Table of contents for 24-2021 in Best

Who wants to live forever? Janet Street-Porter might, by the sounds of it! During a recent debate on Loose Women, anchor Ruth Langsford revealed that scientific advances mean people are living longer these days. In fact, more people than ever are receiving that famous letter from the Queen as they reach their 100th birthday. And future lifespan predictions show we might live to 150! But the question is, asked Ruth, would you want to? Panellist Coleen Nolan was of the opinion that it would depend on your quality of life when you get there, before adding, hilariously, ‘And if we were to live to 150, definitely count me out of another Loose Women Body Stories. I am NOT getting naked at 150!’ At this point, Janet pitched in: ‘Well, the…

When Sky News sports presenter Jacquie Beltrao was told she had secondary breast cancer during lockdown (having been cancer-free for six years, since a diagnosis of stage two breast cancer on Christmas Eve 2013), it made the 56-year-old work even harder to support other women diagnosed with the illness. Here, the former Olympic gymnast – who has three children, Amelia, 23, Tiago, 20, and Jorge 19, with husband Eduardo – opens up exclusively to best… Jacquie, when did you realise your breast cancer had come back? It was during lockdown when I was encouraging women to check their breasts and go to see their doctors if they thought there was something wrong. Nearly one million women missed their screenings due to Covid – many were worried about taking up their…

Fun, mischievous and a bit of a rebel – Dame Judi Dench is the woman most of us would want to emulate in our old age. And she reminded us exactly why we love her recently, when she opened up, amongst other things, about her fondness for naked swimming! Speaking to another fabulous Dame – Esther Rantzen – for her That’s After Life! podcast, the veteran actress, 86, confessed to enjoying naked swims in her pool at home, after Dame Esther’s admission that she was a fan of nudism – and had run naked and alone in her garden, to celebrate her 80th birthday! Calling the act of swimming naked as ‘very good’, Judi said: ‘I do that because we are lucky, and we have a pool, so you can…

TOP TIP! A halterneck bikini is flattering and adjustable straps make it a perfect option for bigger busts.…

Q I look permanently tired. How can I put some life back into my complexion? Sofia, Norfolk A Your skin needs to reflect more light. To do this, it needs to be smooth. Exfoliating pads are designed to mimic the effects of a microdermabrasion facial by sloughing dead skin cells. First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, £29, contain a mix of lactic and glycolic acids. Use after cleansing and before moisturiser once a day. Add a multi-tasking spray to your skincare routine. Fresh Vitamin Nectar Antioxidant Glow Water, £19, with a blend of vitamins C, E and B5 will revitalise dull skin, and it doubles as a primer, setting spray and hydrating boost. For an instant effect, make-up is your answer. Iconic London Sheer Bronze, £18, will add a healthy…

‘When Emilie went to Uganda, she’d travelled before and she loved the way visiting other countries and cultures had given her such different experiences. But none of us had any idea how this trip would transform our lives forever. She’d called to ask for advice about a newborn she was looking after, but I didn’t fully appreciate just how close she’d become to Adam until she came home and wanted to return almost immediately. When it became clear it was an attachment that wasn’t going to be broken, I did worry about her settling down so young and the things she may miss out on. She was so worried about standing up in court and the judge’s decision, so I could tell how much she loved him and once Adam…

Pistachio and Honey Ice-Cream Cake This showstopping centrepiece can be fully assembled and frozen ahead of time. The nut oils in the sponge freeze to a cookie-dough texture. Hands-on time: 1hr 35min, plus cooling, chilling & freezing Cooking time: About 45min Serves 12 FOR THE HONEY ICE CREAM 250ml honey, plus2tbsp extra to drizzleZest and juice of 1 lemon50g unsalted butter, cut into cubes2 free-range eggs,1 egg yolk450ml Greek yogurt FOR THE PISTACHIO SPONGE 200g shelled pistachios, plus extra to scatter150g butter, softened150g icing sugar1tbsp caster sugar3 large eggs50g ground almonds 1 Put 175ml of honey, the lemon juice, butter, eggs and yolk in a small pan. Over a medium heat for 5min, stir until the mixture thickens. Pass through a sieve into a large bowl. 2 Stir in the…

CARE-HOME HEARTACHE My elderly, increasingly frail mum is 85 and lives alone. After much soul-searching, we’ve decided that a local care home is the best option for her – well, most of us have. Me and two of my siblings have made peace with it, but our eldest brother is calling us ‘cruel’, ‘heartless’ and swears blind he’ll never talk to us again if we let this happen. He’s not prepared to look after mum himself though, and none of us have the home set-up to be able to take her in, so what does he want?! This is killing us as a family. Leanne, Aberdeen Your brother’s anger seems quite irrational. If he can’t care for your mum himself, he has no right to condemn his siblings for deciding…

THE DETOX We recommend you detox your wardrobe at least once or twice a year, ideally when the season changes. • It should be filled with clothes you love and that you actually want to wear. It should not be a place to store items you know you’re never going to wear. • Follow the steps we laid out for you in The Process. Get absolutely everything out and create four piles: keep, give, sell, get rid. Having somewhere to place your items helps you mentally when pulling clothes out of the wardrobe, as it can often feel overwhelming to have to decide what to do with them. Taking items out of your wardrobe that you know you’re never going to wear again frees up valuable space for items that…

Against the odds and after a year in hospital, having a titanium plate put inside her head and learning to speak again, Josie recovered. She and her father returned to Gwynedd shortly afterwards and she went on to get a degree in graphic design from Coleg Menai in Bangor. She now produces textile landscapes, which are displayed in art galleries and sold online. At 33, she is also engaged and due to get married to her partner, Iwan, a fire alarm engineer. He knew nothing about her past when they first met and they don’t talk about it now. She hopes they will have children. They live in the Welsh home that the Russell family owned before they moved to Kent in 1995. ‘If I say I am thinking about…

It’s become almost a nightly ritual, footsteps on the stairs. I live at the top of the building, under the eaves. You’ve no business coming all the way up – unless it’s to visit me. And I don’t recall issuing any invitations. So far, the footsteps have never come all the way, stopping just before the final flight of echoing, concrete treads. The carpet doesn’t reach this far. It seems the people who’ve built this ‘luxury trio of flats for young professionals’ have yet to add all the finishing touches. That’s what I heard, anyway, from the man who’s moved into the ‘unit’ beneath me, who is called Mark. He didn’t tell me directly – I overheard him talking to a visitor as they smoked in the courtyard under my…

SENTIMENTAL IN THE CITY Apple Podcasts With a Sex and the City spin-off in the works, fans are using the news as an excuse to revisit the joys of the original. If you don’t fancy going it alone, join hosts Caroline O’Donoghue and Dolly Alderton, as they do a hilarious deep dive into all six seasons. OBSESSED WITH… LINE OF DUTY BBC Sounds Who on earth is the fourth H? If you don’t know the answer, the Obsessed With… Line of Duty podcast is here to help you try to make sense of your favourite (if complicated) police drama! Former cast member Craig Parkinson, who played DI Cottan, hosts, chatting with the cast and celebrity fans. MOVIES THAT CHANGED MY LIFE This IMDB podcast is a must-listen for movie buffs,…

Liberation is on its way – albeit slowly – and thank goodness! Lockdown has been tough for everyone, but especially for those who are single. With new freedoms on the horizon, there are three single celebs who admit that they are wasting no time in looking for love and romance… ‘I’m back out there’ Coleen Nolan has confirmed that flirting with young men really does give you a confidence boost, despite being single and ready to mingle again, following the end of her fling with a toyboy. ‘I’m back out there! I’m on the dating apps,’ she said. The star admitted that her recent short-lived romance, which began before the pandemic hit, ‘got her through’ lockdown, adding that it was ‘nice to feel attractive and flirt again’. The 56-year-old star…

Jacquie is involved in The Sisterhood Bra campaign, to help other women diagnosed with breast cancer. She tells best, ‘I’m an ambassador for Future Dreams Breast Cancer Charity, and we are running a campaign donating mastectomy and post-surgery bras through the NHS to women who cannot afford to buy them. If you have not had breast cancer, you can buy a bra that activates a donation to someone who needs a post-surgery bra.’ She reflects, ‘I can’t imagine the panic women face when told by their surgeons that they are having a mastectomy and will need special bras to wear afterwards, when they can’t afford one. There is also a lovely range of post-surgery bras with 20 per cent of net proceeds going to the charity.’ See next.co.uk/style/ls196782/p29915…

‘Last week I was feeling positive, this week, I am fuming. As I said, I’ll go along with their sorry diktats for now because I was hoping it wouldn’t be for long. And I did. I did the flight, from France (an “Amber” country), bought the tests – £180! It’s 24 hours to get the results, except the first one took three times that long and was “inconclusive”. I think that means they didn’t find anything, so while it’s not positive, for it to be “negative” they need to find something. Whatever. So now what? Who knows? The whole travel testing thing is an absolute scandal. Not least because the government gives out two free tests a week to anyone who wants them. But you can’t use those, no, you…

Heading into Sainsbury’s on my way to work, I picked up a bottle of vodka. ‘Friend’s birthday tonight,’ I explained to the cashier as I paid. Then I headed to the public toilet and decanted the alcohol into my water bottle. Hopping on to the Tube, I sat down and took a sip. ‘Ahh, that’s better,’ I thought, as the strong spirit hit. It wasn’t even 8am. Even though I was smartly dressed and holding down a demanding job in the city as an executive assistant in a top finance company, I couldn’t get through the day without alcohol. I started drinking at 16. My dad, George, was Irish and drank a lot, though I never saw him drunk. Drinking three pints after work every day was normal. I grew…

Facing the judge in the packed courtroom in Uganda, my hands were shaking. ‘Why do you want to adopt Adam?’ she asked me. ‘He’s like a son to me,’ I began. I glanced at four-year-old Adam, who I’d looked after since he was just days old, and suddenly I was terrified. We could be separated forever. I first went to Uganda in August 2014, aged 22, to volunteer in a children’s home for two months. I’d recently graduated and this was my last break before starting work. There were 20 children when I arrived, and I was thrown in at the deep end. It was hard work, but rewarding, and I fell in love with them all. A month in, there was a phone call. A young mother had died…

CHEESY SPINACH MUFFINS A tasty meat-free option. Hands-on time: 15min Cooking time: About 15min Makes 6 100g baby spinach150g self-raising flour1tsp baking powder25g vegetarian Parmesan-style cheese, grated50g vegetarian Cheddar, finely cubed25g butter, melted100ml milk2 medium eggsSmall handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped 1 Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/mark 6. Line six holes in a 12-hole bun tin with muffin cases. Put the spinach into a sieve and pour over boiling water from the kettle until the spinach wilts. Leave spinach to cool, then squeeze out as much water as you can, before finely chopping. Set aside. 2 In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, most of the cheeses and some salt and pepper. 3 In a separate jug, whisk together the butter, milk, eggs, parsley and…

Never backward in coming forward, Loose Woman Nadia Sawalha, 56, was on fine form when best caught up with her, to talk about her love of true crime (as an ambassador for the CBS UK channels, she’s had plenty of British true crime shows to get her teeth stuck into!), and why she and her fellow Loose Women Denise Welch and Jane Moore could be the Charlie’s Angels of ITV daytime. Nadia, who is married to Mark Adderley and is mum to Maddie, 18, and Kiki, 16, also told us why we need to get ready for tears on the Loose Women set! Hi, Nadia, we hear you are a bit of a true crime fan… Absolutely, it is my complete fascination. For years I was ashamed of this, but now I just think…

HAS HE GOT POST-COVID ECZEMA? My husband has never had any skin problems to speak of, but it’s very odd. He seems to have developed incredibly itchy legs after recovering from Covid-19 last November, which get worse in the evening. I’ve bought him eczema cream which seems to be helping. Is it possible he’s developed eczema since the virus?! Leah, Manchester DR HILARY SAYS: It is quite possible to develop eczema at any time. Allergic reactions to medicines or food tend to produce a generalised rash all over the body. If your husband’s rash is only on his legs, this could be a contact dermatitis due to a reaction to the materials in trousers for example, or to any kind of cream or moisturiser he might be applying to the…

LONGER SCHOOL DAYS? EAMONN: When I was at primary school, the day started at 9am and finished at 2.30pm – with half an hour for lunch at 12.30pm. I know what you’re thinking… ‘How did he get any learning done?!’ Well, spookily, whatever time there was must have been put to good use, because I passed my Eleven-Plus examination and was able to head off to grammar school. The biggest psychological hurdle I had to overcome there wasn’t the idea of nine homeworks per night, but the fact that my school day had increased, finishing at 3.45pm. Then there were all the extra-curricular activities – everything from cross-country running to choir. When I look back now, I think, how could the teachers teach us anything in such a short space…

TINA: THE MUSICAL Re-opening at the Aldwych Theatre on 28 July, Tina Turner fans can book their seats for a night of diva magic in this musical, exploring the life of the iconic star. In the words of the woman herself, ‘Music has had the power to pull me out of my darkest moments and rejoice during my happiest.’ So, after a long, hard year at home, head to tinathemusical.com/uk SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN ‘What a wonderful feelin’, I'm happy again!’ Based on the most popular film musical of all time, former Strictly stars Kevin Clifton and Faye Tozer join Adam Cooper in this vibrant production of the Olivier Award-nominated Singin’ in the Rain. For more, visit sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2021/singin-in-the-rain> EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE The national tour kicks off on 1 September,…

TOP TIP Layer a fitted T-shirt underneath to get more wear out of this sundress.…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Grabbing a sandwich, ready-made salad or a jacket potato midway through a busy day could be the reason you’re not losing weight. New research shows getting lunch wrong could tot up to a massive 3,700 calories over a week, which would take around four-and-a-half hours of exercise to shift. 2 The average woman should be eating 2,000 calories each day to maintain weight and around 500 less to lose, but some ready-made salads, overloaded sandwiches and ‘healthy’ cereal bars are adding extra refined sugars and fats to our diet. 3 Instead, opt for high-protein lunches like meat, fish or egg with salad or nuts – you can buy them ready-made – just skip the dressing – or else take just 10 minutes to prepare them at home. 4 Eating out?…

TOP TIP! Hair bobbles, office supplies, spare coins – trinket dishes aren’t just for jewellery!…

1 CLEAR DEBT Before you start saving, you’ll want to prioritise clearing debt. If you have credit card debt, consider paying it off using a 0 per cent balance card, where you can pay off your debt minus the interest. You’ll need to pass eligibility checks. Make sure you use comparison sites, such as Money Supermarket and Compare The Market, to check for the best rates on balance transfer credit cards. Money saving expert’s eligibility calculator will show the cards you have the best chance of getting. You’ll need to pay off your debt in the 0 per cent balance period or interest rates will shoot up. You should never spend on this card. 2 CHECK YOUR INTEREST The Office for National Statistics reported that the inflation rate is 1.5 per…

WHAT KEPT YOU GOING DURING LOCKDOWN? Cooking – copying the kids’ favourites, like Nandos and Burger King. I was very proud the day I got Wagamama’s exactly right. WHAT’S BEEN YOUR TELLY TREAT? I’ve been glued to true crime. Women on Death Row has been a favourite. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST WHEN RESTRICTIONS END? My kids going to a festival! I want to be worried about them at 4am and wondering why they haven’t come home!…

1 GET EVERYTHING OUT! We really mean it when we say get everything out! Don’t leave any corner unturned. Whether it’s your wardrobe, kitchen cupboards or a living room sideboard, everything needs to come out to be seen and assessed. We would recommend being brave and emptying it all – go on, you can do it, deep breath… 2 CATEGORISE: KEEP, GIVE, SELL, GET RID When getting everything out, place items into categories. This is the most important step and probably the longest. Divide or label your items into four main categories: keep, give, sell, get rid. You can then create subcategories within these, i.e. For keep, memory box or put into storage. For give, pass to a loved one or give to charity/donate. For get rid, recycle or simply,…

TOP TIP! Invest in prints to create a gallery wall, alternatively frame your favourite pictures for a DIY option.…

THE CRIME: One brutal attack, two murder victims, a sole survivor, and a man who has protested his innocence for nearly 25 years. So, who did kill the Russells? THE CASE: ‘This is the most horrific and terrible murder I have had the misfortune to come across in my 23 years as a police officer,’ said Detective Chief Inspector Dave Stevens of Kent Police. The crime in question was the murder of Dr Lin Russell and her daughter, Megan, as well as the attempted murder of her eldest child, Josie, and it was, without doubt, an extremely gruesome one. The mum and daughter trio had been tied up in a woodland area, blindfolded, then brutally attacked with a hammer. Mum Lin, 45, had been bludgeoned at least 15 times, Josie’s…

Do you have a story you’d like to share with our amazing army of best readers? We’re looking for real-life stories from women just like you and your friends – and will pay up to £200 for all those that make it into these pages. Stories can be funny, sad, emotional, inspirational – just like some of the examples on this page. The only rule: they must be true. Have you been on a diet that changed your life? Have you battled against tough times and come out fighting? Have you found love or happiness against the odds? If you – or a friend – have a story to share, whatever the subject, do drop us a line, with your contact details, a photo and a brief outline of your story –…

GEMINI 22 May – 21 June Geminis like Oscar-winner Natalie Portman and actress and model Elizabeth Hurley will take a positive approach to the little worries and troubles they come across in life and this will inspire others to feel confident about challenges they are taking on. Radiating positive vibes really does help create a feel-good factor. VIRGO 24 August – 23 September Responsibilities are increasing. Life is busy and demanding. Before taking on any more, consider whether you are going to have the time, resources and energy or are you starting to spread yourself too thinly? A friend will cry out of joint plans which is disappointing but you will see them later in the month. SAGITTARIUS 23 November – 21 December Friends will applaud you for the success…

ULTIMATE MOVIE NIGHT IN A BOX The cinemas may be open, but we still like movie nights on the sofa – with all the treats! This fab little kit for your home-viewing pleasure has just about everything you need (except the bubbly), including four flavours of popcorn, milk chocolate bites and even a Movie Trivia Quiz, all in a black and gold gift box. £30, from joeandsephs.co.uk LED ‘CINEMA’ LIGHT Bright lights, big city! Bring a touch of the glitz and glamour home with this cute LED ‘Cinema’ light – perfect for that extra, atmospheric touch as you settle down to the latest blockbuster! £16.99 each from partypieces.co.uk – where you can check out a whole range of Hollywood-themed decs! POPCORN CANDLE If eating bucket-loads of treats isn’t enough for…

Two-year-old Olivia is ‘beautiful’ and ‘inquisitive’, with a cheeky personality and amazing smiley face. Like other toddlers, she loves playing with teddies and dollies and listening to music. With her shining eyes, you can see she’d be a pleasure to be around. Yet, the one thing Olivia needs – a loving family – she doesn’t have. The gorgeous little girl is currently in foster care with her local authority in Devon, and has been for most of her life. Sadly, time is running out for her to find her forever family. If she doesn’t find them soon, she will be placed in permanent care. The charity Families for Children have been asked to help launch a last chance adoption appeal. Social worker Katharine Lane said, ‘Olivia has been searching for…

Jeremy has also opened a farm shop on his Cotswolds hideaway. It’s run by his partner, scriptwriter Lisa Hogan, but it hasn’t gone down well with the locals. ‘If we’d built a nuclear power station I could understand their concerns, but not a tiny farm shop,’ Jeremy says, bemused. It’s been a hit with people further afield, though. ‘They like the milk and the eggs. We sell our honey, our eggs, our trout, milk from the neighbour’s cow,’ he explains. And he takes quite a straightforward approach to the marketing… ‘It’s extremely pure spring water here, so legally I could say it’s got 0.0 per cent faecal matter, or I could just say it’s got no s*** in it, so I decided to go with the latter. ‘And it’s not…