Table of contents for Issue 935 in Closer

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and now we’re out the other side, it’s time to take stock of what’s been an historic year. Despite the fact we all had to pretty much hide away, the celeb world still delivered. There were surprise make-ups and break-ups, bombshell TV moments and some standout heroes who changed things for everyone, so on page 24 we look back with the help of comedian Tom Lucy. Of course, this issue is about looking ahead, too. On page 16, we chat to a couple due to become parents to triplets in April – just eleven months after meeting in lockdown! And if you’re wondering whether your romantic life might be equally surprising, turn to page 36 for your Lovescopes. Whatever this new year holds…

TV pundit Lizzie Cundy partied with former pal Meghan Markle in 2016, and then attended the Global Gift Gala bash with her, where Victoria Beckham was also present. She says, “When I first met Meghan, she was a little-known actress from Suits, but she clearly had aspirations to be a big star. She was in awe of all the A-list celebs around her at the Global Gift Gala in London, and when Victoria Beckham walked on to the stage, Meghan got up and was whooping and cheering, so excited to see Posh in the flesh. It was a proper girl crush. “But now Meghan’s reached a whole new level of fame and she’s obviously shaping herself and Harry into a power brand to far surpass Victoria and David Beckham! She…

After a rollercoaster year, Jordan found herself at the centre of yet another storm recently – being branded “cruel” and “thoughtless” after brazenly encouraging her 2.3m followers to buy real fur in a series of sponsored social-media posts. The former glamour model, real name Katie Price, who has described herself as an “animal lover” in the past, horrified her fans by modelling a cardigan made from real fox fur from Lanes of Fur London. Showing off the item, which has a price tag of £270, she said, “Get your stunning handmade pieces for that special person in your life.” Lanes of Fur London sells a range of women’s clothing using real fox fur, raccoon fur and crocodile skin in its items. As well as going on to tell fans she…

Her tight bond with X Factor twins Jedward has delighted and baffled fans ever since they starred on Celebrity Big Brother together in 2011. And after revealing they were spending lockdown together earlier this year, Tara Reid now lifts the lid on what it was like living with her two best pals. Twins John and Edward Grimes, 29, have an apartment in the same building as the actress, 45, in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and she tells Closer, “We all locked down at the very beginning of quarantine and the house was crazy, but we had such a good time. “John was playing the guitar, Edward was singing and making up lyrics, I was on Zoom calls on the computer, the dogs were barking in the background, and my boyfriend was…

HELPING OTHERS CAN EASE YOUR OWN HEALING PROCESS My younger brother, Jason Phillips, was shot dead in 2001 aged 22, in an unprovoked attack. He was such a beautiful boy and it was very shocking. After that happened, I met a lot of mothers who’d lost their kids in shootings and it really helped me heal. I believe that when you’re going through bad stuff, go and help someone who’s also gone through the same thing as you. It helps you heal, as well as them. I wouldn’t want anyone to go through what I’ve been through, but the pain makes you a more compassionate person. SEE YOURSELF AS A WORK IN PROGRESS It’s really nice when you’re in your 50s and you love what you’re looking at. The difference…

INSIDE LOUISE’S FRIDGE • Eggs • Peanut butter • Philadelphia cheese • Lemons • Lurpak butter • Hartley’s jelly • Frubes yoghurts • Dairy Milk Buttons • Dairy Milk Fudge • Parmesan • Chicken fillets • Sliced ham • Salmon • Fresh herbs • Chopped garlic • Broccoli • Brussel Sprouts • Leeks • Carrots • Potatoes • Watermelon • Almond Milk • Full-fat milk • Apple cider vinegar • Ribena • Tonic water • Brown sauce LOUISE How much do you spend per week? About £150 a week for Ryan [Libbey, her fiancé] and me. Fresh fruit and veg can be surprisingly expensive! I order online. Describe your daily diet... I try not to snack too much in between meals and just have large portions instead. I often intermittent…

YOUR GUIDE TO EMOTIONAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LIFE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIST EMMA KENNY These late December, early January days are always a little lacklustre, throw in ever-changing restrictions and you are probably wondering how to use that time well. Why not spend a day writing letters to everyone who has sent you a gift this year. If you have children, they can do the same. This gratitude exercise will make you reflect on all the great people in your life. It can also be a positive time to throw out the old and bring in the new. Go through your wardrobe, drawers and cupboards and get rid of the junk you have accumulated. Charity shops need unwanted clothes more than ever, so your old outfits could make a world of…

HELPING YOU SPEND WISELY, SAVE MORE AND EARN BETTER We depend on our phones, tablets, laptops and computers now more than ever, but as they hold crucial personal information, this poses a security risk. Over 6.85 million accounts are being hacked every day, costing nearly £2.7 million. To help us – and our money – stay safe, we asked Sarah Lyons, Deputy Director for Economy and Society Engagement at the National Cyber Security Centre, to share her best advice. PICK PASSWORDS THAT HACKERS CAN’T GUESS If someone hacks into your email account, they don’t just access chats with friends and family. “Personal email accounts act as a gateway to all your other online accounts”, says Sarah. “If hackers break into your email, they can reset all your other passwords. That’s…

COMMON CAUSES Extreme temperatures are big contributing factors to dry skin. The seasonal weather changes, plus central heating, cause our skin’s moisture to evaporate, leaving it feeling flakier, rougher, tighter and more parched in the winter months. Poor diet, lifestyle and ageing all play a part, too. PROTECTION IS PREVENTION Protecting the skin’s barrier is much like kitting it out with a suit of armour. Keeping your skin’s outer layer as strong as possible will not only help lock in moisture, but it also keeps the damaging invaders out – such as pollution, UV rays and other environmental stresses that take their toll. Wearing daily SPF is important. Naturally, with age, skin becomes thinner, so preventing premature ageing is a must. Antioxidants are also key – this ingredient is like…

Professional dog groomers Colin Taylor and Verity Hardcastle are the judges… Do competitions like this exist in the real world? COLIN: Absolutely! Dog-grooming contests have been going on since the mid-’70s. I started competing in 1989, and I hate to brag – but I’m a multi-contest Best In Show and I’ve been ranked Top 10 in the USA three years in a row. How did you get into this? VERITY: I got my first dog – a Doberman – when I was 19. She was so beautiful and came with a proviso from the breeder that I had to show her, so I was thrown into this whole new world. Now, I exhibit dogs all over the UK. What sort of judge are you? VERITY: I’m like Simon Cowell –…

When the UK was put into lockdown on 23 March, teenager Owen Harding hated the thought of being separated from his girlfriend. Struggling with low moods, he began arguing with his mum, Stella and, three days later, during a row, he walked out. While single mum Stella thought her son just needed time to calm down, Owen, then 16, never returned home. As Closer went to press, Owen has been missing for nine months. Stella, 43, says, “Owen is always on my mind. Thoughts of where he might be constantly run through my head and I miss him terribly. “When Owen went missing, everyone was very anxious and scared about lockdown – and so was he. I know it directly impacted what happened to him that night.” Sadly, Missing People,…

I’ve relied on friends and family so much in the last year. I have a really tight friendship group and it’s been a particularly poignant year for all of us because we lost Caroline Flack in February. It was truly devastating, and I’m still grieving for my friend Caroline, as are so many people, on so many levels, because everybody felt like they knew her. You grieve when someone passes away, but it’s not just human life that we lose – for example, we grieve when we break up with someone. You have to learn how to grieve in different ways and sometimes the grief doesn’t end, but it does change. I have a lot of love for my friend, presenter Dawn O’Porter, who was also close to Caroline. She’s just so…

Capricorn 22 Dec-20 Jan EVERYTHING GETS EASIER You’ve probably noticed that your life is calmer. After a very rigorous couple of years, the planetary attention has moved away from you. That might not sound like a good thing, but it is! You’ve had to deal with so much over the past few years, but now that is over. Your challenge now is to work on self-love. If you’re too hard on yourself, you’re likely to attract those who will also be hard on you. POWER DATES 21 JANUARY – romantic potential. 5 JUNE – sexy vibes around tonight. 1 OCTOBER – good for a date night. Aquarius 21 Jan-19 Feb YOU’LL BE MORE CONFIDENT & UPBEAT You can expect the coming year to be one to remember, hopefully for all…

This was the year of not much happening, so it’s no wonder Davina has a huge list of goals for next year. “I want to have fun and smile as much as possible. I’m going to accept every invite that comes my way, no matter how random, and throw myself headlong into life again,” she smiles. “I also can’t wait to get back to hugging people when we’re allowed again. I’ve missed having intense conversations with people I sit next to on the Tube, or when I’m doing my supermarket shop. Sometimes, those snatched conversations can make my day, and you can learn so much from other people. Everyone has an amazing story to tell, and I hope to hear many more in 2021.”…

Closer’s dating expert, Rebecca Twomey, on the positives we can take from this year and how to turn them into love life resolutions for 2021 It’s been a year unlike any other, and along with everything else in our lives, dating has been turned on its head. But I can only see that as a good thing! As we finally reach the end of a very surreal and difficult 12 months, I am using this time to reflect on what positive dating habits and changes I can take into 2021. While I was always a fan of a phone call before a first date, it wasn’t so common for everyone until this year, but I’d never think to send voice notes – something I did regularly this year. And dating…

GET HER LOOK SELENA GOMEZ Selena is banishing the winter blues with this sunny get-up. We love her more-is-more fluffy coat, which she’s cleverly pared-down for daytime with a classic pair of check trousers. Chunky hiking boots add a trendy footnote, too. I WANT WHAT SHE’S GOT! IN THE NEWS… OLYMPIAN DENISE’S NEW ACTIVEWEAR Brimming with bright colours and body-sculpting fabrics, the Denise Lewis Edit for Next is hitting all the right style notes. Whether you’re squatting in the gym or just lunging to pick up the kids’ toys!, this seriously chic activewear range fronted by the heptathlon champion comprises of 31 pieces from sizes 6-22, so there’s something for everyone. FASHION WORTH TALKING ABOUT! 2020’S MOST ICONIC OUTFITS Lockdown didn’t stop the stars from going all-out for award ceremonies…

CHECK SHELF LIFE It’s important to know when products expire. Not only are old products unhygienic, they also won’t perform as well as they should. On most packaging, there should be a symbol of a pot with a number (see pic, right) – this is to show how long you’re meant to keep it once opened. As a general rule, skincare lasts between a year or two; products that are used around eyes, like a mascara or eyeliner, have a typically six-month life span. Unopened cosmetics keep for up to two years, while perfume can last for up to five! DONATE & DO GOOD After a difficult year, many women’s shelters and homeless charities have seen a huge rise in demand for toiletries. So do good and donate unused products…

EASTENDERS SONIA’S STRUGGLES Sonia may be the proud new owner of a flashy set of wheels thanks to an extravagant patient (a “COVID guy” she treated in hospital), but this week she’s struggling to cope with her nursing duties at work – it’s all getting too much and, after one insensitive comment too many, the poor girl is a sobbing wreck. Ash reminds her pal to look after numero uno, and Son makes a big – rather exciting – decision. Elsewhere, Ruby turns evil – getting herself involved in Kush’s little disappearing act, but her lies (and endless revenge on Stacey) lead to an even bigger porkie, which lands her in all sorts of trouble. HOLLYOAKS BLACKMAILER REVEALED The village is still reeling from the tragic turn that brought a…

Tell us about the new series. MICHAEL, 51: David and I are still being ridiculous with and about each other – that’s still very much the tone of it, and we have a lot of amazing surprise appearances! DAVID, 49: It’s the same set-up as before. Michael and I talking rubbish to each other over the internet from our homes, with Georgia and Anna, our other halves, keeping us from becoming too self-indulgent – not always successfully. But there is a bit of a twist to it all, which I’m not going to reveal here… Are you anything like these exaggerated versions of yourselves? DAVID: I imagine not at all, but probably quite a lot… MICHAEL: I think David would say that he’s not at all like his character in…

CODE CRACK THE BIG CROSSWORD CRISS CROSS SUDOKU – EASY SUDOKU – MEDIUM WORD SEARCH CLUES & ARROWS GUESS THE FILM STILL A) EX MACHINA B) GREEN BOOK NAME THE STARS 1) JESY NELSON 2) RANVIR SINGH GUESS THE CELEB A) DAVID WALLIAMS B) KATHERINE HEIGL WORD LINK A) ROOT B) FORM C) NET D) ENGINE E) ONION F) GREEN 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 and/or competition…

• In the UK, 100,000 adults go missing every year, with up to 80 per cent of them having mental health problems. Missing People have put together simple guides to help you stay safe and healthy. Visit Missingpeople.org.uk/ winterguides to download. • Signs to look out for that may suggest someone is about to go missing – which are also often an indication of mental ill-health – include extreme mood changes, avoiding social activities, lack of energy and difficulty in making decisions. • It is not illegal or selfish to go missing. If you’re away from home, Missing People can help. You can call or text their free, confidential helpline 24/7 on 116 000. • If you’re worried about the safety of a missing person, the first thing to do…

After spending years travelling the world as a pop star, Ronan Keating admits he’s been enjoying a quieter life in the countryside with his wife Storm and his five children. Ronan, 43, who has three children with his ex-wife, Yvonne Connolly – Jack, 21, Missy, 19, and Ali, 15 – and Cooper, three and Coco, eight month with Storm, 38 – has been largely based at his countryside estate, just outside London, since the COVID-19 lockdown first started in March, and he admits it’s been great bonding time. The singer says, “Our beautiful daughter Coco came into the world just four days into lockdown, so to be at home and spend all that quality time with my family has been very special. HANDS-ON PARENTING “It’s amazing to be part of…

WHAT SHE’S HAD • 2 boob jobs • 2 Brazilian bum lifts • Botox • Lip filler • Facial filler • Teeth veneers She’s one of the longest-running members of the TOWIE cast, having first hit TV screens in 2011. But over the years, viewers have noticed Chloe Sims’ drastically changing face – and a picture of her last week sparked more shock from fans. One wrote, “What has Chloe done to her face?” while another said, “Has she had even more work done? She looks so different!” The star, 38, has previously admitted to having Botox, facial fillers and teeth veneers, as well as two boob jobs and two Brazilian bum lifts – and has previously said she finds Botox “addictive”, adding, “Nobody ages any more! If Kim K…

THE GREATEST HEROES MARCUS RASHFORD MBE The England and Manchester United footballer, 23, made an even bigger name for himself after encouraging the government to provide free meals for underprivileged children during the summer holidays. Well done, Marcus! He’s a good-looking bloke, too. My girlfriend told me she’d started having sex dreams about Marcus, so now I often drop the topic of free school dinners into conversation to try to spice up our sex life. JOE WICKS The 34-year-old social media star came into his own this year after helping the kids of Britain – and their parents – to keep fit during lockdown. Hats off to him! I didn’t actually get further than putting my gym kit on, but even then I managed to work up a sweat. Thanks…

‘I don’t have that young metabolism any more’ If she’s not motivating us with her sunny attitude on one of her fitness DVDs, she’s flashing her winning smile on one of our favourite TV shows but, despite her positivity, even Davina McCall admits she found the extraordinary events of 2020 testing at times. “I guess like a lot of people, I did my best to stay positive, keep my kids feeling positive, and make the best of it,” she tells Closer. “I’m very lucky because I live in the country, so there are places that I can get to that are quite isolated and lovely. At times I’d be thinking, ‘My God, what’s going to happen next? What’s going to happen to my kids?’ There were so many questions that…

SIMPLE STARTER SCALLOPS WITH CHORIZO SERVES 2 • 160g frozen peas • 1tbsp butter • 1tbsp olive oil • 50g chorizo, cut into even chunks • 6 prepared king scallops • Rocket leaves, to garnish STEP 1 Boil the peas according to the pack instructions, then drain well. Add half the butter, blitz with a hand blender, then season with salt and black pepper to taste. Keep warm and set aside. STEP 2 Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan, add the chorizo and gently fry until crisp. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon. STEP 3 Turn up the heat and add the remaining butter to the pan. Season the scallops with salt and pepper, then add to the pan. Think of the pan as a clock…

Any gift is a blessing, but kids don’t often come with the “how to be grateful” manuals, and this year has tested every parents’ patience to the limit. You may be managing meltdowns, rather than enjoying watching your children sharing their stocking swag happily, but you can manage it with some tricks. NOTICE THE GOOD Cabin fever is a risk, and sibling rivalry is a common feature, but most of the time these two issues can be managed pretty easily, with a little bit of planning. One common mistake is to notice only the bad behaviour, not the good. While you will clearly spot one of your kids using their toy truck as a weapon, did you notice the positive play beforehand? To achieve harmony, you need to positively reinforce…

STRICTLY DANCER NEIL JONES, 38, REVEALS HIS INNER SECRETS I’M AT MY HAPPIEST WHEN... I have my loved ones and my dog with me. I don’t care for expensive things and even when I travel, I stay in hostels because I like meeting people. I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT TO… stick up for people in need. Two years ago, I saw somebody getting attacked in a shop. I stepped in and pulled them apart and tried to calm everyone down. My mum was mad because it could’ve been dangerous, but I felt compelled to help. THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I’VE BEEN GIVEN IS... to trust your instincts. I have it tattooed on me. As you grow older, you don’t always trust yourself because you’re listening to others. I’VE LEARNED THAT...…

‘I HATE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS, THEY’RE TOO MUCH PRESSURE!’ ʻMORNING: 7AM: I’m up about 7am as that’s when my nine- month-old son, Roman, wakes up. We go downstairs, and I’ll start his breakfast. Eggy bread, avocado on toast and porridge are his favourites. 8AM: Ryan [Thomas, her fiancé] went through a phase of making me breakfast on a tray with a flower. He still makes me breakfast sometimes, but the flower has disappeared! I normally have avocado on toast, or Roman’s leftovers – the classic mum breakfast! 9AM: Since lockdown, and becoming a mum, I’ve taken pleasure in the small things, like a long, hot shower. I’ve indulged more in products, too, like Herbal Essences Argan Oil hair mask, which I use after the Herbal Essences Aloe + Avocado Shampoo.…

INSPIRATION YOU’LL LOVE! CREATE A WARM WELCOME A disorderly hallway can be very uninviting, so give your home a welcoming feel with a stylish storage bench. Seating is handy for popping on shoes – and plush velvet fabrics will bring an element of glamour. Look for practical designs with built-in shoe racks, storage or hooks for coats and bags. Not a fan of on-show shoes? Simply slot boxes or baskets into the rack and fill those instead. ARRANGE KIDS’ TOYS Children can accumulate a lot of belongings over Christmas, so clearing out toys and donating unplayed with items will make room for new arrivals. A deep exposed bookshelf can double-up as a display unit for wooden toys and gorgeous books. On a budget? Colourful storage crates that can stack on…

1 THE CABINS LOVE ISLAND-STYLE SHOW MON-FRI 4-8 JAN, 9PM, ITV2 Similar to Love Island – which was cancelled in 2020 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (show bosses pulled both the June series and the winter version, which would’ve gone out this January) – this show sees singletons getting to know each other in a cosy, wintery cabin in the middle of nowhere in the UK. The group will spend time together, hanging out in the romantic setting (complete with hot tub – obvs) and after 24 hours they’ll need to decide whether to stay on, continuing in the hope of finding lurrve – or walk away. We’re thinking this will fill that reality dating show fix very nicely… 2 SOUTH AFRICA WITH GREGG WALLACE FOODIE TRAVELS TUE 5…

MUST READ Silent Night (NELL PATTISON) A school for the deaf takes an overnight trip to the snowy woods. But the next morning, Leon is missing, and a teacher’s body is found in the forest… Sign language interpreter Paige Northwood is brought in to help. With the clock ticking to find Leon, only one thing is certain: the killer is among them – and ready to strike again. We loved this chilling and fabulously dark read. TUNE IN My Life In TV Podcast We’ve all seen Alison Hammond’s hilarious celeb interviews on our TV screens and now she brings us her new podcast. In each episode, Alison chats to a special celeb guest all about telly, from the shows they watched as kids, series they are obsessed with now, programmes…

29 DECEMBER-4 JANUARY IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK There is no doubt that 2021 is going to be easier than last year was. However, there are still going to be some challenges. Your biggest issue is to do with sorting your finances. You need to be disciplined and stick to a budget over the next 12 months. THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN CAPRICORN 22 DEC-19 JAN If you’re single, draw a line in the sand under your last relationship and open yourself up to new love. If you’re in a tough relationship, it could be time to move on. If things are good between you and your beloved, they can get even better now. Find out more about Jupiter and Saturn at www.moonmessages.com/js2020 AQUARIUS 20 JAN-18 FEB Now is…