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Ever pictured yourself sipping Champagne on your private balcony as your ship slips into a picturesque harbour in Greece or Turkey? Or imagined dining al fresco on locally sourced seafood, accompanied by fine wines, onboard a luxurious ship? Then retiring to a beautifully appointed suite, where the marble bathroom is stocked with goodies from Molton Brown of London? Well, that’s exactly the prize you can win this week, courtesy of our friends at Seabourn. I honestly cannot tell you how excited I was when I learned that Seabourn was offering us a luxury seven-night Med cruise, worth £10,000. Yes, a £10K prize! So what are you waiting for? Turn to page 34, enter… and dream! One of you will win, that’s a certainty. But even if you don’t, make sure…

Meghan Markle’s dad Thomas has spoken out again, dropping some more bombshells. This time, in an interview with Richard Madeley on GMB, complaining that his daughter has ‘frozen him out’ – and suggesting that one reason for the fallout was that Meghan was ‘jealous’ of the attention he paid to her siblings. Thomas and Meghan have had no contact since before the Royal wedding in 2018, and he has yet to meet son-in-law Harry, or his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet. Speaking from his home in Mexico, the former lighting engineer called for an end to the feud between the formerly close pair, saying they both need to ‘grow up’. Richard made some unflattering observations about Meghan, saying, ‘If Piers were here, he would say she has a long history of…

Scottish broadcaster Kaye Adams is hot on the topic of menopause – not only because the show she is a panellist on, Loose Women, has just launched its very own campaign to raise awareness and break taboos, but her book Still Hot! explores that very topic. Here, the Glasgow-based mum-of-two, 58 – who has daughters Bonnie, 14, and Charley, 19, with her husband, tennis coach Ian Campbell – opens up on the subject that’s ‘still too taboo’, given that every woman will go through it… Tell us about Loose Women’s Menopause Manifesto… It brings together lots of elements, areas people had previously bottled up. We’re making progress on the menopause ‘taboo’. Not just women talking to women, which we’re good at – but men too. It needs to be acknowledged…

Six years ago, I found myself aged 33, newly divorced, and looking for love in a dating pool that seemed to be filled with unsuitable men. What was I to do? I wanted to be a mum and settle down. I wanted to be in love and be loved for who I was. Luckily, I was living and working in Ibiza at the time – one of the most spiritual places on Earth, with powerful energy corridors running beneath the island. That’s where I wrote a simple intention of manifesting my dream man into my life. I wanted someone who was spiritual, but ambitious. Kind, but driven. He’d get on with my friends, my mum – and my cat. It was quite an order! Writing down words, I’ve since discovered,…

TOP TIP! Dab on concealer as a ‘base coat’ to help your lippy last even longer…

As Denise Welch continues to grieve the loss of her beloved dad Vin, who passed last month, the 63-year-old Loose Women presenter has been hit with ill-health – a mystery virus that left her bedridden for days. If she’s feeling a little broken by life right now, it would be understandable. Denise uploaded a heart-wrenching quote to her Instagram, which read, ‘My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person – he believed in me.’ The quote was accompanied by these words: ‘The last two weeks have honestly been among the toughest of my life. Losing my beloved Dad and at the same time being felled by a virus thing I’ve not had before. I’m still struggling to wake before noon and my chest feels like it’s on fire…

GETTING STARTED 1 Take it easy Every time you open a messy cupboard, remove just a single excess item. Repeat the procedure over a few weeks and watch the clutter go down. If the cupboard is full to the brim, try a 10 per cent cut. 2 Make a date with the tip Plan a visit to your local recycling centre, and you’ll start to look at your possessions in a new light. (Don’t forget to save good items for the charity shop.) 3 Rule to live by ‘One out, one in’ is your new mantra. Every time something new comes into the house, an older, unwanted item has to go. 4 Beat the clock Set the kitchen timer for 10 minutes and race to see how much you can…

THE CRIME: A millionaire, a missing wife and the death of a friend. Were the crimes connected – and would justice be served? THE CASE: Describing herself as a ‘Mafia Princess’, Susan Berman certainly led a colourful life. Born in Minneapolis in 1945, she was just two months old when her mother, Gladys, took her on a train to Las Vegas to join her mobster husband – Susan’s father – David. Susan grew up in the Flamingo hotel, which her dad helped to manage after the owner was murdered. She’d go to the front desk and ask for a key to a vacant room when she got bored. There, she’d order room service of tomato soup and chocolate ice cream. Although there were the occasional kidnapping drills, Susan wasn’t really…

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 –…

SCORPIO 24 October – 22 November The determined nature of Scorpios like Pretty Woman star and Hollywood icon Julia Roberts, and Strictly finalist Debbie McGee, will help them to see the silver lining to every cloud they encounter. They are destined for success thanks to their ability to back up positivity with perseverance. AQUARIUS 21 January – 19 February The more honest you are about your thoughts and feelings, the more this will rub off on to others. As a result, relationships will benefit considerably and the ability to talk in an open way – even about sensitive issues – will set other people’s mind at rest. Interest shown in matters concerning members of your family will be appreciated by them. TAURUS 21 April – 21 May Your confidence in…

Kate Garraway doesn’t have an easy life at the best of times – but last week, it seemed like the gods were well and truly against her. Wearing glasses on-air because, according to Good Morning Britain’s Dr Amir Khan, she couldn’t read the headlines having possibly scratched her eyeballs while removing her contact lenses (ouch!), the presenter admitted her eyes did indeed feel ‘very, very sore’. The mum-of-two – explained, ‘Bits of me are falling apart’ – as she opened up on the episode with her co-presenters, Ben Shephard and Charlotte Hawkins, revealing how she had to take herself to hospital over her mystery eye injury and ‘baffled’ nurses, who eventually ended up pulling out a six-day-old contact lens! The day before, Kate had complained of an injury to her…

‘Have you noticed how, recently, there’s a glut of TV time being taken up with the “campervan crowd”? Mostly, I guess, as a result of people not being allowed to go abroad and the shortage of UK holiday accommodation, so many have discovered the joy and freedom of being on the road and getting intimate with their nearest and dearest. Some, though, are taking it further and giving up bricks and mortar and buying old vehicles – lorries, fire engines, buses, barges, caravans or even containers – doing them up and living in them. This lot are my latest inspiration because, although they’re living in tiny spaces, they’re answerable to no one as they’re effectively “off-grid”, which really appeals to me. Just think. No council tax, no rent, no mortgage,…

1 WEAK SPOT: THINNING Look for scalp treatments such as Pantene Hair Biology Menopause Hair Thickening + Scalp Soothing Treatment, £19.99, which contains caffeine to stimulate hair growth and hydrating agents to keep dry scalps at bay. Plantur 39 Phyto-Caffeine Shampoo, £9.75, and Tonic, £10.49, both include a complex to fight the effects of testosterone on the hair root. To add temporary fullness, we’ve been impressed by Undone by George Northwood Volume Spray, £15, a lightweight body-boosting mist. 2 WEAK SPOT: DEHYDRATION To keep coarse curls in check, reach for a leave-in conditioner or a hydrating serum to prevent frizz and breakage. Imbue Coil Rejoicing Leave-In Conditioner, £8.99, is packed with moisturising oils and butters. ‘I’d recommend product cocktailing,’ says Charlotte Mensah, hairstylist. ‘Oil plus mousse or curl cream will hold but…

HOW IT WORKS 1 According to Claire Snowdon-Darling, head of the College of Functional Wellness, ‘Making the most of all the delicious fruit and veg in season is ideal, as it all packs a punch: full of antioxidants to boost our immune system ahead of the Winter. Squashes and all the berries, plums and apples are a delicious way to get the nutrients in!’ 2 Her tip is to make sure you add them to recipes or meals that contain fat and protein. ‘Eating any fruit or veg on their own will spike blood sugars, which can lead to hormone instability, weight gain and mood issues, so add fats such as nuts, butter, coconut oil and cream (if you aren’t dairy intolerant) to your snacks and meals to get the most benefit!’…

Sweet potato and chorizo soup If you prefer a chunky texture, blend the soup roughly rather than blitzing it until completely smooth. Hands-on time: 15min Cooking time: About 30min Serves 4 1tsp oil, plus extra to garnish75g chorizo, skinned and chopped1 onion, chopped1 large garlic clove, finely chopped750g sweet potatoes, cut into rough 2.5cm pieces1.1 litre hot vegetable or chicken stock2 rosemary sprigs 1 Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the chorizo until golden. Lift the chorizo out and on to a plate with a slotted spoon (leaving behind any oil), then set aside. 2 Gently fry the onion in the empty chorizo pan for 8-10min until softened, then add the garlic and fry for 1min more. Stir in the sweet potatoes and cover with the stock.…

THE HIPS DON’T LIE Some thought I was harsh, telling Greg Wise the other week that he looked like he’d had a ‘double hip replacement’. Darlings, it was that, or say he was stiff and wooden – I’m afraid that’s the way the cookie crumbled! I’ve had a double hip replacement, so I should know! I do miss him. Greg was a brilliant performer and a delight backstage – rather like the captain of the ship. COLD SHOULDER? Did you see Motsi’s shoulder pads the other week? She looked like an American footballer! I’m not averse to a shoulder pad when I dress in drag, but I mean… I wasn’t joking when I said she nearly put my eye out. And she’s so loud – don’t get me started about…

SISTER STILL TALKS TO MY EX My ex-partner and I split a couple of years ago – not on bad terms, but I am really struggling with the fact my twin sister feels she can contact him, just to ‘check in’. One of the good things about our relationship was that he got on so well with my family – but now it all feels deeply uncomfortable. I don’t love him any more and everyone else needs to accept that, despite their own fondness for him – otherwise he’ll cling on to hope and won’t move on. I’ve tried telling her, but I know they chat. What would you do? Dina, Berkshire I would move on – and so should you. It’s not your job to police your sister’s friendships,…

As investigations began, suspicion fell on Susan’s landlord and the underworld crime syndicate because of her father’s mob connection. But another person of interest to the police was Robert Durst. Rumours circulated that the police had been looking to interview Susan about Robert’s possible involvement in his wife’s disappearance – and then she’d been killed. Two years after Susan’s death, detectives obtained a handwriting sample from Durst under a judge’s order but when questioned about whether or not he had written the note, Durst denied he had anything to do with it. But a cloud of suspicion had followed him now for some time… There was the mysterious disappearance of his wife Kathie, who was understood to have wanted a divorce, and, although he was never charged with harming his…

The Manor House was awake before the rest of the town. Curtains straightened, cushions plumped, Annie gazed out of the tall windows of the drawing room, across the lawns, heavy with the laced grey mist of the Halloween morning. ‘How’s the Mistress?’ Martha asked. ‘I think it’s worse this year.’ Annie shrugged. ‘I went in to see her first thing. She screamed at me, and I accidentally spilt her tea. Her nerves are worse. This year it’s as if she’s taking it out on us. She’s almost violent.’ ‘What is all this talking?’ Mrs Higgs, the housekeeper, strode past. ‘The fires aren’t lit! Need to get the turnips carved ready for the candles this evening; can’t let all the children down later. Straighten your apron, Annie!’ With cold hands, which…

Shepherdess, writer and mum-of-nine Amanda Owen, whose new book is out this week, is famous for her no-nonsense straight-talking – and has been seen by millions in ITV’s The Dales . Here, the 47-year-old, whose husband is Clive Owen (not the famous actor!) tells best why she loves dressing-up, how she deals with online trolls and spooky going-son at her home, Ravenseat in Swaledale, one of the remotest farms in England. How’s it going, Amanda? It’s piddling down this morning! I’m on my fifth cup of tea. When Winter hits, that’s it – until about May. Eight months of snow, four months of Summer. It’s not fair! Once the temperature drops, you hunker down. Congrats on the new book, Celebrating The Seasons… Thanks! It’s been difficult because I’ve been busy with a backlog of…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES ACROSS 1 Trustworthy (11) 9 Organ of sight (3) 10 Timepiece (5) 11 Be alive; be real (5) 12 Relay (anag) (5) 13 Permanent inhabitant (8) 16 Proof of something (8) 18 Prize (5) 20 Select group of people (5) 21 Wireless (5) 22 Male person (3) 23 Examine in detail (11) DOWN 2 Military opponent (5) 3 Strength (5) 4 Indigenous (6) 5 Acquire from a relative (7) 6 Restricted in use (7) 7 Substitute (11) 8 Amazingly good (11) 14 Civilian (7) 15 Keep for future use (7) 17 Recognition (6) 18 In the company of (5) 19 Confess to (5) TO ENTER CALL, 0900 100 0922 (65ppm)† Which is the highest mountain in the British Isles? The…

BEST FOR… BREAD-MAKING MANNA FROM DEVON COOKING SCHOOL, DEVON We’d book Manna from Devon Cooking School and B&B for the name alone, to be honest. However, it also runs some delectable courses, such as a two-day Artisan Bread Weekend, where groups of up to six people learn how to make bagels, baguettes, Danish pastries and the ultimate sourdough, with lunch and all ingredients included. Run by professional bakers, Holly and David, you can opt to stay in their lovely B&B – a Victorian house overlooking the River Dart in South Devon. GO: Artisan Bread Weekend, £325pp, rooms from £90 (mannafromdevon.com). BEST FOR… SWEET TREATS CAKE BOY, LONDON Don’t have much time, but keen to up your baking skills? A one-day masterclass at glam cafe Cake Boy in Battersea could be…

Someone who might be listening out a bit more attentively this weekend for things that go bump in the night is new mum Stacey Solomon. The Loose Woman, who had daughter Rose on her birthday, 4 October, with fiancé Joe Swash, moved into the couple’s dream home, Pickle Cottage, in March. But all may not be as it seems – as the mum-of-four has already had spooky experiences in the sprawling Essex property, which boasts a swimming pool and 2.5 acres of land. No doubt she is bracing herself for some eerie phenomena this weekend! Last month, the down-to-earth star oversaw a sleepover with her excited sons – who decided to go ghost-hunting, and the former X Factor contestant, unsettled, took to Instagram to document the event, after one of…

TOP TIP If you are looking for investment pieces, you really can’t beat a camel coat!…

As the bandages were removed, I winced in pain, but the lovely woman, dressed all in white, told jokes and said a naughty word which made me giggle. I didn’t realise it at the time, but this gentle lady was a nurse and a nun in a white habit, and she was using a great distraction technique while changing the dressings for my eczema. Treated in those days with coal tar paste, it soothed my red raw skin. I knew even then, at the age of nine, that I wanted to help people and be like the nurse who was so kind to me. I knew I definitely didn’t want to be a nun, like the ones who looked after me in the Catholic children’s home in Birmingham where I…

Gareth and I were working for the same company, and one day at a first aid course, when I saw him, I had what I can only describe as a lightning bolt shoot through me. I knew we were meant to be together. A few months later, my relationship broke up and, with my kind, rather spiritual, landlady’s help, I set out to make Gareth mine. I was 24 and until then, hadn’t worked with magic or spells, although my mum reads tarot cards and my aunt is psychic. First, I sent out my words of intention to the Universe. ‘If Gareth is single, I’ll have him,’ I said. Then, my spell advised me to live as though Gareth and I were already in love. I’d wake up and imagine…

Your skincare routine is the ideal opportunity to find calmness and lift spirits. According to Mintel, over half of all women find their beauty regime helps them to relax. Apart from the very real psychological boost, the health-enriching benefits you reap from relaxing rituals are much more than skin-deep. Follow my tips on how to mix up your skincare regime twice a week and turn it into a feel-good session! A CALMING CLEANSE Use a creamy, gentle cleanser, cleansing oil or a balm. It’s not just about eliminating dirt – the action of massaging with hands will increase blood flow, which immediately plumps up the skin, making it look more rejuvenated. Take your time, applying cleanser from face to décolletage. Using your fingertips, rub in circular movements for at least…

Curled up on the sofa, nestled among some cushions, I could see my beautiful daughter was in pain. Every movement she made took a huge amount of energy. Alexandra Kay – or Sandra, as we called her – had struggled with her health all her life. Seeing my concern, she gave me a smile. ‘I’m OK, Mum,’ she said. That was typical of her, always trying to make everyone else feel better and playing down the fact that she was in excruciating discomfort. She was so brave. But then, she always had been… When Sandra was born, in September 1992, I was already a mum to Adam, now 39, and I was thrilled to have both a son and daughter. She was a beautiful baby and Adam was as besotted…

MEDICATION FOR THE ARTERIES In 2005, I had a quintuple heart bypass (I had nine blockages) using my radial arteries and mammary artery. I am now in good health and on statins for good measure since my surgery (except for a two-year break, four years ago). My radial grafts are holding up well, and I’m now 71. Can you tell me what the efficacy of cyclodextrin is on clearing arteries in people like me? Though I’m well, I’d like to take it as part of my dietary routine. I’m on no other drugs. Hilary, via email DR HILARY SAYS: You seem to have made a remarkably good recovery after your quintuple coronary bypass and are clearly doing all the right things to ensure you maintain such good progress! The statins…

1 FOCUS ON THE TOP OF THE ROOM DOWN Dust can move and re-settle so don’t create more work for yourself. Work from the top of the room down and start by dusting. Leave vacuuming and mopping until last. Don’t forget, or be put off by, any areas that are tricky to dust! Lampshades, picture frames and blinds all need to be dusted regularly. 2 GET THE BEST TOOLS FOR THE JOB A slow and powerless vacuum cleaner won’t make your cleaning tasks any quicker. Remember to empty the bag and clean the filters regularly for maximum efficiency. The same is true for other appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers and steam cleaners. The Good Housekeeping Institute has tested thousands of products to find you the best, so use those…

DOES ANYBODY GIVE A TRUCK ABOUT PARCELS? I DO! RUTH: How are your deliveries going recently? Mine aren’t too good. Another day, another bashed-up, damaged parcel arrives at my front door. The drivers don’t hang around because, as we know, they’re in very short supply and there’s work to be done – a lot of it. I’m a great believer in personal responsibility, but we’ve got to ask, what’s making these people behave in this way? They don’t seem to have a connection to what they are doing. A care, a love, a responsibility – and you know what? I don’t blame them. Whether our parcels are not being handled with sufficient care when they’re being despatched from their source, abused at a holding depot, roughed up in transit or…

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SUPERMODELS? Something struck me the other day - we don’t seem to have ‘supermodels’ any more. Once upon a time, the fashion industry was ruled by a select number of raving beauties, including the leggy Canadian Linda Evangelista, who in 1990, famously said, ‘I don’t get out of bed for less than $10,000.’ Linda is now 56 and suing a certain cosmetic surgery over a procedure called ‘CoolSculpting’, after which unwanted fatty deposits started to appear around her neck and her subsequent lost jawline has become a case for the courts. But back in the Nineties, she was one of six women who set the beauty bar for women around the world. The others were Claudia Schiffer, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss. Moss…

Shirley Ballas has revealed that she often receives nasty messages – even death threats – after the results show on Strictly Come Dancing each Sunday night. The celebrity judge, 61, has previously sparked criticism for the way she marks and gives feedback to young women on the show. But Shirley maintains she will be inundated with insults, regardless of who she sends home or makes comments about. ‘They say, “You’re so fat, you hate younger women”, and if I send a man home, “You’re a man-hater”,’ she admitted in a recent interview. ‘You can’t win!’ The Merseyside native has had her detractors already this series, with viewers criticising her ‘harsh’ scoring after she gave deaf EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis a four in her first dance with pro Giovanni Pernice, though…