Trinny and Susannah

Infobox_Celebrity
name = Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine


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birth_date = London, England
birth_place =
death_date =
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occupation = Fashion journalists
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networth =
website = http://www.trinnyandsusannah.com

Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine are two British fashion advisors, presenters and authors. They originally joined to write a weekly style column in "The Daily Telegraph" which lasted for seven years, but they are best-known for presenting the BBC television series "What Not to Wear" for five series and then "Trinny & Susannah Undress..." on ITV. They have written several fashion advice books which have become bestsellers in Britain and America, and released their own clothing and underwear ranges. Trinny and Susannah have also appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" as makeover experts. They are estimated to be jointly worth £10 million. [" [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=395531&in_page_id=1766&in_page_id=1766&expand=true What not to bare, Trinny!] ". "Daily Mail". Retrieved May 7, 2007.] Over the course of their career, Woodall and Constantine have dressed over 5,000 women. [O'Neil, Nicole. " [http://style.uk.msn.com/fashionandbeauty/celebritychic/article.aspx?cp-documentid=6240055 Trinny and Susannah reveal all] ". MSN. Retrieved 6 October, 2007.]

Career

Early years

Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine teamed up in 1994 to write "Ready to Wear", a weekly style guide for the "Daily Telegraph" which ran for seven years. " [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,6903,864290,00.html Just a couple of swells] ". "The Guardian". Retrieved March 11, 2007.] They had previously met at a dinner party hosted by David, Viscount Linley " [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=229872&in_page_id=1879 Acne, alcohol … and non-stop sex] ". "Daily Mail". Retrieved March 17, 2007. ] but did not actually like each other at first. " [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20000405/ai_n14298169 Me And My Partner: Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine] ". "The Independent". Retrieved from findarticles.com April 13, 2007.] They both perceived each other in negative ways: Woodall looked upon Constantine as if she was a as a stuck-up English aristocrat and Constantine saw Woodall as 'Eurotrash'.

They later became the co-founders of Ready2shop.com, a dot-com fashion advice business which ceased trading after running out of funding in November 2000, losing investors a reputed £10 million." [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2002/12/21/ntrin21.xml No, seriously . . . does my cheque look big in this?] ". " [The Daily Telegraph| [The Telegraph] ". Retrieved March 8, 2007.] During this period, their friendship was almost ended after a heated argument. McIntyre, Sinead. " [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=412181&in_page_id=1773 Susannah's shock at husband's plastic surgery suggestion] ". "Daily Mail", 23 October 2006. Retrieved 25 June, 2007.] They later gained their first chance at working on television when Granada Sky Broadcasting signed them up to host a daytime shopping show, also called "Ready to Wear". They published their first fashion advice book called "Ready 2 Dress" but it was an unsuccessful venture and ended in 13,000 copies of the book being destroyed. [" [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=VYHPUF0QJIOX3QFIQMGSFFWAVCBQWIV0?xml=/news/2002/12/18/ntrin18.xml Fashion 'makeover queens' land £1m book deal] ". "The Telegraph". Retrieved May 7, 2007.] After a makeover slot on "Richard & Judy", Jane Root, the controller of BBC Two, signed them up even after their book "Ready to Dress" and their internet business Ready2shop.com had failed. " [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,6903,864290,00.html Just a couple of swells] " — observer.guardian.co.uk]

2001-2005: "What Not to Wear" era

After they were signed to BBC Two, they became the hosts and fashion advisors for five series of the BBC style series "What Not to Wear" in 2001, where they used their knowledge on fashion and harsh comments to reform the appearances and style of the participants on the show. The duo became instantly renowned for their poking and prodding of the contestants, their staight-talking advice, " [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E6DE103BF93BA35751C1A9649C8B63 They Skewer Your Wardrobe In Public] ". New York Times". Retrieved September 26, 2007.] and frequently referring to breasts as tits." [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20020908/ai_n12578387/pg_1 Mammary mia!] ". "The Sunday Herald". Retrieved from findarticles.com August 18, 2007. ] The editor of "ELLE", Sarah Bailey, has stated "You just don't expect posh girls to grab your tits, call your trousers 'too clitty' and use words like 'pussy pelmet' but they do. You are so shocked by what they are saying that by the time you have recovered and thought of something to say they have whipped you out of your jeans and eased you into a Lycra cat suit." They have stated that their relationship is more like a marriage and that being total opposites, they balance each other out. " [http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/showbiz/celebsonsunday/interrogation/2007/09/16/interrogation-trinny-susannah-98487-19770870/ Interrogation: Trinny & Susannah] ". "Daily Mirror". Retrieved September 18, 2007.] They cannot imagine working without each other and have even considered taking insurance out on their television partnership should something unforeseen happen." [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=412181&in_page_id=1773 Susannah's shock at husband's plastic surgery suggestion] ". "Daily Mail". Retrieved June 25, 2007.] Woodall and Constantine have been accused of being patronising, but reject these claims.

They gained recognition for their work on the show and won a Royal Television Society Award in 2002 in the category of best factual presenter. [" [http://www.rts.org.uk/awards_det.asp?id=1457&sec_id=336 Royal Television Society] ". "Royal Television Society". Retrieved February 14, 2007.] They have also given different celebrities makeovers which include Jeremy Clarkson, Lesley Joseph, [" [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/02_february/01/tvmoments_2002.shtml BBC One honours the best TV moments from 2002] ". "BBC Press Office". Retrieved March 6, 2007.] Jo Brand, Sophie Raworth and Ingrid Tarrant. Woodall and Constantine became the faces of Nescafé in 2003. [" [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20060409/ai_n16185407 NESCAF: Trinny and Susannah take us al for mugs] ". "The Independent on Sunday". Retrieved from findarticles.com July 25, 2007.] After success with the ratings on BBC Two, their programme was promoted to the more mainstream BBC One in 2004." [http://media.guardian.co.uk/bbc/story/0,,1206273,00.html Makeover queens switch to BBC1] ". "The Guardian". Retrieved August 23, 2007.]

Together, they have written several successful fashion books, starting with the book "What Not to Wear" in 2001, which made sales worth £8.7 million.Sherwood, James. " [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20021222/ai_n12667844 Trinny and Susannah: Frock; stars] ". "Independent on Sunday", 22 December 2002. Retrieved from findarticles.com 20 October, 2007.] The book which stemmed from their fashion show of the same name, won them a notable British Book Award in 2003 for "The TV & Film Book of the Year" " [http://www.britishbookawards.co.uk/bba/pnbb_previouswinners.asp British Book Awards] ". "British Book Awards". Retrieved February 22, 2007.] and outsold Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson when sale figures reached a total of 670,000 copies. " [http://parkinson.tangozebra.com/guest.phtml?guest_id=93 Parkinson] ". "parkinson.tangozebra.com". Retrieved March 8, 2007.] " [http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,859814,00.html What Not To Wear is just what to buy] ". "The Guardian". Retrieved April 6, 2007.] The book sold 300,000 copies in just fifteen weeks and was also selling 45,000 copies a week at one point. [" [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article806573.ece Nothing succeeds like success] ". "The Times". Retrieved May 30, 2007.] They then secured a £1 million book deal to produce three more of their fashion books, [" [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/student/article805020.ece The makeover millionaires] " "The Times". Retrieved February 22, 2007.] compared to the £10,000 advance they received for "What Not to Wear". Their books have since become number one bestsellers in Britain and the United States and have been translated throughout the world, [" [http://www.itv.com/page.asp?partid=6606 Trinny and Susannah Undress] ". "itv.com". Retrieved January 26, 2007.] selling over 2.5 million copies. " [http://www.pr.com/press-release/24689 Trinny and Susannah Have Launched the Official TrinnyAndSusannah.com Website] ". "Press Release". Retrieved April 11, 2007.] The books have also appeared on The Sunday Times bestseller list [" [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sitesearch.do?query=the+sunday+times+bestsellers+-+trinny+and+susannah&hitsperpage=10&nextOffset=0&offset=0&leftStartIndex=1&leftEndIndex=10&submitStatus=searchFormSubmitted&mode=simple&sectionId=987 Search results for Trinny and Susannah bestsellers] ". "The Times". Retrieved May 30, 2007.] and The New York Times bestseller list. [" [http://query.nytimes.com/search/query?query=Trinny+Woodall&srchst=nyt&d=nytdsection%2b&o=e%2b&v=Books%2b&c=a%2b&sort=newest&n=10&dp=0&daterange=full&frow=0 Trinny and Susannah bestsellers] ". "The New York Times". Retrieved May 30, 2007.]

Woodall and Constantine appeared frequently as a makeover experts on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in America where they gave fashion advice and guidelines on how to improve an overall appearance through clothing, often using themselves to illustrate the correct clothing to wear and what not to wear. [" [http://www.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200405/tows_past_20040518.jhtml "The Oprah Winfrey Show", What Not to Wear this summer] ". "oprah.com". Retrieved February 13, 2007.] In 2005, Trinny and Susannah were the contemporary social commentators on the live BBC coverage of The Royal Wedding of Charles and Camilla. [" [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/03_march/30/wedding.shtml The Royal Wdding: Charles and Camilla] ". "BBC Press Office". Retrieved February 16, 2007.] They also voiced a robot version of themselves in the science fiction series "Doctor Who" in the episode "Bad Wolf" in 2005, which saw the gynoids Trine-e and Zu-Zana presenting a deadly futuristic version of "What Not to Wear". The robots were prepared to give Captain Jack Harkness a particularly gruesome makeover. Woodall and Constantine have appeared on "Parkinson" a total of three times, as well as numerous other chat shows.

2006: "Undress..." era

Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine both defected from the BBC to ITV for a £1.2 million contract, [" [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=412181&in_page_id=1773 Susannah's shock at husband's plastic surgery suggestion] ". "Daily Mail". Retrieved June 25, 2007.] and started their new show, "Trinny & Susannah Undress...", on 3 October, 2006 which was followed by a second series in June 2007. The first two series saw the pair helping couples with marital problems, where they gave them advice and fashion makeovers to try build confidence and ultimately aim to revive the relationships. [ Kilkelly, Daniel. " [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a37620/trinny--susannah-prefer-to-be-nice.html Trinny & Susannah prefer to be nice] " "Digital Spy", 30 September 2006. Retrieved 27 June, 2007.] Critics questioned Woodall and Constantine's capability of dealing with the serious issues they faced on the programme, but they strongly rejected these claims. Since the transfer to ITV, "What Not to Wear" on BBC One has been hosted by Lisa Butcher and Mica Paris.

When the internet-shopping company, Littlewoods, saw orders rise by thirty per cent during its sponsorship of "Trinny & Susannah Undress...", Woodall and Constantine were made the faces of Littlewoods Direct in 2006. The duo have since provided twelve pages of fashion advice within the Littlewoods catalogue, compiled a booklet called "The Golden Rules" which was distributed to all Littlewoods customers with fashion advice to suit all body shapes. They also compiled online guidelines where customers are able to type-in their body measurements and get instant advice on which Littlewoods clothing is suitable for their figure, and have been featured in television advertisements for Littlewoods Direct." [http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/consumer_goods/article1288827.ece Littlewoods signs up Trinny and Susannah] ". "The Times". Retrieved February 22, 2007.] The television advertisements featured them both trying to rob a Littlewoods designer warehouse, but their mission is ruined when Constantine becomes stuck in between the protective bars, prompting Woodall to utter "You and your curves", before they are taken away by security. [Burt, Josh. " [http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article24668.ece Trinny in undercover op] ". "The Sun", 10 April 2007. Retrieved 20 October, 2007.] The 2007 Christmas series of adverts saw them trying to hijack a motored sleigh carrying Littlewoods designer gifts. [" [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfBD0dELohQ Littlewoods Advert] ". You Tube. Retrieved 31 October, 2007.] The £12m television and print campaign featuring Woodall and Constantine is one of largest ever seen for a home shopping and internet-based company. [The Times. " [http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article1625939.ece The reinvention of Littlewoods] ". "The Times", 8 April 2007. Retrieved 31 October, 2007.] Since the advertisements aired, brand awareness has grown by 13 per cent, whilst total sales have escalated by 18 per cent. The amount of visitors to the website has also risen by 56 per cent. [Gleeson, Bill. " [http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/business/business-columns/2007/10/31/trinny-and-susannah-give-littlewoods-direct-a-festive-style-makeover-64375-20035747/ Trinny and Susannah give Littlewoods Direct a festive style makeover] ". "Liverpool Daily Post", 31 October 2007. Retrieved 2 November, 2007.]

Also in 2006, they launched their own underwear range; "Trinny and Susannah Magic Pants" which are made of nylon, designed to flatten the tummy and buttocks and thighs so they appear slimmer and compact. [" [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/10_october/24/parky_251003.shtml Meg Ryan talks to Parkinson] ". "BBC Press Office". Retrieved February 15, 2007.] On October 16 2006, they appeared on NBC's "The Today Show", giving makeovers to three women and promoted their book, "Trinny & Susannah Take on America". [" [http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&fg=rss&vid=5dea75b0-f096-437f-8eb8-fe297eb3a45d&from=05 The Today Show] ". MSN Video. Retrieved November 4 2007.] In a poll of 3,000 people conducted by "Radio Times", they were ranked as the ninth most terrifying celebrities on television, largely due to their use of direct and frank advice. [Editors at Daily Mail. " [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=410712&in_page_id=1766&in_page_id=1766&expand=true Ramsay is scariest TV celebrity] ". "The Daily Mail", 16 October 2006. Retrieved 27 August, 2007.]

2007-present: "Undress the Nation" era

Their latest book to date, "The Body Shape Bible", was published on September 18, 2007. Prior to writing "The Body Shape Bible", Trinny and Susannah conducted a survey on women that helped them to identify the twelve most common body shapes which they would then feature in their fashion advice book. They gave the shapes different names that include 'apple', 'brick', 'pencil' and 'lollipop'. The new book is aimed to help women decipher what particular shape they are, and then proceeds to give fashion guidelines according to each individual shape." [http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/fashion/story/0,,2168350,00.html God's gift to women] ". "The Guardian". Retrieved September 16, 2007.] An 'apple' for instance, is classed as a woman who is round but has breasts that are smaller than her stomach as the weight is carried around the middle. They have also donated a few pages to highlight their own fashion faux-pas from the past.

On September 20, 2007, they launched their own exclusive Littlewoods Direct Autumn/Winter women's range which consists of trousers, coats and tops and, like their underwear range, are designed to shrink the buttocks, reduce thighs, flatten tummies or emphasize the waist. " [http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article2050017.ece Retail therapists] ". "The Times". Retrieved July 16, 2007.] A series of eight dresses, cashmere knitwear, faux fur and sequinned shrugs also feature in the range." [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=482911&in_page_id=1773 What to wear: Trinny and Susannah get to grips with Lorraine Kelly] ". "Daily Mail". Retrieved September 20, 2007.] Woodall and Constantine designed independently the clothing items, with Littlewoods advising them on pricing and selling." [http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/entertainment/Trinny+And+Susannah-40852.html?Vote=5 Exclusive Trinny and Susannah Interview.] ". "Female First". Retrieved September 20, 2007.] Constantine stated "If you want to create a waist, there's a dress that's going to do that for you too. We've designed it very much around the female body."" [http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/news/tm_headline=scots-are-so-stylish-and-ewan-mcgregor-looks-fab-in-a-kilt&method=full&objectid=19811853&siteid=66633-name_page.html Scots Are So Stylish.. And Ewan Mcgregor Looks Fab In A Kilt] ". "Daily Record". Retrieved September 20, 2007.]

Their newly formatted series, "Trinny and Susannah Undress the Nation", began to air on ITV in November 2007 and explored the major fashion problems in Britain. [" [http://www.merrymedia.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3081&Itemid=196 ITV1 Undress the Nation] ". Merry Media. Retrieved August 5, 2007.] The pair returned to America on November 5 and December 28 2007, where their makeovers on six different shaped women were featured on "Good Morning America". [" [http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3820223 Good Morning America] ". ABC News. Retrieved November 6 2007.] The duo also reported on the 80th Academy Awards' red carpet fashion especially for "Good Morning America" in 2008. [" [http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=103739&in_page_id=7&in_a_source= Trinny and Susannah hunt for disasters] ". "Metro", 25 February 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2008.]

They announced a tour to New Zealand and Australia in 2007, where they made a series of public appearances at shopping malls owned by the Westfield Group in February and March 2008." [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0802/S00086.htm Westfield Brings Trinny & Susannah To NZ] ". scoop.co.nz, 8 February 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2008.] " [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22929635-5012974,00.html British reality show comes to Australia] ". news.com.au. Retrieved December 26 2007.] During the tour, which included visits to Melbourne and Sydney, they performed live styling sessions and gave fashion advice to customers at the Westfield centres. [" [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22928857-2,00.html?from=mostpop Television's fashion police head Down Under] ". news.com.au. Retrieved December 28 2007.] Their appearances at the malls attracted crowds of thousands and the tour finished on March 8 2008. [Alderman, Kellie. " [http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23341657-5012980,00.html Fashionistas' magic makeovers] ". "Courier Mail", 8 March 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2008.] Woodall and Constantine also appeared on "The Morning Show" hosted by Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur, to give one of the viewers a complete makeover. They currently write a weekly column for "The Sun" in Britain.

In a filmed stunt for their new show, "The Great British Body", which will be broadcast in June 2008 on ITV, Woodall and Constantine stripped naked with 300 others on a Sussex hillside to create a giant living sculpture. [" [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/28/ntrinny128.xml Trinny and Susannah strip off for 'living art'] ". "The Telegraph". Retrieved 28 April 2008.] [" [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=562452&in_page_id=1773 Trinny and Susannah strip naked to celebrate the British body] ". "The Daily Mail". Retrieved 28 April 2008.]

Popular culture

Woodall and Constantine have been parodied many times on comedy impression programmes. "Alistair McGowan's Big Impression" took to spoofing their personalities on "What Not to Wear", as did "2DTV" who made cartoon versions of Woodall and Constantine giving Santa Claus a makeover, where they stripped him of his red suit and added a casual shirt and trousers. [" [http://www.mirror.co.uk/catchall/tm_method=full%26objectid=12469674%26siteid=89520-name_page.html What to wear if you want to make a big impression] ". "The Daily Mirror". Retrieved March 15, 2007.] Avid Merrion's "Bo' Selecta!" took to portraying them as lesbians. In an interview, despite being lampooned on "Bo' Selecta!", they commented that the portrayal was a compliment as they often feel women's breasts during makeovers on their show. [" [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_200504/ai_n13508408/pg_2 We can't stop touching women's boobs] ". "Daily Mail". Retrieved from findarticles.com April 13, 2007.]

In an episode of the last series of "French & Saunders" comedy series, Woodall and Constantine were mentioned as being "bullies" in a Celebrity Grading Report sketch where Dawn French was the headmaster of a celebrity school where she had to write comments on various celebrities. Woodall and Constantine were similarly depicted in the comic "Viz" in a cartoon strip as being bullies that picked on children who wore NHS glasses and second-hand clothing. [" [http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/review.cfm?id=940912004 Notes from the knicker drawer] ". "Scotland on Sunday". Retrieved July 25, 2007.] On seeing the magazine edition, they threatened to sue the comic. [" [http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,4-2002580357,00.html Trinny and Sue] ". "The Sun". Retrieved February 3, 2007.]

In 2006, on Gordon Ramsay's "The F-Word", Ramsay named his two pigs Trinny and Susannah after Woodall and Constantine, [Press Release. " [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/07_july/06/42_kendal.shtml The Kumars at No 42 returns to BBC ONE] ". BBC Press Office, 6 July 2006. Retrieved 14 February, 2007.] which the duo found highly amusing.Methven, Nicola. " [http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/tm_objectid=17846372&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=laid-bare-name_page.html Laid Bare] ". "The Daily Mirror", 30 September 2006. Retrieved 29 August, 2007. ]

Bibliography

*"Ready 2 Dress: How to Have Style Without Following Fashion", Weidenfeld Nicolson (February 14, 2000) (ISBN 0-3043-5425-2)
*"What Not to Wear", Weidenfeld Nicolson (September 5, 2002) (ISBN 0-2978-4331-1)
*"What Not to Wear: The Rules", Weidenfeld Nicolson (June 1, 2004) (ISBN 1-8418-8249-6)
*"What Not to Wear: For Every Occasion", Weidenfeld Nicolson (June 1, 2004) (ISBN 1-8418-8236-4)
*"What You Wear Can Change Your Life", Weidenfeld & Nicolson (September 17, 2004) (ISBN 0-2978-4356-7)
*"What Your Clothes Say About You", Weidenfeld & Nicolson (September 29, 2005) (ISBN 0-2978-4357-5)
*"Trinny and Susannah: The Survival Guide", Weidenfeld & Nicolson, (September 20, 2006) (ISBN 0-2978-4426-1)
*"Trinny & Susannah Take on America: What Your Clothes Say about You", HarperCollins Publishers (October 2006) (ISBN 0-0611-3744-8)
*"The Body Shape Bible", Weidenfeld & Nicolson (September 18, 2007) (ISBN 0-2978-4454-7)

References

ee also

*Trinny Woodall
*Susannah Constantine

External links

* [http://www.trinnyandsusannah.com Trinny and Susannah's website]
* [http://www.itv.com/undress "Trinny and Susannah Undress"] at itv.com
* [http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk/tag/trinny-and-susannah/ All the latest news on Trinny and Susannah's TV shows]