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The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Heartbreaking moment Strictly star Ellie Simmons' birth mother reveals why she gave her up
PARALYMPIAN and Strictly star Ellie Simmonds' mum reveals why she gave her up for adoption in an emotional new documentary. The athlete, 28, was Advertisement 4 Elle Simmonds is returning to screens in another documentary looking at her family history Credit: ITV 4 Ellie was fostered at the age of three months She was then adopted by West Midlands couple Val and Steve Simmonds when she was three months old. documentary , Finding My Secret Family, and has now filmed a follow-up in which her biological mother speaks on camera for the first time. It comes as Ellie considers the impacts of starting her own family in Her mum revisits her own birthing experience and those early days of motherhood in the mid 90s. Advertisement READ MORE ON ELLIE SIMMONDS She remains off camera but is heard saying: "It's really quite traumatic. It's hard for you to hear. I don't want to in any way upset you. "You're making a decision at the wrong time of your life, because you've just given birth, your hormones are all over the place. You're physically not right, you're mentally not right. "There was a lot in the background going on. I kept the pregnancy a secret, I gave birth on my own. I went to a geneticist and she was very abrupt." Her mum candidly explained that she couldn't cope and wanted a magic wand to resolve the situation. Advertisement Most read in Showbiz Breaking She struggled to look beyond Ellie's disability and said she "grieved" for the child she wanted her to be. "To give your biological child away… it was momentous," she explained. "I just handed you over and that's something you really can never get over. The guilt is horrendous. You live with it all the time." I couldn't keep up with the kids at school, now I'm an inspiring Paralympian – it's pinch-me moment, says Ellie Simmonds Ellie met her birth mum for the first time at the end of her 2023 documentary. The reunion came after Advertisement With a social worker acting as an intermediary, Ellie wrote to her mum explaining she wasn't angry and that she wanted to get to know her. She sobbed as she read her mum's reply in which she said she had suffered with "guilt and self-hatred". Her mum also said that she had suffered a traumatic split from Ellie's birth father which seriously impacted her mental health . After the meeting, Ellie said: "It was amazing. We spoke about everything over the last five hours. We've got the same sense of humour we were laughing so much. Advertisement "I felt like her face was just like me. What touched my heart was that she thinks about me everyday and she always sees me as a daughter." Nervous Ellie told how she chose not to show her mum on screen due to fears over how she would be perceived. 4 Ellie took part in Strictly in 2022 Credit: PA 4 Ellie's foster parents Steve and Val Simmonds Credit: Business Live Advertisement Despite tearful moments in both documentaries, Ellie maintains she has had an 'amazing life' and has never felt anger towards her biological mum. She previously told us: 'I wouldn't be who I am today if my birth mother hadn't made that decision. "I could be someone so different and not have had such a positive life, being around people with different disabilities and going to the Paralympics and having all the opportunities my parents gave me.' Advertisement The family home had an outdoor pool , which energetic Ellie loved. She said: 'I had a great childhood. We're a very close family.' Her parents were open about her biological family, showing pictures of her mum, dad and older sister. Ellie would fantasise about what they were like, 'a bit like Tracy Beaker'. At 11, Ellie moved with Val to Swansea to train with Team GB. Two years later she became the youngest British athlete at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, winning two golds. But a busy career meant she never hunted for her birth family. Advertisement Ellie said: 'When I was younger I thought about my birth mum a lot. 'But from 2006, when I competed in my first World Championships, to when I retired, I never wanted to delve into that because I needed to be focused. 'When I retired, though, I lost my identity and was thinking, 'What should I do now? Who am I as a person?' I realised I now had time to find out who I am.'
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Huge award-winning producer reveals she's battling cancer after years of ‘debilitating pain' as she shares hospital snap
AN award-winning music producer has announced a devastating cancer diagnosis after three years of living with "debilitating pain". Catherine Marks took to Instagram today to share her news with fans, posting a picture of herself in a hospital bed. Advertisement 1 Catherine Marks has shared her cancer diagnosis Credit: Instagram She wrote: "This isn't an easy one to share, but after speaking with so many other women, and the doctors along this journey, I've realised how important it is to talk openly; especially about the things we're often taught to endure in silence." Catherine said she dismissed her initial back pain as a herniated disc or part of the ageing process. But she sensed there was more to it and further tests revealed she had a fibroid the size of "my uterus". She continued: "What followed were 18 exhausting months: intense pain, excessive blood loss, tests, operations, transfusions and just enough energy to get through work…barely anything else. Advertisement "Eventually, last December, doctors found early stage cancer and as a result I recently underwent a full abdominal hysterectomy. Recovery will be slow but steady, and I'm deeply grateful to the brilliant oncology and gynae team at Queen Charlotte and all the incredible NHS nurses and doctors who have taken care of me. "This journey has taught me something vital: trust your instincts. As women, we often downplay our pain or dismiss our needs. But listening to your body and advocating for yourself can be life-saving." Catherine said she's been reflecting on what could have been and is now looking at healing and rebuilding her life. She signed off: "I look forward to returning with energy, creativity, and a deeper understanding of what matters most. Advertisement Most read in Showbiz Breaking "What comes next feels precious." The well-wishes came from friends and followers with Clara Amfo writing: "Salute for trusting yourself above everything, sending so much love x." Nadine Coyle shared: "Sending so much love to you!!!" A fan said: "Oh my god. Sorry you have been going through this in silence. Love you Catherine. take time to heal so we can get back to being our best bogans." Advertisement Catherine's music career began under the tutelage of Grammy-winning producer Flood and they worked together on PJ Harvey and Editors records in the early noughties. She's since gone on to win a raft of awards including the 2016 Music Producers Guild Award for Breakthrough Producer of The Year, the 2018 MPG Producer of the Year, and 2023 Producer of the Year at the A&R Awards.
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Katie Price reveals she's secured LOOKALIKE egg donors and American sperm donor in bid to have baby number six
KATIE Price has revealed that she has secured lookalike egg donors and an American sperm donor in bid to have baby number six. The former glamour model, 46, suffered a Advertisement 7 Katie Price has opened up about how she loves motherhood and is excited to possibly welcome baby number six Credit: You Tube/WeNeedToTalk-Podcast 7 She sat down with Paul C Brunson Credit: You Tube/WeNeedToTalk-Podcast 7 She opened up about her IVF journey Credit: You Tube/WeNeedToTalk-Podcast 7 She then revealed how she has lookalike egg donors Credit: You Tube/WeNeedToTalk-Podcast Back in January, Katie was at the centre of Channel 4's , which followed and as they looked to grow their family. Although she and Carl split But there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel for Katie, who is keen to welcome baby number six. Appearing on the new episode of the We Need To Talk podcast from Paul C Brunson , Katie speaks out in a "raw and revealing conversation". Advertisement Read More about Katie Price Speaking on the podcast, Katie revealed that she has got donor eggs and a sperm donor at the read. She said: "I had IVF and it failed because my eggs are too old. "And then I gave it a go even though the doctor said you've got 1% chance of it working, I said well I might be that 1%, I'm doing it. "So I went through all of it and then it didn't work. I have got donor eggs, I got them last year," she revealed. Advertisement Most read in Showbiz Breaking "You don't see the picture, but they go on how I look like, the dark hair , green eyes, this Spanish. Because I've got like Italian/Spanish in me." She went on to say: "I'm not afraid to have a baby on my own and before I met JJ, I was quite happy. Katie Price reveals the heartbreaking reason she's obsessed with surgery "I found a sperm donor from America, from black origin. "I'm going through the pre-menopause at the moment, and so I thought, you can't have kids, but you can. and I've been tested. Advertisement "I'm all fine. I can still carry babies , so I have got the sperm and I have got the eggs there because I've got everything set up for when I want it." Katie also broke her silence on her relationship with Married At First Sight star JJ Slater. Katie Price's TV Shows Katie is no stranger to TV and has starred in countless shows over the years. Here, we look back at the ones she has fronted. 2002: Katie Price launched her TV career with a documentary called Jordan: The Truth About Me . 2004: Katie's show, directed by film maker Richard Macer, was followed up with Jordan: The Model Mum and Jordan: You Don't Even Know Me . In the same year, she appeared in Jordan Gets Even . In this show, she underwent a dramatic transformation with special effects to try and fool her family. 2004: When Jordan Met Peter . Katie appeared in the first of many series' with Peter Andre following their whirlwind romance in I'm A Celebrity Get Met Out Of Here. 2005: Jordan & Peter: Laid Bare , Jordan & Peter: Marriage and Mayhem . 2007: Katie & Peter: The Next Chapter , Katie & Peter: The Baby Diaries , Katie & Peter: Unleashed . 2008: Katie & Peter: Down Under , Katie & Peter: African Adventures . 2009: Katie & Peter: Stateside . 2009- 2011: What Katie Did Next .This was Katie's own series following her break-up and divorce with Peter. 2021: Katie Price: Harvey and Me . Katie fronted the first of two BBC documentaries with her disabled son Harvey. 2022: Katie Price: What Harvey Did Next . 2022- 2023: Katie Price's Mucky Mansion . Katie attempted to renovated her 'Mucky Mansion' in Sussex for Channel 4. 2025: Katie Price: Making Babies . This followed Katie and Carl Woods' failed attempt at conceiving via IVF. She said that she does not "feel free" when it comes to her relationship with the MAFS star, 32. Speaking to Paul, she gushed about JJ when she said: "He's the most kind, genuine, easygoing, chilled person. But do I feel my happiest and do I feel free? No. Advertisement "It's not a reflection on him, maybe that's what I need to change for myself." Katie, who wants to welcome a new child at some point in her life, is already a doting mum to five children. She gave birth to her first child, son Harvey, in May 2002. Harvey's father is since-retired footballer Dwight Advertisement Katie then struck up a relationship with British-Australian singer Peter Andre and the pair got married in September 2005. In June 2005, Katie gave birth by Caesarean section to her second son, In June 2007, she gave birth to her third child, daughter Princess Tiaamii. She then welcomed two more children with Kieran Hayler after she split from Peter. Advertisement Katie and Kieran welcomed Jett and Bunny together. 7 Katie and Carl endured a failed IVF attempt Credit: ITV 7 Katie shares Princess and Junior with Peter Andre, and Bunny and Jett with Kieran Hayler Credit: Instagram 7 She is also a doting mum to Harvey Credit: PA Advertisement
