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Actress Tuppence Middleton has spoken about her experience of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) in an interview with Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard on This Morning today.

Tuppence, 38, who played Lucy in the Downton Abbey movies, talked about how she developed the disorder when she was 12 years old. She revealed that she suffers from a fear of illness and vomiting, which affects her life more now that she is a mother of a daughter, who was born in 2022.

“For me, OCD always felt like this crawling, sinister presence”, Tuppence said, explaining why her book on the subject is called Scorpions. “The idea of scorpions crawling around in my head was something that always struck a chord. It started after I had a prolonged illness as a child, I had chronic fatigue syndrome and I was constantly nauseous, I lost a lot of weight, I was very tired, I couldn’t get out of bed. That lasted for a few months and when I finally recovered, I started to get symptoms of OCD”.

Tuppence explained her OCD manifested as counting rituals and checking things such as door handles, but her main symptom was worrying about getting sick, and experiencing emetophobia, the fear of vomiting. While she confirmed that she has learned different techniques to manage this, she also revealed it has affected her life as a mum.

“That was a really difficult thing and I think people with OCD often don’t even get pregnant because they are worried about morning sickness or they are worried about what happens when they have children and those children pick up bugs as they inevitably do”, she explained. “I think a lot of preparation is involved. You have this distraction]of a child] which requires a lot of your focus, so in that respect sometimes it can distract me from routines and rituals that I have set up, which can be a great thing”.

“On the other hand, there is this huge anxiety about going to a soft play, or going to nursery and picking up bugs and I have these kits which are ready in case she gets ill, and I have a very understanding partner. It’s a lot about preparing for these things”.

Tuppence is currently appearing in the West End theatre production of The Years, alongside actresses Deborah Findlay, Gina McKee, Anjili Mohindra and Harmony Rose-Bremner. She made her screen debut in the TV series Bones, and has since appeared on the small screen in Friday Night Dinner, Sirens, Black Mirror, Sense8 and Caught.

Her films include The Imitation Game, Fisherman’s Friends, Mank and the two Downton Abbey movies, in which she plays Branson’s new love interest (and now wife) Lucy. She will also appear in the upcoming third Downton Abbey movie, due to be released in September this year.

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Marks and Spencer has unveiled its spring shoe collection just as the temperatures begin to rise. One standout pair is certainly catching the eye, and it’s easy to understand why.

The retailer’s stylish Slip-On Kitten Heel Pointed Slingback Shoes are receiving rave reviews for their comfort, stunning colours, and luxurious appearance—despite being budget-friendly at just £29.50. These Slip-On Kitten Heel Pointed Slingback Shoes come in a range of sizes, from a UK three to an eight.

They are available in four colours, including classic black, but the other three—red, blush, and cream—are especially perfect for the spring season. Marks and Spencer says the shoes “achieve a chic look for your everyday outings”.

This elegant pair features low kitten heels that add just the right amount of height. The pointed toes create a refined silhouette, while the ruched detailing at the front adds a touch of sophistication.

With kitten heels typically standing at just one to two inches, you can enjoy wearing them for extended periods without any discomfort. The Slip-On Kitten Heel Pointed Slingback Shoes are available in lovely neutral shades perfect for spring, making them versatile enough to complement nearly any outfit.

For a polished daytime ensemble, consider pairing the blush Slip-On Kitten Heel Pointed Slingback Shoes with light blue jeans, a white T-shirt, a pastel pink blazer, and a matching handbag. Alternatively, you could style them with a floral green tea dress and some silver earrings for a charming brunch look.

Customers are raving about the Slip-On Kitten Heel Pointed Slingback Shoes, filling the review section with a plethora of five-star ratings. These shoes have achieved an impressive overall score of 4.6 out of five stars. One person said: “Great pop of colour, comfortable and a good heel height”.

A second wrote: “Love these sling back shoes. So comfortable I have wide feet and was a bit worried they were going to be to tight. But no so comfy can’t wait to wear them in the nicer weather!”! A third put: “These shoes were much lovelier than the images of them online. They look very chic and expensive and an are also really comfortable to wear”.

A fourth added: “Fabulous looking shoes and very comfortable. Looked a lot more expensive than they were”. Another typed: “Very comfortable, Delighted with the low heel. Easy to wear with lots of outfits”. Someone else shared: “Comfortable and stable to wear and didn’t hurt. I wore them to an evening event and was able to dance in them all night long”!

However, not everyone was in agreement. One customer said: “Great cream colour but really too pointed for me, made my feet look enormous. Loved the heel size, comfy sole but felt like they would rub on the side where the strap and elastic went round the heel”.

A second added: “I like the style but would have preferred a thicker sole. The sole is so thin i dont think they would last long, expecially the toe area. Returned”. Another said: “Disappointed that these shoes do not come in half sizes”.

If you’re on the hunt for a fresh pair of comfy heels this spring, there are many retailers offering their own stylish options beyond Marks and Spencer’s Slip On Kitten Heel Pointed Slingback Shoes. For example, H&amp, M has a lovely pair of faux suede Pointed Slingback shoes available in light beige for just £22.99.

At New Look, you can find Slingback Kitten Heel Court Shoes in vibrant colours like pink, green, or yellow for £27.99. The model featured on New Look’s site showcases the pink pair paired with a cream floral dress. Additionally, Debenhams has Dorothy Perkins ‘ Luneth Faux Patent Leather Kitten Heel Slingback Court Shoes in pink, lemon, or beige for £39.

Whether you’re a fan of romcoms or not, you’ve likely seen clips or pictures from the beloved 2003 romance film, How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days, which starred Matthew McConaughey. and Matthew McConaughey.

Among some of the most infamous moments from the movie, perhaps the most iconic image (aside from the poor rendition of Your So Vein) is Kate Hudon’s gorgeous yellow gown. Perhaps one of the most covetable dresses from infamous movies, the striking dress comprised an eye-catching yellow satin with a full length and a backless design. While there are ways to get the ensembles perfectly copied by dressmakers, this can be expensive and sometimes unreliable.

But that isn’t to say you can’t have your own Kate Hudson-esque moments in a similar satin dress with the same recognisable yellow shade without breaking the bank. Introducing this gorgeous piece from Abercrombie &amp, Fitch.

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Up for grabs in a range of colours, this gorgeous piece from Abercrombie &amp, Fitch. is notably available in the same ‘ How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days ‘ hue. Perfect for the coming spring and summer season, whether you’re shopping for prom picks or wedding guest attire, this maxi dress could look for you if you’re keen to emulate Kate’s elegant style from the cult-classic film.

Though not identical to the romcom gown, this A&amp, F Giselle Drop-Waist Maxi Dress features a flared, pleated skirt for an airy and dramatic swoosh. At the same time, the dropped-waist design adds a contemporary twist to a classic and understated look. Backless thanks to its bandeau neckline, this dress boasts a similar satin finish to the iconic dress and a figure-flattering silhouette thanks to its fitted bodice.

The best part is that this Abercrombie dress comes in various shades and patterns to peruse and has various sizing options available, ensuring you can get as close as you can to a custom-made piece without splashing too much cash.

You can choose from sizes XXS to XXL, though it is worth noting that as of the time of writing, the smallest size is sold out, and this dress. You can also select between petite, regular, and tall lengths, so you don’t have to worry about tripping over your new dress.

Pick up this dress is touted as selling out fast for £125.

For alternative yellow satin numbers, check out Club L London’s offering with this Lemon Satin Draped Sweetheart Maxi Dress for £165, or Club L London’s offering with this Lemon Satin Draped Sweetheart Maxi Dress for £40.

And if you’re keen to shop more iconic dresses from your favourite romance flicks, Cider currently has this 13 going on 30 Multicolor Cut-out Dress for the budget-friendly price of £16.