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Pregnancy eXclUsIVe
coronatIon street’s

helen
flanagan
& footballer
scott sInclaIr
‘we’re haVIng
another baby
and wIll get
marrIed soon’
eXclUsIVe InterVIew
emmerdale stars and PIctUres wIth
charley webb and daUghter matIlda
matthew wolfenden
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InterVIew and
PIctUres wIth aleXandra
sons bUster
and bowIe bUrke
jUngle on her late
qUeen mother
georgIa ‘she woUld
toffolo be so
‘I’m so ProUd’
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sUPPort –
oUr sPlIt
‘I don’t know who was toUgh’
loVes chrIstmas more,
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the kIds or Us!’ meghan’s chrIstmas wIth the qUeen

 Contents
issue 1115 january 2 2018
I
t’s the season to be jolly,
and Coronation Street star
Helen Flanagan has plenty
to celebrate! Helen and her
62
boyfriend, Celtic footballer
Scott Sinclair, have chosen
OK! to exclusively reveal they
are expecting their second
child together.
Despite being upbeat on our festive shoot,
Helen’s pregnancy hasn’t been without its
complications, after the star suffered with
hyperemesis gravidarum – the same sickness
the Duchess of Cambridge suffered with
during her three pregnancies – during her first
trimester. As she poses with Scott and their
adorable two-year-old daughter Matilda, Helen
revealed of the extreme sickness: ‘It’s going well
now but it’s been a really difficult first trimester.
It’s been horrific.’
We also caught up with Emmerdale stars
Charley Webb and Matthew Wolfenden, and
their sons Buster and Bowie, as they prepared
to spend the yuletide together with their
extended family. Our chat came as Charley’s
brother Jamie Lomas was named runner-up in
the latest series of I’m A Celebrity – Get Me Out
Of Here!. Understandably, feeling protective of
her older sibling, Charley was keen to hit back
26
at accusations Jamie ‘bullied’ fellow camp
mate Iain Lee.
Elsewhere, it’s been a busy time for the
royal family as they prepare to welcome Prince
Harry’s fiancée, Meghan Markle, as she becomes
the first royal fiancée to attend Christmas at
Sandringham. We take a look inside what’s in
store for her on the special day and the historic
traditions she’ll be expected to uphold.
Happy Christmas from everybody at OK!.
kirsty tyler
ok! editor in chief
@kirstytyler1
on the Cover this week
54
74
4
12 30 24
visit our website www.ok.Co.uk
news and
interviews
4 OK! joins helen flanagan and scott
sinclair for an exclusive Christmas shoot to
celebrate their happy news
12 Strictly Come Dancing’s finalists
share their show experiences
20 meghan markle prepares to
celebrate her first royal Christmas –
and it’s a far cry from the time she
donned a sexy Santa outfit on Deal
Or No Deal!
26 the duchess of cambridge
gives gifts to those affected by the
Grenfell Tower fire, as the victims are
remembered at St Paul’s Cathedral
28 Prince William and Prince
harry attend the premiere of
Star Wars: The Last Jedi 52
30 The future is looking bright for
I’m A Celebrity – Get Me Out Of Here! winner
georgia ‘toff’ toffolo
36 the beckhams head to a local ice rink before
glamming up as they hit London’s Mayfair
39 jack P shePherd and his new girlfriend go public
40 brit croWd All the UK showbiz news
42 katie Price gets emotional on Loose Women
44 hollyWood confidential
46 binky felstead reveals her Christmas
wish for baby India
48 love matters Who’s found Cupid?
49 stormzy and maya jama look cosy as they
pose for snaps at idris elba’s Christmas party
50 The star-studded Military Awards
52 As she returns to EastEnders, tamzin
outhWaite talks about her time off-screen
54 charley Webb and mattheW
Wolfenden talk exclusively to OK! about their
festive family plans and why Charley is proud of
her brother for his time in the jungle
CHILLI MEDIA , GETTy IMAGES, JAMES RUDLAND, NICKy JOHNSTON, STACEy CLARKE, THE SUN/NEWS SyNDICATION, TONy WARD
62 amy childs tells OK! about life as a single mum
66 nicole kidman on her Christmas plans in Oz
68 ferne mccann, alicia dixon and mollie
king are among the OK! favourites sharing their
plans for Christmas
72 lucy fallon talks about her taste of the
West End and her ‘crazy year’
74 Coronation Street stars simon gregson and
kate ford talk about their on-screen reunion
fashionista
77 What’s in store This week’s fashion
78 fashion Christmas gowns
82 style edit Sparkle this Christmas
83 fashion sPy Rosie’s stylish week
86 beauty buzz Hangover-proof your skin!
88 beauty edit Get your glitter on
lifestyle and Chat
89 ok! diet Kristina Rihanoff
90 renee zellWeger talks about coming out
of the spotlight to focus on her personal life
92 ok! revieWs The week’s hottest releases
93 kym marsh’s ok! column
95 ok! health Ballet
98 emily andre’s ok! column
99 elizabeth mckenna on The Apprentice, those
CBB rumours and rubbing shoulders with royalty
100 ok! travel Paris
102 ok! icons Carrie Fisher
104 ok! reciPes Joe Wicks
106 ok! Parties The week’s big events
112 stars What lies ahead this week
113 ok! hotsPot Aguas de Ibiza
114 vintage ok! Natalie Cassidy
WWW.OK.CO.UK 3
 sharing their happy news in our christmas shoot
‘my gut feeling is s
that it’s a boy’
‘coronation street’ favourite helen flanagan and
footballer scott sinclair tell OK!’s phil gould they’re
thrilled to be expanding their family and relieved to
put helen’s horrendous morning sickness behind them
O
ver the years, Coronation Street
actress Helen Flanagan has never
made any secret of her desire to
become a mum. Her wish came
true in June 2015 when she gave birth to
daughter Matilda. Happily, Helen and her
boyfriend of eight years, Celtic winger Scott
Sinclair, can now exclusively reveal they are
expecting their second child.
Helen, 27 – known to millions as Rosie
Webster – and Scott, 28, have got used to
having a long-distance relationship. While
filming Corrie, Helen stays at her parents’
place in Bolton with Matilda, while Scott is
based in Glasgow. His football career has
taken off since moving north of the border,
and he was named Celtic Player Of The
Year in April.
In fact, he arrives straight from team
training for our exclusive shoot at Cameron
House, a resort and spa on the banks of
picturesque Loch Lomond. Things are
looking very festive, with lights twinkling
in the foliage outside and a huge
Christmas tree in the reception. Little
Matilda, now two, is playing with a case
full of toys while Helen has her hair and
make-up done.
The actress looks as gorgeous as
ever, despite suffering with hyperemesis
gravidarum – the same severe morning
sickness that the Duchess of Cambridge
has battled – for five weeks of her
pregnancy. The illness saw her end up in
hospital at one point.
Here, OK! sits down to hear all about the
surprise pregnancy, the family’s Christmas
plans, and how the sound of wedding bells
might not be too far away...
The couple
pose with
newborn
Matilda, who
was born in
June 2015
4
Congratulations! How is the pregnancy
going, Helen?
It’s going well now but it’s been a really
difficult first trimester. It’s been horrific.
In what ways was it horrific?
I have just been really poorly. I couldn’t
go into work and do any filming. I had
hyperemesis gravidarum; it lasted for five
weeks. It doesn’t sound like a long time but
I was just so ill. Luckily it cleared up at ten
weeks. I know some women have a horrific
time and end up in hospital for nine months,
so I was lucky, but it was horrendous.
How bad did things get?
At one point the Celtic club medic came to
see me and I was getting very bad pains.
There was some concern that I might
be having an ectopic pregnancy, but I’d
actually got a water infection. I was very
dehydrated – I couldn’t keep anything down
because I was being sick all the time.
‘It’s been a really
dIffIcult fIrst
trImester. It’s
been horrIfIc’
What happened then?
I did end up having to go to hospital here in
Glasgow. I was there for a good few hours
and they put me on a drip. I had some
scans, fluids and anti-sickness injections.
I was so poorly at this point and was
prescribed some tablets. I got through
my first pregnancy without having to take
anything, but the nurses assured me the
tablets were safe and the lightest form of
medication, and they did work.
What did you do with Matilda when you
were in the hospital?
Helen: She was with us, even when I was
on the drip. I think she just wanted to play!
Those five weeks of sickness were horrible.
I’m just glad they’re over. I don’t think I’d
ever be able to do that again.
Why do you say that?
I couldn’t have two young children and have
hyperemesis again. I got so much help.
Scott was brilliant with Matilda and both of
our mums too. If I was down in Bolton, my
sister would take Matilda to nursery.
How many weeks are you?
Just over 14 weeks.
Helen in Corrie
with her co-star
Brooke Vincent
How are you two feeling about becoming
parents again?
Scott: We’re excited. Everybody says it will
be good for Matilda to have a brother or
sister, so that has always been in our minds.
Helen: At the moment she is the centre of
attention. She’s not spoilt – she’s a lovely
little girl – but we all dote on her so much.
Do you think it will be a big leap for
you, going from one to two children?
Helen: I think we know what we’re
letting ourselves in for this time.
Becoming a parent is amazing, but we
are under no illusions and know that it
won’t be a walk in the park for us.
Scott: It’ll be a little bit harder
having two, but we’re up for the
challenge [laughs]!
Helen: We’ll work as a team and do
it together.
Have you had any odd cravings, Helen?
Now that I’m better, I’m eating a lot of meat
like sausages and bacon sandwiches.
I don’t usually eat much meat but I
keep getting sausage sandwiches from
Starbucks. Usually I’d be a pescetarian and
not eat meat at all.
Were you trying for another child?
[Both look at each other and laugh.]
Scott: It was a little bit of a surprise! I
was away in Dubai with my family. Helen
couldn’t come as she was filming. She
found out on a Thursday but had to wait
until I got home five days later to tell me.
When did you first think you might be
pregnant again, Helen?
We’d gone away for the weekend. It was
the first time we’d been away in ages. I just
didn’t want to have a drink and then on the
train home I started to feel really sick. I just
knew I was pregnant.
When did you do a pregnancy test?
When I got home from the weekend away,
but it was negative. Then a few days
 helen Wears dress by bOOhOO. matilda Wears ClOthing frOm

WWW.OK.CO.UK 5
doting dad Scott
for the challenge,’ says
having two, but we’re up
‘It’ll be a little bit harder
a seleCtiOn at melanie lOUise. sCOtt Wears ClOthing frOm a
seleCtiOn at flannels
6
this page: scott and helen wear clothing from a selection at flannels. facing page: helen
wears dress by nastygal. matilda wears clothing from a selection at melanie louise. scott
wears clothing from a selection at john lewis; and his own watch (throughout)

face to face
Helen found out she was
pregnant while Scott was

waited five days to tell him

abroad with his family, and
later, on October 5, I did another test and it was
positive. I did three more tests just to make sure
it was correct! I had a very strong feeling I was
pregnant, so I wasn’t surprised. I was very happy,
but I was a bit taken aback as this baby wasn’t
in the plan. I knew I would feel a lot better once
I’d told Scott.

Was it difficult keeping the news a secret?

It was, I was just dying to tell him face to face.
When I told him [on October 10], it made me
so happy to see his reaction. Afterwards I took
this beautiful photo of Scott, Matilda and the
pregnancy test. He looks so happy.

What was your reaction, Scott?

I was over the moon. When I was in Dubai I
thought Helen was being a little bit off with me.
She seemed really moody – as always! [Helen
bursts out laughing.]
Helen: I was a little bit of a witch with Scott
while I was ill. He was being so sweet to me and
I was being a proper witch to him!

Did you tell anybody your good news?

Scott: We just told our parents, but then
when Helen got ill we had to let some other
people know.

How are the mums feeling about having

another grandchild on the way?
Scott: They’re both really happy – I think they’re
as excited as us.
Helen: Scott’s mum is amazing and my mum
does all the childcare when I have to work. We
are lucky to have both of them.

Have you said anything to Matilda?

Helen: I’ve asked if she would like a boy or girl,
and she said girl!

How do you think she will react to having a

younger sibling?
Scott: She’ll get used to not being the centre of
the universe.
Helen: She is a very loving little girl. I know she
will be a little: ‘What’s going on?’ at first, but
she’ll cope.
What will you do to make sure Matilda
doesn’t feel left out by the imminent arrival?
Scott: There is no way she will be pushed aside
by the new baby.
Helen: I have such a strong bond with Matilda, I
would never let her feel like that. I tell her she’s
my best friend. Scott is hands on so he will look
after the baby if I want to pop out with Matilda.
Will you do anything differently this time?
Helen: I won’t have the baby in my bed! Matilda
still gets in with us. Also, when Matilda was
born, I felt really overwhelmed. My older sister,
Jane, got into baby classes and I wish I had done
more of those.
Scott: It’s special, but because we’ve been
through it once before we knew what to expect.
Do you know the sex of your baby?
Helen: No, but my gut feeling is that it’s a boy.
Scott: She said that last time!
Helen: But my skin with Matilda was beautiful
and really clear. I think it was the hormones.
[To Scott] Have you been tempted to find out?
Scott: I would rather not find out, but I think
Helen wants to know.
‘She is a very loving little
girl,’ says Helen of Matilda,
adding that they will make
sure she doesn’t feel ‘pushed
aside’ by the new arrival
[They were temporarily living in a hotel in
Sutton Coldfield.]
Helen: Looking back, that was so fab! I had the
spa and room service whenever I wanted. I had
the most relaxing pregnancy.
Are you doing any exercise, Helen?
I just have a really fast metabolism. I’m hoping
to do a little bit of swimming in the evening,
but with Matilda and my job I’m always running
around stressed [laughs]! That keeps me fit.
What sort of birth would you like?

You’re not still sleeping in the spare room,

‘I dId three more Helen: I won’t be doing hypnobirthing; it’s not
for me and it’s also about not having pain relief.
are you, Scott?
Only before games. She still sometimes creeps
tests just to As long as it doesn’t affect the baby, I want to
have pain relief. I haven’t got a big pain threshold
into our bed and I get shifted out!
make sure It was so I’ll be having an epidural [laughs]!

Will you have to stop dying your hair blonde

at some point, Helen?
That is a myth. [The NHS says it is safe to
dye your hair while pregnant.] You can’t have
Botox or fillers, though. I can’t take any acne
medication either; my skin got bad after I was ill.
When did you have your first scan?
Helen: I had one at seven weeks. All you could
see was the little heartbeat at that time. We had
another scan last week.
What were your reactions when you saw the
first scan?
correct!’
Would you like a boy or a girl?
Scott: As long as the baby is healthy, we’re not
really too fussed.
Have you thought about any names yet?
Helen: Our boy’s name is sorted, but when it
comes to girls, Matilda is our favourite name. So
we’re thinking, what will we call her?!
Do you think you’ll be more settled than
when you were expecting Matilda?
How do you feel about giving birth again?
The thought of giving birth absolutely terrifies
me, it always has. It petrifies me. Before I went
into labour last time, I cried. I was really scared.
You went through three days of labour
with Matilda...
I had an epidural, pethidine, gas and air. They
had to use forceps too, but I didn’t feel anything
because I was numb. I was well looked after.
Will it be the two of you in the delivery room?
Helen: I think so, because of those first
moments of bonding with your baby. Last
WWW.OK.CO.UK 7
 time we were really lucky as the
midwife was like an angel. She was
so lovely.
Will you take any photos, Scott?
Yes, I’ll be snapping away! Last time
I did a few in the delivery room.
Helen: [Jokingly] I look really
glamorous in them. I was looking at
him thinking, what are you doing? He
looks like a handsome doctor and
I look horrendous!
Will you have the baby in Scotland?
Helen: Yes, we are going to have the
baby here in Glasgow. I think it’s quite
nice that we had Matilda in Birmingham
as Scott was playing for Aston Villa
then, and now with our second baby,
it will be nice to tell him or her they
were born in Scotland as Daddy
plays for Celtic.
Is your mum going to fly up to
Scotland to help out when the baby
arrives, Helen?
Both our mums will.
Will you live up in Glasgow during the
baby’s first few months?
Definitely, so we can all be together.
What was it like to be named Celtic
Player Of The Year, Scott?
To get it in my first season was great.
I scored 25 goals. It was great for me
and for the club.
Do you feel content at Celtic?
I love it and I love living in Glasgow.
It’s amazing stepping onto the
pitch in front of 60,000 fans. I can’t
think of anything better. Celtic fans
are so passionate; I always have time
for them.
What’s it been like being apart with
you back filming Corrie, Helen?
We’ve been together for over eight
years. We love spending time together
but it’s nice for us to do our own things.
I think it’s healthy.
Scott: We’re never apart for too long.
Have you told anybody on the set
about your pregnancy?
A lot of people knew because I’d been
signed off sick and
some filming had
to be rescheduled.
They’ve looked
after me; Corrie
is a lovely place
to work.
What were their
reactions?
When I told Brooke
[Vincent, who
plays Helen’s
on-screen sister
Sophie Webster]
she said: ‘Oh, it’s
like an annual event
for Scott and you!’
as the baby’s due
date is not too far
away from Matilda’s
birthday!
When will you
leave Corrie?
8
I don’t know how I’ll feel or if I’ll get any
complications, but I think I’m going to
work up to my due date. I’d like some
time with Matilda before the baby
arrives, but I want to keep busy. I don’t
want to get bored, which happened a
‘It’ll be nIce
little bit last time!
to tell hIm
What about maternity leave?
I’m not sure. I want to spend time with
or her they
my new baby but I love my job.
were born
Will you breastfeed again this time?
Yes. I’m really into breastfeeding and I
In scotland’
think it’s great for the baby, but I don’t
want to make any mums feel guilty
about using a bottle.
Did you find it easy to breastfeed?
No, it was really hard! Matilda wasn’t
latching on properly. Then I discovered
nipple shields. I always tell people
about them and they think I’m a bit
nuts, but they’re brilliant. They gave
me confidence and my milk started
to flow.
Would you consider having a nanny?
Scott: It will be family helping us out.
Helen: When I go back to work we
might have to review the situation.
Matilda would have to love the nanny if
we did get one.
Has becoming parents changed you?
Scott: You learn to be responsible and
provide for your family.
Helen: I’ve always wanted to be a
mum. Even when I was a little girl, I
would think about what my children
might wear. It’s not easy all the time
but I adore being a mum.
Do you ask your parents for advice?
Scott: You do ask for advice as you go
along, and then do it your own way!
Helen: I ask Scott’s mum. She’s the
only person who can get Matilda to eat
different types of foods. My mum’s a
nursery nurse so she’s great too.
Who does Matilda take after?
Scott: I think a bit of both of us. She
has a lot of energy like me, always
running around.
Helen: She swings off things and
climbs everything. She’s definitely not
got that from me!
She has a really big
personality, so I’ll
take her to acting
classes to see if
she enjoys them.
Scott: She likes
to be the centre
of attention. I’m
not sure where
she gets that from
[laughs]!
Have you thought
any more about
marriage?
Scott: I think
we’ll get married
pretty soon.
Helen: [Looks coy
and laughs.] We
both would love to
get married
and for us all to
have same name.
 helen Wears dress frOm a seleCtiOn at jOhn leWis. matilda Wears santa COstUme
Scott in action for Celtic
Below: Helen and Scott

WWW.OK.CO.UK 9
Facing page bottom:
Matilda in Scotland.
family Christmas’ with
are planning a ‘small,

by marKs & spenCer. sCOtt Wears ClOthing frOm a seleCtiOn at flannels

 Will you stop at two children?
Scott: i think so, two is enough.
Helen: i might like another one when i’m around 36,
and the other two will be older.
Scott: i don’t know about that!

What are you doing for Christmas?

Helen: this year it will just be scott, matilda and
me – a small, family christmas. we’re seeing scott’s
parents before christmas and then mine afterwards.
Scott: i have a game on boxing day so i’ll be
travelling later on christmas day.

What presents are you getting for each other?

Helen: oh my god, scott is so hard to buy for. i
always have a massive list and i never know what to
buy him. i try and think of thoughtful things.
Scott: [to helen] thoughtful? when was the last
time you got me something?
Helen: i try! the thought is always there [laughs]!

What has Matilda asked Father Christmas to

bring her?

‘we’d love to get

married and have
the same name’
Scott: she loves barbie.
Helen: i like her to have other dolls that don’t just
have blonde hair. i want her growing up thinking that
she’s beautiful the way she looks too. i got her a ken
doll that looks like scott! we don’t want to go too
over the top when it comes to presents.

Will you make any New Year’s resolutions?

Scott: i don’t.
Helen: i like to make them. mine are usually about
being more healthy and chilling out a little more.

How did you think Jennie [McAlpine, who plays

Fizz in Corrie] got on in I’m A Celebrity…?
Helen: i love jennie, she is such a lovely person. to be
honest, i only watched little bits as i can’t watch the
jungle without feeling anxious!

You were in the jungle in 2012. Did it bring it all

back to you?
i get so much grief every year it comes on! scott will go:
‘babe, do you think you would be able to do this trial?’
i get ripped to shreds by my family. they all start
sending me youtube clips of me on the show! OK!
stockists: boohoo www.boohoo.com; flannels
www.flannels.com; john lewis www.johnlewis.com;
melanie louise www.melanielouise.com; nastygal
www.nastygal.com.
with thanks to cameron house at loch lomond, a five-
Above: Helen suspects star resort and spa. see www.cameronhouse.co.uk.
she’s having a boy, but ‘coronation street’ airs mondays, wednesdays and
Scott isn’t so sure. Top fridays on itv.

right: The star couldn’t

watch I’m A Celebrity…
without being reminded of
her own Bushtucker Trials!
10
interview by phil gould photographs by stacey clarke
additional photographs by getty images, shutterstock
styling by lorraine mcculloch hair by jay birmingham
make-up by sarah jane onyx
 this page: helen Wears dress by nastygal. matilda Wears ClOthing and shOes frOm
a seleCtiOn at melanie lOUise. sCOtt Wars ClOthing frOm a seleCtiOn at flannels.

Helen and Scott with little

WWW.OK.CO.UK 11
a big sister in the summer
Matilda, who will become
faCing page: helen and sCOtt Wear ClOthing and shOes frOm a seleCtiOn at flannels
 celebrating the ‘strictly’ finalists
‘it’s been a blessing
in disguise’
AlexAndrA Burke and GorkA MArquez talk about the
glittering highs and lows of their ‘strictly’ journey
T
aking part in Strictly Come
Dancing was more than a
dream come true for
Alexandra Burke. The 2008
The X Factor winner and her late
mother Melissa Bell were huge fans
of the show, and Alexandra admits:
‘This is her dream as well as mine.’
Soul II Soul singer Melissa sadly
passed away aged 53 just 12 days
before her daughter began the
Above: With
competition, following a battle
her late mum
with diabetes mellitus and kidney
Melissa. Below:
ailments. Explaining she was at
Mollie with AJ
her mother’s side, Alexandra says:
‘She died at four in the morning.
She waited for me to drive home
from Blackpool. I started playing her
music and just held her hand. And
she went.’
Preparing for her first Christmas
without her mother, Alexandra says:
‘Mum made Christmas special.
Christmas means everything.’
But determined to do her mother
proud, Alexandra threw herself
into the show with professional
dance partner Gorka Márquez.
Heartbreakingly, she attended the
launch show just hours after her
mother’s passing, admitting: ‘The sun came
up. I went home, showered and went straight to
the recording.’
Despite being firm favourites with the judges,
the pair faced criticism from cruel online trolls,
with some branding Alexandra’s emotional
responses to the panel’s praise as ‘fake’.
She comments: ‘There have been days when
I have broken down. It’s just a shame some
people can’t see how hard I’m working – there’s
nothing fake about that. Gorka and I know what
the truth is.’
And new judge Shirley Ballas, who will
reportedly be returning for a second series, has
defended the star. Praising Alexandra, she said:
‘Everything about you is sincere.’
Above: Alexandra and
footballer boyfriend Josh
Ginnelly. Top right: With
Strictly partner Gorka
12
After making it to
the final, Alexandra
and Gorka have landed
themselves a coveted
spot on the Strictly tour.
They will be joined by
their fellow finalists, as well as Susan Calman
and Kevin Clifton, Davood Ghadami and Nadiya
Bychkova and Jonnie Peacock and Oti Mabuse.
While Mollie King and AJ Pritchard are not
going to be on the tour, they further fuelled
rumours of romance as AJ rested his hand on
Mollie’s leg on an episode of Strictly – It Takes Two.
While Alexandra has been dating footballer
Josh Ginnelly since April last year, rumours of
romance between Gorka and fellow contestant
Gemma Atkinson have been swirling.
Ahead of the Strictly final, OK! caught up with
the pair to hear all about their journey and how
they will be friends for life…
How has the Strictly journey been for the
both of you?
Alexandra: I still remember getting the call
and screaming so much I lost my voice. At the
time I was going through so much and when
we started, that was a very hard time for
me. It’s been a blessing in disguise and given
me something to focus on. I’ve also got the
most amazing friendship with Gorka, it’s been
absolutely out of this world.
Gorka: I’ve loved every day with Alexandra. Last
year was my first year and I was out very soon,
so this year the whole experience has been
incredible for me and it’s all thanks to her. She
gave her best every single day and it has made
my job so easy.
Alexandra, how do you think your mum would
feel to see your Strictly success?
This was my mum’s favourite show and I think
she would be very proud. My mum was just the
most amazing woman
who gave me so much
strength and she still does
to this day.
Have online trolls tainted
the experience for you
at all?
Alexandra: We dealt with
it by just getting on with
it. Sometimes it can take
a toll on you mentally but
you can’t help reading
certain things when you’ve
got apps like Twitter
and Instagram on your
phone. But there is so
much more love out there,
so I concentrate on that
positivity. The trolls can
just go away!
Gorka, when did you
realise that Alexandra
had real potential?
You can get someone with potential but you
need to work each week. All of this year’s
contestants have passion so it makes it easier.
What have you got planned for life after
Strictly, Alexandra?
I’m going to see Debbie [McGee] in panto and
going to see Aston [Merrygold] on tour. I’m
looking forward to some sleep. We’ll have a lot
of reunions because we’re all very close. But
who knows what’s going to happen next for me?
I just want to enjoy some family time.
Since being on the show, have you had many
people reach out to say you have inspired
them, Alexandra?
The feedback I’ve got online is that I’ve shown
that whatever you’re going through in life, you
can find a good outcome. I had the opportunity
to take a step back and say to myself, maybe I’m
not ready to do the show mentally, but actually
I’ve surprised myself. I’ve had ups and downs,
but I’ve done something that has brought me
such joy. If I can inspire somebody else to do
what they love in the toughest of times, then
that’s what I’m here for.
Everyone always describes the Strictly
experience as like a family…
Alexandra: Some people genuinely don’t
believe that, but when we all first met, that was
a magical moment. Fast forward three months
later and even those who left the show early,
we talk to them every day on our group chat and
everyone is so supportive. OK!
TurN THE PAGE FOr Our CHAT WITH JOE McFADDEN.
rEPOrT BY KATIE LANGFOrD-FOSTEr
PHOTOGrAPHS BY BBC, JOrGE MONEDErO/CAMErA PrESS,
GETTY IMAGES, INSTAGrAM, SHuTTErSTOCK, WENN
 ‘i’ve got
the most
amazing
friendship
with gorka’

‘I’ve had ups and

downs, but I’ve
done something
that has brought
me such joy,’ says
Alexandra of her
time on Strictly
WWW.OK.CO.UK 13
 the last man dancIng

‘It feels lIke

a dream
come true’
former ‘holby cIty’ star
joe mfadden and Katya jones
speak to ok! about workIng
together and what’s next

F
ormer Holby City star Joe Joe at his Holby
McFadden admits he City character
‘couldn’t really walk, let Raf’s memorial
alone dance’ before
embarking on his Strictly Come
Dancing journey. But with a
little help from his professional
partner Katya Jones, 28, and
her cracking choreography, the
currently single actor defied
the odds to kick and flick his
way into the final.
Few could forget their quirky
cabaret samba or their toy soldier-themed Here, he and Katya tell
Charleston, which fellow contestant Debbie OK! why regular naps are
McGee has hailed as her favourite dance the key to success and how
from the series! Joe is hoping to put his new
As he began to blossom midway through skills to good use…
the competition, judge Shirley Ballas branded
Joe, 42, this year’s dark horse. But Russian What did it mean to make
dancer Katya, who is married to fellow Strictly it to the final?
professional Neil Jones, admits: ‘I did see a lot of Joe: Like a dream come
potential in the beginning!’ true! All those months
The Scottish star recently surprised Holby ago when we started and
City fans when his character Raf di Lucca was I couldn’t really walk, let
Above: Joe says his Strictly
sensationally killed off after being gunned down alone dance, I would never
experience has been ‘so
by the son of his boss. Posing with the surgeon’s have dared to think I would
enjoyable’. Below left: Dancing
memorial on the BBC show’s set in an Instagram be there. To be in the
the Charleston with Katya Jones
picture, Joe called it ‘one of the strangest final with these amazing
moments’ of his life. women was an amazing
and beautiful thing. I can’t really remember care and really looked after us. I’ve never felt so
REPoRT By KATIE LANGFoRD-FoSTER; PHoToGRAPHS By BBC, GETTyIMAGES, INSTAGRAM

having a life before this show!
Katya: Joe was the last guy standing so I’m
really proud of that. I did see a lot of potential in
the beginning and I was like: ‘He’s mine!’ I think
they will have to prise me off him now [laughs].
What have you got planned now Strictly is
finished, Joe?
Just sleep for about a month! Find out what my
life’s like, pay some bills, do some laundry. That’s each week than we were the week before.
the exciting thing. I’ve just come out of Holby
City so it’s a completely clean slate. Hopefully I’ll How does it feel to be a role model to many
be able to use some of the skills that Katya has
been drumming into me!
Did you guys have any backstage rituals that
helped you get through each week?
Joe: At least one, if not two or three naps before
every live show! As long as I get 15 minutes then
I’m good.
What has the support been like from
the public?
Joe: It’s so overwhelming. Everyone wants to
talk to you about what Aljaž [Skorjanec] is like
and whether Anton [du Beke] is just as nice
as he seems! It’s lovely to be a part of a show
that’s so loved. The production team really
supported in a job and like it wasn’t a job at all
because it’s so enjoyable.
When did you know that Joe had real
potential, Katya?
A big part is that the producers create perfect
pairings. My job, and my pleasure, was to find his
strengths. We brought out the best in each other
and, from day one, I just wanted to be better
Strictly viewers, Joe?
I certainly don’t feel like a role model at all. I
don’t really feel like a celebrity! I’m just an actor.
I think if I were to inspire people perhaps it would
be if you want to do something, just put the work
in and get on with it. I hope people will look at
me and see that if you apply yourself and if you
have a fantastic Russian partner, you can do
pretty much anything [laughs]!
What’s been your favourite dance from
another contestant this series?
Joe: Debbie’s Frankenstein Charleston – it
was iconic! OK!
TuRN THE PAGE FoR ouR CHAT WITH FELLoW
‘STRICTLy’ STAR DEBBIE McGEE.

14
 plaNNINg lIfE afTEr ‘STrIcTly’
‘IT’S BEEN
a rEally
SpEcIal TImE’
DEBBIE MGEE aND GIOVANNI PERNICE
Talk aBOUT THEIr UNIqUE frIENDSHIp
aND INSpIrINg THE OlDEr gENEraTION
W
hen Debbie McGee’s magician
husband Paul Daniels sadly passed
away from a brain tumour in 2016,
aged 77, she said that she
completely lost her ‘sparkle’. But her sparkle is
definitely back with a vengeance after setting
the dance floor alight with professional partner
Giovanni Pernice.
The 59 year old quickly became a judge
and fan favourite with her impressive routines,
flexibility and high kicks, with many praising
Debbie for her ageless talent. Despite regularly
topping the leader board, she has no doubt
that Paul would still have given her tips for
improvement. ‘He would always have wanted
me to do better than I was doing,’ she continued:
‘I could imagine, if Paul was alive and watching
me every week, he would give me notes.’
Meanwhile, Giovanni recently sparked
rumours that Jessica Wright is in the running
for next year’s line-up. The pair, who became
friends when Jess’s brother Mark appeared on
the show in 2014, shared an intense discussion
outside London’s Soho House.
Here, Debbie chats about dealing with
criticism, and Giovanni, 27, tells us about the
time that he first saw the potential in his
Strictly partner…
Debbie, people have loved seeing you fly the
flag for older women. Is that something you
have been conscious of?
Yes, I couldn’t not be conscious of it because
from week one I got so many messages. People
saying that I’ve made them realise that no
matter what’s going on in your life you can
carry on, or what age you are you can just have
a go. That has been a huge part of my Strictly
experience. The downside is that the whole
country knows how old I am!
16
Do you think you’re a role model?
I can’t believe the reaction I’ve had
from people of all age groups saying
how inspiring I am. I get stopped
all the time! It’s a fantastic feeling
knowing someone has watched me
and I’ve made their life happier.
Have you had much male attention
being Flexie McGee?
I haven’t had time to even notice. I’ve
just been learning dances and there
is no time for anything else in your
life while Strictly is on.
Above: ‘I can’t believe the reaction I’ve
The friendship between the two of
had from people of all ages,’ says
you has blossomed…
Debbie. Above left: With late husband
Debbie: From day one we just got
Paul Daniels. Left: Giovanni calls
on. We both have the same sense of
Debbie ‘Flexie McGee’
humour and work ethic. It’s been a
really special time.
Giovanni: It’s been the best time of my life. I ‘Can you split?’ She said: ‘I think I can.’ She did
have been on Strictly for three series and it’s not the kick and I was like: ‘Wow, this is going to be
just about dancing. When you spend time with amazing! Thank you so much, Flexie McGee! I’m
someone in the training room that you really get going to have the best time of my life with you.’
rePorT BY kATIe LAnGForD-FoSTer; PHoToGrAPHS BY
on with, it makes the experience even better. I saw the other girls and thought, yes, beautiful,
pretty, but I’ve got Flexie McGee! It was like
How have you dealt with some of the Christmas come early when she did the kick.
negative comment?
Debbie: I always listen and if it’s constructive I Debbie, what’s next for you?
take it on board, but if it’s anything negative for I’ve been so lucky to be on Strictly and it
the sake of criticising then I always completely opens doors, so I want to make the most out of
BBC, GeTTY IMAGeS, SHuTTerSToCk
shut it out of my mind. it as that’s what being in our business is about.
At what point did you realise that Debbie Debbie you’re a big fan of Ashtanga yoga. Will
had potential? you be doing a DVD?
Giovanni: In the launch show when we got Well there are lots of things bubbling and I
partnered you can see how shocked my face haven’t decided yet. After Christmas I’m going to
was. The reason why was because we did a little look with my agent at everything that has come
bit of dancing together in the group number and in and that’s certainly something I’ll consider.
I saw that some potential was there so I was Giovanni: I will be the first one to buy it! OK!
super happy to be dancing with Debbie. The first
week when we did the paso doble I said to her: Turn THe PAGe For our CHAT WITH GeMMA ATkInSon.
 tHe belle of tHe ballroom

‘He Has made

me laugH until
my stomacH
Hurts’
Gemma atkinson talks to ok! about Her
bond witH aljaz skorjanec and Her pride
at doing it for tHe gym bunnies

o
ne thing it’s been beautiful. we’ve
gemma mostly been having fun
atkinson will and then we’ve done some
take away dancing too. we had the
from her Strictly Come best series. some beautiful
Dancing experience is a ups and a few lows but we
life-long friendship with got there. i’ve loved it.
professional partner
aljaž skorjanec and his Aston Merrygold
wife Janette manrara. leaving so early was a
the former Emmerdale huge shock. What was
actress tells OK! that the biggest surprise of
she’s planning a trip to the series for you?
aljaz’s home country, Gemma: the biggest shock
saying: ‘i’m going to for me was being sat there
slovenia for his birthday in the final!
– me and Janette have
been planning it!’ At what point did you
it hasn’t been an easy know that Gemma had
road for gemma, but the the potential to go all the
determined star came way, Aljaž?
back fighting every week every single day. on a
and won over the public monday, for example, if we
in the process. a keen were doing a waltz, gemma
gym bunny, the 33 year would walk in wearing
old admits she’s proud latin shoes and a short
to have flown the flag skirt! then by saturday,
for the more athletic she can deliver a beautiful
women out there. waltz. you realise if you give
rumours of a something enough time
ballroom romance and effort, you can really
between gemma and achieve a lot. it’s only with
show professional gorka gemma’s determination
márquez have been rife and willingness to rehearse
in recent weeks, although the pair have so that we’ve done that, bearing in mind she
far remained quiet on any speculation. wakes up at 4.30am every day for her radio
here, aljaž, 27, tells us how gemma show! so by the time i saw her she was
taught him the true meaning of hard cross-eyed. every day you are proud.
report by katie langford-foster; photographs by bbc,

work and gemma explains why she never

thought we’d see her in a ballroom gown…
You kicked off the first show, did
you ever imagine you’d be there at
the end too?
Gemma, how does it feel to have become
a role model for girls who like to work out?
obviously i love the gym and i don’t have a
petite dancer’s physique. everyone said to
me, there’s no way you’ll be able to do this
getty images, instagram, tony ward

Gemma: no, never! we watched our
first dance back the other week and it
was bad on the night, but watching it
back was really bad! aljaž has been so
patient with me. we had 57 training
Above: Gemma sessions in total and in every single
says she feels more one he has made me laugh until my
comfortable in the stomach hurts.
boxing ring than in the
ballroom with Aljaž Aljaž, you’ve made it to the final
(top right inset). Above before – how was the experience
right inset: Gemma different with Gemma?
with Janette and Aljaž
because you’re too muscular or you’re too
much of a tomboy. i’ve loved the idea that
women who perhaps do weight training,
boxing or who don’t like wearing dresses at
the weekends have said to me: ‘i’m going
to try and do some dancing because you
can do it.’ you shouldn’t be stereotyped
because of your build or what you gravitate
towards as your hobby. i never thought in
a million years i’d have a frock on dancing
a Viennese waltz with aljaž. i feel more
comfortable in a boxing ring! OK!
WWW.OK.CO.UK 19
 Festive Fun with the FaMily

Meghan’s
First royal
ChristMas
aFter her reCent engageMent
announCeMent, meghan
markle Makes plans to join
her majesty the Queen
at sandringhaM For the
annual Celebration

F
ormer Suits star Meghan
Markle is gearing up to spend
her first Christmas with the
royal family following her
engagement to Prince Harry.
Kensington Palace recently
confirmed that Harry and Meghan
are set to tie the knot on May 19
and it’s thought that the
Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin
Welby, has agreed to marry the
couple in St George’s Chapel at
Windsor Castle. However, he
declined to confirm that he would
officiate the ceremony during a
recent radio interview, saying only
that it was ‘up to them’.
Meghan is the first royal
fiancée allowed to take part in the
Christmas festivities at Her Majesty
the Queen’s Norfolk estate,
Sandringham House. However, the spending the holidays with her
newly engaged Duchess of fiancé Mike Tindall.
Cambridge only missed out on Dickie Arbiter, the Queen’s
Above: Prince Harry and Meghan.
spending the festive holiday at former press spokesperson,
Above right: The royals all watch
Sandringham in 2010 because her explains why Meghan will be made
the Queen’s speech on Christmas
husband-to-be, Prince William, to feel so welcome by her fiancé’s
Day. Bottom: Sandringham House
was in Anglesey with his RAF grandmother: ‘The Queen always
search-and-rescue squadron. likes to celebrate Christmas with
Kensington Palace confirmed as many of her family as possible,’
that Meghan has accepted the he says, adding: ‘And Harry will
invitation to join the royals at be wanting to enjoy as many
Sandringham as part of their Christmases as possible with his
annual three-day get-together. She grandparents before they go off to
will be seen in public with other the great palace in the sky!’
members of the Queen’s family As a laid-back Californian,
when they attend the traditional Meghan will be entering a new
morning service on December 25. world steeped in tradition. From
A representative for the palace the moment she arrives at
said: ‘You can expect to see the Sandringham, her stay will be
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, strictly timetabled, with rules on
Prince Harry and Ms Markle at when to eat breakfast, when to
Sandringham on Christmas Day.’ enjoy a walk in the grounds and
Royal experts agree that when to retire for bed.
Meghan’s presence will please At 4pm on Christmas Eve,
Her Majesty immensely. ‘The Meghan will join the family in the
Queen will be very keen to White Drawing Room for home-
get to know Meghan,’ says baked scones and Earl Grey tea,
Duncan Larcombe, former royal while the finishing touches are
correspondent and author of Prince made to the 20ft Nordmann fir
Harry: The Inside Story. ‘It would Christmas tree, including a gold
have been a snub to her new star which is said to be placed on
family if she hadn’t accepted,’ he the top by Prince Philip. Cheap and
adds, recalling the Christmas cheerful gifts are exchanged that
when the Queen’s granddaughter night, in keeping with the family’s
Zara Phillips chose to give German heritage. Harry reportedly
Sandringham a miss in favour of once gave the Queen a shower
20
 The royal family
always attend the
Christmas Day
service at church

Above: Meghan is preparing

for her first Christmas with
the royals. Right, above right
and far right: Traditions
include baked scones,
crackers and tea in the
White Drawing Room
WWW.OK.CO.UK 21
 cap featuring the
slogan: ‘ain’t life a
b***h.’ the presents
are placed on a
white linen covered
trestle table, with
cards marking where
each individual’s gift
should go. meghan,
36, might want to
take a tip from kate,
who gave the Queen
some homemade
chutney using her
own grandmother’s
recipe on her first
christmas with the
royals. ‘i was slightly
worried about it, but i
noticed the next day
that it was on the table,’ kate recalled.
at the evening’s candlelit dinner,
meghan will need to wear a glamorous
gown. in fact, she’ll require five outfit
changes for her visit – something kate
once admitted feeling apprehensive
about. meghan may seek style advice
from her rumoured new pal Victoria
beckham. it has been reported that
the designer has offered her hair and
beauty tips after meeting in secret.
a friend claims: ‘they’ve grown
close and regularly text,’ after Victoria,
43, recommended meghan visit
london-based facialist to the stars
sarah chapman. the friend added:
‘meghan trusts and appreciates her
advice. she’s even thinking about
using Victoria’s hairdresser over the
christmas period.’
after the evening dinner, which ends
at 10pm, the Queen – who meghan
Above: ‘Harry will want to make
this Christmas really special,’
says Duncan. Above right inset:
Inside St Mary Magdelene church.
Right: Meghan and her mum
Doria. Below: Ralph Heimans’
painting of Prince Philip
22
has described as ‘an incredible
woman’, having met her several
times – signals for the corgis
to be led out while the ladies
adjourn, leaving prince philip to
serve port or brandy to the men.
on the big day itself, after a
cooked breakfast, the whole
family attends the 11am service
at the parish church of st mary
magdalene in the grounds of
the Queen’s private 20,000 acre
estate. meghan is expected to
join harry, William and kate in
greeting well-wishers who’ve
gathered to catch a glimpse of
the royal party.
once back at sandringham
house, 50 minutes are allocated
for the traditional dinner of
lobster or shrimp salad, a turkey from one of the
estate’s farmers with all the trimmings, followed
by christmas pudding. the children are seated
in the nursery and bespoke christmas crackers,
made by Dorset company celebration crackers,
are pulled. everyone, bar the Queen, wears paper
hats. afternoon activities include charades,
card games, a country walk and a viewing of the
Queen’s recorded speech on tV. in the evening
they often watch a film and tuck into a buffet of
cold meats, christmas cake and yule log.
it is reported meghan’s mum Doria ragland
may not be joining in on the festive activities.
Dickie suggests meghan and harry will stay at
anmer hall, the cambridges’ country residence,
and kate is said to be keen to give meghan a
‘magical and memorable’ first christmas. in
return, meghan will keep kate and the children
company on boxing Day while the rest join prince
philip on his annual pheasant shoot.
meghan and harry’s christmas countdown
will be spent at nottingham cottage, where they
enjoy cosy evenings in. perhaps she and harry,
33 – who is said to have given up smoking for his
bride-to-be and is rumoured to be buying her a
labrador as an early wedding present – will pick
out a 6ft tree from pines and needles in london’s
battersea park, like they did last year.
Duncan says: ‘all the pressure about the
speculation over their romance has gone and
harry will want to make this christmas really
special. they’ll be making plans, like two cats
that got the cream, excited just like any couple
getting married.’
this week, meghan – who is said to have hired
martial arts expert matt fiddes to teach her
self-defence – was expected to meet harry’s
extended family at the pre-christmas dinner
at buckingham palace, marking her first official
invitation to the royal residence.
interestingly, insiders have commented that
it’s not just the future in-laws that meghan
has to impress. she’s also worked hard to win
over harry’s friends, in particular the wives and
girlfriends of his aristocratic pals. the ‘keen
networker’ has already forged friendships
with the likes of lara hughes-young – whose
Jamaican wedding to tom ‘skippy’ inskip
meghan attended in march – and rose astor,
wife of harry’s longtime pal hugh van custem.
as head of the membership committee at soho
farmhouse, rose was reportedly influential in
allowing harry and meghan some privacy at the
a-list retreat in the early days of their romance.
meanwhile, a new official portrait of the Duke
of edinburgh, painted by ralph heimans, has
been released to mark his retirement from
royal duties. the piece shows the 95 year
old standing in the grand corridor at
Windsor castle. OK!
turn the page for meghan’s past christmases.
report by michelle garnett photographs by alamy,
alpha, facebook, getty images, pa, retna
 step baCk in tiMe

Meghan’s
ChristMas
history
froM sexy gaMe show outfits
to posing in ChristMas hats,
Meghan Markle’s festive past
is a far Cry froM sandringhaM

m
eghan markle’s past Christmases after gaining a degree in theatre
couldn’t be more different from the and international studies.
royal event she’ll be attending this she described her time filming
year – and it’s safe to say that she 34 episodes of the game show
won’t be reviving her sexy ‘mrs Claus’ look when as ‘a learning experience’ that
she sits down to Christmas lunch at ‘helped me to understand what i
Above, above left and
sandringham this week! would rather be doing’.
below right: On the
the former Suits actress wore the flirty meanwhile, another festive
Christmas episode of
festive outfit during the early days of her tV throwback photo has emerged
Deal Or No Deal in 2006
career, when she was working as a ‘briefcase (below). tweeted by meghan in
babe’ on the Us version of Deal Or No Deal. 2011, it shows her with her Suits
Broadcast on Christmas Day in 2006, co-stars sarah rafferty and rick Hoffman, who
meghan, then 25, posed cheerfully in a fake fur- play Donna Paulsen and Louis Litt. she wrote
trimmed red velvet mini dress and black heels. online: ‘sending lots of love to all of you!’ OK!
she later said of her time
on the game show: ‘i’d
Sending season’s
put that in the category
greetings from the
of things i was doing
set of Suits in 2011
while i was auditioning to
try to make ends meet.’
referring to her wardrobe
on the show, she added:
‘i would end up standing
there forever in these
terribly uncomfortable
and inexpensive five-
inch heels, just waiting
for someone to pick my
number so i could go and
sit down.’
it’s been reported that
some of the girls on the
show stuffed their bras
getty images, twitter

ahead of filming and that

meghan would have been
‘inspected’ by producers
to make sure she wasn’t
putting on weight.
meghan, now 36, had
previously worked in the
Us embassy in argentina
24
 the spirit of christmas

kate gives gifts to

grenfell victims
the duchess of cambridge attends a christmas party in west
london as she brings joy to those displaced by the tragic fire

W
ith her two
young children
no doubt
getting very
excited about Christmas
Day, the Duchess of
Cambridge got in some
practice ahead of the
festivities, handing out
presents during a charity visit.
Kate, 35, was visiting
the Rugby Portobello Trust,
which provides support to
people in the local area and
practical advice to former
residents of Grenfell Tower,
when she decided to help
give out gifts to children,
many of whom lost their
homes during the fire in June.
During a visit to the trust’s
west London community
centre for their Christmas
party, pregnant Kate met
with some parents who
attend their Magic Mums
support group, many of
whom were also affected
by the blaze.
Wearing a burgundy
bouclé jacket by maternity
brand Séraphine, Kate –
whose third child is due in
April – spoke to a group
of young people, telling
them: ‘It’s amazing for all
of you to have this support,
particularly at such a difficult,
such a tragic time.’
Kate first wore the
Above and right: The duchess was all smiles
flattering empire-line Marina
at the Rugby Portobello Trust Christmas
jacket during a trip to New
party, where she handed out presents
York in 2014, when she was
pregnant with her daughter
Princess Charlotte, now two. singer Adele, who was spotted breaking down
Later in the week, Kate joined her husband in tears during the emotional service. Actress
the Duke of Cambridge and brother-in-law Carey Mulligan was also accompanied by her
Prince Harry at St Paul’s Cathedral for a multi- musician husband Marcus Mumford.
faith memorial service for the 71 people who Meanwhile, Kate
died in the blaze. Also in attendance was also joined William
to receive a gold
Blue Peter badge to
mark their campaign
work around
children’s mental
health. The royal pair
were handed the
prestigious badge

Above: The royal

wrapped up in a
Séraphine Marina Above: Kate and
coat, which she also William with their Blue
wore while pregnant Peter badge (right)
in 2014 (far right)
26
 Above: Kate, William and
Harry (below) at St Paul’s
Cathedral, where they were
joined by Adele and Carey
Mulligan (bottom)

during a trip to the

show’s studios in
salford, 15 years
after her majesty
the Queen was
also given one
during her golden
Jubilee year.
accepting
the badge from
presenters lindsey
russell and radzi
Chinyanganya,
prince william, 35, remarked: ‘that’s very
touching. thank you very, very much.’ he later
joked that he would enjoy comparing his badge
with his grandmother’s.
Kate added: ‘it’s hugely special. mental
health has been a learning process for us too.
we want to get everyone talking about it so it
hasn’t got that stigma its had.’
after their visit, Blue Peter editor ewan
Vinnicombe revealed: ‘his royal highness
was particularly impressed with a drawing of
his grandmother wearing a tiara that one of
the children had sent in.’ the pair are in good
company after being recognised for their work
by the show. mary berry, david beckham and
sir david attenborough are also proud owners
of the gold badge. OK!
turn the page for the royal guests at ‘the
last Jedi’ premiere.

report by laura hills photographs by getty images,

pa, pixel8000 ltd, twitter, wenn

WWW.OK.CO.UK 27
 the force is strong with them

the royals’ jedi night

prince william and prince harry attend the latest ‘star wars’
premiere with john boyega, alexandra burke and daisy ridley

S
elf-proclaimed Star
Wars geeks the Duke
of Cambridge and
Prince Harry took to
the red carpet at the Star
Wars: The Last Jedi premiere
in London after apparently
bagging secret cameos in the
highly anticipated film.
The royal brothers looked
delighted to attend the
star-studded premiere as
they made their way into
London’s Royal Albert Hall
accompanied by droid BB-8.
In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-
it moment in the new movie,
William and Harry reportedly
appear as Stromtroopers.
Eagled-eyed Star Wars
fans claim to have spotted
the princes during the scene
thanks to their height, with
both measuring over 6ft
tall, while Stormtroopers
are usually required to be no
taller than 5ft 11in.
William, 35, and Harry, 33,
reportedly filmed the scene
last April during a private
tour of the set at Pinewood
Studios in Buckinghamshire.
Opening up about showing
the princes around the set,
Daisy Ridley, who looked
Above: Daisy Ridley,
stunning in a black Calvin
who plays Rey in the
Klein gown, said: ‘I’m not
film. Below: Adam
great at small talk so I found
Driver, aka Kylo Ren
it a bit awkward at the
beginning to be honest! But
the thing I think is wonderful but leading man John Boyega,
is there are so many people who plays Finn, appeared to
who have worked far joke last week that
longer and harder he had ‘personally
than we have, so to apologised’ to
introduce them to the the princes at the
people who aren’t premiere about their
publicly recognised for scenes not making
the work they do felt it. ‘I did personally
pretty cool.’ apologise to them
The film’s director yesterday and said:
Rian Johnson says he “Sorry you were
will neither confirm nor cut out of the film.”
deny whether the pair And Will was like: “I
actually made the cut, probably just need

Above: Prince William and

Prince Harry walk the red
carpet. Right: Star Wars star
John Boyega brought his
family along

28

Above: Little Eloisa Lerner presents
Harry with a Stormtrooper helmet.
Above right: The star-studded
premiere was held at the Royal
Albert Hall. Right: Stormtroopers
pose with BB-8
Below: John in action
as Finn. Right: John
and co-star Oscar
Isaac share a laugh
with Prince William.
Far right: BB-8 bows to
the royals. Below inset:
Mark Hamill with the
late Carrie Fisher
to work more on the skills.” I was like: “Maybe
bruv,”’ said the 25 year old.
Peckham-born John made the premiere a
family affair as he walked the red carpet with
his parents, Abigail and Samson, as well as his
sisters Blessing and Grace and his nephews JJ
and Ezra.
The film’s other stars – Oscar Isaac, Adam
Driver and Mark Hamill – were also
on hand and were seen chatting
with the royals.
Mark, who plays legendary Jedi
Luke Skywalker, used the occasion
to pay tribute to his friend and
Star Wars co-star of four decades,
Carrie Fisher, who filmed scenes
for the movie before her death
last December.
Speaking of Carrie, who played
his character’s twin sister Leia,
Mark said: ‘I’m angry because she should be here
now, looking forward to the next one, flipping
the bird and making me laugh. I still can’t get my
head around the fact she has gone, because she
was so vital, so strong.’
Alexandra Burke also took time out from
rehearsing for the Strictly Come Dancing final to
be there on the night.
Once inside the Royal Albert
Hall, William and Harry spent time
talking to fans of the sci-fi films,
including eight-year-old Eloisa
Lerner, who presented the pair
with Stormtrooper helmets.
Daisy, who plays Rey, recently
revealed that she went through
six months of therapy to cope
with the overnight fame she has
garnered from the film franchise.
‘I have always suffered with
Alexandra Burke
brought boyfriend Josh
Ginnelly as her date
anxiety since I was a teenager. I should have
done it way before, but I suddenly realised how
good it is to talk about this stuff,’ the 25 year old
said, continuing: ‘Going through the whole thing
with the same group of people is wonderful,
but also occasionally it’s really good to step
away [from the cast and crew of Star Wars] and
actually really process what went on, and how
I felt in it all.’
The actress was spotted at the film’s
after-party with her rumoured boyfriend Tom
Bateman for the very first time. The pair’s
reported romance came to light last month
after they were said to have fallen for each other
while filming Murder On The Orient Express. OK!
TuRn TO PAGE 92 FOR OK!’S REvIEW OF ‘THE LAST JEDI’ AnD
PAGE 102 FOR OuR LOOk BACk AT CARRIE FISHER’S LIFE.
REPORT By LAuRA HILLS PHOTOGRAPHS By GETTy IMAGES,
LIAM ARTHuR nORRIS, SHuTTERSTOCk
WWW.OK.CO.UK 29
 after her jungle victory
‘i thought everyone
would think i was this
blonde airhead’
‘i’m a celebrity – get me out of here!’
winner georgia ‘toff’ toffolo is going
from strength to strength, with a
glittering future ahead of her
E
ven though she was an early favourite
to win, Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo’s I’m A
Celebrity – Get Me Out Of Here! victory
was quite the surprise to the ‘shell-
shocked’ contestant herself. The Made In
Chelsea star won over the nation to be
crowned the third queen of the jungle in a row,
admitting: ‘I didn’t think I had this strength – I said: ‘I am quite small but it doesn’t mean
even shocked myself.’ And we’re expecting big
things from our freshly crowned jungle royalty,
as she proclaims: ‘I want to use my influence
with this to do good.’
After emerging victorious from the
Australian outback, Toff confessed: ‘I couldn’t
believe I was there in the first place. I won’t
forget swinging on my hammock the first night
I got there thinking, how on earth have you
pulled this blinder, Georgia?’
The 23 year old added: ‘There were
immensely talented people in there and I don’t
really have any talent of note. Every day it got
more surreal. I thought everyone would think
I was this blonde airhead.’
But that didn’t stop her topping the public
poll every single night and taking 71 per cent of
Above: Toff was greeted by her
mum as she left the jungle.
Left: Touching down in the UK.
Above right: The queen of the
jungle with Ant and Dec
30
the vote in her landslide victory. It was Toff’s
sunny demeanour, combined with her steely
determination in the face of some of the
toughest Bushtucker Trials, that cemented her
status as the most popular campmate. And
when Jamie Lomas, 42, and Amir Khan,
31, questioned her ability to do a trial, she
I am less mighty.’
Fresh from being greeted by her beloved
mum and grandparents as she left the jungle,
she laughs: ‘With me harping on about girls
being as strong as boys, I had to prove it.’
And we’re not the only ones who have
fallen head over heels in love with SW3’s most
charming resident. The reality star has been
inundated with offers of TV work, with ITV and
Channel 4 reportedly vying to sign her up for
deals worth up to £5 million!
what you guys do – I want to try it. But who
The BBC apparently have their sights set on
knows?’ A cheeky Piers joked that his 24-year-
Toff as a panellist and there have even been
old son Spencer, who is already good pals
reports of a new career as a Conservative
with Toff, is keen to date her now that she is on
MP, but Toff insists: ‘I just want people talking
course to become a millionaire. ‘Your son and
about politics and engaging – I don’t want to
I have had probably the most belting nights
get involved in party politics.’
out of anyone I know,’ Toff laughed.
Admitting her
Spencer’s isn’t the only eye Toff has
new-found wealth
caught. Her agent has reportedly
would be welcomed,
been inundated with offers of
Toff said: ‘The first
dates for the star, since she
thing I said to my
revealed she currently has no
mum when I came
plans for New Year’s Eve
out was: “Mum,
following her splitfrom
I haven’t paid
her former boyfriend
my rent.”’
James Middleton.
Although she is
The couple
still contracted to
broke up just
do one more series
days before
of Made In Chelsea,
Toff headed
when asked by Piers
into the
Morgan on Good
Morning Britain what
she’d like to do next,
Toff revealed: ‘I
want to do
 ‘I just want people
talking about politics
and engaging – I don’t
want to get involved in
party politics,’ says Toff
after speculation she
might become an MP

WWW.OK.CO.UK 31
 ‘I want to use my
partnerships I’m influence with this to
A Celebrity… has do good,’ says Toff of
seen, and we her recent victory
fell in love with
their bond.
Talking of
her new pal,
Toff reveals:
‘It was love
at first sight…
I was utterly
Above: Toff with her
enamoured
former boyfriend
by him. It felt
James Middleton.
like having
Below: On Made In
a university
Chelsea with Louise
professor at
Thompson
our disposal.
I’d love to go
Australian jungle, and round his for lunch
had planned to spend with Boris.’
New Year together in Despite her
South Africa. academic nature,
But romance is school wasn’t always
now the last thing on a breeze for Toff.
the reigning queen After attending The
of the jungle’s mind, Maynard School in
despite her former Exeter, Toff moved to
flame singing her Blundell’s, a boarding
praises over the school in nearby
last three weeks Tiverton, because she
on Instagram. had been targeted by
She commented: school bullies.
‘This is my time to Toff admits: ‘I’m
concentrate on so glad my parents
me and my career moved me away from
and not boys.’ that school. It was a
Opening up about time in my life that
her most recent I hated.’
romance, the bubbly After leaving
blonde admits: school, she began
‘I’m very shocked a law degree at
and touched he Westminster
supported me... I have University before
so much respect for dropping out.
him because our split Laughing off recent
was tough on him.’ reports she is a law
She also recently graduate, Toff admits:
shared of their split: ‘I did freshers week
‘The confidence was twice, that’s the only
knocked so much.’ degree I have!’
However, Instead, she found
there is room for herself joining E4’s
one particular Made In Chelsea, after
man in Toff’s life. being a part of the
Her blossoming cast’s social circles.
friendship with She admitted: ‘I feel
77-year-old
Stanley
Johnson –
the father of
the foreign
secretary,
Boris
Johnson –
was one of
the most
charming

Toff says she would love

to go to Stanley’s home
for ‘lunch with Boris’

WWW.OK.CO.UK 33
way more pressure
now than I did when
I started the show.
People say my bum
looks big in a certain
things or stuff like
that. I’m only human
so it does hurt. I
try not to engage
with those people
who leave nasty
comments.’
Though her toned
physique was the
envy of many when
she first hit the jungle
shower, viewers
became concerned
as Toff went on to
lose eight pounds
during her jungle stint.
Toff has also
admitted that she
took ‘chicken fillets’
into the jungle to
add some padding
to her bra, but had to
sacrifice them after
one burst when she
lay on it. She said: ‘I’ve just had to embrace my
small boobies.’
She has been hailed as a role model for young
girls, and Toff’s unwillingness to consider surgery
will certainly only add to her reputation. She said:
‘I doubt I would ever get a boob job when I can
buy chicken fillets. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.’
As well as her body insecurities, Toff was also
facing her own personal battle with her skin. With
many viewers noticing that Toff appeared to be
wearing foundation in the jungle, she explains
that producers allowed her to use it once a day as
her troublesome skin was a medical problem.
She admitted: ‘When producers told me it
was banned I broke down in tears. It’s a medical
problem and I’ve been on strong tablets for six
months trying to get rid of them. It makes me cry
and I lose all my confidence.’
But the jungle appears to have done wonders
for Toff’s troublesome skin. She says: ‘I’m
obviously allergic to something because my skin
hasn’t looked like this since I was 12 years old. It
[the jungle] has done an enormous amount – I
feel a lot more confident now.’
One person who was championing Toff from
day one, and supported her on social media, was
last year’s queen of the jungle, former Gogglebox
favourite Scarlett Moffatt.
As she emotionally handed over the crown
to our new queen, Scarlett, 27, gushed: ‘It’s girls
like you that make me so proud to be a young
woman, you did it for all of us girls in there –
proper girl power.’
While many expected her to flounce out of the
jungle faster than
you can say Gemma
Collins, Toff proved
the doubters wrong
and admits she
feels she has been
underestimated
in the past due to
her blonde hair and
well-spoken accent.
In the words of
queen Toff herself:
‘It’s okay to have
big blonde hair and Above: ‘It’s girls like you
wear a bikini and that make me so proud to
talk about politics. be a young woman,’ says
Why not?’ OK! former jungle queen
Scarlett (left) about Toff.
rePOrT By kATIe lAnGfOrd-fOSTer PhOTOGrAPhS By Top left: ‘I’ve just had to
AlPhA, GeTTy IMAGeS, GOffPhOTOS.COM, InSTAGrAM,
ShuTTerSTOCk, SPlASh neWS, The Sun/neWS embrace my small
SyndICATIOn, Wenn
boobies,’ says Toff
WWW.OK.CO.UK 35
 freezing family fun

painting the
town red
DaviD Beckham larks about with the kids
at the ice rink, before his wife victoria
looks festive in red in mayfair

L
ady in red Victoria Beckham left a birth to her first child with former Big Brother
British Vogue event held at her Mayfair contestant Kris Donnelly.
store on the arm of her husband David Joanne, 35, took to Instagram to write a
last week. The silky red dress, which is fitting tribute to her new arrival: ‘9.12.17 the
one of her own designs and features in her day our life changed forever,’ she continued:
spring/summer collection, was offset by a ‘Such an amazing feeling starting our own
sparkly green clutch bag and matching heels. family, the love I have for our little princess
David was also looking dapper, sporting Peggy is one that is so unconditional! I’d
slicked back hair and a smart camel never of been able to do it without the love
trench coat. of my life... @krissydonners you was my
Earlier in the week the fashion icon took strength! Thank you... #myfamily [sic].’
inspiration from the ’70s and wore a pair of Kris, 32, wrote: ‘THATS MY GIRL. Peggy
bell-bottom peach flares and a silk ruffle shirt came into our world on Saturday night...
– both from her own brand – accessorised mummy didso amazing! The love I feel for the
with her famous big black shades and a cute both of you is unexplainable.’
red clutch bag. David also uploaded a snap on Instagram
However, the 43 year old opted for warmth (below centre) of himself with the newborn
over style when the family made the most of as he congratulated his younger sister. OK!
the cold weather by going for a
festive skate at a local ice rink.
David and Victoria took
Romeo, 15, Cruz, 12, and six-
year-old Harper, on a day
out to the National History
Museum’s ice rink in London.
Despite not wearing skates,
42-year-old former footballer
David, was seen larking
about on the ice with his kids,
while former Spice Girl Victoria
watched from the sidelines.
Notably absent was eldest
son 18-year-old Brooklyn,
who was in New York, where Above: Kris
he is currently studying and Joanne.
photography at the Parsons Below:
School Of Design. David and
Victoria later posted a snap Peggy
showing off her daughter’s
crimped hair (below) on
Instagram Stories, captioned: Above: Fashion guru Victoria
‘Harper loves her daddy x.’ donned a silky red dress and
Meanwhile, the Beckhams peach flares (left) in the
had plenty to celebrate after same week as she headed to
receiving the news that David’s her Mayfair store
sister Joanne Beckham gave
fLYNET, GETTY IMAGES, INSTAGRAM

Above: David, Romeo, Cruz and

Harper (right) enjoy time at the
ice rink while Victoria looks on.
Left: Harper’s crimped hair

36
 going public
she’s a
cracker,
jack!
jack p shepherd and hanni
treweek make their first
official appearance as a couple
at the ‘corrie’ christmas party
J
ack P Shepherd sparked
headlines recently after
splitting from his long-term
fiancée Lauren Shippey, but
the Coronation Street star has now
gone public with new love interest
Hanni Treweek, taking her as his
plus-one to the
soap’s annual
Christmas bash
in Manchester.
Hanni, who works
on the ITV drama’s
publicity team,
beamed as she
walked hand
in hand with her
actor beau.
Jack, 29, who
plays David Platt,
parted ways with childhood
sweetheart Lauren, 29, in May, after
being on and off for 15 years. The
couple share daughter Nyla, eight,
and son Reuben, four, and Jack is
also dad to six-year-old Greyson
following a one-night stand with
Sammy Milewski in 2010. The soap
star appears to be on good terms
with Lauren, as the pair took their
kids to turn on the Christmas lights
at a Gordon Rigg garden centre in
Walsden, West Yorkshire.
But Jack and Hanni’s relationship
seems to be going from strength
to strength, after a recent low-
key night out saw the star upload
a group snap, including his new
girlfriend, with
the caption:
‘Great night,
great people.’
Later in the week,
Jack posted
more pictures
of the couple,
including one of
them cuddling up
together in a pub
alongside a love-
heart emoji.
Meanwhile, Catherine Tyldesley, Above: Jack and Hanni walked hand in
34, wowed in a red Mark Melia velvet hand to the Christmas bash. Above
dress as she arrived with Shayne left: Jack, Lauren and their two children
Ward, 33, at the party at Harvey at Gordon Rigg’s garden centre. Below
Nichols. Tina O’Brien, 34, looked chic left: Faye Brookes. Below right: Kym
in a black dress, while Faye Brookes, Marsh and Alison King
30, dazzled in a shimmering pink
number. A smiling Alison King,
BACKGRID uK, eAMONN AND JAMeS CLARKe, GeTTY IMAGeS, INSTAGRAM, MARK CAMPBeLL/MCPIx, TWITTeR
44, who recently rejoined the
soap, arrived with her pal, OK!
columnist Kym Marsh, 41. OK!
Above: Shayne Ward and
Catherine Tyldesley. Right: Tina
O’Brien. Top left and left: The
new couple appear to be going
from strength to strength
WWW.OK.CO.UK 39
 the crowd All the gossip from
our showbiz shores

It’s a boy for cara and nathan!

T NatHaN MasseyCara De La HoyDe
and
hey triumphed on last year’s Love
Island, and now
(left) have become
proud parents of a bouncing baby boy.
The pair recently reconciled after
splitting in April – two weeks after Cara
found out she was expecting – and their
reunion was just in time to welcome their
first child on December 13 at 6.30am.
Taking to Twitter, Cara announced the
news with two emojis – a woman holding
a baby and a blue heart. Meanwhile,
Nathan lived up to his cheeky personality
by uploading a selfie from the labour
room (below left). Cara, 27, looked to
be wincing in pain behind him while he
pulled a massive grin for the camera. The
25 year old captioned the image: ‘The day
has finally come!!!! Myself and
@cara_delahoyde have become parents
to our beautiful baby boy!!! Massive
hats off to Cara who delivered our boy
safely!!!!! #thenextchapter P.S I hope
you don’t kill
me for the pic
Cara.’
The snap
also fuelled
speculation
that the
pair may be
engaged, as
a large ring is
clearly visible
on Cara’s left
hand.
The new mum later shared the first
glimpse of their bundle of joy (below
right), taking to Instagram to post a photo
of his tiny hand holding her finger. She
captioned the snap: ‘So today we met the
hand we will hold forever so in love my
heart could burst.’
Meanwhile, Nathan told his followers:
‘Well it’s safe to say Christmas come early
today. I’m in love. thank you to every 1 for
the messages and kind words,
mother and baby are doing
fine !!! [sic].’
Congratulations are also in
order for Katie PiPer and her
husband riCHarD suttoN,
who have welcomed a baby
girl. The pair are already
parents to three year old
Belle. Announcing the news
with a snap of their baby’s
tiny hand on Instagram
(above), Katie, 34, wrote: ‘Our
family is now complete.’

home for chrIstmas

A fter eight months apart, MarK
WrigHt
KeegaN
and MiCHeLLe
have finally been
reunited for Christmas. The pair,
both 30, were spotted leaving
their Essex home as they headed
for a festive day out in London last
week (right and far right).
Keeping things co-ordinated,
backgrid uk, drontal/snapchat, flynet, instagram, ok! syndication
finished filming the third series
of BBC drama Our Girl, a few days
earlier. Fans were quick to spot
her absent wedding ring, and
she was without it again as she
headed out in Manchester later in
the week (below right).
However, the star and her
husband – who tied the knot in

both opted for cream rollnecks. 2015 – were clearly ecstatic to be

Michelle paired hers with a tan back in each other’s arms as they
coat by Maje, while Mark finished explored the English capital, with
his look with a grey coat. Michelle also sharing a festive
Taking to snap as they whizzed
Instagram, former past Harrods.
TOWIE star Mark – However, the
who is based in Los couple were hit with
Angeles, where he is some sad news
a presenter on Extra last week as Mark’s
– shared a tongue- beloved family dog,
in-cheek snap of Scunny, passed
himself posing in west away. Alongside
London during their a snap of himself
outing (bottom right). and the miniature
He wrote: ‘Made In dachshund (left),
Essex For Today The who belonged to his
Only Way Is Chelsea.’ brother Josh, Mark
Michelle had flown wrote: ‘RIP Angel
in from Malaysia, Scunny!! Gone but
where she’s just never forgotten.’

40
 EvErything’s rosiE for sam
A fter more than a month of mulling over
their new arrival’s moniker, Sam FaierS
and Paul Knightley have named their
baby girl Rosie. Taking to Instagram, Sam
shared a snap of her youngest child in an
adorable babygro (right) with the words
‘Rosie Knightley’ and a rose emoji.
It’s been a big week for the little one as she
also met Father Christmas for the first time!
Sam, 26, shared a snap of the family of four
enjoying afternoon tea with Santa himself
at the Rosewood Hotel in London (below
right). In the shot, Rosie’s older brother Paul,
who turns two on December 29, can be seen
perched on his dad’s knee and sipping on a
cup of tea while Sam sweetly holds Rosie
next to Father Christmas.
The Mummy Diaries star, who was joined
by her sister Billie and her nine-month-old
son Arthur, told her followers: ‘So lovely to
have afternoon tea and be greeted by Santa.’
Rosie clearly has a taste for five-star
hotels, as later in the week Sam shared a
snap of her and her brother in bed together
at the Savoy Hotel (below left) with the
caption: ‘Breakfast in bed.’

pEachy KyliE rEunitEs nEw dad JamEs: ‘wE

with hEr formEr can’t stop smiling’
co-star guy pEarcE
G guy PearCe
etting stuck into the promo
trail for her new movie
Neighbours co-star
since they found fame together
C Julia Carey
and
ongratulations are in
JameS Corden
order for
(below
been basically crying all day.’
The 39 year old and his wife
of five years are also parents
Kylie minogue
Swinging Safari, on the Aussie soap nearly three right), who have become to son Max, six, and three-
looked gorgeous at the film’s decades ago. The pair, who posed parents for the third time. year-old-daughter Carey.
premiere in a peach silk dress on the orange carpet together Taking to Twitter, James Earlier in the week,
(below right). The indie film (below left), star in the upcoming wrote: ‘Today we welcomed Harry and James took their
follows a group of movie as husband a beautiful baby daughter bromance to the next level
couples who decide and wife. into the world. Both she and when they locked lips during
to experiment Kylie went on her mother are doing great. the show’s Carpool Karaoke
with swinging, to achieve mega We can’t stop smiling.’ Christmas special (bottom).
with disastrous pop stardom, while The star also thanked
consequences. Guy, 50, has had harry StyleS , who took
Asked about a successful film on James’s hosting duties on
her thoughts on career. Reflecting The Late Late Show (below
swinging, Kylie, on their humble left) at just two and a half
49, replied: ‘We’re beginnings, Guy hours notice while the new
curious. People are joked: ‘We were dad was in the delivery room.
curious beings.’ both 18 when we Harry, 23, joked: ‘I was just
GeTTy IMAGes, InsTAGRAM, shuTTeRsTocK, sPlAsh neWs

The film marks started that show at the hospital before I came
her first acting [Neighbours] and I to fill in, and she looks a lot
project with former don’t imagine the like James, mainly because
acting was good James looks like a giant baby.’
back then.’ An emotional James later
Meanwhile, admitted to followers: ‘I’ve
Kylie, who is single
after splitting from
fiancé JoShua
SaSSe back in
February, also
revealed her
reluctance to walk
down the aisle. ‘I
love a wedding,’ she
said, adding: ‘Just
don’t make me
have one.’

WWW.OK.CO.UK 41
 after a tougH year
‘How can
my mum
die?’
Katie Price cries as sHe
discusses Her mum’s illness
following KeitH cHegwin’s
deatH from tHe same disease
a
fter a tough year, katie Price broke
down as she opened up to her
fellow Loose Women about her
mother’s battle with an incurable
lung condition. the star was led off the set in
tears after she discussed the recent death
of her Celebrity Big Brother co-star keith
chegwin following
a six-month battle
with idiopathic
pulmonary fibrosis,
also known as iPF.
katie’s mother
amy, 64, was also
diagnosed with
the progressive
and incurable lung
disease back in
october and the
emotional star told
her colleagues:
‘keith got in touch and we’d been speaking
to him a lot and he was trying to help my
mum. i knew all along about keith but i
never said it to anyone and i can’t believe
that within six months he’s gone.’
understandably unable to cope with
the thought of losing her mum, welling
up, the 39 year old said: ‘she’s getting
worse, she’s having to sell her house now
because she can’t get up. it might be my last
christmas with her.’
katie is mum to son harvey, 15, from
her relationship with Dwight yorke, Junior,
12, and Princess, ten, from her marriage to
42
Above: Katie with her mum Amy.
Left: Ruth Langsford consoles
Katie on the Loose Women set.
Below left inset: Keith Chegwin
passed away after battling IPF
Peter andre and Jett, four, and Bunny, three,
from her marriage to kieran hayler.
katie also admitted: ‘i couldn’t see her for
a few weeks and she didn’t understand why
and i just said: “Because i can’t bear seeing
you knowing i’m not going to see you grow
old. you won’t see harvey’s 18th birthday, all
the kids….” how can my mum die?’
keen to thank her fans for their support,
the star later appeared more positive as
she shared a snap of herself on instagram,
writing: ‘today’s been a difficult day but
thanks for everyone’s support. chilling
tonight checking out all my new
@claireabellaltd goodies planning all my
christmas presents,’ although some fans
criticised her for promoting a product. Above: Katie with Bunny, Jett and
it’s been a hard few months for the Harvey. Below left: Katie on her horse.
former model, and she has admitted: ‘i’ve Below right: With husband Kieran
been on medication since my mum was
diagnosed. it’s just been a lot to deal with.
getty images, instagram, shutterstock
it’s helping.’
an insider recently claimed that
katie’s marriage to kieran was ‘definitely
over’, after she’s reported to have caught
him texting a female member of her Pony
club, which featured on her tLc show of
the same name last year. however, katie
recently revealed: ‘i still love him. the kieran
that i know, i love. the other kieran [who
cheats] is horrible. it’s just so far away from
the man i married.’
and to top off a difficult week, equestrian
enthusiast katie revealed she was resting up
after a ‘bad fall’ from her horse. OK!
 all you need to know about the latest tinseltown goings-on...

BEYONCE AND JAY Z’S HIGH FLYING LOVE

L Beyonce Jay Z
ove is most definitely in the air for and , who posed
together on a private jet (left). The superstar pair appear to have
overcome their marital woes after rapper Jay Z, 48, recently admitted
to cheating on his 36 year old wife. Beyoncé oozed rock star attitude in
a pair of denim hot pants, Balenciaga T-shirt, multiple gold necklaces
and not one but two belts. She accessorised with a pair of Saint
Laurent knee-high boots, which cost a bank-emptying £6,855.
The Lemonade singer has been taking time out after the birth of
twins Rumi and Sir, who are now six months old.
She and Jay Z married nine years ago and welcomed their first child
Blue Ivy, five years ago.
And while it’s usually the children who like to play dress up, it seems
that the singer is enjoying the chance to showcase her wardrobe on
social media.
Later in the week, she posed in a gold disco
dress (left) from Michael Kors that showed
off her hourglass figure and toned legs. She
teamed the showstopper with gold heels, as
well as outsized gold hoop earrings.
In another photo she was seen draped
playfully over Jay Z’s lap (below), revealing
that the pair were in the locker room of the
American basketball team Brooklyn Nets.
Jay Z was a co-owner of the basketball team
before selling his stake in 2013, so that he
could start representing athletes with his
company, Roc Nation Sports.

GEOrGE CLOONEY IS ONE IN A MILLION

DGeorGe clooney
ashingly handsome

(left) is also fantastically

generous. rande GerBer
(right), who is married to
cindy crawford, has
revealed how the 56-year-
old Gravity actor gifted 14
of his closest friends a million
BeyOnCe.COm, GeTTy ImAGes, InsTAGRAm, spLAsH neWs
he and Clooney refer to as
‘The Boys’, were invited for
dinner at the actor’s home.
Once there, they found black
suitcases at each of their
spots around the table. When
they opened them, they each
found cash inside in 20 dollar
bills. George made a speech

dollars each for helping telling them: ‘Listen, I want

him back when he was a
struggling actor.
George, who now has two
Oscars under his belt and a
£400 million fortune, made
the gesture in 2013 as a way
of paying his friends back
after they supported him on
his path to fame.
Rande – who was a part
owner of the Casamigos
Tequila Company he founded
with George, before they sold
it for around £700 million
earlier this year – revealed
that the group of men, whom
you guys to know how much
you’ve meant to me and how
much you mean to me in
my life.’
He added: ‘I came to
Los Angeles, I slept on your
couch. I’m so fortunate in my
life to have all of you and I
couldn’t be where I am today
without all of you.’
Rande says he tried to give
the money back but George
said his gifts were dependent
on all 14 accepting, and if just
one declined then all the rest
would lose their windfall.

44
 KIM reveals Ivf struggle
O pening up about her attempts to fall
pregnant last week, Kim Kardashian
revealed she had an embryo implanted after
On a lighter note, the star has undergone
a mini makeover, revealing a choppy new
hairdo via Snapchat (left).
becoming a mum to North, now four, but In another surprise for fans, Kim’s daily
sadly ‘lost it’. ‘I tried it and I lost one of them,’ Instagram snaps from the upcoming
she revealed. The 37 year old went on to Kardashian Christmas card featured a
conceive son Saint, two, with her husband glimpse of Kanye for the first time (bottom
Kanye West (below right), but suffered left). Kim’s younger sister Khloe, 33 – who is
severe complications. The couple are now rumoured to be pregnant with her first child –
happily expecting their third child, a girl, via made her debut alongside eight other family
a surrogate. members (below left) on December 11.
Kim also revealed it took her and Kanye,
40, a year to find the perfect woman to
carry their baby. But despite her joy, Kim
is struggling to feel connected to the
pregnancy. She said: ‘I go to all the doctor’s
appointments and I try to be really present,
but when you’re not carrying it yourself it
is such a fine balance of how much you’re
going to be in their lives.’

Mel reMOves tattOO salMa sPeaKs aBOut

harvey WeINsteIN
P roving her tumultuous
relationship with stephen
Belafonte is definitely over, O scar-nominated
actress salma hayeK
mel B has cut his name out of has shared how she
a tattoo. While many unwanted allegedly fended off sexual
inkings are lasered off over advances from disgraced
time, the former Spice Girl – Hollywood producer
who is currently embroiled harvey Weinstein

ElI ruSSEll lInnETz/InSTagraM, gETTy IMagES, InSTagraM, SnaPCHaT, SPlaSH nEWS

in a nasty split from her (pictured together right).
husband of ten years – In an editorial for the
revealed in a photo (below New York Times, Salma
far right) the steps she has refers to Harvey, 65, as
taken to slice his name off ‘my monster’. The 51 year
her body, leaving a scar. old writes that Weinstein
The original tattoo repeatedly propositioned
(right) read: ‘Stephen, till her over a number of
death do us part you own years, at ‘hotel after hotel,
my heart.’ The 42 year old location after location,
said: ‘I wanted the tattoo where he would show up
removed to help close the unexpectedly’. She continued:
final chapter on a toxic ‘With every refusal came
relationship. Even though Harvey’s Machiavellian rage,’
I’ve taken the steps to and in one ‘attack of fury’ she
remove Stephen’s name claimed he said to her: ‘I will
from my body, the domestic kill you, don’t think I can’t.’
abuse will forever remain Salma – who is mum
with me.’ to Valentina, ten, with her
Stephen (top right, with husband François-Henri Pinault
Mel), also 42, has always denied allegations of domestic abuse. In – described how Weinstein
a further twist, the producer is claiming that Mel is blocking access asked her to shower with him,
to their £7.2 million marital home, preventing him from selling it as perform oral sex on her and get
per the terms of their settlement. Meanwhile, Mel has expressed naked with another woman.
annoyance at having to pay Stephen £11,000 a month in spousal Salma joins a large group of
support. They share one daughter, Madison, who is six. more than 30 women, including
rose mcGoWan, ashley
Judd and lupita nyonG’o,
who’ve made public allegations
of sexual assault or misconduct
against Weinstein. The producer
denied his actions were non-
consensual, but has entered a
rehab facility for sex addiction.
Elsewhere, Hollywood
heavyweight dustin hoffman
is facing fresh allegations of
sexual misconduct. Playwright
Cori Thomas has claimed the 80
year old exposed himself to her
in 1980, when she was a 16-year-
old classmate of his daughter.
Dustin’s lawyer has called the
story a ‘defamatory falsehood’.

WWW.OK.CO.UK 45
 mummy and me

‘IndIa’s
an easy
baby – I’m
fortunate’
Binky Felstead shares
the joys of motherhood as
she reveals her ChrIstmas
wIsh for her daughter

t
here’s something
so special about
a baby’s first
Christmas, and
new mum binky Felstead
looked thrilled to be
getting into the festive
spirit with her gorgeous
six-month-old daughter
india last week.
the former Made In
Chelsea star, who looked
incredible in a navy star-
print dress by topshop,
was full of the joys of
motherhood, declaring
it ‘amazing’ so far and
describing how it’s incredible
to ‘watch someone you love
grow and change every day’.
two days earlier she’d
revealed in an instagram post
that she found the first few
weeks following india’s arrival
‘so daunting’, but at the event
a confident binky said things
were now running smoothly.
the 27 year old – who
documented her experiences
as a first-time parent in e4’s
Born In Chelsea with india’s
dad, Josh ‘JP’ Patterson –
said: ‘it’s much easier than i
thought it was going to be, to
be honest. she’s an easy baby,
i’m very fortunate. she sleeps
at night. i manage to get things
done, which i didn’t think i’ll be
able to do.’
However, she also revealed
that she has become
thoroughly ‘fed up’ with
interference from ‘the mummy
police’ who she said were
binky looked icredible while
launching the aptaclub’s
Christmas Wishes campaign
as she cuddled up to india,
who looked adorable in her
velvet dress. the event was in
aid of mummy’s star, a charity Above: Binky hangs a
that helps women and their Christmas wish on the
families affected by cancer tree for India, her daughter
during pregnancy or shortly with JP (above left)
after birth.
at one point binky
hung a star-shaped
Christmas wish bauble on
the tree for her daughter,
which featured the
message: ‘always know
how much you’re loved.’
binky added: ‘Josh
and i will only ever wish
for india to be happy and
healthy in the future and
hope she knows just how
much we love her.’
the reality star
recently opened up
about her ‘very happy’
dave benett, getty images, instagram

‘trying to scare’ new parents. relationship with JP, 28,

‘they were onto me before
i had her, being like: “you’re
not going to have enough time
to shower or eat,”’ the reality
star said.
she also admitted that
having a baby sometimes
means ‘you do lose your
identity to a point,’ adding: ‘For
me, going to the gym, getting
my body back, feeling more
myself was really important.’
46
though she played down
engagement rumours.
‘me and JP are living
together now, and i
think it’s forced him to
grow up a bit. We’re in a
really good place now.
everything is going so
well we don’t really want Above and left: The
to change anything at star cuddles her
the moment. We are very happy little girl
happy,’ she said. OK!

taylor swift and Joe alwyn
pda alert
T hey put on a major public
display of affection while
watching Ed Sheeran perform
at Capital FM’s Jingle Bell Ball
last week, so it’s no surprise
that whispers from the US
suggest Taylor Swift, 28, and
Joe Alwyn will be spending
Christmas together.
The couple reportedly got
cosy while Taylor’s pal Ed
performed at the concert. Singer
Stefflon Don shared a video of
Joe with his arm around Taylor
in the crowd on her Instagram
Story (below), while an onlooker
tweeted: ‘They literally slow
danced to all Ed’s songs with
their arms
around
one
another
and just
kept
looking
at each
other and
kissing.’
Just
days
before,
Jon hamm and
annabelle wallis
the secret’s out
T hey were spotted
enjoying a romantic
night in London’s West End,
and now it has been claimed
that Mad Men actor Jon
Hamm and Peaky Blinders
star Annabelle Wallis have
enjoyed many secret dates.
The pair (right) were
seen at a showing of
American musical Hamilton
in London. An insider said:
‘Jon and Annabelle have
been on a few dates and
he took her as his plus-
one to see Hamilton. They
looked very comfortable
with each other and were
having a great time.’ The
source added: ‘For Jon to
take Annabelle to a public
event where there are lots
of people, their relationship
must mean a lot to him.’
Annabelle, 33, who was
previously linked to Chris
Martin, is thought to have
grown close to Jon, 46, on
the set of new film Tag!
earlier this year.
48
the pair were spotted holding
hands in New York City after the
Z100’s Jingle Ball (above).
It’s thought the British actor
Joe, 26, will spend the festive
period with the singer, and could
even be joining her on tour,
which kicks off in May. ‘She has
been more busy with work and
travelling, but Joe continues to be
supportive and great,’ an insider
revealed, adding: ‘Joe will travel
with her as much as possible.
Taylor is still very happy with him.’
who’s piling on the
pda, going public
and finding love
after heartbreak
Zoe ball and michael reed
a new man on the scene
S he was heartbroken when
her boyfriend Billy Yates
committed suicide in May, but TV
presenter Zoë Ball appears to have
found love again with Michael
Reed (right). Zoë, who was
previously married to DJ Norman
Cook, was spotted on a date with
construction manager Michael at
London’s trendy The Union Club,
before heading to the Soho Hotel.
‘It is great to see Zoë with a
spring in her step — smiling and
enjoying life again,’ an insider
revealed, adding: ‘It is early days
with Michael but Zoë seems
quite taken with him. She left her
girlfriends to go and meet him so
that shows how keen she is.
‘Michael is a charismatic guy
and very handsome, so it’s not hard
to see the attraction. He is also not
in showbiz, so hopefully that might
make any relationship easier.’
Days later, Zoe, 47, played the
Whitesnake song Is This Love?
on her BBC Radio 2 show, before
telling listeners: ‘It is a big question.’
kirsten dunst and
Jesse plemons
eXpecting?
A mid rumours she is expecting her
first child, Kirsten Dunst stepped out
wearing a dress over what many assume
to be a baby bump. The actress was
seen grabbing an iced tea in Los Angeles
while keeping her figure firmly under
wraps in the floral number (right).
BACKgRID UK, gETTY IMAgES, INSTAgRAM.CoM/STEFFLoNDoN, SPLASH NEWS, WENN
Kirsten, 35, got engaged to fellow
actor Jesse Plemons (below), 29, in
January after meeting on the set of TV
show Fargo last year. It’s thought the
pair will tie the knot in Austin, Texas in
the spring.
The star recently opened up about
why her desire to start a family had
grown, commenting: ‘I wasn’t one of
those “I need a baby!” people until my
goddaughter was born. I love her so
much. You can’t experience that unless
you have a kid. I put her to bed last night
and she woke
up this morning
and said to her
mom: “Where’s
Kiki?” I just
love that love.
That’s what
I want.’ She
also said in an
interview in
June: ‘It’s time
to have babies
and chill.’
 fab foursome

posing up a storm-zy!
o the grime artist
and his girlfriend
Maya JaMa look
loved up as they
attend IdrIs Elba’s
Christmas bash

t
hey’ve quickly become the hottest power
couple on the showbiz scene, stealing
the spotlight wherever they go, and last
week was no exception as stormzy and
maya Jama attended actor and DJ idris elba’s
Christmas party. grime star stormzy, 24, and
television presenter maya, 23, looked every inch
the perfect couple as they posed for a series of
snaps inside the bash, held at Kadie’s Cocktail
Bar & Club in London.
maya, who presented itV’s Cannonball
alongside Frankie Bridge and Freddie Flintoff,
looked stunning in her high-waisted jeans and
sheer blouse, later revealing that she was wearing
her top backwards, saying she ‘remixed it’.
the pair made up a foursome with host and
guest DJ idris, 45, and his model girlfriend of
seven months sabrina Dhowre, 29, for a photo,
and an excited maya later shared the image on
social media. maya, who co-hosted this year’s
mOBO awards with former JLs star marvin
Humes, 32, recently said of her relationship: ‘We
genuinely like each other. everything is lovely at
the moment. i’m very happy.’ and speaking about
the most romantic thing stormzy has done for
her, she revealed: ‘We went to Paris for our two-
year anniversary – that was textbook romance. it
was a complete surprise.’
meanwhile, stormzy, who has reportedly
offered to perform a ‘little acoustic’ at the
wedding reception of HRH Prince Harry and
meghan markle in may, recently admitted that he
too could be ‘putting a ring on it’ in the not too
distant future. ‘i’m still so young but i want to
propose, it’s going to happen and i will do it right,’
he said, adding: ‘she is so sick, she is the best.’
When he’s not spinning the decks, idris can
be found gracing the big screen, most recently
starring alongside Kate Winslet in The Mountain
Between Us. idris admitted they went through
the ‘beats of a real relationship’ while filming
the blockbuster, which features scenes of them
getting hot and steamy together. ‘We had a
relationship – i don’t mean in the sense that we
had a real relationship, but we went through the
beats of a real relationship,’ he revealed. OK!
Stormzy and Maya
Jama with Idris Elba
and Sabrina Dhowre

Above and right: Idris and

getty images

Kate in The Mountain

Between Us. Far right:
Idris on the decks

WWW.OK.CO.UK 49
 red carpet arrivalS
StarS Sparkle
at the millieS
HELEN FLANAGAN, FRANKIE BRIDGE and
VOGUE WILLIAMS Shimmer and Shine aS they
celeBrate the cOUntry’S armed FOrceS
O
ur cover star Helen Flanagan –
who exclusively announced her
pregnancy in this week’s issue –
led a host of celebrities who turned
out in force to celebrate the bravery of the
Armed Forces at The Sun’s Military Awards.
Helen, 27, had her blonde hair in waves and
wore a long-sleeved Gothic-inspired dress by
Perseverance London, which was embellished
with metallic sequinned flowers and which
skimmed her neat bump, at the event held at
Banqueting House in London.
Frankie Bridge also opted for a metallic
look with a Karen Millen dress and strappy
sandals from River Island. After dyeing her
hair platinum blonde, the 28-year-old star
has returned to her brunette roots and used
the night to debut her new look.
Jorgie Porter looked stunning in a sequin
House Of CB dress, while dancer Ola Jordan
also kept with the sparkly theme, wearing a
beaded white maxi gown.
Lorraine Kelly was also in attendance
at the event, affectionately known as the
Millies, after earlier interviewing Formula 1
heiress Tamara Ecclestone. Some viewers
branded the interview ‘uncomfortable’ and
said the 58-year-old host came across as
‘disapproving’ of Tamara’s lavish lifestyle.
Referring to Tamara’s close relationship
with her daughter Sophia, Lorraine told her:
Above: Helen
Flanagan and
her neat baby
bump. Right:
Jorgie Porter
50
‘You have to let them go, bring your daughters
up to be strong and independent.’
Tamara shared a cryptic post on her
Instagram page the same day, which read:
‘Women should empower each other instead
of being so hateful and envious of one another.’
However, Lorraine was quick to deny that
things were frosty between them, telling OK!
at the awards: ‘I thought she was lovely. I
just have to ask the questions that everyone
wants to know. You can do it in a way that’s not
confrontational and hopefully doesn’t make
them feel uncomfortable. She certainly wasn’t.’
On the night, Spencer Matthews sweetly
offered girlfriend Vogue Williams, 32, his
suit jacket when she felt the cold in her
dramatic red dress, which featured a large
slit. However, she wanted to show off the
strapless number that she paired with Kurt
Geiger golden gladiator heels and a clutch
bag that had her name written across it.
Spencer, 28, meanwhile, looked dapper in a
navy blue suit and black bow tie.
Speaking about their plans for Christmas
Day, Spencer told OK!: ‘We’re spending it
together with my family. It feels like we’ve
been together for a lot longer than a year.
We move quite quickly so it’s odd to think it’s
going to be our first Christmas.’
When asked if his brother James and wife
Pippa would also be joining the family for
 Above: Vogue
Williams and Spencer
Matthews. Right:
Andrea McLean, who
recently married
Nick Feeney (below
inset). Below left: Sir
Rod Stewart and
Penny Lancaster

a turkey dinner, he diplomatically answered: ‘i

couldn’t possibly say. you’d have to ask them.’
newly married Loose Women host andrea
mcLean looked blissfully happy as she strolled
down the red carpet in a simple black dress with
a white fur shawl hanging over her shoulders,
which she also wore on her wedding day to nick
feeney. ‘i like to get my money’s worth,’ she joked.
andrea, 48, married nick at chelsea register
office on november 30. ‘the wedding was
amazing. we were the last ones of the day.’ she
continued: ‘we had a really small party just for
family and friends after. we did the conga, The
Hokey Cokey, there were kids sliding across the
floor in socks. it was a perfect wedding.’
the pair are now
looking forward to
their first christmas
as a married couple.
‘as we’re divorced,
every other year the
kids aren’t with us and
this year we’re on our
own, so it’s going to
be really romantic and
nice. we’ll just be at
home catching up on
Stranger Things.’
music legend sir
rod stewart, 72, and
wife penny Lancaster posed together on the red
carpet. penny, 46, looked gorgeous in a sparkly
silver dress and a festive red faux fur jacket.
prime minister theresa may, 61, also showed
her support for the worthy cause and was
Above: Frankie accompanied by husband philip, 60. OK!
Bridge. Left:
Lorraine Kelly. Far feature by josie copson photographs by
left: Ola Jordan. expresspictures.com, getty images, instagram,
shutterstock, wenn
Right: Theresa
and Philip May
WWW.OK.CO.UK 51
 as she returns to our screens
‘You’ll never regret
taking time off’
tamzin outhwaite tells OK!’s ellie smith about her hiatus from the
acting world, her long-awaited return to ‘eastenders’, life as a
single mum and getting bY with a little helP from her friends
F
or Tamzin Outhwaite, family comes first.
So much so that two years ago, she put
her acting career on hold to spend time
with her daughters – Florence, nine, and
Marnie, five – who she has with her former
husband, actor Tom Ellis.
But now Tamzin is back, reprising her role as
Melanie Owen in EastEnders after 16 years away,
giving her the best of both worlds. ‘It’s a brilliant
job, and I can come home to my girls every
night,’ Tamzin, 47, tells us.
It’s an exciting time for the star; not only is she
stepping back into Albert Square, she has just
been snapped up by JD Williams to model their
2017 autumn/winter collection. ‘When you get
to my age, people don’t really ask you to model
things any more – I felt quite flattered!’ she says.
Still, she tells us she’s happy to embrace
ageing naturally, focusing on trying to be as
healthy as possible rather than turning to
cosmetic surgery. When OK! caught up with
her, she had recently returned from a Jason
Vale juice retreat in Portugal, along with
girlfriends Amanda Holden, Angela Griffin
and Nicola Stephenson.
Here, Tamzin tells us all about her health
regime, balancing work and family, and how
she and her daughters love dancing around the
kitchen to Gangnam Style…
Why did you decide to go back to EastEnders
after 16 years?
Because next year it’s 20 years since I joined,
and when they asked me it just felt like the right
time. As a single mum, I can’t go away from my
kids and film for six months at a time, but with
this I can come home each night. I felt like Mel
[Owen], my character, had more to say and
more to do.
You put your acting career on hold to spend
some time with your daughters. Are you glad
you did that?
Definitely. My girls are at an age where it’s really
important to be around. You’ll never regret
taking time off, you’ll only regret missing out on
their childhood.
Has anything about motherhood
surprised you?
She’s just returned from a juice
retreat with Nicola Stephenson,
Amanda Holden and Angela Griffin
52
I didn’t expect it to
change my priorities so
much. Everything is okay
if my children are healthy.
You’ve described
yourself as ‘happily
single’. Are you open
to dating?
I’m always open to
dating, but I haven’t
quite managed to go on
a dating app. There’s
something too clinical
about it. At the moment, in the lead
Above: Tamzin is mum to
up to Christmas, I’m not only
Florence and Marnie with
You’ve got a big group having juice. I’ll have a juice
Tom Ellis (above right)
of female friends – how in the morning and no alcohol
much do you value in the week. That way, when
their friendship? Christmas comes, I don’t mind overindulging.
It’s a priceless relationship you have with your
girlfriends when you’re there for each other. Mine You’ve said before that breaking your foot in
are extremely protective of me. March motivated you to get fit. How were you
feeling about your health at the time?
Do you all meet up with your children? I love yoga, so I really missed that. Since hurting
Yeah, of course. Amanda, Angela and Nicola my foot, there’s lots I can’t do, but I can now do
all have girls too and we get together as a big hot Pilates and hot yoga. I’ve found my default
group, which is really nice, especially as they exercise, and it’s great for the mind as well as
all get on. the body.
Are you careful in the way you talk about
‘it’s a priceless body image with your girls?
I don’t let anybody say the ‘fat’ word around
relationship you them. When I was growing up, my mum was
never on a diet, and that’s encouraged me to
have with your have a really healthy relationship with food. I
also try and get my girls to cook with me so they
girlfriends’ see the ingredients going in.
You’ve talked about how you never want to
You also spent some time with Amanda, have Botox or plastic surgery – why is that?
Angela and Nicola on a health retreat I’m not saying I’d never do it as I get older, but
recently. How was that? as an actress it’s more about being able to
We had a brilliant time. We all like to go out move my face.
together and have a drink, but we also like to be
really healthy and balance that side of us out. So What is your beauty regime like?
because we’re like-minded, it’s quite easy to go I like to not wear make-up if I don’t have to.
away and do these things. Then, when I do get done up and go out, there’s
a big difference in the look!
How did you feel afterwards?
You just feel really You were introduced to Stormzy and Skepta
energetic and vibrant. by Nicola Stephenson. Do your daughters
It’s not really about think you’re a cool mum?
weight loss for me, Since they were little, we’ve had a tradition
it’s about toning and where we dance around the kitchen. Sometimes
feeling good. It’s a I’ll put on some hardcore, heavy grime music,
mind set. When I but they’re not necessarily into it! Most nights
go there, it’s a time we put on Gangnam Style and we all do it
for recharging and together, the same dance going round the
retraining the nutrition kitchen. It’s really fun. OK!
side of my brain. TAMzIN OuTHWAITE IS THE FACE OF THE JD WIllIAMS
AuTuMN/WINTEr 2017 COllECTION, AVAIlABlE AT
WWW.JDWIllIAMS.CO.uk.
Do you do Jason’s
juice detoxes at TWITTEr.COM/EllIEMSMITH94 PHOTOGrAPHS BY
NICkY JOHNSTON, GETTY IMAGES, INSTAGrAM
home, too?
 ‘my girls are
at an age
when it’s
important to
be around’

Tamzin wears dress,

£145, by Joanna Hope
at JD Williams
WWW.OK.CO.UK 53
 Main: Charley and Matthew
with their sons Bowie and
Buster and pet Cockapoo Iggy.
Facing page inset: Charley with
her brother Jamie Lomas
Charley wears outfit by kirsty doyle. matthew and the boys wear Clothes by john lewis

54
 the ‘emmerdale’ stars and theIr sons
‘I don’t know
who loves
ChrIstmas more,
the kIds or us!’
charley webb and matthew wolfenden tell
OK!’s annabel zammIt about theIr festIve plans,
why they won’t be gettIng together on sCreen
and Charley’s brother jamIe’s jungle trIumph
W
hen Matthew Wolfenden broke his
back during a gymnastics accident at
the tender age of 17, it shattered his
dreams of excelling at the sport. What
it did do, though, was set him on the path which led
to him starring as Emmerdale’s David Metcalfe – a
much-loved character he’s played for 11 years and
that he ‘can see playing for the rest of my career’.
The set of the ITV soap was also where he met
his fiancée Charley Webb, who has played Debbie
Dingle since she was 14 years old. ‘I’m a firm believer
that things like that accident happen for a reason.
If it had never happened, I’d never have trained as a
dancer, been in the West End and eventually ended
up in Emmerdale and met Charley,’ Matthew, now
37, reflects as we chat during our Christmas shoot
with the couple and their two children – Buster,
seven, and Bowie, who turns two this month. ‘I was
telling Buster about it and he turned to me and said:
“If you’d never broken your back, I wouldn’t be here,
would I?” And he’s right.’
Their boys are very different – cute Bowie is a
typical boisterous toddler and gorgeous Buster
couldn’t be more excited to get in front of the
camera for our shoot. ‘Buster was dead excited
about the shoot. He couldn’t wait to have his
picture taken!’ Charley, 29, tells us of her son who’s
recently started modelling. ‘He loves it and I’m
all for it if it’s something he loves and enjoys,’ the
actress adds.
Charley’s brother, former Hollyoaks actor Jamie
Lomas, has also been gracing our screens on I’m A
Celebrity – Get Me Out Of Here! when we meet, and
Charley is quick to jump to the 42-year-old actor’s
defence after accusations were made of him bullying
fellow campmate Iain Lee along
with Amir Khan and Dennis
Wise. ‘He’d never bully anyone.
He’s got two kids and he’s a
grown man.’ The mum of two
went on to tell us how proud she
was of her brother, who was the
runner-up to Made In Chelsea’s
Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo. ‘I think he
was funny in there and he did
really well with the challenges.’
Here, we sit down with
the Emmerdale stars who
chat exclusively to OK! about
Christmas in their new home,
Jamie’s time in the Australian
jungle and their plans to
expand their family…
What are your plans for Christmas?
Charley: Matthew’s parents are coming, as is my
mum and Emma [Atkins], who plays my mum
Charity Dingle on Emmerdale. Emma lives near us
in Harrogate and we’re really close – her son Albert,
who is around the same age as Bowie, is my godson.
Matthew: We’ve also got my brother and his
wife coming, and Charley’s mum’s partner Steve
is coming over on Boxing Day. We’re not cooking
Christmas dinner, though, we’re all going to our
favourite pub instead.
Neither of you fancied cooking then?
Matthew: I did it one year when there were 22 of us
and it ruined my day – I never left the kitchen!
Charley: We’re going for Christmas lunch at midday
and we’ll only be out for an hour or two so that the
kids can come back to the house and play. We’ll
also go out for a nice walk as we’ve got a puppy
now. We got a Cockapoo called Iggy for Buster for
his seventh birthday. He was beside himself with
excitement when he opened a box to find Iggy in it!
Are Buster and Bowie excited about Christmas?
Charley: Buster’s excited but really chilled about
it. He loves Christmas but he’s not one of those
children who writes his list for Father Christmas
on the first day of December. He’ll get around to it
about four days before Christmas and Santa will
be in a bit of a rush then [laughs]! I’ve been trying to
explain Christmas to Bowie and he says ‘presents’
but he doesn’t quite understand yet.
Do you go mad with gifts at Christmas?
Matthew: We say every year that we’re not going to
go crazy as the kids have loads of
toys, but inevitably we always do!
Charley: It’s my favourite time of
year. We get two weeks off work
and it’s pure family time. We’re
going to LaplandUK this year
and we’ll go to a pantomime
together as a family. I don’t know
who loves Christmas more, the
kids or us! Father Christmas
often wraps up the living room
door and Buster has to burst
through it – he loves it!
Do you spoil each other?
Matthew: We always say we’ll
concentrate on the house or the
kids but every year we go mad.
WWW.OK.CO.UK 55
 charley wears top by john lewis; and trousers by kirsty doyle.

56
Matthew and the boys wear outfits by john lewis

say Bowie is more shy

showbiz footsteps, but
will follow in their
The couple think Buster
What are you doing on New Year’s Eve?
Charley: We’re having a house party. We’ve not
long moved into our new house and we’re doing it
up at the moment, but we’re not going to lay the
new carpet until after the party!

When did you move into your new home?

Charley: In September. Over the years we’ve
rented in different areas around Leeds. We’ve
moved so many times to see where we wanted
to be. We’ve got a lot of friends in Harrogate and
we spend a lot of time here, so we decided to buy
here and we’re really happy. It feels lovely to be
settled in our new home for Christmas.

What stage is Bowie at?

Charley: He’s definitely reached his terrible
twos! He’s so funny and a bit eccentric. He’s
really loving, but his tantrums are severe at the
moment [laughs]. Although he’s so gorgeous, it’s
hard to be annoyed with him!
Matthew: Bowie’s much more like me and looks
like me, and Buster’s more like Charley.
Charley: In looks but not in his personality! Buster’s
you in that sense. Like a small child – annoying, wild
and thinks he’s really funny [both laugh]!

He’s great in front of the camera…

Matthew: Buster loves it and he’s actually
started modelling! He did his first modelling job
a couple of weeks ago for a big billboard for the
Arndale Centre in Manchester. The crew adored
him. He was so well behaved.
Charley: He loves it and I’m all for it if it’s
something he loves and enjoys. I’d never let him
do it otherwise.

Has Buster said what he wants to do when

he grows up?
Charley: He wants to be a singer – that’s all he
cares about. He’s got a lovely voice and he’s also
really good at street dance too.
Matthew: He played the BFG in the recent school
play. He wasn’t bothered about acting up until
that point but he was brilliant. He surprised us
both. He was amazing. We were so proud of him.
Charley: He’ll definitely do something with
performing – he’s got it in him. Although I don’t think
Bowie will. He’s shy and doesn’t like the limelight.
Matthew: Bowie’s a little tank and towers above
everyone else his age, so I think he’s going to be a
rugby player or something like that [laughs].
Charley: He won’t be playing rugby – absolutely
not. I want him to do what he wants, but I would
steer him away from it because it can be brutal.
Charley, your brother Jamie Lomas came
second on I’m A Celebrity – Get Me Out Of
Here!. Are you proud of him?
I am really proud of him. He was funny in there. He
did really well with the challenges, even though he
hates rats, but he knew they all wanted to eat.
Did you think it was a shame he didn’t win?
Charley: No, second place is pretty good. I think
you always know who’s going to win from
the start.
Matthew: It’s a big pantomime. They want the
goodies, the baddies and the daft ones!
Have you spoken to Jamie since he’s been out?
Charley: Yes, I spoke to Jamie as soon
as he was out and could use his phone.
We can’t wait to have him back! We’re
having a welcome home party for him.
Jamie, along with Dennis Wise and
Amir Khan, was accused of bullying
Iain Lee in the jungle. What did you
make of that?
Charley: I found it crazy. I couldn’t
see how Jamie was bullying. The only
thing he said was Iain had a game plan
and that was just Jamie’s opinion and
Above: The couple are
happy and settled, in their
relationship and at work.
Below: Jamie with Iain
and Toff in the jungle
everyone is allowed one, it doesn’t mean he’s I thought Jamie handled not getting his letter
bullying anyone. We’re only watching an hour from his family like a true gent and then it was
out of 24 hours and if there was any actual reported that he was bitter about it! That’s
bullying it would have been shown. Everyone because Joe Swash had it in for him. Joe’s been
probably got on each other’s nerves at times a campmate, he knows what it’s like and these
and I know they have to make the show appear people are hungry too.
more interesting, but bullying is a strong word.
You’re not going to get on with everyone in life Yes, Jamie lost a stone and a half…
but I would love someone to show me a clip Charley: He did but he’ll put it all back on again
where Jamie bullied anyone. Show me that clip! and he’ll be back in the gym, so I wasn’t worried
about that too much.
So he’s not like that…
Charley: No, Jamie would never bully anyone. Charley, did Joe Swash respond after you
He’s got two kids and he’s a grown man. Iain tweeted him? [She tweeted: ‘Wow, @
might realjoeswash has really got it in for Jamie, can’t
have been help but keep sl***ing him off. I think Jamie
annoying actually handled not getting his letter really
him, but I well. Mustn’t be watching the same show x.’]
think the He won’t, will he? When he was first started
world’s saying Jamie was a bully, no one was saying
gone PC it but he was sl***ing Jamie off from day one.
mad. There always has to be a villain. I don’t think
Nothing the presenters should be able to say anything
can be derogatory about the contestants. Half the
seen as a time it doesn’t reflect what we’re watching but
bit of fun they’re setting an agenda. I did wonder if he had
or a joke. a problem with Jamie, as it wasn’t justified.
WWW.OK.CO.UK 57
 ‘There’s no
job more
imporTanT
Than being
wiTh your
family’

CHArleY WeArs Top BY FlANNels; ANd Trousers BY kIrsTY doYle. MATTHeW

WeArs ouTFIT BY JoHN leWIs. THe BoYs WeArs ouTFITs BY MelANIe louIse
Above: The couple say Buster has just started
child modelling and loves it. Below: Charley
on screen with Ned Porteous, who plays Tom

Will Jamie be upset about the fact he’s been
accused of bullying?
I don’t think so. If he’d done something he’d be
more upset but he’s going to be like: ‘What are
you talking about?!’ There were no moments
where I thought, Jamie you’ve been awful there.
Would Jamie have missed his children,
Polly and Billy?
He will have. It would be hard for anyone to have
no communication with their children while in
there. It must have been so hard.
Do your kids and his children see each other?
Yes, we all see each other as much as we can,
it’s lovely and I’m looking forward to us all
getting together.
Would either of you do the show?
Charley: I couldn’t cope with spiders – I scream
when I see them!
Matthew: My worry would be you’d be stuck
in there with no clue about what’s being said
about you and it would totally depend on the
way the show’s edited. For that reason, I’d
probably say no.
Charley, you’ve been back at Emmerdale
for a year now following your
maternity leave. How are you
finding juggling working with
the young kids?
Buster’s at school so I was used to
him being away during the day, but I
really miss Bowie while I’m at work.
Matthew: But we do have a super
nanny called Claire who sometimes
brings Bowie into work, so we see
him during the day.
58
Charley: It’s lovely to get that fix of him during
the day. We’re lucky as the kids adore Claire. The
first big step of leaving them is knowing they’re
happy, so it makes my life easier because they
adore her. Motherly guilt is the worst, but I know
they’re really happy.
Would you like to have more children?
Charley: We definitely want another baby. I
wouldn’t put a time on it, but we want to have
another child. I always wanted Bowie to be about
two and a half when we had another one, but
that’s not going to happen now.
Matthew: We might not be far off. We’d like a
smaller age gap between Bowie and our next
child and I’ve always said I want four children.
We’ll start thinking about having another baby
next year. We’d love a girl but I think we’re
destined to have a house full of boys.
Charley: I’m happy to have all boys. I hate it
when people ask if I’m desperate for a girl. I think
people expect a woman to want a girl.
Matthew: I want us to have a girl!
You’ve been together for over a decade. How
has life changed?
Charley: Well we’ve now got two kids, a dog
and a dishwasher! Actually, we’re now a bit like a
70-year-old couple!
Matthew: It’s amazing
how things happen for a
reason. Buster has just
started gymnastics and
I was telling him how he
has to concentrate as
accidents can happen. I
was actually in the British
gymnastics team myself
from the age of five to
17 years old but stopped as I broke my back
after falling off the rings. I was telling Buster
and he turned to me and said: ‘If you’d never
broken your back, I wouldn’t be here, would I?’
And he’s right, I wouldn’t have met Charley if I
hadn’t broken my back, as what I did after that
eventually led to me being in Emmerdale.
Is it nice to have found each other at quite
a young age?
Matthew: We’re settled. We’re in a good place
with work, we’ve just moved, we’re happy. It’s
the perfect set up really.
Charley: Nothing’s ever perfect. We have our
arguments like any normal couple. I don’t believe
anyone who says they never row.
What causes the rows at home?
Matthew: The washing up!
Charley: I like everything to be in order and I
don’t like mess!
Who’s the boss?
Charley: Me, definitely! Matthew’s not a wimp
though, I couldn’t stand that. He can give as
good as he gets!
Matthew: I just like a nice, quiet life [laughs].
Charley’s a good organiser and I’m useless.
Charley: He’s terrible. That’s another thing
we argue about. Although we have our roles –
Matthew does the cooking and I clean.
Charley, you turn 30 in February. How do you
feel about it?
I’m fine about turning 30. I would like to have
more children in my thirties. Well, I’d definitely
like another one. You’re lucky to fall pregnant in
the first place and some people really struggle
so I don’t like to assume we’ll have more.
The couple bought
adorable Iggy as a
birthday present for
their son Buster

‘it feels
lovely
to be
settled in
our new
home for
christmas’

Charley Wears tOp by jOhn leWis; and sKirt by Kirsy

dOyle. mattheW Wears tOp by jOhn leWis

WWW.OK.CO.UK 59

Above: ‘Bowie says “presents” but he doesn’t quite understand
yet,’ Charley says of Christmas. Below: Matthew in action
on Dancing On Ice. Below centre: Matthew’s Emmerdale
character is in a love triangle with Tracy, played by Amy Walsh,
and Leyla, played by Roxy Shahidi (bottom centre)
Did you have any problems conceiving
with your first two children?
Charley: No we didn’t, but I don’t like to
take it for granted as you just don’t know.
There’s some pressure when in the
public eye to have things like Botox
or fillers – have you tried anything
like that?
Charley: No, but I’m only 29. I’d never say
never, though, as I don’t know how I’ll feel
in the future. I do go to Nilam Holmes who
created HD Brows and I have a regular
facial called the Collagen Wave with her, which I
love. She says prevention is better than cure!
Your pregnant co-star Roxy Shahidi told us
that you guessed she was expecting before
she’d even done a pregnancy test, Charley…
Matthew: You’ve done that a few times now!
Charley: When I know people really well I guess,
I don’t know why. I did it with Kym [Marsh] when
she was pregnant with Polly, too. I must have a
sixth sense. I’m really close to Roxy and we’ve
talked about newborns loads and we’ve given
her some of our stuff, like sterilisers, that we’re
not using at moment.
Matthew, are you looking forward to Dancing
On Ice coming back onto our screens?
I’m really looking forward to it. I’m going down
for the first show and I’m going to be reporting
on it for This Morning.
Who do you think will do well?
I was talking to Jake Quickenden a couple of
weeks ago and he showed me some videos of
himself on the ice and he really looks like he
knows what he’s doing.
60
CHARlEY WEARS ToP BY JoHN lEWIS; AND TRouSERS BY KIRSTY DoYlE. MATTHEW AND THE BoYS WEAR JoHN lEWIS
Charley: I hope Brooke Do either of you get jealous when you have
[Vincent] does well. romantic scenes with other actors?
Matthew: I think she will. She’s Matthew: No. Everyone we work with are
got the right physique for an ice really good friends, so it doesn’t bother us.
skater. It will be nice to watch We’re lucky to work with good friends. Amy
it and be involved without and I laugh all day.
actually doing it again. I’d never Charley: No, it’s just part of the job.
put myself through that again
– it was terrifying! Having said How would you feel if your characters
that I don’t regret doing it. were ever put together romantically on
Charley: I don’t think I could do the show?
it. It would be too stressful. Matthew: They wouldn’t be! They once told us
they were considering it and we were the first to
Matthew, your ring up and ask for it not to happen!
Emmerdale character Charley: It’s too much – living with each
David is in a love other, working with each other and then being
triangle with Tracy romantically linked in the show together. Also,
Metcalfe [played they are characters who wouldn’t suit.
by Amy Walsh] and Matthew: You wouldn’t want to lie in bed and
Leyla Harding [Roxy learn your lines together, then travel into work
Shahidi]. How is that together and then work all day together! At the
storyline to play? moment you could probably write the amount
It’s great. Rox and I of lines we’ve had together over the years on
work so well together, one piece of paper!
so it’s been fantastic
to have her back in that Do you both learn your lines together?
dynamic with David. Matthew: We sit in bed and read our lines but
Charley: And she’s as Charley has all of her scripts on paper, whereas
daft as you! They’re I have mine on my iPad. Charley has piles of
a male and female scripts at her side of the bed and I just have one
version of each other. little computer!
Charley: I don’t know how he learns his lines
And Charley, Debbie has a new love from a tablet – I couldn’t do it!
interest in the shape of Tom Waterhouse
[played by Ned Porteous]. How’s that been Emmerdale’s storming it at the moment
to shoot? – it must be nice to be part of it…
It’s been really good. I’ve got some big scenes Matthew: We’ve done so well that we’re almost
coming up. It’s not quite what you think it is and expecting not to do well again! We’ve had such
there are a lot of secrets! a good run, we’ve won the British Soap Awards
Below: The family are planning
two years on the
on heading out for Christmas
trot. It’s not all
dinner. Right: Matthew in
about awards but it
The Real Full Monty
is nice to get those
accolades.

Matthew, you
stripped off for The
Real Full Monty
earlier this year to
raise awareness of
male cancers…
The stripping off
part of it was scary,
but it was probably
the best thing I’ve ever done. The feedback
I’ve had from the documentary has been
incredible. The chef at work came up to me
and shook my hand and said that, because
of that show, his dad went and got checked
out and discovered he had prostate cancer.
He’s now being treated. The earlier it’s
detected, the better. I was also at Buster’s
school and a couple of his teachers came up
to me and said their husbands had booked
in for check-ups off the back of it. I looked at
Buster and he looked embarrassed and told
me afterwards: ‘I can’t believe my teachers
have seen your bum!’

Did you work out a lot before stripping off?

So much! And it’s complete vanity because
that wasn’t what the show was about. But
I was stood next to Ashley Banjo and Harry
Judd so I did step it up.

There’s reportedly going to be a female

version. Will you sign up, Charley?
If my boobs weren’t seen, I’d consider it!

You must get recognised a lot when

you’re out and about…
Charley: We do and you get used to it and
the majority of people are lovely. Although
mobile phones have become my most hated
item, as I don’t really like it when some people
take a photo without asking, like when I’m
with my children in the supermarket.
Matthew: I was walking the dog this
morning and got asked three times for
my autograph and I had a jacket covering
half my face, but luckily David’s a popular
character so I never get any trouble!

Would either of you ever like to spread

your wings and try something else?
Matthew: I can see me being at Emmerdale
for the rest of my career. I love it. I do have
that urge to do some theatre again in the
future but I’m so happy there.
Charley: I’ve been on the show since I was
Charley Wears tOp by flannels; and trOUsers by Kirsty dOyle.

nearly 15 years old and it does feel like such a

huge amount of time but it’s gone so quickly!
I’m working with my best friends and it’s
such fun. I wouldn’t be able to function in
mattheW and the bOys Wear OUtfits by jOhn leWis

real life without Jeff [Hordley] and Emma

[Atkins], who play my parents on the show.
You do sometimes think about wanting to
play a different character but I’m fine as I am
at the moment. I get to go home to Buster
and Bowie each night and you can’t put a
price on that. There’s no job more important
than being with your family. OK!
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WWW.OK.CO.UK 61
 her first christmas as a mum

‘this
christmas
we’re
planning a
pyjama day’
amy childs tells OK!’s laura hills about her festive
plans with polly, life as a single parent and why
she’s no longer bothered by negative comments

N
ot so long ago, Amy Childs
was best known for
introducing us to vajazzles
and living out her dating
highs and lows on The Only Way Is
Essex, but six years after quitting
the show, life is entirely different for
the Brentwood-based star.
In April, 27-year-old Amy
welcomed her daughter Polly
into the world and since then
she’s kept a low profile while
she spends some quality time
with her adorable little girl.
Despite happily celebrating
Polly’s arrival together in OK!,
Amy and Polly’s dad Bradley
Wright parted ways just six
weeks later. The pair had
endured an on/off relationship
after tree surgeon Bradley was
handed an 18-month prison
sentence for handling stolen
goods in 2015.
Despite their split, Amy tells
OK! that she is determined to
stay single. ‘I don’t think I’m
ready for another relationship,’
she tells us, as we exclusively
Above: Amy
catch up with her and seven-
with Polly,
month-old Polly ahead of their
whose father is
first Christmas together.
Bradley Wright
Opening up about life as a
(above right)
single mum, Amy reveals that
there are times when she finds
it ‘tough’, but admits: ‘Motherhood
is the best thing I’ve ever done, I
have no regrets.’
While she was recently crowned
the 3D Lipo Celebrity Mum Of The
Year, Amy has come under fire
from some online commentators
for some of her decisions since
becoming a mum, including
weaning Polly at four months old.
But the feisty star reveals she no
longer lets negative feedback get
her down, insisting: ‘Happy baby,
happy mum – that’s what I say!’
Here, Amy tells us all about her
plans for Polly’s first Christmas,
staying in touch with her former
TOWIE co-stars and why she and
Bradley will never get back together…
What are you planning for Polly’s
first Christmas?
I’m not usually the biggest fan of
Christmas but it’s impossible to be
a Grinch with a child around, so this
year I’m going all out. I’ve got a huge
tree and a big bow on my door. It’s
really important to me to make this
Christmas as lovely as possible for
Polly, even though she has no idea
what is going on. We’re going to my
parents’ house and all my family will
be there. I usually get really dressed
up on Christmas Day but this year
we’re planning a pyjama day. I’m not
going to wear any make-up.
Will Bradley see Polly on
Christmas Day?
He’ll probably see her on Boxing
Day. He sees her once every ten
days or so. At the end of the day, if
he wants to be a good dad then the
opportunity is there for him. Polly is
my main priority and I’ve said to him
that I would love him to have a good
bond with her. The rest is up to him.
Will you spoil her with gifts?
I actually don’t think I will. Polly is
very lucky. She gets lovely presents
from people all year round so there
really isn’t much she needs. Having
said that, I’ll change my mind at the
last minute and buy her loads! I’ve
done loads of Christmas shopping
already, I’m very organised.

62
 ‘I want to get married one day
and would love three or four
children,’ says Amy. ‘But I think
I’ll wait a few years before
looking for someone new’

WWW.OK.CO.UK 63
Below: ‘I’m very strict with her
routine, but she’s a very chilled
out baby because of it,’ Amy tells
us. Right: Amy with her mum
Julie and older brother Billy
64
She looks so much like you…
Everyone says she looks
more like my mum! People
assume that I dress Polly in
pretty bows and tutus every
day, but I prefer her to be
comfortable. I love her looking
nice but I don’t make her super
girlie. She looks cutest in her
babygros and vests, I love how
much choice there is of girls’ clothes.
Does Polly have a day-to-day routine?
I’m very strict with her routine, but she’s a very chilled
out baby because of it. She wakes up about 7am and I
give her a bottle. After that I stick her in her Jumperoo
and I have a shower. At night-time she goes down about
6pm. I give her a bottle and a bath, then she knows it’s
time for her to go to sleep.
What stage is Polly at now?
She’s probably about a month away from crawling and
she’s eating food now. I found giving her proper food
scary at first, as I was worried she wouldn’t eat enough,
but she loves everything I put in front of her – a roast
chicken dinner is her favourite. I cook most of her meals
from scratch because I like her to eat as naturally as
possible. I make big batches of veg then freeze it.
You were criticised for weaning Polly at four months
old – how did that make you feel?
I don’t think anyone has the right to judge me, every
baby is different and it’s up to the mum to decide
what is best. I did a lot of research into it and I think it’s
accepted to wean your baby at four months old.
Did you breastfeed Polly?
I really wanted to but I struggled to get her to latch
on. It got me down at first. But after the first few days
of trying, I gave her a bottle and she seemed happy
so I knew it was the best thing for her. People talk
about having a close bond with their baby when they
breastfeed, but I still felt that same closeness even
with a bottle.
You’ve hit out at the ‘mum police’ on social media –
does the negative feedback ever upset you?
It used to bother me, but I don’t pay attention to it any
more. It’s a shame people feel the need to criticise me –
I’m a single mum who is just trying to do the best thing
for her daughter. Polly is healthy and content so I have
no reason to let negative comments upset me. Happy
baby, happy mum – that’s what I say!
Do you ever find being a single mum hard?
There are times when it’s really tough. Polly usually
sleeps through the night, but she’s teething at the
moment so she’s been waking up every hour. It’s times
like that when I’d love to have a partner who could help
me out or look after her while I have a bath. I get a lot of
help from my parents as they live just down the road,
but it doesn’t replace what I’m missing in a partner.
Motherhood is the best thing I’ve ever done, though –
I have no regrets.
What have you learnt about yourself from being a
single mum?
I’ve learnt that I need to give myself more credit. Being
a mum is non-stop and sometimes it’s really tough, but
I have to remind myself that I’m doing a good job and
that I just need to get on with things. I’ve also learnt that
you become less selfish when you have a child, it’s not
all about you anymore.
Do you think you and Bradley will get back together?
Absolutely not. We get on better now that we’re not
together. We’re never going to be best friends but we
work together to do the best thing by Polly.
Are you dating?
It’s hard to meet someone new because Polly is still so
young. I don’t like leaving her to go out. I don’t think I’m

ready for another relationship either. I want
to get married one day and would love three
or four children but I think I’ll wait a few years
before looking for someone new.
You’re looking great!
I’ve really struggled to get back into working
out – I never want to leave Polly for long
enough to go to the gym. People ask me what
I’m doing and it’s just from eating healthily and
going for a walk every day.
What’s next for you career-wise?
For now I’m focusing on things like my
mummy blog and working with good
baby brands.
Would you like to do another TV show?
Maybe one day, but it’d have to be right. I
couldn’t do a Mummy Diaries type of show as
Sam Faiers has done it, and Ferne McCann
has done a similar show too. I wouldn’t rule
out doing something with TOWIE again. It
would be fun to do a one-off reunion show
with all the originals.
‘Being a mum is non-stop
and sometimes it’s really
tough, but I have to
remind myself that I’m
doing a good job,’ says
Amy of single motherhood
Do you see your TOWIE pals often?
I see Billie [Faiers] quite a lot. Her son Arthur
and Polly were born three weeks apart, so we
spend a lot of time together. I spoke to Sam
and Ferne to congratulate them on the birth of
their daughters too.
Mark Wright is doing well in the States...
Mark was always destined to do well, even
before we went on TOWIE. It’s mad that he’s out
there interviewing people like Kim Kardashian,
but I’m really happy for him. I know some
people have said he’s developed a bit of an
American accent but I’ve not noticed it! OK!
wItH tHAnKS to ESSEx Bow CoMPAny At HouSE oF
SPArKlES, www.HouSEoFSPArKlES.Co.uK; BEllA
Boo’S www.BEllABooSBABy.Co.uK; BooHoo www.
BooHoo.CoM; wIlKo For tHE CHrIStMAS dECorAtIonS
www.wIlKo.CoM; F&F At tESCo www.tESCo.CoM/
dIrECt/ClotHIng; FIFI & FrIEndS www.FIFIAndFrIEndS.
Co.uK; ForEvEr unIquE www.ForEvErunIquE.Co.uK;
JAMES & roSE www.JAMESAndroSE.Co.uK; My 1St
yEArS www.My1StyEArS.CoM.
twIttEr.CoM/lAurACHIllS PHotogrAPHS By JAMES
rudlAnd AddItIonAl PHotogrAPHS By
gEtty IMAgES, tHE CAn grouP HAIr And MAKE-uP By
MIKEy PHIllIPS www.MAKEuPByMIKEy.CoM
WWW.OK.CO.UK 65
 PreParing for a magical christmas

‘christmas is
a magical time
that we love’
hollywood icon Nicole KidmaN oPens uP about sPending
time with her loved ones and the uPs and downs of fame

S
he’s been one of
Hollywood’s most famous
faces for more than 25
years, but down-to-earth
Nicole Kidman is just as keen on
upholding her family’s festive
traditions as the rest of us.
And while the actress admits she
doesn’t whip up a feast for her loved
ones on Christmas Day herself, her
husband Keith Urban, 50, and their
daughters Sunday, nine, and
six-year-old Faith certainly won’t be
going hungry.
‘We do a big Christmas holiday
with lots of food and family,’ she
revealed, adding: ‘It really is a
magical time that we love.’
The star has also recently
revealed that she is keen to soak up
the sun with her family during the
festive period.
‘We have a big summer
Christmas, which I know sounds
Above: Nicole with husband
bizarre to Americans,’ she explained.
Keith. Above right: With
‘We go back for the heat. We want
their children Sunday and
to be on the beach for Christmas,
Faith. Below left: Connor.
no snow.’
Below right: Isabella
Nicole, 50, also mum to adopted
children Isabella, 24, and Connor, 22,
with former husband Tom Cruise,
is currently starring in thriller The
Killing Of A Sacred Deer, while her
latest science fiction film Aquaman
is due to be released in 2018.
Meanwhile, the star recently
won Primetime Emmy Awards for
Outstanding Leading Actress and
Outstanding Limited Series as a
producer for her role on TV series
Big Little Lies. ‘Being able to make
amazing projects like Big Little Lies
and so many movies is the upside
[to being famous],’ she shared.
Here, Nicole opens up about
family life, celebrating Christmas and why she’d
love to go incognito in public…
How do you keep so busy at work and have
time for your family?
I wish I had more time. I have two little girls
and I have a husband whom I’m deeply in love
with and we have a very strong family unit that
requires an enormous amount [of time]. So I
don’t have the time to go and support all of the
artistic endeavours I would love to do.
Why is that?
I want my family and I want the balance. I’m glad
that when I got pregnant with Sunny [Sunday]
66
love to be able to
go to an open-air
market or have a great
disguise where I could
move around without
being noticed.
What can you tell
us about your new
movie, Aquaman?
I had the coolest
costumes. I love to feel.
I like to be disturbed, I
like to scream, I love to
cry, I love to laugh, I love
to feel love, I love to be.
I’m a feeler. I feel my
way through life.
I didn’t give
everything up. What do you look for in directors?
Because I was like, I like bold directors who take risks and chances.
that’s it. I’m done
now! I was in that Is there any director you haven’t made a film
sort of pregnancy with that you’d like to?
euphoria going yes, I will always say that Martin Scorsese needs to
this is it, I’m retiring. make a movie about a woman. I wouldn’t mind
My mum actually being Scorsese’s woman. I also love supporting
said to just keep a new directors, the ones who are just coming
little toe in the water. out of nowhere. Giving them a chance to start
is exciting. I’m also dedicated to working with
How are your women, which I have set up to do for 2018.
daughters doing?
Lovely in every Is there a difference between male and
way. Inquisitive, female directors?
charming, funny. No, there isn’t really. They’re either talented or
they’re not. I would love to say that it’s gender
How do you spend based, but I just feel like women should be given
Christmas in the opportunity. They can still completely lead.
Australia? They have incredibly strong visions. They’re
We do a big capable of handling everything that gets thrown
Christmas holiday at them, and I still don’t understand why they
with lots of food don’t have the opportunities. I have a nine-year-
and family, no old daughter who wants to be a director.
matter where we
are – Australia or That’s very exciting…
Nashville. It really is a magical time that we love. I’m really passionate about opening the doors
I don’t really cook, I leave that to others. for women, because they need to be. When
you look at statistics showing just four per cent
How do you spend your alone time? of the top 100 grossing movies [of 2016] were
I love to read and write. I keep a journal and directed by women, that’s ridiculous. There’s
often write short stories. I love movies and really no difference between male and female
projects that are about great stories and directors, other than a woman is probably
storytelling. That’s what captivates us all, right? interested in different aspects of who I am,
compared to a man. OK!
What are the ups and downs of being in the
‘THE KILLING OF A SACrED DEEr’ IS OUT NOW. NICOLE
public eye? ALSO APPEArS IN ‘AqUAMAN’, WHICH WILL BE rELEASED
Being able to make amazing projects like Big IN LATE 2018.
Little Lies and so many movies is the upside. INTErVIEW By JESSICA yOUNG/FAMOUS EDITED By JOEL
And I love my fans, they’re amazing. But the COOPEr PHOTOGrAPHS By CAMErA PrESS/GAVIN BOND/
BAFTA, GETTy IMAGES, THE MEGA AGENCy, VANTAGE NEWS
downside is not being able to blend in. I would
‘i love to
cry, i love
to laugh,
i love to
feel love’

‘I just feel like women

should be given the
opportunity,’ Nicole
says of female directors
WWW.OK.CO.UK 67
 that’s the spirit!

how the stars

are celebrating
this christmas OK!’s favourites share their fun
festive plans and their hopes
for a happy and healthy 2018

mollie King
‘I can’t wait for
Christmas. My favourite
thing is having all
the family sat round
together – to have
my grandparents,
my sisters and my
nephews all in one
place is amazing. My
two big sisters and
I used to put on our
own mini panto for the
whole family each year.
One would always be
the princess and the
other, the prince. That
would leave me playing
a tree!’

Kelly brooK
‘We [Kelly and boyfriend Jeremy
Parisi, above] are home for
Christmas. I have a tradition where I
have to open a present on Christmas
Eve. I haven’t asked for anything yet ferne mcann
but the older I get the happier I am, ‘I can’t wait for Christmas. I’ve got everyone coming round to my
so I’m less and less needy for stuff. flat but my mum will do the cooking. I’m so excited for my daughter
I’m just happy to live another year. Sunday’s first Christmas, but I don’t think I’ll spoil her. She’s already
I’m like, thank God I’m still here! I’m got loads of clothes and she’s too young for toys so it will all be a bit
38 now and still going!’ lost on her. I’m so excited for when she’s aware of what Christmas
Day is all about and we can start forming our own traditions.’

68
 sAmiA AnD sylvAin
lonGchAmbon
Sylvain: ‘This year there’s just going to be the four of us
[Samia, Sylvain, their son Yves and Samia’s daughter Freya] at
home together for the first time because I have to be back at
Dancing On Ice in the new year.’
Samia: ‘We’ll start our day with champagne and salmon for
breakfast and then we’ll have a traditional dinner with all the
trimmings. Freya is learning to play the piano at school so she
wants a keyboard. Yves loves anything like cars, trucks, trains
and planes. He’s such a boy. He loves In The Night Garden too
and sobs his heart out every time the programme finishes so
he might get an Iggle Piggle toy.’

DAvooD
GhADAmi
‘Christmas for
me is all about
family, food and
enjoying the
moment, sitting
round a table
with the people
you love and
sharing time,
because that’s
one of the most
precious things.
The gifts are just
a bonus. If you
see your family
AleshA Dixon happy, then
you’re happy.
‘On Christmas Day I do what
And usually
everyone else does – eat too
what makes
much! My brother comes over and
me and my
cooks and the whole family plays
family happy is
party games. I just love it. It’s the
good food!’
only time of the year when I turn
my phone off. I can just be in the
moment with the people I love. My
New Year’s resolution is to take
more selfish time because I haven’t
been selfish enough this year!’

WWW.OK.CO.UK 69

Paddy MGuinness
‘We [Paddy and wife Christine] try to ration out
the Christmas presents with the kids so they’re not
arguing. That’s the tradition in our house! We start
preparing quite early and I do all the cooking. I love
Christmas but I won’t be going around the house
going: “Let the Christmas see the turkey!”’
Joe MFadden and Katya Jones
Katya: ‘Strictly is such a go, go, go show, when I get to Christmas Day I still
think, am I meant to be practising? And then I’m like, oh no – I can just sit
and eat cake and do nothing!’
Joe: ‘My favourite thing about Christmas is all the food and the resting
and great films on the telly. When A Child Is Born is one of my favourite
Christmas songs, but Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You is a
floor filler. It’s not Christmas unless you hear that song!’
rylan Clark-neal
‘All I do at Christmas is eat, but this year I’m not cooking.
I’ve done it for the last two years. I had to prove myself as a
Celebrity MasterChef finalist and now I’m just so over it. I do
love a little Boxing Day game, though. My favourite is Cards
Against Humanity but it’s not very family friendly. I haven’t
asked for any presents yet. Everyone moans and says:
“You’ve got everything.” No I haven’t! Although I did once get
given a belly button brush!’

kristina rihanoff
‘Christmas will be a big family affair at home
because I’m touring in the new year. My mum
is flying in from Russia. Ben [Cohen, Kristina’s
partner] is an incredible cook and it will be our first
Christmas as vegans. We’ll also cook something
stewy for the Russian side of things. It’s exciting
now that Mila [their daughter, nearly two] is a bit
older. We’ll open presents together.’

anton
Du Beke
‘Christmas is going
to be incredible this
year with the twins
[a boy and a girl,
born in March]. We’ll
have about 15 trees
in our house. I love
a Christmas tree –
can’t help it. Go big!
They’ll probably be
a bit young for this
first one but it’s not
going to stop me!’
Daniel
BroCkleBank
‘I’ll be spending Christmas with my
other half [Stuart Hatton Jr] and
his family. My birthday is three days
before Christmas – the most rubbish
time! I’d like to go away somewhere
warm as my birthday is on the darkest
day of the year. Swimming in the
ocean with a beer would be nice.’
Gareth Gates
‘I’m doing panto this
year. My daughter Missy
absolutely loves watching
Daddy play the prince,
but I’m Jack this year in
Jack And The Beanstalk
so I get to slay a giant. My
New Year’s resolution is
to spend more time with
Faye [Brookes, his long-
term girlfriend] and Missy
and I’ve already put that
in place. Life is too short. I Matt terry
love my job but I’m looking
forward to having a few
ashley Banjo ‘I’m going to have Christmas with
my family at my new house that
‘I’m excited about Christmas
months where I don’t have I’ve just moved into. My mum and
because that’s going to be
to travel around as much!’ dad are going to cook – and I’m
the one day off during my
going to take the credit! I’ve got a
whole panto run – a time to
massive present for [his X Factor
sit on the settee and slob
mentor] Nicole Scherzinger,
out. The London palladium
which I haven’t been able to
[where Ashley plays The
Sultan in Dick Whittington]
give to her yet. It’s a life-size doll
of me! Who would I like to kiss
is right by oxford Street,
under the mistletoe? I’m going to
which is the best place to get
play it safe and say Beyoncé.’ OK!
presents. I’ve been with my
wife [Francesca Abbott] for CoMpILED BY MICHELLE GARNETT
so long that I’ve learnt the pHoToGRApHS BY ALAN STRuTT,
BBC, DAN KENNEDY, DAvID vENNI/
skill of planting psychological Tv MAGAzINE/NEWS SYNDICATIoN,
seeds about which presents GETTY IMAGES, GoFFpHoToS.CoM,
INSTAGRAM, SHuTTERSToCK, WENN
I want!’

WWW.OK.CO.UK 71
 as she steps onto the stage
‘it’s been a crazy year,
but my best yet!’
‘coronation street’ star lucy fallon tells OK!’s kirsty hatcher
all about getting a taste of the west end, her festive
plans and what’s next for poor bethany platt
B
ethany Platt has had a tough year in
Weatherfield, but for one night only
Coronation Street actress Lucy Fallon is
being transformed into a stage star for All
Star Musicals. The ITV show, hosted by Freddie
Flintoff, will see Lucy and six other famous faces
become West End stars and perform at London’s
legendary Palladium Theatre.
Lucy, who is singing Don’t Cry For Me Argentina
from Evita, says: ‘We had two weeks to rehearse
but I booked a two-week holiday so I missed a
lot of the rehearsals. I had to cram them in really
quickly, but I was lucky that I didn’t have to learn
choreography, so I could get away with just
standing there and singing!’
Lucy, 22, has ended this year on a high after
winning Best Actress at the Inside Soap Awards
in November for her work on Bethany’s grooming
storyline. Next year will see the drama continue
when she becomes a lap dancer as a result of
what she went through.
The Blackpool-born actress was fully
supported through the tough story by her
boyfriend Tom Leech, a 26-year-old intranet
manager. The pair have been dating for
more than 18 months and moved in together
earlier this year. They share their home with a
Cavapoo called Milo. Here, Lucy tells OK! about
impressing Tom with her singing, her Christmas
plans and making her family cry…
Will people be surprised by your voice on
All Star Musicals?
I don’t know. I hope people like my voice!
You’re either going to enjoy it or not. It was a
bit of a dream come true for me because I love
musicals, I’m obsessed with them. Evita is one
of my favourites and I’ve seen it three times, so
I was buzzing. It’s nice for people to see me do
something different – and not crying!
Was it nerve-wracking?
Yes! I’ve never been to the Palladium but I got
there early on the day of filming and they asked
if I wanted to sit in the audience to get a feel
for it. I sat in the second row and I felt like I was
going to cry! It was horrendous. I wasn’t sure
how I was going to get up on the stage!
How much previous experience have you
had in musicals?
Above: Bethany Platt is in for With Bhavna Limbachia
more drama. Above right:
Lucy’s pet pooch Milo Street Christmas party
72
I haven’t had any proper experience. I’ve just
done amateur musical numbers, panto and
shows with the dance school I used to be in but
I’ve never stood on a stage and sung by myself!
Did Tom come and support you?
He did. The curtain came up and the music
started and I was looking up to the circle, but
Tom is really tall and he’s got this big quiff, so out
of everyone in the theatre, the only thing I could
see was his hair sticking up [laughs]!
Was he impressed?
Yeah. He went with my mum, dad, sister, cousin
and my old dance teacher. He said he looked
down the aisle and they were all crying!
Would you like to perform in the West End in
the future?
I would love that, but I don’t know if that would
ever happen. But I’m in no rush to leave Corrie as
I’m loving it.
You won your first Best Actress
award this year…
It was amazing – it’s been a crazy
year but my best year yet!
You’ve got another intense
storyline coming up. What can
you tell us about it?
I can’t talk too much about it
because I don’t want to spoil it,
but it’s true that Bethany becomes
a lap dancer. It’s off the back of everything that’s
happened to her, but it’s more about her feeling
like she wants to take back control of herself
and have control over men.
Is there any way of
preparing for a storyline
like that?
No, not really – you
can’t really do any
research [laughs]! You
don’t really see the
dancing, it’s more about
people’s reaction when
they find out and how it
affects them.
at the Coronation
Did you have to learn
to dance?
Below: With her
boyfriend Tom
Leech. Left: In
All Star Musicals
No! But I did go to a pole-dancing class the other
day for my sister’s hen party and it was amazing.
It’s a good workout!
Your co-star Jennie McAlpine finished fourth
on I’m A Celebrity – Get Me Out Of Here!.
Would you ever do the show?
I would. I’d like to do it to push myself, but I
don’t think I’d be very good. I definitely couldn’t
just get on with it like Jennie did! Everyone who
knows me would think I was going to be s**t so
I’d want to prove them wrong.
What about Dancing On Ice?
I’ve been speaking to Brooke
[Vincent] loads about it and it
sounds exhausting. It’s so scary –
much scarier than I’m A Celeb… – so I
don’t think you’ll see me doing that!
What are your plans for
Christmas?
I’ll be at home in Blackpool. We’re
going out for dinner this year.
There will be 30 of us! It’ll be more
exciting and a bit more boozy, as
we don’t have any kids with us this year.
Is Tom spending it with you?
We’ll wake up together on Christmas Day and
give each other our presents, and then he will go
and see his mum and then his dad and sisters.
Hopefully we’ll see each other later in the day.
What’s on your wish list?
The only thing I’ve asked for is a record player as
we have loads of vinyl. I want it in my kitchen.
Are you hoping for a Christmas proposal?
[Laughs] No, no, not yet! OK!
‘ALL STAr MuSICALS’ IS oN CHrISTMAS EVE AT 6.40PM oN ITV.
TWITTEr.CoM/kIrSTY_HATCHEr
PHoTogrAPHS BY ALAN STruTT, gETTY IMAgES,
INSTAgrAM, ITV, MArk CAMPBELL, SHuTTErSToCk
The Corrie star is
hoping for a record
player for Christmas
and will spend the
day with her family

WWW.OK.CO.UK 73

‘He does tHe walk of
sHame tHe next day’
‘coronation street’ favourites simon gregson and kate ford
reveal How tHey feel about tHeir cHaracters’ scandalous
cHristmas reunion and sHare tHeir own plans for tHe Holidays
W
ith their toxic relationship
history, you’d think Coronation
Street’s Steve McDonald and
Tracy Barlow would have given
up on a happy ending. But this Christmas,
the warring couple reignite their passion
after sharing the contents of a hip flask at
their daughter Amy’s (played by Elle
Mulvaney) school carol concert.
‘They’re both drunk and they spend the
night together,’ says Kate Ford, who plays
Tracy. ‘Steve likes danger!’ adds Simon
Gregson, 43, who’s played Steve since
joining the soap as a teenager.
The unlikely Weatherfield lothario has
had his fair share of partners. Married
six times, he’s just out of a short-lived
relationship with Leanne Battersby
(played by Jane Danson), the mother
of his baby boy Oliver, when he has his
encounter with Tracy.
Off-screen, the pair are great friends.
Kate, 40, is mum to nine-year-old son Otis
with her former husband Jon Connerty. Simon,
meanwhile, lives with his wife Emma and their
three cheeky sons – Alfie, ten, Harry, eight, and
two-year-old Henry. Life hasn’t been without its
drama though and, in September, Simon shared
his gratitude of the NHS after Emma, who has
suffered 11 miscarriages in the past, was rushed
to hospital for emergency life-saving surgery.
Here, Simon and Kate talk about their
characters’ complicated relationship, whether
their on-screen affair is likely to last this time
around and how they’ll both be spending
Christmas Day away from the cobbles…
So how did you both feel when you heard
Tracy and Steve will end up in bed together?
Simon: We were shocked. They always said
they never really liked each other, plus she slept
Above: Simon with his
wife Emma and their sons
Harry, Henry and Alfie.
Right: Kate with her son Otis
74
Happy ex-mas to tHem!
Steve and Tracy share played by Katherine Kelly] was a complete
a drunken night of loonbag and now he’s got the sociopath
passion – and begin murderer. I might have to ring my agent
dating again! after this interview and see if I’ve still got a
contract with Corrie! This might be my exit!
So Steve and Tracy actually start
seeing each other?
Simon: Yes – really, really quickly. I guess
there’s that loneliness to it and wanting
to be with somebody.
Have you two got better at kissing?
Simon: I’ve got brilliant. I face the right
way now and everything!
Doesn’t Steve still have feelings for
Michelle Connor [aka Kym Marsh]?
Simon: I don’t think Steve will ever get
over Michelle, but he’s resigned to the
fact that he’s blown it.
Kate: Steve and Tracy go out for a meal
with Steve’s mum’s boyfriend! But Kate and I are at Nick’s Bistro and he spends most of the time
very good friends and have a really good laugh looking at Michelle, which doesn’t go down too
so we put that into the relationship. We’ve kind well. Tracy also finds out that Steve has given
of surmised that it’s sexual. Tracy is well rude, Michelle £10,000, so that doesn’t go down well
which pleases Steve! either! There also could be some jealousy over
how much he’s doing for each of his children.
So how do they end up back in each
others’ arms? What would you two buy Steve and Tracy
Kate: They’ve been having a bit of a laugh, for Christmas?
just little moments together in the Rovers. Kate: We did this today – I said that I was going
So when it comes to the carol concert, they to get Steve the snip!
snuggle up. They’re both drunk and they spend Simon: I was going to get Tracy one of them
the night together. Hannibal Lecter masks, so we could go out
Simon: He does the walk of shame the next day! safely on dates!
We did a couple of takes on it.
How would Tracy feel if she got pregnant?
What’s Amy’s reaction when she finds out? Kate: She’d be mortified. It would bore her
Simon: She’s witnessed every single argument to have a baby. When Amy was little she was
and she knows they’re not good for each other. constantly asking Emily Bishop [played by Eileen
She doesn’t Derbyshire] to babysit.
want to be in the
middle of what’s What are your personal plans for Christmas?
inevitably going Kate: I’ll be at home with Otis, my parents,
to be a huge family and friends. I’m not a very good cook so
volcano. we’re going to my friend’s house for lunch.
Kate: It’s not Simon: It’ll be the usual for us, at home with
going to work, family and friends. My wife Emma goes mad for
is it? Christmas. She has a massive competition with
Simon: It’s our friends across the road and decorates the
highly possible garden, the driveway and inside the house.
that Steve
could mellow Are you hosting Christmas then, Simon?
Tracy – doubtful Yes, Emma always hosts and cooks and of
though. Tracy’s course it’ll be Henry’s first proper Christmas
a total cow! because he’ll be two. I’ve already given him his
But Steve likes present – a toy car with a little control thingy.
danger. Karen I couldn’t wait! OK!
[Phillips, played ‘CORONATION STREET’ IS ON CHRISTMAS DAY AT 8pm.
by Suranne
Jones] threw INTERvIEW BY ROBYN MORRIS EDITED BY MICHELLE
plates at him and GARNETT PHOTOGRAPHS BY DIANE THOMPSON,
GETTY IMAGES, ITv, LANDMARK MEDIA
Becky [Granger,
 ‘Tracy is
well rude,
which
pleases
sTeve!’

Simon, Kate and their

on-screen daughter,
Elle Mulvaney
WWW.OK.CO.UK 75
 festive
frocks
shoes, £99, by duNe; aNd Necklace, £436, by koNPlott
dress, £229, by No1 at JeNNy Packham at debeNhams;

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78
dress to
impress
make a
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entrance with
these gorgeous
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by rOsie UnderWOOd

Dress, £2,800, Zeynep

Kartal; shoes, £99, by No1
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Dress, £1,100, by Michaela
Frankova; bracelet, £325, by
Van Peterson; and shoes, £109,
Carvela at Kurt Geiger
80
 Dress, £15,000, by
Malan Breton;
and necklace, £90,
by Pandora
Styling by RoSie UndeRwood
aSSiSted by HaRRiet wHeeleR
PHotogRaPHS by loRna RoacH
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Model: teSSa Maye @ MilK
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coM; PandoRa www.PandoRa.net/
en-gb; van PeteRSon www.
vanPeteRSon.coM; zeyneP KaRtal
www.zeynePKaRtal.co.UK.

www.oK.co.UK 81
 compiled by harriet wheeler; photographs by getty images, gorunway.com; stockists: accessorize uk.accessorize.com;
debenhams www.debenhams.com; miss selfridge www.missselfridge.com; net-a-porter www.net-a-porter.com/gb/en; new look
www.newlook.com/uk; next www.next.co.uk; topshop www.topshop.com; v by very www.very.co.uk; zara www.zara.com/uk

82
Dress, £99,
Miss Selfridge

MSGM at
Top, £485,

Net-A-Porter

Miller at
Trousers,

Savannah

Debenhams
£60, Nine by

£35,
Next
Heels,
add some sparkle
to your partywear
shine
and you

Emilia Wickstead
sequin
shall

Zara
Skirt,
£49.99,
top, £39,
Topshop

V by Very
Halterneck

Dress, £65,

Look

Bag, £20,
Earrings,

Accessorize
£7.99, New
 With OK! fashion & beauty director rosie underWood

super cool
@rosiejunderWood

w
hen you
hit the
slopes,
Headband,
you’re
£35, zip-
fighting the elements,
through top,
so practicality should
£160, and
technically be top of
salopettes,
your priorities. But
£285
being a fashion
director, I’m guilty of
being lured in by
what looks good.
luckily for me, those
legends at sweaty
Betty have made
being mountain-
ready look Ski jacket,
effortlessly stylish. £385, base
with their new ski layer, £65, and
All-in-one ski
collection, they’re salopettes,
suit, £485
making fashion meet £285
function on snowy
terrain. race you
to the chairlift!

katy’s magic beuti-ful kate

lotion T he Duchess of Cambridge [right]
has managed to fight off any signs
F lying the flag for cruelty-free
beauty, Katy Perry [right] has
been slathering herself head to foot
of morning sickness on her recent royal
appointments, and it’s rumoured that

CarvEla KurT GEIGEr ww-w.KurTGEIGEr.CoM; HEMPz www.HEMPzBEauTy.CoM; nET-a-PorTEr www.nET-a-PorTEr/GB/En;

she’s looking radiant with the help
in Hempz moisturiser. Made with

PHoToGraPHs By GETTy IMaGEs; sToCKIsTs: alDo www.alDosHoEs.CoM/uK/En_uK; BEuTI aT www.looKFanTasTIC.CoM;

of Beuti Pomegranate Glow Enzyme
100 per cent pure hemp seed oil –
Cleanser. It’s a great
fantastic for nourishment – it keeps
choice for the pregnant
her skin hydrated and conditioned,
royal, as the fermented
which may be why it’s as smooth as
pomegranate acts like
a porcelain doll. I’ve just
a very gentle glycolic
added this cream to
acid to treat fine lines,
my last-minute

oFFICE www.oFFICE.Co.uK; swEaTy BETTy www.swEaTyBETTy.CoM; ToPsHoP www.ToPsHoP.CoM

dullness and uneven
Christmas wish list!
texture like a dream.
Hempz Original Herbal
Beuti Pomegranate Glow
Body Moisturizer, £19.99
Enzyme Cleanser, £35

party heels
Strappy, £825,
Pearl detail, £149,
Floral cluster, Christian Louboutin at
Carvela Kurt Geiger
£69, Office Net-A-Porter
Gem detail,
£59, Topshop

Sequin, £75,
Aldo

WWW.OK.CO.UK 83
 hide the Vita coco natural Water
coconut Water, £1.69 for
330Ml coconut water is

hangover
packed full of electrolytes
and potassium, making it
seriously hydrating. drink this
like it’s going out of fashion
when you open your eyes,
Our FashiOn and Beauty and that foggy head will be
directOr rOsie underwOOd given its marching orders in
no time. rihanna and
tests the Best prOducts madonna have been known
FOr the mOrning aFter to sip this liquid saviour.
the night BeFOre

J
ust a word of warning – alcohol, work and looking good MuraD hyDra-
tend not to go hand in hand. and while i’d never turn down gloW aqua
a third – or fifth – glass of bubbles at this time of year, it has peel, £40
a delightful habit of showing up on my face and in my head the for four
next day. that’s cause for serious beauty concern. but fear not, SachetS booze
because help is at hand... is extremely
dehydrating for

laura WhitMore
the skin as well
eleMiS pro-collagen hyDra– as the body in
Dr hauSchka
gel eye MaSkS, £48.50 for pack general, so the
VoluMe
of Six puffy eyes will remain as morning after a
MaScara in
long as your hangover does – party, i whack one
black, £19 noir
benefitcosmetics.com/uk/en-gb; dr hauschka www.drhauschka.com/en_gb; elemis www.elemis.com;
elizabeth arden www.elizabetharden.co.uk; moroccanoil www.moroccanoil.com/uk; murad www.

unless you get your hands on a of these beauties

mascaras give
pair of these! they’re infused with on for a good
photographs by getty images; stockists: bareminerals www.bareminerals.co.uk; benefit www.

your eyes a lift as

an abundance of ingredients, 20 minutes. the
well as making
including plankton extract to gentle peel step
the whites look
instantly tighten the skin and makes the hydrating
brighter, meaning
hyaluronic acid to hydrate. mask act quickly and
you seem more
effectively. no wonder
awake. cameron
laura whitmore,
diaz likes this
nicole scherzinger
natural formula.
and fearne cotton
are all fans!

Moroccanoil
Dry ShaMpoo,
£15.45 missed
murad.co.uk; vita coco at www.boots.com murad

your alarm?
the thought of
washing and
benefit boi-ing airbruSh
blow-drying
concealer in 2, £17.50 meet
your hair making
your hangover’s best concealing
your head spin
friend! i’ve found that this formula
faster than a
sits very well on dehydrated skin,
visit to winter
covering a multitude of sins.
wonderland?
moroccanoil’s take
on dry shampoo elizabeth arDen eight hour
uses rice starch creaM Skin protectant
to absorb oil and nighttiMe Miracle MoiSturizer,
odour. Job done, £32 Just a couple of drinks will dry
your skin out as much as a plane
ride. i encourage everyone to fly
with this formula slathered all over
their complexion, so naturally i also
suggest you slap this on before you
hit the hay after a night out.

bareMineralS Well-reSteD
face & eye brightener, £22
apply this to the cheekbones,
brow bones and under the eyes
to illuminate tired skin in
an instant. yes, it does exactly
what it says on the tin.

86
all that glitters
sparkle and shine with these
shimmering, light-reflecting
party essentials
Guerlain Gold liGht top
Givenchy prisMe Quatuor eyeshadow in
coat Mascara, £20.50
inattendue, £41.50 The lightweight texture
A rich and luxurious gold
and glide-on formula makes these eyeshadows
top coat that will transform
buildable, so you can decide how bold you want
classic mascara – great for
your look to be. With both intense and soft
an eye-catching party look.
pearlescent shades, this compact can instantly
From the very first stroke,
transform your look from day to night.
lashes will be evenly coated
in a sparkly foil effect
while also giving a bounce
yves saint laurent la laQue of volume that will really
couture in studio silver, £19.50 provide the wow factor!
Make your nails a statement this party
season with this dazzling silver polish.
Apply just one layer for a subtle wash
of glitter or layer over your favourite
shade to add a splash of shimmer.

com; guerlain at www.houSeoffraSer.co.uk; narS www.narScometicS.co.uk; Stila www.Stila.co.uk;

compiled by harriet wheeler; photograph by megan bramley; StockiStS: givenchy at www.debenhamS.
Man ray for nars photoGloss lip
lacQuer in off liMits, £22 Add a touch of
vibrancy to your festive look with this bold,
pink, shimmery lip gloss. In just one swipe,
your lips with be evenly coated with pigment
and a long-lasting, high-shine finish.

yveS Saint laurent www.ySlbeauty.co.uk in your dreamS www.inyour-dreamS.com

stila MaGnificent
Metals Glitter & Glow
liQuid eye shadow in
sMoky storM, £23 Swap
your classic eyeshadow
for a show-stopping
metallic hue packed
with pearls and glitter.
in your dreaMs Blue frosted fairy chunky This liquid shadow is
Glitter, £5.50 You can’t go to a party without lightweight and dries
a splash of glitter! The possibilities are endless smoothly and evenly,
– you can use this on your face, body and hair. locking in the glitter so
Stand out by recreating the on-trend glittery there’s minimal fallout.
hairline parting, or apply all over your eyelids.
88
kristina rihanoff
THE formEr ‘STrICTLY ComE DANCING’ STAr
oN GoING vEGAN, LovING YoGA, HATING THE
TrEADmILL AND CoSmETIC SurGErY
AGE: 40 hooked on it.
HEIGHT: 5ft 3in you feel like you
WEIGHT: 8st 2lb need to go and
DRESS SIZE: 8 sweat a bit.
BREAKFAST:
‘a coconut milk Do you have a
yoghurt with diet philosophy?
blueberries or you have to
strawberries.’ educate yourself
LUNCH: ‘i love a first about your diet
supergreen salad and the choices you
with lots of grains.’ want to make. then
DINNER: ‘oven- try eating different
cooked vegetables things and see how
drizzled in olive oil, your body reacts.
or a vegan curry.’ any extreme things
will probably not be
SNACKS: ‘walnuts
great for your body. a lot of people try different
are a great source of
diets without doing any research or reading
protein and very filling.
about the science behind it.
Figs and dates, too,
because they’re full of
What’s your favourite comfort food?
potassium and iron.’
naughty foods for me would be chips. i really
love chips.
What’s your diet like?
ben [cohen, her partner] and i decided to What is your least favourite part of
go vegan five months ago, and it helped us your body?
massively with our energy levels and feeling my height. i’ve always wanted to be taller.
good. ben had been very unwell with glandular
fever and, even ten weeks after he’d had it, What’s your favourite part of your body?
he still felt weak. he was keen to do anything probably my waist. i have an hourglass figure
to make himself feel better and our friends and i think it looks nice in feminine, figure-
suggested we try going vegan. it helped build hugging dresses.
the body from within, and just three days into
it he felt 1,000 per cent better. you feel fresh Which celebrity’s body do you admire?
and light all the time. i was worried that i’d be women like sofía vergara and jennifer lopez
hungry and tired during the tour, but i feel my inspire me. they are beautiful women in their
best ever. i’m loving it! forties who look better than they ever looked
before. they’re my heroes because they just
How do you keep in shape? look stunning. they’re great role models for
if i’m preparing for a tour then i’ll be a younger generation.
dancing for about six hours a day. it’s
full on, but rehearsals only tend to be Would you describe yourself as

interview by josie copson; photographs by alamy, bbc, getty images, instagram

for a couple of weeks. i also love yoga.
i try to do a couple of sessions a week
if i’m not rehearsing. i don’t run on
the treadmill or anything like that –
i can’t stand that kind of exercise.
Does it affect your mood when
you don’t exercise?
yes. From a very young age, i was
wired to do exercise. Dance makes
me happy – it’s good to release
the endorphins and feel great
afterwards. you definitely get
feeling body confident?
i don’t think that any woman can
ever be 100 per cent body
confident. even when i was in my
best shape, i was always thinking
about what i could improve. it’s
human nature to never be fully
happy with yourself but, with
age, you become more mature.
i’m short but that’s what helps
make me a good dancer. a lot of
things just became so secondary
and aren’t important any more. i have
much bigger things to worry about
than my dress size. but, of course, i
want to be healthy – that’s the most
important thing.

Would you ever consider having Above: Kristina

Kristina practises
yoga to keep her
supple and fit
cosmetic surgery? loves being a
ask me that question ten years vegan. Top left:
from now [laughs]. it’s a personal With her partner
choice. if it makes you happy, go for Ben Cohen on
it. everyone is entitled to decide Strictly. Left:
for themselves. OK! Women like Sofía
Kristina will be touring the uK with ‘Dance Vergara inspire
to the music’ From january 10 till February 28. Kristina to keep fit
For more inFormation anD ticKets, visit www.
Dancetothemusictour.com. and healthy
WWW.OK.CO.UK 89

‘it’s noBody’s Business
But mine how i look’
actress Renee ZellwegeR on stepping away from the spotlight
to focus on her personal life, her perfect sunday afternoon
and using her voice to help change the industry
S
he made her triumphant return to
the spotlight in 2016 in the
long-awaited sequel Bridget
Jones’s Baby after a six-year
hiatus, and now it seems Renée Zellweger
is back for good.
With this year’s drama Same Kind Of
Different As Me, next year’s romantic flick
Best Day Of My Life and the recent news
that she’ll star as Judy Garland in a biopic
about her final years, the 48 year old
appears to have rediscovered her love
of acting.
Like her character in Same Kind Of
Different As Me, the screen adaptation
of the bestselling memoir, Renée realised she
needed to make some big changes in her life in
order to live it to the fullest. ‘I didn’t like sitting
at home after the Golden Globes, in the failure
of my personal life, by myself. I didn’t like it
– it wasn’t fun,’ she says.
Thankfully, during that time away from the
spotlight, she began dating musician Doyle
Bramhall II, also 48, who she lives with in LA. The
pair have now been together for five years, and
earlier this year she said: ‘He’s a special person.’
Of finding a better work/life balance, the
Oscar-winning actress says: ‘Now I say: “No.”
I say: “I’d love to do that but my mum’s birthday
is on my schedule and I’m going to have to be
in Florida that week. I’m sorry. If we can do it
another time…”’ adding: ‘I didn’t do that before.
I didn’t feel like I was allowed to do that before.’
Renée recently had to deny that she had
been intimate with disgraced movie producer
Harvey Weinstein to further her career, after
actress Melissa Sagemiller claimed Harvey had
told her: ‘Renée Zellweger, Charlize Theron and
other actresses gave sexual favours,’ in a lawsuit.
Renée said of the allegations: ‘If Harvey said that,
he is full of s**t.’
In her latest film, Renée plays Debbie Hall,
the wife of a successful art dealer who seems to
have it all – until her husband cheats on her. She
surprises him by offering her forgiveness, on the
condition that he volunteer at a soup kitchen. It’s
With former Renée was
husband engaged to
Kenny Chesney Jim Carrey
90
Bridget Bites Back!
Above: In Same Kind Of Different
As Me. Left: As Bridget Jones
alongside Hugh Grant
there that they form an unlikely friendship with a
homeless man and their marriage begins to heal
– only to come face to face with a bigger hurdle.
Here, Renée opens up about taking time off
and why how she looks is nobody’s business…
What caused you to quit making films?
I didn’t quit, I just took a minute. After so many
years, you see the process. You see that it
overlaps and that it doesn’t stop. John Lennon
called [fame] the merry-go-round. While there is
a lot of joy involved in that experience, especially
in the privilege of getting to be a storyteller and
getting to do what you love in making a living,
there’s a lot that gets pushed by the wayside
with respect to your personal life.
What were you missing?
If you’re going to do this job as a storyteller well
and you’re committed to it, there are things that
you don’t get to engage in and nurture. Those
things might be more important than your
professional life. And then you have no reason
to get off the merry-go-round because there’s
nothing you’ve nurtured or built that’s more
important than that. That’s imbalance and it’s
not healthy.
So you needed to break the routine?
I needed to take a minute and watch my niece
and nephew turn from babies into toddlers and
then children, and know them, because
they’re going to have the birthday party
and understand that you can’t be there
because your job won’t let you, but they’re
having the
birthday
party
anyway. And
then it’s just
your loss.
It sounds
like the life
of a film
star can be
With current very lonely…
boyfriend Doyle They’re
Bramhall II having the
barbecue
anyway, and your friends
are getting closer, nurturing
their relationships, and it’s
just your loss. So I started
to look around and I didn’t
like myself very much. I
didn’t like sitting at home
after the Golden Globes, in
the failure of my personal
life, by myself. Why do you
have these huge moments
where you get to celebrate
with nobody? So, I needed
to work on that.
But most film stars love to be celebrated,
don’t they?
I was boring myself. You go from one of these
[events] to another, and [you wonder] how much
more can I talk about my boring self. I needed
to learn something. I’d reached a point in my life
where I wasn’t growing any more.
So it was new for you to put personal
decisions before your work?
I didn’t do that before. I didn’t feel like I was
allowed to do that before because it was so
important, this other thing. And now I know
better. I know it’s not more important and that
it can wait – despite everybody’s panic and
urgency. Now, if it can’t wait, then I can’t do it.
What do you like to do on Sunday afternoons?
If there are dogs involved, it’s a much better
weekend, so I try to make that happen. [Renée
volunteers at a dog rescue and foster charity in
her hometown of Houston, Texas.] Otherwise,
a whole lot of nothing. Maybe some friends and
some good food.
You’ve always been scrutinised for your
weight, but you’ve spoken out and given
others a voice. Did that make you feel better?
First of all, it’s nobody’s business but mine how
I look. But I do know that a lot of women get
scrutinised and judged for how they look in my
industry. It’s a vicious cycle that needs to be
broken up. If my voice leads to positive change,
then I’ll always speak up for what I think is right.
Why did you gravitate towards Same Kind
Of Different As Me?
It was a very easy yes. Michael [Carney, the
director] called me and said: ‘I heard you
were inspired by these people’s lives. We’re
going to find a mission in Jackson, Mississippi,
that’s unable to properly serve the homeless
community and we’re going to refurbish it so they
can take care of those folks in that town.’ They
threw film budget money at the place. That’s a
really good reason to make a movie, isn’t it? OK!
INTeRvIeW BY SuZY MALOY/THe INTeRvIeW peOpLe
eDITeD BY kIRSTY HATCHeR pHOTOGRApHS BY ALLSTAR,
GeTTY IMAGeS, pA, SHuTTeRSTOCk
Renée says she’s
discovered the power
of saying no and her
life is better for it

‘I started to
look around
and I dIdn’t
lIke myself
very much’

WWW.OK.CO.UK 91
 FIlM ‘Pitch Perfect 3’ (12a) ‘star Wars: the last Jedi’ (12a)

O I
ften sequels struggle to live up to the original, but the third t’s easy to see why Star Wars has captivated us for 40 years. The
instalment in the Pitch Perfect franchise proves to be just as seven previous episodes have brought us fantastical worlds, tragic
aca-mazing as its predecessors. Back for one final time, the love stories, menacing villains and light relief in almost equal
Barden Bellas are desperate to perform again after finding themselves measure. Each fan has their favourite moments, but could it be possible
in jobs they hate following the highs of winning the acapella world to combine the best elements of all that has gone before? Director
championships. They soon find themselves given the chance to reunite Rian Johnson certainly hopes to convince us and, after experiencing
for an overseas United Service Organizations tour, which sees them 152 minutes of adrenalin-fuelled space battles, mystical moments of
perform with three other bands, with one getting picked to perform with revelation, love, loss, redemption and self doubt, his Jedi mind trick
DJ Khaled at the end. You can also expect some full-blown action scenes has won us over. Picking up exactly where The Force Awakens finished,
and impressive-yet-comical fighting from Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) as Daisy Ridley looks effortlessly comfortable wielding a lightsaber as she
the film takes a dramatic turn towards the end. DJ Khaled is hilarious and John Boyega team up with
in his cameo appearance, while Elizabeth Banks and John Michael old favourites to resume battle
Higgins are as brilliant against the Dark Side. While
as ever as inappropriate staying faithful to the original idea
commentators Gail and celebrating classic characters
and John. Ruby Rose, such as Luke Skywalker and Carrie
John Lithgow, 90210’s Fisher’s final outing as Princess
Matt Lanter and former Leia, the real strength of The Last
Hollyoaks actor Guy Jedi is that the screen is crammed
Burnet also join the cast. with amazing new worlds, new
Overall it’s pure feel-good characters, new plot lines and is
entertainment and full of refreshingly funny. The Last Jedi
girl power. KH ★★★★ is quite possibly the best in the
Out this wednesday galaxy so far. SU ★★★★★ Out nOw

MUSIC Hot tICketS! Winterville

london
‘no_one ever
really dies’ nerd A fter a year off, Winterville is back,
swapping Victoria Park for Clapham

T hey’ve waited seven

years to release their
cleverly self-titled fifth
studio album. And Pharrell
Williams, Chad Hugo and
Shay Haley’s comeback record certainly
doesn’t disappoint. OK! loves Lemon, which
sees a rapping Rihanna do her best impression
of Fergie, and reggae-influenced Ed Sheeran
duet Lifting You. Whether Pharell circa Happy
was too soft for you, or it’s his solo work that
has sparked your interest, No_One Ever Really
Dies will work for the masses. And it loses nothing
by strolling down that middle road.
KLF ★★★★★ Out nOw
Common. This is south London’s edgy
alternative to Hyde Park’s Winter
Wonderland and there’s something for
everyone – from cabaret performances to
raves for kids, roller discos and UV-powered
golf. You can watch Christmas films in a
woodland setting, try yoga on ice or visit the
Narnia-inspired interactive experience. A
magical festive kingdom with a twist. ES
Open until January 1. see www.winterville.cO.uk.
‘the gruffalo’s child’ lyric theatre, london
W ith so many things vying for our attention
at this time of year, it can be a challenge
to decide what will be a hit with the kids. A
surefire winner is the live adaptation of The

top telly pICk Gruffalo’s Child. Packed with songs, humour

and audience participation, the retelling of
this children’s favourite sees the curious little
‘Jools’ annual hootenanny 2017’ Gruffalo wander into the deep, dark wood.
bbC two, SUnday deCeMber 31, 11.20 There she meets the fox, the owl and the snake
review by danny ledger, ellie smith, kirsty hatcher, nancy brOwn,

on her search to find the mouse. Her journey is

F orget packed pubs and expensive cab rides

home, pull up a chair and spend New Year’s
Eve in front of the box, as Jools Holland and his
sure to have parents and children alike tapping
their toes as they go along for the ride. SU
runs until January 7. fOr tickets, visit
Rhythm & Blues Orchestra return for their 25th www.gruffalOschildlive.cOm.
annual Hootenanny celebration. Say goodbye to
2017 in true toe-tapping style as guests including
all Points east festival victoria Park, london
saleem usmani; phOtOgraphs by getty images

Ed Sheeran, Jessie
Ware, Soul II Soul
and Beth Ditto
join the pianist
T his new ten-day event in east London’s Victoria Park features great live
performances and community-focused entertainment. Kicking off the May Bank
Holiday next year will be a three-day music
for sparkling festival featuring the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The XX,
performances enigmatic Lorde (right) and Björk. Following the
before the clock music-packed opening weekend, the park will
strikes 12. It’s host a four-day local entertainment extravaganza,
filmed in front of a with comedy, food and an outdoor cinema
celebrity-packed showcasing the vibrancy of the area. The second
audience, who’ll weekend features three more days of music, with
also be talking to Nick Cave headlining on the Sunday. With more
Jools about their acts to be announced, it’s an event not to be
hopes for the missed. DL runs frOm may 25 tO June 3 2018. see www.
coming year. NB allpOintseastfestival.cOm.

92
 Her exclusive OK! column
THe soap sTar
reveals Her plans
for cHrisTmas and
WHaT WenT on aT
THe ‘corrie’ parTy

feeling very fesTive

T
his will be the first Christmas To get ourselves in the festive mood, me
Matt and I will spend in our new and the kids headed to Winter Wonderland
home and we managed to get in Manchester [below, bottom and right].
all of the rooms painted just in I did my usual and took photos while they
time! It’s been a bit of a slog and we only went on the rides! Polly was just getting
managed to put up our tree about a week over her croup so was a bit tired and
before Christmas. grumpy, so I’m planning on taking her again
At the time of writing this I’ve done most over the festive period – we love it there!
of my present shopping too. Matt and I
decided on quite a tight budget for each
other this year as we’re planning to go on
holiday in the New Year instead. I’d rather
make memories together than have things
anyway. I have bought a fair bit for Polly
who’s obsessed with dolls, so it’s all about
Baby Alive and Barbie. She also wants a
double pram for her dolls!
It’s the kids’ year to spend Christmas
Day with their dads, so I’ll send them
off on Christmas Eve and Matt and I will
either have a cosy night in or we’ll head to
our local pub. We’ll wake up together on
Christmas Day and then head to Matt’s
mum’s house for lunch. The kids will be
back later on and we’ll head over to see my
parents in the evening. I’ll miss them on the
morning of Christmas Day but I get to do it
all again on Boxing Day. I’ll cook Christmas
dinner with all the trimmings as the kids
love my roast dinners, and I’ll save some
of Polly’s presents to open– otherwise it
can all get a bit overwhelming for her on
Christmas Day.

BACkgrID uk, EAMoNN AND JAMES CLArkE, gETTY IMAgES, INSTAgrAM, PHoToSHoT, SHuTTErSToCk, TWITTEr
a ‘corrie’ cHrisTmas
T he Corrie Christmas party was such
fun! Ali [king, below] and I got ready
at work before heading to the party at
to catch up with them. We couldn’t bring
our partners to the bash but I think that’s
better at work parties, as you’d probably
Welcome back, Jamie!
Manchester’s Harvey Nichols. It was
lovely to get to socialise with everyone,
especially the crew as I usually don’t get
just be mindful about them being bored
or worried about leaving them all night.
I only stayed for a couple of hours as
P olly loved being reunited with her daddy [Jamie
Lomas, bottom] after he came back from
Australia. She was so excited to see him as she really
I know how lairy these parties missed him! Pol was
can get and I had Christmas upset that he didn’t
shopping and house organising win I’m A Celeb… [left]
to do the next day! Instead I but I explained that
headed to Australasia restaurant Daddy was happy. I
and met Matt for dinner. also said that as he
A big Weatherfield welcome was the only boy left,
back to Tisha Merry [below], who he was technically
plays Steph Britton! She’s on set king of the jungle!
filming after a year of being away. Jamie called me
She’s a lovely girl so it’s great soon after he got out
that she’s back. and I said how well
he’d done. He asked
me whether Pol was
proud of him and I
told him that she was.
Polly was a bit out of
sorts while he wasn’t
around, plus we
moved and she’s
been unwell. She
began sleeping much
better once she
knew her daddy was
travelling home. OK!

WWW.OK.CO.UK 93
 rAISINg THE
BArrE
BALLET IS TAkINg THE NATION – AND
THE A-LIST – BY STOrm
H
olly Willoughby’s
increasingly svelte figure has
been sparking speculation
among This Morning viewers
for months – and now it has been
revealed that her trim physique is
partly down to a new-found love of
ballet! According to reports, the
mum of three has been busy
perfecting her pirouettes and pliés,
while also throwing some kickboxing
into the mix. A source said: ‘She
loves doing them. She says she’s
discovered a “new me” and won’t
be giving up any time soon.’
Holly is also said to be following
a high-protein diet, including lots
Above: Mila Kunis and
of lean white meat, as well as fresh
Natalie Portman started
veggies and fruit. ‘Holly is determined
a ballet craze with Black
to keep her new-look body, so she
Swan. Below left: Liv Tyler
eats chicken, carrots and hummus,’
claimed the insider. ‘You’ll never see
her without a pack of mango either.’
But while Holly herself avoids discussing the
specifics of her weight or fitness routine, saying
she doesn’t want to promote issues around body
image, she is not the only celeb to have turned to
ballet to tone up. I’m A Celebrity – Get Me Out Of
Here! winner Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo is also a fan,
saying: ‘I go to this class in Fulham – it’s ballet
and pointe. It’s really dynamic and good for the
shape of your body.’
Actress Liv Tyler is a convert and regularly
works with former New York City Ballet dancer
Mary Helen Bowers. She says: ‘We train together
using her Ballet Beautiful programme,
doing leg work, butt lifts and
stretches.’
And fresh from wowing viewers
with her impressive tango skills,
Strictly Come Dancing star Debbie
McGee is also a huge ballet
enthusiast. In fact, aged 16,
she even won a place at the
prestigious Royal Ballet
School, where she trained
as a professional dancer.
Although her dance
career ended three years
later – around the time
she met her late husband
Paul Daniels – her passion
for it always remained.
‘Dance was my first love,
but because I was always so
busy with Paul I couldn’t run two
careers and that’s why I gave up,’
she has said.
Ballet has been steadily
increasing in popularity since the
2011 film Black Swan, in which Mila
Kunis and Natalie Portman played
bitter dance rivals. London-based
trainer Karis Scarlette tells us:
‘Black Swan really made ballet
cool. It’s become a bit like a cult
– people can’t get enough of it.
Men love it too – I
even have ex-Army
guys signing up
for classes.’
A year after Black
Swan came out,
former ballerina
Darcey Bussell
Above: Holly Willoughby is
began appearing as
reportedly a ballet fan.
a permanent judge
Left: Jennifer Lawrence
on Strictly. And with
plays a dancer in the
Hollywood actress
upcoming film Red Sparrow.
Jennifer Lawrence
Below left: Georgia Toffolo
set to play a
is a fan of pointe classes
ballerina in new
movie Red Sparrow
in early 2018, the interest is sure to
keep growing.
Here, OK! takes a closer look at the
trend, and finds out why heading to the
barre packs a host of benefits for both
mind and body…
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL
BALLET CLASS INVOLVE?
Karis Scarlette first began dancing
aged two and trained with the Royal
Ballet School before launching her
own practice, En Avant, seven years
ago. Since then, she has taught many
celebs the skills – including actor Billy
Zane and British model Alice Dellal. ‘My
sessions usually run for 90 minutes,’
she says. ‘I teach pure classical ballet,
including all positions of the legs,
feet and arms. After about six weeks
learning those, you can progress to
the harder classes without risk of
injury. We often do a bit of repertoire,
where I teach you bits of Swan Lake or
Sleeping Beauty. Ballet is an incredibly Debbie McGee’s
disciplined, challenging practice so it ‘first love’
takes a while to master, but that’s part was dance
of the appeal. It’s a journey, and no two
classes are ever the same.’
WWW.OK.CO.UK 95
 healthbites
advises caution on choosing one. ‘You need to
be taught by someone who knows all the bones,
muscles and tendons. That usually means going
to a teacher who has been through the training
process at the Royal Ballet School or English
ALL THE LATEST HEALTH NEWS
National Ballet School.’
You don’t need expensive equipment either.
A CHRISTmAS WISH FOR TWINS
Christine Mcguinness, wife of Take Me Out
‘A standard pair of ballet shoes is about £12 and
host Paddy (below right), has revealed she’s
will last a long time. But I always recommend
Ballet is good for making some changes in their house this
that you go to a specialist shop to get them
posture and can Christmas after their autistic twins found
fitted properly, as they should fit like a glove.
solve back and hip last year’s festive season
As for clothing, you can wear whatever you feel
problems too ‘frightening’. ‘The Christmas
comfortable in – tutus are entirely optional!’
lights, trees, decorations
and music... it was all too
IS IT A GOOD WORKOUT? BARRECORE much. It was very over-
Once you’ve learnt the basic moves, ballet offers While classical ballet is taking off, you can also
stimulating,’ she wrote on
a thorough cardiovascular workout. ‘Every part try out a Barrecore class, which focuses on
Instagram, adding that
of the body is worked, from the feet and ankles ballet-style movements at the barre. Using your
she’s now ‘fuelled with
to the inner thighs, glutes, hamstrings, the core own body weight as resistance, sessions involve
knowledge’ about their
and your arms and back,’ says Karis. ‘Much of doing high repetitions of low-impact moves,
needs. The couple are also
ballet is done on one leg, or where you’re pulling which increases flexibility and helps you develop
parents to felicity, one.
up from the ground, which is incredibly good a long, lean and strong body.
for your posture. Most people find their bodies Celebrity fans of Barrecore include model
become leaner and they stand taller, and it’s Jourdan Dunn, Suki Waterhouse and Pippa ELLE’S LIqUID SAVIOURS
great for solving back, neck and hip problems.’ Matthews, and there are currently studios She’s known as The Body, so it’s no
Like yoga and Pilates, ballet classes also across London, plus in Alderley Edge, Bristol and wonder that Elle Macpherson (below
enhance overall wellbeing. ‘Lots of people come Harrogate. See www.barrecore.co.uk. OK! left) still stays healthy during the festive
to me after illness or injury and gO TO WWW.ENAvANTBALLET.CO.UK, season. Writing on the Get The Gloss blog,
they find the classes very healing. AND fOR MORE INfORMATION ON the 53 year old reveals what she drinks
BALLET vISIT WWW.BALLET.ORg.UK.
There’s classical music playing at Christmas, starting her day with a cup
and you’re moving your body in of hot water to boost her metabolism,
REPORT BY OK! HEALTH EDITOR
a fluid, graceful way, which is YASMINE gRIffITHS PHOTOgRAPHS followed by her own supplement powder
excellent for calming you down. BY gETTY IMAgES, PA, The Super Elixir. She also sips herbal
SHUTTERSTOCK
It’s an active meditation.’ teas including her homemade turmeric
tea until bedtime, and avoids alcohol.
IS IT EFFECTIVE FOR Instead, at parties she
WEIGHT LOSS? drinks virgin mojito
Once you’ve got the moves, the cocktails (left) or
cardio steps up and you can burn sips ginger ale
between 450 and 600 calories per or elderflower
class. ‘One of my clients has lost water from a
five and a half stone in six months champagne
just by doing two classes a week,’ glass.
adds Karis. ‘It’s a fun way to get
fit. People seem to be moving
away from mainstream gyms and
HELEN’S pREGNANCY SCARE
Call The Midwife star Helen george has
hammering it out on a treadmill.’
praised the ‘wonderful’ real-life midwives
who offered her ‘unfaltering care and
IS IT SUITABLE FOR support’ following the birth of her daughter
BEGINNERS? Wren in October. Revealing she developed
‘Absolutely,’ says Karis. ‘You don’t
liver disorder intrahepatic cholestasis of
need to be ultra flexible or have
pregnancy, the 33 year old (below) said:
a ballerina’s physique to start. I
‘Wren was born three
have people of all shapes, sizes
weeks early because I was
and ability in my classes. A good
suffering from ICP, but I
teacher can identify someone
wasn’t worried in the least.’
who is brand new to it and modify Above: Pippa
ICP develops when the
the moves.’ Matthews is a
bile that flows from your
Barrecore fan, like
liver to your gut to help you
WHERE CAN YOU Jourdan Dunn (above
digest food builds up in
TAKE CLASSES? right). Right: Strictly’s
your body instead.
Although ballet classes are Darcey Bussell
springing up all over the UK, Karis
CHERYL’S SKIN SECRETS
New mum Cheryl Tweedy has turned to
WIN A £40 FAKE TAN pACK! an anti-ageing food supplement that’s a
favourite with models Helena Christensen
and Yasmin Le Bon. The singer (below
Nudity Tanning from professional tanning company Rose &
left), who gave birth to son Bear in March,
Caramel is the world’s first cream-based tan in a can, and five
swears by Lumity (below right) which aids
lucky OK! readers will win two cans worth £20 each. It combines
sleep and strengthens the skin’s immunity.
all the skin benefits of a cream lotion with the ease of a spray
She said: ‘I started taking a vitamin
tan in one convenient package. Even better, it’s completely
supplement a friend gave
alcohol and perfume-free to avoid irritation. With a low odour
me as a baby
and reduced wear-off formula, Nudity is a must-have for home
gift – morning
tanning. See www.roseandcaramel.co.uk. For your chance to
and night
win, tell us the name of Helen Flanagan’s daughter.
supplements.
Call 0901 154 2677 and leave your answer and details (calls cost 50p plus your network access charge). Text OKHEALTH followed by your answer, name and address to 84988
(texts cost 50p plus your usual network rate). Or enter via post by sending your answer, issue number (which can be found on the front of your magazine) and details on a postcard
They seem to
to OK! Health Comp, PO Box 12581, Sutton Coldfield B73 9BX. Terms and conditions: Competition closes at midnight on December 31, 2017, and three working days later for postal
entries. Entrants must be 18 or over. Winners will be selected at random from all correct entries received. For full terms and conditions, see competitions.ok.co.uk. SP: Spoke, 0333 202
be working
3390. The editor’s decision is final. For SMS, you may receive other promotional offers/services. To stop receiving, send NSNOINFO at the end of your message. Express Newspapers/
Northern & Shell reserves the right to offer these promotions in its portfolio of titles. Prize is subject to availability. Images for representational use only.
amazingly!’

WWW.OK.CO.UK 97
 ExclusivE OK! column
our columnist
is fEEling vEry
fEstivE as shE
sharEs hEr family
plans for thE
Email mE at Emily.andrEa@ok.co.uk christmas pEriod

christmas in thE andrE housEhold

i
t’s only a few days this is how i know a nice picture
until christmas and my life has changed of theo,’
i’m so excited! While i in the past few years and i have to
was at work, Pete put – i’ve asked Father say: ‘that’s
up all the decorations christmas for a Denby actually millie
[top right] and some teapot to go with my as a baby.
lights outside – he’s so new dinner set! she’s wearing
sweet and it was a i’m really hoping a dress!’
lovely surprise to come my family will be able at the time
home to. it’s been nice to join us at home for of writing
to be back at work and christmas, depending this, the
get stuck back into it. i on their work. We then Strictly Come
don’t think the kids have Pete’s family Dancing final
have even noticed, coming over on boxing is a few days
which has actually Day and we will spend away. they’re
been quite reassuring! new year in taunton all worthy
millie and theo with my parents and winners
went to see Father take millie and theo but i’d love
christmas while i was with us. they’re having for Debbie
at work and, while i a party on new year’s [mcgee, right]
was quite sad to miss eve and last year it or gemma
out on it and i felt a bit guilty, was a tropical hawaiian theme, [atkinson]
they did have a lovely time. so i’m waiting to hear what this to lift the
We always make sure all year’s theme will be! i’ll watch the glitterball
the kids have an equal amount fireworks and then be in bed at trophy.
of presents [right]. i thought i’d 12.01am – when you’ve got kids gemma hasn’t
better show Pete everyone’s they still get up at the normal time had any dance
presents this year because the next day! experience,
last year people opened them Last week Pete shared the so i feel like
and he said: ‘ooh, who’s that sweetest picture of him and Junior it’s a much
from?’ and they said: ‘it’s from when Junior was a baby [top left]. bigger achievement for her to have got this far.
you!’ i think it’s quite typical in Pete thinks he looks just like theo, alexandra burke has been given a hard time and
relationships that the women but i can’t see it! they have different it seems really unfair. you can’t make judgments
do the majority of the present colouring and i think theo is about her just based on what you’ve seen on
buying. he’s great at getting actually the spitting image of millie television. she’s also just lost her mum, so people
presents for me and kids, so when she was a baby. When people need to be respectful of that, and no one can
we are very lucky. come to our house they say: ‘that’s take away from her that she’s a brilliant dancer.

toff opEns up about hEr skin rEst in pEacE, kEith

g eorgia ‘toff’ toffolo has opened up
about her problematic skin and how
she wouldn’t have been able to face her
campmates without make-up [below].
i can sympathise with her as i had acne
from the time i was 14 until my twenties.
it can really affect your self-confidence
and i found it tough as a teenager.
toff has revealed she’s on strong
tablets, but there are lots of things
bbc, getty images, instagram, shuterstock
cases can affect the kidneys, pancreas
or liver. For this reason you need blood
tests before and during treatment.
i t’s such sad news
that keith chegwin
[right] passed away
When i had acne i took antibiotics for at the age of 60.
a while and then i was prescribed the he was suffering
contraceptive pill, which can help clear from idiopathic
up acne and it worked well. pulmonary
talking of the pill, women are said fibrosis, which
to have been ditching it in favour causes scarring
of an app. it’s called natural cycles of the lungs.

you can try to clear up your skin, such and it’s marketed as being 93 per unfortunately we
as creams and ointments, before cent effective. i do understand that don’t know exactly
being prescribed it may appeal to what causes it, but
medication. if these some people to it’s thought that it
don’t work, there are use a more natural may be linked to exposure so he was quite young
lots of options for method, even if it to certain types of dust, to be diagnosed. there
medication, but the does have some viruses, acid reflux and are several treatments
more aggressive the limitations. it’s smoking. some 6,000 that can help slow the
treatment is, the worse amazing how people a year in the uk progression of the disease,
the side effects can technology is are diagnosed and men but with more clinical
be. one of the stronger advancing medicine, are more likely to get it. trials under way hopefully
treatments causes though, so maybe around 85 per cent of scientists will develop
very dry skin, sensitivity this will be the start diagnoses are made in more treatments in
to light and in rare of things to come. people over 70, though, the future. OK!

98
 From ‘The apprenTice’ To ‘cbb’?

‘The snoring
would
really
boTher me’
ElizabEth MKEnna Tells OK! abouT
rubbing shoulders wiTh royalTy
and addresses The rumours she’s
heading inTo The ‘big broTher’ house

U
ndeniably the
breakout star
of this year’s
series of The
Apprentice, Elizabeth
McKenna won over
fans with her quirky
business approach
and hilariously
In the Apprentice
bossy banter.
boardroom with Sarah
And while the
Lynn and Bushra Shaikh
slightly eccentric
florist admits she
was ‘gutted’ when she was axed by Lord
Sugar after making it down to the final
four, it’s fair to say that Elizabeth, 39,
made a strong impression on the viewing
public – so much so that there are
whispers she could be taking part in the
new series of Celebrity Big Brother.
Here, Elizabeth opens up to OK! about
Above: Florist Elizabeth (left)
her time on the BBC business show, why
made a bouquet (below inset) for
she’s a huge fan of the royal family and
Meghan Markle when she visited
addresses those CBB rumours…
Nottingham with Prince Harry.
Bottom inset: Elizabeth in the
Were you sad to leave so close to
crowd during the royal visit
the final?
I was gutted because I’d put my heart
and soul into it. I’m thrilled to have got as far I’m the hugest fan. I started my first business Would you like to help out with the flowers for
as I did, though. It was the most exhilarating with the help of the Prince’s Trust and I was the royal wedding next year?
experience of my life. lucky enough to go to Buckingham Palace in I’m sure there are other florists who are more
1999 to meet Her Majesty the Queen and Prince likely to be chosen than me. It would be lovely to
Lord Sugar seemed very fond of you… Charles. As I was leaving at 11pm, the Queen was be invited to submit a proposal for that.
You weren’t on the other side of the boardroom! still going through the next
INTERvIEW BY joEL CooPER; PHoTogRAPHS BY BBC, ERoTEME.Co.UK,

It wasn’t my focus to endear myself to Lord day’s schedule, and her first There are rumours that you might
Sugar, all I wanted was to do my best at all event that morning was at be taking part in Celebrity Big Brother
times to try and win. If I gained his respect, that’s 7am. People don’t see that this January…
gETTY IMAgES, INSTAgRAM, THEMEgAAgENCY.CoM, TWITTER

a massive honour to me. life of service. Really, what rumours are they [laughs]?!

Did you get to talk to him much off camera? You were spotted in a If you were to take part, how would you
I would just say good morning to him but it picture on Kensington deal with the stress of the house?
wasn’t my place to jump all over Lord Sugar and Palace’s Twitter account You’re filmed for a lot of hours and I’ve
offer him a cup of tea! at Prince Harry and got a lot of experience of that. The way
Meghan Markle’s recent I dealt with that on The Apprentice was
On the show you described yourself as scary visit to Nottingham… to just be myself because you can’t hide
Liz – how did that nickname come about? I was just stood in the when you’re being challenged mentally,
When I was at university I worked in a call background! But I’m physically and emotionally.
centre for a credit card company in debt 6ft tall and I’ve got these
collection. It was before I began wearing glasses glasses that stand out. What do you think you would find
full time and I used to look a bit scary because When I heard they were hardest about living in the house?
I was squinting at the screen trying to see coming to Nottingham It’s all about knowing where the
people’s names. People used to call me scary I just had to go and see boundaries lie. If you’re affecting somebody
Liz whenever I did it. them for myself and I was when you’re living with them, I would step
lucky enough to be able back from it and hope that people give you
We heard that you’re a big fan of the to submit a bouquet for that respect back. The snoring would really
royal family… presentation as well. bother me, though! OK!

WWW.OK.CO.UK 99
 Fall in love
drawn to the enormous Christmas tree which
takes pride of place in the centre of the store,
stretching 20m up towards the top floor – it’s an
impressive sight and definitely worth the neck

with Paris
ache! For something a little different, take a tour
of Le Grand Musée De Parfum – set in the former
studios of Christian Lacroix, the interactive
museum traces the history of perfume
from ancient Egypt to the present day.
OK! soaks uP the luxuries oF the French
caPital over an idyllic weekend where can i relax?
The spa at the Mandarin Oriental
boasts seven suites, each with their
own shower, changing area and
treatment room. After a steam and
a couple of lengths in the pool, OK!
treated ourselves to a Guerlain
radiance facial, 50 minutes of pure
indulgence. As we relaxed on the
heated bed, our therapist got to
work with the brand’s Orchidée
Imperiale range. After our skin was
cleansed and gently scrubbed, a
mask plumped and hydrated our
skin while we enjoyed a blissful
scalp massage. After a soothing
facial massage and a finishing
touch of serum and moisturiser,
the therapist rang a Tibetan bell to
signal the end of the treatment and
we were greeted with a refreshing
herbal tea and a madeleine – we
emerged with clearer, brighter skin,
and couldn’t help wishing more spa
treatments ended with cake!
Above: The gorgeous French
capital sits on the banks of
which stars will i see?
Harry Styles dazzled fans in October when
the River Seine. Right: Nicole
he played the first European date of his
Kidman was in town recently
solo tour in the city. He tweeted: ‘Paris,
you were perfect. The best

P
aris has it all, from historical monuments beautiful view start I could’ve asked for.’
to world-famous museums. But the of the hotel’s Relax in the spa OK! was in town at the same
abundance of sights can sometimes camellia suites at the time as Nicole Kidman,
be exhausting – you could spend days gardens, but Mandarin Oriental who was there to unveil
chasing around the city frantically trying to tick our favourite the Christmas window
off as many things as possible, going home feature was display at department store
feeling like you haven’t had a holiday at all. the giant Printemps, following in
Or you could take a more relaxed approach – freestanding the footsteps of Gwyneth
sample some phenomenal cuisine, enjoy a spot bath in our Paltrow, Kate Winslet and
of designer shopping or treat yourself to some bathroom, Uma Thurman.
five-star pampering in the lap of luxury. OK!’s complete
Zoë Hill headed to the French capital in search of with his and where can
rest and relaxation amid the hustle and bustle… hers sinks i eat?
and Diptyque We took a break from
where can i stay? toiletries. We shopping to refuel at
OK! stayed at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental loved starting Brasserie Printemps, on the
on the upmarket Rue Saint-Honoré, surrounded our night in the elegant surroundings of sixth floor of the department store underneath
by designer shops. It’s welcomed countless Bar 8, with its marble bar and Lalique-encrusted its giant stained glass dome. The magical setting
stars through its doors, including Rihanna, the walls. After trying a selection of drinks in the was the perfect place to enjoy truffled burrata
stars of Stranger Things and the Victoria’s Secret interests of research, we recommend the followed by mushroom ravioli. Top tip – round
models, who had the place to themselves after Home Made Honey, a champagne cocktail off your meal with a coffee and selection of mini
the company hired out all 138 rooms and suites made with honey harvested from the hotel’s desserts if you don’t have room for a whole one.
ahead of their fashion show. Our junior suite had a rooftop beehive.

Department
what can i do? OK! enjoyed dinner
at Sur Mesure at the
It’s a great place to pick up
store Printemps Mandarin Oriental
some Christmas presents. We
is all set for
loved the recently refurbished
Christmas
beauty department at
Printemps, with a whole floor
devoted to perfume. As well as
all the big names in fragrance,
there are also smaller, lesser-
known brands. We picked up
a bottle of Poudre Impériale
from one of the newer perfume
houses on the scene, Sous
Le Manteau. There’s more
shopping on offer at Galeries
Lafayette, where visitors are
100
Visit the city’s Arc
de Triomphe on the
Champs-Élysées

For traditional French fare at in France, known for being a judge on

reasonable prices, head to Bouillon
Chartier, which first opened its doors
in 1896 and has been serving Parisian
diners in style ever since. Waiters in
traditional waistcoats and long starched
aprons bustle around the grand dining
room with its high ceiling and mirror-
lined walls, as they write your order and
tot up your bill on your tablecloth. We
opted for the traditional steak frites,
a mouthwatering rump steak with
peppercorn sauce and chips.
Our culinary highlight of Paris was
lunch at
UK
Sur Mesure
at the
BelgiUm
m
germany Mandarin
Paris ●
Oriental.
switzerland
Top Chef as well as for his fantastically
inventive dishes. His molecular
treAt of tHe week
gastronomy has earned two Michelin
stars, and we loved his twists on French de Vere tortwortH
classics – every dish on the six-course
tasting menu was magnificent, but the CoUrt, gLoUCestersHIre
bento box trio of desserts deserves a
special mention.
How do I get tHere?
Room rates at the Mandarin Oriental
(www.mandarinoriental.com/paris;
+33 (0) 1 70 98 78 88) start from £820
per night. Eurostar (www.eurostar.
com; 03432 186 186) operates up to 21
daily services from London St Pancras
International to Paris Gare Du Nord, with
one-way fares starting from £29 (based

W
France Chef Thierry on a return journey). OK!
ith relaxation on If you’re after a soak, the
Marx is
REPORT By zOE HILL 5 OF THE BEST, TREaT our mind, ok! hotel has a pool and hot
something OF THE WEEk aND REPORT EDITED By NaNCy headed down to tub down by the spa, which
of a BROWN, ok! SPa EDITOR PHOTOGRaPHS By
aLaMy, GETTy IMaGES the southern fringes of the has six newly-refurbished
sPain celebrity
Cotswolds and an estate treatment rooms and a
which dates back to the 11th varied menu of pampering
5 of tHe best sPA gIfts Century, De Vere Tortworth
Court, which has recently
treats. Elsewhere, head out
and explore the estate’s
1 2 1 elemis the giFt OF PrO-cOllagen, £199, www. undergone a multi-million- 30 acres of gorgeous land.
elemis.com. Give your skin a Christmas treat pound renovation. Start your evening at the
with the celebrated Pro-Collagen range. Checking into our atrium Bar, with its fairy-lit
2 esPa herOes cOllectiOn, £120, www. sumptuous suite, with trees and 60ft-high atrium,
espaskincare.com. This features ESPa’s views of the rolling before heading to the main
most popular products – including our Gloucestershire hills, our restaurant – housed in the
favourite Pink Hair & Scalp Mud. room in the Grade II-listed old library, with original
3 ritUals the ritUal OF hammam building was nothing short features such as oak
3 PUriFying ceremOny, £65, www. of spectacular, with a huge panelling, ornate archways
4 rituals.com. There’s no need for the super-king bed, bay window and a fireplace with views
man in your life to be left out this complete with a window across the grounds – to
Christmas with this pamper kit. seat where we watched dine on British dishes such
4 neOm Organics scents OF the world go by and a sleek as roasted pork belly and a
christmas, £49, www.neomorganics. grey slate bathroom with rather delicious chocolate
5 com. Sit back and relax with these festive candles. complimentary Clarins bread and butter pudding.
5 ted BaKer enchanting treats BeaUty Bag giFt, toiletries and a cute De Vere
£25, www.boots.com. Hit the High Street for this spa rubber duck awaiting us in ROOM RaTES STaRT aT £149 PER
NIGHT. SEE WWW.DEVERE.COM/
treat, complete with a gorgeous body soufflé. the bath! DEVERETORTWORTHCOuRT.

WWW.OK.CO.UK 101

Above: ‘I never wanted to be an
actress, let alone a celebrity,’
Carrie once revealed. Below left:
Wearing ‘some kind of metal
bikini lounging on a giant,
drooling squid’
from a star-filled upbringing to interstellar success
1956 Carrie Francis Fisher is
born on 21 October in Burbank,
Los Angeles.
1971 Stars on Broadway
alongside her mother in Irene.
1975 Makes her film debut in
Shampoo, starring alongside
Goldie Hawn and Warren Beatty.
1977 Stars in Star Wars IV: A New
Hope, where she embarks on
a three-month affair with her
co-star Harrison Ford. Begins a
relationship with musician and
songwriter Paul Simon.
1980 Appears in The Blues
Brothers and becomes briefly
engaged to fellow actor Dan
Aykroyd before getting back with
Paul. Star Wars V: The Empire
Strikes Back is released.
102
carrie fisher
as ‘the last jedi’ hits the box office, ok!
celebrates the legacy of the ‘star wars’ legend
T
he late, great Carrie
Fisher – forever
preserved in our
collective memories as
the gold bikini-clad Princess Leia
– was also a celebrated writer
and deliverer of impeccably
timed, razor-sharp wit. The star
was openly honest about her
struggles with drug abuse and
bipolar disorder, and the world
mourned her tragically
premature death last December
aged 60.
It is only now that she will
appear, posthumously, in the
last of George Lucas’s reprised
trilogy – Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Having morphed from the young
Leia into the strong and feisty
General Organa, her legacy was
left in place. Not as the bra-less
nymph – directed to be so by
George because there’s ‘no
underwear in space’ – but as a
woman who spoke out against
the inequalities of the world.
At the Hollywood premiere
of the film, writer and director
Rian Johnson dedicated the
screening to its absent cast
Above: In Star Wars IV: A New
Hope. Right: Posthumously
appearing in The Last Jedi
1983 Star Wars
VI: The Return
Of The Jedi is
released. Marries
Paul, although
they divorce a
year later, but
their on and
off relationship
continues after
their divorce.
1984 Suffers an
ectopic pregnancy.
1985 Enters treatment for
drug and alcohol addiction. Is
diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
1986 Stars in Woody Allen’s
Hannah And Her Sisters.
1987 Publishes her first novel,
Postcards From The Edge, which
OK!
Carrie was the
daughter of
Eddie Fisher and
Debbie Reynolds
member, saying: ‘I want to
dedicate tonight to Carrie, who
is up there right now flipping me
the bird, saying: “Damn it Rian,
don’t you dare make this night a
solemn tribute.”’
Born in 1956 in Burbank, Los
Angeles, to Hollywood royalty,
Carrie Francis Fisher was the
daughter of singer Eddie Fisher
and movie star Debbie Reynolds.
Dubbed America’s sweethearts,
the fairy tale ended in scandal
is loosely based on
her own life.
1989 Has a main
support role in When
Harry Met Sally
opposite Billy Crystal
and Meg Ryan. Co-
stars with Tom Hanks
(left) in The ’Burbs.
1990 Adapts
Postcards From The
Edge for a film starring
Shirley MacLaine and Meryl
Streep. Releases romance novel
Surrender The Pink.
1991 Begins a three-year
relationship with American talent
agent Bryan Lourd.
1992 Daughter Billie Catherine
Lourd is born.
when Eddie left Debbie for
his late friend’s wife, actress
Elizabeth Taylor – or as Carrie
succinctly put it: ‘Mike Todd died
in a plane crash, and my father
consoled Elizabeth Taylor with
his penis.’
After a childhood spent with
her head in books and penning
poems, the fledgling actress
took a role alongside her mother
on Broadway at the age of 15.
From there, she made her film
debut opposite Goldie Hawn
and Warren Beatty in Shampoo
and then, at the age of 19, she
was cast in the role that would
catapult her into superstardom.
She recalled: ‘When I got the
part of a princess in this goofy
little science-fiction film I
thought, it’ll be fun to do. I’m 19!
Who doesn’t want to have fun at
19? I’ll go hang out with a bunch
of robots for a few months and
then return to my life and try
to figure out what I want to do
when I grow up.’
Obviously the few months
hanging out with robots turned
into a whole lot more, not least a
1993 Releases her novel
Delusions Of Grandma.
2006 Writes and performs in
one-woman play Wishful Drinking.
2010 Her father Eddie Fisher dies
from surgical complications.
2015 Co-stars alongside her
daughter Billie in Star Wars: The
Force Awakens. Stars in Channel 4
comedy Catastrophe.
2016 Releases autobiography,
The Princess Diarist. Rogue One:
A Star Wars Story. Carrie suffers
a heart attack on a flight from
London to LA and dies days later
on December 27 in intensive care.
Her mother dies the following day.
2017 Posthumously co-stars with
her daughter in Star Wars: The
Last Jedi.
 Left: Carrie as
Princess Leia.
Bottom: Billie,
Debbie Reynolds
and Carrie

Above: Carrie with

daughter Billie. Below left:
With Bryan Lourd. Below
right: With Paul Simon on
their wedding day

FeATure By LuCIe BArAT; PHoTogrAPHS By BrIAN BoWeN SmITH/AuguST, CAPITAL PICTureS, geTTy ImAgeS, LANDmArk meDIA, LuCASFILm, SHuTTerSToCk
three-month affair would become a
Carrie with Dan
with her married 12-year on and off
Aykroyd, to whom she
co-star Harrison relationship with
was briefly engaged
Ford, who had two singer Paul Simon.
children and was During a brief split
14 years her junior. while filming The for his long-term companion, their relationship
It was an affair Blues Brothers, eventually ended for good in the late ’80s.
they both kept the actress Carrie revealed in her book Wishful Thinking:
secret for around even became ‘I was good for material, but when it came to
40 years, until briefly engaged day-to-day living, I was more than he could
the late actress to co-star Dan take. We once had a fight (on our honeymoon)
confessed all in Aykroyd. The where I said: “Not only do I not like you, I
her most recent story goes: ‘He don’t like you personally!” We tried to keep
autobiography, The was forcing me to the argument going after that but we were
Princess Diarist. eat because I was laughing too hard.’
But after making very thin in those Their relationship survived Carrie’s diagnosis
that first film in days — no longer of bipolar disorder, a stint in rehab and a tragic
1976, the actress — and I inhaled a ectopic pregnancy. But in the early ’90s, she
had to reconsider Brussels sprout, began a three-year relationship with talent
her future. She and I started agent Bryan Lourd and in 1992 their daughter
wrote in her autobiography Shockaholic: ‘I never choking. He thought I was laughing, and then Billie was born. The Star Wars actress became
wanted to be an actress, let alone a celebrity. he saw that I was dying, and he did a revered author, public speaker on addiction
I had grown up watching the bright glow of the Heimlich manoeuvre, and then like ten and mental illness, and a script editor, as well
my parents’ stardom slowly dim, cool, and minutes later he asked me to marry him, and as continuing acting. But Carrie had her own
fade.’ She went on to explain: ‘I don’t mean to I thought, I better marry him. What if that idea of her legacy: ‘What you’ll have of me after
sound ungrateful, because there are absolutely happens again? We had rings, we got blood I journey to that great Death Star in the sky is an
amazing things about being a celebrity. But I tests, the whole shot. But then I got back extremely accomplished daughter, a few books
knew it would be over eventually, that I was on together with Paul Simon.’ and a picture of a stern-looking girl wearing
the clock in a way that the other newly famous She and Paul went on to enter a brief some kind of metal bikini lounging on a giant,
folks had no idea about.’ marriage, but Carrie’s drug use and mood drooling squid, behind a newscaster informing
After the release and huge success of the swings provided the stimulus for numerous you of the passing of Princess Leia after a long
first Star Wars film, the actress began what fights. Although Paul wrote a couple of songs battle with her head.’ OK!

WWW.OK.CO.UK 103
 joe wicks
the body coach shares two of his
favourite indulgent christmas recipes

leek, bacon and

potato chowder
serves four to six

ingredients
l 8 rashers of lean smoked
back bacon, all visible
fat removed
l 1 tbsp coconut oil
l 1 onion, chopped
l 400g leeks, sliced
l 3 medium potatoes,
peeled and diced
l 1.2 litres vegetable or
chicken stock
l 4 tbsp reduced-fat
crème fraîche
l 2 tbsp chives, chopped

Special equipment:
l Food processor

T
his soup is so creamy
and warming, it makes
the perfect starter to
Christmas festivities.
I mean, look at the photo – how
can you not want to make
this one?
1. Chop four of the rashers of
bacon. Melt the coconut oil in a
large pan, then fry the chopped
bacon and onion, stirring until they
start to turn golden.
2. Tip in the leeks and potatoes,
stir well, then cover and turn down
the heat. Cook gently for five
minutes, shaking the pan every
now and then to make sure that
the mixture doesn’t catch.
3. Pour in the stock, season well
and bring to the boil. Cover and
simmer for 20 minutes until the
vegetables are soft.
4. Meanwhile, preheat the grill to
medium-high. Place the remaining
rashers of bacon on a grill rack and
cook for two minutes on each side,
until crisp. Remove from the grill
and roughly chop, then place on
kitchen roll to drain.
5. Leave the soup to cool for a
few minutes, then blend half of it
in a food processor until smooth.
Return to the pan and stir well.
Serve with a dollop of crème
fraîche, scattered with chives and
chopped grilled bacon.

104
 GUILT-frEE CHOCOLATE
And rASPBErrY LOG
SErvES SIx TO EIGHT

InGrEdIEnTS
For the sponge:
l 80g dark chocolate,
roughly chopped
l 4 large eggs, at room
temperature
l ½ tsp coffee extract
l 100g golden caster sugar,
plus extra for dusting
l 75g self-raising flour, sifted
l Cocoa powder, for dusting

For the filling:

l 300g double cream
l ½ tsp vanilla extract
l 180g fresh raspberries

Special equipment:
l 24 x 35cm Swiss roll tin

A
ccording to my philosophy, if
you’re going to treat yourself,
at least do it properly! This
is the tastiest Swiss roll I’ve
ever made. Is it lean? No, quite the
opposite – but that’s why I love it and
enjoy it so much on Christmas Day.
1. Preheat your oven to 180˚C/fan
160˚C/gas mark 4. Line the sides
and base of the Swiss roll tin with
baking parchment.
2. Place the chocolate in a heatproof
bowl over a pan of simmering water.
Allow to melt, then remove from the
heat and allow to cool slightly.
3. Place the eggs into a large bowl
with the coffee essence and sugar,
and whisk using an electric whisk until
pale and thickened – about eight
to ten minutes. Fold in the cooled
melted chocolate and flour.
4. Spoon the mixture into the
prepared tin and flatten with a palette
knife. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until
springy to the touch.
5. Place a large sheet of baking
parchment on a clean work surface
and lightly sprinkle with caster sugar.
Remove the cake from the oven
and flip onto the baking parchment.
Peel away the parchment from the
sponge. Loosely roll the sponge from
the short end and allow to cool to
room temperature.
6. Meanwhile, make the filling by
whisking together the cream and
vanilla until you reach soft peaks.
Unroll the sponge and spread over the
PhoTogRAPhS BY MAJA SMeND

cream, leaving a 1cm border around

the edge. Top with the raspberries in
a single layer and re-roll the sponge,
removing the paper as you go.
Note: You can also use frozen
raspberries. Allow them to defrost
and stir them through the cream. OK!
FoR MoRe DeLICIoUS ReCIPeS To ShARe
wITh FAMILY AND FRIeNDS ThIS ChRISTMAS,
‘CookINg FoR FAMILY & FRIeNDS’ BY Joe wICkS
(BLUeBIRD, £20) IS oUT Now.

WWW.OK.CO.UK 105
 OK! pARTIes
WITH MARK
MOODY
@MARKjMOODY

fIlM’s fInesT
What: British Independent
Film Awards.
Where: Old Billingsgate,
London.
When: Sunday December 10.
Who: Jamie Bell and Kate
Mara joined Vicky McClure and
Jason Isaacs at the awards.
LoWdoWn: Period drama
Lady Macbeth picked up
three awards, including
Best Actress for newcomer
Florence Pugh.

Above: Joanne Froggatt. Above

left: Jamie Bell and Kate Mara.
Left: Vicky McClure. Below:
Ruth Wilson
Above: Olga Kurylenko. Right: Natalie
Dormer. Below: Jason Isaacs and Best
Actress winner Florence Pugh
getty images, shutterstock, snappers

106
 Above: Liam Payne.
Right: Taylor Swift.
Far right: Rita Ora

Taylor made!
What: The Capital FM Jingle Bell
Ball with Coca-Cola.
Where: The O2 Arena, London.
When: Saturday December 9
and Sunday December 10.
Who: Taylor Swift was joined on
the line up by The X Factor winners
Rak-Su, Rita Ora and Liam Payne.
LoWdoWn: Taylor wowed the
crowds – including boyfriend
getty images

Joe Alwyn, who filmed her from

Above: Louisa Johnson.
his seat in the audience – as she
Right: The X Factor
returned to the UK stage.
winners Rak-Su
 Above: Kimberley Walsh meets
the elves. Right: Matt and Emma
Willis. Left: Tamara Ecclestone
and daughter Sophia

Lapping it up
What: The stars visit LaplandUK.
Where: LaplandUK, Ascot.
Who: Amanda Holden, Tamara
Ecclestone, Idris Elba, Matt and
Emma Willis, Kimberley Walsh
and Kelly Brook and Jeremy Parisi
were among those wrapping up
warm to enjoy the festive cheer.
LoWdoWn: Deep in the heart
of Whitmoor Forest in Ascot, the
stars and their little ones met
instagram

Above: LaplandUK creators Mike and Alison Above left: Idris Elba with Pixie
Father Christmas and his elves in
Battle, David Furnish and Pixie Mixie. Top Mixie in the Elven Village. Above
a magical winter wonderland.
left: Father Christmas and Amanda Holden right: Kelly Brook and Jeremy Parisi

Right: Emma Williams and

Nigel Havers. Far right:
Gloria Hunniford. Top right:
Cameron Mackintosh and
Andrew Lloyd Webber

He’s beHind Below from left: Emma Williams, Charlie Stemp, Elaine
you! Paige, Nigel Havers, cat Lukus Alexander (front), Julian
Clary, Paul Zerdin, Ashley Banjo and Gary Wilmot
What: Dick Whittington
press night.
Where: The London
Palladium, London.
When: Wednesday
December 13.
Who: Suzanne Shaw, Beverley
Knight, Gloria Hunniford and
Paul O’Grady attended.
LoWdoWn: West End
veterans Julian Clary, Nigel
shutterstock

Havers, Gary Wilmot and

Elaine Paige led the all-star
Above: Suzanne Shaw and Beverley
cast in the pantomime that
Knight. Above right: Julian Clary
runs till January 14.
and Paul O’Grady

WWW.ok.co.uk 109
 Above: Frankie Bridge.
Left: Lizzie Cundy and
Caroline Monk. Above
left: Marcel Somerville
Very merry and Gabby Allen

What: The Television

And Radio Industries Club
Christmas lunch.
Where: Grosvenor House OK!’s big night
Hotel, Park Lane, London.
When: Tuesday What: The National
December 12. Federation Of Retail
Who: Incoming TRIC Newsagents Awards.
president Lisa Snowdon, Where: Royal
Melanie Sykes, Frankie Lancaster Hotel in
Bridge and Dame Barbara west London.
Windsor got into the Who: Nearly 400
Above: Melanie
edward lloyd

festive spirit. NFRN members.

Sykes. Above Above: NFRN

ray schram
LoWdoWn: Guests LoWdoWn: OK!
right: Elena Above: Maggie and Tony Hatch with president Linda
enjoyed champagne, won Magazine Of
Kyriacou and Dame Barbara Windsor and Scott Sood and
carols and Christmas fare. The Year.
Lisa Snowdon Mitchell. Top: Laura Whitmore Gary Troman
 Above: Jade Johnson.
Right: Kelly Brook with
Jeremy Parisi

teen spirit
What: The Ten Year Tale
gala in aid of Teens Unite.
Where: East Wintergarden,
Canary Wharf, London.
When: Friday December 8.
Who: Kelly Brook and her
boyfriend Jeremy Parisi joined
Jade Johnson at the event.
getty images
playing tag
What: TAG Heuer flagship
store opening.
Where: Oxford Street,
central London.
When: Friday December 8.
Who: Lottie Moss and Millie
Mackintosh watched model
Bella Hadid cut the ribbon.
LoWdoWn: Bella officially

LoWdoWn: The black tie opened the luxury Swiss

Above: Lottie Moss and
dinner raised funds for youth watchmaker’s opulent
Bella Hadid. Above
Wenn

cancer charity Teens Unite. London boutique.

left: Millie Mackintosh
 caPrIcOrn
DECEMBER 22 –
JANUARY 20
Your social popularity will know no bounds
as Venus and Mars team up in the friendship
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aQuarIus JANUARY 21 –
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Mars and Jupiter at the top of your chart will
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PIsces FEBRUARY 20 –
MARCh 20
You will get pleasure from giving gifts this
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arIes MARCh 21 –
APRIL 20
Nothing you do will be taken for granted.
Appreciation will come your way for
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taurus APRIL 21 –
MAY 21
Saturn close to your ruler, Venus,
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friends. STARLINE: 0905 789 4002**
gemInI MAY 22 –
JUNE 21
Any plans you had to take a much-needed
break will fly out of the window as Saturn
keeps you busy up until Christmas. If you’re
asked to fill in for an absent colleague, try
not to resent the situation too much. Take a
chance to relax. STARLINE: 0905 789 4003**
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You often feel shy when you are in strange
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tO KnOW aBOut YOur WeeK aheaD!
leO JULY 24 –
AUGUST 23
Keeping a dream diary can be enlightening.
As Mars links with mysterious Neptune, your
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important. Dreams can reveal hidden
desires and your intuition is strong. Trust
your hunches. STARLINE: 0905 789 4005**
VIrgO AUGUST 24 –
SEPTEMBER 23
Taking the initiative in group events will
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a leading role will bring out the best in you.
Mars close to Jupiter helps you to encourage
people to stop talking about plans and get
them in motion. STARLINE: 0905 789 4006**
lIBra SEPTEMBER 24 –
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Someone’s proposals seem unfair to the
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you’re in. Venus, your cosmic ruler, close
to Saturn makes you a crusader for the
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of harmony. STARLINE: 0905 789 4007**
scOrPIO OCTOBER 24 –
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Take precautions to keep your personal
information private. Mars can bring the
chance of loss through carelessness.
Neptune adds mystique to a romance but
can you trust them? Make passwords more
complicated. STARLINE: 0905 789 4008**
sagIttarIus NOVEMBER 23 –
DECEMBER 21
Joint projects will be rewarding and
worthwhile as the energy of Mars abounds.
A festive group effort will be stimulating.
You won’t hang around long enough to see
the results but you’ll learn through taking
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OK! worldwide
OK! Magazine,
The Northern & Shell Building,
Number 10 Lower Thames Street, edited BY ANNABeL.ZAMMit@OK.CO.UK
London EC3R 6EN
Tel: 020 8612 7000
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aguas de ibiza, ibiza
chAirmAn:
Richard Desmond Below: Aguas de Ibiza’s rooftop
group joint mAnAging directors:
Martin Ellice, Robert Sanderson pool. Right: Kate Moss is one of
group FinAnce director: many stars who holiday on the
Digby Rancombe
group editoriAl director: island. Below left: The design of
Paul Ashford the hotel’s luxury bedrooms is
heAd oF OK! worldwide:
Emma Radford rooted in feng shui philosophy
licensing mAnAger:
Julia Taylor

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germAny edition
Editor In Chief: Tim Affeld
Telephone: +49 4041 1882 5000
What is it? of the hotel’s azure blue pool,
tim.affeld@klamt.de
if you’re planning a trip to ibiza for surrounded by stylish day Enjoy tapas and the
2018 but want to trade in all-night beds. the jewel in the hotel’s views at the Vi Cool
greece edition raves for rooftop cocktails and crown has to be its rooftop. Ibiza restaurant
Editor In Chief: Nikos Georgiadis
luxury spa treatments, then head Not only is there a pool that
Phone: +30 210 25 94.031

RePORt BY ROWAN eRLAM; PHOtOgRAPHS BY gettY iMAgeS, xAVieR FeRRANd

ngeorgiadis@daphne.gr
jApAn edition
Editor In Chief: Kana Sugamori
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straight to Aguas de ibiza. tucked boasts panoramic views of
away by the harbour in the relaxed Santa eulalia’s glistening
town of Santa eulalia del Río on bay, but you’ll also find Vi
ibiza’s east coast – just 25 minutes’ Cool ibiza, an informal tapas
drive from the island’s Old town – restaurant by Michelin-
this eco-conscious, five-star hotel starred chef Sergi Arola.
offers contemporary Balearic chic. We’d recommend the classic
tapas menu (£35 per person), which
Why do We love it? includes stewed meatballs with
the 112 luxury bedrooms are all manchego cheese fondue.
designed according to feng shui
principles, which explains why we Who goes?
felt instantly chilled as we slid back in the summer months, ibiza – a
our balcony door to catch a glimpse favourite getaway of Kate Moss – is
teeming with celebrities. the island pool. All the holistic treatments are
even has the royal seal of approval,
as HRH the duchess of Cambridge
and her sister Pippa Matthews
have been spotted holidaying on
the White isle. Pippa’s brother-
in-law, reality tV star Spencer
Matthews, recently shaped up at a
fitness bootcamp in Santa eulalia,
and EastEnders actress Lacey
turner got married there this year.
What else?
Why not leave the White isle feeling
rejuvenated rather than wrecked?
We did this by heading to the hotel’s
Revival Spa By Clarins, which offers
a wide choice of beauty treatments
and therapies, as well as an indoor
based on natural, locally-sourced
products, and we were so relaxed
during our full-body massage that
we drifted off to sleep. the hotel
also has a sauna, steam room and
gym, and is just an eight-minute
walk from the beach. OK!
ROOMS At AgUAS de iBiZA StARt FROM £181
PeR NigHt iNCLUdiNg BReAKFASt. FOR MORe
detAiLS, ViSit WWW.AgUASdeiBiZA.COM.

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Above: natalie said her daughter eliza
(right and far right) helped her cope
with the down days after her abusive
relationship with adam Cottrell
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114
OK!
issue 807 deCeMber 20 2011
‘eastenders’ star natalie cassidy puts a
difficult time behind her and raises a glass at
christmas to celebrate better times to come
H
aving joined
EastEnders as sonia
Fowler in 1993 at the
tender age of ten, Natalie
Cassidy spent some of her
most formative years on the
albert square set.
she left the show in 2007
to focus on other projects,
returning for a two-year stint
in 2014. Now back in walford
having reprised her role in
the summer, fans hope the
two-time British soap award
winner is back for good.
when we joined Natalie to celebrate
Christmas with her in 2011, life was looking
less certain as she faced the festive holidays
as a single mum. Having endured a turbulent
year recovering from her abusive relationship
with adam Cottrell, the father of her
15-month-old girl eliza, Natalie was ready to
move on. Looking happy and healthy as she
cuddled her gorgeous daughter, she told OK!:
‘eliza helped me cope with the down days.’
explaining how a restraining order against
her former flame had recently been lifted,
allowing adam to see eliza on his own, she
added: ‘everything’s settled down.’
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take a triP down
CeLebritY MeMorY Lane
despite recalling how
‘desperately unhappy’ she’d
felt during the relationship
and confessing that she
was ‘chain-smoking and
drinking red wine every
night to chill out and forget’,
Natalie described her feelings
towards adam. ‘I still hold a
lot of anger,’ she said, while
admitting she hadn’t ruled
out a reconciliation. ‘adam
doesn’t drink any more – and
that was a massive problem,’
she reasoned. ‘He’s got a lot
of making up to do.’ the pair gave it another
go, but split for good in 2013.
Cupid’s arrow struck the following year
when Natalie, back on the BBC soap, fell
for cameraman Marc Humphreys. ‘to be
completely content in this world is the most
magical thing,’ she tweeted. Just a year later
Marc popped the question and in august 2016
they welcomed their daughter Joanie elizabeth
Cassidy-Humphreys. Natalie took to social
media to share the news, captioning a cute
family photo: ‘we are all so in love!’ OK!
For BaCk Issues oF OK!, eMaIL suBsCrIptIoNs
@oksuBs.Co.uk or CaLL 0330 333 9429.
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