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It has been 14 months since Prince Harry and his father, King Charles, are believed to have met. And now the Duke of Sussex is reportedly suggesting his security battle boils down to preventing him and his wife from quitting as working royals

King Charles with Prince Harry(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Prince Harry’s unexpected return to the UK for a court hearing may have come as a surprise. But his failure to meet with his cancer-stricken father, King Charles, appears to have not shocked many.

After the Duke of Sussex railed against his dad in his Netflix series with wife Meghan and his controversial memoir Spare, relations had been very rocky. But there appeared to be a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel just over a year ago when Charles announced some unexpected news.

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After revealing he had been diagnosed with cancer, his youngest son jumped on a plane and dashed to his dad’s side, with many hoping it would begin the process of reconciliation. But 14 months later and despite several further visits to the UK by Harry including one this week, it is believed the pair haven’t seen each other since – and there could be one sticking point in their fragile bond…

Father and son are estranged (Image: Getty Images)

’30 minute meeting’

When Harry dashed over to the UK to see his dad after his cancer diagnosis last February, many were left puzzled by the brief nature of their meeting. Just 40 minutes after Harry arrived at Clarence House, his father’s London home, Charles left to head to Sandringham.

Harry then spent just a few more hours in the UK before boarding a flight back to California. Several weeks later, on a trip to Canada, he was asked about his father in an interview with US TV.

King Charles is being treated for cancer (Image: PA)

Speaking about his father, Harry said he was told the news by the King himself and jumped on a plane straight away to see him. He said he felt lucky to have been able to visit his dad following the diagnosis and added: “Look I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him I’m grateful for that.”

Harry refused to talk about his dad’s condition, saying “that stays between us”. However, when asked if the diagnosis could have a “reunifying effect” amid their feud, Harry added: “Yeah, I’m sure. Throughout all these families I see it on a day-to-day basis the strength of the family unit coming together. I think any illness, any sickness brings families together.”

Invictus ‘snub’

Harry’s next trip to the UK was a few months later in May when he attended a high-profile service at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark 10 years of the Invictus Games.

Harry at a service for the Invictus Games last year(Image: Getty Images)

However, when the Duke landed in the UK, a statement from Harry’s spokesperson confirmed he would not be meeting his father, who had a “full programme”. It was later reported in the Sunday Times that Harry had asked if he could stay at a royal residence during his UK trip – a request which was said to have been granted by his father, although Harry ultimately stayed in a hotel.

The snub apparently left the King ‘crushed’ with security issues reportedly the reason why Harry declined his father’s offer in the end.

‘Shocking’ security battle

Several months later, reports then emerged that Harry and his father were no longer speaking, with security named as the reason why. Sources close to the Sussexes claimed that Harry’s calls to his dad were going unanswered as he tried to discuss his security arrangements with his father.

Harry has been embroiled in a long-running battle over his security when he comes to the UK after he automatically lost the right to his police protection when he stepped down as a working royal. According to PEOPLE magazine, Harry believes his dad could help to have this reinstated, although this has been dismissed as “wholly inaccurate” by a palace source.

Prince Harry arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice in London (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

And a friend of Harry’s told the magazine at the time: “He gets ‘unavailable right now’. His calls go unanswered. He has tried to reach out about the King’s health, but those calls go unanswered too.” While another friend added: “Harry is frightened and feels the only person who can do anything about it is his father,” while another source added: “Harry is determined to protect his own family at all costs.”

This week Harry was back in his home country for a two-day Court of Appeal hearing over his UK protection. Harry is challenging the dismissal of his High Court claim against the Home Office over the decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of protection when in the UK.

During the private hearing, the Duke said his “worst fears” about the withdrawal of his police protection were confirmed by evidence heard. Speaking with The Telegraph as he left the Royal Courts of Justice, Harry said “people would be shocked by what’s being held back,” adding that his “worst fears have been confirmed by the whole legal disclosure in this case and that’s really sad”.

The newspaper said Harry suggested the decision was an attempt to prevent him and his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, from quitting as working royals and moving abroad – which Buckingham Palace sources have strongly denied. Harry said: “We were trying to create this happy house.”

Other visits to the UK last year included attending his uncle Lord Robert Fellowes’ funeral, which did see him reunited with his estranged brother Prince William. However, the pair are not believed to have spoken and nor did Harry meet with his father. No meeting happened when Harry came to the UK for the WellChild Awards in September either.

‘Olive branch’

Prince Harry extended an “olive branch” to brother Prince William on his recent short visit to the UK, a source close to the estranged royal said. The Duke of Sussex reportedly chose to deliberately stay near the future king at Coworth Park hotel, in Ascot, Berkshire, last week.

Harry noticeably decided to stay at the Berkshire hotel during his two-day hearing at the High Court in London. The five-star hotel is a less than 20-minute drive to William and Kate’s residence, Adelaide Cottage, on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

A close friend of Harry claimed his sentimental accommodation choice “was relayed to Wills and Kate through security services” and “was seen as a potential olive branch to make peace after so many years estranged,” according to The Express.

The insider revealed Harry had hoped to work on his strained relationship with William on his short visit home. This source added: “Harry really is keen to try to salvage some kind of relationship or even reopen dialogue. They have not had any full-length conversations or discussions since they had some time together around the Queen’s passing.

“And some of us saw Harry being so close to his brother as a gesture of saying ‘hey I am here, close by… what about us trying to work things out’? The sad thing is that many of us, within Harry’s friends’ circles, feel he wants to somehow make peace and return to talking terms.”

‘One man to heal rift’

Harry flew in for the court hearing last Sunday with his time in London overlapping with his father before the King jetted off to Italy for a state visit. And with the pair still seemingly avoiding each other, royal expert and historian Dr Tessa Dunlop believes it’s down to one man to bring them together.

She told the Mirror: “‘Single parenthood? Pa was never made for that’ claimed Harry in a scathing description of his father before Charles assumed the mantle of kingship. And that description predated the detonation of Harry’s truth-bomb across the Atlantic. Nowadays the man who had ‘always given an air of being not quite ready for parenthood’ appears more detached than ever.

“In among the legal nettles at the Court of Appeal, trying to claim his exceptional need for national security in a country he doesn’t like but can’t do without the Duke’s difficult journey is grist to the mill of that mantra so keenly associated with the late Queen – ‘never complain, never explain’.

“Harry tries to do both, with an absentee father who is less available than ever. While we all applaud Charles’s avuncular appeal in old age, I can’t be the only one who wishes for a paternal gesture of goodwill and forgiveness. He is the King after all, and it is so much easier to be gracious from a position of power.

Celebrity Big Brother star Mickey Rourke is leaving the Big Brother house, a spokesperson said

Mickey Rourke, who has caused a stir during his short time on the show, has agreed to leave the Celebrity Big Brother house following a string of offensive comments made towards the housemates, an ITV spokesperson has said.

They said: “Mickey Rourke has agreed to leave the Celebrity Big Brother House this evening following a discussion with Big Brother regarding further use of inappropriate language and instances of unacceptable behaviour.”

It comes after he was warned by Celebrity Big Brother bosses about his behaviour in the house, which saw him make homophobic and fat-shaming comments to fellow housemates JoJo Siwa and Donna Preston.

Mickey has agreed to leave the house ( 
Image:
REX/Shutterstock for Big Brother)
In the moments before he walked into the Big Brother house, he already shocked the crowd when fans accused him of staring down host AJ Odudu as she introduced herself to him before he started to grab onto her and touch her excessively.

Things quickly went even worse when Mickey was distracted by the live audience and attempted to give them all a high-five before making his way through the doors into the house.

The actor was taking a long time with the audience that host AJ had to push him into the house before he tried to drag her in there with him.

After the awkward altercation, fans flocked to X to share their concern for host AJ, as one wrote: “Someone get some security for AJ from Mickey Rourke because what the hell was that????” Another shared: “Mickey’s entrance is the strangest entrance I think there’s ever been on this show. Poor AJ.”

After entering the show, he made homophobic comments towards JoJo Siwa and claimed he could ‘turn her straight’. During a chat, he asked JoJo: “Where’s the smoke room? Where’s the cigarette room?,” before then asking: “Do you like girls or boys?”

“Me? Girls. My partner is non-binary,” JoJo replied, before Mickey said: “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.” JoJo then answered: “I can guarantee I’ll still be gay and I’ll still be in a very happy relationship.”

He seemed to stare down AJ Odudu ( 
Image:
ITV)
As he walked into the garden, Mickey asked Chris if they would get to choose who they voted out. He told the Love Island star: “I’m going to vote the lesbian out real quick.” JoJo overheard and replied: “That’s homophobic, if that was your reasoning.”

At one point while talking about having a smoke, he said: “I need a fag,” before gesturing to JoJo and saying: “I’m not talking to you.” Chris Hughes then interjected and said: “Mickey, you can’t say that.”

Big Brother gave him a stern warning at the time and said to him in the Diary Room: “Mickey before you entered the Big Brother house the rules regarding unacceptable language and behaviour were explained to you … Mickey, do you understand how this language could be offensive to your Housemates or the viewing public?

He made homophobic comments towards JoJo ( 
Image:
ITV)
“Yeah I think so. If I was saying it in a nasty kind of way or if I truly meant it,” Mickey then replied, with Big Brother saying back: “Mickey, Big Brother thinks your language was offensive and unacceptable …

“As a result, Big Brother is giving you a formal warning. Further language or behaviour of this nature could lead to you being removed from the Big Brother house. Mickey, do you understand?”

Mickey then answered: “Yes I do. It’s some serious stuff …. I apologise. I don’t have dishonourable intentions – I’m just talking smack you know. I wasn’t taking it all so serious. I didn’t mean in it any bad intentions and if I did, sorry.”

He made fat-shaming comments towards Donna PrestonDuring a conversation with Donna Preston, Mickey told her she’d “probably be better off running around the block for ten minutes” when he asked her if she saw any results from her LED face mask.

In a recent episode, Patsy Palmer was left in tears when Mickey made comments about her cooking.

The EastEnders star went to the diary room to become upset after Mickey said that she was a terrible cook, with Patsy telling Big Brother: “I always want my kids to always stand up for themselves.”

“Sorry,” she said, breaking down in tears. “I tried to talk that one out but it didn’t really work. I feel like I let myself down there and I don’t want my reactions to be like that.

“I always want my kids to always stand up for themselves. Maybe it was just a joke – maybe I need to look at it like that. I need to try to rise above it. It doesn’t mean I have to like him.”

Mickey was unaware that he had upset Patsy, and he didn’t let the issue drop – later telling Big Brother that they need to invest in providing better food for the contestants. “I think in future, you guys should hire really good chefs to feed the people,” he said.

Singer Katy Perry is to head off into space on a Blue Origin rocket on Monday and will be part of the first all-female mission in 62 years that will be blasting off from Texas

Katy Perry is to head off on a Blue Origin rocket(Image: INSTAGRAM)

Katy Perry ponders life on Earth as she prepares to leave it, lifting off on the Blue Origin rocket with five other women on the first all-female space mission in 62 years. The pop star, 40, who had a hit in 2014 with This Is How We Do, is in Texas, counting down to 2.30pm our time on Monday and blast-off in the reusable, self-driving rocket.

She will be on the 11-minute flight with author Lauren Sanchez, 55, TV host Gayle King, 70, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, 33, rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, 38, and filmmaker Kerianne Flynn, 57.

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It will be an all-female crew that will blast off(Image: INSTAGRAM)

It is the first all-female crew since Russian engineer Valentina Tereshkova’s solo flight in 1963. They will reach 62 miles above Earth, technically entering space as the capsule crosses the Karman line, the boundary of space.

It is part of billionaire Jeff Bezos’ New Shepard space programme(Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)

They will experience about four minutes of weightlessness, time to float around and take in the views of Earth from the large windows before the capsule descends back to Earth using three parachutes.

The Blue Rocket is part of billionaire Jeff Bezos’ New Shepard space programme. So were the women’s smart new space suits delivered by Amazon?

Meghan Markle has been criticised for travelling in an ‘absolutely abnormal’ four-car motorcade to watch a play on Broadway, New York on Thursday night

Meghan Markle has been criticised for rocking up at a play in New York in an ‘over the top’ and ‘absolutely abnormal’ motorcade

Meghan Markle has been slammed for rocking up at a play in New York with a four-car motorcade – including an unmarked police vehicle. The former Suits star travelled to watch Broadway show, Gypsy, on Thursday night, using three SUVs – and an NY Police Department car, according to reports.

It has also been claimed the mum-of-two, 43, hired former Secret Service agents to bolster her private security team. Two intelligence detectives were said to have ridden in the unmarked police car, which reportedly belonged to the NY Police Department in a move which has been slammed by the US paparazzi.

Meghan Markle gushed about meeting the cast of Gypsy backstage in New York(Image: Instagram/ @meghan)

The strict security measures have been heavily criticised by photographers – hoping to take a snap of the former royal – Page Six reported. The publication claimed that the paparazzi had described Meghan’s efforts as “absolutely abnormal, totally over-the-top and excessive”.

Giving their take on the Netflix star’s reported mode of transport, they said: “Meghan is out of control and over-the-top, and it’s ridiculous if the city is paying for this. And if NYPD was not on duty, then they shouldn’t be allowed to run lights. Somebody’s got to be paying for it.”

However, the outlet pointed out that celebrities can ask NYPD for its services if they want protection.

Meghan was not joined by her husband Prince Harry, who was visiting Ukraine at the time, and went for a slap-up meal at Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bar before watching Gypsy at the Majestic Theatre.

After watching the show, which has been running since November 2024, the Netflix star met some members of the cast.

Sharing series of photos backstage with the star-studded group, Meghan gushed about meeting actress Audra McDonald.

She captioned a snap in her photo carousel: “If you get a chance to see @gypsybway, you absolutely must. Congratulations to the tremendously talented cast and crew for creating magic on that stage.

She also caught up with Hollywood A-lister, Audra McDonald(Image: Instagram/ @meghan)

“And meeting @audramcdonald for the first time last night…’ she continued, including a smiley-face emoji with tears in its eyes.

“Her performance will leave you absolutely speechless. Full body chills. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house, and if the theatre didn’t have to close for the night, the standing ovation would still be happening.”

Reports suggest Meghan managed to remain under the radar among theatre-goers, despite escalated security measures. After the show, Gypsy’s production shared photographs of the duchess engaging with the cast members backstage.

They wrote, “Thank you for visiting us at the Majestic, @meghan It was an honour to have you in the audience for #GypsyBway!”

Meghan’s fans loved the snaps, with one person writing, “This is too amazing. Audra and Meghan.” Ahh so glad that Princess Meghan got to meet the cast & especially Queen Audra. Hope Meghan & her friends enjoyed the show,” another person gushed. Meanwhile, a third commented: “How fun!!! Both ladies look absolutely beautiful!!”

Kerry Katona has defended pal Katie Price after the glamour model received backlash for backing claims that boxer Anthony Fowler’s CBD brand ‘cured’ his daughter’s tumour.

Kerry has backed her friend following the backlash(Image: Instagram)

Kerry Katona has defended Katie Price after she received backlash for backing claims that boxer Anthony Fowler’s CBD brand ‘cured’ his daughter’s tumour.

Former glamour model Katie has posted a series of videos to social media promoting Supreme CBD, Anthony’s brand. One video saw her sitting with Anthony’s partner, Serena Stregapede, who claimed that a tumour in their daughter Roma’s leg ‘shrunk’ after using the CBD products.

As Katie sat waving a bottle of the oil at the camera, she said: “They’ve shown me the pictures of before and after from using CBD where it shrunk it all.”

Many fans branded the promotional video ‘abhorrent’. However, Kerry – who also works with Supreme CBD – took to her weekly column this week to back Katie.

(Image: kerrykatona7/instagram)

She wrote: “I’ve seen that Supreme CBD has been getting lots of bad press over the last week since my friend Katie Price began promoting it and shared that it helped the owner Anthony Fowler’s daughter, who had a tumour in her leg. I’ve been working with the brand and Anthony, for years and I absolutely love it.

Kerry added:”No one is claiming that CBD can cure cancer, they are simply saying that it helped his daughter. I introduced Katie to the brand and, if I’m honest, I think people just like to be negative towards her, no matter what the situation is.”

Katie and Kerry, who both appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! together in 2004, have been friends for over two decades and still have a close relationship. The pair even spent Christmas together last year, with Katie and her eldest son Harvey spending the period at Kerry’s Cheshire home.

Katie shared a clip to Instagram promoting the CBD brand(Image: Twitter)

A long-time supporter of Supreme CBD, Kerry has often lauded the brand for helping with her chronic pain amongst other health issues. She often posts to social media with owner Anthony and his partner Serena.

However, Katie’s price left many fans unimpressed with the claims regarding Romy’s tumours, with Katie captioning the post: “Very serious chat with @serenasophiax and @afowler06 about their 2 year old daughter who had a tumour in her leg, they refused hospital treatment and healed her themselves which is amazing.

“They was telling me all about @supreme_cbd and how it works for fibromyalgia, arthritis, anxiety/depression any aches/pains or insomnia, I literally get people thanking me everyday this is started posting, I asked @supreme_cbd for a code to save you all money, use code Katie40 at checkout http://supremecbd.uk and save 40% on your orders.”

So you are advertising that CBD healed the tumour. Dangerous and disgusting,” one person wrote.

Kerry often posts with Anthony (pictured) and introduced Katie to the brand

“This is f**king abhorrent,” said a third, with another writing: “This feels dodgy.” A fifth fan begged: “Please don’t post dangerous false information like this. People might take your word as fact and refuse medical advice. This sort of thing has caused so much harm!”

A final commenter urged: “Katie, you have zero medical or scientific qualifications, so how about you don’t use your platform to push health ‘advice’. Health is too important to mess with & vulnerable people can often look for the ‘easy solution’ when there isn’t one. Don’t endanger lives.”

Anthony soon dived into the comment section, not disputing Katie’s claim that he and Serena “refused hospital treatment” but adding: “Hardest time of my life @supreme_cbd was only one of the MANY CHANGES, I made to make my little girls bodies able to heal herself.”

Olympian and proud dad-of-three Greg Rutherford has shared an update on his seven-year-old son Rex after he was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery due to appendicitis

Greg Rutherford’s son rushed to hospital for emergency surgery amid violent pain(Image: @gregjrutherford/Instagram)

Dancing On Ice star Greg Rutherford has revealed that his son has been rushed to hospital for emergency surgery. The Olympian, 38, took to Instagram on Monday to praise his son Rex, 7, for being so brave after he was rushed to A&E over the weekend to undergo surgery to have his appendix removed.

Greg, who shares Rex with his wife Susie Verrill, 35, updated his Instagram followers with a number of pictures of his son sitting in his hospital bed. The seven-year-old’s face was covered with an emoji in the stories, but he could be seen sipping water from a glass after his surgery.

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Rex’s proud dad confirmed that his emergency surgery and hospital stay was down to appendicitis – but confirmed that thankfully, Rex is on the mend now. “We’ve had an eventful few days,” the Olympian wrote.

Greg shared an update on Rex, 7, on his Instagram stories(Image: @gregjrutherford/Instagram)

“Finished up with TCA Camps on Thursday to Rex going straight in to hospital with appendicitis that night. He was so brave start to finish and now back at home requesting all the food. Think those hours he was nil by mouth has scarred him.”

Greg is also a proud dad to, Milo, 10, and Daphne, 3, and told his followers that while Rex was recovering at home, he took his eldest and youngest out trampolining to get them out of the house. However, this isn’t the first time that Rex has ended up in hospital. Last year, Rex was admitted to hospital after falling and suffering a head injury.

At the time, Greg told his followers: “It would seem we have created my exact replica in Rexy. Another head injury to leave another scar. He’s got a few more to go to match me but he’s doing his best to catch.”

Greg confirmed that Rex was on the mend(Image: @gregjrutherford/Instagram)

Greg’s three-year-old daughter was also rushed to hospital last year as she struggled to breathe. At the time, his wife Susie took to Instagram to share the scary update of their daughter and claimed she had ‘guilt’ at not taking to youngster to be checked out sooner.

Susie confirmed their youngest child Daphne had suffered with croup and wrote: “So glad I decided to bring her to hospital because she was NOT good. What a difference some steroids make.”

Greg shares three children with wife Susie(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

In another update, she wrote: “Thanks for all your kind messages. I’ve got huge guilt for not taking her in sooner – we’re pretty experienced with croup and aside from once with Milo, it’s always sorted itself out with cold air, drinks and keeping them calm.”

“When I took her in this morning they heard her breathe and rushed us straight through to have steroids because her nostrils were flaring and throat was tugging. Because she’d been so calm and chatty with me I didn’t really panic too much initially.”

Celebrity Big Brother fans believe they have worked out Chris Hughes’ game plan as they are convinced he tried to get Mickey Rourke evicted thanks to one comment

Chris Hughes and Mickey Rourke’s epic fallout has been the talking of Celebrity Big Brother this weekend. The pair got in a nasty war of words during a pirate themed task that ultimately ended up costing Mickey his place in the house as he lost his temper in spectacular style.

The Hollywood actor was already on a warning following his vile homophobic abuse towards JoJo Siwa, before Chris became his next target. As JoJo was given the role of Captain and put in charge of steering the ship as part of the task, Mickey got distracted and claimed to catch Chris giving him a side eye.

Mickey confronted Chris: “You looking at me?,” as he approached the reality TV star. As Mickey got closer, Chris appeared determined not to bow down as he turned to Jack P Shepherd and whispered: “Stick up for me.”

JoJo intervened as she carried on the game and said: “Ahoy. You’re not the captain of this ship. Ahoy. Back up soldier,” yet Mickey was still not happy as he told Chris: “Don’t eyeball me.”

Fans spotted Chris’ comment to Jack as he argued with Mickey(Image: ITV/Celebrity Big Brother )

Chris added: “Mickey it was a joke, f***ing…” while Danny Beard stepped in to try and diffuse the situation by also calling it a “joke”. Yet Mickey was fuming as he quipped: “Don’t f***ing eyeball me. You c***.”

As Mickey flew into a rage, fans couldn’t help but question Chris’ plea to Jack to have his back, with some questioning if the former Love Islander was deliberately trying to push Mickey’s buttons. One said: “Anyone else noticed Chris whispered to Jack, ‘Stick up for me’ when he started staring at Mickey he definitely knew what he was trying to do.”

Another replied: “I’m glad someone else heard this, Chris wound him up on purpose.” Someone else commented: “Chris knew what he was doing to Mickey, that’s why he turned to Jack and said stick up for me!!!”

A fourth fumed: “Can’t stand Chris. He needs to go… He provoked Mickey. Now that Mickey left I won’t be watching the show coz its boring.”

Big Brother had intervene when things came to blows: “This is Big Brother. Mickey, come to the diary room immediately.” Mickey hit back: “No, your a** will be right there in a second,” but Big Brother then said more sternly: “Mickey, come to the diary room immediately.”

Mickey was booted off the show due to his actions(Image: ITV)

Mickey did head to the Diary Room with a push from JoJo, where he was met with a chat about his behaviour on the series. The actor then returned to the garden and apologised to Chris before heading inside again.

Chris told the housemates: “Mickey’s just Mickey, you know what I mean.” TOWIE’s Ella added: “It’s fine – you can be just someone, but be mindful of what it can trigger in other people, because it’s made me feel very uneasy.”

Mickey issued an apology to his housemates before his exit as he said: “I did wrong. I apologise. I’m sorry. I can’t take it back, you know, I stepped over the line. And I take responsibility for doing the wrong thing. ‘Cause I lost my temper, and I’ve been trying to work on it my whole life and I wish I would have had better self-control and I’m very sorry.

“I’m ashamed of myself for losing it for a few seconds there. Nobody got touched or hurt. Maybe some feelings got hurt or maybe others have feelings about others getting upset but, you know, I’m sorry about that…

“I blame myself, I know it was my bad. You know, I’ve got a short fuse and I know I upset a lot of people out there, you know. And I’m sorry for that. I’m actually ashamed of myself for getting that hot. I went over the line, you know, I did wrong. I guess, like they say, I’m a work in progress. I just wanna pack my bags and leave, you know. I wanted to leave yesterday actually but I wasn’t chosen.”

Loose Women star Linda Robson shared that she changed her Christmas plans following the end of her marriage to husband Mark Dunford after 33 years together

Linda Robson revealed her Christmas 2023 plans on Loose Women(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Loose Women star Linda Robson revealed a change in her Christmas plans last year following the end of her marriage. She disclosed that she’d be spending the holiday at her eldest daughter’s house instead of her own. During a Loose Women chat with Kaye Adams, Jane Moore and Judi Love about phone usage on Christmas Day, Linda stated: “At my house there won’t be any phones, well its not actually my house this year it’s Lauren’s house, but normally in my house it’s no phones. ” The TV star also added: “So we take the phones off them until later that day and we have a nice peaceful family time.”

Linda went on to discuss her grandkids’ addiction to their phones, reports OK!, explaining: “My grandchildren are addicted to phones. So Lila’s 11, she’s just got a phone for the first time. And Betsy’s seven and Betsy is not allowed on her laptop until the weekend or any mobile phones and she’s like on Monday, ‘is it the weekend yet’ and [Linda says] no we’ve got another five days. ” “Honestly it just sort of takes over your life because I was addicted to the phone myself,” Linda concluded. In September 2023, the star confirmed her split from husband Mark Dunford in a heartfelt chat, sharing that she’s “feeling fine” and trying to “keep busy.”

Loose Women star Linda Robson opened about her Christmas plans (Image: Instagram)

Linda and Mark’s teenage sweetheart tale took decades to blossom into marriage in 1990, and together they have a family which includes daughter Roberta, 27, son Louis, 31, and Linda’s daughter Lauren from a prior relationship. In an interview with Woman magazine, she frankly stated, “He’s a really good dad and we had some good years, but enough is enough. I’m not interested [in dating] honestly. I can’t be a***d with all that.”

Linda tied the knot with her husband back in 1990(Image: REX/Shutterstock)

Article continues belowAlthough she had previously quashed breakup whispers, calling the speculation “rubbish” and insisting, “We’re still living together. We both love our kids more than anything else in the world, obviously you have a few hiccups in every marriage. We’ve been married 33 years so it’s not going to be all plain sailing, but we’re still together at the moment.” She once playfully hinted at marital friction on Loose Women last August, noting she prioritised her dog over her husband while discussing a weekend outing: “Notice the order! ” This cheeky confession sent her co-hosts into fits of laughter.

A number of the Loose Women panel have struggled with their finances and Judi Love recalled the moment when things really got on top of her and her young family

Loose Woman star Judi Love spoke about her worst Christmas (Image: ITV)

Loose Women regular Judi Love says things got so tough before she found fame that she had just a tiny amount in the bank and she could barely afford to celebrate Christmas.

Judi once she went through such a challenging time that her children had to go without presents The comedian and panellist, who single parents her 18-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son, says she knows how those struggling at this time of the year feel.

“Christmas came, and I had something like £87. I had these two kids, I had the bills and my debts that accumulated from just trying to take care of my kids – I wasn’t out partying … I just wanted to look after my kids,” she said during an episode. “My mum had passed by then, so there was no, ‘Mummy, can you square me at 50’ or whatever. It was just really, really frightening.”

Brenda Edwards and Linda Robson have also spoke of their battles(Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I)

Judi told viewers how she solves her issues (Image: Getty Images)

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Thankfully, with some help and support from a loan firm, Judi was able to get a handle on her debts and her life back on track, but he never forgot the difficult situation she was in, with her honest admission also helping to offer solidarity to others who were in the same situation now.

Judi, 43, opened up to OK! Magazine about the importance of looking after yourself as a single parent. She said: “Honestly, I like to date myself – whether it be a trip to a spa, go for a nice meal, whatever. It’s important to love yourself. Self-love is so underrated, it allows you to learn what your standards and boundaries are.”

Her co-star Brenda Edwards has also opened up on the previous debt she incurred and admitted she kept it a secret from her husband. She said: “I’ve spoken about the debt that I had and it was thousands. It was a college debt from years ago but I went into a marriage with it and I didn’t tell my ex-husband about it because it was my debt and I wanted to take care of it.”

“It was the interest! And I didn’t realise at the time when I took it out in college that the interest was something like 38%, so I was always paying off the interest and not the debt. It just got worse and worse which was very upsetting and then a friend helped me out and gave me a lump sum because they’re giving me the lump sum to pay off everything.” When asked if she told anyone about her financial issues at the time, Brenda confirmed that she didn’t.

She said: “No, I didn’t talk to anybody about it! Not the kids, not my ex, not anybody. I just wanted to deal with it and I dealt with it but that’s why I don’t do credit cards.” The conversation then led Linda Robson to share her own personal story too.

Denise Welch took to social media to update her fans on her latest health issue which forced for the pull out of her pantomime appearance

Denise Welch shared a health update(Image: Getty Images)

Denise Welch issued an update after having to pull out of her pantomime performance due to illness.

The Loose Women star, 66, took to Instagram to share her news as she danced with son Matty Healy. She wrote on the post: “I’ve had a very bumpy few weeks health wise which resulted in sadly having to pull out of my first panto in 12 yrs.

“So it was lovely to feel well enough to enjoy Christmas with my family. I’m eventually getting round to posting a few videos. @gabbriette & Matty. #Bleaklowfarm.”

Matty was seen in the clip dancing with Gabbriette and his mum as they celebrated the festive season surrounded by a huge Christmas tree. Denise then shared a snap of the clan in matching tartan pyjamas. The group of girls were pictured sat on a wooden bench with the vast countryside behind them. And in her third upload, Denise thanked the group, including Lincoln Townley, for partying with her and bringing in the festive period.

Denise shared a video of her dancing(Image: instagram.com/gabbriette)

Her son Matty was in the clip(Image: instagram.com/gabbriette)

The Waterloo Road star, 66, had teased earlier in the week that husband Lincoln was too old for her. She has been married to her PR manager, 52, since July 2013. They initially got together after she revealed she had split from her ex, Benidorm star Tim Healy. Denise and Tim share two sons together, 1975 frontman Matty and actor Louis.

Taking aim at her marriage’s 14-year age gap, Denise shared a snap of herself and birthday boy Lincoln on her Instagram Stories and captioned it: “Happy birthday to my best friend in the entire world @lincolntownley. At 52, a tad too old for me but I’m ok with that.”

Denise and Lincoln are et to appear in Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted next month. But fans of her son were left stunned when it was revealed he is set to make an appearance on the show. The series was filmed back in the summer and promotional clips have unveiled the unexpected inclusion of the Somebody Else singer.

In a recently released trailer for the new season – which is due to begin airing on Channel 4 on Sunday 5 January 2025 – Matty is shown in a scene where Denise and Lincoln dive for cover by going backstage at at Radio 1’s Big Weekend when they band were performing. Footage shows the frontman saying: “Seriously what’s been going on? It’s been mental. I’ve been sending random messages to your phone.”