Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 901 i Closer

We were thrilled to chat to Claire Sweeney this week. The actress is recovering well after her recent health scare – she was on a ventilator in January with similar symptoms to COVID-19, an experience that knocked her for six. Like many of us, she’s finding life in lockdown challenging, but says routine is key to helping her feel less stressed and more in control. Mindfulness guru Izzy Judd also gives her tips to combat coronavirus anxiety. Turn to p42 for her tricks to keep calm and stay positive. Meanwhile, Closer’s Dr Christian shares his mood-boosting advice (p46), and reminds us that small acts of kindness can make us feel happier. If you need inspiration, our report on p16 highlights the plight of charities hit by the pandemic at a…

While first-time pregnancies are usually full of joy, Lydia Bright was dealt a blow during hers after her partner Lee Cronin dumped her 11 weeks in following a spell of “arguing and bickering”. But the pair – who’ve been dating on and off since meeting at a nightclub in Ibiza in 2017 – remained amicable. Now, they’re giving their relationship another go, after Loretta was born on 21 February, arriving four days early and weighing 7lb 11oz. The ex- TOWIE star admitted in an interview last week that it was a “massive shock” when Lee ended their romance, as the pregnancy was planned, but revealed, “At the beginning, we kept it very friendly at the scans. We weren’t speaking loads to each other, but there wasn’t any animosity as we…

She’s been open about her struggle with trolling since being in the spotlight – but now Scarlett Moffatt has revealed that at times she was so low, she even called a mental health helpline. The TV star, 29, who has been frequently targeted by trolls over her appearance, says, “When it was really bad, I would ring the Samaritans, give a fake name and rant for 15 minutes. Talking to someone who didn’t know me or judge me helped.” Now she doesn’t let negative comments get to her and tackles trolls by sending them the Samaritans’ phone number, explaining, “I think, ‘God, how must they be feeling to have so much hatred towards someone they have never met?’’’ Scarlett – who rose to fame on Gogglebox in 2014 – has…

Thousands of charities across the nation are stepping up now more than ever to provide vital advice, support and essential supplies to those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. But with fundraising events across the UK on hold – from bake sales and coffee mornings, to the London Marathon and the Race For Life – shockingly, many charities are facing imminent collapse due to a lack of donations. Already, Cancer Research UK has cut £44m of research funding. While the government has pledged a £750m package of support to ensure charities can continue their vital work during the outbreak, experts warn it’s not enough to fill the funding gap left by lockdown. Karl Wilding, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, says, “With charity shops shut and fundraising…

Sam Hustler, 27, is an account manager from South Woodford, Essex. He says, “I was planning on running the London Landmarks Half Marathon in March for Haven House Children’s Hospice. I’d trained, fundraised and was absolutely gutted when it was postponed. But then I received an email from the London Landmarks Half Marathon team encouraging people to do their own solo challenge. I’d seen a video of a man in France running a half marathon on his balcony, so after lunch one day I put on my trainers and ran laps on my balcony, clocking up 2km. I decided then that I’d do the half marathon that way. I reached my goal in three hours and 42 minutes – it was 7,000 laps of my three-metre balcony. I didn’t get…

They got married last year in Las Vegas – and now Emmerdale star Michelle Hardwick and her soap producer wife Kate Brooks have revealed they are expecting a baby. Michelle, 44, shared the happy news on Instagram, posting a picture of Kate, 43, their dog Fred and her baby bump, captioning it, “Fred’s big brother duties commence October #BabyBrooks”. They met while Kate was a producer on Emmerdale and went public with their relationship in September 2018. They got engaged later that year and walked down the aisle last September. Michelle had previously been married to Rosie Nicholl, but split in 2017, saying the couple had “drifted apart”.…

GEMMA COLLINS, 39 She recently hit headlines for striking a £250,000 deal for the next series of her reality show Diva On Lockdown, with the first series now airing. And over the years, Gemma Collins – who calls herself “the queen of reality TV” with a “growing bank balance” – has built up a fortune of around £5m since finding fame in 2011. The former car saleswoman made a name for herself on TOWIE, before going on to star in the likes of Splash!, Celebrity Big Brother, Dancing On Ice, Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity MasterChef and I’m A Celeb!. She’s also appeared on Loose Women and Celebrity Juice, and has presented segments on This Morning. Her own popular reality show, Diva Forever, will air its fourth season later this year.…

CELEBS IN LOCKDOWN “Ricky Gervais recently criticised celebrities for complaining about lockdown while in their mansions, with their big gardens. And while I appreciate how those with space and fresh air are very lucky, I think that anyone who feels low or who is struggling shouldn’t be pushed aside. We all have our own struggles, and many people suffer with mental health issues, so we shouldn’t just say, ‘Stop complaining, you should be happy.’” THE PANDEMIC “Michael and I think we may have already had coronavirus, as we were really ill while in Dubai last November (cases of COVID-19 first emerged in late 2019). We had bad coughs, tight chests and couldn’t get out of bed. It would be interesting to see if we did have it when tests are…

PEED HERSELF ON NATIONAL TV Charlotte wet the bed on Geordie Shore in 2011 and on Celebrity Big Brother in 2013, with her mum, Letitia, exclaiming, “I knew that would happen. She doesn’t do it at home because I make her go to the toilet when she gets in.” In 2015, she wet herself when she saw ex Gaz Beadle emerge from the sea on Ex On The Beach and on her MTV reality series, The Charlotte Show, ex Josh had to buy a new mattress when she destroyed his after wetting the bed when she was drunk. BRANDED A ‘CHEETAH’ FOR LIFE She co-hosted MTV’s Just Tattoo of Us with then-boyfriend Stephen Bear. The deal included them inking each other. While Charlotte branded Bear with her face, he tattooed…

‘We are learning to appreciate this slower pace’ A new report found that half of Brits are actually enjoying working from home during lockdown – and I totally understand why. A lot of us had got to the stage where leading a hectic life was the norm. A slower pace of life had been forgotten, and so were the times we could just enjoy being with families and loved ones, doing simple things like watching television on a Saturday night together. JOINING IN I’ve been doing things I previously would have been pushed for time to do – like meditating, FaceTiming my family in the US, cooking healthily, and sitting outside relaxing. And as everyone is at home, we’ve now all been exercising as a community – distancing from each…

‘It’s hard not knowing when this will end’ She’s regularly turned to mindfulness to help her cope with anxiety and panic attacks, and violinist Izzy Judd – who found fame with girl group Escala on Britain’s Got Talent in 2008 – says it’s been a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I struggled to sleep at first,” says Izzy, who is isolating in London with her husband, McFly drummer Harry Judd, and their children Lola, four, and Kit, two. “I was OK during the day when I was with Lola and Kit, but at night I couldn’t stop thinking about loved ones, the future and how hard it is not knowing when this will end.” Izzy has been particularly frightened for her brother Rupert, who suffered life-changing brain injuries in a…

EXERCISE: “Yoga helps me feel calm. I’ve been doing a deep stretch yoga with a lady called Adriene on YouTube. I’ve also been doing Barry’s Bootcamp classes on Instagram.” KEEPING BUSY: “In the evening, when Jaxon is in bed, I watch The Split on BBC or I read a book. I’ve been clearing out my home office too.” COOKING: “Normally I’m always rushing, so I’m enjoying having time to cook – I’ve made a shepherd’s pie and butternut squash soup.” DECLUTTERING: “I’ve been cleaning and clearing out my house, and it’s been so therapeutic – it’s given me a real sense of clarity. I keep stuff for years and I’ve got so many clothes and shoes I don’t need, so I’ll donate them to charity when the shops are open…

SEND A FREE CARD Scribbler is offering free cards from its ‘Thank You NHS’ range – just enter THANKYOUNHS at the checkout. You can add a personalised message and it includes first class delivery. WIN FLOWERS FOR THEM Bloom & Wild, which delivers flowers through people’s letterboxes, lets you nominate a key worker to win free flowers – ten are chosen every week. If you’re in the NHS, social care, emergency services or armed forces, you also get 40 per cent off. BUY THEM A BEER! Beer brand Brewgooder is letting customers donate a four-pack of beer to an NHS employee with a £6 donation. It covers the beers, delivery and a message. TREAT THEM TO DINNER Deliveroo is encouraging people to buy a meal for a doctor or a…

‘MORNING 8.30AM: I always set my alarm for 8.30am and I’m quite good at sticking to it. I like to have a routine. 9AM: As soon as I open my eyes, I think about breakfast – in fact, I think about it before I go to bed! I have my classic Weetabix with banana and almond milk. 10.30AM: Right now, choosing an outfit is much easier than normal as I’ve been living in loungewear. I mainly shop online at ASOS, InTheStyle and PrettyLittleThing. When you’re not having the best day, treating yourself to some lounge or night wear is the best thing. AFTERNOON 12PM: I’ve been trying to exercise every day. I love the app Tone and Sculpt and I’ve been doing the HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and circuit workouts…

1 KATIE PRICE: MY CRAZY LIFE NEW ONE-HOUR SPECIAL MON 4 MAY, 10PM, QUEST RED Opening up about the “biggest crisis of her life”, Katie Price is back in a one-off special of her hit reality show. From checking herself into a mental healthcare clinic (“There is only so much I can take as a human being”) to a frank admission of how she was struggling to cope (“It got to the point where I wanted to kill myself”), this is crammed with highs and lows – and yes, there IS some singing involved, though a first performance of Katie’s new single doesn’t go so well (“What happens in France stays in France…” Or not, as the case may be – as everything must be filmed…) KATIESAYS: “I’ve been slowly…

Just days after happily dancing around for her fans on Instagram live in celebration of her 46th birthday – surrounded by her close-knit family in their Cotswolds country estate – friends say Victoria Beckham has been devastated by an angry backlash following reports she has furloughed 30 members of her 120-strong fashion label staff. The move for her Victoria Beckham fashion brand means 80 per cent of the salaries of those staff will be paid with taxpayers’ money in a government scheme to help struggling firms during the pandemic – drawing fierce criticism towards her and husband David, 45, over their joint fortune of £335million. The Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer has made the effort to top up the remaining 20 percent of wages out of her own pocket, as well as…

Royal expert and author of Harry: Life, Loss And Love, Katie Nicholl, says, “The Sussexes have done their bit and, like them or loathe them, you have to commend them for putting on their masks and getting stuck in. They’ve also had £100,000 of the TV rights to their wedding donated to an emergency fund. So they’ve done good work, and I do believe their intention really is to do all they can to help with the crisis. “But they’ve got themselves in hot water promoting and announcing things they’re doing that are non-COVID-19 related. They may have just wanted to be transparent from the outset but it’s been damaging for them to be talking about anything not to do with the global pandemic. It just all comes down to…

Three weeks after Lydia gave birth to Loretta, her best friend and fellow former TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh welcomed her baby boy Roman into the world. But by then, lockdown restrictions had begun – meaning Lucy, 29, and her fiancé Ryan Thomas, 35, have been forced to isolate alone at their home in Essex. It also meant Ryan’s 11-year-old daughter Scarlett — whom he co-parents with his ex, Coronation Street actress Tina O’Brien, 36 — had to wait a few weeks before she could meet her brother. Opening up last week about the day-to-day challenge of being a new mum, Lucy responded to a question about breastfeeding during a live Instagram chat, saying, “Don’t get me wrong, it’s not always easy, but his feeds are less often now, which helps,…

Jenny Morgan, 39, runs Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre, a rescuing and rehoming charity in Staffordshire. She says, “We have over 150 animals under our care, including primates, birds and reptiles. Usually, visitors pick up from spring onwards, generating enough income to keep up animal care throughout the quiet winter months, but now our financial situation has become dire and we’ve had to appeal for fundraising. “The public have been very generous. We’ve had eggs dropped off – which the monkeys eat for breakfast – and food outlets have donated meat. We have enough supplies for the next few weeks, but we need more to go towards food, bedding and vital medicines. “And the animals miss their friendly visitors. We’ve had to think of ways to entertain them, such as keeping the…

He surprised fans earlier this year by revealing he’s gay – and Phillip Schofield seems to have now taken the first step towards his new life. The TV presenter, 58, formerly shared a home in Henley-on-Thames with wife Stephanie and daughters Molly, 27, and Ruby, 24. But Phillip has reportedly now moved out of their Oxfordshire home and into a new flat in central London. Phillip revealed his sexuality on This Morning – which he co-hosts with pal Holly Willoughby – in February, saying that his wife of 27 years had been “incredible” throughout it all. He said, “I love her so very much. She is the kindest soul I’ve ever met”, and added of his daughters, “My girls have been astonishing in their love, hugs and encouraging words of…

The pandemic has tested many couples, and sadly Boyzone singer Shane Lynch and wife Sheena White have called time on their marriage, with Shane saying lockdown was to blame. Shane, 43, and backing singer Sheena have been married for 13 years, but revealed last week that they’d split. Shane said, “We have had difficult times and are going through difficult times right now in this isolation thing. “I’m not even in my family home right now because me and her were at each other’s throats. It wasn’t a good time or a good space.” Shane – who shares children Billie Rae, 11, and Marley Mae, seven, with Sheena – added that he hopes the split will only be temporary, saying, “I’m praying every day me and my wife sort out…

OLIVIA BUCKLAND, 26 One half of one of the few Love Island success stories, Olivia Buckland found fame on the show in 2016. The former sales executive’s goal was to come away with a boyfriend rather than a huge social media following – but she managed to achieve both, as she currently boasts millions of followers. Her marriage to fellow contestant Alex Bowen, and her numerous Instagram collaborations – with an audience of 2.3 million and a fee of around £2k per post – have helped Olivia make some serious money. Cameras followed the build-up to her becoming the first Love Island lass to say “I do” in TLC’s Olivia And Alex Said Yes, earning her a cool £50,000. The couple have since starred in Olivia And Alex: Happily Ever…

hen mum of four Kelly Sexton found herself feeling lonely in a loveless marriage, she sought refuge in online virtual world Second Life. She created a sexy avatar for herself, found a “job” as a nightclub hostess and spent hours living in the 3D-simulated space. The last thing Kelly expected to find was romance, but then she met a virtual pole dancer, played by Nick Von Asten, who lived in America. Within days she’d told her husband, Nathan, she no longer loved him, and seven weeks later her avatar married her virtual boyfriend. Three years on, Kelly and Nick, 30, turned fantasy into reality. The audio engineer travelled 4,000 miles from Wisconsin to be with the woman he calls the “love of his life”, and last December they tied the…

When Beverley Phillips’ holiday of a lifetime was ruined because of her size, she vowed to do something about it. Weighing over 29st, she’d become a recluse and was so overweight, she struggled to walk – and despite holidaying in Mexico, she barely left her family’s hotel bedroom. But astonishingly, the disappointment inspired the catering manager to lose a staggering 16st 8lbs in just under two years, through a healthy diet and exercise, and she now weighs 13st and can wear a size 12. Beverley, 38 – who is mum to Joshua, 16, and Katie, 11, and lives in Tewkesbury with her husband, factory worker Antony, 43 – says, “My husband and I had spent a fortune on our trip, but when we got there, I couldn’t enjoy it. I…

‘It’s taken years to accept I’m doing the best I can’ DON’T SETTLE “Early on, after the break-up of my last relationship [with businessman Mark Griffiths, from whom she split in 2012 after six years together] and before my current one, somebody encouraged me to write a list of needs and wants in a future partner. Needs are nonnegotiable. If you go on a date with someone and realise they won’t meet your needs, then they are not the person for you. [The relationship] may last for a while, but it won’t make you happy in the long term.” EXPLORE YOUR SEXUALITY “I was in a relationship with a girl for a long time when I was in high school, and the thought of being 100 per cent gay didn’t…

BOOST YOUR INNER STRENGTH To start the day off on the right note, Izzy recommends setting yourself an affirmation each morning. “An affirmation is a short statement that, if repeated often enough, can help us overcome negative thoughts and encourage us to believe in ourselves,” she explains. “It can be whatever you might need for that day, perhaps ‘I am patient’, ‘I am capable’, or ‘I am calm’. Once you’ve set your intention, use moments during the day to pause and take a deep breath in. Then, as you breathe out, think of your affirmation. You can do it any time – when you’re waiting for the kettle to boil, when you’re putting on your moisturiser, or when you’re brushing the children’s hair. It gives me a real sense of…

INSIDE JENNY’S FRIDGE • Eggs • Houmous • Yoghurt • Coconut water • Manchego cheese • Cheddar cheese • Kefir • Chicken thighs • Harissa paste • Steak mince • Avocado • Ham • Sourdough bread • Sugar snap peas • Tomatoes • Spinach • Children’s yoghurts • Kale • Broccoli • Chocolate éclairs • Carrots • Apple juice • Pineapple • Fresh ginger VERDICT NUTRITIONIST JULIETTE KELLOW SAYS, “Lockdown has given many of us a little more time to prepare healthy meals and eat as a family. Jenny’s fridge is full of food from the four main groups – dairy, meat, fruit and veg, and cereals – so it’ll be easier to cook nutritious meals. She also hasn’t stocked up on fatty or sugary snacks – nuts, houmous and…

SPOTLIGHT ON… NHS CHARITY TEES All the profits raised from every sale of this unisex T-shirt goes to “NHS Charities Together” to support frontline staff and carers across the UK. For £20, you’ll get a cute tee, while knowing your money is helping those working hard to save lives. It also comes in kids’ sizes for £15. IN THE NEWS... ROSIE MODELS HER NEW M&S LINGERIE RANGE Lockdown lingerie is a big deal, and with “Rosie for Autograph” among the top ten underwear searches in the UK, why not treat yourself to a set from her new edit for M&S? Glam up your at-home attire with silk blends and exotic patterns. Prices starting from £14. AVAILABLE NOW IN 30C-42G AND SIZES 6-22 FASHION WORTH TALKING ABOUT! Chloe Lewis, 28 TOWIE’s…

LUSCIOUS LIPS We’re quick to grab a moistursing balm when our lips become dry, but when was the last time you showed them some proper love? If nourishment is what they need, then Barry M Nourishing Lip Mask will do the trick. Apply generously before bed and leave overnight to work its magic. If you want to plump up your pout while still hydrating and smoothing, then try a mask from Starskin. It’s infused with 5ml of serum, so your skin will feel hydrated and flake-free after use. BRIGHT EYES Eyes reveal many sins, whether you’re dehydrated, stressed, or just tired – the skin under your blinkers will begin to suffer. Dark circles are very common. A daily cream helps, but try an enriching mask, too. For puffy eyes, use…

Series one got rave reviews – how did that feel? It was amazing and we’re all so chuffed. I remember as soon as I had the script for the first series, I was laughing out loud and I couldn’t put it down. I’m just so thrilled that the audience loved watching it as much as we loved making it. Was it easy to step back into Erin’s shoes? It’s weird because when you finish a job, you go off and do other things, but then it’s so nice to be back working with the gang. You realise how much you’ve missed each other. What’s her style like this time? She’s still really cool and she’s still got that ’80s flair – and the big hair, which is even bigger this…

THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN TAURUS 20 APR-20 MAY This could be an amazing week, even if we’re all still in lockdown. However, cabin fever is possible. If you feel trapped, take it easy. Adjust routines, think about what you’ll change once we’re out, and get planning. Make some magic – join the (free) Moon Lite Club at moonmessages.com/ moonlite GEMINI 21 MAY-20JUN Given the current state of the world, there’s never been a better time to start a spiritual practice. If you can’t get outside, you might as well go within. Moreover, your own astrology right now supports it. Have faith there is something bigger than us all guiding us. Make some magic – join the (free) Moon Lite Club at moonmessages.com/moonlite CANCER 21 JUN-22 JUL A friend could…

The tantalising pictures of their warm embrace at an awards bash earlier this year sparked a fan frenzy, with yet more speculation last week following reports that Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt had been spending most of their time together during lockdown. And while rumours continue to swirl about the dynamics of their increasingly close friendship, insiders say actor Brad, 56, is playing a major role in guiding his former wife through her adoption process and on to the next stage, when she brings the child home. Just last month, Closer revealed how Friends star Jen, 51, was once again considering adopting, only this time with the support of her ex, who has a wealth of experience as a co-parent of six children, three of whom – Maddox, 18, Pax,…

Aristocrat Lady Colin Campbell has connections to royalty through her marriage to a lord and common ancestors. As a royal biographer, the I’m A Celeb! star believes Meghan and Harry’s distancing from the royal family is disappointing. Lady Campbell, 70, who has written two books on Harry’s mother Diana, says, “I feel very sorry for Harry – he has given up an awful lot to keep his wife happy. “I rooted for Meghan in the hope she would live up to the hopes and expectations people had for her. Being Jamaican [Lady Campbell was born and raised in Jamaica], I understand the tremendous importance Meghan’s marriage represented to people of colour all over the world. “By abandoning her royal role, she’s also abandoned an ideal platform to do so much…

She’s faced a lifetime’s worth of drama in the last few years alone – with her third divorce, kidnap threats, the death of four pets, time in rehab, a bad break-up and being declared bankrupt. And now Jordan – real name Katie Price – tragically reveals that the events of last year and earlier this year culminated in her reaching her darkest moment and contemplating suicide. In a special episode of her reality show, My Crazy Life, Jordan says, “There was only so much I could take as a human being. It got to the point where I just wanted to kill myself. I started to lose everything around me and I just couldn’t cope with it.” SELF-MEDICATING Jordan, 41, had been on a downward spiral since her split from…

• If you’re working from home, you could donate what you would have spent on travel or your morning coffee to a charity each week. • Support Mind’s Crafternoon by getting together online with friends and making something to raise funds. Visit Mind.org.uk for more info. • Baby loss charity Tommy’s – organiser of the London Landmarks Half Marathon – is asking runners to get creative by planning their own Local Landmarks route of at least 5k, and seeking sponsorship to run it. The British Heart Foundation is also encouraging people to take on its MyMarathon challenge – to get sponsored and complete 26.2 miles in any way that suits you in a safe space. • If you’re celebrating a birthday during lockdown, you could ask friends and family to…

He turned 70 last year – but Richard Gere and his wife Alejandra Silva have welcomed their second child. The Pretty Woman star and his second wife, 37, are reportedly new parents to a baby boy, with the couple enjoying spending time with their newborn at their family ranch near New York. The couple married in 2018 – after meeting at an Italian hotel, which model Alejandra owned with her first husband – and had their first child together, a son called Alexander, a year later. This is Richard’s third son, as the actor also has a 20-year-old son called Homer with ex-wife Carey Lowell. He was also previously married to Cindy Crawford.…

He revealed they were having marriage trouble earlier this year – but now all seems well for Jeff Brazier and wife Kate Dwyer, as he’s been posting a number of happy selfies of them at home. Jeff, 40 – who shares two sons with the late Jade Goody – uploaded a picture of him and Kate, 29, having just done a couple’s workout. And days before, he shared a happy snap of the couple and Jeff’s sons Bobby, 16, and Freddy, 15, cosied up on the sofa. And speaking about how the lockdown had brought him and Kate closer, Jeff wrote on Instagram, “What a test this is for people’s relationships! I’ve really enjoyed having the wife around because we clearly make a great team.” The couple dated for five…

Her life in lockdown with her four sons – Archie, nine, Harry, eight, George, six, and two-and-a-half-year-old Ronnie – and husband Michael O’Neill is anything but quiet. Former glamour model Danielle Lloyd, 36, says, “There’s never a dull moment – it’s full-on and I’m constantly on the go with our little daily routine. But while it’s busy, I do feel very lucky to have my big, full-on family. It’s great having four boys, because they all just play with each other and keep each other occupied. I feel very lucky to have a garden, too – in fact, I feel lucky to have my family and to be able to be with them, full stop.” GREAT TEAM Danielle shares her eldest three sons with her footballer ex Jamie O’Hara, and…

She was just 21 when she first made a name for herself as one of the most outrageous original Geordie Shore cast members in 2011 – coining the term “s** t dropping” in nightclubs, having physical fights with her co-stars, and wetting the bed after boozy sessions. But, nine years on, Charlotte Crosby has matured from the raucous party girl she once was. She’s become a successful businesswoman with an estimated net worth of £2 million, thanks to a self-titled spin-off reality TV show, a best-selling fitness DVD, two books, and numerous fashion ranges. Last year, when dating now-ex Joshua Ritchie, 25 – who, last week, accused her of domestic violence towards him, which she vehemently denies, even breaking down in tears as she slammed the claims in an Instagram…

• Use a slow cooker. I put it on in the morning, then we have a nutritious meal ready for the evening so we aren’t tempted to reach for the takeaway menus. • Remind yourself of what you do and don’t want. I look at my before pictures and remember how many things I was incapable of doing, which is motivating. • Plan your meals. The supermarkets are now well stocked, so I buy as much fruit and veg as I can. • Don’t put temptation in your way. I buy a few treats for the children, but not so many that there’s surplus for me. And I make sure I walk to the supermarket. • Research sweet treat recipes that are low in calories. I love making sugar-free jelly,…

Arlo, a Maine Coon tabby cross, loved joining his owner Crissy Lister, 29, her partner, Marc, 31, and their dogs Callie, three, and Lexi, two, on long treks around their native Yorkshire. But the lockdown means he has had to forfeit his hikes and live in the confines of his home, alongside Crissy’s other cats, Pedro, nine, Bo, eight, and Tigger, four, who prefer staying in the warm. STIR CRAZY Crissy says, “Arlo has been having his short walk a day with the dogs, but we aren’t able to take him on his regular long hikes. He’s going stir crazy – he paces the window ledge, pining for the outside world!” Crissy, a veterinary nurse, and Marc, a gardener, first discovered their moggy’s love of the outdoors when they took…

‘I was making myself a dithering wreck’ She thinks nothing of stepping out on stage in front of an audience of thousands, but actress Claire Sweeney readily admits that the COVID-19 pandemic has made her feel anxious and panicked. The single mum has already been hospitalised with a severe respiratory infection earlier this year, and it’s left her worried for her health. “I ended up on a ventilator in hospital in January, with the same symptoms as COVID-19,” she tells Closer . “I had a high fever, chest pains, raging sore throat and my lungs were rattling. I needed a respirator to help me breathe and I was very scared – it was like nothing I’d ever had in my life, and it knocked me off my feet.” FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE…

FAMILY MATTERS WAYS TO HELP EASE YOUR CHILD’S FEARS Research shows many children have become afraid to leave their homes due to coronavirus worries. Here’s how to reassure them A University of Oxford study found that one in five under-11s are afraid to leave their homes following lockdown. Many worry there won’t be enough food (having seen empty shops), fear infecting someone, or are anxious about missing school work. I spoke to Dr Peter McParlin, a consultant child psychologist, to advise how parents can handle this. Firstly, help your kids to avoid seeing frightening headlines and clickbait, as this will scare them. Avoid discussing adult themes, such as money worries or fears about the health of older relatives, around them, as your kids are powerless to change these problems and…

SASSY SLIDES Adding cute clips to your tresses is a subtle way to revamp a get-up. With so many on offer, it can be hard to choose the right one. Stick to plain gold for something smart and impressive, embellished sets for fun, and glitzy gems for a FaceTime brunch date! JOIN THE BAND Headbands have had a serious comeback in the past year, and staying at home is the perfect time to try out the trend. Having a bad hair day, in need of a root touch-up, or finding more grey hairs than normal? Cover up a multitude of sins with a cute head piece. Wear these and they’ll always look good, even if your hair is in need of a good wash! HEAVY METAL A gold chain necklace,…

RADIANCE BOOSTER: Mix 1 avocado + 1/2 tsp honey + 1/2 tsp lemon juice. Leave for 15 mins. NOURISHING MOISTURISER: Mix 1 banana + 2 tbsp honey + 1 tbsp natural yoghurt. Leave for 15 mins. GENTLE EXFOLIATOR: Mix the juice of 1 lemon + 30ml olive oil. Leave for 10 mins. SKIN SMOOTHER: Mix 1 tbsp natural yoghurt + 1 tbsp honey + 1 tbsp turmeric. Leave for 10 mins. BLEMISH MINIMISER: Mix 1 tbsp manuka honey + 1 tsp turmeric +1/2 tsp sea salt. Leave for 10 mins.…

MUST READ Critical: Stories From The Front Line Of Intensive Care Medicine (DR MATT MORGAN) There are an estimated 30 million people admitted to intensive care worldwide every year, of whom 24 million will survive. Dr Matt Morgan draws on his time caring for patients on the brink of death and explains how he and his colleagues fight against the odds every day to help them survive. A moving memoir – now more than ever – about the people working on the NHS frontline. BEST DAY IN Race For Life At Home With all events being postponed until autumn due to COVID-19, the lovely team at Race For Life have come up with a genius idea, so you can still do your bit for Cancer Research. Introducing Race For Life…

Olly’s been in isolation so long, he’s actually forgotten what year it is. Just a little word of advice – it is NOT 1985! We worried that we were drinking too much tea in lockdown, then we saw Julie’s cup. Just imagine the size of her digestive biscuits! Talented multi-instrumentalist Leona wows fans on her wind instrument before sitting down at the piano. It’s certainly a nice clean sound! Gordon’s daughter Holly is the latest to do the #PillowChallenge. We’ve been doing it for years – the challenge is lifting our heads off it each morning. What does a Scotsman keep under his kilt? Well, judging by Andy’s fairytale princess tiara, he’s presumably hiding his magic wand up there… AMBER DAVIES... Let’s face it, Amber, there’s nothing to get up…