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Back then, I devoured stories. Hazel from Watership Down, Sara Crewe from A Little Princess, Charlie from . These were the characters who walked beside me through childhood and into adolescence, until I was old enough for grown-up classics: Jane Austen, Henry James and the 800-plus pages of George Eliot's .
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Daily Mail
8 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Secrets of Karren Brady's glow-up: Cosmetic doctors reveal how The Apprentice star is 'ageing in reverse'
She's a grandmother of one in her mid 50s, but with her tiny waist line, cascading curls and smooth visage, Karren Brady could pass for a woman 20 years her junior. The Apprentice star, 56, from London, shocked fans on Instagram over the weekend when she shared a glamorous photograph of herself looking much different from usual. Baroness Brady, who previously underwent a £3,500 'invisible facelift ', appeared to have undergone a head-to-toe transformation, displaying a slimmer frame and tauter visage in her white dress with a gold Chanel belt cinching her waist. She's not one to shy away from admitting that she has undergone cosmetic procedures to alter her appearance, and on this occasion, Karren told her followers about a skin-tightening treatment that gave her the confidence to wear a short-sleeved dress again. 'I never thought I'd have the confidence to wear short sleeves again, but after a course of Exion skin tightening with radio frequency, I can,' Karren wrote to her 200 thousand followers. She continued, 'Exion uses radiofrequency and targeted ultrasound to naturally boost hyaluronic acid by up to 224 per cent, while stimulating collagen and elastin for smoother, firmer, more youthful-looking skin - all with no needles, no pain, and no downtime. Bring on the sleeveless tops!' However, it wasn't just her skin that surprised followers. Others commented on her overall appearance looking different, with one writing, 'For a second I really thought it was a different person.' Others speculated whether Karren slimmed down using weight-loss jabs, which she has previously denied. So, what other procedures might have Karren undergone? Aestheticians have weighed in and shared their insights on the television star's new look. Dr Ross Perry Medical Director of Cosmedics skin clinics told Daily Mail, 'Karren Brady is looking absolutely incredible these days. She's evolved into a far more polished and glamorous version of herself, and much of that transformation is thanks to a skilled team working behind the scenes. 'From flawless hair and makeup to impeccable styling, every public appearance and TV appearance is carefully curated to perfection. One of the most noticeable changes is her weight loss, particularly visible in her arms. 'While she credits Exion treatments for helping with the transformation, it's clear there's been significant effort behind the scenes, likely involving regular sessions with a personal trainer. She appears toned, lean, and in fantastic shape, which points to a dedicated fitness routine. 'Many people have commented that Karren seems to be aging in reverse, and it's true, she looks fantastic. A bright, flawless smile from a perfect set of veneers easily takes a decade off her appearance.' He continued, 'When it comes to her skin, it's likely that she's had subtle yet expertly done facial treatments. 'A small amount of Botox around the eyes and forehead appears to have softened any fine lines, while carefully placed fillers may have helped maintain volume in the cheeks, something that's often lost with significant weight loss. Rather than a hollow or sunken look, her face remains plump and youthful. 'In addition, it wouldn't be surprising if she's undergone regular laser treatments to reduce pigmentation and sun damage, helping to keep her complexion smooth and even. 'Non-invasive treatments like Profhilo, which boosts hydration and collagen production, could also be playing a role in maintaining that healthy, glowing skin.' The doctor concluded, 'Altogether, it's a combination of smart beauty choices, hard work, and professional help, and the result is a striking, age-defying transformation.' Elsewhere, Dr Barbara Kubicka, founder of ClinicBe, told the Daily Mail of Karren's 'holistic approach' to change. She said, 'As an aesthetic physician, I admire Karren Brady's recent rejuvenation, not only for its apparent results, but for the thoughtful, holistic approach it suggests. She embodies a blend of lifestyle discipline and precision aesthetics that resonates deeply with my philosophy, and it isn't simply a 'quick fix'. 'Treatments like mesotherapy, with tiny injections of naturally occurring vitamins and hyaluronic acid, are ideal for restoring subtle vitality, promoting collagen, and enhancing tone without altering a person's look and it's most likely she's opted for this around the eye area. 'Complementing this, techniques leveraging the body's own biology to improve signs of ageing in the skin and face such as PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) are an excellent choice. 'Equally, she could opt for a targeted and specialised treatment like my Eyedealise system, which offers natural, regenerative lift and texture improvement with minimal downtime. 'I also appreciate that true rejuvenation hinges on more than clinic work, it's a synergy of skin-smart treatments and healthy habits including nutrition, hydration, rest and using adequate sun protection, all of which sustainably enhance results. 'Karren's fresh, graceful look appears rooted in both intentional self-care and refined aesthetic precision, a combination I wholeheartedly endorse.' Elsewhere, in May last year, Karren underwent a £3,500 'invisible facelift' in a bid to eliminate her 'dreaded jowls'. Baroness Brady, adviser to Lord Sugar on BBC's The Apprentice, visited Dr Rita Rakus at her Knightsbridge-based clinic for EndoliftX. The non-invasive process uses a laser-emitting wire to tighten the skin - promising collagen regeneration with a 95 per cent success rate in skin tightening, according to the clinic. The television personality wanted to expel her 'dreaded jowls' and address the lower part of her face, which had started to 'drag'. And not only was she 'delighted' with the results, but less than 24 hours later, Karren went out for lunch. 'I was home straight after the treatment, and went out for lunch the next day, no bruising and just slight swelling that went down really quickly,' she said. The minimally invasive procedure employs a unique laser fibre, thinner than a strand of hair, to tighten, lift and add definition to the skin - treating various signs of ageing across the whole body, including the lower face and neck. Karren made the decision to undergo a EndoliftX procedure after she noticed signs of ageing on jaw and neck. 'As a woman of a certain age, I noticed the lower part of my face was starting to sag and I was starting to get the dreaded jowls people talk about,' she said. 'That was really my main concern when I went to see Dr Rakus and she recommended EndoliftX. 'Before having the treatment I feared it would be quite invasive, but it's not at all. I was home straight after the treatment, and went out for lunch the next day, no bruising and just slight swelling that went down really quickly. 'The most unexpected part of the treatment was that it didn't hurt, it didn't take very long, there wasn't any downtime, and it gave the sort of result that you'd usually only get by going in to have proper surgery. 'Just a few weeks post treatment and I feel great and I am really delighted with my results.' Dr Rita Rakus explained: 'The results are both immediate and long-term, with the area continuing to improve for several months following the ENDOLIFTX® procedure as additional collagen builds in the deep layers of the skin over time. 'The procedure lasts for under an hour, and the patient can usually return to their daily activities almost immediately with instantly tighter and lifted skin. The results improve over the following nine months and last up to five years.' Dr Luke Simmonds, Aesthetic Doctor at Nova Aesthetic Clinic explained the process in further detail. 'We inject a local anaesthetic into the area of skin being treated, and most people report feeling nothing during the laser treatment itself, and it has much less downtime than the surgical alternative,' he said. Luke added: 'Of course, with any procedure like this, there is some minor swelling and flushing, but usually this is very tolerable and lasts around 48 hours; however this depends on the individual's skin type and condition and patients can resume their daily activity immediately. 'Patients begin to see improvements to their skin from around four weeks after treatment, but the settled results take between three and six months to show, with some people's results continuing to improve for up to 12 months. 'We often recommend checking in every 12 months to see if you require a repeat session, but I have some patients who can go two to three years maintaining their results from just a single session.' While EndoliftX is an FDA-approved procedure, it is crucial to ensure that the original EndoliftX device is used. Instances of counterfeit devices branded similarly to EndoliftX have been reported, and these have caused severe medical complications. It comes after Lord Sugar's adviser on the BBC TV show spoke exclusively to the Mail on Sunday on her weight loss journey, 'I have lost quite a bit,' she said as she showcased her slender frame while attending the Chain of Hope Gala held in London's Natural History Museum. But she insistsed her willowy figure is not a result of taking the new weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic but from 'bloody hard work'. The businesswoman says she doesn't know how much she has lost in total as 'I don't weigh myself' but thinks it is more than a stone and explained her recent weight-loss was triggered by becoming a grandmother. 'I have been on a health kick, I became a grandma, and I wanted to be a fit healthy grandma, so I started eating healthy and exercising. 'I haven't joined [the Ozempic Club] - bloody hard work. It is okay losing it, it is keeping it off. 'I have lost quite a bit - I don't know though as I don't weigh myself. I feel better for it. It is good because everything you put on fits.' In a revealing interview with the Radio Times when she first joined The Apprentice in 2010, she said: 'I worry I look posh and fat,' adding: 'I've spent 20 years battling my weight. Alan's so fit and slim I look huge in comparison.' But Karren who is the vice chairman of West Ham United, says Lord Sugar has been something of a health kick buddy. 'He is great he is very fit. He and my husband cycle when we go away on holiday. He is super fit himself so if anyone is giving tips it is him to me. 'We went around Italy which was lovely on Lord Sugar's boat. It was incredible. He is really lovely and has a wonderful family.' HOW DOES ENDOLIFTX WORK? 'EndoliftX is the closest non-surgical alternative to a surgical face-lift and liposuction. It is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a laser fibre that is thinner than a strand of hair to tighten, lift, and add definition back to the skin. It can be used to both tighten the skin whilst simultaneously addressing excess fat whether that be on the chin or jowls to contour the jawline, or on the arms to rid bingo wings. Inserted within the skin into the deep dermis, laser energy is applied through the wire, delivering heat into the skin which then responds by remodelling and boosting collagen production, without causing any damage to the outside skin.
The Independent
10 minutes ago
- The Independent
I'm 23 and single – why are so many men looking for women my mother's age?
Last week, I found myself at a party chatting to a guy I desperately fancied. As our conversation danced from one subject to the next, he came out with the one thing you really don't want to hear from someone you're trying to flirt with: 'Your mum is so hot.' Hoping I could find my way out of this conversational cul-de-sac, I offered him another drink, commenting on the quality of the warm wine I was reluctantly consuming. But no – the topic of my 52-year-old mother and, yes, her undeniable good looks proceeded to be drawn out to such a painful extent, I was left with no choice but to ditch him, and abandon all hopes that this boy would ever become the love of my life. This is not an irregular occurrence – it happens depressingly frequently. Never have any of my male friends met my mother without soon making at least one of three comments: 'Your mum's so hot', 'Your father's so lucky' and 'Are you adopted?' I'm told that when people comment on your parent's appearance, it's a way of complimenting you – after all, you are just a product of their genes. Over time, I've learnt to distinguish between polite chit chat and a full-on 'Stacy's Mom' moment. When it comes to dating norms, my male friends' fondness for middle-aged women is no longer an exception. A 25-year-old friend told me that the guy she was seeing (who was already three years younger than her) had dumped her for someone in their late thirties – 'He's rejected me for a milf!' was how she worded it. It's not the age gap per se that's horrifying – it's that dating is hard enough as it is without now having to compete with a demographic of women far more romantically mature and confident than us. And it's not just hot midlifers who are swamping our dating pool: appearing on Radio 4's Broadcasting House on Sunday morning, veteran stage actress Sheila Hancock explained that, at 92, she won't be getting married for a third time, because 'I only want 18-year-old boys, and they're not going to be interested'. Don't count yourself out, Dame Sheila! When I asked a male friend what it was about older women that makes them so attractive, the only answer I got was 'because they're hot' – which is always the downside with young admirers: don't be expecting scintillating conversation. While I am left no closer to understanding the male psyche when it comes to dating across the generational divide, I am far more excited about reaching my forties. We have a few age-gap poster couples to cling to: Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra, who is a decade older than him; actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson was around my age when he got married to film director Sam Taylor-Johnson, who is 23 years his senior. (Just don't mention the Macrons…) These days, developments in the wellness and beauty industry mean that one's youth need not fade with age, or at least quite so quickly. Whether it's surgical tweakment, out of a bottle or from lifestyle changes, the baton of beauty can be clung to by Boomers and Gen X-ers. With women ageing gracefully, young men can see all the perks of a middle-aged partner and none of the wrinkles. So where does this leave me? In a world where the dating pool is so slim I assumed that I at least had youth on my side. Turns out, even this is now a turn off. Do I keep looking, knowing that in a decade or so I might have more luck? Or maybe what's required is a change of tactics altogether. If older women are taking the men from my generation, should I be taking them from theirs?
The Independent
10 minutes ago
- The Independent
Tommy Fury opens up about plans for more children: ‘Fatherhood changed me'
Tommy Fury has opened up about his future plans to have more children after welcoming a daughter, Bambi, with Molly-Mae Hague. In an interview ahead of the release of his BBC documentary, Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury, the boxer and former Love Island star, 26, described how fatherhood changed him 'more than anything ever before' and having a child gave him a 'new lease of life.' 'She's the main reason why I still fight,' Fury said of his career. 'I don't need to fight anymore. I could sit down and not do anything, but I'm all about building the best future I can for Bambi and my other future kids.'
