Table of contents for 48-2020 in Best

1 OUR LITTLE HERO It was a real pleasure sharing the winners of this year’s best Heroes Awards, and we absolutely adore this snap of little Josh Chapman holding his award. The five-year-old called 999 having never used a phone before, after his mum, Caroline, suffered a diabetic hypo and passed out. Well done, Josh! You should be incredibly proud. 2 Who wowed the crowd? We couldn’t help but feel festive when we caught sight of 39-year-old Holly Willoughby’s feathery number from 16Arlington. And she’s not the only celeb going for red. Tess Daly, 51, graced the Strictly dancefloor in a Suzanne Neville gown, while Claudia Winkleman, 48, wore a Sandro midi dress. Holly, Tess and Claudia look red hot in their festive frocks 3 MISS CLAUS? It’s beginning to…

With her intelligence, quick wit and charm, journalist Jane Moore is one of our very favourite Loose Women. We caught up with the panellist, 58 – who shares daughters Ellie, Grace and stepdaughter Lauren with PR guru husband Gary Farrow – to discuss life in lockdown, her hopes for a happy Christmas, and why Victoria Beckham would make Hi Jane, how are you? Well, what can I say? This year! It’s been a complete rollercoaster – but, of course, everyone is in the same boat and we are lucky compared to so many people. How is lockdown? At first it was a bit of a novelty – ‘great, six weeks with the family. Let’s clean out the cupboards’. If that had been the end of it, it would have been…

The opening bars of a song can take me back. I let the happy memories wash over me… Songs like Simple Minds’ Alive and Kicking which was around when I was with the love of my life, Mike. We’d first met when I’d joined the Army cadets near my home in Surrey, aged just 15. While my friends were into girly things and talking about boys, I craved something that challenged me. I loved doing drills and testing my physical strength. But one week, I was struggling with the drill and a handsome boy approached. ‘Would you like some help?’ he asked. He had the most striking blue eyes, a cheeky face – but what struck me most was his kindness. I fell in love with him then and there.…

Five-Spice Duck with Port Plums Making the sauce in the pan in which you have crisped the duck skin gives it a wonderful depth of flavour. Serves 4 Prep time: 20 mins Cook time: 40 mins 4 large duck breasts, each about 225g (8oz)1tbsp Chinese five-spice powder3 shallots, finely sliced1 star anise, optional4 large plums, halved and stoned200ml (7fl oz) ruby port150ml (5fl oz) beef stock 1 Preheat oven to 200ºC (180ºC fan)/mark 6. Score the skin of each duck breast into a diamond pattern, taking care not to cut through into the meat. Rub ¼tbsp of the spice over the skin of each breast. 2 Gently heat a large frying pan over low heat. Add the duck breast, skin-side down, and leave to cook for 10 to 15 mins…

4 GREEN GIFTS TO GIVE • Looking for a gift that keeps on giving? For every bar of chocolate in a Love Cocoa Rudolph Gift Box, £20, sold via Boxtreegifts.com, a tree will be planted. One bar, one tree - a gift that really gives back. • There’s no unnecessary packaging and everything can be reuse, recycled or repurosed from the Botanics Face Oil, Facial Roller and Drawstring Bag in the Roll and Nourish Kit, £12.50, at Boots. • Liz Earle has long been known for her environmentally-friendly packaging and products not tested on animals, we love her Christmas boxes including Bright Eyes Ritual, £40, at Boots. • Treat someone to an organic handwash from National Trust, £10, it’s SLS- and paraben-free, making it a welcome treat with all the…

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: How many times has PICTURE B been nominated for an Oscar? (6-3). This is your prize answer. Enter by using the numbers at the top of the grid or at hearstmagazines.co.uk/bestcross4820 ACROSS 7 Working drawing (7) 9 PICTURE A She only needs one name – what is it? (5) 10 Let’s ___ to disagree, saying (5) 11 What ‘Stone’ is the ancient inscribed tablet, found in 1799 on the western mouth of the Nile, now housed in the British Museum? (7) 12 Dupe, trick…

Strictly Come Dancing’s head judge, Shirley Ballas, has been widely criticised by viewers for weeks, over seemingly favouring the male contenders over the women in the BBC show… But after recently wanting to send young EastEnders starlet Maisie Smith, 19, home – when she was up against The Wanted hunk Max George – the 60-year-old (who is dating toy boy Daniel Taylor, 47) was scrutinised even more for evidence of favouritism. Craig Revel Horwood and stand-in judge Anton du Beke both saved Maisie, meaning the outcome was a done deal without Shirley’s vote – but when asked by host Tess Daly if she agreed with her colleagues, Shirley said she would have saved Max and Dianne. And, though the star (who many call a true dance icon) told Maisie she…

TOP TIP This flattering wrap dress works brilliantly with flats or heels.…

Q I don’t like the idea of Botox, but I want to smooth my wrinkles. Are there any alternatives that don’t require a toxin injected into my face? Jasmine, Newcastle Advancements in skin care formulations mean that there are great topical alternatives. Effective ingredients include retinol, peptides and hyaluronic acid. While these won’t work as fast, you will see subtle results, usually after eight to 12 weeks. My favourite for diminishing lines and wrinkles is retinol, and Olay features it in its latest Regenerist range. Try Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Serum, £34.99, and its Night Moisturiser, £34.99, every evening. You could also try facial patches like Frownies, £18.95, on the more wrinkly areas. They keep facial muscles from contracting and existing lines from becoming deeper. Hydrating formulas, like L’Oréal Paris…

CAROL McGIFFIN THE WAY I SEE IT… Wise words from our feisty, fearless and funny columnist ‘Usually, at this time of year, I would be standing in a photographic studio in London, dressed as something ridiculous and humiliating. I’ve done sexy Santa (questionable), an elf (more than once), a Christmas bauble (don’t ask) and, most recently, the Grinch. Perfect for me, I don’t know why we never thought of it before! It’s by far and away my favourite dress-up ever, although I wasn’t very enamoured by having my face painted green, the make-up man, Carl, will tell you that! But I’ve got a confession to make. I have never seen the film!!! Obviously, I know who he is and what he does and Jim Carrey is my favourite actor but…

At 70 years old, there’s still a resemblance to how Sonia Szurma once looked as a pretty bride in her wedding pictures. But her marriage to Peter Sutcliffe on 10 August 1974 has not been the stuff of fairy tales – rather of nightmares. Yet almost 40 years after her husband was unmasked as the Yorkshire Ripper, she still tends and cares for the garden in the ‘dream home’ they once shared in Bradford. Neighbours say: ‘She keeps herself to herself.’ And who could blame her? In all those years, despite lucrative offers, she has always refused to talk about her husband and their time together. But Sutcliffe’s death, aged 74, on 13 November from Covid-19 (which he apparently refused treatment for) has focused the spotlight on her again –…

Snow much fun For the ultimate hot choc fix, pick up Aldi’s Melting Hot Chocolate Snowman, £1.99. Choose from either milk or white chocolate and place in a mug of warm milk – as it melts you’ll find chocolate buttons and marshmallows hidden inside, making it a super indulgent festive treat. Classy crisp! Upgrade from classic flavours with the Co-op. The new Cheddar Cheese & Truffle Flavour Crisps, £1.70, are wonderfully moreish thanks to the aromatic Italian black truffle flavour. Perfect with a glass of wine and a festive film. SEND WITH LOVE The Party Treat Box, £60, is expensive but wonderful if you can’t be with loved ones! The chocolates are melt-in-the-mouth and rich enough that you don’t scoff the lot in one go, while the Prosecco and orange…

Tony Cowell BEST’S CELEB INSIDER TALKS TO LISA FAULKNER Actress and TV chef Lisa Faulkner is back on our screens alongside John Torode with a new series of ITV’s John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen, which in the Summer was watched by over a million viewers per episode. Lisa tells best how cooking during lockdown helped families bond together and why Christmas will always be extraspecial now, since MasterChef host John Torode proposed to her two years ago on 25 December. Lisa and John married last year and here, the 48-year-old – who has daughter, Billie, 14, from a previous relationship – opens up on the secrets to her happy, laughterfilled marriage… Your new series is well-timed, people are planning Christmas early! Isn’t it?! We just don’t know whether we will all…

The honourable Nigel Alan Havers is incredibly posh, incredibly good-looking and incredibly charming. His cut-glass accent has made him perfect for upper class parts – in The Charmer and Chariots of Fire – and the not so obviously posh parts in Coronation Street and Pantoland. Here, the man from a long line of brilliant legal minds talks about his own great love-acting–and his (fingers crossed) sixth Christmas at the Palladium… Hi Nigel, we’re all hoping you will be appearing at a socially distanced London Palladium next month… Well, we are all hoping to – it’s just not a given yet. There’s a running joke that my role is always trying to get a bigger role. This year, Julian (Clary) is the master of ceremonies and he’s looking for a sidekick,…

IT’S BLACKPOOL, BABY Didn’t the dancers do a marvellous job on the group routine for Blackpool? It was spectacular! The way they are using the CGI is just brilliant – my goodness, you could almost smell the chips and hear the seagulls. It really brought Blackpool to life, and it’s such an integral part of the Strictly calendar. I thought it was fabulous – and we didn’t have to put up with the rain! THE CURSE IS CURSED As ever, I am on the hunt for gossip to keep you lot entertained, but the Curse is on the back foot this year! There is no opportunity for people to have a drink together, let alone anything else! If any sparks were flying, they’d have to do it at long distance,…

It’s a very different I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! this year, with the tropical Australian jungle swapped for spooky Gwrych Castle in Abergele, North Wales. But the change of scene has not put off the viewers, with over 12 million of us tuning in for the launch show. Of course, many things are familiar – we still have Ant and Dec providing their sarcastic commentary, a motley crew of stars of stage, screen and sport, getting to know each other, and being subjected to some terrifying trials. But who will be the hero of the hour – and emerge as the King or Queen of the Castle? The field is pretty clear at this stage but early indications are that TV host Vernon Kay, is proving popular…

HOW IT WORKS 1 According to US diet guru Ann Louise Gittleman, author of the best-selling Fat Flush Plan series, fatflush.com, a hectic festive schedule combined with cold weather causes stress levels to soar, making it hard to resist sweet foods. 2 The Christmas cleanse is a one-day fast where you skip solid foods and sip cranberry juice and hot lemon with water, to flush out toxins and rejuvenate the body, including the liver, which gets sluggish from over-indulging in rich foods and alcohol. 3 Sipping a combination of antioxidant-packed juices, including pomegranate and orange, can help unlock your body’s fat-burning ability, working to rebalance blood sugars and curb the cravings that have you reaching for the Quality Street! 4 Adding in cranberry juice is essential for its natural diuretic…

LANDED WITH MUM FOR CHRISTMAS Don’t get me wrong, I love my mum dearly, but I don’t like her as a person – none of my four siblings do. She’s a very unique character and constantly likes to remind us that we only exist because my late father wanted us – not her. She’s like Queen Victoria! But because I am the eldest and my kids have flown the nest – living in Australia to be exact – and I’m also single, they have worked out that if the government guidelines are still restricting the numbers for Christmas Day, it’s only fair that I should be on my own with mum. I do understand, but it doesn’t make me feel any better. This year has been hard enough! Jen, Kent…

SAGITTARIUS 23 November – 21 December When it is difficult to travel, Sagittarians like Hollywood A-lister Katherine Heigl and pop legend Tina Turner might enjoy exercising their imagination. Pour your excess energy into pursuits that stimulate your mind and creativity to avoid the dreaded boredom. PISCES 20 February – 20 March Working behind the scenes for a charity has been rewarding but also frustrating. People don’t seem to appreciate how much time and effort you’ve been putting into the venture. If you are to continue with this project, it is time to step out of the shadows and into the limelight. A loving relationship will burst into flower. GEMINI 22 May – 21 June Family activities will be fun. Put your imagination to work if you’re thinking about giving your…