footer not showing

[dcc]

I haven't a clue as to why but my footer for some reason is not appearing anymore. I have checked the index/default file and the coding appears ok.

<!-- footer //-->
<?php require(DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'footer.php'); ?>
<!-- footer_eof //-->
<br>
</body>
</html>
<?php require(DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'application_bottom.php'); ?>

The last contrib I added was for the "featured products". I backtracked my steps to see if I added or missed something but all seems ok.
Does anyone know if for some reason, i.e. a bug in the coding for "featured products". That this contrib turns off the footer???
Thanks