Our Yorkshire Farm star Amanda Owen has revealed that her son Reuben “feels cheated” over one of her parenting decisions
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Amanda Owen and Reuben(Image: INSTAGRAM/REUBEN OWEN)
Amanda Owen has opened up about the challenges and decisions that come with raising her nine children, admitting that her son Reuben “feels cheated” over a choice she made early in their lives.
The star of the popular Channel 5 series Our Yorkshire Farm, who split from her husband Clive Owen in 2022 after 22 years of marriage, recently opened up to the Made by Mammas podcast.
Amanda, also known as the Yorkshire Shepherdess, has forged a career chronicling life on her family’s extensive Yorkshire farm and spoke about her approach to homeschooling and the lessons she has learned as a mother.
“I did [consider homeschooling all her children]. I think, getting older — I’m 50 now — you gain a bit more confidence,” Amanda told the podcast. “If I’m being honest, Raven, my oldest, always says, ‘Oh, you just practiced on me. You were just learning what you were doing.’
“By the time you get to, say, your ninth child, their childhood is very different to the older children. You get your confidence a bit more, you feel you’re in a stronger place.”
Amanda explained that her decision not to homeschool all her children was partly influenced by the social attitudes at the time. “I know Reuben, my second oldest, feels a bit cheated because he would have loved to be homeschooled. He’s of the same mindset as Sydney, who is homeschooled.
“But at that point, it was kind of beyond the pale. Back then, you really were pushing the boundaries — if you did homeschooling, there was a little bit of a general consensus that you were a bit ‘out there.’ Now, homeschooling has become more mainstream.”
Despite the criticism she faced, Amanda emphasized that her choice has always been about what is best for each child individually. “The reason we homeschool isn’t about following a trend. With nine children, they all have such different characters.
“It’s not a matter of saying, ‘You’re all going to be homeschooled,’ because I don’t believe that would set them all up with the best start in life. Instead, it’s about looking at each child individually. They’re not like peas in a pod.”
The Owen family, who live on a working farm in North Yorkshire, have become familiar faces on British television, with Amanda often sharing candid insights into the joys and challenges of farm life. Her children, Raven, Miles, Edith, Violet, Sidney, Annas, Clemmie, Nancy, and Reuben, each have their own distinct personalities and interests.
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The star’s comments also shed light on the complexity of parenting after her separation from Clive, with Amanda managing both the demands of a large family and the responsibilities of running a farm, while her former partner lives next door.
Frankie Bridge has revealed she’s been using a vibration plate exercise machine at her desk while she works to help tone up, and the exact one she uses is now under £85
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Frankie has shared her new go-to workout machine(Image: Instagram @frankiebridge)
This year was all about walking while you work, with plenty of us snapping up a walking pad to place under a standing desk to help get your steps in without missing a second on the clock. However Frankie Bridge has just shared her new, updated version – and it requires even less effort to stay in shape at your desk.
The presenter revealed she’s been using a vibrating exercise plate whilst she’s at work to help boost her regular workout routine, and the exact one she uses is now on sale. The WeightWorld Vibration Plate Exercise Machine is usually priced at £99.99, but Amazon has just slashed the price down to £84.99, saving you £15.
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Whilst it’s not a mega saving, every little bit of cash we can keep in our pockets is worthwhile, especially this time of year. You can also snap it up for the same £84.99 price tag directly from the WeightWorld website, where you’ll get five exercise bands, two resistance bands and you’ll get 60 free slimming patches worth £12.99 included at checkout.
Whilst the WeightWorld Vibration Plate Exercise Machine doesn’t give you the same cardio benefits of regular walking, it is touted as helping with things like toning up muscles, improving your posture and balance, and strengthening your core. The rapid vibrations add extra intensity to usual movements like squats and planks, with the WeightWorld website saying 15 minutes on it is the equivalent of 60 minutes of jogging, 45 minutes of swimming or 60 minutes of cycling. And whilst we can’t confirm these, it does seem to be a hit with exercise lovers.
You can use it whilst standing at your desk, like Frankie, or as an addition to your home gym set up. It’s also compact enough that you can slip it under the sofa or into a cupboard between uses, so it shouldn’t take up too much space.
If you do want to use it as an addition to your actual home workout session, you can use the Vibration Plate Exercise Machine for squats, seated routines and standing exercises. The wide platform lets you have different stances, whilst the included resistance bands also add to your workout.
There are five programs and 99 intensity levels, so you can change it up depending on what you want from your session. It even has built-in bluetooth speakers so you can connect your own music to it while you exercise.
You could also snap up Home Fitness Code’s Vibration Plate B1 which is £79.99 down from £99.99 and comes in two colours. Alternatively, the SPORTNOW Vibration Plate Exercise Machine has a huge saving of £130 after being slashed from £199.99 to £69.99.
However, Frankie’s Vibration Plate Exercise Machine has gotten some great reviews on Amazon, with one saying: “Bought to help with my achy knees, so far seems to be working ok plus helping to firm up thighs. It’s nice and compact and fits easily under sofa and light enough to move about which is also a bonus.”
With a second agreeing: “I wasn’t too sure about the claims made for this product but thought it was worth a go. Well let me tell you it is amazing. In no time at all I am more supple than I have ever been and feel and look totally toned. Excellent quality and very quiet whilst in use. As everyone else has said… Could do with some decent instructions but a quick google resolves that issue. Worth the money.”
The lack of instructions has been shoppers’ main complaint about the Vibration Plate Exercise Machine, with one writing: “Impossible to use the machine for maximum benefit as instructions are so poor. Still trying to work out for myself the different programmes and speeds etc.”
Another agreed: “Seems to be ok. As already said – the instructions are poor. My big complaint is the smell of toxins from the plastic is just horrendous. It needs to be left in a room with the windows open.”
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However other shoppers didn’t mind, with one writing: “So far so good. I work from home and sit for long periods of time. I currently have lower back pain and knee pain and this has helped to promote circulation and generally feeling it is working to tone legs. It fits very neatly under my desk and easy to plug in not too noisy and ease of use using the remote control that can also play music for my phone. So far happy with the product and will wait to see how it works on toning my arms also.”
Ben Fogle’s wife Marina admits she feared their marriage wouldn’t last after their first Christmas together when she bought him practical gifts including a toilet roll holder and doormat instead of thoughtful presents
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Ben Fogle’s wife Marina made a festive faux pas during their first Christmas together(Image: PA)
Ben Fogle’s wife, Marina, has confessed that she feared their marriage “wouldn’t last” after making a significant blunder. The couple first crossed paths while walking their dogs in London’s Hyde Park.
The duo exchanged vows in the medieval village of Monsaraz in Portugal in 2006, following a whirlwind romance. However, Marina confesses that she had concerns about the longevity of their marriage after their first Christmas together.
She concedes that the festive season “didn’t start well” as Ben hails from a “family of intuitively good gift givers”, whereas she tends to be a more “practical” present-buyer. Marina even goes so far as to describe herself as “absolutely hopeless” when it comes to purchasing gifts.
In an article for The Times, she revealed: “It didn’t start well with my husband, Ben, who comes from a family of intuitively good gift givers. They all gather together, giving each other rare little antiques that they’ve stumbled upon in an Amsterdam flea market, the kind of thing you can’t find anywhere else and whose presence on your shelf is a constant reminder of their love and understanding of you.”
Marina explains that her own family have a more “practical” approach to Christmas, which led her to visit John Lewis after the couple moved into their first home together. However, she admits that Ben had a look of “disappointment on his face” when he unwrapped his present, reports Wales Online.
Instead of a sentimental memento, Marina reveals she gifted Ben a set of phones – complete with an integrated answering machine – a “cluster of remote control lamp plugs”, a loo roll holder and a doormat. In return, Ben presented his new bride with a ring embellished with three emeralds to represent him and their two pet dogs.
Marina quipped: “Part of him had to be wondering how long this marriage would last.”
Despite the rocky start, Marina says she has enjoyed “some successes” over the years. She fondly recalls the time she surprised Ben with a portrait of his cherished dog Inca, painted by artists Olly and Suzi.
However, heartbreak ensued when Inca passed away just before she could give Ben his 40th birthday present. As a tribute to Inca, Marina decided to give Ben his gift early, leaving the reality star “lost for words”.
She admits that the Animal Park host is “not easy to buy for” and tends to “tendency to buy everything he wants” before Christmas.
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While he appreciates thoughtful gifts, Marina says Ben “doesn’t always get it right,” pointing out the time he purchased a “beautifully crafted” folding bar that she “despised”.
With “nothing left to buy” for Ben, she jests that she’s found a “cleverly designed bread knife, an electric barbecue cleaner and an in-flight neck support” in her present drawer.
Katie Price’s new Christmas song is now out and the 47-year-old is hoping it raises a lot of money – and keeps some huge names off the top of the festive charts!
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Katie Price sports sexy festive lingerie as she releases new Christmas song(Image: katieprice/Instagram )
Katie Price has made a last-ditch play to land the coveted Christmas number 1 after releasing a festive track with little over a week to go. The star has collaborated with Chris Mhina on the song, which is for a very good cause as she raises money for the Woman’s Trust, who provide expert counselling and support for those recovering after suffering from domestic abuse.
The catchy tune, which will also see the BBC’s Children in Need benefit, has Katie roping in her son Harvey, who looks ready for the fun to begin next Thursday as they sing and dance together in front of a huge Christmas tree. She belts out the song, singing: “It’s Christmas, it’s a celebration…. we’re singing jingles all across the nation. Time to come together though the cold season… no matter if there’s snow, there ain’t no weather that can stop us.”
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Showing off the finished product on Instagram, Pricey wrote: “My Official Christmas Music Video is out now featuring @mhinaig thanks to @thewordofhonour and @shayeworld. I’ll be donating all funds I receive from the song to @womanstrust who provide specialist counselling and support women’s mental health in the recovery from domestic abuse.
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She added: “Shaye will be donating his share to BBC Children in Need, helping to support children and families across the UK.” The response to her song was mixed, with some fans tipping it to top the Christmas tree while others aren’t so sure she’s got a hit on her hands.
“I actually think you would sound better hun without the voice tuner, it’s making it too muffled,” one told her but another said: “Love it! Hasn’t been a catchy Xmas tune out in years!”
If Katie wants to top the charts, she’ll have to knock some icons off their perch. Kylie Minogue is leading a three-way race for this year’s Christmas number one, according to the Official Charts Company.
Her song XMAS is currently 7,000 units ahead of the nearest competitor, Wham’s much-loved Last Christmas, which is trying to top the festive charts for a third year running. In third place is the charity single Lullaby, by Together For Palestine – a supergroup featuring Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Bastille’s Dan Smith, Neneh Cherry and many others.
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The bookies think the Aussie has a great chance. “Kylie Minogue has been a big mover in our Christmas Number One betting over the last 24 hours. The popstar has not had a UK number one single since 2003, but many punters think she will end that wait with XMAS,” said Coral’s John Hill.
The ex-glamour model, 46, certainly got into the festive spirit as she donned the eye-catching costume for her Instagram followers over the weekend. As the former I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! star showed off her pins in fishnet tights and left little to the imagination with her plunging minidress.
TOWIE star, Charlie King, who joined the series with ex-Gemma Collins, told followers he’s ‘spiralled’ after shelling out a fortune on surgery – which includes a botched nose job
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TOWIE star, Charlie King, who joined the series with ex-Gemma Collins, told followers he’s ‘spiralled’(Image: thisischarlieking/Tiktok)
A former TOWIE star has admitted he’s ‘lost direction in life’ after dropping a whopping £20,000 on a total body transformation.
Charlie King, 40, who joined the ITV2 reality show with then girlfriend, Gemma Collins, in 2012, has spoken previously about his botched nose job and now he’s revealed he’s ‘spiralled’ since going under the knife.
Taking to TikTok, sharing a clip of himself looking ripped at a swimming pool before sharing another recent shot of himself getting out of a shower, wrapping a towel around his waist, he wrote in the caption: “Feeling like you’re at rock bottom,” before adding: “Nobody tells you how hard it is going from this … to here.”
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Charlie then admitted he had “lost his sense of direction in life” in a further worrying message. Sitting, sporting a striped shirt, with a plaster on his nose, he said of his body transformation: “It was never about having abs and losing abs.
“It was more just to show I’m someone that used to have quite a good relationship with his mind and I would do the right things to make me feel good. This year especially I have let it all spiral.
“I have lost all sense of self control, purpose, direction and it’s really caused a lot of self sabotage and I’ve not wanted to look after myself and felt a rebellion to looking after myself. But I don’t like the feeling and it’s got to stop.”
Charlie, who revealed his ripped body transformation following his time on TOWIE, then insisted he would ‘take accountability’ for his life, moving forward.
It’s not the first time the reality star has opened up about his mental health. In 2022, he told health committee MPs he was left in the “depths of despair” due to his struggles with body dysmorphia.
Slamming the amount of filters used on Instagram photos, pointing out what a danger they were to impressionable kids, he said: “The amount of times you see someone and they’ve been altered — you don’t really know what’s real any more.
“If we look at the Kardashian lifestyle, it’s that aspirational world where you can make loads of money and look fantastic. But we need to get real — that’s a unique situation the average person will never get to.”
He also told the Mirror he ;wasn’t strong enough’ for TOWIE, admitting: “I probably wasn’t strong enough for a career that so image based. Obviously I’m older now and I made a few mistakes but equally I try and make those mistakes into a positive now and lead by example.
“Being famous has got all these shiny lights about it. You see the influencer lifestyle or you see the reality TV lifestyle and you think it’s so glamorous but there is a very dark undertone to it all – there’s no denying that.”
Charlie joined TOWIE in 2012 and stayed for six series. His biggest storyline on the show was his rollercoaster relationship with Gemma Collins as well as his friendship with co-star Bobby Cole Norris.
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He returned to the show in 2017 to have a heart-to-heart with Bobby about his sexuality, after denying he was gay when he first found fame.
Charlie appeared on This Morning and came out live on television as many viewers tuned in across the country and praised him for his bravery.
A star from Britain’s Got Talent has been rushed to hospital following a terrifying accident. Lost Voice Guy, who won the ITV show back in 2018, has revealed he was taken to accident and emergency.
Lost Voice Guy – real name Lee Ridley – has explained how he was taken to A&E after he “split his head open” over the weekend, forcing him to cancel two gigs and quipped he has renamed himself.
“Lost Balance Guy strikes again! This is your periodic reminder that living with a disability can be s**t sometimes, however well your life is going,” he wrote, “I fell and split my head over the weekend and was left feeling silly and useless.
“But this isn’t a post for sympathy. It’s a post to say it’s ok to feel like that sometimes. If you’re disabled, you already know this part. The disabled community is incredibly resilient. Not because we have to be heroic, but because we keep going. We don’t stay down. We pause, recover, and carry on. However that looks for you.”
Lost Voice Guy won Britain’s Got Talent in 2018 ( Dymond/Thames/Syco/REX/Shutterstock)
The star injured himself and was forced to pull out of his shows ( Instagram)
As a result, Lee then thanked the hospital who helped “put him back together” and apologised for missing the next two shows on his tour. “Huge thanks to the NHS staff at the RVI for putting me back together. And sorry to the people of Newcastle and Mexborough for missing the shows. I’ll make it up to you,” he said.
Lee had suffered a brain infection at just six months old, shortly following his cerebral palsy diagnosis. He slipped into a two month coma shortly after. He was initially a journalist for the BBC, before taking up stand up comedy in 2012.
Speaking about going into comedy, he said: “It came about because my mate thought it would work well. Of course, I thought he was crazy, but the idea stuck in the back of my head.
“Eventually, a few months later, I decided to give it a try because I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t. It turns out my mate was right! It’s just grown from there really. I’ve only been doing it for seven years, but I’ve already done so much. It’s still a bit breathtaking really.”
Lee admits things have changed very dramatically since he was on the ITV talent show. He won the programme, with Robert White and Donchez Dacres in second and third place.
“Well obviously, I’m a lot richer for a start! But please don’t tell the Department for Work and Pensions though. Winning the show has changed my life in so many ways. I’m busier than I ever was before as a comedian. I’ve been on a nationwide tour, and I have also written a book called I’m Only In It For The Parking,” he quipped.
“The general public has been so supportive as well. I’m always getting stopped for selfies, and having people congratulate me. It has been really nice and I am very grateful for the kind words I have received.”
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