Table of contents for 16-2020 in Best

When we went to press, the Prime Minister, Carrie Symonds’ fiancé Boris Johnson, was in intensive care, showing ‘persistent’ symptoms of Covid-19. Unable to talk to him (his phone has been taken away at St Thomas’ hospital in London), Carrie must wait on messages from hospital staff. Said to be self-isolating in the home the couple bought in Camberwell, London, Carrie is still recovering from the virus herself. The world must seem like a bleak place for Carrie. Just over a month ago, it was revealed she wanted a ‘home birth’, possibly at No 10. Now, the mum-to-be (who, at 32, is 23 years the Prime Minister’s junior), is alone – nursing her darkest fears. While politicians argue over how to rule, simply having her future husband home safe must…

Fraught moments with her musician fiancé, Ben Ofoedu, arguments about bagels, the highs and lows of broadcasting through a world pandemic… they’re all up for discussion when we catch up with best columnist, Vanessa Feltz. The broadcaster and mum-of-two, 58, who has proved a wonderfully calming voice, navigating the nation through this scary time, talks about the roller coaster we are all on during the Coronavirus crisis. Revealing she’s staying positive, going for the giggles where she can get them, Vanessa also admits she has moments when she struggles – just like the rest of us… Vanessa, how are you and your family doing? As well as anybody, under the circumstances! I can’t see my daughters or my grandchildren, which is devastating. It was my older daughter Allegra’s birthday, my grandson AJ’s first…

ARIES 21 March – 20 April Doing things that give you most pleasure is strongly recommended for Arians like Andy Serkis (made famous for his Lord of the Rings role as Gollum), and award-winning US actress, Jessica Lange. If you are an Arian, people respect and admire your ability to switch gears and immerse yourself in challenging environments. CANCER 22 June – 23 July You want to feel you are doing something useful. Set small but reasonable goals for yourself now. Take one step at a time and you will start seeing results for your efforts. Avoid gossipy people as they will only waste your time. If a lover is playing hot and cold, find someone else to keep you company. LIBRA 24 September – 23 October Your willingness to…

It was love at first sight when I met my husband, John. Even though I was 14 years younger than him, I couldn’t help making the first move and just over a year later, in October 1976, we tied the knot at Bristol register office. We were happily married for 10 years and loved travelling around Europe. Corsica was our favourite… Then John got sick with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). One day he turned to me and said: ‘I wouldn’t let our dog suffer like I am. When I do eventually die, you are too young to be on your own. You’ve got to find someone else.’ ‘Shut up, John,’ I scoffed, scorning him for being so silly. But after he died in 2003, I felt very lonely. It…

AM I THE PROBLEM? After meeting up virtually (oh, how I wish it was in a real pub), with old school friends over ‘a vino or two’ last week, we got to the subject of what we were all like at school. Each one of them at different times confessed that their parents told them to stay away from me when we were teens, but didn’t go much into why, mainly because I didn’t want to ask. It’s really affected me! One of them even said ‘I daren’t tell my dad who I’m catching up with tonight!’ It’s made me second-guess everything from my youth – and even who I am as a person and mother today. I had my moments, and dabbled in drink, drugs, sex – but I…

NETFLIX £8.99 A MONTH The original – and some say the best – the range of options on Netflix is enormous. From shows like Tiger King that get everyone talking to costume drama The Crown, it also has food shows, movies, kids’ stuff and documentaries–really something for everyone. netflix.com DISNEY+ £5.99 A MONTH If you have restless kids to keep entertained, this just might save your life. The brand-new streaming service features the best of Disney, Pixar and Marvel, and is the only place to catch The Mandalorian – the new adventure set in the Star Wars universe. disneyplus.com BRITBOX £5.99 A MONTH The BBC and ITV have joined forces to provide another chance to see hits like Gavin and Stacey and Broadchurch, as well as classics from Channel 4…

As global panic about Coronavirus spread, Prince Harry and Meghan boarded a private plane, leaving their Vancouver Island bolthole behind. But rather than heading back to a UK in the terrifying grip of the worst crisis since the Second World War, they flew to Los Angeles, California, the city they are said to be making their permanent home. The couple last week announced the launch of their charitable foundation, Archewell – revealing the Greek word Arche, meaning ‘source of action’, inspired their son’s name. They are thought to be staying with Archie, nearly one, in a secluded compound in the Hollywood area, close to Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, and are contemplating purchasing a Malibu mansion once occupied by Kylie Jenner – the youngest self-made billionaire ever (thanks to her online…

Walking up the path to my ex-husband’s house, I get excited. Nick and I laugh about how many ex-wives could say that, but as I get closer, I see our two young sons waving and smiling at me from his lounge. My heavy heart soars as I crouch down and gently put my hands on the window pane. ‘Morning, I love you,’ I say, as I see their small chubby hands match mine. ‘We love you, Mummy,’ squeals Casper, now five. Olly, now seven, can be quieter. ‘I want a cuddle,’ he often says, and my heart breaks. ‘Go to Daddy and he’ll give you a giant hug from the both of us,’ I say, tearfully. Once, he wouldn’t come to see me at the window at all because he…

Lesley Reynolds from the Harley Street Skin Clinic shares her DIY face mask secrets ON YOUR MARKS… If you don’t have all these ingredients, experiment with whatever of the below you do have handy. • Coffee granules, sea salt and brown sugar are good exfoliators. • Fresh fruit is packed with antioxidants. • Milk, yogurt and egg whites suit normal skin types. • Oils such as coconut, avocado and olive work best on dry skin. • A dash of lemon or apple cider vinegar is good for oily skin. • Green or chamomile tea bags make great eye masks. THE BASIC MASK… A simple soothing mask that suits all skin types includes: Porridge oats, yogurt, and honey. Yogurt has lactic acid, which gently exfoliates, while oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties, and…

‘Sit up and beg!’ I demanded with all the discipline I could muster. My order was met with bored indifference. I waved a feather lure dramatically to try to entice a reaction. My pupil yawned, licked his nether regions and then walked away. 50 Shades of Tabby? No way. I was attempting to whip my kitty into shape for his first appearance at a cat show. Things were not going well. My feline, Barry, is not a natural show cat. He’s more of a no-show cat and prefers sofas to podiums. In current times, many of us will be stuck at home with family and pets and a lot of spare time. There’s no end of advice about what to do when you’re in isolation. Catch up on box-sets, read…

LUSCIOUS & LOW CAL! Cut the calories while still treating yourself with a new delectable pud from Gü. The four flavours, including Strawberry & Vanilla, £3.30, combine silky cheesecake, sweet fruit compote and biscuit. With fewer than 160 calories, it’s a perfect post-Easter treat! Finger-lickin’ good Create the ultimate fakeaway with a little help from Paxo Southern Fried Breadcrumbs, £1.29. Just coat your chicken in oil or egg and flour, roll in the breadcrumbs then fry or bake. Serve with coleslaw and chips. Find it at Asda. DINE IN DEAL M&S Foodhalls are still open for your weekly shop and the great news is the iconic Dine In offer is running. For £12, pick up a main, side, dessert and bottle of wine. Plus many of the dishes are from…

• Decide on how many plants you want to grow and then choose a container that’s wide and deep enough to accommodate them. • Cover the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot with some broken pot shards and an inch or so of gravel before adding compost. • Arrange your plants in the container, making sure lower growing plants are placed around the edges. • Fill in the gaps with compost firmly around the plants, leaving a two-inch gap between the top of the compost and the rim of the bowl. • Top off the plants with a layer of gravel or grit, which protects them from wet days and reflects sunlight back on to your plants. • Water well and add a liquid feed once a week to…

• To maximise space, pick attractive slim-line coat hangers for your wardrobe makeovers. • Fabric boxes are an inexpensive way of organising cupboards and bookcases, plus they come in different sizes, so can fit into cosy flats just as easily as larger homes. • Use vacuum-sealed storage bags (from £5 at Dunelm), to store your seasonal clothing, as this helps free up space in drawers and wardrobes. • Jumbo bags don’t have to be plain plastic either – try one with a coloured lid to coordinate with your bedroom. • Drawer dividers are also great to keep smaller items neat – try separating your socks from your tights for more organised living and to speed up your morning routine. • Placing items you only occasionally need on top of wardrobes,…

MUSICAL BOX What a super (califragilistic-expiali-docius) puzzle we have for you here! The names of 17 musicals are hidden in the grid, right. All form one continuous trail, with the last letter of each title being the first letter of the next. You can move through the letters vertically, horizontally, left or right but NOT diagonally. To help, we’ve placed numbers so that you know where each one starts and ends, in the order that they appear in the trail. You’ll also see that we’ve started the trail with the ever-popular Jesus Christ Superstar to get you going. When completed correctly, the unused letters, reading top to bottom, left to right, will spell out the title of another well-known musical (5,7). Solution on opposite page. SUDOK-GO! Fill the grid using…

Dr Alex, AKA Alex George, found fame on Love Island in 2018. Right now, he couldn’t be further away from a sun-kissed adventure in a Mallorcan villa. Currently, this brave 30-year-old is on the frontline in one of London’s NHS hospitals, doing his bit in tough conditions in the battle against the deadly Coronavirus pandemic. Here, Alex – who has also launched a new podcast called The Waiting Room – talks about the challenges we’re facing, offers practical advice about keeping safe, and opens up about his girlfriend, Amelia Bath… How are you coping, between working shifts and isolation? I am doing… OK. I deliberately took the decision to isolate in a house in London, where there is no risk to family members or my girlfriend, Amelia Bath. It is challenging, because I’m naturally…

‘The choices you make have a huge impact’ In a rare moment of laying his heart on his sleeve, celebrity chef and national ‘hush crush’ James Martin has admitted that he ‘gave up everything’, to pursue his culinary career. The 47-year-old explained: ‘The biggest low of my career is that I’ve given up everything for it. I look at my mates and they’re all married with kids, and that’s not the case for me, because I’ve been so focused on work. ‘The choices you have to make, have a huge impact. But would I do the same thing again? Probably, because it’s made me who I am. And why does everybody have to follow the norm, anyway?’ With an envious CV, including three restaurants, one Michelin star, a 10-year gig…

TOP TIP! With the changeable Spring weather, you could wear a cosy sweatshirt with this maxi skirt for a warmer look. TOP TIP! Layer this tunic over your favourite jeans for a more relaxed look. TOP TIP! A floaty maxi dress is cool and comfortable to wear. Pair with trainers or flip-flops now and then dress up later in the season.…

At the height of her modelling days back in the Nineties, Kelly Brook was a petite size eight. Then, in recent years, she became famed for her voluptuous curves. But, after losing 2st, Heart Radio presenter Kelly has claimed: ‘I feel like my old self again.’ The stunning brunette, who turned 40 last November, has yo-yoed in size her whole life. In a recent interview, she explained, ‘I had crept up to a size 16. When my jeans started to feel tight, I thought they’d shrunk in the wash… I definitely didn’t feel my healthiest or most beautiful, and I wanted to feel good again.’ Vicious trolls on social media didn’t help Kelly’s state of mind. In 2017, when the star posted a bikini snap on Instagram, one charmer commented…

JOIN THE CONVERSATION Party like we’re in lockdown! Are you missing your friends and family? This lockdown is a testing time – but some of us are fighting the loneliness with technology – with a virtual get-together. Some of our favourite ideas include quiz nights, book clubs, girls’ nights out (well, in!) – even dinner parties! Amanda Holden took to Instagram to show how she had dressed up for her pals. Looking stunning in a gold dress, she quipped: ‘No need to let your standards drop!’ There are lots of platforms which are easy to use – from good old FaceTime to Zoom or Houseparty – so get the invites out there, dress up and enjoy each other’s company! There are some advantages… you don’t need the cab fare home!…

HOW IT WORKS 1 With Easter over, spring is the perfect time to turn over a new leaf with myWW – one programme, three ways to live it. 2 Building on the success of SmartPoints® and ZeroPoint™ foods – those foods that form the basis of healthy eating habits – WW is introducing myWW, its most customised weight-loss programme ever, offering more flexibility and freedom than ever before. 3 Science-backed research shows everyone’s weight loss needs are different. The myWW programme makes losing weight easier, with three comprehensive ways to follow the programme based on individual food preferences and lifestyle behaviours. Based on nutritional science, myWW gives your body what it needs without you going hungry. 4 The myWW programme gives you a choice of three plans, Green, Blue or…

SISTER CAUSING STRESS We’re already living in such crazy, unsettled times – but my sister seems to be adding to the overall stress! She’s always been a nightmare, but now that we must hear the breakdown of everything that goes wrong on a daily basis on video call, she’s driving me insane. Her son ran out of the house the other day, so she risked life and limb looking for him – her washing machine broke, and nobody can fix it. Her boyfriend is on her last nerve, etc. She’s stressing out me, my husband and my siblings. How do I tell her this is NOT what we need right now? Marie, Cambridge Do yourself a big favour, give yourself a break and tell her the only communication you’re prepared…

Easy Pizza Making homemade pizza is easier than you think, especially if you cheat with a readymade base! The secret is to have the baking tray in the oven before you start and don’t go to heavy with toppings – it’ll go soggy! I’ve made a simple margherita pizza, the perfect canvas for adding any toppings you want; anchovies, pepperoni, chunks of sausage-meat, but please… no pineapple and ham! PER SERVING CALS 291 FAT 13.5g SERVES 4 1 readymade pizza base Pinch of oregano125g passata200g grated cheddar and mozzarella cheese mix6 cherry tomatoes, halved Few ripped basil leaves 1 Preheat oven, 200ºc fan. 2 Once heated, place a flat baking tray inside to get hot. 3 Sprinkle a little water over the pizza bases on both sides. 4 Mix the…

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS ★ Putting out food is a quick way to attract birds into your garden. If you don’t have a garden, a feeding tray on a window can still be very effective. ★ Remember, different birds have different feeding habits and food preferences. Blackbirds mostly feed on the ground and will eat all sorts, from fatty nibbles to mealworms. Blue Tits and Great Tits like to use a feeder, eating seeds, suet and peanuts. Finches will use both a feeder and bird table and enjoy sunflower hearts. ★ Look for good quality bird feed and remember you can put out leftovers, such as small amounts of bread, fruit cake, dried fruit and unsalted nuts. Take care to avoid anything mouldy or salty.…

KIDS HOME TECH AND GADGETS FASHION BEAUTY ACCESSORIES…