Table of contents for 6 - 2018 in Best

Are you a fan of Greggs the bakers? If so, what better way to spend Valentine’s Day than enjoying a romantic candlelit dining experience? The one-night-only menu will include classic canapés, such as seasoned pork puff pastry sliders, loveheart bakes and a brochette of doughnuts – all accompanied by Prosecco! It costs just £15 for two at a venue transformed with music, candles, roses and waiter service. What’s not to love, we say? Sadly, it’s only available in London, Glasgow, Cardiff, Manchester and Newcastle, but if there’s a venue near you, we’re sure it’ll be a night to remember! Book your table from 7 Feb via opentable.co.uk/greggs • Please let me know your thoughts, siobhan. wykes@hearst.co.uk…

Did you know? Brendan is thought to have met his supposed nemesis, Strictly’s head judge Shirley Ballas, back in 1994 at the age of 17, at a dance competition in south London Brendan Cole, best’s Strictly columnist last year, is the first to describe himself as ‘fiery’ – but the controversial dancer may be regretting his outspoken behaviour, following his shock sacking from the show. As he admitted last week to TV host Lorraine Kelly, Brendan struggled to hold back his tears as he revealed, ‘The BBC haven’t renewed my contract… I’m quite emotional, a bit raw about it.’ Brendan, 41, has always had a tendency to speak first, think later. But did he ruffle a few too many feathers last year? Some upset fans on social media blame head…

The absolutely fabulous Joanna Lumley, 71, is to host this year’s BAFTA Awards, and we can’t think of a better star to follow Stephen Fry. But, when we catch up with the former modelturned- actress and presenter with those plummy English tones, Joanna confessed she’s really a rebel at heart… Hi, Joanna! Are you excited about the upcoming BAFTAs? Very! It’s hard to take over from Stephen Fry, as he is one of my dearest friends. And brilliant. I hope people won’t go, ‘Oh, what a shame!’ But I said ‘yes’ indecently quickly. I think we’ll all be in black [echoing the dress code adopted at the Golden Globe Awards last month, in support of the #MeToo campaign], but I would like to wear colour… I love flamboyance and I…

Hem hero An asymmetric hemline can really flatter your legs. Top tiers Create a statement swish with layering. TAP THE APP The new and improved Oasis app lets you nab new arrivals the minute they land! Pencil perfection Ideal for an hourglass figure to show off those curves. A cut above! Ruffles on top will draw attentions upwards.…

Gloria Hunniford is a mum of three and grandmother of 10. She’s been divorced, remarried and learned to deal with the loss of her daughter and, on Rip Off Britain, she battles consumer issues. In her own words, she’s ‘lived a lot’. So, ask Gloria anything… THOUGHT OF THE DAY Make a habit of doing nice things for people who'll never find out. What should I do about my debt? I ’ve run up thousands of pounds of debt on my credit card, and I’m hiding it from my husband. I am overwhelmed with worry about how I’m going to pay it back. My husband is very anti-credit cards and he will be furious at me. I’m so worried about telling him. Ellie, Middlesbrough I can imagine this is causing sleepless…

‘This weekend’s big group routine will be a colourful funfair – on ice!’ FUN OF THE FAIR This weekend’s big group routine will be a big colourful funfair – on ice! There’s talk of there being a Ferris wheel, a carousel, a little photo booth, a candy floss station, the works. And the pro dance is going to be performed by just the females, skating to Beyoncé’s Single Ladies, as it’s our Valentine’s episode. Let me tell you, it’s looking epic! CROWN JEWELS I’ve been training lots with Kem and Alex. He’ll give anything a go, that boy. During one session, he narrowly avoided getting his nether regions sliced off. I could barely look! They were perfecting the ‘statue lift’ for the end of their Stay With Me routine. Let’s…

Cookie monster Instead of saying it with flowers, pick up a Giant Valentine’s Cookie, £5, from Morrisons. This white chocolate and raspberry flavoured sweet treat is decorated by hand, and tastes great with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. Fab fizz! Think pink, and pick up a bottle of fizz for under a tenner at Aldi! Our favourite is the Château de Champteloup Crémant De Loire Rosé, £7.99, which is a great alternative to Champagne. Looking for something to enjoy with a box of chocolates or luxury dessert? Then the Giotti Spumante Rosé, £5.99, is the perfect pick. Perfect pizza Staying in on Valentine’s Day? Pick up a heartshaped pizza from Asda, £2, to whip up a romantic meal in minutes. Choose from five flavours, or even build your loved…

The idea of a day to celebrate love is all very well when you’re in a fabulous relationship and your only issue is what dress you’re going to wear on your romantic dinner out. But for those who don’t have a special someone or, worse still, are in the midst of a break-up, it can be a time to hide under the duvet with a massive bar of chocolate till the lovie-dovieness is over. And that goes for celebs, too… DAVINA ‘Sad’ and ‘lonely’ It’s a long time since Davina McCall, 50, has had to face Valentine’s Day as a single woman. Following her shock split last December from husband Matthew Robertson, when she announced, ‘I am very sad to say we’ve separated,’ Davina has been throwing herself, some say…

‘If there’s one thing I’ve learnt’ ‘Watch romantic films with a tub of ice cream… and a pinch of salt!’ Glass of wine, roaring fire, a film about a witty, chiselled, dependable fox of a man (ideally, Matthew McConaughey) falling madly in love with an adorable woman. Hello, perfect evening! But romcoms should come with a ‘Parental Advisory’ warning, like the one on albums teenagers listen to. ‘Marital Advisory: Unrealistic Content’. Then, in the small print, ‘21st Century Fox will not be held accountable for any consequences to your marriage. It’s not our fault you didn’t marry McConaughey.’ When I go anywhere near the ‘la la land’ of romantic comedies, my husband of 10 years, Gaz, 36, groans and suggests he spends the next 48 hours in a Travelodge. ‘You’re…

The body-shaping market is gearing up for the war on wobble – smoothing skin, zapping body fat and giving your bod a boost. Here’s how to get some curve control. SORT OUT YOUR MUM BUM Over time, fat naturally wastes away and muscles lose tone. Result: a droopy bottom. During a Brazilian Butt Lift, fat is ‘harvested’ from the stomach or thighs, mixed with the body’s own growth factors, called peptides, which encourage cells to grow, multiply and stay young, and injected back into the bottom area. Using your own fat will create a softer, more natural-looking effect. The results are permanent but you may need a top-up, depending on how much fat your body absorbs. Expect to be sore and bruised for up to 10 days. From £4,500. GET…

10 TO GIVE AWAY Give your home an instant refresh with £50 to spend at Dunelm. Whether it’s new curtains or a stylish rug, splash out on something to give your house the wow factor – and it’s on us! Entering is easy, and we have 10 gift cards to give away – just follow the steps below… HOW TO ENTER POST: Send a postcard with your name, address, phone number and email address to: Dunelm Giveaway, GVBSTN17991, Hearst Magazines UK, The Data Solutions Centre, Worksop, S80 2RT. Closing date for postal entries is 23 February 2018. PHONE: Call 0901 027 2713 by midnight on 19 February 2018. Calls cost 30p per minute, plus your telephone company’s network access charge, and will last no longer than two minutes. Calls from…

STARTER: BE MINE BRUSCHETTA Good deli ingredients mean more taste with less prep! Serves 2 Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: about 10 mins Per serving: 413 cals; 21g fat(7g saturates); 38g carbs(4g total sugars)4 ciabatta bread slices1tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra to brush1tsp balsamic vinegar½tsp runny honey½ of a 125g ball buffalo mozzarella, torn into pieces40g Parma ham, torn into pieces75-100g grilled artichoke hearts, choppedBasil leaves, to garnish 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6. Arrange the ciabatta slices on a baking tray, brush with a little extravirgin olive oil and bake for 8-10 mins until crisp and golden. 2 Meanwhile, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and honey in a jug and season. 3 Arrange the toasted bread slices on a platter and top with…

EASTENDERS Mel is overjoyed as she is reunited with her long-lost son, Hunter, but Honey is shattered as she discovers the truth about Billy and Tina. Tension builds between a warring Martin and Stacey. EMMERDALE Lachlan is nervous as Rebecca wakes up from her coma. Debbie ropes Cain into planting drugs at Joe’s party, and Daz and Bernice’s attempts to get intimate don’t go well. CORONATION STREET There’s high drama as Carla collapses. Is it too late for Aidan to save her? Rana continues to deal with the fallout from her affair.…

Sophie Rundle, 29, who plays Alice, also stars as Ada in Peaky Blinders. She previously starred in The Bletchley Circle and Brief Encounters. So your character, Alice, becomes the first settler to have a baby? Yes. And, as that’s the reason the women have been brought over there, she symbolises the future of Jamestown. It’s a very isolating position for her. I imagine it must have been a terrifying thing to be a new mum and have no one to ask, ‘Am I doing this right?’ Plus, everyone wants a piece of the baby. The water-birth scene looked pretty gruelling... It was a horrible day’s filming, as the stunt lady who had the belly on literally threw herself down a cliff face, which was horrifying and a bit embarrassing –…

Award-winning actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, 47, found fame playing Coronation Street’s Hayley Cropper – making TV history as the first transgender character to appear in a soap. Now set to star in a new play about mental health, following a powerful part last year in Broadchurch, the mother-of-two reveals what drives her, and why she still misses the cobbles. What made you want to be an actor – you had other plans, didn’t you? Yes, I planned to be a social worker, but that was because when you grow up somewhere like Accrington, in Lancashire, you don’t believe being an actor is a real career choice. It doesn’t happen to working-class people like me. But I had a great drama teacher who told me, ‘Of course you can do it –…

‘Emotionally, it’s been a very difficult year. And I have some other health issues’ Since Angelina Jolie announced her split from Brad Pitt a year and a half ago, the actress has not only shed a partner – she’s visibly shed the pounds, too, with one diet expert warning that she seems ‘dangerously thin’. The 42-year-old had to deal with an acrimonious divorce after 12 years with fellow actor Brad, and previously underwent a voluntary double mastectomy in 2013 after learning that she carried the gene which left her at a genetically higher risk of breast cancer. Two years on, she also had her ovaries removed as a preventative measure. But recent images taken at the Golden Globe Awards, showing Angelina looking gaunt and with shoulder blades sticking out sharply,…

Piers says Victoria ‘doesn’t give a damn’ about being a role model to young girls Oh, dear - 2018 hasn’t got off to a flying start for Spice Girl-turnedfashion designer Victoria Beckham. The Essex-born star, 43, normally the darling of the fashion industry, has been contending with an onslaught of criticism from fans and fellow famous faces alike. After she shared official imagery from the spring catalogue for her eyewear range on social media, fans were outraged at the ‘emaciated’ model used in Victoria’s images – especially given her former promise to promote healthy body types in her campaigns. One of her most furious critics was none other than outspoken Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan, 52. Blasting the fashion images in an online opinion piece and saying they made…

TOP TIP Don’t be afraid to colour clash red and hot pink on the most romantic night of the year! TOP TIP Bring your wardrobe bang up to date with flattering lilac separation. TOP TIP A pretty pencil skirt teamed with a loose-fit blouse is a great alternative to a LBD.…

‘I must be going soft in my old age. While reading about footballer Frank Lampard falling for presenter Christine Bleakley, I developed one of those daft grins that women get when they look at babies or watch Love Actually. Especially when Frank said it was more or less ‘love at first sight’. Because, believe it or not, I have faith in that instant recognition and love for one person by another that is so strong, it feels as if you might have known them or had a connection before – like in a past life. It’s the same as finding The One, that person you’re meant to be with but that not everyone is lucky enough to meet. It is strange, especially as I’m not a fan (putting it mildly)…

Did you know? Kate McKenna (née Davey) was Paul’s personal assistant for 20 years. He finally discovered she was ‘the one’ after creating an Excel spreadsheet ‘to find out who he really loved’! Valentine’s Day will see enamoured couples all over the country gazing across at each other over a romantic, candlelit meal, but for those of us nursing a broken heart – or seemingly forever doomed to stay in Singleville – 14 February can be a challenging time. With images of ‘perfect’ relationships being shoved down our throats, it’s no surprise that some of us reach for the chocolates to cheer ourselves up. Enter Paul McKenna, 54, someone who is accustomed to transforming the lives of others, including a host of celebrities. The hypnotist, self-help guru and TV presenter…

Simple single Co-op Rainbow Rose, £3.50 (in-store 7 Feb) This bright bloom lasts for ages, and its colourful design definitely has the wow factor! M&S PS I Love You Single Stem Rose, £6 (in-store 10 Feb) A full flower with a fine fragrance. Large and lovely! Interflora Sweet Sentiment Vase, £22 This Beauty And The Beastlike flower looks stunning, but we expect it to last a little longer for the price. Beautiful blooms Morrisons 100 Red Roses with Greenery, £25 (in-store 13 Feb) This impressive bunch is an absolute bargain, and the petals have got real staying power. Lidl Luxury Rose Bouquet, £25 (in-store 13 Feb) Dare to be different with these white blooms. They start plump, but fade a little faster than is desirable. Home Bargains 12 Red Roses…

NAME: LITTLE HARRY AGE: 7 BREED: Jack Russell terrier REHOMING CENTRE: Dogs Trust Loughborough Little Harry is a big character, who loves to spend time with his favourite carers and learn new tricks. Harry is looking for a home with a single adult he can form a bond with and who can help him settle into home life. He is a quirky guy with lots to offer a patient owner. NAME: BRIDIE AGE: Under 1 BREED: Border collie REHOMING CENTRE: Dogs Trust Ballymena With eyes like marbles, it is hard not to fall under the spell of Bridie, the young border collie patiently waiting for a special new home. Bridie is a sensitive girl, who loves going for walks and playing. She gets startled by traffic, so would prefer to…

...his character, Veran, in new show Britannia He’s the enigmatic and charismatic leader of the Druids. They were the most powerful tribe in ancient Britain when the Romans arrived. I have never played such a powerful character before, so that was great. There are some quite gruesome scenes, including human sacrifice. ...getting the Druid look It took about three-anda- half hours every day to put make-up on. And then about five hours to take it off! It dominated my life for a long time. He’s an outrageous character and it was quite a leap to jump into that. We filmed over six months, so I had to have a shaved head for half the year! ...what he does in his downtime It’s all about the family, my garden, the house…

SURPRISE ME – SOPHIE KINSELLA When Sylvie and Dan are told they can expect to live to 100, they panic about how they’ll keep their marriage alive. Cue efforts to spark up their relationship, which are complicated by secrets. Out Thursday, £12.99 THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US Would you like to be stranded with Idris Elba? That’s what happens to Kate Winslet in this romantic story of two strangers who bond when they’re the sole survivors of a plane crash. Out Monday, £9.99 DON’T MISS NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL LOVE If music be the food of love, play on! This Valentine’s Day, feast on a selection of the best love songs of all time. From epic throwbacks to recent R&B confessions, this collection will warm your heart! Out now, £15…

Win EVERY WEEK WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES TO ENTER CALL 0900 100 0921 (UK 65ppm)† / 1550 716 022 (ROI 97cpm) † CODE: PUBSTN18013 STRAIGHT CLUES ACROSS 1 Footing the bill (6) 5 Corridors (8) 9 Comes into prefruiting flower (8) 10 Proverbs (6) 11 Unpopular rodent (3) 12 The one after the tenth (8) 14 Wild, fronded plant (4) 15 English composition (5) 17 Wild, striped cat (5) 18 Trousers or skirt holder (4) 19 Teeth doctors (8) 23 Punch or slap, e.g. (3) 25 Depositing eggs, etc. (6) 26 Organised (8) 27 Assesses sizes, etc. (8) 28 Bed linen items (6) DOWN 2 Colleague (4) 3 Protection against risks (9) 4 Old coin, worth four pence (5) 5 Adhesive (5)…