Table of contents for 16-2023 in Best

Regular readers may have already gathered, I’m a fan of a nip tuck, ‘tweakments’, and all the knowledge I can amass to hold back the hands of time. I follow Iris Apel on Instagram (right, she’s a 102-year-old fashion icon), I fill the pages of best with advice from our columnists, Lesley Reynolds and Doctor Aamer Khan (see page 30), and my ‘work mum’ is the super smart and glamorous Gloria Hunniford. Behind the scenes, she advises me on all. And very grateful for those Irish words of wisdom I am, too. So, you won’t be surprised to hear that the thought of Joan Collins turning 90 (sorry Joan, I know you think it is rude when people ask a lady her age) fills me with delight. If I look…

While she’s back on our screens for BGT alongside fellow judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and new boy Bruno Tonioli, Amanda Holden has been attracting a lot of the attention. Amanda, of course, is famed for the super-glam outfits she wears for the show and pulled out all the stops posing for photos in a floor-length corset-style gown, with a daring side slit, exposing one of her long legs. She teamed the look with gold heels and a dramatic slicked-back hair do. But someone overlooked one crucial detail – the shiny, golden surface reflected a distorted view of Amanda’s nose and chin. Social media users were quick to point out the blunder with one posting ‘HELP!’ and zooming in on the reflection, while another added: ‘Actually laughing out loud’. It’s unlikely that…

Flicking through the profiles, I struggled to connect with any of the men. I knew their eye and hair colour, as well as what they did for a living. But that didn’t feel like enough. I wanted to meet somebody before having a baby with them. I’d visited a fertility clinic to look through potential sperm donors in 2005, just after my 35th birthday. I was already a single mother to Corey, seven, and I didn’t want him to be an only child. I’d had Corey when I was 27. After nannying in Australia, I’d been travelling the country skydiving, scuba diving and rainforest trekking, when I’d met a man in a Sydney bar and started a brief relationship. When I’d discovered I was pregnant, he’d already moved on. I’d…

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1 SAMPHIRE Many plants that grow along rocky and marshy shores are packed with nourishing ingredients. Samphire is rich in minerals and vitamins to boost radiance, and can be found in Noble Isle’s Wild Samphire collection. Its Hand Wash, £20, is an investment, but an incredibly rich formula, with notes of thyme, ivy and juniper that make you feel drenched in a luxury perfume. Bliss! 2 SEA SALT You may have noticed the advantages of swimming in the sea on holiday. ‘Seawater purifies skin and makes it feel supple by increasing moisture retention,’ explains Malcolm Macrae, co-founder of skincare brand ishga. Salt scrubs are a great way to reinvigorate skin – the crystals exfoliate while minerals brighten. Make your own by mixing sea salt with olive oil, or if you want something…

Watching the overweight couple laughing, joking and dancing on screen, I bit back tears. Sensing my discomfort, my husband Rob took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. I was mortified, but put on a brave face for our friends, who were showing us their wedding video. ‘We looked awful,’ I sobbed to Rob once we were home. The overweight couple I’d been so upset at seeing in the video was us. I’d been in denial for years but it couldn’t go on. ‘We’ve got to do something about it,’ I said. I’d met Rob in 1999 at a friend’s New Year’s Eve party when I was a size 10. Slowly, as I’d relaxed into our relationship, my weight had crept up. We moved in together in 2004 and…

A PAIN IN THE… EAR I’ve had this weird thing since I was a child… When I go out in the cold, or even just the rain, I get a severe pain in the bones right behind my ears. Now, as an adult, I don’t go out in colder weather without a hood covering my ears or a pair of earmuffs. I’d never given it that much thought but, for some reason, I now find myself wondering what could be behind this – and is there anything out there that could help? Kara, Sheffield DR HILARY SAYS: These pyramidal-shaped bones behind your ears are called mastoid bones and form part of your skull. There are at least half a dozen muscles attached to them, including muscles that help turn your neck…

I had always been my mum’s favourite out of the four of us. Well, in fact, I was the only survivor from the litter. A harsh winter had seen to that. Mum called me her Snow Princess. ‘You deserve better,’ she would say. ‘I don’t want you having to move from place to place – never knowing where the next meal’s coming from. I have plans for you.’ What I didn’t know was that her plan involved abandoning me. She meant well. But just like a child packed off to a posh boarding school to fulfil their parents’ aspirations, I was unceremoniously dumped by the scruff of my neck on the doorstep of a rambling rectory on a cold November night. When all I really wanted, in the whole world,…

Do you have a brilliant fiction story just waiting to be written? We’re looking for the next best Summer read! Whether it’s a tropical getaway, a coastal trip or a tale reminiscent of hot, sunny days, send in your short story (maximum 1,200 words) for our Summer-themed fiction competition. All entries will be judged by a team at best and the top prize is £500, along with publication of the story in best. Two runners-up will each receive £200 and will also get their stories featured in best. So, get typing for your chance to win! HOW TO ENTER Send your story along with your name, email address and phone number to bestfiction@hearst.co.uk with ‘Summer fiction’ in the subject title by 4 June 2023 and a winner, plus two runners-up,…

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 story –…

For the week 18-24 April with Psychic B ARIES 21 March – 20 April Actors David Tennant and Andie MacDowell, plus other Ariens, have been feeling stuck, but are now full of drive. Your charisma attracts attention, and a new moon solar eclipse on 20 April has you feeling restless. The week brings opportunities in your career. Wait until after 15 May before making decisions. TAURUS 21 April – 21 May Challenging changes occur but stay grounded – it’s a learning curve. You find strength you never knew you had. The solar eclipse makes you hungry for the next step. After showing the boss what you can do, respect will follow. Be vigilant with communication, and leave time for travel. GEMINI 22 May – 21 June Your main issue isn’t…

Mostly As? You’re a MOTIVATED SAVER: You’re in control and you know exactly how to maximise your money. Keep it up! Mostly Bs? You’re an ACTIVE SAVER: You’re on the right track, but you could probably get more out of your stash if you take the time to do some research and get into the habit of switching accounts when it matters. Mostly Cs? You’re a DORMANT SAVER: It’s great you’re not completely switched off to the idea of saving, but with just a few changes you could really see your money grow quite quickly. Mostly Ds? You’re a NON SAVER: You definitely need to get your savings sizzle together, otherwise how are you going to get anywhere? But don’t worry – I’ve got you. Keep reading for more advice and…

He set pulses racing as the Duke of Hastings in Netflix hit Bridgerton – and has long been in the running to become the next 007. Indeed, watch Regé-Jean Page in action movie Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves – literally Hollywood’s new knight in shining armour – and you’ll see exactly why he ticks all the boxes. Here, the 34-year-old reveals what it took to transform him into a dragon slayer, his connection to his fans and whether he would return to Bridgerton… Regé-Jean, what made you want to be a part of Dungeons & Dragons? I was interested of course because, first of all, it’s Dungeons & Dragons! But apart from this incredible fantasy world, it’s a story with so much heart and humour. What can you tell…

GARDEN-READY For this momentous occasion you’ll want the garden to look its best, so give your green space a little spruce-up by potting some fresh flowers and displaying beautifully British bunting! Check out this regal vintage-style King Charles III flag bunting. From £6.99 at etsy.com PATRIOTIC PICNIC, ANYONE? We will soon be celebrating the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. And if you fancy a picnic in the park to celebrate, John Lewis has a Country Floral Print Filled Willow Wicker Hamper filled with all you need for two people, including wine glasses, ceramic plates and stainless steel cutlery – all ready to be used! £65. GIN O’CLOCK? Looking for a tipple to celebrate with? Look no further than Hayman’s Gin, who has collaborated with up-and-coming artist Rose England…

Despite her glittering Hollywood career and cabinet of top awards, Jennifer’s best-known role will arguably always be Rachel Green in Friends’ – but she wouldn’t have it any other way. ‘I have kids come up to me all the time saying how much they love Friends and how they’ve only just turned onto it,’ Jennifer reveals. ‘I think it’s a tribute to the writing and to everyone who worked on the show. I’m very proud to have played a part in Friends.’ And for all those diehard fans, where does she think Rachel is today? Jennifer smiles, ‘I think she’s happily married to Ross. Their kid has grown up and is probably in junior high.’…

‘Apparently, in 2022, mobile phone subscriptions/contracts, outnumbered people on the entire planet – currently around 8.5 billion. In the UK alone there are now 108 mobile phone contracts per 100 people. What? There’s no denying there’s a big push by the tech companies to get everyone addicted. They make them cheap to own, while they cost a fortune to build and don’t even get me started on the amount of earth’s resources and manpower that’s required for that. I’ve been worried about mobile phones for a while now. They are a disaster waiting to happen having become such a massive part of our everyday lives because we depend on them for almost everything. I think it’s all part of a wider plan, one to make us so reliant that they…

As part of the Loose Women panel, Linda Robson is used to wearing her heart on her sleeve. And she didn’t hold back when it came to updating viewers on the latest in her personal life. After reports emerged Linda had confided in friends that she and husband Mark Dunford were going through a ‘marriage crisis’, Linda, 65, revealed she’d jetted off on a solo holiday. The panellist – who tied the knot with Mark back in 1990 – returned to the lunchtime show and told her ITV colleagues, ‘I went to Mallorca for a few days. ‘[My daughter] Lauren was taking the girls and her husband to Tenerife. I hinted a few times… and they made it quite clear that I wasn’t welcome.’ She continued, ‘I got the right hump, so…

Q Weight loss through dieting has left my breasts looking saggy. How can I add more volume? I’m not keen on having implants. A DR AAMER SAYS: Unfortunately, when dieting you can’t choose where you lose fat. Fat grafting can be a good solution for those who want a little more volume without drastically changing the breast shape or size. The main advantage is that it uses your own tissue, it’s a lower cost compared to implants, no allergic reaction and a more natural result. However, there is a limit on how much volume can be added in one procedure, usually one cup size. Fat is harvested from one area of your body by liposuction, usually the thighs or abdomen, then transferred to the treatment area by injections. Techniques have…

Mediterranean Cod en Papillote with Crushed Potatoes Crushing the potatoes partway through cooking helps get them extra crispy, but you could skip this step, if you like. Serves 4 • 750g baby new potatoes, halved if large• 3tbsp olive oil• 2tsp dried oregano• 200g cherry tomatoes, halved• 1 small courgette, thinly sliced• 4 skinless cod loins or fillets, about 120g each• 1 lemon, thinly sliced and deseeded• 75g pitted Kalamata olives, halved• 2tbsp capers, drained• Small handful of dill, roughly chopped 1 Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/mark 6. Mix the potatoes, 2tbsp oil, the oregano and plenty of seasoning in a roasting tin. Cook for 15-20min, then lightly crush with a potato masher. Return to the oven for 10min, or until golden and crisp. 2 Meanwhile, prepare 4 30x30cm…

Waiting in the playground one afternoon, I saw my then 10-year-old son, Taylor, bound out of school. As soon as he spotted me, he grinned. ‘Mummy, can you marry Harry’s daddy, please, so Harry and I can be brothers?’ he said, with no hint of irony. Nervously laughing, I could feel myself blush as I looked around to make sure no one else was in earshot. I had no idea who Harry’s dad was, but even so, I was mortified at the prospect of my eldest son trying to marry me off to his best friend’s dad! It was July 2017, and I’d only been single for a few weeks. ‘It doesn’t quite work like that,’ I explained to Taylor on the way home. ‘I’m sorry, but that isn’t going…

‘She really can talk,’ Claire looked dotingly at Gracie, her Dalmatian, who barked again. ‘For goodness sake Claire, she’s just a dumb animal,’ Ian replied. Claire had known from the beginning that Ian wasn’t a dog person, and she wondered if this was a bad omen. ‘You’re too picky,’ her mum said. ‘Stop letting that dog dictate your relationships.’ Clare had tried not to let Ian and Gracie’s mutual lack of interest in each other influence her. However, she had always been convinced of Gracie’s ability to communicate her feelings and felt hurt on behalf of them both. ‘I don’t mean that they talk like we do,’ Claire told him. ‘They communicate with their behaviour, what they do, how they look at us. They’ve got a lot to tell us.’…

There are hundreds of thousands of articles telling us the importance of savings, and what accounts have the best interest rates – but having money left over at the end of the month can feel like a pipe dream. But with the UK in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, Britons are struggling to pay their spiralling energy bills, food costs and mortgage rates, especially with rising inflation. The problem with saving money is that many of us don’t know where to start. And with so much shame and secrecy around the topic of finances, it can be difficult to ask for support. A recent survey by credit management company Lowell found that one in five (22 per cent) Brits claimed that the cost-of-living crisis is having an impact on…

Regé-Jean is one of our biggest heartthrobs. But who has captured his heart in real life? It’s thought the star, intensely private about his love life, has been publicly dating girlfriend Emily Brown since 2021 (though the two were connected since 2019, when Regé-Jean was filming Bridgerton). The gorgeous pair were seen-hand in-hand at the GQ Men of the Year Awards that September. Yes, it seems Emily, a freelance copywriter who studied at Manchester Uni, has snapped up the most eligible bachelor in Britain. We’re not at all jealous……

MILK CHOCOLATE GIGANTIC BUTTONS, M&S, £2.40 Possibly the best chocolate buttons you’ll ever taste… these large chocolate buttons, made with rich and creamy milk chocolate are delicately flavoured with vanilla. The perfect TV treat! ★★★★★ HACKNEY GELATO PEANUT BUTTER & CHOCOLATE, OCADO, £5.75 Who doesn’t love an ice-cream to tuck into while watching a movie?! This one is made by Italians with crushed peanuts and chocolate ripples, it’s a rich creamy gelato. We suggest you get it in your face as quickly as possible! ★★★★ SNICKERS CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER, TESCO, £2.75 FOR PACK OF 10 More peanut butter - but this time with rich caramel and fresh ground peanuts encased in a milk chocolate shell, Snickers Creamy Peanut Butter Square Candy Bars are the softer side of your favourite Snickers…

SET THE SCENE Shrewsbury is one of Britain’s most historically fascinating towns, with an amazing range of pubs, public buildings, churches, mansions and museums from different eras, including more than 660 listed buildings. From medieval and Tudor, to Victorian and streamlined modern age, they cover every architectural look you could want – no wonder the town is such a favourite filming location. In its latest project, it doubles as Dickensian London for the BBC’s new adaptation of Great Expectations. Appropriately, Charles Dickens himself came to Shrewsbury at least three times, and stayed at the Lion Hotel, a former 16th-century coaching inn (thelionhotelshrewsbury.com). In fact, there are many places you can visit with links to the great writer. Mark Hooper from Film Shropshire (filmshropshire.co.uk), who looked after the BBC crew, showed…

If you took one glance at Dame Joan Collins, you would never guess she was a woman weeks away from celebrating the start of a new decade. But Brit icon Joan will mark the milestone next month on 23 May (OK, if you really want to know, she’s 90), but she’s once again proving how age is but a number. The Dynasty superstar was recently snapped wearing an Yves Saint Laurent leather jacket teamed with skinny black trousers and her trademark sunnies. But the most impressive part? She first wore the vintage jacket back in the Eighties and it’s been hanging in her wardrobe ever since. That was until she modelled it for the world – showing she’s still got it (and the jacket). The photo – taken by her adoring husband…

As a dancer and choreographer, Bruno Tonioli has worked with all the top music stars including Elton John, George Michael, Duran Duran and Freddie Mercury. In 2004, he became a TV favourite as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing but after 15 years he’s swapped channels and is now replacing David Walliams as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent. As fellow judge Alesha Dixon said during his first BGT audition, he’s ‘an excited puppy’. Here, Bruno opens up on his fear of joining the show, how he always wanted to work with Simon, why he loves taking a career risk, and how, as a teenager, his parents begged him to train as an accountant… How did you feel on the first day of auditions? I was very nervous because I…

The changes were subtle at first but they were definitely there… Bloating, tiredness, aching pain throughout my body, my hands turning blue, stomach spasms… Sometimes, the spasms were so painful, I’d collapse and end up in hospital. It had all begun in 2003, when I was 37 years old, but I knew there was something wrong. I went to see my GP countless times, took myself to A&E and was prescribed various medications – steroids, antibiotics, even HRT, all of which seemed to exacerbate, rather than help how I was feeling. After two long, frustrating years of being misdiagnosed, I finally saw a private rheumatologist who sent me for blood tests, and in 2005, I was told: ‘You’ve got Diffuse Systemic Scleroderma, also known as Systemic Sclerosis,’ he said. I…

EX HUSBAND’S GOT NEW GIRLFRIEND PREGNANT Last year, my husband of 23 years left me – for a fresh-faced 27-year-old who he met through work. My world crumbled. We have four children together and I really believed we were happy. But just when I thought my life couldn’t get any worse, I found out this week, via a mutual friend, that my ex’s new girlfriend is pregnant. My grown-up kids are mortified but, more importantly, I’m still really struggling to understand where the man I married has gone. I just don’t know how to move forward. Louise, London I am sorry for the series of shocks rocking your life. You and your children are understandably struggling to come to terms with the abrupt departure of your husband and father, while…

TOP TIP! Looking for a sustainable option? Furn.com has an eco-friendly range that is printed onto certified ‘REPREVE’ fabric (recycled fibres) and made from 100% recycled PET, reducing plastic waste one cushion at a time.…

We asked you to come up with some pet-themed short stories, and you didn’t disappoint, spoiling us with yarns inspired by all creatures great and small. But there could only be one winner and first prize goes to Julie Rayner, who wins £500 for her story, A Family Pawtrait, which left us all feline fine. Turn over to read it and the runners-up (which include a comforting parrot and a Dalmatian that turns detective), and find details of how to enter our next competition, which has a Summer theme……

‘All done then?’ My brother claps me on the shoulder, almost knocking me off my feet. I glance around Mum’s room, noticing for the first time how dingy the wallpaper and paint has become. It gives the place a melancholy air. Rob had been promising to give it a makeover for months but, typical of my brother, he’d never got around to it. And now it’s too late – we’ve just finished clearing her possessions. I nod at him, tears in my eyes. ‘All done.’ He drapes his arm around my shoulders and hugs me too tightly. ‘Don’t forget Dolly, sis.’ How could I forget Dolly – the elephant in the room? Except, Dolly is a ten-year-old parrot, not an elephant, and Mum has left her to me. ‘What am…

1 Do you have savings goals? A) Hell, yes! I am always tracking my savings online and setting new goals when I hit my targets. B) I put money in a rainy-day ISA every month by direct debit. C) Sometimes I save for stuff, but not always. D) Hahaha – no. What’s an ISA? 2 Where do you save your money? A) It depends on the goal I’m trying to reach. For short-term stuff such as Christmas and holidays, I use the high-street savings accounts with the highest interest rates. For more long-term goals, like a house deposit, I go for stocks and shares ISAs. B) I transfer money to my ISA. C) In my Prosecco Fund piggy bank in the kitchen. D) In my imagination. 3 If you get a bonus at…

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: There is basically no point starting to save money if you still have debts to pay off. The only time it’s OK to save while you’ve got debts is if your debt isn’t costing you anything (i.e. a 0 per cent APR credit card) – and even then I’d always recommended getting your debts cleared first, just for the peace of mind. ✔ Pay off your most expensive debts first: High APR credit cards and store cards are usually the worst offenders. ✔ Switch lenders: You could save some serious cash on credit card debts simply by moving to a 0 per cent APR account. ✔ Ask for help! There is zero shame in asking for help with this stuff. Try…

10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU Friday ITV2, 9pm Kick off your weekend with this sweet, witty reworking of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, as a modern-day screwball teen comedy, starring the late, great Heath Ledger. LEGEND Netflix A treat for the eyes this one, as Tom Hardy stars as both Kray twins In 1960s London, as brothers Ronnie and Reggie make a name for themselves as the East End’s most notorious gangsters. NOTTING HILL Amazon Prime Who doesn’t love this movie?! William (Hugh Grant) a British bookseller, falls in love with Anna (Julia Roberts), a high-profile American actress. However, their relationship goes through a host of problems due to their different social statuses……

She’s one of the most famous women in the world – and even has a haircut named after her well-known character, Rachel Green. But now Jennifer Aniston is back on the big screen as the star of Netflix’s Murder Mystery 2. The 54-year-old Hollywood superstar reprises her role of Audrey Spitz alongside old pal Adam Sandler, who plays her hubby Nick. After solving the first film’s crime, they’ve gone on to start their own detective agency – and it’s not long before they find themselves thrust into another high-stakes case. Here, Jennifer chats all about the exciting new movie, how she watched one stunt go wrong, and the very first time she met Adam, which led to their unbreakable bond they have today… Hi Jennifer. Everyone’s loving Murder Mystery 2.…