Table of contents for 10-2024 in Best

Celebrity Big Brother started last night on ITV1 – and confirmed which famous faces are housemates. May the best man or woman win – I can’t wait for tonight’s episode! Not sure who grabbed your attention, but who isn’t a fan of AJ? She is bound to make us all laugh over the next few weeks. On page 72, we look back at some of the best – and worst – moments from previous series. Meanwhile, EastEnders’ Natalie Cassidy (page 14) is more of a Traitors fan. She tells us all about her new podcast with none other than Gavin and Stacey’s Joanna Page. On page 10, our Emmerdale cover star Lisa Riley opens up about her heartbreak. And while you won’t see her on TV until 25 March (more…

When a relationship ends, most women just want to draw a line in the sand, forget all about their ex, and move right on with their lives (maybe after consuming a fair bit of ice cream and/or white wine). But for some ladies, this is easier said than done. For best agony aunt Vanessa Feltz it’s particularly tough as, not only is she in the public eye as one of Britain’s most famous broadcasters, but her former fiancé, Phats & Small singer Ben Ofoedu, also has a public profile, albeit less celebrated than that of his famous ex. Together, Ben and Vanessa were a familiar fixture on the showbiz circuit, but they spilt back in February 2023 after it emerged Ben, 51, had been unfaithful. Since then, Vanessa, 62, has…

Get ready for a fabulous new podcast double act – Joanna Page and Natalie Cassidy. The two actresses are, of course, both ‘faces off the telly’ with experience of acting in two of the biggest British shows ever – and now they’ve joined forces in a weekly podcast from BBC Sounds to discuss what they love and loathe. We caught up with Natalie, who has two daughters, Eliza and Joanie, and is engaged to Marc Humphreys, to get the lowdown on her viewing habits, her hobbies and how she really feels about Sonia’s trumpet. Hi, Natalie! You sound like you’re having a lot of fun on Off The Telly? Brilliant, I’m so pleased you’ve said that – it’s a great thing to have started. Jo and I met on Loose…

Rejoice, ladies – the one fictional character that most of us over 30 can relate to (even if we’re not single!) is about to be catapulted back into our lives… Filming of the fourth instalment of the hit franchise Bridget Jones (about a lovelorn London ‘singleton’) is set to start filming in London soon – eight years after Bridget Jones’s Baby and more than two decades after the woman whose consumption of chardonnay and cigarettes, obsession with diaries and weighing scales and the owner of a mostly disastrous love life captured our hearts. The film is (obviously) once again starring the one and only Renée Zellweger – who many viewers didn’t even realise wasn’t British as she channelled the character so well – and she is said to be looking…

1 RUN FOR COVER Peptides have made the leap from skincare to under-eye concealer, thanks to their ability to stimulate collagen. ‘This is where the “skinification” of make-up works really well,’ says make-up artist Caroline Barnes. ‘It helps products like concealer connect more flawlessly with the skin, rather than sitting like a powdery layer on top of it.’ In Max Factor Miracle Pure Concealer, £10.99, peptides are combined with hyaluronic acid and skin-evening vitamin C for a crease-proof formula that conceals and luminates. 2 SCULPT & GLOW Watermelon seed extract, shea butter and jojoba seed oil give Collection Cosmetics Filter Finish Liquid Contour Wand, £5.99, its blendability and bouncy finish, and the same formula (which also contains hyaluronic acid) appears in the brand’s Filter Finish Liquid Blush Wand, £5.99. To…

TOP TIP! Ditch the chocolate and give your loved one a long-lasting gift to remind them of you with a lovely vase full of fresh flowers this Mother’s Day or Easter.…

When a child found a dismembered torso in Galveston Bay in October 2001, it was a crime scene like no other that the Texan police had come across before. As they began their investigations, it didn’t take long to find black plastic bags containing the victim’s limbs floating nearby. The head – also removed – remained undiscovered. In one of the bags was a newspaper with an address on it. The police spoke to the landlord. He explained there were two apartments at that address – one was rented out to a man named Morris Black, the second to a deaf-mute lady called Dorothy Ciner. DNA revealed their victim was indeed poor Morris Black. And a bloody trail leading out of Dorothy’s apartment gave the police enough to get a…

In the Fifties and Sixties, travel abroad was a luxury only afforded by the rich, famous and wildly adventurous. Ordinary Brits were more accustomed to bucket-and-spade holiday camps on the windswept shores of the UK, where they could play bingo and watch knobbly-knee competitions. But by 1970, the advent of cheap commercial airlines, budget holiday operators and brutal price wars created an explosion of mass tourism, making overseas travel more affordable. And with a fortnight’s all-inclusive beach break costing from just £76 per person, the great British package holiday was born. Of the thousands of UK tourists flocking to the continent, more than a third were heading to sunny Spain to experience their first ever taste of sun, sea and sangria. This iconic era was captured by photographer Trevor…

HELLO BESTIES! Well, here we go! Are you braced for my first column? I am thrilled to be filling the comfy and tale-telling chair left behind by my lovely pal, Jenny Eclair, and I can’t wait to see what it’s like to share some of my slightly dirty secrets – not really dirty, just maybe alarmingly true anecdotes about what goes on in my life. I became so obsessed about Claudia Winkleman’s woolly chunky jumpers on The Traitors, I missed a lot of the trickery involved in the game itself. While contestants kept lying to stay in the game (a bit like when I was captive in the Big Brother house – don’t ask), I was busy admiring Claudia’s shoulder pads – and yes, even her kilt had me googling…

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR JET LAG DOWN UNDER? I’m preparing for my first long-haul flight – and trip of a lifetime – to Australia at the age of 61. But now I’ve started to worry about jet lag and it ruining my time there, and when I come back. What advice do you have on avoiding it? Jayne, Bolton DR HILARY SAYS: Jet lag should not spoil your trip of a lifetime, which you can still look forward to. You will be travelling across multiple time zones and losing nine to 11 hours of sleep travelling west to east so, if you can, book your travel to arrive in the evening at your destination. Consider a day or two’s extra holiday at any stopover airport on the way. Get…

‘I’m all sorted thanks to our magnificent NHS’ TV star Susannah Constantine, shocked fans recently when she said how she was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery, with doctors telling her she was ‘lucky to be alive’. In a recent interview, the 61-year-old fashionista explained how she was told at the hospital she needed to be operated on immediately, or she would risk a stroke, a brain haemorrhage or even paralysis. The mum-of-three said that she had initially thought nothing of the symptoms she was experiencing – pins and needles in an arm and a swollen eye. But in fact, Susannah was suffering from an arteriovenous fistula – an abnormal connection between an artery and a vein. At the hospital, the scary news was delivered to her: ‘They said, “It’s…

1 REAL-LIFE BAMBI! We could look at this shot from @animalsonland of a mother deer and her fawn all day! Looking like they’re straight out of Disney movie, Bambi, these two certainly made us smile (and pulled on our heartstrings). 2 Who wowed the crowd? It was sequins and sparkle at the 2024 SAG Awards. Dressed in silver strappy numbers, Jennifer Aniston, 55, turned heads in a thigh-high slit dress by Celine, while fellow actor Emma Stone, 35, dazzled in an embellished gown by Louis Vuitton, and The Crown star Elizabeth Debicki, 33, chose slinky Armani Privé. Jennifer, Emma and Elizabeth are a shining example of high-octane glamour... 3 GET WELL SOON, CHARLES Seeing His Majesty The King reading his get well soon and cheer-up cards on social…

The popular actress, best-known as the fabulously loud Mandy Dingle, turns 48 this Summer and she reckons a stint with the creepy crawlies could be just what she needs to head off a mid-life crisis. It won’t be this year though, as Lisa has too much going on in her life right now, including her latest storyline, which sees Mandy trying to help her cousin Chas through her breast cancer diagnosis, while coping with the fact that Chas also enjoyed a secret kiss with Mandy’s partner Paddy Kirk. ‘It all explodes and I mean explodes when she finds out!’ Lisa laughs. The actress, who lives in Yorkshire with her fiancé Al, talks to us about finding love, her guilty pleasures and the heartbreak behind her current storyline... Hi Lisa, 10…

‘It sounds ridiculous saying I feel sorry for Richard and Debbie Nuttall, the couple who won £61 million on the EuroMillions lottery, but I do. It sounds even more ridiculous to say “I’m glad it’s not me” but I mean it. That’s not the reason I don’t do the lottery, though – I stay away because I think it’s a mug’s game and a voluntary tax. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not jealous! In fact, I’m really pleased for them, especially as initially they thought they’d won just £2.60. I sincerely hope they enjoy every penny. It’s just that there are too many tales of woe from “lucky” jackpot winners and it’s not surprising so many admit the huge windfall ruined their lives. Because money can cause so many problems,…

As women reach the milestone of 50, the signs of ageing can become more pronounced – lines, pigmentation, loss of suppleness – leaving many women seeking ways to preserve their youthful glow. A curated selection of cosmetic treatments can help rejuvenate and revitalise. From injectables to skin-tightening procedures, these treatments are the keys to unlocking the fountain of youth... INSIDE INJECTABLES: Muscle-relaxing injections, for example Botox, work wonders in softening lines and wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions. Whether it’s crow’s feet around the eyes, frown lines between the brows, or forehead furrows, it can offer a subtle, yet transformative, solution that restores a youthful, refreshed appearance. There’s minimal downtime, and results can last up to three to five months. Prices start from £199. Always go to a licensed practitioner.…

Claudia Lawrence’s case is one that has baffled investigators for nearly two decades. Last seen and heard from in March 2009 near her home in Heworth, York, her case prompted the largest and most complex missing person inquiry in North Yorkshire Police’s history. The York University chef was 35 when she vanished and despite no body being found, police are treating the case as a murder investigation. Since her disappearance, 12 people have been arrested, but no one has ever been charged. Police have also conducted two separate inquiries and a comprehensive review – involving hundreds of police personnel and national experts. However, Claudia still hasn’t been found – and it would have been her 50th birthday at the end of February. One person desperate for answers is her mum,…

TOP TIP! This cute keepsake will last a lifetime!…

Lover of all things lifestyle, Jaci Hodge has reached an impressive 234K followers on her @jaci.daily Instagram account! Here, we’ve picked out eight of our favourite shots of her stunning home to give you some decor inspiration...…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES The answer will appear in the shaded boxes and this is your prize answer. Enter by using the numbers at the top of the grid or at hearstmagazines.co.uk/bestcross1024 ACROSS 1 7 8 9 10 11 13 15 17 21 22 23 24 25 DOWN 11 2 3 4 5 6 12 14 16 18 19 20 Which is the southernmost of New York City’s five boroughs? The answer will appear in the shaded squares. ANSWERS MEGA CROSSWORD 05/2024 PRIZE ANSWER: SOME LIKE IT HOT ACROSS 1 Return, 7 Enormous, 8 Arm, 9 Indeed, 10 Sign, 11 Night, 13 Besides, 15 Speaker, 17 Knife, 21 Area, 22 Relief, 23 Art, 24 Mushroom, 25 Butter DOWN 1 Reason, 2 Timing,…

She’s one of telly’s most recognisable faces, after shooting to fame in the late Nineties as Dorothy in Men Behaving Badly. But life has not always been plain sailing for Caroline Quentin, 63. In her new book, Drawn to the Garden, she reveals how her childhood was blighted by the mental illness of her mother, Katie. Katie was at times left bedridden by her illness and also spent time in hospital, which was painful for both mother and daughter. ‘They used to call it manic depression. Today we’d say it was bipolar disorder. My mother was treated with electroconvulsive therapy and liberal amounts of medication. A lot of my early life was spent afraid and lonely,’ Caroline has said. As a child, she sought solace in nature, finding comfort in…

TOP TIP Team with boots now and sandals later in the season.…

When people talk about the Second World War, I always listen with intrigue – and understanding. Back then, if you were called up to serve, you did just that and I was no different… Born in Manchester in 1926, I was 13 when the war broke out. By the time I’d reached 18, in early 1944, I’d signed up to join the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WREN) – because I loved the sea and liked the uniform! Everyone was fascinated by the ‘blackouts’ – the black knickers with elasticated legs. After training, I was recruited to be a member of the team at HMS Pembroke V and soon found myself at Eastcote, an outstation of MI6 at Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes, which had become the principal centre for Allied…

Pepper, tomato and hake bake Serves 2 Ready in 25 minutes • 120g dried basmati rice• 250g cherry tomatoes, halved• 2 large peppers (red and yellow), deseeded and cut into chunks• 2 skinless and boneless hake fillets (or another white fish)• A small pack fresh basil, a few leaves reserved, the rest finely chopped Preheat your oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas 4. Cook the rice according to the pack instructions, then drain and set aside. At the same time, spread out the cherry tomatoes and peppers in a non-stick baking tray and season lightly. Spray with low-calorie cooking spray and roast for 5-6 minutes. Add the fish, sprinkle with some seasoning and spray with low-calorie cooking spray. Bake for 10 minutes or until the fish is done (cook for a little…

As many of my friends entered parenthood in our late 20s, I watched from the sidelines, baffled and... yes, I admit it, smug. It looked so difficult and my husband and I thought we were sensible in avoiding it. We’d holiday abroad in term time to child-unfriendly places, book adult-only hotels, and congratulate ourselves on our relatively easy lives. I loved the children in my life and took my role as an aunt and godmother seriously (by which I mean I taught my nephews to swear and bought my goddaughter great presents). But I could not imagine changing my mind. Why would I? My career was soaring. My husband, Gaz, 42, and I had all the time, money and sleep we could need. I did not want to swap that…

There’s a feast for all the senses as Fred Sirieix and Emma Willis return for a second series of The World Cook. It takes top chefs from 16 different nations on a world tour where they’ll show off their skills in a bid to win. The series – a collaboration between Prime Video and holiday firm TUI - is a dream job for Fred, who found fame on First Dates. But while he reckons they work well together, he admits Emma cracked the whip when he played the fool. Hi Fred. So you and Emma are back with more of The World Cook. What do you think makes you a good presenting team? I really get on with her and I really like her. She starts a sentence and I…

PET OF THE WEEK Name: Riggins Owner: Louise and Danny, North London Breed: Spaniel cross CALLING ALL PETS! From funny to cute, we’re looking for more pets to star in our ‘Day in the Life’ series. If you think your animal is the perfect match, email bestpets@hearst.co.uk with details of your pet, plus a series of snaps.*…

SISTER-IN-LAW IS A SNOB! My brother got married (again) at the end of last year. I’ve only really started to get to know my new in-laws in recent months and my new sister-in-law is the poshest person I know, which I wouldn’t mind, if she weren’t so snobby about it! She’s married to a very wealthy man, and for some reason thinks she’s superior to the likes of me – given I live in a council estate in North London. I’ve never been ashamed of where I live but she really gets under my skin about the whole thing. She asked me if I ‘ever had any ambition’ the other day, and I could have ripped her hair out there and then. I fear the tension between us will only…

Rushing along Shaftesbury Avenue on her way home from work, Jenny wondered if she was seeing things. She shut her eyes before slowly opening them again. No, she wasn’t. It was still there. Spelled out on the theatre hoardings for all the West End to see. ‘Max Astor,’ the sign flashed in bright green neon. ‘In “Home Truths”.’ It had to be him. There couldn’t be two actors with that name. And hadn’t he, long ago, vowed that his name would light up the West End one day? Seemed it finally was. ‘Damn you!’ Jenny muttered to herself. ‘Damn you! Damn you! Damn you!’ Why had he come back to the UK? Her life had finally mended, her heart finally healed, after all the misery and upheaval he’d caused. Distance,…

It’s six years since we were last invited inside the Celebrity Big Brother house, so it’s fair to say fans are more than ready for all the candid revelations, toe-curling exploits and unlikely friendships as a new gang of stars take up residence for a new series hosted by Will Best and AJ Odudu. And we all know that anything can happen when that famous door closes, as these unforgettable moments prove… I WANT IT ALL… (2006) The fourth series had a twist, as Chantelle Houghton, who’d auditioned for the non-celeb series, was given a place… on the condition she pretended to be famous as a member of fictional girl band Kandy Floss. When she was forced to sing their supposed hit ‘I Want It All’, the nation cringed when…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT With castles, battlefields and forts galore, plus countryside and coast to explore within easy reach, history buffs and walkers alike will adore Inverness, regional capital of the picturesque Highlands of Scotland. Make the most of a Spring city break and book into the Kingsmills Hotel. In a quiet location on the outskirts of the city but still within walking distance of the centre, it has cosy lounges and a fabulous spa. And make time to visit neighbouring Black Isle, or even Loch Ness – it’s only half an hour’s drive away… INSIDER’S GUIDE Discover the history of the city and Highlands at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery. Donations of £5pp are welcome. Or relax in the huge cactus house at Inverness Botanic Garden; entrance by donation. For both,…