Shame on those snivelling cowards who allow horror shootings in the US

ONE of the week’s most powerful images was of more than a ­thousand young people sitting in silence outside the White House.

They stayed mute and motionless for 17 minutes to remember the 17 people killed in the latest mass shooting atrocity when a teenager with a gun and a grudge opened fire on a school in Parkland, Florida.

Thousands more across the US staged a dignified walk- out from their schools.

It was an incredible example of unity, strength and courage that shamed American lawmakers and politicians who continually refuse to make any changes to gun laws which will protect young pupils in their schools.

This week was also the 22nd anniversary of the tragedy in Dunblane Primary School in Scotland, when 16 little children aged five and six, and their teacher, were gunned down.

In a show of solidarity, people in Dunblane reached out to those grieving in Florida by releasing a powerful video showing that they stand shoulder to shoulder with them in these dark days.

Among those taking part was a young woman I have known for many years.

I first met Ali Ross when she was just a few months old.

Her big sister Joanna was one of the tiny children killed in Dunblane and I became friends with their mum Pam. Their courage over the years has been humbling to watch.

Along with other bereaved parents, Pam campaigned tirelessly to change gun laws in the UK, and has offered help and support to the families of other victims of mass shootings in the US.

Ali made a huge impact on my show when she spoke about her sister Joanna on the 20th anniversary of the tragedy, and she has watched events unfold in the US in recent years with sorrow and horror.

I spoke to her this week alongside Jack Crozier, whose little sister Emma was also killed in Dunblane Primary School.

Emma was Joanna’s best friend. The two little girls were christened together and, just five years later, were buried in two heartbreakingly small white coffins on the same day.

Ali and Jack spoke so articulately about their grief and the hopes they had for real change in the US thanks to young people over there taking a stand and vowing “Never Again”.

Ali is a mum herself and her little boy William will be starting primary school soon. She spoke movingly about feeling glad she could send him to school and he would be safe, something that children in America cannot take for granted.

Both Ali and Jack felt there was something different about the aftermath of this latest American tragedy because of the way students were taking a stand.

Listening to them both, and also witnessing the anger, passion and commitment from students all across the US, does give me hope for the future.

I am sickened by the snivelling political cowards in the back pockets of the National Rifle Association (NRA), and those afraid to speak out on gun control in case it affects their careers.

Shame on them for allowing a culture to exist and thrive where an 18-year-old can’t legally buy a beer but can easily get their hands on a gun.

The future is now in the hands of the young — and the gun lobby hasn’t faced a political force like this ever before.

This is a tipping point, and hopefully change will come before more innocents lose their lives.

Keep it real to get that weight Moff, Scarlett

THE only way to lose weight and keep it off is to eat sensibly and find exercise you enjoy.

If you embark on a stupid, low- calorie diet and do workouts for hours every day, you will shed fat. But it is not sustainable and you will pile back more than you lost as soon as you go back to your old lifestyle.

That’s what happened to Jungle Queen Scarlett Moffatt, who has come in for stick because she wasn’t able to keep her unrealistically slender body. Scarlett looks far happier and healthier now than when she was a hollow-cheeked size eight and brought out a fitness DVD last year.

It turns out she was apparently on a virtual starvation diet of just 700 calories a day and working out.

It was just a quick fix, and Scarlett soon discovered that it was impossible to fit into her normal life.

I know what I’m talking about.

I have literally worked my ass off thanks to the amazing Maxine Jones and her fabulous exercise classes. I found Maxine four years ago and attend her classes once or twice a week in an old church hall, where we all get hot and sweaty and release our inner Beyoncé.

It’s not only good for keeping in shape but also helps you mentally and is a real stress buster. Other women seeing our “sweaty selfies” online asked Maxine and I to bring out a DVD. We basically just recorded one of our classes with additional exercises and motivational tips.

LIving To The Max was a big success because it was authentic. We all looked red-faced and dishevelled, with no airbrushing.

It takes a long time to gain a lot of weight, and you aren’t going to get rid of it in weeks.

If you want to get fit and healthy then don’t go on a faddy diet, find a class like Maxine’s. She livestreams every Wednesday night or just log on to maxicise.tv.

You need to put in the work to get results but you have to have fun too.

Oprah swans in for a chat

I CAME face to face with the absolute queen of the chat show when Oprah Winfrey perched her famous bum on my sofa.

It was a surreal moment and I came over all fan girl in the presence of the First Lady of US TV.

Things became even more through the looking glass when one of her co-stars in the new children’s fantasy movie, A Wrinkle In Time, professed her love for Swansea City Football Club.
Mindy Kaling has shares in the Welsh team and said Oprah was her inspiration to invest in something that had a special connection.

I didn’t really expect to be discussing Welsh footie with Oprah, whose other co-star Reese Witherspoon also joined us, and it was a moment to remember.

My only disappointment was that Oprah firmly rebuffed any suggestion of standing for President. She told me she loved her life too much, and she obviously doesn’t want to enter that particular viper’s nest.

Can’t say I blame her, but Oprah versus Trump would have been epic.

Dying to visit isle

SHETLAND is one of the most wild and beautiful parts of our nation, with a rich heritage and culture.

But in recent years it’s rivalling Midsomer as the murder capital of Britain – thanks to the books and TV series featuring Fair Isle Detective Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall).

The latest series has been a delicious slow burner that is building up nicely to a climax that will probably prove all my hard-thought theories completely wrong.

As you follow the red herrings, it’s a chance to wallow in some gloriously atmospheric scenery which reminds me why Shetland is such a very special place and I’m long overdue a visit.