Table of contents for 36 - 2017 in Best

It’s that time of year again! The X Factor kicked off on Saturday night (I love Louis, turn to page 52 to remind yourself just how funny that man is), but Strictly’s back this week, too, and I’m torn. We have the handsome Brendan Cole as our new Strictly columnist (see p14) and I want to know who he’s partnered with… Then again, my close friend Tony Cowell will be our X Factor insider… So, the great debate begins again. When these Saturday night heavyweights go head-tohead, which one do we watch and which one do we record? Once you’ve watched them both this Saturday, let me know which one you think has the edge. I’m dying to know. • Let me know your thoughts, siobhan. wykes@hearst.co.uk EXECUTIVE EDITOR…

After two painful divorces, Loose Women presenter Andrea McLean was done with love – in fact, she vowed never to marry again. But all that changed when she met businessman Nick Feeney, 44, on a blind date three years ago. Having weathered a series of relationship challenges, Nick finally popped the question last month prompting Andrea to joke on Loose Women, ‘I’m not a hypocrite... I just changed my mind!’ She opened up about her marriage U-turn, telling her fellow panel, ‘I genuinely felt like I didn’t want to marry again. But after we’d been together for a couple of years, Nick said, “It actually makes me feel really bad, like you don’t want to marry me.” I hadn’t considered that.’ In the end, the deciding vote went to the…

New Zealand-born Brendan Cole, 41, has been a professional dancer on Strictly since it started in 2004 and has sambaed and rumba-ed his way through 14 series. Married since 2010 to model Zoe Hobbs, and proud dad to four-yearold daughter Aurelia, feisty Brendan is never scared to say what he thinks. We can’t wait to have him on board! Welcome to best, Brendan. You know your mission now is to tell us all Strictly’s secrets... Thank you! I am very happy to be here. You know you don’t normally get any holding back from me, so I will do my best. Can you believe this is your 15th series? Yes, I know. I’m 41 now and I was 28 when I started. It is a massive chunk of my life.…

According to Arthritis Research UK, around 10 million people have some form of arthritis – a condition that causes joint pain and inflammation. There are different types but, most commonly, people get osteoarthritis as they age, when joints suffer wear and tear. Here’s how to look after your joints to stay pain-free… KNEES UP Osteoarthritis becomes more common from age 40 onwards, thought to be due to weakening muscles and the body being less able to repair itself. Joints will develop arthritis earlier in people who ‘overuse’ them, such as professional athletes, or if your work involves repetitive movements. It’s more common in women, and is also usually worse than in men, particularly in knees and hands. TRY A TABLET Glucosamine is a natural substance normally found in joint cartilage,…

Bold bottoms Printed trousers will draw the eye downwards. Versatile coat Opt for a cosy cover-up you can wear day and night. TOP TIP Big occasion coming up? Create stylish mood boards at polyvore.com and build your dream outfit. Skirt the issue A style with a waistband will emphasise a trim waist. Boho babe Mix country chic with retro style for a fashionforward look.…

Struggling to embrace your inner calm? With 73 per cent of people in a recent survey* feeling stressed during work hours, it’s definitely a hot topic. Spikes in cortisol – the stress hormone – can exacerbate whatever skin complaint you have, which will hardly leave you feeling relaxed, either. Take refuge with these mini saviours... TAP THE APP Wow How is your very own virtual beautician. The splitscreen facility creates real-time augmented reality on your own face. Free on iTunes. 1 SUPERCHARGE YOUR SLEEP As our lives get busier, it can be harder to drop off at night. Unsurprisingly, this has a knock-on effect on our complexion. Apply ESPA Overnight Hydration Therapy, £35, to lock in moisture, then, ‘Pull gently on your earlobes – this is where your sleep zones…

Brilliant for breakfast In a rush in the morning? Pop a Quaker Porridge To Go Square, 75p each, in your handbag. The soft and chewy square contains the same amount of oats as a bowl of porridge, and is a great source of fibre and calcium. You can even heat it up for a warming treat. PASTA PERFECTION Return of the mac! With autumn just around the corner, it’s the perfect time for a comforting dish to soothe away the end-ofsummer blues. Our new favourite find has to be the Co-op Irresistible Pecorino Macaroni Cheese, £3.99, which combines hearty macaroni pasta in a luxurious cheese sauce flavoured with truffle oil. Fajitas from the freezer Spice up dinner with Fajita Chicken Breast Fillet Strips, £3, from Iceland. These tasty pieces have…

Tony Cowell BEST’S CELEB INSIDER TALKS TO LOUIS WALSH Are the judges getting on as well as they did last year? Of course, we are like one big dysfunctional family. We all come from different backgrounds, so we all have different opinions, but are very comfortable with each other. That’s why we work so well as a panel. Simon [Cowell] has me there as he knows I love the job. What sort of mood has Simon been in during auditions? Really good. What I love about Simon is he doesn’t want the show to be predictable, that’s why he’s made these changes. He knows what he’s doing, and we trust his judgement. He’s been really funny during auditions, but I have this feeling he’s going to be saving his nasty…

Cosmetic chin treatments are big business, with bookings increasing by 60 per cent. Here’s how to keep your chin up and give your lower face a makeover… SMOOTH OUT CHIN DIMPLES Over time, the skin on our chin can develop criss-cross lines and small dimples. This is thanks to the repeat action of muscles called the metalis in the area, so your chin scrunches up, deepening any creases. ‘Chellulite’, as it’s sometimes called, can be eradicated with a jab of Botox to iron out creases and help relax the muscles. Results will last up to six months. From £199. RESHAPE WITH FILLERS The size and position of your chin plays a very important part in how your face looks, because it can make your nose and lips appear either larger…

‘If there’s one thing I’ve learnt...’ ‘Some things are just meant to be and some aren’t. You should enjoy them all equally.’ Most people have dreamt of winning big – and how they would spend the money. Well, everyone but me that is! When I entered the World Series of Poker earlier this year, all I wanted was the experience of playing in a Las Vegas card game! But I came home with so much more. I’d played cards since I was a young boy – in the days before television, our family would all gather round the dining room table to play a few hands of snap or whist. But it was never a big thing. And even when I first learnt to play poker at my local gentlemen’s…

best birthday giveaway 15 to give a way! With a new season round the corner, why not give your wardrobe (or home) a fashion shake-up? We’re giving 15 lucky readers a £30 voucher as part of our big birthday giveaway, so find out how to enter below! HOW TO ENTER POST: Send a postcard with your name, address, phone number and email address to Matalan Giveaway, GVBSTN17600, Hearst Magazines UK, The Data Solutions Centre, Worksop S80 2RT. Closing date for postal entries is 22 September 2017. PHONE: Call 0901 027 2709 by midnight on 19 September 2017. Calls cost 30p per minute, plus your telephone company’s network access charge, and will last no longer than two minutes. Calls from mobiles may cost significantly more. Phone line closes at midnight on…

I took my partner back after his affair – but can I really trust him? Last year, I caught my husband out in an affair with a work colleague. He promised me it meant nothing, and I took him back after he swore he would never do anything like that again. But I’m finding it really hard to actually forgive him, and I can’t help feeling that, if I hadn’t found out, he’d still be seeing her. Can I learn to trust him again, or should I just walk away? Briannah, Cardiff Marriage and relationships are based on trust so, once that trust is broken, it can be very difficult to build it up again. Having said that, it can be unwise to throw away years of marriage for something that…

Fattoush salad Serves 2-4 Vegetable oil, for deep-frying 2 pitta breads, cut into 8 squares Juice of 1 lemon 2-3tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 2tbsp pomegranate molasses 1tsp sumac (spice, available in supermarkets), plus extra to garnish 2 large vine tomatoes, chopped into large chunks ½ cucumber, chopped into large chunks 1 Little Gem lettuce, leaves separated and torn 2 fresh mint sprigs, leaves picked and chopped Large handful of flat-leaf parsley 10-12 black olives, stoned Seeds of ½ pomegranate 1 Fry the pitta: Heat a good amount of vegetable oil in a high-sided pan or wok until it reaches about 170°C, or a cube of bread browns in 30 seconds when dropped in the pan. 2 Deep-fry the pitta squares for 2-3 minutes, or until golden, then place on kitchen paper…

£2.56 PER SERVING Glazed pepper & beef kebabs I love any meat cooked on a skewer! Add a sticky, sweet and sharp glaze over grilled chunks of steak and peppers, and I’m in meat-on-a-stick heaven! PER SERVING CALS 260 FAT 11g MAKES 4 KEBABS 400g rump steak 3 bell peppers (red, yellow and green) 12 button mushrooms FOR THE MARINADE: 2tbsp maple syrup 2tbsp bourbon 1tbsp whole-grain mustard SERVE WITH: Some thick slices of bread, salad and coleslaw 1 Make the marinade by mixing all the ingredients together in a bowl. Season to taste. 2 Cut the steak into 2in cubes and put into the bowl with the marinade. Leave for an hour, if you have the time – otherwise just dip and go! 3 Cut the rest of the…

Matt Edmondson, 31, is on hand to hook up singletons in his new show – but it’s not his first try at matchmaking! Tell us about where you got the idea for the show… I asked my wife what she wanted for her birthday – she said some clothes. I had a very limited window, went to Topshop, and found it totally overwhelming. All I could think was, ‘This is awful. Imagine doing this for someone you didn’t know!’ How did your choice go down with your wife? I got a knitted jumper with little pearl balls stitched onto it. I thought it was cutesy. She wore it, but I found it so stressful and would never do it again. I’d be a terrible contestant on this show! Do the…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT From thermal pools and snowy mountains to rushing waterfalls and steamy springs, nothing prepares you for the spectacular scenery you’ll witness in Iceland. The country is volcanically and geologically active and, with such natural beauty on offer, it’s no wonder Iceland’s been the backdrop for countless Hollywood blockbusters – as well as TV hit Game Of Thrones. You can even book yourself on a location tour for the show. INSIDER’S GUIDE Sightseeing company Gray Line (grayline.is) runs a twoday West Coast, Ice Cave and Lava Cave tour, starting from £416pp. You’ll receive complimentary pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Reykjavik (your accommodation in the capital city is not included), an overnight stay with breakfast at Hótel Húsafell, and guidedtour entrance tickets to the fascinating Langjökull glacier ice…

There’s no denying Loose Women panellist Lisa Riley is looking better than ever, having shrunk from a size 28 to a size 12. While she’s understandably overjoyed with the results of her whopping 12st weight loss, Lisa, 41, recently revealed she is haunted by one regret – that her beloved mum, Cath, isn’t alive to see her now. Opening up about her body transformation, the actress choked back tears as she explained how her late mum – who passed away in 2012 – would have been ‘blown away’ by her shrinking figure. ‘More than anything, I regret that she is not here to see it,’ Lisa confessed. Continuing that she wishes she could ‘have done it sooner’, Lisa admitted she’s reminded almost daily of what her mum would have thought.…

JOIN THE CONVERSATION We’re ALL TALKING about Back in the day, buying a wedding present was simple: you were sent a gift list, which was usually with a classic store such as John Lewis, and asked to purchase one of the items on it. Now, though, with many couples already owning a home, more and more are asking for contributions towards bigger gifts such as honeymoons and furniture. Our very own Maria Socratous (right, a designer on the magazine) is Greek Cypriot, and it’s actually traditional to pin money onto the bride’s dress. So what do you think? Would you prefer to buy a couple something thoughtful and personal, would you rather have a wedding list as a guide, or do you think that giving them money, if that’s what…

HOW IT WORKS 1 In a trial, dieters who swapped their usual coffee and a cereal bar for a 700 calorie breakfast lost up to 50 per cent more weight over 12 weeks than others who ate a smaller breakfast and had the bulk of their calories at night. Average weight loss was around 17lb in 12 weeks. 2 Leading UK nutritionist Alice Mackintosh says, ‘Starting the day with a proper meal gets your metabolism working. If you deprive it of fuel first thing, it slows down and this can mean you store calories up later in the day. You also don’t need as many calories while you sleep, so eating a large meal before bed means the energy won’t get burnt off.’ 3 Having a protein-heavy breakfast with just…

1 CLEO We all dread looking at our monthly bank statements. Those ‘quick’ drinks after work, that extortionate gas and electricity bill and that sale you couldn’t miss out on can easily add up to a horrifying amount. Cleo is a handy, integrated, Facebook-compatible assistant that can give you a transparent breakdown of your spending. Although you need to allow it access to your bank details, it has bank-level encryption and doesn’t store any of your credentials. 2 TVPLAYER The price of TV packages are constantly on the rise; however, with TVPlayer, you can now watch most of your favourite TV shows at a fraction of the price. The video-streaming service is available on desktop, mobile devices and even gaming consoles. TVPlayer gives you 60 free channels, and if you…

Best ON Test Budget buy Cookworks Breadmaker at Argos, £44.99 There’s plenty of types of bread you can make, and the finished loaf is delightfully doughy. Russell Hobbs Compact Breadmaker, £49.99 Small enough to fit on the worktop and dishwashersafe, it’s a doddle to clean and makes a lovely loaf! Salter Bread Maker at studio.co.uk, £49.99 The time delay isn’t thoroughly explained but this nifty gadget allows you to change the loaf size. Mid-range Swan Quickbake Breadmaker, £54.99 There’s a fair few buttons, but you can make many varieties. Morphy Richards Fastbake 48280 Breadmaker, ao.com, £57 Large, but makes big, tasty loaves. Good for feeding a family! Tower Gluten Free Digital Bread Maker at Wilko, £59.99 It’s a little loud, but the digital display and varied settings make it a…

...memorable moments on The One Show Meeting Dolly Parton, and Mr T. He’s a huge history fan! He has insomnia and he watches the History Channel to settle his mind. He loves the Vikings. And Dolly – when she left that studio, I was her No.1 fan. …being seen as a bit of a sex symbol When you grow up with three sisters taking the p**s out of you all the time, it’s quite hard to take yourself too seriously. When you see yourself – pale, pasty and terribly hungover on a Saturday morning, hair falling out – you know the real you. …having fun with his kids I take them to a lot of castles and museums! If you love history, there’s never a dull moment, Britain is full…

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