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Coleen Nolan has opened up about her one worry as she approaches her 60th birthday as she admits she is still planning a small party with her family and friends

Loose Women star Coleen Nolan has opened up about her financial fears as she nears her 60th birthday in March.

Coleen expressed how she feels empowered and confident stepping into a new decade but confessed that money matters are still a source of stress. She divulged: “I’m turning 60 feeling strong and confident, and quite proud of what of what I’ve achieved, especially in the past few years when I’ve achieved it on my own.”

“Of course, I still lie in bed at night worrying about how I’m going to pay the bills, but it gives me the incentive to work hard, and that’s good.”

Coleen Nolan is a regular on Loose Women ( 
Image:
ITV)
With finances in mind, Coleen is opting for a more subdued 60th birthday celebration compared to her lavish 40th and 50th parties. She continued to explain to Closer UK: “My 40th and 50th birthdays were big events, but they cost a lot of money, so this year I just want to be surrounded by friends and family, even they come here for a little party,” as reported by Lancs Live.

A veteran Loose Women panelist since 2000, Coleen cherishes the close relationships with her ITV colleagues, admitting: “We’re good friends, as well as colleagues.” Coleen also admitted the likes of Ruth Langsford, Janet Street-Porter, Brenda Edwards and Christine Lampard will remain “friends forever” outside of the studio.

Celebrating the hit chat show’s 25th anniversary, she reflected on her affection for the programme and addressed the rumoured behind-the-scenes tension, clarifying: “If we hated each other as much some people say we do, we wouldn’t still be going 25 years later.”

Coleen spent her festive period with her sister Linda, who is heartbreakingly living with incurable cancer. During OK!’s exclusive photoshoot, Linda revealed her New Year’s Eve plans with her sisters. She aid: “There’s a big New Year’s Eve party at Coleen’s. She’s booked us all into a hotel up the road, so it should be great fun.”

Linda – who has moved in with her sister Denise and her husband Tom – she continues to live with the disease that also took the life of her beloved sister Bernie in 2013 at the age of 52. “I try to stay positive,” she insisted. “I’ll use jokes and humour as a way to cope, but of course it’s scary. And I have my days where I’m terribly down.” It’s been 50 years since Linda first rose to fame in The Nolans, selling 30 million records with hits such as Attention To Me, Gotta Pull Myself Together and I’m In The Mood For Dancing. It’s clear the support of her siblings has been a huge help to Linda, who lost her husband Brian to liver cancer in 2007.

Popular daytime show Loose Women continues to capture audiences every weekday at 12.30pm on ITV.

Loose Women star Charlene White has made a cheeky revelation about her friend Denise Welch who she says sends her ‘inappropriate’ messages while cameras are rolling on the ITV show

Loose Women’s Charlene White has spilled the beans about a cheeky habit of one her co-stars during live broadcasts of the popular ITV show.

Speaking on Caroline Hirons’ Glad We Had This Chat podcast, Charlene revealed that one of her fellow panellists often passes her ‘secret’ notes while they’re on air. She said: “Denise [Welch] does a really naughty thing, which I adore her for.

“We’ll be having a discussion about something or other and she’ll just be writing something on a piece of paper and slip it over to me live on air.” The contents of these notes, according to Charlene, are usually inappropriate bits of gossip that leave her struggling to maintain her composure.

She added: “I might glance down at it and it will be some inappropriate bit of gossip that she really shouldn’t be telling me, and then I’ve got to keep a straight face and I’m like hmmm, and then carry on talking meanwhile I can see her internally absolutely killing herself laughing.”

Alongside this revelation, Charlene also shared how she made her transition into chat show TV, telling Caroline: “My entire career has sort of been me sat there going ‘what do I want to do? I want to do this’ and then I’ll figure out a way to do it.”

Charlene White has exposed her Loose Women co-star’s cheeky habit ( 
Image:
Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

The ITV news presenter also shared her journey to becoming a part of Loose Women. She explained: “I have wanted to do Loose Women for a while, and so, I’d been pushing it for a while, and that pushing finally came off four years ago when I was invited in for a meeting and we had a bit of a chat and they liked what I had to say.

“I just think it’s one of the most incredible shows I’ve ever worked on.”

In addition to her roles on Loose Women and presenting ITV news, she made headlines in November 2022 as the first celebrity to be voted out of I’m A Celebrity.

Loose Women star Coleen Nolan turns 60 in March 2025 and has admitted she still worries about how she’s going to pay the bills, despite feeling ‘strong and confident’

Loose Women’s Coleen Nolan has candidly shared her financial concerns as she prepares to celebrate her landmark 60th birthday next year in March.

Speaking to Closer UK, Coleen reflected on recent events in her life. Despite “feeling strong and confident” as she approaches another decade, the Loose Women star admits there’s still one thing that keeps her up at night.

Coleen confessed: “I’m turning 60 feeling strong and confident, and quite proud of what of what I’ve achieved, especially in the past few years when I’ve achieved it on my own.

“Of course, I still lie in bed at night worrying about how I’m going to pay the bills, but it gives me the incentive to work hard, and that’s good.”

Loose Women star exposes Denise Welch’s ‘inappropriate’ on-air messages
With her financial worries in mind, after “big events” for her 40th and 50th birthdays, Coleen is planning a more subdued celebration as she marks another decade. She added: “My 40th and 50th birthdays were big events, but they cost a lot of money, so this year I just want to be surrounded by friends and family, even they come here for a little party,” reports Lancs Live.

Coleen has been a staple on the Loose Women team since she first joining the popular chat show in 2000, with the former singer still holding a prominent position on the iconic panel to this day. The beloved Loose Women star, 59, opened up about the strong bonds formed with her ITV co-stars, revealing: “We’re good friends, as well as colleagues.

Coleen also spoke of her relationship with fellow Loose Women colleagues ( 
Image:
Amy Brammall / ITV)

“Ruth (Langsford) and I will be friends forever outside of work and the same goes for Brenda (Edwards), Janet (Street-Porter) and Christine (Lampard).” As the show hit a milestone 25th anniversary, Coleen expressed her adoration for the popular ITV daytime programme while also addressing the persistent rumours about tension between the stars.

She said: “If we hated each other as much some people say we do, we wouldn’t still be going 25 years later.”

Catch the drama and camaraderie live as Loose Women airs every weekday at 12.30pm on ITV.

GMB’s Richard Madeley and Charlotte Hawkins were back on presenting duty on New Year’s Eve and news reporter Marverine Cole shared some “breaking news” live on air

Good Morning Britain’s Marverine Cole shared “breaking news” with ITV viewers minutes into the latest programme.

Richard Madeley and Charlotte Hawkins were on presenting duty on Tuesday (December 31) morning and woke up the nation with the latest headlines from across the globe.

News reporter Marverine announced live on air that Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt had reached a settlement in their divorce.

She said: “Some breaking news. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have finally reached a settlement in their divorce, ending a bitter eight-year legal battle. Angelina had filed for divorce all the way back in September 2016 just two years have the A-listers tied the knot, citing irreconcilable differences at the time.

Good Morning Britain’s Marverine Cole shared “breaking news” with ITV viewers minutes into the latest programme. ( 
Image:
ITV)

“No court documents have been filed yet. The couple who became known as ‘Bradgelina’ dated for 10 years before they decided to get married.” The couple got married in 2014 and they have six children.

They met on the set of the 2005 film Mr and Mrs Smith. The marriage was Brad’s second – he had previously wed Friends star Jennifer Aniston and Angelina’s third after actors Billy Bob Thornton and Jonny Lee Miller.

Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a settlement in their divorce. ( 
Image:
ITV)
Angelina has starred in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Changeling and Girl, Interrupted while Brad’s filmography includes Fight Club, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Twelve Monkeys.

It’s not the first time this week that Marverine has shared some breaking news live on GMB. During Monday’s (December 30) episode, the broadcaster delivered the tragic news that three foreign tourists had perished in a devastating blaze at a backpacker hotel in Bangkok.

Richard Madeley and Charlotte Hawkins were back on presenting duty on New Year’s EveOne victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while two others tragically succumbed to their injuries after being rushed to hospital. Reports from Thai media indicated that the trio, including one woman, were overcome by smoke inhalation before losing their lives.

Gavin and Stacey’s finale was watched by more than 12 million people on Christmas Day and some viewers pointed something out about a location that featured on the show

Fans of Gavin & Stacey have pointed out a huge error about a location that featured in the Christmas special.

The BBC sitcom returned for its “finale” on Christmas Day and over 12 million viewers tuned in. There were surprise appearances, like from Sonia (played by Laura Aikman), who was preparing to marry Smithy (James Corden) at the start. Towards the end of the episode though, Smithy ditched her at the altar after objections from wedding guests. He then announced that he wanted to stop Nessa (Ruth Jones) from boarding a ship at the Port of Southampton, with her having planned to take some time away from the UK with a new job.

A host of characters joined him on the coach journey from the wedding, at a venue in Essex, to Southampton. Despite some issues along the way, Smithy made it just in time and proposed to Nessa – with them later seen getting married.

Several signs suggested that scenes towards the end of the episode were based at the Port of Southampton, but some viewers from the area suggested that the scenes at the port, and others set in the city, weren’t filmed there as it didn’t look like the location. The scenes are instead understood to have been filmed in Wales, including at Newport Docks, in Newport, which is more than 100 miles away.

A host of characters headed to Southampton in Gavin and Stacey: the Finale to stop Nessa (played by Ruth Jones, left) boarding a ship ( 
Image:
BBC)

One fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “[Finale] was great but as someone from #Southampton, the perception of the port was completely wrong.” Whilst another said on the platform recently: “[Episode] was just sheer perfection (glossing over the ‘Southampton’ docks location).”

Alongside a laughing emoji, one person said: “Disgusted. This is not our great Southampton!” Someone else teased: “Superb acting job by Newport Docks, playing Southampton docks on the #GavinAndStacey Christmas special.”

“No way in hell that was Southampton, the arch look[s] similar but not the road,” one person wrote. Someone said: “Well that’s definitely not Southampton is it.” Beside a laughing emoji, one fan wrote: “The way they tried to pass Barry as Southampton made me laugh. Ain’t no part of Southampton looking like that.” Someone replied to them: “And that Southampton docks was actually Newport docks”.

The scenes are however understood to have been filmed at Newport Dock, pictured, rather than at the Port of Southampton ( 
Image:
Mirrorpix)
Whilst one person wrote on Facebook: “It didn’t look right straight away! […] This was the only upsetting thing about it was that they didn’t actually come here to film.” Another said: “To be honest, it didn’t look anything like Southampton.”

Someone commented though: “I knew immediately that it wasn’t Southampton but just pleased my favourite city was featured in an absolutely amazing episode. Tidy.” Similarly, one fan wrote: “Having lived in Southampton my whole life I knew straight away it wasn’t Southampton, it really didn’t matter, it was brilliant from start to finish.”

It isn’t the first time that the show has used a location in Wales to represent somewhere across the border in England. Although his character Mick Shipman’s home is set in Billericay, Larry Lamb once told Radio Times that scenes weren’t filmed there. As previously reported, he said about the original series: “Gavin & Stacey was all filmed in Wales, nobody offered us the opportunity to go to Essex.”

Vernon Kay has opened up about Zoe Ball’s shock Radio 2 exit, Scott Mills takeover of the Breakfast Show and his plans for 2025 after a ‘hectic’ end to the year with wife Tess Daly

Vernon Kay has opened up about Zoe Ball’s ‘shocking’ Radio 2 exit as he spoke about the future of the station and his own hopes for 2025.

Beloved broadcaster Zoe, 54, announced she was quitting the Breakfast Show in November after six years at the helm, before signing off for the final time in an emotional show on December 20.

“It was a shock to be honest with you,” admitted Vernon, recalling how Zoe broke the news to him. “She’s been so supportive of me taking over from Ken (Bruce) and she’s always been there with great words of wisdom and pieces of advice. She’ll be missed but I’m pleased that she’s doing it for herself. That’s the big thing.”

Vernon, 50, said he and Zoe, who took six weeks off work over the summer following the death of her mother Julia, ‘had some good chats’ after she announced her exit, that saw the presenter explain her reasons for stepping down. “When family comes into play you have got to make those decisions,” said Vernon. “Zoe has said she wants to spend more time with her family and that’s what’s best for her.

Vernon Kay has admitted he was ‘shocked’ when Zoe Ball told him he was leaving until she explained her reasons ( 

Image:

BBC/James Watkins)

“But of course it will be sad to see her go. I first met Zoe years ago, it must have been around 1998. I was modelling at a charity fundraiser and Zoe was at a table and she was so gracious then and she’s equally as gracious now.

“She’s always good with the advice, good with a mental hug, and we do talk about work, but she’s always the kind of person who will ask you about yourself. She’ll say ‘And are you alright?’ She’s just a nice kind person.”

Taking over Zoe’s Breakfast Show in 2025 will be Scott Mills, who joined the station in 2021 – after following in Zoe and Vernon’s footsteps in moving over from Radio 2. It marks another turning point for the BBC station, which lost broadcasting giant Steve Wright at the age of 69 back in February.

Speaking about what the future holds for Radio 2, Vernon had high praise for the new breakfast host. “Scott is the ultimate radio DJ he lives and breathes it. I don’t think there is anybody more deserving of the Radio 2 Breakfast show than Scott. The listeners love him. He’s very funny.”

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Alongside his own Radio 2 mid-morning show, Vernon has been busy in panto over the festive season – starring in the leading role of Aladdin at Wycombe’s Swan Theatre alongside Drag Race star La Voix.

His final show will be an early performance on New Year’s Eve – before appearing on TV to host National Lottery’s Big Bash 2024 on ITV alongside Fleur East.

While returning to panto-land following his debut last year was an easy choice for Vernon, he reveals he did call a family meeting with wife Tess and his two daughters Amber and Phoebe to check they approved.

Tess Daly and Vernon Kay with daughters Amber and Phoebe ( 

Image:

Instagram)

Luckily, the girls have no embarrassment about seeing their dad in tights. “Panto is brilliant it’s really good fun,” says Vernon. “But Christmas and new year is a busy time for Tess and I. We did have a big family discussion as to whether I should do it or not and the girls love panto so it was a huge yes from Amber and Phoebe. The girls are a bit older now so it kind of seems alright to be away during the festive period.

“February half term is the golden time for us. But then we’ve got GCSE’s next year with Amber. So it doesn’t stop.”

Vernon Kay and Fleur East are hosting an unforgettable New Year’s Eve party

On New Year’s Eve, Vernon will be hosting National Lottery’s Big Bash 2024 to mark the 30 year anniversary of the first draw. The show – filmed in front of a live audience at OVO Arena Wembley in December – features performances from Perrie, KSI, Olly Alexander, Craig David and Ella Henderson. As well as a surprise appearance from the presenters of Loose Women and the cast of Mamma Mia celebrating the 25th anniversaries of both shows.

Vernone will appear alongside fellow host Fleur East, fresh from joining Vernon’s wife Tess on the Strictly Come Dancing presenting team as part of spin-off It Takes Two.

Coleen Nolan and Linda Robson are starring in the New Year special as part of a Loose Women and Mama Mia! musical mash up

“I’ve actually never worked with Fleur before,” said Vernon. “I went to Strictly once this year but obviously we watch It Takes Two and the show each week as a family to keep up with what the dancers are doing and the pros. It’s always nice to work with someone new because you can always learn off people.

“The line-up for Wembley is fantastic. Cirque du Soleil have something special planned with one of our olympians. I’m looking forward to that. They always put on a great show. And Craig David I mean crikey. When we were on T4 Craig David was ever present, even when I started my telly career he was on with Artful Dodger back in the day. It’s nice to know we’ve grown up together which is a daft way of saying it. He was at the Radio 2 in the Park in Preston too which was awesome. The things he does with his DJ set is incredible.”

Vernon Kay said things are going ‘great guns’ at Radio 2 as he marks two years at the station ( 

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INSTAGRAM/VERNONKAY)

As he prepares to see in the new year with a host of stars, what does the future hold for Vernon in 2025?

“I don’t do New Years resolutions because you set yourself up for targets that aren’t necessarily obtainable. I just think things are going great guns at Radio 2. Let’s keep that up, let’s keep going to the gym, let’s still go on nice holidays.

“If you overstretch yourself with your hopes and dreams then if they don’t happen it feels like a massive downer. Just keep the positive going and if anything crops up that’s obtainable then go for it. I think a strong work ethic should be everyone’s new year’s resolution. Just keep going and trying hard.

“But I’m happy. Content I think is the word I’m looking for.”

The National Lottery’s Big Bash airs on New Year’s Eve at 5.45pm

EastEnders viewers believe someone who isn’t officially a suspect will be revealed as Cindy Beale’s attacker in the coming weeks on the BBC soap, after potential culprits were announced

Viewers think they know who really attacked Cindy Beale on EastEnders, ahead of her fate being confirmed.

The character was hit over the head with a metal shovel and left for dead on Christmas Day, with nine suspects named. Among them are her children Peter Beale, Gina Knight and Anna Knight, as well as her partner Ian Beale.

Then there’s her fling Junior Knight, her ex George Knight, daughter-in-law Lauren Branning and her love rival Elaine Peacock, not forgetting her mother-in-law Kathy Beale. But ahead of the name being announced to viewers in February as part of the BBC soap’s 40th anniversary, fans have shared a new theory.

They’re convinced it wasn’t one of the named suspects at all, and someone else caught up in the Christmas drama may have taken a brutal revenge. Kojo Asare, George’s brother and Junior’s uncle, was recently left fighting for his life after an incident with Cindy.

He tumbled off a fire escape stairwell after Cindy chased him, following him unearthing her affair with Junior. He kept quiet until Christmas when he spilled the beans about everything, after Cindy’s affair had already been exposed.

Kojo got upset after George lashed out at everyone, and as chaos ensued in the pub his niece Anna took him upstairs. Just before the attack happened we saw a scene of each potential suspect, with Kojo also seen onscreen at some point.

EastEnders viewers believe someone who isn’t officially a suspect will be revealed as Cindy Beale’s attacker ( 
Image:
BBC)
But Kojo was never declared a suspect by the soap and he did not feature in the promo photos of the suspects. It’s been suggested he isn’t one of the line-up almost as if he’s ruled out as being the attacker.

But some viewers think it’s a red herring, with them convinced Kojo could be the real attacker. With him not being named but being at the scene of the Christmas drama, and also having a motive, fans think he could be the one who left Cindy for dead.

He also vowed to help his brother after George asked for an alibi, so did Kojo actually do this to cover his own tracks? Viewers certainly think so, taking to X with their theories about the attack.

One viewer posted: “I think Kojo did it. Another agreed: “Kojo,” as a third said: “I think him too.” A fourth fan theory read: “My prediction is Kojo done Cindy.” This was echoed by another fan who posted: “Mine too,” whole a further tweet said: “I bet it was Kojo who attacked Cindy.”

Actress Judy Parfitt has been a regular on TV screens for almost seven decades and the Call the Midwife star has had her fair share of heartache and happiness both on and off screen

Judy Parfitt, the star of Call the Midwife, has had a long and successful acting career and has been a part of the popular BBC drama since 2012 – but what do we know about her?

Best known for her role as Sister Monica Joan in BBC’s hit series Call the Midwife, Judy Parfitt has enjoyed an illustrious career spanning several decades.

The 89-year-old actress, who has been a mainstay on Call the Midwife since 2012, boasts an impressive CV that includes stage, film, and TV roles.

Her journey began in 1953 when she graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, sharing the stage with legendary actors like Laurence Olivier.

English actress Judy Parfitt back in 1971 ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Over the years, she has earned numerous BAFTA nominations for her sterling performances in popular dramas such as The Jewel in the Crown and Pride and Prejudice.

Despite missing out on the top prize for her supporting role in 2003’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, Judy continued to captivate audiences with her performances in beloved shows like Heartbeat, Midsomer Murders, Jonathan Creek, and Vera.

Judy has spoken affectionately about life with her late husband, Tony Steedman, who she married in 1963 and shared a son, David, born a year later.

The actress, reminiscing about her early days with Tony, known for his roles in Coronation Street and Citizen Smith, told the Express: “Tony had the leading role and he was always trying to make me laugh as I was a terrible giggler. The first time I saw him he was wearing this absolutely hideous bright red jumper, so he definitely made an impression.”

Judy Parfitt has been on the BBC show since 2012 ( 
Image:
WireImage)
Judy continued, recalling Tony’s comedic nature, stating: “He had people in stitches wherever we went and he was always playing the fool. Whereas I tended to worry, Tony didn’t and he never took himself or anything too seriously.”

Tony sadly died in 2001, and since then, Judy has not remarried. She previously told Mail Online that, despite their careers, their home life was rather conventional.

She mentioned: “While both of us were very busy, at home it was a very traditional marriage. I enjoyed cooking and ironing his shirts for him.

“He loved to be my sous chef, chopping the vegetables while I made dinner. He enjoyed accompanying me to the supermarket, pushing my trolley – but it wasn’t to help me so much as he loved the opportunity to chat and joke with the other shoppers.”

Judy has candidly discussed her husband’s dementia struggle, previously sharing with the Loose Women panel why it’s vital to have conversations about it. Recalling her journey with her husband’s condition.

Judy in character as BBC’s Sister Monica Joan ( 
Image:
BBC / Nealstreat Productions / Ray Burmiston)She revealed: “I always said with my husband, I lost my husband that I loved, but I gained a child that I love because they become your children, and they’re there physically, but they’re not with you.”

Despite facing personal tragedy, Judy continues to win over viewers in her role as Sister Monica Joan on Call the Midwife.

Born in Sheffield back in 1935, Judy reminisced with Saga magazine about her wartime childhood and how it taught her about resilience, saying: “Growing up in the war, I learned how people just got on with [things] despite food rationing, bombs dropping, not knowing if they’d be alive the next day.”

She shared a particularly strong memory of the war when she was nine years old, recounting how her dad protected her: “[held] me in his arms as Sheffield lit up around us because it was being blitzed – yet people still went to work the next day!”

Loose Women star Frankie Bridge hit back at her co-star Kaye Adams on the show today as the pair clashed over Frankie’s cooking skills

Loose Women star Frankie Bridge called her co-star a grandma in a cheeky dig on live TV.

Kaye Adams was hosting the ITV show on Monday, alongside Linda Robson and Myleene Klass as well as Frankie. As part of the episode, Frankie took part in a cooking challenge with chef and air fryer lover Nathan Anthony

They were tasked with making toasties with the leftovers from Christmas, including stuffing, brussels sprouts and turkey – but before the other panellists tasted the toasties, Frankie stopped Kaye, who tried to tell her not to influence their decision.

“No let me say my peace,” she said jokingly, before explaining that she didn’t know she had to put butter on both sides of the bread – and also claimed she needed Nathan’s help to sort the air fryer, and his finished much later than hers.

Kaye was called a grandma by Frankie

They tried the toasties, with Linda not very keen on Frankie’s, whilst Myleene loved Nathan’s. Kaye had the deciding vote and tried both, with her praising Frankie, before the former Saturdays singer quipped: “It’s always nice to have my grandma’s support,” leaving Kaye open-mouthed as they both laughed at Frankie’s joke.

Earlier in the show, Frankie opened up about how she struggles with her mental health during this period between Christmas and New Year. It is something she has discussed before, admitting she feels the “pressure”.

Frankie took part in a Festive Feast Off on the show today

She explained back in 2022: “Actually this time of year comes a lot of pressure. You can’t necessarily do exactly what you want to do, you’re travelling here, there and everywhere, you’re trying to keep everyone happy. Although it is something I love, I find when I’m supposed to feel happy in a situation, I feel that pressure.

“I am literally Mrs Claus, I love Christmas, I love the lead up to it, I love the decorations. I was just aware I had this low moment and I thought I’m gonna share it because all anyone’s seeing is me out having all my Christmas parties and out with the girls, and it all looks fun and games. I wasn’t sure if I should share in case I’d bring other people down if they’re feeling festive.”

A new year always brings with it a renewed sense of hope and if there is one person who will be eagerly looking forward to a fresh start, it’s the Princess of Wales. After what has been the most difficult 12 months of her life, Catherine has cause for celebration in the coming days as she will mark her 43rd birthday on 9 January.

“This birthday is going to be memorable in so many ways – it will mark the start of a new and hopefully happier year, and the end of one that has been brutal for the whole family,” former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively tells OK! “While some women might find the prospect of turning 43 a bit daunting, Catherine will, I am sure, be delighted that she is able to enjoy her birthday in comparatively good health, though of course she is still recovering. Every day must now be extra precious for the Princess, and every birthday a cause for grateful celebration.”

With her special day coming so soon after Christmas, the Princess’ birthday is usually a low-key affair, spent with William and their children. However, it’s possible there will be a bigger gathering this time around after last year’s milestone was marred by her health issues and previous years coincided with Harry and Meghan bombshells.

“I’m sure Catherine’s new perspective on everything will include her own birthday,” Jennie tells us. “As a healthy young woman, her forties would normally have held no fear for her. But her past few birthdays have all been rather overshadowed by events: Harry and Meghan announcing they were stepping back from royal duties on 8 January, 2020, then Harry releasing his book, Spare, on 10 January, 2023.

Kate Middleton reacts to Hannah Waddingham’s Royal Variety performance

“And this time last year, the Princess must have been anxious – and probably in pain – as she geared up for her planned abdominal surgery which took place a few days after her 42nd birthday. That, of course, was followed by the shock of her cancer diagnosis, so this will be the perfect opportunity to celebrate.”

The family have a great deal to celebrate as we begin the new year ( 
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No credit)
While Prince William isn’t known for his overtly public displays of affection or romantic gestures, he makes no secret of his love for his wife – and will be able to indulge her on her big day.

“For her husband and children, this will be an excuse to spoil her rotten and, even though it falls on a school day, I’m sure that’s exactly what they’ll do,” Jennie says. “I imagine they will shower her with gifts – perhaps a collection of pampering products like luxurious bath oils and fabulously scented candles. Maybe William will buy her some silk pyjamas or cashmere jumpers – things that are soft on skin that has been bruised by surgery and treatment.

“He’s probably got a little bit of romance in him somewhere, and even though he says he’s not a very good cook, Catherine did tell Mary Berry that he’s quite good at breakfasts so maybe a tray complete with a rose will arrive early for her.”

The Princess will be celebrating her 43rd birthday ( 
Image:
PA)
And while the Prince and Princess have created a tight-knit cocoon at home with their three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, there are other members of the family who have been there for the Princess through thick and thin and will surely relish the opportunity to ring in the next 12 months by her side.

“Her own little family and her parents and siblings will certainly all want to make a fuss of Catherine as she embarks on a new year,” the expert says as she refers to the steadfast support Carole and Michael Middleton have always given their daughter, as well as the comfort her sister Pippa and brother James have often provided.

“I think her ideal birthday would be a cosy celebration with her husband and children, so maybe William will have organised something delicious for a celebratory dinner at home. And I expect her mum will have baked a cake, perhaps with Charlotte joining in too.”