Índex per 12-2020 a Best

With flights cancelled and constant news updates, Coronavirus is a subject on many of our minds. In my local supermarket, I overheard a woman telling a growing number of shoppers, in a panic about the lack of hand sanitiser, how to make their own. ‘All you need is alcohol and aloe vera,’ she began. For once, I didn’t bite my lip. ‘I’m so sorry,’ I said. (Very British, I know.) ‘In most cases, the alcohol strength won’t kill the virus and if you make it too strong, you could actually strip your skin and make yourself more vulnerable.’ Then I left them to make their own decisions. But in case you are thinking how do we cope? The World Health Organisation still says washing our hands for at least 20…

‘Everyone has a ‘dream’ job that they fantasise about doing one day, maybe while they’re stacking shelves or sitting in an office crunching numbers. Usually they’re impossibly glamorous, well-paid ones: pilot, racing driver, popstar or PA to a Kardashian. Not my idea of dreamy positions, because I’ve already got two of mine – one as a panellist on ITV’s lunchtime show Loose Women and the other as a columnist for best. At least, I thought they were both right up there in my dream league – until I read that Hillarys, the curtains and blinds company, was looking to recruit a ‘sleep executive’. In other words, they want to pay someone £100 a day… to sleep. It is literally the dream job to trump all dream jobs. Anyone can apply,…

Last week it was officially declared a ‘pandemic’ – a new disease for which people have no immunity, spreading around the world beyond expectation. And while experts are still discovering things about Covid-19 – the technical name for Coronavirus – there’s no doubt that this is much more serious and deadly than flu. It’s particularly dangerous for older people – with death rates rising significantly for every decade of age after 50. Doctor Hilary Jones. spoke exclusively to best and explained: ‘It’s more important for the over-70s to take precautions.’ Dr Hilary says those below 70 who are fit and healthy with no underlying health conditions are fine to go out and about – while taking the advice to wash hands regularly and avoid touching their faces. But he believes…

1 YOU DIRTY DOG! Five-month-old Onni gave his owners paws for thought when he went on a doggy playdate and returned home unrecognisable. The usually whiter-than-white pup, who’s an Instagram star in Finland, was in need of a bath after rolling around in the mud as these pictures taken by owners Lotta Alajoki and Miiro Lehto show! 2 Who wowed the crowd? Spring is here, and what better way to mark it than a flurry of floral dresses? Pastel colours have found their way into celebrity wardrobes, with ITV stars Susanna Reid, 49, and Holly Willoughby, 39, styling out sleeves in Closet and Wardrobe dresses. Meanwhile Helena Christensen, 51, opted for designer glam in a Dolce & Gabbana fishtail frock, co-ordinated with a pink blazer. Pastel colours have made their…

Don’t be fooled by Sara Davies’ youthful looks. She might be the youngest Dragon in the history of the BBC2 show – but she breaths fire like the best of them! At just 35, the mum-of-two has built up a crafting empire in Britain and across the pond worth £34 million – from the humble beginnings of her university bedroom. Since she first hit our screens last year, the businesswoman, who has been married to hubby Simon for 13 years, has won the support of the nation – especially in her hometown of Hartlepool. With the 17th series of Dragons’ Den now on TV, Sara opens up about getting recognised in the supermarket, resisting treats, and how her 5am runs have given her a new lease of life… Dragons’ Den is back… how…

I was in Aldi when my phone rang. I grabbed my mobile out of my pocket, and saw it was my husband, Rob, calling. With one hand pushing the food trolley, and another holding the phone, I kept an eye on my eldest, Heidi, then two years old, so she didn’t run out of my sight. Matilda, then only three months old, was in her car seat in the trolley. ‘Hi, love,’ I said as I answered. I was about to tell him I couldn’t really talk, but he just said: ‘Jen, I’m OK, I’m OK.’ ‘Rob, what do you mean? What’s going on?’ I replied – he didn’t sound OK at all. ‘I can’t talk now, but I’ll call back in a bit,’ he said, and hung up. I…

Q My face looks pale and tired. What treatments can help me look perkier? And what make-up will give me an instant lift? Cheryl, Fife A DR AAMER SAYS: Lynton’s Excelight Photo Rejuvenation (IPL) is the latest go-to tweakment. The speed at which we age is related to an enzyme called ‘collagenase’. This enzyme slowly breaks up collagen, leaving skin dull. However, this enzyme almost disappears after one session. During the treatment, a hand-held device fires intense pulsed light over the skin. It’s not painful, but feels a bit like being pinged with an elastic band. It’s fast, safe and a good all-rounder, stimulating collagen production, improving skin tone, reducing pore size and targeting pigmentation. Afterwards, you must stay out of the sun and wear a minimum SPF 30. Three…

‘She helped me rebuild my life’ Vicky Anning, 52, is from Cambridge. ‘It was only when I became a mum to my daughter, Jenna, now 15, that I understood how much my mum had done for me. ‘My parents divorced in the Seventies when I was five and my mum, Angela Anning, now 75, raised me and my younger brother, Simon. She studied through the night to be a teacher, so she could be with us during the day. It was a struggle, I know that now, but Mum kept smiling. ‘Years later, Jenna was three months old when my husband, Ben, then 38, was diagnosed with cancer. Mum left her home 200 miles away in York, to stay with us, looking after Jenna while I was back and forth…

I’M TOO CLINGY I lost my husband eight months ago. My daughter is turning 17, and wants to go out all the time, but I can’t bear being at home alone. I don’t want to hold her back, but I really like her company. She distracts me from my pain, and I feel so lost when she leaves the house. I also worry about her non-stop, and get myself into an utter state of panic when she’s out. My husband was killed in a car accident, and I’m afraid something terrible will happen to her, too. Sarah, Plymouth MANDY SAYS: It’s so desperately difficult to recover from a tragic loss like this, and normal to feel so vulnerable, too. But even so, I have to say, that doesn’t legitimise avoiding…

1 Kate & Koji WEDNESDAY, 8PM, ITV NEW SERIES This new show sees Vera star Brenda Blethyn in the role of Kate, the working-class owner of an old-fashioned seaside cafe, who forms (on the surface at least) an unlikely friendship with Koji, an African asylum seeker. The pair have a lot more in common than you might first think, not least because they both suffer from a dogged determination never to back down. So when Kate finds out that her new friend is a doctor, but has been stopped from working until his case for asylum is heard, she hatches a plan that might be mutually beneficial to both of them. Also starring Jimmy Akingbola and Blake Harrison. 2 Secrets of Your Supermarket Food THURSDAY, 8PM, C5 NEW SERIES Why…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES 26A stars with Harrison Ford in new film The Call of the Wild, about a St Bernard/Scotch Collie who is stolen and sold to freight haulers – what’s the dog’s name (4)? This is your prize answer. See below for details on how to enter. ACROSS 3 In for a penny, in for a ___, saying (5) 6 The ___ Show, magazine-style programme on the Beeb (3) 7 Togetherness, harmony (5) 8 ANAGRAM OMEND 10 ___ la vista, Spanish phrase meaning ‘see you later’ (5) 11 Nature ___!, expression (5) 12 Which mythical creature features on the UK’s royal coat of arms? (7) 14 Make this TENON appear more musical (5) 17 In the rhyme, which ‘Simple’ character…

I had no idea of what was about to happen when I walked over Westminster Bridge with my colleagues at about 2pm. I remember seeing a group of Chinese tourists on the bridge, taking selfies. Then I heard a loud crashing sound – the crunch of metal. People were thrown in different directions from a car that had driven into people in front of us. One man was literally hurled into the air and over my head. The next thing I knew I was in the middle of the road with chaos all around me. I was in complete shock, I felt like a zombie walking around, seeing the devastation. I called 999 and then tried to help where I could – I gave one injured lady my coat as a…

JOIN THE CONVERSATION Are you a household bright spark? We might all be more tech savvy these days, but are you a dab hand at cleaning a vacuum filter or changing a fuse in a plug? If the answer is no, fear not – you’re not alone. A survey of 1,000 UK adults by LED Hut found that 64 per cent of Brits don’t know how to carry out simple household tasks, with more than half admitting they turn to someone else for help. Apparently, the task Brits struggle with most is changing a light bulb. We’re pleased to say, that’s one we can actually do! We’re with the 45 per cent who don’t know how to bleed a radiator, though. Are you good at basic household tasks? Who would…

FINANCIALLY Fabulous Join our campaign and get your finances sorted at hearstmagazines.co.uk/ffbest for money-saving tips and brilliant advice on being financially savvy. 1 IT’S A MUST Insurance is about planning for the unexpected – missed or cancelled flights, medical issues, hotel problems, thefts (including replacement passports) while travelling. If an accident happens, especially a medical one, you’ll have to cover the costs yourself, which can be eye-wateringly expensive. A broken leg in Thailand can cost you around £17,000. 2 BUY WHEN YOU BOOK While there is protection that comes with using your credit cards, travel insurance covers you for cancelled flights, accommodation and other pre-booked essentials. The chances of you falling ill or having to cancel your trip are statistically higher the older you are, but it’s important to buy…

CORRIE David finds a way to move on – and it involves Alina! Elsewhere, Bernie tries to help a depressed Gemma, while Alya is seething that Geoff plans to attend Zeedan’s wedding in Spain. EASTENDERS Struggling to cope with Denny’s funeral, Sharon lets Karen look after Kayden. Whitney awaits the results of her bail hearing and Linda has to confront the issues caused by her drinking. EMMERDALE Marlon is rushed to hospital, and Laurel makes Arthur apologise to Nicola for the trouble he’s caused. Meanwhile, the Dingles believe Vinny has pawned Sam’s ring – but has he?…

Psychological thriller Penance will have you on the edge of your seat – and tug at your heartstrings. Neil Morrissey plays a grieving father in this brooding drama, which revolves around a family torn apart after their son drowns while travelling in Thailand. Then a sinister young stranger turns up to infiltrate the broken family and create further chaos. Neil’s old acting pal, Julie Graham, plays his on-screen wife, Rosalie. DON’T MISS TV FILMS With staying in being the new going out thanks to Coronavirus fears, here are three films to catch up on at the weekend… THE YOUNG VICTORIA Netflix One to watch alone or with the girls. The 18-year-old royal, Victoria, ascends the throne as she is romanced by Prince Albert. Romantic drama, starring Emily Blunt and Rupert…

FOOD PORTHLEVEN FOOD FESTIVAL Porthleven, Cornwall, 17-19 April Combine a break to a picturesque corner of Cornwall with this three-day food festival. Enjoy live cooking demos and tuck into street food, while listening to brass bands, choirs and BBC Music Introducing artists. Most events are free, except for the evening music sessions. For more info, see porthlevenfoodfestival.com. CULTURE EDINBURGH BELTANE FIRE FESTIVAL Edinburgh, 30 April If you head to this spectacular annual festival, expect fire, frolics and lashings of body paint! Celebrating the beginning of the summer season, this unique event draws inspiration from ancient Gaelic traditions and the age-old Beltane festival, as Edinburgh’s populace gets dancing, and impressive fire displays become the evening’s entertainment for the 12,000+ people in attendance. Visit beltane.org for details. LITERATURE YORK LITERATURE FESTIVAL York,…