Table of contents for 01-2020 in Best

Happy New Year, everyone! Some of you will be doing some kind of January – Dry, Veggie, Vegan… Others starting a diet. We are here to help you ALL month with that. For me, personally, I am committing to a year of helping to ensure our ex-soldiers and servicemen and women are Not Forgotten. The amazing charity turns 100 this year. Founded in 1920 by American opera singer Marta Cunningham, she was touring a hospital when an injured solider said to her: ‘Leave us, Mam. We are forgotten.’ Marta made it her life work to make sure as many servicemen as possible from the Great War knew their country had not forgotten them. She even persuaded the then Princess Royal, Princess Mary, to become their patron. Today, the current Princess…

While Emmerdale’s stressed-out Moira Dingle is drinking herself into oblivion, actress Natalie J Robb actually gave up alcohol a year ago. So, while plenty of us are currently nursing sore heads after overindulging during the festive season, the 45-year-old Scottish actress is enviably fresh as a daisy and raring to go! Natalie, who lives in North Yorkshire, talks to us about New Year resolutions, being single and why she revels in the role of ‘Mucky Moira’… Natalie, you certainly get way more than your fair share of Emmerdale’s hot young hunks… Ha, yes, I’ve been very lucky! Moira is an earthy woman. She’s sassy and stands up for herself and a lot of guys like that. I don’t get embarrassed filming steamy scenes. It’s an unnatural thing to start kissing…

Check mate Choose a coloured check coat to instantly brighten up your winter wardrobe. Just for jeans Soften up a pair of classic jeans bold floral top. Get shirty! Layer a loose shirt with a tight knit roll neck for extra warmth this winter. Floral fancy Team a floaty skirt with a snuggly jumper for soft and feminine feel. * STOCK MAY VARY DUE TO JANUARY SALES…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Rich in vitamins B and magnesium that maintain a healthy hormone balance and energy levels, bananas are high in fibre, have macronutrients that speed up digestion, plus potassium that reduces sugar cravings and increase fat burning. 2 Sarah Matthews, author of 30 Day Banana Detox, says: ‘Bananas are great for helping to cleanse the colon, fat-free, plus they help produce serotonin, boosting motivation. A must when you’re dieting!’ 3 Your meal plan can be varied – but the key is to start the day with up to four small bananas, along with a glass of lukewarm water. 4 Calories in a banana range from 75 to 135 so choose the small, just ripe variety for your breakfast. 5 Aim to eat until you’re 80 per cent…

I’VE LOST MY FRIENDS AND I’M LONELY Last year, I divorced my husband of 23 years, a difficult decision which neither he, nor our mutual friends, took lightly. I’d been unhappy for a long time and in the end, he’d fallen out of love with me, too. I feel so lonely now that I’m on my own, but worst of all, I’ve lost a lot of friends. None of our circle wants to see me and obviously blame me for all of this, they’re only there for him. Now, I feel worse than before the divorce. Tammy, Hull I’ve walked in your shoes. My husband left me for a younger woman – I was only 37 at the time, and the vast majority of my lifelong friends went with him.…

IT’S SOUP-ER! Stock up your store cupboard with tins of Crosse & Blackwell’s Spicy Carrot & Coriander Soup, £1 per tin, which are available from Asda and Morrisons. The classic flavour combo has a slight spicy kick. Serve with a chunky bread roll for a tasty lunch – ideal if you’re watching your pennies after Christmas! LOVELY BUBBLY! Going booze-free doesn’t have to be boring! We love the new Freixenet Rose, £6, which is fabulously fruity and best enjoyed super chilled. If you’re staying home, why not serve in a champagne glass to make cosy nights in front of the TV just a bit more decadent. A VEGAN DELIGHT! Not just any vegan sausage roll If you’ve opted to eat less meat in 2020, then you must check out the…

TOP TIP! Serve up a nutritious meal with these fun portion control plates.…

Davina McCall, 52, is divorced from her former husband Matthew Robertson and is dating her long-term friend, hairdresser Michael Douglas. What sets The Masked Singer apart from other shows? It has all the glitz and glamour of other entertainment programmes, but a slight feeling of edginess because you’re never quite sure what’s going to walk out. It’s probably the craziest show I’ve ever worked on, where you end up with a crush on someone called The Monster – when the only actual part of him you can see is his feet! How did you get on with the other judges? Jonathan and I have known each other for years. I fell in love with Rita and Ken was brilliant. As he is a seasoned pro and has already done two…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES Use the anagrams, straight, cryptic, quiz and picture clues to solve the crossword. When completed correctly, the pink squares, reading top to bottom, left to right, will reveal the answer to the question below: What is the real surname of the actor mentioned in 26A? (6). This is your prize answer. See below for details on how to enter. TO ENTER CALL 0900 100 0922 (UK 65ppm)† /1550 787027 (ROI 97cpm) † CODE: PUBSTN19931 ACROSS 3 PICTURE A What is this creature called? (5) 6 Illuminated (3) 7 ANAGRAM TAPED  8 You don’t know your a*** from your ___, expression (5) 10 Quick-cooking Japanese noodles, usually served in a broth (5)  11 Stayin’ ___, 1977 Bee Gees hit…

Natalie has been bagging acting awards for more than 30 years. The first was aged 13, when she won the BBC’s Young Entertainer of the Year, on children’s TV show Going Live! ‘Phillip Schofield was the presenter – he still remembers me from it! And Kylie Minogue presented me with the award, would you believe it?’ recalls Natalie. ‘I did impressions. Prince Charles and actors from EastEnders and Neighbours, all chatting to each other. It was a bit ridiculous! Then the following year, I got a part in Scottish soap, Take The High Road.’ Two years ago, Natalie was voted Sexiest Soap Actress. She says, ‘It was flattering. I thought I was too old. I don’t take it too seriously, but I’ll take it!’…

CAPRICORN 22 December – 20 January Capricorns such as The First Wives Club’s Diane Keaton and Domestic Goddess Nigella Lawson will find happiness spending time with people who have radically different backgrounds. Grasp an unexpected opportunity to travel – you might discover a passion for an ancient culture on a trip overseas. ARIES 21 March – 20 April You’re thinking about getting involved in something new. Even if it means missing a social get-together, grasp this opportunity before it goes. You’ll hear of something that will help you make an important personal move. Decisions you make in the New Year will not be regretted and a bold strategy will pay off handsomely. CANCER 22 June – 23 July You won’t settle for second best. You’re determined to make a good…

It was a pretty slow day in the charity shop, where I volunteered. I was hanging up some new donations when a customer stopped in her tracks. ‘Are you…?’ she asked. ‘You are! Yes! You’re that granny from the internet,’ she exclaimed loudly – so the whole shop heard. I felt myself blush. You see getting recognised in the street, the supermarket or even in the Age UK shop in Hinckley, Leicestershire, where I live, is something I’m just getting used to. Who would have thought a 69-year-old granny like me could become an internet star? Apart from using Facebook to stay in touch with my friends, I’m not even that techno savvy…. It all began about a year ago, with my granddaughter, Livie. She has always been the apple…

99p PER SERVING Mushrooms on French toast French toast is a go-to quick meal. Combine with sautéed mushrooms and you have a super tasty, super quick brunch, packed with goodness. My youngest, Luca, is addicted to mushrooms so we make a version of this recipe pretty much twice a week for lunch! PER SERVING CALS 328 FAT 19.5g SERVES 4 6 free range eggsFour slices of white bread4tbsp butter2tbsp olive oil625g closed cup (or chestnut) mushrooms, sliced1tbsp lemon juiceFew sprigs parsley, finely chopped 1 Whisk the eggs, season generously with salt and pepper, then dip a slice of bread in the eggs, turning over to coat the other side. Immediately place the bread into a hot frying pan with half the butter. Cook for a minute then turn over to…

…joining The Voice It’s been amazing. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted and more. I worried that people wouldn’t know who I am, but it’s all been a crazy dream come true. …getting advice from Jennifer Hudson Will.i.am was telling a contestant the other day, ‘We really miss Jennifer’ and I was like, ‘OK!’ But then he said, ‘But we love Meghan.’ It is tough, because I’m her number one fan and it’s hard to fill those shoes. I messaged her saying, ‘We talk about you every five minutes, everyone misses you, I love you, and any advice, please let me know!’ …working with Will.i.am When I first got on to The Voice, he Insta messaged me and was like, ‘Congrats, welcome to The Voice’ and he gave me his number.…

Legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli has sold over 90 million albums and toured the world. In a career spanning over 30 years he has sung for Pope John Paul II, the Queen, Elizabeth Taylor and, in 2018, at the wedding of Princess Eugenie. Blind since the age of 12 (he suffered from ‘traumatic glaucoma’ following a childhood football accident), Bocelli has famously duetted with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Celine Dion and Dua Lipa. He tells best how he persuaded pop singer Ellie Goulding and Hollywood actress Jennifer Garner to record duets for his new album… Ellie Goulding sings a track on your new album. Were you a fan? I didn’t really know her music before this – but I got to spend some time with her during and after recording and we…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Lying 40 miles across the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong, enticing Macao has an extraordinary heritage, masses to interest and intrigue visitors and overwhelmingly friendly locals. Before it was handed back to China in 1999, the islanders spent more than 400 years as a Portuguese colony and the European influence is still strongly evident in the pastel coloured neo-classical buildings and street names. INSIDER’S GUIDE Glitz, glamour and super-sized casinos, although that’s the first impression that hits a first-time visitor, there is plenty else to do if you aren’t interested in blackjack or baccarat. From exquisite Chinese gardens, incense-scented temples and buzzing street markets to beautiful beaches, breathtaking hiking trails, kayaking and golf, there’s no chance of getting bored here! What’s more, Macao also hosts a year-round…

TOP TIP! Pick up lighter shades now as they will work brilliantly when spring finally arrives! TOP TIP! This check skirt will also look great teamed with a classic white shirt for a smarter feel. TOP TIP! Layer softer knits for a classy yet cosy look.…

Gazing into the chilled cabinet at my favourite cafe, I licked my lips. Red velvet chocolate cake, brownies, muffins, Victoria sponge, carrot cake with cream-cheese icing, all beautifully baked and utterly irresistible. I’m just going to have a salad today,’ my best friend, Helene Stanley, 40, said as we waited to be served. I spun around as fast as my arthritic hips could turn me. ‘Oh no you’re not!’ I quipped. ‘We eat cake together! That’s what we do!’ I could see Helene deliberating, on the cusp of joining me. ‘You know you want to,’ I said, elbowing her playfully in the side. Helene and I had been friends for eight years after meeting on a Facebook forum for people who loved fish. We met when she came to buy…

1 Where do I start? It’s really important to get legal advice, even if it’s only a one-off visit. You don’t have to tell your partner that you’re going to a lawyer; but you need to speak to one to discover your options and make an informed decision. My first meetings with clients tend to range from 90 minutes to two hours – especially if there are children involved. It’s all about how your relationship can be unravelled, whether you’re married or unmarried. I’m happy to speak to clients on the phone briefly beforehand to get a feel for the issues. I ask them to send me a background chronology of key information about the relationship – including finances. The more info you have in black and white before a…

Leek and Bacon Tartiflette Serves: 4 Prep: 10 mins Cooking time: 50 mins Per serving: 349 kcal, 38g carbs 650g potatoes, washed and diced (no need to peel), 110g low-fat spreadable or squeezy cheese, 1 chicken stock cube dissolved in 200ml boiling water, low-calorie cooking spray, 1 small red onion, peeled and diced, 350g leeks, trimmed, washed and thinly sliced, 350g bacon medallions, diced, 2 tsp garlic granules, 1tsp mustard powder, 60g spinach, 80g reduced-fat Cheddar, 100g quark, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C (fan 200°C/gas mark 7). Put the diced potatoes into a pan of water and bring to the boil, then simmer until they are cooked through but still holding their shape well. This should take about 15 minutes. Remove from…

WELL, HELLO THERE… I’m really delighted about my Dancing On Ice column! I can’t wait to keep all you readers up to date on the shenanigans, on and off the ice. Don’t forget, I was a contestant in series one in 2006, so I know how the celebrities feel when they skate out of that ice tunnel for the first time. We’re going to have a lot of fun… I can feel it. BANTS WITH BANJO As the new judge in town, I don’t want comparisons with my predecessor, Jason Gardiner – we’ve been pals for 30 years. What I will say is, I’m settling in very well. Ashley Banjo and I are having a giggle. We’ll have a box of sweets on the floor between us, that we can…