DAME JOANNA AND MICA
In a move as much about looking to the future as remembering the past, Poppy Day will look a little different this year as the iconic flower symbol goes plastic-free – much to the delight of its famous supporters.
The emblem has undergone its first redesign since the 1990s to become an all-paper version, using upcycled fibres from offcuts created during the production of paper coffee cups. It means it is completely recyclable at home.
Introduced by the Royal British Legion in 1921 to help veterans of the First World War, the poppies have had a number of makeovers over the past century, with previous incarnations made from silk, cotton, cardboard and felt. The new design took three years to perfect.
A host of celebrities will be wearing their poppy with pride, as well as doing their bit to support the Legion’s work with serving and ex-serving men and women and their families.
Among them is actress Dame Joanna Lumley, 77, who shared a photo of the “fantastic” new recyclable poppy (left). “The armed forces make sacrifices every day so we can enjoy our freedoms and way of life,” shen said. “Please, wear your plastic-free poppy with pride, as I do, to show you care.”
And singer Mica Paris, 54, (above) who will be performing at the Festival of Remembrance concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, said: “I’m so proud to support the Poppy Appeal.”
OTI MABUSE
Bumping into someone is perhaps an inevitability at a baby show. And that was the case for Oti Mabuse, whose first child is due in the coming weeks. She caught up with Alexandra Burke, who recently welcomed baby number two, at The Baby Show at London’s
Olympia, where they posed for photos together (left), having first met when Alexandra competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2017.
Former Strictly professional Oti revealed her pregnancy in August, making the announcement with her husband, fellow dancer Marius Iepure, on her ITV Breakfast Show. “We’ve been holding some good news,” she told viewers and guests. “We’re having a baby!”
Unveiling her bump in a series of photos posted on Instagram, Oti revealed to her followers that the couple’s “beautiful journey” was “nearly over”, adding: “Christmas is about to get even louder.”
Alexandra gave birth for a second time just 14 months after she and partner Darren Randoph welcomed their first child. “We’re so excited to do this all again,” the singer said.
Also taking baby steps around the exhibition hall was fellow Strictly baby boomer Neil Jones. The dance pro became a dad to daughter Havana just weeks ago, and he and fiancée Chyna Mills could not have looked happier as they toured the show (right). “We’re running on pure joy,” he told hello! soon af
