Beer & betrothing in LAS VEGAS!

At the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, couples can get hitched in eight minutes from just $40. Britney Spears and Demi Moore have done it – and so will thousands of Brits this year. We take a peek behind the scenes...

Music courtesy of the King

By Julie Moult in Las Vegas, 04/07/2014

Girl meets boy, girl likes boy, they have a few drinks - and 17 hours later, they're hitched. That's what happened when Nick Bond, 30, wed Alex Gabrielson, 23, in Vegas in April.

Alex and Nick's speedy nuptials made headlines

Their super-speedy nuptials made global headlines, but they're just one of 110,000 couples who tie the knot in the Nevada Desert every year. In Vegas - nicknamed Sin City for its 24-hour bars and casinos - you can be married by Elvis, with Elvis or even astride a Harley. Tacky? Maybe. Good fun? You betcha!

We arrive just before 8am on a Saturday in June, and wait for the infamous Little White Wedding Chapel to open. It's set back from the road - opposite a sign flashing 'NUDE $10 lap dancers' - and surrounded by a white picket fence. Dominating the building is a 15ft replica of a singing Elvis swinging on a pendulum, while inside, there are five separate chapels with six ministers. Elvis impersonators are on tap, along with lamé tuxedos and Hummer limos.

Up to 100 couples can be married at this chapel in any one day. There's no need to pre-book; just pitch up, choose a package from the menu at the door - such as the simple Lover's Package that costs $229 (£153), or one based on the wedding of basketball star Michael Jordan costing $519 (£347) - then get in the queue and wait to say "I do".

No frock? No problem! There's everything from minidresses to size-30 meringues to hire in the wedding shop. No witnesses? You can hire them too. But rest assured, what happens here in Vegas will stay with you for a lifetime.

8AM The infamous Little White Wedding Chapel

8AMThe doors open and we're greeted by the receptionist. Inside the tiny waiting area, it's all quiet until Ave Maria is switched on and the carpet's vacuumed.

8.05AM"Can we get married now?" asks a groom in his early 30s. His bride is also waiting, and they're both dressed casually in jeans and T-shirts. "I've got to be in work in half an hour." Talk about a rush job! But they don't have a $60 (£40) licence from the town hall - the only prerequisite for getting married in Vegas. They're told to come back again tomorrow.

8.15AMNext up is six months pregnant Jennifer Salezar, 25, and her groom Adam Rodrigez, 27, from Chicago, flanked by Adam's brother Albaro and his wife.

8.15AM Jennifer and Adam at their "romantic" Vegas wedding

The guys are wearing T-shirts printed with tuxedos, while Jennifer hides her bump in a $20 (£13) white dress from Target, the American equivalent of Primark. They've paid $170 (£114) for their service, which lasts eight minutes. "We couldn't afford anything more expensive," says Jennifer, an administrator.

The room, decorated with shiny wallpaper, is filled with fake flowers spilling out from two giant golden pillars either side of the gawdy altar. This is the chapel where Britney Spears tied the knot with childhood friend Jason Alexander in 2004. Their nuptials were annulled just two days later.

Jennifer looks set to fare better. "The ceremony was very romantic," she smiles, flashing her gold wedding band.

10.30AM Shannon and Jim say "I do" at the drive-through

10.30AMOutside it's now 35°C as a group pulls in for a drive-through ceremony in the Tunnel of Love. This enables bikers to exchange vows without leaving the saddle, or for couples to tie the knot through the window of their limo. With packages starting at just $40 (£27), it's the cheapest option.

Divorcee Jim Burrows, 50, and his fiancé, legal secretary Shannon Miller, 40, from California, roar up on their Harley-Davidson in jeans and T-shirts. Jim, a builder, said their wedding cost about $300 (£200). "It's better than spending $15,000 (£10,000) and it not working out," he bellows as he kicks up his Harley. We guess he's referring to his previous marriage!

12NOONCharolette Richards, the chapel's owner, arrives. At 74, she's been looking after weddings Vegas-style for 51 years. "I've had brides throw up on me, grooms faint and brides in labour who just managed to say their vows before dashing to hospital to give birth," she says. "One time, when I said: 'Do you take this man?' the bride turned around and said: 'No'. She told everyone the groom and her best friend had been having an affair, threw her flowers at her friend, and stormed out!"

And, of course, there are the times when a bride or groom is jilted. "It does happen," says Charolette, who's married over 800,000 couples. "I had a bride who turned up three times and the groom never came. Another time I was about to marry a couple when I heard a loud smack. The groom had hit the bride. I refused to marry them."

11.30PM Love me tender: Alex and Tara get hitched

They're not the only ones. The chapel won't marry anyone who seems drunk or under the influence of drugs, and gay weddings are not legally recognised in Nevada. (Charolette won't marry you to your dog either, as she was once asked!)

Originally from Minnesota, Charolette found herself in Vegas in 1959 aged 24 with three children, after her husband left her. She discovered the chapel was for sale and raised $50,000 (£33,400) to buy it - and in six months she'd paid off all her debts. "Vegas weddings are popular for many reasons, one being the cost," she says. "Some couples want to marry quietly, and Vegas has a certain appeal: the history, the romance."

As the chapel of choice for many celebrity nuptials, Charolette has come into contact with more than her fair share of stars. "Britney was as sweet as can be," she recalls. "She cried throughout the entire ceremony. I had no idea who Bruce Willis and Demi Moore were until afterwards. And Joan Collins, who married her fourth husband businessman Peter Holm in 1985, gave me a huge hug for keeping it secret."

12.20PM Ashley calls her missing groom

12.20PMA drama is unfolding in the waiting room. Ashley Jacobsen, 25, from Oceanside, California, is waiting anxiously for her groom, Paul Yoder, 23. The couple forgot their paperwork and Paul was sent back to the hotel to find it 20 minutes earlier. Now he's not answering his mobile. Dressed in a traditional white gown, Ashley paces up and down, calling Paul constantly. "He really irritates me," she seethes. The couple have been together for four years and have a seven-month-old son, Damien. "I'm avery forceful person," she says. "I basically told him we we're getting married."

1.00PMJust as it looks like the wedding's off, Paul arrives, an hour late. Ashley sees him and her face relaxes. There's no time for explanations when they come face to face at the altar. Their ceremony - complete with plastic palm trees in the L'amour Chapel - goes without a hitch.

On hand is wedding planner Rose-Ann Henry, 57, who was on duty in August 2008 when Peaches Geldof got married. "She was a little brat," Rose-Ann says. It was Rose-Ann who found the chapel's first Elvis in 1995. "We've had some pretty rotten Elvises over the years," she says. "They can turn into such divas. They should feel lucky to have a job. I mean, they're playing a dead guy."

4.00PM Elvis enters the building with Janet and Amy

4.00PMA large family group arrives. Janet and Kent Wellish, both 49, from Vegas, and Janet's brother Steve Edberg, 45, and his wife Amy, 47, are here to renew their vows in a surprise ceremony organised by Janet and Kent. "It wasn't until we were driving over that we told them what we'd arranged," says Janet. Luckily, last-minute arrivals can take advantage of the chapel's collection of over 300 wedding dresses, as well as make-up artists and hairdressers.

4.30PMIt's 40°C outside, but there's no stopping the crowds of couples as a long queue snakes through reception. Rhonda Bell-Jones, the chapel's organist, gets ready to play for the next wedding. The 86 year old provides musical accompaniment twice a week. "I offer the bride and groom a choice of traditional, gospel, country, classical or showtunes," she says. "Yesterday I had a guy ask for AC/DC. I said: 'Honey, I'm not even allowed to play Metallica.'"

7.00PM Mark and Jessica say their vows

7.00PMAs the sun starts to go down and the neon signs light up the strip joint across the road, another group of bikers arrive outside on Harleys. Julie Boswell, 49, and Larry Wilfret, 51, drove the 1,748 miles from Chicago for a $40 (£27) ceremony. They disappear into the sunset and are quickly followed by Marines Mark Damm, 28, and Jessica Coco, 29. The pair say their vows standing through the sunroof of a white stretch limo. Jessica's outfit consists of a white basque and tight jeans. "One month ago Mark said 'Let's get married,'" reveals Jessica. Mark grins: "I was drunk."

7.00PM Jessica shows off her bridal basque

8.30PMIt's dark and things at the chapel are slowing down. Elvis - real name Paul Casey, 42 - strums his guitar while he waits. "I'm an actor, not an impersonator and there is a difference," he insists.

10.30PMNext to arrive are four women from Texas and their doctor husbands, all slightly worse for wear. They're about to renew their vows alongside Elvis, who launches into Suspicious Minds. It's a strange song choice, but the couples don't seem to notice.

11.30PMThere's another King in the building when Alex Conteh, a 34 year old from Liverpool dressed as Elvis, struts in. He's followed by his wife Tara, 34, AKA Marilyn Monroe, and his cousin Tom Kelly and his wife Louisa, who have come as the Super Mario Brothers. After picking costumes in a fancy-dress store downtown, Alex and Tara decided to renew their vows, three years after their wedding day. As they hold hands and look into each other's eyes, you easily forget the silly costumes. "I love you so much," says Alex. "You are my best friend. Thank you for everything," replies Tara.

11.30PM Tara and Alex travel Vegas style

1.00AMThe seedy side of Vegas lurks outside, as a prostitute walks by in pink thigh-high boots and hot pants.Cockroaches dance on the pavement and the temperature settles above 38°C. Almost 60 couples have been through the doors today to marry or renew their vows. How many of these unions will last is hard to say. But as each couple says "I do", you can't help but be filled with optimism.

2.00AMThe lights are dimmed and the vacuum cleaner comes out. But the giant Elvis continues to swing outside because here, the King never leaves the building.

Celebs who gambled with love in Vegas

Demi Moore and Bruce Willis

After dating for just three months, Demi, then 24, and Bruce, then 32, tied the knot in November 1987. They divorced in 2000 and have three children together.

Britney Spears and Jason Alexander

In January 2004, pop princess Britney and her childhood friend Jason, both 22, married in a 5am ceremony. Wearing jeans and a baseball cap, Spears was walked down the aisle by a hotel porter. Just 55 hours later, the marriage was annulled.

Peaches Geldof and Max Drummey

In August 2008, 19-year-old Peaches wed Max, 25, a musician in the band Chester French. Six months on, they announced their union had ended amicably, with Max later admitting he'd married for publicity. Peaches' parents, Bob Geldof and Paula Yates, also tied the knot in Vegas.

Welcome to teen dads' school

Teenage fathers are absent good-for-nothings, right? Wrong. They want to raise their kids, they just don’t know how...

By Lucy Bulmer, 20/06/2010

The smell of aftershave lingers in the small room as more than a dozen teenage lads dressed in baggy jeans and T-shirts shuffle towards a row of shabby-looking chairs.

Aged between 16 and 19, every one of them is, or is about to be, a teen dad. Taking centre stage is Jordan Carter, 16, who is fastening a nappy on to a life-sized baby doll. He finishes with a deft flourish. "Who's next?" he grins, as the next candidate steps forward.

This is just one of the practical lessons on a course run by Barnardo's and Newcastle City Council to help teenage boys develop the skills they need to cope with a baby.

The boys get some 'dad' lessons from Kenneth Pervis

One of the pupils is Callum Phillips. He was just 15 when his 16-year-old girlfriend, Sam Graham, discovered she was pregnant. Careless with contraception, they presumed they wouldn't get caught out. "I never planned to be a young dad," Callum, says. "So when it happened, I had no idea what to do."

The couple discussed abortion, but decided to keep their child. And Callum soon discovered that the transition from carefree schoolboy to dad wasn't easy.

"Initially, I didn't think about the baby at all," he confesses. "I spent most nights hanging around the streets with my mates, drinking and smoking cannabis. I had no plans for the future, no ambition and no clue about kids. Looking back, I was really scared."

He went with Sam to her 12-week scan, at a special unit for young mums. There he met Norman Nur, Newcastle's young fathers' support worker. He explained about his 'school' for teen dads.

In the past three years, Norman's courses have helped almost 100 teen boys prepare for fatherhood - the youngest was just 15. His weekly workshops cover everything from nappy changing to managing a family budget and understanding post-natal depression.

As well as the baby basics, the lads also get help and support with finding a home for their family, returning to education and getting a job.

While the public perception of teenage dads is that of wasters and hoodies, who leave the girls holding the baby, Norman insists the reality couldn't be more different.

"Research shows many young dads actively want to be involved in their children's lives," Norman explains. "But the majority of support for young parents focuses on mums. The lads are often sidelined, making them feel uninvolved and ultimately unnecessary.

"I want them to understand that they're just as important as the mother in their child's life. They have a vital role to play and by acknowledging them, boosting their self-esteem and confidence, they're more likely to rise to the role."

Callum with Natalia

The first obstacle Norman often faces is the boys themselves. "At first, I didn't want to go on the course," Callum says. "I thought it would be a waste of time. But Norman talked me round. And I'm glad he did. I've learnt so much about being a good dad, and meeting the other lads really helped."

One of eight children, Callum's parents separated when he was 13. He has had a good relationship with his dad - something he wanted to emulate with his child and which started when his daughter Natalia was born.

"Norman explained it was going to be messy and loud and that I'd have to see Sam in pain," Callum, now 18, says. "If it hadn't been for those lessons, I might have been shocked. Instead, I was calm, confident and able to support Sam."

In the delivery suite, Callum discovered that he still faced prejudice as a young dad. Many of the boys in the group have had experience of midwives ignoring them as well as other support staff dismissing them.

Callum cut Natalia's umbilical cord

When Natalia was finally born after 27 hours of labour on April 2, 2008, weighing 8lb 15oz, Callum cut the cord.

"When I held her in my arms she looked so beautiful and I kept thinking: 'I made her.' It was an incredible feeling."

But even with all his preparation, the reality was tough. "Getting up in the night is the hardest thing," he says. "I'd learnt on the course that it would be difficult, but Natalia woke every few hours for months. Sam and I took alternate nights caring for her, but it was hard."

Norman's seen this many times before. "No matter how much you talk about it, you can never really be prepared for the sleeplessness and the round-the-clock responsibility," he says.

The course also helps the boys understand how a baby can change the relationship with their partners.

"It's important that whether the boys are with the baby's mother or not, that they can have a good relationship with her," Norman says. "One of our key roles is mediation, so if there are problems, they can be worked through."

The oldest member of the group is Kenneth Pervis, 28. He had his first child at 18, and he and his girlfriend Angela have since had four more, including premature twins who sadly died aged just 27 weeks.

He is studying to become a youth worker and acts as a mentor.

"This group is a lifeline for most of the lads here," he explains. "It helped me through my issues, including losing the twins, which was the toughest time of my life.

"There's lots of happiness in parenthood, but I think if most lads knew what the realities of becoming a dad so young are, they wouldn't do it."

The youngest in the group is 16-year-old Jordan Carter. He was 14 when his girlfriend, Natasha, now 19, fell pregnant.

"I was more scared of what Natasha's mum would say than I was of becoming a dad," he remembers. "She stopped speaking to me for a while. But Natasha and I stayed together. My daughter Chanelle is 21 months old now and she's perfect. If I had the chance, I'd have waited until I was a bit older to have had her. But I can't regret what happened.

"I want to get an apprenticeship. I'm not sure what in yet, but I want to work for my daughter."

Unemployed Callum feels the same way. "I don't miss my old life," he says. "But I wouldn't recommend anyone having a baby so young. It's not ideal. Things would have been so much harder without the course. I'd still have tried my best, but it's been a lot easier with the confidence I've got now."

Callum, who has moved in with Sam, now 19, finds the course so useful, he still attends weekly. "Being a father is a full-time lesson," he says. "At the group I get help and advice about housing, keeping on top of money, finding work. I also talk over things and tell the other dads what its like."

The course is the first of its kind in the UK and last month was recognised for its work by the British Journal of Midwifery Awards. Other local authorities and charities are now looking to Norman to help roll out similar courses across the country.

"These lads need people to not judge them negatively. We need to give them the skills to make the best of the difficult situation they find themselves in," says Norman.

'I was just a kid myself- how could I be a dad?'

Adam O'Moore, 20, and his fiancée Mel Hulse, 19, are parents to 14-month-old Megan and live in Gateshead.

Adam says: ''I was stunned when Mel told me she was pregnant. We'd only been together three months and had always been careful to use condoms. I was just 18 and Mel was 17, but neither of us ever considered a termination, we didn't even discuss it.

I used to spend my time hanging around street corners with my mates till all hours of the morning, doing drugs and drinking, with no thought for the future. But as soon as I found out I was going to be a dad, I went straight down to the JobCentre and got work as a night porter in a hotel, and then I tried to get a flat. I kept thinking: 'I'm just a kid myself, how can I become a father?' Then I met Norman and joined the dads' group.

During her pregnancy, Mel became very emotional and used to fly off the handle a lot, which was tough. Just talking to the other dads about how stressed their partners were while expecting really helped - I understood I had to support her, not get annoyed myself.

The birth was really emotional. I was crying and shaking so much when Megan was born that I couldn't cut the cord! She weighed 7lb 6oz and was absolutely gorgeous.

Adam, Mel and Megan

I'd never even held a baby before I had Megan - and I was so scared I wouldn't know what to do. The course made me realise all dads feel the same - it wasn't just me! And being taught basic things like how to make up bottles and sterilise them properly and how to stay calm when your baby cries, really helped.

I don't see the mates I used to hang around with anymore. They're still doing the same stuff, wandering round the streets till the early hours of the morning and drinking. Now I'd rather be home with Mel and Megan. If it hadn't been for Megan - and Norman's support - I'd still be doing that too. I'd probably have fallen into crime as well. They saved me from that."

Mel says: "When I found out I was pregnant, I was scared to tell Adam, as I didn't know how he'd react, I worried he might want to split up. But he was excited, and I was so pleased.

The group really built his confidence. He'd often talk to me about what he was learning - he was really excited and even brought leaflets home about baby massage. He's a really good dad, and together we make a great team."

• For more information about Barnado's work visit Barnados.org.uk.

THE EXPERT

Adrienne Burgess, head of research at The Fatherhood Institute, says teen dads deserve better.

"We estimate there are around 120,000 teen dads in the UK. The idea that young men will clear off as soon as their girlfriends discover they're pregnant is wide of the mark. Most desperately want to stay close to their child.

Most teenage parents come from disadvantaged backgrounds so they may not have the skills to maintain successful relationships. If they don't have help to develop them, they tend to give up. It's not just the practicalities of changing a nappy teen dads need support with. As many of the boys were raised without a father, they don't know how to be a good dad.

Most groups focus on teen mums. The lads don't have that support, but boys need the chance to prove themselves and learn the skills they need to be the fathers they want - and deserve - to be."

• For more information, see Fatherhoodinstitute.org.

Should no talking mean start walking?

Is your relationship no talk and no action? If so, it’s time to make some noise...

By Ruth Tierney, 20/06/2015

You know how it goes. You meet, you fall in love and people are hard-pressed to pull you apart at the pub as you've got so much to talk about. And you'd think that sharing your life with someone would give you even more to talk about, right? The truth is, a new study* has found that when it comes to conversation, couples are copping out. Newlyweds ignore each other for 20 minutes out of every hour they're together. And despite being able to communicate 24/7 thanks to phones, texts and emails, less time spent chatting is a new phenomenon.

But why? "Lack of communication is an increasingly common issue for those in their 20s, 30s and 40s who lead time-poor, stressful lives. Talking is often the first thing to go,'' says psychologist Dr Lucy Atcheson. "When life gets too busy, couples forget to catch up with each other. They stop asking: 'How was your day?' or 'How are you feeling?' and instead converse on a functional level about housework or, if they have them, the kids. When this happens, you lose the emotional connection that's essential in long-term relationships."

The peak time for marital unrest is after just two years of marriage, according to a new study published in the Journal of Human Resources, which showed that one in 12 marriages is heading for the divorce court after 24 months. The seven-year itch is well documented, but it seems the two-year itch is now much more likely. So while we make an effort to talk in the first flush of love, that soon skids to a halt.

Michelle suffered the silent treatment

This was the case for Michelle Jones 38, from Kettering, Northamptonshire. "I met Tom when I was 22. We both had jobs in sales and were at the same level career-wise, so we could chat about ongoing projects and our hopes and ambitions. But after getting married in 1996, Tom was offered a better job and we relocated from Berkshire to Northamptonshire, where I knew nobody and couldn't find work. We were trying for a baby, so while I was consumed with that, Tom was immersed in work. Two years into the marriage, I realised it had only been work that bonded us. Now there was a huge void - we literally had nothing to talk about. Tom started working longer hours and having to travel. I even joked that he was married to his job and I was the mistress."

It seems this is a lonely pattern many of us slip into. A third of married couples admit to spending at least two hours of every evening in separate rooms - surfing the net, doing chores or talking to friends on the phone**. And don't kid yourself that vegging next to your man in front of Corrie counts as together time - while 42 per cent of us watch TV with our partners every evening, this actually stands in the way of intimacy, because although you may be sharing a sofa, you're not bonding in any way. No wonder couples who've spent half a century living together spend only three minutes chatting while they eat dinner.

"As the years passed by, our relationship deteriorated further. Tom was always exhausted after work and all he wanted to do was watch TV," say Michelle. "At mealtimes, we were like the dining dead, sitting in silence. There was little to talk about other than a blocked drain or leaky sink."

Sharing a sofa is not bonding

Desperate to save their marriage, Michelle and Tom had relationship counselling, during which the counsellor suggested they take turns to talk about why communication had broken down. "It became clear that work, bills and chores came first - our relationship and communicating was way down on our list of priorities. Finally, after 14 years of marriage, we called it a day andn the divorce has just come through. When you meet someone and have so much in common, you never think it will end like that," Michelle confesses.

So it's good to talk. But is there such a thing as talking too much? Never, according to relationship therapist Francine Kaye. "We don't share ourselves enough. If you're thinking: 'I need to paint that wall,' say it aloud, no matter how inane the subject may be. It's about getting the dialogue flowing again. The only time you should keep your thoughts to yourself is when they'll impact on your partner in a negative way."

Wall-painting aside, shared interests are essential in providing talking fodder. "If you're not doing enough together, you'll find it hard to chat," says Francine. "Go to the cinema, hit the pub together, get the Sunday papers and have a gossip. But doing your own thing is equally important - you'll have even more to bring to the table."

To spot communication trouble, ask yourself certain questions, suggests Dr Atcheson. "When was the last time you shared a thought with your partner? Or had an animated conversation about how you felt? Or had a really good laugh, just the two of you? Or talked about something other than work, the house or the children? If the answer to any of these is more than six months ago, you need to prioritise your relationship and relearn how to chat. When you started dating, you prioritised each other above all else - do that again."

Get the dialogue flowing again

Another important question to ask yourself is whether you might be causing the lack of conversation. "You may not be aware of it, but everyone has certain 'communication blocks' that they use to stop chat when they're not in the mood for a natter," says psychotherapist Paula Hall. "An example is advising - rather than listening to the full story, you skip straight to the solution so you can get on with your evening. Ask your partner to point out when you're using these blocks to help you break the habit."

And if you're sure the silences are his fault rather than yours, cut him some slack. Men aren't built for lots of chat. Research shows on average a woman says 20,000 words a day, compared to a man's 13,000***.

"Bear in mind discussions with your partner are going to be different from those with your girlfriends - there will be a few pauses," says Francine. "Therefore be prepared to be the one putting in more effort to get the conversation up and running." Perhaps avoid the subjects of shopping, shoes and Sex And The City though...

Keep it together celeb-style

Heidi Klum and Seal have been head over heels since 2003. How do they keep things hot? "Heidi is number one at all times, then the kids, then health and career," says Seal. "When we met, it was just her and me. And when the children are old and have boyfriends and girlfriends, it will still be her and me." Brings a tear to the eye!

Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman may have only been together for four years, but they spice things up with 'Naked Sundays'. "We don't go out, we're with each other. We cook naked," says Christina. Chipolata anyone?

Yasmin and Simon Le Bon have been happily married for 25 years. Their model daughter Amber explains: "Daddy's away a lot touring, so they have a chance to miss each other and they don't get on each other's nerves." So it seems absence does make the heart grow fonder.

Hollywood couple Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell hooked up in 1983. Their secret? Never getting married. "I wake up every day knowing I could walk out at any moment. That knowledge keeps things fresh," says Goldie.

Celebrity Daddy Cool

They’re gorgeous, they’ve got cute kids – and can make women melt at 10 paces. Meet celebland’s hottest DILFs*
(*Dad's we'd like to have fun with!)

By Laura Millar, 20/06/2012

David Beckham, 35

Children: Brooklyn, 11, Romeo, seven (pictured above) and Cruz, five.

Their mum: Fashion designer and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, 36.

Say ahh!: "Being a dad's more important than football. There's no better feeling than coming home and seeing the kids and spending time with them. Any parent understands that feeling. I'd love a little girl. We have three beautiful boys, but another one or two kids would be a blessing."

Matthew McConaughey, 40

Children: Levi, 21 months (pictured), and Vida, six months.

Their mum: Brazilian model and designer Camila Alves, 28.

Say ahh!: "I've been looking forward to being a dad since I was 10. I turned the page in that chapter of my life and it was the right moment. Levi reminds me to see things for the first time - not in a naïve way, in an innocent way. It's a ball!"

Peter Andre, 37

Children: Junior, five, Princess Tiaamii (pictured), two.

Their mum: Model and businesswoman Katie Price (aka Jordan), 32. The couple divorced in September 2009. Peter also considers himself a father to Harvey, eight, Katie's son by footballer Dwight Yorke.

Say ahh!: "I miss the children so much when I'm away. They're happy when they're with me. I always tell them that Daddy loves them."

Jeff Brazier, 31

Children: Bobby Jack, seven, and Freddy, five.

Their mum: Big Brother star Jade Goody, who died of cervical cancer in March 2009, aged 27.

Say ahh!: "I'm Mum and Dad now Jade's gone. We still haven't coined a phrase for it, but 'MAD' as an abbreviation isn't far off the mark!"

Frank Lampard, 32

Children: Luna, four, and Isla, three.

Their mum: Model Elen Rivas, 35. They split in February 2009.

Say ahh!: "Since I've had kids, every penny I earn and every yard I run on the football pitch is for them. Half the week, the kids wake up in my house in the bedrooms I decorated for them and that's what they'll always do."

Ben Affleck, 37

Children: Violet, four (pictured), and Seraphina, one.

Their mum: Hollywood actress Jennifer Garner, 38.

Say ahh!: "I love being a father. It's changed my life. It sounds like a cliché, and that's because it's the truth. Fatherhood has made me more sensitive and probably more caring."

Hugh Jackman, 41

Children: Oscar, 10, and Ava, four (pictured).

Their mum: Actress Deborra-Lee Furness, 55. They adopted both kids after Deborra-Lee miscarried twice.

Say ahh!: "Fatherhood brings out elements of your character that are already there. At home, the more chaos, mess and noise there is, the more I start to feel: 'Ah, this is how it's meant to be!'"

My man loves another bloke... RONALDO!

When Flic Everett met her husband, she didn’t know there was already a Significant Other in his life...

By Flic Everett, 30/05/2014

Soccer widow Flic Everett

There's always been someone else in my relationship with my husband Simon. For a while I tried to make him love me more, but I soon realised that was pointless.

Even if I was wearing my slinkiest, sexiest number, beckoning him to the bedroom for a night of unbridled passion, he'd spurn me in favour of his other passion. And it's not just Ronaldo who turns his head. No matter how hot I looked, or how seductive I was, he still preferred to watch 22 men run around a pitch in shorts chasing a ball. For the past 14 years I have been a football widow. When other dads were reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar to their kids, Simon was crouched by our son's cot explaining the off-side rule.

When we first got together (in the days when I was still pretending that I woke up with a full face of slap every morning), I agreed to go to a game with him. At kick-off, he morphed from mild-mannered Clark Kent to Bad Superman, roaring abuse at the players.

"What?" he said, when he finally noticed me staring at him, slack-jawed with horror. "Did you see that blatant foul?" he seethed. I decided he'd have a better time without me, so I gave up going.

I liked having Saturdays to myself, and if there was a big match on, he'd go down the pub to watch it, while I caught up on MasterChef. But now it's gone too far.

The World Cup has invaded my home, with its wall-charts, and endless newspaper coverage. Come June 11, we might as well just subscribe to a channel called Men In Shorts, and forget the others. There will be a constant roaring sound coming from the telly, and every time I go to switch on Gossip Girl I know I'll find my husband and son sitting there, rigid with tension, watching men from a country they've never heard of kicking a ball about.

The World Cup has invaded my home

Nobody will speak any more, apart from to bellow: "Pass, you donkey!" and "That was a corner!". Plus my offers of home cooking will be ignored in favour of bowls of cereal ("This way, I don't have to look at what I'm eating," my husband explained). I have tried to join in, but it's like trying to participate in a very fast, excitable conversation that strangers are having. In Japanese. They may as well hold a global pie-eating contest. It would be more entertaining.

Of course, it will affect our relationship - because for weeks, I'm not going to be able to hold a conversation with my partner, unless it starts: "Did you see that dive?" And as for our love life - it's difficult to get intimate when one of you has their eyes fixed on a Portuguese striker (and it won't be me).

So I'll have to get used to arranging girls' get-togethers on significant match nights, and blocking my ears to the sound of excitable Latino football chants coming from the front room at all hours

All right, if England get to the semis then, I admit, I might watch it. That way, I can also stick a bottle of wine on the coffee table between us and pretend we're on a really romantic date - one where there just happens to be a game of football on in the background.

What's your DNA damage?

It’s not just good looks you inherit from your folks (if you’re lucky!). Health problems get passed on, too...

By John Triggs , 21/03/2010

From Brussels sprouts to lectures on the birds and the bees - not everything your parents give you over the years is welcome.

Take your genes: inheriting your dad's wonky nose can be bad enough, but scientists are discovering increasing numbers of health problems that can also be down to your family.

"Our genes can make us more susceptible to a huge range of wellbeing issues," explains Dr Anand Saggar, senior consultant in clinical genetics at the St George's NHS Trust in London.

"Diseases such as the neurological disorder Huntington's and cystic fibrosis are well known for being genetically inherited, but there are other conditions where, although no single gene might cause a problem, a combination of them might make you more susceptible."

It's not always easy to discover if it's your genes or lifestyle affecting your health. But if you think you may have been handed down a health problem, read on to discover how to escape your inheritance horror...

Unhealthy inheritance: Infertility

While there are no single, specific genes for fertility or menopause, research* has found that if your gran and mum had their menopause before 52, you may too. "You may have problems conceiving later in life if your mum did," says Gillian Lockwood, medical director of the Midland Fertility Clinic. "But if female relatives had babies later, you're also likely to."

Beat your genes: Quitting smoking is a must if early menopause is in your family. For a Fertility Age Test contact the Midland Fertility Clinic (Midlandfertility.com, 01922 455 911).

Unhealthy inheritance: a sweet tooth

Ever wondered why some people are nonplussed by pudding, while others dive right into the pavlova? Scientists at King's College London have found that genes are more responsible for the foods we like than was originally thought. Experts once believed our penchant for naughty foods came from being exposed to them as children. But when researchers looked at identical twins who'd had different upbringings, they found they often still had the same food fads. And that's not all. Boffins have also discovered that many of us inherit a gene from our parents or grandparents that means we don't realise when we're full - so we're more likely to overeat and put on weight.

Beat your genes: Override your sweet-tooth gene bit by bit. "If you're trying to give up sugar in your tea, reduce the amount you take each day until you no longer have any," advises Sian Porter from the British Dietetic Association. "In the same way, gradually reduce salt intake or change full-fat milk to semi-skimmed then skimmed."

Unhealthy inheritance: bad behaviour

American researchers have discovered that some shy people have inherited a gene that determines how you react to new situations and people. The gene makes them more inhibited. Similarly, men who are prone to angry outbursts may not be entirely at fault either. Scientists at Florida State University recently discovered what's been termed the 'ASBO' gene - known by scientists as the MAOA gene. Men who'd inherited it were more likely to be aggressive, join a gang and use a weapon.

Beat your genes: If you're shy, Philip Hodson from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapists says: "Smile - it really boosts confidence." Or if you're prone to aggression, Philip advises: "Go for a run or a bike ride to purge stress."

Unhealthy inheritance: An unsatisfying sex life

It won't help the frustration of the estimated 12 per cent of women who've never had an orgasm**, but a study by St Thomas' Hospital in London discovered that a woman's ability to climax was more dependent on her genes than anything else. But it's not just us girls who suffer. The bad news for boys is that genes can also play a role in how sexy you feel in the first place. For example the inherited condition, Klinefelter's Syndrome, can result in a testosterone deficiency in men and low libido. Luckily for us ladies, we can't inherit the syndrome and in fact there's little evidence that genes are related to female sex drive at all. Hooray for that!

Beat your genes: Even if you have a naturally low libido there's lots you can do to give your sex life a kick-start. Read A Little Bit Kinky by Natasha Janina Valdez (£7.66, Broadway Books) for tips on putting the thrill back into the bedroom. The Sh! sex shop in Hoxton, north London, not only sells a huge range of sex toys, books, clothing and DVDs to help get in the mood for lovin', but it even runs evening classes for those who'd like to improve their technique. And for those of us still too embarrassed to be walking out with a bagful of naughty goodies, it also offers a discreet mail-order and internet delivery service (Sh-womenstore.com; 0845 868 9599).

Unhealthy inheritance: Bad hair and skin

Rather than gazing at your dad's bald head and worrying about the fate of your own luscious locks, study old photos of your grandparents. "Women only need to worry about inheriting hair loss if both their grandmothers had thinning hair," says Keith Hobbs, a fellow of the Institute of Trichologists. "And because of the different way genes are carried between the sexes, men are most likely to go bald if their mother's father was bald." Spotty skin can also be blamed on previous generations. "Some people inherit greasier skin than others, so if either of your parents suffered from acne there's more chance you will, too," says Dr Puneet Gupta, dermatologist at Harley Street's Private Clinic.

Beat your genes: "For hair loss, try using a lotion called minoxidil, sold in the UK under the trade name Regaine (£24.99 for 60ml from chemists)," says Keith. "It causes hair regrowth in about a third of people, prevents further hair loss in another third, while the final third find it doesn't have any effect." For problem skin, stock up on zinc and vitamin A, which reduce sebum production. Apricots and green veg are good sources. Or if that doesn't help, see your GP for advice.

Unhealthy inheritance: A roving eye

We may tut over Tiger Woods' recent behaviour, but studies suggest a quarter of women might actually carry an inherited gene that makes us more likely to stray! "By studying twins, it seems there's a strong link between a woman's genetic inheritance and the chances that she'll commit infidelity," confirms Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at St Thomas' Hospital in London. And as for how many people we get it on with, research by the University of Western Australia has found that could also be down to Mum and Dad. Studies have found that some of the secrets of attraction are hidden in our immune system genes - which we inherit from our parents - and the more varied the genes are, the more boyfriends a woman will have.

Beat your genes: Tempted to stray? Never keep secrets from your lover - as soon as you start lying you're on the slippery slope to cheating, say relationship counsellors. All relationships are different so seek help from a therapist - call Relate on 0300 100 1234.

The Fabulous girls' guide to football

Can't imagine anything better than spending 90 minutes ogling fit men in shorts? Then you'll be raring to go when the World Cup kicks off on June 11!

But even if you think the only bit worth watching is the players swapping shirts at the end, you'll discover there's actually plenty in South Africa to keep you interested over the next few weeks. Follow our girls' guide to the World Cup and who knows, you may end up loving the beautiful game!

The offside rule

We all have our own tricks for working out on a first date whether a man could be the father of our future children (kind to his mum, nice hands, pays for dinner). Well, guess what? Men have their own form of natural selection - and it's called the offside rule. Girls, if you can master this, he'll think you're a goddess.

Forget football for a minute. Instead, imagine the Harvey Nicks shoe department during the sales - that's the equivalent of the pitch.

There's one last pair of Christian Louboutin Prive slingbacks with 80 per cent off - that's the goal. But in front of you, a gang of other girls are in the way of the fabulous footwear. They're the opposing team. Behind you is your best friend holding your credit card - that's the ball. If you start running towards the shoes (the goal) and your mate throws the card (the ball) to you after you've managed to barge past the last two shoppers, you're offside and lose the shoes. Simples!

Soccer speak

The universal language of lads can seem rather alien to the uninitiated (and we suspect they probably prefer it that way).

Master the offside rule and he'll think you're a goddess

Here are a few key phrases to help you make sense of what the commentators are babbling on about:

'Holding up the ball' - we're not talking tight boxers here, but a player's ability to keep the ball and not lose it in a tackle (tackle is not what you think either!).

'Nutmeg' - not the spice, but a move where one player kicks the ball between the legs of an opposing player.

'Tricky Brazilian' - this isn't a painful grooming procedure, it's a skilful player from South America.

Once you've mastered the basics, really impress the lads by throwing the following into your chat: "Let's hope Capello's insistence on a rigid 4-4-2 structure instead of a diamond formation doesn't limit our central attacking options. I'd have gone with the 4-5-1." (This means how the manager, Fabio Capello, has decided to play the team, with so many at the front, in the middle and at the back of the pitch.)

Gaining a home advantage

Even if you don't like football, initiating a soccer date or suggesting you snuggle up on the sofa to watch the game will net you a few brownie points. If you want your man out of the house, suggest he goes to the pub because the atmosphere is better. He'll think you're a saint - and you can watch Cougar Town without having to wrestle for the remote.

How will Tevez wear his hair?

And after his chosen team wins a match, let him come home to find you wearing nothing more than his England shirt! This is the perfect moment to drop hints about those Jimmy Choos you've had your eye on

Football fashion

Even the most hardened fashionista will find some inspiration during the tournament. Hair is always a major talking point (they'd never admit it, but most players plan their World Cup style as carefully as they plan their match tactics). Accessorising will be big this year, especially with the Latin sides like Spain and Italy favouring long locks tied back with thin Alice bands. And as for England, who'll have the best barnet now Becks isn't in the squad? Whoever emerges victorious is likely to spark a copycat frenzy. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that John Terry's semi-mullet doesn't find its way on to the high street.

World cup etiquette

The best place to watch a game is usually the pub. Don't worry about squeezing into a tight dress and skyscraper heels because the chances are, if England score, you'll get covered in beer. And remember when chanting for Frank Lampard and Co. that the correct pronunciation is IN-GER-LUND.

The correct pronunciation is IN-GER-LUND

No matter who your faves are, be aware that there are some teams it is acceptable to support and some you can't. It's fine to cheer for South Africa, Brazil, Mexico and Switzerland, but frowned on to support Germany or Argentina (unless you're German or Argentinian). They are the ENEMY.

Your drink must be beer; your food anything that doesn't require cutlery - forget the low-carb diet for a few weeks.

WAGs

It looks like it could be a disappointing tournament for WAG spotters. Capello doesn't want them there, Cheryl has dumped Ashley, Posh might not be going, and Carly Cole has just given birth so she'll be at home. It will also be winter in South Africa (which is not known for its retail opportunities), so the likes of Coleen Rooney, Abbey Clancy and new super-WAG Christine Bleakley may only appear briefly if England get through to the late stages of the tournament.

Dealing with loss

Although I'm confident England will do well, they have been knocked out before the final in every World Cup since 1966. But even if you've invested time and effort in following the tournament and your chosen team does get sent home, it needn't be a tragedy. The great thing about being a woman is you can switch allegiances to another hot team. I, though, will be drowning my sorrows!

This article has 3 comments

i totally understand the rules to football, been brought up with football all my life... i do think you give a great explanation to the offside rule for the women who dont, but want to understand it your fella will love you for being a beer drinkin footy mad lass granted you may become a bit of a threat to his ego if your too intrested so dont throw it all at him at once lol

By kelly.. Posted June 10 2010 at 11:02 AM.

Wow!! What an amazing insight into the world of football. I don't mind the game and I am thrilled my boyfriend feels the same. However, after reading Charlotte's article I have learned more from her in 5 minutes than any bloke could ever teach me.
The explination of the off side rule will be with me forever and her soccer speak was genius. Fabulous your mag is THE only one I now read as I figure if it's not in Fabolous then it isn't worth knowing anyway.....Thanks for the bringing us the best mag ever Mwah x

By Emma Sands.. Posted June 5 2010 at 10:15 AM.

Charlotte Jackson is so fit