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If we can take any positives from the England defeat at Wembley, it is this. A 23-year-old boy stepped forward for his country. He was proud to play for England and he wanted to make us proud. Built on the shoulders of men like Marcus Rashford and Dexter Rosier is the country that I want to live in. Nine-year-old Dexter wrote to the Manchester United player: ‘I hope you won’t be sad for too long because you are a good person. Last year, you inspired me to help people less fortunate. Last night, you inspired me to always be brave. I’m proud of you. You will always be my hero.’ Melanie Rashford and Samantha Rosier, you brought up your sons well. England, be proud. I am the child of an…

Ranvir Singh spoke out about racism last week in a way that will touch the hearts of mums across Britain. Inspired by black footballers half her age, she said: ‘Courage is contagious’ as she admitted to a conversation with her eight-year-old son, Tushaan, about racism. He told her: ‘I’m really proud of you, Mummy. Just as you don’t want your child [him] to suffer racism, I don’t want my children to suffer – but I imagine it will still happen.’ A sobering thought. The Good Morning Britain host had been overcome with emotion the previous day, after reading a letter by nine-year-old viewer Dexter to comfort footballer Marcus Rashford. The message followed Marcus’s failure to score a goal in penalties during the UEFA Euro 2020 final between England and Italy…

JOIN THE CONVERSATION To mask or not to mask? Many of us welcomed Freedom Day (19 July), which saw the easing of Covid-19 restrictions as we head towards the ‘new normal’, but there is a sense of nervousness too. After all, Covid hasn’t just disappeared – in fact, in some places, cases are on the increase. So, how are you feeling about it? Will you be limiting the number of people you meet up with, sticking to socially distanced picnics in the park and ‘masking up’ before going inside? Or will you be celebrating your new-found freedom by going out for a drink in a crowded pub, then dancing the night away in a newly opened club? Get in touch and let us know what you think! WHAT DO YOU…

As lightning crashed through the night sky, I sat up in bed, worried. ‘I hope Max is all right,’ I fretted to my husband, Mark. ‘He’ll come in if he’s scared,’ he reassured. I couldn’t settle. Slipping out of bed, I grabbed my phone and started googling whether it was safe to camp in a storm, while peering out of the window at the thin tent, the only thing shielding my 10-year-old son from the brutal weather. I knoew there was no point trying to convince him to come inside. Max was on a mission and he wasn’t going to be put off by the wind and rain, no matter how bad it got. When my son first asked me to let him sleep outside, I’d said no. It was…

1 SUPERCHARGE YOUR BASE If you don’t want to go foundation-free, there are compromises you can make without feeling like you’ve caked on your make-up. With an added anti-pollution complex and flattering pearl glow, bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Defense Radiant Protective Veil SPF30, £35, is ideal if you live, work or are on holiday in a city. Its mineral-based formula means it won’t clog pores and feels super lightweight, too. 2 PREP & GLOW Fake a bronzed complexion fast, (even if it’s not sunny where you are) with ICONIC Radiance Booster, £30 each. Used underneath make-up or on their own, they add a subtle sun-kissed tint that covers redness and blemishes. Water-based Erborian Bamboo Glow, £21, plumps up complexions, adding a soft-focus finish to skin. Use as a radiance-boosting moisturiser or mix with…

• START SMALL Set a timer for 30 minutes and see what you can achieve in that time. Don’t decide to overhaul your whole wardrobe. Just start with one drawer. • USE WHAT YOU HAVE Don’t go out and buy more storage before checking what you already have at home. Shoe boxes are always a storage winner, as are old jars and even mobile phone boxes. • SET GOALS Write a list of what you want to achieve, plan when you’re going to do them and how long it will take. Be realistic about time and don’t be upset if you don’t complete a job when you said you would. • WRITE A DAILY TIMETABLE Involve the whole family in tidying. Ask your children to put their toys away at…

Sounding a little extreme, former Latin champion Shirley Ballas has revealed that she’s never ordered a takeaway – and would rather ‘starve’ than tuck in to a burger. The Strictly Come Dancing head judge, currently competing in ITV’s Cooking With The Stars, discussed her eating habits, and said her taste is ‘simple’. Shirley also opened up on having a ‘difficult’ relationship with food, due to her ex-husband – former professional dancer Corky Ballas – making her feel uneasy about her portions. The ballroom dancer said, ‘I’ve never ordered in – I have never done that Deliveroo thing, ever – and I don’t eat fast food. I’d rather starve than eat McDonald’s.’ Shirley added that, growing up, she ate wholesome foods such as ‘meat, potatoes and veg’, with a roast every Sunday and…

TOP TIP! This console table gives a second life to oak doors and shutters.…

IS THIS THE PERIMENOPAUSE? My periods have become ridiculously heavy of late – I’m 44. They are also so painful that it has me literally doubled-up and I sometimes have to take a day off work. I’m also very angry just before they begin. I’ve never had this problem before. My friends are telling me this could be a sign of perimenopause. What do you think? Katia, Darlington It is not much consolation, but about a third of women age 30 to 49 will also suffer from heavy painful periods at some point. When this affects the quality of your life or your work, and when you are passing clots of blood and your periods last more than a week, it is time to seek help. This may be due…

He was the golden-haired Canadian with a radio voice that broke a million hearts when he married a stunning Icelandic air hostess, Gudrun, back in 1975. So, where is he now? Well, he lives in Surrey (still with Gudrun), is a dad of three, a grandad of seven, and, like Jeremy Paxman and Billy Connolly, is living with Parkinson’s – and has been for 10 years. Yet, with hope there will be a cure for symptoms ‘before I meet my maker’, a new book, and a slot on Boom Radio, the Kid (now 71!) tells us why life is still good and why radio remains his first love… Hi, David, where does the name ‘the Kid’ come from? Paul Burnett came up with ‘Kid’. There was another broadcaster called David Christian…

40 copies to give away Worth £15! For The Record details David ‘Kid’ Jensen’s own personal story from his humble beginnings to joining Radio Luxembourg, broadcasting across Europe, and eventually joining Radio 1 during its golden era. From Freddie Mercury to Paul McCartney, Jensen’s rubbed shoulders with countless celebrities, making For The Record a real page-turner you won’t want to put down. We have 40 copies to give away. To enter, see right. HOW TO ENTER ONLINE: Save money by entering online at hearstmagazines.co.uk/best3021b by 6 August 2021. PHONE: Call 0901 027 2725 by midnight on 6 August 2021. Calls cost 30p per minute, plus your telephone company’s network access charge, and will last no longer than two minutes. Charges for mobiles may be higher. Phone line closes at midnight…

THE CRIME: Seven hitchhikers found murdered – tortured, stabbed, shot. Unsolved disappearances and deaths adding up, so who was the Backpack Killer? THE CASE: When Caroline Clarke and Joanne Walters met each other at a backpackers’ hostel in Sydney’s Kings Cross in Australia, the two British girls were both on the adventure of a lifetime, seeing a new part of the world, gaining their independence. Hitchhiking around the continent had grown popular in the Eighties. Inexpensive and exotic, Australia was particularly popular partly thanks to Crocodile Dundee actor Paul Hogan’s ‘Come and say G’day, I’ll slip an extra shrimp on the barbie’ adverts for the Tourism Commission. Yet, over the decade, the amount of backpackers going missing in Australia were adding up and it soon became wiser to travel in…

CANCER 22 June – 23 July Born on the Fourth of July actor and Spider-Man villain Willem Dafoe, homegrown star of stage and screen Bonnie Langford, and other Cancerians will be reluctant to reveal too much of themselves at the moment. They would prefer to remain an enigma when it comes to certain issues, subjects and questions. LIBRA 24 September – 23 October You’re feeling less anxious about a situation that has been bothering you a lot lately. Talks with a sensitive friend will help you see things from a different perspective. Now you have some worries off your mind, progress will be more positive, and you can pursue subjects that are more personally meaningful. CAPRICORN 22 December – 20 January Everyday expenses are increasing, and you might wonder how…

The past few years have not been plain sailing for former This Morning presenter Fern Britton. She lost her ‘funny and ferocious’ mum, Ruth, in 2018, at the age of 94. Two years later, her marriage to TV chef Phil Vickery came to an end – and just months after that, she lost her actor father, Tony Britton. ‘It’s only when you are having to armour yourself that you realise you are quite strong and indestructible. I’m only human, so there have been days that have been very difficult,’ she said at the time, ‘there have been a lot of tears.’ But, as she revealed at a recent event with Fane.co.uk, such times have given the broadcaster-turned-author opportunity to channel into another world, writing her eighth novel, a dazzling romance, The Daughters Of…

Settling down on the sofa with my daughter, Sophie, we turned on Coronation Street and she smiled as her favourite character – Spider Nugent – came on screen. She was only 10 at the time but had a real soft spot for him. An eco-warrior who dressed differently, she liked the way he looked – and acted. ‘He seems like a good person,’ she’d say. ‘I think Sophie will bring someone home like him when she’s older,’ I always said to her dad, John. How people expressed themselves never bothered us. It was always what was on the inside that counted, and Sophie inherited that from us. She was independent, loved learning and always had her nose in a book. By the time she reached her teens, she’d started dying…

TOP TIP! A quirky print makes a fun style statement.…

From fearless firefighters who risk their lives to do their jobs, to those who raise thousands of pounds for charity, and people who have done something incredible that has turned someone else’s life around, there are heroes in all walks of life. We’re looking for the ordinary men and women going to extraordinary lengths to help others. So whether you know a member of the emergency services, someone who has performed a heroic act, a selfless charity fundraiser or someone who has triumphed over the odds, we want to hear about them. THE best HEROES These people, although they may not think it, are all heroes who have stood firm in the face of adversity – and we want to celebrate their great achievements. TO NOMINATE THEM If you know…

HOW IT WORKS One of the nicest things about going abroad on holiday is trying different sorts of food – but, if you’re holidaying at home this year, you can still get the taste of Greece, Spain, Italy and France in a healthy way – and one that might speed up your diet results. You see, eating the Mediterranean way is one of the world’s healthiest diets, packed with fresh fruit, vegetables and healthy fats – and, because this combination is known to fight inflammation that contributes to weight gain, it may also boost your slimming success. But don’t panic – we know it wouldn’t be a holiday without some treats, so we’ve factored those in as well. All you need to do is follow our weekly plan for a…

Crafty Chocolate Cake The addition of parsnips helps keep the cake soft and moist. Hands-on time: 45min, plus cooling Cooking time: About 50min Serves 10 FOR THE CAKE 175g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra to grease100g white chocolate, chopped175g caster sugar300g plain flour2tsp baking powder4 medium eggs, lightly beatenFinely grated zest and juice of ½ a large orange200g parsnips, peeled and coarsely grated FOR THE ICING 150g unsalted butter, softened250g icing sugarFinely grated zest and juice of ½ a large orange, keep separate FOR THE DECORATION 175g white chocolate, chopped 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/mark 4 and grease and line a 20.5cm round cake tin with baking parchment. 2 To make the cake, start by melting the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of…

Shirley’s food confessions came after she spoke about finding a lump in her shoulder. Last month, the star said she’d discovered the lump between two bones and is hoping it’s a ‘benign growth’. On GB News, Shirley said she’s had two cancer scares before, as she anxiously awaits the result: ‘I got the Covid virus and then they found a ganglion cyst or a tumour in my shoulder – I get the results in a few weeks. The gentleman seems to think it will be fine but still, it is worrying.’…

TOP TIP! Skin on your feet is up to 20 times thicker than anywhere else, so go for regular pedis…

It’s a long and hotly debated topic. Should people accused of sexual assault be identified before being charged or convicted? Sir Cliff Richard – who faced sexual assault allegations himself in 2019 – has spoken candidly on the issue. And now, Lavinia Nourse has opened up about her own ‘deep shock’ and ‘shattered life’. The 77-year-old widow was cleared in May of 17 historic counts of sexually abusing a young boy in the Eighties. The pensioner was found innocent on all counts but believes the ‘psychologically disturbing’ allegations by a man who claimed she abused him when he was less than 12 years old will continue to tarnish not just her reputation but that of her late husband. Lady Lavinia was married to a former High Court judge – Sir…

Just last week, Loose Woman Kaye Adams revealed that she was absolutely addicted to hit reality show Love Island, which sees couples hook up to survive and gain the public vote, in the hope of being the pair to walk off with the £50K prize money. It’s fair to say that broadcaster Fiona Phillips, however, will not be watching the latest dramas of this year’s bunch of enviously tanned and toned islanders. Not a fan, she has slammed the controversial show saying, ‘Shallow Love Island is a mass humiliation that rips up self-esteem and mental health.’ Commenting that new duty-of-care protocols, following the tragic suicides of two previous contestants, was ‘better late than never’, the 60-year-old added that every contestant, nonetheless, knows what they’ve signed up for. ‘It’s the chance…

A breakthrough finally came in November 1993, when 23-year-old Paul Onions contacted the police. He was English and had been backpacking in Australia three years earlier when, on 25 January, he was offered a lift from a ‘friendly stranger’ called ‘Bill’. They had only driven a short way from Belanglo State Forest when the driver stopped the car and, pulling out a gun and ropes, announced it was a robbery. Thankfully, Onions – who had spent five years in the Navy – decided to ‘run or die’. Despite his attacker firing shots, he escaped and was picked up by a passing motorist, Joanne Berry, who confirmed his story to police. Officers did not immediately pursue an investigation and Onions returned to the UK. Finally, the girlfriend of a man who…

Mel’s mobile rang. She glanced at the screen. It was the call she’d been waiting for. ‘Sara?’ ‘Mel, can you come over? Something awful has happened.’ ‘Yes, of course – but are you alright? Is it your parents?’ ‘No, nothing like that. I’ll tell you when you get here.’ ‘I’ll be there in 10 minutes.’ Mel drove as slowly as she could but it didn’t make much difference. Twelve minutes later, she was sitting in Sara’s kitchen, about to watch her friend fall apart. She didn’t anticipate it being too hard. ‘It’s Mark,’ Sara said. ‘He’s been having an affair.’ She raised her head and looked at Mel in bewilderment. ‘He’s leaving me, Mel. Can you believe it?’ Mel shook her head. ‘No, I can’t.’ That much was true. She…

DANCE ALL DAY, SPOTIFY Groove your way through the day, with dance tracks made for getting you on your feet! Featuring Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and more, prepare to bop the night away. BEST OF MOTOWN, AMAZON MUSIC Motown greats spanning two decades with the likes of Marvin Gaye, Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, this is the perfect playlist to get you in that party mood. Let’s Marvin Gaye and Get It On! PARTY PLAYLIST 2000-2021, SPOTIFY From old school Shakira to the Pussycat Dolls to Jason Derulo – this Spotify playlist, spanning 21 years of pure pop, will have you covered.…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES TO ENTER CALL 0900 100 0334 (65ppm) ACROSS 1 Payment method (4) 3 Many and various (8) 9 Attains (7) 10 Small restaurants (5) 11 Recommended strongly (5) 12 Smartened up (7) 13 Holds one’s ground (6) 15 Long mountain chain (6) 17 Endless (7) 18 Data entered into a system (5) 20 Person who always puts in a lot of effort (5) 21 Vexing (7) 22 Longing (8) 23 Sued (anag) (4) DOWN 1 Warily; cautiously (13) 2 Very informal phrases (5) 4 Weigh up (6) 5 Incurably bad (12) 6 Policeman or policewoman (7) 7 Deprived (13) 8 Evergreen shrub (12) 14 United States (7) 16 Large container (6) 19 Hurts (5) In which city did the rock band Arctic Monkeys…

FEED FISH TO GIANT OTTERS I’ve adored otters ever since seeing Ring of Bright Water, the film of Gavin Maxwell’s delightful book about furry Midge and friends. They’re so awfully cute with their bright button eyes and faces full of whiskers. So when I saw that Longleat Safari and Adventure Park in Wiltshire was offering a new VIP experience with the chance to get close to their two resident giant otters, I couldn’t resist. Adorable Inny and Gordito knew it must be scoff time as soon as they saw knowledgeable keeper Tyler and me heading towards their enclosure. Inny in particular was making all sorts of squeals and grunts of excitement. Otters mate for life, Tyler told me, these two have had several litters and are devoted to each other,…

TOP TIP A pretty playsuit looks great with flats or wedges.…

‘I miss my holidays. I know that will trigger some people into “you don’t need a holiday, there’s a pandemic!” but I do need one and I don’t care and I won’t apologise. I’m not the only one. Holidays are more than just extravagant, influencer-style photo-shoots. For real people, they are a chance to properly switch off, have time with family and friends, discover new places, culture and food. They are good for the soul. I’ve been lucky to have enjoyed many great holidays, but for the past few years, we’ve spent most of the Summer in France, where we have a house. Sometimes it was like a revolving door, with one lot of guests in, as another lot cleared off. We used to call it the “Free B&B”, and…

Whther the sun’s out or not, keeping the This Morning sofa warm throughout the Summer are popular hosts Eamonn Holmes OBE and Ruth Langsford, back to keep viewers company! Here, the married couple – also columnists for best – reflect on some of their fondest Summer memories, who they’d most like to interview, and how lockdown has changed them… Is it fun working so closely together again? Eamonn: It’s the only time we really get to see each other properly, so yes! We both have very busy lives. Ruth: We’ve hosted so many This Morning Summers now, we always look forward to it. The Summer weeks have a slightly different vibe. We’ve been doing it since my son Jack, 19, was little. What are your fondest Summer memories? Eamonn: There were lots of adventures.…

Q Is it safe to use retinol in Summer, as I’ve heard it could make my skin sun-sensitive? Samantha, Bexley A You can use it, but if you have sensitive skin be extra cautious. Always apply a high factor, broad spectrum (which protects against both UVA and UVB), minimum SPF30 every morning to fully protect skin and stay out of strong, direct sunlight. If your skin is very sensitive or prone to inflammation, to be on the safe side, avoid using it throughout the Summer, especially if travelling abroad. Only use at night, again, as it can make skin more sensitive to UV rays. A good retinol alternative is Bakuchiol, naturally derived with similar results to retinol, it’s ideal for those who can’t use traditional vitamin A. Dr. Craft Bio-Bakuchiol…

I slotted the final book into the bookshelf and stepped back proudly. It had taken me nearly three hours to sort the lounge but it was worth it. What had been a pile of messy toys, unkempt cushions and general clutter was now neat and tidy. But this isn’t my lounge, or even my belongings. I’m a professional declutterer. People pay me to organise their homes. I fell in love with tidying, folding and organising after buying my own property with my husband, James, 45. At the time, I worked in fashion and it was easy to keep everything in order when it was just us two, but after our little girl, Macy, now eight, was born, the house gradually became more cluttered. I didn’t mind the big clean-up at…

FIG, BRIE AND PORK CROSTATA This tart is pretty solid – the melted brie and honey keep the filling together so it’s easily transportable. Think of the figs as a quick blob of DIY chutney, meaning you can eat it one-handed, sat in a park, with no need for any relish. For a table option, serve with green salad, new potatoes and big dollop of mayo. 500g shortcrust pastry1 tbsp olive oil1 leek, finely choppedLeaves from 1 sprig of rosemary900g pork sausage meat4 figs50g brie1 tbsp runny honeyMilk 1 Preheat the oven to 180ºC/gas mark 4. Roll the pastry out to around 1mm thick and use it to line a 30cm fluted tin with a removable base, pricking the bottom of the flan case with a fork. Keep the leftover…

‘I’ve been diagnosed with a third and fourth cancer. I have cancer in my blood, spleen, brain, uterus and liver. I am hurting.’ Belle Gibson’s Instagram post was devastating – not just for her friends and family but for her hundreds of thousands of social media followers who all felt they knew her, too. They responded immediately, with an outpouring of love and support. ‘Stay strong. Sending love, light, positivity and strength your way as you fight this,’ wrote one follower. ‘I thought, poor beautiful woman,’ recalls Kylie Willie, another fan. Belle Gibson was one of the first ‘super-influencers’ who promoted clean eating and even claimed it had helped her heal an incurable brain tumour she’d been living with for five years. The 29-year-old mum-of-one had over 300,000 followers and…

FANTASISING ABOUT MY EX On the outside I have a perfect life – a good husband, three kids, a gorgeous new puppy and a career – but I keep thinking about my ex. I’ve been married for 11 years and he’s always been at the back of my mind, like a dark, handsome stranger. Recently, he contacted me on Facebook (just to say hi, how was I – nothing more suggestive!) but I’ve been obsessing over him since. The connection we had was unlike anything I’ve ever known, but we went our separate ways because he’d never commit to marriage. I love my hubby but I fear something is missing. Is this emotional cheating? Zara, Kent Yes, it is! You know in your heart, you are venturing into dangerous territory.…

TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp is known to be pretty vocal when something irks her. And this time, the star, who co-hosts Location, Location, Location with Phil Spencer, has taken furious aim at one of the most popular shows on telly – Gogglebox. The reality TV series has been a hit on Channel 4 since 2013, showing small groups of family and friends watching a wide variety of popular TV shows from the comfort of their living room, while sharing their honest – and often utterly hilarious – thoughts. But Kirstie, despite her own willingness to express strong opinions on social media, isn’t a fan of unvarnished opinions when it comes to her own shows being critiqued. Hitting out in a recent interview, the 49-year-old, branded it ‘mean’ and ‘the cruellest…

David Jensen has joined a ‘club’ of around 145 thousand people in the UK, now living with Parkinson’s. Here he opens up about the disease and his autobiography, For the Record… David, you seem really well today… Like all illnesses, there are good days and bad days. I try not to dwell on things. It’s a greedy disease – it goes after everything but I hope before I meet my maker, they will find a cure for the symptoms at least… What were your first symptoms? Shaking hands and dragging my feet [although he admits to doing that from childhood]. It depends on the person; there are about 40 symptoms. Was Billy Connolly’s admission of Parkinson’s the reason you spoke out about your diagnosis? Well, I kept my diagnosis private…

FOOD FOR THOUGHT EAMONN: I used to think that food banks were about poverty and deprivation. After a visit to one recently, I learned that they were also about marital strife, family rows, unemployment, and sadly, all too often, the horrors that drug addiction can lead to. The Manchester United Foundation, on which I have sat as a Board Member for 15 years, identified the huge social need and poverty that exists. It was a wake-up call for me because I was honestly of the opinion, ‘Are things really that bad that parents can’t give their child a piece of toast and a cup of tea in the morning?’ Well, I’ve since learned that they are. My need to understand and explain took me recently to a food bank in…

The Australian Federal Police flew Paul Onions back to the country where he became the star witness in Milat’s trial. Onions identified Ivan as the man who had atacked him, clearing William’s name. When the police searched his house, they found – among other weapons – a rifle that matched the one that was used in the killings and a camera, tent and sleeping bag that belonged to the victims. Despite the evidence, Milat insisted on his innocence and the case went to trial in 1996. Lasting 18 weeks, over 200 witnesses were brought in to give evidence and his defence tried to pin the blame on two of Ivan’s brothers, Walter and Richard, who had allegedly told colleagues that ‘stabbing a woman was like cutting a loaf of bread’.…

DIE HARD 2 ITV, 11.05pm, Friday Surely one of the best action franchises ever! When a team of terrorists threaten to destroy an airport and demand the release of drug lord Ramon Esperanza, detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) is on a mission to stop them… DADDY’S HOME E4, 9pm, Friday This hilarious comedy sees a mild-mannered stepfather (Will Ferrell) vying for the attention of his wife’s (Linda Cardellini) children, when their biological father (Mark Wahlberg) comes back on the scene. HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN ITV Hub Pure magic! Harry, Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts – just as they learn about Sirius Black and his plans to kill Harry. However, when Harry runs into him, he learns that the truth is far from reality……