Table of contents for 38-2020 in Best

After 14 years, 19 seasons and six spin-offs, Keeping Up with the Kardashians is coming off air. It coincides with my own daughter, now 23, leaving home and nothing could signal the end of an era more for me. When it started, Danielle was nine and I spent her senior school years obsessed with (in my opinion) the genius of momager Kris. Come on, ladies, what a mum! She has six children and two stepsons, all of whom she has helped make a fortune for, one way or another. Even Rob has a sock line! And all this, while helping those very same kids to deal with two life-changing events – the loss of first husband (OJ Simpson’s lawyer, Robert) to cancer and later, the sex change of her second…

It’s no secret that Good Morning Britain’s Kate Garraway, 53, has been coping with a living nightmare, ever since her husband, Derek Draper, was admitted to hospital with Coronavirus at the end of March. The former political lobbyist has survived the deadly disease, but has been left with so many ongoing issues that doctors can’t promise he will ever recover fully. He is still in intensive care, has lost a shocking 8st, has ongoing heart, lung and kidney problems, and issues digesting his food. In fact, he is one of only five people in the world believed to have suffered such damage to his body and survive. As Kate explained, ‘Covid can affect every cell in the body.’ But last week she spoke out in the hope it would help every…

Hilarious Gino D’Acampo, 44, celebrity chef, TV presenter and regular chef on This Morning, is the new host of ITV’s Family Fortunes – and we can’t wait! The exuberant Italian chef – who has been married to Jessica Morrison for 18 years, and has three children – Luciano, 18, Rocco, 15, and Mia, eight – talks about his new role, his boys getting more female attention than him, and (as a former winner) how he feels about I’m A Celeb moving to the UK… Gino, congrats on the new gig – were you a big fan of Family Fortunes? Yes, I used to watch it when Les Dennis presented it. I also appeared on a celebrity version about 10 years ago, with Vernon Kay. My family was against Michelle Keegan’s family. They totally kicked our…

TOP TIP! Wait until hair is damp, not wet, before applying for optimum results.…

Skin care products have never been more effective – and never seemed more complicated. Getting results doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. For ground rules on making a visible and lasting difference to your looks, read on. 1 ACIDS As you age, your natural cell turnover slows down, dulling skin. Using an acid is the most efficient way to reboot this process. When done with care, it will rehydrate, balance and brighten your skin. Use it no more than three times a week. When in doubt, start gently. Polyhydroxy acids (PHA) don’t sting at all. Mandelic acid is very gentle, too. Lactic acid is potent but not aggressive. A well-considered blend of acids, formulated with anti-inflammatory and hydrating ingredients, is far preferable. Try Superdrug Me+Lactic Acid (AHA)…

PORK & FENNEL GEM LETTUCE CUPS Minced pork is combined with toasted fennel seeds and fresh herbs, as well as orzo pasta and then spooned into lettuce leaves. Serves 2 (or 4 as a sharer) 750ml hot chicken stock (made with 1 stock cube)50g dried orzo pasta Olive oil, for frying and drizzling1tbsp fennel seeds500g minced pork1 fresh red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped2 garlic cloves, sliced A generous pinch of dried oregano Freshly squeezed juice of ½ a lemon2 Little Gem, Cos or romaine lettuce heads A small handful each of coriander and mint leaves, torn Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to season 1 Put the hot chicken stock in a large saucepan set over a medium heat. Add the orzo pasta, bring it to the boil and…

Charismatic Richard Essien, a.k.a Magical Bones – who we’ll see on the Britain’s Got Talent live shows this weekend, stunned the judges with his jaw-droppingly innovative street magic, earning him a standing ovation from the panel. The former hip-hop dancer from Peckham, South London, has been practising magic since he was 10 years old, and hopes to win the show to pursue his life-long dream of performing in Las Vegas. Here, the 37-year-old tells Simon’s brother Tony about working as a backing dancer for Madonna, and how he was inspired into magic by his 19th-century hero, Henry ‘Box’ Brown… You’ve been doing some live magic shows on Zoom recently, haven’t you? Yes, I have. Magic can still work well remotely, so it was an opportunity to interact with people and do some…

Stunning, sassy, talented – just a few words that come to mind when you think of enviably gorgeous BGT judge, Alesha Dixon. The 41-year-old former Mis-Teeq singer (mum to Azura, six, and Anaya, one), brings true warmth and fun, as well as insight to the BGT judging panel, which also includes cheeky David Walliams, Amanda Holden – who’s been promoted to head judge in Simon Cowell’s absence, following his bike accident in LA – and Ashley Banjo. Here, the Hertfordshire-born star reveals how excited she is to be back on the hit show, what made her press that golden buzzer for comedian Nabil – and why entertainment is more important than ever… Are you excited to be back then, Alesha? It’s so exciting to get back to it! We were all texting…

‘Say cheese,’ I grinned, jumping on my pal, Kelly Mesa, piggyback-style. As the camera bulb flashed, we collapsed giggling. Kelly and I had first met at secondary school in Venezuela, where we’re both from. Forging an unbreakable bond, we became best friends. We could chat about anything, and she was always the first person I wanted to talk to if something big happened in my life. After graduating, we both moved to the US, and although Kelly moved around a lot, we always stayed in touch. In time, I noticed I’d feel a little uneasy whenever she’d talk about men she was dating. It was almost as if I was jealous… ‘Snap out of it,’ I’d tell myself. Kelly was my friend. Then, in 2013, we found ourselves in the…

JOIN THE CONVERSATION Moving with the times? As the new line-up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing has been announced, we’re excited about the celebs that will be donning the sequins in the hope of lifting the infamous glitter ball. Boxer Nicola Adams, 37, will be making history, too. ‘I wanted to thank the BBC for supporting me and making me the first-ever all female-pairing; it’s amazing to be part of a movement for change, diversity and breaking boundaries in the entertainment industry,’ she said. The show’s 2018 winner, Stacey Dooley, has thrown her support behind Nicola and the same-sex pairing, but ex-dancer James Jordan said it was ‘pandering to political correctness’. They’re not the first show to do it – Matt Evers was paired with H from Steps in…

POMEGRANATE These tiny molasses are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins C and K, potassium, copper, zinc and iron, to hydrate and prevent premature ageing. The wonder fruit also fights bacteria and inflammation from acne breakouts, while stimulating collagen production to minimise fine lines and wrinkles. TRY: Garnier Moisture Bomb Pomegranate Hydrating Face Sheet Mask Dehydrated Skin, £2.99, plumps skin with moisture to reduce the look of fine lines, and revives radiance for skin that glows. PRICKLY PEAR Packed with amino acids, vitamin B, calcium, beta-carotene, magnesium and iron, this is just as good slathered on your skin as it is ingested. The cacti-derived oil is particularly brilliant for treating dry and dehydrated skin. Three times more moisturising than argan oil, used regularly it can help fade dark spots and lighten under-eye…

HOW IT WORKS So why are beans so good for weight loss? Let’s start with the fact that they are the perfect mix of fibre and protein, meaning they fill you up fast – and keep you full for longer. In fact, in one trial, people put on a bean-based diet ate 200 calories a day less than normal without even noticing because of this fill-up factor. Beans are also relatively low in calories and are what’s known as low GI foods – this means they turn to sugar slowly in your system, which helps keep your energy stable – and hunger pangs at bay. Cooking beans used to mean using dry beans that needed soaking. Not now. You can now buy all sorts of them in tins, or frozen,…

SURPRISE PREGNANCY AT 45 Two months ago, I had the shock of my life when I realised that I was pregnant again (it’s been 20 years since the last one) but, now that I’ve got my head around it, my new partner and I are actually very excited. I really think everything happens for a reason and this is likely the last chance I’ll ever get to have another child. The only thing is, my 20-year-old daughter is fuming. She says it’s ‘embarrassing’ to have such an age gap between her and a new baby – and also can’t stand that I’m not having this baby with her dad – who I divorced three years ago. I’m really hoping she’ll come around once the baby’s here, but it’s so hard…

British Home Store, known to all as BHS, has been a staple in British interiors for many years, offering beautiful, high-quality lighting at affordable prices. From chandeliers, pendant, floor, wall and table lighting and a range of home textiles both contemporary and traditional, BHS has a style to suit everyone. All lighting and textiles are available online and in selected stores. BHS are offering four lucky best readers a chance to win £100 each to spend on their website bhs.com – perfect if you are renovating your kitchen, kitting out a new home office or looking for a statement piece. To enter, see right. HOW TO ENTER ONLINE: Save money by entering online at hearstmagazines.co.uk/best3820 by 1 November 2020. PHONE: Call 0901 027 2715 by midnight on 1 November 2020.…

Following a hit first series starring David Tennant and widespread critical acclaim, police drama Criminal returns to Netflix on 16 September with four new cases, four new suspects and one room that changes everything. This time, fabulous guest stars include the likes of Kit Harrington. Here, Katherine Kelly (who plays detective Natalie Hobbs) spills the beans on why big stars can’t get enough of the show… Katherine, 40, is best known as Becky McDonald in Corrie and Lady Mae in ITV period drama Mr Selfridge. The star, who has two daughters – Orla, six, and Rose, three, – separated from husband Ryan Clark earlier this year. What made you want to come back to Criminal? If I remove myself from being in it, as a viewer, the star line-up –…

GMB presenter Piers Morgan has admitted he’s ‘put on a bit of timber’ – but none other than fitness guru Davina McCall seems to have thrown down the gauntlet, to offer her expert help. Discussing his weight on-air, Susanna Reid revealed, ‘Someone who knows what they’re talking about has offered help – it’s Davina McCall! She’s tweeted “Do you guys need help?” with a big heart emoji!’ Piers hasn’t responded yet – but if anyone can whip the controversial presenter into tip-top shape, it’s Davina… It began with Piers complaining that resident medic, Dr Hilary had ‘fat-shamed’ him on a previous show (responding to a dig, Dr Hilary had said, ‘At least I’m not overweight!’). The father-of-four added that even his wife, Celia Walden, also a journalist, was at it. In…

Charting her emotional struggle following a year which changed her life forever, Loose Women’s Ruth Langsford is opening up about her grief over older sister Julia – who had battled severe depression for many years and shockingly took her own life at home last June. Speaking of how she is still coming to terms with her loss, the 60-year-old presenter revealed, ‘I’ve learned now that I can have those moments; sometimes, I have a good old cry in the shower and feel better for it. I think it’s good to have a loud, snotty cry.’ But, while she confesses to shedding rivers of tears since the tragic events of last summer, she also says, ‘You can’t spend your whole life crying. ‘It’s not even a sense of saying, “Pull yourself together…

TOP TIP Team a new or existing midi dress with knee-high boots for a stylish new way to wear this Autumn.…

Sporting a bikini, her athletic figure, complete with taut tummy, looked sensational in this ‘final shot’ of her recent ‘Greek odyssey of Santorini, Naxos and Crete’. At 60 years old, with a glowing complexion and lithe figure, the gorgeous TV presenter could pass for years younger. Hell, she’d give most gym-loving 30-somethings a run for their money! So what’s her secret? Well, love, for one thing. Despite the cancellation of her September-planned wedding to businessman boyfriend Mark Armstrong – ‘the absolute love of my life’ – Anthea says meeting him a year ago gives us all hope that we can find love at any age. As for her figure, speaking to best, Anthea revealed, ‘I exercise regularly – at least three times a week. Cycling, jogging, Pilates, weight-based exercises and…

TOP TIP! This non-padded, non-wired body will flatter your natural shape.…

On 9 February 1983, Chief Inspector Peter Jay was called out to a house in North London where a shocking discovery had been made. In the leafy suburb of Muswell Hill, whilst clearing a blocked drain, a plumber was horrified to discover what was later confirmed to be human flesh. When one of the tenants, a Scottish civil servant called Dennis Nilsen, 38, returned from work, Jay and his colleagues went up to the flat, where they were immediately struck by a vile stench. When Nilsen was told there was human flesh in his drain he feigned shock saying, ‘Good grief, how awful.’ Jay replied: ‘Don’t mess about, where’s the rest of the body?’ Nilsen calmly told him it was in two plastic bags in the wardrobe before adding: ‘It’s…

ALWAYS THE BRIDESMAID… When I was younger, weddings were something I’d always look forward to – especially when I was asked to be a bridesmaid. Now I’m nearly 50, still single – and have never come close to being married. Relationships and me just never seem to mix. It’s not even like I go after ‘bad boys’, it’s just nothing ever lasts longer than a couple of years, max. Last week, I was asked to be a bridesmaid by my gorgeous neighbour, who I’ve always been really close to. Though I’m so happy for her, I can’t help but wonder when, or if, it’ll ever be me. This is also her second wedding. I’ve still not made it down the aisle once and my biggest fear is that I never…

TOP TIP! Perfect for hiding extra bedding or a smart storage solution for make-up…

VIRGO 24 August – 23 September It’s an exciting time – and Virgos such as Hollywood heartthrob Tom Hardy and horror novelist Stephen King will soon start to feel renewed, energised and ready to walk through new doors of opportunity. It is time for them to take a brave step forward into the unknown and see what the future holds. SAGITTARIUS 23 November – 21 December You’re waiting to hear something important and this makes you both excited and nervous. Don’t try pushing events. Let it happen in its own time. Besides, you don’t want things to occur so fast that you feel like you’re losing control. There are exciting choices ahead. Take one step at a time. PISCES 20 February – 20 March Stay calm if a friend has…