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Susan Boyle: I have Asperger’s

Susan Boyle

Susan Boyle

The singer has suffered from “learning difficulties” her entire life, but was told they were the result of brain damage caused by complications at her birth.

Last year, Susan started seeing a Scottish specialist who eventually diagnosed her with Asperger’s, a form of autism that affects social interaction and communication skills.

“I always knew ‘brain damage’ was an unfair label,” she told the Observer magazine. “Now I have a clearer understanding of what’s wrong and I feel relieved and a bit more relaxed about myself.”

Susan, who was dubbed ‘Simple Susan’ by her schoolmates when she was a child, said she thought the diagnosis would make her life easier.

“People will have a greater understanding of who I am and why I do the things I do,” she said.

“I have communicative difficulties, which leads to a lot of frustration. If people were a bit more patient, it would help.”

Susan shot to worldwide fame in 2009 when her Britain’s Got Talent audition video went viral on YouTube.

She found her sudden fame difficult to manage and went into rehab but is now flourishing after hiring a team of people to help her manage her condition.

“I’m not strong on my own,” she said.

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Neighbours diss Kate and William’s ‘vulgar’ renovations

Anmer Hall

Kate and Prince William have begun renovations on their country retreat, the magnificent 10-bedroom Anmer Hall on the Queen’s Sandringham Estate and the neighbours aren’t happy.

“Garish” red roof tiles replacing the weathered tiles of the 1800s mansion have been described as “vulgar” by locals, who say the royal renovations are taking away from the area’s character, the Mirror reports.

“The building dates back to the early 1800s but it looks more like a cheap Barrat home now,” one disgruntled resident said.

“It’s not an eyesore but it does look completely different.”

The Georgian property’s previous residents had been asked to make way for Kate and William’s young family ahead of the arrival of baby Prince George.

Since moving in, a raft of new security measures have been implemented in and around the property and renovations have commenced.

The couple’s new roof is not the only development that may upset the neighbours, according to a building application plans to relocate the house’s main gates further from the house to ward off stickybeaks and the planting of trees to shield the property from public view are also in place.

Kate and William’s near-complete renovation of their Kensington Palace apartment was also the topic of community outrage with building costs coming in at almost $2 million at taxpayers expense.

The Queen is said to have footed to the bill for the Anmer Hall makeover.

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Is Miranda Mrs Packer number 3?

Is Miranda Mrs Packer number 3?

As casino mogul James continues to woo the model he’s been secretly dating, his former wife rues the day she introduced them. Woman’s Day gets the update.

It must hurt Erica Packer that then-husband James took her to Tahiti on a make-or-break holiday to try to save their marriage earlier this year – 12 months after she and James hosted Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom on a lavish holiday at nearby Bora Bora.

The two glamorous couples, together with tennis star Pat Rafter and his wife Lara, enjoyed lazy days on the beach, bonding as their young children frolicked together on the white sands of the island paradise.

There, Miranda and Orlando became even closer to James and Erica, who introduced her husband to the couple two years ago.

Erica is said to be “fragile” following the exclusive revelation in Woman’s Day last week that James, 46, has been secretly dating Miranda, 30, for the past five weeks, wooing the supermodel billionaire-style in New York.

Read the full update of Miranda and James’ romance in this week’s issue of Woman’s Day, on sale Monday, December 9, 2013.

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Bec’s biggest sacrifice

Bec's biggest sacrifice

In a heartfelt public plea to his ‘beautiful wife’, the Australian tennis legend begs forgiveness after her time on the sideline.

As one of Australia’s most high-profile couples – the tennis champion and the beautiful soap star – Lleyton and Bec Hewitt should lead a charmed life. With lovely homes around the globe and three gorgeous children, they seem to have it all.

But the couple have endured persistent reports about cracks in their relationship. And now, for the first time, Lleyton has admitted the strain their marriage has been under – and why he’s the one to blame.

In a shock confession, Lleyton, 32, has finally come clean, saying, “I would like to thank my wife for putting up with all the stress I put her through.”

Friends say the significance of his comments cannot be underestimated, and they hope it’s the first step in a new chapter of their married life together.

Read more of Lleyton’s praise for his wife in this week’s issue of Woman’s Day, on sale Monday, December 9, 2013.

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Brad rushes to OZ: I’ve made a big mistake!

Brad rushes to OZ: I've made a big mistake!

Brad rushes to furious Angelina’s side as flirting rumours rock their relationship and trigger their worst fight in nine years.

When Brad Pitt confessed to a flirtatious night out with a much younger brunette while Angelina Jolie was away looking after their kids, he was given one tearful and terse instruction: explain yourself.

And now a surprise visit to Australia, where his family is living without him, may be the only thing keeping his relationship alive.

A friend in America who was present at one of Brad’s boys’ nights out in Colorado dobbed the actor in to his fiancee, revealing he’d been “canoodling” with a petite 20-something woman he met at a bar after the premiere of his film 12 Years A Slave.

Read all the details of Brad’s mercy dash to Oz in this week’s issue of Woman’s Day, on sale Monday, December 9, 2013.

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Bali Schoolie’s nightmare: I’m lucky to be alive

Bali Schoolie's nightmare: I'm lucky to be alive

This grateful NSW teen has a sobering warning for her partygoing peers.

Aussie teenager Jasmine Baker thought she was dying after drinking a potentially lethal cocktail during Schoolies Week celebrations in Bali.

“I’ve never been more frightened. I honestly thought, ‘This is it,’” she tells Woman’s Day.

Back in her hometown of Empire Bay on the NSW Central Coast, Jasmine, 17, struggles to contain her tears as she shares holiday snaps with her loving family. She still can’t comprehend how her dream holiday could so quickly become a nightmare.

With five of her closest friends by her side, Jasmine was convinced she’d be safe when they ventured to Bounty Bar, a Kuta nightspot that’s a favourite with schoolies.

Read more about Jasmine’s scray ordeal in this week’s issue of Woman’s Day, on sale Monday, December 9, 2013.

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How Chris O’Brien’s vision became a reality

How Chris O'Brien's vision became a reality

Professor Chris O'Brien and his wife Gail.

What began as an ambitious plan to transform cancer care, by creating an integrated and patient-focused centre of excellence has now become a reality, with the newly opened, state-of-the-art Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.

“It is about nine years since Chris, as the director of the Sydney Cancer Centre at RPA had the initial conversations with the Federal Health Minister about the need for a new organisational approach to cancer care in this country,” says Gail O’Brien, wife of the late Professor Chris O’Brien.

In 2003 Professor O’Brien had a vision for transforming cancer patient care in Australia. While working in the United States, Chris had seen how comprehensive cancer centres, integrating research and treatment, had improved patient outcomes and transformed the experience of the patient. It was for this vision for an integrated cancer centre in Sydney that he continued to crusade until his death in June, 2009.

Chris O’Brien laid out his vision for the facility when he said, six weeks before his death, “We will seek nothing less than the achievement of world class benchmarks in treatment and research outcomes and also safety and quality.”

As Gail says, Chris’ watchwords were “discovery, innovation, excellence, and leading edge clinical care” and he emphasised that the whole place should “burn on discovery”.

“My husband Chris called the building Lifehouse because as a surgeon and a humanitarian he knew illness and death are part of life itself and this will be the house of life,” says Gail.

“It has been an arduous journey bringing together an enormous number of dedicated and passionate people from all walks of life, working together for a noble cause,” she says.

In Professor Chris O’Brien’s own words “if you have a critical mass of people, with a unity of purpose then you must be successful.”

With the help of donations, the newly opened Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney’s Camperdown aims to improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their families by bringing together all the elements of cancer research, medical treatment and complementary therapies, as well as support and sanctuary all under the one roof.

To donate a gift for a patient at Lifehouse visit www.lifehousewarming.com.au

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Kate’s best looks of 2013

Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge is known for her impressive style, and this year was no exception!

Duchess Kate had a stellar style year in 2013 and introduced us to her equally fabulous maternity style.

Catherine knows herself and her style and often accentuates her slim figure at the waist.

From red carpet events to tea at Buckingham Palace, Catherine hardly puts a foot wrong!

Check out her best looks of 2013 here!

Kate’s best looks of 2013.

Catherine was the epitome of elegance in this Emilia Wickstead dress.

The duchess gracefully cradles her tiny bump.

While she still wears heels, Catherine chooses a sensible height.

Catherine adds a bit of bling to her outfit.

Catherine shows off her baby bump in a mulberry coat.

Catherine styles basic black and white.

Catherine steps out looking lovely in baby pink.

Pretty in polka dots!

Glowing in a yellow coat, Catherine steps out at an event at Buckingham palace.

catherine steps out close to her due date.

Showing off her baby prince for the first time

Catherine sparkes on her first night out since welcoming her first child.

Catherine showed off her casula style and her toned tummy at an event.

Catherine looks stunning in a black low cut gown.

On their second official public outing together Catherine dresses in a similar colour to her son.

Getting back to work, Catherine knows what style works for her.

Catherine steps out with one ‘daring’ split.

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The most shocking celebrity moments of 2013

It’s hard to believe the age of some Hollywood stars! Check out these natural beauties of the celebrity world who’ve managed to keep their looks youthful and skin radiant as they enter the later stages of life…

Simon’s baby news

Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman were having an affair when she fell pregnant. Simon and Lauren, who was married to Simon’s friend Andrew Silverman, announced they were expecting unexpectedly in August.

Simon recently said: “I let down a friend and I feel bad about that, but the good thing it is that I’m having a baby and I never thought I would.”

Liberty Ross talks of affair

Liberty Ross opened up to Vanity Fair magazine about her husband Rupert Sanders’s affair Kristen Stewart.

“It was horrible,” she told the magazine. “It was really the worst, really the worst.”

“I have no words to describe what we went through,” Ross says. “But I think, for me, something always has to completely die for there to be a rebirth. And, for me, I feel like I’m going through a rebirth.”

Kim kardashian pregnancy

Kim Kardashian shocked everyone when she went into labour a month earlier than expected.

What she and Kanye West named their daughter was equally as shocking. The pair’s choice of North (Nori) West was met with much criticism.

Paul Walker dies

The world was left shocked when actor Paul Walker died suddenly in a fiery car crash.

The Fast and the Furious star lost his life after the car he was travelling in crashed into a pole and burst into flames. The driver and Paul’s friend Roger Rodas also died in the crash

Catherine and Michael split

After 13 years of marriage, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones announced their separation.

The pair have made it clear they are not seeking a divorce and are trying to work out their differences.

james gandolfini suddenly dies

The world was shocked when **James Gandolfini suddenly died of a heart attack while holidaying with his son in Italy.

James leaves behind his wife, former model Deborah Lin, a daughter born last October and a teenage son with his ex-wife Marcy Wudarski.**

Charles Saatchi photographed choking Nigella Lawson

The world was stunned when a UK newspaper published photos that showed Charles Saatchi with his hands around his wife Nigella Lawson’s neck.

The release of the images lead to their immediate divorce as well as a much publicised court case in which Nigellas was accused of using drugs.

Cory Monteith dies of an overdose

Tragedy struck the upbeat Glee cast this year when Cory Monteith was found dead of a heroin and alcohol overdose at the age of 31.

The TV stars body was found in his Vancouver Hotel room in July. The actor, who was dating his Glee co-star Lea Michele at the time, had a history of drug use and had unsuccessfully attempted drug rehabilitation in the past.

Joel Madden drug bust

Much loved Good Charlotte twin Joel Madden had a run in with the Australian law this year when police found marijuana in the punk-rockers Sydney hotel room. British singer Seal raised more controversy when he took to twitter to defend his The Voice co-star.

“Having a joint in the privacy of his hotel room is worthy of front page news??? Way to respect a guest in your country trash media, way to make us feel welcome,” he tweeted.

Amanda bynes breakdown

Troubled child star Amanda Bynes’ very public breakdown began when she started attacking other stars on Twitter. She launched a twitter attack on Courtney Love calling her “ugly”.

This was just the start of her problems. Since then Amanda has been arrested for drug possession and most recently entered a rehab facility to undergo a mental evaluation after she set fire to her driveway back in July. She was recently released into the custody of her parents and is reportedly preparing to start classes at a fashion school in New York.

Justin Bieber out of control

Since breaking up with Selena Gomez singer Justin Bieber has been caught with a string of ladies, including strippers, and was secretly filmed sleeping by a creepy lady friend.

Destroying his rep even more he has been caught with marijuana in his tour bus, posted photos of himself smoking weed, hit a photographer with his car and trashed a hotel room in the Gold Coast, Australia.

Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom split

The world was shocked when Miranda Kerr announced her split from American actor Orlando Bloom. It’s been a tough year for the model after she stood down as the David Jones ambassador, lost a modelling contract with clothing brand Mango and was ditched from this year’s Victoria’s Secret show.

Meanwhile, Miranda has found love with Australia’s billionaire James Packer after Woman’s Day exclusively revealed the pair have been secretly dating.

Lamar Odums drug use

Lamar Odum’s excessive drug use and cheating claims shocked not only the world, but the Kardashian Klan

Rumours swirled about Lamar’s infidelity as two women have now stepped forward to claim they had affairs with Khloe’s basketballer husband, Lamar Odom. Then came the public rant from his father attacking the Kardashian family followed by a video which shows Lamar under the influence of alcohol rapping about drug use and prostitutes.

Miley Cyrus’s twerking outrage

The VMA music awards left the entire world talking about one little Disney girl – Miley Cyrus. She hit the stage dressed in a teddy bear swimsuit, before stripping off to nude, latex underwear, dry humping Blurred Lines singer Robin Thicke and twerking in front of a shocked audience.

The wrecking ball singers relationship with Aussie Liam Hemsworth subsequently broke down with her increasingly odd behaviour, including smoking a joint live on stage at the MTV music awards in Amsterdam.

Reece Witherspoon arrested

This year it emerged that the totally adorable, sweet-as-pie Southern bell Reece Witherspoon isn’t so innocent at all, and is in fact part diva!

In April the American actress was arrested for disorderly conduct for refusing to get into her car after her husband Jim Toth was pulled over for suspected DUI. She was recorded renting on, asking the officer if he knew who she was before declaring “You’re about to find out who I am.” Ouch!

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Mandela and the stars he inspired

It seems no matter how large their celebrity status, world leaders, movie stars and sportsmen alike all jumped at the chance to meet humanitarian guru Nelson Mandela.

Since his release from prison 23 years ago, until his death on December 5 aged 95, the former South African president, who fought hard for equal rights, inspired countless stars, from Oprah Winfrey to Michael Jackson; from Naomi Campbell to The Spice Girls.

And while they all sought to be in his presence, the freedom fighter showed just as much interest in meeting them.

Take a look at the stars Nelson Mandela inspired here.

“The world is going to miss him,” Oprah said.

Nelson Mandela shakes hands with Tiger Woods.

The Spice Girls meet Nelson at the presidential residence in South Africa.

Whitney Houston is overcome with emotion when meeting Nelson Mandela.

Nelson Mandela hugs Naomi campbell.

Will smith and his wife jada chat to Nelson Mandela.

Michael Jackson donated profits from his concert to the Nelson Mandela Children’s fund.

Nelson Mandela with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.

Nelson Mandela at the Nelson Mandela foundation in Houghton

Nelson Mandela meets Margaret Thatcher.

“He has been a forceful presence in my life” Bono said.

Nelson Mandela talks to his good friend Prince Charles.

David Beckham said he was praying for Nelson Mandela when news of his illness broke.

Nelson Mandela thanks Beyonce at the Nelson Mandela AIDS benefit concert in Cape Town.

Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela share a relaxed moment together.

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