Table of contents for 20 - 2022 in Best

Personally, I know we will stay in touch and they will be kind enough to appear in best from time to time – as we will still want to hear about their lives. But this issue signals the end of an era for one reason – Eamonn and Ruth are leaving us as columnists. It’s a split that I didn’t envisage happening. They’re brilliant journalists, but over the past 10 years they have become friends – and my memory of how loyal they’ve been is long. The time they agreed to dress as Lord and Lady Grantham (still topical), Eamonn being persuaded (against his better judgment, I might add) to dress up for ‘the best panto’ as Baron Hard Up, and the year he opened up his Irish cookery book…

Q I always get swollen ankles and feet in the heat, so hate wearing strappy sandals as they cut into me. Is there anything I can do to avoid this? Belinda, London A When you are hot, your veins expand, allowing fluids to leak into surrounding tissues, which is a way of trying to keep cool. When this happens your veins then struggle to pump blood back to the heart and have trouble fighting gravity, which pulls fluid downwards, resulting in swollen feet and ankles. Too much salt in your diet, standing for long hours, ageing and pregnancy can all exacerbate it. Seek medical advice, especially if you have high blood pressure. Some short-term solutions include the following… Raise your legs and feet higher than your heart a couple of…

SUFFERING FROM GLOBUS SENSATION Globus pharyngeus, also known as globus sensation, is something that I have suffered from for many years. I have had more tests and scans to find out why I have it than I care to remember – but they can’t find a reason for it! Many of my friends and family don’t really understand what the condition is and know nothing about it – some words of wisdom from you would be invaluable to me, and I imagine to any other sufferers out there. Susan, via email DR HILARY SAYS: Globus pharyngeus is a common, benign condition where there is the sensation of a lump in the throat, or a tightness, hoarseness or catarrhal feeling and the constant need to clear the throat. It accounts for…

TOP TIP We predict Michelle’s colour-block dress will sell-out fast. Why? Not only is this midi style super flattering, the combo of hot coral and pink is so hot right now and perfect for any Summer occasion.…

Climate change has dominated the media in recent years and as a nation, we’re gripped by the environmental catastrophe unfolding before our eyes. But there are growing fears that increasing coverage and a seemingly never-ending barrage of negative news is causing a new problem – with a profound impact and ramifications on our mental health. A recent survey by the Global Future thinktank in conjunction with the University of York stated that a majority of people believe climate change will have more of a significant impact on humanity than Covid-19. Some 78 per cent of people reported some level of ‘eco-anxiety’ with 45 per cent of female participants reporting high levels of worry about climate change. In Seat at the Table: Let’s Talk about Climate Anxiety, presenter Jack Harries is…

Three women – Angela Rippon, Julia Somerville and Gloria Hunniford – have been kicking down the doors when it comes to fighting for your rights on BBC One, but Rip Off Britain’s Gloria, has finally found a case she fears cannot be solved… Hi, Gloria. How are you? Busy! Rip Off is on TV for the next three weeks and the final week will be live with experts on air to answer questions. I’ll be staying up in London that week for sure. Do your co-presenters, Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville stay with you? Not when we are in London, because unlike me [Gloria lives in Kent] they live there. Do you get together in the evenings after the show? Not usually. We are in the studio by 5.30am, so I’m…

GOING OUT… THE BELINDA CARLISLE TOUR Following the unfortunate Covid-induced postponement of singing sensation Belinda Carlisle’s tour in 2021, the team has rescheduled shows and the Eighties superstar is going to be joined by some very special guests – The Christians! Check out tour dates and tickets here: alttickets.com/artist/belinda-carlisle GROOVE ARMADA Live at Scorrier House (LASH) in Cornwall, a unique one-day festival with camping from Saturday 27 August, featuring some of the UK’s most celebrated, alternative electronic artists. Expect surprise DJ sets and live performances and beats from the mighty Groove Armada! What better way to spend August Bank Holiday weekend? Visit liveatscorrierhouse.co.uk GARY BARLOW: A DIFFERENT STAGE Combining stories of sell-out world tours with tales of his darker days, plus songs, A Different Stage is ‘a wonderful emotional roller…

Mum-of-two Nadia Sawalha is known for her humour, bouncy curls and straight-talking persona, as a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women. But in recent years, the star – who has been open about body confidence issues in the past – has also become one of the leading figures when it comes to celebrities getting real about their bodies, and promoting body confidence for any size or shape. Nadia has used social media, often hilariously but also very courageously, to remind women of what real, unfiltered bodies look like – without losing her innate sense of fun! The 57-year-old has developed a penchant for mimicking picture-perfect celebrities’ poses and outfits, with her most iconic photos and videos taking on US reality star Kim Kardashian. But most recently, the bubbly actress posted a…

‘Watching Julia Bradbury’s documentary Breast Cancer and Me and then meeting her when she came on Loose Women, there were lots of parallels with my own experience – the shock of the diagnosis, the difficulty of telling other people, both thinking we would never be the one in seven women who get it – but there was one glaring, massive difference between us and it was one I couldn’t help feeling envious of. She was able to have her breast reconstructed with an implant at the same time as her mastectomy, something I couldn’t do because my type of cancer needed a lot of further treatment. Nearly eight years on and I still haven’t plucked up the courage to get it done, so I manage with one, and various prostheses.…

HOW IT WORKS It’s a simple rule – if your waist measurement is a figure that’s more than half of your height – which means more than 31 inches for a 5ft 4in woman or more than 35 inches for a 5ft 10in one, it’s too big and you need to lose weight for optimum health, say experts. But how do you whittle your waist? While losing weight in any way will help, there are tactics that specifically help melt belly fat – these include cutting out carbohydrates, adding calcium from dairy products or bony fish like salmon, and including healthy fats from foods like avocado, oily fish, nuts and olives in your plan. That’s what you’ll find in our week-long plan. Try it for a month and you could…

WHAT IS YOUR SIGNATURE DISH IN THE KITCHEN? Wow, a cup of tea! That’s my signature dish–I can’t cook. I’m totally useless, to be honest! TELL US YOUR TV TREAT? I liked The Girl Before. I always figure out a whodunnit – but this one I could not! I was like, ‘Are you kidding me?! It’s him!’ DO YOU HAVE ANY BAD HABITS? I think my fiancée would say I eat too many sweets. She is a health freak and I always have a box the size of a Fortnum & Mason hamper full of sweets!…

Chickpea and sweet potato burgers These nutritious burgers are the perfect vehicle to load with all your favourite trimmings – and you won’t believe how good the tofu mayo is! Prep time: 25min, plus chilling Cook time: About 25min Serves 4 FOR THE BURGERS • 1 sweet potato, about 200g• 2 x 400g tins chickpeas, drained and rinsed• 1tbsp English mustard• 1 garlic clove• 1tbsp dried mixed herbs• Zest of 1 lemon• 3tbsp plain flour, plus extra for shaping• 1tbsp oil FOR THE PICKLED SLAW • ½ red onion, finely sliced• 1 carrot, coarsely grated• ¼ cucumber, deseeded and finely sliced• 2tbsp white wine vinegar FOR THE VEGAN ‘MAYO’ • 300g pack silken tofu̶ 1tsp Dijon mustard• ½ garlic clove, crushed• 1-2tsp lemon juice, to taste TO SERVE • Lettuce•…

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 £250 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…

Take a dive into a magical marine world at SEA LIFE! With an exciting array of amazing creatures at each attraction, you’re sure to discover a new fascinating favourite as you get up close to the most weird and wonderful the ocean has to offer, from seals and penguins to starfish and creepy crawlies! Plus, in a brand-new event nationwide, Peppa Pig is heading to SEA LIFE for an amazing Aquarium Adventure! Come and meet Peppa as she dives into her adventure and makes friends with some of the ocean’s most incredible animals. There’s a fun interactive trail at each aquarium where little piggies can help to spot seahorses, count starfish, and learn how fast sharks can swim, as well as a variety of fun activities from bracelet-making to jigsaws!…

TOP TIP Rochelle’s collection for Next embraces the trend of modern neutrals. This white suit is set to be Summer’s most-wanted. It’s so versatile, you can wear it as separates and change up your accessories.…

FEELING FABULOUS WITH RUTH RUTH: This is our last column for best – but please think of it more as au revoir than ‘goodbye’. In fact, there’s an opportunity to meet so many of you at the two-day event I’m hosting towards the end of July. I’m calling it ‘Feeling Fabulous with Ruth’ and if you don’t arrive feeling fabulous, it’s my complete intention that you leave feeling that way. So, I wanted to give all of you loyal best magazine readers something special as a parting gift. Go to feelingfabulouswithruth.com and use code BESTMAG at checkout for 20 per cent off your ticket price. So what is Feeling Fabulous? Well, I recently appeared on Claudia Winkleman’s BBC Radio 2 show and she described it as my very own Glastonbury……

I’ve driven a lot of people around this town. Thousands. I’ve taxied expecting mothers to the maternity ward, patients to the hospice, and played a minor role in every milestone in between. Sometimes they speak, the passengers. More often these days, they don’t. The backseat glows with the light from their phones, and that’s alright. What is there to say? Faces come and go in the rear-view mirror, but some meetings, even the briefest, stay with you. After the sun goes down, anything can happen. The following occurred in October 1989. It had rained all day – there’s always work in rain – but had cleared up by ten and the night was slow. Dead, actually. I’d been sitting at the rank for more than an hour when I finally…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT The Norfolk resort town of Great Yarmouth is renowned for its long, sandy beach and colourful promenade, known as the Golden Mile. Here, within a few minutes’ walk of each other, you’ll find attractions galore, from funfairs and water gardens, to theatres, an aquarium and arcades full of slot machines. New for Summer 2022, there’ll be a 50-metre-high Big Wheel offering 10-mile views of the town and coastline. So round up the girls and go have some fun with a capital F… INSIDER’S GUIDE ● See Sea Life’s colourful creatures. Online adult tickets £17.05, visitsealife.com. The virtual reality experience is worth the extra £5 charge. ● Have a go at ten-pin bowling at Wellington Pier Bowls – it’s great fun! One game for four costs £28. Food and…

Game shows are supposed to be light-hearted fun – but poor Linda Robson might look back on her appearance on House of Games with regret. The Birds of a Feather star appeared on the quiz show, hosted by Richard Osman, along with The Wanted’s Jay McGuiness, comedian Sarah Kendall and broadcaster Bobby Seagull. In the BBC two quiz, each episode is made up of different rounds, apart from Answer Smash at the end, which sees two clues being mashed together to give the answer. Linda didn’t get on too well on the first show on Monday, and Tuesday’s daily leaderboard saw her trailing behind with just three points. It left viewers at home wondering whether the Loose Woman, 64, was wise to agree to take part in the show in…

TOP TIP Nautical styles don’t have to be all about stripes! A crisp blue shirt teamed with city shorts is a more modern take on this classic trend.…

1 CONSCIOUS CLEANSING This is all about being mindful with your bathroom products to amplify your results and boost wellbeing. Essential oils are wonderfully aromatic and enhance your shower time, with feelgood benefits that keep working long after. ARRAN Sense of Scotland After the Rain Bath & Shower Gel, £16, is formulated with essential oils and scented with lime, rose and sandalwood for an uplifting experience. 2 LAYER UP ‘Layer-locking ensures your skin is at its peak at all times,’ explains Christina Salcedas, Aromatherapy Associates’ global education director. ‘Hydrate initially with a gel or serum (best likes Soap & Glory The Real Zing Body Serum, £9.95, featuring a citrus scent to wake up the senses), then feed the skin with an oil, and finally lock in moisture with a lotion.’ Ruby…

DO I PULL THE PLUG ON MY DREAM JOB? They say people leave bad bosses, not bad jobs – but is it realistic? I have my dream job in an advertising agency, but the worst boss in the world. He’s totally misogynistic, constantly tries to downplay my work – and me (he’s been known to comment on my ‘boring clothes’) – in front of my colleagues and has been known to make creepy, inappropriate comments. I’ve put up with him for four years and don’t think I have it in me anymore. HR are rubbish. What would you do? It’s a small, competitive world in my line of work – I’m scared if I leave, he’ll badmouth me and scupper my chances of moving on. Alison, Birmingham You can’t tolerate…

SUNSET STYLE! It’s not just the flashy properties that have caught our attention on the Netflix hit, Selling Sunset. The uber-glam real estate agents all have wardrobes to die for. You can now pick up a bit of LA luxe on the high street, thanks to Lipsy’s latest collaboration with Chrishell Stause. The impressive 20-piece collection features this stunning red jumpsuit, £48, plus a fabulous range of desk-to-dinner dresses, tailored separates and occasion pieces that are guaranteed to turn heads this summer. Available online exclusively at next.co.uk A TOUCH OF TRINNY Once a TV stylist, Trinny Woodall has firmly established herself as a beauty icon, thanks to her very own beauty range, Trinny London. Both skincare and make-up is covered in the collection, with the latter featuring a clever ‘stack’…

TOP TIP! We love Christine Lampard’s latest collab with Wallis. Along with chic tailoring and elegant skirts, it also includes stunning dresses, such as this empire line butterfly boarder print, right. Wear with trainers by day and classic black sandals for evening.…

Downton Abbey is back, in the form of a big-screen extravaganza, Downton Abbey: A New Era. And the much-anticipated cinematic return of the global phenomenon reunites the beloved cast as they go on a grand journey to the South of France to uncover the mystery of the Dowager Countess’ newly inherited villa. One of the original cast members is American actress Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, for which she’s been nominated for an Emmy and Golden Globe Award. Here, the talented mother-of-two, 60, who is also lead singer of band Sadie and the Hotheads, talks about reuniting with old friends for the film sequel, and her strong, dynamic character Cora’s journey of self-discovery… So, how was it being reunited with the cast to film the sequel? Well,…

TAURUS 21 April – 21 May New incentives to travel, explore and experience something different or unusual will have Taureans like former James Bond actor, Pierce Brosnan and That’s the Way Love Goes singer-songwriter, Janet Jackson, reconsidering their future plans. Take time to work out what it is you really want and put those plans into action. LEO 24 July – 23 August If you’ve grown bored with your current lifestyle, maybe it’s time to ask yourself: where is it you really want to be? You are standing in your own light. Step out of the shadows. If your job, a relationship or family situation is in need of a refresh, change whatever needs to be changed to bring you greater happiness. SCORPIO 24 October – 22 November You are…

THE SWITCH Netflix This Jennifer Aniston classic sees the star single and worried about her biological clock. So 30-something Kassie decides to pursue motherhood with the help of a sperm donor. HOME AGAIN Amazon Prime Recently separated from her husband (Michael Sheen), Alice (Reese Witherspoon) moves back to LA to begin her life again. But when she agrees to allow three aspiring filmmakers to stay in her guest house, the arrangement unfolds in unexpected ways! THE UGLY TRUTH Netflix A single producer (Katherine Heigl) agrees to take dating advice from her disagreeable colleague (Gerard Butler) and to her surprise, his guidance could actually help her find true love……

He first won Wimbledon as a fresh-faced 17-year-old and captured the heart of a British nation. But 37 years on, as the world-famous tennis tournament gears up, Boris Becker will be neither watching nor commentating. For Boris has had one of the most shocking falls from grace ever seen in the tennis world. The red-haired German has won six Grand Slams in his career – three Wimbledon Championships, two Australian Open titles, and one Roland Garros title. But, on Friday 29 April, the 54-year-old was sentenced to 30 months behind bars of which he will serve half – after being found guilty of four charges, under the Insolvency Act at Southwark Crown Court. The father-of-four, who previously coached Serbian champion Novak Djokovic (who is said to be ‘heartbroken’), hid some…