Table of contents for Issue 987 in Closer

Look after yourself With so much out of our control for so long, it makes sense to prioritise self care more than ever. After all, the better we feel, the more we can do to look after those we love! In this issue, Dr C advises on easy changes that will make a big difference, and we’ve spoken to celebs (and real people) about what’s worked for them. Casey Batchelor and Charlotte Dawson say that finding exercise they truly enjoy has been the key, while Suzanne Shaw says giving up alcohol and adopting a plant-based diet has led her to her healthiest, happiest place ever. One thing everyone agrees on – if you move your body and give it good fuel, the benefits can transform your whole life. We hope…

She hit headlines when she began dating Prince William as a university student in 2003. Now, almost 20 years on, Kate Middleton is celebrating her 40th birthday as one of the most popular royals, a mother-of-three, and a cherished member of The Firm. In a 2021 YouGov popularity poll of royals, Kate emerged third, behind the Queen and her husband William respectively – and she’s reportedly been a rock for the Monarch since the death of Prince Philip and during her recent ill health – plus following the departure of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. She’s remained stoic through the turbulence of “Megxit”, despite accusations she made Meghan cry in the days before her wedding, as well as the scandal surrounding Prince Andrew, who has been accused of sexual abuse…

Speaking about her plans for the year ahead, Emily says fitness is at the top of her agenda. She reveals, “I always make a New Year’s resolution to do more exercise and I never do it, but I’m going to make the same resolution this year. I would love to feel stronger and healthier. I eat quite healthily already – if I was going to reach for a snack, I would go for something like toast with banana.” Emily adds, “We want to try to get to Cyprus this year as we didn’t get a family holiday there last year and it’s a place the kids love. It’s a massive part of their heritage, with Pete being Cypriot. But mostly in 2022, I’ll be spending as much time as possible…

• List what you owe. Take ownership and let go of any guilt or shame. • Talk to your creditors and ask for support. Move your debts to a 0 per cent interest credit card and look at which debts are accruing the most interest, and focus on paying those off first. • Plan everything you’re going to spend each month, and track whatever you do spend. • Make sure your budget is realistic and flexible, and plan for worst-case scenarios so you’re living within your means, and anything over and above is a bonus. • Put small amounts of money aside for special occasions like birthdays and Christmas. • Talk to someone you can trust; having support can make a world of difference. • Get help. There are a…

Walking along the street with her boyfriend, Brad*, Morgan Tabor smiled as she felt him squeeze her hand three times – his secret signal to tell her that he loved her. They’d been together on and off for two years and even discussed marriage and children. Morgan, 21, felt cherished by Brad – he loved taking her on special dates, such as driving to a canyon near their home in Idaho, USA, and dancing together in front of the spectacular scenery. And they had the same dreams, too – both wanted to do up a camper van and drive it around America and were determined to make it a reality. Morgan says, “When I thought about the future, I could only see happy times.” But in December 2020 Morgan started…

She looked sensational in an eye-catching pink bikini on a recent break, showing off her 8st weight loss since undergoing gastric sleeve surgery last year. And despite revealing she will “definitely marry” her mystery boyfriend of just under a year, mum-of-two Chanelle Hayes has ruled out having another baby, insisting, “Absolutely categorically, 125 per cent no. These legs are closed for business. I have done my bit for the human race. I can’t think of anything I would rather do less.” MORNING SICKNESS During her pregnancy with Frankie, now four – who she shares with her ex, PE teacher Ryan Oates, Chanelle, 34, suffered such severe morning sickness that she was put on a drip and given anti-sickness tablets usually taken by patients on chemotherapy to stop her vomiting “up…

Along with the dramas and jaw-dropping multi-million pound LA real-estate, viewers have also been left in awe of the fabulous outfits worn by the uber-glam agents. And newbie Vanessa says she immediately felt pressure to keep up with the rest of the fashionista cast. She says, “In my first scene, [production] were like, ‘What are you going to wear?’ and depending on what the house [you’re viewing] is like, it can affect what outfit you choose. “But production don’t really get involved. It’s up to you, so it can be quite stressful when figuring out what look you want. The bar is so high with the other girls, of course I want to look good so now I’m having the help of an amazing stylist. He is a celebrity stylist…

Dr Jarrod Bailey is the Science Director at Animal Free Research UK, a charity that aims to create a world where human diseases can be cured without testing on animals. He says, “More than 92 per cent of drugs that have been tested on animals, appearing safe and effective, do not then pass through human clinical trials to reach market. So even putting animal welfare aside, this is just one of many examples that shows that animal research doesn’t work, as it all too often doesn’t translate across species to result in human benefit. And there are better research and testing methods that don’t use animals. We can now use human stem cells to grow miniature organs, such as hearts, lungs or even brains, that grow and function like actual…

Charlotte’s 1,500 calorie-a-day diet plan was created by dietician Jo Travers and it’s totally doable, whatever your cooking skills! “This diet has been devised to work round a busy working lifestyle – and a girl who likes to have a drink at the weekend and the odd burger,” says Jo. “As it’s carefully calorie-counted, you can still have treats like a bag of crisps and a glass of prosecco so you won’t feel deprived.” Just choose a breakfast, lunch, dinner and one or two snacks per day. 5 WINTER BREAKFASTS (300 cals each) SMOKED SALMON & CREAM CHEESE BAGEL • 1 Warburtons Thin bagel • 30g smoked salmon • 2tbsp Philadelphia light METHOD Toast the bagel and top. • Protein 14g Total fat 11g Carbs 34g Calories 291 BOILED EGG…

Last January, Kate White was 10st overweight and loved nothing more than tucking into large portions of spaghetti Bolognese, cheese, chocolate and red wine. But now the former teacher has lost 7st, having totally overhauled her lifestyle. “I feel like a new woman,” says Kate, 41. “I thought a life without meat and dairy would be miserable and not drinking alcohol would be boring, but I’ve never been happier or more relieved to be wrong. Going vegan has transformed my life.” Secondary-school science teacher Kate’s weight issues began in her 30s, when she turned to sugary and fatty foods after work. “Cheese and meat were my downfall,” she says. “At the end of a long day, I’d relax by tucking into a plate of crackers, topped with Boursin and a…

INSIDE VERITY’S FRIDGE • Vegan mayo • Heinz Ketchup • Peanut butter • Sweet chilli houmous • Plant-based spread • Cocoa nibs • Richmond vegan • Tabasco sauce • Blueberries • Alpro vegan yoghurt • Avocado • Tofu • Tomato • Raspberries • Courgetti • VioLife cheese • Asparagus • Butternut squash • Carrots • Kale • Bananas • Alpro coconut milk VERITY How much do you spend per week? I roughly spend about £50 because I shop at Planet Organic [an organic supermarket chain in London], which is quite expensive. Describe your daily diet... I have been vegan my whole life. Every morning I have soya yoghurt topped with berries and cocoa nibs plus pumpkin seeds and linseeds. Lunch is usually a Caesar salad from my vegan food company…

DR CHRISTIAN GIVES HIS TAKE ON THE HOT HEALTH TOPICS OF THE WEEK Prioritising your wellbeing doesn’t have to mean a massive and difficult lifestyle overhaul. I’ve got some suggestions for simple things you can do that will make a big difference. GET CREATIVE IN THE KITCHEN Look at your everyday diet and think how it could be healthier. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated – it can be pleasurable and doable and homemade meals will always be healthier than a ready meal. Decide to learn three basic recipes. My dad is a good example of this – he can rustle up shepherd’s pie with half mince, half baked beans, beef stew or coq au vin with his eyes closed because he’s cooked them for years. Once you know a…

Do you have any dating goals for this year? I mean, I don’t even know what my life goals are let alone have ambitions for my love life. But I feel compelled each January to at least pretend I’ll try harder with dating and not continue the rotation of downloading Hinge, Bumble etc, go on three dates that go nowhere, delete the apps, pause for a few months, then download again. It just feels like a lifestyle rather than a means of meeting a significant partner. But perhaps I need to give Tinder another go. The app has found that mentions of “couple goals” in singles’ bios have sky rocketed by 53 per cent – meaning people really do want to couple up and not just have another swipe right.…

HELPING YOU SPEND WISELY, SAVE MORE AND EARN BETTER BENEFIT FROM GOVERNMENT CASH Sorting your pension means you get free money from the government. If you put in £40 and your employer puts in £30, you would get £10 tax relief (from the government) so your pension gets £80. In other words, you get double what you personally put in, which is why it’s worth starting a pension. “Some employers increase their contributions if you add more to your pension”, says James. “In some cases, they will even match your contribution up to a certain level. If you’re in an auto-enrolment scheme – ask your finance/payroll/ benefits/HR team to find out – the minimum you can put in is 8 per cent (employer 3 per cent and you 5 per…

CLASSIC TRENCH A camel-coloured mac is the ultimate investment piece – it will add a wearable yet polished spin to every outfit, every year. MULTI-WEAR MIDI A pleated midi skirt in a plum shade makes a stylish base note for a knit or a slogan T-shirt. VERSATILE ALL-IN ONE A boilersuit is so versatile. Wear with trainers by day and dress up with heels for after hours. SHOW-OFF SHIRT Oversized collars and flouncy trims will give an otherwise basic shirt the wow factor. DO-IT-ALL DRESS Soft, snuggly and easy to rework, a jumper dress will fast become your weekend uniform.…

STEAL HER STYLE…

MUST READ Wahala (NIKKI MAY) Ronke, Simi and Boo are three mixed-race friends living in London. Everyday racism has never held them back, but now in their thirties, they start to question their futures. Then Isobel, a friend the three women haven’t seen for years, arrives in town, and she’s determined to sort their lives out. But the women are soon forced to reckon with a crime from their past that may just have repeated itself. Fast-paced and funny, everyone is going to be talking about this brilliant book. MAGIC RADIO IS NOW AVAILABLE ACROSS THE UK ON YOUR DAB DIGITAL RADIO FOR MORE INFO VISIT: WWW.MAGIC.CO.UK…

4-10 JANUARY IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK It’s a good time to set new goals and aspirations. That said, the cosmic calendar doesn’t always support this, which is why many New Year’s resolutions fail. When it comes to love, happiness and being clear about what you value, 2022 is off to a fabulous start! THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN CAPRICORN 22 DEC-19 JAN Even with its challenges, 2021 was a prosperous year. Now it’s time to consolidate. Start by re-assessing your habits, wants and desires. You need to reap what you’ve sewn, rather than take things for granted. Intention is everything now. Visit www.yasminboland.com for your daily horoscopes AQUARIUS 20 JAN-18 FEB You’ve expanded and stretched in ways that may have been uncomfortable for you. But the good news…

It’s been a year of highs and lows for Married At First Sight star Amy Christophers. After finding fame and love on the E4 dating show, she endured a very public split with “husband” Josh Christie just a fortnight before the reunion show in October. Last time Closer caught up with the sports journalist, she was heartbroken after athlete and DJ Josh, 26, had dumped her – and she now describes their split as “a cold cut-off”. Amy, 35, says, “We haven’t spoken since the reunion show aired. It was a bit of a cold cutoff. I wouldn’t say we’ve left it on a bad note – there’s no animosity between the two of us. I’m sure if we saw each other out we would be civil and say ‘hello’.…

I can attest to the fact that Covid is running riot, as my partner Robert [Brendan, dad to their son River, 21 months] and I caught it over the festive season. I don’t think we can get rid of it – I think it’s something that’s going to be around for a while, and we have to deal with it as best we can. My biggest bugbear is people not adhering to isolation guidelines. Anyone who thinks they’ve got the slightest symptom should stay home – full stop. It was my birthday on Christmas Eve and the original plan was for my mum, stepdad and my sisters to come over. But as Rob had Covid, we had to rearrange our plans. We still wanted to do a gift exchange, but…

When Yasmine Camilla separated from her long-term partner, she was left depressed – and with mounting debts of more than £38,000. With two children to support, the project manager found herself unable to cope and she allowed her spending to spiral during the Covid-19 pandemic. STRESSFUL Yasmine, 35, from London, says, “We split up just before lockdown. I was earning around £50,000 annually, but my mortgage payments and household bills were set up based on two incomes. Even though my ex contributed towards the mortgage and child maintenance, it wasn’t enough to cover everything. Juggling everything was stressful. I spent money on things to make life easier, such as having regular takeaways delivered – I later worked out that we were spending £5,000 a year on that. My motto was…

As we ring in the New Year, we also welcome back a whole host of our favourite TV shows – and is there anything better to banish the January blues than the quirkiest and besthumoured talent show on TV? The Masked Singer was due to return for its third series on 1 January, with a new batch of enthusiastic celebrities wearing an incredible assortment of bonkers and outlandish disguises. And judge Davina McCall promises that this year, the line-up is better than ever, as the show has been flooded with requests from celebrities wanting to appear on it. MOVING Davina, 54, says, “It’s totally different from the first series, because at first people were like, ‘I don’t know what this is!’ Now, people are so committed to making it work,…

Since catapulting to global fame as Jack Dawson in Titanic in 1997, Leonardo DiCaprio has become one of the world’s biggest and best-paid stars, with an estimated worth of £197m and an Oscar for Best Actor under his belt. As well as his hit movies – idolised for his role in films such as Wolf Of Wall Street, The Revenant and Gangs Of New York – Lothario Leo, 47, is famous for a series of gorgeous girlfriends. He’s been dating stunning actress Camila Morrone, 24, for four years, and before her he’s romanced at least nine Victoria’s Secret models, and has had relationships with supermodels Gisele Bundchen and Bar Refaeli and actress Blake Lively. But Leo has another passion in his life – raising awareness around environmental issues. His new…

GP DR STEPHANIE DE GIORGIO, WHO SPECIALISES IN OBESITY MANAGEMENT AND HAS HAD GASTRIC SURGERY HERSELF, SAYS, “Gastric surgery is a lifelong commitment and will change the way you live. It isn’t an easy fix. You have to take vitamin supplements to make sure you don’t become deficient, as the body absorbs minerals from food differently after the op. You eat three smaller meals a day, ensuring they include protein to make you feel fuller for longer. Some patients can also become sensitive to carb-rich foods and drink, leading to a spike in insulin and resulting in them feeling faint or suffering vomiting or diarrhoea. Patients should also seek help with their diets post-op and any underlying psychological issues that may have led to their weight gain in the first…

Wagging her tail excitedly as she runs through a forest, Scarlett the beagle loves long walks and cuddles with her owner. Only the two tattoos in her ear reveal the years of pain she previously endured as a laboratory testing animal in Hungary. Scarlett was rescued, aged two, from horrific conditions and rehomed by owner Janie Bailes-Green. She’s gone on to support other dogs like her, as an animal ambassador at For Life On Earth (FLOE). The organisation, backed by comedian Ricky Gervais, questions the scientific value of animal testing, and is calling for lab animals to be included in the Animal Welfare Act. Janie, 57, who lives in Epping Forest with Scarlett and IT manager husband Phil, 59, says, “Scarlett is the most loving dog. It makes me so…

• Write to your MP to sign the new Parliamentary EDM 175 – a motion calling for the Government to launch a scientific hearing on whether experiments on dogs, and other animals, can predict the responses of human patients. You can do this by simply typing in your postcode at forlifeonearth. eaction.online. An email is generated for you, and can be automatically sent to your local MP. • Sign a petition calling for an immediate end to the breeding of dogs for research. To put your name to the petition, go to change.org/p/home-office-banthe-breeding-of-dogsfor-experimentation-and-mandate-an-independent-review-into-the-efficacy-of-animal-research. • By switching your Amazon account to an Amazon Smile account, you can make a donation to a charity of your choice with every purchase you make – an easy way to contribute to charities fighting against…

She’s a mum to three girls aged three and under, so many would forgive Casey Batchelor for being too exhausted to exercise. But the star – who has lost 2½st following the birth of her daughter Daisy in June – swears her yoga sessions give her the energy and mental capacity to cope. Qualified yoga instructor Casey, 37, has been sticking to a healthy diet and four 25-minute fat-burning yoga sessions a week since the summer, and has dropped 2½st, going from a size 14 to an 8. She tells Closer, “I feel so good within myself, I’ve lost weight but also feel great mentally. The exercise gives me more energy to be able to look after the girls for the day, it just puts me in that right mindset.…

CHEESE & ONION TARTE TATIN INGREDIENTS •7 mixed red and white onions (about 500-600g) •3 tbsp vegetable oil •1 tbsp dairy-free butter •10 sage leaves •1 tbsp sugar •2-3 tbsp balsamic vinegar •20g smoked dairy-free Cheddar •1 x 375g sheet ready-rolled dairy-free puff pastry Salt and black pepper TO SERVE •Green salad METHOD Preheat the oven to 200°C COOK THE ONIONS Peel and halve the onions. Add the oil, dairy-free butter and the sage leaves to a hot pan. After a couple of minutes, pour off a little of the sage butter into a small bowl and set the crispy sage leaves aside on a sheet of kitchen paper. Add the onion halves to the pan, cut-sides down. Season generously with salt and pepper, sprinkle the sugar over the onions…

SOFTEN SKIN WITH SOLID SOAP Liquid soap sales are down for the first time in years, with people returning to the traditional bar. But solid soap can still be posh. This luxe-looking buy smells heavenly – a combination of amber, pepper and sandalwood. It also uses rich shea butter, leaving hands feeling soft and soothed. SOAPSMITH BRICK LANE HAND SOAP, £10 NOURISH YOUR COMPLEXION Innovations in skincare are happening all the time – even serums and moisturisers are now available in solid formulations. Lush’s facial oil makes an impressive difference to parched winter skins. Ethique’s moisturiser might seem expensive, but it’s actually the equivalent to three 600ml bottles! LUSH FULL OF GRACE FACIAL SERUM, £10. ETHIQUE QUENCH SOLID FACE MOISTURISER, £25 GET SWISHY, SHINY HAIR Lots of big hair brands…

New year’s resolutions often involve giving up something, such as “I will drink less wine” or “I will stop eating chocolate” but this language can actually sabotage your success as simply using the words “wine” or “chocolate” makes your brain crave them. This is called an “avoidance goal”. An antidote to this is an “approach goal”. USE POSITIVE CUES Instead of saying that you want to lose weight, decide you want to learn to cook more nutritious and tasty meals. You are aiming for the same thing, but with a mindset that means you are more likely to achieve it. Another common mistake is to overwhelm yourself with multiple aims. Having a long list of targets makes it hard to muster the energy required to keep on track with them…

SMALL CHANGES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE • ELECTRONICS & ACCESSORIES Year-round, it’s the top-selling category on eBay, making up around a fifth of sales, so if you or the kids upgraded your phones, tablets, laptops, speakers, headphones or games consoles, sell your old ones. Bluetooth capability is popular, so include that in the description. • CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES These come next in the list, making up 16 per cent of all products sold on eBay. Descriptions are important so include brand names if it’s a popular label, and take decent pictures so people can see the items really clearly. • HEALTH & BEAUTY Almost one in ten sales is from this category so if you were gifted something that you aren’t too keen on, maybe save it for Valentine’s or…

SILVER DAZZLERS The low heel and shimmery, silver colourway makes these bobby dazzlers perfect for smart day trips or simply for brightening up an otherwise plain outfit. NEXT £34 DESIGNER DOUBLES A jumbo gold chain takes this otherwise pared-back shoe into could-be-designer territory. They will buddy up well with a camel coat and tailored check trousers. WAREHOUSE £49 MONO MARVELS These chunky monochrome kicks will sit particularly well with mum jeans and a colour-pop sweatshirt. MONKI £40 EMERALD BEAUTIES Give your dark winter outfits a springtime spin with this pair of emerald beauties. They will pep up a smart suit and blouse combo and add a serious fashion note. ZARA £49.99 WILD THINGS These leopard lovelies bring a fresh take to a skinny denim and oversized shirt combo. SIMPLY BE…

NEW SERIES 1 CHARLOTTE CHURCH’S DREAM BUILD HUGE HOME MAKEOVER PROJECT TUE 11 JAN, 9PM, REALLY Lovely Charlotte is a natural on camera as she fronts her first reality show. The singer has plunged her life savings into the “glorious, dreamy” former home of Welsh style icon Laura Ashley, which she plans to do up and turn into a wellness retreat and wedding centre. The trouble is, it’s falling apart! She’s got hubby Johnny on hand to help, plus her dad, the builders and her cute kids. Can she fix it? Yes, she can! FACTFILE Charlotte says, “I feel so grateful to have been able to buy this house. I’m absolutely obsessed with the woodlands and the outside space. It’s such a special place.” 2 THE MASKED SINGER BONKERS SINGING…

Alan Carr’s Life’s A Beach podcast A brilliant podcast from funny man Alan Carr that will keep you laughing all the way through it. Each episode Alan speaks to a celeb (guests have included Jordan North, Amanda Holden, Fearne Cotton and David Walliams) about travel and their favourite places in the world. It’s a fabulous injection of laughter and escapism. Listen on all good podcast platforms. The Sam & Billie Show podcast Brand-spanking-new podcast from our favourite sisters and TOWIE original stars Sam Faiers and Billie Shepherd. Tune in to hear them discuss life as mums, parties, date nights and holidays. Listen on all good podcast platforms – and you can also watch the girls in action on YouTube.…

CODE CRACK THE BIG CROSSWORD CRISS CROSS SUDOKU – EASY SUDOKU – MEDIUM WORD SEARCH CLUES & ARROWS GUESS THE FILM STILL A) JUNO B) AMERICAN BEAUTY NAME THE STARS 1) TRISHA GODDARD 2) MACKENZIE CROOK GUESS THE CELEB A) JANET JACKSON B) BILL MURRAY WORD LINK A) TOP B) PLACE C) SPACE D) OWNER E) ALL F) FARM 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 of…

They’ve had a turbulent nineyear romance consisting of appalling public insults, weight battles and his drug addiction. But now James “Arg” Argent and Gemma Collins are putting their turmoil behind them and have reached a “happy place” – by finding love elsewhere. Friends say the former TOWIE couple are both hoping it’s second time lucky with their former partners – Rami Hawash and Lydia Bright. Just weeks ago Gemma, 41, gushed about her love for 45-year-old car-salesman Rami – who she was previously engaged to in 2014, between dating Arg – and revealed they are now trying for a baby. Gemma – who started dating Rami again early last year – said, “If I’m not pregnant by next March, I’ll go back to the fertility clinic. But I’ve had some…

VOICE-DATING Meaning: Leaving voice notes before committing to a date. 64 per cent of Hinge users said a potential love interest’s voice was important. Amy says, “I’ve been doing this for years. I won’t meet someone until I’ve heard their voice. You can tell a lot about somebody by their voice. On Married At First Sight, that was a big thing for me. As soon as Josh spoke, I was like, ‘Wow’.” HESI-DATING Meaning: The uncertainty around the dating scene after lockdowns has made daters hesitant. Amy says, “This sounds like any man on a dating app, in my experience! I’m a bit of a hesi-dater at the minute with not knowing what will happen next with the pandemic. It still feels like, ‘What’s the point?’ Are we going to…

Gemma Bird, 39, lives in Billericay, Essex, with her husband, Adam, 45, and their two children, Brody, nine, and Bronte, two. She has long been savvy about her finances, and even sold chocolate bars to her schoolmates in the playground. She left school after her GCSEs and started working as an estate agent, on a salary of £12,000 – but set herself the target of saving £30,000 by the age of 24. She saved £850 a month by living at home with her parents, and bought her first house in 2004 with her ex-partner. Gemma says, “We saved £25,00 between us and I still had £10,000 left over, so my dad Steve and I went halves on deposits for two other rental properties.” When Gemma split from her partner, they…

He’s appeared on lots of panel shows and came second to Scarlett Moffatt on I’m A Celebrity! in 2018, but comedian Joel Dommett still can’t believe his luck when it came to being hired for The Masked Singer. And he readily admits he’s thrilled to be back. He says, “I feel like I wear a tux more than my pyjamas these days, [but] we are really excited about the new series. I can’t believe I’m in something that has reached a third series!” But Joel, 36, says the talent is so exceptional this year, we’ll all be left guessing. “I think it’s the hardest season yet. The team who make the show are now better at understanding what clues people get – they’re becoming very clever,” he says, adding, “I…

Instead of snaps from glam award ceremonies or his A-list pals, Leonardo DiCaprio’s Instagram – followed by over 51m fans – is filled with posts on climate change, animal poaching and conservation, and the protection of marine life. It’s been 23 years since the Oscar-winning actor set up his charity. Started when he was just 24, The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation is devoted to promoting environmental awareness. Leo’s fascination with the natural world began when he was a little boy watching climate issues on TV. “I think I was sort of a little biologist when I was younger. I watched documentaries on rainforest depletion and the loss of species and habitats and it affected me a lot,” he’s said. “So I wanted to continue that path and learn more about ecological…

Comedian Ricky Gervais has long been a vocal supporter of animal rights, speaking out on various causes. He said, “I’ve never understood [animal cruelty]... if I see someone pull the dog lead too much, I give them a dirty look... I can’t do enough, it feels like a losing battle.” More recently, the After Life star has called for the practices at MBR Acres to be stopped. Ricky said, “I’m deeply shocked to learn that thousands of beautiful beagles are intensively bred, right here in the peace of the British countryside, for painful and terrifying toxicity experiments that are also now proven to entirely fail the search for human treatments.” Pop Idol winner Will Young is also an avid animal lover and has rescued two dogs who were facing euthanasia.…

She’s been showing off the results of her weight loss after losing an impressive three and a half stone in six months. And reality TV star Charlotte Dawson insists her hard work isn’t the result of a faddy diet or restrictive calorie counting. In fact, she hasn’t given up anything she loves. “I might be slimmer – but chips and gravy are still my life,” laughs 28-year-old Charlotte, who has dropped from a dress size 16 to an 8. “I’m not one for eating leaves. When I feel down, I’ll get a chippy, that’s how I’ve always been.” Though the star, who is engaged to rugby player Matt Sarsfield, 30, and gave birth to their son, Noah, in January last year, admits trips to the local chip shop have been…

YOUR GUIDE TO EMOTIONAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LIFE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIST EMMA KENNY Little kids through to teens can benefit by setting targets for themselves. This teaches them to take responsibility for a course of action and that they need to be accountable for making sure that they persevere. It helps them develop a success mindset where they understand the value of challenging themselves, and most importantly, it helps to teach and reinforce a lifelong positive habit. Ask them to select one thing they want to work towards. Then get them to write it down (or for little ones write it for them) as they are 42 per cent more likely to succeed if they commit on paper. Teens, for instance, may select something like improving their grades at school.…

SMALL CHANGES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE BEING WITH MY HORSE LIFTS MY MOOD... I bought my horse Dolly over a year ago and she is my release. I get out into nature at the same time as having this beautiful connection with an incredible animal SOCIAL MEDIA CAN BE A POSITIVE SPACE... It’s amazing to receive messages on social media that aren’t about superficial things like weight and make-up. It was a massive help when I was going through a bad patch with my psoriasis – sharing my experience helped me connect with other sufferers. WAKING UP AT 6AM HELPS ME FEEL ENERGISED... Rising early means I get the best out of my day. Because I get up so early I tend not to have trouble drifting off at bedtime, but…

ON TREND M&S’ FIT KIT If you have vowed to get fit this year, then we’re sure you’ll want to look the part, too. Luckily for you, Marks & Spencer is back with a brand-new Goodmove activewear collection. Appropriate for everyone, the range offers jackets, leggings, sports bras, tees and more – with reflective panels for late-night runs, internal pockets for essentials, odourbusting fabrics and high-impact bras with adjustable velcro straps for comfort. Along with womenswear, there are also men’s and kids’ pieces to kit out the whole family. Sizes range from 6-24 and sports bras are available in sizes 30A-42H in selected styles. Prices start from £10. WHO WORE IT BEST? REESE WITHERSPOON VS ZOEY DEUTCH The two actresses made a compelling case for colourclashing when they both wore…

Although breakouts are often associated with puberty and early teens, spots can appear at any age, and many women struggle with zits well into their 30s and 40s. There are plenty of reasons for bad skin. Dr Psomadakis explains, “It is a myth that acne is solely a condition of teenage skin. In adulthood it tends to be more common in women, affecting up to 20 per cent. It is usually located on the lower third of the face and on the jawline, and there is certainly a hormonal element. Many women will also report an association with acne flaring alongside their menstrual cycle, and the majority of people with adult acne also experienced acne as teenagers. Adult acne has a profound impact on quality of life and mood, and…

How does it feel to be back? This year, I wasn’t that nervous. With Rav and Liam, I feel like I know what I’m doing – unlike my first year hosting when I was anxious about getting it right. And the show is only as good as the kids, and we have a great bunch. It’s all about them, really. And Paul Hollywood makes a comeback... It was good to see him, and he was great with the kids. I think they like a bit of stardust, and it’s a great reveal at the beginning when he comes in. And he was genuinely impressed with their standard, whereas I like it when their bakes aren’t that good! Do the bakers try to outwit you? They always try to guess what…