Table of contents for 20-2024 in Best

When I was 14, I knew I would marry Donny Osmond. He just had to meet me. I went to a concert at the Royal Albert Hall with my parents’ permission. I ran off after the show – without my parents’ permission – to join hordes of teenage girls thinking the same as me. He devastated us all by marrying shortly after that in 1978. Years later, in my 40s, I finally met my wall poster. He was still married and didn’t offer to leave his wife for me. By that point, I wasn’t devastated by this news. We have spoken many times since and, sometimes, I pinch myself that I get to chat to my childhood idol. He laughs at my 14-year-old crush. On page 40, Anne Hathaway (she…

Though the West End show she’s starring in – Opening Night – may be closing early (on 18 May, to be exact), Sheridan Smith is determined not to let this setback rock her. The 42-year-old, who has battled demons in the past such as a breakdown, alcohol, anxiety and self-doubt, said in a recent interview with The Times: ‘I knew I had to do the play as a way of taking control. I felt so ashamed of that time. I need to prove I’m not that person. It’s been very cathartic.” When the news broke that the play was shutting, she said: ‘I feel bad for the team and the work they put in, but I’m at the age now where I want to be challenged.’ Yet, through all her…

Kristin Hallenga, the breast cancer campaigner and founder of the charity CoppaFeel!, died last week at the age of 38. The news was announced in a statement from the charity, which said: ‘We share the sad news that our founder, boob chief, colleague, friend and queen of glittering turds, Kris, has died. “For 15 years, Kris had been living with secondary breast cancer. She hasn’t lost a battle, she wasn’t in a fight and she certainly wouldn’t want you to see her death as tragic. She was simply living. She was 38 and died with fulfilment and a heart full of love.” Kris was just 23 when she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, and told she had two years to live. Despite her tender years, she instantly devoted herself…

Take a breather and improve your mood with these pulse point remedies… TOP TIP! Sign up to our free newsletter by visiting facebook.com/bestmagazine for more bargains £10 and under every week!…

She’s not aged a day since starring in Alfie alongside ex Jude Law, more than two decades ago – and British actress Sienna Miller previously credited a few of our favourite things for those age-defying looks... and it’s far from being carb-free! The blonde bombshell, 42, and actor boyfriend Oli Green, 27, welcomed their baby girl together just four months ago – yet the striking star looked better than ever at Lady Lola Bute (one of the nation’s IT girls) recent 25th birthday party on the Isle of Bute. Sporting a stunning see-through dress at the event (which also included the likes of model and actress Poppy Delevingne), Sienna really was the belle of the ball. So, how does she do it? The Stardust actress previously gave an insight into…

Late Italian afternoon sunshine beat down, and a man in a smart suit marched towards me enraged – the owner of the venue. My heart sank. What was coming? ‘You told me the wedding ceremony was starting at 5pm,’ he fumed. ‘Roberto, gates open at 4pm, the ceremony starts at 5pm,’ I replied, trying to remain cool. ‘I’m not opening the gates,’ he said. This was a big budget destination wedding I’d meticulously planned and hundreds of guests were about to arrive. Something had clearly got lost in translation – but I wasn’t going to let that ruin the big day. Eventually Roberto agreed to open the gates to the venue if I paid him an additional €500. I had no choice but to agree to his unreasonable demand. At…

I’m sorry about all this. It has to be done,’ I said gently, trying to offer some comfort. ‘I’ll be as gentle as I can. I won’t take long.’ I was standing at a crime scene in my Personal Protective Equipment, wearing two pairs of latex gloves as I worked to ensure that there was no risk of cross contamination of DNA. However a life has ended, we always tried to give the deceased the dignity and respect they deserved. And if their life was taken away from them, we’re always determined to get justice for that person. I’m a Crime Scene Co-ordinator, and have worked for West Midlands Police for over 20 years. In some ways, lots of things have changed over that time – DNA advancements, access to…

Lorna was a bit of a hopeless romantic, a sucker for novels where the gal always got her guy – and the guy was always handsome, charming, besotted… Back in the days of Jane Austen, he’d also have owned a stately home. A nice bonus. After a string of disappointing encounters (stately home entirely optional), was she doomed to permanent disappointment? Her colleague Trude reckoned she should ‘adjust her parameters’. Which was Trude-speak for ‘settle’, in Lorna’s opinion. Then, Max joined the office. Outwardly, he ticked all of Lorna’s required boxes – floppy chestnut hair, soulful eyes, charming manner when asking if he could un-jam the photocopier… Lorna started slipping into daydream mode when studying the back of his neck in the office kitchen as he sniffed the carton of…

Anew take on the grim but gripping crime drama, The Responder is now playing on BBC iplayer. Series two sees the angry, sweary copper Chris Carson (played by Martin Freeman) – six months on from a near breakdown and the death of his close friend – attempting to rebuild his life and his relationships, desperate to avoid the corruption that nearly sucked him under. But as he tries to be a better policeman, a better man, and most importantly, a better father to his young daughter Tilly, the plot line twists and turns. Here, former Sherlock star, Martin, now 52, opens up about the painful study of one man’s struggle… Were you surprised by the reaction to the first series of The Responder? We were all excited by the first…

Prince Harry returned to the UK last week but his fleeting visit only emphasised that – emotionally – he is further away from the Firm than ever. He jetted in from his California home for a service to mark the 10th anniversary celebration of his pet project the Invictus Games. Held in the pomp of Saint Paul’s Cathedral, it was thronged with guests but conspicuous by their absence were any members of the immediate Royal family. Harry cut a rather lonely figure in contrast to the 2014 launch when he was accompanied by Charles, Camilla and William. A lot can happen in a decade and in fact the King, the Queen, the Princess Royal and other senior Royals (although not William) were just over two miles away at Buckingham Palace…

1 SHAVING ‘There’s an age-old myth that if you shave or pluck your hair, it’ll grow back thicker. That is not the case,’ says Dr Tiffany Clay, Atlanta-based dermatologist. Shaving gives hair a blunt tip, which might make it feel coarse and appear thicker as it grows out. Do: use a shaving cream to avoid cuts, advises Dr Shereene Idriss, of Idriss Dermatology in New York. Estrid Ultimate Shave Gel, £4.95 helps the razor glide across your skin. Don’t: share razors, as it can spread infection. Keep Wilkinson Sword Intuition Sensitive Women’s Razor, £8, to yourself! 2 TWEEZING The goal is to pull the hair shaft out of the skin at the root. Longer, angled tips tend to work best for grasping multiple hairs, while pointed tips work better for…

Greek Vegetable Tart This simple yet handsome tart relies on classic sunshine flavours and colours to create a quick and delicious bite to eat, ready-made puff pastry and, if I’m totally honest, I usually grab the pre-rolled variety for utter convenience as well. Sometimes you just have to be a little Machiavellian about things! Serves 6–8 • 350g ready-made puff pastry• 1 courgette• ½ aubergine• ½ red Romano pepper, deseeded• ¼ red onion• A generous pinch of Greek dried oregano• A generous pinch of ground cumin• 12 baby plum tomatoes• 50g halloumi cheese• 2tbsp pine nut kernels• 1tbsp Greek honey• 125g Greek yogurt• 70g feta cheese• Salt and freshly ground black pepper• Olive oil, for drizzling• A few sprigs of basil, to garnish (Greek basil, if available) YOU WILL NEED…

It’s more than two decades since Anne Hathaway, now 41, made her big-screen debut – and found global fame – as a gawky, reluctant royal in Disney’s The Princess Diaries, quickly followed by smash hit The Devil Wears Prada, which cast her as a fashion mag junior battling to impress Meryl Streep’s diva editor. Now a married mum of two and multi award-winning Hollywood star, her latest film is based on the 2017 novel, The Idea Of You. She plays Solène, a single mum in her 40s working in an art gallery when she goes to Coachella and meets Hayes Campbell (Brit Nicholas Galitzine), a character not a million miles away from Harry Styles, 16 years her junior and a boy band pin-up... Given that scenario would you, could…

1 SILVER BELLS The BBC’s Carol Kirkwood tied the knot with her partner, Steve Randall, last year in Buckinghamshire, with the 61-year-old admitting, ‘It was the most perfect and romantic, intimate wedding. We are both so incredibly happy.’ This is Carol’s second marriage after Jimmy Kirkwood, whom she divorced in 2008. 2 Second Time Lucky They first fell in love in the early 2000s and got us all excited with the initial proposal back in 2002, but it wasn’t until 20 years later (and some marriages to other people in between) that pop sensation Jennifer Lopez, 54 and American actor Ben Affleck, 51 got hitched in Las Vegas in April 2022. The theme was pink and featured delicate table wear and pink flowers. Talk about it all being…

HOW IT WORKS 1 There’s something for everyone when it comes to sandwiches and plenty of fillings to suit everyone’s fancy. They’re also handy to have as part of a weight-loss plan because you can choose lots of low-calorie options to help you lose the pounds. With over three billion sandwiches sold each year in the UK, they’re also an amazingly convenient choice you can grab on the go, or make at home to save money. 2 ● Follow the menu (opposite) which includes 1 breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus 2 snacks per day. ● Aim to drink 2 litres of fluid daily including water, tea, coffee, herbal tea, diet drinks and low-sugar squash. ● Your daily milk allowance is 250ml of semi-skimmed milk to use in tea or coffee…

I’M NOW WORKING WITH MY EX... I was so excited to start my new job – until I walked through the door and saw my ex sitting at one of the desks! I don’t know which one of us was more horrified. Our ending, which was over 10 years go, was not the best. It wasn’t my proudest moment but I did cheat on him at the time. We said an awkward ‘hello’ but apart from that we’ve barely said two words to each other What would you do in my situation? Caroline, Cambridge Be professional. Your history with your ex is (a) history and (b) absolutely nothing to do with your new job. The last thing you need is your brand-new colleagues gossiping about your now very distant relationship.…

Just before the fireworks erupted and the bells chimed to mark the start of 2024, a 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death on Primrose Hill in London. Harry Pitman had been with a group of friends near the viewing platform of the park where they’d gathered to see in the new year. "DANIEL LEFT FOR SCHOOL AND THEN HE WAS GONE" His death has left his family devastated and his sister, Tayla, said he’d died a ‘hero’. A 16-year-old boy was later arrested and charged with murder, who will appear in court later this year. Following the tragic loss of Harry’s life, actor Idris Elba launched a campaign to tackle knife crime. ‘We need to give young people more of a reason not to carry a weapon in the first…

TAURUS 21 April – 21 May Mercury in your sign makes you more talkative than usual and you could put the cat among the pigeons with the things you say. Go easy, because there could be a backlash if you hurt someone’s feelings. That said, you’re also feeling generous and optimistic. The more you smile, the more good things you’ll attract. GEMINI 22 May – 21 June The Sun will soon move into your sign, bringing new energy and vision but, for now, it’s ‘clear up’ time. Your mind tends to dwell on the past, try to make sure this is positive and that you’re learning, rather than regretting. Be brave and shed people and habits that drag you down. A dynamic friend can encourage you – thank goodness! CANCER…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES The answer will appear in the shaded boxes and this is your prize answer. Enter by using the numbers at the top of the grid or at hearstmagazines.co.uk/bestcross2024 ACROSS 1 7 8 9 10 11 13 15 17 21 22 23 24 25 DOWN 1 2 Whose feast day is celebrated in Scotland on 30 November? The answer will appear in the shaded squares. Phone and online entries open 14 May 2024 until midnight on 31 May 2024. Over 18s only. †Calls cost 65p per min plus your telephone company’s network access charge, and should last no longer than 2 mins. Service provided by Spoke (0333 202 3390). *For full T&Cs see below. We will use the information…

It’s no secret that ITV stars Rylan Clark and Rob Rinder both found the break-ups of their marriages in recent years incredibly hard... Judge Rinder, 45, admitted one of the most difficult things for him to do was to ‘live in the moment, rather than in my head’ after the end of his four-year relationship with barrister Seth Cumming - while This Morning presenter Rylan, 35, shocked the nation when he admitted he had even attempted to take his own life after splitting from his husband Dan Neal in 2021. Yet, they say misery loves company and, in this instance, it has done both the former Strictly star and the X Factor contestant the world of good… The pair embark on a tour of Italy for a new BBC2 series,…

TOP TIP Layer a tight fit T-shirt underneath on chilly days.…

I was 18 years old, with a summer job, and about to give my first presentation. But something was distracting me. A really good-looking young man in the audience... We were both teenagers, working away from home as counsellors at a kids’ summer camp. After the presentation, I made an excuse to talk to him... His name was Phil, and he was from Wales. Within weeks of us meeting, Phil told me he loved me. I felt the same. At the end of the summer camp in Michigan, USA, Phil flew back home to Wales. We kept in touch. And soon after I started university in the States, he sent me a package – containing an engagement ring! In May 1994, we married in my uni chapel, less than a…

Exosome therapy is causing quite a stir! I first mentioned this innovation in my trends column at the start of the year and, as predicted, it’s having a huge impact in the world of aesthetics, so I wanted to dive deeper into the topic and why you should know more about it. WHAT ARE EXOSOMES? They are natural nanoparticles released by cells, packed with proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. In the world of advanced skincare, exosome therapy is combined with treatments such as micro needling or lasers, and topped off with a post-treatment exosome serum. BUT HOW DO THEY ACTUALLY WORK? It’s thought they transfer proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids between cells, working as messengers in cell-to-cell communication. This is said to help kick-start cellular activity, which speeds up collagen…

As we both giggled, the door opened slightly and a head popped round: ‘What’s so funny?’ My daughter Issy and I were cuddled up in bed together, watching Gogglebox on TV. ‘It’s Stephen and Daniel – they are hilarious,’ Issy said. ‘They always make me laugh.’ Moments like this were so precious. Watching Issy belly laugh, I tried to soak up every second. My wonderful daughter, always so positive. Gogglebox meant I could pretend we were a typical mum and daughter, watching TV together on a Friday night. Pretend we were at home, not spending another night in hospital. Because the head at the door wasn’t my husband Antony, it was the nurse looking after Issy. We weren’t in Issy’s bedroom at our home in West Sussex, but in The…

Planning your big day? One thing you can easily tick off your to-do list is finding the outfit of your dreams – and all within budget too! Whether you opt for a traditional wedding or elope to sunnier climates this summer, look sensational with our carefully curated selection... BEST FOR: VERSATILITY For everything you need for the big day, Primark has got it covered! From bridal lingerie to accessories, you can even pick up this stunning Co-ord Single Breasted Blazer, £22 and High Waisted Slim Fit Trousers, £16, to match. Perfect if you fancy a more tailored look. The range also includes delicate lace, classic satin and luxurious silk dresses – with prices up to just £25. Bargain! BEST FOR: BRIDES ON A BUDGET The one- stop shop for all…

WILL MY ANKLE EVER FULLY HEAL? I broke my ankle at the beginning of last year and I’m still having problems with it. It’s getting slightly better now the weather is warmer, but the Winter was agony for me, and the bone still clicks. I am long out of my cast but my foot still looks double the size. Will it ever go back to normal? Or am I going to be prone to more problems with it now? Georgie, Toddington DR HILARY SAYS: In normal circumstances a fractured ankle should have healed up very well at this late stage, so clearly there is something going on warranting further investigation. It may be that the bone ends have not united properly or have left some residual deformity which is impinging…

PET OF THE WEEK Name: Teddy Owner: Jill, Barcelona Breed: Cavapoo CALLING ALL PETS! From funny to cute, we’re looking for more pets to star in our ‘Day in the Life’ series. If you think your animal is the perfect match, email bestpets@hearst.co.uk with details of your pet, plus a series of snaps.*…

There’s no doubt about it, landing the iconic role of Doctor Who is a gift for any actor. However with critics and millions of avid fans ready to judge you the minute you step out of the Tardis it’s a job that comes with enormous pressure. Thankfully Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa, 31, says he and former Corrie star Millie Gibson are loving life, as they return – following their Christmas debut – as the Doctor and companion Ruby Sunday. And why wouldn’t they? Their first full series, with Russell T Davies back as showrunner and a big bucks budget, thanks to a new partnership with Disney+, is a rollercoaster ride that sees the duo battle new fiercesome foes, enjoy a Regency romp and even meet the Beatles! Here Ncuti, who…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT The swoon-worthy series, based on novels by Julia Quinn, follows the romantic fortunes of eight siblings in Regency London. Thanks to its wealth of age-appropriate architecture, elegant Bath is once again ‘playing’ the part of the UK capital. According to Visit Bath, around a third of visitors come because they’ve seen it on TV. So in response, dear reader, an abundance of Bridgerton-inspired pleasures has blossomed for devotees, who must surely find in them sublime distraction and the greatest delight… INSIDER’S GUIDE Should you care to visit Lady Danbury’s residence in Bridgerton, your destination must be The Holburne Museum, founded by its namesake, Sir Thomas William Holburne (1793-1874), who never married. The collection of artifacts, which is open to the public, features more than 10,000 objects, from paintings,…