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For a couple for whom togetherness has always been at the forefront – it’s been noticeable of late that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been spending more time apart than has been customary. It has long been the case that Meghan hasn’t accompanied Harry on visits to the UK but while he has been quoted as saying family life is the best gift he has ever been given, especially the gift of being a dad, ‘it is without doubt my kids’ he told People magazine, one of the major ways he reportedly marked his landmark 40th birthday, was on a lads holiday - a hiking trip- with Meghan staying home with the children. At the start of this month, he then travelled solo to Lesotho in Southern Africa.…

Kim Wilde burst on to the music scene in 1981 with her smash hit Kids In America when she was just 20. The daughter of legendary singer Marty Wilde, she went on to enjoy a huge career as a recording artist – and at 63 is still going strong. She also enjoys a parallel career as a gardener and has two grown up kids – Harry and Rose – with ex-husband, Hal Fowler. We caught up with the legendary singer to talk about rocking on into her 60s… Hi Kim – how are you? I’m fine now! We’ve had a domestic this morning which involved wasps – they were causing mayhem in my house! I’ve got pest control on their way. I don’t like to interfere in the life cycle…

HOW IT WORKS 1 First step is a full sugar detox: cut out all synthetic sugars including sugary drinks, sweets, alcohol and switch to wholegrains, orange and red fruits and veg naturally sweet and rich in antioxidants and lean protein. 2 After just a few days, you’ll notice a change in your taste buds: you will be more sensitive to the sweetness receptors in your digestive system meaning that you’re less tempted to eat sugar. 3 ‘Eat every three hours to keep your blood sugar and energy levels stable,’ advises leading UK nutritionist Dr Marilyn Granville, author of Natural Alternatives to Dieting, (marilynglenville.com). 4 Eliminate stress that may raise cortisol levels and stimulate your appetite by taking a CBD supplement that works on the body’s nervous system, helping to soothe…

APRICOT, GINGER AND ALMOND CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE This cake is both luxurious and perfectly balanced with bitter, rich chocolate (use the best quality you can) countered by sweet apricots and warming ginger; and the smooth mousse texture gives way to crisp almond dacquoise. Difficulty level: AdvancedServes: 10-12Hands on: 2 hours+ chillingBake: 37 minutes FOR THE DACQUOISE 100g flaked almonds FOR THE APRICOT AND GINGER COMPOTE 200g soft dried apricots, roughly chopped FOR THE MOUSSE 225g 70% dark chocolate, chopped FOR THE GLAZE 125ml double cream TO DECORATE 150g 70% dark chocolate, finely chopped YOU WILL NEED large piping bag fitted with a medium plain nozzle 1 Heat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. 2 Make the dacquoise. Toast the flaked almonds on an unlined baking tray in the oven for about 7 minutes, until golden.…

Dom let out a deep breath as the last passenger stepped off his bus. The end of his shift was close enough to touch. He changed gear, then rubbed his face with his left hand before returning it to the wheel. Boy, he was tired tonight. Couldn’t wait to get home and get a few hours’ kip. He didn’t mind the night shift normally, but it had seemed particularly long tonight, maybe because of the weather. Rain. Not hard rain, but drizzle. Enough to make the bus windows steam up and create a fine mist in the darkness outside. He passed the last of the houses in the built up area of town, and the derelict land with the rundown cottage on it. Just the quiet stretch of road to…

So why is it that almost every woman I happen to know over 45 (apart from people in high authority such as the head of M&S and maybe the late Queen) secretly tell me they take their bra off as soon as they get in from work? What is this need to let our marvellous melons hang out in glorious freedom after a day encased in office clothing? What makes us become these bra-less hippies before we’ve even dropped off our front door keys or opened the fridge for a glass of wine? ‘My babies are free to roam as nature intended’ Is it because we spend so much of the working day keeping our baps firmly immobilised under a jacket to avoid being accidentally pointy for our colleagues –…

LIBRA 24 September – 23 October There’s something you’ve been avoiding, Libra. The supermoon in your opposite sign of Aries is going to shine brightly on it, which will make your next steps much clearer. Don’t let a current situation drift – step in and use this new-found clarity to sort it out. Meanwhile, a money-making opportunity is worth a second look. SCORPIO 24 October – 22 November Words could slip out a bit more easily than you intended, but there will be truth in them, and if it happens, just accept it’s better to have a clearing of the air than to let things fester. The supermoon is in your health zone, so focus on fitness, sort niggling aches and pains. Nurture yourself with balanced meals and bubble baths!…

English comedian, TV presenter who’s best known for his catchphrase, ‘No likey, no lighty…’ on dating show Take Me Out, dad-of-three, Paddy McGuinness, had a big birthday last year. Now, in his sixth decade, he has become determined to be as healthy as he can be for his children – twins Penelope and Leo, 10, and Felicity, seven. Here, the popular northerner, tells us about his new series – Paddy and Chris: Road Tripping – his new lifestyle habits and the guilty pleasure British snacks he refuses to let go of! Hey, Paddy! What can you tell us about this new series? Chris and I head out on a road trip together across Europe (with not much space in our vehicle, I should add). We are on a mission to…

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/bestcross4224 ACROSS 4 7 8 9 DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 13 14 15 16 18 19 Who was the third Roman emperor, succeeding Tiberius? The answer will appear in the shaded squares. Phone and online entries open 15 October 2024 until midnight on 1 November 2024. Over 18s only. †Calls cost 65p per min plus your telephone company’s network access charge, and should last no longer than 2 mins. Service provided by Spoke (0333 202 3390). *For full T&Cs, see below. We will use the information you supply to process your competition entry. For our privacy notice, visit hearst.co.uk/privacy-notice. One…

It’s Sober October, ladies and gentlemen, and for most people taking part, it will be a wee detox from alcohol for a whole month. No wine o’clock or weekly binge-drinking. For me, however, complete sobriety started just over four months ago. And it has been a much-needed break from a relationship with alcohol, which was - frankly - spiralling out of control. I was never a regular drinker. As a teen and young adult, it was a treat or I would go out and get absolutely bladdered on the odd occasion. I’d also go for long periods without it. But something changed in lockdown. Like for many others, there was a feeling of fear, insecurity about the future and loneliness if I’m completely honest.. I started to enjoy drink more.…

WHAT AND WHY? Rough skin on thighs and buttocks, often a neglected area, is a regular complaint – but with the right care, you can smooth things out at home. The most common cause is keratosis pilaris – little, rough, goosebump-like spots. It happens when the skin produces too much keratin, which blocks hair follicles and leads to small, rough (and harmless) patches. FIRST STEPS ● Gently exfoliate two to three times a week. Acids such as glycolic or lactic help break down the bonds between dead skin cells, helping them shed more easily. If you prefer something physical, opt for a scrub or a loofah, but be gentle to avoid irritation. ● Then moisturise! It’s best to choose body lotions that have hydrating ingredients, so look for products that…

Sitting up suddenly in bed, sweat running down my back, I took a deep breath. ‘You’re safe now,’ I reminded myself. This was a flashback. So vivid that I couldn’t get back to sleep. I had bruises down my legs, where I’d tried to fight back in my sleep and defend myself... I had carried my secret for almost 50 years. And, sometimes, I felt like I’d never escape. My earliest recollection, aged three and a half, was being lifted from my bed by my father, Arthur, a big, meaty, hand, clamped over my mouth, to stifle my screams. And then, my father raped me. My memories are hazy after that. Until I was six, when Dad regularly sexually abused and raped me. Every time my mother was out. We…

‘It’s perfect.’ I watched the assistant carefully put the dress into a carrier bag. Despite my initial reluctance, it had been worth taking the afternoon off work to come to the city. My daughter was going to love this witch costume. I’d heard about this shop from my sister Vicky. ‘Honestly, Steph, if Molly’s going to the Halloween disco, you must go for a look. The owner makes the costumes herself. She’s amazingly talented.’ ‘I’m a lone parent,’ I reminded Vicky. ‘I can’t afford hand-made costumes.’ Vicky convinced me, though, that the prices were reasonable. I knew by the time she’d finished speaking that I’d make the trip. Just for a look, of course. I normally put Molly’s Halloween outfits together myself. They were made with love, and I always…

Sink your teeth into some fabulously spooky – and sophisticated –interior pieces for Halloween, inspired by creator Sheila Tran, also known as @threetimesahome on Instagram!…

Think Downton Abbey meets All Creatures Great And Small… This bold and gutsy ensemble is full of heart. Channel 5’s The Hardacres places an ordinary family in an extraordinary position. Exploring the age-old question: Can money ever buy true happiness? Here, 59-year-old Scottish actor Julie Graham (of Ridley and Benidorm), who plays matriarch ‘Ma’, talks fashion, fortune and family drama... Julie, how did you feel when you first read the script? It was such a page-turner. It felt like I was reading a good book, where you’re so gripped and you want to find out what happens next. And, it was very evocative of that period. Everyone loves shows about families, no matter where they’re from, or which period it’s set in; there’s something so compelling about a family saga.…

It was 1994 when the Dingle family first appeared on our screens, and with 11 generations, they have quickly become the most recognised family from the ITV show... So it’s hard to believe that after 30 years, they’d be saying farewell to their patriarch Zak (played by actor Steve Halliwell, who passed at the age of 77, last December.) Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle (Zak’s niece) reveals the ‘anguish’ she and her co-stars struggled with while filming the late Steve’s on-screen funeral. The 48-year-old actress said that some of her fellow actors’ tears were real, as they filmed their farewell to the iconic character in the scenes. She said in an interview, ‘There are moments you’ll see when it’s transmitted where you can see, it’s our own anguish, where…

Recently beaming while posing in an autumnal orange dress on social media, crafting queen Sara Davies, 40, showed off her sensational figure – after dropping three dress sizes… Fans complimented the former Strictly contestant, with comments like, ‘You look fabulous, bright, healthy’ and ‘You are GLOWING.’ Last month, the mum-of-two opened up about the secrets behind her jaw-dropping transformation. ‘It was my 40th birthday in April and I wanted to be the fittest I’d been since I was 30. ‘I’ve spent half my life sucking myself into Spanx, and now it’s bloody lovely to put on a dress and not have two pairs on underneath!’ The TV star, who appears in Dragon’s Den alongside Deborah Meaden, Steven Bartlett, Peter Jones and Touker Suleyman, said she has worked hard on sticking…

TOP TIP Invest in the LRD (little red dress) to wear and add some knock out accessories – alll ready for party season!…

Standing in front of the mirror, I adjust my hair extensions and my tiara. Then, it’s into my shimmering bright blue pants and a corset. Finally, I add my sword and shield. My transformation into Wonder Woman takes an hour-and-a-half. So far I’ve spent £2,500 on my costume: It’s still a work in progress! It comes from all over the world – the bodice, bracelets, tiara and boots are from Italy. The skirt from Brazil, and the cloak from Indonesia... Thankfully, my husband Barry shares my superhero obsession – to the point that we’ve become real-life superheroes, on a mission to spread joy and positivity! I met Barry in a gym in 2001 when I was 21, a year younger than him. It turns out we used to play together…

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JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED… Dr Punam is going from strength to strength – I think her success the week before with the fabulous Bollywood Dance has helped. That really was quite a moment and it left me (almost) lost for words, which rarely happens! That is the great thing about Couple’s Choice – I don’t doubt that gave her a boost. TEETH-GATE Last week was five years since the incident when I accused Anton of wearing false teeth when he dressed as Austin Powers – when they were all his own! So it popped up on social media as people marked the anniversary. It was a little bit unfortunate the whole scenario – but he has long forgiven me of course, and I fully expect that one day he…

TOP TIP! Shop for pieces that you can dig out year after year!…

‘And the Company jumps when he plays reveille, he’s the Boogie Woogie Bugle boy of Company B.’ The Swingtime Sweethearts belted out the popular wartime hit as Pia threaded her way through the crowds of jiving partygoers. But this wasn’t wartime Britain partying. This was 1999 and Seahaven Fort’s 1940s event for Halloween, billed as the final haunting of the 20th Century! ‘Hey Theo, I’m over here,’ called Pia to her newish boyfriend, who was reluctantly making his way through the wartime display tanks and cannon in the courtyard of the Fort. A 1940s event wasn’t exactly his kind of night out, until he spotted the Blitz Bar tucked between a tank and a Red Cross vehicle. That’s more like it, he thought. ‘I’m going to the bar over there…

PET OF THE WEEK Name: MilanoOwner: Suzanne, NothumberlandBreed: Working cocker spaniel CALLING ALL PETS! From funny to cute, we’re looking for more pets to star in our ‘Day in the Life’ series. If you think your animal is the perfect match, email bestpets@hearst.co.uk with details of your pet, plus a series of snaps.*…

I FEAR FOR MY NEIGHBOUR I’ve become quite close to my next-door neighbour. Her husband passed away in June, so I’ve been making sure to check in. But in recent weeks, I’ve noticed she’s really been hitting the bottle – sometimes by lunchtime. I don’t know her well enough to tell her to stop, but I’m not sure she’s got much family, as no one has been round much since he died. What would you do? Rachael, Falmouth Your neighbour is going through the harshest and most raw element of recent bereavement. She’s heartbroken, scared, sad and lonely all at once. You have noticed her drinking earlier and earlier in the day and the kindest path forward is to guide her towards getting some professional grief counselling. Suggest she discusses…

Recently in hospital after suffering a stroke, Queen’s guitarist, Sir Brian May, aged 77, added something else to his list of concerns last week... As an animal rights campaigner, the star has been vice-president of the RSPCA charity since 2012. However, in a recent statement, Brian highlighted the ‘conditions in some of the farms’ as the shock reason he was to be stepping down from his role... In a letter shared on Instagram addressed to the ‘Board members and trustees of the RSPCA’ he wrote: ‘It is with profound sadness and not without massive soul-searching, that today I have to offer my resignation as vice-president of the RSPCA. You have kept me informed through the Save-Me Trust of complaints that have been levelled in recent months at the RSPCA over…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT The joy of cruising is just how much you can see on one trip as you sail between ports of call, relaxing and putting your feet up in between excursions as the ship takes you where you need to be. Marella Cruises’ seven-night Grecian Discovery itinerary from Limassol, Cyprus, aboard Marella Discovery, takes in a wealth of awesome sites, including the Acropolis in Athens and Knossos Palace on Crete. When you’re not sightseeing, Discovery’s friendly crew help make your experience extra enjoyable, as you chill by the pool, sip a cocktail in the sun, or settle down for a show. This cruise is all inclusive – all food and drink, flights and accommodation – one reason why it’s such good value for money… INSIDER’S GUIDE ● Bag a…