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Hurrah! The choice of title for her one-woman show (below) may seem a tad controversial, but it does make you laugh. ‘I don’t know if that is even printable, but I want to call it that because it’s true. It’s an evening of me telling stories of times when I’ve been a bit of an idiot,’ she says. Haven’t we all, Dawn! I once sent an email to someone who really shouldn’t have seen it… thankfully, he laughed and I didn’t get sacked… But getting things wrong can be, as Dawn says, ‘where the fun is in life’. After the dust settles on our faux pas they often make the best stories and we laugh about them for years. So if you want to go along and hear Dawn’s first…

‘A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the supermarket checkouts in France that are reserved for chatterboxes. They’re my idea of heaven – because I won’t have to stand there with a face on for 20 minutes, while the customer in front updates the checkout lady on her kids’ toilet-training habits. There was a discussion on Loose Women about it, the predictable conclusion of which was: I am a miserable, anti-social, impatient old boot. In my defence, I’m mostly not any of those things, but when it comes to small-talk, I just haven’t got the time. I mean, I can do it if I have to, say in a social situation where there are people I don’t know. But on a day-to-day basis, I don’t need to update or…

BAD HABITS TO BREAK… You could be adding years in moments SLEEPING IN MAKE-UP Cleansing before bed is important as this is when skin repairs and regenerates. You need to let skin breathe. Pores left clogged by make-up and dirt (particularly pollution and bacteria), can show themselves as pimples the following morning and, in the long term, as skin disorders and wrinkles. • REPAIR: Wipes will only remove anything on top on the skin. A high-performance cleanser will penetrate more deeply and will often moisturise, too. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser, £5.99, transforms from balm to an emulsifying oil that will make light work of your make-up. USING OLD PRODUCTS Like food, beauty products have a use-by date. Not only will they perform poorly, but they may contain bacteria, which can…

PERFECT POTS! You don’t need an allotment or a huge garden to grow food. In fact, many fruits and veg thrive in containers. With the right care you can reap the rewards… 1) SPINACH Choose a ‘cut and come again’ option that, when you pick an outer leaf, the centre of the plant grows new ones. Position in partial shade – if growing outside, cover with horticultural fleece on frosty nights (find it on Amazon). Fill a small wooden crate near to the top with compost. Sow seeds thinly, and allow around 10cm per row, then cover lightly with compost and netting to deter birds. You’ll have spinach in about six weeks. 2) CHILLIES Once established, these grow well in medium-sized pots. Opt for terracotta, as these will absorb heat,…

My phone pinged. It was Dating Mr Darcy (see right). ‘I’m watching First Dates,’ it read. ‘OK, I will join,’ I replied. By the time I switched over, there was a sweet-faced, 32-year-old Welsh man admitting: ‘My most successful relationship has been with a dog. I haven’t dated for a few years as my last date was accidentally with a murderer – and I found myself wanted for questioning because he’d killed a man just before I went home with him!’ OMG – that would put anyone off, no wonder he chose the safety of TV producers vetting potential dates for him. Shame he was so young – and gay – because otherwise we might have made each other very happy. The only man who ever loved me unconditionally and…

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…

Actress and comedian Dawn French opened up recently about various elements of her life: her new, short, stylish grey locks, a new home – and the one personality trait no one would have guessed of a woman famous for making us laugh. They do say comedians tend to have a quiet, more contemplative side, off-stage – but still, most would be surprised by the revelation from the vivacious brunette – that she is actually ‘a functioning introvert’. ‘There is a showy-offy part of me, who wants to come out and play every now and again, to dress up, have a bit of fun and perform,’ The Death On the Nile star admitted, ‘but who I am at my core is a sort of… functioning introvert. I’m someone who likes a…

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As one of Britain’s most-loved presenters, Rob Rinder is used to doing live interviews and reporting on the latest news. However, despite his journalistic and legal experience, nothing prepared him for the scenes he saw during his recent visit to Poland. Chatting to best, the 43-year-old reflected on being moved to tears – and how what he witnessed reminded him of the Holocaust. Rob, how did your visit to the Ukrainian border make you feel emotionally? Absolutely nothing can prepare you for what it is like out there. I’m obviously used to covering difficult stories and reporting on cases around the world but it was an experience I never anticipated I’d see in 2022. At times I was in disbelief at what I was seeing, particularly the despair on the…

After two and a half weeks of living on the 20th floor of a hotel in Manchester, I am back in my own home and learning how to use stairs again! Seriously, in all the time I was away, I didn’t do stairs and I didn’t put a wash on, either. In fact, there are a lot of pros to living full-time in a hotel if, like me, you are bone idle – both physically and domestically. Having no kitchen means doing zero cooking (excellent). Also, a daily cleaning service meant that I always came home to a pristine bathroom (marvellous), with no toothpaste dribble stains in the sink! As for a hoover, well, there wasn’t one in my wardrobe, so I left it to the staff and tried not…

LIMITLESS Sky Showcase, Tuesday, 10pm Bradley Cooper stars in this mind-bending movie as Eddie – who, dismayed by his bleak future, is urged to try a drug that gives him a razor-sharp mind. As he makes progress in the stock market, he attracts some negative attention… TOMB RAIDER Wednesday, Channel 5, 11pm Lara Croft, a courageous and independent young woman, sets out on a dangerous journey to unravel the truth behind her father’s mysterious disappearance. Starring Alicia Vikander and Dominic West. A MONSTER CALLS BBC Two, Tuesday, 11.15pm Northern Irish actor Liam Neeson stars in this heart-wrenching tale. Conor, a 12-year-old boy, encounters an ancient tree monster that helps him cope with his mother’s illness and school bullies.…

1 DEXTER HAS A HOME! Dogs Trust recently posted this heartwarming snap on Insta of one of their pooches, Dexter, who they found a new family for, alongside the caption: ‘Dexter wants to share some big news… he went off to his new home yesterday!’ We couldn’t be happier for the little guy. Congrats, cutie – fun times ahead! For more info on this brilliant charity, see dogstrust.org.uk. 2 Who wowed the crowd? Pastels are almost as commonplace as florals when it comes to Spring fashion, with Amanda Holden, 51, makes the seasonal transition in green, while Jane Moore, 59, brightened up in Stoned & Wasted. For effortless style, we’re dotty for 33-year-old Frankie Bridge’s Nobody’s Child frock. Spring is in the air and it’s pastel perfection for these celeb looks 3 FIFTY AND… FABULOUS!…

With the Queen’s health frail and the crisis in Ukraine grabbing headlines, it may seem on the surface to be an odd time for William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, to have gone ahead with a tour of the Caribbean to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Pictures of them dancing and laughing may even have felt out of step. But the truth is, timing is everything – and there are several reasons why the Palace may have been reluctant to postpone this tour. The three countries on William and Kate’s itinerary – Belize, the Bahamas and Jamaica – are currently all Commonwealth Realms, where the Queen is the Head of State and is represented by a Governor-General in each. Following Barbados’ decision to cut ties with the…

Gripping tightly to the reins, my daughter Millie led our rescue donkey across the paddock, concentrating carefully on every step. At six years old, she still struggled to walk but when it came to her four-legged friend, Millie’s dedication to his care overcame everything. ‘Good boy, Bert,’ she smiled, patting his nose as we fed him carrots and apples. ‘You had a bad leg like me.’ Her joy was infectious – and a world away from the devastation I’d felt when I’d found out my little girl would face difficulties in life. When Millie was born in August 2015, she had seemed perfectly healthy. But when she was four months old, I noticed she wasn’t using her right hand or arm, so took her to our GP. A few months…

Dearest Mams, I am so happy that I am allowed to send a postcard home and ask for a parcel of food. So begins the official correspondence between my mum, Sabine, and her mother – my grandmother – after Mum had been arrested and taken to Amsterdam jail in April 1943. Her resistance activities had been discovered, with dire consequences. The official letters, though, were only allowed occasionally, and my mum was desperate for news from home and to let her mother know what was happening. So, very soon she found a way to send smuggled notes written on cigarette papers to my grandmother via her laundry. They paint a picture of boredom, fear and interrogations. This first imprisonment was the start of a two-year journey through hell via two…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Sports nutritionist David Stache says: ‘Eating healthily doesn’t mean spending hours in the kitchen and bulky purchases: meal-prepping for the week avoids wasted veg and protein and you’ll have time to spare, too. Buying frozen vegetables is a good option – they last longer than fresh veg and are packed with vitamin C and fibre.’ 2 ‘Make clever swaps,’ suggests leading nutritionist Cassandra Burns. ‘Fresh mackerel is far cheaper than salmon and contains the same amounts of omega-3 fats and protein while just like superfood goji berries, strawberries are rich in antioxidants and – bought in season – are super value. Lentils are packed with fibre and a lot cheaper than its posh food “cousin” quinoa – add them to Spring casseroles.’ 3 Thrifty food expert Kate Hall (thefullfreezer.com)…

ASPARAGUS, BULGUR WHEAT, AND EGG SALAD WITH MISO DRESSING This is a belter of a recipe – a genuine feel-good meal. Bulgur wheat is an amazing energy source and the miso paste is packed with minerals and vitamins. Miso is also a fermented food, which provides the gut with beneficial bacteria that helps us stay healthy and happy. It’s an all-round winner. Serves 4 150g bulgur wheat½ low-salt vegetable stock cube500g asparagus4 large eggsHandful of watercressHandful of fresh basilFreshly ground black pepper MISO DRESSING 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil1 tbsp lemon juice2 tbsp white or brown miso paste1 tbsp water1 garlic clove, crushed 1 Put the bulgur wheat in a small saucepan, cover with 230ml water and crumble in the stock cube. Bring to the boil over a high heat,…

‘Can I suggest you rustle up a few meals?’ Dearest darling Ben, The Easter Bunny is hopping about in the back garden, and you know what that means. I’ll be jumping around the place with a feather duster, insisting you pull out the fridge, so we can give a thorough scrub behind it and taking every single one of my hundreds of books off the shelves – so we can shake, dust and make sure every page is pristine. In other words, no matter how much you’d rather not hear about it, Spring cleaing time is here! You are a dab hand in the kitchen. I can’t and won’t deny you do the lion’s share of the cooking at Feltz Towers and extremely delicious your concoctions are. Yet, I don’t…

1 SUPER FLATTERING The Ordinary Serum Foundation (£5.70, Boots) Even though this feels as light as a serum, it still manages to provide reasonable coverage. It is super-easy to blend on to your skin and smooth out with your fingertips and, unlike heavier foundations, this doesn’t settle in fine lines, making it particularly flattering for more mature complexions. Available in 21 shades. 2 GREAT COVERAGE Revolution Conceal & Hydrate Foundation (£6.25, amazon.co.uk) Formulated to suit every skin type and tone, this is particularly good for those with dry complexions. Providing medium to full coverage – more than enough to hide any pesky blemishes – this is fortified with hyaluronic acid to boost moisture levels and helps to plump up your skin. Available in 50 shades. SHOP THE PAGE! 3 PLUMPS…

There’s an old joke in the TV world, usually delivered by an actor or presenter, when filming has been halted due to a technical issue: ‘I’ve spent 30 years on set, 10 waiting for f*****g sound!’ My dating experience has been a little like that this month, waiting for dates to turn up. Always one to be on time, which usually means I’m early, I found myself recently sitting in a swish City bar, solo, for over an hour. Normally, if a lady is running a little late, it doesn’t bother me. I am quite happy chilling at a table, glass of vino collapso in hand, people-watching. However, I made the mistake of explaining conspiratorially to the waitress as I entered the venue that I was on a first date.…

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‘Are you all right, Mum? You look a bit down.’ Ruby forced a smile. She’d been trying not to let her feelings show to her daughter Sarah. ‘It’s just work stuff. Nothing to worry about,’ Ruby said. She glanced at the envelope from the bank. Since it had arrived that morning it lay accusingly on the kitchen table, its contents thankfully hidden from Sarah’s gaze. Sarah stood and stuffed her phone into her satchel. ‘I should be back around three. I’ve only got a couple of art classes at college today.’ And with that, Sarah left, leaving Ruby alone. She picked up the envelope, unfolded the letter and took in the bank manager’s words she was becoming familiar with. Two days later, Ruby was sitting outside the bank manager’s office.…

Win EVERY WEEK 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/bestcross1422 ACROSS 1 Sequence (6) 7 Dispute (8) 8 Form of public transport (3) 9 Floor covering (6) 10 Ship’s complement (4) 11 Military opponent (5) 13 Not in a hurry (7) 15 Sports arena (7) 17 Beneath (5) 21 Just and unbiased (4) 22 Passage to the lungs and stomach (6) 23 Mature (3) 24 Confine (8) 25 Give a job to (6) DOWN 1 Fine-drawn (6) 2 Free from danger (6) 3 Range (5) 4 Existing at the beginning (7) 5 General ___ : process that…

best magazine, ISSN 0954-8955, is published weekly by The National Magazine Company Ltd, t/a Hearst Magazines UK, c/o USACAN Media Dist. Srv Corp at 26 Power Dam Way Suite S1-S3, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. All rights reserved. No part of may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Not to be resold, lent, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade at more than the recommended retail price (subject to VAT in Republic of Ireland) or in a mutilated condition. Printed by York Mailing Ltd, Brinkworth Rush, Airfield Business Park, Elvington, York, YO41 4AU. The publishers, editors and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services that may…

‘When you connect to nature, you feel good’ Bubbly This Morning presenter Josie Gibson teared up recently, as she told viewers about the toll the Covid pandemic has taken. The popular 37-year-old Bristolian revealed, shockingly, that four of her close friends took their own lives in lockdown. Josie, who is a single mum to son Reggie, three, shared the heartbreaking news as she discussed the importance of looking after your mental health on the show with Dr Nighat Arif. Sitting alongside co-host Phillip Schofield, the GP discussed the impact Covid-19 and lockdowns had on the UK’s mental health. Halfway through the debate, Josie was getting teary, as she shared: ‘During this pandemic I personally know four people – four men – that took their life… The support just was not…

1 WHICH COLOUR COUNTS? The idea is to have a natural flush that doesn’t obviously scream ‘blusher’. To find your ideal shade, figure out your skin tone. If the veins in your wrists are blue, you have a cool skin tone and pinks work best for you, while warmer tones find they have greener-looking veins and peach shades therefore suit you most. ‘For the most natural finish, or someone who isn’t used to wearing much blush, nudes and browns give a soft healthy colour,’ explains Hayley Wicks, Lead Artist at bareMinerals – the brand’s Gen Nude Blusher, £24, spans 10 shades. 2 FINDING YOUR FORMULA We’ve come a long way since the classic pot of rouge, with creams, stains and even gels available. Pay attention to your skin type. ‘If…

Chopping up the vegetables for dinner, I looked towards the dining table and my heart sank seeing the empty chair. For years, my father Pravin had held court in that spot most Mondays while I prepared our evening meal. But I’d never experience the joy of his laughter or his wise words of advice across the kitchen again, because – like 162,000 other UK families – we’d lost someone very precious to Covid-19. The grief of his absence would never leave. Losing my beloved dad had been my greatest fear from the age of 13 – I worried about it all the time – and for good reason. You see, that was when I’d suffered my first crushing bereavement. My mum Jyoti died due to medical negligence, and it came…

1 WATCH WHERE YOU LEAVE YOUR DEPOSITS When you deposit money into a bank account, banks use the cash in their savings and current accounts to fund their other banking activities. This means your money could be funding all sorts of projects that you don’t agree with. Five of the UK’s biggest banks, for example, invested over £40 billion into the coal industry between 2018 and 2020. You can search for your bank at Your Ethical Money to find out more about its ethical credentials. 2 FIVE GREEN BANKS By moving to an ethical bank, you’ll know they don’t invest in or lend to companies that trade in things such as arms, tobacco or fossil fuels. Instead, they lend to firms that are doing good. Ethical banks in the UK…

TOP TIP! We love the Country Living for Hombase range! It’s the easiest way to give your home country cottage chic. SHOP THE PAGE! SHOP FROM YOUR SOFA! 1. Open the camera function on your smartphone 2. Hover over the QR code below and click on the link. 3. Add the bag to your basket and ‘check out’ or carry on shopping!…

WHY AM I BLOATING SO BADLY? Any time I eat anything remotely wheat-related, I bloat like a balloon! I was so convinced I had a gluten intolerance that I paid for a test – but it turned out, I didn’t have a gluten intolerance of any kind. There’s definitely something wrong, though. What do you think it could be? I am also going through the menopause, so I wondered if it’s another side effect of that? Ursula, Lancashire DR HILARY SAYS: Since you have noticed a clear association of your symptoms with wheat-based foods, such as bread, pasta, cakes and cereals, it seems logical to start investigating this first as a cause of your bloating. Gluten is the protein in wheat, rye and barley, which some people are allergic or…

Veteran broadcaster Esther Rantzen had three children with her late husband, filmmaker and journalist, Desmond Wilcox (he died in 2000) – Rebecca, Miriam and Joshua. But it is middle child, Rebecca, 42 – who herself has sons Alexander, seven, and Benjamin, nine - who’s most obviously taken after her parents, with a career in the media. As well as a two-woman show that went to Edinburgh in 2018, exploring their unique relationship, the lively, loving pair until quite recently presented a radio programme together, on Boom Radio. Here, we talk about their special bond and why, even though they’ll disagree – they’re alike in more ways than they’d care to admit! As mother and daughter are you two quite similar, or pretty different?! R: Very different. Though, we share a similar…

‘He was kind and that’s what I needed’ JUDY BELCHER, 60, IS FROM OXFORD My first wedding in 1980 was two weeks after my 19th birthday and I thought we’d be wed for life. But when my marriage ended 30 years later, my world fell apart and my self-esteem plummeted. Then came my 50th birthday. I realised I still had a long life ahead and didn’t want to spend it alone. ‘I’m still young enough to find somebody else,’ I told my kids, joining a dating website for over-40s. I had a few chats online and, eventually, got a message from Paul, an electrician, also 50, who was local. He’d been living with his parents so he could care for them, but his dad was now in a nursing home.…

ANGEL NUMBERS… I keep seeing number sequences everywhere! 4444, 333, 111, 22, etc. Are these angel numbers? And what do they mean? I lost my dog at Christmas – did they go to the spirit world? Danielle LEE SAYS: Yes, they are angel numbers. The numbers are showing that you need to keep yourself protected through difficult times. They’re also showing upliftment for you and spiritual guidance. My advice to you is to put all the numbers together and use them as a manifestation number. 4444, 333, 111 and 22 – use these, repeat it 10 times each morning to unblock any negativity and it will help you to manifest what you desire. Also your dog’s spirit still lives on and will always visit you. I hope this helps you.…

Loose Women got rather interesting last week, as panellists Janet Street-Porter, 75, and Coleen Nolan, 57, had more than a few spirited exchanges… During the episode, Janet offered to dunk her own face in a large bowl of ice water, to try out the latest social media TikTok trend! The extreme-sounding skincare routine is supposed to help improve appearance as well as circulation and overall wellbeing. As that day’s anchor, Christine Lampard suggested that Janet and guest Greg Wise do so for as long as they can, prompting a newly lovedup Coleen to ask: ‘Can we make it five minutes?’ Janet pointed out that she can’t actually hold her breath for that long, to which Coleen said: ‘I know, that’s the point!’ ‘Do you want me to die live on…

SUITS YOU, SIR EAMONN: The theory is going about that men’s suits are now only a uniform for the powerless. In other words, only worn by people compelled to do so. I fall into that category, because I couldn’t do my job on GB News Breakfast unless I wore one. In a news environment, it would be hard to do the job without one. Wearing a suit says authority, in control, grown up, trustworthy. But besides all of that, I like a suit. It gives me a better shape, it gives me shoulders and it hides my tummy, so why do they seem to be going out of fashion? I’ll tell you why – because more and more people want to do their own thing. They don’t want to be…

HISTORICAL HITS Miss Aldridge Regrets Louise Hare HQ, £14.99 (28 April) It’s 1936 and nightclub singer Lena Aldridge is aboard the Queen Mary, en route to a new life on Broadway. But Lena has secrets, including being mixed race but ‘passing’ as white. And others on board are also hiding the truth. A glamorous mystery with a dash of romance. The Aerialists Katie Munnik The Borough Press, £14.99 In Paris of 1891, two aerialists find a homeless child and offer her a chance to join their hot air balloon business. Five years later, at the Cardiff Great Exhibition, she and another girl prepare to fly. Based on a true story, this rich novel will capture your imagination. ROMANTIC READS The Fake Up Justin Myers Sphere, £16.99 (7 April) When aspiring…

Jane Seymour, the Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman star, lives in sunny Malibu, but the former Bond girl was lured to Dublin during the pandemic to film upcoming Acorn TV detective comedy, Harry Wild. Jane, 71, plays the colourful Harriet, ‘Harry’, a retiring university literature professor who, jolted after a mugging, ends up developing a passion for detective work (bringing her into direct conflict with her detective son, Charlie). Jane, looking insanely glamorous in a tight-fitting red dress when best speaks to her on Zoom – while sipping on a green juice – opens up about her career, remaining close to her exes and being ‘intuitive’… Jane, your new show Harry Wild is such a fun watch… As they say in Ireland, it was ‘the craic’! She’s a wonderful character to…