In the midst of Pauline Quirke’s heartbreaking dementia battle, Linda Rosbson and Pauline Quirke have forged a decades-long friendship.
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Linda and Pauline have been friends since they were 10(Image: BBC)
Everything you need to know about Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson’s special friendship
North London stars Linda and Pauline have known each other since childhood. They first met aged just 10 and became swiftly inseparable. Both dreamed of stardom, and it led them to joining Anna Scher Theatre School together in the 70s. During a 2016 appearance on Loose Women, Linda declared they’d known each other ‘practically from the womb’.
The pair became well-known in the 1980s with their popular sitcom Birds of a Feather, which was filmed alongside their good friend Lesley Joseph and received tens of millions of views. As their wives struggled with their husbands’ imprisonment for armed robbery, their lives intersected in Sharon Theodopolopodous and Tracey Stubbs’ lives.
Pauline and Linda have had their ups and downs over the years, with rumours of rifts and off-screen tension, coming to a head in 2019 over a Birds of a Feather Christmas special, which Pauline eventually did not take part in. One past colleague said,”Pauline and Linda had a really tempestuous relationship at times. There were rows in toilets and disagreements over contracts but things are now much better.”
The friends would frequently use their fame to go on fun adventures, including meeting famous people, because they always shared a love of mischief and fun. When late singer George Michael left the venue, they once waited in a bar until 4am in the morning.
Pauline’s husband revealed her devastating 2021 dementia diagnosis in January. In a subsequent Instagram post, Linda wrote: ‘For the past three years, I’ve been in close contact with her husband, Steve, and spent time with Pauline. It breaks my heart to see her endure such a terrible illness..” In a new interview with the Mirror, Linda shared an update on her friend, admitting ‘I love her so much’.
READ THE FULL STORY: Linda Robson shares update on Pauline Quirke amid heartbreaking dementia battle.
Reuben Owen and girlfriend Jess Ellwood’s love life on the farm never ends, even at Christmas, thanks to turkeys, tinsel, and tractors. Speaking to The Mirror they exclusively reveal they are yet to spend a day apart…
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Reuben says: “I dug myself out of the snow to get to Jess. And I’d do it again a thousand times.”(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)
Even an avalanche would not keep Reuben Owen and his girlfriend Jess Ellwood apart – which is a good job, as TV’s favourite farming couple prepare for Christmas in deepest North Yorkshire.
Reuben proudly declares that they haven’t spoken a day apart since they met at a Young Farmers’ convention in 2024 and are now in love. Rebuen, who owns and runs his 2000-acre family farm in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, says, “It snows heavily where we are” and that they “have never spent a day apart.” From the plot, he runs a machinery company.
“We got snowed in last year. I’ve seen Jess every single day since we got together. And it was going to be the only day I hadn’t seen her. But I wasn’t going to let a little (or a lot) of snow stop me from getting to my love. It took me a long time to get the tractor started and even longer to dig myself out of the snow but I did it. I dug myself out of the snow to get to Jess. And I’d do it again a thousand times.”
READ MORE: Our Yorkshire Farm’s Reuben Owen and girlfriend supported as they celebrate wedding
Fans of Channel 5’s Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales will be impressed by his wildly romantic gesture, but he doesn’t care whether Jess, 21, spends a white Christmas with him, saying, “I’d rather it rained, so I could just drive over.”
The couple, who revealed their romance in November, have the support of both their loving families and viewers. Reuben, 22, rose to fame in his 22nd marriage to Amanda and Clive Owen, and his eight siblings, Raven, Miles, Edith, Violet, Sidney, Annas, Clementine, and Nancy. Now his own show is a massive hit, the Christmas special of which, airing on December 23, will show everyone’s favourite characters coming together to convert an old barn on Jess ‘ family farm, ready for a festive feast.
Lovebirds Reuben and Jess spend much of his time on the site at Brough Castle, living alongside Jess’ mum Sarah, dad Dave, nana Diane, 400 sheep, 80 milk cows, three horses, 200 cattle, two cats and three dogs.
“When it snows, it freezes all the water pipes for the animals. You must also blow torch everything, including the troughs. It takes a long time. So we are not dreaming of a white Christmas”, laughs Jess. Because the milking parlours were cooled to minus 10 last year, we had to put heaters in them.
There’s a lovely connection between the two families, dating back to long before the young couple met. “Jess’ grandad used to raise hundreds of turkeys for Christmas every year, and when I was a boy my dad would come to the farm to buy the biggest one for our Christmas dinner,” says Reuben.
This year, the couple decided to turn turkeys from chicks into a festive feast for their Christmas dinner and the show. Jess laughs, “We do regret the day we made that choice.”
“We’ve had a run around from those turkeys,” he said. We had to re-build their fences twice because they have escaped so many times. They’re not like sheep – they’re chaotic – it takes three people to round one bird up. Porna rounds her nightie and slippers back into their pen after spending some nights outside in the freezing cold. We are all enthralled by the CCTV. They’ve certainly made us work for our supper”.
The farm’s Christmas season is busy. Everyone works together to accomplish it. Christmas was always chaos at my house growing up – and it still is to be honest. Reuben says it was loud and exciting because there were eight of us kids present.
But never, even on Christmas Day, does farming stop. “All our jobs still had to get done before we could open our presents”, says Reuben. The animals are just as hungry as we are! You never get days off, according to Jess, who continues, “because it’s the most challenging part of farming.” It’s back breaking work sometimes. Being tired is always the hardest part. “Especially in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
“Christmas is truly a time we should realise just how much work goes into our dinner. The people behind the food, the preparation and hours people put in,” says Reuben. “All the animals, the veg has been planted months earlier, and a bad bit of weather comes and it all goes to pot. The amount of hours that go into getting it from the field to the table – I wish people knew.”
Reuben and Jess are the newest generation of farmers in the country, preserving traditional farming techniques and putting them to use in their communities. Our lives are quite different I would assume to the average 20 something, “says Reuben”. However, it’s common for us to find many young people who grew up on farms working in agriculture.
It’s a very different life, Jess continues, “compared to someone who doesn’t farm.” But there are more and more young people getting involved. The number of students at agricultural college was the highest ever year that I attended. also includes both girls and boys. So things are certainly changing for the better. It’s greatly needed, and being a part of the change is exciting.
“Being a girl in agriculture is great. I have many friends who work with their fathers, and there are a few of us nearby. When she first remembers farming with her father, Dave, “I remember the sheep and the cows. I was a part of it all from birth. Since I was a young child, I’ve always wanted to help my father. There’s a lovely sense of freedom to farming. Weather permitting, we’re out. Additionally, I can operate a tractor.
Reuben adds, proudly: “She’s great with a machine…” Now the couple are looking forward to their Christmas TV special. There are turkeys, tractors, and tinsel everywhere! Everyone worked hard, and it was a big team effort. Jess was stirring concrete, I was lugging stone flags around, all the familiar faces from the show lent a hand – from Sonny and Capper, too, and my brothers Miles and Sid, and my dad Clive – even the production team got involved to get it all done”, says Reuben.
The couple has big plans for the space now that it is finished. We’ve talked about using it as a wedding venue, but I’m not sure if Jess will get a ring under the tree this year. There might even be wedding bells.
They also anticipate that there will be additional income from the barn. Reuben explains that because farming is now so profitable, people have to work elsewhere. “Years and years ago farms like this would have been fine, they’d have made good money. However, now that food prices are rising, you must diversify to maintain a steady income.
Milk is “as affordable as water, if not more affordable.” This life can be quite stressful. Why is having a community close by so important. Everyone works together and contributes. I have my staff – who are my friends. Both of us have family farms. We assist each other’s families. It brings us all very close together. “
Reuben and Jess’ families will gather to celebrate this year. Our families will gather for Christmas. It’ll be a full house! Reuben asserts that farming is a good job because we live on farms. I’ll likely arrive at Jess’ family farm for lunch, meet her, and then drive home for a second Christmas dinner at my family farm. And at some point, the whole lot of us will get together for a damson gin, made by Jess ‘ nana. “
What can Jess anticipate finding under the Christmas tree in the absence of a diamond ring? For Christmas, I gave my mother some stone troughs last year to visit a house she’s doing up. I like to get functional gifts. I’ve got a chain from Jess’ father, Dave. Not a necklace, in any case. It’s a tow chain made in Sweden. I got Jess a cordless angle grinder. Nothing, after all, can express love like a cordless angle grinder.
Reuben Owen: Christmas in the Dales will be broadcast on Channel 5 starting at 8pm on December 16th.
Article continues below
READ MORE: Amanda Owen’s sweet names for her nine children and what they are up to now
Reuben Owen and girlfriend Jess Ellwood’s love life on the farm never ends, even at Christmas, thanks to turkeys, tinsel, and tractors. Speaking to The Mirror they exclusively reveal they are yet to spend a day apart…
7 Images to View
Reuben says: “I dug myself out of the snow to get to Jess. And I’d do it again a thousand times.”(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)
Even an avalanche would not keep Reuben Owen and his girlfriend Jess Ellwood apart – which is a good job, as TV’s favourite farming couple prepare for Christmas in deepest North Yorkshire.
Reuben proudly declares that they haven’t spoken a day apart since they met at a Young Farmers’ convention in 2024 and are now in love. Rebuen, who owns and runs his 2000-acre family farm in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, says, “It snows heavily where we are” and that they “have never spent a day apart.” From the plot, he runs a machinery company.
“We got snowed in last year. I’ve seen Jess every single day since we got together. And it was going to be the only day I hadn’t seen her. But I wasn’t going to let a little (or a lot) of snow stop me from getting to my love. It took me a long time to get the tractor started and even longer to dig myself out of the snow but I did it. I dug myself out of the snow to get to Jess. And I’d do it again a thousand times.”
READ MORE: Our Yorkshire Farm’s Reuben Owen and girlfriend supported as they celebrate wedding
Fans of Channel 5’s Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales will be impressed by his wildly romantic gesture, but he doesn’t care whether Jess, 21, spends a white Christmas with him, saying, “I’d rather it rained, so I could just drive over.”
The couple, who revealed their romance in November, have the support of both their loving families and viewers. Reuben, 22, rose to fame in his 22nd marriage to Amanda and Clive Owen, and his eight siblings, Raven, Miles, Edith, Violet, Sidney, Annas, Clementine, and Nancy. Now his own show is a massive hit, the Christmas special of which, airing on December 23, will show everyone’s favourite characters coming together to convert an old barn on Jess ‘ family farm, ready for a festive feast.
Lovebirds Reuben and Jess spend much of his time on the site at Brough Castle, living alongside Jess’ mum Sarah, dad Dave, nana Diane, 400 sheep, 80 milk cows, three horses, 200 cattle, two cats and three dogs.
“When it snows, it freezes all the water pipes for the animals. You must also blow torch everything, including the troughs. It takes a long time. So we are not dreaming of a white Christmas”, laughs Jess. Because the milking parlours were cooled to minus 10 last year, we had to put heaters in them.
There’s a lovely connection between the two families, dating back to long before the young couple met. “Jess’ grandad used to raise hundreds of turkeys for Christmas every year, and when I was a boy my dad would come to the farm to buy the biggest one for our Christmas dinner,” says Reuben.
This year, the couple decided to turn turkeys from chicks into a festive feast for their Christmas dinner and the show. Jess laughs, “We do regret the day we made that choice.”
“We’ve had a run around from those turkeys,” he said. We had to re-build their fences twice because they have escaped so many times. They’re not like sheep – they’re chaotic – it takes three people to round one bird up. Porna rounds her nightie and slippers back into their pen after spending some nights outside in the freezing cold. We are all enthralled by the CCTV. They’ve certainly made us work for our supper”.
The farm’s Christmas season is busy. Everyone works together to accomplish it. Christmas was always chaos at my house growing up – and it still is to be honest. Reuben says it was loud and exciting because there were eight of us kids present.
But never, even on Christmas Day, does farming stop. “All our jobs still had to get done before we could open our presents”, says Reuben. The animals are just as hungry as we are! You never get days off, according to Jess, who continues, “because it’s the most challenging part of farming.” It’s back breaking work sometimes. Being tired is always the hardest part. “Especially in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
“Christmas is truly a time we should realise just how much work goes into our dinner. The people behind the food, the preparation and hours people put in,” says Reuben. “All the animals, the veg has been planted months earlier, and a bad bit of weather comes and it all goes to pot. The amount of hours that go into getting it from the field to the table – I wish people knew.”
Reuben and Jess are the newest generation of farmers in the country, preserving traditional farming techniques and putting them to use in their communities. Our lives are quite different I would assume to the average 20 something, “says Reuben”. However, it’s common for us to find many young people who grew up on farms working in agriculture.
It’s a very different life, Jess continues, “compared to someone who doesn’t farm.” But there are more and more young people getting involved. The number of students at agricultural college was the highest ever year that I attended. also includes both girls and boys. So things are certainly changing for the better. It’s greatly needed, and being a part of the change is exciting.
“Being a girl in agriculture is great. I have many friends who work with their fathers, and there are a few of us nearby. When she first remembers farming with her father, Dave, “I remember the sheep and the cows. I was a part of it all from birth. Since I was a young child, I’ve always wanted to help my father. There’s a lovely sense of freedom to farming. Weather permitting, we’re out. Additionally, I can operate a tractor.
Reuben adds, proudly: “She’s great with a machine…” Now the couple are looking forward to their Christmas TV special. There are turkeys, tractors, and tinsel everywhere! Everyone worked hard, and it was a big team effort. Jess was stirring concrete, I was lugging stone flags around, all the familiar faces from the show lent a hand – from Sonny and Capper, too, and my brothers Miles and Sid, and my dad Clive – even the production team got involved to get it all done”, says Reuben.
The couple has big plans for the space now that it is finished. We’ve talked about using it as a wedding venue, but I’m not sure if Jess will get a ring under the tree this year. There might even be wedding bells.
They also anticipate that there will be additional income from the barn. Reuben explains that because farming is now so profitable, people have to work elsewhere. “Years and years ago farms like this would have been fine, they’d have made good money. However, now that food prices are rising, you must diversify to maintain a steady income.
Milk is “as affordable as water, if not more affordable.” This life can be quite stressful. Why is having a community close by so important. Everyone works together and contributes. I have my staff – who are my friends. Both of us have family farms. We assist each other’s families. It brings us all very close together. “
Reuben and Jess’ families will gather to celebrate this year. Our families will gather for Christmas. It’ll be a full house! Reuben asserts that farming is a good job because we live on farms. I’ll likely arrive at Jess’ family farm for lunch, meet her, and then drive home for a second Christmas dinner at my family farm. And at some point, the whole lot of us will get together for a damson gin, made by Jess ‘ nana. “
What can Jess anticipate finding under the Christmas tree in the absence of a diamond ring? For Christmas, I gave my mother some stone troughs last year to visit a house she’s doing up. I like to get functional gifts. I’ve got a chain from Jess’ father, Dave. Not a necklace, in any case. It’s a tow chain made in Sweden. I got Jess a cordless angle grinder. Nothing, after all, can express love like a cordless angle grinder.
Reuben Owen: Christmas in the Dales will be broadcast on Channel 5 starting at 8pm on December 16th.
Article continues below
READ MORE: Amanda Owen’s sweet names for her nine children and what they are up to now
Exactly ten years after losing her father to the disease, GMB star Charlotte Hawkins expressed her emotions over how AI is assisting motor neurone disease patients.
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Charlotte Hawkins opened up about a family tragedy and a major personal milestone(Image: Getty)
Good Morning Britain’s Charlotte Hawkins reveals she “reassessed” her life after reaching a significant personal milestone. It occurred a decade following her father Frank’s death from motor neurone disease.
Charlotte launched her broadcasting journey at ITN in 1999 before moving on to present for outlets including LBC and Sky’s Sunrise. She joined ITV and Good Morning Britain in 2014, anchoring the programme and serving as the newsreader.
Earlier this year she marked her 50th birthday, reports the Express. And she reveals that reaching the major milestone provided a moment for personal reflection.
Charlotte told Charlotte in a statement to the Sun’s Fabulous magazine that she had turned 50 in May, and that it did prompt reflection on both your outlook and your approach to life. You want to live a nice life, after all.
You must concentrate on what brings you joy, which includes Ella-Rose, my husband Mark [Herbert, 52, a drinks executive], and our family and friends, who create wonderful memories. “
Charlotte acknowledges that during her early television days, she first experienced anxiety, which she refers to as the “fake it until you make it thing.”
Charlotte reveals that she was inspired by Frank, a vicar, by watching him deliver sermons to his congregation.
Frank was unavoidably diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2011.
It means Charlotte frequently finds the Christmas season rather bittersweet. Charlotte Hawkins has opened up about how her father’s death from motor neurone disease (MND) changed her perspective on life.
She said, “You have to take every moment because life is short because my dad died ten years ago from motor neurone disease, at the age of 78. We didn’t have much time to wait for him because his diagnosis was unexpected. “
Since then, Charlotte has steered the MND Association and has first-hand knowledge of how artificial intelligence (AI) can assist those who have been diagnosed with the condition.
She emphasized the benefits of AI in a segment on Good Morning Britain in August, saying, “I only want to highlight a potential positive use of AI because I work for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, and this one caught my attention. One of the hardest things for those with motor neurone disease is losing your voice is a woman named Sarah Ezekiel, who is now diagnosed with motor neurone disease. “
After discovering a small video clip, she continued, explaining how AI had been employed to mimic Sarah’s voice, adding that “her voice was able to be replicated by the power of AI, and this is the voice that it gave her.” “
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Given her own father’s conflict with MND, the presenter acknowledged that she found Sarah’s story “emotional.” She admitted, “I feel really emotional because my dad lost his voice, which is one of the hardest things to do when you can’t hear your father’s voice anymore.” “
Holly Willoughby, a former This Morning star, is alleged to be facing a court hearing after allegedly being accused of driving without proper care and attention.
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Holly Willoughby has been charged with driving without due care and attention, according to reports(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
According to reports, Holly Willoughby has been accused of operating a vehicle without proper care and attention. After allegedly injuring her Mini Cooper on August 28, the 44-year-old mother-of-three is scheduled to appear in court next week.
According to sentencing guidelines, the former host of This Morning, 44, faces up to nine penalty points, a fine, and, possibly, a driving ban.
Holly’s married name appears on a list of cases to be heard next week at Lavender Hill magistrates’ court, according to The Sun. She could opt to appear in person but is more likely to enter a plea without attending. The Mirror has contacted the Crown Prosecution Service for comment.
The TV presenter is reportedly returning after leaving This Morning two years ago. You Bet! is one of her most recent appearances on stage. She left in March to focus on Celebrity Bear Hunt with Bear Grylls, which was aired on streaming service Netflix, and Stephen Mulhern, which she left.
However, Holly hasn’t had a hosting role for more than 20 years because Celeb Bear Hunt was canned after only one season and Dancing On Ice is now being scrapped.
However, she issued a coy response regarding her possible future as the host of Strictly Come Dancing recently.
After they sensationally left the BBC dance show last month, there were rumors that Holly was the perfect person to succeed Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Holly was the clear choice for some to take the reins and recently made a cryptic comment about the possibility based on her wealth of TV experience.
When reporters from the Daily Mail inquired about Holly’s time at Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park, Holly coyly replied, “At the moment, I’m just having a lovely time watching Strictly at home.”
A famous hairdresser provided additional proof that Holly might be a part of the show.
Since Hari Salem founded Hari’s West London salon in 1976, Bianca Jagger, Blondie’s Debbie Harry, and “a well-known TV channel controller” have all been guests at the salon.
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TV producer Peter Fincham let slip that he had heard some inside gossip while getting a trim: “My hairdresser also cuts the hair of a well-known channel controller,” he revealed. “What’s said in Hari’s the hairdresser stays in Hari’s. But he says with great confidence that Holly Willoughby will take over.”
Bradley Walsh and Alex Jones, both of whom are said to be interested in replacing Claudia and Tess, are in the running, according to recent reports.
Eagle-eyed observers have noticed an item with a connection to the Princess of Wales after Meghan Markle appeared in promo shots for some of her new As Ever items.
Meghan Markle has sparked raised eyebrows by using an item linked to the Princess of Wales in her latest As Ever promo. The Duchess of Sussex launched a new Christmas gift set from her lifestyle brand, which features two jars of honey, complete with a black leather bookmark.
The set is only exclusively available at Godmothers, an upmarket Montecito book store owned by Meghan’s pals Victoria Jackson and Jennifer Rudolph Walsh. In a post on Instagram to promote it, the bookmark can be seen in a notebook, while Meghan writes in her signature calligraphy. In another snap, it is seen inside the book, The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse.
READ MORE: Andrew’s Royal Lodge move delayed as he spends last Christmas in mansionREAD MORE: Shamed Andrew still has one last title despite King’s request to strip him of it
It features inside the page with the quote: “Always remember you matter, you’re important and you are loved and you bring to this world things no one else can.”
And some observers made it obvious that Charlie Mackesy, the book’s author, and Meghan’s sister-in-law Kate’s artwork also featured in the book.
The princess requested Mr. Mackesy to design bespoke illustrations for the order of service for her Christmas Carol concert at Westminster Abbey, which she hosted after receiving cancer, last year.
The author and illustrator stated at the time that “love, empathy, and kindness are significant messages for everyone.” It was very special to have been asked to create the illustration for the Order of Service because The Princess of Wales’ Carol Service is a theme this year. I hope it makes us think how special Christmas is when we are there for one another.
However, taking to X, one who noticed the detail wrote: “It is no coincidence that Meghan Markle chose to use this image of Charlie Mackesy’s book ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’ on her latest Instagram post. This is the same author that Princess Catherine worked with just last year.” While another said: “Of all the books in the entire world, she has to use this book. Truly unbelievable.”
Some, however, defended Meghan’s use of the book in her campaign, saying it was a “highly successful best seller.” The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse are among the tenth-century copies of the books. Has nothing to do with Kate, aside from Meghan owning one.
Meghan promoting her lifestyle brand comes ahead of a big week for the Duchess as the holiday special of her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan hits the streaming platform on Wednesday.
Following its release in March, the show, which features Meghan offering hosting advice while cooking with celebrity friends, received scorn from critics. The Christmas special will be available on the streaming platform on December 3 and a second series was released in August.
This will coincide with the King’s plans to host a state visit by the president of Germany, which most members of the Royal Family will be involved in.
In a promo for the series released last week, Prince Harry made a cameo appearance in the the 65-second clip when he and the duchess share a kiss in a kitchen.
In a voiceover from the trailer that was shared to Meghan’s Instagram, Meghan declares, “I love the holiday season.” Finding time to connect with the people we love, embracing traditions, and creating new ones is what it means.
After leaving as senior working royals, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a lucrative deal with Netflix that is thought to be worth more than $100 million (£74 million).
In August, Harry and Meghan made the announcement that they had reached a new “multi-year, first-look deal for film and television projects” with the streaming service.
Despite rumors that the streaming giant may be turning away from her and Harry, Meghan called the agreement “an incredible sign of the strength of our partnership.” At the trailer’s conclusion, viewers are instructed to “discover more holiday cheer, shop As Ever.”
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A 43g spiced cider mulling spice kit retailing for 16 dollars (£12) and a three-pack of spreads in a gift box retailing for 42 dollars (£32). Also included are the new festive range.
