ISSUE 1276 ● 22 FEBRUARY 2021 ● £2.40 WEEKLY PRINCESS EUGENIE AND JACK BROOKSBANK BRING HOME THEIR BABY BOY INSIDE t Export £2.60/€3.29 t Esp/Por €3.30 t Italy €4.80 t Auz $8.40 inc GST t CDN GRANDMOTHER $7.99 t ROI €3.29 t NL €4.75 t FR €3.80 t Aus €6.10 FERGIE’S JOY, t Malta €4.25 t Ger €5.30 EUGENIE’S LUXURY LABOUR ROOM & THEIR BREAK FROM TRADITION
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NEWS & INTERVIEWS PRINCESS EUGENIE THE DUCHESS OF YORK MINI MAJESTIC STYLE TRIBES THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX KYM MARSH PATSY KENSIT GEMMA ATKINSON LOVE MATTERS AMANDA HOLDEN EMILY ANDRE JESSICA PLUMMER OLLY ALEXANDER GET MORE OK! TIME KATHERINE RYAN MELANIE BLAKE Our fabulous daily newsletter brings you the best celebrity house tours and biggest FASHIONISTA exclusive interviews. It’s the easiest way to stay ITEMS EVERY FASHION in the loop with all things EDITOR OWNS lifestyle, fashion and beauty. STYLE EDIT Sign up now at ok.co.uk/newsletter OK ! LOVES FASHION SPY BEAUTY EDIT BEAUTY BUZZ
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OK! REVIEWS OK! ICONS OK! HEALTH OK! RECIPES OK! TRAVEL OK! STARS OK! LIFE LESSONS PHOTOS: CAMERA PRESS/CAMERON M [email protected] www.ok.co.uk /OKMAGAZINEUK @OK_MAGAZINE @OK_MAG 4 BUNDLE OF JOY A ROYAL ARRIVAL PRINCESS EUGENIE AND HUSBAND JACK BROOKSBANK INTRODUCE THEIR NEW BABY SON TO THE WORLD
The couple looked over the moon as they took their son home
here was cause for celebration later on 12 February. Wrapping up drove his glowing wife and their in the royal family as Princess warm against the cold weather, new newborn home from the hospital. Eugenie and husband Jack mum Eugenie was spotted wearing Eugenie, no doubt feeling a little Brooksbank welcomed their a tartan dress teamed with a camel- anxious about the tot’s first outing, Tfirst child, a baby boy. The new arrival coloured coat as she beamed and sat in the back of the car with the marks Her Majesty the Queen’s ninth waved for the cameras. baby, who was in a Cybex car seat. great-grandchild, and he will be 11th Jack also looked delighted as he Earlier last week, Princess Eugenie, in line to the throne. 30, had shared a The happy couple beautiful black-and- announced the news in Princess white photo on a statement released by Eugenie Instagram of herself the royal family. It read, posted this and Jack, 34, holding “Her Royal Highness adorable their newborn son’s Princess Eugenie was picture hand – adding three safely delivered of a blue heart emojis. son today, 9th February According to author 2021, at 08.55hrs at The of Kate: The Future Portland Hospital. Jack Queen and royal Brooksbank was present. correspondent Katie “The baby weighs Nicholl, their decision 8lbs 1oz. This is Princess to share the news Eugenie and Jack on Instagram with Brooksbank’s first child, a stylised photo and The Duke of York and love-heart emojis is Sarah, Duchess of York’s a sign of their more first grandchild, and the modern outlook ninth great-grandchild as royals. for The Queen and “They chose to do The Duke of Edinburgh. something a bit more Her Royal Highness in keeping with their and her child are both own style with the doing well.” use of emojis and this Eugenie and Jack quite casual feel about looked the picture of the announcement,” happiness as they left Katie explained. The Portland Hospital in In line with this West London three days thoroughly modern WWW.OK.CO.UK 5 approach, Prince Charles and the Duchess of title, despite him being seventh in line to As OK! went to press, the couple had Cornwall tweeted a message of congratulations the throne. And Princess Anne’s daughter not revealed their new son’s name, nor alongside a photo of the new parents on their Zara and son Peter also lack royal titles, released an image of the baby’s face, wedding day. And the Duchess of Cambridge’s despite being the Queen’s grandchildren. following in the footsteps of Harry and brother James Middleton shared his joy on Katie explained, “They’re known as Mr Meghan, who kept the public waiting several Instagram, commenting, “Congratulations and Mrs Brooksbank and they’re not going days for a snap of baby Archie. “They’ve not such wonderful news,” along with a red to have a title for the baby. It’s all very much been in a hurry to release the name, but there love-heart emoji. a move towards the new generation of young was just enough detail to satisfy public Sources claimed that the Duke and Duchess royals who are doing things with a more curiosity,” Katie said. of Sussex offered their congratulations contemporary approach. It’s thought the couple will choose privately to Eugenie and Jack. Cousins Harry “Yes, you’ll probably see images of their a traditional name with bookies tipping and Eugenie are thought to be very close, and little boy on Instagram at times in the future Arthur – the middle name of the Duke of he and Meghan were even understood to but for the most part, they’re going to want Cambridge, Prince Charles and Prince Louis have offered the pair the use of their UK base, to keep him out of the spotlight.” – Philip and Henry, Prince Harry’s real name. Frogmore Cottage, as they prepared to Speaking to OK! recently about Eugenie’s Other suggestions include Oliver, Thomas, welcome their first child. new role as a mother, Ingrid Seward, author of Godfrey, George or Charles. While Eugenie has the title of Princess, Prince Philip Revealed: A Man Of His Century, What was thoroughly royal about the it’s believed that her son won’t inherit a royal said the new baby will be protected from the new arrival, though, was Eugenie’s choice title. As titles are traditionally passed down pressures royal life can bring. “I think Eugenie of The Portland Hospital. It is where she the male line, Eugenie’s new arrival won’t be will want to shield her child and offer as herself was born in 1990 and her sister a prince or use the HRH style. But the new normal a life as possible. I don’t think the child Princess Beatrice before her in 1988. It’s also baby won’t be alone. The Duke and Duchess will face any responsibilities within the family, where Harry and Meghan welcomed Archie in of Sussex decided to forego Archie’s HRH as he or she will be too far down the line.” 2019 and is a firm favourite among celebrities, 6 She gave birth at The Jack and Portland Eugenie on their Hospital wedding day with everyone from Victoria Beckham to Jerry said. “And we just stared at each other.” childcare. While Jack is the European brand Hall having given birth there. As the UK’s Eugenie added, “And you came over director of Casamigos Tequila, which was only private maternity hospital, The Portland and shook my hand, and I was all butterflies co-founded by the actor George Clooney, is no ordinary venue with the “average” birth and nervous.” Eugenie is a director at Hauser & Wirth, stay costing around £20,000. Luxury Molton Shortly before their big day, Eugenie’s a contemporary art gallery. Brown toiletries are provided and minibars mother Sarah Ferguson revealed the pair Nanny Alison Wardley looked after are stocked with champagne. Eugenie until she went to nursery, Eugenie set a relaxed tone for and her elder sister went to school. her pregnancy from the start when ‘THE BABY ISN’T GOING Meanwhile, Kate and William chose she announced the happy news to hire a nanny from Norland College last September via a cute Instagram TO HAVE A TITLE – IT’S for George, Charlotte and Louis. photo of a pair of baby booties. She It’s been reported that Eugenie added the caption, “Jack and I are A MOVE TOWARDS THE has already made moves to secure so excited for early 2021…” a place at Marlborough College in Eugenie and Jack married NEW GENERATION’ Wiltshire for her son. The school, on 12 October 2018 at Windsor for pupils aged 13 to 18, is where Castle after becoming engaged in Eugenie herself attended as a teen. Nicaragua in January that same year. They were eager for children. “I have always been The Duchess of Cambridge and her sister began dating in 2011 after they met while so close to my girls and it is such a joy to see Pippa were also students at the school – skiing in the Swiss resort of Verbier. Jack them embarking on this next phase of their where fees cost up to £39,000 per year. OK! previously revealed that it was love at first lives,” she said. sight for the pair. “We were skiing at a friend’s It’s understood that Eugenie and Jack WORDS: KAT ROMERO, ANNA MATHESON PHOTOS: GETTY, GOFF PHOTOS, MEGA, SHUTTERSTOCK place in Switzerland and I saw you first,” he will hire a full-time nanny to help them with WWW.OK.CO.UK 7 JULY PREGNANCY DIARY BUMP TO BABY PRINCESS EUGENIE’S PREGNANCY HAS FLOWN BY – HERE’S HER JOURNEY FROM MUM-TO-BE TO PROUD PARENT WITH HUBBY JACK BROOKSBANK
JULY SISTER’S SURPRISE WEDDING Eugenie has always been very close to her older sister, Princess Beatrice, and joins her on the eve of her scaled-back wedding at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in the grounds of the Royal DOUBLE DATE Lodge in CELEBRATION Windsor. The next month, A few weeks into her Eugenie and pregnancy, Eugenie Jack head is accompanied by to Balmoral Jack and their close to enjoy friends, singer Ellie some socially Goulding and hubby distanced Caspar Jopling, to quality time Casa Cruz in Notting with her Hill, west London. grandparents, Perhaps they the Queen were toasting the and the Duke happy news? of Edinburgh.
SEPTEMBER HITTING THE SHOPS
Stepping out in a Claudie Pierlot belted floral dress, Eugenie indulges in some retail therapy in Notting Hill. SEPTEMBER The stylish wraparound A FUN NIGHT OUT frock is a favourite – the Eugenie heads to exclusive Mayfair club Annabel’s in London’s West End royal wore with Jack and Beatrice. She makes a very stylish mum-to-be, with her chic it the night Zara coat teamed with a Louis Vuitton handbag and Wedel Art Collective before X Jenny Holzer face mask bearing the words “YOU ME”. her 2018 wedding. 8 SEPTEMBER THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT Bucking tradition, Eugenie shares her and Jack’s happy news on her Instagram account with a cute image of baby slippers. Adding a baby emoji, she writes, “Jack and I are so excited for early 2021.” She is around four months pregnant at this point and Buckingham Palace says, “The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are delighted with the news.”
SEPTEMBER PROUD GRANDMA Eugenie’s mum, Sarah Ferguson, narrates a story about a magical, invisible grandmother – Nanna Maureen by Casey Gillespie – for her children’s storytelling series on YouTube. She SEPTEMBER dedicates it to “all those nannas out there”. BLOOMING STYLISH LADY WHO LUNCHES Out and about in London again, Eugenie Stepping out for a bite at Italian restaurant Harry’s proves she’s nailed maternity style. Her floral Bar in Mayfair with brother-in-law Edoardo Mapelli dress is cinched with a belt above her waist, Mozzi, Eugenie keeps comfortable in a loose-fitting SEPTEMBER accentuating her growing bump. black pleated dress and Maje coat. WWW.OK.CO.UK 9 OCTOBER OH SO CHIC The royal is snapped leaving the five-star Connaught Hotelotel in London’s Mayfair clutching a quirky statement leather handbag emblazoned with shells. Her tiger-print dress iss ffromrom the chic French label Sandro. OCTOBER
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY She marks her two-year wedding anniversary by sharingring previously unseen photos accompanied by London Grammar track Baby, It’s You. “Been the best two yearsars married to you and 10 years with you in total. Happyy memories always, my dear Jack,” she writes.
NOVEMBER GIVING THANKS DECEMBER Eugenie shares a lovely post on Instagram to mark Thanksgiving, CARING CHRISTMAS MESSAGE in which she declares her gratitude to frontliners, charities and “the love Eugenie gives a message of thanks to the Salvation Army at its of family and animals that keep us Christmas carol concert. Later that month, she pays a secret visit strong”. Most touchingly, she adds, to a Salvation Army safe house to deliver presents to residents. “I’m thankful for my husband Jack.” 10 DECEMBER BAGS OF STYLE – JUST LIKE KATE The Princess is spotted in Kensington High Street carrying a trademark purple bag from maternity wear label Séraphine – which was founded by DECEMBER DECEMBER French-born designer Cécile Reinaud and AN EMOTIONAL MOMENT is favoured by the Duchess of Cambridge. Eugenie is overcome with emotion as she She went shopping on praises her mother in a video call with Sarah the day England’s and Beatrice to mark the Teenage Cancer Trust’s second national 30th anniversary. She says, “We wouldn’t be lockdown ended. here unless you educated us in how we give back to people. I’m going to cry! Stop it!”
DECEMBER FESTIVE CHEER Wearing a festive red- check pinafore with ruffles, Eugenie appears in another recorded message, this time on behalf of the Anti- Slavery Collective, an organisation she co-founded with Julia de Boinville. She thanks everyone for their “wonderful” support “in a very difficult time”.
JANUARY RUMOURS OF A HOUSE MOVE With the due date fast approaching, there are reports that Eugenie and Jack – who have a London base at Ivy Cottage, Kensington Palace – have moved in with her father, Prince Andrew, at Royal Lodge, Windsor (below). It was previously thought she planned to spend her maternity leave at Frogmore Cottage, on loan from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. OK!
DECEMBER LOVE TO GRANNY DECEMBER No doubt missing her beloved Granny, Eugenie takes to social CAREER GIRL media to praise the Queen’s SOLDIERS ON annual Christmas message. “Your Majesty, Granny, your words The hard-working meant so much today and at the royal is spotted end of a year that has tested the leaving her workplace, world in so many ways,” she Hauser & Wirth art writes, picking out a line about gallery in Mayfair, “missing friends and family wrapped up in a Maje members distanced for safety”. dress and Zara coat.
WORDS: MICHELLE GARNETT PHOTOS: BACKGRID, GETTY, GOFFPHOTOS.COM, SHUTTERSTOCK
WWW.OK.CO.UK 11 2021-02-11_ADWBYCONP_E Source: NHSChoices. *UK’s No1baby supplement brand. Source: GB ScanTrack Nielsen Total Coverage Value andUnit RetailSales5 vitamin D. addition,allinfantsagedfrom In 6monthsto 5years should begiven asupplementcontaining vitaminsA,CandD( 1. From chemists, healthstores and their journey their For the start The UK Department ofHealthrecommendsThe UKDepartment the nutritional requirements of babies and young children. and babies of requirements nutritional the Formulated by Vitabiotics’ nutritional to support experts, level of vitamin D Health of Contains , Superdrug, Holland&Barrett, supermarkets, UK Department UK Department recommended recommended that all babies from birth untiltheageof1should be given that adailysupplementcontaining allbabiesfrom 8.5-10mcgofvitaminDandthat ch birth 1 wellbaby.com vitamins C and D A, recommended contain the multi-vitamins Wellbaby of Vit DDrops Unless they are drinking 500ml(or approx.Unless theyare drinking 1pint)ofinfantformula aday, asinfantformula hasvitaminsaddedto it). 1 Multi-vitamin Drops 2 w/e 31 October 2020. 2 w/e31October To verify contact Vitabiotics Ltd, 1Apsley Way, London, NW27HF. ildren from oneto 4years takeasupplementcontaining 10mcg Multi-vitamin Liquid 14 Vits A, recommended with & vitamins C&D minerals From themakers of BABY LOVE ‘I’M SO EXCITED’ THE OVERJOYED DUCHESS OF YORK IS GOING TO BE THE HANDS-ON GRANNY SHE’S ALWAYS WANTED TO BE
he Duchess of York is one happy grandmother right now following the arrival of Princess Eugenie’s Tfirst child with husband Jack Brooksbank. A source close to the Duchess said, “Sarah is absolutely delighted and thrilled. She’s a first-time granny and she’s going to be so hands-on. She’ll be changing nappies! “Sarah is so close to the girls [Eugenie and her sister Beatrice], and wants to be as close to her grandson. The girls never really had a grandmother in Sarah’s mum, so she really wants to be there for her grandson. She’s very excited.” Sarah has already said that her “strong, determined” daughter will be “incredibly empathetic and a very strong mother”. ‘SARAH’S ALWAYS BEEN A FANTASTIC MOTHER’
However, Royal Editor Duncan Larcombe believes that Sarah herself – 61 but young at heart – will be an incredibly positive role model in her grandchild’s life. “Say what you want about Sarah, but she’s always been a fantastic mother, and she’ll be a fantastic grandmother, too,” says Duncan. “The baby will provide a wonderful distraction from the difficult times we’re all going through. It’s what Sarah really needs right now.” Sarah has made it her goal to remain healthy in order to enjoy her time as a grandparent. “I want to be a granny. I don’t want to not take this seriously. It’s not a joke, it’s only one life,” she said in 2019. Sarah and She has even gone out of her Eugenie at way to encourage other women a charity gala of her age to keep up to date in 2014 with their heart health checks, WWW.OK.CO.UK 13
Sarah and saying, “If you want to Eugenie at At the Royal see your children’s children Upton House Windsor Horse and be a granny, go and School in 1993 Show in 1992 get checked.” When Eugenie announced her pregnancy in September, Sarah said, “I am so excited by the news!” But her desire for a grandchild was evident long before then. Just days before Eugenie and Jack’s wedding in October 2018 she insisted she’d make an “excellent” grandmother, explaining, “I write children’s books and I’m a child, I haven’t grown up.” Indeed Sarah has penned more than 25 titles, including When Katie’s Parents Separated and James And The Bullies. During lockdown she even began reading children’s books on her YouTube channel Story Time With Fergie And Friends and on the day Eugenie’s news broke she chose one about a magical grandmother, Nanna Maureen by Casey Gillespie. She is also dedicating her book The Adventures Of Charlie, Blue And Larry The Mum and daughter Lamp Post Children to her on a skiing holiday grandchild, and plans to in Verbier in 2001 bring out a new story every month for a year in order to create a “lovely library for my grandchildren”. Despite her 1996 divorce from Eugenie’s father the Duke of York, the pair have remained amicable, with Eugenie proudly declaring, “They’re the best divorced couple I know.” As Sarah herself explains, “The thing about Andrew and I is that we go with our hearts, we go with the family unity… you can see that in the York family unity, it’s all about seeing the light in life.” However Duncan, author of Prince Harry: The Inside Story, points out that it’s unlikely the new arrival will boost her standing in the royal family. “Sarah is still the outsider in the royal family. Although she’ll be part of events that include her new grandchild, such as the christening, she won’t be getting any invites to the big events, like the Duke of Edinburgh’s 100th birthday celebration,” he says. But we doubt the snub will dampen Sarah’s spirits. She enjoys a warm relationship with her two daughters. As Eugenie wrote in a recent dedication to her mum on Instagram, “You are one of a kind.” We just know she’s going to be a No1 grandmother! OK!
WORDS: JOSIE COPSON PHOTOS: GETTY, PA
WWW.OK.CO.UK 15 SMALL BUT MIGHTY MINI MAJESTIC STYLE TRIBES PRINCESS EUGENIE’S NEW SON WILL BE SPORTING BABYGROS FOR NOW BUT THESE ROYAL YOUNGSTERS ARE ALREADY MAKING THEIR MARKS IN THE WORLD OF FASHION
e’re often wowed by the kings and queens of Europe and their royals’ incredible frocks and well-heeled cousins have developed finery, but it’s their children very different styles to match their who really steal the show. contrasting lifestyles. WFrom the superyachts of Monaco to Here are the distinct style tribes horse trials here in the UK, the future to which they belong... THE CLASSIC KIDS
rinces Alexander Pand Gabriel of Sweden live in a private house – not a palace – and they won’t be working royals when they’re assy Princess Charlotte, five, has always loved a twee older, which means S smock dress. She even has a fashion following of her the boys (aged four own and is setting style trends faster than her mum, and three) have the Duchess of Cambridge. A report by Brand Finance more freewill with revealed that thanks to her influence, the princess was regards to their worth almost £4 billion – more than any of her family – futures. Their at just one year old! timeless outfits Her older brother Prince George, seven, sported include neat shorts until two years ago (a rather old-fashioned shirts, sweaters, tradition usually observed up to a boy’s eighth birthday). summer shorts Along with their younger brother Prince Louis, two, and adorable the siblings wear classic labels such as John Lewis, Cath matching shoes. Kidston, Trotters, Rachel Riley and a few spanish brands like Amaia Kids – possibly inspired by their Spanish nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.
16 THE CLASSY KIDS
wins Vincent and Josephine of Denmark are rincesses Leonor, Tthe spitting image of their parents Frederik, P15, and Sofia, Crown Prince and Mary, Crown Princess. In their 13, follow in the official birthday photograph, the inseparable footsteps of their pair, 10, look so mature in their clean-cut clothes. fashionable mum, Christian, 15, and Isabella, 13, have an equally Queen Letizia of chic wardrobe and set an example to their Spain. The sisters, siblings on the red carpet. who are known to raid each other’s wardrobes, often look flawless in matching tailored dresses, and appear to favour simple colour block clothes and pumps over busier patterns. Despite their refined appearance, they shop at Spanish high street stores Zara, Mango and Massimo Dutti and are quite the style influencers – a Stradivarius gingham summer dress Sofia once wore was a complete sell-out.
WWW.OK.CO.UK 17 THE COORDINATED KIDS
utch princesses DAmalia, Alexia and Ariane love to ride horses, play hockey and practise piano, too. The girls have dressed in cute coordinating outfits from childhood and now as teens (17, 15 and 13) they are developing their own styles, just like mum Queen Máxima. The girls look so down-to- earth in their smart casual clothes. We’d love to pinch a few items from their wardrobes!
THE COOL KIDS THE C
esigner Dsunglasses are a key accessory for Gabriella and Jacques of Monaco. Their parents, Princess Charlene and Prince Albert, spend thousands on designer ensembles for the six-year-old charismatic twins, who outshine the adults with their impeccable style at public events. Last month, londe hair and blue eyes make Swedish siblings Leonore Gabriella Band Nicolas two of the cutest royals around. The sweet turned heads pair, aged six and five, are the apple of their parents’ eye. with her They’re often seen in crisp pastels and love a playful look little Lady away from the spotlight. Mum, Princess Madeleine, has Dior bag even dressed Nicolas in clothing from Crown Princess of worth £2,800! Greece Marie-Chantal’s luxury kidswear line.
18 stelle and Oscar of Sweden look so sophisticated in Eneutral beige, grey and bright whites – let’s hope they’re not too messy! The pair wear the cutest mini-me outfits to match with their mum and dad at royal events. Despite looking cheery here, Oscar, four, is famous for his frown, but doting sister Estelle, eight, makes him smile from ear to ear.
THE CASUAL KIDS
omboys Savannah, 10, and Isla Phillips, eight – and their cousin Mia TTindall, seven – dress down in day-to-day life. Mums Autumn Phillips and Zara Tindall are passionate equestrians and so the kids are kept comfy in practical ensembles, ideal for hanging out at the horse trials where roly-polies on the grass and sweet treats are the order of the day. You’ll find many of their outfits at H&M, Joules and Converse.
ady Louise Windsor, 17, is most at home in her jodhpurs Lor a pair of jeans. The teen daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex shares a love of horses with her grandmother, Her Majesty the Queen, sporting a top hat and hacking jacket when carriage driving. Off the saddle, Lady Louise was spotted last year litter picking with her family wearing comfy jeans and a padded gilet. OK!
WORDS: KIRSTEN JONES PHOTOS: FRANNE VOIGT, GETTY IMAGES, LINDA BROSTRÖM KUNGL. HOVSTATERNA /LINDA BROSTRÖM, THE ROYAL COURT OF SWEDEN, THE MEGA AGENCY
WWW.OK.CO.UK 19 The Duke and Duchess spoke to student nurse Abigail McGarvey (left)
20 ROYAL RECOGNITION KATE AND WILLIAM PRAISE NURSES – ‘YOU’RE NEEDED MORE THAN EVER’ THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE THANK NURSES FOR STEPPING UP WHILE THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL BACKS A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN
hey’ve consistently praised those working before choosing to extend their time in hospital on the front line of the ppandemic. And last to helpp out. week, the Duke aandnd Duchess ofof “It is very didifficultfficu for you guys to go Cambridge took the time to ststraightraight into a pandemic, I would Tthank student nurses. imimagine,”agine,” the Duke of Cambridge “You could not have acacknowledged.know “That’s really chosen a better career a babaptismp by fire.” choice. It’s needed now MMeanwhile, the Duchess more than ever,” the ooff Cornwall has thrown her Duchess said to a groupp ssupportu behind a new of nursing students fromm ddomestic abuse tackling Ulster University in iinitiative, a cause close Northern Ireland. tto her heart. Speaking from the “My heart is well and Queen’s Sandringham ttruly in it,” she said when home and appearing ttalking about helping the happy and relaxed, wwork of domestic abuse Kate, 39, added, chcharity SafeLives, of which “You’ve got almost ssheh is a patron. three generations now – TThe Duchess, who visited those coming back from Camilla is a a BoBootso store to hear about retirement, and you guyss patron for its desdesignatedi “safe spaces” doing your training who are SafeLives lastlast summer,summ shared that she is stepping up – it shows realeal kkeeneen to ddoo whatw she can to help. commitment and real teamwork,amwork, anandd it “I’d“I’d llikeike to do anything to help all should really be celebrated, so really well done.” these wonderful people,” she said last week. Many of the students had undertaken Camilla, 73, made the comments during a video placements throughout the pandemic, conversation with the charity’s chief executive, Suzanne Jacob, and SafeLives pioneer Rachel Williams, where they spoke about the newly A group of nursing students launched Ask For ANI (Action Needed shared their experiences with Immediately) scheme. Kate and William (left) “It’s pure brilliance,” the Duchess of Cornwall said of the scheme, “because it’s so simple, yet it’s so effective.” When the UK first went into lockdown last year, domestic abuse helplines saw a spike in calls. Launched last month, Ask For ANI is a way for victims to discreetly ask for help from a trained pharmacy worker. They will then be offered a private space they can use to speak to the police or a domestic abuse helpline. OK!
WORDS: ANNA MATHESON PHOTOS: GETTY, KENSINGTON PALACE
WWW.OK.CO.UK 21
ACROSS THE POND HARRY LOVES HIS NEW LIFE IN LA BUT HE MISSES HOME FRIENDS OF THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX REVEAL THE ONE THING THAT’LL ALWAYS LINK HIM TO THE UK
t’s been over a year since the remove rugby Duke and Duchess of Sussex from him. stepped down as senior royals I know that he is and left the UK to relocate to watching it.’ ILos Angeles with their son Archie. James and Chloeoe Now, their close friends Chloe also reminisced aboutout Madeley and James Haskell have the couple’s 2018 revealed to OK! that Harry is missing Windsor wedding, home, particularly the rugby! with James calling tthehe “Harry is missing rugby and big day “magical”.. home. He’s such an avid fan, there’s Chloe, 33, added, “It no doubt he will be watching it was exactly how it wherever he is in the world,” former came across on rugby player James shared, referring TV. A beautiful, hot,t, to the Six Nations cup. “He’s such sunny day. It was an ardent fan that you might remove really overwhelmingg him from the UK, but you won’t but an honour for us to be there.” James, 335,5, joked that he ate his body weight in canapés, too!oo! But rugbyby isn’t the onlyly thing remindingnding Meghan andnd Harry of thee UK at the moment.ment. Last week also saw thee conclusion ooff MeMeghan’sghan’s privacy casee against a national newspaperwspaper oveoverr the publicationtion ooff a letteletterr to her fatherer ThomasThomas.. After herr victory in the case,, MegMeghanhan issueissuedd a passionatete statement saying she wwasas “grate“grateful”ful” TTY E
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S: E E and Chloe “We all deserveserve justice and truth, and we all OK! WORDS: ELLIE KIRWINWORD PHOTOS: GETTY deserve better.” WWW.OK.CO.UK 23
KYM’SCOLUMN FRIENDS HELP TO KEEP ME SMILING AS SHE MARKS WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HER SON ARCHIE’S TWELFTH BIRTHDAY OUR COLUMNIST REFLECTS ON THE KINDNESS OF OTHERS
y recovery from my hernia Last week would have been operation is still going slowly. Archie’s twelfth birthday. It’s always My doctors thought I had a really tough day, but we always a bit of an infection so they try to spend it reflecting or setting Mgave me antibiotics. It’s just taking off balloons. James Greenwood, time but I’m trying to be patient. I can who is the vet on Morning Live, makes move around a bit more and I’m able his own pottery and he sent me to walk better, but I wasn’t allowed a lovely little bowl. David’s girlfriend to go to London to the Morning had brought me some yellow roses, Live studio last week. The BBC have which I always say is Archie’s flower, been amazing about it but it’s very and one of the heads had come off. frustrating. But my health has to come So she put water in the bowl and first. So I’m trying to stay positive and put the rose in there and we’ve put keep going. it by Archie’s ashes. It looks lovely, I’ve been inundated with flowers so I’m going to keep putting a flower and lovely messages from my friends in there now. this week, which has really cheered me up. It’s so important to remember to reach out to others while we’re all stuck at home. From funny videos in WhatsApp groups to pictures of my grandson, the little things have really helped to keep me smiling and I’m so grateful to everyone for keeping my spirits up. So if there’s someone in your life who you think could use UNDERSTANDING cheering up at the moment, MENTAL HEALTH try to drop them a message just to check in. Kindness ritney Spears spoke out about taking some goes such a long way. Btime to herself after a documentary on her life and breakdown aired in the US last week. I’ve never met Britney, but I remember her very PROUD public breakdown PARENTS and it’s such a shame she im Kardashian wasn’t looked Kshared a painting after better. that her seven-year- You see that old daughter North struggle in had done and some child stars a lot. fans couldn’t believe Britney should how good it was. have had more I don’t think there’s care taken. anything wrong with We’re more showing off your aware of the children’s talents. mental health We’re all proud of our of those in the kids and it’s lovely to public eye now tell everyone about it. and it’s down to I’m sure kids all drive people actually us mad sometimes, coming out and so it’s great to talking about it. celebrate and show I just hope Britney off the good things gets the help they achieve, too! she needs. OK!
WWW.OK.CO.UK 25 TIME OF CHANGE ‘SEEING MY BOYS LEAVE HOME WAS SO PAINFUL – THERE’S AN ACHE IN MY HEART’
ACTRESS PATSY KENSIT OPENS UP TO OK! ABOUT EMPTY NEST SYNDROME THE LOVE LESSONS SHE’S LEARNT AND WHY SHE’S NOT LOOKING BACK ANY MORE PATSY WEARS A GOLD SEQUIN SUIT BY PATSY NADINE MERABI, NADINEMERABI.COM 26 WWW.OK.CO.UK 27 PATSY WEARS A NAVY SPLIT DRESS BY WEARS A NAVY PATSY NADINE MERABI, NADINEMERABI.COM 28 he’s a star of both the big and small screen, so we’re thrilled to sit down for a Zoom chat with Patsy Kensit and hear Sabout the woman behind the hit roles. The actress, who turns 53 next month, looks incredible at our shoot near her North London home. And she has plenty to say about the long lockdowns and the toll they have taken on her – particularly her struggle at being separated from her boys James, 27, and Lennon, 21, who she says “usually come over every day”. However, she tells us she considers herself “lucky overall” as neither she nor her boys have suffered from the virus. “There are so many people worse off with Covid,” she says. “These lockdowns are so necessary.” With her Patsy has had a long and varied sons Lennon career, featuring in Hollywood films and James alongside the likes of Mel Gibson in the 80s and making her mark closer to home in soaps Emmerdale and Holby City, as Sadie King and Faye Morton respectively. We talk about her return to telly ‘EVERYONE’S EMOTIONAL AT in forthcoming ITV drama series McDonald & Dodds – as well as more THE MOMENT AREN’T THEY? personal topics. Patsy has been married and does date but cherishes EVERY DAY IT’S BEEN HARD’ her private life, preferring to keep her romantic situation out of the public domain now after years of headlines. Hi, Patsy. How have you found I go out for walks but it’s such a “I can never understand why a full year of lockdowns? terrible worry. I’ve had a few duvet anyone is in any way interested in The first one feels like a distant days and this lockdown has hit very my love life,” she giggles. memory now. I worked through the hard. My close group of friends Here, Patsy talks candidly November lockdown on McDonald have all been feeling the same. about subjects including love, & Dodds and I was busy. This time the menopause, cosmetic surgery, it’s absolutely floored me and I’m not Have you suffered from empty nest syndrome and how her finding it fun at all. I haven’t seen my empty nest syndrome? beloved boys have kept her going… boys but thank God we’re all well. It’s so painful I can’t tell you. Everyone’s emotional at the moment, aren’t they? Every day it’s been really hard. I don’t let the boys know that but I know they feel it because they’re constantly checking in. They have their own lives but I’m not going to lie, there’s an ache in my heart. When did they move out? It’s been over a year but I keep thinking about them as babies, how they’ve grown up so quickly and, “Did I enjoy the moment as much as I should have?” You think, “Why was I cross about laundry on the floor?” All these things that drive you insane. I’ve been saying to the boys, “Come With Mel Gibson over and make a mess.” It’s been in hit 1989 film really tough and I don’t feel weak Lethal Weapon 2 saying that. But I would hate for them to think they can’t go forth and conquer. They’re in my heart WWW.OK.CO.UK 29 and soul and and what I’ve I adore them. always done, and I take comfort in Have you done that. I still get anything to excited and replace that void nervous, and since they left? get adrenaline I’ve been getting from doing it. back into exercise and for me, Do you think personally, I need as women get to get outside older it’s harder and get my body to find roles? moving. Two of I’ve been really my girlfriends live lucky. It’s different five minutes away, now to when so I’ll go with one I was 22 or 32 of them on a In an Emmerdale scene but I’ve managed walk to Regent’s with Emma Atkins to carve a career Park – keeping it out for myself. socially distanced, It’s hard to make of course. a transition from ‘I HAVE THE ODD GIN AND that but I’ve Are you keeping kind of sailed in touch with SOUR BUT I’M THE MOST through it James and pretty seamlessly. Lennon regularly? BORING PERSON’ I love working We speak every day and I love the and neither have camaraderie had coronavirus, of everyone thank God. We keep in touch with phone calls but on set. It’s always tough being an actor but I’ve they’re not into FaceTiming me. It might come to had a great couple of years. that if it carries on. How do you keep looking so youthful? Are you dating in lockdown? I run every day and I started to do this course There’s so much I could say but I can’t... Only of StimSure Cynosure. It’s like a paddle, it’s because I’ve worked hard on having a personal non-invasive and they put it on your tummy and life, because it puts too much pressure on it contracts the muscles. It’s like doing a workout. relationships. I’ve had relationships end because I eat healthily, I do cardio and I don’t go in the sun the other person wants their own privacy – but any more. I used to sit in the sun with Ambre Solaire everything’s great [Laughs]. oil and it’s horrific the damage it’s probably done to my skin. I drink lots of water and I have the odd What lessons have you learnt about love gin and sour but I’m the most boring person. I’ve over the years? been around for so long and I’ve been there and I’m not parading it in front of the world any more. seen it. I like the quieter personal life that I have. I’ve learnt having a private life is incredible. I’ve It’s something I really cherish, because over the had lots of ups and downs, and there were days in years it hasn’t always been that way and I wouldn’t the past when I didn’t want to get out of bed and want to leave the house, but now it’s blissful. wouldn’t want to go to work, but I went. I thank my boys for this. I never missed a day of work when So do you like the quiet life now? I was going through a passing in the public eye. Very much. I like watching movies, I like speaking What example would I be to my boys if when life to my boys, I like being at home and I like working, kicks you in the arse, you crumble? You have to so I’m lucky I’m able to do that. pick yourself up and carry on, because what kind of parent would I be? There’s been speculation that you’ve had cosmetic surgery. Have you? It seems one of the loves of your life is your job... I’ve had Botox in the past but I don’t now, because Outside of my boys and the joys and strength I get of work. I want to look the best I can for the age that from being a mother, I would say yes, that comes I’m at, so I don’t do anything. I’ve got real crow’s next. Oh, and the cat [Bowie]! It’s what I do [acting] feet but I call them my laughter lines now. Plastic PATSY WEARS A GREEN DRESS BY FOREVER UNIQUE, FOREVERUNIQUE.COM PATSY
30 WWW.OK.CO.UK 31 surgery? Why not? I’m not at that place getting words out and the menopause fog in my life yet but I won’t rule it out. If brain. I once went to Waitrose when I did a someone wants plastic surgery, let them. food shop and I thought, “What the hell am I can’t stand bullying or bodyshaming and I doing here?” I bought a cabbage and a pair I’ve had all of that over the years and it of American tan tights – neither were eaten does affect you. or worn. It was that nutty. Nowadays, people are empathetic for it and I’m happy for this You’ve been open in the past about your next generation coming up, because struggles with the menopause. How are menopause used to be a dirty word. you feeling at the moment? I’m now good but I’ve had my good and Wow, it sounds like you’ve had bad days. I had to have an emergency quite a journey! hysterectomy, because they found a tumour I don’t want to look back any more, because in my womb. Thankfully, it was benign and looking back is something I’ve done way then they found two more. And with the too much of as I’ve got older. I choose to menopause I wasn’t even premenopausal, be in the moment and the here and now. I went from being clear as a bell and then I really believe in positive affirmations and woke up in intensive care [after her I’ve seen it work. I also meditate and it’s hysterectomy] with the sweats, difficulty changed my life. 32 WWW.OK.CO.UK 33
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* Collagen+ contains biotin and zinc which contribute to the maintenance of normal skin and hair. Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal nails. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin and manganese contributes to the normal formation of connective tissue. Discount valid until 31st March 2021. New UK customers only. One trial per household. Your fi rst box will cost £20 (inc postage) and you will be enrolled into a fl exible subscription (£38 every 28 days). You can stop deliveries at any time without obligation. See FutureYouHealth.com for more information on our subscription service. Collagen+ from FutureYou Cambridge should be consumed as part of a healthy and balanced diet and lifestyle. If you are taking any prescribed medication or have any medical conditions always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking vitamins or supplements. Trial pack promotion cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotions. Do you feel more confident than ever? What really changed was in my mid-forties and not caring about other people’s opinions, and really setting boundaries with myself.
Do you have any regrets? I’d say not enjoying something and caring too much about what people thought. In relationships and situations I might have been in over the years, I cared too much. Going forward, I’m in the best place I’ve ever been.
That’s good to hear! What are your career highlights? There’s a movie called Angels And Insects, which was nominated for a lot of awards, and Lethal Weapon 2 was great. I got to spend a whole week doing a love scene with Mel Gibson – I can’t believe they paid me to do that! And then going into something like Emmerdale – I was so excited. I learned so much and we were shooting nearly 70 pages some days. I loved it. Then I went on Holby for four-and-a- half years. There’s so much I want to do and I’d love to play a strong matriarch in her fifties in a continuing drama. ‘DAVID BOWIE BRUSHED MY HAIR – AND IT WAS THE MOST EROTIC EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE’
When have you been the most starstruck over the years? Meeting David Bowie. I was obsessed with him from 14. At 16, I made a film with him called Absolute Beginners. And the first day we started he shook my hand and turned away. I was crushed. I was such a daft teenager I thought he’d fall in love with me and we’d run off together. As filming commenced, he was incredibly friendly. One day I was sitting in make-up and he popped his head round the door and I squeaked a “Hi.” He came in and picked up a hairbrush and started brushing my hair. And it was the most erotic experience of my life.
You’re starring in the second series of McDonald & Dodds on ITV. Tell us about it... It’s about five individuals who are scenesters in the 80s. My character was described as being Paula Yates meets Clare Grogan from Altered Images and we’re cool. Really, I’m so lucky to have work and have work come to me. OK!
WORDS: GEMMA MCCARTNEY PHOTOS: LORNA ROACH, GETTY HAIR AND MAKE UP: AMANDA GROSSMAN STYLING: LORRAINE MCCULLOCH PATSY WEARS A BLACK SUIT BY NADINE MERABI, NADINEMERABI.COM PATSY
WWW.OK.CO.UK 35 SHARING THE LOAD ‘IT WAS TOUGH AT HOME WITHOUT GORKA!’
GEMMA ATKINSON TALKS ABOUT HOW RELIEVED SHE IS TO HAVE PARTNER GORKA MÁRQUEZ BACK AT HER SIDE AFTER STRICTLY COME DANCING AND EXPLAINS HOW THEY’RE MANAGING LIFE IN LOCKDOWN
n the past few weeks, What was it like not being Gemma and Gemma Atkinson has able to see Gorka while he Gorka met on been relieved to get some was doing Strictly? Strictly in 2017 aspects of her normal It was tough. He was away Ilife back. Not only is the for 13 weeks in total and 36-year-old presenting her I was on my own with Mia weekday drivetime show for for quite a bit of it and it was Hits Radio from the studio up to me to do the cleaning, rather than from home, she’s the cooking, the ironing, the also got her partner Gorka washing, everything. I did Márquez back by her side. think to myself, “Gosh I am While Strictly Come so lucky to have someone Dancing was on last year, the as there are a lot of single pair were separated for a parents out there,” and how long 78 days as Gorka, 30, lucky I am now he’s back. made it to the final with his dance partner, EastEnders Is that what made you star Maisie Smith. Now he get involved with the can look after 19-month-old Indesit campaign? Mia while Gemma’s out at I saw people online, mostly work in the afternoon, and women, talking about doing help around the house. more chores, especially with Gemma’s chatting to us homeschooling and partners as part of her role as brand working from home, so the ambassador with Indesit, message is to share the load who have launched a by doing it together. Gorka’s campaign, #DoItTogether, really good round the house to encourage parents to but he never knew what share the load at home. setting to put the washing With so many mums machine on. But now he struggling to cope in does and Mia helps out. lockdown, it’s a subject close to Gemma’s heart. Before you moved into But as she tells us, the together, did you chat Spanish dancer – who she about who would do met on Strictly in 2017 – is what when it came to a dab hand with a duster the chores? and can rustle up a mean Not really – but we are a paella, too. great team together, like if Here, Gemma tells OK! all I do the nursery run, then about their home life, and Gorka will make breakfast. reveals how the sports-mad I think it comes from living pair are keeping their health on our own for so long; we and fitness on track... both lived on our own from
36 WWW.OK.CO.UK 37 38 the age of 17. You have to have drinker. On my birthday I had a that level of responsibility or The star with couple of gin and tonics and a glass nothing will get done. It’s her adorable of champagne on New Year’s Eve. If important to show Mia we are daughter Mia I’m going to an event I like to have both chipping in and we try to a drink but I’ve never been one to drill into her that she can help drink at home – I’ve had a dry 2020! out and make it fun, like Mary Poppins. Although we don’t do It’s been 10 years since your first it as fast as Mary Poppins! fitness shoot. How did you first get into it? Did you have any help with Mia I used to think to myself, “Why am while Gorka was away? I so tired and why I am spotty,” when I’m fortunate because she’s in I was using expensive face cream. nursery two days a week and my Then it dawned on me it wasn’t mum is great with childcare – my what I put on my body, it was how family live really close to us. For I treated it from the inside. I’m glad five months I did my radio show I had that period of late nights and from home which was a bit girls’ holidays, but in the long term stressful. Without my mum and I wanted to feel my best and that dad, and nana and grandpa, meant taking care of myself. I’ve I wouldn’t have been able to carry never been from one extreme to the on working. The family rallied other – it’s consistency and small round. We’re making the best of it! changes, so there’s no rebounding.
Is it great to be able to start What kind of food do you eat? working in the studio again? Gorka cooks up great Spanish food, Yes. They’ve made it as safe as like Spanish omelette and paella. possible so each show has their I’m vegetarian, so he does a chicken own studio now and each one is one for him and a veggie one for fumigated, and we have to wear me. I like batch cooking soup and masks. I literally drive in and come traditional British food, like veggie straight home, but I say to myself, stew with dumplings. “Right, take this in, take in the scenery,” even though it’s just After having Mia, you didn’t a bland old motorway, it’s a bit exercise for 15 weeks… of free time for the day. It was the last thing on my mind as I wanted to be with Mia. We were in What do you do at weekends? a lovely bubble and getting back into shape We’re staying in obviously but we’ve got a ‘LET’S MAKE didn’t enter my mind. I had an emergency garden and we’re healthy. I keep saying to all C-section and it was sore around my scar area my family whenever any of us have a wobble THE MOST OF and I wasn’t physically ready. The first thing that’s what’s important. It doesn’t matter that you need to do is look after your baby and we can’t go on holiday, or we can’t go out to IT AND MAKE yourself and not put yourself through dinner. It’s a shame, but health is what we’ve torturous workouts. I was breastfeeding too got and that’s wealth at the moment. I’ve MEMORIES’ and wanted to eat as much nutritious food baked so many banana breads I’ve lost count! as possible to make sure Mia had enough. Plus we do family Zooms, Zoom nights, Zoom quizzes. We’ve watched every murder Do you get out and about for walks? How’s Mia getting along now? documentary going, which sounds morbid. We’ve got the dogs so we have to take them She’s obsessed with books and understands for a walk and make sure they get out. We’re a bit of Spanish now. Gorka speaks to her in Which ones do you watch? fortunate to have our own gym, and I think Spanish and she FaceTimes his parents a lot. We got into The Staircase on Netflix, Night exercise is one of the main things keeping It baffles me that there was this tiny baby like Stalker and Making A Murderer. We’ve seen us going. We try to do as much together a bag of sugar and now she’s so tall! She so many films we said, “Let’s find something as a family as we possibly can. As sad as loves the Strictly theme and she loves My Girl we can look forward to at night and follow up this lockdown is, and I can’t wait for it to be by The Temptations after watching Jason on,” and we watch an episode a night as it finished, there’s a side of me that thinks that [Bell] and Luba [Mushtuk] dancing to it. takes up more time! when it is, Gorka will be back on tour again. We won’t get this time back as a family in Were you sad when your trip to Spain over these circumstances. So I think let’s make the New Year was cancelled? most of it and make memories. Yes – his parents have missed out on the first year of Mia’s life, but they do see her every How often do you work out? day on screen. I keep reminding myself I try to do three or four times a week and everyone’s in the same position. It’s that old have rest days. I’ll feel better throughout the chestnut, keep calm and carry on. day if I’ve done my workout in the morning. But equally some days the motivation isn’t What are your plans for the rest of there and I’ll listen to my body and do 30 the year? minutes of stretching. I’m not strict with it to Gorka’s tour has been postponed and we’re the point of it becoming boring or mundane. not going to book a holiday. Rather than plan ahead, we’ve said take it day by day. But me What kind of workouts do you do? and my family have said once all this is done I’ll mix up weights and cardio on the bike. we’re going to have a house party, have some I love weight training and setting myself lovely food and a few drinks and just all hug personal bests. I’m not a runner – I can only each other. That’s what we want to do. OK! run if I’m being chased! Some days it’s just GEMMA ATKINSON IS A BRAND AMBASSADOR FOR INDESIT. a long dog walk. THE BRAND HAS LAUNCHED THE #DOITTOGETHER CAMPAIGN, Gemma works ENCOURAGING PARENTS TO SET THE RIGHT EXAMPLE TO THEIR out three to four CHILDREN FOR A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER AND EQUAL HOME. times a week Did you do Dry January? The last time I had a proper drink was at WORDS: LEBBY EYRES the Brit Awards last February. I’m not a big PHOTOS: NEWS LICENSING WWW.OK.CO.UK 39 EMMA SPARKS ENGAGEMENT RUMOURS
ould there be wedding bells on the horizon for CHarry Potter star EMMA WATSON? The 30-year-old actress set tongues wagging when she was spotted wearing a band on her ring finger as she hugged boyfriend LEO ROBINTON in Los Angeles. Emma, who appeared to be recovering from a foot injury as she was wearing a surgical sock and using a scooter to get around, has been dating businessman Leo, 31, since 2019. The pair have kept a fairly low profile, but they have been snapped smiling and kissing in public on a few to take the next step in occasions – and now it looks their relationship. like they could be ready What magical news!
LACEY WELCOMES AN EARLY ARRIVAL
ctress LACEY TURNER confirmed her baby boy had arrived a little early, weighing 6lb. The EastEnders star, A32, already has daughter Dusty with husband MATT KAY. “Matt and I are so completely besotted with our early surprise, and Dusty is so in love with her new baby brother!” Lacey told OK! as she revealed the happy news. “How lucky we all are.” Congratulations, Lacey!
40 LOVEMATTERS RUGBY HERO CHRIS TO BECOME A DAD ormer England Rugby captain CHRIS ROBSHAW and his wife CAMILLA KERSLAKE have revealed they’re expecting their Ffirst child. The couple got married in 2018 after a three-year engagement and confessed they’d been trying for a little one since their work commitments slowed down due to the pandemic. Classical singer Camilla, 32, jokingly labelled her announcement photo on Instagram, “#LockDownProject.” And an over-the-moon Chris, 34, said, “So excited for the year ahead.”
SHAILENE TO MARRY NFL STAR AARON
ats at the ready – Big Little Lies actress SHAILENE WOODLEY is set to tie the knot with quarterback AARON RODGERS. Their Hromance has only recently been revealed, with Aaron splitting from his former girlfriend, racing driver Danica Patrick, last year. Aaron, 37, let slip that he was engaged to Shailene, 29, last week while accepting an award for the Most Valuable Player in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers star said, “2020 was definitely a crazy year, filled with lots of change, growth, some amazing memorable moments; 180 straight days of having my nose hairs scraped, playing for very little fans or no stands the entire season. I got engaged, and I played some of the best football of my career.” WORDS: ANNA MATHESON PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES WORDS: ANNA MATHESON
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WWW.OK.CO.UK 41 HITTING THE BIG -
AS SHE REACHES A MILESTONE BIRTHDAY WE TAKE A LOOK BACK AT AMANDA HOLDEN’S RISE TO FAME
manda Holden has come a long reconciled later, but divorced in 2003. way since she first hit our screens Amanda has since opened up about how back in 1991 looking for love on hard she was hit by the public backlash. “I Blind Date. Since then, she’s taken found the fall from grace incredibly hard to Athe showbiz world by storm as not only an deal with. I can’t bear not to be liked. I had actress, singer and presenter, but also an affair and overnight turned into this awful a talent show judge! person,” she said. As she celebrates her 50th birthday on Amanda threw herself into work, scoring 16 February, Amanda has already warned the title role in West End musical Thoroughly us she doesn’t plan on letting age define Modern Millie and winning herself a her in any way, especially when it comes Laurence Olivier Award in 2004. Amanda’s first to how she dresses. “I don’t see the point After years of relationship turmoil, TV appearance Blind Date in growing old gracefully,” she has said Amanda found her happily ever after when on in the past. she started dating music producer Chris “I love that people are still talking about Hughes in 2004. The couple welcomed my tired old breasts and I’m nearly 50,” their first child, Lexi, two years later. the star added. “Age is totally irrelevant, In 2006, Amanda’s career flew even thanks to people like J.Lo – a hot woman higher when she was cast in a starring who dresses for how she feels.” role in ITV drama series Wild At Heart, And the mum-of-two is also keen to keep the same year she bagged a coveted as healthy as possible for her daughters judge’s seat on Simon Cowell’s new Lexi, 15, and Hollie, nine. “When I had my talent show, Britain’s Got Talent. girls, I didn’t give my age a second thought Amanda and Chris tied the knot in – probably because it’s become the norm for Somerset in December 2008, but three women to delay starting families until later years later, the couple were hit with in life, and all my friends were in the same heartbreak when their son, Theo, boat,” she explained. “But now I realise was stillborn at seven months. I’m hurtling towards 50 with two young The star has been praised for her The star with children, and I need to do everything in openness about dealing with PTSD following her Britain’s Got Talent my powerpower ttoo stay as healthy Theo’s death. “There is not a day that co-judges as I ccanan for them.” goes by when I don’t think about Theo, AAmandam is no stranger especially when a new school year begins,” to hhard work and has she said recently. grgrafted her way The couple’s second daughter, Hollie, tto showbiz royalty was born in 2012. Along with raising her sstatus. The girls, Amanda has fronted various series, PPortsmouth-born hosted This Morning and made a return to sstar joined her first the stage with stints in Shrek The Musical ttheatre company at and Stepping Out. She’s been tthe tender age of This year, Britain’s Got Talent has been married to Chris nninei before training in paused during the pandemic. But the since 2008 hherer teens at the star has been keeping busy co-hosting MouMountviewn Academy her Heart Breakfast radio show with of TheTheatrea Arts. While Jamie Theakston and releasing her her career wwas in its infancy, debut album, Songs From My Heart. Amanda’s romance with presenter She delayed her 40th celebrations Les Dennis flourished, with the after the birth of Hollie, but did have couple tying the knot in 1995. a big bash for her 41st birthday. With TV came calling in the late 90s, the pandemic preventing any large with Amanda racking up credits in gatherings, it looks as though Amanda The Grimleys, Smack The Pony will have to do the same as she enters and Kiss Me Kate, but in 2000, her another new decade. marriage to Les hit a crisis point A fabulous mother and showbiz when Amanda’s affair with actor legend – Happy Birthday, Amanda! OK! Amanda with Neil Morrissey made headlines. daughters WORDS: ANNA MATHESON Shortly after, she and Les PHOTOS: CAMERA PRESS/NICKY JOHNSTON, PA Hollie and Lexi separated temporarily. They
42 WWW.OK.CO.UK 43
EMILY’SCOLUMN TEACHERS ARE DOING THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB – THEY’RE HEROES! OUR COLUMNIST ON WHY SHE ALWAYS PRAISES TEACHERS AND PETE’S STRENGTHS AT HOME
he government is said to be I’m looking forward to half considering extending the school term this week. It will be nice term in the summer by two weeks to spend some quality time to make up for lost teaching time. with the kids when they’re TI think it depends on the age of the child not doing school work. I’ve as to whether or not that’s going to planned some baking, arts be necessary. and crafts and lots of walks. For me, I don’t think it is for children of I loved when Peter Crouch Millie’s age. She probably has missed out crashed his wife Abbey compared to previous years but I feel like Clancy’s Good Morning she’ll catch up quite easily because of Britain interview [below] and her age. I think it’s much more difficult said she was “telling lies” for older children, especially those doing after she joked he hasn’t their GCSEs. done anything around the In terms of it eating into the summer house during the pandemic. holidays, we’ve got to rememberember ththatat AbAbbeybey sasaid,id, ““He’s good teachers have been workingng tthishis at plplayingayin with the whole time and they deserverve a kkidsids bbut that’s about it.” always makes us lovely meals. However, I’m break. The teachers at Millie’sie’s I do think mums and dads slowly infiltrating his way of doing things school have worked so hardrd enend up having different because he is getting better at organising. and her head teacher is so rroleso around the house It’s only taken me nine years! I think the dedicated. I always tell aand rightly so, because if argument they had is probably happening the teachers at her school tthey did the exact same all over the country, so we just need to that they’re doing an tthing then things would remember that we all have different strengths! amazing job. Everyone is gget missed out. I find in always praising the NHS, oour house I prefer to keep and of course NHS staff tthingsh more structured so WE SHOULD TRUST are brilliant, but in my eyess I wwill always have everything teachers are also completee plplannedan out, sometimes days THE OXFORD heroes. They’re at risk doingng a in aadvance,dva whereas Pete VACCINE face-to-face job and have bbeeneen aabsolutelybsolutely doesn’t do that. He working completely out of their comfort wakes up and works out what he’s going fter several countries rejected using zone for the last year. To me, they’re doing to do there and then. Athe Oxford vaccine for over 65s, the the most important job, which is looking I usually do the washing and the tidying, World Health Organisation has now after children and educating them. whereas he is very good at cooking and backed the jab for use in all age groups and against different variants, which is reassuring news. It’s been very positive to THE NHS IS HERE TO HELP see how good the uptake of the vaccine has been in the UK, and I hope this will enise Van Outen open and I think GPs give people more reassurance about the Dhas revealed she are doing really well effectiveness of the vaccine. OK! spent 15 hours with at adapting to doing a dislocated shoulder appointments online after injuring herself or over the phone. during Dancing On Theo had tonsillitis Ice because she a couple of weeks “really didn’t want ago and, rather than to bother the NHS see our GP in person, knowing that they’re I could book him a so overstretched”. phone appointment I can see where online. Obviously this she’s coming from, wouldn’t work for but if you have all complaints, and concerning symptoms for certain things you you do need to seek will still need to see help. The NHS is still the doctor face-to- open for business face, but as a busy and has lots of safety mum being able sort measures in place. things from home A&E departments are was ideal. PHOTOS: GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTOS: GETTY, EMAIL ME AT EMILYANDREA@REACHPLCCOM WWW.OK.CO.UK 45 CARTNEY AT ALEXANDALEXA, JUMPSUIT CARTNEY AT C OWN. NOA WEARS BOMBER JACKET BY STELLA M BY MARQUES ALMEIDA AT ALEXANDALEXA, TRAINERS BY CONVERSE AT ALEXANDALEXA ALEXANDALEXA, TRAINERS BY CONVERSE AT BY MARQUES ALMEIDA AT JESSICA WEARS SUIT BY ELLIE LINES, T-SHIRT BY GOLDSMITH VINTAGE, JEWELLERY IS HER JEWELLERY BY GOLDSMITH VINTAGE, JESSICA WEARS SUIT BY ELLIE LINES, T-SHIRT 46 MUM’S THE WORD ‘I’D LOVE A SIBLING FOR NOA TO GROW UP WITH’ I’M A CELEB STAR AND FORMER EASTENDERS ACTRESS JESSICA PLUMMER TELLS OK! ABOUT LIFE SINCE LEAVING THE CASTLE AND THE STRUGGLES OF BEING A SINGLE PARENT TO HER DAUGHTER NOA IN LOCKDOWN
WWW.OK.CO.UK 47 THIS PAGE: BOTH WEAR MATCHING LOUNGEWEAR BY RENE K. JESSICA’S JEWELLERY LOUNGEWEAR BY RENE K. JESSICA’S BOTH WEAR MATCHING THIS PAGE: BOTH WEAR IS HER OWN. NOA WEARS HAIR CLIP BY MERI MERI. OPPOSITE PAGE: HOODIES AND TUTUS BY RENE K. NOA WEARS WINGS CHILDRENSALON 48 hen we catch up with Like many parents Jess has been school]. Teachers are heroes! I used I’m A Celeb star Jessica homeschooling in lockdown, but after to be a teaching assistant, but when Plummer, following our becoming stressed out by the daily it’s your own child it’s completely exclusive shoot with routine, she and Noa’s dad – Jess’s different. Having that as an added herW and adorable daughterughter Noa, formerformer partner and aactor Jaz Hutchins pressure on top of everything I needed it quickly becomes clearlear tthathat – decideddecided toto take their own to do for myself was hard. In the end the four-year-old coulduld be approachapproac to learning from myself and Noa’s dad decided we following in her mum’sm’s home,home with the support weren’t going to homeschool. We’re showbiz footsteps. ooff NNoa’s school. doing learning from home but we’re “She had the Here, Jess, 28, not necessarily following a structure time of her life and oopens up about given to us by the school. It was completely stole co-parentingc with causing more negativity than positivity. the show,” says the JJaz, raising her Now we’ve found our little rhythm and former EastEnders ddaughter gender it works for us. My fear was that my actress, who played neutral and what’s stress might rub off on her. domestic abuse nnext for her… victim Chantelle I’m A Celeb Has your approach to homeschooling Atkins in the BBC HHow has life been made things easier for you? soap until her took her out sinsince leaving the I’m Definitely. Noa’s teachers have been character’s death of her comfort A CeCeleb castle, Jess? really supportive and understanding. last year. zone I ddon’ton’t think I appreciated With all the assignments that are “She used to modeldel wwhenhen hhowow ninicece it was to have that sent home, they say they’re optional. she was a baby and I wwouldould ttakeake huhumanman interaction!interact I struggled Before, we’d have a really stressful day her to castings but she hated it. those first few weeks of January. It was and I’d be looking at the clock thinking, Now I can’t even get my phone the first time I’d done homeschooling “When is it seven o’clock? When will it out without her saying, ‘Mummy, because Noa was at nursery during end?” And then, as soon as she went to take a video of me dancing!’” the first lockdown [she’s now in primary sleep, I’d be like, “Oh my goodness, WWW.OK.CO.UK 49 wake up, I just want to give you just us. I can’t imagine loving a cuddle.” Mum guilt is the another child more than her, worst guilt in the world. so maybe it wouldn’t be fair to have more kids. I was 23 Do you miss Noa when she’s when I fell pregnant and at her dad’s? she wasn’t planned, but Yeah, maybe more so now I think there was a part of during lockdown because we’re me that thought I wouldn’t in each other’s pockets. We be able to have children sleep in the same bed. I can’t because I’d been diagnosed even pretend it’s because she with PCOS [polycystic ovary gets into bed with me, I just put syndrome], so I wasn’t using her in my bed. I’m more than the best protection in the happy for her to stay there until world. I was self-sufficient she wants to leave. Sometimes way before 23, but being I will wake up when she’s at her responsible for a baby was dad’s and have a panic at 3am a lot for me at the time. I and think, “Where is my child?” struggled a lot at the start because I didn’t have any Are there parts of being a friends the same age with kids. single parent that you find especially tough? Are you dating anyone at Yes. Ideally when you have a kid the moment? with someone, you don’t plan Right now my head isn’t in to be separated. Getting my the dating world at all. My head around that was tricky. But career is in a really exciting the things that are hard are also place and I’m enjoying loving what is making it so rewarding myself a bit more. Now that and why we have such a strong I’m finally approaching 30, I’m and special bond. concentrating on loving myself. ‘I CAN’T IMAGINE LOVING ANOTHER CHILD MORE THAN NOA’
How has Noa adapted? What qualities do you look We’ve never had much routine for in a partner? in our lives, because of our I know it’s a cliché, but you jobs, so she’s been brought really can’t offer yourself up to be adaptable. She is to anyone unless you love the happiest little girl and that’s yourself, and I would need the most important thing. Our to recognise that in someone focus is on Noa and that she’s else. I don’t want to take on being brought up in the way the responsibility for someone we both want. else’s happiness. I also want them to love their job and What is she into? be hugely ambitious. It’s funny because I tried to bring her up really gender neutral. How much did you miss Noa I didn’t force the girlie toys on during I’m A Celeb filming? her, just so she could make up I’d have really morbid thoughts, her own mind, but she is the like, “What if she eats a grape biggest girlie girl in the world. in school and it’s not cut She loves make-up, nail varnish properly and something and anything purple that glitters, happens?” But I don’t think but then again she’s obsessed she even really missed me! with Spider-Man and Batman. She was with her dad and she coped fine. In my head she was Would you like to have more crying herself to sleep, but I’m children one day? so glad that wasn’t the case. I’d love to. I grew up saying I wanted five children. I definitely It seemed like you and don’t want five any more, but Giovanna Fletcher really in an ideal world I would love bonded on the show… for Noa to have a sibling to She has an energy about her
grow up with. But at the same that just draws you in. She has IS HER OWN JEWELLERY BOTH WEAR PJS BY MCHUGH LIFESTYLE. JESSICA’S time I would be OK if it was a really gentle nature and she
50 WWW.OK.CO.UK 51 makes you feel safe. I’m the opposite. I get quite antsy, I’m an overthinker and I worry about things. As a fellow mum it was also nice to get that level-headed reassurance from her that everything was going to be OK. She was my rock. We’ll 100% get the kids together when we can. We all have a group WhatsApp and it’s always going off. Shane [Richie] is always posting memes and Jordan [North] is talking about football.
Vernon Kay has said he still hasn’t put the weight back on that he lost in the castle. Did you lose weight? I only lost 1kg! But I’ve put that back on in lockdown, and some – I feel so much better for it. I feel like I was starting to look like a lollipop! I MERI. SHOES BY DUNE ER FULLY DRESSED, ER FULLY THIS PAGE: JESSICA WEARS DRESS BY ZEYNEP KARTAL, SHOES BY DUNE, JEWELLERY IS HER OWN. OPPOSITE PAGE: JESSICA WEARS DRESS BY NEV IS HER OWN. OPPOSITE PAGE: SHOES BY DUNE, JEWELLERY JESSICA WEARS DRESS BY ZEYNEP KARTAL, THIS PAGE: EARRINGS BY SORU, NECKLACE IS HER OWN. NOA WEARS TULLE CAPE BY MERI MERI, DRESS BY PATACHOU AT CHILDRENSALON, HAIR CLIPS BY MER AT EARRINGS BY SORU, NECKLACE IS HER OWN. NOA WEARS TULLE CAPE MERI MERI, DRESS PATACHOU
52 WWW.OK.CO.UK 53 54 We loved you on EastEnders. Would you like to have stayed on it? I do think it was the right time to leave. I love doing things and then moving onto something else. I love EastEnders and if they called tomorrow and said, “Come back,” As Chantelle I wouldn’t be able to in EastEnders turn it down. But I’m happy I left in the way I did and the storyline I did. Being involved in that was of people have woken up to the fact huge. I’m still in touch with the that change should be happening. crew and Zack [Morris], Stevie [Basaula] and Diane [Parish] call me What’s next for you? occasionally. And Roger [Griffiths] When I was at EastEnders it was will send me random presents perfect because it was the closest in the post. He’s such a dad! thing to a nine-to-five you can get. I want my future work to still allow Have you ever experienced me to focus on Noa as much as I can. discrimination in the industry? My dream is to look at more TV and My mum is white and I have film roles, saying yes to things and privilege because my skin is pushing myself outside of my comfort lighter, but I feel like I am definitely zone like I did with I’m A Celeb. But stereotyped, not necessarily in right now I am enjoying the time I my career, but just generally. I have at home with Noa and I’m just feel a pressure to not be judged concentrating on getting through in the wrong way and I think that’s this awful pandemic. OK! just ingrained in me systemically and the way I was brought up WORDS: KIRSTY HATCHER PHOTOS: LORNA ROACH in school. But I feel like after the STYLIST: KATE BARBOUR HAIR AND MAKE-UP: LYNDSEY HARRISON Black Lives Matter movement a lot JESSICA WEARS DRESS BY ZEYNEP KARTAL, JEWELLERY JEWELLERY JESSICA WEARS DRESS BY ZEYNEP KARTAL, IS HER OWN. NOA WEARS DRESS BY MERI WWW.OK.CO.UK 55 LUST FOR LIFE ‘I’VE ALWAYS BEEN AN OUTSPOKEN GAY PERSON’
IT’S A SIN STAR OLLY ALEXANDER REFLECTS ON THE SOARAWAY SUCCESS OF THE CULT DRAMA HIS OWN COMING OUT STORY AND FILMING THOSE SEX SCENES
ometimes a show hits a nerve and if, like Tell us about life on the set of It’s A Sin... actor Olly Alexander, you’re at the heart of We really bonded as a cast. The whole Pink Palace the action, life can get very exciting indeed. (the flat where the characters in the show live) Olly plays party-loving Ritchie Tozer in the crew became really close, really quickly. We’re SChannel 4 hit It’s A Sin, which has become the now friends for life. Everyone’s in touch with each drama everyone’s talking about. Crafted by Queer other all the time. We’ve been FaceTiming and As Folk writer Russell T Davies, the five-parter tells talking about all of these reactions to the show the story of Ritchie and his circle of friends living and sending each other memes. their best life in 80s London, through the early days of the Aids epidemic. The show takes the viewer The reaction has been huge… on an emotional journey and during the, at times, It’s been overwhelming. We finished filming a year tough shoot, Olly says the cast became very close. ago and it’s almost like I forgot it was going to “I love the fact that we clicked immediately and come out. I’ve been taken aback by how many we were all so happy to be there,” he says. people have got in touch. There’s been this huge Better known to some as the lead singer from outpouring of emotion. People had friends in the Years & Years, the 30-year-old Harrogate-born 80s who went through a similar experience, or they actor has been a long-time LGBTQ advocate, and saw parts of themselves in one of the characters. is determined This is a to make deeply it in the sensitive and industry traumatic since being topic for lots bullied at of reasons, school for but the wearing response still eyeliner. surprised me. Here, Olly opens Ritchie has up to OK! a tough about the time coming bond he out to his formed with parents. Can his castmates, you relate? his similarities I came out to Ritchie to my mum and his own Olly with his when I was early days It’s A Sin 19-years-old. of living in castmates She didn’t London… bat an eyelid.
56 WWW.OK.CO.UK 57 58 Olly as Ritchie and Lydia West as Jill in It’s A Sin
She said, “Oh, that makes sense.” My mum everyone that went before me. It’s The last year has been tough on was completely different to Ritchie’s mum. something important to acknowledge everyone. What have you learned She always supported and loved me. and I hope that I can pass a little bit of about yourself during lockdown? the progress along somehow because This is the first time in the years I’ve lived What other similarities do you have there’s a lot of power in being yourself in London that I’ve got so close to my with Ritchie? and being honest. I’ve been an outspoken neighbours. I looked after their cat, which I moved to London when I was 18 into gay person since the very start of my was a real lifeline for me. I live alone a flat off Brick Lane, in east London. My career. I’ve made that an important part and I love being alone. I always crave room had no windows and I slept on an of the work I create because I like being alone time, but having so much of it has air bed for a year – but I was bright-eyed gay and it’s an important part of my life. made me appreciate the people I have in and bushy-tailed. All I wanted was to get my life who I love – the people I can go lost in the city and to meet new people. and speak to and communicate with. I didn’t know anyone, so I would wander around the streets all day. I found it ‘I CAME OUT TO Is your first love acting or singing? difficult for a good year or two and hard Singing is something I will do until I die to make friends, but I wouldn’t change MY MUM WHEN because I love to sing. I love the fact that those times for anything. I can do it in the morning, I can do it in I WAS SHE the evening and I can do it all afternoon. How easy was it to lose inhibitions for the show’s more intimate scenes? DIDN’T BAT Who are your musical influences? I love this question because when I read My biggest idols are musicians like Jeff the scripts and read those intimate AN EYELID’ Buckley, Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder, scenes, I was like, “OK. I’m behind this. but I also like a lot of the music my mum I think it’s great to show the sex.” I’m loved when I was coming of age – like confident in lots of ways, so I thought Whitney Houston, Eva Cassidy and Bob I could handle it, but I started to get The entertainment industry can be Dylan. I’ve listened to a lot of 80s music in nervous as we got closer to shooting. tough. What gave you the courage the past year and that’s also phenomenal. I had this huge anxiety surrounding taking to plough ahead? all of my clothes off and simulating sex I’ve always had it in me. I was bullied What is your ultimate career goal? in front of all of my colleagues. Suddenly, at school. My school had a uniform, so To continue performing. It’s A Sin was that seemed really frightening to me. everyone had to wear polo shirts – but such a profound experience that has Thankfully, we had intimacy coordinators once a year you could wear whatever made me think, “Wow, I would really love working on the show. They walked us you wanted. On that day, I would go to another go at something like this.” It’s through the whole process. school wearing eyeliner and a choker been amazing and I really want to do it necklace. I was 13 years old and I made again, but I’m going to take it as it comes. Making the show, how much did you myself a target, but I always had this very I’m putting out more music this year, but think about the LGBTQ+ community intense need to express myself. That I am also going to see what happens. OK! that came before you? bullied kid is always in my head because A lot. I’m able to speak to you now I remember being that kid. I remember WORDS: ALAN TANNER PHOTOS: JOSEPH SINCLAIR/ CAMERON MCNEE/ CAMERA PRESS and be the person I am because of thinking, “One day, I’ll make it.” WWW.OK.CO.UK 59 COMEDY QUEEN ‘I DIDN’T MEAN TO GET MARRIED IT WAS AN ACCIDENT’ ACTRESS KATHERINE RYAN ON FINDING THE ONE HAVING MORE CHILDREN AND FILMING DURING A PANDEMIC
he shot to fame with her sharp wit and no holds barred comedy, quickly becoming one of the most popular names on TV. But Swhen comedian Katherine Ryan isn’t making people laugh out loud, she’s busy in her other role – as doting mum to daughter Violet, 11, who she describes as “the great joy of my life”. The star also found happiness in her love life when she tied the knot with her teenage sweetheart, Bobby Kootstra, in 2019 – 20 years after they first parted ways. “I met Bobby, again, when I was in a position of pure comfort with being single,” she tells us. “It’s because I wasn’t vulnerable and looking that I found him. “I love him so much – it’s sick. It’s very disconcerting for me because I never saw myself in this position.” Katherine also reveals she and Bobby would like a baby of their own. “I don’t think anyone comes to the end of their life and says, ‘I wish I’d had fewer kids,’” she says. The Canadian star is set to hit the road later this year for her new stand-up tour, Missus. And while her previous show was all about being a singleton, she’ll be making gags about married life this time round. Here, The Duchess actress Katherine, 37, opens up on touring, preshow rituals and her love of mashed potato... Katherine Hi Katherine! How has the pandemic and Bobby affected your comedy work? reunited There are certain programmes we still in 2018 film, but we just have to do it in a different way with screens and loads
60 WWW.OK.CO.UK 61 62 of safety precautions and tests. And then there’s no audience, which is very odd. It With her just doesn’t work for me without an audience. daughter I can’t wait to start touring again. Violet
When will that be? My Missus tour kicks off in September. The venues are pretty confident that it will all be alright by then. My last show was a celebration of being single. I was really trying to communicate to people that you aren’t defined by your relationship. And I totally stand by that. However, then I got married. I didn’t mean to – it was an accident. A one-night stand gone wrong. But I love him so much and now I’m in a completely different position where I have all these new experiences.
You tied the knot with Bobby in 2019. How are you finding married life? I genuinely love him so much – it’s sick. It’s very disconcerting for me because I never saw myself in this position. But I guess I was always just with the wrong person. He’s so perfect. I hate to say that because I know a lot of people really want a divorce after lockdown. But I just love him more all the time. You’ve been a comedian for years, but do you still get nervous? Would you like more children? You definitely get used to it. I remember my touring Yeah. I don’t think anyone comes to the end of their manager said to me a long time ago that I should life and says, “I wish I’d had fewer kids.” It’s tough, remember how it feels to be nervous. I was like, “What but I loved it when my daughter was small. Without do you mean? I’m always nervous!” He said, “No, you’ll sounding cringe, she’s the great joy of my life. I definitely stop being nervous soon and it will be really sad. This is would like more, yeah. a special time, so remember how you feel now because when it’s gone, it’s gone.” I thought, “This man is crazy.” Have you been homeschooling But it’s true. I think comedians Violet during lockdown? love that adrenaline, though. I don’t have to. I feel like a lot ‘I GUESS You feel like you’re going to of parent’s forget you can just be sick. And that’s wonderful! walk away from it. If you have I WAS ALWAYS I think that’s why we do it. a five-year-old and you’re ringing up their teacher so that they JUST WITH THE Do you carry out any can explain the colour blue, preshow rituals? I think you’re doing too much. WRONG PERSON’ I always bring water on stage. The Scandinavian way of doing I’ve seen people jumping and things is you don’t even formally doing push-ups and weird vocal educate kids until they’re seven or eight. I think we exercises, but I don’t do any of that. I have all this time can chill out. Kids are struggling in their own way too in the dressing room because I’m so glam on stage. with this, so if you can just keep them engaged and I have all this time to drag-up. It takes me ages to happy and do your best and get them outside once put my sparkles on and do the lashes. That’s a really in a while, then it’s fine. soothing ritual for me – I love doing that.
How do you juggle motherhood with work? You’re currently working with recipe box supplier I cherished having my daughter on the road with me Gousto on its Cookstarter campaign. Tell us a and I love the schedule that stand-up comedy provides bit about that… for motherhood, because in a lot of other jobs you can’t I used to love supporting restaurants and that’s been bring your children with you. I got to spend a lot of time difficult to do lately, so Gousto’s Cookstarter campaign with my daughter when she was small. Now, it’s not a supports that industry. They’re asking people to nominate struggle at all because she’s kind of grown up and she their favourite local and independent restaurants and doesn’t need me in the same way she used to. then Gousto will pick the top five and give them funding and mentorship. How have you found life in lockdown? I personally can’t complain because I’m very safe and What’s your signature dish? happy in my relationship. All my grandparents passed Lately I’ve been cooking things with mash. Gousto has away when I was a teenager, so I don’t really worry this one dish that is mash in a beautiful mushroom cream about visiting vulnerable people in my family. I don’t sauce with chicken and little honey-glazed carrots. I’m see anyone anyway, so I feel like I’m probably the best really loving well-made, flavourful comfort food. OK! case scenario for lockdown. But I don’t love it and GOUSTO’S COOKSTARTER CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS BRITAIN’S DIVERSE FOOD CULTURE I do worry about small businesses and lots of different BY HELPING INDEPENDENT RESTAURANTS THRIVE. GO TO GOUSTOCOOKSTARTER. industries that are struggling right now. And I worry about people’s spirits. I hope that we can come WORDS: GEORGIA TREVITT PHOTOS: GETTY out of it soon. WWW.OK.CO.UK 63 Choose from over 50 recipes every week BACK ON TRACK ‘SINCE I TURNED I’VE BEEN LIVING MY BEST LIFE’ SINGER GABRIELLE ON TAKING PART IN THE MASKED SINGER HER NEW MUSIC AND WHY THE SKY’S NOW THE LIMIT
resh from her performance as How much did Harlequin on ITV’s The Masked Singer, you enjoy taking Gabrielle is preparing to take the music part in The charts by storm once again. The Masked Singer? F50-year-old, who went out in the semi-finals, I’ve been so chuffed is counting down the days until her new to be part of it. The album Do It Again is released next month. love from everybody In a nod to her success on The Masked is phenomenal. Singer, Gabrielle’s record includes all five tracks she sang on the show, alongside other Who’s been iconic covers and two brand new songs. in touch? We caught up with the singer, who is I got messages from Dame Kelly Holmes, I had it nailed. But everyone got it, so mum to son Jordan, 25, and daughter Kimberley Walsh and Louise Redknapp. It’s clearly I don’t know what I sound like! Patricia, 17, to chat about music, motherhood amazing as I don’t have celebrity friends. and the madness that comes with being on I don’t see myself like that, so it was nice Was it more challenging than you thought? one of the biggest shows on the box… to have people reaching out and saying Initially I thought, “How hard can this be?” you’re doing great. But then you get the mask on and they tell Hi Gabrielle. Tell us about the songs on you you’re going to sing in it. The first day your new album… How did your kids react to you being I had to have my full costume on, I was I enjoyed the songs on the show? saying, ‘I can’t do this, I’m going home!’” from The Masked My daughter didn’t Singer so much that know until it aired. What’s next for you? I wanted to cover I didn’t tell her My bucket list is just to live my best life and them, so the album because she’s a continue to make music. I’ve had children, coming out includes teenager. But my but now they’re older it’s less stressful. The the songs I did on the son’s part of the guilt isn’t there any more. show, five of my own music industry so favourite covers, and he had to be in on What’s changed? two brand new songs it. I was watching It’s to do with the fact I’m older – accepting I wrote. The new the first show on who you are and loving yourself. Yes, we’ve single, Stop Right my own and my got our insecurities – I’m plagued, but so Now, was written with As Harlequin on daughter came what? This is who I am. If you don’t like me, Ben Cullum. It’s a song The Masked Singer downstairs because you don’t have to sit at my table, you don’t I’ve wanted to release someone had sent have to come to my shows, we don’t have for a while and I would her a screen grab to be friends. Having been someone who dance to it in my kitchen. I’ve always felt saying, “Is that your mum?” So I felt was always trying to make it needed to see the light of day. then I put her in the know and she other people happy, it’s about had to lie to everyone after that. realising I’m worthy of happiness We bet you can’t wait until you can get and putting myself first. When back out there touring… Were you worried people you’re a mum, you never put Going on the road with my band is so much would guess it was you yourself first, but sometimes fun. It’s been the best time of my life. Since immediately as your voice you need to and that’s where I turned 50, I’ve been living my best life, is so distinctive? I’m at in my life. OK!
accepting who I am and appreciating going I’m a deluded fool because GABRIELLE’S NEW ALBUM DO IT AGAIN IS on the road. when the show aired, I thought AVAILABLE FROM 5 MARCH WORDS: RIANNE ISON PHOTOS: GETTY
WWW.OK.CO.UK 65 66 RAGS TO RICHES ‘I’VE SPENT MY LIFE CHAMPIONING THE OLDER ACTRESS’
BESTSELLING AUTHOR MELANIE BLAKE ON HOW BEING THE MOST POWERFUL WOMAN IN THE SOAP INDUSTRY LED HER TO WRITE ONE OF THE MOST HOTLY ANTICIPATED NOVELS OF THE YEAR
t’s the sauciest, most riveting read of the year soap operas? Diva actresses? Monstrous bosses, – a bonkbuster so gloriously sexy, funny and revenge and betrayal? I’ve lived and breathed page-turning we devoured it in just two days. all of it first-hand for decades.” A shocking story of backstabbing and bitching The Thunder Girls was based on her previous Ibehind the scenes of a “fictional soap opera”, career as a music manager and was so successful Ruthless Women has had critics hooked, leaving it resulted in a sell-out play. But it meant that no doubt as to why its author, Melanie Blake, has Melanie was too busy to sit down and write her been thrust into the spotlight herself as the most follow-up. However, with Covid unexpectedly talked about new writer in decades. closing down the entertainment industry, she All cheekbones, blonde locks and flawless skin, suddenly had time on her hands. Melanie is proving to be quite the force of nature. “I wrote Ruthless Women for 16 hours She’s that rare breed of author with genuine star straight, every day for seven weeks,” she recalls. power – think Jackie Collins in her heyday – “It came out of me like a purge, almost like whose brave attempt to reinvent her career a therapy session. All these things I’d been in her forties has paid off in remarkable style. through, all these characters I’d been living and OK! readers will be familiar with Melanie’s working with over the years, they just came out. story – we last spoke to her when her debut I had no idea where the story was going but novel The Thunder Girls was riding high in the when I finished, I was so proud of what I’d bestseller chart – and now she’s back with achieved. I sent it to my agent not really sure a book so bingeworthy, it’s sent critics and the what to expect and suddenly it was being sold showbiz elite wild. across the world! It really feels like a bizarre Having worked in television since she was a dream come true to have come out of such teenager, Melanie’s rags-to-riches story is the stuff a negative time with something everyone of novels itself. Overcoming a childhood plagued seems to love.” by poverty and abuse, she found solace in the And Melanie deserves the success – Ruthless small screen, dreaming of one day being a big Women is a corker of a read. The tale focuses player in the industry she adored. on a cast of highly sexed, cunning characters, Her remarkable journey took her from a bedsit all fighting to survive the reboot of Falcon Bay, to soap extra, and then to becoming one of the once the biggest soap opera on the planet but most powerful agents in showbiz, managing now in peril of cancellation due to falling ratings. some of the most famous leading ladies in With ageing actresses desperate to cling on to the country. So if anyone is qualified to write their crowns and ruthless male executives intent a fictional account of the scandalous dealings on booting them out for younger women, it’s of a TV show and its stars, it’s her. a true battle of the sexes. Throw into the mix “I still can’t believe I did it,” Melanie tells us as a savvy agent trying to keep her clients under we catch up just days before the book’s release. control and it’s clear why Melanie’s so familiar “But they say write about what you know – and with her subject.
WWW.OK.CO.UK 67 “Yes, it’s fiction, but I have “When you grow up like that, truly experienced every single Melanie signed up you go into fight or flight mode scene in that book first-hand,” Beverley Callard – and I fought,” she says. “I was she tells us. “I’ve been screamed told I was stupid and thick. I was at by the nation’s sweethearts, told by my English teacher the I’ve been stabbed in the back by only writing I’d ever be doing clients and I’ve resurrected more would be on a factory box. I had careers than I can count!” hell at school. When I got work Indeed, prior to fulfilling her experience in a local record shop, lifelong dream of becoming a the head teacher told me I was an writer, Melanie was known as embarrassment and that shop work soap’s comeback queen, having was all I’d ever be cut out for. Yet orchestrated the return of some within four years I was working on of TV’s biggest characters to the Top Of The Pops, which eventually shows that made them famous. led me to become a successful It’s a label she’s immensely proud music manager.” of, and the continuing success A few years earlier, when she’d of her existing roster of loyal first started at the iconic pop show clients, ranging from the likes of and was still struggling to get Dynasty’s Stephanie Beacham noticed by the big bosses, she ran and Coronation Street’s Beverley into future client Gillian Taylforth in Callard to Emmerdale star the car park at the Elstree studios. Claire King, is testament to The pair had an instant connection her hard work. and Gillian – then one of the “I pitched Gillian Taylforth’s biggest stars on EastEnders – return to Walford – 15 years after urged her to start working as an her character was killed off!” extra to get her foot in the door Melanie laughs at the memory. of the drama world. “I negotiated Claire’s return as Melanie signed to an agency Kim Tate to Emmerdale after and began working on all I’d got her a rival role on Corrie. the big soaps, charming the I even got Danniella Westbrook leading ladies on set. her job back on EastEnders in “Extras weren’t supposed to talk 2009, which was a huge deal following to the talent,” she recalls with a laugh, her problems with addiction and the “but I remember being in the Woolpack, fact her role had been recast. Sadly, in Emmerdale, and I struck up a women have a big ‘best before’ date friendship with Claire King. stamped on them in this industry, “After a few years, she saw me mostly by the men who run it. It was start having success in my music career, always my goal to have these girls’ with acts like Claire Richards and The backs. These leading ladies are much Nolans, and suggested I would make loved by the public and should never a great soap agent as well. I was still have been off screen for a second. living in a little bedsit at the time and Even tabloid scandals aside, these although I was starting to make money, are iconic characters, fantastic things were tight but I knew it was an actresses who audiences care amazing opportunity. about on and off screen.” “Not really knowing what I was But why does Melanie feel so doing, I went to the corner shop and strongly about these ladies when bought all the magazines I could find so many young up and coming stars and cold-called the editors – and within might be considered far more lucrative 24 hours I’d secured three magazine to an agent like her? covers for Claire. Coleen Nolan “I’ve always championed the older “I’d become an agent overnight and is a client actress,” she says. “Those women of went on to sign the likes of Sherrie a certain age who are generally being Hewson, Beverley Callard, Patsy Kensit, pushed aside in the business. And it’s Gaynor Faye and Amanda Barrie. I had not changing! You show me a woman religious upbringing, which was very much all the soap icons on my books over the over 50 hosting a prime-time show? Or ‘women shouldn’t be seen or heard’. years which led to me being nicknamed the a plus-sized woman? Ageism, sexism and “But I grew up in the 80s and I got a Queen of Soaps. How Hollywood is that sizeism is rife in this business. I’ve seen sneaky peek at dramas like Dynasty, and considering where I started?!” first-hand the attacks on these women – I’d read Jackie Collins – I had a powerful Twenty years later, it’s Melanie’s turn behind the scenes on a soap it’s a war.” woman syndrome in me. I knew you could to grace front covers. But despite the She goes on to reveal that Claire King be strong and sexy.” spotlight falling on her, she’s adamant she was trolled relentlessly when she returned But her dreams were always stifled due wants her book to do all the talking. to Emmerdale because she’d refused to to family dynamics. She says, “Forget the fact that I got here have cosmetic work done. “I wasn’t close to my dad, and my mum from nothing and forget all the career “She had to come off social media, it was was treated terribly in that marriage and achievements I’ve managed despite so bad,” Melanie recalls with more than a would have affairs. As a result, she was having no qualifications or training. In fact, hint of anger in her voice. “And what was away a lot, so we never really had a typical forget everything else I’ve ever achieved. her crime? Getting older. She dared to age.” mother-daughter relationship. She died If I’m only ever known for writing Ruthless When we ask Melanie what drives 10 years ago, suddenly, and I miss her, but Women and giving people some joy in her passion and empathy for older I was more of the mum in our relationship. these bleak times, that’s enough for me.” female clients, her answer is simple. Growing up, it was a horrible home and I We have a feeling her legacy It all comes from a need to prove her hated every minute of it, to be honest. We will extend way beyond the novel religious father wrong. were so poor we lived off handouts, food – and at the age of 44, she’s just “I was told from a young age by my banks and free school dinners. I grew up getting started. OK! dad that ‘women over the age of 30 were in poverty and violence, I was dyslexic and RUTHLESS WOMEN IS PUBLISHED BY HEAD OF ZEUS finished’. It lit a fire in me,” she says. told by my teachers I’d amount to nothing.” BOOKS ON 18 FEBRUARY, £12.99
“I’ve always been a strong woman. I was And so began Melanie’s mission to WORDS: SARAH MORTON PHOTOS: NICKY JOHNSTONN massively oppressed because of my strict prove all the doubters wrong. 68 ‘I HAD A POWERFUL WOMAN SYNDROME IN ME I KNEW YOU COULD BE STRONG AND SEXY’
WWW.OK.CO.UK 69 70 ICONS ‘I’M NOT A DUMB BLONDE – I’M JUST GOOD AT PRETENDING TO BE ONE’ AS THE FIRST REALITY SUPERSTAR PARIS HILTON EVOLVED FROM PARTY ANIMAL TO ENTREPRENEUR AND DJ HITTING SHE SAYS IT’S TIME FOR HER TO START A FAMILY – AND NO LONGER BE CONSIDERED AN ‘AIRHEAD’
hen Paris Hilton released her it up and Paris was more than documentary This Is Paris last ready for stardom. Born into year, the world was shocked the Hilton hotel family on 17 to hear her real voice. A far cry February 1981, she was raised Wfrom the girlie rasp that breathlessly uttered mostly in Beverly Hills by parents her catchphrase “That’s hot”, her real voice Kathy and Richard. Her life was is deeper and, well, more normal. privileged but she was wilful and “This entire time I have been playing rebellious – and was sent away a character, so the world has never really to a private school in Utah at 17, truly known who I am,” the Hilton hotel which claimed to specialise in heiress has admitted. “The real me is the treatment of troubled teens. actually someone who is brilliant. I’m not Paris alleges she was subjected With parents Kathy a dumb blonde – I’m just really good at to verbal, physical and emotional and Richard and pretending to be one.” abuse during her time there. “It her sister Nicky And that sums up the beauty of Paris was something so traumatic and Hilton – the world never really knew her, so terrible I didn’t even want to but millions wanted to be her. believe it was real, so I tried to She shot to fame in The Simple Life with act like it didn’t happen,” she has said. capitalist Carter Reum, 39, and it appears then best friend Nicole Richie. The reality Back in New York, aged 19, she signed they’re talking about having children. series ran for five years from 2003 and to Donald Trump’s modellinggg agency, y T Paris said last yyear, “First one, we’re showed the wealthy BFFs try out rural Management, and in 200000 an eedgydgy plpplanninganning it aalready, is going to be American life, doing things like working at shoot at her grandma’s hhouseouse a bboyoy aandn girl twin. When you a funeral home and visiting prison inmates with photographer Davidd frfreezeeeze your eggs, you can pick – usually while wearing shocking pink Juicy LaChapelle launched herr iiff yyouo get a boy, you get a Couture or high-end designer denim. into the limelight. giggirl, you get twins. I have A precursor to Keeping Up With The By 2004 she was a bbaby London, which is the Kardashians (Kim Kardashian was Paris’s huge star and her ex ggirl. I’m trying to figure stylist in the early days), the world lapped Rick Salomon leaked a oout a name for the boy.” sex tape they had made Meanwhile, Paris, in 2001. Paris sued and wworth £220 million, flies they eventually settled aaround the world DJing out of court. “I never gotot aandn promoting her a dime from the video. It’st’s Kim Kardashian lilifestylefe brand – including dirty money and [Salomon]on] was her stylist pperfumes,erf clothing and should give it all to somee hhandbags.andb But as she turns 40 charity for the sexually abusedbused tthishis monmonth,t it seems the socialite or something,” she said in 2006.2006 is rreadyeady fforor a new phase in life. The tape gave Paris greater notoriety, Asked why she felt the time was right to but made her wary of relationships. She’s reveal her real self in her documentary, she been linked with Leonardo DiCaprio, said, “I just felt like it was time for the world Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, Benji Madden to finally know who I was. I feel I’ve been (now married to Cameron Diaz), The Hills through so much and [there are] so many star Doug Reinhardt and shipping heir misconceptions and preconceived notions Stavros Niarchos. She has also been about me. I don’t want to be remembered With pal engaged three times – to model Jason as some airhead. I want to be respected for Nicole in The Shaw, shipping heir Paris Latsis and actor the businesswoman that I am.” OK! Simple Life Chris Zylka. However, since April 2019 she WORDS: LISA MARKS PHOTOS: GETTY has been in a relationship with venture
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Our latest box features six indulgent self-care treats from some of our favourite beauty brands, including Aromatherapy Yardley London Associates, L’Occitane, Yardley London, Flowerful Collection five mini EDTs Grow Gorgeous and Beauty Kitchen. It’s worth (luxury sample size) over £40 and is available from just £16.50, so why not treat yourself to some me-time… 7 ITEMS EVERY FASHION EDITOR OWNS
EVER WONDERED WHAT THOSE IN THE KNOW ALWAYS HAVE IN THEIR WARDROBE? HERE ARE SEVEN FIRM FAVES
1CASHMERE A pricier investment for your collection, but one you will cherish for years.
Cashmere jacket Labeca London £355 PLUS DRESSED-DOWN DENIM STYLE AND THIS WEEK’S MUST-HAVES
WWW.OK.CO.UK 73 THE 3 SWEATSHIRT New on our list of must-haves, we’ve been reaching for the faithful sweatshirt since lockdown hit – and won’t be giving it up anytime soon.
Sweatshirt £65 Trackpants £75 Leather bag £150 High-top trainers £120 All from Jigsaw
THE 2 BLAZER Every wardrobe should contain elements of tailoring. The blazer is brilliantly hardworking and this spring we are lusting after leather.
Leather belted jacket £69.99 Trousers £35.99 Trainers £59.99 All from Mango 74 4 THE WOOL COAT A classic wool coat makes any outfit look expensive and will even elevate your off-duty denim. Coat Mango £139.99
WWW.OK.CO.UK 75 Dress £34.99 Cap £6.99 Shoes £24.99 5 All from H&M THE PRINTED MIDI DRESS One of the most versatile dresses you can own. Wear with knee-high or chunky boots until spring arrives.
6 THE CLASSIC
SHIRT Think of shirts as one of the most important wardrobe staples. Wear them loose, oversized and slightly unbuttoned for a modern take, or under a sporty sweater. Shirt £29.99 Bra £19.99 Sweater £27.99 Jeans £27.99 Shoes £29.99 All from Zara
76 7 THE CARDIGAN The humble cardi has a huge fashion following. Choose a neutral tone and pair with a simple cami for the chicest combo.
Cardigan £140 Cami £25 Earrings £35 All from Jigsaw
WWW.OK.CO.UK 77 DREAMY DENIM UPDATE YOUR WARDROBE WITH THESE NEW STYLES
Patch jacket Desigual £179
Dress with belt Zara £59.99
Peter Pan collar dress & Other Stories £75
Jumpsuit Reserved £44.99 Prada bag Farfetch £1,022
Jeans Mango £49.99
78 STYLEEDIT
Hat Lee x H&M £9.99
Dungarees Lee x H&M £49.99
Christian Dior Shirt Marks & Spencer AW20 £29.50 COMPILED BY: SOPHIE GOODWIN PHOTO: GETTY COMPILED BY: WWW.OK.CO.UK 79 ONLY ! Table lamp Iconic Lights £23
Candle Sophie James Mayfair £48
The Winter Walk Package Don’t Buy Her Flowers £42
Shacket New Look £22
Vase OK! Latzio.com £28 Socks Burlington LOVES £12 WE’VE FALLEN HEAD OVER HEELS FOR THESE SPRING Moda In Pelle MUST-HAVES boots Shoeaholics.com £39 CHE THIS WEBSITE CK OUT FOR AMAZING DISCOUNTS ON BRANDED Skirt SHOES Reserved £24.99
Earrings Cartilage Cartel £35 Bra £76 Briefs £39 Womanhood.shop
Elasticizer Therapies Egyptian Jasmine & Mandarin Deep-Conditioning Treatment Philip Kingsley £36
80 Fedora Hicks & Brown £79
Necklace Tote Notonthehighstreet.com £45 ASPINAL’S Aspinal NEW MATILDA T TOTE IS AN Of London INVESTMENR £550 BUY YOU’LL LOVE FO YEARS TO COME
Love, Don’t Be Shy Extreme Eau de Parfum Jumper Kilian Paris Scotch & Soda £225
Kettle Smeg £179.95 BEAUTY EDITOR LOVES
Table Homesense Moisture-Replenish £39.99 Hand Sanitiser Gloved £25
Skirt FASHION Scotch & Soda EDITOR £124.95 LOVES
Cardigan Women’s Saucony Ride 13 running shoes H&M £24.99
£125 Saucony.co.uk LAUREN GOODWIN-GRAFTON, LAURA MULLEY COMPILED BY: WWW.OK.CO.UK 81
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NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY FOR OFFER INCLUSIVE OF HOME DELIVERY COSTS IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY SIGNED UP FOR A NEW MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION YOU WILL NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS OFFER FIRST PAYMENT BY DIRECT DEBIT FOR THEN RECURRING PAYMENTS OF PAYABLE EVERY THREE MONTHS CANCEL AT ANY TIME *ON USUAL PRICE OF PER ISSUE WITH OK! Jacket FASHION EDITOR £29.99 HARRIET WHEELER Jeans £29.99 Trainers THAT £17.99 LOVING Shirt £19 Top £9.99 Jeans FEELING Jacket £25.99 £29.99 Trainers Hoodie £14.99 fter months of lounging around in tracksuits £19.99 Necklace and pyjamas, we’re looking forward to getting Jeans £4.99 dressed up again. And New Look’s latest £25.99 denim collection has got us covered for when Trainers Awe can finally go out. Along with core pieces, the brand £14.99 has introduced new styles into the mix, including Brooke flared jeans, Danya tapered jeans and the wide-legged Adalae jeans. Best of all, though, more than half of the range costs less £25.99 – so you don’t have to break the bank to look and feel good. NEWLOOK.COM RAINBOW WARRIORS
Dress ot only does jeweller Monica Earrings £60 NVinader’s Skinny Sapphire £125 capsule collection have two Trench new pieces, but the brand £599 will be donating 100% of the profits from them to NHS Charities Together until 7 March. The multicoloured Skinny Sapphire huggie earrings and eternity stacking ring are both inspired by the rainbow that captivated the nation and became a symbol of hope in the early days of the pandemic. These pieces would make the perfect addition to anyone’s jewellery box. MONICAVINADER.COM
Skinny Sapphire Eternity Ring £195 each ON THE PLUS SIDE (pictured with Nura he high street has been embracing Teardrop Tplus ranges recently and we’re Eternity Ring starting to see collections that are £70 each) both attainable and inclusive of all shapes and sizes. Karen Millen’s new curve collection is among them and it won’t disappoint. It’s designed for sizes 18 to 24, so now everyone can enjoy the brand’s versatile range of timeless essentials, occasion wear and trend-inspired pieces. KARENMILLEN.COM
WWW.OK.CO.UK 83
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1 Apothem Unplug Bath Salts, £65 at Cultbeauty.co.uk These pure CBD bath salts are enriched with botanicals and minerals to help ease muscle tension. 2 Poundland Land Of Nod Bath Bar, £1 This bargain foaming bar is infused with lavender for sleep-inducing effects. 3 Aromatherapy Associates Rose Bath & Shower Oil, £49 The soothing rose and geranium formula offers an experience that is both therapeutic and skin-enriching. 4 Baylis & Harding Jojoba, Vanilla & Almond Oil Bath Bubbles, £8 Packed with heady notes of vanilla and moisturising almond oil. 5 NARLOA Pink Detox Bath Soak, £14 Made from natural sea salt crystals to stimulate circulation and help melt away aches and pains. WORDS AND STYLING: ZOE CRIPPS PHOTOS: MEGAN BRAMLEY
WWW.OK.CO.UK 85 BEAUTY DIRECTOR LYNNE HYLAND SHARES THIS WEEK’S MUST-HAVES TRENDS AND TIPS
1 Paradise found This might look like the sort of snap that’s getting celebrities unfollowed on Instagram but don’t worry, Hailey Bieber isn’t rubbing a pandemic beach holiday in our face. She’s merely modelling for Versace’s new Dylan Turquoise EDT, from £42, a tropical flight of fragrance fantasy to whisk us off to sundowner hour. There’s a squeeze of guava juice blended with exotic amber, jasmine and musk, plus a dash of Sicilian lemon. That, incidentally, is the fruit that flourishes in the winter sun – something we’d all love to relate to right now.
Hooray for 2 Hollywood
OPI polish has starred in everything from Legally Blonde to Fifty Shades Of Grey, and I reckon it deserves a lifetime achievement award for this 40th anniversary range. OPI is marking the milestone with the Hollywood Collection, an all-star cast of 12 lacquers, from £13.90. My red-hot fave is the sassy scarlet I’m Really An Actress, although if there’s a gong for the best nail polish name, I’m giving it to the glam green shade called… Rated Pea-G. Doctor 3 feelgood When a TV doctor renowned for fixing up people’s faces launches his own skincare range, you can feel pretty confident it’s going to do the trick. Dr Paul Nassif, of Botched fame, has just brought his NassifMD Dermaceuticals line to QVC, with products to blitz crinkles from head to toe. Hydro-Screen Hydration Serum, £37, has impressive four-week before and afters, but for an instant wow, try Hydro- Screen For Lips, £30. Be warned, it has a punchy tingle but my lips looked a bit “Insta influencer” for a while afterwards!
86 4 Get your vits
Base 7bootcamp
My HIIT workouts with Joe Wicks usually make me look like I’ve been HIIT in the Internet searches for niacinamide apparently soared by more than face, but now I’ve found a foundation 300% last year – well, I suppose there are only so many funny cat that makes it to the final beeper without videos you can look up. This trending ingredient – aka vitamin B3 – is collapsing. My new exercise buddy the skin brightener you’ll find in Olay’s new Regenerist Glow range, is Maybelline Superstay Active Wear which promises to get you one step closer to bare-faced confidence. Foundation, £10.99, which has a I especially like the Day Moisturiser with SPF30, £34.99, which has breathable feel that belies its stay-put, a fabulously silky feel and luminising look, as well as an immediate sweat-resisting powers. In tests, 85% of blurring effect on fine lines. women said they’d swap their regular base for this – and I can see why. Instant 5 perks
CallCa a product Fresh Face and you have myy undividedundivid attention right now. So thanks Barryarry M for thesethese new Cheek & Lip Tints, £4.99 each, which araree ppleasingly perky on tired skin.kin.
Power 6couples
Ghd has just revamped its heat protection and styling products,, witwithh new formulas designed to team with its electricals to make them workrk even better, with less damage. Take fforor instance, the power couple of thehe Rise hot brush, £169, and Pick Me Upp Root Lift Spray, £18 – the electrical onn its owownn doubles your volume, but you’ll ggetet two and a half times the boost if you mist on the styling product too. PHOTOS: GETTY WWW.OK.CO.UK 87 DOES CANNABIS OIL MAKE YOU HIGH? ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MISUNDERSTOOD PLANT EXTRACT THAT’S EVEN SOLD IN THE QUEEN’S FARM SHOP
indsor Castle is the last about the benefits of CBD in regards to place you’d associate with diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s, as cannabis. However it was well as its ability to kill microorganisms recently revealed that and bacterial viruses,” says Gavin Ogilvie WCBD-infused drinks are flying off the from Always Pure Organics. shelves at the Queen’s farm shop on “We’re only just discovering the her Berkshire estate. The fruity cans incredible value the cannabis plant has of Trip are the latest in a dizzying array because of the changed legal status of CBD products flooding the market. of CBD. The full benefits of it should From liquid drops and pills to continue to be discovered and validated cosmetics and food, around six million for years to come.” Brits have tried a “marijuana miracle” Here are some emerging facts about product, with sales projected to hit CBD oil that you might not know… £1 billion by 2025 – that’s nearly 10 times the current value of the essential oils market. IT MAY Cannabidiol, to give it its full name, PROTECT has been linked to reduced symptoms THE LUNGS in a raft of complaints, including chronic POST- pain and anxiety. There is even talk of it COVID providing protection against the effects 2 Promising new of Covid-19 (more of that later). studies indicate “It’s great that we’re now seeing a that CBD has the major push for scientific proof to back ability to improve up the mountain of anecdotal evidence oxygen levels. It may also reduce lung damage and inflammation YOU WON’T GET HIGH caused during respiratory distress by normalising levels of a peptide A recent study by Hempura showed called apelin, which are lowered 50% of us wrongly believe it’s illegal duringg Covid-19 infection. to drive on CBD, while 23% believe it causes a high – it doesn’t. And PERIOD PAIN 1 it’s not a narcotic. Even the World CAN BE Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has EASED removed the compound from its prohibited The use of cannabis substances list. CBD is one of more than 100 for menstrual pain compounds found in hemp and marijuana 3 dates back nearly plants. It’s extracted from hemp flowers 5,000 years to and diluted with carrier oil. CBD products Egyptian times. are only legally allowed to contain CBD can help with mild to a trace of THC, the compound moderate PMT and menstrual which has the mind-altering symptoms, such as bloating, properties associated irritability and stomach cramps. with cannabis. Most period pain is caused by inflammation and CBD has known anti-inflammatory effects as well as easing PMT anxiety.
88 HEALTH&FITNESS 6
YOU CAN ADD IT YOUR SKINCARE REGIME CBD can improve the appearance of acne and psoriasis. How? Those anti- inflammatory benefits calm the skin, and potentially regulate the production of sebum, the natural oil our bodies produce. Too much sebum leads to oily skin, clogged pores and spots. What’s more, antioxidants in CBD oils pack more power than vitamins C and E, which can protect our skin from harmful factors such as environmental pollutants and UV rays.
IT’S A GERM- BUSTER Hand sanitisers containing CBD have become popular. But although studies have 7 shown that the plant extract is potent in killing bacteria and fungi thanks to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, it doesn’t offer any protection in itself against Covid. It’s the alcohol in sanitisers that kills the virus. Scientists however are researching CBD’s antibiotic potential with some hailing it as a next-generation antibiotic.
IT HAS STAY CBD SAFE POTENTIAL 4 TO FIGHT CBD products now fall under government legislation which governs and regulates CANCER the sale of it in the same way as food POORLY POOCHES COULD BENEFIT A lot more research supplements. “It’s important to check the CBD may help dogs cope with arthritis pain – yes, 5 is needed, but label and make sure the supplier you’re really! “Mammals have the same endocannabinoid laboratory testing purchasing from has been regulated system as humans so CBD should be effective,” suggests that CBD and validated by the Food Standards says Gavin, “but specific research is needed.” may reduce cancer cell growth. Agency,” says Gavin. Look for the US cookery queen Martha Stewart has launched Some people have found CBD Association For The Cannabinoid Industry her own range of CBD drops and dog chews, helps with the pain and sickness (ACI) validation mark on the label. OK! however the UK government has still to rule on associated with cancer and its the use of such products for animals, so you’ll treatment. It may help nausea WORDS: SANDRA WALSH PHOTOS: GETTY need to talk to a vet who can legally prescribe by interacting with serotonin, a human CBD product for your pet. a hormone that influences mood and wellbeing.
WWW.OK.CO.UK 89 PLANT POWER HEALTH AND WELLNESS INFLUENCER ANDREA HANNEMANN HAS CREATED NOURISHING PLANT-BASED DISHES THAT TASTE AS GOOD AS THEY LOOK – GIVE THEM A TRY! Soul-hugging lentil shepherd’s pie
SERVES 1. Preheat the oven to 6. Add the lentils, 1 teaspoon PREPARATION TIME MINUTES 180°C/160°C fan/gas mark 4. salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, the 2. Peel the potatoes and cut turmeric and cumin and stir well. TOTAL TIME HOUR MINUTES into chunks. Place in a saucepan, Stir in the flour, tomato paste, cover with water, pop the lid on stock, vegan Worcestershire sauce, INGREDIENTS ● 500g cooked brown and bring to the boil. rosemary and thyme and bring to ● 3 medium white or green lentils 3. Remove the lid and simmer a boil. Then reduce the heat and potatoes ● 1 tsp ground turmeric for 10 to 15 minutes, until simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, until ● 2 tbsp vegan butter or ● 1 tsp ground cumin cooked. Drain in a colander. the sauce has thickened. Remove extra virgin olive oil ● 2 tbsp plain gluten-free 4. In the same saucepan melt from the heat and stir in the peas. ● 100ml unsweetened flour the butter and mix in the milk. 7. Tip into a large baking dish. plant milk ● 2 tsp tomato paste Return the potatoes to the pan Top with the mashed potato, ● Sea salt and freshly ● 240ml vegetable stock and mash until smooth. Season spreading it evenly to the edges ground black pepper ● 1 tsp vegan and set aside. and forking it across the top to ● 2 tbsp extra virgin Worcestershire sauce 5. Heat a large pan over a rough up edges that will crisp up. olive oil ● 2 tsp fresh rosemary medium-high heat and add the 8. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or ● 2 small onions, leaves, chopped oil. When hot add the onion and until the potatoes just begin to chopped (or 1 tsp dried) carrots and cook until the onion brown, then pop under the grill ● 4 medium carrots, diced ● 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, starts to soften, for 3 to 4 minutes. for 2 to 3 minutes until golden. ● 2 large cloves garlic, chopped (or 1 tsp dried) Add the garlic and cook, stirring, 9. Allow to cool for at least crushed ● 200g fresh or frozen peas for an additional 1 minute. 15 minutes before serving.
90 SERVES - OG açaí PREPARATION TIME MINUTES TOTAL TIME bowl MINUTES INGREDIENTS ● 200g frozen blueberries ● 3 frozen ripe bananas ● 150g açaí powder ● 200g frozen mango chunks ● 120ml plant milk ● Toppings: Sliced banana, granola, coconut, goji berries, mango, blueberries, kiwi, strawberries, peanut butter
1. Place all the ingredients, except the toppings, in a high-powered blender. 2. Blitz, starting on medium speed and gradually going up to high, for 1 to 2 minutes, stopping every 20 seconds or so to mix the ingredients and push them down with a smoothie stick. Once you see the “swirl”, you will know it’s done. 3. Pour your smoothie into your favourite bowl and add your choice of toppings. COMPILED BY: VICTORIA GRAY COMPILED BY:
WWW.OK.CO.UK 91 Green morning smoothie
1. Place all the ingredients in a high-speed blender. 2. Starting on medium speed and gradually going up to high, blitz it for 1 to 2 minutes, until the consistency is creamy. Stop your blender occasionally to mix the ingredients and push them down with a smoothie stick. 3. Pour into tall glasses and serve immediately.
SERVES PREPARATION TIME MINUTES TOTAL TIME MINUTES
INGREDIENTS ● 2 frozen ripe bananas ● 1 handful spinach or kale leaves ● 225g frozen pineapple or mango chunks ● 1 handful ice Bali ● 240ml plant milk ● 2 tsp vanilla protein powder (optional) SERVES ● 1 tsp spirulina or hemp hearts (optional) PREPARATION Earth TIME MINUTES TOTAL TIME MINUTES bowl INGREDIENTS ● 200g tofu (firm or extra-firm) 1. Start by making the North Shore ● 1 large sweet potato Fusion Peanut Sauce. Put all of the ● 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ingredients in a medium saucepan, ● Sea salt place it over a medium heat and bring ● 240ml North Shore Fusion to a gentle boil, whisking constantly. Peanut Sauce (see below) 2. Reduce the heat to low and simmer ● 200g cooked black rice for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat ● 300g finely shredded pickled and allow the sauce to cool and thicken. purple cabbage (optional) Set aside to cool. (It can be stored in an ● 2 shredded carrots airtight glass jar in the refrigerator for up ● 300g finely shredded beetroot to 2 weeks. The sauce will thicken in the (optional) fridge, so you may need to add a little ● 1 handful sliced sugar snap water before serving.) peas (optional) 3. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/ ● 1 avocado, sliced gas mark 4 and line a baking sheet with ● A few sprigs of microgreens parchment paper. herbs (optional) 4. Blot the tofu dry with paper towels ● 1 handful baby leafy greens, and cut into cubes. Arrange on half such as sweet pea leaves, baby of the prepared baking sheet. kale, or baby bok choy 5. Cut the sweet potato into cubes and For the North Shore Fusion arrange on the other half of the same Peanut Sauce: baking sheet. ● 400ml unsweetened coconut 6. Drizzle the sweet potato with the milk (use full-fat for better olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Drizzle consistency and full flavour) half of the peanut sauce over the tofu ● 1 large tbsp Thai red and toss to coat well. curry paste 7. Bake the tofu and sweet potato for ● 200g natural creamy peanut 25 to 30 minutes, turning each piece butter (or cashew butter halfway through, until the tofu is or tahini) caramelised and the sweet potato is soft. ● ½ tsp sea salt 8. Assemble each bowl with the black rice, ● 2 tbsp coconut sugar tofu, sweet potato, and your choice of ● 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or pickled cabbage, carrots, beetroot, sugar white wine vinegar snap peas, avocado and microgreens. ● 120ml filtered water 9. Finish with the baby leafy greens and drizzle with the rest of the peanut sauce.
92 Cookies and cream vanilla ice cream
SERVES 1. To make the cookie dough, mix 5. Tip the contents of the PREPARATION TIME MINUTES all the ingredients in a large bowl blender into a large bowl or until well combined. container and TOTAL TIME MINUTES 2. Wrap it in fold through the PLUS HOURS FREEZING greaseproof paper chopped cookie and store in an dough, leaving INGREDIENTS airtight container some extra For the cookie dough: ● 100g vegan chocolate in the freezer. to decorate ● 3 tbsp vegan butter or chunks 3. To make the ice the top. coconut oil ● 1-2 tbsp oat milk cream base, place 6. Cover and place ● 110g natural peanut For the ice cream base: all the ingredients back in the freezer butter ● 6 frozen ripe bananas, in a high-powered for an extra hour ● 100g coconut sugar sliced blender. Blend until or two for added ● 1 tsp pure vanilla ● 80ml plant milk thick and creamy. thickness. OK! extract ● 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 4. Take half of the EXTRACTED FROM PLANT OVER PROCESSED BY ANDREA ● 75g plain gluten-free ● 1 scoop vanilla plant cookie dough and HANNEMANN, PUBLISHED BY flour protein powder (optional) roughly chop it. DEY STREET BOOKS, RRP £20 COMPILED BY VICTORIA GRAY
WWW.OK.CO.UK 93 STEP BACK IN TIME THE REGENCY ROMANCE OF BRIDGERTON HAS INSPIRED A YEARNING FOR TRIPS WITH A DISTINCTLY HISTORICAL FLAVOUR
etflix’s saucy period drama Bridgerton is certainly easy on the eye – but it’s not just the attractive cast and fabulous costumes that have left a lingering Nlonging in our hearts. It’s the locations! For those of us who crave a taste of the era’s sumptuous lifestyle, there are Georgian gems scattered across the globe, ready and waiting for when travel restrictions ease. Prepare the carriages! We’re off on a journey that will make Bridgerton’s scandal-loving columnist Lady Whistledown puce with envy.
GEORGIAN JAMAICA
nstead of imagining yourself on the guest list at a dinner party at the Discover IBridgerton residence – Ranger’s House in Greenwich (below) – dream the historic of jetting to Jamaica’s Montego Bay where you can visit the elegant Rose Hall Rose Hall, brimming with antiques and décor from the 1800s. Take the Rose Hall Great House Night Tour and you’ll be treated to ghostly stories of love, murder and mystery as you roam the beautifully restored property. From £34pp inclusive of admission fees, guide and transport. WHERE TO STAY The adults-only Riu Montego Bay Hotel, set in tropical palm gardens, provides an unforgettable holiday in paradise. TUI OFFERS 7 NIGHTS ALL-INCLUSIVE FROM £753PP, TWO ADULTS SHARING, FLIGHTS FROM LONDON GATWICK ON 7 JUNE 2021, AND TRANSFERS. INCLUDES £300 DISCOUNT USING THE UNIQUE CODE “SALE”*
94 WEDDED BLISS IN YORKSHIRE
ish to recreate the moment newlyweds stood in for the fictional Clyvedon village. WSimon and Daphne – aka the Duke and Furnishings include period furniture from Duchess of Hastings – arrive at their marital Castle Howard itself. home Clyvedon Castle? Head to Yorkshire’s FROM £1,000 FOR 7 NIGHTS. GUESTS RECEIVE FREE ADMISSION TO finest country estate, Castle Howard, which CASTLE HOWARD, VALID FOR ONE DAY. TO BOOK, GO TO “VISIT US”US ON THE CASTLE HOWARD WEBSITE was used for the breathtaking scene. The magnificent 18th-century house exudes romance from every brick, cornice and fireplace, while in the vast grounds you’ll find temples, lakes, fountains and the 120-acre Yorkshire Arboretum. Check castlehoward.co.uk for reopening date and admission. WHERE TO STAY The Green is one of several cosy Simon and Daphne 18th-century stone cottages in the arrive at Clyvedon estate village of Coneysthorpe, which
SECRET GARDEN OF SEVILLE
f you swooned over the spectacular gardens at Hatfield House Iwhere Simon and Daphne shared their first kiss, a trip to the stunning gardens of the Alcázar of Seville in Spain is sure to capture your heart. Tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site and marvel at the royal palace’s chambers, courtyards and lush gardens. From £27pp inclusive of entrance ticket, an official guide and audio system. OK! WHERE TO STAY The beachfront Melia Atlantico Isla Canela at Costa de la Luz, with its striking views and turreted pavilion-style design, is a dream. TUI OFFERS 7 NIGHTS ON A HALF-BOARD BASIS FROM £414PP, TWO ADULTS SHARING, FLIGHTS The couple FROM BIRMINGHAM ON 11 APRIL 2021, AND TRANSFERS. INCLUDES The Courtyard of share their £100 DISCOUNT USING THE UNIQUE the Maidens at first kiss CODE “SALE”* the royal palace PHOTOS: ALAMY *GO TO TUI.CO.UK, VISIT YOUR LOCAL TUI HOLIDAY STORE OR DOWNLOAD THE TUI APP. ALL PRICES FOR TUI HOLIDAYS ARE CORRECT AT THE THE ARE CORRECT AT ALL PRICES FOR TUI HOLIDAYS STORE OR DOWNLOAD THE TUI APP. *GO TO TUI.CO.UK, VISIT YOUR LOCAL TUI HOLIDAY TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY LIMITED AVAILABILITY. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND HAVE TIME OF TUI ISSUING THE PRICE PACKAGE. WWW.OK.CO.UK 95
WORLDWIDE HOROSCOPES
OK! MAGAZINE Number 10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6EN Tel: 020 8612 7000 Outside UK: +44 (0)20 8612 7000 RUSSELL GRANT AUSTRALIA EDITION Editor In Chief: Shari Nementzik OUR ASTROLOGER TELLS YOU ALL YOU NEED Phone: +61 421 396 225 [email protected] TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR WEEK AHEAD!
BULGARIA EDITION Editor In Chief: Nevena Dyakova ARIES TAURUS GEMINI Phone: +359 2 870 49 81 [email protected] MARCH 21 – APRIL 21 – MAY 22 – APRIL 20 MAY 21 JUNE 21 CHINA EDITION Editor In Chief: Ivy Li Everything is up in the air You can’t get over a Your heart is not in a Phone: +86 158 1066 1764 and there seems to be no sense recent disappointment. A community or social event almost [email protected] of organisation around you. Your relationship didn’t turn out as everyone seems to have been apprehension will vanish once things you’d been expecting and you feel looking forward to. Any routine CYPRUS EDITION get moving and you realise that angry with yourself. It might seem jobs associated with your work will Editorial Director: Marilena Ierodiakonou Telephone: +357 22 580 800 there have been measures put in impossible to find the enthusiasm be done automatically while your [email protected] place to bring things together. for a job you’re working on. thoughts wander elsewhere. STARLINE ** STARLINE ** STARLINE ** GEORGIA EDITION Editor In Chief: Nino Jibladze Phone: +995 32 2295919 CANCER LEO VIRGO [email protected] JUNE 22 – JULY 24 – AUGUST 24 – JULY 23 AUGUST 23 SEPTEMBER 23 GERMANY EDITION Editor In Chief: Tim Affeld Before taking on a A work assignment isn’t Telephone: +49 4041 1882 5000 Keep any good ideas [email protected] challenge, think about what it may you have to yourself. If you’re making any progress and that’s entail. You may not be certain you developing a business proposal because people aren’t talking. Take
GREECE EDITION have the skills to carry out this task. add a password to your documents. this chance to encourage everyone SP: SPOKE, 0333 202 3390. ONLY. ERTAINMENT Editor In Chief: Nikos Georgiadis Since you won’t want any later A workmate will be keen to hear to meet and discuss solutions. You Phone: +30 210 25 94.031 regrets, a little more research will your thoughts and will be equally may be amazed at how willing people [email protected] give you the confidence you lack. keen to steal the credit. are to listen to your suggestions. STARLINE ** STARLINE ** STARLINE ** JAPAN EDITION Editor In Chief: Kana Sugamori Phone: +81 3 6802 8048 LIBRA SCORPIO [email protected] SEPTEMBER 24 – OCTOBER 24 – OCTOBER 23 LATVIA EDITION NOVEMBER 22 Editor In Chief: Laila Pastare Phone: +371 674 960 47 An argument in the It could be surprising [email protected] home will cause strain. Someone’s how inventive some people can be reaction seems exaggerated and the and you might learn something new PAKISTAN EDITION tension will make you uncomfortable. from watching how others approach Editorial Director: Saher H Paracha You will hardly be able to remember tasks. Give a money matter more [email protected] Phone: +92 358 437 03 what started all the trouble and you thought. Don’t commit to a long- are working hard to clear the air. term expense if you can’t afford it. STARLINE ** STARLINE ** ROMANIA EDITION Editor In Chief: Elena Stoichita Phone: +40 727 165 712 [email protected] SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN NOVEMBER 23 – DECEMBER 22 – RUSSIA EDITION DECEMBER 21 JANUARY 20 Editor In Chief: Vadim Vernik Phone: +7 980 5252 1254 [email protected] It won’t do you any harm You’re overly sensitive to let a friend persuade you into and emotionally brittle. You have THAILAND EDITION joining them in a (socially distanced) a sinking feeling something is going Editor In Chief: Weerawut Ujjutamanus venture. You may have had other to go wrong, but you could be Phone: +66 2204 2740 5 plans, but give such a suggestion a mistaken. Often when you’re feeling [email protected] try and you could discover a whole low everything seems worse than it new area of enjoyment for the future. really is. If you need help, ask for it. UK EDITION STARLINE ** STARLINE ** Editor in chief: Caroline Waterston Phone: 020 8612 7000 [email protected] AQUARIUS PISCES JANUARY 21 – FEBRUARY 20 – USA EDITION FEBRUARY 19 MARCH 20 Editor In Chief: Richard Spencer Phone: +1 212 672 3991 [email protected] Before making a start on A group community a new project, there are things effort has plenty of support but VENEZUELA EDITION you need to sort out with a friend. no real sense of direction. Everyone Associate Director: Either they’ll volunteer to complete has been waiting for this chance Alejandro Gutiérrez Tremola Phone +58 212 406 4436 a job you had begun together or to get organised and they’ll be [email protected] they’ll expect you to get on with it grateful for your attempt to bring and get it over with. them together. HEAD OF OK! WORLDWIDE STARLINE ** STARLINE ** Emma Radford ENT NETWORK ACCESS CHARGE. MAXIMUM SIX MINUTES DURATION. COST 80P PER MINUTE PLUS YOUR TELEPHONE COMPANY’S **CALLS TO STARLINES [email protected]
LICENSING MANAGER OK! is published by Reach Magazines Publishing Plc. Registered office: One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AP. Correspondence address: The Northern & Shell Building, 10 Lower Thames Street, Julia Taylor London, EC3R 6EN. Printed by Walstead Peterborough, Storeys Bar Road,Eastern Industry, Fengate, Peterborough PE1 5YS. While we consider unsolicited manuscripts and photographs accompanied by an SAE, [email protected] the editor cannot accept any responsibility for loss or damage. All rights in portions published rest with the publishers. COPYRIGHT REACH MAGAZINES PUBLISHING PLC © 2019. Permission to reproduce all photographs and text can be granted only by prior written agreement. All prices and products correct at time of going to press. Not for resale, lend or hire. Switchboard number for UK: 020 8612 7000. HEAD OF UK CIRCULATION Switchboard number outside UK: +44 (0)20 8612 7000. Editorial fax: +44 (0)20 8612 7305. Advertising fax: +44 (0)20 8612 7616. PRODUCED UNDER LICENCE FROM REACH MAGAZINES WORLDWIDE Paul Goddard LIMITED. ‘OK!’ and ‘OK! FIRST FOR CELEBRITY NEWS’ are registered trademarks of Reach Magazines Worldwide Limited. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is JULY TO SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OK!: Back issues of OK!: [email protected] strictly prohibited. Call +44 (0) 330 333 9429 or visit www.ok.co.uk/subscribe. Basic annual subscription rate £50.49 (UK), £165 (EU) and £210 (ROW). Call +44 (0) DECEMBER 2019 330 333 9429 or visit www.ok.co.uk/subscribe. ABC CERTIFIED AND NRS AUDITED 116,341
WWW.OK.CO.UK 97 LIFELESSONS
THE IRISH AUTHOR ON HER HYPOCHONDRIA BEING THE DESIGNATED DRIVER AND HOLDING A GRUDGE
I’m currently reading… The best thing my mum a proof of a book that taught me was… to be won’t be out until April. It’s a good storyteller. I learnt called Watch Her Fall, by from her how to string a story Erin Kelly. It’s a thriller set out to intrigue a listener. She in a ballet company and also taught me the value of it’s awfully gripping and being funny. beautifully written. The one thing I’d like to My perfect evening is… change about myself is… spent with friends and food. the way I’m fond of a grudge. I don’t drink, but I’m really I nurse grudges like they’re happy to be around people patients in intensive care. I find who do. In-between lockdowns it hard to let go. It’s so petty I had people around in the when I’m so lucky and my garden and I ordered in pizzas life is so good, but at least and bought loads of Magnums I know that I’m very bad for dessert. We had such at that. a lovely time. I like groups of people. The first record I bought was… Donny Osmond’s Puppy If I could pass any law Love. I’m too embarrassed! I would… I can’t believe make sure that I had to tell everybody had ‘I SORT OF you that. I was a roof over mad about their head. THINK I’M him – I loved It absolutely him so much. cripples me ALMOST A that there The best day are people DOCTOR’ of my life… who don’t. is just when I’m hanging I’m most proud of… being out with people I really love. able to drive. I didn’t learn I really love my family and my until I was 36. I really thought nieces and nephews and I get it was something I’d never be such a laugh out of them. And able to do. I was ridiculously my husband. So it’s just any scared when I started. I love time I’m with them. it, especially because I don’t drink, so it just means I’m The shop I can’t walk past always available to bring is… any chemist. I’m a people home when everyone hypochondriac, but I also sort else is drunk. of think I’m almost a doctor. I’ve always got plasters and People might be surprised painkillers in my handbag. that… I have a degree in law. I understand a lot of the ins I’d spend my last half an hour Marian and outs of the legal system. on Earth… eating. I’d line up Because I write novels for chocolate cheesecakes and eat women, I’m sure a lot of all the things I have to try and people think I’m a bit of restrain myself from the rest a lightweight, but I’m not. of the time. OK! Actually, I am – but I can GROWN UPS BY MARIAN KEYES Keyes be both. (MICHAEL JOSEPH, £8.99)
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