Table of contents for ISSUE 786 in Closer

The stars have been spilling the beans left, right and centre to us this week. Ferne McCann reveals how she’s coped with being viciously trolled over her acid attacker ex, Arthur Collins, while Peter Andre admits his wife Emily is the boss at home, and both Josie Gibson and Love Island’s Jess Shears confide that finding love has transformed their self-confidence. First Dates’ Fred talks about clicking with Sinitta, and a host of celebs have revealed what’s as important to them as sex: handbags, chocolate buttons and dogs all make the grade! We’ve uncovered a few secrets of our own, too. In the week David Beckham claimed he and Posh have to watch the pennies, we decided to find out where they really splash the cash. Turn to page 22…

“Michelle’s expression looks rather wistful here. She’s kept her arms folded while Mark performs a romantic forehead kiss to register his love. Michelle’s head is tilted in towards him to show she’s colluding in the loving moment, but her actual bodily gestures aren’t reciprocal, suggesting he’s the one doing the loving and protective role here.” “Mark couldn’t look more loved-up here, encircling his wife with his arms and emphasising the possessive gesture with a hand-clasp behind her back. He gazes at Michelle adoringly, but although the pose involves torso closeness, Michelle keeps her arms crossed in what looks like a protective barrier. Her gaze looks distracted, while Mark’s is intense.” “Mark adopts a bit of an alpha male classic pose here, walking with his hands in his pockets to emphasise…

She looked healthier and happier than ever at the NTAs last week. And after a troubled past, Sarah Harding tells Closer she’s feeling great and excited to be making plans for the future. The former Girls Aloud singer, 36, tells us, “I’m going into [music] producing! I might come back and do the odd bit [of singing]. I just want to be in music. I’ve bought a Fender, it’s an acoustic guitar. I play a bit of everything – my dad was a musician. He was a lead guitarist. But I still need lessons, obviously. If I practise piano, I can play pretty much anything by ear.” In 2011, Sarah checked into rehab for depression, an addiction to sleeping tablets and alcohol dependence, which she said was triggered by the…

Reality star Jade Goody ignored a letter warning her she needed to have abnormal cells removed from her cervix because she was too scared to go to hospital. However, after collapsing in August 2008, she went for tests – and discovered she had advanced cervical cancer, aged just 27. Despite having a hysterectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in February 2009, Jade was told her cancer was terminal and had spread to her liver, bowel and groin. In the year following her diagnosis, an extra 500,000 women attended for smears and this was dubbed “The Jade Goody Effect.” Sadly, Jade died in March 2009 – leaving behind two sons, Bobby, now 13, and Freddie, 14.…

Dr Steve Allder, consultant neurologist at Re:Cognition Health, says, “A vegetative state is often referred to as wakefulness unresponsive syndrome. It means a patient’s organs function, but there’s no brain activity whatsoever. The only movements made are reflexive actions, but nothing meaningful. “Sometimes, vegetative patients move into a minimally conscious state, where they can make small movements and may have some awareness, but full recovery is not likely. For patients like Donna, who’ve been in a vegetative state for so long, the chances of becoming minimally conscious are less than five per cent.”…

CHLOE FERRY ‘ It looks like bum implants’ Since joining Geordie Shor e aged 19, Chloe Ferry – now 22 – has spent over £50k on cosmetic work, including fillers, a nose job, an eyebrow lift, veneers and Botox. She underwent a breast uplift last year, too, but said she’d never have bum implants. However, Mark Ho-Asjoe says, “She definitely appears to have had bum implants, which explains her ‘shelf-like’ appearance. Her hips are also a lot wider, which suggests a Brazilian Butt Lift – where fat is sucked out of the abdomen and injected into the bum.” TIFFANY WATSON ‘ Her bust is much bigger’ She’s remained tight-lipped on rumours that she underwent a secret “break-up boob job” after splitting from Sam Thompson last summer. But Made In Chelsea’s…

Love Island’s Scott Thomas, 29 “I love a Galaxy chocolate bar that just melts in your mouth.” Michelle Heaton, 38 “Sushi… but don’t tell my husband!” Vogue Williams, 32 “If you have an answer to that question, you haven’t found the right man!” Love Island’s Olivia Attwood, 26 “Definitely Chanel handbags.” Kate Garraway, 50 “My husband would like me to say “nothing”, but I’d say chocolate buttons.” TOWIE’s Pete Wicks, 28 “The only thing I love more is my dog, Eric.”…

NATASHA HAMILTON: ‘ I have laughter lines and crow’s feet’ She’s a busy mum of four, so it’s no surprise that Natasha Hamilton doesn’t have time to put on a full face of slap every day – not that she needs to. The 35-year-old Atomic Kitten star is clearly a natural beauty. “This is really how I look. I do have a few laughter lines and crow’s feet,” she said. “My face has changed growing up, especially with gaining and losing weight.” And Natasha, who isn’t afraid to post make-up free snaps on Instagram, has admitted to occasionally having Botox and fillers, but insists she won’t take it too far. “I’ve dabbled with surgery,” she admitted. “I’ve had Botox in my frown lines and a bit of filler in my…

RETRO COLOURS This colour combo is a firm favourite. Slim-fitting plus a snood equals one winning jacket. NEXT £55 FEELING BLUE Give the winter blues a whole new meaning with this glossy number – the perfect pick-me-up on a drizzly day. TOPSHOP £65 HIGH SHINE This oversized foil number will tick off the high-shine metallic trend box while keeping you nice and cosy. MONKI £50 PRACTICAL & PRETTY This fancy floral print can be teamed with leather-look trousers or jeans. While the hood will come in handy on grisly days. ASOS £65 VERSATILE VELVET The plush fabric helps to give this posh puffa a grown-up vibe – perfect for throwing over an LBD and heading out. BOOHOO £60 MILITARY MUST-HAVE Camo-print is a winter classic, so buy this army-inspired number…

• Ainsley says, “This warming wintry soup makes for a really satisfying supper or weekend lunch.” GO VEGAN YOU DON’T NEED MEAT TO MAKE A MEAL OF IT... VEGAN PAELLA 488 CALS 11.2G FAT 14.5 G SUGAR 2G SALT PER SERVING SERVES 4 • Low-cal spray oil• Pack of 8 vegan sausages, sliced• 1 onion, sliced• 2 garlic cloves, crushed• 1 red and 1 yellow pepper, sliced• 400g tomatoes, skinned and sliced• 200g green beans• 200g peas• 250g paella rice• 1/2tsp paprika• /2tsp saffron• 1tsp turmeric• 1tsp chilli powder• Zest and juice of 1 lemon• 700ml veg stock• Parsley, to garnish STEP 1 Heat a pan and spray with the oil. Fry the sausages for 3-4 mins, then set aside. STEP 2 Spray the pan again and add the onion…

‘ENERGY DRINKS HAVE NO PLACE IN SCHOOLS’ Teachers want to ban energy drinks from the classroom, calling them “readily available legal highs”. Dr C agrees… I don’t usually agree with banning things; but there’s no place for energy drinks in schools – yet plenty of children are regularly drinking them there. CHEAP TREATS Children as young as 10 are buying them because, at just 25p a can for some brands, they’re cheaper than water or fizzy pop, which is ludicrous. Calling them “readily available legal highs” puts them in the same bracket as things like “cannabis alternative” Spice, so teens could think those types of “legal highs” aren’t dangerous, when they are. Also, this could make them more attractive to kids who just want to rebel. SCARY STATS Energy drinks…

1 THE X-FILES GILLIAN’S FINAL SERIES BEGINS (SOB!) MON 5 FEB, 9PM, CHANNEL 5 Following news that this will be Gillian Anderson’s last time playing Agent Dana Scully, the new episode picks up from last series’ cliffhanger ending. Scully is rushed to hospital, where Mulder is told her brain is “on fire” – blimey! Turns out she is pulsing out morse code messages to them via neural activity (as you do) – specifically, the words, “find him”. Is the end of the world on the cards? And what has the Smoking Man got to do with it? FACTFILE Of her decision to quit, Gillian Anderson simply said, “This is it for me.” Dealing long-time fans a major blow… 2 EUROVISION: YOU DECIDE UK SONG SELECTED (EXCITEMENT!) WED 7 FEB, 7.30PM,…

Scarlett Moffatt was hit by reports last week detailing her growing friendship with troubled Ant McPartlin – who announced he was divorcing wife Lisa Armstrong two weeks ago and is rumoured to be leaning on the young star for support. Then tensions grew just days later when cruel trolls took to Twitter as she sat with Ant and his sidekick Dec at the NTAs – even pointing out seemingly awkward exchanges when she kept her distance from Ant, instead giving Dec a congratulatory kiss over their triumphant I’m A Celeb! win. Tweets flooded in, with one user saying, “Dec acting as a handy buffer, but Scarlett and Ant are clearly a thing” and another asking, “When are Scarlett and Ant going to come clean that they’re together?” It comes just…

She looked dramatically different as she posed on the red carpet at the National Television Awards last week (left), with fans taking to Twitter to express their shock at Jordan’s post-facelift appearance. One person wrote about the star (whose real name is Katie Price), saying, “I don’t think she has the slightest idea how awful she looks.” Another jibed, “It’s such a shame she has ended up looking older then her years.” A third added, “She was a really pretty woman. She has completely wrecked herself. It’s shocking.” A source says, “Katie was in tears when she read all the comments. Her happiness is massively dependent on her looks and the remarks have crushed her – now she just wants a quick fix. She thinks she looks ugly and haggard…

They weren’t trying for a baby, so when Diversity star and Dancing On Ice backstage host Jordan Banjo found out his girlfriend, Naomi Courts, was pregnant with their first child, it came as a bit of a surprise. He tells Closer he thought Naomi was joking when she showed him the test. Jordan, 25, laughs, “I said, ‘Oh, shut up!’ And carried on playing my Xbox, like a real grown-up! But now I know she’s serious and it’s all a bit overwhelming.” Although the pair have already found out they’re expecting a boy, Jordan says he and Naomi, 23, are struggling to come up with names. He sighs, “It’s such a big debate in my house right now. Every time we find one we like, we change our minds!” Alongside…

During a smear, you’ll be asked to undress from the waist down and lie on a couch with a sheet over your lower half. A speculum will be put in your vagina to open the cervix and a soft brush will be used to collect cells. In the unlikely event that it’s painful, tell the doctor as they will be able to help – eg by using a smaller speculum. The sample will be tested and you should receive your results within two weeks. Women between the ages of 25-49 are invited for a smear test every three years. However, it’s recommended that you visit a doctor sooner if you experience unusual bleeding, pain in your side or back, unpleasant smelling vaginal discharge or pain during sex. • For info,…

Despite David and Victoria Beckham being worth an estimated £339m, the former England player caused a stir last week when he announced they could no longer afford to buy each other expensive gifts now they’re parents. David, 42 – who in the past has shelled out on lavish presents, including a rare £80,000 Hermès handbag for his wife – said, “We used to be very extravagant in what we’d buy each other. But we’re obviously saving the pennies now because we have so many children to be extravagant with.” He added that he and Posh, 43, now focus on the “simple things” in life, explaining, “It’s more about spending time together, going for a simple dinner together. Having a nice bottle of wine together.” But as fans of Californian red…

ED’S ‘NO-FRILLS’ STAR-STUDDED WEDDING He announced his engagement to childhood friend Cherry Seaborn with an adorable post, captioned, “Got myself a fiancé just before New Year” – and pals say Ed Sheeran is already planning his A-list wedding. A source says, “Ed’s hired a wedding planning team and has given them an unlimited budget – insisting he just wants it to be the best party ever. They’re going to get married in the grounds of their home in Suffolk, near where he and Cherry grew up. He’s inviting all his celeb pals, including Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Elton John, Cara Delevingne, Harry Styles and his BFF, Taylor Swift. “He’s been working with Beyoncé and is hoping she will perform at the bash, which he says will be like a mini…

He’s the dapper restaurant manager with a sultry French accent, who has become something of a love guru thanks to his relationship advice on TV’s First Dates. And Fred Sirieix, who’s been smooth-talking us through all things romantic since the show started in 2013, admits he’s really lucked out in the job department. Fred, 45, tells Closer, “I like the fact that I’m the person running the restaurant where people meet and fall in love – it is the most beautiful job in the world!” The First Dates restaurant has become so popular that even celebs have turned to the show for help finding love – among them Gogglebox’s Scarlett Moffatt, 27, and Simon Cowell’s ex Sinitta, 54. EXPERT IN ROMANCE Fred reveals, “Sinitta is a lovely girl. She said…

GET HER LOOK GIGI HADID, 22 The supermodel teaches us a lesson in how to work off-duty creams in this cosy daytime ensemble. Miss Selfridge’s copycat coat will see you through to spring, and still feel just as fresh next winter. WHO WORE IT BEST? OLIVIA WILDE VS HELEN MIRREN Pledging their allegiance to the cause are two of our favourite actresses, Olivia and Helen, both wearing the same skirt emblazoned with the word “feminist” (from Alice & Olivia, £370). It’s certainly a conversation starter and a timely statement amid the #TimesUp movement. VERDICT Both stars have given this skirt a very different vibe. While we love Olivia’s retro take and matching red accessories, Helen’s leather jacket and biker boots give it a cool edge. Plus she proves sheer fabrics…

‘I finally have someone to look after me’ She went through one of the most incredible body transformations in showbiz, dropping 6st and going from a size 20 to a slender 8 within a year. Now, more than four years on, Josie Gibson reveals she’s gained 2st, but isn’t panicking. The Big Brother star, who went through two break-ups last year, says, “I’m the biggest I’ve been since I lost all of the weight, but I think quite a lot of it is happy fat! I prefer being smaller, but I’m not going mad about it because I’ve got someone who loves me whatever size I am now.” At 5ft 11, Josie is still only 12st 8lbs and a size 12-14 – a far cry from the 16½st she was…

INSIDE SHOBNA’S FRIDGE • Plain yoghurt• Butter• Houmous• Coconut milk yoghurt• Anchovy fillets• Roast turkey slices• Capers• Sun-dried tomato pesto• Smoked salmon• Sweet chilli sauce• Trout fillets• Steamed beetroot• Mackerel fillets• Chicken breast• Kale• Sweet potatoes• Salad leaves• Carrots• Chillies• Balsamic dressing• Almond milk• Lacto-free milk• White wine SHOBNA How much do you spend per week? Around £50-£100 [Shobna has a 22-year-old son, Ashkay]. I’m good at being frugal and often look for the reduced labels. I’ll go to the grocer for garlic, ginger and lemons, and the Indian store for vegetables like okra – everything else is from the supermarket. My favourite shop is Whole Foods – it’s a feast for the eyes. Describe your daily diet… Breakfast is porridge with banana or berries, but on the weekend I’ll…

FAMILY MATTERS STOP YOUR CHILDREN’S CONSTANT SQUABBLING Children don’t argue, they squabble – and it’s enough to drive parents to distraction. Emma advises how to keep the peace I have two teenage sons so, like all mothers, I spend a percentage of my time breaking up squabbles. Kids argue over the daftest of things – who has the remote control, who knows which YouTuber has beef with another; the really important issues in life. But if you’re dealing with this type of behaviour 24/7, it can send you loopy. A few years ago, my boys discovered the power of name-calling. It led to some nasty arguments and meant that I had to readjust my parenting techniques. I realised that we needed to do things as a team, because that’s how…

IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK It’s time to give up on anyone or anything you suspect is a lost cause. If you know an important relationship is beyond saving, do what you can to release it elegantly. It’s a year when your most important relationships will take up a lot of your attention. THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN AQUARIUS 20 JAN-18 FEB If you and your partner are at odds, go gently. It can be all too easy for matters to spiral out of control. Ditto any fragile friendships or professional relationships. But it’s a good time to lose a toxic connection. Find out where the Full Moon is affecting you – call 0906 7511 677* PISCES 19 FEB-20 MAR Let’s hope you took last week’s advice to heart…

❛SHE DOESN’T LIKE PEOPLE USING HER NAME TO CREATE HEADLINES❜ The singer has been meticulously planning her big career comeback for later this year, but pals say Cheryl is frustrated after a series of trusted friends recently spoke about her private life in public. The pals include Dermot O’Leary, who let slip in an interview that she’s returning to The X Factor, and former manager Will.i.am. Talking about her exes, Will said, “[She’s] so happy and settled after having Bear. Before, she was always looking for that real thing, but in these kind of ping-pong relationships.” Then, last week, music producer Naughty Boy dropped a strong hint that Cheryl was collaborating with him when he shared a picture of them with X Factor winners Rak-Su, with the caption, “Watch this…

She recently admitted to having liposuction to remove any “lumps and bumps”, and Lauren Goodger made it clear she loves her new body as she proudly showed off her bare bottom in a risqué Instagram snap last week. The former TOWIE star, 31, flaunted her curvy behind in just a thong and crop top, captioning the photo, “Swipe right… take a seat” – as well as uploading a video to her Instagram Story of her swivelling her hips to display the full results. The racy photo sparked criticism from fans, with one user writing, “WTF is wrong with you? Why do you feel you need to flash your bare a**e on social media?” Some fans even accused her of pumping “silicone” into her bum, posting, “This chick’s lost the plot.…

As far as the first few months of motherhood go, Ferne McCann hasn’t had it easy. Just weeks after she gave birth to her daughter Sunday in November, her ex-boyfriend, Arthur Collins – who is the baby’s father – was found guilty of an acid attack that injured 14 people. Then, just as she was trying to make a fresh start earlier this month, she was forced to deny she’d been visiting him in prison – after she previously claimed she’d cut all contact. Despite her denials, Ferne, 27, still faced a vicious backlash on social media, with one troll posting, “She’s a liar who supported him behind the scenes whilst playing the single mum sympathy card,” while another wrote, “How can she support him? Hope all her TV and…

❛I WEAR IT WHEN I GET INTIMATE WITH MY HUSBAND... HE LIKES TO GRAB ITS LACES❜ With her ample curves and tiny 18-inch waist, Diana Ringo often attracts stares with her extreme hourglass figure. In 2014, the mum-of-three began wearing a corset to get in shape after giving birth to her twins, Armond and Lorenz. And she is now so addicted to shrinking her waist that she wears it for 23 hours a day – only taking it off to shower. Diana, 39, who lives in California with her husband Brett, 33, son Salvatore, 21, and four-year-old twins, says, “When I have my corset on, it makes me feel so sexy and hugely boosts my self-esteem. “After I gave birth, I was unhappy with my body. I felt frumpy and…

‘Emily’s better at DIY than me!’ Having known Peter Andre for over a decade, he’s always lived up to his reputation as the nicest man in showbiz. And he’s no different when we meet up at the Mondrian Hotel in London. “How ya doing?” he beams, as he runs towards me with his megawatt smile for a hug. With a wink, he adds, “Fancy a pillow fight?” as we walk by the humongous bed in his luxury suite – which comes complete with fresh coffee and croissants. Pete’s hardly changed since he first found fame with his hit single Mysterious Girl a whopping 22 years ago. He’s still got that twinkle in his eye – and legendary six pack to boot! “I’m going to be 45 this year! Can you…

HOT RED The “It” colour of A/W17 is still going strong. Keep it sharp with tailored items or soften with ruffles and floaty hems. HOW TO WEAR: Throw out the style rule book and mix scarlet shades with shocking pinks and oranges for a high-fashion take on the trend. Or finish top-to-toe reds with high-shine metallic accessories for extra glam appeal. GODDESS GREEN Grassy shades will instantly lift a springtime look. Mix and match moss and emerald for a fashion-forward take. HOW TO WEAR: Experiment with prints, patterns and textures to give this universally flattering hue a fashionable finish. Or alternatively combine a muted forest-green shade with pretty pastel pinks for a gorgeous, girlie twist. CITRUS NOTES Add some sunshine to your everyday outfits with spring’s brightest hues. Guaranteed to…

Each year, lipstick sales soar, so designers are constantly finding new ways to give statement pouts a fresh spin. The latest one to catch our attention was spotted on Cheryl as she strutted her way down the L’Oréal runway in Paris. The star showed off a bold merlot pout topped up with an unexpected blue hue, which really made beauty fans take notice. The two-tone trend looks set to stay – but is this high-shine double act the new way to wear it? WE TRY IT OUT STYLE EDITOR DANIELA SAYS, “Layering up the products was a bit time-consuming and it felt quite heavy to wear, but the finished result looked better than I thought it would. Great for a party or just updating my everyday look, the colour combo…

She’s struggled with bulimia, low self-esteem and been criticised over her shape by cruel trolls, but Jess Shears says she’s finally learned to overcome her insecurities and feel good about herself. And the Love Island star, 24, who met fiancé Dom Lever on the hit show last summer, credits finding love as one of the reasons she’s feeling so content. She says, “It’s taken me a while, but I’m finally at the point where I’m happy in myself. I actually feel good doing the naked shoot today; I feel like it’s the real me with no guard up. When you meet someone who loves you no matter what, it’s always going to make you feel more confident and comfortable in your own skin. Dom would love me if I was…

Cancer is a struggle that many people face every day – whether they’re supporting a family member or a friend, or suffering from the disease themselves. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Cancer Research UK to ask people to stand together to help fund more research and more cures right now. With World Cancer Day approaching on 4 February, there’s never been a better time to show the disease what we are capable of when we all come together and help beat cancer once and for all. Because it’s not about a “big war” on cancer that we plan on winning in the faraway future. Every day, scientists are improving existing treatments and finding new ways to save lives. Tragically, around half of people born after 1960 will be diagnosed…

IF IT’S BROKE, FIX IT, DON’T DITCH IT! From simple phone repairs to sorting a dripping tap, here’s how to save cash by repairing the damage, not buying new SWOT UP ON YOUR PHONE Dropped your phone down the loo? Don’t panic! “Dry it with kitchen paper, turn it off and put it in a warm, dry place for a few hours,” says James Brown, director of gadget insurance provider Protect Your Bubble. Frozen phone? “Close the problem app and, if that fails, restart. Charging it can help, too.” You can prolong your handset’s life, too. Christine Torlay, mobiles expert at uSwitch, suggests decluttering by “uninstalling unused apps, and moving videos to the Cloud.” LEARN SOME SIMPLE PLUMBING SKILLS Plumbers are pricey, so do it yourself. “If your water starts…

What’s in store for your characters this series? LEONIE: Lucille meets a young Jamaican mother called Alicia and they strike up a friendship. Her husband is a pastor and, once a week, they gather in Alicia’s front room to sing hymns and worship because, I suppose, at the time, their experience of mainstream church was not the most pleasant. It’s a touching storyline. JENNIFER: Valerie’s struggling with her workload. Her aunt leaves her in charge of a dance school, so she’s teaching toddler tap and baby ballet as well as delivering babies. She’s a bigger woman than I am – I would’ve just said no! And Valerie and Lucille introduce sex education classes? LEONIE: Lucille isn’t as keen on it as Valerie, especially about unmarried girls using tampons, as she…

STEVEN TYLER The Aerosmith frontman owns the world’s most expensive cats. Not only does the one on the right have a nasty gambling habit, he also smokes ten Cuban cigars a day. “The award for sweetest-smelling dog breath goes to... David Wallino, hang on, it’s his pooch, Bert!” Kourt slagged off her villa on Tripadvisor after she discovered it had no walls or windows. When it comes to making a statement with furniture, Sarah Michelle’s chair wins – hands down! Charlotte demanded a refund after her new chocolate fountain exploded all over her kitchen. PAUL GASCOIGNE With the announcement that Paul “Gazza” Gascoigne is to be the UK’s new head of Brexit negotiations, he attempts to break the ice with the French. Badly. Sacre bleu!! CHLOË GRACE MORETZ Has Chloë…