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James Corden reveals he turned to controversial weight loss jab ahead of Gavin and Stacey return
GAVIN and Stacey star opens up about his struggles with binge eating and admitted to using the controversial weight loss drug Ozempic in an effort to slim down.
James, 46, previously admitted to being bullied over his weight.
He opened up about his mental health issues and how it lead to food addiction, revealing he binge eats giant chocolate bars in his car.
In a segment for his Sirius XM radio show, the actor explained what happened when he turned to medication for help.
Ozempic is a diabetes drug that many celebrities have been crediting with drastic weight-loss.
The medication is known to make its user feel full, and interacts with the body’s hormones to slow down metabolism.
However, NHS doctors have also warned of “dangerous” complications that come when the drug is “abused”.
James said: “I tried Ozempic, and it won’t be surprising to you when you look at me now, that it didn’t really work.
“I tried it for a bit and then what I realised was I was like, ‘Oh no, nothing about my eating has anything to do with being hungry.’
“All it does is make you feel not hungry. But I am very rarely eating [just because I’m hungry].”
He added: “You are looking at someone who’s eaten a king size, and when I say king size Dairy Mil – one you give someone for Christmas – in a carwash.
“None of that was like, oh, I’m so hungry. It is not that, it’s something else.”
Other celebrities have chimed in on the debate around Ozempic.
Oscar-winning actor Kate Winslet is against the use of the drug, along with former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne warning of its use.
Kelly Osbourne incited fury after she said any critics of the drug simply “couldn’t afford it”.
Earlier this year, Stephen Fry also warned about its use after he said he was “throwing up five times a day” when he tried it.
What is Ozempic?
So what exactly is this drug? Semaglutide belongs to a class called GLP-1 agonists, which not only regulate blood sugar but, as was discovered about a decade ago, also mimic the gut hormones that regulate our appetites – the ones that tell the brain when we are hungry or full.
Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, it is used off-label (for a purpose other than that for which it was licensed) in both the US and the UK to treat obesity. In research conducted by its billionaire manufacturer, the Danish-based pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, patients lost an average of 17 per cent of their overall body weight over 68 weeks. This compares with five to nine per cent for ‘oldschool’ anti-obesity drugs such as Metformin.
Only available in the UK on the NHS if you have type 2 diabetes, Ozempic can be obtained through a private doctor, and if you are willing to take it without medical supervision – not recommended by doctors (see panel) – you can get it online through various weight-loss programmes. It is sometimes taken in tablet form but more commonly as an injection.
Hollywood has been aware of Ozempic for a lot longer than us – Variety magazine recently quipped that the drug deserved its own thank-you speech at the Emmys, as so many stars on the podium had obviously been taking it. Elon Musk raved about its more powerful sister drug, Wegovy, on Twitter; Kim Kardashian, it is hotly rumoured, used semaglutide to lose 16lb in order to fit into Marilyn Monroe’s dress for the Met Ball. On TikTok the hashtag #ozempic has had more than 285 million views.
Thanks to the hype, there has been a surge in demand, with a backlash against influencers and celebrities hogging supplies ahead of desperate diabetes sufferers.
“The first week or so, I was thinking, ‘This is astonishing. Not only do I not want to eat, I don’t want any alcohol of any kind.’
“This is going to be brilliant,’” he said during a recent appearance on the River Café Table 4 podcast.
He was forced to stop taking Ozempic after he began feeling “sicker and sicker”.
Oprah Winfry made a documentary, ‘An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution’, for ABC about the weight-loss drug.
After he first found fame on slimming club comedy Fat Friends, James signed a multi million pound deal to be the face of Weight Watchers three years ago.
He praised them for helping him shed two stone, but he parted ways with the company last year.
After nearly a decade in Hollywood hosting The Late, Late Show, James stepped down from his role last year and returned to the UK with his wife and family.
He is now working on the upcoming Gavin and Stacey Christmas special, which will reunite him with former co-stars Mathew Horne, Joanna Page, Rob Brydon, and co-creator Ruth Jones.
This special is being promoted as the final installment of the award-winning comedy.
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Strictly’s Oti Mabuse shows off her incredible weight loss transformation after dropping FOUR dress sizes
FORMER Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse has opened up about her weight loss journey.
The professional dancer revealed she dropped four dress sizes – while admitting it’s been one of the “toughest” experiences of her life.
Oti, 34, gave birth a year ago and also battles with gestational diabetes.
She took to social media sharing how her health concerns spurred her into action with seeking out a more active lifestyle.
“It wasn’t just about the number on the scale,” Oti explained. “It was about feeling stronger, healthier, and more alive.”
Starting her journey at a size 18, Oti has now slimmed down to a size 10, but she emphasized that this transformation was never about getting “skinny”.
Instead, she focused on gaining strength, confidence, and creating a healthier lifestyle that felt sustainable.
The Dancing on Ice judge admitted that it wasn’t easy to break lifelong habits, try new foods, or push her body in ways she never had before.
But the hard work has paid off, and she’s thrilled with the results.
She told followers: “Wow. To see my body transform, not just in shape, but in how it feels… that’s a win every day.
“I’m proud of where I am, at whatever size, and I want every woman to feel that sense of pride too.
“This isn’t just my journey. It’s MY journey. I would love for you to come along with me—to feel empowered, to feel strong, and to live life fully!”
Oti invited fans to join her in celebrating health and vitality by attending her upcoming dance tour, Viva Carnival.
Followers flocked to praise the former Strictly pro, with one saying: “Some women take longer to get back in those jeans after having a baby, we are not all the same. You’ve done fantastic and you look gorgeous.”
Another pointed out: “Your body grew a whole human!! You look amazing.”
Catherine Zeta Jones, 55, poses completely naked as she reveals raunchy birthday gift for Michael Douglas, 80
CATHERINE Zeta Jones gave husband Michael Douglas a birthday gift to remember as she stripped naked for a raunchy photograph.
The 55-year-old actress and Hollywood veteran Michael, 80, share the same special day, and Catherine’s tribute to her man certainly went down well with their fans.
She shared a black and white profile shot of her standing in the buff in the bathroom.
The brunette beauty’s long legs were accentuated by a pair of heels as she gazed into a mirror.
Catherine captioned her post: “In my birthday suit! After over 25 years of sharing my birthday day with my husband, I am running out of gift ideas!
“This is gift option two, golf balls being option one… of course.”
One fan commented: “Excellent gift for your husband and your admirers, for such a beautiful image. Happy and blessed birthday, many blessings.”
Another said: “Let’s be fair if Catherine looks like that NOW, every day is a birthday for Michael!
A third wrote: “Omg breathtaking. Your husband will be so happy.”
The previous day Catherine shared another photo, this time of Michael planting an affectionate kiss on her earlier in their marriage.
She said: “Happy Birthday to Michael and to me!! This was us on our birthday 25 years ago! I love you with all my heart, our friend @jeanpigozzi snapped us in New York!!”
Catherine’s funny golf balls comment was very fitting given their joint love of the game, which is one of the main reasons they got together back in 1998.
Two years later the couple were married and they’ve had many a happy round on courses around the world since.
Speaking earlier this year on US talk show The View, Michael revealed the very risqué forfeit Catherine gives him when he loses.
He explained The Mask of Zorro actress makes him “whip it out.”
The Fatal Attraction actor continued: “She says, ‘You’ve gotta whip it out.’
“Drop the trou and whip it out.
“That’s the secret to a marriage.”
Michael went on to say he doesn’t do it any more as he’s getting older.
He said: “I’m going to be 80 in September, so now I play off of ladies tees, too, so I don’t have to do that anymore.”
It wasn’t the first time Michael has spoken out the lovers’ joint appreciation for the game.
In April, he told Ross King on Lorraine that golf brought them together.
“You know, Catherine loves golf,” he said. “That was actually kind of the closest we first got together.
“Things were looking good and I said, ‘What do you think of golf?’
“She said, ‘Oh, I love golf!’, and I said, ‘Oh, you do?’ That’s too good to be true.”
He also revealed he knew Catherine was the one soon after they first met and told her “I want to father your children.”
The pair went on to welcome two kids – Carys, 21, and Dylan, 24.
Michael also has a son, Cameron, 45, from a previous marriage.
UPS AND DOWNS
Despite their many years of marriage, their love story hasn’t been smooth sailing.
In 2013, the pair separated for about a year.
At the time of their split, Michael opened up to Extra TV about the separation.
“Catherine and I are fine,” he said.
“The press tries to push it along a little faster. We’re taking a little break.
“We talk. I think everything will be great.”
After the pair reconciled, he told Ellen, “I’m crazy about her… I think every couple has their difficulties.
“The only problem is, as you well know, we’re all in the public eye, and it tends to get a little more exposed than most.”
I’ve been married for 4 years but my hubby gives me the ick – his breath stinks, he’s got no money & I feel like his mum
A WOMAN has revealed that she has been married for four years, but her husband gives her the ick.
The mother explained that not only does his breath smell, but he’s also now got no money and is in credit card debt.
If that wasn’t bad enough, the woman explained that she feels like his mother and struggles that he doesn’t help around the house and can’t communicate properly.
Posting on social media, the anonymous woman revealed all on her situation, leaving many open-mouthed.
Posting on Reddit, on the r/Divorce thread, the woman titled her post ‘I have the “ick” with my husband, should I get a divorce?’.
She then asked Reddit users: “Am I being selfish/dramatic?”
The woman explained that she, 26, has been married to her husband, 27, for four years, and they have two children together, both of whom are under the age of three.
She shared that the couple are seeing a couples counsellor, but despite this, she wrote: “I just don’t love him anymore.”
The mother then revealed the eight main issues she has with her man – first of all being that he “doesn’t help around the house.”
She added: “We go through cycles where he will help when I tell him that I’m upset with him, but he doesn’t ever act like an equal partner.”
Not only this, but she also shared her husband’s “addictions”, as she added: “He’s on his phone constantly, so much so that my friends and family comment on it.
“He also hides what’s on his phone from me. He puts it on do not disturb when he shows me anything and freaks out if I get near it.
“When I confronted this he said it’s because I will make negative comments on the notifications from his game that he’s addicted to.
“He is also addicted to and spends probably $200 [£150] a month on caffeine.
“Plus his jul thing that makes his breath stink and I don’t know how much that even costs.”
In addition to his smelly breath, the woman claimed that his finances have also given her the ick.
How to tell if you’ve fallen out of love
Relationship expert Kate Taylor has revealed key signs to determine if your significant other is starting to feel more like a housemate:
- Lack of Quality Time Together: If you find yourselves rarely spending meaningful time together, it might be a sign.
- Routine Conversations: Conversations become more about logistics and less about personal connection.
- Separate Lives: Increasingly spending time apart or having separate social lives.
- Intimacy Decline: A noticeable drop in physical and emotional intimacy.
- Household Chores: Focusing more on dividing chores rather than enjoying each other’s company.
She revealed: “He used to make a lot of money, something like $160k [£120k] last year. We have separate bank accounts so I don’t know what he does with his money.
“He now has absolutely no money and is in credit card debt because having really nice sports cars was more important to him.
“Right now I’m paying for the mortgage, and everything except insurance and his brand new truck.
“I cannot talk to him about finances because I’ll tell him that he’s bad with money but actually, according to him, I’m the one that’s bad with money. I have $100k+ [£75k] in savings.”
I’m the life of the party and I wish that he could be the life of the party with me. But instead I feel held back
Reddit user
The woman explained that her husband has ADHD, and according to him, she isn’t “respectful enough” about it.
She highlighted: “He expects me to make reminders and lists for him of things I need to have done, such as dishes, laundry etc.
“In my opinion, that is both of our jobs and I’m not his mother, I don’t need to make chore lists for him.”
Similarly to this, she added: “’I feel like his mum. He treats me like his mum. He asks permission to do anything.”
Usually our conversations consist of work drama or the kids. Nothing intellectual
Reddit user
On top of feeling like his mother, the woman explained that communication in their marriage is an issue.
She penned: “Every time we have a conversation about the issues it’s turned back on me. I’m “mean.”
“Yes I can be insensitive, but only because he is so dramatic. Usually our conversations consist of work drama or the kids. Nothing intellectual.”
If that wasn’t bad enough, the woman explained: “My friends and family don’t like him because of all of the reasons above but mostly because he is so selfish. He has no idea that he even is selfish.”
The angry wife also explained that whilst she is an “adventurous person”, her husband is “not fun”.
Clearly frustrated, she continued: “He hates going to events where there’s a lot of people, and I just want to have fun.
“I’m the life of the party and I wish that he could be the life of the party with me. But instead I feel held back.”
I feel like his mum. He treats me like his mum. He asks permission to do anything
Reddit user
Overall, the woman highlighted: “I feel like I have to do everything. I have had to act like his mum for so long that I’m not physically attracted to him anymore.
“It would be easier if he weren’t around. I have the “ick”, is there any coming back from that?!
“Even if he were to change all that, I have so much resentment with what I’ve been dealing with for so long that I don’t know if I could fall in love with him or if I even want to.
“What I really want to do is just to take a break. I’m overwhelmed and love the idea of him having kids half the time so I could get a break. Any advice is welcome, but please be kind.”
REDDIT USERS REACT
Reddit users were gobsmacked by the woman’s confession and many flocked to the comments to share their thoughts.
One person said: “Do what you feel is right. The earlier you figure it out the better for both you and your husband.”
Another added: “I gotta be honest this sounds like a case of two people getting married way too early and never properly maturing.”
A third commented: “He’s got some serious marriage balance issues that need to be worked out. If he won’t work on them, then I’d say be done. But I’d give him the choice to do the work or not.”
‘So warm and super comfy’ shoppers rave over perfect autumn buy that will keep you toasty without heating for just £9
AUTUMN is well and truly here and for many households that means facing the dilemma – whether to save money or switch the heating on to keep cosy.
With energy bills set to skyrocket by a whopping 10% next month, millions of cash-strapped Brits are on the lookout for cheap ways to stay warm without forking out a fortune.
Experts have come to rescue with a number of purse-friendly hacks, such as using a crisp packet to slash the costs or heading to Dunelm for a bargain find that will keep the house toasty for just 20p.
However, one of the easiest ways to keep your body warm is, of course, wearing the right gear, such as jumpers and extra layers on top.
Now, money-smart Amazon shoppers have found the ultimate deal that’s sure to be a lifesaver this autumn and winter season – for under a tenner.
The popular online giant offers a wide range of thermal leggings but the one pair that seems to be a major hit right now are the DDOBB Thermal Leggings Women High Waist Fleece Lined leggings.
Available in several gorgeous colours, such as black, dark grey, dusty pink and nude, this winter essential will set you back £9.99, depending on the design you go for.
Comfy and breathable, the cold season must-have is perfect for daily use – and the styling options are indeed endless.
Not only can the leggings be easily worn on their own, you can also throw them under other garments, with the fleece lining ideal for protection from the harsh wind and low temperatures.
According to the retailer, the ”extremely soft” inner lining will keep your legs toasty – ”without bulkiness”.
Boasting an impressive 4.3-star rating on the site, it’s easy to see why shoppers are going totally wild over the incredible deal.
A staggering 65% of delighted customers have given the leggings five stars, whilst 15% have rated it with four stars.
One UK customer, who described them as ”brilliant”, said: ”Thought I would just buy a pair and see how they wore, washed and kept me warmer.
”They passed all of the tests and I ended up buying another 3 pairs.”
Another chimed in: ”Have already washed them, and they came out perfectly.
”Honestly, for the price and comfort, there’s nothing to complain about and would purchase another pair if I needed some more. Recommended.”
A third also recommended the wardrobe essential, commenting: ”Love the fact that they are warm, comfy to wear. Fit well.
”Well worth buying. Will be getting another pair in a different colour. Look nice on.”
5 Money-saving tips for autumn/winter
1. Draught-proof your home
It takes time and money to heat up your home, so it’s important that you do as much as you can to keep in the warmth. Close your doors and windows, and fill any gaps with a draught excluder.
2. Dial down your thermostat
According to Energy UK, turning down your thermostat by just one degree Celsius could cut your heating bill by up to 10%, and save you around £85 per year. Plus, if you don’t have a thermostat, installing one could save up to £70 per year!
3. Move furniture around
Make sure not big, bulky furniture like sofas are blocking radiators.
4. Wash clothes on a lower temp and add an extra spin
Unless it’s bedding, towels or really dirty items, dial down the temperature to 20 or 30 degrees, and do a double spin to remove excess water.
5. Heat the person not the home
There’s not point heating up a room that no one is sitting in, so be mindful about which radiators are on.
However, whilst the reviews were mainly positive, there was also some criticism, with one claiming the leggings were ”definitely not thermal”.
”I was expecting these to be thick and fleece lined as advised, but they are really thin.
”I can’t see these keeping me warm in the winter! Very disappointed!”
Someone else agreed, writing: ”The fleece lining is so thin, I’d have been better wearing my other non-lined leggings.
I tried Samsung’s tool that tracks your most costly appliances – it could automatically cut your bills
AT a time when living costs remain high, finding clever ways to save money has never been more crucial – and a new tool is hoping to help us do this.
One thing is for certain – we can’t live without our appliances, be it our fridge freezer, washing machine, or tumble dryer.
However, depending on how we use them, we could be forking out an arm and a leg.
And Ofgem‘s energy price cap is rising by 10% from October 1, meaning millions of households on their energy supplier’s standard variable tariff will be stung with a £149 a year bill hike.
Under the new price cap, Which? estimates that a typical household will fork out £127 a year to use their dryer, £110 to run their fridge freezer, and £59 a year to run their washing from next month.
However, to help combat these high costs, electronics giant Samsung upgraded several home appliances to help households cut costs.
Customers who purchase a Samsung fridge, freezer, washer, dryer, or almost any other home appliance now have a new level of control over their energy usage and will be able to see exactly what they’re spending, too.
It was at the tech giant’s flagship store that I got to test this out for myself.
I discovered that those purchasing one of the brand’s Samsung washing machines – priced between £399 and £899 depending on the model – will be able to control their device from an app, and also see how much it is costing them.
As long as I put my washing in the machine and shut the door, I wouldn’t even need to touch a button.
Instead, like with all Samsung’s latest appliances, I could download the “Smart Things” app and control it from there.
If I was out all day but didn’t want my washing to start until I get home, I could set this up on the app, as well as the programme, temperature, and spin speed.
Samsung Smart Things is a “smart home” platform that allows users to connect, automate, and manage a wide range of compatible devices through an app.
These smart home devices aren’t exclusive to Samsung.
For example, Philips Hue has been a pioneer in helping those with older homes and traditional wiring transform their lighting into smart systems.
And Bosch, Miele and Aeg all have their own apps that enable users to control their appliances at the tap of a screen too.
However, what makes Samsung’s new Smart Things setup unique is its ability to track your whole home’s energy usage as well as calculate the cost of running your smart appliances.
How does it work?
Customers with a Samsung Smart Things account can now link it with their smart meter, too.
Once you’ve done this, your home’s energy usage is sent directly to the Smart Things app.
This means you can track your gas and electricity usage in pounds and pence by the hour, day, week, month and year.
Of course, many households will be aware that you can already do this with your energy supplier’s in-home display.
But if yours is broken, this is a great – and I’ll admit, more intuitive -alternative.
For example, the app can notify you which of your smart devices costs the most to run and even recommend changing your settings to cut your costs.
Those with Samsung appliances can also toggle a setting dubbed “AI Energy Mode,” which automatically turns their appliance into its most energy-efficient mode without them having to life a finger.
Of course, it’s naive to assume that this is accessible to everyone, as not all of us own Samsung appliances.
The company’s appliances aren’t cheap, and prices range from £399 up to £5,000 for its most expensive smart fridge freezer.
Regardless of this, a new partnership with British Gas could help those with or without Samsung appliances cut their bills this winter.
How can it help cut my bills?
And one of the great new things Samsung has announced is an industry-first partnership with British Gas to help customers save money on their appliances this winter.
Like many suppliers, British Gas has been rewarding customers for slashing their energy usage during peak times in recent months.
The supplier’s Peak Save scheme gives customers free energy credits for reducing their electricity usage during peak hours.
A separate scheme called Peak Save Sunday offers customers half-price electricity during periods of low demand on weekends.
While these schemes are free to sign up for, it’s easy to forget to make the necessary adjustments to maximise savings your savings.
British Gas usually emails customers ahead of an event, but if you didn’t notice the timings, like me, you risk forgetting to run your dishwasher at the off-peak time.
However, with Samsung’s latest partnership, customers who connect their British Gas account with the Smart Things app will not only receive notifications before an event but also be able to automate their smart appliances ahead of it.
It means users can ensure their devices operate during optimal times, allowing them to take full advantage of the savings on offer.
What is Peak Save Sundays?
BRITISH Gas' Peak Save scheme offers qualifying customers half-price electricity between 11am and 4pm each Sunday.
The scheme first launched in December 2022 but has been extended multiple times since.
British Gas said it has paid over £11million to more than 600,000 customers who have so far taken part in the scheme.
If you haven’t already, you can sign up for the money-saving scheme on the British Gas website by entering your full name, email address and customer reference number.
Once you’ve signed up, any discounted electricity is credited back to your account after you take part every week.
The credit appears as “PeakSave Credit” on your bill or online statement.
You can only sign up for the scheme if you have a smart meter that sends half-hourly meter readings.
Again, this is great for those with Samsung appliances but might be of limited use for those without.
At the moment, this partnership is only available to British Gas customers.
However, Samsung has not ruled out partnering with other UK energy suppliers in the future.
If you’re eager to use technology to determine exactly how much your appliances are costing to run, there are still several more affordable gadgets you can use.
What are the cheaper alternatives?
For example, if your appliances don’t have smart technology fitted inside, you can still track their usage with smart plugs.
These plug into a standard electrical socket and then you plug your appliance into them.
The smart plug connects to your home Wi-Fi network or your mobile via Bluetooth, enabling it to communicate with a corresponding mobile app.
Once connected, the smart plug monitors the energy consumption of the plugged-in appliance in real-time.
It tracks metrics such as power usage (in watts), energy consumption (in kilowatt-hours), and sometimes even the cost of the electricity used.
You can then remotely control the plug through the mobile app, turning the connected appliance on or off.
Some smart plugs also offer scheduling features, allowing you to automate when devices turn on or off.
Shoppers can buy these plugs from a number of major retailers online and in-store.
For example, a single Ikea‘s Tretakt smart plug costs just £6.
TP-Link’s Tapo smart plugs can also be picked up on Amazon for as little as £12.99.
We’ve previously reviewed the best smart plugs, so you don’t have to.
This incredible image shows the house of the future – using only smart tech.
Shoppers go wild for popular cleansing balm on sale for less than $60: ‘The absolute best’
This 3-in-1 product nourishes, cleanses and removes makeup from the skin.
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