Katie Price and Dwight Yorke’s sad Harvey feud from DNA fury to heartbreaking phone call

Harvey Price, 23, who has complex needs, has been raised by his mother Katie Price and is now moving into independent living after the local authority cut his college funding

Katie Price had a short-lived relationship with the Premiership star(Image: UK Press via Getty Images)

Katie Price often divides opinion, but everyone can agree that she is a devoted mother to her eldest son Harvey, who regularly features on her social media accounts.

Harvey, 23, has Septo-optic Dysplasia, autism and Prader-Willi syndrome, which means he needs round-the-clock care.

Katie, 47, recently revealed she was forced to withdraw her son from a £350,000-a-year college after the local authority cut his funding, deeming he had “no healthcare issues”. Now, Harvey is going “into the real world,” the former glamour model said.

Speaking on the Katie Price Show podcast, the mum explained: “Harvey is doing the countdown for his new place. He’s got his leavers ceremony where they give out certificates and then it’s the ‘real world’ Mr Harvey Price. “

The reality star has always been open about the difficulties of caring for her disabled son, who has complex needs. But little is said about Harvey’s biological father.

READ MORE: Katie Price heartbroken after ‘sad and angry’ Harvey Price sends her a text

Katie and Harvey
Katie shared a difficult message from Harvey asking not to go back to college
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The mum-of-five has admitted, however, that former international and Premier League footballer Dwight Yorke, 53, doesn’t maintain contact with her eldest child.

Katie got pregnant when she was briefly dating Dwight; their relationship was short-lived when she allegedly discovered Dwight had cheated. The model once told how she was on a lingerie photoshoot when she heard that the sportsman had been partying with other women.

During a 2009 interview, Dwight addressed the allegations, admitting he wasn’t the ‘perfect partner’. “I think anyone who’s in a relationship would like their partner to be faithful and I’m saying I wasn’t the perfect partner, she knows that,” he said.

The two warring exes endured a rocky relationship throughout the rest of her pregnancy, with Dwight denying paternity until a DNA test proved otherwise. The footballer did turn up to the hospital to visit his son, and also put his name on the birth certificate while trying to insist that Harvey should take his surname.

However, his visits with his son became few and far between, with Dwight admitting: “It is a combination of different things, one my time schedule and being based up in Manchester and a footballer on an everyday basis.

Harvey as a baby
Dwight admitted that he wasn’t a perfect father when Harvey was very young

“Not sitting here and say I’m a total perfect father, I’ve made mistakes along the way and I would love to turn the clock back. “

But in his own book published the same year, Born To Score, he painted a very different picture of his feelings towards his son.

“From the moment I set eyes on the little fella, I have loved my son like I could never ever have imagined possible,” he wrote. “I am not going to hear anymore that I did not care for Harvey, or have any understanding of his needs or that I was not interested in his welfare.

Katie & Harvey
Katie has said that Dwight ‘doesn’t deserve’ his son (Image: Daily Mirror)

“Over the years I have heard Katie saying how [Peter] Andre is Harvey’s dad and what a terrible, uncaring father I have been, all of which sticks in my throat. Maybe if she had not made life so difficult for me, might have been able to take a far more proactive role. “

At the time, Katie’s then-husband Peter Andre wanted to adopt Harvey, but Dwight was furious and wrote that he wanted to “throttle” him.

But five years later, Katie claimed that Dwight had no relationship with Harvey. She wrote in her 2014 autobiography: “The last time Harvey’s biological father Dwight Yorke saw him, which was around eight years ago, the first thing he asked was why was Harvey so big. Why was I overfeeding him?

“I’d explained Harvey’s condition to Dwight many times, but he refused to understand it and kept going on about him being fat. It’s sad that he’s unable to accept Harvey for who he is and seems unable or unwilling to work within his limitations. On that occasion, I think Dwight wanted to blame someone for the fact that his son is disabled.

“I have always said that if Dwight could see what a courageous and talented boy Harvey is then he would enjoy being with him so much. ” Katie claimed she has made multiple attempts to reach out to Dwight over the years, insisting it’s “never too late” to be in their son’s life.

Katie & Harvey
Dwight spoke to Harvey on his 10th birthday then told Katie he didn’t want anything to do with him(Image: Rex Features)

In November 2018, Katie shared a series of baby pics as she acknowledged the struggle of bringing up a child with complex needs – and told Dwight the “door is always open”. Katie made a more desperate plea to her ex in December 2019, claiming Harvey “didn’t deserve it” as she shared a heartbreaking video of her son asking for his dad.

When asked who he would want to write a message to on Instagram by Katie, Harvey replied: “Daddy Dwight.” “I love you Daddy Dwight. You look beautiful,” added Harvey when asked what he would say.

Katie then wrote to her two million followers in the caption: “Anyone who knows @Officialdwightyorke19 please get him to contact his son Harvey doesn’t deserve this, he sees his other son Tiger so I don’t understand! He does charity work for different kids charity yet doesn’t see or support his own son. I don’t get it! “

In 2020, Katie revealed drastic plans to introduce Harvey to Dwight after supposed years of no contact. Chatting with pal Mel, Katie said: “What I would like to do is turn up at his dad’s place – Dwight Yorke’s – ring the doorbell and be there with Harvey, for him to see Harvey. That’s what I would like to do and I will do that. I think Dwight should start entering Harvey’s life, it’s been years. “

Dwight & Harvey
Katie hasn’t heard from Dwight since they went for food in Cheshire to discuss Harvey in 2012

Accusing Dwight of having not seen his son since he was four, Katie added: “I would love Dwight to come into contact with Harvey. How can you not want to know Harv? He’s so funny. “

In 2021, Katie revealed in her book that Dwight had actually spoken to Harvey over the phone on his tenth birthday – and she was “shocked” that it happened. “But I think Dwight was even more shocked when Harvey asked him, ‘When am I seeing you? ‘,” she said.

Katie said the last time she saw Dwight was when she met up with him at a restaurant in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, in 2012. They spoke about what Harvey had said on the phone, then Dwight told her he didn’t want to be in Harvey’s life.

“Even after he said that, I was still trying to be persistent. I wanted Harvey to have his dad in his life, but he just wasn’t interested in any of it,” Katie explained. “This isn’t about me. This is your son and your flesh and blood. But he just didn’t give a s**t.

“There’s only so much you can try before you realise you’re flogging a dead horse. I got up and left and that’s the last time I saw him. I haven’t heard from him since. “

Katie & Harvey
Katie has brought Harvey up singlehandedly without Dwight for the last 20 years

Despite Dwight not stepping up, it was revealed by Harvey’s maternal grandmother, Amy Price, that his agent has enquired about his son numerous times. In Katie’s 2021 book, Amy said: “I think it’s sad that Dwight isn’t in Harvey’s life. His agent has always been in contact with me.

“If Harvey isn’t well, she’ll message me and ask how he is. But Dwight never asks himself.” The year prior, Harvey was hospitalised and was really poorly in intensive care, and Dwight’s agent rang Amy to ask “how bad he was”.

“I said, ‘Look, this has got to stop now. If Dwight wants to know about Harvey, he’s got our number and he should ring us himself’,” Amy wrote. “He shouldn’t be going through his agent. It’s about time he took some responsibility. But we’ve heard nothing from Dwight, which is a shame.

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ITV The Chase star Darragh Ennis has ‘game-changing’ tip to fall asleep faster

The Chase star Darragh Ennis, also known as The Menace, has shared a ‘genius’ trick to help you fall asleep quickly and get a better night’s rest – and it’s super easy to do

Darragh is known for appearing on ITV’s The Chase but is also a neuroscientist(Image: (Image: ITV))

Tweaking just a single element of your nightly routine could revolutionise your sleep, according to The Chase star Darragh Ennis. Known to viewers as The Menace on the popular ITV quiz show, Darragh is also a neuroscientist and has penned a book delving into the wonders of the human body titled ‘The Body: 10 Things You Should Know’.

In his most recent TikTok video, Darragh explains why so many of us find it tough to nod off at night and shares a foolproof tip for ensuring a peaceful sleep. It turns out there’s only one small change we need to make to our bedtime ritual.

Darragh points out that pre-sleep scrolling on smartphones can be detrimental to our ability to fall asleep due to the way our brains respond to the light emitted by these devices.

He explained: “Did you ever wonder why it is that looking at your phone at night can make it hard to go to sleep? It’s all to do with light. Backlit screens emit a lot of light, and we’ve evolved to be active during the day. “

He continued: “Our bodies tend to get tired when it’s dark outside. Our brain does this by using signals from our eyes about how much light there is, but also what colour light we see. If we take in blue light, a lot of which comes from backlit screens, the production of the hormone melatonin decreases. Melatonin is one of the key things that helps make us sleepy. “

Many modern phones and gadgets now come with blue light filter options that can be set to kick in at certain times, aimed at blocking blue light to ease eye strain in the evenings. However, Darragh points out that these settings might not be as helpful for sleep as one might hope.

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He shared: “The blue light filters and things don’t seem to have much impact either. Lots of studies have shown this because [with] other parts of the light spectrum, particularly yellow light, our brain thinks that it is coming from midday sunlight. This also stops us from getting sleepy. “

For those struggling with nocturnal restlessness and looking for a simple fix, Darragh recommends ditching your phone before bed.

His advice: “If you really want to get better sleep, it has been shown that the best thing you can do is not look at a backlit screen at all. If you want to read or anything, it’s better to put your phone down and read a book. “

How to sleep better

The NHS’ Every Mind Matters campaign offers several tips to help you fall asleep faster and enjoy a more restful sleep. Their guidance includes:.

1. Establish a consistent sleep routine

Creating a regular sleep pattern can greatly enhance sleep quality. Often referred to as sleep hygiene, a solid sleep routine should involve setting specific times for winding down and going to bed, as well as waking up consistently each day.

2. Relax and try meditation for better sleep

Steer clear of electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime, as mobiles, tablets and computers emit blue light that hinders sleep. If you struggle to drift off, reading, listening to calming music or a podcast, or practising sleep meditation can all be beneficial.

3. Give mindfulness a go for improved sleep

Anxiety, worry and stress can all impact the quality of our sleep. Fortunately, there are daily practices you can adopt to manage your worries, such as confiding in someone you trust or jotting down your concerns in a notebook.

If you frequently find yourself lying awake with worries, allocate some time before bed to compile a to-do list for the following day – this can be an effective way to ease your mind.

4. Cultivate the ideal sleep environment

Generally, it’s easier to fall asleep in a quiet, dark, and cool setting, but the perfect sleep environment is subjective. So, experiment with different conditions to see what suits you best.

You might discover that wearing earplugs and silencing your phone helps you eliminate distractions and fall asleep quicker.

Good-quality curtains or blinds can keep a room dark and prevent unwanted light from clocks or phones by keeping them out of sight or face-down. Some people also find it helpful to play sleep-inducing music, such as ambient sounds like rainfall, soothing tunes or white noise.

5. Avoid forcing sleep

If you find yourself wide awake, struggling to drift off, don’t force it. If you’re weary and relishing the rest, sleep might naturally ensue.

However, if sleep eludes you, rise and settle in a cosy spot to engage in a calming activity such as reading or listening to soothing music.

6. Enhance sleep with proper diet and exercise

Maintaining a balanced diet and engaging in regular physical activity can aid relaxation and improve sleep quality. Refrain from consuming large meals before hitting the sack, and aim to eliminate caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine prior to bedtime.

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The general guideline is to steer clear of stimulants 1 to 2 hours before retiring for the night.

Black Sabbath final gig review – Ozzy Osbourne’s touching comment moved fans to tears

It was labelled Back to the Beginning, but it was most certainly the end of an era for Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath. As the curtain came down on an industry defining career, a full day of metal with the biggest names in the genre a stone’s throw from Ozzy’s childhood home was a fitting way to call it quits.

I can’t confess to being one of the staunchest of followers of the Prince of Darkness – fans arrived from all over the world, including Brazil, Estonia and USA to name a few. But, it was clear I was a part of history at Villa Park as Ozzy and co took to it for one last time. Sitting trying to take it all in after the show had finished, I joined fans in questioning what we had just witnessed.

Ozzy Osbourne took to the stage one final time last night

Will this ever be repeated? Will there ever be another? I highly doubt it. It really felt like the perfect celebration – and one both the fans and Ozzy himself clearly needed.

He might not have been the rocker of old, his frail body confined to his bat-adorned chair, but he was still able to keep the adoring crowd in the palm of his hand at ease. He brought many fans to tears as they tried their best to soak it up in their dream-like state for the final time.

While it was an emotional day for those watching on, some conflicted on the appearance due to his physical wellbeing, it was obvious that Ozzy was feeling it too.

He regularly thanked fans, with the sincerity touching. But he still threw it back with his expletive urges for the crowd to get louder, of course. While his struggles were obvious, he left it all out on stage. Ozzy’s glares and demonic stares were also on hand to roll back the years with his iconic appearance.

His health issues have been well documented, with the 76-year-old’s Parkinson’s disease taking its toll. But while some fans were left torn when it came to his wheeled out performance, I personally hold nothing but respect for the icon and the efforts made to entertain his crowd one last time despite his ailments.

The Mirror's Jamie Roberts went to Black Sabbath's final gig last night in Birmingham
The Mirror’s Jamie Roberts went to Black Sabbath’s final gig last night in Birmingham

Let’s face it, who else in this genre could have such a pull? Over 40,000 packed into the football stadium of his beloved Aston Villa for a once-in-a-lifetime concert. Where else would you see so many legendary bands take to the same stage?

I happily avoided the many mosh pits throughout the day but enjoyed watching on as the jubilant fans on the pitch went hell for leather. Rather them than me! Although, I hope you weren’t one of those hit by a flying trainer from the Lamb of God lead singer as he launched his footwear after his set.

For me, it was the drum-off and Super Band B’s entrance that really got the party started. Three of the world’s best – Travis Barker of Blink 182, Tool’s Danny Carey, and Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ Chad Smith – mesmerized with their skills.

And calling what followed a Super Band was an understatement. I started to lose track of all the iconic names that were being welcomed to the stage. Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, Nuno Bettencourt, KK Downing, Rudy Sarzo and Sammy Hagar to name just a few.

Throw in Ronnie Wood and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler for good measure and I was in awe, if not not fully believing what was going on.

Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy performed from a bat-themed throne (BBC)

And how could we forget Hollywood royalty Jason Momoa? The metal fan was the announcer for the day. Surreal, right?

He told the crowd this music is in our DNA as he explained how it has helped in every movie role he has been in before surprisingly joining the moshers near the stage for Pantera’s set.

It was a day for the ages, that’s for sure. It’ll long live in my memory and just goes to show the true impact Ozzy has had on the world throughout his 57-year career. As bow outs go, you’ll be pushed to see any better.

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Noel Gallagher’s ex Meg Mathews breaks silence after early Oasis gig exit

Meg Mathews has set the record straight after leaving Oasis’ gig early on Friday night. The former IT girl, who split up with Noel Gallagher 25 years ago after welcoming their daughter, Anais, into the world, was one of the legions of loyal fans, who had rocked up to see the band perform.

However, when Noel launched into his epic Wonderwall, Meg was seen leaving the stadium, with some speculating it was because the song, which Noel had written for Meg, would be hard to hear.

Noel Gallagher, Anais
,Meg Matthews posted this video of her daughter with Noel Gallagher, Anais, rushing to give her dad a hug before he went out on stage (Instagram/megmathewsofficial_)

Breaking her silence on the reports, Meg has taken to Instagram, insisting there is no drama, posting: “I just want to set it straight. I left before the encore to get my car. I have left 100s of stadiums at the end and it’s been carnage.

“And yes, I heard Wonderwall loud and clear outside. Thank you. I was not being rude or bored. “

Meg concerned fans when she left early before one of the band’s most iconic tracks was played. Anais’ mum, who was married to Noel from 1997 until 2001, was seen walking out of the reunion gig ahead of the band playing Wonderwall. The song may be a difficult listen for the former IT girl, who Noel originally claimed inspired the song.

Noel had originally claimed he’d written it on a rainy Tuesday night for his then girlfriend. Back in 1996, he said: “It’s about my girlfriend, Meg Mathews. She had a company which folded and she was feeling a bit sorry for herself.

“The sentiment is that there was no point in her feeling down, she has to sort my life out for me because I was in bits at the time. “

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Before the gig started, Meg shared a secret clip of her daughter, Anais, and Noel Gallagher, seconds before the Oasis star stepped out on stage on Friday. After an endlessly long 16 years, Oasis fans were in their element in South Wales when Noel reunited with his brother, Liam, at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in a gig, which brought the house down.

Proud daughter, Anais, had VIP access to the concert and was seen hugging her dad seconds before Noel went out on stage. In a clip shared by mum, Meg, Anais suddenly comes into shot as her dad prepares to send the 70,000-strong crowd into a frenzy.

Quickly hugging the Wonderwall star before disappearing into the crowd, Anais, looks delighted with life as proud mum, Meg, captions the clip: “Love you Nai Nai. “

Anais, 25, looked like she was having a ball at the concert, which fans described as ‘euphoric’, when she posted a snap of herself with a pint of beer, wearing an Oasis shirt with the caption: “It’s good to be back. “

Noel Gallagher and Anais
So sweet! (Instagram/megmathewsofficial_)

A string of famous faces were spotted in the crowd as Oasis reunited in a comeback tour, which has been on the top of fans’ wish lists for more than a decade.

The band were seen walking onto the stage with their song ‘F**king in the Bushes’ before they then started belting out ‘Hello’. The crowd welcomed them with cheers at the sold out gig, which kicks off a global tour for the Don’t Look Back In Anger stars.

In the audience was the likes of EastEnders star Danny Dyer as well as Line Of Duty actress Vicky McClure. Vernon Kay also posed for pictures outside the Principality Stadium.

Following the gig after an epic two and a half hours on stage alongside brother, Noel, Liam told the crowd: “Thank you, beautiful people. This is it. Nice one for putting up with us over the years. We are hard work, we get it. “

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Oasis fans spot subtle cameo by Liam Gallagher’s newest family member at reunion gig

While thousands of fans looked on as Oasis performed their iconic songs one fan noticed that Liam Gallagher had paid tribute to his beloved dog Buttons while on stage

Liam Gallagher pays tribute to his pooch Buttons during first leg on world tour

As the stage lit up at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff to mark the first of many concerts of the Oasis world tour, many were left thrilled to see the Gallagher brothers reunite to perform their classic tracks. But one eagle-eyed fan noticed that Liam had made an effort to share his special moment with one of his “family members”, after placing them on the big screen behind him – his beloved dog Buttons.

The frontman of Oasis, 52, had an image of his pet pooch who he rescued from the jungle in Thailand in full view on the big screen behind him. Liam adopted Buttons in 2023 and the pair have seemingly built up an unbreakable bond ever since.

An image of Buttons appears on the big screen during Cardiff concert
An image of Buttons appears on the big screen during Cardiff concert

Taking to X, Niall Harbison, who had originally rescued Button from the jungle, wrote: “Most people were probably looking at @liamgallagher and @oasis last night on stage. “

He added: “Look a little closer and you’ll spot a dog called Buttons. Her’s is a remarkable story… “

He continued: “Button was a little puppy who walked into our sanctuary in Thailand in the middle of the jungle just as it was getting built. She had been abandoned. She kept coming back daily for food and hoping for company. “

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After rescuing Buttons, Niall put the pooch up for adoption only to find Liam and his partner Debbie were interested in taking Buttons home with them back to the UK.

Niall continued: “Little did I know but Liam and his partner Debbie had been following. After a long process she was adopted to them in the UK. Buttons has grown into a beloved member of the family and landed on her paws. “

He went on to say: “Liam has been a big support of @wearehappydoggo and donated his globe from the last tour to raise funds. I don’t think buttons realizes her dad is a rock star. She just loves her humans. “

Liam Gallagher adopted Buttons from a Thailand rescue centre
Liam Gallagher adopted Buttons from a Thailand rescue centre

Niall concluded his post saying: “So if you are wondering why there is a dog on the @oasis screens now you know. Well done buttons. I think you can say you’ve made it when your dad has you on the big screen. “

At the time, Niall had posted a number of images of Liam bonding with Buttons while in Thailand. In one picture shared on social media, Liam is seen dressed in a navy blue cagoule as he lovingly placed one hand under Button’s chin while the other gently held Buttons’ paw.

In another image from 2023, Liam is seen playing with Buttons as he held his hand up in the air instructing Buttons to jump up and catch whatever he held in his hand.

Ahead of the reunion tour, Liam has steered clear of alcohol and partying in order to give fans the best show of their lives.

But it wasn’t that long ago the rock and roll star had vowed to maintain his boozy lifestyle until he was 80 years old.

In a Sky documentary Liam Gallagher: 48 Hours At Rockfield, he said: “I am not into yoga and I don’t eat tofu. I drink lager and I like to have a good time. I don’t punish myself into being some super-skinny dude.”

He added: “I am what I am. I am not a 50-year-old going round preaching. I will be like this when I am f**king 80, hopefully. “

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READ MORE: Oasis have released new tickets for UK tour – how to buy yours if you missed out

Maisie Smith shares health update on boyfriend Max George after devastating open heart surgery

Former EastEnder Maisie Smith has opened up on the rollercoaster ride she and boyfriend Max George have been through his harrowing health ordeal – but also how it’s totally transformed their outlook on life

Maisie and her Wanted star boyfriend Max have had quite a rollercoaster time(Image: instagram/ @maisiesmithofficial)

Soap star-turned-musical theatre actress Maisie Smith has got a new outlook on life after witnessing her boyfriend Max George go through his harrowing health ordeal. The Wanted singer Max has undergone heart surgery twice over the past year after being diagnosed with an atrioventricular block, which caused his heart to beat abnormally.

Stopping for a chat with new during the Tric Awards at JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel in London last month, Maisie, who turns 24 this week, exclusively tells OK! her boyfriend’s health struggles have not only strengthened their tight bond, but transformed the choices they make in life.

READ MORE: Primark’s ‘gorgeous’ £25 summer dress looks ‘stunning on’

Max George and Maisie Smith attend The Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards 2023 at The Roundhouse on October 11 2023 in London
The couple live together in Max’s hometown of Manchester(Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

“It has just made us realise how important life is and how much we’ve just got to live in the moment – you never know what’s around the corner,” says Maisie. “We’re definitely more impulsive now and we know that anything is possible. ”

Maisie, who rose to fame for her role in EastEnders, which she made her debut in at just six years old, has been in a relationship with Max since 2022. The couple met in 2020 while competing on Strictly Come Dancing, striking up a friendship during the show, which saw Maisie reach the final alongside her professional dance partner Gorka Márquez.

Max may not have been as successful on the dancefloor (he was voted out of Strictly in week four), but he did find lasting love with Maisie beyond the show and the pair eventually moved in together in Max’s hometown, Manchester.

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However, in what has been an undeniably scary year for the couple, Max underwent surgery in December when his heart condition left him in need of a pacemaker.

Max George giving a thumbs up whilst in a hospital gown lying in a bed.
Max’s health battle has made the couple more impulsive, says Maisie(Image: @maxgeorge/Instagram)

Following the operation, Max, 36, described the pacemaker as the “best Christmas present” he could have received. But after complications from the first surgery, he was forced to go back for another procedure two months later.

Sharing that it was successful, Max said at the time, “It turned out that one of the leads was placed too far into my heart. The second pacemaker surgery took about two hours. So far, it seems to have been a success and they kindly let me listen to Oasis the whole time. It’s been a setback, but it’s just one of those things. I’ve had a few complications the last couple of months but I’m having loads of tests to make sure everything is all good. I’m sure I’ll be back on top form in no time.”

Maisie is clearly hugely relieved that everything is OK with him. “Max is good – he’s getting stronger every day,” she says. “I’m so proud of how he’s handled it too. ”

Maisie smith in scene from eastenders in 2021
EastEnders will always be ‘home’, says the actress(Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)

As we ask whether the situation has brought them any closer, Maisie laughs, saying, “It was pretty hard for us to get any closer to be honest – we’ve always been inseparable. ” Sharing that they’re heading to France for a getaway this summer, it seems things are finally looking up for the duo.

What began as a Strictly friendship, blossomed into romance after the pair grew closer on the show’s live arena tour. Their series of Strictly was broadcast during the height of Covid, with social distancing restrictions in place, but they both joined the first post-pandemic live tour in January 2022. In the summer of that year, they were spotted on holiday together in Crete and, as anyone who follows their Instagram accounts will know, they’ve been smitten with each other ever since.

Maisie is also busy in her professional life, which has seen her pursuing a musical theatre career, even working alongside Max. Most recently, she appeared in Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds with Max, where they play married couple Parson Nathaniel and his wife Beth, after Maisie played Belle in a pantomime version of Beauty And The Beast in Canterbury.

Maisei smith in black at tric awards
The star says theatre is still her ‘main focus’ right now(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

So, what’s next on the horizon? “I can’t actually tell you what I’m working on right now – I’m not allowed,” says Maisie. “But I’m still loving doing theatre and that’s my main focus. ”

As for the soap that propelled her to fame, she may have come a long way since playing Tiffany Butcher, but she maintains she still calls Albert Square home. “I always say with EastEnders, you never know,” she says. “Never say never about me returning. I grew up there and it is my home, but right now I’m loving doing my theatre work. ”

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Maisie may not be planning her grand return to the soap any time soon, but she did get the chance to catch up with some former co-stars as EastEnders bagged the Soap Of The Year gong at the ceremony. With stars such as Emma Barton in attendance, she says, “It’s been great catching up with people. That’s why I love award shows and things like this – you see people you haven’t seen in about 10 years.”

Maisie says she’s also used the opportunity to spend a girlie day with her mum, Julia, who is also her manager. “I’ve brought my mum along today,” she says. “I take her everywhere. ”