Author: bang5

Coronation Street fans can expect yet more drama, worrying scenes and twists and turns on the ITV soap next week, with a split teased and an affair hinted at too

Coronation Street fans can expect yet more drama, worrying scenes and twists and turns on the ITV soap next week(Image: ITV)

There’s major twists ahead on Coronation Street, from possible changes to couples, big decisions to make and a worrying turn of events as a character faces danger.

There’s a show episode shake-up next week with an episode dropped it seems, to make way for football coverage on ITV1. With just two episodes on instead of three, there’s still plenty of soap action to unpack.

One character’s shocking whereabouts is revealed after weeks of him being missing, and his fate is teased in a twist. Then there’s a discovery for one character just as they await for the results of their cancer treatment.

But could it lead to a shocking split or even an affair? One family face a feud over a life-changing decision, and one character’s sympathy for a troubled teen backfires.

It’s someone else left concerned for them though amid recent run-ins with a partner. We’ve got divorce drama, a double date and the fallout to this weeks dangerous house party after the LSD storyline kicked off.

Let’s kick things off with the huge Gary Windass twist. After a run-in with Lou who tried to set him up with a fake affair claim to blackmail him, Gary fled to visit his mother Anna. His wife Maria Connor was concerned when he failed to return home when planned.

There’s major twists ahead on Coronation Street, from possible changes to couples, big decisions to make and a worrying turn of events(Image: ITV)

In scenes to air this week she will try and get in contact with him, wanting to know where he is. Eventually she gets a message from Gary saying he’s with a mate and will be home soon.

But new spoilers for next week reveal a worrying twist, as he remains absent for his stepson Liam Connor’s birthday. They start to fear something bad has happened to him after the contact stops again, and little do they know that Gary is unconscious in hospital.

Soon his condition deteriorates and a nurse rushes to his aid, but will Gary be okay? And what’s happened to him? Elsewhere, Kevin Webster is alarmed to discover his wife Abi trying to orchestrate an exit from the garage for his brother Carl.

Viewers will see Abi trying to get rid of her brother-in-law amid their growing feelings for one another. As she warns Carl to stay away, she takes action by sabotaging the car he’s working on, before showing Kevin to set him up.

But Kevin sees on the CCTV that Abi is to blame. Amid this, Kevin is waiting for his results after his recent cancer treatment. He’s soon forced to attend his appointment alone as Abi has to work on a car at the garage, but it could be Carl causing trouble.

As he admits that he can’t stop thinking about her and knows she feels the same, Abi swears blind that she loves Kevin and she’s happy with her life. But what will Kevin’s results be, and will Abi manage to get Carl to back off?

There’s a show episode shake-up next week with an episode dropped it seems(Image: ITV)

Meanwhile, Bernie Winter is trying to get grandson Brody to make amends with his mum Lou, but he declares she’s dead to him. Cassie and Steve join Tim and Sally on a double lunch date but soon there’s some awkward comments, and Steve’s ex Tracy Barlow heads in too – but will she leave them alone?

There’s very little said about the fallout to the LSD drama, while Nina and Summer agree that they got off lightly. Todd Grimshaw is in for drama too when he confronts partner Theo’s daughter Millie, telling her he knows she’s faking her pregnancy.

He urges her to come clean to her dad and her family, suggesting she claims it was a false positive. When Theo returns home, Millie announces she’s got something to tell him.

it’s not known what she said, while George Shuttleworth is concerned over Theo’s jealousy of Todd spending time with James Bailey. As for James, he upsets sister Dee-Dee with his plans for baby Laila next week.

Dee-Dee tells him and their dad Ed she’s glad to have the support of her church, but James makes it clear that Laila’s upbringing will be non-religious. Dee-Dee retaliates by meeting up with Billy telling him she’d like him to baptise Laila, but will she managed to go ahead behind his back?

Lorraine Kelly sent a message of support on her ITV show to Kelsey Parker following the tragic loss of her stillborn son Phoenix Parker-Lindsay just weeks before her due date

ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly has sent an emotional message of support to Kelsey Parker after the 34-year-old announced the heartbreaking loss of her newborn Phoenix. Kelsey shared the tragic news on Instagram yesterday, revealing that her third child was “born sleeping” just a week before his her due date.

Lorraine spoke about Kelsey’s loss on her show today, telling viewers: “We’ve got some very sad news for you this morning. That there is Kelsey Parker and her partner Will. Kelsey has been on the show many times. They very sadly announced the death of their baby son.

Kelsey was expecting a child with new partner Will Lindsay ( 
Image:
Jam Press)

“Kelsey says, ‘He was born sleeping,’ just a week before her due date. It’s awful when you think that poor woman has been through so much, her and her family.”

Lorraine added that she’s sending the family her love after the heartbreaking news. “I know how much she was looking forward to that and I can’t being to image what she’s going through,” she added.

Kelsey announced last night that her third child was stillborn – a little boy named Phoenix.

The podcast host was expecting her first child with partner Will Lindsay, after finding love again three years on from the death of her husband Tom Parker.

Sharing a tribute to her late son on Instagram, Kelsey wrote shared a moving poem titled, For Phoenix.

“Phoenix Parker-Lindsay, you will forever be loved,” she said, while the poem read: “The world grew quiet as you arrived, So loved, so longed for, yet not alive. Our precious boy, our angel light, Born with wings, took silent flight.

“We named you Phoenix, brave and bright. A soul of love, of warmth and light Though we never heard you cry, You’ll live in hearts that won’t ask why. No breath you drew, no eyes to see, Still, you mean everything to me. You’ll journey with us, softly near, In every sigh, in every tear.”

In a second Instagram story, Kelsey asked fans to give her time to process the news. “Before I receive an influx of lovely messages and heartfelt wishes, I wanted to just say that I truly appreciate everything you are all going to say and share.

“But with the news being so raw, I would really like to ensure that we as a family are given space and time to process this devastating and earth-shattering news. I love you all and thank you for your understanding and space. Love always, Kelsey, Will, and the Parker Family.”

Michael Gove’s ex-wife Sarah Vine opened up about her former husband’s sexuality on Good Morning Britain today in an interview that viewers called ‘unbelievable’

Sarah Vine has spoken out about her ex-husband Michael Gove’s sexuality and the real reason behind their split three years ago, with the columnist admitting: “I would like to say I know but maybe I don’t.” Promoting her new book on the ITV show, presenter Susanna Reid asked Sarah how she felt about rumours that Michael was secretly gay and that his sexuality was the real reason behind their divorce.

“Eventually politics destroyed your marriage to Michael Gove,” Susanna said. “Can I just ask – and you are open about this in the book – how much gossip was there when you split up with Michael Gove about the fact that people went, ‘It’s because he’s actually not interested in women.’”

Michael Gove and Sarah Vine split in 2022 ( 
Image:
Getty Images

Sarah replied: “Oh so much gossip. Everyone just assumed that was the reason. Michael is quite camp but he’s not gay. He’s really not gay. I would like to say I know but maybe I don’t.

“People often think, ‘Poor sad Sarah, she doesn’t realise.’ But if you look at the amount of girlfriends he’s had since he left politics, there have been a few. Even if he was gay, would it matter? I’m not that bothered.”

Speaking about how it was Michael’s political career that led to the end of their marriage, Sarah admitted that she had “no idea” what politics was going to be like.

“I was completely naïve. I genuinely didn’t think it through at all,” she added.

When asked whether she would recommend politics as a career for a married person, she said: “I would probably say no on reflection. Unless your children are grown up.

“You need a very strong family background, you need people who really support you who are invested in the project – that’s what I would say.”

Viewers took to social media to comment on the chat, with one writing: “I can’t believe this interview #GMB,” alongside an emoji of a monkey covering its eyes.

While others were left reeling by her admission about Boris Johnson, with Sarah saying: “I quite like Boris, he’s quite a human politician. As politicians go, he’s quite honest and himself – authentic.”

“Sarah Vine said Johnson was a very honest politician,” one viewer wrote alongside three laughing faces.

Another wrote: “She quite likes boris…hes honest…f**k sakes…heard it all now..#gmb.”

Good Morning Britain airs on weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.

Amid reports that her ex Eamonn Holmes is battling ill health and even being ‘wheeled in and out’ for his Breakfast slot at GB News, a source claims that Ruth Langsford is ‘sad’ for his struggles

Loose Women anchor Ruth is moving on, but thought to be concerned over her ex’s health struggles

Their split last year after 14 years of marriage shocked many, but Ruth Langsford has clearly moved on from the heartache of parting ways with Eamonn Holmes, and is living her best life. Those close to the 64-year-old Loose Women star maintain her concern for Eamonn haven’t simply vanished, however – especially now, as the TV presenter seems to be struggling with poor health, reports OK!.

According to reports, Eamonn has been having increasing health problems at GB News, where he co-hosts the Breakfast slot with Ellie Costello, a source telling a newspaper that he was being ‘wheeled in and out of the studio’ amid ongoing back problems and mobility issues. The presenter even sparked concern recently by going ‘missing’ from his usual presenting duties one day on the news channel.

Ruth and Eamonn were married for 14 years before their separation last year(Image: (Image: Getty))

Now, a source claims: “Ruth honestly doesn’t talk about Eamonn, she’s really moved on from that part of her life. But of course, she does care about him, because they share a child and they were married for a long time.”

The source adds that, despite feeling ‘sad’ that her former partner is struggling, the presenter is also staying strong and focusing on herself: “She has seen that he is struggling, and it’s sad to see anyone in that situation. Of course, she fears for him and doesn’t want to think of Eamonn battling with his health – but she has to focus on herself and her own life now.”

Eamonn has been finding it difficult to walk unaided after having surgery back in 2022 for a slipped disc and a double hip-replacement in 2016. He now relies increasingly on a walking stick, and at times his wheelchair, admitting sadly at the start of the year that he ‘may never walk again’.

Despite the events of the last twelve months, it would be a tough situation for anyone to witness – let alone someone who once stood beside the Belfast-born broadcaster through thick and thin, and cared for him personally.

And Ruth had been very open about the realities of being a carer during Eamonn’s health struggles, when the pair lived under the same roof. In a previous interview, she admitted: “It isn’t always easy, but if something happens to somebody you love, you help them as much as you can”, adding that being a carer could be “testing,” but she and Eamonn took things “day by day.”

Relationship expert Annabelle Knight believes it’s natural Ruth will still be ‘worried’ about her previous partner(Image: Getty Images)

Former This Morning presenters Ruth and Eamonn, who married in 2010 after more than a decade together, were loved for their on-screen chemistry – but, away from the spotlight, appeared just as united – raising their son Jack, now 23, and supporting each other through the highs and lows.

Now, Ruth is quite rightly focused on her own path, continuing her work on Loose Women and moving forward with her head held high. Last month, as a source claimed to New that the star was still wearing her wedding ring as she is ‘coming to terms with a long relationship ending’ and the former couple continue to debate their divorce settlement.

Meanwhile, Eamonn, 64, has found new love with relationship counsellor and divorced mother-of-three Katie Alexander, who he was pictured with last week as they watched Katie’s eldest son play in an amateur cup final in Wakefield.

And, while Ruth is no doubt trying to protect her own peace during this next chapter of her life, seeing someone she once loved face serious health concerns, while also watching him move on romantically – is likely to stir up a complicated mix of emotions.

Indeed, Lovehoney’s relationship expert Annabelle Knight believes it’s only natural for Ruth to still feel concern toward Eamonn. “The truth is, you can’t stop loving someone, or even simply caring about them, overnight, and you can’t delete the memories from your mind as easily as you can from your phone!”, she says.

Reports suggest Eamonn has been struggling with his health at GB News(Image: @eamonnholmes/Instagram)

“Especially when you have shared years of your life with someone, in sickness and in health, you become completely connected through the bad times, and the good. It’s perfectly normal, and very valid, to feel a range of feelings, like sadness, yearning, euphoria, excitement, despair… But if you’re an empathetic person, you’ll likely not only feel that for yourself, but also for the one you’ve loved in the past.”

She adds: “It is absolutely possible to become trauma bonded to a partner who you have cared for throughout their illness. A trauma bond can easily form when either one or both people are under extreme stress or emotional distress, and in this case, it may become extremely hard to emotionally detach from your ex-partner.

“When you are in the routine of giving so much care, attention and worry to someone else, it’s impossible to switch this off, even following the breakdown of the relationship. It’s to be expected that one would remain emotionally attached to, and still worry about, their previous partner, especially if their health may continue to deteriorate.”

While glam Ruth is clearly embracing the single life and shining in her own career – as well as enjoying the support of close friends such as Lizzie Cundy and Rylan, and hitting the town for some fun nights with them, our source claims she remains all too aware of how much her ex has already endured health-wise.

“Ultimately, you’re allowed to show yourself grace, and recognise that while the split may be the best for your future self, you’re an empathetic person full of compassion for others – and your ex is no exception,” Annabelle explains.

“While it may feel like an emotional rollercoaster, you’re allowed to feel the whole range of emotions simultaneously, if anything, you’re showing up as your true self who is empathetic, understanding, and compassionate, even under difficult circumstances.”

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Wynne Evans left the live tour and his radio show earlier this year, and the BBC has now confirmed it has ‘no plans’ to renew a travel show he did

The BBC has confirmed it has no plans for a second series of a travel show featuring Wynne Evans(Image: Barn Media Ltd / BBC Cymru Wales)

The BBC has confirmed that it has “no plans” to renew a show that featured Wynne Evans after his exit from the Strictly Come Dancing tour and his radio show. It’s been suggested that it has now cut its last remaining ties with him.

Following several scandals during his time on Strictly last year and its subsequent tour, it was announced last month that Wynne, 53, would not be returning to his BBC Radio Wales show. A spokesperson for the BBC shared at the time that there were also “no plans” to work with the presenter.

It’s now been specifically confirmed that TV show Wynne & Joanna: All at Sea isn’t set to return after one series. The six-part project, which launched on BBC One in January, saw Wynne and Joanna Page, 48, sail along the southern coast of Wales from the capital city Cardiff to St Davids.

The first series of Wynne’s show with Gavin and Stacey star Joanna ended in February. After previously saying it had no plans to work with him, a spokesperson for the BBC told the Mirror tonight that there are “no plans” for a second series.

It’s been confirmed that there are ‘no plans’ for a second series of the BBC show Wynne & Joanna: All at Sea, which featured Wynne Evans (left) and Joanna Page (right)(Image: Barn Media Ltd / BBC Cymru Wales)

A source told the Sun that the decision to not renew the travel show after its debut series “marks the end” of a relationship between Wynne and the broadcaster. They added that he has no TV or radio projects with them now.

The source said: “Once the first series was slapped on ice, there was always a huge question mark hanging over the prospect of a second outing. Only now has the BBC publicly confirmed it won’t be returning.” They told the outlet: “It means that Wynne has no TV show or radio show with the Beeb, and effectively marks the end of their ­relationship.”

Wynne competed on Strictly last year with Katya Jones, 36, as his dance partner. They apologised whilst on the show for what he described as them “messing around,” including over a scene of him with his hand on Katya’s waist.

Then, whilst on the tour earlier this year, it was reported that he had apologised for using “inappropriate and unacceptable” language amid reports that he used the term ‘spit roast’ to host Janette Manrara, 41, at a photocall. Wynne has since insisted that it was instead part of a nickname for co-star Jamie Borthwick, 31, and “wasn’t meant sexually”.

It comes after Wynne, pictured with his former dance partner Katya Jones, left the Strictly Come Dancing live tour and his BBC Radio Wales show earlier this year(Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)

Wynne subsequently left the tour and his radio show though after the scandal broke in January. As reported at the time, he said in a statement then: “I’ve agreed with the BBC that I’ll take some time out from my radio show and the Strictly Live tour, as well as my other public commitments, to prioritise my wellbeing.

“I am deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate actions have caused, and plan to take this time for self-reflection. Apologies to those I won’t get to see at the remaining performances and I’m grateful to my fellow tour gang for all the amazing support they have given me.”

More recently, last month, he announced that he wouldn’t be returning to his BBC Radio show following his departure months prior. Wynne told fans that he would instead launch the Wynne Evans Show elsewhere.

He said in a statement: “From the very depths of my heart – thank you. These past few months, your love has been the light in my darkest days. Every message, every word of encouragement, every moment you stood by me has carried me through more than you could ever know.”

He told fans: “It breaks my heart to say the BBC has decided not to renew my contract so I won’t be returning to my radio show. I’m gutted. That show wasn’t just work – it was home. It was us. We laughed, we cried, we sang like nobody was listening. And somehow, through the airwaves, we became a family. Thank you for welcoming me into your homes. Into your hearts.”

In a statement at the time, the BBC said: “Wynne Evans is not under contract with the BBC.” The spokesperson added: “He is not returning to the mid-morning show on BBC Radio Wales and there are currently no plans to work with him.”

ITV’s Loose Women kicked off in high spirits as they welcomed a much-loved panel back to the show

Loose Women got off to a warm start on Thursday’s instalment as they welcomed back panel member Tanni Grey Thompson, who has been absent for some time.

Jane Moore, who fronted the show, introduced her trio of panel members, including Katie Piper, Coleen Nolan, and Tanni.

As she approached the multi-Paralympic medallist, who kicked off her career in a club in Cardiff, Wales, Jane said with a huge smile on her face: “Welcome back, Tanni. It’s been a while,” as the audience lunged into a roaring round of applause.

Tanni was excited to have made a comeback, but even more thrilled that her panel members had a memorable surprise in store. Jane said, “Now, Tanni, are you a big Jason Donovan fan?”

She gushed, “I was a huge Neighbours fan, cried at the ‘the wedding,’ and I knew every single word to Joseph because I had a Jason Donovan CD for one of my birthday presents.”

Loose Women welcome back Tanni

Before she could finish her sentence, Jane announced: “Well, look who’s here,” as Jason Donovan appeared on the programme, embracing Tanni with a kind hug and kiss.

Jason said to the six-time Wheelchair Marathon winner: “Lovely to see you,” as she suggested: “We could do a Joseph duet together?”

The former Neighbours star immediately shot down the idea of singing live in front of the nation on the ITV show, telling her: “Maybe not today,” as the paralympian let out a huge sigh.

Tanni was welcomed back with a surprise greeting from Jason Donovan

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the programme, talk turned to Freddie Flintoff. The star recently opened up about his harrowing car accident on his new Disney+ + documentary, ‘Freddie Flintoff, recalling a time when he’d “wished he’d died” at his lowest point after the crash.

Jane and the other panel members were discussing his feelings and the impact his words and emotions would have had on his loved ones, when Tanni stepped in, stating she “knew how he’d felt”.

She told the panel that there were moments when growing up with Spina Bifida, she had faced some distressing comments from members of the public and so-called friends.

Jane was at the helm of the programme

Spina Bifida is a condition that causes a baby’s spine and spinal cord to not develop properly in the womb and creates a gap in the spine.

Tanni recalled some of the horrendous comments on-air. It was during this time that Tanni remembered an “honest” and heartfelt conversation with her mum.

At the time of Tanni’s birth, her mother had not known there had been any medical condition, she told her daughter that didn’t know if she had been informed in pregnancy whether the outcome would have been different.

Speaking positively about the discussion, Tanni praised her mum for being “honest” with her and appreciated understanding her own feelings, much like Freddie’s family on the show.

Loose Women will not air on Friday (April 24) after a major shakeup.

Loose Women’s Jane Moore announced a change to their usual TV schedule as she revealed that the popular programme will be taken off air temporarily.

During Thursday’ episode of the ITV hit daytime chat show, Jane, who fronted the show, was joined by her trio of panel members, including Katie Piper, Coleen Nolan, and Tanni as they gave their opinions on the day’s trending stories.

However at the end of the show, the panellist confirmed that the show will not air on Friday (April 24). This decision was made to accommodate the extensive coverage of the horse racing at Sandown and Perth.

Announcing the news to viewers watching at home and the live studio audience, Jane explained: “That’s it for today and the rest of the week we will be off air because of the racing.”

Jane confirmed that the show will not air on Friday (April 24)

Teasing what fans can expect to see when the show makes its return, she added: “We are back next week with Vanessa Williams, Michael Brandon and Victoria Derbyshire.”

Elsewhere in the show, the panellists were joined by Beyonce mum Tina Knowles as she opened up about writing her new memoir Matriarch and her health battle.

Opening up on her lifelong friendships and breast cancer diagnosis, Tina emotionally shared: “Friendship with women is of the utmost importance to me, it’s one of my biggest priorities to stay connected because when I went through that, I depended on my daughters. I didn’t tell everybody in my friend group.

 Beyonce’s mum Tina Knowles appeared on ITV Loose Women(Image: WireImage)

“But, I didn’t even have to tell them what was going on, I just went to Houston and gathered my girlfriends and we went to church, we went to lunch, we went out partying at a club and dancing.

“And I just told them, ‘I don’t want to talk about what’s going on but I just need you guys right now’ and they were all right there with me so they’ve been a big part of my life, my whole life.”

Touching on being vulnerable in front of her daughters, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Solange Knowles, Tina added: “With this one, they were the first people I told.

“They were the only people I told for a while and they rallied around me, they always have at those very difficult times.

“When I went through divorce, the first time I was devastated, and my girls were right there to lift me up and tell me that I can do things, and make me laugh because you know at those times, you need laughter too and they are my rock really.”

The TV presenter opens up while speaking to a female inmate on trial for murder in New Orleans, who shot her husband after suffering decades of violent abuse

Katie plays cards with Tonica before they chat about the attacks they have endured

Katie Piper sometimes thinks she “should have killed” the abusive ex-partner who was behind the acid attack which left her scarred for life in 2008. The TV presenter makes her candid confession in a new documentary in which she travels to the US state of Louisiana to speak to female inmates at a prison in New Orleans, many of whom are awaiting trial on a murder charge.

Speaking to 47-year-old Tonica Mutin, who was a victim of violent abuse from her husband for years before she shot him, Katie reveals that in the aftermath of her own attack she also wished she’d taken extreme action to protect herself.

Katie was 24 when her former boyfriend Daniel Lynch raped her and then hired a man to throw acid in her face, for which she has since needed 400 operations.

Katie Piper says the women she met often trusted her because they knew she understood what they’d been through, because of her own scars

Hearing Tonica’s story about being beaten repeatedly for many years, Katie confides: “I spent a lot of time in hospital, it’s very different from prison, but I spent time in isolation and in a bed thinking that I should have killed him.”

The TV presenter, 41, finds it staggering that under the Louisiana state laws the women she meets are not able to plead self defence, regardless of what drove them to kill. Tonica is charged with second degree murder of her violently abusive husband and says that on the night she shot him she truly feared for her own life. She explains: “He wasn’t letting up that night. I truly felt like I could die. I didn’t have a plan. I was defending myself.

Asked if she regrets her actions, Tonica says she does – but not because she’s facing a life behind bars. “Do I regret it? Hell yes, because I loved my husband, I truly did, and I miss him so much.”

The mum-of-two spent a month in the prison and said the experience has changed her life(Image: UKTV)

Katie tells her: “In my situation I was attacked twice. I was beaten and raped and then a couple of days later I had acid thrown in my face. I suppose I had that moment that you had, when I felt like he was beating me, he was going to kill me. I always thought that if someone was going to kill me I would defend myself but what happened to me was – I froze out of fear and I didn’t do anything to him. And a couple of days later somebody threw the acid on me.”

Katie’s new U&W series, which starts on Sunday, comes just days after it emerged Lynch has been granted a parole hearing in June, in which he will plea for release or to be moved to an open prison.

The 48-year-old was given life with a minimum sentence of 16 years in 2009 for instructing Stefan Sylvestre to carry out the acid attack, days after he had raped Katie in a hotel room.

Sylvestre is still wanted by police two years after going missing. He breached his licence conditions when he was released on parole and is now thought to be living abroad.

Speaking in 2023, Katie confessed that Lynch’s release was on her mind. “The people that attacked me will be released,” she said. “Are they going to kill me? I’m not sure.”

Speaking months later at a screening of the new series, Katie said that perhaps if she’d grown-up in a tough neighbourhood surrounded by crime and violence, as many of the women in the programme had, she might have behaved differently.

“I think what a lot of those women had in common was their childhood. And if I compare my childhood to theirs, I had never ever experienced trauma or abuse until I was attacked – that’s not the case for those women.

Spending time in the prison helped Katie to come to terms with a medical trauma over her left eye(Image: UKTV)

“Tonica talked about seeing somebody shot and seeing a dead body at the age of six. I can’t comprehend what that must have been like and what that does to you. I think however you are raised and what you grow up around becomes your go-to and your coping mechanism. So I do believe a lot of the women in this film, and in the other episodes, were in that situation of shoot or be shot. Obviously it isn’t a path that I took, but maybe if my childhood and upbringing had been different then who knows?”

Katie says that while some of the inmates thought her facial injuries were down to ‘botox’ others made different assumptions. “A lot of people think I’m a recovering meth addict because lots of people obviously get burnt when cooking up meth. And a lot of people there thought I had HIV because they said I was so skinny.”

To make the four-part series, Katie and an all-female crew spent a month inside the Louisiana prison. Introducing the programme she says: “Fifteen years ago a violent attack changed my life forever and since then I’ve been trying to understand why people commit violent acts.

The damage caused by the sulphuric acid attack in 2008 left Katie needing multiple surgeries (Image: Instagram)

“By spending time with those accused of the most shocking crimes and becoming a part of their world, I’m getting to know the women on the inside to find out what drove them to kill, understand where they came from and ask if violence can ever be justified.”

The mum-of-two said that sometimes she witnessed extreme behaviour from the women, who were locked up with no access to the outdoors. Asked if she felt scared at times, she reasoned: “You think of prison to be unpredictable and volatile, but so is life. We never know what’s going to happen. And I suppose I always go into these projects with, well what is the worst that could happen to me? And I think to make a good show, we had to have a little element of risk. I would be more scared walking through central London at night on my own.”

Some of the women she speaks to have already given up and accepted their fate, she found. “In America, the justice system, the sentencing, the gun laws, the crime, is so very different to the UK. Louisiana, in particular, locks up so many people. And women are really failed because there is no self-defence law in Louisiana. It doesn’t exist, but so many people are allowed to carry an unconcealed weapon. So it is a flawed system, for sure.”

Katie relaxing on holiday with her husband(Image: @katiepiper_/Instagram)

But while they were accepting of their own situations, some felt that hers was worse. “That’s a sad reflection of what they feel is their self-worth and what should happen to them and what’s normal life for them and not normal life for me,” she explained. “I am the perfect victim. I’m from a loving family. I’m white. I was young, pretty, blonde, I presented as feminine. So I am believed and I am platformed and listened to. So what happens when you are not all of those things? Where do you go? Where do you end up? What’s the end of your story?”

After returning to her husband and daughters when filming ended, Katie found it hard to shake the experience. “It changed my life forever,” she says. “I really missed the women and I felt a bit guilty about coming back to my life, back on Loose Women the next day. Those women had a big impact on me and I’ll never forget them.

“I had a bit of an unexpected medical trauma with my eye before I went out there, so I had felt slightly shaken. And then I met these women that had these different things – and it was a really restorative time for me. Those women really helped me too. So I’ll always be grateful to them.”

Ruth Langsford has shared her ‘fabulous’ recipe for a classic spag bol, which includes a ‘secret ingredient’ that can give the dish a ‘really deep flavour’

Ruth Langsford swears by her mother’s recipe when making spaghetti bolognese(Image: Tim P. Whitby/Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)

Ruth Langsford has dished up her go-to spaghetti bolognese recipe, and it’s got a twist that might raise a few eyebrows. The Loose Women star swears by an unexpected ‘secret ingredient’ for this Italian classic, promising it delivers a ‘really deep flavour’.

Posting to Instagram yesterday, she said: “Hi everybody, well, I’m in the kitchen today, hence the wooden spoon. I’m going to make a spag bol. This is my mum’s recipe, and I know you might roll your eyes, ‘But we all know how to make spag bol, Ruth.’

“Some people go, ‘Oh, I never put mushrooms, I love mushrooms, celery [yuck]’. And I’ve just adapted it to my own little fabulous recipe. So, let’s get cooking.”

Ruth kicked off her recipe by grabbing chopped onions from her freezer and sizzling them in a heated frying pan. Next, she tossed in a pack of minced beef, breaking up any clumps with a large fork.

“If you have lumps, look, I’ve got this great thing. A big fork, because you don’t want a big lumpy spag bol, do you?” Ruth said, before popping a blob of both garlic and tomato puree into the pan.

She continued: “And then cook that off before you put anything else in. Tomatoes, red oxo cube diluted [and the] secret ingredient.” Brace yourselves, Ruth’s unconventional addition to the dish is instant coffee granules.

While you might assume this would give your meal an unwanted bitterness, Ruth insists this isn’t the case. In fact, she’s been serving this dish to her 23-year-old son, Jack Holmes, for years, despite his disliking to the caffeinated drink.

“I think it gives it a really deep flavour, it doesn’t taste of coffee,” she added. “So, Jack, just to let you know, I’ve always put coffee in your spag bowl, darling. And you don’t like coffee.”

Moving on, Ruth added ‘lots of’ dried basil and bay leaves for even more flavour. She then popped a lid on top of the pan and simmered this at a low heat for ‘an hour-and-a-half ish’.

Ruth’s unconventional addition to the dish is instant coffee granules(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Wicked London Production Ltd)

“But don’t forget my little added secret ingredient is the coffee,” the 65-year-old said while finishing up her recipe. In the caption, she also summarised: “No strict measurements here… I just go by eye, taste as I go, and trust my instincts.

“I know some people swear by red wine, fancy stock, or simmering for hours… but I keep it simple, hearty and full of flavour… just how we like it.

“I always use frozen, chopped onions….game changer! Makes it so much quicker and no runny eyes! Nothing posh, nothing fiddly… just proper comfort food for a busy weeknight.”

Unsurprisingly, Ruth’s recipe was flooded with comments from fans who swear by other secret ingredients when making spaghetti bolognese. One person wrote: “Looks delicious I add Worcestershire sauce and Marmite to mine,” as someone else chimed in: “I add pancetta and balsamic vinegar to mine.”

Meanwhile, another added: “My secret ingredient is milk after you put the meat in, I feel it bulks the meat out and makes it tender.”

Loose Women star Coleen Nolan has opened up about her split from ex-husband Shane Richie, admitting she ‘cried her eyes out’ after he asked to take their sons on holiday with his new partner

Coleen Nolan admits she cried after ex-husband Shane Richie had a request with their sons(Image: No credit)

Coleen Nolan has confessed that she “cried her eyes out” when her ex-husband Shane Richie expressed his desire to take their young sons on a trip with his new partner.

The pop star and the EastEnders actor tied the knot in 1990 and had two sons together, Jake and Shane Jr. However, their marriage ended in 1997 after Coleen found out about Shane’s affair with another woman.

In her autobiography published in 2009, Coleen revealed that Shane was in Manchester performing as Danny Zuko in Grease at the time, while she and their children were living in the south. It was during this period that Coleen began to suspect something was amiss, reports Lancs Live.

Writing in her book, the Loose Women panelist said: “At the after-show party, I can distinctly remember examining this one girl. There were loads of people there but she just stood out. She had really long dark hair and was wearing a skin-tight white dress. Well, it must have been female intuition because that turned out to be the girl Shane had an affair with.”

While appearing on Loose Women: The Podcast, Coleen shared that it was only six months to a year later when Shane made a request that left her devastated. This came after a podcast listener wrote in to say that their ex-husband wanted to take their children away with his new girlfriend.

Loose Women star Coleen Nolan(Image: Getty Images)

Shane Richie and Coleen Nolan married in 1990(Image: Getty Images)

Coleen recalled: “It happened to me, I remember when me and Shane first split up and obviously, he was with the girl that we had split up because of, and it was about six months, about a year down the line and he wanted to go to Florida with her and the boys. They hadn’t even met her at this point.”

The TV personality opened up about a personal experience, saying: “So I arranged for the boys to meet her with me, and she came to the house, and we chatted. Obviously it hurts you, it hurt me, you’re thinking, ‘what if my kids end up falling in love…because she’s going to be the good guy and she’ll spoil them because she wants them to love her and all of this’.”

She continued her candid revelation: “But then I thought, ‘A, it doesn’t matter what she does, they’ll never love her as much as they love me, I’m their mum’ and secondly, I don’t want the boys to feel guilty and feel guilty going, that they’ve betrayed me. I saw them looking at me like, I knew they really wanted to go to Disney but they’re looking at me and I’m like, ‘No, you’re going to have the best time’.”

Coleen has three children, Jake, Ciara and Shane Jr (Image: Coleen Nolan/Instagram)

Reflecting on her emotions when they left, she confessed: “Don’t get me wrong, they went off, cried my eyes out, fine. What I did is I took myself away for two weeks with a friend, I went and had a lovely time kid free, and it was great.”

After her separation from Shane, Coleen Nolan found happiness once more with musician Ray Fensome, with whom she shares daughter Ciara. They tied the knot in 2007, however their marriage ended in divorce in 2018.

Coleen was more recently in a relationship with Michael Jones after the pair met on Tinder in 2021. However, they split in late 2024.

Shane meanwhile married wife Christie in 2007. The couple live in Surrey and share children Mackenzie Blue, Lolita Bell and Romani-Skye together.