EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

AND PICTURES

ISSUE 1310 ● 18 OCTOBER 2021 ● £2.50 WEEKLY

PETER
& EMILY
ANDRE
OPEN UP ABOUT
THEIR MARRIAGE,
BUSY FAMILY LIFE
AND TOUGH TIMES
‘WILL WE HAVE ANOTHER
BABY? THERE AREN’T
ENOUGH DAYS IN THE WEEK!’
‘THE KIDS COME FIRST WITH
EMILY – SHE’S AN INCREDIBLE
MUM AND STEPMUM’
EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE
TV LEGEND SAM QUEK
BRIAN AND TOM MAIRS
CONLEY SHARE THEIR
PREGNANCY JOY
t Export £2.60/€3.43t Esp/
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$8.40 inc GST t CDN $7.99 t

AT HOME WITH
ROI €3.60 t NL €4.75
t FR €3.80 t Aus €6.10
t Malta €4.25 t Ger €5.30
HIS WIFE AND ‘WE WERE
DAUGHTERS SHOCKED –
‘I’VE WORKED WE DIDN’T
SINCE I WAS 12 THINK IT
– MY BIGGEST WOULD
ACHIEVEMENT HAPPEN SO
IS SURVIVING!’ QUICKLY!’
 100% STRONGER HAIR
*

*
strength against styling damage vs non-conditioning shampoo
 OCTOBER
ISSUE CONTENTS
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 PETERANDEMILYANDRE
 THEDUCHESSOFCAMBRIDGE
 STACEYSOLOMONAND
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 JUDILOVE
 SAMQUEKANDTOMMAIRS
 EMILYANDRE

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4
PETE WEARS JUMPER FROM ZARA, TROUSERS FROM BOOHOO MAN AND BOOTS FROM GRENSON
EMILY WEARS DRESS FROM OASIS, JUMPER VEST FROM NOBODY’S CHILD, BELT FROM KAREN
MILLEN, BOOTS (VINTAGE) AND NECKLACES FROM SORU AND ORELIA
 DOMESTICBLISS

‘WE’REABIGFAMILY
ANDWEALLNEED
EACHOTHER’
PETERANDREANDHISDOCTOR
WIFEEMILYEXCLUSIVELYTALK
TOOK!ABOUTTHEIRHECTIC
HOMELIFEANDTALENTEDKIDS

WWW.OK.CO.UK 5
6
PETE WEARS JUMPER AND TROUSERS BY BURTON, SHOES BY FAIRFAX & FAVOR
EMILY WEARS SHIRT BY GAÂLA, TROUSERS BY KAREN MILLEN AND BOOTS BY MINT VELVET
W
hen we last chatted with Peter
Andre and his wife for a joint
shoot, doctor Emily was busy
working on the frontline of
the fight against Covid.
Now, while the 32-year-old tells us her
work is still hectic, her 48-year-old husband
is equally as rushed off his feet.
Between gigs, film shoots and touring
with the hit musical Grease as characters
Teen Angel and Vince Fontaine, Pete
has barely been at home to spend quality
time with his wife of six years and their
two young children, Millie, seven, and
four-year-old Theo.
“This morning, when Theo held me before
school he didn’t want to let go,” he tells us.
Adding more chaos into the mix is Pete’s
older children’s blossoming careers.
Junior, 16, is busy recording after signing
a record deal, while Pete tells us Princess,
14, is determined to forge a career in
the music business, too. Of course they’ll
have their father, who has enjoyed huge
international chart success, by their sides
to offer a few words of wisdom.
Speaking of supporting his eldest
son, the father-of-four tells us, “I’ll be
standing next to him the whole time and
be his point of call!”
Here, in our gorgeous couple’s shoot,
Pete and Emily open up to OK! about
juggling family with work, rarely sharing
a crossed word and why they’ve ruled
out the idea of adding to their brood
anytime soon...

EMILY WEARS DRESS BY BRODIE CASHMERE, BELT BY KAREN MILLEN, BOOTS BY MINT VELVET

WWW.OK.CO.UK 7
 Hi both. How are the kids doing?
Emily: Everyone is really good. It’s
a busy household. I know now what
our parents went through having
a million children and trying to be
in four places at once.

How is Theo getting on at school?

Emily: He’s settling in. He is just so
tired and a little bit more emotional
than usual. He really loves drawing and
painting, he also really loves PE. He’s
got such a good memory. Every day
he’ll tell me exactly what he’s done
that day and what he had for lunch.

How is work, Emily? Has it calmed

down or are you still feeling the
effects of the pandemic?
Emily: It’s really different depending
on where you work in the NHS at the
moment. For me, I think the effects
of the pandemic are still being felt in
terms of people’s mental health as
people are still feeling the effects of
being isolated, working from home
and not being able to see family
during lockdown.

Of course. And, Pete, you’re super

busy touring too...
Pete: Yep. All the gigs that were
booked last year were moved to this
year, then when Grease got confirmed
we had to work those dates around all
the gigs, so it’s basically been seven
days a week for two months. I still kept
busy over the pandemic, but I was
at home so much filming things and

EMILY WEARS DRESS BY KAREN MILLEN, BOOTS BY

MINT VELVET AND EARRINGS BY SORU

8
WWW.OK.CO.UK
9
PETE WEARS BLAZER BY ZARA AND JUMPER BY BURTON. EMILY WEARS BLAZER BY ZARA AND TOP BY MINT VELVET
 PETE WEARS TOP BY BURTON AND TROUSERS BY ZARA

10
EMILY WEARS SHIRT BY FRENCH CONNECTION, TROUSERS BY TED BAKER AND EARRINGS AND RING BY SORU
writing music. The good thing was that I got
to see the family daily. I love being on stage
and it’s been great getting back out there.
ow.
I appreciate it a lot more now.
You’ve got a lot on…
Pete: I love it, though.
Grease goes to the first
week of December and
then I start work on a film.
Another film I was in with
Junior – On The Other
Foot – is coming out in
November time. It’s really
good, I’m adding another
string to my bow moving into nto
films as well, which is what I
want to do. With acting, I want to
earn my stripes and it’s still early days.
Has it been tough juggling being on tour
with family time?
Pete: It’s hard. Obviously with Princess and
Junior, they’re old enough to come to my
gigs. I spend a lot of time with Junior with
the music side, too, as I’ve just secured him
the record deal. But Millie and Theo are got to get on with it. I do all the childcare. In
younger and don’t get to go to a lot of the past we had childcare, but we decided
things. I’ve found it harder not seeing those I’m just going to do it now and I honestly
ttwo.
tw morning, when Theo held me
o. This mo really love it. Peter had some quality time
before
b
before sschool he didn’t want to let go. with the children over the Covid pandemic,
so it’s swings and roundabouts.
Emily, have you found it hard
Em
with Pete being away?
w How is Junior getting on at college?
Emily: I have. What choice do
E Pete: He loves it. He’s at a performing arts
yyou have, though? You’ve just college, he’s so happy. Bista [Princess] is
doing so well at school too. She’s doing her
GCSE syllabus over the next two years.
Does she still want to be a singer?
Pete: She’s got a beautiful voice. It’s very
different from what Junior’s doing, he’s
got a different style. I’ve said to her from
December, when I finish Grease, I’ll start
taking her to the recording studio a couple
of days a month and start co-writing nice
songs for her. I don’t agree with them
signing things before they are 16. My
Pete and Theo (above) dad didn’t let me. Once she’s done
and Emily with Princess, all her GCSEs then she’s OK to sign
Millie and Theo something, like Junior has.
Emily: Princess is diligent, I never have to
WWW.OK.CO.UK 11
 Pete with
Junior and
Princess

ask her to do her homework. Very

occasionally she’ll come to me and
say “I don’t understand this,” but it’s
actually quite rare. She works so hard
and is very organised.

Do you think they would ever do

something musically together?
Pete: I think Junior will move into the
acting world. That’s a big thing for him.
Emily: He’s an amazing actor. He said
to me yesterday he’s got a 30-page
script to learn but it will be fine. It just
comes to him really naturally.

Will we be seeing him in big feature

films rather than selling millions of
records, then?
Emily: I think he’ll do both!

Will you be quite involved in his

career, Pete?
Pete: I’m going to oversee it. I’ll be
standing next to him the whole time
and be his point of call! He’s very
secretive about his music, but it
is unbelievable. I’m sure you’ll
all hear it soon.

Do you think he sees you as a role

model in the business?
Pete: Our styles are completely
different. He’ll appeal to a whole new
generation and I’m more appealing to
the older generation. We’ll do some
stuff together too, but that’s for later
rather than now. I just want to focus
on him, get him off the ground and
doing his thing. I’m so proud of him.

Have you had to have the classic

EMILY WEARS SHIRT BY GAÂLA, TROUSERS BY KAREN

teenage chats about girls yet?

Pete: We always have chats! He’s a
typical 16-year-old, but he’s a very
MILLEN, BOOTS AND HAT BY MINT VELVET

respectful kid. He tells me exactly

what time he’s coming home. I don’t
even have to ask him. Princess is just
14, so she still has to do what I say,
whereas Junior kind of does anyway
even though he doesn’t have to now.
They’re both very respectful, though.

Have you had the “boyfriend chat”

with Princess?
Pete: She talks a lot with Emily. I say
to her, “If you listen to me, each
12
 PETE WEARS JUMPER BY ZARA, TROUSERS BY BOOHOO MAN.

WWW.OK.CO.UK 13
EMILY WEARS DRESS BY OASIS, JUMPER VEST BY NOBODY’S CHILD, BELT BY KAREN MILLEN, NECKLACES BY SORU AND ORELIA
&ààǼı tDzȎȡ¨ı
Doing a little good in this world
doesn’t have to cost a lot. Search
‘Lidl changes’ to find out more.
PETE WEARS JUMPER BY MJ RIVERS, TROUSERS BY ZARA. EMILY WEARS
DRESS BY BRODIE CASHMERE AND BELT BY KAREN MILLEN
year I’ll let the reins go a little bit more, but
you’ve got to listen.” If you let them go too
early, you’re in trouble and if you hold on too
tight, they’ll rebel. So it’s finding the balance.
Do you think Millie and Theo might show an
interest in singing and acting?
Emily: I don’t think they will. I could be wrong,
but generally I think they are more shy.
You previously said you’d maybe consider
another baby when Theo is at school. What
are your thoughts now?
Pete: I have two words… hell no! For now, ha.
Emily: There are not enough days in the week!
Millie does five clubs a week, Theo is doing
swimming. If he starts more [activities], I don’t
think I could have a newborn baby at the
same time. At the moment, I’m pretty much
stretched four ways. As much as Junior and
Princess are very self-sufficient – and they
are brilliant – they still need input from me.
Throwing a baby in the mix, I couldn’t manage
it at the moment. We are a big family and
we all need each other.
Emily, you’re super close to Princess and
Junior. That must be lovely...
Emily: I think with both of them, there are
always things you feel awkward to speak to your
parents about. It could be anything. We have
a slightly different relationship, maybe that’s
why they will ask me questions about certain
things. Also, with the job I do, I’ve always said
to them that nothing is embarrassing to me. I
think that’s always meant that they haven’t felt
embarrassed to say stuff to me if they have to.
They’re both really communicative teenagers.
And do you have any time for date nights
these days?
Emily: Pete would need to be home for date
nights! It’s been too busy.
Pete: We’ve been married six years and
known each other for over 10 years. When
you build a foundation like that, these times
are just temporary. After December, it will
calm down and then next year’s work will be
planned out a lot more. It’s looking very busy
already, but it won’t be in such full-on blocks
of time, which is good.
To hear
Pete and Emily
talk openly
about family
life, scan
the code!
With children, teenagers and work, do
tensions ever boil over at home?
Emily: We never have family arguments.
I’ve never had an argument with Junior and
Princess. Pete and I rarely argue. I don’t think
Junior’s ever been in a mood with me and I’ve
been his stepmum for nearly 10 years!
What are you excited for as a family?
Emily: We’re going to try and go away at
some point with the kids. We’ve got Theo’s
birthday in November and then Millie’s in
January. I’ve got a book coming out soon
about puberty for teenage girls, then I’ll have
another one coming out after that for teenage
boys. I’m really excited about that.
Pete: I’m trying to plan next year so it doesn’t
mean I’m gone for seven days at a time! I think
next year will be more planned as the last two
years have been so uncertain. OK!
WORDS: ANNA MATHESON PHOTOS: DAN KENNEDY
HAIR: MICHAEL ANDRE, JAMES JOHNSON MAKE-UP: JADE EWEN
STYLING: KATE BARBOUR STYLIST’S ASSISTANT: KITTY BOWES
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 A dead original new crime series
Every Tuesday

16
WWW.OK.CO.UK 17
 FAMILYFORTUNES

WHO
DOYOU
THINK
YOU
ARE?

18
 THEDUCHESS
OFCAMBRIDGE
ANNOUNCESSHEIS
EXPLORINGHER
ANCESTRYONHER
LATESTPUBLIC
APPEARANCE

T
he Duchess of Cambridge may be
an integral part of the future of the
royal family, but she is currently
researching her past and tracing
her own family tree. The 39-year-old
revealed the news on a visit to University
College London’s Centre For Longitudinal
Studies last week.
Early years education and development
has been one of Kate’s passion projects
since she began as a working royal. As
part of her work, she is looking into both
the Middletons’ and her maternal family,
the Goldsmiths’ history to learn how the
early lives of her ancestors affected who
they eventually grew up to become.
Joining UCL’s Professor Pasco Fearon
and Professor Alissa Goodman, Kate said,
“Our early childhoods shape our adult
lives and knowing more about what
impacts this critical time is fundamental
to understanding what we, as a society,
can do to improve our future health
and happiness.
“The landmark Children Of The 2020s
study will illustrate the importance of
the first five years and provide insights
into the most critical aspects of early
childhood, as well as the factors
which support or hinder positive
lifelong outcomes.
“I am committed to supporting greater
in-depth research in this vital area and I’m
delighted to be meeting all those behind
the study at this early stage.”
Ever a champion of the high street
and sustainable fashion, the duchess
opted for a dress she had worn before
– a £16 black and white houndstooth Zara
number – which she debuted when she
visited Bradford back in January 2020. She
completed her look with a pair of grey
Hugo Boss heels, which she had previously
sported on a trip to London’s Natural
History Museum in 2016. OK!
WORDS: SAMUEL MCMANUS-MAXWELL
PHOTOS: GETTY

Kate with
Professor
Pasco Fearon

WWW.OK.CO.UK 19
 BUNDLEOFJOY
‘OURDARLING
DAUGHTERIS
FINALLYHERE’
STACEYSOLOMONANDJOESWASHARE‘SOINLOVE’
AFTERWELCOMINGTHEIRGORGEOUSBABYGIRL
S
tacey Solomon got the best birthday
present in the world last week as she gave
birth to her “darling daughter” on the very
same day that she turned 32.
The Loose Women panellist and her actor
fiancé Joe Swash welcomed their “Princess
Pickle” at home with the support of Stacey’s sister
Jemma. Her sons Zachary, 13, Leighton, nine, and
Rex, two, were also by her side.
Stacey shared the first picture of the adorable
tot – who was wearing a pink floral sleepsuit – to
her followers on Instagram.
“She’s here. Born at Pickle Cottage on
mummy’s birthday,” she joyously wrote. “Our
little girl… Happy birthday my darling daughter…
We all love you more than you could ever
imagine. Your brothers, your daddy and I are
so in love. Thank you for the most incredible 9
months. Now we cannot wait for the rest of our
lives with you…”
Stacey then shared a beautiful black and white
The family
welcome little
‘Princess Pickle’
20
video montage of the home delivery. However,
it seems a home birth was not the Tap To Tidy
author’s original plan as she revealed, “I woke up
feeling a little twingey so I went to check in on
her [in hospital]. She seemed happy as Larry
and the contractions weren’t too strong so
I went home... But she decided she was ready to
meet us. Immediately. So our community
midwives came over with all of the gas and air.”
The new mum also said that she wished she
could have stayed in hospital to have a pain-
relieving epidural.
Finally, fans saw Stacey holding her baby girl in
bed with Joe kissing her forehead. She captioned
this picture, “She was in our arms… in real life.”
After Stacey shared the news with the world,
Joe, 39, commented, “My darling girls. I love you
more than you’ll ever know.”
The couple were also flooded with messages
from well-wishers following their new arrival.
“Welcome to the world Princess Pickle. You are
Stacey feeding
her newborn
daughter
Joe is clearly
smitten with
the new arrival

loved by millions already. My darling girls.

I love you xxxxx,” close friend Mrs Hinch
shared, while Stacey’s Loose Women pal
Nadia Sawalha added, “Awwww Stacey
and Joe I’m in bits, she’s beautiful. And
now you are a home birther!”
DJ Kate Lawler said, “She’s here! So
perfect. Congratulations guys. On your
birthday too Stacey. Extra special x.”
Stacey’s family also sent their love with
sister Jemma – who supported Stacey
throughout the delivery – calling the
former X Factor star a “superwoman”.
Stacey’s dad David then shared, “Proud
Daddy Moment well done to my beautiful
Daughter you have done amazing.”
And while the newborn’s name had
not been revealed at the time of OK!
going to press, there was one name that
seemed to be top contender. Stacey’s
father appeared to hint that Lilly was a
frontrunner when he liked a message
from a fan who suggested that it would be
cute to call her “Pickle-Lilly”. That comes
after Nadia was forced to deny she had
revealed the name Stacey and Joe had
planned for their daughter after she also
called the tot “Lilly” when sharing some
snaps from Stacey’s baby shower. So
watch this space! OK!
WORDS: ELLIE KIRWIN-JONES

WWW.OK.CO.UK 21
 JUDI’SCOLUMN

SHAKINGTHINGSUP
OURCOLUMNISTON
BRINGINGSOULTO
STRICTLYHERPAL
STACEY’SNEWBABY
ANDCELEBRATING
BLACKWOMEN

E
veryone loved my twerking during
the Samba on Strictly! I’m so happy
the judges said I brought the soul
of dance to the dance floor. During
training this week, I’ve really learnt that as
much as others believe in you, you have
to believe in yourself. Sometimes you
might stop yourself from doing certain
things because you’ve convinced yourself
you or your body can’t do it. As much
as having lovely comments from judges
and fans has been great, I’ve been
trying to remember to be kind to
myself during training, too.

DANCEFEVER CONGRATS
TOSTACEY
D uring Strictly’s Movie Week,
I did the Charleston. There
were a few bits I found really I spoke to my Loose
Women co-star
challenging and I had to keep Stacey Solomon
reminding myself to be light after the birth of her
on my toes. You think because gorgeous daughter
you’ve done a bit of dancing last week and shared
you should know what you’re my congratulations.
doing a little bit, but no, We’re all so excited
I was learning from scratch for her and I can’t wait
again! I cried during rehearsals to meet the beautiful
as I was in complete shock that little princess. And it’s
I’d managed to do the whole so lovely she arrived
thing! So far a lot of my dances on Stacey’s birthday
have been about strong, – what a lovely
flamboyant women, so I’ll birthday surprise!
hopefully be able to do
some softer characters.

SLANGBANNED ADELEISBACK
A secondary school in London
has banned the use of slang A d l h
dele has a new single
out this week, Easy
i l
words like “bare” and “cuss” in On Me – she’s also
schoolwork. There have been some revealed she’ll have a
shocked reactions to the news but new album out soon!
I think it’s quite concerning that I can’t wait to hear it. The
kids are using these words in their fact she hasn’t released
writing. The school isn’t saying they an album for six years
can’t use slang in the playground, and her fans are still
just not in their essays where, of pining for her to release
course, we should be expected new material is amazing.
to use correct English. Our kids Let’s face it, we’re all
need to be aware of basic, ready to hear her new
acceptable English – it’s about tunes – maybe there’ll be
finding a balance. I always tell my some love songs about
son not to talk to me or text me in her new man. And we all
MAKINGWAVES
O ne of my favourite American stars,
Angela Bassett, recently became the
highest-paid Black actress for her recurring
role in 9-1-1, making herr one of
ox’s
the top earners across Fox’s
drama outputs in the US. S.
It’s such a great thing to
celebrate – her talent
deserves the recognition. n.
Also there have been
so many times in this
industry where Black
women have suffered
a massive pay gap.
Hearing the news has
given me hope that we’llll
hear similar stories for
PHOTOS: GETTY

slang, as I don’t want his brain to want to see how fabulous Black women within the
think it’s the norm. she’s looking, too! entertainment sector in
the UK soon, too. OK!

WWW.OK.CO.UK 23
24
 BABYSURPRISE

‘IREALISEDIMIGHT
BEPREGNANTWHEN
ISTARTEDMIXINGUP
MYWORDSONTV!’
OLYMPIANANDTVPRESENTERSAMQUEKANDHER
HUSBANDTOMMAIRSEXCLUSIVELYREVEALTHEY
AREEXPECTINGTHEIRSECONDCHILDJUSTSEVEN
MONTHSAFTERWELCOMINGDAUGHTERMOLLY

TOM WEARS OUTFIT BY DESIGNERWEAR.CO.UK; MOLLY WEARS OUTFIT BY ENFANT BABY WEAR
SAM WEARS SHIRT, BELT AND KNIT BY SMUDGE BOUTIQUE, TROUSERS BY KIRSTY DOYLE;

WWW.OK.CO.UK 25
 T
he last time OK! caught up with
Olympian Sam Quek and hubby
Tom Mairs, they were excitedly
introducing their beautiful baby
girl, Molly. And now, just seven months
later, the couple are thrilled to share
news of another imminent arrival!
Question Of Sport star Sam is 17
weeks pregnant with their second child
and she and Tom couldn’t be happier.
“It’s come along quite quickly, so we
were pleasantly surprised!” laughs the
32-year-old, who won gold with Team
GB’s women’s hockey team at Rio 2016.
Sam’s due date is two weeks after
Molly turns one on 2 March next year.
While the little one is too young to
understand what’s happening, the pair
have no doubt that she will be an
“amazing” big sister.
The news is also all the more special
as Sam, who has been presenting
on The One Show too, suffered a
heartbreaking miscarriage at 10 weeks
before getting pregnant with Molly.
Here, Sam and Tom, 34, who
runs a student housing business,
tell OK! about their “shock” at
discovering baby number two was
on the way, and Sam opens up about
her struggle with morning sickness
and why she’ll always worry during
her pregnancies…
SAM WEARS KNIT AND SKIRT BY ZARA; MOLLY WEARS OUTFIT BY BELLA DIOSA
26
Hi, both! Congratulations on your
amazing news…
Sam: We were shocked but we’re
so excited! But because of previous
experiences, I never like to get
too excited until we’ve had our
12-week scan.
Tom: We didn’t think it would
happen so quickly. I’m actually
really pleased we’re going to have
two so close together because
one of my siblings was just under
18 months older than me and my
life was far better having a sibling
so close. I also think a lot of Sam’s
success is down to the fact she’s a twin,
especially to a boy [brother Shaun], as
she had someone to compete with.
We’re very pleased for Molly.
Sam: She has no idea what’s coming,
she’s too young to understand! But
she will be an amazing big sister.
She’s so nosey.
Molly’s birthday is 2 March and
you’re due on 16 March – so if you’re
early you may have two children
under one. How are you feeling
about that?
Sam: I know it will be tough logistically
and when they’re both crying but I’m
crossing my fingers that we have
another Molly. She’s so chilled and
she’s slept through from 7pm to 7am
since she was two months old. The
next one could be the complete
opposite. I’m a natural worrier, but
we’re just going to do everything the
same and hope for the best.
Tom: I know we’ll be fine. Sam was an
amazing hockey player but she’s an
even better mum, so I’ve never had to
worry. We think it will be really good
that Molly won’t be aware of sibling
rivalry and she won’t feel left out.
There’s always that danger when
they get to two or three that they start
to feel jealous. My only fear is that
I can’t imagine loving anyone as
much as I love Molly.
Were you trying for a second?
Sam: It was a surprise but we didn’t
stop it happening, if that makes sense.
We did discuss after Molly that we’d
like kids close together and what close
together meant. My close together
was 18 months and I wanted to start
trying after Christmas. But Tom’s close
together was to start trying after my
six-week check!
Tom: We tried for 18 months to
two years with Molly and had the
miscarriage. As Molly had taken so
long, we decided we wouldn’t stop
trying but we wouldn’t start using the
WWW.OK.CO.UK 27
SAM WEARS DRESS BY ZARA
 SAM WEARS DRESS BY ZARA; TOM WEARS OUTFIT

28
BY DESIGNERWEAR.CO.UK; MOLLY WEARS OUTFIT BY BELLA DIOSA
ovulation charts and being regimented like
last time until after Christmas. Turns out we’re
super-fertile now! I was shocked.

Does it take you time to relax into

pregnancy because of experiencing
a miscarriage, Sam?
Sam: Definitely. You just stop yourself
getting too excited in case you get any
disappointment. It’s sad because when you
get pregnant you should have that joy and
elation, like Tom does straight away, but even
now I’m constantly worried. I will be for the
whole pregnancy. Anything I feel, even if it’s
just wind, I think, “Is everything OK?” Every
time I go to the toilet, as a woman, if you’ve
had a miscarriage, you will check the tissue
for blood. It will never go away and it’s just an
unfortunate experience for people who have
gone through it. But I think pregnancy is
a miracle and part of me is so grateful it’s
happened so easily this time.

Are you going to find out what

you’re having?
Sam: I think so. We did talk about a surprise
but then the more we spoke about it I felt like
I wanted to be organised, so we know whether
to put Molly’s old clothes in the loft or donate
them. We’re going to find out at the 20-week
scan and then we’ll think about names.
Tom: I thought it would be so nice this time
to not find out but neither of us have that
discipline. I was saying to the sonographer,

‘SAMPULLEDOUT
THISHANDFULOF
PREGNANCYTESTS
–ITWASLIKEA
WOLVERINECLAW!’
“Please tell us what it is!” and she was like,
“It’s too early!” But we’ll be happy either way.
Sam: I really want to give birth naturally as
I was disappointed I couldn’t last time. It
feels like a rite of passage and it’s something
I’ve always wanted to experience. There
is also more risk with a C-section and
more recovery time.
Tom: When Molly was born via C-section there
was an element of Sam that felt she’d failed to
give birth, but I didn’t see it that way at all.
Sam: But this time I will put less pressure on
myself as you know more the second time.

How have you been feeling, Sam?

Sam: Like with Molly, I’m massively suffering
with morning sickness. Thankfully, I’m not sick
very often but I’ve felt sick constantly.
Tom: Last time, Sam took a while to show
– but there’s no denying the bump this time!
Sam: I recently shared a throwback picture
from eight weeks ago and someone
commented, “Hi, Sam, can you tell your
followers this picture is highly airbrushed
as you definitely didn’t look this slim on
The One Show last night.” I thought,
“You cheeky bugger!”

You presented the BBC’s Olympic Breakfast

programme over the summer. Was your
morning sickness bad then?
Sam: Yes, but I didn’t know I was pregnant!
I thought it was just the early mornings,
WWW.OK.CO.UK 29

Covering the
Tokyo Olympics
with Dan Walker
because I was getting up at 2.30am. I felt
so rough, but I would just force a cereal bar
and a coffee down me. I felt sick every day,
I was exhausted and I didn’t want to eat
anything. I genuinely thought I was coming
down with a really bad illness or Covid but
I’d done so many tests. I could only eat one
meal a day and I had to live off crisps and
white biscuits for weeks.
Tom: Sam presented superbly throughout
and then it got towards the end and she
said something like
high jumper
instead of long
jumper and that
they were from
Belgium. She
came off set and
I mentioned it was
an Italian long
jumper and she
said, “Oh my God,
the last time I used
to get words
confused was
when I had baby
brain when I was
pregnant with Sam on
Molly, and that was Question
the last time I felt Of Sport
like this!” I was
looking at her like,
“There’s no way!” She was also filming the
Captains’ Challenges for Question Of Sport
and couldn’t work out why she was losing,
because she’s so competitive.
Sam: I was like, “My hand-eye coordination
is gone!”
Is that when you took a test, Sam?
Sam: I was staying in an apartment next
to the studios, so I took one the day
I finished presenting while I was packing.
I thought, “I’ll just check, but there’s
no way” – and the line came straight up!
How did Sam tell you, Tom?
Tom: She came home that day and was
really quiet, and I was like, “Are you OK?”
and she just pulled out this whole handful
of pregnancy tests. It was like a Wolverine
claw but with pregnancy tests [laughs]!
Sam: I had this big idea of how I was
going to tell him but I couldn’t hold it in
any more, so I just burst into tears and
pulled out these four pregnancy tests.
Tom: Then I welled up. I was made up
and ecstatic. I also had a bit of a twinge
30
of guilt because I’ve always
felt that, as a guy, if you get
a woman pregnant there
is that responsibility. And
I felt like, “Oh God, I’ve got
Sam pregnant just as her
career has got massive!”
The car would be arriving
at 10am to pick her up for
Question Of Sport filming
and she’d be chucking up
at 9.30am. Sam’s fiercely
competitive and we were
worried that she wouldn’t
be able to give her best
performance. But we had
nothing to worry about
because Sam is a bit of
a monster [laughs]!
Were you worried at all because you’re
so busy at work, Sam?
Sam: It was weird, actually. The biggest
things in my life have happened in 2021.
Molly was born, I had the Olympics
presenting gig and being a captain on
Question Of Sport, which has literally
been my dream job since I was 15. But
ultimately, my dream was to have a family
as well and having a baby shouldn’t stop
you achieving your dreams. I’m very
fortunate to have
Tom and he’s
brilliant. And
he has his own
business, so he
can be a bit more
flexible. And our
parents are brilliant.
I quite often get
asked, “Now
you’re a mum,
are you going
to be able to
work?” and that
frustrates me so
much. It doesn’t
matter what
you do, every
mum makes
it work. Being
a working mum
is so important to me, especially with
Molly being a girl.
Tom: Question Of Sport couldn’t have
been more supportive. Timing-wise, it
could work really well if Sam is part of the
next series of Question Of Sport as the
baby would arrive before filming starts.
Has starring on Question Of Sport been
everything you hoped it would be, Sam?
Sam: Yeah, and then some. At first there
was so much pressure being the first
female captain. You can be accused
of not knowing much about sport, so
I felt I was there to prove people wrong
as sometimes you know a little bit
more than the men! There was also
that pressure to fill some very big shoes
as Sue [Barker], Phil [Tufnell] and Matt
[Dawson] were excellent. But ultimately,
the show moves on and it can’t be the
same people forever, and now they’ve
changed the show a little bit so it’s
moved with the times. We also have
a greater young audience and a
greater BAME audience.
 SAM WEARS SKIRT AND KNIT BY SMUDGE BOUTIQUE, COAT BY KIRSTY DOYLE; TOM

3
WWW.OK.CO.UK 31
WEARS OUTFIT BY DESIGNERWEAR.CO.UK; MOLLY WEARS OUTFIT BY BELLA DIOSA
   

 

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SAM WEARS SKIRT AND KNIT BY H&M; TOM WEARS OUTFIT BY DESIGNERWEAR.CO.UK; MOLLY WEARS OUTFIT BY BELLA DIOSA

Tom: The first few weeks you have

the odd misogynist saying they’re
ticking boxes and being woke by
hiring Sam. Sam didn’t get this
job because she was ticking a
box. She got it because she’s an
absolute animal when it comes
to sport. Now, the comments
have changed to, “She must be
cheating because she can’t know
these answers!”
Sam: It’s nice to prove people
wrong. OK!

WORDS: KIRSTY HATCHER PHOTOS: LORNA ROACH

HAIR & MAKE UP: LEONA BARTON
STYLING: LORRAINE MCCULLOCH

Scan the code below

to hear Sam Quek
reveal the exact
moment she knew
she was expecting

WWW.OK.CO.UK 33
 10


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ANDWHYGIVINGUPBREASTFEEDINGWASHARD

P
ete and I had incredible. My hair
such a great is quite difficult to
time doing manage as it’s long
our OK! cover and thick, but he was
shoot. It was a lovely able to do a new style
day and we really in five minutes!
enjoyed it. Pete’s been Pete and I are
so busy recently with hoping to go to the
his gigs and shows for Pride Of Britain
Grease The Musical Awards at the end
that it was nice to of the month, and
actually spend some I’d love James to do
time with him. my hair for it. I don’t
I loved the styling usually get my hair
and the autumnal and make-up done
theme of the shoot. for events, but I think
We had to be serious every now and then it’s
in some of the nice to treat yourself.
pictures, which is Pride Of Britain is
so hard for me! I just always such a lovely
kept laughing. I also and emotional evening
absolutely loved my – it’s one of the
hair and make-up. The showbiz events I look
hair stylist, James, was forward to attending.

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WHENISTOPPED TEACHTHEKIDS
BREASTFEEDING LIFELESSONS
L ucy Mecklenburgh has admitted she’s
been feeling “low” after she stopped
breastfeeding
A few celebrities
have been
calling for a change
When kids go to
secondary school,
I think they should
her 19-month- in the school also be taught
old son, curriculum to about things like
Roman, who incorporate tax, managing
she shares with teaching children their money,
Ryan Thomas. things like paying organisation and
A lot of bills and buying time management.
emotions can property. I couldn’t These are life
be brought agree more – skills that are so
up when you I think this is a important, but
stop breastfeeding as it can n feel like really good idea. realistically when
the end of an era, and for some I was trying you leave school
mums even feelings of guilt lt to explain to you’re thrown in at
can come to the surface. the kids the other the deep end! OK!
It can also feel like there day what a
is pressure on you to o
one off those
h mums who h mortgage was
breastfeed, so when you could do both morning and it was like
stop, some mums feel like and evening feeds for a riddle! If I’m
they’ve failed in some a
ages, but it didn’t work honest, I’m
way, even though that o
out that way. When you still not sure
obviously isn’t the case. It’ss pi
picture how something is I even properly
important to remember there ere goin
going to be and it doesn’t understand the
are a lot of hormonal changes ges go tha
that way, it’s gutting, but complexities
related to breastfeeding, too. I ended
d d up getting over it quite of mortgages,
When I stopped, I felt gutted as quickly. I realised that I shouldn’t be too which is why
PHOTOS: GETTY

I loved it. To only manage six months hard on myself, and everyone has to it’s such a hard
wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted to be stop at some point! thing to explain.

EMAIL ME AT EMILYANDREA@REACHPLCCOM WWW.OK.CO.UK 35


‘WEWANTTOBRINGABIT
OFJOYNOTDEPRESSYOU’
STANDUPTOCANCERHOSTDAVINAMcCALLLOSTBOTH
HERMUMANDSISTERTOTHEDISEASEHERESHETELLS
OK!HOWSHEHANDLESHERPAINONFUNDRAISINGNIGHT
D
avina McCall will be all smiles on Friday as
she hosts the Stand Up To Cancer charity
night on Channel 4 – but she admits the
evening will take an emotional toll because
the disease claimed her own mum and her sister.
And the 53-year-old presenter says SU2C is
important to her not only because it funds research
into treatments but as a reminder to people of the
warning symptoms. Her beloved sister Caroline died
just seven weeks after her diagnosis in 2012, aged 50.
Here, Davina tells of the sense of “positivity and
hope” on the SU2C set and joining Alan Carr, Maya
Jama and Adam Hills to introduce TV treats from the
likes of Olympic legend Usain Bolt and The Crown’s
Olivia Colman, plus a celeb Gogglebox special.
Hi, Davina. Why is SU2C so important to you?
I think the really big thing for me is that one in two of
us will get cancer. There are
so many amazing inroads
being made, but obviously
the research needs to continue.
We are at the tip of the most
amazing scientific iceberg.
My mum died of cancer, my
sister died of cancer, so I know
how cancer affects people,
and I know that because of the
pandemic, thousands of people
have been left waiting for cancer
tests and treatments, creating
a worrying backlog. So this year,
more than ever, we just need to fund as much
research as we can, to give as many people as
good a chance as possible.
Sarah Harding’s death last month, aged 39, was
a reminder cancer can strike at any age, wasn’t it?
I think the saddest thing is the last time I’d seen
Sarah Harding was on The Jump, where she was
a contestant. And, oh my God, such good fun! But
I read somewhere that she’d given herself a hard
time for not going to sort it out earlier. That, for me,
is always the hardest thing. My sister was given
a terminal diagnosis in hospital and gave herself
a hard time for not doing something about it. There’s
nothing like the look on someone’s face when they
realise that what they’re being told is that there’s
no treatment. This is palliative care from now on.
And the idea that you would ever blame yourself
for that is too much to handle. So we need to help
people to find ways of detecting changes in their
bodies but never shaming anybody – ever, ever, ever
– and least of all shaming yourself, ever, if you get
sick. It’s not your fault.
36
THEGOODFIGHT
Is it important to bring a bit of joy to people
after a tough 18 months?
Yes! It’s odd, isn’t it, to think that a show called Stand
Up To Cancer would bring a bit of joy, but actually
what we don’t want to do is make people depressed.
Because there is a lot of good that can come out of
SU2C. It’s about positivity and hope, forging forward
to make people’s lives better, and supporting people
through what I think is a very tough and scary journey.
What have been your favourite moments from
SU2C in the past?
Apart from fondling an enormous pair of balls – which
I hasten to add weren’t real – I love The Last Leg. It’s
always so funny.
Is it hard to control your emotions on the night?
g t veryy passionate
ge
I get passionate about it. My sister died in 2012,
which feels like a long time ago.
It’ll be 10 years next year. But it
still makes me think “What if,
what if?” So when people tell
their stories, I can relate to it,
and it’s always a bit tough on
the night. But I just think “Don’t
lose the plot. You’re not here to
get all emotional. You’re here
because you’re invested, you’ve
Davina with lost people you care about, and
sister Caroline you are here to help raise as
much money as you can.” I try to
see all the stories beforehand,
talk to the people if they’re there, so there are no
surprises. I can take a moment before I’m on camera.
How will you prepare for the show?
On the day, I’ll try to get myself into a space where
I really think about the gravity of the night ahead,
how important it is, and how my actions, or the way
I work that night, might have a direct impact on how
much money can be raised. So I’ll think about how
best I can do my job to help as many people as I can.
So how will you wind down at the end of it?
It’s the night before my birthday, so I’ll be winding up
again! Hopefully with breakfast in bed from my kids.
Does that mean burnt toast and cold tea?
It used to mean raw crumpets and things like that, but
thankfully my kids are old enough now that they know
how to make breakfast! OK!
TO DONATE, GO TO DONATE.CANCERRESEARCHUK.ORG/STAND-UP-TO-
CANCER/YOUR-DONATION
WORDS: JENNIFER RODGER PHOTO: STAND UP TO CANCER/C4
WWW.OK.CO.UK 37
 HUDSON
2 S E AT S O FA

£750

habitat.co.uk
Subject
38 to availability. Prices accurate at time of printing. Ts & Cs apply.
 Tom,
Luca &
Rosa’s

WWW.OK.CO.UK 39
 ROCK’N’ROLLBABY

‘IDIDN’TTHINK
BECOMINGA
MOTHERATMYAGE
WOULDHAPPEN’
SKUNKANANSIESINGERSKINONFAME
RACISMANDTHENEWARRIVALINHERLIFE

R
ock band frontwoman Skin has had do it. I’ve raised a child before in my previous
one hell of a career – not only is she a relationship. I love kids and I’ve got loads of
trailblazer for other Black women in nieces and nephews. Kids love me because I’m
a genre largely dominated by white silly. I’m excited about dressing up a little baby
musicians, but in the last three decades she’s in ridiculous clothes while we can!
sold millions of records with Skunk Anansie,
partied with Nelson Mandela and toured Do you know whether it’s a girl or boy?
with David Bowie. I’m keeping that a secret!
After facing down racism, homophobia and
sexism on her own path to become one of the What core values would you like to pass on
most iconic singers in British rock music, Skin to your child?
– whose real name is Deborah Anne Dyer – Just see everybody positively until you have a
tells OK! she feels the Black Lives Matter reason not to. Don’t jump to conclusions and
movement has changed both the music keep an open mind and spirit. Be brave
industry and the wider world. enough to challenge yourself and try lots of
And while she’s excited about this shift, different things. I hope we’ll be lucky enough
54-year-old Skin is about to see her personal to have a child who is not afraid to make
life dramatically alter too. The singer’s partner, mistakes, because you have to be able to
writer and events planner Rayne Baron – who is realise you’ve done something wrong and to
known professionally as Ladyfag – is expecting learn and move on from it. I think we’re living
their first child. in a society that is very intolerant of people
Here, the star chats about becoming a mum making mistakes – the woke brigade and all
and why we shouldn’t be of that. There’s a lot of
afraid of making mistakes… positivity to it, but there’s
also a sense that you can
Hi Skin, congratulations be destroyed by one
on your baby news! wrong sentence.
Thank you! We have two
months to go. It’s exciting Can we expect any new
and I’m trying to get as Skunk Anansie music?
much done as I can, as Yes! We’re currently
once the baby comes I recording three or four
won’t be doing anything songs! And we’re off on
else for a while. It’s weird, tour later this year which
I didn’t think that at my I’m really excited about.
age and in my life it would
happen. It’s very exciting. Tell us about The
Skin Show on
Is motherhood Absolute Radio…
something you This is the third season.
always wanted? It’s been fun. I’ve got an
I never wanted to have Skin and offshoot of it too, which
a baby myself, in my partner Rayne is a podcast called Skin
own body. But I love that are expecting Tings, and I just get to
someone else is going to interview people like

40
WWW.OK.CO.UK 41
 With her
Skunk Anansie
bandmates
Debbie Harry, Shirley Manson and Paul
Weller. Recently, I interviewed the whole
of Living Colour. I get to ask questions
from an artist-to-artist point of view. Then
the show is all about fresh beats and
songs that were fresh back in the day.
Your autobiography came out recently,
what made you want to do that?
Lucy O’Brien, who I wrote it with, told me
she was tired of all these books coming
out about the 90s that just talk about
BritPop. People don’t realise that Skunk
Anansie headlined Glastonbury as no one
ever talks about it. That was the catalyst
of the story. It was also about how
someone like me became a rock star,
because it wasn’t an easy process. It’s only
now, with Black Lives Matter, that people
understand how difficult it could be.
Do you feel that the BLM movement
has created positive change?
I think it has. People love to talk about
the small percentage of people that have
weaponised it, and I don’t think anyone
ever intended to do that with Black Lives
Matter or with the Me Too movement. But
if you look at the effect they’ve had, how
many more people of colour and women
are in the media because of these
movements. Things like the outcry after
the racism towards footballers at the
Euros, I don’t think that would have been
talked about in the same way had Black
Lives Matter not prioritised Black stories.
Now we need more female CEOs. I think
we need a lot more Black police officers.
42
Do you do anything to mark Black
History Month?
On The Skin Show, I have a documentary
segment each week called The Blackness
Of Rock. It’s talking about how rock
started, how Black it used to be and how
it’s changed. By the time I got into a
band, rock music was seen as a white
thing and I was getting into white music.
Do you feel as though you’ve broken
barriers for young Black artists?
I think having someone like me being in a
rock band has shown other kids that it can
be done. But equally, I’d say to kids that if
you don’t see a Black face or someone
like you, be the first and do it yourself.
Did you always have confidence?
I was a very shy kid. I had a couple of
awful incidents that were crossroad
moments for me. I had a violent boyfriend
and I was attacked on the street. I felt, “If
I don’t turn this around and take charge
of my life, then nobody else is going to
do it for me.” By the time Skunk Anansie
was born, I was 26, I’d been through
tonnes of s**t. When you know you’re
where you’re supposed to be, you get an
inner confidence. I felt like I was finally
here, so no one could tell me anything.
What is your career highlight?
Headlining Glastonbury was a highlight.
There was a definite feeling of, this is
going to be one of the biggest things
you’re ever going to do. But we had so
much negativity directed at us before it.
If you imagine what Jay Z got, we got
10 times as much 20 or so years before.
In those days, having a Black person
fronting a rock band was perceived as not
“real” rock. A lot of journalists were very
negative about it, but they didn’t realise
we were huge throughout Europe. When
we stepped on stage, it totally went off.
How did you feel when Stormzy
headlined Glastonbury, and said he was
the first British Black artist to do so?
This is what they told him. He didn’t
research it. It’s what they told Beyoncé as
well. In my day, if I’d have said that I’d
have been chucked out – in those days
you didn’t talk about being the first Black
this or that. We just had to be a rock band
and be colourless. So it made me happy
that Stormzy was able to be in that
position. It’s wonderful now that artists
can take that mantle and say, “I was the
first Black person to do this.”
You also did The Masked Singer!
What made you decide to do that?
I’m aware that the press think I’m this
serious, hardcore 6ft 4in lesbian in Dr.
Martens boots and I’m really aggressive.
I just wanted to do something ridiculous
to combat that, because I am quite
ridiculous! I’m the one that plays all the
tricks on the band – some of my tricks last
for years! My mum didn’t even know it
was me until I took the costume off! OK!
WORDS: ANNA MATHESON
PHOTOS: GETTY
 ‘I’DSAYTOKIDS
THATIFYOUDON’T
SEEABLACK
PERSONINAROLE
BETHEFIRSTAND
DOITYOURSELF’

WWW.OK.CO.UK 43
 RED-CARPETRETURN

‘IFEELVERY
LUCKY’
AMALANDGEORGECLOONEY
LOOKHAPPIERTHANEVERAT
THETENDERBARPREMIERE

G
eorge Clooney and his wife Amal looked
sensational as they returned to the red
carpet for the premiere of the actor and
director’s latest film, The Tender Bar,
in Los Angeles last week.
The Oscar-winner, 60, wore a smart dark grey
suit, while the human rights lawyer, 43, opted for
an elegant semi-sheer black and metallic silver
dress with black stilettos.
Having not been seen together in public since
May 2019, the couple showed they’re still just
as in love as ever, with George pulling Amal in
close and wrapping his arms around her waist.
They also gazed into one another’s eyes before
making their way into the screening.
George was also seen having a catch-up with his
good pal and The Tender Bar star Ben Affleck, 49.
The pair were pictured larking about and laughing
uncontrollably at the event, thrilled to be reunited.
George and Amal are parents to four-year-old
twins Alexander and Ella. When asked how their
young family has fared over the past 18 months
when faced with the challenges of homeschooling,
Amal quipped that her husband of seven years
was “mainly teaching them pranks”.
George went on to say, “Our kids are four and
they were two and a half when it started, so they
weren’t missing out on much in the world.” He also
joked, “I didn’t have to teach them trigonometry.”
Amal detailed how the couple balance work and
childcare saying, “It’s probably like many families
where both parents work. I’m lucky because I have
a very supportive partner. We do move around
a lot, but we manage it, and I feel very lucky.” OK!
WORDS: ELLIE KIRWIN-JONES PHOTOS: GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK

Joking around
with Ben Affleck

WWW.OK.CO.UK 45
 THELAUGHOFBRIAN

‘MYBIGGESTCAREER
ACHIEVEMENTIS
THATI’VEMANAGEDTO
SURVIVEFORYEARS’
COMICANDEASTENDERS
STARBRIANCONLEY
EXCLUSIVELYOPENS
THEDOORSTOHIS
BUCKINGHAMSHIREHOME
ANDTALKSABOUTJOINING
ALBERTSQUAREHISLONG
CAREERANDTHESECRET
TOHISHAPPYMARRIAGE

T
here isn’t much actor and comedian Brian
Conley hasn’t turned his hand to during a
career spanning almost 50 years. From
stand-up, panto and landing his own TV
show to a stint on Strictly Come Dancing and his
eight Royal Variety Performance appearances,
the 60-year-old has done it all.
Then, during a lockdown-imposed hiatus,
EastEnders came knocking and Brian joined the
BBC One soap’s cast this year as Sonia Fowler’s
long-lost father Terry Cant – who viewers have
now discovered is a conman.
And as we join Brian at his six-bedroom home
in Buckinghamshire, the star tells us how lucky
he feels to be a part of such an iconic show.
“On my first day I just walked around saying,
‘Oh my God, I’m in The Vic! Oh my God, I’m in
the Square!’” he laughs.
Brian shares his beautiful home, which has a
pool room and tennis court, with wife of 25 years
Anne-Marie, 54, who is an artist, their daughter
Lucy, 19, and their dog, Ruby. Their other
daughter Amy, 24, lives in London. “The last
time OK! came round to this house Amy was
about six weeks old!” adds Brian.
Here, he opens up about Lucy following in
his footsteps and putting his money on co-star
Rose Ayling-Ellis to win Strictly…

Hi, Brian! How are you enjoying EastEnders?

I’m loving it and I appreciate how lucky I am to
be a part of such an iconic show. My father had
bowel cancer and he had about six months

46
WWW.OK.CO.UK 47
With wife Anne-Marie
and daughters Amy
(left) and Lucy (right)
48
from when he was diagnosed until he passed
away, and he really got into EastEnders, so I
feel like he’s up there pulling the puppet strings
and he’s one of the reasons I’m there. Everyone
said on their first day they were in awe of
everything, just like me. Then you spend time
in The Vic and realise it’s not real and there’s
non-alcoholic beer in the pumps. They couldn’t
have us drinking on set, the show would really
go to pot then! But it does really feel like being
in the East End. Anne-Marie says when I come
home I really sound like a Cockney. I say, “You
alright sweetheart, you alright babe? Give us
a cup of Rosie!”
Who are you closest to
from the cast? As Terry in
I’ve obviously been working EastEnders
with Natalie Cassidy [who
plays Sonia] a lot and Gillian
Taylforth [who plays Kathy
Beale]. They really are soap
royalty and they both helped
me in those early days, and
helped me relax into it. It was
sad to read in the script that
I’m not actually Natalie’s dad,
because I love working with
her. I was like, “Oh, but I like
being Natalie’s dad!” But it
can’t all be rosy.
Your co-star Rose Ayling-Ellis is doing so well on
Strictly. Did you give her any advice?
I told her she will live, breathe and eat it, and just
to enjoy every minute. It’s the most incredible
experience. My money is on Rose and I’ve actually
put a bet on her to win. Not a lot of money but I
would love for her to win! She is amazing on so
many levels. For EastEnders and Strictly to represent
the deaf community to such a massive audience is
just fantastic and as it should be. She’s loving it and
it’s nice she’s been given the time off to properly
focus on it.
Are you still in touch with your former pro
dance partner from
2017, Amy Dowden?
Yes, we message now and
again. It’s a shame she and
Tom [Fletcher] had to miss a
week but she’s in a good
place. She’s such a lovely girl.
When we danced together
she used to give me little
treats to get me to rehearse
for longer. She’d say, “If we
do it one more time, we can
have a cup of tea and some
chocolate.” I left that show
the fittest I’ve ever been in
my life. I didn’t have an
ounce of fat on me and I
WWW.OK.CO.UK 49
 was so muscular – but it didn’t
last long!
Of everything you’ve
done, what’s been your
career highlight?
Anything with comedy. Being
able to make people laugh is a
gift and so wonderful. There’s
very much an art to it but it’s
not really recognised. People
look at it and think it’s easy but
it’s really not. Doing things like
The Brian Conley Show and
characters like Septic Peg and
Dangerous Brian was brilliant.
Back then there were only three
channels on TV and you’d
regularly have 12 million
50
people watching you. I also
love doing pantomime and it
ticks every box. You have to
dance, do comedy, ad-lib and
be topical.
Are you going to be doing
panto this year?
Yes, in Southend, which is
where my parents met. If it
wasn’t for Southend, I wouldn’t
even be here! I struggled at
school as I’m dyslexic but
the things I excelled at were
singing and performing, so my
parents encouraged that and
put me into stage school at 11.
I’ve been working since I was
12 and in two years I will have
WWW.OK.CO.UK 51
 been in the business 50 years, so I think
my biggest achievement has been that
I’ve managed to survive. I’ve never put
all my eggs in one basket and I’ve been
open to trying different things.
Does being dyslexic ever pose any
problems with all the scripts you
have to learn?
No, give me a script and I can learn
it, but sometimes there is a word
blindness. When I’m reading,
sometimes the odd words pops up and
I’ll have to go and ask Anne-Marie. I’ll
say, “That’s a big word, what does it
mean?” But I did struggle as a child.
Back then and still now I write things
how they sound phonetically, not how
they’re properly written. It doesn’t
bother me and it doesn’t bother anyone
else, and I do a lot of writing. Back in
the 70s it was just seen that you were
thick or not paying attention, and you
had to go to the remedial class. My
eldest daughter is dyslexic too but
now, thankfully, people understand it
more. I embrace it now.
What do your daughters do?
Amy works for an events team for a
well-known cinema brand. We’re very
proud of her. Lucy has just finished
drama college. She went to the
Oxford School of Drama. She wants
to be an actress, so if anyone spots
her and thinks she’s good, then she’s
very ready to take on any work.
Watch this space!
52
She could be on a soap like you!
Have you given her lots of advice?
Of course but I also don’t want to
swamp her. She’s grown up in the
business and she’s been part of shows
I’ve been in and always been backstage.
She feels very comfortable in those
surroundings. But she knows it’s a
precarious profession and you just have
to roll the dice and hope for the best.
‘BEINGABLETO
MAKEPEOPLE
LAUGHISA
GIFTANDSO
WONDERFUL’
She’s good at film, editing and singing.
She ticks a lot of boxes, which is very
important in this industry. You don’t
want to put all your eggs in one basket
and focus on one thing, as you won’t
survive. But she really wants to do it and
that’s the most important thing.
We’re sure she’s destined for
big things! How did you and
Anne-Marie meet?
There was a ventriloquist called Ray
Alan who had a puppet called Lord
Charles and I was in panto with him, and
his wife worked with Anne-Marie. Ray’s
wife said there was a lovely girl in her
office who would be perfect for me, so
she’d bring her to one of the shows.
Anne-Marie came backstage to the
dressing room and she’d never seen a
man wearing so much make-up [laughs].
We both felt very awkward and she was
quite scared, as I was so orange! But we
ended up exchanging numbers and the
rest is history. When I first met Anne-
Marie she would stop a room. She’d
walk in and people would say, “Oh my
God, look at that girl.” It’s probably one
of the reasons we’ve been together
31 years. We’ve just celebrated our
25th wedding anniversary.
Congratulations! What’s the secret
to your long-lasting marriage?
We complement each other very well.
There’s things that we’re both good at
and during this journey we’ve leant on
one another. We balance each other
out. Anne-Marie is quite shy and I’m
big and bold, and I think that’s what
attracted me to her, because I wanted
to look after her. But now she definitely
looks after me. She’s the rock who
keeps us all together.
What was lockdown like for you,
as a family?
We were very lucky. We have a big
garden and a lovely house, and it’s a
real home. I was born in Kilburn [in
north-west London] and I lived in a
block of council flats until I was eight,
then a council house in Wembley.
WWW.OK.CO.UK 53
54
Then my parents scraped together
enough for a little house in Watford,
so I appreciate how lucky we are.
I really got into gardening during
lockdown and I learnt how to sew!
Do you see this as a forever home?
I do, as we’re very comfortable here.
We’ve been here 27 years and have
everything we want, tuned to the way
we want it. But saying that, you don’t
know – and now the girls are starting
to spread their wings it might feel
too big for us. There’s no way I could
afford this house if I bought it now!
What’s your family set-up at
the moment?
Lucy lives at home with us. She
moved away for college and then
came back. She really struggled in
lockdown as she had to do all her
lessons online and it’s just not the
same. Amy has a flat in London and
she’s been there for five years.
Do you think you’ll have
empty nest syndrome when
Lucy moves out?
Of course! I think we’ll buy
a lot more dogs. I know
Anne-Marie wants more dogs,
so I suspect that’s what will
happen. We’ll fill the house
with dogs instead.
Do you have a favourite room?
I think it’s got to be the pool room.
It has a bar and a jukebox, and it
tends to be where everyone gathers.
We’ve had so many wonderful parties
here. The girls love it as they love
having their friends around for parties
– and as we’re up the other end of
the house we can get some sleep
and not get disturbed!
You also have a tennis court.
Do you play much?
The family do. I have the odd game.
It tends to be when Wimbledon is
on. It’s on the TV, so you think, “I’ll
play some tennis,” Then it finishes
and you don’t play again for a whole
year. We did have a swimming
pool but we got it filled in. That was
actually the girls’ idea and our little
nod to helping the environment,
as we weren’t really using it. OK!
WORDS: KIRSTY HATCHER
PHOTOS: CHELSEA WHITE, BBC
To take a tour
around Brian’s
incredible garden,
complete with
tennis courts, scan
the code below
WWW.OK.CO.UK 55
 IN D
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58

‘FINDINGOUTABOUT
MYFAMILYLEFTME
INCONSOLABLE’
LOOSEWOMENSTARCHARLENEWHITETELLSOK!THATTRACING
HERHISTORYFORANEWDOCUMENTARYLEFTHERREELINGANDWHY
SHE’SBURSTINGWITHPRIDEWATCHINGJUDILOVEONSTRICTLY
W
e’re used to seeing journalist
and TV presenter Charlene
White living her best life as an
anchor on Loose Women, but
we’re meeting her today to talk about
a very different project.
Charlene White: Empire’s Child is an
emotional documentary that airs on ITV
next week as part of Black History Month.
The programme sees the star tracing her
family heritage and discovering tragic
stories about her ancestors’ lives.
Here, Charlene, 41, who lives in south
London with her partner Andy and children
Alfie, four, and Florence, two, tells us why
her heart will always belong in Jamaica…
Why did you want to get involved with
the documentary?
My auntie Eleanor had been looking into
our family history for years because when
my grandad Byron died, my family went
over to Jamaica and met other family from
America. We were trying to work out how
our family had ended up in America, Britain
and Jamaica. We discovered a picture of
our great-great uncle. He’s clearly mixed
race but nobody knew why.
What did you think the link was?
We had been told that three brothers from
Scotland travelled to Jamaica for work
and had taken on Jamaican wives. So
we thought we were descendants from
Scotland. We thought we could be owed
a load of money from a whisky distillery!
But my aunt hit a dead end with her
research. Then ITV got in touch and asked
if I’d be interested at looking at my family
history and seeing where we sit within the
British Empire. It’s about telling the story
of an immigrant within that Empire.
What was the biggest surprise for you?
[Laughing] It turns out I’m not from a
whisky family, which we’re all hugely
disappointed about! We traced my family
back to a man who was a slave owner and
had two children with Jamaican women. To
know that was pretty uncomfortable. In my
book, there’s no such thing as a good slave
BACKTOHERROOTS
owner or a bad slave owner.
You saw human beings as
produce that you owned and
could be very brutal with. It
didn’t sit well with me, but
the reality is, he’s in my
family. I also learnt about the
first generation of my family
who were born into slavery
and then became freed
slaves when they were
around my age now. I
realised where the strength With Alfie
of my family comes from and and Florence
that drive and determination
to get more out of their lives and not be
defined by what the Empire had done.
‘JAMAICA
FEELSLIKE
HOMETOME’
Were your parents driven?
Yes – I am who I am because of my parents.
They had so much strength and resilience.
How did you feel filming the doc?
I remember standing on the top of a
mountain in Clarendon in Jamaica, where
a lot of my family are from, and being so
Charlene is having
the time of her life
on Loose Women
inconsolable that the
producer almost had to hold
me as I sobbed. Nobody
deserves to have gone
through what slave families
went through, but it was
seen as perfectly OK. There
was a lot to unpack in this
film. It’s trying to figure out
who I am and where my heart
sits. You walk in Jamaica and
you smell those smells and
hear the sounds and it hits
your heart. I’m standing in a
land where I’m not a minority,
I’m the majority. Strength comes from that.
Does your heart lie in Jamaica?
I step off the plane there, I sniff that air and
I think “I’m home!” I’ve never lived there
but my parents always wanted me to know
that it was also home. I want my kids to
understand that, too.
Are you enjoying Loose Women?
I’m literally having the time of my life. I love
it. I love working with those women from
the bottom of my heart.
And you must be so proud of Judi Love
on Strictly…
Within 30 seconds of her doing her
dance you’ve got Penny Lancaster on our
WhatsApp chat saying, “Oh my God you
were amazing!!”, swiftly followed by
Nadia [Sawalha] and Stacey [Solomon]
saying things like, “Babes! You did
amazing!” We are full to bursting with
pride when it comes to Judi. Loose
Women is the biggest, most wonderful
girl gang. It’s #friendship goals.
Judi won’t be free until Christmas if
she gets into the Strictly final...
When Judi wins Strictly, she needs to
remember who her friends are and to
stick with the gang! OK!
CHARLENE WHITE: EMPIRE’S CHILD IS ON THURSDAY
21 OCTOBER, 9PM, ITV
WORDS: RHONA MERCER
WWW.OK.CO.UK 59
 STARSSTEALTHESHOW
ANEIFFEL
OFGOOD
LOOKS
AHOSTOFCELEBRITIESHIT
THEFRENCHCAPITALFOR
PARISFASHIONWEEK
T
he crème de la crème
of the fashion world
were out in force for
Paris Fashion Week.
But reigning over the catwalk
was actress Dame Helen Mirren
as she stepped out for the
Le Défilé L’Oréal Paris show.
With the French capital’s
iconic Eiffel Tower in the
background, the 76-year-old
turned heads in a striking
patterned suit and dramatic
eye make-up. Wet weather
threatened the open-air show,
but Helen wasn’t going to let
rain dampen her spirits, as she
admitted, “I’m English, I can
do this.”
Other big names flying the
flag for the Brits were Naomi
Campbell and Kate Moss.
Naomi, 51, stole the limelight
in a number of shows including
Lanvin and Balmain – where
Demi Moore
and Scout
Willis at Stella
McCartney
Naomi Campbell
on the catwalk
for Balmain
60
she stormed the runway in
a gorgeous figure-hugging
brown mesh gown.
Kate, 47, who recently
watched proudly as her
18-year-old daughter Lila
walked the catwalk at London
Fashion Week, was also seen
hopping between shows
during the week-long event.
She looked uber-glamorous in
a black dress with matching fur
coat as she presented her
second collection with
jewellery designer Messika.
Meanwhile, Demi Moore
was out in the City of Light
with her 30-year-old daughter
Scout Willis. Demi, 58, was
spotted sitting with Vogue
editor Anna Wintour, 71,
as they watched the Stella
McCartney show.
Other superstar offspring
in town for the occasion
Dame Helen Kate Moss
Mirren walking leaving
the runway The Ritz
for L’Oréal
WWW.OK.CO.UK 61
 Lily-Rose
Depp at the
Chanel show

Paris Jackson
turns heads
at Vivienne
Westwood

Lily sitting
alongside
Kristen
Stewart

62
 Ana de Armas
on the FROW

Brooklyn Beckham
with Nicola Peltz
at Valentino

included Johnny Depp’s daughter Lily-Rose,

22, David and Victoria Beckham’s son
Brooklyn, 22, and Michael Jackson’s
daughter Paris, 23.
Lily-Rose attended the Chanel show
wearing a twist on the classic tweed suit, as
she sat alongside actress Kristen Stewart,
also in a Chanel mini.
Brooklyn – who arrived at the Givenchy
and Valentino shows arm in arm with
26-year-old fiancée Nicola Peltz – looked
effortlessly dapper in a jacket and T-shirt
on both nights.
Paris turned heads in a black layered
dress with an oversized bow, teamed with
bold blue platforms, as she attended
fashion icon Vivienne Westwood’s show.
On the front row at Louis Vuitton, Alicia
Vikander, 33, looked sensational in a white
mini dress paired with a leopard print
panelled jacket. The Swedish actress
welcomed a child with husband Michael
Fassbender earlier this year.
She was joined by 33-year-old Bond Girl Phoebe
Ana de Armas, who looked pretty in pink Dynevor
in a 60s-inspired mini dress. Also in dazzles
attendance was Bridgerton star Phoebe at Louis
Dynevor, 26, in a long metallic skirt and Vuitton
crop top complete with pink frills.
We have serious wardrobe envy… OK! Actress
Alicia
WORDS SAMUEL MCMANUS-MAXWELL
PHOTOS: AVALON, GETTY Vikander
looking chic

WWW.OK.CO.UK 63

‘IT’STERRIFYINGBEING
ONHIGH-DEFINITION
TVWHENYOU’RE’
KARRENBRADYONFILMINGTHELATESTSERIESOFBBCONEHIT
THEAPPRENTICEANDSTEERINGCLEAROFCOSMETICSURGERY
B
aroness Karren Brady CBE wears many
hats. As well as being an aide to Lord
Alan Sugar on The Apprentice, she’s
the vice-chair of West Ham United
and a Tory peer in the House of Lords.
That’s not to mention her role as wife and
mum – she’s married to former football
player and manager Paul Peschisolido, 50,
and they share Sophia, 25, and Paolo, 23.
Karren, 52, has just finished filming the
latest series of The Apprentice, which is
returning to BBC One after a two-year
hiatus due to the pandemic. Revealing it
will air “early next year”, Karren tells us,
“I love doing The Apprentice. I get asked
to do other shows but that’s not for me.”
Here, she fills us in on the new series,
being proud of her daughter’s modelling
career and why plastic surgery isn’t for her…
Hi, Karren. How has filming gone?
I love doing it. I love spending time with Alan
and the team. We have such a wonderful
group of people that work on the show. And
that was our 16th series! It’s still a show people
want to watch and changes people’s lives.
Is there a blooper reel we haven’t seen yet?
We don’t have one. There’s no script and there
are no retakes, so they really just film what
happens. And most of the bloopers make it
into the episode. This year, Tim Campbell,
who was the winner of the first series, stepped
in for Claude [Littner], as Claude had a terrible
accident on his bike, but he’s recovering. I love
doing The Apprentice. Obviously, I get asked
to do other shows but that’s not for me.
How do you cope with juggling family life
and your career?
Well, my kids are now 25 and
23. They don’t live at home.
They’ve got their own lives
and their own careers, so that
certainly makes it easier.
Was it tough when facing
empty nest syndrome?
Not really because my kids
Being made
both live very locally, so I
a CBE with
speak to them every day and
hubby Paul
I must see them three or four
times a week. We’re very
64
STILLTHEBUSINESS
With co-stars
Lord Sugar
and Claude
close as a family. So even though they’re not
here, they’re here for dinner almost every
night or popping in at some point in the day.
Your daughter Sophia has been doing so
well in her own career. Are you giving her
business advice, or does she not need it?
She doesn’t need any! I feel a great sense of
pride in what she does. I was walking down
demic and
Oxford Street during the pandemic
she’s the face of Boux Avenue and
there was a massive poster of her
in the window. So I was taking
lots of photos and sending
them to my parents and her
grandparents. She’s doing
really well. She’s happy. I
think that’s the one thing we
all want, our kids to be happy.
Absolutely. What advice do Karren with
you give her daughter
rting
women starting Sophia
a business?
You’ll never really know
how good you are at
something until you try.
And very often, the only
thing that holds you back is
yourself, this feeling that
you can’t do it. I always say
to people that you don’t
want to get to 52, which is
my age, and look back on
your life and say, “Oh, I wish
I would have”, because we always regret
the things we don’t do.
Your Women in Business & Tech Expo is
on this month. Tell us about that…
I’m looking forward to speaking on 13
and 14 October. There’s me and 60 other
inspirational women speakers, including
Mel B and Caprice Bourret. The Expo
really is the only one dedicated to
supporting women in business, and
particularly women in tech.
What do you enjoy doing in your
spare time?
I’m not into fitness, although I do love to
walk and I started cycling to the House of
Lords. I bought a bike over lockdown. I do
what I call progression fitness – if it’s getting
me somewhere, I’ll do it. So I don’t mind
walking somewhere or cycling, just going on
a treadmill to go nowhere has no appeal.
What are your go-to beauty treatments?
Look, it’s terrifying being 52 and seeing
yourself on TV in high definition on a big
screen. I love these things called HydraFacials.
I am sort of terrified of anything a bit
more rurugged than that, but I don’t
mind the odd facial.
So you’re not heading for
tthe plastic surgeon?
NNo! The thing about plastic
ssurgery is the one thing you
wwant, which is the one thing
yyou can’t get, is a predictable
re
result. You don’t know what
it’
it’s going to look like until it’s
don
done. And you can’t reverse it.
What do you think is the biggest
misconcepti about you?
misconception
I don’t know. I think I come across as very
miserable on The Apprentice and I’m not
a very miserable person… Maybe that’s
the misconception! OK!
BARONESS BRADY CBE WILL BE SPEAKING AT KARREN BRADY’S
WOMEN IN BUSINESS & TECH EXPO VIRTUAL ON 13-14 OCTOBER.
GENERAL TICKETS (£20) AND VIP TICKETS (£60) FOR THE VIRTUAL
EVENT CAN BE PURCHASED AT WIBEXPO.CO.UK
WORDS: ROZ LEWIS PHOTOS: GETTY
WWW.OK.CO.UK 65
 DEADEND?

‘LEANNEIS
FIGHTING
FORHER
LIFE’
JANEDANSONTELLSUSHOW
HERCORRIECHARACTERISJUSTONE
OFMANYWHOAREFACINGDEATHIN
ATHRILLINGWEEKINSOAPLAND

I
t’s that time of year again! The soaps are The character of Harvey is
beginning to gear up for Christmas, and terrifying in these scenes.
they’re packing in the action with Super Were there ever times when
Soap Week. This is when the drama really you were actually a bit scared
kicks off in Weatherfield. of Will Mellor as Harvey?
Next week’s episodes will see residents In the moment, yes, absolutely.
become trapped after falling into the Platts’ That’s when you really believe
sinkhole, while Abi and killerr Corey have someone as a an actor. There
one final confrontation. are partic
particular lines that he
Meanwhile, Harvey escapes pes m
ma
madede really dark just
from prison, causing a car bec
because of the way he
crash that puts Dev’s son to
touched me and that
Aadi in hospital. The villain to
took me by surprise
then tracks down Leanne a bit. You feed
to take his revenge. ooff each other
Here, Jane Danson, who bbecause that
plays Leanne, shares more… rreaction is really
re
real. It was really
Hi Jane! As we move into Harvey won’t ex
exciting to film.
this week, as far as Leanne e back down
is aware Harvey’s locked up... Leann
Leanne’s life
Yes. Her experience with Harveyarvey is in jeop
jeopardy
was a nightmare, but he’s in prison now, here, but do you
so all that is done and dusted and they’re think he should be
starting to come back to life a bit. slightly worried if
the Battersby in
Is the first she sees of Harvey when she her comes out?
comes face to face with him? She’s got the nice Did the set design really
She’s in the Bistro and there’s a power cut. flat now, the nicer add to the drama?
She hears Harvey’s voice, then she turns clothes, she lives at There’s a lot going on in the
round and there he is… the posher end of scenes, and I think the weather
the street… But element will play a huge part
How scared is she in that moment? that yappy, scrappy, in the story. It was exciting in
Harvey is a really frightening character feisty Battersby is terms of special effects. It felt
who’s involved in this awful world and she’s still in there. He will Leanne’s in like we were filming a movie.
fearful for her life. She knows that he means always overpower big trouble
business and he’s not going to mess about. her physically, You have filmed a lot of
It’s pre-watershed, but within the realms of but Leanne stunts in Coronation Street.
that it’s as serious as it gets and we certainly will definitely give as good as she gets. How does this one rank among the big
played it as her fighting for her life. weeks of the past?
You’re dressed as Morticia during these We’ve had loads of things over the years –
He makes it clear he’s come back to kill episodes for the street’s House Of Horrors fires, boat accidents, car crashes, a tram
her. But is it his aim to torture her and event. How was your costume? crash, explosions… This is different because
play with her mind first? It was horrific – I look like Ozzy Osbourne. this is a chain of events where one thing leads
She’s like a little plaything for him, but she Black is not my colour! Then I was in the rain, to another. I can’t wait to watch it. OK!
knows that. She knows that at times she with make-up pouring down my face. It was CORONATION STREET IS ON MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY
has to play along with it, and there are not the most glamorous of looks. Morticia ON ITV, TIMES VARY
moments where that inner Battersby is is quite glamorous, but I certainly was not.
WORDS: JENNIFER RODGER
still there and she tries to outsmart him. Hopefully it will add to the scariness of it all!

66
 MUSIC FILM
HITSLIVE
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the line-up for this massive musical
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Liverpool on 19 November and
Birmingham on 20 November.
The radio station has signed up
Fleur East and Sarah-Jane Crawford
to host the evenings, which will
also see Years & Years, The Script
and Becky Hill perform.
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this fascinating book follows in the
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rafting and a P ub landlord Al Murray is used
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maize maze, he’s back to answer those
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WWW.OK.CO.UK 67
 THEPARTY’SBACKON

GIVINGITSOMEATTITUDE
THECELEBRITIESWEREOUTINFORCE
FORTHEMAGAZINE’SANNUALAWARDS

D
enise Van Outen and Frankie Sport Award to Olympic diver Tom
Bridge turned up the heat as Daley, 27, who won a gold and bronze
they joined a host of stars to in Tokyo. Alan wrote on Instagram,
bring the glitz and glamour “You are SO amazing!!! Well done!”
back to the Attitude Awards last week. Other winners included singer
Denise, 47, was looking white-hot Elaine Paige, 73, who bagged the
in a sharp suit while lady in red Honorary Gay gong, while Russell T
Frankie, 32, sizzled in figure-hugging Davies, 58, the creator of Channel 4
PVC at The Roundhouse in north-west hit It’s A Sin, picked up the Inspiration
London on Wednesday. Award for the show.
The event – which raises cash for Comedian Tom Allen, 38, was the
the Attitude Magazine Foundation to host on the night and he told OK!,
support LGBTQ+ causes – was back in “Tonight is especially brilliant because
full swing after the pandemic forced it
to stage a virtual ceremony last year.
Other stand-outs on the red carpet
included Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley
Roberts, 40, who dazzled in a sparkly
silver number, and Myleene Klass, 43,
who set a gold standard on tailoring.
Also among the crowd were Emma
Willis, 45, Louise Redknapp, 46, Laura
Whitmore, 36, and Scarlett Moffatt,
30. And Rylan Clark made a rare
appearance following his split from
husband Dan. The TV presenter, 32,
appeared to be in high spirits as he
smiled for photos alongside his
X Factor pal Lucy Spraggan, 30.
Meanwhile, Alan Carr looked
dapper in a black suit and bow tie.
The 45-year-old comic presented the

Frankie Rylan with Myleene

impressed his X Factor looked
in red pal Lucy golden

68
 Ashley wore
a shimmering
silver dress

it does bring everyone

together and it’s so diverse, Emma rocked
it celebrates a community a goth vibe
that is ever-evolving and is
ever-positive and inclusive.”
Guests were treated to a
performance by pop group
Steps, who revealed they
couldn’t wait to get on stage.
When asked the secret to their
longevity, Ian “H” Watkins, 45,
told us, “I think people aren’t
afraid to say they like us now!
Plus, there’s no one else left.
We’re the last band standing!”
Bandmate Claire Richards,
44, added, “It’s nostalgic.”
Elsewhere, former Strictly
pro AJ Pritchard, 26, said he’s
enjoying tuning into the show
this year. “It’s great to see John
[Whaite] and Johannes [Radebe]
dancing together,” he said. “I
miss the camaraderie, the pros,
the camera guys, the hair and
make-up. But I’m working on
other projects.”
And singer Fleur East, 33, has
been busy – she’ll be back for
more next year after her stint
on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night
Takeaway. “I had an exciting
meeting about the show. It’s
going to be a lot bigger than
Denise last year,” she said. OK!
opted for Alan presented a
a smart WORDS: GEORGIA TREVITT PHOTOS: GETTY gong to Tom Daley
two-piece
WWW.OK.CO.UK 69
Tank top £80
Shirt £85
Jeans £80
Brogues £98
all Boden

KNITTING
PRETTY
FROMCUTEVESTSAND
CARDIGANSTOFEEL-GOOD
JUMPERSTHERE’SSOMETHING
FOREVERYONETHISSEASON

PLUSCHUNKYBOOTSWITHATTITUDEANDTHISWEEK’SMUST-HAVES
WWW.OK.CO.UK 71
 Jumper
Kitri £95

72
Cardigan Zara £27.99

WWW.OK.CO.UK 73
 Cardigan £34
Jeans £35
both Next

74
Bolero £19.99 Dress £29.99
both H&M

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 Jumper £29.50
Jeans £39.50
both Marks & Spencer

76
 Jumper £69
Jeans £49
Boots £119
all Warehouse
COMPILED BY: MEGAN REES AND KATY GALE

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 STOMP IT OUT
PUTYOURBESTFOOTFORWARDTHISAUTUMNINCHUNKYBOOTS

M&S £45

Office £95

Chloe £370 Zara £79.99

Bottega Veneta £810 Dune £155

78
 STYLEEDIT

Stradivarius £45.99

H&M £34.99

COMPILED BY: SOPHIE GOODWIN PHOTO: CAMERAPRESS

Mango £79.99

Simone Rocha AW21

WWW.OK.CO.UK 79
 Dramatically Different
Moisturizing Lotion+
Clinique £40
£10 goes to the Breast
Cancer Research Foundation

Cashmere travel set

LABECA London £195
25% goes to Wear It Pink

Calm & Soothe Collection

Elemental Herbology £50
£5 goes to The Pink Ribbon Robe
Foundation Cath
Kidston £55
10% goes

OK!
to Breast
Cancer
Now.

LOVESSUPPORTBREAST
CANCERAWARENESS
MONTHWITHTHESE
TOPBUYS
TY
E AU OR
B IT Limited Edition Skin Bliss
ED VES Capsules Elemis £99
LO £10 goes to Breast Cancer Now

Reusable Bag KIND BAG £10

20% goes to Cancer Haven throughout October

Love, Avon
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Pack Avon
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All profits go
to Look Good
Bra £48 Feel Better
Briefs £18
Both Nudea available
at nudea.com and
John Lewis & Partners
10% goes to CoppaFeel!
Boots Fairfax & Favor £425
100% goes to Breast
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80
 Platinum+ styler
ghd £189
FASH £10 goes to
EDIT ION Breast Cancer Now
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Necklace
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Darling £75
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All profits go to The Pink Ribbon Peony & Blush
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£20 goes to the Eye mask Cath Kidston £15
Breast Cancer 10% goes to Breast Cancer Now
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Proud To Be Pink Crushed Oil-Infused Clean Deodorant Balm

Lip Duo Bobbi Brown £29.50 The Natural Deodorant Co £12.50
Full RRP (minus VAT) goes to the Breast 10% goes to CoppaFeel!
Cancer Research Foundation

Cushion Sofology £35

£5 goes to Breast Cancer Now

Massage candle Ann Summers £20

10% goes to Breast Cancer Now
COMPILED BY: LAUREN GOODWIN-GRAFTON CONTRIBUTOR: LAURA MULLEY

Tickled pink sweatshirt George at Asda £16

£1.92 donation to Tickled Pink (Breast
Cancer Now receives 80% and CoppaFeel!
receives 20% of the donation)
WWW.OK.CO.UK 81
 WITHOK!
FASHIONEDITOR
HARRIETWHEELER

COMFORT
Scarf
£14.99
Dress
ISKEY
W
£19.99 ith the nights
drawing in, it
can only mean
one thing, cosy
evenings indoors! Lindex’s
new Luxe Comfort collection
is just what we need for the
chilly months ahead.
Expect neutral knitwear,
comfy co-ords, on-trend
quilted coats and silky
textures that you can wear
for working from home
or dress up with a pair of
heels or chunky boots. Long rib knit
What’s not to love? vest £39.99
FROM LINDEX.COM Rib knit
trousers
£29.99

THEBEATGOESON GOGAP!
L ike lots of us since the pandemic, I’ve
upped my fitness regime, so a new gadget
is just what I need. And Honor’s Earbuds 2 Lite
W e’re so thrilled to see
what exciting things that
brands are doing this Black
have shot right to the top of my wish list. History Month, and Gap is
They’re ideal to wear while working out in among the long list of labels
the gym or going for a run as there aren’t any showing their support.
wires to get in the way, and you can use the This year, it is partnering
noise-cancelling feature to totally immerse with Black Pound Day
yourself in your favourite podcast or tracks. for a brilliant campaign
Now, you just highlighting different Black-
have to start owned businesses. Every
fine-tuning Saturday throughout October,
your workout Gap will be sharing the stories
playlists! about a different firm to
EARBUDS £69.99 encourage its followers to
FROM HIHONOR. back #SupportBlackOwned,
COM
but it doesn’t stop there.
Gap is also running a
competition offering a cash
grant to a Black entrepreneur
or business founder to help
boost their idea – it’s time
to get involved, people!
FIND OUT MORE @GAPUK AND
@BPDOFFICIAL ON INSTAGRAM

82
 TWICE AS NICE
Why settle for one mascara when you
can have two? The new multitasking
Double Trouble Mascara from Essence
comes with a nifty double-sided brush
– the rubber edge is perfect for
packing on volume, or flip it over to
the fibre side for eye-catching
definition and curl.

Essence Double Trouble Mascara in Extra Black

and Waterproof £3.80 each at justmylook.com
WORDS: LAURA MULLEY, INGEBORG VAN LOTRINGEN PHOTO: PIXELEYES

FRIENDLY BACTERIA FOR YOUR FACE

PRODUCTSCONTAININGPREPROANDPOSTBIOTICSARETHESECRETTOHEALTHYHAPPYSKIN
Liz Earle Pro- Cultured Oskia Rest Day La Roche-Posay
Biotic Balancing Biomecare Biome Comfort Cream £56 Lipikar Baume
Milk Cleanser £188 One Mask £48 This rich cream AP+M Triple-Action
This preserves A blend of mild soothes stressed, Balm £15
the skin’s naturall succinic, malic irritated skin with This combats
microbiome and lactic acids barrier-healing skin-ageing
and feeds it plus pre and lipids, vitamins, eczema by limiting
with probiotic postbiotics that microalgae and the growth of
lactobacillus andd will remove probiotics. inflammatory
fermented oats. dead skin cells bacteria while
while also helping beneficial
nurturing the ones thrive.
skin’s barrier.

WWW.OK.CO.UK 83
 WORKITCURL
GIVE OUR TOP 5 HACKS A TWIRL
SINCEBREAKINGAWAYFROM
CHEMICALSTRAIGHTENING
BEAUTYWRITERAKESHAREIDHAS
MASTEREDTHEINSANDOUTSOF
CARINGFORCURLYHAIR

I
’d been wearing my hair straight for
13 years, so when I grew out the
chemical straightening at the age
of 25, I started on a mission to
understand my natural texture better.
Over the years, I’ve dabbled in a
variety of styles, and I can comfortably
say that I’m now armed with enough
hair hacks to showcase the diversity of
my coils. While I do still straighten my
hair at times, these are the top tips I’ve
learnt from the pros to keep curls and
coils looking their best...

1Braid brigade
For defined curls or coils come the
morning, prep needs to start before
bed. Yes, even if the last thing you
TOOLKIT
want to do is braid your hair before Imbue Curl Inspiring
Im
you hit the sack, it’s your best bet Conditioning
for frizz-free curls. It’s especially Leave-In Spray, £7.99
Le
important if you have tighter curls A
Afroani Adjustable
or Afro-textured coils and want & Reversible Satin
more definition. Bonnet, £13.99
Spritz in a spray conditioner to
make your strands more malleable,
then add in a curl cream or gel.
Depending on how tight you want
your curls, play around with the
number of braids or twists you do.
“I suggest five to seven to help
your curls look more defined,” says
Pashcan’el Mitchell, stylist at Junior
Green London salon. “Looser braids
will create a more relaxed look in the morning and tighter braids will
give them more of a crimp. Everyone’s curls will react differently, so
go ahead and try different braiding techniques.”
Keep twists smooth with a satin head scarf, turban or pillowcase.

2 No-comb zone
According to Pashcan’el, over-combing is the worst
styling mistake curly girls can make. “Combing through
Of course, you still need to detangle, so using
your tools while the hair is wet will ensure you
TOOLKIT
No Knot Co The
Ultimate Detangling
Brush, £15
dry curly hair? You’re just asking for trouble,” he says. preserve your curls. Only use a wide-tooth comb Cantu Sturdy
“It can cause frizz and split ends, as curly and coily or detangling brush in the shower. This will ensure Detangle Comb, £3.99
hair types are more fragile than straight strands.” it glides through without snagging.

84
3 Shampoo swap
Avoiding foaming shampoos is one of the biggest rules
in the famous “curly girl method”, a set of haircare
guidelines created by expert Lorraine Massey.
The thinking is that the ingredient that makes
shampoos foam also strips hair of the natural oils that
D
TOOLKIT
Davines LOVE CURL
Cl
Cleansing

C
C
Cream, £30
As I Am Coconut
Cowash Cleansing
Cream Conditioner,
£11.99
keep locks moisturised. As curly hair is often already
quite dry, this can lead to a brittle texture and frizz.
Opting for a gentle no-foam cleanser like a co-wash
will keep your hair from feeling dried out when styling.
“Co-washing using a cleansing cream will still rinse away
impurities and dirt but instead off stripping, it will leave
ised,” says stylist and
the hair feeling soft and moisturised,”
BaByliss ambassador Ky Wilson.

4 Wet to reset
If you’re tired of washing your curls
urls more
than once a week to redefine them, em, good
aded with
news – unless your hair is overloaded
product, you can simply wet it to o restyle.
al moisture,
“If you’re in need of additional
mply wet
or want to refresh your curls, simply
our parts,
your hair, section it into two to four
depending on the density of yourr hair,
then apply a styling product from m roots
to ends while the hair is still wet,”” says
ns.
April Story, stylist at Fekkai Salons.
Allow curls to air dry or gently diffuse. TOOLKIT
BaByliss Hydro-Fusion
Hair Dryer, £59.99
Aveda Nutriplenish
Curl Gelee, from £9

5 Cutting shapes
No two curls are the same, which
is what makes curly and coily hair so unique.
But it also means you need an expert hand to o
cut or trim it, taking a curl-by-curl approach.
“My biggest tip for curly and Afro-texture
hair is to get a cut or trim every three
months,” says Pashcan’el. “Your hair will be
easier to detangle, and a good trim will make e
your curls pop.”
To maintain your style, avoid manipulating
the texture with your fingers as “touching
and playing with your curls too much will TOOLKIT
lead to frizz,” warns Pashcan’el. Re=Comb
If you’re worried about them falling Recycled Plastic
flat, use an Afro comb to fluff the roots Pik, £16
only and lift your shape.
PHOTO: GETTY

WWW.OK.CO.UK 85
 BEAUTYEDITORLAURAMULLEY
SHARESTHISWEEK’S
MUST-HAVESTRENDSANDTIPS

1 Sparkle
and shine
A new Urban Decay Naked palette always sets off squeals of
excitement throughout the beauty community, and the latest,
the Naked Cyber Palette, £45, is out of this world. Part-
nostalgic teen glitters and part-Britney in the Oops!... I Did It
Again music video, the combination of neutrals, frosty shimmers
and duochromes is ideal for anyone who likes experimenting
with make-upp but doesn’t necessarilyy want a dark, smokyy eye.
y

3
Get
your

2 Clean sweep
You’ve probably heard of double cleansing, but let me
introduce you to triple cleansing – and all without using a
fill

single drop of product. Face Halo’s new Glow Skin Set, £20,
consists of three washable pads that remove make-up, deep
clean the skin and exfoliate, all using just water. If you’re still
using face wipes (tsk, tsk), this is your way to break the habit.

Lots of brands are cutting back on single-use plastic

by offering refillable products nowadays (excellent
work, gold star), but few will look as gorgeous as this
on your bathroom shelf. Fiils sells natural formulations
of shampoo, conditioner, hand wash and body wash,
from £6, in chic aluminium bottles-for-life (this gold
one gets my vote). Fill it with a squeezy pouch of your
choosing, then send the pouches back to Fiils (free)
for recycling. Sustainable and stylish.

86
 4 Bargain
beauty

5 Perfect taste
With its intoxicating name and stunning cut-glass flacon,
Kilian Paris’s Apple Brandy On The Rocks EDP, £165,
might look like something you would find in an exclusive
gentlemen’s club. However, the perfume is a suits-all
combination of crisp apple, juicy pineapple and rich, boozy
notes of rum, moss and vanilla. It speaks of Bonfire Night
parties, velvet smoking jackets and conversations around
the fireplace that go on well into the early hours.

Forget about pricey creams, I

know many a beauty editor who
would proudly tout Superdrug’s
B. range as their bargain skincare
secret. The line, which starts from
£4.99, has just relaunched with
reformulated products and new
packaging designed to make it
simple – and affordable – to
tackle whatever your complexion
concern may be. It also gets the
seal of approval from cosmetic
doctor and clinical skincare
expert Dr Ewoma Ukeleghe,
who has just come on board as ambassador for the range.

Skincare superstar
Like a magpie, I jump upon any product promising shiny skin,
and as a result my cupboards are rattling with half-empty bottles,
tubes and tubs covered with words like “dewy”, “glow” and
6
“illuminating”. But the one I’ve been reaching for every day
without fail is Vieve Skin Nova, £27, which describes itself as
a “radiance primer and hydrator in one”. If you like Glossier’s
Futuredew but find it a bit too glossy for slathering all over the
face, give this a try – it gives the silky, balm-like feel of a great
moisturiser with an almost invisible gold-tinged sheen. It’s
the perfect make-up primer, but I love how my skin looks
wearing it on bare-faced days, too.

WWW.OK.CO.UK 87
 MASTER
THEARTOF
ARGUING
LETTINGOFFSTEAMIS
HEALTHYIFYOUCAN
TACKLEDISAGREEMENTS
THERIGHTWAY

L
et’s face it – we’re
a nation addicted
to watching other
people arguing.
Faye and Teddy’s
fiery fight on this
summer’s Love Island was
compulsive viewing for
many, despite sparking
a record 25,000 Ofcom
complaints. When it
comes to problems in
our own lives, some of
us take the royal family’s
“stiff upper lip” approach
– if we ignore something
for long enough, perhaps
it’ll disappear. Just look
simmering tensions and
grudges that can last for
a long time.
Relationship expert
Neil Wilkie, founder
of online couples
therapy platform The
Relationship Paradigm,
says that feuds, whether
between family or
friends, are often
triggered by a relatively
minor incident.
“The origins of the
argument tend to fester
and grow, leading to
people getting into
‘defence’ mode, which

at the supposed ongoing
feud between Princes
Harry and William.
Others, like the
Kardashians, seem to
revel in confrontation.
Who can forget the
infamous “slapgate”,
when Kim and Kourtney’s
bickering became so
heated it turned physical?
Arguments happen
easily, but when not dealt
with properly, can lead to
3
quickly escalates the
row,” he says. “It’s fight,
flight or freeze time –
freeze being where the
blood supply to the brain
and ears is reduced,
and the ability to
listen and understand
is compromised.”
Here, Neil reveals six
ways you can have a Kourtney and
healthy argument and Kim’s argument
tackle disagreements turned physical
in an effective way.

1 2
CHOOSEYOUR SCHEDULE
TIMEWISELY A‘STATEOF
“Create time and space where THEUNION’
you’ll both be listened to and MEETING
understood. The focus must
be on the underlying feelings, “Setting aside an
without blame. In other words, hour a week for
take your time and try to explain why you’re a ‘state of the union’ meeting
stressed and what you think the underlying could be a huge help. Share
issues are. Perhaps they are upset because three good things you’ve each
you didn’t load the dishwasher last night, noticed in the relationship TALKABOUTTHEGOODTHINGS
or you keep leaving wet towels on the bed. that week, and one thing that “Every night, share three positive things that have
Address this first, as these issues often fester could be better. Agree what happened to you that day. This will get both of
and can be the cause of a major blowout you’re both going to work on your subconscious minds into a positive frame
further down the line.” the following week.” before sleeping, and allow the subconscious to filter
out unnecessary and unimportant differences.”

88
 HEALTH&FITNESS

ARGUMENT
MYTHSBUSTED
Neil calls out the common
misconceptions about disputes
MYTHGETTINGDRUNK
WILLHELPYOUVOICE
YOURTRUEFEELINGS
“It really doesn’t help. Many arguments are
fuelled by drinking as it loosens inhibitions,
but alcohol also disconnects you from
logic and emotional intelligence. Many
arguments are regretted once sober.”

MYTHITWILLALLBE
FORGOTTENTHENEXTDAY
“No! The brain has an infinite capacity
to remember. The subconscious will be
processing past arguments and trying to
create patterns from them. Arguments
need to be calmly discussed in order
to understand each other’s feelings and
see if a resolution is possible.”

MYTHPEOPLEWHO
REALLYLOVEEACH
OTHERNEVERARGUE
“This isn’t the case. If arguments are
suppressed, a relationship will wither.
If you truly love someone, you can be

4
honest with each other, and celebrate the
differences rather than suppress them.”
HAVEA
PAUSESIGNAL
“If you feel yourself
getting activated
and the adrenaline is
flowing, it’s handy to
have a ‘pause’ signal

6
that both sides recognise. Take a
break for at least 20 minutes, then
return to the discussion. When DON’TGOTO
you’ve calmed down, you can SLEEPMID-FIGHT
process what’s being said.” “Going to sleep on an
argument isn’t productive
unless there’s an agreement
the discussion will continue
after all parties have had a
MYTHTHEPERSONWHO
good night’s sleep. If the adrenaline is still SHOUTSTHELOUDESTWILL
flowing and you’re angry, you’re likely to WINTHEARGUMENT
wake up with an even more entrenched “If you have to shout louder to try to
position, and things will get worse.” OK! win the argument, you need to find
a better argument!”
WORDS: MICHELLE MARTIN
PHOTOS: GETTY
MYTH ARGUMENTSARE
ACOMPETITIONTOJUDGE
WHO’STHECLEVEREST

5
“You are in a relationship, not
EXPRESSYOUR a debating society. There is no right,
FEELINGS and there are no prizes!”
“Give each other
20 minutes to express MYTH
EVERYTHING
your feelings on the
subject. Listen intently,
CANBERESOLVED
dig for the real feelings. “Seek to understand, not to persuade.
At the end of the 20 minutes, say This is the key to having healthy
something like, ‘I understand you feel discussions and a healthy relationship.”
this way about X because of Y.’”

WWW.OK.CO.UK 89
 SPREADTHELOVE
CELEBRITYCHEFANDAUTHORJAMESMARTINSHARESHISPASSION
FORCREATINGLUSCIOUSLYCOMFORTINGDISHESWITHBUTTER

Roast crab
with lime
and chilli
butter
SERVES
INGREDIENTS
● 100g butter, softened
● Zest and juice of 2 limes
● 2 kaffir lime leaves,
finely sliced
● 1 lemongrass stick,
finely chopped
● 4 spring onions, sliced
● 2 tbsp fresh coriander,
chopped, plus extra leaves
to serve
● 1 red chilli, finely diced
● Sea salt and freshly ground
black pepper
● 300g white crabmeat
To serve:
● Toasted sourdough

1. Preheat oven to 200°C/

180°C fan/gas mark 6.
2. Beat together the butter,
lime zest and juice, kaffir
lime leaves, lemongrass,
spring onions, coriander
and chilli. Season with salt
and pepper.
3. Spoon the crab into
two ovenproof dishes and
top with the butter mixture.
Place them on a baking tray
and roast for 10 minutes
until hot and bubbling.
4. Sprinkle with coriander
leaves and serve straight
away, with toasted
sourdough on the side.

90
Pan-seared
Briddlesford
Halloumi-style
cheese with
chilli jam

SERVES
INGREDIENTS 1. Start by making the chilli jam. with the butter and fry over
● 180g Briddlesford For the chilli jam: lemongrass, husk Blend all the jam ingredients to a a high heat for 5-8 minutes
Halloumi-style ● 2 red onions discarded and fine pulp. Add to a pan and cook to caramelise the onions.
cheese, sliced ● 2 red peppers finely diced over a low heat for 20 minutes 3. Pan-fry the halloumi-style
● 1 head of Treviso ● 2 red chillies until the mixture has thickened cheese for 1-2 minutes on each
lettuce ● 5 garlic cloves For the braised and is like compote in texture. side until golden. Dress the salad
● 1 bunch of ● 250g tinned Roscoff onions: Cool and set aside. leaves in the vinaigrette.
watercress plum tomatoes ● 2 Roscoff onions, 2. Simmer the Roscoff onions 4. To serve, spread some chilli
● French vinaigrette ● 150g soft brown unpeeled with the thyme, water and salt jam generously on each plate
● 15g nigella seeds sugar ● A sprig of thyme for 40 minutes until thoroughly and top with the dressed leaves,
● 100g sourdough ● 125ml red wine ● 500ml water cooked. Let them cool in their cheese and caramelised onion
croutons, fried in vinegar ● 1 tsp salt liquor, slice in half and remove petals. Sprinkle with nigella seeds
75g butter ● 1 stick of ● 50g butter the skins. Return to the pan along and crispy sourdough croutons.

WWW.OK.CO.UK 91
 RELAX  WI TH
T HIS  AU TUMN

SPECIAL
OFFER!

ISSUESFORSTRAIGHT
T H R O U G H  YO U R  L E T T E R B OX

PROMOCODEOK

VI SI TN EWSPA P E R S U B S COU K /O K M

NEWCUSTOMERSONLYFOROFFERINCLUSIVEOFHOMEDELIVERYCOSTSIFYOUHAVEPREVIOUSLYSIGNEDUPFORANOK!
SUBSCRIPTIONYOUWILLNOTQUALIFYFORTHISOFFERPAYMENTDETAILSREQUIRED
Shortbread with
strawberries and cream
MAKES
INGREDIENTS
● 250g cold butter, cubed
● 110g caster sugar, plus
extra for sprinkling
● 360g chilled plain flour,
plus extra for dusting
● 1 tbsp water
To serve:
● Fresh strawberries and
clotted cream

1. Preheat oven to 170°C/

150°C fan/gas mark 3.
2. In a large bowl, mix
the butter, sugar and flour,
rubbing them together
with your fingertips until
the mixture resembles fine
breadcrumbs. Stir through
the water to bring together
to form a dough.
3. On a lightly floured
surface, roughly roll out the
dough and then press into a
20 x 15cm baking tin. Sprinkle e
with caster sugar, prick with
a fork and chill in the fridge
for 20 minutes.
4. Bake for 10-15 minutes,
then leave to cool in the tin
on a wire rack. Cut into 20
COMPILED BY: VICTORIA GRAY

rectangles and serve with

strawberries and cream. OK!
BUTTER: COMFORTING, DELICIOUS,
VERSATILE, OVER 130 RECIPES
CELEBRATING BUTTER BY JAMES MARTIN
(QUADRILLE, £22) PHOTOS: JOHN CAREY

WWW.OK.CO.UK 93
 THESKY’S
THELIMIT
RECOGNISEDASTHEMOSTMULTICULTURAL
CITYINTHEWORLDTORONTOOFFERS
ATRULYDYNAMICDESTINATION

WHYGO
If Toronto hasn’t made it onto your travel
bucket list yet, that has to change. In
2019, a record 28 million people visited
Canada’s largest city, which is a cultural
hotbed featuring a patchwork of distinct
neighbourhoods. The lakeside metropolis
has oodles to offer with beaches strung
along the shores of Lake Ontario, leafy
parks, world-class museums, tantalising
global cuisine and the Path – a 30km WHERETOSTAY
underground network connecting the main Inspired by nature, the recently opened 1 Hotel has sustainability at its heart and features
shopping streets, so you don’t have to get reclaimed timber, recycled materials and lush, leafy greeneryy at everyy turn. The 112-room
cold when the thermometer plummets. boutique hotel is an urban oasis within walking distance
The icing on the cake is a trip to Niagara of the trendy Queen Street West shopping district and
Falls, one of the world’s greatest natural the vibrant waterfront. Chill by the rooftop pool with
wonders. The annual Toronto International a Spicy Sienna cocktail and lobster tacos from funky
Film Festival attracts the Hollywood lounge bar Harriet’s as you take in the stunning views.
glitterati but there’s a host of alternatives Or book into The Drake Hotel, a hip 19-room boutique
bringing their own buzz, including the joint where guests opting for the Arts Passport package
Luminato Festival of arts, music, dance and get an original artwork as a keepsake. Enjoy fresh sushi
theatre, which is on this week. at its rooftop Sky Yard or the twice-monthly Toronto
Poetry Slam in its
basement venue.

Style and luxury

at 1 Hotel and,
above, The Drake

See the stunning

Niagara Falls

94
 Be dazzled by
the Terra Lumina

MUST-DOACTIVITIES
For a stunning view of one of Mother Nature’s
most incredible feats, take a trip to the
Canadian side of Niagara Falls – less than
90 miles’ drive (or a train ride) from the city
centre. Or to get a bird’s eye view of Toronto,
whizz up in a lift to the top of the iconic CN
Tower – 1,815.3ft high – in less than a minute.
The glass-bottomed floors may not be for the
fainthearted but there’s a bar in case you need
a glass of something to calm your nerves!
If you have kids in tow, Toronto Zoo is
always a good bet and we recommend taking
the Terra Lumina while you’re there. It’s an
enchanting and immersive 1.5km night walk
that gives a luminous vision of our planet’s
future, using multimedia lighting, music and
video projections. For something uniquely
Canadian, we had a go at axe throwing at the
Backyard Axe Throwing League (batlgrounds.
com) in the Port Lands. It may sound
dangerous but you’ll be supervised the entire
time. It’s an amazing stress reliever too!
REPORT: KAT ROMERO EDITED BY: ANNABEL MACKIE
PHOTOS: BRANDON BARRE PHOTOGRAPHY, GETTY, LISA PETROLE

Gusto 501 serves

up a taste of Italy
WHERE
TODINE
The city offers food
from all over the
world in distinct
neighbourhoods
including Little Italy,
Little Jamaica,
Chinatown and
Greektown, as
well as a fabulous
food market and
microbrewery on
the cobbled streets
of the Distillery Historic District. head to Kensington Market – a
We also enjoyed incredible vibrant and eclectic neighbourhood
Italian fare at Gusto 501, located that boasts vintage shops, artisanal
at 501 King East. The restaurant cafes and bakeries.
spans five levels with a ground-floor Sign up for a food tour with
dining room, a cocktail bar, a chef Chopsticks+Forks and enjoy the Canadian Airlines (aircanada.com) and British
tasting kitchen called “Attico” tastes of South America, Jamaica, Airways (ba.com) fly direct from London to
on the top floor and a seasonal Sweden and Native America all in HOWTKO Toronto. For latest hotel room prices see

rooftop patio.
But for an authentic taste of
Toronto’s cultural melting pot,
one afternoon.
Come hungry and leave with your
appetite fully sated!
BOO 1hotels.com/toronto and thedrake.ca. Sign up for
a CityPass (citypass.com/Toronto) for free access
to five main attractions including the CN Tower,
Ripley’s Aquarium and Ontario Science Centre. For
city and state tourism see destinationtoronto.com

WWW.OK.CO.UK 95
 HOTSPOT

The hotel sits on

the banks of the
River Thames

THELENSBURYTEDDINGTON
WHYGO WHATTODO
This grand hotel sits within 25 impressive Families feel right at the
acres of leafy landscaped grounds on the heart of this four-star hotel,
banks of the River Thames. with children welcomed in
Making the most of its unique setting, every area by smiling staff.
The Lensbury does all it can to tempt guests There is soft play for
out onto the water, with a dedicated rainy days and a large
Watersports Centre offering the chance playground, as well as
to try kayaking, canoeing, sailing dinghies dedicated family sports
and rowing boats. Or, for a more gentle sessions and child-friendly
boating experience, guests can hire a dining menus. For those
motorboat and spend the afternoon after some quality time with
exploring the river towards Kingston and their offspring, try a family
Hampton Court, taking in the scenery tennis or swim session.
and riverside restaurants along the way. There is also the added
We stayed in a spacious Deluxe Twin bonus of a well-equipped and nd everything from vegetarian
eve
room with sweeping views of Teddington friendly crèche if you fancy friendly salads, bean
fri
Locks. It proved just the spot for three some kid-free time. We ccassoulet and pizza to
exhausted but exhilarated children and their recommend relaxing llamb, steak and curry.
parents to relax after a day of activities. The in one of the spa’s six
two king-sized beds were well spaced, with treatment rooms! WHERETOVISIT
W
plenty of room for a comfy sofa and TV. During half term Despite the idyllic
D
and school holidays, c
countryside-like setting,
The Lensbury offers Th Lensbury is just
The
extensive camps. It has 40 minutes from the
24 racket-sport courts andnd hustl
hustle and bustle of central
caters for all ages, from first London
London. Nearby attractions
ear-olds
tennis classes for two-year-olds include Ham
Hampton Court and the
right up to full-day camps for budding high street of Teddington itself – which
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WWW.OK.CO.UK 97
 LIFELESSONS
THEMUSICALTHEATREACTRESS
ONTHEBRAVESTTHING
SHE’SEVERDONEBEINGA
SINGLEMUMANDWHYSHE
CAN’TLIVEWITHOUTCAKE

The biggest challenge in The one thing I would change

my life so far has been…
single motherhood. When
you are on your own, and
I have been for 13 years,
it’s all down to you. That
can be fairly terrifying
sometimes! It’s down to
you to be good cop and
bad cop, to sort out
absolutely everything.
My idea of a perfect evening
would be… going for a
burger and then going to
the cinema, and I quite
like to do that on my own
sometimes. I love taking
myself to the cinema.
My childhood ambition
was to… do what I’m doing.
I fell in love with the MGM
musicals, Gene Kelly, Judy
Garland, all of those. So
from a very young age I was
completely set on what I
wanted to do.
My biggest regret gret in
ning
life is... not learning
self
to look after myself
until later on in
e
life. I think I have
been very cruel
to myself for
a number of
years and it has
taken getting
older to think,
“Hang on a
minute. When
about myself is... if I could go
back in time, I’d learn the piano!
The best thing my parents
taught me was… you can have
anything in life if you want it
enough, and that’s absolutely
true. Everything is reachable.
The thing that cheers me up
the most is… cake, without a
doubt. I’m a comfort eater so
anything with sugar will always
cheer me up. I have friends who
can make me laugh, too.
The worst job I’ve ever had
was… selling double glazing. I
was awful – I must have been 17
or 18 and I just used to flirt like
mad to try and get people to
make an appointment, because
you got paid on the amount of
appointments you’d booked.
The people who inspire me
the most are… my friends
Andrew and David, they’re
tthe
th e godpar
godparents of my
childre
children, Lily and Dolly.
They take their job
as my daughters’
g
godparents really
sseriously; they
a
are the greatest
listeners and they
have been my
a
angels in life.
The star on I’m Th
The most
A Celebrity exp
expensive thing I’ve

Ruthie
am I going to be e ever splashed
s out on
kind to me?” is… eye surgery, which I’m
about to have done. I’m not
The bravest thing I’ve ever a handbag girl, I’m not a shoe
done is… I’m A Celebrity... girl. I bought a Mulberry bag
Get Me Out Of Here! It was once and I have never bought

Henshall
the cold, hunger, revolting a handbag since, I think it’s the
things, being watched biggest waste of money. OK!
24/7. That absolutely
CATCH RUTHIE ON MAGIC AT THE MUSICALS
terrified me because you
WORDS: SAMUEL MCMANUS-MAXWELL PHOTOS: GETTY

RADIO EACH WEEKEND. RUTHIE PRESENTS

just don’t know how you’re MAGIC AT THE MUSICALS ON 17 OCTOBER
AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL. TICKETS
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