Popstar Justin Timberlake, who had described his Lyme disease as “relentlessly debilitating” after his Forget Tomorrow World Tour, told how the diagnosis shocked him
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Justin Timberlake is ‘prioritising his health’(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Ten-time Grammy winner Justin Timberlake is “prioritising his health” following his Lyme disease diagnosis, it is claimed.
The popstar, 44, has reportedly paused his career after his Forget Tomorrow World Tour, which ended in the summer. After it finished, he told his fans on Instagram of his diagnosis of the infection, which he described as “relentlessly debilitating”.
A source said this week: “Justin seems to be doing okay. He’s prioritising his health after the grueling tour and Lyme disease diagnosis. Jess (wife Jess Biel) is supportive. She wants him healthy.”
Justin, who was part of NSync in the 1990s, is focusing on his recovery, according to the source. The musician, born in Memphis, Tennessee, hasn’t had any significant gigs since the Forget Tomorrow World Tour, which saw him complete more than 120 shows across 15 months.
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Spread to humans by infected ticks, Lyme disease causes tiredness, aches and loss of energy, which can last for years. The Mirror has highlighted the plights of people diagnosed with Lyme disease in recent years. Lorraine Damonte, who was battling the crippling disease, had to endure her children screaming “I don’t want to die, I don’t want to be like you” after they contracted the infection too.
However, Justin has kept his journey relatively private since sharing his diagnosis. The dad of two did, though, say at the time the impact was significant “mentally and physically”. He said: “I’ve been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease — which I don’t say so you feel bad for me — but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes. If you’ve experienced this disease or know someone who has — then you’re aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.”
The singer said he experienced nerve pain, fatigue and sickness during the tour, which it is thought he didn’t realise was Lyme disease until he sought medical advice. The NHS website also lists other symptoms, such as a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery.
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Despite his challenges, Justin decided to continue his tour and complete the final gigs, the last of which was on July 30 in Istanbul, Turkey. The source, speaking to PEOPLE, said Justin appreciated the support of wife Jess Biel, who he married in 2012. They have since had two sons together; Silas, 10, and five-year-old Phineas.
Journalist Liv Clarke visited a joyful Christmas market in a UK town which she says matches any European-style winter wonderland – and has ‘the best’ hot chocolate
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Magical Christmas market in UK town is ‘full of joy’ (Image: Liv Clarke)
Christmas Markets have been bustling for several weeks now and journalist Liv Clarke says she’s “certainly no Grinch” when they pop up, adding that she “relishes” them. Based in Manchester, Liv took a train to an exceptional festive wonderland recently – and she was left enchanted with the “different” kind of Christmas market.
Liv said she loves to “uncover something new each year” at Christmas markets and found herself “whizzing over to Yorkshire on the train on a frosty November morning”, to see how they celebrate Christmas across the border. Heading to Halifax, which hosts an annual Christmas Market each year in the grand Piece Hall, Liv, being a “proud Yorkshire lass” herself, was more than happy to head to the West Yorkshire town.
She said that “getting to these markets couldn’t be simpler” via a pretty train journey – and Liv described the “stunning Grade-I Georgian building” of the the Piece Hall which “boasts a massive 66,000sq ft open-courtyard” as being truly memorable.
She said: “I hopped on the train from Manchester Victoria to Halifax, which takes around 40 minutes, and the Piece Hall is roughly a five-minute stroll from the train station. My ticket set me back £12.59 for an open return which I booked on Trainline the day before, including Railcard discount.”
This works out just over £6 each way, she added, having booked ahead of travelling, which means you can sometimes find one-way tickets at low cost, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Liv said: “The train journey itself was picturesque, especially with a heavy frost adding a sparkle to the rugged landscape of the South Pennines. I passed through Rochdale, Todmoden and Hebden Bridge along the way, admiring the canals and mills which looked particularly striking in the bright sunshine.
“Upon my arrival in Halifax, it was a mere short stroll to the Piece Hall, tucked away from the main thoroughfare. Entry is through one of four gates situated on each side of the square, and there’s something rather grand about stepping through the archway.
“The gate I chose boasted an exquisitely ornate design, adding to the enchantment of the experience. It was still early when I arrived, with many stallholders preparing for the day ahead, but I was already taken with the layout; compared to Manchester, it was refreshing to see the markets here confined to one area, providing a respite from the hustle and bustle of the main high street.”
While waiting for the markets to fully open, Liv took the opportunity to explore the Piece Hall itself, describing “dozens of shops” lining all four sides of the square.
She said: “Given its location on a slight incline, there are varying levels depending on which side you’re on, yet each open-air walkway affords stunning views of the square below.
“On the ground floor, you’ll discover a plethora of cafes and restaurants, many of which stay open late into the evening. I treated myself to a hot chocolate from The Bakery (£3.95), which ranks among the best I’ve ever tasted: rich, chocolatey and perfectly sweetened.”
The Piece Hall is home to shops selling a wide array of items, from handmade gifts to antiques – and while these independent shops operate year-round, “the markets provide a significant boost, with many market traders even supplying the permanent shops”, Liv reported.
Shelly Foster, who runs The Handmade Gift Shop, shared her recommendation for the best time to visit, telling Liv: “The markets are always full of joy, the best time is around 4.30pm, just before sunset when everything is glowing. The markets are open until 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays but the bars and restaurants stay open much later, often with live music creating a lovely atmosphere.”
Lou Harkness-Hudson, who operates Hudson Belle, a shop selling gifts and homeware, said: “It’s just the most unique, unusual place to come, it’s a fantastic building, an excellent community. The markets are a crucial time for us and really boost footfall, it doesn’t get any busier than this. They bring people here to shop and have a nice day out.”
Liv continued to explore, adding: “Back at ground level, the markets were open and shoppers started to wander around as the morning sun began to thaw us all out. There was a fantastic selection of stalls, with many naturally selling products from Yorkshire.
“From rum to cheese to chilli oil – if you can name it, they sell it. Then there were stalls selling hats, gloves and scarves, which I imagine were in high demand during my chilly visit, along with several traders offering the most beautiful decorations and trinkets you could imagine.
“Adding to the enchantment was a merry-go-round and a large Ferris wheel, although it was spinning a bit too quickly for my taste. Given that it was a swinging-seat style wheel, I opted to sit this one out. Nonetheless, it was pleasant to observe.”
In one corner of the square, a towering Christmas tree stood majestically, with a massive ‘Christmas’ sign displayed against the balustrades of the Piece Hall’s second floor behind it, creating an idyllic scene. Liv described.
Liv added: “It’s the setting of the Piece Hall that makes this place special – it genuinely feels like you’re in a European city, rather than in the north of England.
“Naturally, there are far fewer food stalls here than in Manchester, which I found quite appealing. No overwhelming choices here; instead, I easily settled on my early lunch: a Yorkshire Bratwurst from The Sausage Box.
“This was crafted with a locally sourced pork Bratwurst from ‘Lishman’s of Ilkley’, served in a brioche bun with sauerkraut, pickles, crispy onions, ketchup and mustard, all for £9. It was a sight to behold and almost seemed too good to be true.”
Upon taking a bite, Liv said it “lived up to its looks”. She described the sausage as “succulent with a hint of smokiness, the toppings combined to create a flavour explosion, and it was surprisingly easy to eat – no stringy bits of meat or tough bread causing a mess”.
Liv added: “It felt much more thrilling than the Bratwurst stalls we have here in Manchester.”
“Naturally, there’s a stall selling Yorkshire pudding wraps if that tickles your fancy. As a proud Yorkshire lass myself, I wouldn’t dare to sample a pudding made by anyone other than my own mum while in God’s Own County, so I gave that one a miss.
“Other stalls were serving up Indian street food and Paella, while the surrounding eateries included an Italian restaurant and a wine bar that looked rather inviting. After my Bratwurst, I fancied something sweet, so I made a beeline for the churros stall.
“I must confess, it took three attempts to get my hands on some churros, as twice I was informed that the machine was, quite literally, frozen. But as they say, third time’s the charm, and I finally secured my paper cup of golden churros, dusted with crunchy cinnamon sugar and sitting in a pool of chocolate sauce.”
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The churros cost £8, with the sauce costing an extra £1, which “seemed reasonable given the generous portion size” which Liv “couldn’t even finish”.
She added: “While I’m not usually one for sweets, even I found these delightful, with the texture being spot-on and just the right amount of chewiness. The sauce was scrumptious and tasted like genuine chocolate rather than a synthetic substitute.”
Angry Ginge — whose real name is Morgan Burtwistle — won this year’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, after taking more than half of the vote in the final on Sunday
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Angry Ginge won I’m a Celebrity.. Get Me Out of Here!(Image: Tim Merry/Staff Photographer)
Angry Ginge has been tipped to enjoy a career in TV — after his I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here triumph.
The 24-year-old star had been known for his online work, streaming initially on YouTube and more recentlt Twitch, where he muses about trends and football matches. Angry Ginge, real name Morgan Burtwistle, earns £1million a year on Twitch, which is known as “the Gogglebox of the internet”.
But experts now believe the young man’s I’m a Celeb win will accelerate his career in traditional media. Kayley Cornelius, a celebrity PR specialist, said: “For Angry Ginge, a move into television feels like the logical next step. He has already reached the peak of online success and while his following is massive there is always the danger of stagnation if he does not begin exploring new avenues.”
AngryGinge, who is from Salford, Greater Manchester, took more than half of the vote in the final on Sunday. He beat Celebs Go Dating receptionist and runner-up Tom Read Wilson to become the King of the Jungle, the fourth in the past five series with Jill Scott the only recent Queen of the Jungle.
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Speaking to the Daily Mail in the wake of Sunday’s joy, Ms Cornelius added: “His (Angry Ginge) appearance on I’m a Celebrity was likely part of a conscious strategy to reposition himself to a wider audience and show he can deliver far more than short form viral content.”
Angry Ginge has not done any professional TV work, such as broadcasting or presenting. However, it is expected I’m a Celebrity will become a platform for the young man, who has been streaming for around five years on social media.
I’m a Celeb bosses made a careful effort to book influencers and social media stars, also including rapper Aitch, for this year’s series. Of the 7.1 million viewers who tuned in to watch the final, a whopping 74% were in the 16-34 age bracket, viewing figures show. Gen Z’ers know Angry Ginge by his online names Angryginge and Angryginge13.
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Speaking on behalf of Casino Games provider Genting Casino, Ms Cornelius added: “There is also a wider movement happening in the industry. This new wave of digital first celebrities is becoming the driving force behind the revival of traditional television.
“They bring younger and highly engaged audiences who hold enormous cultural influence and broadcasters are increasingly reliant on that cross platform pull. Figures like Angry Ginge and [fellow campmate] Aitch are exactly the kind of talent capable of bridging the gap between online culture and mainstream TV.”
Mary Berry loves to cook the Christmas turkey – even if she is dining elsewhere
Mary Berry will have her turkey ready at 11am this Christmas Day – but will wrap it up like a small child in a sleeping bag and towels for a long journey to the dinner table.
The 90-year-old TV chef will eat dinner at her son Tom’s house this year along with his wife Sarah and other family members, but she insists on bringing the prized bird with her. Going through her routine, she explained: “I bring the turkey – I have it ready by 11am and then I wrap it in foil, old clean towels and a sleeping bag without a zip, and put it in the boot of the car for the drive to my son’s house. It stays piping hot and the meat is rested, even after four or five hours, because of the bulk of the thing.
“Sarah’s mother will bake the Christmas cake and her father will do a topical quiz with pictures, all about what has happened during the year. After the King’s Christmas message at 3pm we will all go for a walk, with torches for the way back because it will be dark by then.”
Asked for her tips for the big festive day, Mary told Radio Times : “I always use fresh herbs for the stuffing. I don’t like packet stuffing because the dry herbs are too strong. I make an open dish of apricots and chestnuts for vegetarians, it’s delicious.
“To give Christmas cake a difference from the pudding, I make it on the lighter side and fill it with apricots soaked in brandy.”
Mary also said she was not against short cuts in the kitchen, saying buying packets of grated cheese was fine and in the past she has also admitted using ready-made puff pastry.
Rather than being sad about getting older and hitting the milestone of being 90, she tries to see the positives. Mary said: “You have more time to think. You can go at a slightly slower pace and people don’t mind.
“You can do the things you had no time to do in the past, like learning croquet or visiting a local museum. I have time to take my grandchildren to a pantomime or the Christmas markets – things I wouldn’t have had time to do before.”
Mary will attend Christmas Day events with her husband Paul who she married in 1966. Speaking in October she said the secret of her happy marriage was walking away when an argument was on the cards.
She said: “Paul always says that the secret to our long marriage is his saying, ‘Yes, dear’ to everything, and then going his own way. But we don’t argue. If any disagreements come up, I open the back door and just go out and maybe pick some flowers or get some apples. It’s amazing if you can walk away.
“Of course, if I was living in a top-floor flat, that would be difficult. But we respect each other. And I’m very lucky. He has mellowed in his old age and he’s become very appreciative of me. So I look after him, and it’s a great pleasure. That’s what I promised to do. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer. And we are very happy in our dotage.”
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Mary has more than 70 books and sold more than five million copies. She is also known for her loyalty, staying with the BBC when the Great British Bake Off moved to Channel 4.
Aoki Lee Simmons, who is a model, was in a relationship with restaurateur Vittorio Assaf despite the 44-year age gap after the two met on Saint Barthélemy, a Caribbean island
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Kimora Lee Simmons (left) and Aoki Lee Simmons seen in Los Angeles, California(Image: GC Images)
Kimora Simmons has today expressed her shock that daughter Aoki had dated a man some 44 years older than her.
Aoki Simmons, then 21, was in a short-lived relationship with Vittorio Assaf, a 65-year-old restaurateur, after the pair met on holiday on Saint Barthélemy, a Caribbean island. Although Aoki’s mum, the fashion designer Kimora was concerned, she said today she has always encouraged her five children to make their own decisions — and suffer any consequences.
Speaking on a podcast today, Kimora, 50, said: “I let my kids make their own mistakes, like I said. That’s the whole thing we were saying about living out your life in public, and I think that’s very, very, very tough… I don’t even know…first of all, I know this guy. But I didn’t know this guy in that capacity like with my kid or that you were even dating my kid.”
Aoki and Vittorio’s relationship quickly developed and photographs were published of the pair enjoying a romantic holiday in April last year. They split soon after, according to reports.
Kimora, a good friend of Kim Kardashian, told the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast today she wanted to interrogate Vittorio about the relationship but bit her tongue. When asked by host Amanda Hirsch: “Were you like, ‘What the helly are you doing to Aoki,’ or no?”
Mother-of-five Kimora replied: “I was, but I didn’t say it in that way because it was this fast. And it blew up to be so much, so then you can’t be the mom that’s like, ‘What the hell are you doing?’ But that definitely was the thing. But it went from 0 to 100 really quick, and I was like, ‘Aoki, I didn’t even know this was a thing.’ I found out when the world found out.”
“So that was what was so shocking. And you can’t say as a mom, and I’ve learned all these crazy things. You can’t give the, ‘I told you so,’ right now. You can’t give the, ‘What the hell are you doing’ right now. You can’t give those things right now.”
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Speaking shortly after Aoki and Vittorio parted ways, an insider told PEOPLE: “Aoki is learning to navigate her private life in a public sphere. And that can be difficult. However, Kimora was concerned to see her daughter in that kind of relationship due to what she herself went through.”
Jeremy Clarkson has been inundated with messages from friends and fans as he marks almost a decade with his girlfriend and Clarkson’s Farm co-star Lisa Hogan
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Jeremy Clarkson has marked almost a decade with his girlfriend Lisa Hogan(Image: Instagram/ @jeremyclarkson1)
Jeremy Clarkson has marked almost a decade with his girlfriend Lisa Hogan. The former Top Gear star, 65, has been in a relationship with Lisa, 51, since 2016 and they are often seen together on Amazon’s BAFTA-winning hit Clarkson’s Farm, where she helps in managing Diddly Squat and its shop.
The presenter took to social media on Monday to mark the special occasion, but kept things simple as he posted a simple selfie of them both.
Alongside the sweet picture, he wrote on Instagram: “Nine years!!!!” The TV star was inundated with several messages from his celebrity pals, including WAG Lizzie Cundy, who wrote: “Huge congrats,” left several hand-clapping emojis.
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Richard E. Grant also left a whole line of celebratory symbols. Fashion designer Amanda Wakey wrote: “Lucky boy,” and several fans of Jeremy’s piled into the comment as well.
Begging the pair to tie the knot, one wrote: “Put a wring on it. Women like this don’t come along often! [red heart emoji]” and another said: “Time to put a ring on the lovely Lisa!” A third wrote: “She is a beautiful lady all round and has a fierce Cheers to the diddly duo!”
Last year, Lisa revealed she had decided to take the next step in her relationship with father-of-three and took advantage of the leap year on February 29 in which women typically propose, eventually joking that Jeremy had no idea because he wasn’t wearing his hearing aids.
In an episode of Clarkson’s Farm, there’s a hint of the couple tying the knot as Jeremy says: “I’ve got a big surprise for you,” as they walk through a field. “Is it a proposal?” Lisa asks, excitedly. The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire host pretends not to hear and shows her the surprise — a fallen willow tree brought back into life. When pressed about the proposal, Jeremy says: “I’ll think about the proposal, OK? I’m not ready yet.”
However, when asked about the exchange, said in a new interview: “I just thought I might surprise him.” When asked if she actually proposed, she told The Times: “Jeremy doesn’t think I proposed, but he wasn’t wearing his hearing aids, so no one will know.”
The couple give viewers a candid look at their relationship on Jeremy’s Amazon series, in which the former Top Gear host told Lisa there was no way he was going wild swimming with her, despite how much she wanted to in a recent episode.
Instead of embracing the idea of a refreshing dip, suggested by his girlfriend, the presenter told his other half to “get out” of the water and head to the pub.
While the former actress splashed about in a pond, sporting a white swimming cap, Jeremy asked her: “What are you doing?” Lisa replied: “Just loitering in cold water.” At this point, Jeremy demanded to know why they weren’t at the pub before suggesting they could head home and read a book together.
But Lisa responded: “Apparently because this is the best high you could ever get.” Noticing Jeremy’s reluctance, she told him to open his mind as he had never been in cold water before. The host retorted in response: “I have been in cold water! I’ve done polar training – it was awful and trust me I’ve been drunk – and I’ve been in cold water – and being drunk is better.“
Having enough of watching her paddling around, the presenter lost his cool and barked at Lisa: “So let’s go to the pub, get out! Come on, please, hurry up.”
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The former Top Gear host was married twice to Alexandra James and Frances Caine – with whom he has children Emily, Finlo, and Katya – before he came to meet Lisa, who stands strikingly tall at 6 ft 2.
