Category Entertainment News

Natalie Cassidy lost 4st in just three months as she prepared to release her Then and Now Workout DVD, only to find herself gaining weight shortly after the project

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EastEnders icon Natalie Cassidy admits she was “hurt” as she addresses the backlash to her fitness DVD after her 4st weight loss. The former soapstar says she dropped the weight in just three months after signing a deal to front the project.

Natalie Cassidy’s Then and Now Workout sold around 200,000 copies in its first week alone and netted the star a £100,000 payday. At the time she thought it would be a “good way to get fit”.

And Natalie herself even managed to lose 4st in just three months by following her regime. But she admits it was “too much too soon” and she eventually found herself putting the weight back on.

It sparked a series of “nasty comments” aimed at the star. Speaking to Bella magazine, Natalie, 42, said: “I’ve normally got skin like an elephant, but some of the remarks did hurt me.

“I started taking laxatives to try and lose some of the weight. I wasn’t kind to my body.”

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Natalie says she eventually began “eating sensibly” and started exercising regularly. “For the last eight or nine years, I’ve been around the 10-stone mark. And I’m happy with that,” she added.

Natalie, who recently quit her role as Sonia Fowler after 32 years, has previously opened up about the aftermath of her fitness project on Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum Happy Baby. She says she “ate and ate and ate” after the instructors finished her programme.

She said: “They left and then it was over. I just ate and ate and ate and ate and ate and again, if you link it up, I’d lost mum at 19, so all of that weight stuff was happening through all of that time.

“Silly decisions were being made, shouldn’t have done that, not the right guidance, but if someone says ‘Here’s a hundred grand, do you want to lose some weight?’, I was like, ‘Yeah I’ll take that’.”

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Natalie, who has recently released a memoir Happy Days, believes having children meant she became less worried about her weight. She added: “The idea of worrying about what I looked like fell to the wayside.”

Natalie however says she is “worried” about the increase in weight loss jabs. She said: “There was a lot of body positivity, a stage of real body positivity, and not a lot of weight chat.

“It feels like the weight chat just sort of went and I think there’s been a big focus on losing the weight now, which is a worry. Especially if you’ve got daughters.”

Morning Live star Michelle Ackerley has revealed she gave birth to her first child with husband Ben Ryan. This comes only weeks after the star was rushed to hospital after suffering from a painful infection.

The 41-year-old hopped on Instagram to share that her daughter had been born and posted a sweet selfie of her and the baby girl. In the caption, she revealed the baby’s name.

“Welcome to the world Nala Lomani Ryan. Our hearts couldn’t be more full,” she wrote. Followers flooded the comments with messages, one writing: “Eeeeek this is so wonderful. I’m beyond excited for you. The biggest congratulations and sending SO MUCH LOVE.”

Famous faces also shared their new parent’s joy. Michelle’s Morning Live co-host, Rav Wilding, comments a string of heart emojis, while Strictly’s Karen Hauer wrote: “Awwww look at this angel.”

Only weeks ago, concern for Michelle and baby’s health was sparked when she was rushed to the hospital due to a painful infection. Michelle promised fans both she and the baby were fine, and explained that she was diagnoses with labyrinthitis, an inner ear infection that affects your balance.

Sharing her health update on social media, she wrote: “Well it’s been quite the rollercoaster of a few days this end. Had such a lovely day back at work with the awesome BBC Morning Live team last Monday.

“Then unfortunately ended up in hospital with labyrinthitis for the next 4 days. I don’t know if anybody has had it before but it ain’t ideal.

“I have to stay the midwives at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester were amazing and kept me calm with all the anxieties of being ill whilst pregnant. Resting up and nesting up at home now.”

Michelle has previously opened up about her fertility journey and fears of being unable to conceive due to her endometriosis diagnosis.

Her co-star Gethin Jones halted today’s BBC Morning Live to announce her news. Gethin said: “Before we get into the show today, we have some wonderful news to share with you. It happened yesterday.

“Our Michelle Ackerley and Ben, they have had a new addition to the family. It is Nala Lomani Ryan.” A photo of Michelle with her new addition then appeared on screen, with Gethin saying: “There’s mum and daughter. She sent that to the group yesterday. Well, it’s just magnificent.”

He added: “We cannot wait for cuddles! Michelle’s watching this morning from hospital. We are sending all our love, Michelle, and to Ben and the whole family as well.”

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Priscilla Presley has revealed that Robert Kardashian, late father of Kim Kardashian, wanted to get married but their relationship was effected by ‘ballistic’ Elvis Presley

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Priscilla Presley, actress and former wife of Elvis Presley, has revealed that Robert Kardashian wanted to marry her and she turned him down. Her memoir detailed how their relationship was effected by a “ballistic” Elvis.

In 1975, two years after Priscilla and Elvis divorced and three before Robert would marry Kris Jenner, the actress and the lawyer were a couple.

In her new memoir, Softly, As I Leave You: Life After Elvis, she shared how Robert wanted to marry her. “Robert was a sweet man, and I liked him,” she wrote. “Robert wanted to get married, but I knew it wouldn’t work. I wasn’t ready to marry again.”

READ MORE: Best value pre-lit Christmas trees to invest in now– and that can save households £875READ MORE: Priscilla Presley’s memoir bombshells – sex with Elvis, Michael Jackson and ‘sickening’ ex

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Priscilla has only ever been married to Elvis. They wed in 1967, just before she turned 22 and when he was 32. The couple were already living together, as in 1962, she moved from Germany, where she met Elvis, to Graceland to finish her schooling near him.

The two were married for six years and had one daughter, Lisa Marie. They divorced in 1973, but according to Priscilla’s book, Elvis still had a great impact on her life and relationships.

She recalled a night when her ex-husband phoned her whilst she was in bed with her new boyfriend. “It hadn’t crossed his mind that I might have been asleep,” Priscilla started.

“It had certainly never occurred to him that I might be with another man. Despite our divorce, he still couldn’t wrap his head around my being with someone else.”

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Priscilla added that she was scared of what would happen if Elvis ever did realise she had moved on. “He’d have gone ballistic, maybe literally, if he had known Robert was in my bedroom. Elvis always carried a loaded gun, sometimes more than one.”

The 80-year-old shared many more bombshells in her memoir. She went into detail about the first time she had sex with Elvis and their age gap.

She stated: “We waited to have sex until he married me at twenty-one. The fact remains, however, that there were ten years between us.”

She also wrote about her daughter’s relationship with Michael Jackson and claimed he wasn’t marrying her for love, but to join the “Presley dynasty”. Priscilla called him “manipulative” and said he “had his sights set on [Lisa Marie] long before she realised it”.

Two of autumn’s top fashion trends are chocolate brown and suede, and this bowling bag nails them both for under £60, making it a must-have for the season

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It’s no secret that chocolate brown and suede are both the top trends to wear for autumn, so when we spotted this perfectly-sized handbag that ticks both boxes for under £60, we knew it was going to be a must-have. Hailing from high street fave Fat Face, the Chocolate Brown Suede Bowling Bag is a guaranteed winner for autumn, and you can pick it up for £59.50.

It’s the perfect does-it-all bag that you could take everywhere from work to an evening out, and we’re already calling it as this season’s must-buy accessory. It comes in an expensive-looking chocolate brown shade, and is made from 100% real leather suede.

READ MORE: Rochelle Humes’ wide leg Levi’s jeans are hailed ‘comfortable and soft’ by shoppers

READ MORE: Exact cosy fingerless gloves Claudia Winkleman wears on The Traitors are back in stock

There’s also lots of storage inside and secure zipped pockets so you can fit plenty of your essentials in, and the two long grab top straps fit over your shoulder so it’s easy to carry. The straps are made from leather which means they’ll be sturdy and hardwearing, with subtle strap details wrapping around the bag and a tassel bag charm that comes in the same chocolate brown suede.

It’s just a nice size for carrying around all your essentials without being too big and bulky, measuring 16cm high and 30cm wide. Both ends of the Chocolate Brown Suede Bowling Bag have a zipped pocket that’s the perfect size for fitting things like keys or your wallet inside to keep them close at hand.

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The Chocolate Brown Suede Bowling Bag has a rounded rectangular shape that’s soft and slouchy whilst still holding its shape, making it easy and comfortable to tote around with you whilst running errands. If you do want something a little bigger, Nobody’s Child’s Brown Suede Shoulder Bag is £189 and has a taller and broader shape that would maybe fit a laptop inside, making it a great office bag.

Marks & Spencer also has a more minimalist version, with the Autograph Suede Bowler Bag priced at £80 and made from a premium soft-touch suede. If you’d rather steer clear of real suede, or just want to get the look without breaking the bank, the Gina Tricot Faux Suede Bowling Shoulder Bag is £40 at ASOS.

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The Chocolate Brown Suede Bowling Bag is still so new on the Fat Face website that it hasn’t racked up any reviews yet, but it’s a great combination of quality without being too pricey. It’s also so easy to incorporate some brown suede into your wardrobe, as it pairs with almost every colour and outfit style.

You can style it with everything from a smart blazer and wide leg trousers to a more casual jeans and a T-shirt outfit, or carry it with a flowing midi dress for the evening. Chocolate brown also pairs with so many colours, from navy and green to pink, red and yellow, so you can fit it effortlessly into your wardrobe.

Celia Imrie who has starred in St. Trinian’s, Mamma Mia! and The Bridget Jones film series has joined The Celebrity Traitors cast

Celia Imrie is one of the many star-studded cast members in the new celebrity version of The Traitors. The actor, known for her roles in Calendar Girls, Nanny McPhee, and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, has joined presenter Claudia Winkleman and a group of celebrities in the Scottish Highlands to play the ultimate game of detection, backstabbing and trust.

Celia has joined the likes of Alan Carr, Ruth Codd, Stephen Fry, Mark Bonnar and Charlotte Church in the now-famous castle. As well as Cat Burns, Clare Balding, David Olusoga, Joe Marler, Joe Wilkinson, Jonathan Ross, Kate Garraway and Lucy Beaumont.

Other stars playing the game include Nick Mohammed, Niko Omilana, Tameka Empson and Tom Daley. Sadly, singer Paloma Faith was the first to be murdered and is out of the game.

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Speaking about whether she’s got a good poker face, The Thurday Murder Club star said: “I suppose, being an actor, you do spend your life pretending to be somebody else, so that’s quite an advantage.

“But it is also a horror, because you haven’t got a character to hide behind, and so it is the same as being on a chat show, you just have to be yourself which is oddly quite a difficult thing to present without seeming to be affected or unreal. It is quite exposing to just be yourself.”

But what movies and shows has Celia Imrie starred in and what about her private life? Here’s everything you need to know.

How old is Celia Imrie?

Celia is an English actress and author. The 73-year-old has been a familiar face on our screens for years and has racked up a very impressive number of film credits.

What films has Celia Imrie starred in?

Celia first made a name for herself on the series Upstairs, Downstairs during the 1970s on ITV, while her most famous roles include Calendar Girls, Nanny McPhee, and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, as well as St. Trinian’s, which has alrady been mentioned on The Traitors, as well as Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Better Things, and The Diplomat.

Her most recent appearance was in The Thursday Murder Club, an adaptation of Richard Osman’s international bestseller, in the role of Joyce, alongside Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan and Ben Kingsley.

Who is Celia Imrie’s famous son?

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Celia’s son Angus Imrie is also an actor. The 31-year-old is known for his role as Josh Archer in BBC Radio 4 drama The Archers.

He has also appeared in the ITV drama series, Kingdom in 2007, alongside his mum, and BBC One’s Restless in 2012. Angus has also had roles in Fleabag and The Crown.

Why did Celia sign up to Traitors?

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Celia said: “In my autobiography I say that actresses are likened to Victorian young girls sitting round a ballroom on their gilt chairs waiting to be asked to dance. And that’s how our life is. We all have to wait for the part to come along.

“Yes, I could play Hedda Gabler in my attic but there’s nobody to tell me how good I am. If I was Van Gogh, I could create a painting in the middle of the night, I wouldn’t need an audience.

“The only thing I have tried to do in terms of control in my career is to attempt to try and do something as different to the last thing so as not to be pigeonholed. And this, to be a player of The Traitors, is as different to anything else I have ever done.”

Cat Deeley wore a blue sheer dress on This Morning, and it’s the perfect way to get ahead of the curve in what’s tipped to be the colour of 2026. Here’s where to shop her outfit

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Cat Deeley is a woman with her finger well and truly on the pulse when it comes to fashion, often putting her own spin on trends, too. This week, the This Morning presenter seemingly took a leaf out of Claudia Winkleman’s style book with a sheer knitted dress and updated it with her signature twist.

On Saturday’s episode of Strictly Come Dancing, Claudia channelled her Traitor’s wardrobe with a sheer black skirt and long sleeve top. On Tuesday’s episode of This Morning, Cat’s outfit bore a strikingly similar silhouette, with the 48-year-old opting for a bold cobalt blue frock.

Styled by Rachael Hughes, Cat wore the Woven Knit Mix Pleated Midi Dress from Karen Millen. Costing £129, the dress features a bandage mini lining that sculpts the silhouette, while sheer fabrics pleats from a round neck and long sleeves to a maxi skirt.

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Covering almost head to toe, the dress is certainly modest enough for formal occasions and even the office – especially if paired with a chic blazer and court shoes. But the sheer skirt and shoulder portion gives it a sultriness that makes it a great choice for date nights and evening events, too.

Cat paired her dress with a pair of black leather knee boots and minimal jewellery. We think a pair of statement silver earrings would really bring this look to life.

Karen Millen Woven Knit Mix Pleated Midi Dress

£129

Buy here

According to fashion experts, cobalt blue is set to be a major trend for Spring/Summer 2026, having been a prominent colour during Copenhagen Fashion Week earlier this year. In anticipation of the trend, celebrities like Dakota Johnson and Greta Lee have already been spotted on red carpets wearing the electric hue, which has been dubbed ‘the new chocolate brown’.

We’re already seeing plenty of options creep onto the high street, with Boden’s Marion Merino Henley Jumper proving to be a cool way to wear the shade. The £119 knit leans into the current rugby shirt trend while maintaining that timeless charm Boden are so beloved for.

For a more affordable way to wear, River Island has this eighties inspired Blue Structured Shoulder Sleeveless Top for £29. The shoulder padding is great for those with wider hips to balance proportions, and it’s great for tucking into leather shorts to accentuate the waist.

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Another This Morning wardrobe staple from Cat that remains available to purchase is this French Connection Brandy Snakeskin PU Midi Skirt. Typically £89 and still full price at French Connection, the skirt is also available at ASOS, where it’s currently reduced to £62.50. The mother-of-two paired the skirt with a Reserved Ladies Jumper in dark brown, which retails for £39.99.

Last week, Cat wore a bold double leather outfit, showcasing her unique style. She sported a tan faux leather sleeveless top – also from Karen Millen – paired with black balloon silhouette trousers, cinching in the top at the waist with a black belt to tie together the contrasting colours.