A mum’s work is never, ever done – and here at Closer we believe these amazing women should be recognised for their hard work!
Which is why we want to reward hard-working, dedicated and inspirational mums – and we need your help.
For Closer’s Mum of the Year awards 2016, we’ve shortlisted six celebrities, six bloggers and six ‘normal’ mums for you to choose from.
They come from all walks of lives, and each have very different stories, but one thing they all have in common is the love and devotion they show to their children.
Here’s the Celeb mums in the running!
Sam Bailey
Sam and husband Craig Pearson are parents to Brooke, 10, Tommy, six, and one-year-old Miley. As well as juggling motherhood with her busy career, this year Sam also teamed up with Leicestershire police to launch a new campaign to stop children being sexually abused.
When she parted ways with her record company last year, Sam confessed she was just relieved she’d managed to pay for an extension on their house!
Vote for Sam here.
Natasha Hamilton
Mum to Josh, 12, Harry, 10, Alfie, four, and one-year-old Ella – from four different relationships – last year singer Natasha was forced to hit back at cruel 4x4 jibes. But she defiantly insisted: “I feel I would have been a worse mum staying in relationships that were detrimental to me and my children’s happiness.”
Vote for Natasha here.
Michelle Heaton
After giving birth to four-year-old daughter Faith in 2012, Michelle was diagnosed with a mutated BRCA2 gene – meaning she had an 80 per cent chance of developing breast cancer, and a 30 per cent chance of developing ovarian cancer. Michelle bravely underwent a double mastectomy, before welcoming son AJ, one, in 2014.
A year later she underwent a complete hysterectomy and ovariectomy to reduce the risk of her developing ovarian cancer. Despite both operations being hugely difficult decisions, Michelle has since said: “I want to be here for my kids.”
Vote for Michelle here.
Claire Sweeney
Presenter Claire, 44, is championing pregnancy after 40 – and her son Jaxon turned one in September last year. Following two heartbreaking miscarriages and several rounds of IVF, Claire fell pregnant in 2013… shortly after splitting from Jaxon’s dad Daniel Riley. She told the Mirror: “Being older, I don’t stress over the little things.”
Vote for Claire here.
Jennifer Ellison
Jennifer and her husband Rob Tickle are parents to sons Bobby, six, Harry, two, and one-year-old Charlie. Recently the former Brookside actress, 32, has hit back at weight critics, admitting she has let herself go since becoming a mum – but she doesn’t care!
She said: “I’ve put my children first; looking after myself has been at the bottom of my priority list.”
Vote for Jennifer here.
Katie Piper
Katie is a true survivor - in 2008 an ex-boyfriend arranged for her to have Sulphuric acid in her face. After sustaining severe injuries to her face, eyes and throat, Katie was placed into a medically induced coma for 12 days. She has since has over 40 operations, and continues to receive treatment to this day.
Last year Katie married Richard Sutton, and in March 2014 they welcomed daughter Belle Elizabeth.
Vote for Katie here.
To see everybody nominated, and to place your vote, click here!