Table of contents for 27-2021 in Best

And no doubt, Victoria Beckham will continue to share some ‘quality football content’ as she termed her throwback snap ahead of the lacklustre tie with the Czech Republic. In the 2006 World Cup, the Three Lions won a 1-0 victory with her watching – and we can but hope we do as well in this match. But if it all goes wrong, there is always the tennis. What cheers us up a Brit better than a jug of Pimm’s or some strawberries and cream and a tennis match on TV? And Andy Murray is back in the singles. Hope springs eternal… • Please let me know your thoughts, siobhan.wykes@hearst.co.uk…

Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway has admitted that she couldn’t ‘take in what they were saying’ when a doctor informed her that her husband Derek Draper may have ‘little chance of a meaningful recovery’. The family have been left effectively in limbo, and it could take until next Summer for them to truly know what the future may hold. And for Kate, news of the death of another brave Covid patient – Jason Kelk, 49 – in Leeds on 18 May, must have been a blow. Jason entered hospital in March 2020 – at the same time as Derek. But, after 14 months in intensive care, he told his wife ‘I just want to die’ and decided to withdraw his treatment. He died less than 90 minutes aof his…

HI-TECH SOLUTIONS There are multiple tweakments that can treat this area: For dewy skin Tweakment: Profhilo A hyaluronic acid formula is injected into five key points on the neck and under the jawline. This gradually spreads through the surrounding tissues over the following weeks and rehydrates and plumps the skin more effectively than a topical cream ever could. It also kick-starts collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production, making the skin look dewy, plumper and younger. You may be slightly red where injected, but this can be covered by mineral make-up. From £500 per treatment. To smooth lines Tweakment: Botox Injections into the muscles will immediately relax and soften lines, making the neck appear tighter and smoother. It can also prevent the neck looking scraggy, both vertically and along the horizontal…

TOP TIP! Apply unscented lotion shortly before spritzing. It helps your fragrance last longer!…

As children, we read fairy tales about princesses meeting their prince, and as adults, we watch films about finding ‘the one’. Everyone is paired off to live happily ever after. For a brief period of my life, I believed in that content, coupled-up ending. But now, I’ve come to doubt it. What happens if you don’t need anyone else to make you happy? At 44, I’m single and content with my life as it is. Not just content, but perfectly happy. So much so, that I’ve scrubbed ‘finding love’ off my list of things to do… I’ve always been surrounded by strong, independent women – and some wonderful role models. My great aunt Avice – or Aunty A, as we called her – was a force to be reckoned with.…

CRIPPLING ARTHRITIS I have developed very painful arthritis in both knees in the past few years. I am a very active 58-year-old and previously loved going on long rambles, but it’s now at the point where I find it painful to walk to the end of my garden, and climbing the stairs… well, it’s a mission. Is there anything I can do to make life a little easier? I’m finding this whole situation very hard. Lesley, Worcester DR HILARY SAYS: Being active all your life is very good for your heart and lungs, but it can take its toll on your joints, as in those people who are more genetically susceptible cartilage is worn away and the bones rub together, causing swelling, stiffness and pain. The good news is that…

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…

The most highly-anticipated show of the Summer, Love Island – which sees a group of stunning singletons enter a Mallorcan villa, try to couple up and win the public vote – returned last night, and with it, the usual parade of stunning bikini bodies and buff physiques. One new addition among the sexy singletons, though, was ringing in the changes, as the reality show’s first ever disabled contestant – Hugo Hammond from Hampshire. Rumours are already swirling that the hunky 24-year-old PE teacher and cricketer – who was born with clubfoot – could take away the £50,000 cash prize, shared with a partner. Indeed, bookies Betfair have already got Hugo coming in top among the boys, with odds of 5/2. Explaining his condition, Hugo – who admitted before heading into…

1 KNOW YOUR MONEY FLOW Make a list of your regular monthly outgoings in three columns: needs, wants, savings. ‘Needs’ should include utilities, groceries, essential travel costs, insurances. ‘Wants’ will be non-essential spending like non-food shopping, leisure activities, entertainment. ‘Savings’ speaks for itself (don’t forget to include pension contributions). Total up your income. This isn’t just salary – include any money from interest on savings, carer’s allowance, regular money made from selling things online, etc. Subtract your expenses from your income – if you’re spending more than you have coming in, see where you can make cuts.… 2 SET A BUDGET Why not use the budget calculator from the Money Advice Service to help you address any imbalances? And when it comes to saving: ‘I’m a fan of the 50/30/20…

THE CASE: Gayle Barrus’s life revolved around her three children. A kind, compassionate woman, she had originally trained as a nursing assistant. But when that career failed to make ends meet, Gayle had started working in two bars near her Michigan home in Battle Creek – The Beer Keg and The Redwood Inn – to give them a comfortable life. The 30-year-old single mum stood at just 5ft 2in tall, an attractive brunette with hazel eyes and a good work ethic. A reliable employee, she never failed to show up for a shift. But her real focus was her family. In 1988, her children were 13, 12 and 10, just starting out in life. She was no doubt looking forward to watching them grow from teenagers to young adults, graduate,…

QUAGLINO’S SUMMER LIVE MUSIC SERIES London restaurant Quaglino’s has announced its summer live music series, Q The Music, that will champion incredible women breaking boundaries through their music! This series of performances will take place across July and August. Visit quaglinos-restaurant.co.uk/nightlife/calendar/ SUMMER SCREENS Summer Screens recently celebrated a decade as one of the leading outdoor cinema companies in the UK. Showing classics from past and present, like Pretty Woman, La La Land, In The Heights, Top Gun, Dirty Dancing and Mamma Mia!, in stunning locations across the country. General tickets start from £15. For more, see summerscreens.co.uk WONDERVILLE: MAGIC & ILLUSION Coming to London’s Shaftsbury Avenue is a brand-new, vaudevillian journey of illusion. Joining CBBC star Chris Cox and BGT semi-finalist Josephine Lee will be Young & Strange and hula-hooping…

Denise Welch is a woman of many talents – and never more so, ironically, than since the pandemic turned everyone’s lives upside-down, as in between appearing on Loose Women, she presented crime show Survivors and joined the cast of Hollyoaks. Here, the 63-year-old – who is married to artist Lincoln Townley – talks about the ongoing strangeness of this year, her own mental health and why the words ‘Summer holidays’ get her hot under the collar! How are you, Denise? Good! I’ve not had an episode of major depressive disorder since September 2019 – that’s the longest time I’ve ever gone without one. And I’m not questioning why or pulling the thread too much. It just is! Any nice Summer plans? My youngest, Louis, is doing some acting work in…

CANCER 22 June – 23 July Cancerians like The Sopranos and Nurse Jackie actress Edie Falco, and American singer-songwriter Huey Lewis, have a genuine desire to help those who can’t help themselves. A charity cause will touch them on a personal level, and this is why they will be directing a lot of energy towards helping to improve the lives of others. LEO 24 July – 23 August If a home improvement project you are tackling on your own isn’t going right, you should seriously consider calling in the professionals. The more you try, the worse the situation could become and the more annoyed you will get. Sometimes it pays to put jobs into other people’s hands. The sooner you admit this, the better. VIRGO 24 August – 23 September…

Vietnamese Chicken Salad This salad works well with left-over roast chicken, or use roast beef or pork. Hands-on time: 30 min Serves 6 150g rice noodles½ a cucumber½ a small white cabbage, finely shredded2 carrots, coarsely grated300g cooked chicken, shredded3 spring onions, finely sliced1-2 red chillies, deseeded and sliced into ringsLarge bunch coriander, choppedSmall handful mint, chopped50g salted roasted peanuts, choppedLime wedges, to serve FOR THE DRESSING 3tbsp light brown sugar4tbsp fish sauce4tbsp lime juice3tbsp white wine vinegar1 garlic clove, crushed 1 Put the noodles into a large heatproof serving bowl, cover with boiling water from the kettle and leave to cook for 3 min. Drain through a sieve, rinse under cold water and tip back into the serving bowl. 2 In a separate small bowl, combine the dressing ingredients…

TOP TIP! Not just for your cuppa! This veggie design mug makes a great alternative to a soup bowl. Perfect if you are still WFH.…

‘Vesper, breakfast!’ I called, pouring dog food into his bowl. But rather than the usual thunder of paws on the stairs, there was silence. ‘Vesper?’ I shouted again. Still nothing. Going upstairs, I went into my son Rubin’s bedroom, where Vesper usually slept. ‘Are you not hungry?’ I asked. Our golden retriever sat patiently by Rubin’s bed, staring into my eyes. It was then I noticed Rubin was lying in bed listlessly. ‘I don’t feel well, Mum,’ he said. As I bent down and felt his warm forehead, I gave Vesper an understanding smile. That was why he hadn’t come down for breakfast. It was just another example of Vesper looking out for my boy. Ever since we’d got our pooch in October 2020, he’d changed our lives. Vesper was a…

BAD LANGUAGE IS BAD NEWS EAMONN: I wouldn’t consider myself a prude, but watching films at home or at the cinema with my children has always been a booby trap waiting to go off. The BBFC, the body that grades films in the UK, said that it only allowed ‘mild bad language’ in PG films. They advise parents to check content in such films because they may contain scenes that are unsuitable for younger children but they should not unsettle a child eight or over. Two things here: Checking films is their job. What do they expect us to do? Preview the film before letting the kids watch? And my second point is, children aged eight or over are hardly the problem, because I’d like to think they don’t understand…

Loose Women’s Ruth Langsford was left less than delighted, when she discovered on-air where she ranked in a poll of… ‘unlikely’ celebrity crushes! The presenter, 61, looked quite irritated when fellow panellist Coleen Nolan announced that the show’s anchor had made the Buzz Bingo list. ‘Am I? Of celebrity crushes? I’ve never been on those lists. “Unlikely”? Seriously, “unlikely”? Rude!’ A highly amused Coleen Nolan reckoned Ruth should be taking her inclusion on the list as a compliment, saying: ‘I’m laughing now, but when I saw it I was actually jealous. I don’t even get on the list of unlikely crushes so every credit.’ best columnist Ruth asked: ‘What does “unlikely” mean?’ and Coleen replied, ‘I don’t know, quite shocking, I suppose unlikely that someone would have a crush on…

‘The government just can’t stop exposing itself lately. Following the extended 21 June “Freedom Day” deadline, it’s getting more difficult for them to pull the wool over people’s eyes or convince them it’s justified. It started with the perfectly staged G7 summit in Cornwall, where fully masked world leaders theatrically bumped elbows then all slipped off to enjoy a barbecue where they ditched all the pretence. No masks, no social distancing, no rule of six, no shame. Various politicians tried to defend it all by claiming that “all necessary safety measures” were in place, with Dominic Raab admitting, “there have always been different principles for social entertainment or weddings than for government business”. And there you have it. In other words, the rules apply to you and me but not…

Lady in red Off-shoulder styles are flattering and photograph beautifully. In the jeans A smart blazer teamed with jeans is the ultimate made in Chelsea look. Riviera chic Simple Summer classics never go out of style. Dazzling Di! Never underestimate the power of a LBD.…

HOW IT WORKS 1 If your skin is dehydrated it looks dry, lined and flat. For a simple look-younger boost, it’s beneficial to up your water intake. It also has the benefit of making you feel fuller so you actually eat less. Sip a large glass of water just before each meal – choose still or tap rather than the fizzy, gassy kind. 2 Sipping water helps digestion when you do eat, speeding up weight loss and breaking down food so you’re better able to absorb nutrients. 3 The more water you drink, the better your body will be at flushing out toxins that collect in fat cells, potentially leading to cellulite. 4 Cutting down on salt and increasing your water intake will beat fluid retention that can make skin…

RETIREMENT WOES My husband and I took early retirement three years ago – he was 62, I was 58. We moved from a small flat in central London to a lovely detached home in Dorset. I was so excited, but now – while my husband seems to have flourished in isolation – I’ve lost my mojo and just feel miserable. I’ve found it difficult to make new friends in the local community – my husband barely tries, he’s quite happy to garden and watch TV! Something that was meant to be the best thing to happen to us, is proving to be the worst. What should I do?! Daisy, Stevenage After being stuck in crowded flats and garden-less terraces through lockdown, many people reading this will envy your lovely home.…

BEST BUDGET GIN! It’s the tipple of the Summer and if you are looking for a low-cost, good-quality gin you can’t go wrong with a bottle of Lidl Hortus Artisan London Dry Gin 70cl, 40 per cent, £14.99. This small batch gin combines fresh herbs with uplifting elderflower. Floral and sweet with a smooth, easy-drinking mouth feel, we’d pair with tonic and a handful of mixed berries for a summery twist on a classic G&T. No wonder it has been awarded Best Budget Gin in the recent Hearst Institute Tried and Tested after scoring an impressive 75/100 IN THE MIX Nothing beats a spicy snack washed down with an ice-cold beer! Upgrade your nibble of choice with a packet of Howdah Bombay Mix, £2.60, Sainsbury’s. Made with over 10 unique…

He’s the acid-tongued Mr Nasty who puts Strictly hopefuls through their paces. But Craig Revel Horwood, 56, paid his dues as a hoofer himself, and his days as a young dancer have provided the inspiration for his first novel – the start of a series. We caught up with Craig, who lives in Hampshire with fiancé Jonathan, a horticulturist whom he met online, to talk bath parties, tan wars and wedding bells. Hello, Craig. How are you? I am very well, thank you. I am enjoying this lovely weather. It was 31 degrees in our garden the other day, so I’ve been lounging by the pool, topping up my tan. Will you be more bronzed than Bruno [Tonioli]? Never! I have seen quite a lot of him recently – and…

The chime of the doorbell rouses me. I’m not expecting visitors so I ignore it, wiping the crusted sleep from the corner of my eyes. On the table next to me, my tea is cold and unappealing, my lonely biscuit for one growing stale on the plate. I’d nodded off in your armchair, our wedding album on my lap. The once white pages are yellowing now, the self-adhesive sheet curling at the edges where the glue has lost its potency. I lightly trace my fingertips over your face. Your smile bright and white as you gazed at me adoringly, while I glittered my ring to the camera. It has been two years. Twenty-four lonely months without you. The doorbell sounds again. Annoyed, I unpeel myself from the depths of the…

THE TERMINATOR 11.30pm, Friday, Channel 5 In this legendary 1984 action flick, a cyborg assassin is sent back in time to kill a waitress to stop her son – who will wage a long war against robots in the future, unless the course of history is altered. But you probably already knew that…! Watch Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton do their thing this Friday. NIGHT SCHOOL 11.05pm, Friday, Channel 4 Teddy Walker is a salesman whose life takes an unexpected turn when he blows up his workplace. Forced to attend night school, Teddy finds himself dealing with a group of misfit students, his high school nemesis and a feisty teacher. With funnyman Kevin Hart. 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 1.10am, Friday, Channel 4 If you like a sci-fi thriller, this is for…

BEST FOR… LUXURY BREAKS CARDEN PARK HOTEL, CHESHIRE This recently refurbed resort has its own three-acre vineyard, where seyval blanc and pinot noir grapes produce just 6,000 bottles of sought-after Carden Park Estate Reserve each year. Take a tour then sample the sparkling wine back at the hotel bar or in new restaurant The Vines at Carden, which serves delicious locally sourced dishes such as English asparagus with quail egg and shallot purée. When you’re not exploring the vast estate, enjoy an afternoon in the Spa at Carden, a £10 million pampering palace which opened in 2020 and offers unique treatments such as the botanical massage, a 50-minute personalised experience using herb-infused oils to ease tension and fatigue. GO: From £159 per night (cardenpark.co.uk) BEST FOR… FAMILY FUN SECRET VALLEY…