Inhoudsopgave van 06-2024 - Best

As the iconic film song goes, ‘Love is all around me’. Not just in the way of traditional Valentine’s moments, which – by the way – we have tons of gift ideas in this issue for. It’s also in our love for our kids, parents, pets… and in those moments of kindness from strangers. On page 86, our roving reporter Wendy holidays with her beloved dog! We have gift ideas for your besties on Galentine’s (the 13th). Who wouldn’t want to get a ‘hug in a mug’ full of the ingredients for hot chocolate? See page 47. I love the story of Amanda’s ‘positive pants’ on page 34. With her ‘yes, I can!’ attitude, she swam the channel for her 56th birthday. You go, girl. Oh yes, and talking of…

National treasure Carol Kirkwood is well-known for her warm presenting style on BBC One – as well as the occasional hilarious live blunder (who could forget the time she was dragged to the floor by a dog at the Chelsea Flower Show?), but she’s now also proving to be a very popular novelist! The Breakfast weather presenter released her first Summer page-turner – Under A Greek Moon – in 2021, and has since followed it up with The Hotel On The Riviera and Secrets Of The Villa Amore, proving to be the perfect writer of romance. Later this year, Carol – who is in a real bubble of joy herself after marrying hubby Steve Randall (a police officer, 13 years her junior) – will release yet another juicy tale, Once…

Things have not always been easy for singer Coleen Nolan. Her marriages -to EastEnders star Shane Richie (the dad of her sons, Shane Jr, 34, and Jake, 31) and musician Ray Fensome (dad to Ciara, 21) – ended in divorce. Her family has been rocked by cancer – her oldest sister Anne has survived breast cancer twice, but her sister Bernie died from the disease in 2013. Meanwhile, her gorgeous sister Linda is currently battling the disease, which has now spread to her brain, moving Coleen to say, she was ‘sick’ of the onslaught. She even admitted to her own brush with the disease, a skin cancer was removed from a shoulder and a pre-melanoma (the most deadly form of skin cancer) from her face. Yet despite it all, she…

She’s been known to laugh for a minute straight and she’s a tonic to all when she goes into hysterics, especially on cold grey days – but rarely does Alison Hammond speak about her personal fears or sadness. Yet, in a rare moment of reflection on This Morningrecently, the 49-year-old mum’s heart went out to a guest. Singer Paloma Faith explained that her latest album was inspired by her split from Leyman Lahcine, the father of her two children, – something that weighs on her mind. Paloma told Alison and her co-host Dermot O’Leary, ‘It feels very heavy that I broke up with my children’s dad. I feel a real sense of responsibility. ‘I feel like these stages of grief are so present – and even now I still feel…

The number of those signing up to serve in the Armed Forces is dwindling. So it comes as no surprise, that, after recent comments made by the Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, and the war in the Ukraine, the debate over conscription has been reignited. General Sir Patrick Sanders said British citizens are part of the ‘prewar generation’ and must be prepared to support the Armed Forces by participating in a war if called upon to do so. General Sanders pushed the Government to ‘mobilise the nation’. Speaking recently at the International Armoured Vehicles conference, he said: ‘Taking preparatory steps to enable placing our societies on a war footing when needed are now not merely desirable but essential. ‘Within the next three years, it must be…

TOP TIP! Enjoy candlelight safely by switching to LED candles!…

AQUARIUS 21 January – 19 February With the New Moon in your sign on 9th you know it’s time to move on. Does the stuff lingering in your mind really matter? Turn yourself towards a new venture and ignore the ghosts. Tell yourself that past mistakes are wonderful things, for each has brought wisdom and strength. Look out world – you’re coming up punching! PISCES 20 February – 20 March The New Moon in the most introverted part of your chart leads to realisations. Solely pleasing others makes no-one happy long term, especially you. Don’t resent people’s lack of respect if you aren’t respecting yourself. This is a time for self-analysis, so you’re ready for a fresh start when the sun enters your sign on 19th. ARIES 21 March –…

SON GOING TO AUSTRALIA My 28-year-old son has a gorgeous Australian girlfriend, and they have just broken the news to me that they’re going to be moving out there permanently to start a family, as he can get a work transfer. I tried to put on a front so they wouldn’t notice how shocked I was, but I’m heartbroken, Vanessa. He’s my only child, and now I feel they’re all leaving me behind… Rachel, St Albans I can’t play down your shock and disappointment. An adored child moving to the other side of the world is every mother’s nightmare. Of course, you must remind yourself that children grow up and fly the nest and that your boy is healthy, happy, loved-up and setting off on an adventure. This is one…

No. It just couldn’t be him. Not possible, thought Janey Jones as she shrank back up the supermarket aisle to get a better look. He was practically serenading a woman through the bottles of fizz section. They must be choosing a Valentine tipple together! She dived behind a passing bread pallet so he wouldn’t spot her. Easier said than done being 5ft 11˝ with long red hair wearing an emerald green coat. Yes, it was him… or was it? The athletic stance, the dark stubble, that slightly prominent jawline and his unmistakable style. Who else could pull off a duffle coat like that? Some Valentine’s Day this was turning out to be. For weeks now she’d been chatting to him at the gym. Usually in the jacuzzi last thing before…

She rose to fame as mouthy Dawn in EastEnders, then stunned us all as Mr Selfridge’s refined Rosalie. But next week, actress Kara Tointon is taking on a brand-new role in Channel 5’s psychological drama, Too Good To Be True. The 40-year-old is heading up the cast as single mum and cleaner Rachel, who’s offered a lifeline when wealthy client Elliot wants to hire her. But it soon emerges there’s more to charming Elliot than meets the eye and his conniving, controlling ways send alarm bells ringing – leading the way to a sinister secret that unravels over four episodes. Here, Kara, (a mum herself to two sons, Frey, five, and Helly, two, with former fiancé Marius Jensen) opens up about home and work life - and how we all…

Every friendship group has one – the life and soul of the party, the person who always takes it a little too far and ends up propping up the bar long after everyone else has gone home. But what happens when you stage an intervention and tell them to clean up their act – right in front of the nation? Rylan Clark’s on hand to help answer that question as he hosts a brand-new reality show, Hot Mess Summer. Eight party animals think they’ve signed up for the Summer of a lifetime in Zante, Greece. But when they get there, they realise the party’s over. Instead, their nearest and dearest have nominated them to run a busy pool bar – from serving rowdy customers to cleaning the toilets. Will they…

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 number at the top of the grid or at hearstmagazines.co.uk/bestcross0624 ACROSS 1 7 8 9 10 11 13 15 17 21 22 23 24 25 DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 12 14 16 18 19 20 Which musical explores a rivalry between two gangs called the Jets and the Sharks? The answer will appear in the shaded squares. Phone and online entries open 6 February 2024 until midnight on 23 February 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…

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1 WHAT A HOOT! Lorraine Kelly had us all grinning when she was unveiled as The Masked Singer’s Owl. ‘I’ve loved being Owl, I’ve loved every single second, the show is so joyful,’ she giggled as host Joel Dommett asked her to reveal the face behind the mask. The panel, including Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Rita Ora and Mo Gilligan, rose to their feet gasping in shock. ‘I worked really quite hard to try and not be too Scottish,’ she told them. It worked, Lorraine – you were gobsmackingly good! 2 Who wowed the crowd? The A-list are certainly feeling the love as Valentine’s Day approaches with some gorgeous red gowns! Katherine Heigl, 45, looked a sweetheart in a strapless Reem Acra dress, while Margot Robbie, 33, looked…

‘The Beatles song When I’m Sixty-Four came out when I was seven years old and I remember not being able to get my little young head around such an age because it seemed so stupidly old. And now, here I am, almost there and I can’t believe I made it. Especially given my often reckless and sometimes dangerous lifestyle choices. Like having smoked thousands of fags before I gave up, drunk gallons of booze, sampled a drug or two, and having said “yes” to some monumentally risky challenges for “work”. And I haven’t forgotten I had a brush with an illness so serious that the chances of living beyond just five years were fairly nominal, even with all the hideous treatment I had. Now, it’s just coming up for 10…

‘Everything’ Chop Suey This is the epitome of chop suey – everything that you need for a refrigerator clear-out! The combination of chicken, prawns and bacon make this a moreish delight, and you could throw in cooked egg noodles at the end, before seasoning with oyster sauce, for the ultimate finale. Add whatever fresh ingredients you have and it will be a winner. Prep: 10 mins Cook: 6–7 mins Serves 1 • 1 tbsp rapeseed oil• 1 garlic clove, crushed and finely chopped• 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped• ¼ red onion, sliced• 100g mini chicken fillets, sliced into strips• 1 tbsp Shaohsing rice wine or dry sherry• 2–3 raw or cooked tiger prawns, shelled and deveined and sliced in half down the middle• 30g bacon lardons, finely diced•…

TOP TIP! Upgrade your mug by filling it with everything your favourite person needs to make an indulgent hot chocolate! Include love heart marshmallows, hot chocolate mixture, chocolate drops and, perhaps, a mini brandy!…

Chocolate Orange Cheesecake Hands-on time: 20 minsCooking time: 15 minsServes: 8 FOR THE BASE 200g dark chocolate digestives, finely crushed FOR THE FILLING 500g cream cheese TO DECORATE 150g plain chocolate 1 Grease a 20.5cm-round spring-form tin. Mix together the butter and crushed biscuits and press into the base of the tin. Chill for 15 minutes. 2 Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan 160°C/ gas mark 4). To make the filling, in a large bowl whisk together all the filling ingredients, except the egg whites, until smooth. Whisk the egg whites in a separate bowl until the soft peak stage. Use a large metal spoon to mix a spoonful of the whites into the cream cheese mix, then fold in the remaining whites. 3 Pour the mixture into the tin…

Whether she got enough credit for it or not, my mother believed in cooking from scratch. Every week, she would dutifully fill tins with lopsided Victoria sponges, soggy fruit cakes and burnt flapjack, when all I ever really wanted was a ‘treat’ cupboard like my friend Gill’s, stuffed with shop-bought chocolate bars, Cadbury mini-rolls and Mr Kipling’s fondant fancies. Some things are best left to the experts, I decided. Like chutney. This might sound harsh but, I’ve never tasted a home-made chutney that is a patch on Branston pickle, (other brands are available and just as tasty, by the way). My mother’s home-made chutney was a murky brown sludge that made your eyes water when you removed the lid. Every time my sinuses get blocked, I think fondly of that…

WHAT’S BEHIND MY TUMMY TROUBLES? I’m 62 and have always been able to eat whatever I’ve wanted – with no food off-limits. But recently I’ve been noticing tummy troubles after I have certain fruits. I’ve started to make notes of which and how often – is it worth visiting my GP to find out what could be going on? Sharon, Cornwall DR HILARY SAYS:I definitely think you should discuss your tummy troubles with your GP. Any change in bowel habit or digestive function lasting more than three weeks warrants investigation, particularly over the age of 60. You say certain fruits seem to cause issues but you have never had a food intolerance previously and, unlike gluten, histamine, caffeine, alcohol, sulphites, salicylates and MSG found in other foods, fruit rarely causes…

Join our campaign and get your finances sorted at hearstmagazines.co.uk/ffbest for money-saving tips and brilliant advice on being financially savvy. 1 USE STRONG, SECURE PASSWORDS Whether you’re creating a password for an online shopping service, a social network or even your home Wi-Fi connection, always follow these golden rules. ● Use a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols in your password. For example ‘telephone’ could be ‘T£leph6ne’. ● Don’t use your maiden name, a favourite football team, pet’s name or other personal info that could be available to fraudsters on social networks. ● Avoid consecutive strings of numbers or letters as these are easy for hackers to crack. ● Online password generators can be a simple solution if you’re stuck for ideas. ● Check how long it…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Before my fluffy butt arrived at Hartwell House & Spa, its most famous former resident was Louis XVIII, exiled King of France, who lived there for five years. The Grade II-listed property offers the perfect pad for a mini-break fit for royalty, and the even better news was that it’s now dog-friendly, so I could go, too! One of three Historic House Hotels owned by the National Trust, Hartwell has a great restaurant, spa and a selection of great big, cosy drawing rooms to relax in – pooches aren’t allowed in those. In any case, I didn’t care, outside there were acres of lawns to sniff. And waiting in our room was a snuggly pet bed beside a giant radiator, a water bowl, treats and two toys. INSIDER’S…

The filming for the new series of Britain’s Got Talenthas officially begun. And we can count on Amanda Holden to shoot straight from the hip alongside Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli when it comes to the judging. Amanda – who is mum to Lexi, 18, and Hollie, 12, with her record producer husband Chris Hughes – has explained she can’t believe her luck that she is set to shoot series 18. ‘I’ll probably be carried out on a stretcher,’ she quipped of the 17 years she has done on the show. ‘If I do 18… I will feel so privileged and lucky.’ While Amanda recently joked that Simon, 64, takes ‘credit for every single bit of success I’ve ever had’, she has also admitted he’s been a huge…

TOP TIP This off-shoulder top will also look fab with a pair of summer shorts.…

Stepping into the upmarket venue, I was dazzled by the glamorous women and the men dressed in black tie. It was five months since my split from my husband, and I’d decided to try new experiences – this was certainly one of them! Everyone at the ‘Killing Kittens’ sex club was wearing sparkly eye-masks, and as people chatted, there was an unspoken tension in the air. Would many of these people, so friendly and welcoming, really be throwing off their masks and clothes and sleeping together by midnight? I was about to find out… My journey to a new life had got a kickstart during a family holiday in Majorca in July 2021, when we decided to part. Although I loved my husband deeply, I wasn’t in love with him…

M y hubby Jimmy and I swayed together in time to the music. Islands in the stream, that is what we are… In front of us in our dining room, my phone balanced on a tripod, videoing us. We were copying a scene from the Netflix documentary, Beckham, where David and Victoria swayed together to the Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers classic. ‘Our followers are going to love this,’ I grinned. I posted the video on our TikTok and Instagram accounts, and within hours our feed was alive with comments from our followers. They loved it! Have to admit, this is better than the Beckhams, someone wrote. Then, about a fortnight later, I got a notification that made my jaw drop. David Beckham himself had shared our video on his…

WHAT TO DO ● Simply follow our plan, which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and one snack a day (from the snack box below right). ● Each day features a pancake with a choice of toppings. ● Don’t add sauces or sugar to meals. ● Aim to drink at least 2 litres of fluid daily including tea and coffee (adding milk from your daily allowance of 200ml skimmed milk), herbal teas, non-fizzy diet drinks or water. No booze, sorry. ● Follow the plan for two weeks but no longer. EASY PANCAKES 1Whisk 1 egg, 30g plain flour and 50ml skimmed milk. 2Add to a pan greased with ½ tsp of low-fat butter. Cook for one minute on each side or until golden (flipping is optional!) 3 Choose one topping: ⅓ sliced…

STEAK NIGHT AT CO-OP With Valentine’s Day falling mid-week, you really can’t go wrong with steak and chips. Head to the Co-op and pick up their Irresitible Hereford Ranch Steaks and Irresisitible Triple Cooked Chunky Chips for £7, which is a saving of up to £6.35. Plus if you are a Co-op member it will set you back just £6! Available 7 February – 14 February, inclusive. BE SPOILT FOR CHOICE AT M&S From 9-14 February you can pick up an epic feast from M&S. This year you’ll be spoilt for choice with Gluten Free, Vegan and Veggie options. Choose from a starter, main, side, dessert and drink for just £25 ( just £12.50 per person). Start your feast with King Prawn and Lobster (yes, lobster!) Thermidor Gratins, then Sirloin…

Home-decor enthusiast Michelle Pulman has an impressive 56.7K followers on her @girlonthehudson Instagram account, insisting that ‘mixing pattern & texture to create well-layered and home spaces’ is the way to go… Here, we’ve picked out just a few of our favourite snaps from her home! LIVE BEAUTIFULLY Possibly our favourite part of Michelle’s home, this calming, neutral space makes for the perfect living room… especially when that fire is lit! For any neutral chairs, Amazon prices are the winner – like the Yaheetech Tub Chair for £89.99. MAKE A STATEMENT Even in the bathroom! This proves that wallpaper – even in the tiniest space (like the loo) – can make an impact! For similar designs, head to John Lewis, for prints like their Desert Palm Wallpaper. BEDROOM GOALS Anyone else…

PET OF THE WEEK Name: Tucci Owner: Ellie, Winchester Breed: Domestic shorthair 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.*…

TWO GREEDY GIRLS! This week, Dani (left) and Kaya (right) test their favourite Love treats ahead of Valentine’s Day! For more from our hungry girls, check them out on Instagram @thebesttwogreedygirls and TikTok @twogreedygirls! LILY O’BRIEN’S TRUFFLES, AVAILABLE AT WAITROSE, MORRISONS, SAINSBURY’S, ASDA, £5 You can’t go wrong with chocolates on Valentine’s (or Galentine’s Day), right?! Smooth and succulent, these delicious Lily chocolate truffles will not disappoint! ★★★★ LUC BELAIRE LUXE AVAILABLE AT AMAZON, THE CHAMPAGNE COMPANY AND SELFRIDGES, £19.99 If you love a sweet wine, then this bubbly is definitley for you! The sweet sparkling wine is a fresh cuvée bursting with aromas of stone fruit, pear, and brioche, it tastes as beautiful as it looks! Full marks. ★★★★★ M&S LOVE PEACHY WHIPS, £2 You don’t need to be…