DEAR DEIDRE: THE news that my daughter is dying of cancer has broken my heart.

I want to be there to support her but she’s pushing everyone away.

I’m 60 and my daughter is 35. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer five years ago.

At first, we thought the surgery and chemotherapy had been successful. But a few months ago, tests showed her treatments weren’t working and it had spread to her lungs, liver and brain.

She’s been told there’s nothing more they can offer her apart from palliative care.

I am devastated but trying not to show her, as I don’t want to upset her more. 

She’s been very brave up until now, but she has withdrawn and says she doesn’t want to see anyone – even close friends and family.

The treatments have been hard on her physically, and she’s lost all her confidence. 

To me, she is still my beautiful daughter. I don’t care if she’s put on weight, or if her hair hasn’t grown back.

I just want to hug her and look after her. But I also don’t want to go against her wishes.
I’ve bought her some gifts –  a cuddly toy and her favourite film, Notting Hill, on DVD, and would like to take them to her for comfort.

She lives 75 miles away, so I can’t just pop in.

Should I just send them by post instead?

DEIDRE SAYS: This is a terribly sad situation. Facing the prospect of the loss of your child must be unbearable, and of course you want to support her.

But if she has asked not to be disturbed, it’s best to respect her wishes. She’s probably still reeling from the prognosis. 

Send the gifts with a note, saying you love her and are there for her whenever she’s ready. I’m sure she will ask for you soon.

In the meantime, you need help too. See my support pack on  and contact Macmillan Cancer Support (macmillan.org.uk).

THE Love Island All Stars gang are heading for a bumpy ride with the arrival of two new bombshells.

But cracks have already appeared for one couple AGAIN.

ITV

Ekin-Su and Curtis have come to blows again in the villa[/caption]

ITV

Their dispute was interrupted by a shock text[/caption]

ITV

The couple quickly learn the news of the two new bombshells[/caption]

Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Curtis Pritchard have come to blows even before Sammy Root and Danielle Sellers make their comeback during a debate on a day bed.

In a first look video at tonight’s episode of the ITV2 reality show, Ekin can be seen complaining to Curtis for talking over her.

She tells him: “Every time I want to say something about how I feel, you have something to say which then… the conversation I want to say gets taken somewhere else.”

Curtis replies: “That’s rubbish. You say how you feel all the time. I can probably count 15 times in the past three days.”

Ekin tells him: “No correct. But if there’s something in particular I want to say…”

The pair are then suddenly interrupted by the noise of a text.

Ekin jumps, sits up straight and puts her hands over her mouth, repeatedly saying, “Oh no, oh no”.

The sneak peek video then cuts to newcomers Sammy and Danielle strolling into the villa.

Fans have been quick to share their thoughts on Ekin’s gripe with Curtis, with some accusing her of ‘backing off’ following Tuesday night’s public vote.

Viewers had been asked to pick their favourite islanders and Luca Bish was revealed as the most popular boy, with Elma Pazar voted as the most popular girl.

Commenting on the official Love Island Instagram page, one fan said: “Was Ekin wanting Curtis to be the favourite boy? She now seems to be shaking the pot.”

Another added: “Ekin finding a problem with Curtis now he wasn’t the favourite boy.”

And a third agreed: “Basically Ekin is ready to ditch Curtis as he wasn’t a favourite….”

Sammy, who won the 2023 series with his ex Jess Harding, and 2017 alumni Danielle will be seen making their big Love Island All Stars entrance on Wednesday evening in a shock twist.

In a show first, the pair will head straight to the Hideaway Retreat before each picking an islander to join them in there for the entire night.

Former Page 3 girl Danielle has admitted she has her eye on both Curtis and Scott Thomas, meaning she’s likely to ruffle either Ekin-Su or Tina Stinnes’ feathers.

Ahead of her villa return, Danielle said: “I like Scott, Luca and Curtis so I’ll be pulling them for chats.”

Admitting things could get a little bit frosty between herself and fiery actress Ekin, she added “I already know Gabby and Elma and it’s going to be nice to meet Ekin-Su, though I’m not sure how she’ll react when I chat to Curtis?!”

Danielle has a history of stirring up trouble as a bombshell.

She is best remembered for trying to steal Chris Hughes away from Olivia Attwood in Casa Amor during series three.

• Love Island continues tonight, 9pm, ITV2/ ITVX

Rex

Bombshells Sammy Root and Danielle Sellers will arrive in the villa tonight[/caption]

Rex

The pair will head straight to the Hideaway Retreat before picking two islanders to join them[/caption]

Rex

Fans fear former Page 3 girl Danielle could pick Curtis to join her for the night[/caption]

DEAR DEIDRE: WHEN I proposed to my new wife, I didn’t expect to end up married to her parents too. 

But nine months into our marriage, it feels like there are four people in our relationship – me, her and her mum and dad. 

I’m 30 and my wife is 28.

I knew she was close to her parents when we got together. But they have far too much control over our lives.

She insists on spending every weekend with them and speaks to them on the phone every evening, sometimes several times. 

They pop round unannounced – which she doesn’t seem to mind. 

She also takes their advice on everything from where we go on holiday to what curtains we should get.

I’m so fed up with it that it’s causing arguments, and negatively affecting our marriage.

Yet when I try to talk to her about it, she can’t see the problem. 

I love her but I don’t want to live in her parents’ shadows for the rest of my life. What can I do?

DEIDRE SAYS: It’s important to iron out this problem now, because one thing is certain, if you have children, it will become more challenging. 

Sit down calmly with your wife and explain to her that while you like her parents, you’re now a team of two.

Suggest that you need to establish boundaries with her parents. For example, that you see them every other weekend, and they don’t come round unless it’s pre-arranged. 

For more advice, contact Family Lives (familylives.org.uk).

The candidates for one of sport's top jobs are hardly famous names -- but great runner Seb Coe is the one exception in the race for the IOC Presidency.

The feeling that better times are just over the horizon may cause some electors to look a little more kindly upon the struggling Government. But the Coalition has a far less rosy take.

Norway’s sovereign wealth fund — the largest of its kind in the world — posted full-year profit of 2.5 trillion kroner ($354.5 billion) on Wednesday, fuelled by a tech rally.

I didn’t expect a mainland Chinese hedge fund manager to be the person making the most effective and impactful case for open knowledge.

Premier Roger Cook and Energy Minister Reece Whitby will flick the switch on the final charging station at the 45th location, in Kalgoorlie, on Thursday.

That’s why I was exceptionally proud to stand with Premier Roger Cook to say that a re-elected WA Labor Government would work to reverse this privatisation.

Seniors are a great fit for city life - with oodles of spare time, cash to enjoy its cultural highlights and amenities in walking distance. So why don’t we have seniors’ towers like we have for students?