help you save cash on everything from uniforms to packed lunches. And if you’ve got teenagers heading to university, psychological therapist Emma Kenny advises how to make it a successful transition for them and a happier “empty nest” for you. After focusing on your family, you deserve some “you time” so follow The Boost on Instagram and you’ll not only find loads of wellbeing inspiration,…

‘The likeness to Diana is remarkable – I was speechless’ Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki, 30, will star as Princess Diana in seasons five and six of the show, and has revealed she felt both thrilled and nervous to bag the role. The Great Gatsby star says, “I’m overwhelmed, I’m terrified and I’m excited. I can’t wait to start.” And Diana’s ex-royal butler Paul Burrell says photos of Elizabeth as the late princess took his breath away, but he hopes she captures her personality, too. Paul says, “Seeing pictures of Elizabeth as Diana, I was speechless. The likeness was remarkable – she has the same beauty, the same doe-eyed look, the same youth and elegance. What remains to be seen is if she can put across what Diana was like on…

Psychotherapist Helen Spiers, from Mable Therapy, says, “It would be no surprise if Britney is again struggling with her mental health. The conservatorship removed her independence and stripped her of her confidence in making her own decisions and living her life. I think she could be dealing with post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. “Britney’s whole life has been unorthodox. She was thrown into the spotlight at an early age and missed out on a lot of lessons learned in a normal childhood. Those around her should keep a close watch on her, and I’d recommend therapy and rest as she adapts to her new, freer life.”…

They had one of the most toxic relationships on TOWIE – and now even more drama has unfolded between James “Lockie” Locke and his ex, Yazmin Oukhellou. It’s claimed that James, 34, had a secret romance with TOWIE co-star and Yaz’s pal Chloe Brockett, 20, shortly after their split. Yaz flew to Dubai during lockdown to help herself move on from her heartbreak after she and James called it quits for good in February, following four years of being on and off. But a source reveals that Lockie was seeing Chloe straight after their split, saying, “Lockie and Chloe saw each other a few times. Yaz has found out and she is furious.” This latest revelation has prompted Yaz to return to the show as she plans to confront them…

There is speculation things might not yet be finished for Rylan Clark-Neal and his estranged husband Dan, as Dan has been spotted back at their former marital home. Rylan has been out of the limelight since June when he announced he was taking a step back from his career to focus on his marriage, and now, as he prepares to return to work next month, there are rumours he and husband Dan may be back on. Closer previously reported that Rylan, 32, had been wearing his wedding ring at a family event recently – and now Dan’s car has been spotted parked outside their former house in Essex, sparking further speculation that the pair may have worked things out. X Factor-star-turned-presenter Rylan announced the two had parted ways in a…

Working alongside Paul and Mel to help choose dream pairings is one of London’s leading sex coaches and relationship counsellors, Charlene Douglas. She believes people have been struggling to find love without their help because there’s “so much choice” for singletons these days. She explains, “If you look back to the days when there wasn’t social media or dating apps, if you went on a date with somebody, you’d probably try to make it work because the chances of meeting someone any time soon after that were slim. “Now there’s so much choice, we’re in a culture of looking to see what else is out there. That’s why it’s nice to sometimes get that intervention and support, as it can be hard to find a partner.” Charlene, who is single,…

She’s faced a rough ride in recent years – with her mother’s death in 2017, her split from fiancé Josh Ginnelly in 2019, and past struggles with depression and selfesteem issues resurfacing during lockdown. But Alexandra Burke – who rose to fame as winner of The X Factor in 2008 – says Celebrity SAS has helped her learn to love herself again. Alexandra, 32, says, “This is the first time that I chose to do something that wasn’t for anybody but myself, pushing myself to the extreme and seeing how far I could go; how broken I could get and pick myself up. I got introduced to my self-worth.” Alexandra adds that her co-stars will be friends for life and they chat on WhatsApp, saying, “We went there at a…

After slipping off her thong and maternity bra, Carla Bellucci doesn’t throw them in the laundry basket, instead she carefully folds them, puts them in a padded envelope and posts them to one of her subscribers on adult content provider site OnlyFans. It’s become a lucrative method of earning money – she buys packs of undies from Primark for around £7 and then flogs them for £150 a time once she’s worn them. The mum of three, who’s 32 weeks pregnant, sees absolutely nothing wrong with selling her dirty laundry and is delighted by the cash she’s earning. DISGUSTING Carla, who lives in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, with two of her children, Tanisha, 16, and Jayden, 14, and her 51-year-old partner, says, “I didn’t know it was a thing to want pregnant…

INSIDE SARAH-JANE’S FRIDGE • Eggs• Pickle• Salad cream• Ketchup• Mayonnaise• Tonys chocolate• Twix• Salad• Noodles• Muller yoghurt• Mature Cheddar• Spinach• Sweet potato• Raspberries• Salmon• Steak• Chicken thighs and drumsticks• Broccoli• Corn on the cob• Oat milk• Almond milk• Whole milk• Smoothie• Ros wine SARAH-JANE How much do you spend per week? Around £120 [Sarah Jane has one-year-old daughter, Rae, with husband Ben Richardson and is stepmum to his son, Teddy]. Baby formula costs a lot and wine in the summer bumps up the cost. Describe your daily diet… I’ll wake up with Rae, and we’ll have scrambled eggs with cheese and spinach and a slice of 50/50 bread. I’ll have an oat milk coffee, too. For lunch, I’ll pick up a poke bowl filled with grains, salmon or tuna, kimchi…

‘We all do homework together’ Danielle Lloyd, 37, is an old hand at getting her boys ready for the start of a new school year, but this September will be different as her eldest, Archie, is starting secondary school. She tells Closer, “He’s not fazed by it, but I’m terrified! He’s confident because there are friends of his from primary school and his football team going too, but he’ll be moving from a school of 100 children, to one with 1,000. Me and Michael [O’Neill, Danielle’s husband] have been talking to him about what our first days at senior school were like and what to expect.” Aside from that, Danielle – who is expecting a baby girl in November – is looking forward to the new term. “The boys all…

James Andrews, senior personal finance editor at Money.co.uk, reveals how parents can help their children manage their finances at university. He says, “Student bank accounts come with different benefits, from interest-free overdrafts to gift vouchers or railcards. While a £20 takeaway voucher may seem like the best option, opting for an account that will save them money with interest-free borrowing is better in the long run. An overdraft lets them borrow money from their bank, meaning they can still pay for things without any money in their account. Use a comparison tool to help them find the student account with the best benefits. “Sit with them to make a budget with all the costs they will be responsible for once they leave home vs the amount they will receive each…

VIBRANT RAINBOWS Perfect for barbecues or picnics, this colourful maxi dress has full sleeves, a hip-skimming skirt and waist tie to flatter in all the right places. CO-ORD QUEEN Easy dressing starts with loose co-ords. This retro designer-like print disguises bumpy bits and the top skims tums nicely – great for day trips. RETRO CROCHET Update a trouser collection with ’70s sleeveless knits, ideal for layering and adding colour. BEST-DRESSED GUEST Megawatt volume sleeves and show-stopping lime will help you make an entrance at belated wedding parties. DATE NIGHT DOTS Off-the-shoulder sass plus black and red dots give this midi dress a Spanish vibe. Add knee boots and a blazer for autumn.…

Where do we find Will and Geordie? TOM, 30: Geordie finds something out about Will that Will’s kept secret from him, and it threatens to damage their friendship forever. ROBSON, 56: Geordie’s corrosive past comes to the surface, and we’ve got Shaun Dooley playing a character who Geordie spent time with at a prisoner-of-war camp in Burma. It triggers those things he’s kept hidden an has never told anyone. How was it filming during the pandemic? TOM: There are some of the cast and crew who still, to this day, I haven’t seen the bottom half of their faces. But I couldn’t be more thankful that we got to carry on making this show. ROBSON: Though everybody has been wearing a mask, in front of the lens in 1958 you…

Britney Spears’ freedom seemed more possible than ever last week after her father Jamie revealed via his legal team that he’d be “willing to step down” as his daughter’s conservator “when the time is right”. For her fans, the announcement was a monumental moment in Britney’s bid to throw off the shackles of her conservatorship, which was put in place after her tragic breakdown in 2007. But despite Britney being so close to removing her father from controlling her life – with her even telling a court recently that she wanted him jailed for “conservatorship abuse” – there are new fears for the star, 39, after a series of Instagram posts show her posing topless and behaving erratically, even telling fans she’ll “live on the edge” one day. After uploading…

THE LATEST HOOK-UPS, MAKE-UPS AND BREAK-UPS Beaming from ear-to-ear, Gemma Collins and boyfriend Rami Hawash looked happier than ever as they enjoyed an idyllic holiday in Cornwall earlier this month. And Gemma, 40, proved just how much Rami meant to her by celebrating his birthday with three cakes, a horde of Versace gifts and a heartfelt message to him on Instagram – alongside a collection of sweet throwback photos of the two – with a soundtrack of the Lionel Richie song You Are My Destiny. Gemma wrote in her tribute to Rami, “It was you all along” – which fans have taken as a dig at Gemma’s former flame James “Arg” Argent, with whom she had an infamous on/off relationship for 10 years before finally calling it quits for good…

She’s always been a hopeless romantic, saying earlier this year that she’d found The One in boyfriend Liam Beaumont. But it emerged that the couple’s relationship was over last week when Charlotte deleted all traces of Liam from her social media accounts and sources revealed he’d moved out of her Newcastle home, where he’d been living with her. Addressing the split, Charlotte insisted the two parted ways on good terms, writing on Instagram, “Me and Liam shared some amazing memories together and the split was amicable. In the end, we just realised we were two very different people.” PRESSURES The Geordie Shore star, 31, began dating videographer Liam, 30, in February last year – just weeks after she split from boyfriend-of-two-years Joshua Ritchie. The couple moved in together during lockdown,…

The image of a stowaway falling from a plane as it took off at Kabul airport last week has come to symbolise the terror of the Afghan people, as their country fell to Taliban rule once more. The militant group officially took over the war-torn nation on 15 August, and locals and expats have been making desperate attempts to flee ever since. Shocking images showed crowds storming airports, and mothers attempting to hand their babies over to foreign soldiers at border crossings. HARSH PUNISHMENTS Meanwhile, women and girls are terrified as to what Taliban rule could mean for them. When the Taliban was last in power, between 1996 and 2001, women had no rights to work or education, had to always be accompanied by a male, and were forced to…

MEL: ‘I’ve been overwhelmed by the response from UK fans!’ No-nonsense Mel Shilling – who made up one third of the counselling panel on the Australian versio – has been drafted in to bring some of its magic to the new-look UK show. Mel was an essential part of the selection process in the Aussie series, and matched together couples Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli, as well as Cam Merchant and Jules Robinson, who are still together three years on – and even have a one-year-old son, Ollie. Mel says, “Cam and Jules are fabulous. They’re just a gorgeous couple, they’re absolutely the real deal and fun to be around, too. But I can’t identify individuals who are [my favourites] from that series… It’s like choosing your favourite child!” Mel,…

THE CHARITY WORKER After his dad got prostate cancer in 2004, Matt from West Yorkshire quit his job in the corporate world and started working for a cancer charity. Matt, 39 – who performs in a Take That tribute band in his spare time – says, “I want to meet a special person I can start building a life and have a family with. I’m really excited.” THE VET Describing herself as “the life and soul of the party”, 31-year-old vet Morag, from Essex, says she’s fed up with being unlucky in love and is ready to meet The One. She says, “I want the experts to help as I’ve got high expectations of myself and what I want from my partner. I want them to help me open up…

When Laura Neil catches her reflection in the mirror, she still pinches herself. She can hardly believe that the confident, happy woman she sees is really her. Just six years ago, the 32 year old was at an all-time low. Following the death of her beloved dad, she turned to food for comfort and soon weighed in at 22st. Now, Laura has lost an amazing 12st – more than half her body weight – and is happier and healthier than she’s ever been. Laura, 32, who lives in Falkirk with her fiancé, Garry, and her daughter, Esme, five, says, “After my dad died, I was deeply depressed. I didn’t want to do anything, or see anyone, and I gained 5st in a year. But I’m so glad I’m out of…

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics kick off this week – and what an incredible few weeks it’s set to be. Hopefully, Team GB can do as well as they did in the Olympics. We’ve got fantastic squads for the wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby, so we’re in with a chance of bringing home some medals. It’s a shame that it won’t be the same this year due to Covid-19 and the limited spectators, as the Paralympics have become more popular over the years. I’m also really excited for the Invictus Games next year – I suffered multiple injuries to my hands, face, elbow and leg from a bomb blast in Afghanistan in 2011, and competed in the Invictus Games in 2014. I know, first hand, they can have a lifechanging effect…

‘MY FEET WILL ALWAYS MAKE ME MONEY!’ Foot fetish model Roxy Sykes, 33, claims she earns almost £100,000 a year by selling used socks and trainers to her fans. After someone complimented her on the “beauty” of her feet, she realised that she could break into a niche part of the erotic industry. The property-investor from London sells shoes and socks on her social media accounts for £20 per pair of socks, and £200 for shoes. She says, “‘I can never see myself stopping – however old I get, my feet will always be able to make me money!” ‘IT SEEMS SILLY NOT TO SELL MY EXCESS BREAST MILK’ Louise Robson found a novel way to earn money while in last year’s lockdown – by selling her breast milk. Mum-of-one…

With home-schooling and class Covid-outbreaks to contend with, the past 18 months have been difficult for parents and children alike. But as the new academic year approaches, we are all hoping for more settled times. “It’s been a challenging year and you might worry your child has gaps in their knowledge, but everyone is in the same boat,” says Christina Lydon, a child development expert. “And while the disruptions we’ve faced have caused frustration and worry, it’s important to remember that they’ve helped us become more resilient, too. Transitions can be hard for both youngsters and adults, but if your child is nervous about returning to school, there is plenty we can do to make it a positive experience.” Here, Christina and psychologist Dr Maryhan Baker give their top tips…

3 WINNING BREAKFASTS OVERNIGHT OATS Mix oats and plain yoghurt before topping with fruit and leaving in the fridge overnight for a breakfast that provides carbohydrates for energy, protein, calcium, fibre and vitamins. MINI VEGETABLE FRITTATAS Eggs provide protein for growth, maintenance and repair and contain vitamins A and D and selenium, which all have key roles in supporting a child’s immune system. Include a mix of vegetables like peas, chopped peppers or tomatoes in the frittata. Heat oil in a pan, beat a couple of eggs in a small bowl, add the vegetables of your choice, pour into the pan and cook for around five minutes, then brown the top under the grill. TASTY TOAST Switch up the usual toast or bagel toppings for mashed avocado, nut butter and…

YOUR GUIDE TO EMOTIONAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LIFE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIST EMMA KENNY The beginning of a new academic year is always a time of mixed emotions. As well as millions of parents waving little ones off at school gates, many will be saying a more permanent goodbye as their older children leave home to attend university and experience independent living for the first time. CHECK THEY WANT TO GO THIS YEAR The first thing to do is be absolutely sure now is the right time. Draw their attention to the chaos of last year and ask them how they would feel if they found themselves in their halls of residence or house share all day, studying online. If they feel they are willing to take this risk, then help…

STUDY LAMP Creating a dedicated space for reading or homework helps focus. This lamp adds a bright spark for when autumn arrives. RAINBOW FUN Nothing beats colourful post-it notes and matching pens. These bright buys will cheer up revision – and memos! LUXE NOTEBOOK Gift home leavers a good-luck notebook – it’s so satisfying to start afresh. TK Maxx has many luxe-for-less options. COOL BEDDING Printed sheets add colour to a bare uni room. Opt for a double for a cosier feel (and to hide rubbish under the bed!) HAPPY HANDS Ensure kids stay safe and hygienic with a handy clip-on hand sanitiser. For every four bought, one is donated to the NHS. STYLISH TABLEWARE Even if they’re constantly eating instant noodles at uni, they can add fun to mealtimes…

INSPIRATION YOU’LL LOVE! CLEVER SEAT Perfect for hallways that always gather clutter, or for using in a window bay as a mini library, this slimline bench is incredibly versatile without taking up too much room. Stack up your favourite books, stow shoes in the cubbyholes, or simply take a seat on the soft cushions – it does it all! PERFECT PLANT RACK Plant shelves are having a major moment and are no longer reserved just for outdoor use, so invest in this one to bring the outside in or to use in a garden or on a balcony. Featuring three shelves and a hanging bar, it can hold a multitude of gorgeous foliage and will bring joy to anyone with green fingers! HANDY HEADBOARD If you don’t have space for…

MUST READ A Slow Fire Burning (PAULA HAWKINS) Laura is seen as hot-tempered and troubled. Some even call her dangerous. Miriam knows that just because Laura is witnessed leaving the scene of an horrific murder with blood on her clothes, that doesn’t mean she’s a killer. Bitter experience has taught her how easy it is to get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Carla is reeling from the brutal murder of her nephew. She trusts no one, but how far will she go to find peace? A thrilling, roller-coaster read from the bestselling author of The Girl On The Train. BEST DAY OUT Absolute Radio Live At The London Palladium Hosted by funny man Frank Skinner and in support of the Teenage Cancer Trust, Absolute Radio Live…

CODE CRACK THE BIG CROSSWORD CRISS CROSS SUDOKU - EASY SUDOKU - MEDIUM WORD SEARCH CLUES & ARROWS GUESS THE FILM STILL A) SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE B) SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK NAME THE STARS 1) TAYLOR SWIFT 2) JOHN TRAVOLTA GUESS THE CELEB A) PARIS HILTON B) ED SHEERAN WORD LINK A) LEAVE B) ROUGH C) CRAB D) RUN E) WASH F) WEATHER 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…

They’ve been enjoying parental leave and family time with their two-month-old daughter Lilibet and two-year-old son Archie. But last week, royal biographer and friend of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Omid Scobie, revealed they were gearing up to return to the spotlight and enter “an era of visibility” in terms of their charity work and future projects. Omid – who co-wrote Harry and Meghan’s biography Finding Freedom last year – explained, “They’re a couple who do very well in those moments of human interaction. They need to be on the ground. They say the proof is in the pudding, and what we are about to see is that pudding.” And Paul Burrell, who worked as Princess Diana’s butler for 10 years from 1987 until her death in 1997 and first…

He’s been one of her biggest cheerleaders throughout the #FreeBritney campaign – but now showbiz blogger Perez Hilton says he’s worried about Britney’s wellbeing and hopes people continue to look out for her. Perez, 43, tells Closer, “I love Britney, but there is cause for concern. The people around her are worried, and they are the ones who know her situation best. I do think she’s suffered in the past and the type of conservatorship she has been under would affect your mental health. It’s been traumatic for her, so she should be looked after. However, this doesn’t mean she has to be controlled. The sooner she’s freed from her father’s strict control, the better – but I think it’s good to have people looking out for her. “I’m also…

Closer’s psychological therapist Emma Kenny, says, “Gemma was in a toxic on/off relationship with Arg for a very long time, and the extreme highs you feel when it’s going well will never make up for the extreme lows. “When you meet a more secure, grown-up individual, who has your best interests at heart, it acts as a buffer to help you to realise how bad your last relationship was. “Gemma will cherish that she can wake up every day feeling safe – especially if having a family is her priority and, unlike Arg, Rami truly loves her for who she is.”…

They delighted fans in July with news they were dating, and while they seem to be going from strength to strength, there may be trouble for Maura Higgins and Giovanni Pernice when Strictly returns next month. Pro dancer Giovanni and Love Island’s Maura Higgins, both 30, began dating after being introduced through mutual friends. They have littered Instagram with loved-up couple pictures and comments on each other’s photos. Last week, they were seen looking cosy on a date night in London. However, it has emerged Corrie actress Katie McGlynn – who was romantically linked to Giovanni in 2016 – will be a contestant on Strictly in 2021. Twitter went into meltdown over how Maura would react should Gio be partnered with Katie, 28 – especially with the so-called “Strictly curse”,…

Ex-Royal Marine, Paul “Pen” Farthing knows the reality of fighting the Taliban all too well. He served in the Helmand Province during his deployment in Afghanistan in 2006, during which two of his fellow Marines were tragically killed. But after his tour ended, Pen found himself back in Afghanistan – this time fighting to protect the many stray dogs and cats that roam the streets. He created his charity, Nowzad, which seeks to reunite servicemen with animals who befriended them abroad. PLEA As the Taliban gained control of the country last week, Pen refused to leave without the 71 staff who work for him, and the 140 dogs, 60 cats, 12 donkeys, two horses, one goat and one cow in his care. He’s pleaded with the government for help with…

He’s the smooth-talking dating guru on Celebs Go Dating, and now Paul C. Brunson is using his experience to help choose MAFS couples who’ll meet for the first time at the altar. And Paul, 46, promises plenty of excitement. He says, “[The drama] is unexpected, challenging, exhilarating and rewarding. I can’t give much away, but I wear a smart watch that shows my heart rate and it’s never been triggered before, but it went off during the first commitment ceremony. That lets you know how crazy and dramatic things get, and how raw the scenario is.” The couples are matched by the counsellors based on their profiles, and Paul says they all meet a “specific criteria”. “We all look for shared values, complimentary personality and presumed attraction,” he says. “We…

ULRIKA: ‘My friend told me to do it because the guys are fit!’ Having just gone through her third divorce, former weather presenter and model Ulrika Jonsson admits lockdown hit her hard, leaving her feeling lonelier than ever. And she reveals she signed up to Celebrity SAS on the advice of a friend, who suggested she might find love again. Ulrika, 54, says, “I was in a really s****y place, I felt really low and I thought I just needed to get away. My friend told me to go on the show because the guys are really fit on there!” Ulrika was previously married to cameraman John Turnbull – with whom she shares son Cameron, 25 – and then had daughter Bo, 21, with German hotelier Markus Kempen. She then…

• Do it for yourself. Don’t feel pressure to get in shape for anyone other than you. This is about your own health and happiness. • Healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring. Pick your favourite meals, and look for low-calorie alternatives. • Find a support network. This journey is so much harder without the right people around you – whether that be your friends, family, or members of your slimming group. • Find exercise that you enjoy. There’s no point lifting weights at the gym if it makes you miserable. Whether it’s skipping or swimming, get your body moving in a way that makes you feel great.…

‘I try to make change in the world’ ‘HARD WORK GETS YOU AHEAD’ Born William Bruce Jenner in New York in 1949, Caitlyn won fame as a decathlon gold medalist in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. She claims being dyslexic played a part in winning an Olympic medal. She said, “If I wasn’t dyslexic, I probably wouldn’t have won the Games. If I had been a better reader, then that would have come easily, sports would have come easily… and I never would have realised that the way you get ahead in life is hard work.” ‘TAKING RISKS IS HOW YOU GROW’ During Caitlyn’s marriage to Kris, her family life as Bruce was featured on award-wining reality show Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Caitlyn, who also had her own reality series…

SWEET TREAT BLACK CHERRY TRIFLE SERVES 10-12 • 285g ready-made Madeira cake • Black cherry jam • 4 tbsp sherry • 2 tbsp brandy • 2 x 390g jars black cherries in kirsch or 2 x 400g cans tinned black cherries in syrup • 500g carton fresh vanilla custard • 300ml double cream • 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds • Handful shelled pistachio nuts, roughly chopped 353 CALS 20.9G FAT 29.8G SUGAR 0.3G SALT PER SERVING (BASED ON 12) STEP 1 Halve the cake horizontally and spread with jam. Sandwich back together, cut into 1cm slices and arrange in a bowl. Break some slices to fill any gaps. Pour over the sherry and brandy. STEP 2 Drain the cherries in a sieve set over a pan, then scatter them and 4…

TRY ROLE PLAY “Friendships are so important – they are the real reason our children want to go to school,” says Maryhan. “If your child is shy and finds the playground daunting, try role-playing different scenarios to build their confidence. For example, take it in turns to act out asking whether he or she can join in someone else’s game and try swapping roles. It’s important for them to understand how the conversation feels from both sides. Encourage meeting up outside of school too, as it helps scaffold those friendships.” BE A PARENT, NOT A TEACHER Homework doesn’t need to be a battle. Maryhan says the first step is to figure out what routine suits your child. “Some children need time to decompress and have a snack after school,” she…

DR CHRISTIAN GIVES HIS TAKE ON THE HOT HEALTH TOPICS OF THE WEEK I can understand why parents may feel nervous about the return to school and university, but it’s important to remember that so many more people have been vaccinated against Covid over the summer that we’re in a far better position than we were the last time kids went back. DON’T FEAR VARIANTS You may worry about new variants, but right now there’s no evidence that they cause more serious illness in children or young people. I would also hope that adults in every child’s family are vaccinated by now, so they won’t pose such a risk to their grandparents. Every school, college and university will tell students what to do to stay safe, and we should all…

HELPING YOU SPEND WISELY, SAVE MORE AND EARN BETTER A recent report found that the average cost of compulsory school uniform and sportswear is £101.19 per pupil, which could be pretty unmanageable for many of us after such a challenging year. If you’re worried, read on, as our experts share their best tips for keeping school spends under control. DON’T ALWAYS BUY NEW Find yourself shelling out for the latest must-have bag or sports equipment for your kids as the new term starts? Stop! “There are so many reasons to buy second-hand,” says money expert Jasmine Birtles. “Quite apart from the money-saving aspect, particularly with equipment, there is the eco angle. This is why sites like Depop are so popular with Gen Zers – it’s cheaper and greener. It’s also…

GET HER LOOK ZOE HARDMAN Zoe nails desk-to-date dressing once again! The TV and radio presenter pairs a hot-pink blouse with a slinkybut-flattering midi skirt – we love the playful leopard print, while the silky fabric and side slit are sassy without being too revealing. Sticking to the colour-block vibe, she accessorises with a mini bag before grounding with chic heels. Gorgeous! I WANT WHAT SHE’S GOT! IN THE NEWS... LAURA WHITMORE’S GYM RANGE Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore has released her second activewear collection with fitness brand Dare2B, and we want it all! The exclusive edit consists of a 15-piece collection, which includes technical and fashion-forward fitness gear, including sports bras, statement leggings, cosy hoodies, vests and jackets; all of which are available in a chic monochrome colour palette,…

MOISTURISE A PARCHED COMPLEXION Summer heat may leave your skin thirstier than ever, but this lighter gel formula is the ticket to hydration. Full of moisture-gripping hyaluronic acid and vitamin beads that burst on application, you’ll really notice a difference – especially if you apply on damp skin morning and night. Just leave it on a few minutes before applying your make-up to allow skin to hoover up the goodness. REFRESH ALL OVER Try this mood-boosting citrus body smoothie, complete with AHA (alpha hydroxy acid serum). For anyone who’s not familiar with this power-house ingredient, it’s the equivalent of a good surface cleanser. It wipes out the dead cells on the top layer of skin to reveal fresh ones beneath. Apply top to toe before bed, and shower in the…

NEW SERIES 1 MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT UK WEDDED BLISS? MON 30 AUG-THU 2 SEPT, 9PM, E4 After the Australian version of Married At First Sight became a massive hit earlier this year, the UK version has been dusted off and revamped for this brand-new series. Eight couples who’ve never met each other all tie the knot, and over 20 episodes we get to see who has a chance of living happily ever – and who is not entirely happy with the partner they’ve had picked for them. Bring it on! See our feature on page 20. ALSO WATCH Married At First Sight: Afters, an extra weekly instalment bringing together all things MAFS UK presented by AJ Ododu. Catch the first episode on Thursday 2 Sept at 10pm on E4.…

IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK This year is a great time to take up meditation, if you haven’t yet. The 12 months ahead look promising. If you’ve been down in the dumps recently, you can really turn your mental attitude around. You also have great powers of persuasion – use them wisely! THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN Virgo 23 AUG - 22 SEP Did you know that, right now, you’re the sign most likely to get bowled over by your soulmate? Maybe it’s your current partner who’s making you swoon all over again, or perhaps you’re falling in love with someone new. Expect to feel uplifted by the people in your life this week. Visit yasminboland.com for your daily horoscopes. LIBRA 23 SEP-22 OCT Love is in the air…