Table of contents for Issue 959 in Closer

The beautiful game Peter Crouch became an unlikely comedy legend when he answered the question “What would you be if you weren’t a footballer?” by saying, “A virgin”. His cheeky nod to the allure of a man who rakes in cash with fabulous ball control holds a little truth. With the Euros in full swing, we’ve spoken to Carly Knight, whose ultimate goal is to bag a footballer. So far she’s spent 17 years and £85k trying to score! We’ve also taken a look at this year’s WAGS, and Leanne Brown, who was part of the infamous Coleen, Posh and Cheryl 2006 World Cup crew, reveals what it was really like back in their heyday. Finally, Happy Father’s Day. Whether you’re lucky enough to be celebrating with a special person…

Less than two months after gushing that he and ex Cheryl are “closer than ever before”, Liam Payne shocked fans last week by revealing he has broken off his engagement with model Maya Henry. During an interview, Liam, 27, admitted he and Maya, 20, had called it quits just 10 months after he proposed with a £3m diamond ring last August. While hinting the two have cut ties – saying “I hope she’s happy” – he went on to once again publicly praise Cheryl, 37, calling her “literally the best parent” to their four-year-old son, Bear. Now, insiders have told Closer that his split from Maya has left the door open to a reunion between the exes, with friends suspecting the broody pair could be planning to add to their…

While Posh is looking forward to the prospect of being a grandma, fellow Spice Girl Emma Bunton has spoken about her desire for another baby. However, the mum of two fears she’s left it too late, as she’s entered the transition stage before the menopause, aged 45. Emma and her partner of 17 years, Jade Jones, 42 – who share sons Beau, 13, and Tate, 10 – had spoken about having a third child, but delayed it due to the pandemic. She then started noticing changes to her body that left her crying “her eyes out”, saying, “I started to feel unbalanced and anxious. At first, I put it down to the pandemic. But then the anxiety became more regular, until it was daily.” Doctors have confirmed she is perimenopausal…

Women’s empowerment influencer Megan Rose Lane regularly uploads photos for her 338,000 Instagram followers. But the 30-year-old’s content is different from so much posted online, because she doesn’t use a single appearance-altering filter or editing app. She proudly shows off her soft tummy, blemishes and cellulite – but it hasn’t always been this way. As a teenager, Megan edited every photo she took of herself, and soon spiralled into a crippling eating disorder, as well as other mental health issues. COMPETING Megan, 30, says, I started editing photos when I was 14. My goal was to have smooth, flawless skin, but it became such an obsession that I started to edit the shape of my body and then went on to develop bulimia. “By the time I had social media…

Casey Batchelor is celebrating after she gave birth to another daughter with fiancé Dane Goodson last week. Sharing a picture of her children’s hands on Instagram last week, Casey wrote, “We now have three little princesses.” The former Celebrity Big Brother star underwent a C-section because of the traumatic first birth she had with daughter Florence, now three. The couple are also parents to 16-month-old Sadie. And the reality star doesn’t plan on stopping at three children, recently telling Closer, “I think a fourth would be quite soon, so I’d like to be pregnant by January. I’d like to keep them close in age and also be in the baby stage all in one go. If I get pregnant again, I’ll have been pregnant for most of my thirties!”…

Kim Kardashian is reportedly “relieved” that her ex, Kanye West, is in a new relationship with supermodel Irina Shayk. The 44-year-old rapper and the 35-year-old Russian model were snapped together taking a stroll in picturesque Provence in the south of France last week. Their romance is believed to have begun a few weeks ago and Kanye had already told Kim, 40. A source tells Closer, “Kim’s fully supportive of the romance and knew they were going to celebrate his birthday in France. She’s relieved he’s happy and dating. She’s been incredibly concerned about his wellbeing and knows that having Irina is making him happy, which in turn makes him a better dad.” Kanye and Irina – who shares a daughter, Lea De Seine, four, with her ex, actor Bradley Cooper…

Piers Morgan’s wife Celia Waldron revealed last week that he and Susanna Reid were so close behind the scenes that she thought her husband’s former co-star “was better at the whole wife thing than me.” Despite being a divisive character, Piers Morgan’s chemistry with co-host Susanna Reid was the driving force of Good Morning Britain until he quit in March. The pair presented the ITV breakfast show together for five years, with Susanna, 50, often described as Piers’ long-suffering on-screen wife, and the pair seemingly played “good cop, bad cop” roles. Piers, 56, once joked they would be more than colleagues if they were not already spoken for. “If we were both single, we’d be at it like stoats in a sack,” he claimed, although Susanna was quick to reply,…

They were one of The Big Breakfast’s best double-acts with buzzing chemistry, hosting the C4 show together from 1997 to 1998 and again from 2000 till 2001. But Denise van Outen – who was then engaged to Jamiroquai lead singer Jay Kay, while Johnny Vaughan was married to now ex-wife Antonia – suffered a spectacular fall out with her co-host, allegedly over their working contracts. However, earlier this year, Denise, 46, revealed their 23-year feud is finally over. She said, “We have been speaking a lot recently. I’ve got a lot of love for him as a person, as a friend, and I’m sure he feels the same. And we’ve started thinking of maybe some [work] ideas, so you never know.” The Dancing On Ice star previously said they fell…

We all know how important bees are our to the planet. They help to transfer pollen between plants, fertilising them so they can grow seeds and fruit. Remarkably, along with other pollinators, they’re responsible for one third of the food we eat, as well as the crops that feed our livestock. Without them, we’d be left with a worldwide food shortage, and possibly even famine. It’s important we all do our bit to care for these vital insects, but ironically our love for the honeybee – or rather the honey they produce – is actually causing them serious harm. As bees fly from flower to flower – visiting up to 10,000 a day – they also collect nectar, which they turn into honey. Yet shockingly, the UK honey industry –…

Her incredible voice and her unforgettable song-writing propelled her to worldwide fame – but sadly, Amy Winehouse’s troubled life sometimes overshadowed her success. Amy endured a well-documented battle with drink and drug abuse, sparking fears for her wellbeing at the height of her fame. Her millions of fans were left distraught when she died aged just 27 from alcohol poisoning. Next month – 23 July – will mark 10 years since her tragic passing. Her best friend, former singer Tyler James, is commemorating the anniversary with a new book, My Amy, written in her memory. Few people got to see the real Amy as Tyler did over the years. The pair met at the BRIT stage school as teenagers and lived together up until her death. Tyler, 37, tells Closer,…

Clare Macnaughton, 49, has two children, Ben, 17, and Bella, 14. She’s separated from their father Pete, 50. She says, “I totally understand where Kelly Brook is coming from – I wish I hadn’t had children. I never planned to get married, let alone start a family. My plans were to travel the world. But then I met Pete and fell in love. “We got married in 2001 and were on holiday in 2002 when I realised I’d missed a period, and a test confirmed the worst – I was pregnant. Our holiday had been wonderful, and I felt that I’d opened the doorway into hell by getting pregnant. It didn’t feel right to have a termination – we were married and could cope financially. And we’d been irresponsible not…

THE FORMER TOWIE STAR, 35, SHARES HIS OPINIONS AND HIS LIFE ‘I struggled before I came out – that’s why celebrating Pride is still essential’ It’s Pride month - a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and how far we’ve come, but also to think about what we’ve still got to achieve. Some people ask why we still need to celebrate Pride, but it’s so much more than just flying a flag. It’s about increasing visibility, as well as acknowledging the fact that so many people had to fight, all those years ago, to be accepted as they are. Pride also helps raise awareness so that other people can find their identity. I really struggled before I came out. When I was on TOWIE in 2011, I dated lots of…

Dr Malini Uppal, Medical Director at GENNET City Fertility, Specialist in Fertility and Assisted Reproduction, says, “Egg freezing, using rapid freezing or vitrification, is a comparatively recent development in fertility treatment and fertility preservation. Hundreds of babies have been born worldwide using freezing but, as with all fertility treatments, no clinic can guarantee that the procedure will result in a successful pregnancy or live birth. Centres experienced in egg freezing report similar success rates with frozen eggs as with frozen embryos – approximately 20-60% per embryo transfer – the range is mainly related to the age of women at the time of egg freezing. Women under 35 are more likely to have good-quality eggs, therefore freezing 15-20 eggs gives you a reasonable chance – approximately 70-80% – of a successful…

• The Body Coach Joe, says, “Big batch, big taste. This recipe lets you get ahead for the week or make enough to feed a crowd!” GO VEGAN YOU DON’T NEED MEAT TO MAKE A MEAL OF IT... PULLED JACKFRUIT TACOS SERVES 2 • 2 shallots, diced • 1 tsp paprika • 80ml BBQ sauce • 1 tbsp passata • 400g can jackfruit drained • ½ tsp cumin • 50g Chinese cabbage, sliced • 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp jalapeños • 10g fresh coriander • 4–6 soft tacos • Guacamole and lime, to serve STEP 1 In a pan, cook the shallots in ½ tbsp water for a few mins. Add the paprika, BBQ sauce, passata, jackfruit, cumin and 250ml water. Bring to the boil, then cover and…

Previously, Brexit was the big dating divider. Dates would end faster than you could say “no deal” if you didn’t agree. But in a pandemic, deal-breakers change. Hinge and Tinder have launched a new tool allowing singles to show their vaccination status on their profiles (although it isn’t officially verified). This means singles can decline people who haven’t been jabbed if they want to. There are even stickers you can attach to your picture to claim that you have antibodies. Bumble has gone one step further. In addition to revealing how often you drink and work out, plus your political and religious beliefs, you can now share your Covid-19 dating preferences. This means you can let people know if masks are a must on dates or if you are happy…

MINDFUL CHEF FOOD DELIVERY Mindful Chef is all about making it easy to eat healthily and prepare home-cooked meals. It creates tasty recipes and delivers the ingredients and instructions to your door. It’s helped us improve our cooking skills and meals are ready in about half an hour or less, plus the food tastes amazing and there’s no food waste. You can also select family-friendly, super healthy or vegan meals. From £6 per portion, Mindfulchef.com WHO GIVES A CRAP TOILET ROLL This ethical brand supplies 100 per cent recycled toilet roll and donates millions to charity (50 per cent of profits go to help build toilets in countries that need them the most). At £36 for 48 huge (double-length) rolls, they’re competitively priced and can be delivered every month or…

PERSONAL TOUCH Add your initials to this bag or even a slogan for a unique touch. This fun woven clutch just screams holiday! NELL & DIGBY £35 DASHING DATE Sophisticated enough for a bottomless brunch but playful enough to dress down for a shopping trip, this unique option will be a talking point wherever you go. ZARA £29.99 BARGAIN BUY On a budget? Fear not – you don’t have to break the bank to rock the raffia trend. At just £10, this rainbow bargain is full of personality and will brighten up any outfit. STUDIO £10 TERRIFIC TOTE If you’re heading to the seaside, this bright buy is roomy enough for bulky towels. It’ll look just as chic with a T-shirt and jeans as it will with a flowy summer…

STEAL HER STYLE…

MUST READ The Lucky Escape (LAURA JANE WILLIAMS) When the day finally comes for Annie to marry Alexander, the last thing she expects is to be left standing at the altar. After a chance meeting with Patrick, an old friend who reminds her of who she used to be, Annie takes a vow of her own: she’ll say yes to every opportunity that comes her way from now on – including going on her honeymoon with a man who’s not her husband. We couldn’t put down this funny page-turner. TUNE IN Various Artists Cruella Rejoice! Trips to the cinema are back on and Disney’s latest slant on the Cruella tale is a perfectly wretched way to celebrate, darling. The murderously good movie comes with an equally killer soundtrack, featuring original…

IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK It looks like an amazing year for travel (honestly!), adventure, study, publishing (if you’ve a book in you) and widening horizons. Love is well-starred. Financially, the more you look for ways to make cash in an inspired way, the more lucrative the year ahead. THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN GEMINI 21 MAY-20 JUN The past few weeks have probably passed in a blur of mix-ups. Your ruling planet Mercury was not only retrograde but retrograde in your sign. Hence the madness! That should now ease. So turn to your finances – you know what you need to do. Find out your Rising Sign for free at moonmessages.com/freechart. CANCER 21 JUN-22 JUL Here comes the Sun! This week, the Sun moves back into your sign…

After sparking concern by admitting she was “exhausted” and was planning to take a break from social media, Stacey Solomon delighted followers when she made a return to Instagram last week to announce her fourth pregnancy. In a montage of pictures of herself, fiancé Joe Swash, and her three sons – Zachary, 13, and Leighton, nine, from previous relationships, and two-year-old Rex, whom she shares with Joe – Stacey, 31, who has nicknamed her children her “Pickles”, told her 4.4 million followers last week, “We’ve never felt so grateful… I have no words. We didn’t think we would get the chance.” NERVOUS The Loose Women presenter said the pregnancy had come as a surprise. She bravely confessed that she’d been trying for another baby for “quite a while”, but had…

She’s no stranger to going under the knife, after having had a whopping 15 cosmetic and surgical procedures over the years. And now Danielle Lloyd – who’s four months pregnant with her fifth child – says she’s keen to have a designer vagina after the birth. Danielle – who is mum to Archie, 10, Harry, nine, and George, seven, with ex-husband footballer Jamie O’Hara, and Ronnie, three, with electrician Michael – says, “I’d get a vaginoplasty – why not? I’ll have had five kids! I have tried that ‘Femi-wand’ thing – a tool which uses ultrasound to tighten your vagina. That has definitely helped, but when you’ve had babies, it all changes down there. You can sneeze and wet yourself. So after this baby, I’ll probably need a designer vagina…

Secondary school teacher and activist Vaani Kaur says filters still need better regulation, after she discovered a racially insensitive filter online. Vaani, 30, tells Closer, “I was horrified to find a filter on Instagram called ‘chocoskin’. The name was sickening, and it darkened skin, to emulate a person of colour’s skin tone. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Darker skin isn’t a trend, and for those of us who’ve experienced racism, it’s insulting. Our skin isn’t an exotic look for selfies – it shouldn’t be worn as an Instagram accessory. “Instagram didn’t remove the filter when I reported it, so I contacted the filter’s creator, and she eventually took it down. After campaigning against racially insensitive filters online, I experienced abuse, too. “There are many more filters like the…

New mum Binky Felstead has shared beautiful pictures of herself with newborn son, Wulfric Alexander Fredrikin, in hospital. She said, “The newest member of our very happy family. He will be known as Wolfie (unless he’s naughty, then it’s definitely ‘Wulfric!’ again!).” The Made In Chelsea star, 30, added that Wolfie – her son with fiancé Max Darnton – was already being doted on by her daughter India, four, whom she shares with ex Josh Patterson, saying, “His big sister already adores him.” She explained the origin of the name Wulfric “touches on Max’s Scandinavian heritage”.…

The UEFA Euro 2020 tournament has kicked off – which means the glamorous wives and girlfriends of football’s superstars will be back in the spotlight. While many of the WAGs of today have escaped the full glare of fame, there was a time when footballers’ wives were as famous as their sports-star partners. In the days when David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Ashley Cole were the big shots of the England team, photos of their wives – Victoria Beckham, Coleen Rooney and Cheryl – cheering them on at the 2006 World Cup in Germany became iconic. The WAGs also made headlines for their wild antics, including stories of dancing drunk on tables, huge shopping sprees, and diva behaviour that led to them being banned from the following World Cup in…

Phillip Schofield has praised his “best mate” and This Morning co-star Holly Willoughby for being like “therapy” after he came out as gay. Phil, 59, last week said he feels lucky to have had Holly’s unwavering support after publicly revealing his sexuality early last year. In a joint interview with Holly, 40, he said, “To think how lucky I am to have been able to have worked through all of this [and] to have had the therapy that Holly’s given me all the way through. Holly has been astonishing, literally the best mate. She’s serene, calming and sensible and she’s balanced.” The presenters have been friends since working together on the very first series of Dancing On Ice in 2006, and their rapport was so strong that she joined him…

He forged a playboy reputation for cheating on his ex-wife Jordan, real name Katie Price, with three different women during their five-year marriage – but these days Kieran Hayler’s life is a picture of family bliss. Now a doting dad to the kids he shares with his ex – Jett, seven, and Bunny, six – he is excitedly waiting on the arrival of his third child – a son – with fiancée Michelle Pentecost. And ahead of Father’s Day, Kieran, 34, credits parenthood for making him a better person. He exclusively tells Closer, “I had a past with cheating – but I’ve grown up now. “Being a dad has totally changed me for the better. Thanks to the kids I have learned patience. It taught me to have responsibility. Now,…

Charis Watkinson, 36, is a beekeeper who lives in Pembrokeshire with her husband Matthew, 44, and their two children, Elsa, seven, and Billy, three. She says, “In 2016, Matthew and I gave up our lives as vets working 12-hour days in Essex and swapped for an eco-friendly lifestyle. We bought four acres of land in Wales and built our home from a repurposed horse-box, trailer and a campervan. We have 150 chickens and grow all our own vegetables, but our real passion is looking after our six beehives that produce honey for us. “Our hives are incredibly self-sufficient, and we built them using empty wooden boxes, and put in a small window so we can see them without having to disrupt them. Our bees build their own wild comb, which…

Amy’s toxic marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil made headlines as much as her music. Days after meeting the former video production assistant in 2005, she had his name tattooed on her chest, but when he got back with his ex-girlfriend, Amy poured out her heart into her iconic album Back To Black. After reuniting in April 2017, the couple tied the knot a month later. During an interview with US rock magazine Spin, the singer used a shard of broken mirror to carve the words “I love Blake” on her stomach. After one huge row, Amy was photographed covered in scratches and bruises, with blood on her shoes. Blake was widely blamed for introducing Amy to heroin, but Tyler doesn’t hold him responsible for her death. He says, “I don’t blame…

My close pal Gemma Collins has been on a fitness drive in recent months and she’s lost over 3½st. I’m so proud of her and she looks amazing! When she first started trying to lose weight a couple of years ago, she was doing lots of quick fixes and fad diets. But over time she’s realised that getting fit requires a complete lifestyle change, and consistency. I’m a personal trainer and I trained with her for a bit, which I hope helped her discover that. She’s now working with another PT and I really think it has been amazing for her. For anyone who wants to embark on a fitness journey, I say go for it - the weather is improving and gyms have reopened, so that’s a great excuse…

INSIDE LINDA’S FRIDGE • Eggs • Greek yoghurt • Pickles • Parmesan • Chilli • Lurpak • Dairy Milk • Courgetti • Thai curry paste • Sundried tomato paste • Kimchi • Broccoli • Halloumi • Turnip • Salmon • Anchovies • Mackerel • Prawns • Parsnip • Spinach • Carrots • Avocado • Peppers • Milk • Oat milk LINDA How much do you spend? About £90 a week for myself and my husband [Chris], but we entertain a lot – when we’re allowed! Describe your daily diet… I start my day with a vitamin drink and then I’ll do yoga or speed walking. For breakfast, I have homemade sourdough, which I freeze in batches, with poached, scrambled or fried eggs, maybe three times a week. Lunch is quiche…

YOUR GUIDE TO EMOTIONAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LIFE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIST EMMA KENNY My husband and I have started getting up an hour earlier during the week, because it felt like there weren’t enough hours in the day and our stress levels were higher than they needed to be. It has been a revelation; I can meditate, shower, get ready, make a home-cooked meal and tidy the house, all before 8.30am. A recent study of more than 800,000 people asked participants to go to bed an hour earlier and to get up an hour earlier, and the results were pretty impressive – this change cut the risk of depression by almost a quarter. Many of us have poor bedtime habits, so it’s worth putting some effort into a good routine.…

ACTRESS GEMMA MERNA, 37, REVEALS HER EMOTIONAL SECRETS MY BIGGEST FEAR IS… heights. Just looking up at a tall building from below makes my legs start to shake. MY BIGGEST REGRET IS… not going to university. I’m trying to make up for it now by doing various qualifications in my adult life. I’m doing a life-coaching course at the moment, which is really interesting. IT ANNOYS ME WHEN… people pick or bite their nails. It drives me insane. I WISH I COULD BE… more carefree. I would love to be someone who can just walk into a room and make everybody laugh, but I’m too shy. MY GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT IS… signing up to run the London Marathon with PDSA. I’m proud of myself because, a year ago, I couldn’t run…

GET HER LOOK OLIVIA PALERMO It’s not often we see fashionista Olivia in jeans, but here she’s added a rainbow-stripe bag, crisp ruffle shirt and fancy mules – and it works beautifully. Dig out your wardrobe essentials and give them a fresh spin to get the look. I WANT WHAT SHE’S GOT! IN THE NEWS... ZARA’S STANDOUT SUMMER ESSENTIALS The right accessories can completely transform your outfit, and Zara’s latest eye-catching collection of colourful summer essentials will certainly do the trick! Whether you’re looking for glitzy earrings, colour-pop bags or designer double heels, we guarantee you’ll find the finest catwalk dupes – without the grand spend. FASHION WORTH TALKING ABOUT! Red carpets are inching their way back – and these stars shone at the BAFTAs… BAFTA SPECIAL Billie Piper Billie…

DETOXING EXFOLIATOR Exfoliating is key to maintaining clear, glowing skin, by removing dead skin cells. The same applies for hair - products can build up in the scalp, causing limp locks, as well as irritation and dandruff. As with skincare products, you can pick from gritty scrubs or exfoliating acids. Scrubs are best used for a once-a-week intensive treatment, while you can use the gentle acids to wash your hair more frequently. THE INKEY LIST SALICYLIC ACID EXFOLIATION SCALP TREATMENT £11.99, UMBERTO GIANNINI SCALP SCRUB £9.35 HYDRATING SERUM Serums are a good way of adding another layer of hydration, or treating any other skin or hair concerns. This will add mega shine while taming frizz and flyaways. For unruly or especially dry hair, apply when it’s damp. For finer air,…

1 DIANA THE PRINCESS OF HEARTS THU 24 JUNE, 9PM, ITV When Princess Diana died at the age of 36 in a Paris car crash, it caused an unprecedented outpouring of grief across the globe. And with what would have been her 60th birthday approaching on 1 July, this absorbing documentary gives new insight into the much-loved People’s Princess. Featuring interviews with those who knew her best, including Hillary Clinton, her nanny and royal insiders, it looks at her life, loves and where she might be today – while considering how she would have coped with turning 60. NEW SERIES 2 DEVON AND CORNWALL A TRIP TO THE COAST MON 21 JUNE, 8PM, C4 The ob doc series returns, and we meet Devon wildlife ranger Jake Chant, who has some…

‘DORIA SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN ELBOWED OUT OF THE PICTURE’ They became a family of four with the arrival of Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor earlier this month – but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s choice of name for their newborn has ignited yet more controversy. After announcing their daughter’s name was a tribute to Harry’s grandmother the Queen – who was nicknamed Lilibet as a child by her family, and later by her late husband, Prince Philip – there was both an outpouring of praise and a fierce backlash. While many fans were delighted at the tribute, others expressed their disbelief and anger at the couple’s decision to adopt the private nickname, given their recent scathing comments about members of the royal family and Palace life, plus their decision to step…

She’s already gearing up for her eldest son Brooklyn Beckham’s lavish wedding next year – and now Posh may have more nuptials to organise, as insiders reveal her younger son Romeo is planning to ask his girlfriend of two years, Mia Regan, to marry him. A source close to the family says Romeo, 18, has told his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, that he is keen to propose to model Mia, also 18. The source says, “Romeo’s head over heels for Mia. They’ve started looking at houses together and talking about the future. “Watching Brooklyn pop the question and seeing how it further strengthened his bond with his fiancée Nicola Peltz – as well as the excitement building up to the wedding – has made Romeo want the same with…

Gemma Collins, 40, spent £2,000 on cosmetic surgery to “neaten up” her labia in 2015. She showed off the results on TOWIE, saying, “It looks like something you’d see in a movie… I’m mega-confident, because I know I’ve got a designer vagina.” Singer Sinitta live-streamed commentary of her vaginal cosmetic work to her followers on the Periscope app. The 52 year old explained what was happening during the procedure, which wasn’t under the knife but used fillers to tighten and reshape her vagina. She said, “He [her surgeon] is basically going to inject fillers to make everything plump and put everything on the outside back inside.” According to their sister Khloé, both Kim, 40, and Kourtney Kardashian, 42, have had less invasive vaginal lasering, where heat from a wand stimulates…

After moving him into her Essex home and declaring he was The One, Ferne McCann – who has a three-year-old daughter, Sunday – has now called time on her six-month relationship with boyfriend Jack Padgett. Ferne, 30, and model and marketing manager Jack, who first went public with their relationship last December when they were spotted kissing while on holiday in South Africa, reportedly ended things due to them being at different stages of their lives. A source tells Closer that it was an amicable break-up, saying, “They’re still friends – it just didn’t work out.” The source continues, “He’s been working a lot, which often takes him away from home. Now she’s a mum she just wants to get home to Sunday. They’re just at different stages in their…

Congratulations are in order for pop guru Mark Ronson, who recently got engaged to Meryl Streep’s lookalike daughter, Grace Gummer. The seven-time Grammy Award-winner revealed the happy news on his podcast, The FADER Uncovered. “I got engaged last weekend,” the 45-year-old said while chatting to record producer Tame Impala. Mark and Grace first sparked engagement rumours last month when the actress sported a huge diamond ring while walking in London with her music producer fiancé, who is believed to have been introduced to actress Meryl (above) and her husband of 43 years – Grace’s dad – Don Gummer earlier this year. The newly-engaged couple were first photographed together last September while out for dinner in New York. Their date came five months after Grace, who’s starred in American Horror Story…

She’s now happily married to ex-footballer Frank, but Christine Lampard was once falsely linked to her The One Show co-host Adrian Chiles. During her role on the BBC show alongside Adrian, Christine – then Bleakley – was subjected to rumours that their on-screen chemistry was fuelled by an affair behind the scenes after his 10-year marriage to Jane Garvey – mum to his two daughters – ended in 2008. But they vehemently denied the allegations and even admitted they didn’t like each other when they started working together in 2007. Christine, 42, said, “It’s no secret that I didn’t like Adrian at all to begin with – I found him intense. And I think, as far as he was concerned, I was a nonentity. But I gave as good as…

Dads, stepdads and father figures up and down the country will be celebrated this weekend for Father’s Day. And recent surveys have shown that men are becoming more hands-on than ever when it comes to parenting, with 58 per cent of men saying they’d taken on a greater childcare role during lockdown. Parenthood is a huge life change for anyone – not least the celebrity dads who have built up reputations for loving the party lifestyle and dating multiple women – sometimes at the same time. Closer takes a look at the men who have swapped wild nights out for family evenings in, and changed beyond recognition – finding new happiness and contentment – since becoming dads. MARIO: ‘I have new respect for Becky’ While starring in TOWIE, Mario Falcone…

If you prefer thicker, soft-set honey, Honea, which is made with prebiotics, has a natural honey-like flavour. Plant-based Artisan Soft Set Vegan Honea, £4.99 Swap honey in your tea and on your breakfasts for agave nectar, which is a natural, fat-free sweetener. The Groovy Food Company, Light Amber & Mild Agave Nectar, £2.50 Lip balms often contain beeswax, but this moisturising balm is made with vegan ingredients and has a pleasant citrus smell. Lush, £7.50 Scent your home with candles made from soy rather than beeswax. Soy wax has a low melting point, so will burn for longer. Earl Of East, Jardin De La Lune Candle, £20…

EDIT YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA FEED “Changing up who I follow on Instagram has made a huge difference to how I feel about myself. I now follow a diverse range of women of all shapes and sizes, and the fact I appreciate all of them makes me more appreciative of myself.” Heather Marshall, Edinburgh BE YOUR OWN CHEERLEADER “Every day, I try to congratulate myself for things that I do well, no matter how small they are. In the past, I’d focus on self-criticism, and that was really harsh. Now, I aim to talk to myself as if I were bigging up my best friend. I give myself the compliments I wish I’d hear from others.” Kayla Lewin, London MAKE EXERCISE A JOY “I used to see exercise as a method…

DR CHRISTIAN GIVES HIS TAKE ON THE HOT HEALTH TOPICS OF THE WEEK It’s human nature not to dwell too much on scary or negative things. When most people are diagnosed with a life-changing condition, they often say, “I never thought it would happen to me”. In a recent study commissioned by Yorkshire Cancer Research, a third of people said they believed Covid would pass them by. That’s slightly crazy, given the prevalence of it, but it proves the point that that’s our default setting. The majority of us don’t worry too much about anything, really, until it hurts or goes wrong. TAKE PRE-EMPTIVE STEPS You don’t want to be living in fear, desperately worried you’ll get cancer or dementia, but equally you don’t want to ignore how your lifestyle…

With playdates and parties resuming, bedtime routines, rules about sweets, and limits on screen time and age-appropriate gaming are under threat. On one level, this is great; after such a tough period, the more fun kids can have, the better. However, it is important to strike the balance between chaos and control. Your job is to help your child make independent choices. They may not be the best decisions in your eyes, but they’ll learn from their mistakes. EXPLAIN ONLINE RISKS Many kids want social media accounts like their friends, but there is a 12 and above age limit on apps like TikTok, as research suggests this kind of exposure is bad for developing brains. Hold firm on your rules. If they are old enough, explain the problems of posting…

HELPING YOU SPEND WISELY, SAVE MORE AND EARN BETTER Last year, we spent £323m on digital and subscription services, up 39 per cent on the previous year. The average household now has seven contracts, and we are loving the convenience, security and, in some cases, the savings that come with subscriptions. “During the pandemic, we expected people to cut back on their spending, but actually people loved subscriptions – there’s no leaving the house or remembering to order something,” says Katie Clarke, financial expert from accountancy company Clic (clichq.com). “The ‘treat’ type subscriptions also gave us that dopamine hit you get from treating yourself, something which many of us needed during the lockdowns.” Freddie’s Flowers, for instance – a doorstep flower delivery service – now has 110,000 regular subscribers (they…

CITY SIGHTSEEING A mix of slouchy denim and sportier separates will be comfy for a day pounding the pavements and can then be given a sharper spin like Mollie, with a tailored blazer and heels for a post-shopping dinner. A classic boilersuit is also a great day-to-night option, and easy to pack, too! BEACH HOLIDAY A couple of days on the coast calls for pops of punchy colour and playful prints. A flouncy pair of shorts or a straight-cut dress can be worn over your swimsuit for a sandy stroll – and team with an oversized tote that will carry all your essentials in style. RURAL RETREAT Bring a vintage vibe to your countryside wardrobe with a mix of gingham, florals and pastel shades like Millie. Opt for a loose-fit…

REVISE YOUR RETINOL ROUTINE It’s likely some of your anti-ageing creams will contain the wonder ingredient retinol. It reduces fine lines and wrinkles brilliantly, but it’s important to know how and when to use it correctly and safely. Due to retinol’s potency, the skin becomes more sensitive to UV radiation after use. As a result, it’s best to apply at nighttime, not during the day. It’s also important to wear SPF protection the day after, to protect skin from sun damage. Using both retinol and daily SPF will help keep fine lines at bay. THE ORDINARY GRANACTIVE RETINOID 5% IN SQUALANE £11.90 MAXIMIZE MOISTURE Hyaluronic acid serums are great for hydration. They bind water (like a magnet) to the surface of the skin. They work more efficiently than most moisturisers…

What to expect from the new series? A huge variety of projects from some incredible people. We nudge and encourage them to give it a go and tackle projects they’ve wanted to do for a very long time! This year has been eclectic, from a basement transformation to a creative shoe storage solution. There’s even a doll’s house makeover – and of course you can also expect some Strawbridge family fun! How did you get into upcyling? I was born with the bug! I’ve been in love with preloved items – making things and “one-offs” – since I was a little girl. It comes from my parents and also when you want something in life that you can’t afford! The first thing I made was doll’s furniture from shoe boxes!…

CODE CRACK THE BIG CROSSWORD CRISS CROSS SUDOKU - EASY SUDOKU - MEDIUM WORD SEARCH CLUES & ARROWS GUESS THE FILM STILL A) LEGALLY BLONDE B) LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER NAME THE STARS 1) HARRISON FORD 2) ANNIE LENNOX GUESS THE CELEB A) KEVIN HART B) SOPHIE TURNER WORD LINK A) MARRIED B) NEW C) SCREEN D) LINE E) DROP F) CLEAN 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 draw…