Hazel Wallace was just 14 when her dad suffered a stroke at the dinner table of their family home. He died three days later and for a year, as she struggled to process her grief, Hazel turned her back on eating, and slowly faded away physically and mentally.…
11 posts by author
Gemma Calvert
Gemma is a contributing writer at Happiful magazine
Giovanna Fletcher: Mum's the word
Giovanna Fletcher is one half of one of the most adorable couples in show business. Through her acclaimed podcast Happy Mum, Happy Baby, the soon-to-be mum-of-three, delves into every nook and cranny of motherhood – good and bad.…
Alexandra Burke: On the Record
The past 12 months have seen extreme highs and lows for Alexandra Burke – and couldn’t have been much more emotionally challenging. Her hugely supportive mother passed away, shortly before Alexandra appeared on Strictly Come Dancing where, despite reaching the final, she received a torrent of abuse in the papers…
Jake Quickenden: Dealing with the reality of grief
When Dancing On Ice star Jake Quickenden lost his dad and younger brother within four years, he began drinking heavily to numb his emotions. Today Jake, 29, tells Happiful why strength truly comes from talking out loud……
Callie Thorpe: Perfect, Just As You Are
With 165,000 followers on Instagram, social media star Callie Thorpe, 28, is on a one-woman mission to reshape the way society views plus-size. This month, as she fronts Happiful’s body-positivity workshop, Callie reveals the truth about body-shaming abuse, her journey to happiness, and the secret to finding her…
Jasmine Hemsley: Ayurveda soul sister
Culinary queen Jasmine Hemsley is using ancient teachings to help fine-tune the body and mind. Happiful enjoys a cup of ‘golden milk’ with the holistic guru Jasmine Hemsley In a bustling cafe near London Bridge, Jasmine Hemsley, one half of holistic food and cooking empire Hemsley + Hemsley, is clutching a…
The Naked Truth About Anna Richardson
TV presenter Anna Richardson is known for her daring documentaries and risky dating game shows that tackle sex, body image, and social taboos. Off camera, however, she has battled a series of mental health issues, from anxiety and panic disorder to depression and agoraphobia. Now back in rude health, she’…
Louise Thompson: My Mental Health Reality
For Louise Thompson, 2017 has been a transformative year. The original cast member of Made in Chelsea has quit the party scene and created a promising new career in fitness – with a sportswear line, a book on positivity, and a million followers on Instagram. But the greatest improvement has been…
Denise Welch: (Just Like) Starting Over
Actress Denise Welch holds a special place in the nation’s heart. As the vivacious star of Coronation Street and Loose Women, her persona is known to millions. But her private life has seen battles with depression, addiction and suicidal impulses. In this candid and uplifting interview, Denise explains how…