Celebrity darling Ottolenghi’s ‘messy’ split from husband

He’s written almost a dozen remarkably creative cookbooks, hosted many TV programs, and become so influential that introducing a new recipe often feels like he’s changing what products appear on store shelves.

2026 hasn’t started well for Yotam Ottolenghi, the chef who opened a deli in Notting Hill back in 2002. He’s become incredibly popular, especially with mothers who love his treats like flourless lemon pistachio and polenta cake, and now runs a growing empire of restaurants and delis from London to Amsterdam.

I’ve learned that the incredibly talented chef, originally from Israel and known for his innovative use of simple ingredients like kohlrabi and cucumber, is going through a difficult time. He and his husband, Karl Allen, whom he married in 2012, have separated.

Just two years ago, chef Ottolenghi – known for creating incredibly flavorful dishes – publicly praised Karl, describing him as ‘the love of my life’ and expressing deep affection.

What once seemed like a beautiful love story has sadly turned sour. A friend of the former couple shared that the breakup has become quite difficult and unpleasant.

Yotam Ottolenghi, age 57, has chosen not to speak about this. However, the situation is complicated by the fact that in 2013, he and his partner, Paul Allen, used a surrogacy service. A woman in California, identified only as Melanie and who already had four children, gave birth to their son.

They chose a surrogacy agency in California, costing £65,000, as British law only allows for the reimbursement of expenses to surrogate mothers. A previous attempt at co-parenting with a lesbian couple in Brighton had also been too difficult. Two years after that, Ottolenghi and Allen welcomed another son into their family.

According to his website, this renowned chef seems to have a wonderfully full and satisfying life. He spends his time either perfecting dishes – constantly testing, tasting, and adjusting recipes – or managing his delis and restaurants, which, unsurprisingly, also involves a lot of food-related refinement. When he finally gets some downtime, he makes a conscious effort to do something other than eat, usually spending time with his family or doing Pilates.

Unlucky in love Lily is top of the shops

Lily Allen is finding unexpected success after her difficult breakup with David Harbour, the actor from Stranger Things. Her recent album, which openly discusses the end of their marriage, has been very well-received and is proving to be a positive turning point for her.

The 40-year-old pop singer, who is receiving therapy for a shopping problem after spending a lot of money on a Porsche and a designer handbag, recently went to an American Apparel store in Los Angeles to buy gifts for her daughters, ages 12 and 14. She was surprised to find out everything was free.

“I was completely confused,” Lily says. “I was loading the shopping cart with Christmas gifts, and when I went to pay, the cashier scanned all the clothes.”

Okay, so picture this: I was at the shop and the total came to over a thousand dollars! Honestly, I was shocked. Then the sales assistant just handed me the bag and I said, ‘Wait, I haven’t paid yet!’ She waved it off, which was so kind, and when I finally looked at the receipt, I saw I’d received a full 100% discount thanks to Lily Allen! It was completely unexpected and unbelievably generous.

She adds: ‘I have made it.’

Oh my god, James Buckley is just… amazing, even when he’s being self-deprecating! I was listening to his podcast with his wife, Clair, and he actually said he can’t think of a single nice thing he’s ever done! It’s so him, you know? Like Jay in The Inbetweeners, always trying to seem better than he was, but the real James is just brutally honest. Clair was trying to point out all the good they do with charity work, and he just brushed it off, saying they only do it to balance out being… well, ‘bs’ was the word he used! It’s hilarious and heartbreaking all at once, honestly. He’s just so real, and I love him for it!

Disgraced Fergie racks up more debt

Sarah Ferguson, who is due to lose her Windsor home Royal Lodge shortly, has suffered a new blow.

Sarah, Duchess of York, 66, has announced further debts for her company, Ginger & Moss, which sells teas, jewelry, and china.

Financial records show that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former wife has outstanding bills totaling £363,000. The company also has a £321,000 shortfall in its capital and reserves, despite holding £43,000 in assets.

The business reported a larger loss for the year ending March 2025 compared to the £304,000 loss reported in 2024. It’s co-owned by Gate Ventures plc, which went into administration in 2020 with debts of £24 million. The loan provided to Ginger & Moss remains unpaid, according to the most recent report from the administrators.

The liquidators have been in talks about the money still owed by Ginger & Moss. They are optimistic they can recover a significant amount for the company’s assets.

Ellie and Juliana hold all the aces in partying game

Ellie Bamber will portray Kate Moss in the upcoming movie, Moss & Freud, and it’s clear she knows how to have a good time, just like the famous model.

Twenty-eight-year-old actress, originally from Surrey, celebrated New Year’s Eve in the Caribbean with Brazilian model Juliana Nalu. For the circus-themed party, the actress wore a black, fringed corset, while Nalu was photographed holding a large playing card – the ace of diamonds.

Kate, who turns 52 this month, is an executive producer of Moss & Freud.

As a lifestyle observer, I’ve been following the buzz around this new film! It’s a really compelling dramatization of the relationship between the subject and the incredible artist Lucian Freud, and Sir Derek Jacobi absolutely embodies him. I even spotted the lead actress on set last year – she was rocking a vintage John Galliano blazer, a true fashion moment! It just adds another layer of excitement, especially since she previously starred in the BBC’s beautiful adaptation of Les Misérables.

Russell reveals the peril of parenting on the road

Comedian Russell Howard brings his baby son on the road with him while touring. He admits to sometimes worrying about who performed at the venue before them, especially when his son wants to play on the floor. If he finds out a heavy metal band was the previous act, he quickly picks his son up. But if it was a folk group, he feels comfortable letting him play.

Why comic Jack has gone cold on his plunge pool

Jack Dee is a big fan of starting his day with a cold swim in his pool. He’s even been filmed swimming in a wetsuit while attached to the side with a rope for safety.

Okay, so I’m hearing this famously curmudgeonly comedian is finally getting rid of that massive paddling pool at his beautiful country estate near Chichester. Apparently, it’s been quite an eyesore, ruining his lawn and blocking his views – honestly, it sounds like it was time! He’s decided to dismantle the whole thing, which I think is a great move for the property.

He’s planning to build a year-round, heated swimming pool for his family – himself, his wife Susan, and their four children. He’s submitted a planning application to the local council for the pool, which he wants to build at his historic, £1.5 million, 18th-century home, a building that’s officially listed as being of special architectural or historical importance.

The people applying for permission understand that swimming in cold water is good for their health. Their representative also explained that the pool damages the grass and is too visually striking, spoiling the view of the lawn from the house and other areas of the garden.

After thinking it through, the applicants believe the benefits of the pool – including exercise, improved health, relaxation, and family fun – have been much greater than any drawbacks it may have caused.

For the past few years, the residents have been able to peacefully enjoy their temporary pool without bothering their neighbors with any noise.

Hobbit star Luke is just potty about his puppy

Actor Luke Evans, known for his role in ‘The Hobbit,’ proudly showed off his love for his dog over the holidays. The 46-year-old Welshman spent Christmas wearing a custom-made onesie covered in pictures of his one-year-old dachshund, Lala.

Luke Evans recently shared that he and architect Fran Tomas adopted a dog, something he’s wanted for 46 years. He called it ‘the best thing ever’ and expressed his hope for many years of companionship and love with his new pet.

(Very) modern manners

Stars like Margot Robbie, Sabrina Carpenter, and Ed Sheeran have been spotted visiting The Devonshire pub in Soho.

To keep things under control at the busy pub, owner Oisin Rogers has banned customers from ordering shots.

I’ve noticed that people who order a large number of drinks – like 25 shots, or even 52 B-52s, as happened to me once – are either not very bright to begin with, or they quickly become not very bright, according to the speaker.

‘So we just don’t do it [shots] and that’s it.’

2026-01-03 04:35