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Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley grabbed some lunch after a sunny drive and stroll in London, with Judy flaunting long hair and a toned figure after ‘dropping the pounds’

Judy Finnigan was joined by her husband for a sunny day out years after stepping out of the spotlight(Image: ISOIMAGES LTD)

TV icon Judy Finnigan looks almost unrecognisable over a decade since stepping away from our screens. The former Loose Women star was spotted out with husband Richard Madeley, and revealed her very slimmed-down figure.

In photos of the duo, Judy, 76, and Richard, 68, were spotted out and about together on Thursday as they ran errands in North London. The duo cruised around in their cream VW Beetle, keeping the top down in the flashy convertible on the sunny day, and then took a stroll as they headed to get some lunch. Good Morning Britain star Richard looked far more casual in comparison to his slick TV suits, opting for a plain white tee paired with classic blue jeans and brown boots. The Essex native also had a navy jacket and sunglasses, but whipped them off as he soaked up the rare balmy weather.

Rarely-seen Judy Finnigan popped out for some lunch with GMB star husband Richard Madeley in sunny London on Thursday(Image: ISOIMAGES LTD)

In contrast, This Morning alum Judy sported a far darker look, layering a black top with a black fluffy jacket draped over her shoulders. She added a pop of lightness with her abstract leaf print trousers, and clutched a tote bag.

Judy kept her eyes hidden behind sunglasses on the walk, and showed off another major change with her hair grown out beyond her shoulders – after spending much of her decades on TV with a shorter crop.

Richard and Judy’s fitness fanatic daughter Chloe Madeley has previously spoken about her mum’s weight loss, emphasising that Judy dropped some pounds naturally after getting a taste for healthier foods.

The duo drove around before their stroll and meal, keeping the top down on their VW convertible (Image: ISOIMAGES LTD)

“Her palette is changing as she’s getting older and I think she was always a kind of meat and potatoes kind of girl,” she told the Mail Online.

James Haskell’s ex-wife Chloe, 37, added that despite being known for her very healthy lifestyle, she wasn’t the one to encourage Judy to make any switches.

“I was as surprised as anyone else when I opened the fridge on coming home on the weekend and saw superfood salads and soups, I thought, what the hell is going on!” she admitted. “I have to say her diet is now amazing. Her palate has changed. She has got into sushi, raw fish and whole grain salad. She has dropped the pounds naturally.”

Richard and Judy’s outing comes after it was revealed earlier this year that they have a new project in the works, years after they last worked together as one of the UK’s most famous power couples.

The couple first met all the way back in 1982 while married to other people, and eventually split with their exes before tying the knot themselves in 1986.

Judy previously told the Mirror that she was taken with Richard the first time she saw him at their Granada TV workplace, divulging: “I thought he looked nice. Tall, handsome and all that but I thought the suit was a bit flash. Then, because he was a newbie, I was assigned the job of looking after him.”

There’s no sign of a comeback for Giovannia Pernice but Aljaz Skorjanec returns, Amy is recovered and five rumoured to be leaving have gone nowhere

Giovanni Pernice won the Italian version of the show but still hasn’t been invited back for the UK series(Image: Maurizio D’Avanzo/MDPhoto/ipa-agency.net/REX/Shutterstock)

The official Strictly Come Dancing 2025 line-up of professional dancers has revealed that not one of the regulars has been dropped, despite rumours. But Giovanni Pernice, who quit the show at the start of last year amid the controversy surrounding his partnership with Amanda Abbington in 2023, has not made a comeback, despite the Italian hoping he’d be allowed to return.

Reports in recent months suggesting that favourites ranging from Johannes Radebe to Karen Hauer and Katya Jones would be shunted off the hit BBC1 show turned out to be wide of the mark. Karen, 42, is the longest serving Strictly dancer of the current pro line up, and she returns for her fourteenth series despite suggestions she was being dropped in an ageism row.

Despite rumours, Nadiya’s future on the show has been confirmed for 2025(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

And it’s also good news for Amy Dowden, who returned last year after battling breast cancer but was forced to quit her partnership with JLS singer JB Gill after sustaining a foot injury. This year’s line-up is almost exactly the same as last year’s, which was released last spring after Pernice had announced his decision to leave.

The only difference is that Graziano di Prima is not on it, after he was dropped ahead of last year’s series over his treatment of previous partner Zara McDermott.

Karen Hauer is now the longest serving pro on the programme and this year will compete in her 14th seris(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

His replacement, returning favourite Aljaž Škorjanec, is now in the starting line-up and two new dancers are yet to be hired. With 10 females on the list and only eight males, it is likely that the new hirings will both be blokes. The women are Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Nancy Xu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas.

Their male counterparts are Vito Coppola, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Kai Widdrington and Carlos Gu

Since leaving the UK show, Pernice moved to the Italian version, Ballando con le Stelle, which he won. The dancer, close pals with Anton du Beke and Shirley Ballas, hoped that a review of his conduct, amid complaints made by Abbington, would clear his name. But while he was “vindicated” when it came to any physical aggression, the actress’s complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld, and the BBC apologised to her.

Carlos has been confirmed for the 2025 season, due to start in the autumn(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Normally there are a total of 15 celebrity contestants on Strictly, meaning five professional dancers are left without partners and instead take a major part in the group numbers.

Yesterday the show’s executive producer Sarah James said: “The excitement is already building ahead of the new series and in addition to welcoming back our fantastic returning pros, we are looking forward to welcoming two brand new professional dancers to the line up who will help bring another unforgettable series of dazzling dance and loads more besides to viewers later in 2025.”

BBC entertainment boss Kalpna Patel-Knight added: “The Strictly Professional Dancers are the beating heart of the programme, showcasing to viewers in every corner of the UK their world class talent by lighting up the famous Strictly ballroom every Saturday and Sunday night. Here’s to another fab-u-lous series!”

It was claimed last year that five pro dancers were set to leave the show, with Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones and Gorka Marquez also named as potential candidates to go.

Celebrity Big Brother’s first evictee Michael Fabricant has been branded ‘gross’ for a comment about JoJo Siwa’s sexuality just days after Mickey Rourke’s vile homophobic remark

Michael Fabricant enraged fans with the comment about JoJo Siwa(Image: ITV)

Michael Fabricant has shocked Celebrity Big Brother fans with his “gross” comment towards housemate JoJo Siwa. The former Conservative MP was the first star to be evicted from the house on Friday evening and he didn’t waste any time in giving his verdict on the housemates.

Despite the show only kicking off on Monday, there has been plenty of drama and scandal already. On Wednesday night, viewers were outraged by Mickey Rourke’s vile homophobic comment towards JoJo and fat-shaming Donna Preston. Mickey was even issued a formal warning about his behaviour following the comment made towards housemate JoJo, who was left in tears by Mickey’s remark about her sexuality.

Michael made the ‘gross’ comment when he was evicted (Image: ITV)

Many viewers branded his warning not strong enough and urged for him to be kicked off the show. However, Michael has followed suit as he made a comment about JoJo while on the spin-off show, Late and Live.

He discussed JoJo’s close bond with Love Island star Chris Hughes, who was there to comfort her earlier in the week when she was hurt by Mickey. A clip of the pals played on the live show of them dancing in the garden.

Michael offered his commentary on the pair, as he claimed there is something brewing between JoJo and Chris romantically and teased: “What is going on?” JoJo came out as a lesbian in January 2021 and is currently in a relationship with girlfriend Kath Ebbs.

Despite JoJo being open about her sexuality and having made it clear she is not attracted to men, Michael claimed she could be bi-sexual due to her connection with Chris.

Viewers quickly slammed Michael for the remark, as they questioned why JoJo isn’t being respected for who she is. One said: “Trying to insinuate JoJo and Chris have something more going on is gross tbh, JoJo is just a touchy feely person and she’s gotten closest to Chris in the house that’s it.”

Another added: “I love #jojo and #chris’s dynamic. real brother sister friendship. absolutely NO hint of flirting or anything Michael.” Someone else commented: “Michael on big brother late and live saying jojo likes chris and bisexual like what’s with theses people trying to make that girl straight I can’t understand it.”

JoJo was upset by Mickey’s homophobic comment towards her(Image: ITV)

A fourth shared: “What we’re NOT going to do is insinuate that JoJo could be bi and that there’s a romance between her & Chris. They are VERY close & touchy feely, but Chris was the same with Kem on Love Island.

“He’s just like that with his friends. JoJo is a lesbian, respect that.” Another quipped: “Bro what the hell? Can jojo catch a break why is everyone so adamant that she ISN’T a lesbian? michael as someone in the community you shouldn’t be insinuating that lesbians can become straight or bisexual. she has said multiple times she’s a lesbian.”

Someone simply asked: “What is it with people wanting to convert JoJo?,” as one fan shared: “‘what is going on’ and jojo is a literal lesbian, Michael is insufferable.”

In the shocking homophobic moment from earlier in the week, Mickey asked JoJo: “Do you like girls or boys?” After revealing that her partner is non-binary, Mickey responded: “If I stay longer than four days, you won’t be gay anymore.”

He later asked Chris if everyone has to vote one another out of the house. Mickey said: “I’m going to vote the lesbian out real quick.” JoJo, who overheard, told him: “That’s homophobic, if that was your reasoning,” while Chris told Mickey he couldn’t say that.

After asking JoJo where the smoking area is, Mickey exclaimed: “I need a fag.” He then gestured to JoJo and said: “I’m not talking to you.” The moment left JoJo in tears, while Chris comforted her. Shortly after the remark, Mickey was called to the Diary Room by Big Brother, and given a stern warning.

Emmerdale’s latest episode saw someone send flowers to Caleb, Ruby and Steph Miligan with a warning on the ITV soap, claiming to be from recently murdered Anthony Fox

Emmerdale’s latest episode saw someone send flowers to Caleb, Ruby and Steph Miligan(Image: ITV)

There was an alarming threat for one family on Emmerdale on Friday, as the Miligans ‘heard from Anthony Fox’.

Of course Anthony is dead, after being murdered by his daughter Ruby Miligan months ago. He’d been beaten up by Aaron Dingle, and Aaron thought he was to blame when he found him dead later that evening.

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His partner John Sugden then covered up the crime and disposed of the body, only to realise Ruby was the killer. Weeks on and more and more people got involved, with John forced to disclose where the body was buried.

But amid new spoilers teasing Anthony might not actually be there and could be alive, with fans long convinced he isn’t dead, a new update on Friday left Steph Miligan in turmoil. Steph only recently learned about her mother killing her grandfather and her reasons.

She found out about the sickening sexual abuse Ruby faces as a teenager, that led to her falling pregnant with Steph. Knowing Anthony is her biological father has left her in utter turmoil and heading for a breakdown, with her wanting plastic surgery to change her appearance.

There was an alarming threat for one family on Emmerdale on Friday, as the Miligans ‘heard from Anthony Fox’(Image: ITV)

Ruby and Caleb are desperately trying to help their daughter, but an incident at the end of Friday’s episode only caused her to spiral more while it also raised new questions. Caleb was horrified to find a flower delivery on the doorstep, with a threat on the card.

It read: “I’m coming for you. From Anthony.” Caleb knew it couldn’t actually be from his father-in-law, and tried to hide it from Ruby and Steph. Ruby snatched the card though and was forced to reveal to Steph what it said and who they were from.

Steph immediately assumed they had to be from Anthony and he really was out to get them. She suggested he was behind Caleb’s recent stabbing, actually orchestrated by Joe Tate.

She then shared her belief that Anthony never really died and was now out for revenge. She said: “We only have John’s word that he buried him. What if he is still alive?”

Spoilers have revealed who the flower sender is, and it’s none other than Jai Sharma(Image: ITV)

This question will come up again next week as Steph heads to the burial location and begins clawing at the ground to see if he’s really where John says. As Ruby and Caleb frantically try to stop her they are forced to confront John after a discovery.

It’s clear from the ground that nothing has been buried there, and the trio ask John outright if Anthony is really dead after all. But it isn’t Anthony who is targeting Steph and her parents, and he did not send the flowers.

Spoilers have revealed who the flower sender is, and it’s none other than Jai Sharma. Jai has been keen to work out what happened to Anthony for weeks, wanting to find out what Caleb is hiding.

He’s sure the family is up to something and has been trying to get Steph to reveal all. He sends the flowers to taunt them into letting slip what’s really gone on, and soon Jai admits to Ruby he is behind the flower delivery but how will the family react?

Injured war personnel in Ukraine, were given a boost when they received a surprise visit from Prince Harry, as the Duke of Sussex was joined by those from the Invictus Games Foundation

Prince Harry made an unscheduled trip to Ukraine where he met with injured war victims at a rehabilitation clinic, it has been confirmed.

The ex Royal visited the Superhumans Center, an orthopaedic clinic in Lviv treating and and rehabilitating wounded military personnel and civilians. He was joined by a contingent from the Invictus Games Foundation, including four veterans who have been through similar rehab experiences as those they met in Ukraine. The centre helps provides prosthetics, reconstructive surgery and psychological help free of charge for those injured in the line of protecting their country from evil Vladimir Putin’s war machine.

Harry’s visit was kept secret until after he had left the centre with the veterans ( 
Image:
PA)

His visit was kept secret until after he safely had left the area of Ukraine, which has frequently been targeted with Russian missiles since the outbreak of war. The Duke of Sussex, who served 10 years in the British Army, has made helping injured soldiers one of his most prominent causes.

He founded the Invictus Games in 2014 to offer wounded veterans the challenge of competing in sports events similar to the Paralympics.

Harry is the second member of the royal family to visit Ukraine after his aunt, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, became the first British royal to travel to the country since Russia’s 2022 invasion when she made an unannounced visit to Kyiv last year.

The royal family has been outspoken in their support for Ukraine. King Charles warmly greeted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a show of support at his estate on the North Sea coast two days after his explosive meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.

Prince Harry waves as he leaves the Royal Courts of Justice in London ( 
Image:
AP)
Harry’s older brother, Prince William, met with Ukrainian refugees during a two day visit to Estonia last month.

Harry travelled to Ukraine after spending two days in a London court where he is appealing the British government’s decision to strip him of his government-funded protection after he quit working as a member of the royal family in 2020 and moved his family to California.

Prince Harry attends the Wellchild Awards in London last year ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Proceedings hears Prince Harry’s decision to live abroad prompted the change to his UK security arrangements. Harry has been 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.

The Duke of Sussex has argued he can not bring his wife Meghan and two children, Archie, five and Lilibet, three, to the UK, because he does not feel safe, despite being offered security if there is a specific threat.

At the end of the hearing, Judge Sir Geoffrey Vos said the Court of Appeal’s decision would be given in writing at a later date, which was “most unlikely” to be before Easter. Sir Geoffrey, sitting with Lord Justice Bean and Lord Justice Edis, said: “Plainly we will take our time to consider our judgments.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales shared a rare picture of an important member of their family with a message about the joy and companionship that they bring to them

The Princess of Wales (Image: PA)

The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared a never-before-seen photo of a rarely-seen family member – along with a heartwarming message. The royal couple took to social media today to mark National Pet Day by posting a photo of their pet cocker spaniel Orla.

The dog has been a beloved pet of William, Kate and their children since she was given to them by the princess’s brother James Middleton. And paying tribute to her, they wrote in a sweet message: “Celebrating the animals who bring us so much, joy, companionship and love to our lives this national pet day.”

 

Camilla’s huge hint she was always going to be Queen despite major statement

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Orla is a rarely-seen member of the Wales family but did make an appearance in a personal video released by Kate to mark the end of her chemotherapy treatment last September. The dog also once accompanied them to a polo match and appeared in birthday portraits released to mark Princess Charlotte turning seven several years ago.

Meanwhile last year, William opened up about the pet and revealed how Orla often joins him and wife Kate in bed. He made the revelation as he petted a well-wisher’s dog during a visit to Duchy College in Cornwall. As he chatted to Louise Harland and stroked her dog Jacks, she says that the prince told her that Orla often sleeps on the bed alongside the royal couple.

Louise told Hits Radio Cornwall: “[William] said that his little dog sleeps on the bed with them at night, with him and Kate. [He was] absolutely in love with my little dog. He asked what breed he was and he’s never met one of those breeds, he’s a Cockerjack, so he’s a little bit of a unique combination.”

William and Kate with pet dog Orla in a family video last year(Image: KensingtonRoyal)

Orla is the second family pet owned by William and Kate as they previously had another cocker spaniel called Lupo, who sadly died in 2020. It’s not just William and Kate who have been sharing snaps of their dogs to celebrate National Pet Day. Fergie has also taken to social media to post pictures of her pets, which include Sandy and Muick, corgis that were once owned by the late Queen.

The Duchess of York also has a pack of Norfolk Terriers as well as the corgis and shared pictures of the pets by the bowls as well as a snap of Sandy and Muick posing beside her in the garden.

Fergie with the late Queen’s corgis Sandy and Muick (Image: @sarahferguson15/Instagram)

She wrote on Instagram : “Happy International Pet Day to my seven sweet doggies! From their wagging tails and comforting cuddles to the calming presence and loyal companionship they give every single day, life is simply brighter with these amazing furry friends by my side.”

Other royal dogs include Queen Camilla’s pets Bluebell and Moley. Earlier this year, Camilla revealed she had adopted Moley following the death of her previous Jack Russell, Beth. When asked about Moley’s breed, she said: “You may well ask, a bit of everything. It’s a rescue dog. It’s called Moley – it looks just like a mole.”

It is understood that Moley was born on Boxing Day and Camilla adopted her from Battersea Dogs and Cats home. Her mother is half Jack Russell, half unknown, while her father’s breed is unknown.

Meanwhile, in California, Prince Harry and Meghan also have two dogs called Pula and Mia. Meghan’s previous dog, a beagle called Guy recently died and the Duchess of Sussex revealed his death in a moving video on Instagram.

Harry and the delegation, which included his pals and fellow former soldiers David Wiseman and JJ Chalmers, travelled from London where Harry had attended two days of court hearings over a downgrade to his security

Prince Harry has vowed to visit Ukraine again following his secret trip to a rehab centre in the war-torn country.

The royal, 40, visited the Superhumans Center, an orthopaedic clinic that treats and rehabilitates wounded military personnel and civilians, in Lviv, on Thursday. During the visit, Harry said: “This is my first visit to Ukraine and it certainly won’t be the last.” The duke, who served in the British Army for ten years and carried out two tours in Afghanistan, met injured veterans and even donned scrubs while witnessing surgeons carrying out an operation at the pioneering centre, which provides prosthetics, reconstructive surgery and psychological help free of charge.

Harry donned surgical scrubs during the visit

He appeared fascinated while watching medics perform an ear operation

He also met ten-year-old schoolboy Roman Oleksiv, who suffered severe burns covering 45% of his body after a Russian missile strike in July 2022 and lost his mother in the same attack.

Harry said: “It was an absolute honour and a privilege to be able to travel here with an Invictus delegation and to come here to the Superhumans Centre and see what an absolutely mind-blowing care and rehabilitation that is provided here under this purpose-built roof.

Harry speaking to ten-year-old Roman Oleksiv, a young survivor of the Russian strike on Vinnytsia(Image: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ©)

Harry hugging Roman, whose mother died in the attack that left him with severe injuries

“I have been to many rehabilitation centres, but there is no rehabilitation centre in the world that feels like this. I want to remind Ukraine that the world stands with them and Invictus will be a partner with Ukraine and this Ukrainian Invictus team for as long as needed and we love the partnership.”

Harry and the delegation, which included his pals and fellow former soldiers David Wiseman and JJ Chalmers, travelled from London where Harry had attended two days of court hearings over a downgrade to his security.

He is appealing against a decision to strip him of his round-the-clock Government funded protection after he quit working as a member of the Royal Family in 2020.

Veterans were delighted to see the Prince during the visit on Thursday

Harry’s visit to the city in western Ukraine, which has been targeted by Russian air attacks, was not announced until after he had left the country. He is the second member of the Royal Family to visit Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion following a trip by his aunt, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, who made an unannounced visit to Kyiv last year.

The royals have voiced their support for the war-torn nation, with King Charles warmly greeting President Volodymyr Zelensky at Sandringham just two days after his public clash with Donald Trump and JD Vance at the White House. And Harry’s brother Prince William also met refugees from Ukraine during a two-day visit to Estonia last month.

Harry met dozens of injured Ukrainian veterans during the visit, including some who took part in this year’s Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler, where team members gave him a bracelet, which he wears, emblazoned with the message “Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire”.

Harry shook hands with patients and medical professionals during the visit(Image: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ©)

He posed for photos with dozens of wounded soldiers, including some who competed in this year’s Invictus Games in Canada(Image: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ©)

Andriy Stavnister, founder of the Superhumans Centre, said: “Prince Harry met with all our guys who participated in the Games this winter—not just the Superhumans.

“He is incredibly warm and emotionally generous—no royal formalities. He hugged everyone, had a kind word for each person, and toured the Center with genuine interest and attention.”

Andriy said he feels the “deepest respect” for Harry. He added: “It’s hard to add anything more about a man who could choose any pursuit in this world, but dedicated himself to supporting and empowering wounded veterans.

“I believe that decades from now, when all the world’s wars have finally ended, Lviv’s sign will bear a note: “Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, was here. A true Superhuman.”

Loose Women star Linda Robson was left in tears and unable to speak as she appeared on the show to discuss pal Pauline Quirke’s dementia diagnosis

Linda Robson was left in tears as she spoke about friend Pauline Quirke’s dementia diagnosis for the first time.

The Loose Women star spoke of her Birds of a Feather co-star while on the show and struggled to contain her emotions. Host Christine Lampard told her: “Clearly, you are there for her and you have got a bit of experience too. You will lean on each other going forward. It is so good thank you have got each other. It is difficult, Linda, I know. Thank you for sharing.”

The support prompted Linda to break down as she was supported by the panelists. She was unable to say anything in response. “We are sending all our love to Pauline and her family,” Christine added. She then told Linda: “You take a little moment.”

Linda discussed her friendship with Pauline ( 
Image:
BBC)
Linda opened up on her friendship with Pauline, having met when they were 10-years-old. She said: “We were at the same primary school together and we did everything together. We travelled all over the world, we went to amazing places. Because of Birds of a Feather, it opened many doors.”

The TV star continued: “We just had such amazing times and she was an amazing actress as well. She has got the most beautiful family, a loving husband Steve who was the love of her life. Her kids as well, she has got two kids and granddaughters as well.” Linda added: “We sort of did everything the same. We were really naughty. We used our fame to get into so many different places.”

Last week, Quirke’s husband Steve Sheen said she will retire from “all professional and commercial duties” after a diagnosis in 2021. On Instagram, 66-year-old Loose Women star Robson wrote: “This will be the only time I speak on behalf of my best friend, Pauline. For the past three years, I’ve been in close contact with her husband, Steve, and have spent time with Pauline. It breaks my heart to see her endure such a terrible illness. Out of respect for her family and her privacy, I will not be discussing this matter further.”

She struggled to contain her emotions
Steve said in his own statement: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce my wife Pauline’s decision to step back from all professional and commercial duties due to her diagnosis of Dementia in 2021.” It was revealed on Loose Women last week that Linda had known about Pauline’s diagnosis for “some time”.

As the devastating announcement was released, Linda was on a Caribbean cruise. She was near the island of Grenada and was unaware the statement was to be released, according to reports. Linda’s Loose Women co-star Ruth Langsford also addressed her being away as Pauline’s health battle was discussed by the panel on Tuesday’s show.

Ruth said: “Linda Robson, obviously great friends with Pauline, is actually away at the moment, otherwise she would have joined us today to talk about her friend. And obviously she has known for some time.” Linda and Pauline have been friends since childhood, but have faced feud rumours over the years.

Loose Women host Ruth Langsford has admitted her divorce from Eamonn Holmes is ‘painful’ in a candid new interview but also insisted she is moving on with her life

TV host Ruth says she had a “choice” how to respond to divorce and she has picked herself up and “got on with life”.(Image: [C] DAN KENNEDY )

Ruth Langsford has spoken for the first time about her split from husband Eamonn Holmes – admitting it has been “very painful” but insisting she refused to “crumble” and is moving on with her life.

The Loose Women star and Eamonn announced their break up last year amidst reports they had been living separate lives for some time already. Since then Ruth has had to watch on as Eamonn began a new relationship with girlfriend Katie Alexander. Ruth said: “A break-up of a relationship is hard enough for anybody to deal with.

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“A divorce is very difficult and it’s very painful, but most people don’t have to do it in the public eye, with everybody having an opinion about you and writing things about you and commenting things about you. But that’s the nature of my job. I’ve always had that and if you can’t cope with that, you shouldn’t be doing this job.”

Asked how she is feeling now, Ruth added: “I’m all right. Relationship breakdowns are very difficult – marriage, friendship, whatever it is – but you just deal with it and you have to move on. You can either let yourself crumble or you pick yourself up and get on with life. It’s a choice.”

Ruth, who shares son Jack, 22, with Eamonn, added: “I’m not delighted my marriage is over but I’ve accepted that my marriage is over, so I am trying to now embrace the fact that I’m single and can make choices that are just about me.”

Ruth Langsford looks glam in new magazine shoot(Image: [C] DAN KENNEDY )

In happier times with Eamonn at The TRIC Awards 2022(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Ruth gave the interview to woman&home magazine with sources close to her saying she felt it was the right time to speak, choosing to promote her clothing range at the same time as touching on the break up. In the magazine, honest Ruth also says she has lost weight in part due to the divorce, which came after 14 years of marriage. Cracks had started to appear in their relationship before the formal announcement of the split and they had not been photographed together for two years.

“I have lost weight,” she said, confirming she is now a size 14. “Divorce obviously has something to do with it but I also went for a hormone check and rebalance, which helped. It could also hopefully mean that I’m coming to the end of menopause. I feel better when I’m a bit lighter.”

Admitting some self-doubt, she added: “I know I’m supposed to be empowered, look in the mirror and love my 65-year-old body. Well, I don’t always and, actually, I don’t think many women do. When I’m with my friends, we all complain about trivial stuff but it’s how we feel and that’s OK. Then, we pick ourselves up and get on with our lives because we have so much to be grateful for. We have a good moan, then another bottle of wine!”

Ruth took time off work from Loose Women when the split was first announced in May and returned in July with sources saying at the time she had been left devastated by what had happened and how quickly Eamonn moved on. Her presenting jobs on ITV and with the QVC shopping channel have helped her to look forward with a positive outlook. She said: “For a lot of people, whatever troubles you have, work is something that you have to get up and do. For me, it’s always been a good thing to dust myself down and concentrate on something else.”

She used her first interview to pay tribute to her friends who have had to help her through the split and sometimes been there during tearful late night conversations. Ruth said: “My female friendships are very important and, by God, have they stepped up. They did before, when my sister died, particularly. I’ve always known they’re there, but when the chips are down, they’re really there. They lift you up from the floor. They dry your tears, they bring food around, they phone you all the time to make sure you’re OK – and I would do the same for them. I can probably count those friends – the 2am friend – on one hand.”

By contrast to Ruth’s pain, soon after the split was announced, Eamonn was photographed with girlfriend Katie, although his friends insist they only became close after his split to Ruth. Speaking in June last year, Eamonn “I’m not OK. This is not a good time at all.” When asked about whether he and Ruth will continue to have a relationship of any kind, Eamonn added: “It’s too early to say but I hope we can still be friends.” He has since gone on holiday with his new partner Katie and has continued to work on GB News throughout the break up.

Ruth is now planning holidays herself, considering a visit to Thailand to see her best friend from school. Another option may be to go on a girls trip abroad to celebrate turning 65 as she says she would like to travel more. She said “As for the future, there is a certain feeling of liberation but I’m definitely not planning my next 10 years in finite detail!”

Ruth dresses to impress in the new photoshoot(Image: [C] DAN KENNEDY)

Ruth is on the cover of woman&home for March(Image: Dan Kennedy for Woman and Home Magazine)

Ruth also suggested she will look to date again like Eamonn when the time is right. She said: “I’m quite fine being on my own, but not forever. When you’re in a relationship, it’s easy to say, ‘Great, I’ve got a weekend to myself,’ but when you think that might be every weekend, it’s a different story.”

In the magazine she names Coronation Street actor Jacob Roberts as a celebrity crush describing him as “hot, tall and dark”. Ruth, who turns 65 in March, also speaks in the interview about her dementia fears, as both her parents had Alzheimer’s, with her dad passing away in 2002 and her beloved mum now 94.

She could be tested to see if she is more likely to suffer with the disease when she gets older but she “would rather not know” for the time being as there is currently no medication to treat it. Ruth has found some comments about her looks on social media hurtful but has no plans to go under the knife just yet.

“I’m not saying that I’ll never have a neck lift or a chin lift because, who knows? By the time I’m 68, I might not be able to stand it any more. My grandma and mum were against vanity. If ever I said to my mum, ‘My knees are so chubby,’ she’d say, ‘You’re lucky to have knees.’ Perhaps somewhere in the back of my mind I’ve got a conditioning that to do anything like that is vain. There are times when I think, ‘Am I just cutting my nose off to spite my face?’ I say I don’t want injectables or fillers but I could look great.”

Eamonn and Ruth met in 1997 when they were introduced by mutual friends and they then dated for over a decade before Eamonn popped the question and they married in 2010. Sources close to the former couple admit their divorce has not been finalised and it is unclear how much longer that will take, with one source saying they expect it will be months before they have settled everything.

Coleen Nolan broke down in tears during Tuesday’s episode of Loose Women as she opened up about the loss of her sister Linda just days after her funeral took place

Coleen Nolan broke down in tears when discussing her sister Linda’s funeral, as she made her return to the Loose Women panel.

When asked by Christine Lampard how the family were doing after Linda’s funeral, which took place on Saturday, Coleen said they were “doing great.” Although, she said they have absolute meltdown moments, “which come out the blue.

Thanking the public for their support, and messages Coleen held back the tears as she spoke on how hard the loss of her sister was. She then opened up about the difficult decision to go back to work.

“It’s just hard,” she said, holding back the tears. “Is it too soon? But you just have to, life goes on. Linda’s had this for 20 years,” Coleen explained. “The one thing she would want to say is, that she wouldn’t want anybody that’s still going through this horrendous disease to give up.”

Coleen broke down in tears as she spoke about her late sister ( 
Image:
ITV)

Speaking on Linda’s impact in the family, she continued: “She was just such a massive force in our family, and it feels like such a hole.”

Despite the difficult decision to go back to the Loose panel, Coleen said she was “glad to be back”.

Linda’s funeral service was held at St Paul’s Church on Saturday February 1 It was a place that held a special place in Linda’s heart as it was the same place where she exchanged vows with her “soulmate” husband, the late Brian Hudson. The pair tied the knot in the summer of 1981.

The funeral was a celeb-filled service, with the likes of Shane Ritchie, Paul Chuckle and Jodie Prenger in attendance at the service.

Charlotte Dawson spoke to PA ahead of the funeral service to pay tribute to Linda. She said: “She touched so many hearts and she’s just fabulous. ‘I’m in full glam for you Linda’, because she’d love me in full glam. The sun is shining for her and she’s just such an amazing person. She just lit up every room she walked into.”

The pregnant reality star went on: “We just used to have so many different memories, travelling all around the country, having a laugh and just getting up to mischief. That was our favourite thing to do.”

Throughout the emotional ceremony, a number of Linda’s favourite songs as well as her own tunes were played.

Linda, who had planned her funeral years before her death, proved that her wicked sense of humour lives on through her final song at her committal. She chose Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone by Frank Sinatra – who The Nolans once supported on tour.

The decision left mourners in fits of giggles as they heard the lyrics: “Please don’t talk about me when I’m gone. Oh, honey though our friendship ceases, from now on. And, listen, if you can’t say anything real nice, it’s better not to talk at all, is my advice.”