Table of contents for 52 - 2016 in Best

If the festive planning is getting a bit much, take a moment to sit back and ponder the year that’s just been. That’s what we’ve done with this week’s best. As well as listing the best upcoming TV shows – Kim Cattrall tackles an Agatha Christie whodunnit in The Witness For The Prosecution, and we catch up with Dawn French, star of new drama Delicious (p46) – we’re also remembering some of the extraordinary performers we’ve lost in 2016 (p30). I know many of us will miss the gentle humour of comedy genius Victoria Wood at Christmas. Finally, to ring in the New Year, we’ve found the party clothes to help you celebrate in style (p24). See you in 2017! • Let us know your thoughts on facebook.com/bestmagazine EXECUTIVE EDITOR…

Could it be a case of New Year, new baby, for mother-of-three Holly Willoughby, or are we all getting a tad carried away with the possibility she may be pregnant? Tongues started wagging recently when the presenter turned down a shot of tequila. Nothing strange about that, you might say, except Holly and her co-host, Phillip Schofield, generally love a good tipple when it’s offered. The (now infamous) morning after the National Television Awards in February, the hungover pair were even seen downing shots. Yes, they’re good sports. The other week, during a section on Christmas gifts, presenter Steve Wilson poured them shots of Holly’s favourite drink, tequila. Phil knocked his back, but Holly was suddenly denying she even liked the stuff, saying, ‘It’s not my thing. I don’t know…

Known for her larger-than-life personality, This Morning’s Alison Hammond, 41, has famously battled with her weight over the years. She even resorted to having a gastric band fitted in 2006, although she later had it removed when her body had a bad reaction to it. Now Alison, mum to Aidan, 11, has taken on her latest weight-loss challenge and entered ITV’s Sugar Free Farm, in which celebrities give up sugar while working as farmhands. Alison describes the difficulties she faced, and why she’s finally winning the body battle. How did you end up on Sugar Free Farm? I was really up for doing the show, so I was over the moon when I was asked! The idea of it is that you work on a farm, so that takes your…

TOP TIP Bacteria on brushes can cause breakouts, so make sure you wash them at least once a week.…

Juice boost Healthy eating goes out of the window at this time of year! The good news is you can get back on track before 1 Jan by filling your freezer with Iceland’s Banana, Kale & Mango Smoothies, £2 for four. The individually wrapped portions are frozen at the peak of freshness, so you just have to blitz and drink. Crazy crisps These unique flavours from M&S will certainly make it into our shopping basket. The Maple & Chilli Parsnip and Blackstick Blue Stilton & Figgy Pickle crisps, £2 each, are really moreish and will impress any guests. COOL FOR CANAPÉS Jazz up your party food with a spoonful of English Provender Caramelised Red Onion Chutney, £1.99. This simple addition will transform some toasted bread and Stilton into a tasty…

BEST’S CELEB INSIDER TALKS TO GINO D’ACAMPO He rose to fame with his cookery slots on This Morning, went on to front his own shows, and was crowned King of the Jungle on I’m A Celebrity… in 2009. But Italian chef Gino D’Acampo, 40, reveals that he plans to slow things down in 2017… How do you spend Christmas and New Year? I go to my house in Sardinia because it’s the only chance I get to spend quality time with my wife [Jessica] and the kids [Luciano, 15, Rocco, 11, and Mia, five]. So I switch off the phone and just relax. We go for long walks on the beach together and have picnics because the weather is still warm there. I like to get away from the UK…

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The New Year is set to bring many new challenges for our favourite royals, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Kate, who is 35 on 9 January, has reportedly told friends that she hopes to become pregnant with her third child in 2017. ‘She comes from a family with a brother and sister, so she has always wanted to have three kids,’ revealed an insider. However, it is expected her workload will increase as the Queen scales down her overseas duties, meaning she will be able to spend less time at home with George, three, and one-year-old Charlotte. On a tour of India last April, she admitted to ‘missing them massively’ when asked about being away from her children. No doubt, an increase in the number of tours will leave…

‘If there’s one thing I’ve learnt’ ‘Taking a step back and getting perspective is always a good thing, especially where relationships are concerned.’ Although we all know that marriages take a fair bit of work, it’s all too easy to start neglecting one another. And, with a busy work schedule and two babies, that’s exactly what me and my husband, Chris, did. In fact, things got so bad, we eventually ended up divorcing. However, this drastic move only proved just how much we loved one another and, 10 years later, we decided to get married for the second time! I first met Chris, now 49, on a train in July 1995, and it really was love at first sight. He was so handsome and friendly. We spent hours chatting during…

Headaches are a common problem, inconveniencing our busy lives. But one in four women is actually suffering with migraine. It’s not just a really bad headache, but a condition that causes regular attacks of headaches, even though you feel well in between. Recognising the symptoms and knowing the cures can really help. SEEING THE LIGHT Migraine is not just about headaches. Feeling sick and vomiting are common symptoms, too, and you may feel like you just need to lie down in a dark, quiet place and avoid any stimulation. A quarter of migraine sufferers experience ‘aura’, which is a strange sensation before the headache happens – flashes of light, numbness, pins and needles, odd smells, even food cravings can happen. Speech can be affected, too. FEELING TENSE People often confuse…

Best ON Test best DE SIGNER LU XE TOP TIP Aftershaves stick around longer when the skin is hydrated, so encourage your man to moisturise! Best rated: Excellent ***** Very good **** OK *** Almost there ** Bad *…

weight watchers The fantastic recipe book One Pot is available from Weight Watchers meetings, or via weightwatchersshop. co.uk/one-pot-cookbook ALL-IN-ONE ROAST CHICKEN SERVES 2 PREP: 10 mins COOK: 50 mins SMARTPOINTS VALUES PER SERVING: 8 SMARTPOINTS VALUES PER RECIPE: 30 4 x 125g skinless chicken legs, visible fat removed 4 x 175g potatoes, cut into large chunks 2 red onions, each cut into 6 wedges 4 carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks 8 garlic cloves, unpeeled 1 orange, zested, and flesh cut into 8 chunks Pinch of dried chilli flakes Sprig of fresh rosemary 2 fresh bay leaves 1tsp dried thyme Calorie-controlled cooking spray 250g 0% fat Greek yoghurt 1tbsp chopped fresh parsley 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C/ fan 200°C/gas 7. Put the chicken, vegetables, garlic and orange chunks…

Our favourite funnywoman, Dawn French, 59, plays cook Gina Benell, who’s fiercely protective of her daughter Teresa (Tanya Reynolds). Dawn lives in Cornwall with her husband, Mark Bignell, 53, and daughter Billie, 24. Tell us about your new show Delicious… The series is about two fantastic women fighting over one man. It’s about betrayal – about the awkwardness, the ugliness and the beauty of a situation like this. But I think ultimately it’s about forgiveness. What attracted you to the role of Gina? The script was excellent, but meeting the producer, Phillippa [Giles] and writer, Dan [Sefton] was the clincher. And with it being set in Cornwall, I could sleep in my own bed and see my family. How was it filming in Cornwall? We filmed in my brother’s village,…

Dance troupe Diversity are hosting a one-off ITV extravaganza on New Year’s Day. Reluctant heart-throb and lead dancer Ashley Banjo, 28, gives us the gen… Tell us about Diversity Presents Steal The Show. It’s got celebrity appearances, big performances and, at the heart of it all, three amateur dancers, nominated by friends and family, who perform with us. Then the audience votes for which one stole the show! Diversity did the same on Britain’s Got Talent… I think that’s why I love the concept so much. Now, we’re heading for our seventh UK arena tour! Pretty awesome. You’re very popular with the ladies! Ha ha! Sometimes. But our audience is really varied. We’re also loved by kids, grannies and white van men who shout, ‘Giz a dance move, Ashley!’ Best…

We’re used to the queen of Saturday night TV Tess Daly, 47, looking glowy-skinned and bright-eyed, but recently the ex-model has been looking strained and thinner. The Stockport-born beauty’s personal problems have been well documented. Back in March, hubby Vern, 42, humiliated her for the second time when he rekindled his ‘friendship’ with former Page 3 girl Rhian Sugden, 30, (he and Tess almost split in 2010 after he was caught sending Rhian inappropriate texts). A mortified Tess again put on a brave face when she had to deal with the subsequent media storm that surrounded their relationship. No public announcement was made about the latest marriage woes, but it is alleged Tess slapped a ‘rule book’ on wayward Vern which included ‘forcing him to give her the password to…

TOP TIP For extra warmth, team this jumper dress with opaque tights and a pair of boots. best COMFY CASUALS TOP TIP Layer a chunky knit and white shirt over joggers for that smart-enoughfor-the-cornershop look! TOP TIP Shop for supersoft textures in nude shades for a luxurious look that is perfect for lounging in.…

Kick cigarettes for good Q I’m preparing to quit smoking in the new year. What do you think is the best way? A This is great news for your health. The best ways are proven to be personal support and some sort of nicotine replacement. So, for example, try using the Quit Smoking service at your local pharmacy, which will provide regular support as well as supplying patches or your chosen replacement. E-cigarettes are now agreed by doctors to be a good way to help you quit. There are also some supportive phone apps that you may prefer, such as NHS Smokefree and My Last Cigarette. The low-pressure diet Q My doctor has suggested I try a diet to control my high blood pressure. Which one would work? A Any…

Jump into 2017 Take inspiration from the red carpet this NYE, and go for a jumpsuit as a chic alternative to a classic cocktail dress. Not only is it super-comfy, it can be incredibly flattering for your figure, too... • To look longer and more lean, go for a solid colour, like Claudia Winkleman (pictured), as the continuous top-to-toe silhouette is a great way to lengthen yourself. • The right fit is essential, as anything too loose or baggy will make you look bigger than you actually are – just make sure it’s long enough in the leg, so it won’t cling or feel uncomfortable. • A tailored blazer always works well, and can be teamed with a cosy faux-fur scarf for extra warmth. Keep accessories simple! A stylish clutch…

PRINCE (21 April , aged 57) He only needed one name (or a symbol); born Prince Rogers Nelson in Minneapolis, USA, he may have been small in stature, but he had a massive talent, rapidly rising to become a prolific songwriter and an incredible live performer. The purple-obsessed megastar attained mythical status, and left the world shocked when he died of an overdose of painkillers at his Minnesota mansion, Paisley Park. SIR TERRY WOGAN (31 January, aged 77) There will never be a presenter as beloved as Sir Tel. From 80s chat show Wogan to Children in Need, to his giggling turns at Eurovision, the Irishman was the face of the BBC. The dadof-four died of cancer. CAROLINE AHERNE (2 July, aged 52) As Mrs Merton, her acid one-liners have…

When George Clooney married British-Lebanese human rights barrister Amal Alamuddin, they seemed like the perfect match, and women across the world were slightly green with envy. Beautiful, successful and über-rich, they had it all. But only two years in, it seems George, 55, and Amal, 38, are already spending more time apart than together of late. The glamorous couple haven’t actually been snapped together since 29 October, when they were seen leaving LA restaurant Giorgio Baldi. And while they may have been holding hands, that appeared to be the only sign of affection between them. Always so attentive to each other and loved-up in pictures at the beginning of their relationship, the Clooneys looked like two people that had just had the mother of all rows. Perhaps their busy working…

Coleen Nolan VERY LIKELY Coleen, 2012 runner-up, is tipped to be in the House. The best columnist isn’t shy, so expect fireworks! Stephen Bear STRONGLY TIPPED Last series’ winner, Stephen’s out-there antics split viewers. He’ll be value for money, though! Katie Price RUMOURS GOING ROUND In 2015, Katie won CBB. Sounds like she’d happily return, too, tweeting ‘#getpriceyincbb’. Nasty Nick RUMOURED Nick Bateman was chucked out of the 2000 House for cheating, and sure earned his nickname! Bianca Gascoigne RUMOURED Gazza’s former stepdaughter, Bianca was the winner of ITV’s Love Island in 2006 and is Calum Best’s ex. Danielle Armstrong VERY LIKELY The TOWIE star is set to join the CBB house for the new series.…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Lying off the coast of Venezuela, the twin isles of Trinidad and Tobago form one nation, but they are far from identical. With its slow pace and pristine, sandy beaches, Tobago is an idyllic island paradise, while Trinidad is the republic’s vibrant cultural heart, home to T&T’s biggest carnival. The friendly islanders have a lust for life and an appreciation of the simple things, from a dip in one of the many waterfalls to a little limbo action at the beach bar. INSIDER’S GUIDE On Tobago, save a little energy for exploration. Head inland to the lush rainforest and visit the Tobago Cocoa Estate, a working plantation where you’ll learn how Tobago’s superior-quality chocolate is made, before a tasting of the good stuff paired with delicious local rum.…