Inhoudsopgave van 40-2021 - Best

Craig Revel Horwood is back as our sparkling columnist on page 35, with all the behind the scenes Strictly gossip and – as he told us recently – feeling sorry for both Motsi and Shirley, having the wit and wisdom of himself and Anton to deal with. Anton may be new to Bruno Tonioli’s seat, BUT Motsi Mabuse has no fear of Craig for sure. When she first joined the panel, she laughed when asked for her thoughts on ‘tough’ judge Craig. ‘Bring it on!’ she giggled infectiously. And that girl has attempted to put Craig in his place many times during the show. Girl power, Motsi. And Craig, you know I love you, but having stood between you and Anton in top hat and tails – gaining a 10…

A protester followed in the footsteps of former GMB host Piers Morgan last Wednesday – dramatically flouncing off the live show during a heated debate! Liam Norton, a campaigner from Insulate Britain – which wants the government to fund the insulation of all social housing by 2025 – was at the TV studios to talk about protests, which have seen activists shut the M25 on five separate occasions in little over a week. Admittedly, the interview did not get off to the best start. ‘You’re an intelligent journalist,’ Liam said. ‘And you haven’t understood what I said about the next few years determining the future of humanity.’ A visibly irritated Susanna immediately hit back, ‘Liam, try not to be so patronising when you’re talking to me.’ Exasperated, she explained, ‘We…

‘Have you noticed how suddenly the debate has switched from Covid to climate? I’m not sure if that’s because Covid has finally fizzled out, or if the climate has become more urgent and important. I think it’s largely down to recent weather events, but also, it has a lot to do with a bunch of losers who’ve been holding up traffic on the busiest motorway in the whole of Europe for the past couple of weeks. They call themselves Insulate Britain and have stopped thousands and thousands of people going to work, to hospital, supplies getting to destinations, parents picking up kids, businesses functioning, the list goes on and on. All in the name of climate change, but in particular, getting more people to insulate their homes. As if anyone…

At 72, to some people I may be ‘old’, but I certainly don’t feel it. I’ve always sought out younger people in my life, from my eldest grandchild, who’s in his 20s, to former colleagues, to keep me feeling youthful and in touch with the world. I’ve never had a friend like Charlotte before, though. We are so close. I call her a ‘pocket rocket’, she’s so full of energy and humour, and a very empathetic person who accepts me for who I am–including my love of crazy hair colours. Our fellow WI members, who know us both, aren’t surprised we’ve forged such a deep bond, because we’re incredibly similar. Both chatterboxes with a naughty sense of humour, we share the same views on social issues, love crafting and cake…

DISTANCED, BUT DIVINE I’ve heard some fans are upset that Tess and Claudia are still socially distancing. What can I say – Covid hasn’t gone away! And we would all rather be safe than sorry. And look, right beside each other or two metres apart, these two would still be fabulous. Claudia still can’t wear heels without hobbling around the studio – and gorgeous Tess is the perfect foil. They’re a wonderful partnership. DYNAMIC DUO I’m loving comedian Robert Webb and Dianne Buswell, they’re such fun. Robert was brilliant at Flashdance for Children in Need – but attacking the cha cha cha to Rasputin, well, that’s a whole other ballgame. I could see he struggled, but he gave it a go. The cha cha cha is also very cheeky, and…

CAN SYRINGING CAUSE DAMAGE? My 17-year-old had his ears syringed after they had been blocked for months – but he’s adamant it’s damaged his hearing. Our GP says not and that they’re going to be tender for a while, but my son is convinced that, though his ears may be wax-free, his hearing is affected. It’s currently the doctor’s word against ours, what can I do about this? Are there cases where it can cause further damage? Could the doctor have made a mistake and damaged my son’s inner ear? DR HILARY SAYS: These days, earwax removal is normally carried out after the earwax is softened with olive oil or a hydrogen peroxide product using micro-suction under direct vision to make it both gentle and safe. However, sometimes, the older…

A CHRISTMAS CRISIS? EAMONN: I’m always of the opinion that, if you haven’t got your Christmas shopping started, and indeed finished, in October, then it’s going to be a tight squeeze. Top of the list for me was always making sure Santa had his toy list from the kids. But this year, Santa and everyone else is going to be under pressure like never before. If you haven’t started yet, then get your finger out – because a combination of lorry driver shortages, Brexit and the ‘pingdemic’ forcing people to self-isolate has absolutely wrecked the supply chain. On top of that, poor food harvests around the world are making the problem even worse. So, let’s get our priorities right. Children are what Christmas is primarily about, in my opinion. They’ve…

THE CRIME: A doctor whose patients end up maimed and mutilated – some, even worse. But who could stop this evil surgeon…? THE CASE: When Mary Efurd woke up from her spinal surgery, she was screaming in agony. She’d believed that when she went under the knife of Dr Christopher Duntsch, he’d be able to cure her bad back. The medical professional had boasted on his TV adverts that he was the ‘best neurosurgeon in all of Dallas’. She had every reason to think she’d be in good hands. Yet, now she’d come round from the anaesthetic, her pain was a ‘10-plus’ on a scale of one to 10. It had gone so horrifically – and obviously – wrong that a technician left another set of tools in the operating…

Do you have a story you’d like to share with our amazing army of best readers? We’re looking for real-life stories from women just like you and your friends – and will pay up to £250 for all those that make it into these pages. Stories can be funny, sad, emotional, inspirational – just like some of the examples on this page. The only rule: they must be true. Have you been on a diet that changed your life? Have you battled against tough times and come out fighting? Have you found love or happiness against the odds? If you – or a friend – have a story to share, whatever the subject, do drop us a line, with your contact details, a photo and a brief outline of your…

Flirtatious, efficient and loyal, she’s not strictly a Bond girl – but she’s one of the most iconic characters in the James Bond movies, with whom 007 has always enjoyed an easy flirtation. Moneypenny also has some of the best lines (‘Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr Bond, but don’t stop trying…’). Londoner Naomie Harris has played a tough, sassy, glamour puss in Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015) and now the much-anticipated No Time To Die, Daniel Craig’s final outing as 007 (her Miss Moneypenny is the first to enjoy some ‘romantic moments’ with him!). Recruited to rescue a kidnapped scientist, Bond finds himself hot on the trail of a mysterious villain, who’s armed with a dangerous new technology. Naomie, 45 – who has been with her partner, Peter Legler, since 2012,…

Idon’t know how French singer Edith Piaf did it. She was forever warbling on about ‘Je ne regrette rien’ (I have absolutely no regrets). Me? I’ve got an overflowing wheelie bin full of them. The papers went wild recently, when I told the podcast Gay and a Non Gay that I deeply regretted not saying ‘Yes please!’ when, invited to introduce the Weather Girls singing their super-mega-hit It’s Raining Men at Pride, and driven through the crowd in a pimped-up Pope-mobile, several voluptuous lesbians shouted their seductive intentions towards me in a most alluring manner. Why, oh why, was I too timid to at least embark on a tremulous same-sex snog? I suppose a mixture of shyness, upbringing and the fact that way back 25 years ago, life was much…

ALL UNDER £15! Find copying the latest trends a little daunting? It doesn’t have to be drastic, but giving your cosmetics bag a new lease of life can make all the difference! 1 THE TREND: METALLIC EYES Try it yourself: This kind of finish has the ability to make eyes more luminous. Golds, roses and bronzes are more flattering than silver. If you’re prone to hooded lids, stick to the sockets to avoid the metallic colour highlighting wrinkles beyond your laughter lines. Make your base shadow matte and neutral, then apply your metallic effect to the middle of your socket for the best effect. W7 Romanced Palette, £6.95, 14 shades across the spectrum. 2 THE TREND: BERRY LIPS Try it yourself: A rich shade doesn’t have to be extreme. If strong colours…

People describe me as unlucky. Yes, I’ve been through a lot – more at 37, than most people go through in a lifetime. I’ve been in car crashes, survived cancer and I’m now living with a brain tumour. My parents were told when I was still a toddler that I’d never lead a ‘normal’ life and, as a teenager, I’d never have children. I’ve had to use food banks, give up my dream home and even contemplated whether life was worth living. Yet, here I am now, married to Ben, the man of my dreams, with two gorgeous sons, a lovely house in Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, and my own business. How can I be anything other than the luckiest woman alive? My misfortunes began when I was just 21…

Chocolate and Blackberry Meringue Roulade Use a good quality cocoa powder for a really chocolatey flavour. Hands-on time: 30min, plus cooling Cooking time: About 20min Serves 8 5 large egg whites250g caster sugar2tsp cornflour1tsp white wine vinegar25g cocoa powder, sifted, plus extra to dust FOR THE FILLING 300ml double cream3tbsp icing sugar350g blackberries, plus extra to serve 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/mark 4. Line a shallow baking tin, measuring 23 x 33cm, with baking parchment. 2 In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with a handheld electric whisk until they hold stiff peaks. While continuing to whisk, gradually add the caster sugar and beat until thick and glossy. Using a spatula, fold in the cornflour, vinegar and cocoa powder until just combined. 3 Carefully spread the mixture…

TOP TIP! Throw together different textures like faux fur and velvet for a luxe look.…

Christmas – the most wonderful time of the year, according to the song. Festive lights, traditional tunes, pickles, pyjamas and strange sweaters you wouldn’t wear at any other month of the year! But ask any of your friends how much they will spend this year on it, and it is unlikely that they can give you a figure. According to a poll by Ocean Finance, 32 per cent won’t even set a budget. The ‘average’ Christmas spend back in 2019 reached £1,116 per household. With the uncertainty of Covid and many families being forced to spend the festivities alone, that figure dropped 20 per cent to £883 last year. But now, with three months – and three pay cheques – to go until the next big day, celebrations are threatening…

Duntsch then moved on to South Hampton Community Hospital in Dallas and took a job at an outpatient clinic called Legacy Surgery Centre of Frisco. There, Jeff Cheney woke up without any feeling on the right side of his body after Duntsch cut his spinal cord. Philip Mayfield’s spinal cord was similarly damaged when Duntsch drilled into it. And the inept doctor left surgical hardware in Marshall Muse’s back, which left him in considerable pain and led him into opioid addiction. While operating on Jacqueline Troy, Duntsch cut one of her vocal cords and one of her arteries and poked holes through her trachea. After being sedated for weeks and fed through a tube, she was left unable to speak louder than a whisper. When he operated on Jeff Glidewell,…

Tilly was on a mission. She was going to beat the ‘driving curse’ in her family and pass her test. ‘It’s not really a curse,’ said her sister Ruth. ‘More of a gene we’re lacking.’ Ruth had her licence but was such a nervous driver, she’d pull into a layby if someone came up too close behind, ‘intimidating’ her. Their late mum had given up altogether after 53 lessons and three failed tests. Tilly had so far failed two tests and didn’t want to go for the hat-trick. But she regarded this rite of passage as the key to independence – a sense of ownership of her own destiny that was sorely needed after splitting from Rob. Grateful as she was to have her own flat, a good job and…

Asked about her childhood, Lesley recalls her mother’s kitchen and the constant boiling of pots on the stove. But it wasn’t dinner the former dancer was making, it was cosmetics. ‘She was ahead of her time, using natural ingredients – rose water, olive oil, butter and sugar,’ Lesley says. Soon, the Essex-based beauty was making her ‘lotions and potions’ for friends. Over the years, Rosina passed on beauty secrets to Lesley, which she, in turn, passed to her own daughter, Sophie Cooper. Rosina died in 2015, but Lesley says: ‘Mum is the person I have to thank for my love affair with skincare. She relied on fruits, vegetables, and flowers, mixing them with other kitchen ingredients to keep her skin glowing. I still use her recipes and have passed them…

Lorraine has been married to former cameraman, Steve, for more than 30 years, with whom she has daughter, Rosie, 26 – and she credits him with her success. ‘He picks up the slack. I couldn’t do what I do if it wasn’t for him. He makes me laugh an awful lot. He’s very kind and a brilliant dad.’ She also says that Steve understands the ‘funny hours and the silliness’ of her celeb lifestyle, but has zero desire to be part of it, which is key to their successful union. ‘His idea of hell on earth would be at something like a film premiere, it would be like having needles stuck in his eyes. That does help. It must be very odd being with someone who enjoys walking down a…

Gorgeous Holly Willoughby is renowned for her infectious giggling, but she came under fire recently, as she and co-host Phil seemed to aim their laughter at the government. Playing a clip of chief medical officer Chris Whitty as he discussed possible protocols, saying, ‘Winter is coming and people should really take this seriously,’ Phil began to giggle. ‘Winter is coming – of that, they are absolutely sure,’ he said with a snort. Holly laughed and added, ‘Well, exactly, that is a fact. One of the few facts we can be on solid ground with.’ Whitty warned of ‘7,000 hospitalisations a day; more than this time last year… odd because we have a vaccine….’ ‘How can that be?’ asked Holly. ‘How can they be so miserable?’ Phil retorted. The entire section…

TOP TIP Buy a well-cut pencil skirt now and you’ll wear it all Winter.…

From the safety of Dad’s shoulders, I giggled as he waded into the sea. Our annual holiday in Fairbourne, Wales, was the happiest time of my childhood. My two brothers were so much older than me they’d already left home by the time I was little, so it was just my dad, Colin, now 90, my mum, Eunice, now 89, and me, visiting the miniature railway and the amusement arcade. It was peaceful and calm. Unlike the past few years. My parents married in 1952 and although Dad had a temper, there was always laughter in our house. I grew up and married Martyn, now 43, and we had Gabrielle, now 12. Settling in Staffordshire, we lived near Mum and Dad, who moved to a street built for the elderly,…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Follow the menu (right) You can start on any day you choose, swap days around, or repeat days if there’s something you particularly enjoy! 2 Slimming World’s eating plan, Food Optimising, is based on the scientific principles of appetite regulation and helps members to reduce their energy intake and lose weight without ever feeling hungry or deprived. It’s based on an understanding of how a food’s nutrient content and energy density (its calories per gram) affect satiety (our sense of satisfaction and fullness). 3 Free Food is at the heart of Food Optimising. Foods that are Free are printed in bold and include fruit, veg, pasta, rice, potatoes, pulses, lean meat (and some meat replacements, e.g. Quorn), fat-free dairy, fish and poultry. Base your meals around…

best VALUE TOP TIP! Use with an exfoliating glove to do two jobs in one!…

CAN WE ‘LOSE TOUCH’ AGAIN?! During the pandemic an old school friend got back in touch with me – I was thrilled, we’d been so close when we were growing up and I had always regretted losing touch with her. We’ve met up a few times, but she’s started really getting on my nerves! She manages to make every conversation, even ones I start, about herself – boasts about how gorgeous and successful her husband is and how accomplished her grown-up kids are. I’d quite like to ‘lose touch’ again – but I’m really not the kind of person to just ‘dump’ somebody. What else can I do, Vanessa? Angie, Norwich Don’t make a dramatic exit from this insufferable show-off’s life. Just ease yourself away from her gently. There’s no…

Anew baby, especially a Royal one, should be cause for great celebration. And no doubt, the Royal Family were delighted at the happy news. But the announcement of the birth of Princess Beatrice’s first child, a girl, with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, on Saturday 18 September, had rather a dark cloud hanging over it. It is because Beatrice’s father did not, it would seem, race to his daughter’s side, to welcome the newest addition to the family. No, Prince Andrew, as this magazine went to press, had not left his mother, the Queen’s private estate at Balmoral, in Scotland, to visit his new granddaughter, his second grandchild – something that must go against every parental instinct. The prince has been staying at the Highland estate while lawyers working for one…

1 Seek out outlets Use ebay.co.uk/vlp2/brand-outlet to find discounts of up to 60 per cent from retailers. 2 Send parcels cheaply Use Parcel2Go.com to compare courier prices for the cheapest option. 3 Keep track of spending Use the free Yolt app – it brings all your banking together in one place. 4 Cash in on cashback For online shopping, use sites such as Quidco or TopCashback to get money back when you buy. 5 Bag a bargain Note down Black Friday (26 November) and Cyber Monday (29 November) for great deals. For Amazon, use the uk.camelcamelcamel.com price tracker.…

A concerned Kirby wrote to the Texas Medical Board, telling them that Duntsch was a ‘sociopath’ and a ‘clear and present danger to the citizens of Texas’. Both he and Henderson put huge pressure on them to revoke his licence for violating his standards of care for his patients, which they eventually did in 2013. However, despite his actions, it wasn’t until 2017 that he was convicted of maiming Mary Efurd and being responsible for injuring 33 out of his 38 patients and sentenced to life in prison for intentionally injuring his victims. To this day, nobody knows why Duntsch carried out such horrific acts. Was he simply inept? After all, he had only taken part in less than 100 surgeries while training, while the average is 1,000. ‘I am…

LIBRA 24 September – 23 October Things can only get better. For Mary Poppins and Sound of Music star Julie Andrews, Thelma and Louise legend Susan Sarandon and other Librans whose confidence has recently taking a battering, renewed hope is building. Your self-conviction may have left you momentarily but it is slowly returning. SCORPIO 24 October – 22 November Personal plans will be sparked into action through the support of a creative friend. Your hope is that your ideas will meet with triumph and with the right people behind you, you won’t be disappointed. Neighbourhood matters will interfere with a private dream but close friendships are looking good so concentrate on them. SAGITTARIUS 23 November – 21 December If you’re involved in any kind of group activity, you’ll be pleased…

Did you know that around 30 pearls of wisdom, including beauty tips, are passed on by our parents and stay with us for life? Like family heirlooms, mums can always tell us a thing or two! I GOT IT FROM SOPHIE! I use my mum’s recipes, but Sophie – a busy mum – gets a lot of inspiration, from social media and influencers. This week she shows me how the humble bar soap has been transformed. THE BEST BAR SOAPS My mum always told me never to use bar soap and water on my face – probably because back then, soap contained lots of drying ingredients, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, a harsh surfactant that can strip the skin’s natural oils. But Sophie has shown me how some of the latest…

ROCKY III 10.45pm, ITV, Friday A classic sequel! Rocky, the reigning world champion, accepts a boxing challenge from Clubber Lang – but loses the match. He also loses his credibility as a champion – and must fight to get it back. ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES 12.10am, ITV2, Friday Hit that record button and laugh your way through this hilarious comedy. A celebrated news anchor from San Diego, after getting fired, is hired by New York’s first 24-hour news channel, which he takes by storm with his new style of coverage. JASON BOURNE 9pm, E4, Friday The first film in the thrilling Jason Bourne franchise is here to kick off your weekend. Bourne (Matt Damon) is a CIA assassin suffering from dissociative amnesia (yes, quite the recipe for disaster!). If…

19 CRIMES, ASDA At just £7 from Asda, this warm, fruity Australian wine will leave you feeling all fuzzy inside, making those long nights ahead much more bearable! ONE SAGE & APPLE GIN, TESCO An orchard-fresh twist on One ‘sage’ Gin, this smooth, aromatic spirit is a balance of juniper, crisp russet apple and fresh English sage – perfect to warm you up this Autumn. £36. VELVET IRISH COFFEE The Irish Velvet coffee mix from The Drinks Basket is the pick-me-up you need this season. A mix of the finest Irish whiskey, coffee and sugar, it blends the warm, buttery flavour of Irish whiskey with the bitter, comforting flavour of coffee. £12.99.…

LOIS MAXWELL Lois Maxwell starred alongside Sean Connery, George Lazenby, then Roger Moore, between 1962 and 1985. Lois was turned down initially, but she fought to be cast. Her first 007 film paid £200, and she had to provide her own clothes – but she stayed for 13 more! CAROLINE BLISS Caroline Bliss, who was younger than Lois’ Miss Moneypenny, took on the role at 26 – her style was very much the bespectacled girl-next-door. SAMANTHA BOND Samantha Bond’s bubbly, pixie-cut attaché was Irishman Pierce Brosnan’s Moneypenny during his four-film run as Bond, stretching from 1995 to 2002.…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Thanks to perfect soil and the right weather, beautiful Herefordshire has acres and acres of fragrant orchards bejewelled with juicy apples in Autumn, plus a wealth of cider producers, big and boutique, ready to turn the plump fruit into delicious cider. That’s why, these days, instead of wine tasting or real ale appreciation, drink aficionados are now rushing here to savour this refreshing, alcoholic beverage. As well as sampling the Wine of the West, stay a while and try a few apple-related activities, such as a cider mill tour, orchard bathing or cycling along a cider route… INSIDER’S GUIDE • Visit Herefordshire’s Cider Circuits – Newton Wonder, Red Streak or Porter’s Perfection – can be done by car or bike, in one go or with overnight stops, and…