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It’s not news to regular readers that Carol McGiffin is a friend of mine. But when she was diagnosed with aggressive stage 3 breast cancer back in 2014, she kept the news to herself for about a year. “It’s very personal. I didnt want people to look at me differently- or cry,’ she later explained. She also admitted the very worst of thoughts had crossed her mind. Of course they did. But thanks to a mastectomy and chemo, here she is six year later, telling you all her latest opinions every week in best (turn to page 18). Now it seems Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding has breast cancer and last week when she received the devastating news that it had spread, she decided to tell her fans. ‘I’m undergoing…

The Duchess of Cambridge has revealed how she broke down after a visit to a baby bank in West Norfolk, during the Coronavirus crisis. During a more recent visit to Baby Banks UK in Sheffield, Kate revealed, ‘Over recent months, I have heard from families who have been supported by baby banks through the most difficult of times and I have been deeply moved by their stories.’ ‘It can get very emotional. I remember a couple of the families I met from King’s Lynn and I went home and literally burst into tears, their stories were so moving. The struggles they have gone through, the bravery they have shown… in extraordinary circumstances. Helping their families through extraordinary times.’ Baby Banks are a national service, run by volunteers, helping to support…

TOP TIP A classic trench coat is the perfect cover-up at this time of year.…

Given that nothing is normal in this world at the moment, I am continuing my search for signs and reminders of my old life. I’ve been through my music collection, browsed and re-ordered my gigantic 60,000 photo library, and this week I’ve been going through what I call my ‘dressing-up box’. The ‘box’ (it’s actually a canvas zip-up storage bag) originated back in the late Seventies when I realised that certain clothes instantly brought back memories of the times you were wearing them. I had to keep things because it was in the days before the digital photograph. Over the years, I added to it, but it’s very selective – only precious pieces that have seen it all make it in there. The oldest item is a pair of pink…

‘Say cheese’ I said to my daughter Jessie, as we strolled along the beach. The camera captured a bright, funny 22-year-old woman, with her whole lifetime ahead of her. It was May 1980 and we were having a day out in Margate, Kent. We paddled in the waves, ate chips and ice cream, visited the arcades and played bingo. A perfect mum and daughter day out, creating memories that I was to treasure in the years to come. Because that was the last outing I ever shared with our beloved girl. Jessie was an art student. The first year of her course was spent at a college in Wales so remote, I feared for her safety. It was only when she transferred to Eastbourne, I stopped worrying. It was busier,…

Salmon and Bean Salad A vibrant salad full of nutrition and quick to assemble. Serves 4 Prep time: 20 minutes FOR THE DRESSING 2 large oranges¾tbsp wholegrain mustard1tbsp runny honey2tbsp extra virgin olive oil1tbsp red or white wine vinegar FOR THE SALAD 200g radishes, quartered½ red onion, finely sliced40g capers, rinsed150g cherry tomatoes, halved2x 400g tins cannellini beans, drained and rinsed350g hot-smoked salmon50g rocket 1 Grate zest of 1 orange into a large bowl. Slice off remaining skin and pith from both oranges. Holding the fruit over zest bowl to catch dripping juice, cut out segments from membranes – put segments into a separate bowl. Squeeze remaining juice from membranes into zest bowl (discard membranes). 2 To the zest bowl, add mustard, honey, oil, vinegar and some seasoning; whisk to…

Billie Piper co-wrote and stars in this show about a former child star, Suzie Pickles, who wins the slightly humiliating role of an ageing Princess in an upcoming Disney movie. Then she discovers compromising photos have been hacked from her phone… Tell us about Suzie when we first meet her? She’s married with a son and husband, but I don’t think she knows who she is. She’s been a lot of people, which feels very female. As a woman, you put on many different hats to get what you want. She’s absorbed lots of personalities and a young age. Where do Suzie and It’s not autobiographical, but a lot of my own feelings are there as a woman in her 30s. My photos have never been hacked, for example –…

Cuban-American superstar Gloria Estefan has sold over 100 million records during her legendary career. Now, the seven-time Grammy award-winning Latino singer has released her first new album in seven years. Gloria, 63, opens up about 40 years of happiness with husband Emilio, who was a musician in her former group Miami Sound Machine, and with whom she has daughter Emily, 25, also a singer, and son Nayib, 39, an actor. Following the success of her recent Broadway musical, On Your Feet!, based on the couple’s life, Gloria recalls the terrible tour bus accident in 1990 which nearly cost her her life, and her late mum’s legacy… Countries are unlocking, but are you staying close to home right now, in Miami? We are. We have a house here just outside the city, by…

While Simon Cowell recovers from back surgery after falling off his bike, he’s asked BGT winner Ashley Banjo to step into the top seat. ‘Ashley will be a fantastic addition to the panel. He knows the power of the show and the responsibility of it. I couldn’t think of a better person to sit in my place while I follow doctor’s orders. I hate that stupid bike!’ There to help Ashley will be Amanda Holden, firmly established as one of the BGT judges since day one. Famous for her flirty antics (let’s see how Ashley copes!) and her revealing outfits, the age-defying mum-of-two, who married second husband Chris Hughes in 2008, lets us know how she thinks the new series will go… Hi Amanda. Are you excited to get back with the gang to…

From Bridget to babies and bizarre love lives, real-life ‘frenemies’ Colin Firth and Hugh Grant have had more in common over the past six decades than they probably think. Despite their very different personas – Hugh mirroring that of his Daniel Cleaver womanising image and Colin in parallels with Mr Darcy after being left heartbroken when finding out his wife had an affair last year – the two handsome Brits share more similarities than most. Here, we take a look at both their lives – and why it’s no surprise they didn’t become best friends… HUGH GRANT Hard to believe Hugh John Mungo Grant, turns 60 on Wednesday, (9 September). From his memorable appearance in Four Weddings and a Funeral back in 1994 to the disastrous ending of his relationship with Liz…

NUTMEG This delicious spice can do wonders for your skin as much as your food. Great to add to DIY face masks for brighter, tighter skin, it’s also used in topical skin products to help clear breakouts. TRY: Elemental Herbology Lemongrass & Nutmeg Body Cream, £28, a lightweight yet deeply moisturising body cream that helps boost circulation as well as ease aches and pains. DIY: Invigorating nutmeg mask: Mix 1tsp of cinnamon and nutmeg and an equal part of raw honey or Greek yogurt. Apply to cleansed skin, leave for five minutes. Lactic acid in the yogurt will tighten pores, honey hydrates and nutmeg will help heal your skin. NETTLE Often used in teas to aid digestion, the humble nettle is also frequently used in dandruff shampoos. It will help…

TOP TIP! Hand sanitisers can be highly flammable, so keep out of direct sunlight and warm conditions.…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Six years ago, Dr Michael Mosley started a health revolution with his Fast Diet, which proved that intermittent fasting could help you lose weight and control – even reverse – conditions such as diabetes. Now with new government data suggesting that being overweight can make it more likely for you to become seriously ill with Covid-19 than those with a healthy BMI, he’s back on TV proving how rapid weight loss is possible and safe to do. 2 A group of volunteers were taken on a three-week weight-loss journey helped by Dr Mosley’s wife and GP of 30 years, Claire Bailey, which involved them eating 800 calories a day, focusing on high-protein, low-carb Mediterranean-style foods. 3 A daily calorie count of just 800 might sound low…

DAUGHTER DISTRAUGHT OVER A-LEVEL RESULTS My 18-year-old is absolutely heartbroken over her exam results. She tried so incredibly hard and her dad and I are so proud of her regardless – but she just didn’t get what she aimed to achieve. All her friends are off to the same university, which has totally shattered her, as she wanted to go with them. Even if she re-takes her exams, it’s likely she would have to take a year out before she applied for uni again. I am so gutted for her and I’m trying my best to reassure her that everything happens for a reason – but nothing I say is helping right now. What would you do? Annie, Paisley What you could try doing is speaking to her school and…

Known for his outrageous laugh and beaming smile, former Ready Steady Cook and Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook presenter Ainsley Harriott, 63, is back with his new ITV show, The Food We Love. Giving us the positivity we all need, the London-born star – who had his own ways of coping with lockdown – even found the silver linings of the pandemic. Here, the dad-of-two talks food, friends and feeling fabulous! Hi Ainsley, what’s The Food We Love all about? It’s everything from the foods our mums used to make – even school days – through to destination dishes! It’s really nostalgic stuff. We have celebrity guest chefs helping us along the way. The beauty of that is that we’re at home with them in their own kitchen – which instantly makes them feel comfortable because they know…

VIRGO 24 August – 23 September Virgos, such as Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas and I Will Survive singer Gloria Gaynor, will be investing time and money in a cause that is close to their heart. Their courage will likely inspire other people to address important issues with those in power. SAGITTARIUS 23 November – 21 December You will feel a strong connection to someone you meet online. Be open to talking to people you’d normally avoid. Whether chatting with friends online, cuddling pets or listening to joyous music – do whatever makes you feel good about life. Go online shopping – you need to pep up your life with new purchases. PISCES 20 February – 20 March Remember how positive you felt during the planning stages of a…

Having given birth to her first child, a son named Billy, in May, Sheridan Smith couldn’t be happier. But for the actress, 39, mental health is something she never takes for granted. And in a searingly honest documentary, she reveals her fears about pregnancy, birth and mental illness. ‘My biggest worry is that my mental health issues will rear their ugly ahead again, and I know there are many women who are as scared as me,’ she said at the start of the documentary. So, followed by a film crew, pregnant Sheridan set out to investigate – seeing a psychiatrist and visiting various support services – all captured on camera. Throughout, the star is honest about her past trauma, including the death of her brother and father, which she describes…

After crowning Ashley Banjo and his dance group Diversity the winners of Britain’s Got Talent back in 2009, Simon Cowell has asked Ashley to step in as his guest judge for the start of the upcoming BGT semi-finals. So will nice guy Ashley take on Simon’s Mr Nasty persona? ‘I’ll be tough on everyone, but I won’t be Mr Mean, just Mr Honest,’ says Ashley. ‘With a show like BGT there’s no mucking about. It’s not celeb-based – this is life-changing stuff. I’m going to be sitting there questioning what they are doing. Why would you use your two minutes to show the world what you can do and then do that? If that’s how I feel, then I’ll say it! I can’t believe I’m walking out there and stepping…

‘Where are we going?’ I asked my dad, face pressed up against the back window, as we set off on another road trip. ‘Wait and see,’ he smiled, my mum opening up the map and starting to give directions. The mystery was exciting. My parents were always taking my siblings and I on adventures. Travelling was in my genes and I loved it from a young age. ‘The best way for you to learn about the world is for us to show you it,’ my mum had told me. Dad worked multiple jobs alongside his role in the steel mill, so we could afford to get away as often as we could as a family. I clambered into our old 1964 Ford convertible to drive across the border from our…

She’s had some rough times of late – including the shock split from husband TV chef Phil Vickery back in February. But one thing that has put a smile on Fern Britton’s face is the success of her latest novel – Daughters of Cornwall – which has been a summer bestseller. Taking to Twitter to thank her followers, Fern, 63, said ‘What a great summer I have had thanks to you. Daughters of Cornwall hasn’t left the top three books on the Sunday Times bestsellers’ list for seven weeks. Proof that difficult times do pass. Thank you for having the faith.’ But while Fern is riding high on the success of her own novel, there is one book that is unlikely to be bringing her quite so much joy. On 15 October,…

Harnessing the power of steam, L’Oréal Professionnel Steampod 3.0 has been specifically designed to smooth tresses in double the speed and with up to 78 per cent less damage! Designed to deliver a continuous flow of high-pressure steam to seal and smooth the hair for a long-lasting, high-shine finish, while helping to maintain a balanced moisture level for the hair fibre. Advancements in tech innovation mean that it now comes with the addition of exciting new features! The all-new 360° rotative cord makes waves much easier to create, while its ergonomically enhanced design (being 14 per cent thinner and 37 per cent lighter than the previous model) makes this styling essential more lightweight and transportable than ever before. Two readers can win a L’Oréal Professionnel Steampod 3.0. To enter, see…

‘This is my NHS baby,’ my mum Edna would say proudly when introducing me to people as a child. I’d smile at the new acquaintances, but the introductions always confused me. My name wasn’t NHS. It was Aneira Rees, or Nye for short. When Mum spoke to strangers, she’d start talking about a man named Aneurin Bevan too, and for years I wondered if he was my father, rather than the man she was married to and who we lived with – Willie. When I’d started school, my teacher commented on what a beautiful name I had, and I thanked her. But the significance of my name – and the fact that I was ‘The NHS Baby’ – didn’t sink in until later in life. As I grew older, my…

I FEEL SO UNLOVED My entire life I’ve never felt I fit in with my family – but since I’ve had kids of my own, I feel even they appreciate their dad more than me, and it’s bringing things up from childhood I’d rather forget. It’s one of those ‘it’s not anything, it’s everything’ things and it’s just something that always seems to get triggered with me. People used to joke that I was adopted because I have brown hair and my family are all blonde, and I’m also very quiet and they are all rather loud. Now my own kids have a way of making me feel the same, though they don’t mean it. I don’t know why it upsets me so much. Why do you think this is?…

TOP TIP! Don’t snooze on style! Investing in a rattan headboard will instantly give your room an on-trend look.…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Sam and I have travelled a lot over the years–but last June, we found one of our favourite destinations ever, when we met our old friends Anne and Terry. They moved from Britain to the States years ago, but they took us to Los Cabos, Mexico – on the southernmost tip of the Baja California Peninsula. Everything was special – from the company, to the views, the fresh seafood, the sea, and the smiley, friendly people we met. If Coronavirus hadn’t happened, we’d have gone back this year, we loved it so much. Sam and I both fell for the simplicity of life and the natural beauty of Cabos. INSIDER’S GUIDE Los Cabos, with its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water and luxurious resorts is just a two-hour flight from…