Latest news with #StaceyDooley
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Kara Tointon is praised by celebrity pals Giovanna Fletcher and Stacey Dooley for making 'brave decision' to have double mastectomy after learning she carries deadly BRAC1 gene
Kara Tointon has received huge support from her famous pals after making the 'brave decision' to have a double mastectomy. In a candid Instagram video, the former EastEnders star, 41, shared she underwent the procedure, along with having her fallopian tubes removed as a preventative measure, after learning she carries the deadly BRAC1 gene. As an ambassador for the Eve appeal, a charity that raises awareness of gynaecological cancers, the actress opened up to her followers about the journey that led to her discovery that she carries the BRCA1 gene. And after sharing her journey, friends including Stacey Dooley, Izzy Judd and Ashley James voiced their support for Kara in the comments. While Stacey posted a heart emoji, Giovanna Fletcher posted: 'Love you so very much my friend!!!' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Kara's former EastEnders co-star Jo Joyner wrote: 'Amazing that you've shared your story. Sorry to hear you've been through such a difficult journey involving brave choices. 'You're a great ambassador and I'm sure you'll inspire and inform mayn people. Sending love xx.' Izzy Judd wrote: 'Huge admiration to you for sharing your story and making brave decisions.' Ashley James commented: 'Oh love you @kara_tointon.' After Kara shared her candid post about her decision to have a double mastectomy, The Mail's Good Health columnist Dr Martin Scurr shared insight into her reasonings behind the decision. He wrote: 'Watching a loved one succumb to cancer – and then learning you carry the same faulty genes linked to this awful disease – would be doubly distressing. 'So I completely understand the reasoning behind actress Kara Tointon's decision to undergo a double mastectomy as well as having her fallopian tubes removed. 'Removing the at-risk tissue will significantly – although not entirely – reduce her risk from the genes. And after sharing her journey, friends including Stacey Dooley , Izzy Judd and Ashley James voiced their support for Kara in the comments 'The two most well-known genes that increase breast cancer risk are called breast cancer susceptibility genes (shortened to BRCA1 and BRCA2). Normally, these genes protect against cancer by helping to repair damaged DNA. 'But if there are mutations that damage those genes, then the risk of breast cancer increases. 'Actress Angelina Jolie famously revealed that she underwent a preventative double mastectomy back in 2013 because she carried a defective BRCA gene. 'There are also other defective genes that can increase the risk of the disease, but mutations in both BRCAs are responsible for the majority of inherited breast cancers. 'Living with the cloud of this potential risk hanging over you is something different people deal with differently. 'Some prefer regular monitoring – Kara tried this, but having now completed her family, has had the surgery.' Kara took to Instagram on Wednesday to share an emotional post detailing her decision after losing her mother to ovarian cancer in 2018. Tointon, who raises two young children with her fiancé Marius Jensen, announced that she has undergone a double mastectomy and had her fallopian tubes removed as a preventative measure. Tointon's operation comes just six years after her mother Carol passed away following her own battle with the disease. Speaking ahead of Eve's Get Lippy campaign to highlight the causes and symptoms of various gynae cancers, Kara revealed that after she losing her mother to ovarian cancer in 2018, she underwent genetic testing which revealed that she is predisposed to the disease. She said: 'You may have heard of the BRCA genes type 1 and 2 and as a carrier it means that I am at a greater risk of both breast and ovarian cancer. 'Back in 2018 when my mum was undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer, I was asked to take a genetics test. 'There is a history of both cancers in my family but for various reasons including generational trauma of which I'll talk more about another time, we hadn't looked into it until that point. 'But it was put to us, we took the test and it was confirmed that my mum and I both carried the gene.' As a mother-of-two, Kara told how her family were her main consideration in her decision making. She said: 'I was pregnant with my first child at the time, knew I wanted more children if possible so over the next couple of years I was invited to various meetings by the NHS to really become informed and to understand all my options. 'Last year having had my second son in 2021 and deciding that our family was complete, I underwent two preventative surgeries. 'The first a double mastectomy and the second a two part protector study, a trial. 'They believe that ovarian cancer begins in the fallopian tubes so by removing them first checking out you can remove the ovaries later.' Tointon, a former Strictly Come Dancing winner, revealed that after having several medical investigations, she decided that surgery was the best option. 'We are finding out more and more about personal genetics and most people believe in surveillance, but after doing this for a couple of years, having MRIs, waiting for biopsy, we decided that this was the right decision for me and my family,' she said. 'I wasn't an easy decision, but one I am very glad that I made and I can now with hindsight talk about it properly.' Tointon is not the only woman in the public eye to talk openly about her procedure. Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie also had a double mastectomy as well as having her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed, after she was found to have a 50 per cent risk of developing ovarian cancer.' Tointon raises two sons Frey, 6 and Helly 4, with her Norwegian partner Marius Jenson, a chiropractor. The family divide their time between Britain and Norway where Kara's sister Hannah and her father still live. Her own mother died of ovarian cancer in 2019, months after the actress revealed she had been struggling with poor health. Speaking to HELLO! in 2018 about her plans to marry Jenson, she said: 'We are hoping next year, perhaps in Norway or maybe in London. 'My mum hasn't been too well over the last year or so and I want her to be able to enjoy it. 'Seeing her with Frey and dealing with everything she has to right now is overwhelming and I couldn't be more proud. 'I just want her to be back to herself again. That's our priority.' Paying tribute to Carol in a moving Instagram post shortly after her death, Tointon wrote: 'I miss you. I miss your voice. I miss your smile. I miss your smell. I miss your hug. I miss your jokes. I miss how you made me feel. I miss your everything.' She added: 'God I was so lucky muma. Do laugh that I'm reaching out to you on INSTAGRAM. I love you.' The actress gave birth to youngest child Frey in 2018, with her partner subsequently confirming the news in a short message. 'On Thursday at 11.04am, 3.2 kilos of happiness joined our lives,' he wrote. 'Kara and I couldn't be happier and our four legged companions Elfie and Winston have been guarding our new family member since.' Second child Helly was born in 2021, with Tointon later describing the child as 'very zen, chilled and wonderful' during a subsequent interview with HELLO! Jensen added that his name was inspired by his native country Norway, adding that he also has the middle names Juel and Parsell. He explained: 'The first Helly we found was an old Norwegian sea captain, from a place in Norway called Moss, a tiny little town where my grandmother is from.' Signing off from social media on Wednesday, Tointon paid tribute to the doctors and the Eve appeal charity and their support. She said: 'I'd like to thank my surgeons Dr Adam Rosenthal and Dr Gerard Cuie, I can't thank them enough. 'I wanted to talk about it because hearing other people's experience, helped so much and knowledge is power, communication is key, getting to know our bodies, our cycles is only a good thing, but I'll be talking about this a lot more. 'Happy Lippy month and take care.' WHAT IS A DOUBLE MASTECTOMY? A double mastectomy is the removal of both breasts. This is a way of treating breast cancer and is often done to women who are at a high risk of the disease returning after therapy. The treatment may also be suitable for women who are unable to have radiation therapy, have a tumour larger than 5cm across or have a mutation, such as in the BRCA gene, that increases their cancer risk. Most women stay in hospital for one or two nights but are able to return to their regular activities within around four weeks. Side effects can include pain, swelling, a build up of blood or fluid at the surgery site, limited arm movement and numbness in the chest or upper arm. After surgery, some women may wish to have the breast mound rebuilt to restore its appearance in breast reconstruction surgery. Some patients may require other treatment after a mastectomy such as radiation, chemo or hormone therapy.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Stacey Dooley reveals she took her baby daughter to brothel in Nevada to film documentary about prostitution as she jokes: 'She'll be open minded if nothing else!'
Stacey Dooley has revealed she took her baby daughter to a brothel in Nevada, while she was filming a documentary about prostitution in the United States. In the latest series of Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over USA, the presenter, 38, visited the oldest legal brothel in Nevada, the Mustang Ranch, to explore the lives of sex workers in the States. But she has now revealed that her daughter, Minnie, came along for the visit, when she was just eight-months-old, joking 'it sounds like a comedy sketch'. Stacey recalled the story at the Hay Literary Festival in Wales, during a panel with journalist Emma Barnett, where she discussed how she juggled balancing motherhood and work. The broadcaster explained that she brings her little girl, who she shares with boyfriend Kevin Clifton, along with her for filming - including to the more unusual locations. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Stacey Dooley has revealed she took her baby daughter to a brothel in Nevada , while she was filming a documentary about prostitution in the United States (seen with daughter) In the latest series of Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over USA, the presenter, 38, visited the oldest legal brothel in Nevada, the Mustang Ranch, to explore the lives of sex workers in the States (seen) According to The Telegraph, she admitted: 'There's nowhere that child hasn't been. When she was eight months we had this gig in the diary to go to the States to make a documentary about this legal brothel in Nevada. 'I'd sort of signed the contract and was like: oh, she'll be eight months, that'll be fine. Anyway, the trip comes, and I'm nowhere near comfortable leaving her so I take my eight-month-old child to this brothel in Nevada. 'I have to ask the sheriff for special permission, because she's under 18. It sounds like a comedy sketch, but it's legit!' Stacey explained that she had to rent a trailer for Minnie to stay in with dad Kevin and that the little girl would watch out the window while she was filming. She hilariously recalled that when she returned to the trailer to breastfeed, the prostitutes at the brothel would greet her daughter with: 'Morning Miss Minnie!' The presenter quipped: 'I'm like: she'll be open minded if nothing else!' In March, Stacey released a book called Dear Minnie, in which she wrote a heartfelt letter to her now two-year-old. In the letter, she detailed the moment she realised she was expecting back in 2022, after taking a pregnancy test in the Selfridges toilet. But she has now revealed that her daughter, Minnie, came along for the visit, when she was just eight-months-old, joking 'it sounds like a comedy sketch' (seen with Minnie and Kevin) She welcomed first child Minnie with professional dancer Kevin, 42, in January 2023, the pair fell for each other while competing on Strictly Come Dancing together in 2018 (pictured) She welcomed first child Minnie with professional dancer Kevin, 42, in January 2023, the pair fell for each other while competing on Strictly Come Dancing together in 2018. Last month, Stacey admitted that her and Kevin's sex life has taken a backseat since their daughter started sleeping in their bed. But she insisted she wasn't bothered by the arrangement and poked fun about her lack of alone time with Kevin by quipping: ''We need to start remembering how to have sex.' Kevin is currently touring the country as Billy Flynn in Chicago The Musical, with the tour running until August. But Stacey has no plans to change her bedtime routine before his return, as she loves having Minnie by her side overnight. She explained: 'Minnie is in our bed. I am sort of not really a***d. I know there's such emphasis on getting kids in their own bed, but I think it's because Kev is away so much anyway. 'What am I doing otherwise? Maybe when Kev is back on the scene, we will start remembering how you have sex. 'Then maybe I would think, "Minnie, you're going to have to go and hang out in your own bedroom now".' Last month, Stacey admitted that her and Kevin's sex life has taken a backseat since their daughter started sleeping in their bed (pictured last year) For now, Stacey is cherishing every moment with her little girl and even doesn't mind going to bed at 8pm to avoid disrupting Minnie's routine For now, Stacey is cherishing every moment with her little girl and even doesn't mind going to bed at 8pm to avoid disrupting Minnie's routine. She shared on the Parenting Hell podcast with comedians Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe: 'Of an evening we'll have something to eat, then I'll put her in the bath. 'We have a bit of a chat, put her PJ's on and we just end up getting in my bed together. 'We watch one episode of Paddington then go to sleep. I am going to bed early, at 8pm. I love it, honestly!' Minnie started getting used to sleeping with one of her grandmothers last year when they babysat while Stacey made her stage debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story in the West End. Stacey added: 'Now she is so used to being taken to bed - in a double bed - and having someone to sleep with. It was my mum or Kev's mum and they were going to bed at 8 o'clock, too.'
Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Stacey Dooley took her baby to a brothel in Nevada
Stacey Dooley has revealed she took her eight-month-old baby to a brothel in Nevada while making a documentary about prostitution in the United States. The broadcaster, 38, recalled the story in an interview about balancing motherhood and professional life at the Hay literary festival in Powys, south Wales, alongside fellow journalist Emma Barnett. Dooley, whose book Dear Minnie: Conversations with Remarkable Mothers was published in March, said: 'There's nowhere that child hasn't been. 'When she was eight months', Dooley said, 'we had this gig in the diary to go to the States to make a documentary about this legal brothel in Nevada. 'I'd sort of signed the contract and was like: oh, she'll be eight months, that'll be fine. I'll be fine to go to a legal brothel in Nevada! 'Anyway, the trip comes, and I'm nowhere near comfortable leaving her so I take my eight-month-old child to this brothel in Nevada. 'I have to ask the sheriff for special permission, because she's under 18. It sounds like a comedy sketch, but it's legit! 'I have to then rent a trailer to put [my child] in. Her dad stays in this trailer with Minnie looking out the window while I'm filming and then going back to the trailer to breastfeed Minnie, and all the girls [working at the brothel] are like: 'Morning Miss Minnie!' 'I'm like: she'll be open minded if nothing else!' Campaigner for gender equality Nevada is the only US state that allows legal prostitution in the form of regulated brothels. Dooley has been a campaigner for gender equality since she began her career as a documentary filmmaker with the BBC. She chose to focus one of her first films, in 2010, on sex slavery in Cambodia. Dooley has been in a relationship with dancer Kevin Clifton since 2019 after the two were paired up on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, where she was the winning contestant. Asked for her views on the shifting language around motherhood, such as terms like 'chestfeeding', Ms Dooley said: 'For me, I suppose I always try and prioritise other people's feelings. 'And I've also had to be aware that even when having these kinds of conversations, I don't want to ever equate motherhood to womanhood. That's something I'm really clear about. 'I don't think becoming a mum means you're any more of a woman or any less of a woman. 'So for me, it's all about trying to be aware of people's opinions, and you know what their preferences would be while talking about my experiences.'
Wales Online
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Stacey Dooley says she's about to 'lay down the law' as she opens up on home life
Stacey Dooley says she's about to 'lay down the law' as she opens up on home life Stacey Dooley has opened up about her home life with her two-year-old daughter Minnie and her mum Di, joking she's about to 'lay down the law' over a certain matter Stacey Dooley says she is preparing to say who is 'in charge' at home (Image: (Image: Getty) ) Stacey Dooley says she is about to "lay down the law" and establish "who is in charge" in her home life. Stacey, 38, shares daughter Minnie with Strictly Come Dancing star Kevin Clifton. Two years ago the family made the move to Liverpool to be closer to Stacey's mum Di. The star explained that Di regularly looks after the youngster when Kevin is away on tour and she is working. And while Stacey says young Minnie doesn't have a sweet tooth, she says Di will still give her "a load of s***". On the podcast, Stacey shared: "When she's with her nan, she'll have like seven biscuits and a Peppa Pig lolly. It doesn't matter how many times I say, 'Can we not give the baby a load of s***', she'll come home and have digestive biscuits or whatever around her mouth." Stacey added: "I don't want to be that rigid, boring, strict mum, but we cannot give her five digestive biscuits every day can we? We just can't, so actually, I'm about to lay down the law. My mum needs to start listening to me, I'm in charge and that's that." Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton share daughter Minnie together (Image: Stacey Dooley Instagram ) Article continues below Despite the minor conflict over treats, Stacey recognises the strong bond between Minnie and her grandmother, stating: "If I'm working and Kev's away working, my mum will have the baby. "Them two are thick as thieves, they're so in love with one another. It's all, 'Nanny, nanny, nanny. They're tight." Podcaster James Acaster quipped that it's because Di "feeds her the good stuff" after Stacey confessed her preference for salty over sweet treats. The comedian remarked: "I bet she her nan tells everyone she has a sweet tooth." Stacey found love with partner Kevin after they were matched on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, their chemistry undeniable as they danced their way to victory, lifting the Glitterball Trophy. Their romance was confirmed in 2019, following their win. The pair welcomed their daughter Minnie into their lives in January 2023 and subsequently made the decision to relocate closer to Di. Kevin shared with the ECHO how Stacey's penchant for property browsing led them to their ideal home. Stacey Dooley is preparing to "lay down the law" at home (Image: PA Wire/PA Images ) Article continues below Notably, the location was conveniently near Stacey's Liverpool-born mother. Kevin explained: "Stacey loves looking at houses on the internet. Looking at interiors and stuff is her favourite thing to do. "She just happened to have seen something she liked and thought 'oh it's not too far away from my mum'. We went and had a look and the second she walked in was like 'I love it and I can really see us living here'. It all happened really quickly and we love it." He also humorously added: "Our little girl is going to be raised as a Scouser."
Wales Online
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Strictly's Stacey Dooley says Kevin Clifton has 'let her down' after returning home
Strictly's Stacey Dooley says Kevin Clifton has 'let her down' after returning home Stacey Dooley met partner Kevin Clifton when they took part in Strictly Come Dancing together in 2018. Their relationship blossomed and they are now parents to daughter Minnie Stacey Dooley says Kevin Clifton 'let her down' when he returned home from tour (Image: Getty Images for SOLT ) Stacey Dooley says Kevin Clifton has 'let her down' after he returned home from work empty-handed. Strictly Come Dancing professional Kevin, 42, has recently been away performing in the musical Chicago. It has left Stacey at home 'hanging out' with daughter Minnie. Journalist Stacey says she likes Kevin to make a 'fuss' about her whenever he's back home. On the Off Menu podcast, Stacey was asked if Kevin had brought her any gifts back from his travels. She replied: 'Not really, he's really let me down there hasn't he. Got to pull your socks up, got to try harder, make an effort.' Stacey went on to reveal that she enjoys it when Kevin makes a fuss over her on Valentine's Day. It came as the professional dancer bought her and Minnie matching necklaces to mark the occasion. Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton (Image: Stacey Dooley Instagram ) Article continues below Discussing her fondness for Valentine's Day, she explained: 'Some girls do get the ick, but not me, I need fuss, fuss, fuss. I just love treats. 'I just love a treat. I'm expecting a bouquet, not red roses obviously, but like a luxe bouquet, Kev's actually very romantic, he bought me and Minnie matching necklaces.' She joked: ''If you don't get me anything for the 14th, you are dumped'.' Before explaining that Kevin also bought the youngster a bouquet of flowers for Valentine's Day this year. She added: 'She got a bouquet off her dad. You've got to set the bar higher so when she's older, she doesn't go for a man who won't buy her anything for Valentine's Day.' Stacey revealed Kevin bought her flowers for Valentine's Day (Image: Stacey Dooley / Instagram ) Stacey however admitted she isn't a fan of chocolate as a gift. It came as comedian Ed Gamble explained he bought a box of Lindt chocolate balls for his wife Charlie. Stacey said: 'I'd rather nothing than a box of Lindt balls.' To which Ed replied: 'Well, wait until you hear this, I've done half of those balls, she's not had one.' Luton-born Stacey met Kevin when the pair won Strictly Come Dancing together in 2018. The pair went official with their relationship in January the following year. They announced Stacey was pregnant with Minnie in 2022, welcoming the youngster in January 2023. The family recently relocated from London to Liverpool, with Stacey often sharing glimpses of their dream home on social media. Article continues below Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton (Image: (Image: Getty) ) It meant the family were closer to Stacey's mum, who grew up in Merseyside. Speaking to the ECHO, Kevin said: "Stacey loves looking at houses on the internet. Looking at interiors and stuff is her favourite thing to do. "She just happened to have seen something she liked and thought 'oh it's not too far away from my mum'. We went and had a look and the second she walked in was like 'I love it and I can really see us living here'. It all happened really quickly and we love it." He added: "Our little girl is going to be raised as a Scouser."
