Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 981 i Closer

Christmas is a time for family reunions, renewing friendships, forgetting the past and looking to a New Year. In our exclusive interview with Meghan Markle’s brother Thomas this week, he tells us the best present he could wish for is that his sister makes amends with their dad and helps reunite their whole family. It’s been well-documented that the Duchess of Sussex has been estranged from her elderly father, brother and sister for many years. While there are always two sides to every story, we hope they, and so many other families who’ve been torn apart, can heal their painful rift. Meanwhile, with winter and dark, chilly nights now firmly upon us, we’ve put together an entertainment special of all the best podcasts, books and TV for you to snuggle…

She was victorious in a court case against the Mail On Sunday earlier this year, after suing them for the publication of her “private” letter to her father Thomas Markle Sr. But when the newspaper’s appeal kicked off last week, explosive new information came to light, revealing that the Duchess of Sussex had drafted the letter on the understanding that it could be leaked. In previously unpublished texts to Jason Knauf – Harry and Meghan’s former communications secretary – she said she had been “meticulous” in her wording in the letter. She also explained that she called her father “Daddy” partly because it would “pull at the heartstrings” in the “unfortunate event that it leaked.” Jason also said he had provided information to Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, authors of…

An emotional Britney Spears told fans, “I haven’t prayed for something more in my life” as her fight to end her 13-year conservatorship reached its crescendo last week. The star was back in court on Friday to hear if her guardianship could come to an end, and while her freedom hung in the balance as Closer went to press, insiders say she had already begun mapping out her dream future – which includes having a much longed-for baby girl. A source tells Closer, “After 13 years of hell, the scent of freedom has given Britney a new lease of life over the last few months. She’s got a newfound sense of hope, which has allowed her to dream of a future away from the constraints of those who’ve been controlling…

Lucy McNeill*, 40, lives in Scotland with her husband and their two sons, aged 14 and 11. She says, “I’d been in my job as a part-time nursery nurse for 16 years and absolutely loved it until my new boss started seven years ago. At first she seemed fine and I had no reason to think we wouldn’t have a healthy relationship – I’m a good worker, friendly and easygoing. “A couple of months after she started I went on holiday, but when I came back she seemed to have a problem with me. She started criticising what I was wearing, then she moved me from the class that I’d been working in for years with slightly older children and three or four colleagues, into the baby room, where I…

Over the years, she’s carved out a bubbly, girlnext-door image, co-hosting This Morning alongside her BFF Phillip Schofield. But mum-of-three Holly Willoughby lives a very different life to the one her fans might expect. And, opening up in her new book Reflections, she confesses that the pressure to keep up with her seemingly “perfect life” had previously left her feeling “numbed and a bit adrift”. She also said she felt the need to filter some of herself in order to preserve a positive public image, writing, “To fit in with other people’s expectations of me, I have ended up simplifying myself and swallowing my voice so that I stay in the pigeonhole I’m expected to sit in. This can mean watering myself down.” Contrary to her “good girl” image, friends…

She’s just days away from giving birth and Millie Mackintosh says she is “ready to not be pregnant any more”. Sharing an update with her fans on Instagram last week, Millie, 32 – who is entering her ninth month of pregnancy – said, “I’m beyond excited to hold my baby in my arms, but I know I’ll miss my bump and the feel of her moving around in my tummy.” Millie – who already shares one-year-old daughter Sienna with her hubby, fellow Made In Chelsea star Hugo Taylor, 35 – also revealed she’d had a difficult time after contracting norovirus (which causes vomiting or diarrhoea) while her daughter was also ill with hand, foot and mouth disease (which results in fever and rashes) last month. She added her third trimester…

In a shock exit, This Morning’s Eammon Holmes has decided to step down from his 15-year hosting gig, seemingly leaving his wife Ruth Langsford in the lurch. It’s alleged his decision stems from wanting to join “anti-woke” news channels, after he ruffled the feathers of ITV bosses at the height of the pandemic by hinting at conspiracy theories that linked coronavirus to 5G phone masts. His comments sparked Ofcom complaints and he was forced to clarify his statements the following day. Despite the attempted damage control, a few months later, he and wife Ruth Langsford, both 61, were dropped from their Friday slot and replaced by Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond. Eamonn is now thought to be joining beleaguered channel GB news, where he is expected to have his own…

FRANKIE BRIDGE, 32 “She’s a mum of two young boys, and I think, for parents, it’s extra hard being in there, because you miss your kids. I know she’s also talked about struggling with her mental health, so I hope she’s strong enough for it.” MATTY LEE, 23 “I actually met Olympic diver Matty at a Children In Need event earlier this month, and he was great! He’s a really nice guy – I told him I wished him every bit of luck.” KADEENA COX, 30 “I’ve known Kadeena for years, because she’s a Paralympic athlete as well. I think she’s going to be competitive, like I was. She’s going to look at a challenge like I did and go for it – comparing winning the stars to winning medals!”…

This year, EastEnders actor Rose Ayling-Ellis, 26, has become the first deaf contestant on Strictly, and fans have enjoyed seeing her incorporate British Sign Language into her routines with partner Giovanni Pernice. And Saffron reveals that, as a child, she struggled with partial deafness, before having a life-changing operation when she was 10. “My hearing trouble started when I was three,” she says. “I was partially deaf in both ears and struggled to hear my teachers, but they’d tell me off in class for being away with the fairies. My eardrums would repeatedly burst, causing horrible fluid to trickle out of my ears, and I’d have to stuff them with cotton wool, which meant I was mocked by other kids. My high-pitched voice also earned me the nickname Minnie Mouse,…

INSIDE DEBBIE’S FRIDGE • Eggs• Chopped chillies• Chopped garlic• Yakult• Houmous• Olive spread• Honey• Perinaise• Halloumi• New potatoes• Tomatoes• Meat-free sausages• Lemon sole fillets• French mustard• Pesto• Cucumber• Sea bass fillets• Mushrooms• King prawns• Salad leaves• Red pepper• Fresh pasta• Lactose-free milk• Coconut kefir• Orange juice• Sparkling water DEBBIE How much do you spend per week? About £300 for me, my husband Pete and my two boys. Describe your daily diet… I’ve been on a weight-loss journey and have lost 2st, after gaining weight during the menopause and lockdown. I’d still like to lose a bit more, so I’m being incredibly boring at the moment. In the morning, I have a SlimFast Café Latte shake, followed by another at lunch. In the evening, I like a hot and cold salad,…

YOUR GUIDE TO EMOTIONAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LIFE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIST EMMA KENNY A poll has found that workers in the UK have a collective 405,168,000 days of annual leave still to take this year, meaning that the average full-time employee has 11 days of holiday left. If this is the case, people risk losing around a third of their annual leave, which is madness. Many of you haven’t felt like travelling with all the restrictions and uncertainty, but this shouldn’t result in you failing to take a break. In fact, having endured a pretty rotten time, taking paid holiday is more important than ever. Annual leave is built into employment law because it provides an opportunity for employees to relax, unwind, spend time with their families and to get…

GMB PRESENTER CHARLOTTE HAWKINS, 46, ON HOW SHE LOOKS AFTER HER BODY AND MIND I DO YOGA WEEKLY... and my six-year-old daughter, Ella, does it with me in the holidays. It balances your mind and is energising. I used to be fixated with going to the gym, but it takes 20 minutes for me to get there and back when I could’ve just gone outside. It’s important to show Ella exercise should be a part of everyday life, so we go cycling or play tennis. IT’S IMPORTANT TO CREATE A WIND-DOWN ROUTINE... If I need to be up early, I try not to check my emails at night. I’ll eat earlier so I’m not full and take a probiotic before bed. I get tension in my neck and shoulders and…

Another week, another scam. It’s exhausting, we know, but here’s the latest ruse you need to be aware off. Known as “brushing”, sellers on Amazon Marketplace send packages with cheap items in them to unsuspecting addresses so they can record it as a sale and make it look like they’re selling more than they are, and to add fake glowing reviews from bogus accounts. So far, you would think, so good – you get something free! The aim, though, is to both trick people into thinking they’re a great place to buy from (thanks to high sales and fantastic fake reviews), but also – and more worryingly – if you’re getting these packages delivered to your address, it’s likely that your name and address have been leaked somewhere. If that’s…

MUST READ On A Night Like This (LINDSEY KELK) Fran Cooper is acting assistant to a celebrity, on a yacht in the Mediterranean, and en-route to the glittering Crystal Ball, along with the world’s rich and famous. There she bumps into the handsome Evan – and even though they may be soulmates, their lives are a world apart. They’ll never meet again – unless, on a night like this, everything can change forever… Funny and feel-good, this is another brilliant read from Lindsey Kelk. BEST DAY OUT Lightopia So Bonfire Night has been and gone and that can only mean one thing… Christmas is a coming! Get yourself in full magical mode with South London’s festive light extravaganza – Lightopia – at the iconic Crystal Palace Park. Running from 19…

Oh, Hilary. Nothing worse than realising you didn’t get the email that said everyone could have the day off. Chin up! Chat-show king Wossy has been trying out some new looks recently. He calls this one Mafia Don. We call it Mafia Don’t! Maybe there’ll be another series, Georgia? Miracles do happen – look at SATC! Chloe, we really feel for you – but don’t despair. This is exactly the kind of nightmare scenario dry shampoo was invented for. Happy to help! EXCLUSIVE: We reveal the real reason Simon Cowell scrapped The X Factor. He’d heard Gemward were planning to audition – awks! Alexa’s got a new job as a psychic. “You’ve got something ‘papery’ in your hands beginning with a ‘C’ and ending in ‘r’.” Spooky, huh? Don’t undercook…

It’s set to be one of the most explosive court battles in showbiz history when Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy go head to head for the final showdown of their libel case, dubbed “WAGatha Christie”, early next year. And in the latest shock twist, it was reported last week that Rebekah’s ex-husband, Stephen Clarke, 56, has joined Coleen’s team to give evidence against his ex. The pair had a turbulent 10-month marriage before Rebekah met current husband, footballer Jamie Vardy, 34. Rebekah, 39, and Coleen, 35, have been entrenched in a high-profile legal battle since 2019, when Coleen publicly accused her former friend of leaking stories about her and football star husband Wayne to the press. The former I’m A Celeb! star – who was pregnant with her fifth child…

For Jessica Carr*, it was a childhood dream to work in the fitness industry, and by the age of 28 she’d worked her way up to a managerial position at a gym. But after just 18 months, she got a new boss – and became the victim of a horrendous two-year bullying campaign. Jessica became so stressed that she was hospitalised after a severe panic attack and ended up quitting her dream job. ROCK BOTTOM Jessica, 35, who lives near Liverpool with her husband, and two daughters aged 17 and 12, says, “I was a wreck, I’d physically shake on my way to work and cried every night. I was gaslighted, ostracised and undermined. “By the end I just couldn’t go in any more. My confidence was at rock bottom…

Making her much-anticipated return to the London stage last week, singer Adele tearfully confessed, “I’m so nervous!” to a star-studded crowd at An Audience With Adele. And according to an insider, the emotional star, 33, suffered a couple of false starts and was “clearly feeling the pressure” during the performance, which was filmed for an upcoming ITV special at the London Palladium. ADJUSTMENT Her American sports agent boyfriend, Rich Paul, 39, joined the likes of actress Dame Emma Thompson, supermodel Naomi Campbell and actor Idris Elba, who turned out to watch Adele perform new tracks from her fourth album, 30, which details her painful 2019 divorce from Simon Konecki, 47. And insiders say the notoriously private star – who is known for disappearing from the public eye for long periods…

Countdown’s Rachel Riley and her former Strictly pro-dancer husband, Pasha Kovalev, have welcomed their second daughter, Noa. Posting a sweet photo to Instagram, Rachel, 35, wrote, “Introducing Pasha’s newest dance partner – baby Noa was finally born, 15 days after her due date, late on Friday night to the sound of fireworks! She’s totally adorable.” The safe birth of Noa came as a relief to the maths whizz – who also shares daughter Maven, two, with Pasha – as she sadly previously suffered a miscarriage. Earlier this month, she said, “At 35, I’m considered old biologically... I had a miscarriage between the two pregnancies, so you can’t count your chickens.” Rachel – who was previously married to childhood sweetheart Jamie Gilbert – began dating her dance partner Pasha in 2014,…

THE BEST TELEVISION ON THE BOX Closer’s TV editor Hannah Wright picks the top shows available right now and coming up soon DELIGHT IN DRAMA SHOWTRIAL TENSE LEGAL ACTION Line Of Duty fans, rejoice – the folk behind that huge hit have served up this gripping six-part legal drama which is available on BBC iPlayer. It shows how money, power and prejudice affect justice, after a privileged student is accused of murder. IRVINE WELSH’S CRIME A MYSTERY THRILLER The gritty new show streams on BritBox from Thu 18 Nov. Starring Dougray Scott, it marks Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh’s first show for TV, adapted from his 2008 novel of the same name. It’s set in Edinburgh, where DI Ray Lennox (Scott) is investigating the disappearance of a schoolgirl… LANDSCAPERS GRIPPING TRUE…

Whether you want to Boost your mind, body, soul, finances, relationships, love life or style, we’ve got recommendations for things that actually work. Scan the QR code for more tips or search for @TheBoostUK on Instagram! She’s daytime TV royalty, thanks to her legendary hosting career, interviewing stars including Daniel Craig and Elton John. And Lorraine Kelly insists that part of the secret to her success is remembering to look after her emotional wellbeing. “We tend to put ourselves at the bottom of a very long list, starting with the kids, the dog, then our husband or partner,” says Lorraine. “It’s great that we’re looking out for them, but we sometimes lose ourselves and that’s quite sad. It’s so important to make time for yourself. It doesn’t need to mean…

DR CHRISTIAN GIVES HIS TAKE ON THE HOT HEALTH TOPICS OF THE WEEK I was moved by the tragic story of Saiqa Parveen, who died of Covid aged 37. Saiqa – who had no pre-existing health conditions – had put off getting the Covid jab until after she had given birth, but never got to meet her baby – her fifth daughter, who was born by Caesarean. There have been reports of pregnant women being turned away from vaccination clinics, but the Royal College of Obstetricians and the Royal College of Midwives have said without reservation that pregnant women should be vaccinated and that the vaccines are safe for them. Women are so careful through pregnancy, avoiding too much caffeine, not taking painkillers, stopping drinking – so you can see…

Facebook’s own research shows social media can be particularly harmful to teenage girls. In addition, Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen has revealed the company allegedly chases profits over safety, does not shut down hate speech, and amplifies content that receives an “angry” reaction over positive news. DISCUSS ADS You can do a lot to minimise the chance of your child being harmed online. Ask them about the kind of ads that keep popping up on their feed as this will give an insight into the areas they are exploring. If they tell you that they receive a barrage of slimming product adverts, talk to them about body image. Simply having a conversation about this with them can make a world of difference to how they feel, while also educating them on…

HELPING YOU SPEND WISELY, SAVE MORE AND EARN BETTER REQUEST NEW HOURS You have the right to ask for flexible working hours 26 weeks after starting a job and your employer has to respond within three months. Your request can include working remotely, compressing hours or staggering start times. If your employer refuses, they must give you sound business reasons as to why. “Prepare a case for flexible working that’s been carefully written and present it to your manager or HR team, focusing on the benefits to your bosses”, says Olivia Bath, career coach at The Women’s Vault. “Show how you will continue to fulfil your role requirements and commitments. Compressed hours can save you up to £3,000 per year, per child on childcare costs. You will be paid your…

GET HER LOOK GAL GADOT, 36 Giving us a lesson in how to dress for a party, actress Gal wowed the crowd in this red sequin number. Teaming her dazzling frock with matching red lippie, gold heels and dangling earrings, she looked like a real-life Jessica Rabbit. Feeling inspired? Nab her look for less with our high-street picks. WHO WORE IT BEST? TESS VS MOLLY-MAE It was battle of the blondes between Strictly presenter Tess and influencer Molly-Mae when they both wore a Nadine Merabi jumpsuit. Despite wearing the same look – worth over £400 – they styled it completely differently. Tess kept things simple with nude heels, delicate jewellery and wavy locks, while Molly-Mae added designer bling, a colourpop bag and a necklace costing a whopping £18,000! While we…

NEW SERIES 1 I’M A CELEBRITY… GET ME OUT OF HERE! BACK IN THE WELSH CAMP – HOORAY! STARTS SUN 21 NOV, 9PM, ITV Coming from Gwrych Castle in North Wales due to ongoing travel restrictions, the new series of I’m A Celebrity! is finally here, with 12 famous folk gearing up to spend potentially three weeks shivering their backsides off and getting through the dreaded trials. The names of those rumoured to be heading for camp as we went to press included Richard Madeley, Frankie Bridge, Adam Woodyatt (aka EastEnders’ Ian Beale, Arlene Phillips and Emmerdale star Danny Miller. “Bring. It. ON!” said show hosts Ant ’n’ Dec. We couldn’t agree more! Turn to page 26 for more on I’m A Celebrity! FACTFILE The launch of last year’s series…

Ḥer family have dominated headlines ever since she walked down the aisle with Prince Harry back in May 2018. Meghan Markle’s older sister Samantha has publicly criticised her – calling her “Princess Pushy” and has slammed her for cutting off her family – while her dad, Thomas Markle Sr, has caused shockwaves for staged paparazzi shots, and his absence from her wedding. He’s also given a series of interviews, begging his daughter – who is said to have severed ties with all her relatives apart from her mother, Doria Ragland – to contact him and let him meet his grandchildren, Archie, two, and Lilibet, five months. Thomas Sr is also currently embroiled in a toxic court case with Meghan and the Mail On Sunday over a letter she wrote to…

Despite recently coming out of a month-long, court-ordered rehab stint and possibly facing prison next month for drink-driving, Jordan headed to Las Vegas with fiancé Carl Woods last week, shocking even those closest to her. Jordan, aka Katie Price – who has been engaged eight times and had three marriages – jetted off to Sin City with car-dealer Carl last week and, as Closer went to press, it was reported the pair had obtained a marriage licence, sparking speculation they were hoping to secretly tie the knot. However, sources say that her nearest and dearest were unaware of their plans to marry. An insider says, “Katie kept this quiet from pretty much everybody in her inner circle. They are in shock – they feel totally blindsided by it.” Last week,…

Vicki Fagan, employment law specialist from Myerson solicitors, says, “Try talking to the person who is causing the issue. Colleagues might not always realise the impact they are having. If it continues or if you don’t feel comfortable talking to the perpetrator, raise your concerns with your boss, another manager or HR. “Keep a record of events including dates, times and any evidence that you have of bullying (such as screenshots of emails or social media posts). This will help you remember and provide the facts to your employer. “If speaking about matters doesn’t resolve things, raise a formal complaint with your employer. This will usually mean putting your grievance in writing and setting out all of the evidence. The process should be set out in their anti-bullying policy. If…

It’s been 12 years since he shot to fame on Britain’s Got Talent, but now Stavros Flatley’s “son” Michalakis “Lagi” Demetriou is all grown up and set to become a father for the first time. Lagi and his dad Demi became fan favourites in the series in 2009 with their comical dance act Stavros Flatley, which got them all the way to the finals. Now 25-year-old Lagi is expecting his first child with fiancée Annika Crawford. The couple have been together for five years before getting engaged last year on New Year’s Eve. Announcing the news on TikTok, he shared a video set to James Arthur’s song, Say You Won’t Let Go, ending with Annika revealing a bump. Lagi captioned the post, “To another new chapter with my beautiful wife…

In one of the most highly-anticipated celeb weddings of the year, Paris Hilton finally tied the knot last week with new husband, businessman Carter Reum. Sharing the first photo from the star-studded affair on Instagram, Paris wrote, “My forever begins today.” Choosing to host the event at her late grandfather Barron’s luxurious Bel Air estate, the 40-year-old hotel chain heiress looked beautiful in a white Oscar de la Renta gown with floral motifs. The dress was likely to be one of many, as she previously said there would be “lots” of outfit changes during the three-day celebration. Inviting the creme of Hollywood to celebrate with her, the guest list reportedly included Emma Roberts, Evan Ross, Kim Kardashian and Bebe Rexha. Paris has been dating Carter, 40, since late 2019 and…

I saw a survey the other day that said two thirds of mums compare themselves to other mums on social media. I have a son – Benjamin, now 13 – with my husband, Michael Smith. When he was a baby, social media wasn’t at my fingertips like it is now. I think Instagram is a great platform and I think the mum community does a lot of good. Those early days can be hard, and I think social media would have given me emotional support and comfort and a reminder that I wasn’t alone. However, it’s so important to have a healthy balance – mums need to remind themselves that the perfect photos they see online have likely been touched up, and that people aren’t always honest about how they’re…

This year’s contestants are currently competing to waltz their way to the Strictly Come Dancing final, and 2019 star Saffron Barker tells Closer she credits the show with changing her own life. The YouTube star – who has over six million followers across her social media accounts – was partnered with dancer AJ Pritchard and made it to week 10. But despite having so many online followers, Saffron says she struggled with shyness before doing the show. The 21 year old says, “I left Strictly with so much more confidence. When I began, I was pretty shy and the prospect of being on live television in front of millions was daunting. But as the weeks went on, my confidence grew and it felt amazing to be on mainstream telly. The…

• TV host and mum-of-three Rochelle says, “Give your mac and cheese a kid-friendly upgrade by adding loads of veg.” EASY FAKEAWAY WAGAMAMA’S MISO CHICKEN HARUSAME SERVES 2 • 1 tsp garlic paste • 3 tsp white miso paste • 3 tsp tamari sauce • 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced • 2 tsp fish sauce • 1 tsp chilli oil, plus extra to serve • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • 80g rice glass noodles • 30g kale, shredded • 80g pak choi, leaves separated and halved if large • 1 red pepper, sliced • 1 red onion, sliced • 50g shiitake mushrooms, sliced • 4 red chillies, sliced • Coriander leaves, to garnish STEP 1 Whisk the garlic paste with 1 tsp of the miso paste and 1 tsp of…

I never thought I’d quote football legend and presenter Gary Lineker on the topic of dating, but here I am, agreeing with his latest comments about the pursuit of a partner. He has revealed that he finds dating “quite difficult” and is “really happy” on his own. The star has had two marriages, two divorces, four children and has been single for five years. At 60, I think it’s fair to say he’s had plenty of experience at life and at love. In a recent interview, Gary said, “I like the fun of flirting, going on dates, kissing, and cooking for someone, but that’s about as far as I want to take it.” Amen to that! I regularly suffer from dating fatigue and I am never sure I want to…

Amy Buxton, 28, is a fundraiser at Ashgate Hospice. She says, “I worked full-time before maternity leave, and before coming back I asked to compress my hours and work from home. At the time, the fundraising team was working from home due to Covid, so I could show it wasn’t likely to affect my work. I mentioned it to my boss informally, then wrote an email to HR with enough notice, explaining that I would like to work fulltime over four days. After a few conversations, we agreed on 9.5-hour days on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and a 9-hour day on Friday, with Wednesdays off. I feel valued at work, so I knew they would listen to my request. I was also prepared to agree on a compromise that worked…

PARTY SPECIAL! SUPER SEQUINS This statement suit is great for elongating pins. Wear it as separates too – add a soft-knit jumper or jeans for a more relaxed feel. FANCY PANTS Glam sequin pants with all the comfort of loose leisurewear! Buddy with a knit for Christmas day, or a black satin shirt for swanky dinners. LUXE LBD If LBDs are your default, make them count. This midi length, choker neck and asymmetric shoulder style brings timeless wow vibes! BOUCLÉ BEAUTY This chic jacket is a designer-like investment that you can roll out every year. Pair with leatherette leggings, distressed denim or pleated skirts. CHIC CHECKS Get your money’s worth from this shirt dress by trading party heels for knee-length stomping boots for team lunches.…

PARTY SPECIAL! MESSY PONY GET THE LOOK: ❶ Apply mousse to wet hair, targeting roots and mid-lengths to give texture and better hold. Brush once dry, then pull a section from each side of your face and clip. ❷ With your fingers, rake the remaining hair out of the way up at your crown to form a ponytail at the back of your head. Secure with a bobble or statement scrunchie. ❸ Take a small one-inch section of hair from the ponytail and wrap around the band, then secure with a pin. Wave the sectioned pieces around the face. ❹ Backcomb the ponytail for added texture. Try adding a silk scarf for extra glam points. EASY BREEZY WAVES GET THE LOOK: ❶ Waves won’t last as well on clean, dry…

How does it feel to be back at Battersea? I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since the show started! I was originally supposed to do six episodes – but when we were filming it, we thought, “We’ve got something special here”. And I’ve got a load more dogs now, because I bring my work home with me! What impact has lockdown had on the centre? All the dogs went into foster care, except the really sick ones who stayed at Battersea. But the skeleton staff were still taking in dogs and cats, because what seems to have happened is that people got pets that were totally unsuitable for them – and now they can’t handle it and the dog gets dumped. We’ve had quite a few old dogs too,…

16-22 NOVEMBER IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK Not every year is a life-changing one. Some are just a bit “ho hum” and, before you know it, you realise you’ve made more progress than you thought. Other years, flurries of opportunity and positive progress show up. This year, you may have to overstretch yourself – but it will be definitely worth it! THIS WEEK’S CELEB STAR SIGN SCORPIO 23 OCT-21 NOV This week may reveal the ways you need to change in order to find the deep connections you crave. Like a snake shedding skin, it’s time to be who you were always meant to be. There is love ready to enter your life. Don’t let stubbornness detract from happiness. Visit www.yasminboland.com for your daily horoscopes. SAGITTARIUS 22 NOV-21 DEC…