In a candid and raw interview on HELLO!'s Second Act podcast, Naga revealed that her and her husband's 'conscious' decision not to have children was something that had caused a rift between her and her mum.

“My mum was devastated; she was from a different generation," she shared. But she "gets it now," Naga added, saying that her mum is happy that her and her husband James Haggar are living fulfilled lives without kids.

Naga said, "She is so proud of me and so happy to see me happy and thriving. It was a conscious [decision] and I am doing lots of other things and living a very fulfilling life. She doesn't think I’ve wasted an opportunity. My mum has evolved in that sense.”

Adenomyosis diagnosis

Elsewhere in the interview, she revealed that she was left 'exhausted' and in crippling pain as she struggled to get a diagnosis for the debilitating womb condition adenomyosis, which she described as the ‘evil twin of endometriosis.’

It is thought, according to Circle Health Group, that one in 10 women may suffer from the condition, which causes the womb lining to grow within the muscular wall of the womb. It can cause severe symptoms, including extremely heavy and painful periods, a bloated tummy and pain during sex or when going to the toilet.

Naga was eventually diagnosed back in 2023, saying she "was just exhausted," after going back and forth to doctors. Since then, she has also shared the sentence to say in a GP appointment for better help so others can get help faster than she did.

Speaking about the pain on the podcast, Naga said, "I thought it was normal, but there is a real distinction. If something is common, it doesn't mean it's normal."

Revealing her diagnosis back in 2023 while live on BBC Radio 5 Live, she shared the details of a flare-up she experienced. "The pain was so terrible I couldn't move, turn over, sit up. I screamed non-stop for 45 minutes," she said.

"Right now as I sit here talking to you: I am in pain. Constant, nagging pain. In my uterus. Around my pelvis. Sometimes it runs down my thighs. And I'll have some level of pain for the entire show and for the rest of the day until I go to sleep."

Speaking on the podcast, Naga added that she felt a little ashamed over the pain she felt and wondered why she couldn't push through the symptoms when it seemed that other women could.

“I thought all the other women in the world are coping and thriving" she said. "If I’ve dared to bring it up I am (perceived as) weak, so you push yourself even harder.”

But, after celebrating her 50th birthday in February earlier this year, her outlook has changed and she revealed that she is now working at "being a bit kinder to myself."

She said, "It's ok, you are doing your best and you are doing ok. Some people bash you just because they want to. And I realised they were fools.”

During an appearance on This Morning to promote her book The Let Them Theory, motivation, confidence and mindset expert Mel shared how people can 'gain control' of their lives.

"The 'Let Them' theory is a mindset tool that shows you, like that," she said, clicking her fingers, "what's in your control and what's not in your control.

"It's so simple to use. Literally any moment you feel stressed out, worried, annoyed, frustrated, upset, hurt in life, you just say; let them."

Explaining why the simple two word saying is so impactful, she said: "We live in a moment in time where there is so much out of your control." And while she admits: "All that stuff out there, yes, it's real. Yes, it's important. But it doesn't and shouldn't impact you in here," she said, placing her hands to her chest, "to the extent that it does.

"There is a better way to go through life," she added.

Not being impacted by those around you is easier said than done, but Mel reminded us much of what happens in day-to-day life is "beyond your control" and the only way to "gain control of your life" is by "managing" your response to it.

So, instead of trying to manage everybody else, which is "why you're so stressed out," Mel says, she wants you to manage just yourself. "Let's take our power back," she said. "Let me remind myself there's three things in life I can control. I control what I think about this. I control what I do and don't do. I control how I respond to my feelings."

It's one of the most powerful ways to reduce stress and also one of the best ways to look after your mental health, Mel believes, and it's taught her that she can't - and never will - be able to manage other people and their moods or actions.

"What you'll recognise is, you have no idea how often you allow the world to stress you out," Mel added. "And that's why you're tired. That's why you have no energy.

"When you protect your time and energy from all this meaningless stuff and from things you can't control, you get your time and energy back. It's crazy simple."

This Morning fans were quick to applaud Mel's mantra, with hundreds of people sharing how her insight has already helped to reframe their mindset.

"Yes yes yes! You are so right! I’ve been in this situation and turning to this has been magical," one fan wrote.

"So true," another commented. "We can only control ourselves and our thoughts and mindset as Mel so rightly says - so brilliant." While a third said, "This woman is incredible ... game changer for me. I need to practise this."

Cathie Rowe, 52, a pharmacy owner and mum of two from south Wales, and Tricia Sail, 51, a charity co-ordinator from Devon, won season 3 of the show. Here they tell woman&home how taking part in the race helped them step out of their comfort zones and gain newfound confidence and self-belief – and reveal where they're hoping to travel to next.

Tricia says: "Race Across the World was a life-changing experience for my best friend Cathie and me. The show sees teams competing to travel long distances across the globe.

"Having met when we were 13, Cathie has always been there for me, supporting me. Entering us in the race was another instance of her gently pushing me out of my comfort zone. It’s a special friendship – when together, we feel we can do anything."

"The challenge was to cross Canada from west to east by land, with only a paper map, no phone, and a daily budget of £100 for food, lodging and transport. As two middle-aged women with [menopause symptoms such as] night sweats, brain fog and buckets of self-doubt, we never expected to be invited to take part, let alone win.

"Diagnosed with a serious eye condition, I started to lose my vision in my late 30s. For years, I stopped travelling – I was too scared and thought everyone was staring at me with my cane. But the race lit a fire in me to see the world."

"Together with Cathie’s husband, Gareth, we went on to trek Peru’s Inca trail in 2022 and walked a remote section of the Great Wall of China in 2023.

"We’ve been back to Canada twice and are currently working with P&O Cruises as guest speakers, while enjoying trips to places like Norway and Mauritius.

"It’s such a joy to share it all with Cathie, my best friend of nearly 40 years. We have ambitions to visit Patagonia, Jordan’s Petra, Vietnam, Cambodia and Bhutan in our 50s. I can’t wait to plan where we go next."

Returning to Canada

Cathie says: "The enormity of what we achieved together winning Race Across the World sank in when we returned to Canada in June last year.

"Standing in a (rare!) moment of silence by the iconic, white lighthouse on the cliffs at Cape Spear, the race finish line and most easterly point of Canada, we realised we were different people to the women who had set off on that TV challenge on 4 May 2022. We had gained such confidence and self-belief.

"We are humbled to hear that we have inspired others to step out of their comfort zone, too. My message to anyone considering a big trip is to be brave and believe in yourself. Getting older need not stop you from having adventures."

"I don’t feel as young, though, now that I can't see,” Judi said in a candid interview with HELLO! , before going on to detail her struggle with age-related macular degeneration (also known as AMD).

She revealed her diagnosis back in 2012, bringing AMD, which is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, into the spotlight. Now, 13 years on, she's revealed that she is now "not far away" from becoming completely blind due to the condition.

"I don’t know how far I am from not being able to see at all, but it's not far away," she said. "That's very irritating."

One of the biggest issues she's faced with her sight loss has to do with recognising her friends, she added, saying that she routinely walks past those she knows without saying 'hello' - and she's also had a few mishaps with strangers, too.

She explained, "You end up cutting a lot of people dead, then you go up to complete strangers, give them the most enormous hug and say: 'I'm so sorry I haven't seen you for so long.'"

However, she has learnt a thing or two from her acting career and is now implementing those lessons into her everyday life to cope with her sight loss. "If you're an actress, you can act that you can see," she said. "I've had to act all my life, so I can act that I can see."

Judi also revealed that she's experiencing a lot of signs of hearing loss too, though she finds it "exciting" for a hilarious reason.

"My hearing is going, too," she shared. "Goodness knows what I nod and say 'yes' to. It's quite exciting, actually."

This is the positive attitude Judi is honing as she takes on her health struggles. "My mantra is to look at the positives. It's easier to live by than to let the minuses overwhelm you," she said.

Dame Shelia Hancock might have celebrated her 92nd birthday in February, but she certainly doesn't feel it.

Appearing on Katherine Ryan's What's My Age Again? podcast, Shelia revealed, "Strangely enough, reaching 90 was extraordinary because right up until then, I honestly had never thought I was old. I really hadn't.

"I did a film where I climbed a mountain when I was 85 and I didn't think anything of it," she added. "I went to the gym and did a bit of extra work, but I've never thought of it."

But while she doesn't feel old, she said that others have started treating her differently because of her age. She said, "When I was 90, everybody started saying, 'do you still drive? Let me help you up.' They suddenly start treating you as old and you find you're acting old if you're not careful."

The change in other people's attitudes towards her does have its perks, though, Shelia explained. "It's quite useful because it means that you can, for instance if you're bored or if I have had enough of this interview, I can actually say, 'well, I'm very bored with this, I'm leaving,' and everybody will say, 'oh, poor old thing. She's gone a bit senile'," she said with a laugh. "It's a wonderful excuse for bad behaviour."

Elsewhere in the interview, she shared, "I'm starting at the gym again. I've not been going to the gym and my legs are getting a bit feeble so I need to do some of those pushy exercises."

Her weakening legs are just one thing that Shelia is noticing as she gets older. While she said that she thinks her "skin is okay really, for my age," she doesn't like to look in the mirror too much as it reminds her that she is getting older.

"I don't look in the mirror very much, I don't know what I look like. On the few ocassions I do look in, I'm not madly keen on it," she said. "I caught myself in the mirror, but I was bent over. I was literally bent over. It was the end of the day, I was tired, my back was aching and I looked old."

But, if she's not faced with her reflection, Shelia doesn't feel her age at all. "At the moment, I feel young," she explained. "Talking to you, I feel no age. Sometimes, when I'm a bit cranky and when my legs are not working as I would like [them] to, then I feel about 80. But I never feel what's expected of me [at 92]."

Perhaps one of the reasons for Shelia's ageless feeling is that, while her chronological age is 92, the What's My Age Again? team revealed that Shelia's biological age is just 72.

It's a fact that Shelia was "surprised" by and said was particularly poignant as she's recently been thinking about how many years she might "have left."

When she looks ahead to the rest of her life, she said she's working on "gathering experiences.".

She said, "I think it's quite a difficult thing to do to say 'I'm going to treat myself, I deserve a little bit of a treat.' And I think, that's what I'm going to work on for a bit, for myself. I'm going to say, 'No, I can't do that job, I'm going to go and sit in the sun.'"

Speaking to HuffPost, SJP who recently demonstrated the ultimate way to wear a gingham dress, said that she tries not to look at the discourse online over what she called Carrie's "bad decisions" in the show - and jokingly put her fingers in her ears when she was asked about "controversy" over the iconic character.

“I don’t know about the controversy – I don’t want to know about the controversy,” she said. "I don’t know probably as much as you’re alluding to [about those conversations]. I would simply say that smart people make bad decisions sometimes [and] are foolish in judgment."

Carrie Bradshaw has been a divisive character ever since Sex And The City first aired over 25 years ago. People still take issue with her, citing her supposedly self-centered outlook, what they believe to be her closed-minded approach to sex, and - the big one - her divisive on-again-off-again love story with Mr Big.

SJP isn't here to defend those choices and is the first person to admit that Carrie has "made mistakes” and “not been in mature in love."

However, she says that Carrie is unfairly judged over those choices when she is fundamentally a "good person" when compared to other popular male characters in similar series.

"I think, fundamentally, Carrie is an extraordinarily decent and good person – an extremely devoted friend, she’s generous of spirit and time, in all she has to offer," she said.

“It’s always interesting to me that [this is] so condemned, but a male lead on a show can be a murderer, and people love him. And if a woman has an affair, or behaves poorly, or spends money foolishly […] there’s a kind of punitive response to it," she added.

However, SJP believes that the controversy can be a positive thing, with it showing just how dedicated and engaged in the show Sex And The City and And Just Like That fans really are.

She explained, "I ultimately think that all those feelings are pretty fantastic. That kind of connection and those kinds of strong feelings, both positive and negative, are pretty wonderful. People are kind of captive in those moments to something, and I think that’s perfectly fine.

“I just think, it’s just interesting, the ways in which we judge women, and not men.”

Speaking to Closer, Joanna, who is set to mark her 80th in May of next year, admitted that the thought of a big birthday bash "repels" her. Adding that she was "always at school for birthdays" when she was growing up, she explained that she simply doesn't know why anyone 'would ever' want to throw a party and gather all their friends just to mark being another year older.

Joanna, who even has a no-fuss attitude when it comes to skincare and chooses a 'cheap as chips' moisturiser over pricey creams, said, "The idea of birthday parties repels me. Not because of anything, I just don’t know why you would ever do it.

"I love having birthdays," she added. "But the idea of doing a big party to say, 'Me, I’m 112.' Why would you do that? Or, 'Me, because I’m 57.' Why have that, why have a party?"

She continued, "On my big special day, fingers crossed I’ll be working. It’s always good luck to be working on your birthday."

We imagine that Joanna really will be working on her milestone day, with the icon doing anything but slowing down as she grows older. Over 50 years into her glittering career, she's still got a lot on her plate and revealed that working so much is what has kept her feeling so young.

Dipping her toes into everything from iconic roles, like that of her Amandaland and Absolutely Fabulous characters, to filming documentaries about Japan, India, and the Caribbean, she's showing no signs of slowing down now.

In her latest documentary series, she travels the length of the Danube River, and we'll see her undertake the role of Grandmama Hester Flump in the second season of Netflix’s highly anticipated Wednesday, which will be released in August.

"I think we need [to work], which is why in this lovely show I’m doing, you see something which is a café in Vienna run by old age pensioners. Because they’re suddenly sitting at home, and they can all do stuff," she said of the cafe featured in her latest documentary, Joanna Lumley's Danube, which is available to watch on ITV and ITVX.

"They’re retired, the pension isn’t huge, they can’t live off it. They’re lonely, they’re bored stiff. So, they’ve made this Grannies Café, which is all their own bits – cups and saucers, old cushions, their own beautiful cakes – and it’s packed," she said.

"And all the grannies, of course, have got something to do, and they’ve got a purpose in life. So, the thing is to keep doing stuff and being wanted and doing stuff other people need. Do it."

Liz revealed that she experienced two miscarriages and went through five IVF cycles before finally falling pregnant at 44.

In an interview with OK! , she explained that while she is currently 'loving life' as an expectant mother, it's been a long and difficult journey to get here. After meeting her husband Peter Cho online on the dating app Hinge, back in 2021, they quickly began their IVF journey.

They both wanted children and were worried that her age, being 40 at the time, could impact their chances at conceiving naturally.

In 2022, she went through three failed embryo transfers and recalls feeling "broken" after being told they were not successful.

“The first time we did it, I thought, ‘This will be it'", she said of their first round of IVF.

“But by my third cycle, it was obviously very different. When that one didn’t work, I was really quite sick, and I was in a dark hole."

So, the couple took a break. Then, at the end of 2024, they tried again. But after a successful IVF cycle, Liz suffered two heartbreaking miscarriages.

“I said I was ‘done’ after the last one," she explained. "And Peter was absolutely on board with that, he didn’t say anything other than, ‘This is your body and I’ll support whatever you decide you want,’ which was a huge thing for me."

She added, "I felt so bad emotionally, it was really tough. But then we spent Christmas at home in my tiny two-bedroom flat, and my mum and dad came down from Liverpool and we all squeezed in. That time actually helped me heal.”

Now Liz is expecting her and Peter's first baby and is opening up about her ordeal in the hopes that it can help others who are experiencing similar situations.

She said, “If you fall pregnant naturally maybe you’re not as aware, but at times we would be waiting every single day for the phone call to say how many eggs had been retrieved, or how many embryos they had, or if the embryos were healthy, or growing, or to tell us if I was pregnant. Then, when it doesn’t work, you’re just in shock.

“The whole process made me truly appreciate that having a baby is a miracle.

“There are so, so many things that need to happen correctly for someone to get pregnant, and for that to result in a healthy baby."

When asked how she felt about leaving her 30s behind, in an interview with Anita Rani on BBC Woman's Hour, without a second thought, she replied, "I feel great."

Despite a woman's 40s often bringing the struggles of discovering what perimenopause is really like and feeling lonely for the first time, Carey is determined to embrace the new era with positivity.

She explained, "We're so, sort of, programmed to fear it and to feel negatively.

"Or even in the way that, when you look at what's going on in the world, and you even look around you and your life, and you see what people go through with health issues, [you] just think 'gosh, every year really is just the most extraordinary blessing.'

"So I'm sort of riding high," she added.

Seeing in what she calls the 'big one', Carey's 40th was marked by an extended celebration. Not just a birthday, she made it a whole 'birthday month' - and why not?

She told Anita, "I'm also making it a birthday month, because you get to do that for big ones, right? You don't have to just have a day. It's a festival, really; my year of 40."

Carey marked the start of her 4th decade on 28th May 2025, which just so happened to be the premiere date of her latest film project, The Ballad of Wallis Island, The movie is a charming comedy about a reclusive lottery winner who invites his favourite musicians to perform at his home. So, Carey recalls how she spent her actual birthday at work.

She said, "It was great. I had time with my family, and then I spent most of the day with Tim and Tom (the writers of The Ballad of Wallis Island) talking about our film. And then we had our premiere, and then I went for dinner."

She started filming for the project just 10 weeks after giving birth to her third child in September 2023, going on to bring her new baby, believed to be a daughter, to set so she could breastfeed.

It was 'extraordinary' for her to be able to do, Carey, who also shares eight-year-old Evelyn and five-year-old Wilfred with Marcus Mumford, admitted.

"It's not the case across the board, at all. That has not really shifted, and it does really limit female crew, female actors, and the ability to participate in work."

Appearing on Paul C. Brunson's We Need To Talk podcast, Karen shared emotional details of the breakdown of her and ex-husband Kevin Clifton's marriage and her journey of moving on from the relationship.

Karen tearily recounted how Kevin "distanced himself" from her for months before they discussed divorcing. The pair, who met working as dance pros on Strictly, announced their split in 2018, after three years of marriage.

"This one hurt because we belonged together. You wouldn't say each other's names without following the other person's name," she told Paul.

"I felt that he distanced himself from me, but I was probably doing the same. Because I felt that if you don't want me, then OK, I'll retreat, I'll give you your space. It was one of those, where we're both not talking about it."

Because of the lack of communication, Karen revealed that it took "a while" for the pair to finally decide to split.

"I was like, 'Do you want a divorce? Do you want to split up? I don't know what I want to do. What do you want to do? Do you know what you want? I don't know what I want. Are we broken up?'

"So it took a while, actually, it took about a year... behind the scenes. In front of the scenes, everything was normal. We fell apart, and me not knowing... obviously, I didn't know what was happening in his mind and whether he wanted to be with me or not."

Karen also admitted that she would've tried to make her and Kevin's marriage work, but felt that he "just wanted a divorce".

She said, "I knew that I would've worked on it - I would've stayed. But at the same time, I couldn't be with someone who wasn't sure whether they wanted to be with me or not. I couldn't wait."

She then recalled how a "grenade went off' when pictures of her with another man surfaced on the internet. She explained that this was not a person she was dating at the time, but the "misunderstanding" forced Kevin to finally say that he wanted to call it quits.

"He just wanted a divorce, and I didn't fight it. Something had to happen in order for him to make a decision, because I wasn't going to make the decision.

"It was tough for him, tough for me. It was tough for both of us at that moment. I could see he didn't want to let go. But that didn't give him any choice."

Karen explained that she still has a lot of respect for Kevin, who is now married to TV presenter and journalist Stacey Dooley. He and Stacey met when they were paired up for the 2018 series of Strictly. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Minnie, in 2023.

"We never said a bad word about one another. I think that's because we hold each other to such a high regard, you know. There will always be love there."

Asked when she feels the most vulnerable, the 67-year-old mum of four said, "Whenever I see children suffering in these wars and awful cases [of] parental cruelty. I can't deal with it, so I can't watch any of that," she explains.

"When people say, ‘Read this book. You'll have a really good cry’. No, no, thank you.

"Remember a year or two ago, and people were coming over on the boats and a little two-year-old was on the beach, drowned? You think, ‘what is going on in this world?’"

Fern, who is mum to Winnie, 23 - her daughter with her ex husband, TV chef Phil Vickery - daughter Grace, 27, and twin sons Harry and Jack, 31, added that she eschewed Netflix’s four-parter Adolescence, starring actor Stephen Graham, which follows the family of a 13-year-old schoolboy who is imprisoned for stabbing to death a female classmate.

Since its premiere on 13 March, the programme has amassed more than 124m views and was dubbed “a wake-up call” to parents after exposing the toxic side of teenagers' lives online, the ready availability of sexually explicit and dark material, as well as its power to influence youngsters, especially boys.

"I’ve been reading about Netflix's Adolescence and I don’t think I can bear to watch it,” explains Fern.

"I am told that it is written and performed very well and that it has a very important message, but I will have to steel myself to sit down and see it. The fact that people are saying, parents have got to watch this, I think, ‘What is happening?’."

Referencing Andrew Tate - the controversial online influencer who is mentioned by name in the drama and is facing a 2027 civil trial accused by four women of rape, sexual assault, coercive control, plus threats of violence - Fern voiced her despair over the presence of extreme misogyny in wider society.

“This whole sexual revolution, the Andrew Tate stuff, and that women are now being throttled while they're having sex, as a matter of course… I was listening to something the other day, and men were talking about what it’s like to be a man nowadays and how feminism has done such a lot for women, and I was thinking, ‘But hang on a minute. We are still being raped and murdered. Nothing has changed,” she says, adding that the current state of the world is a worry.

"This is the worst tension in my lifetime that I've felt. You look back to the 1970s, 80s, and 90s and it all seems so simple, so innocent and naive because we didn't have phones, computers, Wi Fi, social media.

"Suddenly, within a few months, the world has been taken over by some very spurious people who've put the world in chaos, and it’s terrifying.”

Read Fern’s full exclusive interview with woman&home in the July issue of the magazine, on shelves from 29th May.

And in an exclusive interview with woman&home, the television host and novelist has opened up about the secret inspiration for maintaining the positive lifestyle changes - her four children, Winnie, 23, Grace, 27, and twin boys Harry and Jack, 31.

Fern, 67, keeps in shape by eating "three sensible meals a day" and doing regular exercise - a combination of walking, running, exercise classes and weights workouts, which she has documented recently on Instagram.

She explains, “At times, I get more tired than I used to or when I’m working in the garden, I think, ‘That’s heavy. I used to be able to lift that.’

"It’s my duty to stay as healthy as I can for the sake of my children. I don’t want them to feel guilty about not seeing me or worried about me if I'm not well, or me being a drip on the phone. It’s very important that I can show them I’m living my own life well."

And confirming that her weight loss is thanks to sustainable lifestyle changes rather than drastic measures, Fern added: “People often wonder when you lose lots of weight whether you’ve done it naturally. And I can look at you and say, ‘Yes I have’."

Shop Fern's Shoot

Fern, who relocated to Cornwall five years ago following the end of her 20-year marriage to TV chef Phil Vickery, discussed her healthy lifestyle with woman&home ahead of the release of her brand new novel A Cornish Legacy - her 11th.

During the interview, she also admitted to rarely watching This Morning, the ITV daytime show she co-hosted for a decade until 2009, experiencing bouts of loneliness and her list of life’s biggest bugbears.

Read Fern’s full exclusive interview with woman&home in the July issue of the magazine, on shelves from 29th May.

And we often turn to these stars for everything from beauty secrets to help nail trends like oversized outfits or 90s looks.

But can you imagine if some of the most iconic stars never got their big break? Thankfully, the stars aligned for these stars, with the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Pamela Anderson and Naomi Campbell having memorable encounters that led to their discovery.

Fascinating stories on how stars were discovered

Pamela Anderson

Baywatch beauty and pop culture icon Pamela Anderson was discovered entirely by chance.

As a teen, she was attending a football game in Canada. The fresh-faced, beautiful blonde caught the eye of a cameraman who put her on the big screen.

The crowd went wild, and it led to a beer company hiring her to model for them. What followed was experience with Playboy and an acting career that has continued to flourish, with her receiving her first ever Golden Globe nomination for 2024's The Last Showgirl.

Lana Turner

Lana Turner, in addition to being one of the leading ladies of the Golden Age of Hollywood, is arguably the poster child for serendipitous discoveries. Starring in classics like The Postman Always Rings Twice and Imitation of Life, Lana's career spanned five decades, and her tumultuous personal life saw her dominate headlines.

And she owes it all to a chance encounter - and a milkshake break.

As Hollywood lore has it, at the age of 15, Lana was discovered by a talent scout who spotted the striking beauty enjoying a treat at an old school malt shop in Hollywood.

Kate Moss

A missed flight turned out to be the very definition of serendipitous for Kate Moss.

When she was just 14, Kate was sitting on a suitcase in JFK Airport in New York while her father, who worked for Pan American World Airways, was trying to get them on a standby flight back to London.

Sarah Doukas, founder of the prestigious Storm Model Management, happened to be catching the same flight and spotted the young Kate. One thing led to another, and soon Kate was signed. Her campaigns a few years later with Calvin Klein would revolutionise the industry and usher in a new era for models.

Gisele Bündchen

Having grown up in the small municipality of Horizontina, Brazil, a teenage Gisele Bündchen didn’t have any aspirations to become a supermodel – in fact, she hadn't even seen a fashion magazine before, as she’s shared in interviews in the past.

So when she had the chance to sign up for a modelling course, she wasn’t expecting a lot from it. Indeed, she signed up just to get the free trip to São Paulo.

Whilst there, a scout spotted her at McDonald’s and Gisele’s Happy Meal had the happiest of endings – she became the highest-paid supermodel consistently for over a decade between 2002 and 2017.

Jennifer Aniston

Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG award-winning actress Jennifer Aniston has been one of the most popular stars of the small and big screens for decades. And her impressive career got its start because Jennifer was brave enough to ask for help.

Things weren't working out for her. She'd shot multiple pilot episodes for TV shows that weren't being picked up. Struggling and frustrated, it's widely reported that Jennifer approached TV executive Warren Littlefield in a gas station car park to ask advice about her career. Making an impression with her moxie, the TV boss remembered her when they were casting for a new show. It was the role of Rachel in a little show called Friends.

A lesson to us all - be bold and speak up for what you want!

Naomi Campbell

One of the most iconic supermodels of all time, Naomi Campbell was first discovered on a random afternoon, hanging out with friends after school.

The legendary model has previously told the Guardian how it all came to be, revealing, "... a woman came up to me and asked if I’d ever thought of modelling. It was Beth Boldt, head of the Synchro agency... But when I told my mum, she wasn’t into the idea at all."

Deciding to go and visit Beth anyway, Naomi continued, "On my first visit, she parted my hair in the middle, did my makeup and took me up on the roof in my school uniform to take a few black-and-white pictures. Eventually, Mum decided I could model, so long as it didn’t interfere with my school work or exams."

Courteney Cox

Courteney Cox's big break is all thanks to being picked to dance in a music video for the - at the time - relatively new medium of MTV.

In one of Bruce Springsteen's earliest music videos for Dancing in the Dark, Courteney is pulled out of the crowd to dance on stage.

Per reports, Courteney has spoken about how it all came to be, sharing, "I went into Brian De Palma’s office. He put on the music and said, ‘Well, you dance.’ And I thought, ‘Right now? Here? In front of you? Just the two of us?' I think that’s why I got it because I was like, Okay!’ I think that’s what they wanted, a fan that just couldn’t believe it."

The exposure from the music video helped Courteney get her face out there, and she shortly landed a role in the American sitcom, Family Ties. But it was in 1994 that she'd truly hit the big time, being cast as Monica Geller in Friends.

Charlize Theron

There's a saying that you don't always know your good breaks from the bad, and Charlize Theron is living proof of that.

One of her stressful days turned out to be the key to her decades-spanning career as an Oscar-winning actress.

She was discovered after losing her temper in a bank. The lore has it, Charlize was animatedly arguing with a bank teller in Los Angeles who was refusing to cash her international cheque from her native South Africa.

Hollywood manager John Crosby was at the bank at that exact same moment and saw something in the furious Theron. Turns out, he was right.

Jennifer Lawrence

An Oscar-winning star, Jennifer Lawrence is on her way to becoming a true Hollywood legend. And her discovery was all down to chance.

While on holiday in New York with her family, aged 14, a modelling agent asked to take a photo of her. The next day, she came in for a screen test and began getting acting roles in commercials for MTV.

Sofia Vergara

Sofia Vergara was spotted on a beach in Colombia when she was just 17 - a model scout asked if she'd be interested, and this led to a major Pepsi commercial. What followed was acting and hosting work across Spanish-language television shows.

A role in 2009's Modern Family would prove to be her big break, landing her four Emmy nominations, and she's gone on to be a judge on America's Got Talent and star in the likes of Netflix's Griselda.

Toni Braxton

The Grammy-winning, iconic voice behind classic tracks like Unbreak My Heart was discovered purely by chance.

Toni Braxton was reportedly overheard singing at a gas station as she was filling up her car. Up until then, she had sung in church, but she was pursuing a teaching degree.

Overhearing her voice, a record executive approached her and asked if she would be interested in pursuing a career. She accepted, and she's gone on to sell over 70 million records worldwide.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy and Kate Moss have something in common - the two were both scouted by the same person.

Anya told Sunday Times Style Magazine the amusing story of how she was scouted by Sarah Doukas while walking her dog by Harrods in London.

Noticing a car trailing her, Anya almost fled, thinking something was untoward. She said, "I picked up my dog and started to run" but then heard a voice say 'If you stop, you won’t regret it… please, there’s someone in this car who would really like to meet you.'"

That person was Sarah of Storm Management. Anya signed with them and continued to pursue acting, landing her breakthrough role in the 2015 horror film The Witch.

Marilyn Monroe

In 1944, before she had truly become Marilyn Monroe, factory worker Norma Jeane Dougherty - at the time married to Merchant Navy officer James Dougherty - was working at a factory during World War II when she was spotted by photographer David Conover.

David, who worked for YANK, a magazine whose purpose was to boost the morale of American soldiers overseas, convinced her to take photos, and this led to pin-up popularity and a professional modelling career.

As she transformed her style, taking on the platinum blonde and deep red lips, she transitioned this into the Marilyn Monroe persona that made her an icon.

Natalie Portman

Oscar-winning star Natalie Portman was first discovered at a pizza shop enjoying a treat after a dance class. She was only 10 at the time, and when she was approached about modelling, she had the foresight to ask to be put in contact with acting agents instead.

Katherine Heigl

Hopefully, Grey's Anatomy actress Katherine Heigl sent her aunt lots of good birthday presents over the years, because she helped kickstart the star's career.

While visiting the family, Katherine's aunt took photos of her nine-year-old niece to promote a hair care product she had invented. The aunt then sent the photos to several modelling agencies, leading to Katherine's signing with Wilhelmina, a prominent international agency.

The modelling led to acting gigs, and Katherine has gone on to win an Emmy for her role in Grey's Anatomy, as well as starring in romcom classics including 27 Dresses.

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt got his big break when he accompanied a friend to an acting audition when she needed a male partner to play her lover. This favour turned out to be the best thing Brad could have done.

He impressed the agents who were there, and it led to him being signed and one of his breakout roles in Thelma and Louise.

Christie Brinkley

Christie Brinkley's modelling career has included an unprecedented three consecutive covers of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, but she never planned on becoming a model.

She was discovered by chance in a post office in Paris.

American photographer Errol Sawyer spotted her and took her first pictures, and then introduced her to agencies in Paris. She would later sign with Elite and land three national ad campaigns after her first lunch with agencies.

Ava Gardner

One of the most prominent leading ladies of the Golden Age of Hollywood, Ava Gardner was training to be a secretary when she was first scooped for a screen test in 1941.

It was her brother-in-law who sent photographs of the striking beauty to MGM, who invited her in for a test and signed her for a seven-year contract based on her looks alone.

Luckily, she could act, and her career included classics like The Barefoot Contessa and The Killers.

Karlie Kloss

Model and TV personality Karlie Kloss was discovered as a teenager and was living a small-town life far different from her glamorous later years.

"I was discovered at 13 in a mall in St. Louis. I had never been on an airplane, actually." she has previously told CBS. She would make her New York Fashion Week debut aged just 15, walking for Calvin Klein.

"When I walked that runway, I didn't know a single person in the audience and I was thinking, 'OK, I gotta do my chemistry homework'," she told Net-A-Porter.

Chloë Sevigny

Indie darling and cool 'It Girl' Chloë Sevigny is known for her daring film roles and effortless style. She was first discovered skateboarding in the streets of New York when she was just 17.

A photographer asked her to model for Sassy magazine, and she started acting a couple of years later.

Her breakout role was Lana Tisdel in 1999's Boys Don't Cry, for which she received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Eva Mendes

Hitch star Eva Mendes' acting career began after a talent manager spotted her photo in a friend's portfolio. While a tough break for her friend, it led to Eva being cast in her first role in Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror.

Dolph Lundgren

Some people surprise you, and macho actor Dolph Lundgren has plenty of layers.

His road to stardom began with a chance encounter with model and icon Grace Jones in a nightclub. Taken by his appearance and personality, Dolph would become Grace's boyfriend, which led to opportunities in showbiz, including his breakout role in Rocky IV.

Before that, though, Dolph was actually waiting for a Fulbright scholarship at MIT after earning a Master's Degree in chemical engineering.

Shelley Duvall

With her unique, striking look and scene-stealing performances in the likes of The Shining, Shelley Duvall's iconic career started off in the most unexpected way.

Shelley was hosting a party for her boyfriend at the time when Robert Altman and the crew members of his film, Brewster McCloud, showed up. Robert Altman - who had directed Nashville and M*A*S*H - was said to have been impressed by Shelley's look and demeanour, and she was later cast in the film.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp's major breakout role came in 1984's A Nightmare on Elm Street - and he actually owed his discovery to the director's daughter.

Per Huffington Post, Johnny auditioned for the iconic film but hadn't fully convinced director Wes Craven, who had his mind made up on hiring "handsome jock types" he thought teenage girls would like.

His daughter, however, knew better and insisted on the "dreamy" Depp being cast.

Rosario Dawson

Sin City and Rent star Rosario Dawson was discovered when she was 15 years old, proving that one can be in the right place at the right time.

People were shooting a commercial outside her apartment, and she sat to watch it all taking place. Seeing her, the director and screenwriter approached her and asked if she'd be interested in pursuing a career in the movies.

Her debut role would come in 1995's independent drama, Kids.

Jason Statham

Hollywood hard-man Jason Statham - known for films like The Meg - was actually a professional diver before he turned to acting.

Having lost his sponsorship in diving, Jason had contemplated becoming a stuntman. Eventually, he was approached to star in an advert for French Connection, and his breakthrough film role was in Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

Lauren Bacall

Before her film debut, Lauren Bacall was a jobbing model, posing for various catalogues and appearing in the pages of fashion magazines like Harper's Bazaar.

As legend has it, film director Howard Hawks' wife, Slim, spotted Lauren on the cover and thought she would be perfect for her husband's film.

He listened and cast Lauren in 1944's To Have and Have Not - kick-starting not only her career but her iconic partnership with Humphrey Bogart.

Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber's discovery was one of the first of the digital era - and still one of the most legendary.

As a young child, Justin made use of the - at the time - new phenomenon known as YouTube. Music manager Scooter Braun was looking for something completely different on the video platform when he accidentally clicked on one of Bieber’s videos.

Impressed, he tracked down the Canadian entertainer and launched his pop career.

Tippi Hedren

Tippi Hedren - star of classic movies including The Birds, and the matriarch of an acting dynasty, with her daughter being Melanie Griffith and granddaughter Dakota Johnson - was discovered entirely by chance.

As Hollywood lore has it, she was simply getting out of a taxi in Minneapolis when she was spotted and offered a modelling gig.

A later advert for a drink caught the eye of Alfred Hitchcock, who made her one of his muses, casting her in a string of his movies including Marnie and The Birds.

Cathy Moriarty

With that sultry, husky voice and penchant for playing tough women, Cathy Moriarty is best known for starring in Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull, for which she received an Oscar nomination.

Cathy had no intentions of being an actress, though. It was a fortunate discovery by actor Joe Pesci, who discovered her competing in a bathing-beauty contest at a bar.

In a Guardian interview, she revealed her big break was all down to wanting a pair of heels. She agreed to enter the life-changing contest because the prize on offer was a pair of "Black high heels with an ankle strap. They were the only reason I said yes."

Austin Butler

Austin Butler's career has been stratospheric, going from teen actor to Oscar-nominated star of Elvis.

He was discovered at the age of 13 while attending the Orange County Fair. He was approached by an agent who signed him up for his early roles, including as a background extra on a Nickelodeon show.

Mandy Moore

The delivery service FedEx really delivered something special for actress and singer Mandy Moore - they helped launch her career.

The This is Us actress was overheard singing after buying some studio time when she was still in high school. A deliveryman heard her and helped get her in front of the right people.

"It turned out the delivery guy had a friend of a friend of a friend who was the head of Urban A&R at Epic Records," she told Into the Gloss. "The meeting was the same day as my high school homecoming football game, and I was more concerned about making sure this meeting was done in time so I could hang out with my friends! It was so beyond my comprehension that this could actually lead to a career. I was 14!"

It's clearly doing something right, as a fifth season has been given the go-ahead. But while Trying has a loyal fanbase, I want it to be bigger - this is definitely the best comedy you're not watching.

As the name implies, call centre operator Nikki (Esther Smith) and teacher Jason (Rafe Spall) are trying for a baby with no luck. Written by Andy Wolton, who was himself adopted as a baby, Nikki and Jason find that adoption might be their only route to having a family, and what a hilarious and profound road they find themselves on.

Why you should watch Trying

Don't be put off by the it's-been-done-so-many-times-before premise of the show, because Trying manages to overthrow all the stereotypes and sweeping generalisations that come with TV shows about infertility.

For a start, one of the biggest draws of the series is Esther Smith and Rafe Spall. Their chemistry as a married couple is so immense, you won't be at all surprised to find out they actually got together in real life, although life didn't totally imitate art, because the couple now has a baby of their own.

You will root for Nikki and Jason in every way, and will have profound second-hand anger on their behalf that they can't have a baby of their own. You'll especially root for Nikki.

She'd definitely be the most fun person on a night out, and also one of those natural, born-to-be-a-mum sort of people - heck, I even wanted her to be my mum when I watched the series.

And while the show helps highlight that there are many ways to have a family and not just the standard have sex to get your own, it boggled my mind how challenging the adoption process is.

I get it, you can't just hand over the kids who've had the worst possible start in life to any old wannabe parents. But it's utter madness to think that any fertile person can meet and have a baby with someone, and there are no forms of assessments to find out whether they're suitable.

Yet, Nikki and Jason need to prove their worth as parents in increasingly new and imaginative ways, and are forced to keep on doing it - possibly on the off-chance they suddenly become s**t at it, which is unlikely.

I have friends who have adopted children, and the hoops they had to jump through! It makes me want to curl up into a ball and sleep forever from the pure exhaustion of just thinking about it.

Another reason you need to watch Trying, or two words actually: Imelda. Staunton. My word, Imelda's turn as the couple's sweary, blunt, but oh-so on their side social worker is joy personified.

She steals every scene she appears in, and delivers every line with the comic timing of the multi-award performer she is - it's just a massive injustice that no awards were forthcoming for this particular performance, because she deserves to have them rained down upon her.

And while Imelda gets all the imaginary accolades for her supporting role, every single other person cast as Nikki's family and friends do a stellar job.

From Nikki's brother-in-law Scott (Darren Boyd), who you'll love to loathe, to Jason's best friend, Freddy - Oliver Chris is quite typecast in this role, but I'm willing to gloss over that on this occasion - the supporting cast bring their A game.

In Nikki and Jason's parents, everyone up and down the country will likely see something of their own parents in them. I defy you not to shout at the TV, "Oh my god, that's just like my dad," and "Why do mums always have to do that?"

It's not often shows about fertility can be funny without being crass or exploitative. But Trying manages to be pee-your-knickers, do your pelvic floor exercises more often hilarious, while being compassionate - a pretty amazing feat.

There's a solace in the relatability of the characters in the series, which I've branded it one of my 'comfort' watches. This means I've watched it so many times, I can have it on in the background when the silence of my house feels a bit overwhelming.

Not that this happens often, I do have two children, a third child in the form of a husband and two needy cats. So there's not a lot in the way of silence in my house, but I do get a lot in the way of anxiety.

Having something fuzzy, heartwarming and all the other overused slightly cringey descriptors on in the background is really quite helpful. Trying joins the likes of Schitts Creek, Ted Lassso and more, as a series I could watch over and over, and it will still bring the biggest of smiles and hug me like a weighted blanket - not many shows have the right mixture of magic to bring such repeated joy.

Trying seasons 1 - 4 are now streaming on Apple+ TV.

Pairing two pieces of denim together can work for so many occasions - from on-the-go casual outfits to polished evening ensembles, this style is an all-rounder that'll serve you well.

The best bit about this denim trend? Chances are, you've already got the items in your wardrobe. Whether it's combining a matching denim jacket and jeans, or pairing a black denim shirt with your favourite midwash Levis, putting your favourite denim pieces together is an easy way to create a whole new outfit.

And if that's not convinced you, then check out these snaps of stylish stars working a whole host of double denim looks...

Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue was snapped looking stylish at Hits Radio in 2024 in this denim duo. The Aussie star opted for a cropped jacket that perfectly matched her combat-style denim bottoms. Adding a simple black t-shirt, the singer styled her honey-hued locks loose and shiny.

Our favourite denim picks

Jessica Biel

Proving that different shades of denim can work together, Jessica Biel paired baggy, bleach jeans with an oversized mid-wash blue jacket. Accessorising with white Crocs and black sunnies, the actor also sported a chic blunt bob.

Katy Perry

This black combo from Katy Perry is an example of how double denim is a great choice when you want to make a statement. The singer's coordinated jacket and jeans combo was the perfect bold outfit, which she accessorised with studded sandals and wrap shades.

Alexa Chung

Fashionista Alexa Chung earned some serious style points in this denim number. The star wore a sheepskin denim jacket that she teamed with mid-wash cropped jeans. Not stopping there, she added a navy knit and adorable strappy red pumps.

Ashley Roberts

We love this chic denim combo from Ashley Roberts. Papped leaving her Heart radio show, the star wore a pair of high-rise flared jeans that perfectly matched her cropped denim jacket. Accessorising with sparkly heels and a cute white bag, Ashley's outfit ticked all the boxes.

Sienna Miller

Sienna Miller reminded us all that denim doesn't just have to be blue! The presenter looked very cool in this camel-hued denim co-ord, which she paired with a cropped white t-shirt. Amping up her off-duty New York look, Miller wore a bucket hat and pointed burgundy boots.

Michelle Obama

We're obsessed with this look from Michelle Obama, spotted during a 2022 press tour. The former FLOTUS looked oh-so-stylish in a matching light-wash blazer and wide-leg cargo jeans combo.

Wearing her hair in braids, she finished off the get-up with silver hoops and red pointed heels.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway opted for a tailored double denim outfit while attending a red carpet event in New York in 2022, and the actor looked effortlessly stylish in wide-leg jeans that perfectly matched her oversized blazer.

Under the jacket, she went for an eye-catching sequin crop top, while she held her essentials in a black gold-chain clutch.

Davina McCall

Davina McCall was snapped in London in a stylish double denim combo. The presenter's mid-wash denim jacket matched her similar-hued skinny jeans. Davina accessorised with black ankle boots and a chain bag.

Billie Piper

Double denim is always cool, but Billie Piper took the look to another level with this stylish ensemble. The actor wore a matching midi skirt and jacket combo that featured a pretty embroidered floral print.

Adding a pair of white leather boots to the ensemble, Billie wore her auburn locks loose and glossy.

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton took her double denim look to another level while at a fancy red-carpet event in Hollywood. In true Dolly fashion, the singer rocked a cropped jacket and pedal pusher combo that was embellished with sparkling rhinestones. Not stopping there, Dolly brought more glitz with a black bodysuit that was also covered in diamontes.

Katie Holmes

Katie Holmes showed us an easy way to stylishly clash denim with this look. The actor's baggy mid-wash jeans were the perfect contrast with her bleach denim waistcoat.

Proving how cool layering can look, Katie wore a black t-shirt under her waistcoat and a cream cropped jacket on top. We also love her pink socks and black sandal combo!

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett kept it elegant in this matching denim ensemble. Smiling on the red carpet, the actor looked stylish in a tailored jacket that she paired with mid-wash jeans. She also nailed her accessories with red pointed heels and a statement belt that featured a heart-shaped buckle.

Jennifer Garner

We love this simple off-duty look from Jennifer Garner. The actor opted for black skinny jeans, paired with an oversized mid-wash denim shirt.

Ditching the make-up, Jennifer completed her look with a pair of grey brogues.

Rihanna

Rihanna nailed yet another cool look while out and about in Los Angeles in 2025. The singer went for baggy mid-wash jeans that she paired with a matching denim shirt. Not stopping there with the trends, the star threw a black leather trench over the outfit and added some snake print boots.

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria looked super chic in this adorable double denim number. Posing for the camera, the actor wore a cropped blazer that coordinated with her denim skirt. Holding her essentials in a clutch, the star styled her brunette locks into bouncy, glossy waves.

Alicia Keys

Alicie Keys earned some serious style points with this cool ensemble. The Fallin' singer matched her bleach-wash denim jacket to combat-style jeans. She completed the look with a striped bandana, silver hoops and shades.

Cameron Diaz

We love this classic double denim look from Cameron Diaz, which she wore to the 2024 BottleRock music festival in Napa Valley. Opting for a mid-wash blue oversized shirt and matching jeans, she looked effortlessly cool with her loose waves and minimal accessories.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez was snapped in New York looking super glam in a denim biker jacket that she paired with matching skinny jeans. But, for JLo, double denim isn't enough. The star went further, wearing a denim corset and even carrying a denim handbag!

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon went for two different shades of denim for this look, and it works.

She paired an indigo blue jacket with slightly darker denim jeans for a cohesive, relaxed look. Under the jacket, Reese wore a cute cherry motif t-shirt, which she matched with red sunglasses, pointed heels, shades AND her lipstick.

Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba decided to ditch double denim and go for triple denim with this look. The glam star's corset, wide-leg jeans and blazer were all the same bright blue denim hue. Flaunting a gorgeous bouncy blow-dry, Jessica completed the look with a white shoulder bag and black shades.

Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole Scherzinger looked stylish as always in this double denim number. The singer wore an indigo blue shirt that matched her flared jeans - we also love the silver studs on the side. Nicole accessorised with gold jewellery and pink lippy.

Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore kept it cool in this oversized ensemble. The star went for a bleach denim shirt that matched her wide-leg jeans. Wearing her hair up, Julianne added open-toe shoes, gold earrings and some statement sunnies.

Shania Twain

Shania Twain was papped outside BBC Radio 2 Studios in this stylish ensemble that showcases an easy way to do double denim.

The singer opted for a black denim jacket that she matched to her black jeans. Adding a simple white t-shirt and dangling earrings to the look, Shania was good to go.

Heidi Klum

Supermodel Heidi Klum looked like a vision while out and about in LA. The star opted for bleach-cuffed denim jeans that perfectly matched her oversized shirt. Wearing snake print wedges, Heidi completed the look with some aviator shades.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift showed us how a combo of black and blue denim can work together perfectly with this youthful ensemble.

The pop star wore a cute button-down blue top that she paired with black denim shorts. Carrying her essentials in a black shoulder bag, Taylor accessorised with white trainers and circular shades.

Victoria Beckham

Reaffirming her style status once again, Victoria Beckham wore an indigo blue jacket that featured a chic waist belt. The designer added a pair of matching skinny jeans to the look, as well as statement shades and a burgundy bag.

Cindy Crawford

Cindy Crawford kept it simple while out and about in Los Angeles. The supermodel paired black skinny jeans with a mid-wash denim shirt. Accessory wise, Cindy wore black ankle boots and big sunnies.

Rochelle Humes

Strutting around London, Rochelle Humes looked chic in a blue denim jacket that she coordinated with her skinny jeans. The singer added a slogan t-shirt to the get-up, as well as black ankle boots and glowing skin.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian was papped in bleach denim jeans that she teamed with a matching shirt. Keeping the rest of her outfit simple, the reality star added nude heels, big shades and super glossy hair.

Amanda Holden

Opting for an indigo blue combo, Amanda Holden looked chic in her shirt and coordinating skinny jeans. Keeping cosy in a sheepskin jacket, the presenter finished her look with white pointed heels and a black handbag.

Venus Williams

We love this cute combo from Venus Williams. Snapped at Paris Fashion Week, the tennis star wore indigo blue shorts that matched her cropped denim jacket. Not stopping there, the star added a white crop top and black lace-up sandals. We also love her blunt bob.

It's lovely to feel fabulous after some pampering, but Ruth Langsford's candid insight on what makes her feel fabulous is a great reminder that it's not always our looks that dictate how we feel.

"When people say 'feeling fabulous', often you think about how you look," she said in a video posted to her Instagram page. Sitting at her breakfast bar with a steaming cup of tea, she added, "Feeling fabulous is not just about how you look, is it? I mean, we all like to look fabulous and we try to look fabulous and we do the best with what we've got. But feeling fabulous to me is about so many things."

Echoing the sentiments she shared in our exclusive interview with Ruth in March, she said the things that leave her feeling good and fabulous in herself are much more to do with her health and wellbeing than any way she looks. The emphasis is on feeling fabulous, not looking it.

She explained, "You're feeling good about yourself. You can feel good about your health, good about your job, good about your family [and] how they all [are]. Good about your friends. What lifts you up and makes you feel fabulous? My friends definitely do that for me."

Her dog is another family member who makes her feel fabulous, mostly because she can easily reap the benefits of walking with her as she also spends time in nature and the fresh air, which are both also really good for your health, physically and mentally.

She said, "When I'm walking Maggie, I feel fabulous then. I'm in the fresh air with my dog. So lots and lots of things make me feel fabulous. It's not just about looks."

Ruth previously told woman&home that she doesn't always "love" her body or enjoy the pressure to feel empowered, so it's great to see her feeling so happy and self-assured in this video.

In the video's caption, she expanded on her thoughts to explain that feeling fabulous for her is "more about knowing who I am, feeling confident and making the most of what I have."

"Feeling fabulous can come in all sorts of moments... laughing with friends until your cheeks ache, finally cracking something you’ve been working hard on, standing up for yourself, or doing something you love with people who bring out the best in you." Indeed, experts agree that friendships are good for your health.

So, what makes you feel fabulous? Ruth's fans flooded to the comments to share their thoughts with her, with one sharing, "My grandkids saying 'nan' melts my heart and makes me feel fabulous."

While another said, "Gardening in the spring sunshine and then sitting down on the patio with a lovely cold sauvignon blanc afterwards."

And a third commented, "My family being healthy and happy... priceless!"

Ruth's friends also took to the comment section to share how she makes them feel fabulous. Katie Piper revealed, "Totally agree with this. It’s feeling, an energy you exuded and how you present yourself. You are totally fabulous."

Ruth's friend internet chef Sam Balsha, whom she recently enjoyed a girl's holiday with, shared, "Being with my best friend, laughing until we can’t stand up, falling over and then falling asleep watching TV and starting all over again? Sound familiar?" To which Ruth replied, "The falling over is usually you though!"

And TV and radio presenter Lizzie Cundy commented, "Fabulous is having one of your legendary breakfasts after a night out," prompting Ruth to respond with the sweet message, "You’re welcome ALWAYS!"

But Ruth has well and truly put those hopes and dreams to bed. Yes, after winning a BAFTA for Best Female Performance in a Comedy at last Sunday's awards ceremony, she took the time to explain why continuing on with the story simply wouldn't work – or, according to her, be at all interesting to watch. Though we can't imagine a world in which that would be true.

“You don’t really want to see Smithy and Nessa in that domestic set-up,” Ruth said as she was interviewed after winning. “The whole joy of them was that kind of ‘will they, won’t they?’, and you know, do you really want to see Nessa and Smithy talking about putting the bins out? You don’t really.”

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It's not a total surprise that we won't be seeing Gavin & Stacey return. In woman&home's exclusive interview with Ruth, she said that the ending was perfect.

"The final episode of Gavin & Stacey was a beautiful ending to a wonderful journey. It was great that it ended the way it did," Ruth told woman&home. "I’m delighted with how it went down. We couldn’t have done it any better, in a way, or any differently. People were very satisfied with the end, which was important."

Similarly, co-star Joanna Page exclusively spoke to us in December about her "grief" at saying goodbye to Stacey and family. "You’re saying goodbye to each location and person. I was crying from the second day [of filming]. All of us knew, ‘This is it,’" Joanna said.

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However, just because Ruth won't be joining up with James Cordon to write any new episodes of Gavin & Stacey, that doesn't mean we won't be seeing the writing duo work together on new projects in the future.

"I can’t really say anything at the moment, but yeah, I’m sure we will come up with something in the future,” she said elsewhere in her BAFTAs interview, looking stunning in a sapphire blue dress. "I love working with James Corden, I really do. And I hope that we will carry on working together.

"I think we will – because we both like sitting in a room together. We do a lot of napping… but we do write as well. When we get going. And I just love working with him.”

Get Ruth's BAFTAs look

Ruth is also working on her own projects too. As well as releasing her fourth novel next week, called By Your Side, she is currently filming a new Netflix series where she plays the lead role in an adaption of the work of US thriller writer Harlan Coben. She stars as private detective Elena Ravenscroft opposite Cold Feet star James Nesbitt, in a story that follows the latter's life falling apart after his daughter runs away.

It's the latest in a series of Harlan Coben novels that Netflix has adapted, the most recent being Fool Me Once which starred Michelle Keegan and Dame Joanna Lumley. And it's clear that Ruth is super excited to be part of the project as she revealed she had to be on set at 6am in Manchester the day after the BAFTAs! No late night celebrations for her, then...

When she's not writing for TV or planning upcoming novels, you'll find Ruth winding down in the kitchen. In our exclusive interview with her, which you can read in the June edition of woman&home's magazine, she revealed that baking is her favourite hobby.

"There’s something so joyful about making a cake that rises properly," she said. "I’m not a posh baker, but my cakes do taste good!"

In a dream world, she would further relax by having a massage - everyday, if she could! "If I could, I would have a massage every day of the week," she said when we asked her how she likes to relax. "I also love taking an afternoon nap and reading books. I’ve just finished Three Mothers by Hannah Beckerman, which is gripping."

Email us at whmail@futurenet.com to let us know what you think of our Ruth Jones interview, or indeed anything else you've enjoyed in woman&home magazine.

Not only that, but season three's star Nicola Coughlan has teased us with tidbits of what we can expect from the upcoming episodes - good things do come in three, don't they?

"What’s coming? Lots more romance," Nicola said when asked about the new season in an interview on the BAFTAs red carpet, as reported by People. "We’re shooting it still, it takes a long time to shoot Bridgerton, takes about eight months, this one’s taken nine."

So what can we expect? “We got new leads this year, Luke Thompson [who plays Benedict Bridgerton], who we’re used to, Yerin Ha, who’s new and gorgeous, sort of a Cinderella story," Nicola revealed. And the beginnings of this new plot line are revealed in the latest trailer released by Netflix yesterday, which you can watch below.

And when it comes to Nicola's character Penelope? She and Colin have "got a ginger baby. She’s a married woman, she’s a writer, but it’s delightful and gorgeous as always," Nicola teased.

As we've seen happen in previous seasons of Bridgerton, Colin and Penelope's storylines will likely be taking a back seat as we focus on the budding romance of the next Bridgerton sibling. For this fourth season, it's Benedict's turn in the spotlight and (spoilers ahead!) he's in for a bumpy ride.

According the Netflix, which has been spilling secrets for the upcoming release, Benedict meets his love interest and knows her only as the Lady in Silver. After falling in love at first sight, he pursues her - but, unbeknownst to him, she's hiding a secret. She’s actually called Sophie and is a resourceful maid with big dreams, leading the pair to become 'star-crossed lovers’ as they overcome secrets, obstacles and, as Yerin Ha who will play Sophie calls it, a "battle around social status."

In an interview with Netflix's Tudum, Luke Thompson said of the upcoming season, "What’s striking about season four is that it’s the struggle between a proper old-school fairy tale – the romance of it – and the actual reality of the world. Both are true. You have to hold both of them – the romance and the reality – in your hand. In its best version, ‘true love’ happens in the middle of that.”

We'll also get to see a host of familiar faces alongside the new, with Penelope and Eloise's friendship taking centre stage while little sister Hyacinth and season two's main character Kate Sharma will also return to the show.

But when will we get to see all this drama? Bridgerton fans might be a little disappointed at the release date Netflix has set, but good things come to those who wait...

When will Bridgerton Season 4 Be Released?

Netflix has announced that season 4 of Bridgerton will be released in 2026, though an exact date has not been specified. We know that the show is still in the process of being filmed as of May 2025 and, in previous interviews, showrunner Jess Brownell has explained that post-production is a lengthy process. So we might be waiting until the later part of 2026 for any episodes to air.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter last year, Brownell explained, "We are working to try and put the seasons out more quickly, but they do take eight months to film and then they have to be edited and then they have to be dubbed into every language."

However, there is still good news for fans of the show. While we're waiting on season four's release, you can rejoice in the fact that Netflix has renewed Bridgerton for two more seasons, meaning we'll get a season five and six over the next few years.

Cheaters was written and created by Oliver Lyttelton, and stars Susan Wokoma as Fola, Joshua McGuire as Josh, Callie Cooke as Esther, and Jack Fox as Zack. Their lives become intertwined in a way that will challenge you to reassess everything you think about marriage and fidelity, and you'll be desperate to know where Fola buys her skirts.

So, why should you be watching Cheaters? Because this show fills a void you didn't know you had. Here's a little context - Cheaters starts with Fola and Josh meeting at the airport when their flights from Finland are cancelled. Travel writer Fola is there for work, and Josh is on a little journey of reflection after his girlfriend of 11 years (Esther) cheated on him with a woman. A few pints, G&Ts, and shots later, Fola and Josh have a bit of passionate sex at the hotel while they wait for the next flight.

The next morning, Josh is immediately guilty and panicked, even more so when he finds out Fola is married. They agree to go their separate ways and forget about their encounter, until they arrive home to find they live across the road from each other.

Now we've got the background over with, let's get back to why you need this show in your life. Firstly, the short-form format is perfect.

Series 1 consists of 18 10-minute episodes, and series 2 is shorter at eight episodes. These were initially broadcast as triple-features, but watchable at any time on iPlayer, they can slot perfectly into your day at any time.

Got a short commute to work? Watch an episode of Cheaters. Got a few minutes to spare on your lunch break? Cheaters it is. Bitesized and easily digestible, I'm thinking all shows should have this format.

Secondly, and most importantly, this show addresses something you don't hear talked about often enough: the theory that marriage is a scam, and fidelity is one of the hardest things humans are asked to do.

You've probably guessed by the title of the series that although Josh and Fola agree to put their indiscretion behind them, their attraction is so strong that they find it hard to keep their hands off each other.

But there is so much nuance to this. Yes, Fola is married and should be faithful, and yes, on paper, Zack seems like the perfect man - there should be no reason for cheating.

Zack is kind, gentle, and Jack Fox is so smoking hot in the role, you could probably cook an entire fry-up on his abs. Actually, Jack Fox's abs can be their own, separate reason to tune in.

You see, I immediately wanted Zack to be totally flawed, to justify Fola's cheating in my mind. But while he's perfect on the outside, we do find out their marriage is sexless, and this is because of a kink Zack has that makes it hard for him to perform.

It'll be spoiler-ish to go into the nitty gritty of the issue, but Fola doesn't find out about it for a while. Zac's internalised humiliation around it means he shuts down all communication about their sex life with Fola, compounding her need to look elsewhere for what she needs.

The show's writers deserve another massive shout-out for delicately exploring the lack of understanding and shame that can exist around kinks, and how a person can flourish when allowed to explore theirs in a supportive environment.

However, Zac's terrible communication means that they've only been married a year, and the young and beautiful Fola wants to be desired by the person she's married to, but can't for all these complicated reasons.

The show forces you to question the widely accepted belief that marriage is the ultimate goal. As Fola has discovered, relationships are hard, marriage is harder, and staying in a marriage when it all goes wrong so early is tantamount to impossible. Added to that, attraction to others doesn't stop just because you're married - even if it can usually be put to one side.

We get to explore the mess, damage and difficult feelings that come from this, watching from the outside as it unravels on screen with beautiful nuance and hilarity.

Seeing authentic, realistic bodies enjoying sex was just as captivating. What a flipping relief. I know I drooled over Jack Fox's abs, but forgive me for that moment of pleasure, because seeing sex between two normal-bodied people was just as erotic.

Susan Wokoma is a curvy woman with normal boobs, and her charcter is having sex on TV! It's more refreshing than an ice-cold pint in an air-conditioned bar during a heatwave. Much of what you see on screen shows sex only being good when it's between flawless, perfect bodies. Joshua McGuire is also regular in every way, but is also good at sex in a way that gives Fola many orgasms - something usually only the Adonis gym bro men can do by usual TV standards.

Last but by no means least, Cheaters is funny. Not just a little titter here and there funny, but spit your drink out and snort uncontrollably funny. While I've made it sound quite intense, it's joyful in so many ways.

There definitely has to be an honourable mention in the comedic stakes for Callie Cook who plays Esther. There was not one moment when she was on screen that I wasn't captivated by her pitch perfect comic timing.

Callie's every single facial expression and eye movement enhanced every line she delivered - not for a long time has there been someone on TV who immediately outs themselves as being born to be a comedy actress so immensely.

The final honourable mention has to go to Fola's outfits. As her, Susan Wokoma wears a gorgeous revolving wardrobe of stunning skirts, usually with perfectly matching blouses. I want her style and charisma, please.

Have I sold it to you? I hope so. Now I just need a third series, because the second was much shorter than the first and I'm invested in all the character's lives now and need to know what happens next.

Cheaters seasons 1 and 2 are both available in full on BBC iPlayer.

I was first drawn in by the glitzy, star-studded cast – a dazzling lineup that promised 80s debauchery and delivered it in spades. Like many, I was glued to the drama of awful people doing outrageously despicable things to each other. And then there was Rupert Campbell-Black – played by Alex Hassell – a character so magnetic I was willing to overlook his every sin.

But what truly struck me about Rivals – and what I loved the most – was its unapologetic portrayal of midlife women who are still attractive, still desirable, and nowhere near waving goodbye to their sex lives. Maud and Lizzie weren’t 'just' mothers or wives. They were complex, sexual beings – a rarity on screen for women my age. Seeing them felt like a revelation. Yes, we are still desirable. Yes, we still want sex. And no, our stories don’t end at 40.

Rivals discards so many stereotypical tropes about the on-screen mother. Maud isn't consumed by motherhood, where she might've gone wrong with it, or mourning the loss of her children as they flee the nest. She's distinctly disinterested in her children - it's quite refreshing to see this leftfield depiction. Similarly, Lizzie isn't desperately trying to juggle motherhood with her writing work while constantly being made to feel guilty for having a job. This, again, is something you rarely see in a TV show involving someone who happens to be a mother.

Not only are women shown in this incredible way, Rivals is a pitch-perfect adaptation in its entirety - something that hardly ever happens when books are translated to the screen. (Based on Jilly Cooper's best-selling novel of the same name, it left many viewers, including myself, wondering if the show could be based on a true story.)

That’s why I was stunned when the BAFTA nominations were announced, and Rivals barely made a ripple. Just three nods, none of which turned into wins. That was as scandalous as Rupert Campbell-Black’s full-frontal during a game of naked tennis – a moment so deliciously over-the-top it did earn a nomination for ‘Memorable Moment,’ but even that didn’t win.

It was great to see David Tennant nominated for his role as Tony Baddingham, because he brought his A-game to that role. Katherine Parkinson was also in the running for her beautiful portrayal of the vulnerable yet dignified Lizzie Vereker.

Lizzie and Freddie's (Danny Dyer) chemistry needed an award of its very own, and their sex scene begged for some recognition for being so down-to-earth and real.

I do have to say that although the adaptation did an excellent job of side-stepping the more problematic areas of the novel without compromising on delivering an excellent story, there was one element where I remained conflicted: The Rupert and Taggy will they/won't they.

Normally, I'd be shouting at my screen, "Leave her alone and date somebody your own age, for god's sake," but I was forced to shake off my own moral compass and get invested in their story. And this isn't only because I was almost Taggy-levels desperate for an RCB, ahem, encounter myself.

Rupert actually gets a better character development arc on screen than he does in the book, and is definitely conflicted about his feelings for Taggy himself. This will almost definitely be explored further in season 2 which is currently in production, and will really give depth to the complexities of their potential romance and Rupert's possible redemption.

Finally, I can't talk about Rivals without mentioning the costumes and the scenery - also both perfect and deserving of all the awards. Never has 80s dressing looked so incredible, or had me setting up alerts for vintage 80s pieces for my wardrobe to buy.

And when I instantly recognised Corinium Studios as a police station not far from where I live, and the neighbouring town to where I grew up, standing in for Rutshire, I let out a little scream. While I mourn Rivals' almighty BAFTAs snub, I might just hang out around the filming locations, hoping for a glimpse of the heroes who brought me one of my now favourite shows of all time.

For those of us who fell in love with Rivals, there’s some very good news – we’re heading back to Rutshire. Disney+ has confirmed that filming is already underway and the second season will feature even more episodes – a full 12 instead of the original eight. Most of the beloved cast is returning, including David Tennant, Alex Hassell, Aidan Turner, Katherine Parkinson, and Danny Dyer. Even better, new cast members are joining the fray, although Disney is keeping those names under wraps for now.

Jilly Cooper herself has promised more “wit, desire, and romantic twists,” and I, for one, can’t wait to see what chaos and scandal unfold next. So while the BAFTAs may have ignored Rivals, its return promises to be bigger, bolder, and even more unforgettable.

All episodes of Rivals are currently streaming on Disney+ with a subscription.

Wearing a beautiful sapphire blue gown, Ruth Jones began her speech in character as Nessa, recalling in the true style of the character how, "I've won a BAFTA before, of course I have, in 1976," before stepping out of the role to deliver the rest of her speech.

During her heartfelt speech, Ruth gave particular thanks to her "Dear, talented, lovely, kind, funny friend," James Corden. The pair have been long-time collaborators, and James was clearly touched by Ruth's words as he wiped away tears.

Continuing to demonstrate her clear admiration and respect for James, Ruth thanked, "James Corden, with whom I have shared this astonishing journey for the past 17 years and without whom, Vanessa Shanessa Jenkins would simply not exist."

We spoke exclusively to Ruth Jones for our latest issue of woman&home magazine. During our interview, the actress reveals the heartfelt thinking behind the Gavin & Stacey finale, and how perfect she felt it was.

It had been 17 years since the legendary series arrived on our screens, and four since the 2019 Christmas special aired and left us with the decade's biggest cliff hanger. In that time, what Ruth refers to as something that began as a "little show" grew into a cultural juggernaut.

It was no easy feat to deliver a satisfying ending, yet Ruth and James absolutely delivered. "The final episode of Gavin & Stacey was a beautiful ending to a wonderful journey. It was great that it ended the way it did," Ruth tells us.

The star adds, "I’m delighted with how it went down," she adds, explaining that there was simply no other way Smithy and Nessa's complicated love story could've reached a conclusion.

"We couldn’t have done it any better, in a way, or any differently. People were very satisfied with the end, which was important," she says.

While it's definitely the end for Gavin & Stacey, it's not the end of the road for Ruth Jones and James Corden collaborating.

Following the BAFTA awards ceremony, Ruth spoke about working with James once again. "I love working with James Corden, I really do, and I hope that we will carry on working together," she said.

Ruth added of the potential of them writing another show, "I think we will. We will, because we just both, like, sort of sitting in a room together. We do a lot of napping, but we do write as well when we get going and, yeah, I just love working with him."

The actress also expressed shock at her BAFTA win, explaining that she'd even taken her shoes off and had made herself comfortable for the evening, not expecting to have to get up on the stage.

However, she summed up her win and everything it signifies by concluding, "I think it's just been a really lovely rounding up of this astonishing nearly 20 years and working with James."

Bringing one of the biggest celebrity divorces to a close, the proceedings were finalised in January 2025 and now JLo has only one thing on her mind: her children.

While she went through her divorce, she revealed to El Pais that she'd made and stuck to one very important promise so her kids, 17-year-old twins Max and Emme, wouldn't worry about her. “I said, ‘I promise you, this is a difficult time, but you’re going to see that I’ll come out the other side stronger and better.’ I promised them that and I did it. And they feel it now. That gives me a great sense of peace in my life."

She added that she is 'proud' of herself for not only keeping that promise, but also for helping her children become 'stronger and better' since the divorce too.

She shared, “I’m happier that I’m a step further along than I was a year ago, two years ago, three years ago… I’m proud of myself for that and I’m proud that I was able to navigate my children through difficult times, that they’re stronger and better because of it."

The twins' father is Marc Anthony, to whom JLo was married from 2004 to 2014. Nevertheless, Ben Affleck certainly played a big part in their lives and this change to the family dynamic must have been just as tricky for them as it was for their mum.

At 17, they're mature enough to know exactly what is going on, and this is something Jennifer has had to realise and incorporate into the divorce proceedings, she says, with both children being part of the conversation every step of the way.

"But no matter what goes on with her divorce, she says it's her 'greatest achievement' that her two kids 'know she loves and supports them every step of the way.'

Elsewhere in the interview, JLo revealed what advice she'd give to her younger self and took the chance to speak to and support her kids with what she said.

She shared, “I guess the advice I would give myself is what I would give my kids: you have to really understand your worth and value. And don’t let things that other people say affect you. Understand who you are, believe in that. Understand your own power. I’ve learned that over the years.

"When I first started out, I was very easily influenced and affected by other people’s opinions of me. But then, you have kids and go, ‘wait a minute, who cares what they say?’ You learn through them. That would be the advice that I would give myself: other people’s misconceptions of you do not define who you are.”

JLo and Affleck almost tied the knot 20 years ago after meeting on the set of their movie Gigli in 2002. However, they broke up in 2004, with reports at the time citing the intense media attention around the romance as a major factor in the breakdown of the relationship.

Fans were delighted when they rekindled their relationship and ended up getting married in the summer of 2022. Two years on, their divorce has been finalised but Jennifer says she's now 'genuinely happy' and that where she is now, mentally, 'is a beautiful place to be.'

“I had a really tough year,” she said. “Unexpected things happened. And so, I read a lot of books. I did a lot of self-introspection. I did meditation...I wanted to kind of really solidify the family unit that is me and my two children, my twins.”

She's also been seeking advice. She revealed, “Listening to other people who have been through similar experiences or different experiences than you, I think that’s the thing I love most.

“Everybody goes through hard times in their life. And it’s what you do in those moments that really does define you. Not the relationship, not the man: what defines you is what you’re doing with the experiences that you’re faced with. I take those experiences – whether they’re good or bad – and I bind them,” she explains.

Through living these experiences, she says she's been able to really 'dig deep' into the patterns that her behaviour follows to figure out why she acts the way that she does in certain situations. It's meant that she's 'learned so much about' herself and wishes that she done it sooner.

She said, "You’re on this this kind of rollercoaster, this ride of life, this carousel, you’re going round and round… and you don’t stop and go, ‘wait, what’s happening? What’s going on here?’ Not with anybody else – with me. And, when you do that, you’re able to be more self-aware. And that self-awareness is a very empowering thing.”

But while you're looking at your behaviour, it's inevitable that you'll come across some of the 'mistakes' you've made, and making peace with them is something JLo has been working on.

“Everybody makes mistakes," she said candidly. "There’s not a human being on the planet who’s not going to make a mistake. That’s something I needed to learn. Did you think I was perfect? Did you ever think I was never gonna make a mistake in my life because I’m in the public eye? No, that’s not how it works. I’m not exempt from the human condition. I also have to go through things, right? I must make these lessons my own in order to evolve and grow.”

It's also not surprising that although their own match doesn't work out on the show, those taking part find a spark with somebody else taking part. Jacqui and Clint were initially matched with other people, but have now found love together.

Rumours are also flying about Eliot and Jamie. Both were also matched with other people, but they seem to have become very cosy now that the experiment has come to a close. Are they together? Here's what we know.

Are Eliot and Jamie from MAFS Australia together?

Up until recently, the pair have been refusing to confirm or deny whether they're together, despite being seen out with their arms around each other and making appearances on one another's TikTok accounts.

However, while remaining guarded, Jamie has now suggested the pair are enjoying "getting to know each other," while denying their PDAs and flirty TikToks are a publicity stunt.

Speaking to 9Now, Jamie says, "I understand everyone wants an answer, but we're in the real world now, so it's not like we're going to be official or announce something tomorrow.

"I'm enjoying getting to know Eliot, I'm getting to know different people. I'm just being open."

@not_eliotd

♬ original sound - Eliot Donovan

Jamie continued, "We have so much fun together, getting to know each other, and making Tiktoks are always so much fun."

"But for me, the important thing is that it's not a publicity stunt, we just genuinely enjoy being around each other."

Jamie was first paired with Dave Hand on the show, and they appeared to be one of the strongest couples. Viewers were excited to see them decide to stay together at the Final Vows, but at the Reunion, they revealed they'd parted ways.

While Jamie thought they'd remain friends, Dave has chosen to cut contact with her. "It is disappointing because there was a point where I thought Dave would just be in my life regardless, forever," she said about Dave breaking all contact.

Eliot had quite a turbulent time on the series and was first matched with Lauren. Their union was one of the shortest in MAFS history, ending after just two days when Eliot revealed a long list of things about his bride he was unhappy with.

He then left the experiment and returned home to Sydney for a while. The experts weren't sure whether to let him back into the experiment, believing the list of things he was looking for in a partner was too long.

He did eventually return and was paired with Veronica. This match also got off to a difficult start when she only found out Eliot had already been married on their wedding day, and was unhappy this information had been kept from her.

It was pretty much downhill from there, and during the sixth commitment ceremony, Eliot and Veronica decided to end their relationship and leave the experiment.

After being painted as the bad guy in the show, Eliot has managed to turn his image around through his social media.

He experienced a lot of negativity for his behaviour surrounding his failed marriages, but has used his own online presence to show a softer, kinder side of himself.

His friendship and possible relationship with Jamie has even further piqued public interest in his image, and now lots of the pair's followers are rooting for them to be together - we've found ourselves rooting for this couple, too.

We've already taken a deep dive into the post-experiment relationship status of Jacqui and Clint, Beth and Teejay, and Rhi and Jeff.

The next couple on our radar are Awhina and Adrian. Did the experiment work out for them, or are they still looking for love?

Are Awhina and Adrian from MAFS Australia still together?

No, Awhina and Adrian are no longer together after deciding to end their relationship during the Reunion episode of the show.

While it looked like Awhina, an identical twin, and Adrian, also an identical twin, could be a good match, it ultimately wasn't to be. While there was an initial spark and what seemed to be good compatibility, a stumbling block was hit pretty early on.

Awhina is a mother to a six-year-old son, and Adrian had been open about wanting to be a father. He just wasn't sure about being a father to somebody else's child.

Awhina was nervous about revealing her status as a mother to Adrian, with her own mum eventually delivering the news instead. "Had we been in the outside world and known she had a kid, I never would have entertained it," Adrian told the camera crew just after he found out.

The situation between the pair never really recovered, unsurprisingly. With her faith in Adrian already rocked by his response to her son, Awhina's trust in him was further shaken when Sierah confessed she and Adrian had opened up to each other emotionally.

Just after this incident, Adrian threw all his toys out of the pram when he wasn't selected to take part in a promo video for the show. He left the couple's apartment and his ring behind, telling Awhina he'd only return if he was in the promo.

Awhina felt the relationship was one-sided, and she was the only person putting in effort to make it work. Adrian appeared to feel that everyone was against him, often bringing this up with the group.

There were no surprises for viewers when Awhina wrote ‘leave’ in the next commitment ceremony. However, because Adrian wrote ‘stay’, the couple had to continue in the process.

Much to the confusion of viewers, despite Awhina's family not thinking he was good enough for her, and her choosing not to introduce him to her son, they soldiered on with the relationship anyway.

The biggest shocker had to be Final Vows, when they chose to stay together - this was surely one of the most confusing moments in MAFS history.

However, they ultimately saw what everyone else saw coming from the beginning - that they couldn't make their union work once the experiment was over, and they're now over for good. Awhina simply wrote on Instagram about her experience on the show, "I forgive myself for settling for less than I deserve, but that chapter is closed."

Adrian did acknowledge his failings and wished Awhina well. "Looking back, I know I wasn’t always the best partner, and there are moments I wish I could do over," he wrote, adding, "But through the highs and lows, I’ve learned so much about myself who I am, what I need to work on, and what I want to become."

He continued, "Awhina, thank you. I genuinely wish you a future filled with abundance of love, happiness, and good health. We may not have found forever, but I walked away with something just as valuable lifelong mates and a chapter I can close off in my book of life and now open my next."

In the midst of sadness that Megan Cusack has left the show as Nancy, and concern that Zephryn Taitte's Cyril could be following, this is the excellent pick-me-up we needed.

While we take a moment to recover from this exciting news, we take a look at what year the film is expected to be set in, and what it could be about.

When is the Call The Midwife film set?

The film will be set in 1972, and is set to feature characters viewers already know from the TV show.

Dame Pippa Harris DBE, who acts as executive producer on the show, says, "In an increasingly competitive viewing environment not only have our loyal fans stayed with us for 14 years, but they’ve been joined by a new, younger generation who have also fallen in love with our characters and the challenges they face."

She adds, "Emboldened by this warmth and enthusiasm, now feels like the right time to expand our world and take our nuns and midwives onto the big screen with our movie."

Lindsay Salt is the Director of BBC Drama. She says, "Call the Midwife has been a jewel in the BBC’s crown for well over a decade, and this feels like the perfect time to further expand on the glorious, perfectly realised world that Heidi, Pippa, Annie and the team have created for the show’s millions of passionate and dedicated viewers.

Whether you’ve been watching from the very start or joined us for one of the more recent series, this is an incredibly exciting time to be a Call the Midwife fan."

What could the film be about?

The crew are currently being quite tight-lipped about what the film will be about, other than revealing it will be set overseas.

Heidi Thomas OBE, creator and writer of Call The Midwife, says, "As the classic Call the Midwife series moves further into the 1970s, it also seems the perfect time for our much-loved regulars to take a short break from Poplar and test themselves in an unfamiliar landscape."

She adds, "The rise in hospital births, and changes in the NHS, have clipped their wings, and this is their chance to take flight and work out what really matters. Whilst the location of the film remains top-secret, I can say it is going to look absolutely fantastic on the big screen!"

From this, it appears that the Poplar midwives aren't needed quite so much in the East End, as contraception becomes widely available and birth rates fall. With births becoming increasingly medicalised, home birth rates also fell significantly during the early 70s - and never recovered.

As trained professionals, it's likely the midwives will want to take their skills to less developed areas of the world that still need them. Spurred on by their religious beliefs and the need to help others, this appears a likely premise for the film.

Like the prequel series, no release date information has been given yet for the film. However, we'll be here to update you as soon as we know when you can watch your East End favourites on the big screen.

We've taken a close look at what happened to Jamie and Dave, Jacqui and Clint, Rhi and Jeff and Carina and Paul, when the cameras stopped rolling.

Now, we have our eyes on Eliot and Veronica, as we take a look at what happened to the couple in the aftermath of the show. Did they go the distance?

Are Eliot and Veronica still together?

No, Eliot and Veronica are no longer together. During the sixth commitment ceremony, the pair decided to end their relationship and leave the experiment.

If that wasn't dramatic enough, both had been through a turbulent time to get to that point. Right back at the very start of the series, 35-year-old business owner Eliot matched with 37-year-old Lauren.

The pair had one of the shortest-lived MAFS weddings in history, when Eliot revealed he was unhappy with the pairing. Just two days later, it was over.

Eliot suggested he found his bride too materialistic, and wasn't happy with the fact that she had her heart set on having one child.

After ending their marriage, Eliot went home to Sydney for a while, leaving Lauren to explain to the rest of the group what had happened.

He later returned to the process to be paired with 32-year-old personal trainer and actress, Veronica. She was unaware he'd been married in the experiment already, and only found out when Eliot revealed this information on their wedding day.

A short time later, Eliot and Veronica also hit the rocks, with Veronica sharing her unhappiness at the disparaging way Eliot spoke about his first 'wife' to the group, rightly feeling this was disrespectful.

Eliot and Veronica then didn't seem able to get on at all, entering into almost constant disagreements. Viewers also turned on Veronica when Eliot was asked to be vulnerable and reveal something to his bride that he hadn't told others.

Eliot recounted the time his sister fell into a coma at the age of nine, and how much this had affected him. Veronica, however, felt the story was a cop out as it wasn't about Eliot himself.

This led viewers to believe she was cold and lacked sympathy about a genuinely difficult moment in Eliot's life - the backlash against her was quite profound.

The couple didn't recover, and that takes us to the commitment ceremony of episode 29, where the pair agreed they could no longer be together and left the experiment separately.

Veronica has kept fairly quiet on social media about her feelings towards Eliot, only saying in her exit interview, "He was just a bit stiff, and he didn't really give me anything. It was like drawing blood from a stone with Eliot."

@not_eliotd

♬ Somebody's Watching Me - Syzz Remix - Rockwell

Eliot has remained similarly tight-lipped about his former 'wives,' and also about his suspected romance with fellow participant, Jamie.

The pair have been spotted out and about together, and have been enjoying putting out joint TikTok videos. However, they're very reluctant to confirm whether they're together romantically or just friends.

Not only is season 15 going ahead and the 2025 Christmas special being filmed as we speak, but we won't be leaving the world of Poplar and Nonnatus House behind for some time - because a Call The Midwife prequel series has been confirmed.

While we absorb this incredible news, we look at when the prequel will be set, and what it could be about.

When is the Call The Midwife prequel set?

The Call The Midwife prequel will be set during World War II. The action will stay in Poplar and the East End, covering a dangerous and difficult time in the lives of some our favourite original Nonnatus midwives.

Elaborating on her thought process for the prequel, Heidi Thomas OBE, creator and writer of the show reveals, "I have never run out of stories for our midwives, and I never will. But having wept, laughed, and raged my way from 1957 to 1971, I found myself yearning to delve into the deeper past."

When rumours of a spin-off began at the start of the year, we enjoyed speculating over what it could be about. We believed it could follow a very young Sister Monica Joan, shunned by her family for her decision to become a nun in the late 1800's and her subsequent journey to becoming and East End midwife.

Although this isn't the direction the prequel is moving, we are equally as overjoyed to follow the trials and tribulations of our favourites during the war. Casting for the likes of wartime Sister Monica Joan, Sister Julienne and Sister Evangeline will be an exciting task for the crew.

What will the prequel be about?

Heidi Thomas has also given some info regarding the prequel's subject matter. "The Blitz years in the East End were extraordinary - filled with loss, togetherness, courage and joy," she explains.

Heidi adds, "The bombs fell, the babies kept on coming, and the Sisters kept on going. There will be so much in the prequel for our wonderful, loyal fans, including the appearance of some familiar (if much younger!) faces."

For anyone who has read Jennifer Worth's excellent Call The Midwife book series from which the show takes inspiration, the wartime setting will be an exhilarating prospect.

Worth recalls being told plenty of stories by the Nonnatus nuns about their lives in the East End before her arrival. The wartime and blitz memories they shared with her are especially interesting, and left us wanting to know more about this period of healthcare history.

To see this become a reality and this era of the Call The Midwife universe expanded on, is incredible. While no release date has been given for the prequel, we will be on the edge of our seats waiting for it and will keep you updated.

This is something we like to do a big deep dive on, and we've already looked into the post-experiment relationship status of Jamie and Dave, Rhi and Jeff, Carina and Pau,l and Jacqui and Clint.

Now it's the turn of Beth and Teejay - did the couple decide to make a go of their union when the show came to an end? Here's everything we know.

Are Beth and Teejay from MAFS Australia still together?

No, Beth and Teejay are no longer a couple, having split up just before the final vows.

Beth, a 28-year-old salon manager, originally hails from Lancashire in the UK but has been living in sunny Oz for 12 years. Having been single most of her adult life, she decided to give the experiment a go in the hopes of finding a lifelong match.

The experts paired the Beth with Teejay, a 28-year-old business development manager from Queensland. Coming from a big family with siblings who are mostly settled down, Teejay was ready to find his own love to spend the rest of his life with.

There appeared to be an instant spark between the pair, and for a moment it looked like the experts could rub their hands together in glee at having matched the perfect couple.

However, despite the initial jolt of romantic feelings, it wasn't long before a few cracks started to show in the couple's relationship. When Teejay wrote "leave" during one commitment ceremony, Beth was shocked and hadn't seen this coming.

Her feelings were rightly even more hurt when Teejay began telling anyone who'd listen that he wasn't sure they were right together.

While it looked like Beth would continue asking questions and trying to work things out with Teejay, ultimately she realised his heart just wasn't in it. She decided to end things ahead of Final Vows.

"I don't want to stand there, put on another dress like I did on my wedding day, pour my heart out to you, pour my emotions out to you for you to just reject me again," she told him as they moved out of the apartments.

Teejay agreed with her, and that's where their journey came to an end.

Both couples have remained gracious on social media, with Beth simply writing on Instagram, "I am so grateful I got to be a part of this journey. It’s been one of the best experiences of my life.

Thank you to everyone who helped shaped me into the woman that walked out of the experiment. I’ve learned so much about myself and I feel so blessed that I now get to enjoy life with the amazing friends I made by my side."

She's also shared a number of snaps of herself with some of the other female participants from season 12, and seems to have made some great friendships from the series, even if she didn't leave with a life partner.

Teejay echoed similar sentiments in his parting Instagram post, but did address Beth directly with an apology.

"To Beth, I’m sorry we couldn’t complete our journey the way we both intended on," he wrote, adding, "You are a beautiful woman inside and out and regardless of our outcome, I’m glad it was you walking down the isle when I turned around on our wedding day."

He summed up with, "Thanks for coming along for the ride, darlings."

Niamh Algar took the helm for season 1, as a doctor at the centre of a fictional malpractice allegation made against a hospital when a patient dies following an overdose. For season 2, Tom Hughes takes the role of psychiatric registrar Dr James Ford, who becomes caught between an anxious new mother’s postnatal check-up, the sectioning of a psychotic patient, and the ensuing tragic outcome.

It's both a complex case and difficult viewing that can raise questions. We break down everything that happens during the season finale and take a look at what happens to James at the end of his malpractice hearing.

Malpractice ending explained

At the end of Malpractice, the Medical Investigation Unit (MIU) found senior members of the trust to be at fault. In this instance, Eric Sawers was one of the leaders involved - his corruption and manipulation began the whole chain of events.

With the trust on the brink of bankruptcy, Eric Sawers and Arun Mansoor had been brought on board to turn the failing hospital around. Their job was seemingly made incredibly difficult by the ingrained culture of bullying and cover-ups, in which staff were too scared to report cover-ups.

With incident reporting far lower than the real number of real near misses taking place, the hospital appeared safer than it actually was according to government figures.

However, George stumbled across plans written by the architectural firm where his girlfriend Gina worked, outlining how more money could be saved by closing the psychiatric unit altogether. The plan was the convert the unit into luxury flats once closed.

It transpires the trust had been given over £6 million to improve the psychiatric unit, but the repairs never happened and the money was instead spent on the maternity unit.

This was deliberate move to run the unit down to the point it was not fit for purpose and would have to close. The site could then be sold for housing redevelopment for a profit.

To hasten the process of closing the unit, investigations were carried out into staff members such as James, in the hope less time would be wasted until it was deemed unfit for purpose.

It then came to light that Eric would personally profit from the land being turned into housing. The architecture firm putting in the bid to redevelop the unit was owned by himself and his brother. Unsurprisingly, Eric was arrested.

What happens to James?

During the hearing, James said he'd have made different clinical judgments in Rosie's case if he had access to all the correct data - something he didn't at the time. He did however admit his behaviour regarding Felicity Templeton had been irresponsible.

James urged those present at the hearing to take into account how much the stress of the investigation would've clouded his judgment. He was found to have demonstrated failure to keep Rosie safe, and when it came to Felicity, his fitness to practice had been impaired.

James wasn't struck off on account of the findings, but suspended for 12 months instead. Following this period, he could return to his job depending on the results of a review.

James had also been in a secret relationship with Kate, who'd been offered a job by Eric to keep her on side. Eric took back the job offer when she was no longer useful, offering the excuse he could no longer employ her because of the relationship with James - he'd actually been the one to report their relationship to the MIU.

By the end of the series finale, James and Kate's relationship is over and she's has been summoned to attend her own MIU hearing, although viewers don't get to see the outcome of this.

What happens to Sophia?

Because of Sophia and her whistleblowing, the MIU were able to build a strong case against Eric and the trust. However, because she'd had to implicate herself in malpractice, she was ultimately struck off.

She was forced to leave her job behind, but bravely knew this would be the price she paid for coming forward. Sophia wanted justice and accountability, and was willing to sacrifice her career for this outcome.

The episode broke viewing records, with more than 12 million tuning in that evening, and left the nation teary-eyed and warm inside. Ruth couldn't be happier with the reaction to the tying up of the characters' stories, after almost two decades' worth of creating the legendary Gavin & Stacey world.

"The final episode of Gavin & Stacey was a beautiful ending to a wonderful journey. It was great that it ended the way it did," Ruth tells woman&home.

"I’m delighted with how it went down," she adds, explaining that she simply sees no other way the Smithy and Nessa's will-they-won't-they love story could've been finished.

"We couldn’t have done it any better, in a way, or any differently. People were very satisfied with the end, which was important."

With the pressure of getting the finale of one of the most adored sitcoms of all time just right off her shoulders, Ruth once again turned to writing. Her latest read, By Your Side, launches on 22nd May and is available to pre-order now.

"I think I’ve taken to novel writing so well because you can get out of bed in the morning and work in your pyjamas if you want to," she tells us with a smile.

"Releasing my fourth novel is very exciting. It’s written in the first person and present tense, which I’ve never done before.

"I enjoy my own company and am very happy sitting at home writing," she reveals, admitting that penning books solo is a far cry from co-writing TV.

"If I’m co-writing with James or someone else, it’s very different because you can bounce ideas off each other. I think maybe you get more done, although James and I are terrible together, and we end up talking and messing about."

Naturally, TV career success has brought fans with it, but Ruth doesn't do the social media thing. So you can't follow her - even if you think you already do.

"I’m not on social media, even though people tell me they follow me on Instagram. There are quite a few accounts claiming to be me!

Shop Ruth's Shoot

"I don’t really understand why someone would want to do that, but hey-ho, each to their own," she says.

"I joined Twitter briefly years ago, then I panicked and came off again. There are a lot of people passing judgement on social media platforms, and I think, ‘Get on with your own life and leave everyone else alone'."

You can read Ruth's full exclusive interview with woman&home in the June issue of the magazine, on shelves from 1st May.

We've been pondering whether June will actually get Hannah back or not, and if she'll ditch trusty Luke and end up with Nick. Like many, we also want to know what happened to Emily after her character took off to fight for the resistance and has barely been spoken about since.

Ahead of season 6, there have also been lots of questions about just what all of the sayings thrown around by the residents of Gilead mean. We've put together a handy guide to all of them, so you can impress your friends with knowledge of the Gilead lingo.

What do the sayings in The Handmaid's Tale mean?

Angels

An Angel is a male social class, second only to Commanders. Angels are soldiers serving on the front lines, not to be confused with Guardians, who aren't trained soldiers but used more for routine policing and other menial tasks.

Blessed be the fruit

This is one of the only phrases Handmaids are allowed to use within their limited repertoire and conversations with one another, and also the standard Gilead greeting meaning 'hello.'.

With Biblical ties, the phrase is generally met with the response, 'May the Lord open,' and is to encourage fertility. Handmaids who have given birth are referred to a 'fruitful,' and therefore the phrase offers hope that Gilead women will be 'blessed' with the 'fruit' of a baby.

The Colonies

The Colonies are like the Gilead version of prison. They're former war zones heavily contaminated with pollution and radioactive waste, and prisoners sent there undertake the hard labour of moving the waste with no masks or protective clothing.

Most of the prisoners are women, with only a handful of men. Handmaids unable to get pregnant will be sent there, along with women who have committed a number of other crimes and deemed to be an 'unwoman' by the Gilead justice system.

Being sent to the Colonies is a death sentence, and women often die from radiation poisoning after working on the toxic land.

Commanders

A shortened version of 'Commanders of the Faithful,' Commanders are exclusively male, and the highest-ranking members of Gileadean society. They can be identified by the gold star worn on their suits.

Commanders serve as politicians, military leaders, and lawmakers. Field Commanders engage in military leadership role,s and High Commanders are the highest ranking of all Commanders.

Eyes

Short for The Eyes of God, Eyes are a form of Gilead secret police, a little like the Secret Service. Acting as intelligence for the regime, they spy on citizens, patrol borders, and track down any opponents.

They use phone hacking, torture, or any means they choose to get the information they need, and they played a large part in overthrowing the original US government. The covert organisation is mainly formed of well-trained former members of the CIA, although some Marthas work for them to spy on certain households.

Guardians

A shortened version of Guardians of the Faith, Guardians are both a rank and organisation in Gilead that act as its uniformed security force and military.

Predominantly responsible for maintaining public order, they also serve as the personal soldiers, bodyguards, and servants of Commanders. They rank below Angels, but still have some privileges over ordinary men.

Handmaid

Handmaids are a group of fertile women forced into childbearing servitude for the elite families of Gilead. Before being captured by the regime, they would've been women who'd commit so-called transgressions, such as adultery or having children out of wedlock.

They are stripped of any rights, and if they bear a child for a Commander and his Wife, they will move to another household, or 'posting', when the baby is weaned, in the hope they'll provide a baby for the next family.

They aren't even allowed to use their own names, and are instead known by the names of their Commander. For example, when June is known as Offred, this means 'of Fred,' or that she's owned by Fred.

Jezebels

Jezebels is both the name of a Gilead brothel and the name of the women who work there. These secret sex clubs are frequented by the male Gilead elite and visiting diplomats.

The women sent to work there have usually been caught committing something Gilead perceives as a crime, and are given the choice between working there or being sent to The Colonies.

Marthas

Marthas are a fairly low social class of women in Gilead, who serve as domestic servants to the families of the Commanders. They generally serve as cooks and housekeepers, undertaking menial tasks such as cleaning, shopping, alongside cooking.

Most Marthas would be infertile or unmarried women from previously low-ranking households before the Gilead regime took over, although when baby Angela becomes unwell in season 2 and doctors struggle to help her, a Martha who used to be a paediatric doctor is called upon for her expertise.

Mayday

Mayday is a secret resistance group working to oppose and bring down Gilead from the inside. Member numbers are unknown, and anyone can join.

Members identify each other by speaking the code word 'Mayday' in conversation, and those working for the group gain information from important members of Gileadean society, and help prisoners of the regime escape to safety.

May the Lord open

This is the standard response to the Gilead greeting of 'Blessed be the fruit.' It refers to the hope that God will open up a Handmaid's womb to a new soul and she'll become pregnant.

Praise be

This is the standard response to good news in Gilead, and is a shortened version of the Biblical phrase, 'Praise be to Thee/God.'

Also joining the limited number of small-talk phrases Handmaids are allowed to use, it's a response to good news such as a pregnancy announcement.

Sons of Jacob

The Sons of Jacob are the group that devised the philosophy and social structure of Gilead and were the ones to overthrow the American government and take control of the country.

Their aim is a full return to traditional Christian values and adherence to a very literal interpretation of the Bible, particularly the Old Testament. They believe the biological destiny of women is to marry young and reproduce.

They hold the idea that the fertility crisis and climate change are punishments for the sins of mankind, especially women. This is why they are completely against any reproductive rights for women, restricting them to the home to perform traditional gender roles.

Under His Eye

This is both a way to say goodbye to another person and a warning. It refers to an ever-present God who is always watching the residents of Gilead, letting them know that, as well as being observed by an omnipresent God, they are being watched by human forces, such as the Eyes.

Essentially, it's a verbal way of controlling Handmaids and other members of Gilead's dystopian hierarchy. It serves as a constant reminder that they're always being watched, whether by spiritual or human form, which would discourage them from rebelling or attempting to escape.

Unwoman

An Unwoman is the lowest social class of women in Gilead. This social class is made up of women who have committed a perceived transgression, such as being unmarried, divorced, an adulterer, or not heterosexual.

Unwomen would also have been involved in something opposing Gilead's laws, such as being a human rights activist or feminist. Handmaids who fail to conceive during their posting are also branded Unwomen, and generally sent to the Colonies as punishment.

Wives

The highest rank of women in Gilead, wives are married to Gilead’s Commanders. Despite their high rank, they still live a life of oppression and are forbidden to read and write, and must obey their husbands.

Daughters of Commanders and their Wives will attend Wife school, where they'll be trained in what will be expected of them once they're married off to a Commander themselves.

But as with all good things, the series has to come to an end. Then of course, the biggest question about the show looms large - which couples stayed together when the experiment came to an close?

From the MAFS Australia 2025 couples, we've already taken a look at the post-show relationship status of Carina and Paul, and now it's time for a deep dive into what happened to Dave and Jamie when the curtains closed on the series.

Are Jamie and Dave from MAFS Australia still together?

No, Jamie and Dave from MAFS Australia are not still together. Despite choosing to remain a couple during the Final Vows, by the time the reunion came around, they'd gone their separate ways.

The pair had an instant spark, with their chemistry easy for viewers to see. Appearing totally at ease in each other's company, their union initially looked like the perfect match, both the audience and experts were waiting for.

Although they chose to stay together at the Final Vows, there were hints that not everything was rosy within their union. Jamie shared concerns about whether Dave really loved her, after his hesitancy to tell her so at the Retreat.

"By the time we reached Retreat, my feelings for you had grown so much," she said during the ceremony, adding, "Saying 'I love you' felt so right and so natural."

"Even though you didn’t say it back, it didn’t change how I felt. I was happy to be in my feels fully and unapologetically." She then later questioned whether she was actually in love with him, or just the 'idea' of him.

However, Jamie held on to hope and thought the couple would be able to work through these early difficulties. Sadly, it was not to be.

Dave realised his feelings towards Jamie weren't progressing in the way he'd hoped. His father was also very unwell at the time of filming, and he often felt torn between concern for his dad and the expectations of his relationship with Jamie.

Ultimately, the pair decided they weren't compatible.

There are even rumours flying around that Jamie is now dating Eliot from this season, after his match with Veronica didn't work out. The pair have been spotted together at a number of different locations, and are even making TikTok videos together.

In the videos they're poking fun at the rumours they are dating, but this doesn't mean they aren't - they're having fun refusing to either confirm or deny what's going on between them.

Meanwhile, Dave wrote on Instagram about his time on the series, "I went into this with an open heart And while I didn’t find my person, I’m grateful for the journey I shared with Jamie.

"We had our moments, some beautiful, some tough but each one taught me something. I’ve grown, I’ve learned, and I’m walking away with a deeper understanding of who I am and what I value."

Now MAFS Australia 2025 has come to an end, we're hoping for that dream to be fulfilled and to see one of the couples stay together for their real happily ever after.

We've already looked into whether Carina and Paul are still together, and now we have our hopes pinned on Jacqui and Clint - one of the show's more unlikely couples - to give everyone some joy and go the distance.

Are Jacqui and Clint from MAFS Australia still together?

Not only are Jacqui and Clint from MAFS Australia still together, they're also engaged.

They revealed their big news during a Reunion viewing party held by the So Dramatic! podcast at Sydney’s Arcade Bar, with friends and some fellow 2025 contestants in attendance.

However, their road to happiness is certainly more unusual than most others on the show.

Jacqui was first matched with Ryan, although their relationship seemed doomed from the start when Jacqui cried over some things she believed Ryan hadn't done 'correctly' at their wedding.

There was also the fact that he dropped her on the floor during their first dance, something she didn't ever seem to come back from, and was probably the death knell on one of the shortest-lived relationship attempts in history.

Meanwhile, Lauren married Eliot, and they also competed for the title of shortest ever relationship when that union fell apart after three days.

Clint was then brought in as a replacement, with Lauren hoping she'd find her happily ever after the second time around. Once again, things didn't work out for Lauren.

Just before Final Vows, Jacqui told Ryan she had been chatting to another man taking part in the experiment (Clint) - something he wasn't particularly happy about.

Moving past all the drama that went down at the Reunion when Jacqui and Clint confirmed their relationship and Ryan hit the roof, here we arrive at their engagement.

At the So Dramatic! podcast party, host Megan Pustetto said during an interview with the couple, "Clint, you have a bombshell not even Jacqui knows about."

Handing him the mic, Clint turned to his would-be bride to say, "We signed for Married At First Sight to get married… So, I’ve got one question for you," before getting down on one knee.

The couple quickly sparked rumours they'd already married, when sharing snaps from their engagement photoshoot to Instagram.

With both of them wearing what suspiciously looked to be wedding attire, fans would easily be forgiven for thinking they were celebrating a real wedding.

However, Clint confirmed to someone who asked if they were looking at actual wedding shots, that they were looking at engagement pictures and the couple were planning their nuptials for early to mid-2026.

Jacqui has also revealed she's looking forward to starting a family, stating she can definitely 'see them on the horizon.' Meanwhile, the couple has two totally adorable dogs to care for, who often feature on their Instagram feed along with the loved-up couple.

Although the weddings in Married at First Sight aren't legally binding, we always have our favourite couples who we really hope will go on to make their nuptials official when the experiment comes to an end.

From the MAFS Australia 2025 cohort of couples, We've already taken a look at whether Carina and Paul are still together, and now it's the turn of Rhi and Jeff - what is their relationship status post experiment?

Are Rhi and Jeff from MAFS Australia still together?

Yes, Rhi and Jeff are still together. Like fellow contestants Carina and Paul, Rhi, 34 and Jeff, 40, also knew each other romantically before the experiment began. Carina and Paul matched on a dating app, but Paul had ghosted a very disappointed Carina leading to a bumpy start to their MAFS journey.

Rhi and Jeff had been on more than just a date, they'd had an actual relationship. However, it had fizzled out, and the pair had settled on being just friends.

This also made their union on the show a little awkward to begin with, although it wasn't long before it was easy to see they'd rekindled some of their old feelings.

As a couple, Rhi and Jeff were also refreshingly free of drama in their relationship - we know it's often the theatrics we live for when tuning in, but having a couple to break it up added a much-needed different dynamic.

And swoon, by the time it came to the Final Vows, the couple decided to stay together. "Rhi, I am falling in love with you. Rhi, you’re it for me; I choose you, and I hope this is forever," Jeff said as hearts everywhere melted.

In her vows, Rhi admitted she hadn't been in love before, but told Jeff she was definitely falling for him.

The couple are planning to take things slowly over the next year and just what happens with their union. "I think this is what we’re going to do for about a year and we’ll reassess from there," Rhi explained.

The couple have also had to deny rumours they're already planning to become officially engaged. "I don’t know where that rumour came from," Jeff told Grazia," adding, "That’s incorrect. It is still a fresh relationship."

"We’ve got so many things we want to do first – travel, spend time with family and friends. But if everything keeps going well like it is now, then who knows?"

When MAFS Australia 2025 came to an end, the couple posted a joint message to their Instagram accounts, reading, "Thank you all for the incredible love and support throughout our journey! We’re beyond grateful for the friendships we’ve made, the memories we’ve shared, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

"It’s been a whirlwind of hard work, growth, and unforgettable moments and we still can’t quite believe how far we’ve come and are SO excited for this next chapter together!"

They're currently in the habit of sharing lots of very loved-up pictures of one another to their social media accounts, and we hope things work out for this epic couple and we hear real wedding bells at some point in the future.

If you can barely remember what an Eye is, why Gilead residents are partial to saying, 'under His eye, and whatever happened to Emily, you definitely aren't alone.

As the sixth and final outing of The Handmaid's Tale sets itself up for its spin-off, The Testaments, we've put together a handy recap of all the key season 5 plot points before you settle down to tune into season 6.

The Handmaid's Tale season 5 recap

If you wondered what on earth would become of June after gathering a group of Handmaids at the end of season 4 to brutally murder Fred Waterford, there was no need to worry. Not even mailing Serena his severed finger had any repercussions - who knew?

Because the arrogant Commander had been sacrificed in No Man’s Land - Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum, eh Fred? - June didn't face any charges and was free to go on her way.

Except, now, formerly enslaved Handmaids aren't free, even when they make it to Canada. The tide has turned, and instead of welcoming Gilead refugees with open arms, Canada is getting a bit fed up with the strain they're putting on resources and are starting anti-refugee protests.

Some Canadians are even starting to want a slice of what Gilead has, holding vigils for the now martyred Commander and Mrs Waterford to show their support - the latter, of course, is more smug than ever at this development, despite mourning her own now slightly reduced circumstances.

In a power move and bid to alter these reduced circumstances, Serena takes the opportunity to whip up more support for herself by having Fred's funeral televised. Knowing June will be tuning in, she adds more drama to an already elaborate event by holding Hannah's hand throughout most of it, putting June's daughter front and centre while the cameras roll.

The message is clear: 'I can hurt your baby at any time'. Thinking she'd be welcomed back to Gilead after this, Serena's smugness falters when she's quickly returned to Canada in some sort of martyr/ambassador role to continue drumming up support for the regime.

Serena is also sent to lodge with the Wheelers, fierce Gilead supporters who even dress in Commander and Wife outfits to demonstrate their commitment to the cause. Alarm bells ring for Serena when Mrs Wheeler, a walking red flag, starts to look as though she's treating her like a Handmaid...

After June watches the funeral with eyes dancing with fury, and she and Luke go on a mission to find out more about Hannah's Wife School and the plans Gilead has for her, although becoming a Wife horrifyingly looks most likely, according to Nick.

Serena is only allowed out by the Wheelers to complete her ambassadorial/diplomacy duties, and it's while she's undertaking these that June decides to make an assassination attempt to get revenge over the whole Hannah/funeral/general trauma Serena has caused.

She puts her gun away when she realises Serena is pregnant. Following this failed assassination pitstop, June and Luke go back to No Man's Land in the search for Hannah and information about her.

This was an ill-advised idea because the pair was captured. Luke is mysteriously allowed to go free, while June is condemned to execution. Not only that, her execution is to be carried out by Serena.

However, as much as Serena would love to put a bullet through June's head, she also doesn't want to be a Handmaid to the Wheelers. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Serena shoots the guard accompanying her instead of June, and the pair makes their escape in a car.

Their escape attempt is somewhat hindered when Serena goes into labour and June is forced to be her midwife. Developing an infection and clearly unwell, Serena has no choice other than returning to Canada to be admitted to the hospital, knowing she could be arrested for war crimes or returned to the Wheelers in returning there.

Both things happen, and Serena is arrested by immigration authorities and placed in a detention centre, while her baby, Noah, is placed with the Wheelers. Mrs Wheeler does then treat Serena like a Handmaid when she's allowed to return to their home, only allowing her access to her son when he needs feeding.

But she is Serena Waterford after all, and it's not long before she manages to escape the Wheeler household. Meanwhile, June is unable to keep herself away from danger and the complicated feelings she has for Nick.

The pair meet and profess their love for each other, but their love will never run smoothly. As well as the small issue of June being married and constantly evading danger, there's another reason Nick and June can't be together - New Bethlehem.

This pretty seaside location is the brainchild of Commander Lawrence. He plans to turn it into a liberal version of Gilead, where women can work and wear trousers (shocker!) and there will be no Handmaids. Nick informs June he wants to work on this vision of Gilead reform with Lawrence - he also has a pregnant wife living there, so that's another thing to keep him from June and in Gilead.

We don't see much action from actual Gilead this season, as the story largely focusses on Canada, June, and Serena. However, we do find out that a furious Esther Keyes was made a Handmaid for her role in helping June and the other Handmaid's escape in season 4.

Such is her fury, the budding little poisoner poisoned herself to try and end her life, feeding Janine the same poison in a bid to get revenge by ending her life too. Both survive, and Aunt Lydia is devastated at the thought of nearly losing Janine.

Lydia wants only horrible things for Esther when she wakes up, but is very shocked to find Esther is pregnant. She's even further horrified to find out the baby is the result of Esther being raped by Commander Putnam.

She wastes no time in reporting Putnam to Lawrence, who arranges for Nick to shoot him in the head in front of his wife and others dining at a New Bethlehem lunch spot. Lawrence is out to prove he won't stand for any more behaviour like Commander Putnam's.

A brief shot of Hannah shows she could be a rule breaker just like her mother. She's seen secretly writing, but not only that, the word she's written is 'Hannah,' and not her Gilead-imposed name, Agnes. She does remember her roots after all.

Back in Canada, June isn't safe from anti-refugee protestors, and also still not safe from Gilead. It's not long before a truck emblazoned with a Gilead bumper sticker knocks her down, running over her arm for good measure.

She only survives because Luke steps in to drag the driver from his seat and beat him up. He later dies from his injuries, though, so there's now that for the luckless couple to deal with.

Mark Tuello jumps into action and sees no choice other than to send Luke, June, and Nicole to a refugee camp out of the way, gaining them access to a refugee train heading to Alaska - that's quite far away enough, thanks.

But Luke never intended to board the train. He waits until June and Nicole are nearly on board before holding his hands up and giving himself up to the authorities, ready to take whatever punishment comes his way for manslaughter.

Do you remember we mentioned earlier that Serena escaped the Wheelers? Well, June has only been on the refugee train for all of five minutes when who does she bump into? Yes, it's Serena Joy. And that is where the curtains closed on season 5.

We also need to talk about Nick. His character arc trailed off for a time, but he's back and a big part of season 6 - huzzah! As firm members of Team Nick, we need to know whether June will end up with Nick or Luke at the end of the series.

We also need to know what's going on with Nick and Tuello. After a meeting with Tuello in season 6 episode 2, Exile, Nick cryptically threw something into a fire - but what was it and why did he do it?

The following content contains spoilers for The Handmaid's Tale season 6.

What did Nick throw into the fire in The Handmaid's Tale?

Nick threw the SIM card for an encrypted burner phone given to him by Tuello, into the fire. Until this point, Nick had been working for Tuello as a Gilead mole, in return for June's continued protection.

When the pair meet for clandestine strategy talks, Nick instantly asks after June and Nicole, to be told they arrived safely in Alaska. Niceties over, Tuello passes Nick the phone, insisting on being handed information about Gilead patrols in certain areas.

Ominously, instead of supporting this and agreeing to offer up the information, Nick asks Tuello why he's willing to let untrained Mayday fighters, made up largely of civilians, take on elite Gilead armies.

Nick insists Mayday is sending too many innocent people to their deaths, urging Tuello that they're simply going to be captured and killed by the Eyes. Tuello counter argues that he'll keep sending people to fight until there's nobody left, if that's what it takes.

Tuello tells Nick that if there's ever a time he can't answer to him, to call him back immediately. The meeting is brief, and the pair go their separate ways with Nick knowing what's expected of him - except a two-month time jump into the future sees him unceremoniously dump the SIM card for his new phone into the fire.

Why did Nick throw the SIM card into the fire?

Good question. Did he do it because his allegiance has shifted and he no longer cares about June? We don't think so.

The move to dispose of the SIM card came just after a serious chat with his father-in-law, Commander Wharton. During the conversation, Wharton hints he knows what Nick is up to with the resistance, urging him to make "good choices".

His wife Rose knows Nick is still in love with June, and is clever enough to guess he'll do anything to keep her safe - even work for the resistance.

Nick's unlikely to listen to Rose if she tells him to keep the heck away from Mayday and dropping Gilead in it, so he could've asked her father to have this quietly ominous word, knowing it'd have more impact. Knowing a bigwig commander knows you're in with the wrong side is going to really put the frighteners on Nick.

He knows June and Nicole are safe - that was his first and most pressing question to Tuello. He might think his work is done, and he'll cut his losses and return to the side of Gilead until he works out a plan B.

This doesn't mean Nick has necessarily broken bad or chosen Rose over June; at the moment, he's chosen to stay alive, and nobody can blame him for that. And we can't gloss over the fact that it would look to Nick like June has chosen Luke over him, and this would be a huge blow for him and make him want to withdraw from helping June any further.

However, without Nick's intel, Luke and Moira, who enter No Man's Land on a mission, get caught up in one of the patrols Nick should've reported back to Tuello. As a consequence, the pair gets stuck there, resulting in June leaving Nicole in Alaska to be cared for by Holly, while she also heads to No Man's Land to save them and find Nick.

We can't wait to see what Nick's next move will be when he finds out he's stuck between a rock and a hard place - his love for June when she shows up to find him, and begrudgingly helping her when it looks to him like she continuously walks away from him.

She began acting in 1989, and over her years in the spotlight, Ruth has achieved incredible things - most notably co-writing and starring in the beloved smash hit, Gavin & Stacey which came to a long-awaited, tear-jerking close on Christmas Day 2024.

With her sensational TV career comes glam moments like being on set and in front of the camera for our June 2025 cover shoot. But it's not an environment she feels particularly at home in.

"To be completely honest with you, I don’t like getting dressed up," she laughs, telling us, "I always want to feel comfortable and I feel slightly guilty that lots of people would love to do this kind of shoot. These clothes are stunning, but do I dress up like this at home? No, I’m very lazy."

"Stevie B [the stylist on the woman&home shoot] is incredible because she absolutely celebrates all shapes and sizes. When I first started doing photo shoots about 20 years ago, I felt so self-conscious," Ruth adds, explaining that she doesn't find focussing on her dress size to be a good use of her time these days.

"Diets and weight are very boring subjects. Everyone has stuff going on in their life, so why do they worry about what size someone else is?

"There are much more interesting things to talk about," she says.

Looking after her health is a priority for Ruth, though, and she never skips important check-ups.

"We all know what we should be doing; it’s just a matter of doing it. I’m absolutely not in a position to give anybody any advice, but I would say that I’m more sensible about what’s achievable and what’s not.

"You have to invest in your health for later on in life, so I always make sure I get checked out. I had a mammogram the other day.

"I get smear tests done regularly and my blood checked, so I keep an eye on things."

She doesn't set herself unattainable goals when it comes to fitness, either, and thinks that's the key to keeping going with it.

Shop Ruth's Shoot

"We set ourselves ridiculous fitness ambitions. If you fail one day, it’s easy to give up totally.

My friend Alex, who’s a personal trainer, always says, ‘If you get a flat tyre on a car, you don’t just ditch the car. You change the tyre, and you carry on driving."

You can read Ruth's full exclusive interview with woman&home in the June issue of the magazine, on shelves from 1st May.

We have questions about The Handmaid's Tale season 6 - and we aren't the only ones. Is anyone else really worried about Janine? Because we are, and should Janine die after everything she's been through, we don't know how we'll cope.

Also, what happens to Emily? She left for the resistance and needs a proper ending. And let's not forget the big hitting questions: Does June get Hannah back and will she end up with Nick or Luke?

Those questions aside, our most pressing pondering at the moment relates to the ever-slippery Serena Joy. Back in a position of power by episode 3, she has a new set of outfits, too. We'd like to know why she's wearing pink tones, and there are some pretty interesting theories out there.

Why does Serena wear pink in New Bethlehem?

We did warn you there were major spoilers, and yes, by episode 3 of The Handmaid's Tale season 6, Gilead's very own Serena Joy is living comfortably in New Bethlehem.

That's not the fate we'd hoped for - what the world must've been collectively hoping for was for Serena to have baby Noah taken from her and to be made a Handmaid. An eye for an eye and all that, right?

But no, thanks to June no less, Serena wasn't arrested for war crimes on the way to Alaska and sent packing back to Gilead, she's working as an ambassador in New Bethlehem. Apparently, she's working towards Gilead reform and righting the wrongs she played a big part in.

All of this work is being undertaken while she wears a wardrobe full of very pretty pinkish/lilac/mauve colour palettes. She even has a version of these ensembles that has trousers! We'll put this out there - there's been no official word from the show's powers that be about why she's dressed in this colour, but there are theories.

The first and very straightforward theory is that Serena has chosen these colours simply because she likes them. When she left Gilead, and also in previous flashbacks, she's often been seen in civilian clothes made up of pink hues.

Therefore, stepping into the more liberal New Bethlehem, Serena could've seen this as an opportunity to leave the old Wife blue/green/teal behind and wear what she wants.

This also ties in with thoughts that, because of New Bethlehem's relaxed laws, women can wear whatever they want within reason - in the background of some shots, women in yellow and a variety of other colours can be seen, and they simply have no meaning.

However, we don't particularly buy into this theory. In TV and especially with The Handmaid's Tale, which is renowned for its meticulously symbolic costume design, outfits always add to the storytelling.

One theory flying around is that as Serena's clothes are very similar in colour to the outfit we last saw Hannah wearing - a pale purple/lilac. Serena could've taken on this colour to showcase her fertility and readiness to remarry and become a Wife again.

The colour could also have been picked especially for Serena, as there aren't many fertile Widows around, and New Bethlehem could've wanted her to stand out as being one of the first of this very unusual category of women.

We have to say, the theory we most subscribe to relates to The Handmaid's Tale setting up its spin-off, The Testaments. In The Testaments, groups of women called the Pearl Girls act as missionaries, heading off to Canada and beyond in a bid to recruit women to convert to the Gilead faith.

As Serena's role in New Bethlehem is still being worked out and as a widowed Wife with a child she's a bit of an anomaly, the pink colours could've been chosen for her as the original missionary - pink is soft, feminine and motherly, and could be seen as a colour the women Gilead wants to recruit, will relate to.

If Serena heads up the group of missionaries that become the Pearl Girls, the feminine, trustworthy colours she wears could act as the blueprint for the ultimate in virginal/womanly outfits the Pearl Girls wear - silvery dresses and pearls.

We know the show isn't very good at delivering happy endings, but should the long-suffering Janine die during the final outing, we'll be rioting. We're also putting New Bethlehem on our mood board of travel destinations - the real location, not the actual Gilead settlement - because it just looks so dreamy.

But let's put all of that to one side for a moment, because June just did what in the opening episode? Ending up on a refugee train with Serena Joy could've been the perfect opportunity for June to get some revenge, yet she chooses to defend Serena in a move nobody saw coming - why did she do it?

The following content contains major spoilers for The Handmaid's Tale season 6 episode 1.

Why did June push Serena off the train?

June pushes Serena from the train as a visual way to sum up the pair's relationship. It was a deliberate, creative move by the writers to convey everything their interconnection has been about. But first, some context.

June and Serena's dynamic on the train is very jarring - June begins by being helpful to Serena, almost reverting to a Handmaid-style position. She holds Noah while Serena goes to the bathroom, and when thanked by her former mistress, answers, "It was my pleasure."

All she needed was to throw in a "Blessed day" afterwards, and we'd definitely be suggesting she'd been fully taken over by Stockholm Syndrome. Then, there's a shift.

The niceties are done with, and there's a distinct role reversal. June is tired, in a lot of physical pain, and doesn't have everything she needs for herself and Nicole. Yet, she angrily brushes off every way Serena tries to help - and it seems Serena is actually falling over herself in a bid to help June out.

It's Serena who ends up chastened and apologising on the receiving end of June's brutal rebuffals. Still, despite her desperation to help June, the narcissist that is Serena still drops "praise be"s here and "may God heal you"s there, despite being surrounded by Gilead survivors.

Despite June's terse whispers for her to shut the heck up - she doesn't want an architect of Gilead outed on a train full of broken men and women fleeing the regime. But Serena can't stay quiet, and then she's recognised by the train's doctor, who formerly worked as a doctor in Gilead.

Slavering like a mob of rabid dogs once her identity is made very public, the women on the train don't hold back in moving straight in to throw punches and kicks - and it looks like it'll be to the death. This is when June inextricably steps in to forcibly halt the train and make sure Serena and Noah get off, pushing a reluctant Serena to make sure it happens.

Series showrunner Yahlin Chang knew viewers were going to be divided by June's decision, and he also knew it would be challenging to convey just why she did it - and it's all about their intertwined relationship.

"We wanted to do justice to the evolution of their relationship," Chang explained to TV Insider adding, "These two women probably had the most complicated relationship of any two women in the history of our show - maybe in the history of the world - in terms of everything they’ve gone through."

She added, "There’s a bit of craziness in June in terms of the patience and the generosity that she continues to show Serena. It is an example of her extreme empathy. The thing about these two women is that they’re so intertwined. They’ve been through so much together, and they’re so tied to each other that June kind of just can’t let her go."

The showrunner added even more depth to her explanation of June's actions, continuing, "When push comes to shove, June has to save her. But even in that gesture, she saves her by pushing her off the train, a moving train. Already, it’s a dual-edged gesture.

"So I remember pitching back to Bruce [Miller, the series creator] that June pushes Serena off the train, and it seemed like a wonderful encapsulation of their relationship because June hates Serena, loves Serena, saves her life by pushing her off the same train."

Although the weddings in Married at First Sight aren't legally binding, some contestants do go on to make their unions official afterwards, and some have even gone on to have MAFS babies.

Currently, all eyes are on season 12's Carina and Paul. Did 31-year-old marketing manager Carina and 30-year-old wellness advisor Paul stay together after filming ended? Here's everything we know.

Are Carina and Paul from MAFS Australia still together?

No, Carina and Paul are no longer together. Despite Paul insisting he wanted a future with her, Carina split up with Paul at Final Vows because she couldn't forgive him for 'cheating' on her with another contestant.

For the first time in the show's history, a final test had been introduced, offering contestants the opportunity to go on a date with another compatible match from the audition process.

Carina turned this opportunity down, confident in her match with Paul and believing that taking up the offer would be considered cheating. Paul, on the other hand, didn't have the same opinion.

He took the chance to go on the offered date, insisting it was purely out of curiosity and not because he was genuinely pursuing another relationship. When he relayed this information to his date, she unsurprisingly walked out.

When Carina found out Paul had taken up the offer of a date, her response was, "You actually just cheated… I’m worth so much more than this." She added, "You did not consider how I was going to feel – again! You can pack your s***."

Along with this major incident contributing to her decision not to continue with the relationship, you might recall that all the way back at the beginning of the process, it came out that the pair already knew each other romantically, and it hadn't ended well.

Eight months before taking part in MAFS, the couple matched on a dating app and met up for a hike. While Carina was hoping for a follow-up date, Paul ghosted her.

Paul gave the excuse that he was having personal problems at the time of the ghosting, but it left a bitter taste in Carina's mouth, and she wasn't at all pleased when Paul was waiting for her at the end of the aisle.

For Paul, however, seeing Carina walk towards him felt like fate giving him a second chance. He started a campaign to win her back, which seemed to work for a time.

While they often seemed very happy together, Carina must've had this incident at the back of her mind. Her concerns were further compounded when she nonchalantly admitted to sleeping with a famous rapper once, and Paul reacted badly.

Angry at this confession, Paul punched a wall and had to be reprimanded by the show's crew.

Paul's choice to go on the final date seems to be the death knell for Carina wanting to continue with their relationship. She shared a series of pictures on Instagram of her final moments on the show, simply captioning them, "I choose me."

Appearing to own his mistakes and apologise, Paul wrote on his Instagram account, "Sometimes things don’t go the way you hope, but that doesn’t take away from the beauty of the journey.

"Carina, I want to say how much I respect your decision and how grateful I am for the time we shared. I know I made mistakes, and I’m truly sorry for the hurt I caused.

"Despite everything, you showed grace, kindness, and strength, and I’ll always hold deep respect for you. You’ll forever be someone important to me, and I’ll always cherish the memories we made. Wishing you nothing but love and happiness on your journey ahead."

The series looks at the aftermath of the devastating suicide bomb attacks of July 7, 2005. Large-scale counter terrorism operations were underway to prevent further ambushes. When a second set of attacks fails, a huge manhunt gets underway.

Jean Charles de Menezes was a 27-year-old electrician on his way to work, who ended up dead due to mistaken identity in the midst of the operations. The drama is told from multiple perspectives of those involved, looking at how memories can distort understanding of the truth - all four available episodes will land on Disney+ at the same time.

The true story behind Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes

The horrendous 7/7 bombings attacking London’s transport network took the lives of 52 people. The following day, a copycat attack failed - four men attempted to set off devices on three more underground trains and a bus.

Their devices failed to detonate completely, setting off explosions equivalent to a large firework going off, and not the full explosion intended. A large-scale manhunt ensued when the four copycat bombers fled the scene, and police were on high alert.

A gym membership card found inside a bag used by one of the bombers to carry his device led police to the block of flats where Menezes lived with two cousins. This was the start of a chain of events producing flawed intelligence leading to his death.

The impact of the early narrative that made Menezes seem guilty is sadly the one that most people remember. His family has been understandably vocal about wanting the Disney+ drama to tell the truth - that he was completely innocent.

Once his block of flats had been identified by the gym card, it was put under surveillance. When he left his home to do a job, an officer believed he resembled one of the failed bombing suspects, from CCTV images he'd seen.

The footage of Menezes outside his flat was sent to the Metropolitan Police but was delayed along the way. Cressida Dick was heading up the taskforce dealing with major incidents at the time, and told officers to continue observing Menezes until the footage of him could be compared to CCTV images of the attempted bomber.

She also issued the order that Menezes be prevented from entering the Underground at any point. On his way to work, Menezes had to take a longer route because some of the tube stations he needed to use were closed after the bombings.

Officers didn't know the reason for his altered journey and labelled his route suspicious. Because of this, and the fact he'd resembled the CCTV footage bomber, Cressida Dick gave the order for him to be detained, and ‘code red’ was deployed meaning firearms units were sent to his Stockwell location.

At Stockwell station, Menezes was followed by officers as he got on board the tube carriage. They prevented the doors from closing, and it's unclear whether he was challenged - reports remain mixed on this.

He stood up and was restrained as he attempted to move towards the police. Two officers then shot him 11 times, with seven of those aimed at his head. His body was said to be unrecognisable after the shots were fired.

It took just one day for police to ascertain Menezes was innocent, while protests began both in the UK and Brazil. Initial reports claimed Menezes had vaulted turnstiles and run down stairs at the tube station, while the reality was he bought a newspaper and walked normally to his carriage.

The incident was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and hampered by inconsistencies and missing footage that would've proved vital to the investigation. Menezes' family took the government European Court of Human Rights when the final ruling in the investigation didn't prosecute anyone involved - they were unsuccessful.

Speaking to The Guardian, Russell Tovey who plays Brian Paddick in the show, says, "The truth doesn’t matter anymore… so we have to make these shows because art can educate and bring about change."

Referring to hit Netflix drama Adolescence, he adds, "If you dramatise something, it brings it into existence in a way that no other medium really can. We need these series to tell us who we are and to hold people accountable."

We're not expecting the entire show to be neatly tied up with a bow though, it's never been its style and we have the upcoming The Testaments for that. While we wait for the spin-off, we'll be avidly discussing when we'll see June get Hannah back, and how we can visit the real New Bethlehem filming location.

The theme of mothers and motherhood has also made us wonder how June must feel to bring another child into the world and suffer huge amounts of trauma without her own mother, who hasn't been seen since season 1. While ruminating on this, watching the show, we kept asking ourselves what happened to Holly, and did she die?

The following content contains major spoilers for The Handmaid's Tale season 6.

What happened to June's mother in The Handmaid's Tale?

While she was undergoing Handmaid training at the Rachel and Leah Centre in season 1 of the show, June and her cohort were shown slides of what life looks like in the Colonies - the place anyone who opposes the regime is sent to undertake hard labour until their death.

On one of the slides is June's mother, Holly Maddox. A feminist, women's rights activist, and doctor who performed abortions and vasectomies after they'd been made illegal, Holly would've been a prime target to be silenced or killed by Gilead.

Those sentenced to live in the Colonies worked in appalling conditions, moving heavy radioactive waste with no protective clothing or masks. Although when June sees the picture of Holly she asserts, "she'll fight like hell," being sent there equated to certain death from radiation poisoning, and June would likely assume her mother had died - even if she didn't go down easily.

June had a difficult relationship with Holly, who had seen the Gilead ideals slowly creeping across America along with the erosion of women's rights. She wanted June to be out protesting with her, not 'settling' as she believed her daughter was doing.

Holly disapproved of June's job as a book editor, believing it stifled her own creativity. Although she liked Luke, she couldn't have made it more clear that marrying and having children in the current climate was a bad decision.

Irked by her mother's opinions of her life choices and how vocal she was about how much she'd given up for June, who appeared to be a disappointment, an understandable rift grew between them.

It's not until she's trapped in Gilead as a Handmaid that June realises her mother was right about what was about to happen to their country all along. She also channels Holly's strength to fight back and be the woman her mother wanted to raise, becoming an icon for oppressed women everywhere.

However, it turns out Holly did have enough fight in her to survive, and she did indeed escape The Colonies. When June arrives at the refugee camp in Alaska in the first episode of season 1, her mother is working there as the camp's doctor.

We simply won't believe anyone who says they didn't shed a tear when Holly spots her daughter and calls, "June Osborne? Sweetheart?" and the pair fall into each others arms, reunited after so many years and so much trauma.

And just as we predicted, Holly's return was a creative decision based on the show's running motherhood theme. Speaking to TV Line, Elisabeth Moss explained, "The whole show is so much about June’s motherhood and June’s role as mother. But I feel like, in order to really, fully tell that story, you’ve got to bring her own mum into it."

The Handmaid's Tale hasn't given us many happy moments, and there's every chance it won't end on a high note, but we're grateful for this moment of joy for June and Holly.

The two-part series looks at the deaths of Carol and Stephen Baxter, who were found dead at their Mersea Island home on April 9th 2023. The couple's deaths weren't initially thought to be suspicious until a post-mortem revealed they had been poisoned.

A man named Luke D'Wit was found to be involved with Carol and Stephen's deaths - but what did he do and where is he now?

What did Luke D'Wit do?

Luke D'Wit had family ties to Mersea Island dating back many generations, and was well known in the community where he actively volunteered at soup kitchens and helped organise local events.

The computer science graduate met Stephen and Carol Baxter, who were aged 61 and 64, respectively, at the time of their deaths, sometime around 2012-2013, in his role as a freelance web designer.

D'Wit helped the couple create a website for Mrs Baxter's shower mat business, Cazsplash. He went on to become more than an employee, befriending the Baxters to the point that he accompanied them on outings and helped Carol with odd jobs.

According to the BBC, to ingratiate himself into their lives even further, he faked a cancer diagnosis to elicit sympathy. While they thought of him as a good friend, D'Wit began a campaign of targeted manipulation towards Carol, who suffered from Hashimoto's disease.

He created a fake doctor named Andrea Bowden, who he claimed was a good friend of his, to offer Carol 'advice' about her illness. The fake advice included drinking smoothies that actually contained drugs to make her more unwell.

Dr Bowden would have the Baxter family care for Carol using a strict set of rules, all causing her health to deteriorate until she had symptoms consistent with dementia. These symptoms were actually the result of being poisoned by D'Wit, acting as Dr Bowden.

On the morning of their deaths, D'Wit emailed the couple as Dr Bowden, with a liver cleanse recipe to follow. This 'cleanse' was a lethal dose of fentanyl, and D'Wit watched the couple die via a live stream he'd secretly set up in their house as they administered it.

Stephen and Carol were found dead at their West Mersea home on April 9, 2023. Their bodies were found by their daughter, Ellena.

D'Wit had even forged a will to ensure he benefited from the Baxter's money and gained a majority share in their business.

The couple's death didn't initially present as suspicious, and their daughter believed they could've died from carbon monoxide poisoning. However, when a post-mortem revealed they had been poisoned with large doses of fentanyl, it appeared theirs was a case of carefully planned murder.

When it transpired D'Wit had been the last person to see the couple alive, police searched his home and found boxes of fentanyl patches. He claimed these belonged to his late father, Vernon, before and later said they were his grandfather's.

A bag containing metal tacks and pill casings was also discovered during the search, thought to be from ones given to Carol when X-rays revealed the tacks in her stomach.

Where is Luke D'Wit now?

Luke D'Wit is currently serving a life sentence in prison. Following a six-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court last year, a jury unanimously found him guilty of both murders.

He is to serve a life sentence, with a minimum term of 37 years before he can apply for parole. During sentencing, the Honourable Mr Justice Lavender said D'Wit was motivated by control, rather than a desire to benefit financially from the killings.

"Deciding whether another person lives or dies is the ultimate form of control," he said, adding, "Your relationship with the Baxters and Carol Baxter's illness had led the Baxters to trust you to prepare supposed health drinks for her for some time. This is what gave you the opportunity to do what you did."

There's much chatter about June's ultimate end game and whether she'll get Hannah back by the end of season 6, while many viewers have been wondering what happens to Emily. The fan favourite former Handmaid was last seen heading off to fight for the resistance and viewers need to know what became of her.

Something else piquing the interest of those tuning in this season is the idea and mention of virility within the show. Following a conversation between Commander and Naomi Lawrence about the subject, we take a look at what virility means within The Handmaid's Tale.

What does virility mean in The Handmaid's Tale?

Viewers became interested in the concept of virility when Naomi Lawrence (formerly Putnam) becomes angry when her new husband, Commander Lawrence, pulls away from a kiss she initiates.

Neither particularly wants to be married to the other, as Commander Lawrence is still dedicated to his first wife and true love, Eleanor. Naomi was left a widow after her vile husband Warren was shot in the head by Nick after raping Esther Keyes, and Gilead doesn't like widows so the pair got together for convenience.

But it seems Naomi is at least trying to give the marriage a chance, while Commander Lawrence is having none of it. After her advances were rebuffed, just before her husband was about to be sworn in as High Commander of Gilead, she throws him the put down, "They derive their sense of power from their virility."

The dictionary definition of virility describes a man who has the qualities of strength, energy, and a strong sex drive - qualities that might equate to the concept of 'manliness.'

Naomi was indicating to her husband that to impress the other Commanders and High Commanders, he'd need to put on the same display of virility and the qualities associated with the definition as they do - this would mean having sex with their wives and Handmaids, and frequenting Jezebels to sleep with prostitutes.

Knowing this behaviour would make him uncomfortable, she was trying to gain the upper hand by challenging his virility and suggesting he'd feel less of a man around the other guys. Ironically, these are behaviours Gilead claims to find despicable.

Of course, the male Gilead elite believe they are exempt from what they claim to have overthrown, which is a society living for hedonism and living immoral lives. Handmaids have been given this position because they previously had sex or children outside of wedlock, or, like June, had an affair with a married man.

The nation tries to put on a display suggesting there are consequences for lust, greed, and perceived dishonourable acts. Except, it's only really women that this applies to, and some low-standing men.

Gilead's high-ranking men would likely genuinely believe they are so close to God they have been selected to act in any way they choose, and a lot of this behaviour demonstrates a level of so-called virility. Or for the sake of the show, intense toxic masculinity.

In understanding that acting this way would make her husband uncomfortable, she attempts the double blow of not only suggesting he needs to act in a certain way to fit in, but also that he'd be expected to put on a virile performance against his will, in a world he created.

Some could perceive virility in the context of the series as the ability to father children, and there certainly is an element of that. However, The Handmaid's Tale also demonstrates virility to be the extreme patriarchal dominance over women and keeping the nation on a tight leash.

But we know Commander Lawrence, and we know he would never be antagonised into doing something he didn't want to do, no matter how much of a part he played in the architecture of the country he's come to feel some guilt about.

In his signature, confident manner, Lawrence was not going to let Naomi belittle him, have the last word or let something like virility knock his faith in himself. He simply finished their conversation with the parting line, "Power will come from reform. They know I’m their man."

This suggests he knows still holds all the cards, whether he acts in the expected virile way or not.

One question those tuning in are asking in droves is how the series is filmed. It seems to be an incredible feat of logistics for individual crews to follow the couples on their adventure - the show's executive producer, Mark Saben, has unsurprisingly described the process as "massively challenging."

We take a look at the interesting way the show was made and what went into bringing it to your TV screen.

How was Race Across the World filmed?

Each team has two members of the film crew with them at all times, but they are there simply to film and don't have a say in any decisions competitors make - pairs can only travel when there is enough room for their personal camera crew to follow them.

Each team also has its own director of photography travelling behind them with GoPro cameras for when space is limited - for places such as boat cabins, this made life a lot easier.

According to The Independent, Richard Osman discussed the logistics of the show on an episode of his The Rest is Entertainment podcast. He explained that a "follow car" also travels behind each team and their designated pair of camera crew.

These cars contain security personnel and a medic, alongside technical equipment required, such as a spare camera and batteries. For a more natural feel, the contestants never see the following car, which follows behind discreetly.

Interestingly, a second camera team then retraces the steps of the racing duos to capture a better quality of footage, which is then edited into the final product. Drones are used to capture some landscape shots around the couples.

Speaking to the iPaper, former contestant Jenna revealed that the crews really don't leave the contestants' side, even when they're shopping for personal items such as Tampax and Anusol piles cream - although these moments don't make the final edit, of course.

Jenna also reported that she was even accompanied while sleeping, eating and using the toilet. She did point out that the crew would take their headphones off for very private moments such as these, though.

On top of all of that, a safety adviser worked on location in some areas, while some countries had a medical support vehicle in place, travelling around an hour behind the teams.

When planning the very first season - the blueprint for the rest of the seasons to follow - Mark Saben gave further insight into just what went into the logistics.

"We got two assistant producers to do a recce first," he explained, adding, "It's all very well doing theoretically, looking at timetables and things. But until someone does it for real, you don't know where the difficulties might lie."

The executive producer continued, "One of the poor sods had to do the actual trip again as they were attached to one of the teams - he was very stoical and didn't tell them until the very end though. As much as possible, we wanted it to feel like a dry run."

Since escaping Gilead, June has worked on her marriage while continuing to see Nick whenever the opportunity comes up. Nick has further complicated their romance by staying in Gilead and being promoted to Commander, and getting his Gilead wife pregnant.

In wanting June to move to New Bethlehem, Nick would get the best of both worlds - he'd get easy access to June and his daughter, Nicole, and June could be closer than ever to getting Hannah back. June has a big decision to make, and we look at whether she could choose to be with Nick at the end of The Handmaid's Tale season 6.

The following content contains spoilers for The Handmaid's Tale season 6 and possible spoilers for The Testaments.

Does June end up with Nick?

At the end of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale novel, there's no solid conclusion to June and Nick's story. In his strange dual role, both working as an Eye and a Mayday operative, it appears Nick brings Mayday to the Waterfords' home to take June to a place of safety.

That is where the book and season 1 end, and therefore the source material for the show - everything since that moment has been written purely for television. Although based on speculation and theories, we predict June and Luke won't be together at the end of The Handmaid's Tale season 6, and we have our reasons.

Throughout all seasons of the show, June continuously grapples with Luke being her original love and the feelings she once had for him, and everything he's done for her while he was in and out of Gilead. On the other hand, Luke doesn't and never will understand what it was like to be trapped in the violent, totalitarian regime.

This is where June and Nick's connection is incomparable to her relationship with Luke. Their shared experience of such a deeply traumatic and volatile place to live, not to mention now sharing a child, means they'll be inextricably linked in a way June and Luke will never be.

We get it, Luke has acted as caregiver to Nicole, June's daughter with Nick, in her absence - a pretty selfless act when Nicole isn't his biological daughter. He's looked out for his wife in every single way, and it's easy to see why June would feel guilty over her feelings for Nick.

Nick compounds these feelings by continuously not making things easy in their relationship. He's had plenty of opportunities to leave Gilead but has consistently chosen to stay there and rise up the ranks.

This could be because he feels better placed to protect June and Nicole from there, or simply because he wants his cake and to eat it - to keep his wife and family there while keeping June on the side.

We don't particularly buy into that, though, as he seems pretty smitten with his former Handmaid love. So will they end up together? We think they will at some point, just not at the season 6 conclusion.

There's slightly more information about Nick in The Testaments, but still nothing solid about whether he's with June romantically or not. He does leave Gilead to continue Mayday operations on the outside. June also continues life working for Mayday, and we'd like to think they'd end up together without Gilead borders to separate them.

Elisabeth Moss once add fuel to our theory while speaking to Deadline. She argued she believes June loves Nick and he is the person she ultimately wants to be with. Series creator Bruce Miller also admitted the show had been written to keep audiences invested in June and Nick's relationship.

However, after Nick's horrific betrayal of June in season 6 that left us absolutely reeling, we've come to think The Handmaid's Tale crew only tease us with happy endings and real love, and never planned for June and Nick to end up together at all.

Really? We always knew it was unlikely June would get her daughter back, but throwing this extra insult at somebody whose already been through so much is too much. June deserved the smoking hot man she'd come to adore. She deserved something - not just freedom tainted with constant pining for those she loves.

Returning to the novel for proof they could work through this betrayal, at the end of The Testaments, June is reunited with both her daughters, and Luke and Nick are both able to be with their respective daughters. So, everyone's alive.

But while it isn't stated which of the pair June is actually with, Bruce Miller got his way, and we're definitely team Nick despite his flaws and dubious decisions - and the fact he's there right at the end gives us hope the couple had been Mayday's hottest couple for the intervening years between novels. Sorry, Luke.

For the five duos, this means traveling 14,000km with the cash equivalent of a one-way plane ticket - except they can travel by any means apart from by plane. They also have the opportunity to earn more money for their adventures along the way as they dash to the finish line in the hopes of claiming the £20,000 prize money.

With a large, globally invested viewership, fans don't want to miss out on any episodes of the show, and there's no need to, as we share how to watch it from anywhere.

How to watch Race Across the World in the UK

If you're in the UK, it's very simple to watch Race Across the World as it's free to view on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Providing you have a TV licence, you can watch each episode as it lands with the first airing on BBC One at 9pm on Wednesday, April 23.

BBC iPlayer is free to use, and all you need is an email address, a UK postcode and TV licence to sign up for a BBC iPlayer account. If you've missed any previous seasons or just want to re-live the excitement once again, all four seasons are currently available to watch for free on iPlayer on demand.

How to watch Race Across the World from anywhere

If you’re going to be away from your usual TV set-up when Race Across the World airs airs but don't want to wait a single moment to see the phoneless intrepid explorers make their epic journeys, there's no need to worry.

You can still enjoy each of the episodes on BBC iPlayer, with the use of a Virtual Private Network - a VPN. A VPN allows you to change your IP address to that of the area where you want to watch, meaning you can tune in to the series, even if you're not there.

Our sister site, TechRadar, has tested all of the major VPN services and they rate Nord to be the absolute best. They say, "It’s compatible with all of your devices, supports most streaming services, and ranks among the fastest. You can even install it on devices like an Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Xbox, and PlayStation. So for a one-stop-shop, you can’t go wrong with Express."

If you've never installed a VPN before, don't worry, it's quick and easy. Just follow these three steps:

1. Download and install the VPN following NordVPN's easy-to-follow instructions.
2. Once you've installed your VPN, open the app and select your server location as anywhere in the UK.
3. With your VPN installed and server location set to UK, you can now watch Race Across the World on BBC iPlayer for free.

While season 6 of the smash hit dystopian drama has left viewers with questions about the mysterious New Bethlehem and whether we'll ever find out what happened to Emily, there's another key question on their lips - will Janine die?

We look at the potential fate of one of Gilead's most longstanding and long-suffering Handmaids.

The following content contains spoilers for The Handmaid's Tale season 6.

Does Janine die in The Handmaid's Tale?

While Janine is alive for most of The Handmaid's Tale season 6, her ultimate fate by the very end of the series remains unknown. Janine doesn't die in Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel, and she isn't mentioned in the 2019 sequel, The Testaments. Therefore, based on the novels, it's difficult to ascertain her fate.

While we love that she's made it this far in the show, the series is known for unhappy endings and cruelty towards its characters and we wouldn't be shocked if Janine fell foul of this. However, she is the one person who deserves to find some sort of peace and happiness (and June needs to end the show in a relationship with Nick - there, we said it.)

Before she was rounded up and sent to Gilead, Janine was a waitress and single mother. She'd also previously had an abortion, and these factors combined made her the sort of sinful, fallen woman Gilead delighted to turn into Handmaids.

Arriving at the Red Centre at the start of the show traumatised after having her son, Caleb taken from her, Janine defies the Aunts until she's dragged to another room to have an eye removed to bring her into line.

One of the first Handmaids to get pregnant, Janine unsurprisingly never comes to terms with having to hand her baby over to Commander and Mrs Putnam. While the Putnams name the baby Angela, Janine secretly names her Charlotte, and only ever has snatched glimpses of her daughter. Eventually, abducting Charlotte lands her in The Colonies .

June later finds out that Janine's son Caleb had been involved in a car accident with his Gilead family and had died - she chooses not to reveal this information to Janine.

Janine is returned to Handmaid status when a bombing at the Red Centre kills some of the other Handmaids, leading to a shortage, but Janine's life continues to be miserable despite being saved from a slow and painful death at The Colonies.

Janine managed to escape Gilead with June in season 4, only to be captured and returned while June made it safely to Canada.

Once back in Gilead's clutches, Janine was poisoned by a vengeful Esther Keyes, who'd been demoted from Wife to Handmaid. Janine nearly died in the attack, spending the majority of season five recovering.

Season 6 sees the fragile Handmaid sent to Jezebels to work as a sex slave, to the horror of Aunt Lydia, who believes one of her best girls, for whom she had an unusual soft spot, deserves better.

Viewers have come to believe that Janine's placement in Jezebels and alliance with Commander Lawrence have put her life at risk. It's been revealed during season 6 that other Gilead high-ranking Commanders have plans to have Commander Lawrence killed and New Bethlehem returned to full Gilead law.

With Commander Lawrence now stepfather to Angela/Charlotte and collaborating with Janine over parenting matters, both their lives are potentially in jeopardy.

The new, and possibly most evil Commander of them all, Commander Bell, both despises Commander Lawrence and is obsessed with Janine.

Seeing the pair head off to a room together, Commander Bell looks mutinous, and fans are worried that his continued power trip will see him have Janine killed because he can't have sole access to her and wants to punish her for talking to another man.

However, this is just a theory, and there has been no official word about Janine's future, although we sincerely hope it involves being reunited with Charlotte and a whole lot of therapy in a peaceful part of Canada.

Madeline Brewer has gently hinted that Janine will be alive at the end of the series. Speaking to The Cut, the actress revealed, "I had enough time between seasons to prepare myself for the goodbye."

"But Janine doesn’t end with much fanfare; she ends in a quietly beautiful way, to the point where you can kind of just imagine what her life might be like. It’s such a cyclical thing, starting the show in 2016 and finishing the show in early 2025. I’m ready to leave this world and take everything it’s taught me."

The phrases "quietly beautiful" and "imagine what her life would be like" certainly don't sound like somebody no longer alive. Long live Janine.

Going to any lengths to be reunited with her wife and child in Canada, Dr. Emily Malek suffered some of the worst horrors at the hands of Gilead - she was also involved in some of the show's most satisfying moments - almost putting an end to the evil Aunt Lydia being one of them.

Playing a huge part in smuggling baby Nicole into Canada, Emily stopped appearing in the show after season 4. Viewers are eager to find out what became of the iconic character, and we take a look at her possible fate and why Alexis Bledel chose to step away from the role.

What happens to Emily in The Handmaid's Tale?

As far as viewers are aware, Emily is still part of the resistance and fighting in Gilead. Despite safely arriving in Canada and being reunited with wife Sylvia (Clea Duvall), and son, Oliver, a traumatised Emily ultimately decided she couldn't stay with her family and needed to do everything she could to help bring Gilead down.

While she was a Handmaid, Emily had entered into a relationship with a Martha. As same-sex relationships are banned in Gilead, the pair were branded gender traitors and Emily was forced to watch while the Martha was hanged.

Emily was spared because of her fertility and for her punishment, Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) arranged for her to undergo forced genital mutilation surgery.

The next time she is out shopping with June, Emily seizes an opportunity for revenge, grabbing an empty vehicle and running over an Eye - this sees her sent to the colonies to live out the rest of her days undertaking hard labour.

After a bomb at the Red Centre kills some Handmaids and numbers of fertile women are depleted, Emily was soon returned to Gilead to once again be placed with a commander and his wife to try and give them a baby.

Fuelled by anger and trauma, a headstrong Emily sees another opportunity to exact revenge on the regime that's rained down considerable trauma upon her by getting hold a knife, stabbing Aunt Lydia and pushing her down the stairs.

While Aunt Lydia survives the attack, Commander Lawrence helps Emily escape to Canada to avoid the consequences of her actions. Taking baby Nicole with her, Emily is applauded as she arrives at a place of safety in the country.

However, she struggles to settle back into normal life and the psychological damage is too much for her. Although she plays a part in the murder of Commander Waterford, it's not enough, and she makes a clandestine move to return to Gilead and fight, especially hoping to finally see off Aunt Lydia.

When June arrived at Emily and Sylvia's home in Canada to be told Emily had simply called Sylvia to say she was returning to Gilead, June became distraught.

Clearly placing a lot of blame on June for her wife's decision, Sylvia was less than enthusiastic to converse with June about it, telling her she and Oliver would just have to be grateful for the time they got with Emily, as it was unlikely they'd ever see her again.

In the show's current timeline, while viewers cross their fingers that June will get Hannah back, they also want to know what became of Emily - it could be assumed that, as her death hasn't been confirmed, she remains fighting as part of the resistance.

We hope that either The Handmaid's Tale season 6 climax or the show's spin-off, The Testaments, will give viewers closure on just what happened to such a formidable and excellent character.

Why did Alexis Bledel leave The Handmaid's Tale?

Of course, Emily's departure from the series was fuelled by Alexis Bledel, who plays the character, wanting to leave the show.

At the time of her exit, Alexis didn't explicitly state why she made the decision to leave the series. The actress simply said in a statement, "After much thought, I felt I had to step away from The Handmaid’s Tale at this time."

She added, "I am forever grateful to [showrunner] Bruce Miller for writing such truthful and resonant scenes for Emily, and to Hulu, MGM, the cast and crew for their support."

Her decision came as a surprise to the cast and crew, who had been planning season 5 with Emily still very much part of the series - Alexis had always been so gushing about her character.

"It's such an honour to get to play her," she's once told E! News about filming Emily's backstory scenes. She continued, "I was so excited to get to flash back and then flash forward, basically, in one episode. It gives me such an incredible creative challenge, that I love. It's just so creatively satisfying. It's really fun."

However, as per Hollywood Reporter, the actress quietly revealed her reason for leaving to the series creator, Bruce Miller.

"Alexis made that decision completely on her own," he explained, continuing, "It was a complicated time and she let me know. What I tried to do was deal with it in the way we were all feeling at that point. Like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ So I think that, in some ways, the real emotions wag the dog."

Part of that conversation has been had among women in the public eye - from US icons like former FLOTUS Michelle Obama and actress Jennifer Aniston to UK celebrities like Carol Vorderman and Davina McCall.

These women have opened up on their struggles with menopause symptoms, opinions on things that need to change, and what they love about menopause, encouraging the rest of us to do the same.

Celebrities who have spoken openly about menopause

Davina McCall on hangovers in menopause

A lot changes in menopause - and our ability to withstand alcohol's negative effects is one of them. In conversation with Ruari Fairbairns, founder of One Year No Beer, Davina agrees that "alcohol is cryptonite for menopause".

She says: "It appears that they are processing alcohol in a completely different way because the hangovers seem, in my experience with my friends, much worse."

Davina has been sober for over 30 years and now "loves" living life without alcohol.

Lorraine Kelly on talking to others about menopause

The conversation around menopause has changed in recent years, mainly because there actually is a conversation now, rather than it being a 'taboo' topic only spoken about among friends.

"I'm 65 now and about 10 years ago we wanted to do something on the menopause and nobody would talk me about it," she told Sam Baker in 2025.

"It was really interesting and I'm not saying that we broke down barriers or anything but I think we were part of a movement at that time," she said.

Louise Minchin on brain fog

Louise Minchin, host of BBC Breakfast until 2021, told the show about the brain fog she experienced while on the show. "The words would not come out, the brain fog was real," she said, referring to an interview she did with George Osborne.

"I came off set that day and thought, ‘what is going on". These are very real problems," she said.

Michelle Obama on menopause shame

While on the campaign trail with Kamila Harris in 2024, former FLOTUS Michelle Obama said that "we've been taught shame" about menopause and other women's health issues.

"Too many women my age have no idea what's going on with our bodies as we battle through menopause and debilitating hot flashes and depression," she said.

Gwyneth Paltrow on speaking up about menopause

In conversation with Dr Mary Claire Haver - a board-certified OB-GYN, certified menopause practitioner, and author of The New Menopause - Gwyneth said that "for too long, menopause has been misunderstood, leaving many women feeling unprepared and unheard".

It's not something "we just have to get through - it's a transition worth understanding an opportunity to take ownership of our health in a whole new way", she said.

Sharon Davies on HRT

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been a contentious subject for many years. It's now considered safe for most women, but many still look for HRT alternatives.

Sharon Davies, a former competitive swimmer for England, said that she "wouldn't be without" it herself on an X post in 2024.

Trisha Goddard on menopause not just being a feminist issue

Talking to The Sun in 2021, Trisha Goddard said: "The menopause isn’t a feminist issue, it’s an education issue."

She also opened up about her relationship problems with husband Peter, who she divorced in 2017. "Our problems weren’t just about libido. They were about lack of connection and the whole thing, but my symptoms threw fuel on the fire."

Kay Burley on blood pressure

Kay Burley is another popular daytime television figure who's opened up about her experience of menopause. The Sky News broadcaster revealed that she was taking medication to lower her blood pressure and was "unaware that menopause further lowered it".

She says it led to a fainting episode in the shower that resulted in a black eye and head injury.

Emma Thompson on being grateful for menopause

While accepting Best Actress for Saving Mr Banks in 2014 at the National Board of Review, Emma Thompson said jokingly that she was "actively grateful for menopause" as it was "such a cold night", implying the hot flushes were keeping her warm.

She has also openly joined other celebrities, like Davina McCall, in calling for women to have more support in menopause.

Helen Mirren on life 'not ending' in menopause

"Life doesn’t end with menopause; it’s the beginning of a new adventure, so strap in and enjoy the ride," is a quote widely attributed to Dame Helen Mirren.

The actress has always been a positive voice on ageing, telling Vogue that her mother once said to her: "Never worry about getting older. I know the thought of you being 45 when you’re 25 is, Oh, my god! Who wants to be 45? But it’s amazing because when you get to be 45, you’ll realise it’s actually very cool and you don’t want to be 25 again."

Naomi Watts on not being invisible

"It’s really important that people understand it’s not the end, and we are still relevant," Naomi Watts told Red Magazine in 2025. "We’re not invisible. Our experiences matter."

Speaking to the publication about her book, Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I’d Known About Menopause, the star said menopause was "inevitable" and "we're lucky enough to live that long".

"So why shouldn’t you feel empowered, take agency and advocate for yourself?"?’

Drew Barrymore on not staying stuck in menopause

Speaking to Oprah, Drew Barrymore said she thought she'd have to "muscle through menopause for 10 years".

She said: "Menopause hasn’t been part of the conversation, and just by talking about it, I hope for a societal shift in perception."

As for her own experience, she said: "I'm gonna do as I do with everything in life, not stay stuck."

Halle Berry on not having answers

Halle Berry has been very open about her experience of menopause, going so far as to share changes in her workout routine.

She's also spoken about the lack of information women have about menopause. Even as someone with access to the "best doctors in the world", she says she still "had no answers".

It's one of the reasons why she built Respin - her own menopause platform.

"I was one of the millions of women who spent 4-5 years of their lives being misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all. My doctors told me I was “simply ageing” - and that this is what happens to all women," she said.

Tracee Ellis Ross on menopause being 'bizarre'

In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, Tracee Ellis Ross revealed that perimenopause was "really frying" her brain. "It is really bizarre, but it is the most glorious invitation into a new season and chapter in my life. There's no information about it. There's shame talking about it," she said.

She also revealed her friend had told her "your womb will no longer have to be thinking it's going to make a baby. You can fill it with all your creativity".

Salma Hayek on mood swings

"I have gone through [mood swings and hot flashes], I still kind of am, but you've got to notice those moments and take a deep breath and kind of say, 'Okay, it'll pass'," she said on an episode of Red Table Talk.

Like many of the other celebrities who've opened up about menopause, she's optimistic about the future post-menopause. "You can kick ass at any age. You can hold your own at any age, you can dream at any age, you can be romantic at any age," she said.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, on women leaving the workplace

In a roundtable discussion to support the 'Menopause Workplace Pledge', the Duchess of Edinburgh said that it was "tragic" that women were having to leave work because of menopause.

"We are fabulous in our 40s, and we are even more fabulous in our 50s, 60s and 70s and we need to celebrate that and keep opportunities going for women," she said.

Lisa Snowdon on the mental impact of menopause

We often discuss the physical symptoms of menopause, but menopause and anxiety are famously linked, as are menopause and depression.

It's something Lisa Snowdon has spoken about before. "I had no idea what was happening to me. Looking back at my early 40s, it felt like I had been hit by a train. Out of the blue, I experienced anxiety, depression, overwhelming emotions, and a total inability to process stress or function properly," she said, while sharing her story in a video with Bupa Health.

Jennifer Aniston on menopause 'taking over'

Speaking to Hello! Magazine in 2024, Jennifer Aniston said menopause is "like some alien is taking over your body and it doesn't make sense".

She also said: "It all depends on when your mom went through it, which I didn't know. And it helps to have that information."

Jennifer Saunders on making jokes about menopause

Jennifer Saunders went into early menopause after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She told the BBC that she was "so full of chemicals after two years of chemo" that she had "no idea" what was happening, and that it was the "tiniest thing compared to everything that's happening".

Still, she admitted that everything she used to "make jokes about" in her comedy roles was actually true. "Your place in the world, and how you feel about yourself, your general feeling about sexiness and libido, it’s an indefinable something that you don’t have anymore, but for me, I feel completely able to do what I want to do.”

Oprah Winfrey

Ahead of her Disney+ special, An Oprah Winfrey Special: The Menopause Revolution, Oprah Winfrey spoke to ABC News' Good Morning America.

In the interview, she said she experienced many mental and physical symptoms, including one that made her feel like she was "going to die".

She told the hosts: "I didn't have night sweats, and I didn't have hot flashes, but I had never heard that heart palpitations was a symptom of menopause. When I was going through it, there was nothing. There was nobody. I felt literally like I was going to die every single night."

Kim Cattrall

In 2014, the Sex and the City star spoke to Cosmopolitan about her experience of menopause. “I don’t think it’s shameful. It's as natural as having a child - it really is; it’s part of life,” she said.

The star also acknowledged then that there was a huge lack of information and education around menopause for women. "I think it’s one of the reasons why it’s so taboo is because we don’t talk about it - it’s too frightening even to talk to [a] doctor about it. I want to reach out to women to encourage them to educate themselves about this time in their lives.”

Cynthia Nixon on menopause bringing freedom

Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon shared she was going through menopause in 2017 in an interview with Stella Magazine. She said: "There's been no sadness for me because once you hit 50, you're done. The freedom that comes from no longer being fertile is huge."

The star also shared that she went through menopause at the same time as her wife, Christine.

Gillian Anderson on menopause being a rite of passage

Speaking to People in 2017, the Sex Education and The Crown actress said that perimenopause and menopause should be "treated as the rites of passage that they are" and if they aren't celebrated, then they should at least" be accepted and acknowledged.

“Admit, freely, that this is what’s going on. So we don’t feel like we’re going mad or insane or alone in any of the symptoms we are having," she said.

Julie Walters on hot flushes

In 2015, Julie Walters shared her experience of going through menopause with SAGA.

"Oh, God! It was like a chimney and came from the base of my spine. I was doing this TV show called Murder, and every take there’d be, ‘Stop! She’s having a flush!’” she said.

“At the National, I’d come offstage for a quick change and have to shout, ‘Garth, the tray!’ And this guy would come with this big tin tray and fan me," she said.

Shania Twain on menopause being a 'good thing'

Just after her 58th birthday in 2023, Shania Twain told New York Post that she learnt a few lessons from menopause very quickly.

“Menopause taught me to quickly say, ‘You know, it may only get worse. So just love yourself now. Just get over your insecurities - they’re standing in your way. And fear is standing in your way.’ I always sing about being fearless and all of that. I go there when I write. But I’m not living it the way I’m writing it. And I want to live the way I write. I’m more fierce than I ever was because I really demanded it [of] myself," she said.

Gayle King on sweating in menopause

During the 'Facing Fertility' series on CBS Mornings, host Gayle King said she felt like she was "burning inside" during menopause.

"For me, it was just a physical heat and then sometimes you have dripping, drenching sweats that can just happen at the most inopportune times," she said.

Sandra Oh on the confidence that comes with age

While not speaking about menopause directly, Sandra Oh shared that she was feeling more confident with age. "Ageing is the greatest. It really gives you more space to be that person...who has always been inside," she told W Magazine.

Speaking with InStyle in 2019, then aged 47, she also revealed she had more confidence now than she had at 20. "At 47, it’s like, 'You need me to put on a crazy dress with mirrors? Yeah, sure."

Angelina Jolie on early menopause

In 2015, Angelina Jolie revealed that she had gone through early menopause after a surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes due to high-risk ovarian cancer.

"I expect some physical changes,” the actress and filmmaker, 39 at the time, wrote in an op-ed for The New York Times. “But I feel at ease with whatever will come, not because I am strong but because this is a part of life. It is nothing to be feared."

Gabby Logan on staying in the workplace after menopause

Sports presenter Gaby Logan has opened up about her experience of menopause many times, after being diagnosed at 47.

"I think it’s really important women feel they can stay in the workplace once they hit the menopause or they’re in perimenopause. Having spoken to a lot of people about how women do leave the workplace because of what are actually quite minor alterations that would be needed, I think it’s really important to get behind any campaigns that are there to encourage women to stay in the workplace," she said in an interview with Women's Health.

Carol Vorderman on depression in menopause

Carol Vorderman bravely opened up about her experience of depression in menopause on the Postcards from Midlife podcast. "When I went through it I had severe depression for about six months. I think it was 2015. There was nothing wrong in my life, I had made a lot of money, my kids were fine, my mum was fine. There was no problem.

"And yet I would wake up in this huge bed in this huge house, I've got a swimming pool outside and all of that, and I just thought 'what’s the point?'," she said.

She said that she knew more now where to go for help, adding that she was pleased to see the 'taboo' around discussing menopause was changing.

Shappi Khorsandi on not staying quiet about menopause

Comedian and author Shappi Khorsandi wrote in The Independent that it was "incredible how women feel this major life change should be dealt with in utter privacy from which we finally emerge, experts in cross stitch and quilting".

"It’s taken us so long to start talking about it openly, and it’s a relief, I can tell you," she wrote.

Andrea McLean on carrying on with normal life in menopause

Loose Women’s Andrea McLean shared her experience of menopause in her book, Confessions of a Menopausal Woman.

“Take away the word ‘menopause’ and just look at the symptoms women experience during this time: night sweats, joint and muscle pain, memory loss, depression, fatigue, lethargy, loss of libido. How can anyone be expected to carry on a normal life while living in such physical and mental discomfort without support? It’s insane when you consider that half the population of the whole world will go through this phase of life and be expected to keep a stiff upper lip, not mention anything and simply get on with it,” she wrote.