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OK, mine has been an open secret for years, and now my friend Carol is admitting to hers, too! Seems we’ve taken inspiration from that hilariously funny film Death Becomes Her… as we’ve both paid to join the Facelift Club! See page 11. But that’s not the only thing new about this summer! We have 32 fun-filled extra pages for you this week, just to celebrate the fact that it’s sunny. So get out there, sizzle on your sun lounger (using SPF30, of course!) and relax with more puzzles, real-life reads, fashion and maybe even a good book (see page 54 for ideas…). What’s not to love about summer? Enjoy! • Please let me know your thoughts, siobhan. wykes@hearst.co.uk…

A part from the fact that he’s lazing by a pool in the sun every day, the hapless Dr Alex George has had a pretty brutal time on reality TV show Love Island. Though popular with his fellow contestants in the villa, the Welsh doctor, 27, just hasn’t set pulses racing – and some of his attempts to get close to the ladies have been excruciating to watch. Even his parents, mum Jane, a bank manager, and dad Antony, a retired police officer – who revealed Alex was ‘headhunted’ rather than applying – have admitted that watching their son makes for painful viewing. Early on, his dad commented, ‘He’s not doing very well, is he?’ and not much has changed since. Alex has struggled to move beyond the ‘friend zone’…

TOP TIP A well-cut swimsuit will boost your confidence. Prefer to take cover? A kaftan worn with heels oozes glamour! TOP TIP The floral panels on this swimsuit help to create shape, and we love this versatile matching kimono. TOP TIP Mainstream fashion trends are influencing swimwear. Check out loud, bright prints and the ever-popular Bardot neckline.…

My heart burst with love as I read the handmade card from my daughter, Cherry. On the front was a giant gold medal and the words: ‘From your biggest fan.’ The medal was an exact replica of the one I’d won just a few weeks before in the British Powerlifting Championships – breaking a world record in the process. But none of this success would be possible without the love and support of one person: my six-year-old daughter Cherry. ‘I’m so proud of you, Daddy,’ Cherry said, giving me a tight hug. But the reality is, I’m prouder of her than she could ever know. I was born with diastrophic dwarfism, a rare condition that affects normal bone and cartilage development. My parents were told I would never grow to…

TAP THE APP TripIt allows you to store all your essential travel documents digitally in one safe place.…

20% OFF Swimwear365.co.uk All year round holiday fashion Dreaming of sun, sea and swimwear? Us, too! That’s why we’ve secured 20 per cent off for all our lovely readers at swimwear365.co.uk. With figure-flattering bikinis, swimsuits, tankinis and other stylish holiday fashion and accessories, swimwear365.co.uk is the perfect one-stop shop for your getaway wardrobe! HOW TO CLAIM To claim 20 per cent off across swimwear, fashion and accessories (excludes electricals and bridal), simply visit swimwear365.co.uk before 7 August 2018 and enter the promotional code XLQP at the checkout. Terms and conditions: Discount offer excludes electricals and bridal. Offer expires midnight on 7 August 2018, can only be used once and can not be used in conjunction with any other offer. All orders are subject to status. Please see Help section of…

GETTING STARTED Simply follow the meal plan (opposite), which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus one snack daily. No salt or sauces, please. Drink at least eight glasses of fluid each day, including water, and tea and coffee (taken black without milk). No booze, sorry. Follow the plan for one week but no longer, and please always see your GP before starting a new diet or exercise regime. TONING-UP TRICKS • Sit-ups: Lie on your back, knees bent and hip-width apart. Lift and curl your shoulders toward your knees, stopping before your shoulders leave the floor. Hold to the count of three, then lower. Repeat 20 times. • Donkey kicks: Kneeling on all fours, supporting your upper body with your forearms and keeping your right knee bent, slowly lift your…

 It was the scandal that not only shocked America, but women around the world. With high-profile female members, bizarre practices and some serious criminal charges, how did Nxivm – a self-help group – become likened to a sex cult? Nxivm (pronounced Nexium) was founded in 1998 by Keith Raniere and Nancy Salzman, who served as company director. Based in upstate New York, the secretive group offered psychological techniques aimed at self-improvement and getting more joy from life, alongside ‘Executive Success Programs’ (ESPs). The group had headquarters in Albany, New York, as well as centres in Vancouver and Mexico. Raniere, 57, was thought of as a charismatic man, and those who knew him spoke of his humility, compassion and dedication to the betterment of the lives of others. Nxivm was said…

From the incredible police officers, firefighters and paramedics who were first on the scene, to the extraordinary taxi drivers who ensured victims of the Manchester Arena bombing got home safely for free, there are heroes in all walks of life. But they aren’t the only ones. We’re looking for the ordinary men going to extraordinary lengths. So, whether you know a member of the emergency services, someone who has performed a heroic act, a selfless charity fundraiser or a man who has triumphed over the odds, we want to hear about him. THE BEST HEROES 2018 These men, although they may not think it, are all heroes who have stood firm in the face of adversity. And now, best is hosting an awards ceremony to honour the heroes in your…

‘I wanted to put my face back to where it was!’ It’s the second chance so many women talk about but never pluck up the courage to go for or admit to… Not our Carol! Straight-talking as ever, she reveals exclusively to best exactly why, at the age of 58, she went under the knife – AWAKE – for a dramatic new look that she revealed on Loose Women last week. ‘It’s not about looking younger,’ she scoffs. ‘It’s about looking my best and more in line with the person I feel inside.’ Judging by the spring in her step, it’s worked… Carol, you look amazing! How do you feel? I feel good! I feel like I’ve just had my face put back to where it was! [Laughs] At 50 and…

 Glamorous Lizzie Cundy, ex-wife of former Chelsea footballer Jason Cundy, is one of the most regular faces on the London showbiz circuit. Yet, as best found out, there are many more layers to the charming party-girl extraordinaire. The mum-of-two (she had Josh, 23, and James, 18, with Jason) is one of the ladies – alongside fellow singletons such as Melinda Messenger, Siân Lloyd and Nancy Dell’Olio – who escape to a Greek island on feel-good ITV reality TV show My Shirley Valentine Summer. Not only did Lizzie’s time in the Mediterranean sun open her up to love again, but it also led the 48-year-old to make some drastic changes… So, Lizzie, you’re back from your Greek adventure! How was it? It was an emotional journey. I took it really seriously, and…

BOOK A HOLIDAY FOR YOUR BODY AND SOUL Calum: Holidays… we all love them. A chance to let your hair down and have fun. For lots of people, that means overindulging on the cocktails, local wine or filling (and re-filling!) your plate at the hotel buffet. I know what I’m talking about. I used to really go for it on holiday. As soon as I got off that plane, and felt the sun on my face, I wanted a drink. I actually used to get so pissed the first day or night, I’d spend the rest of my holiday feeling rough! Sound familiar? Well, nowadays, I’ve learned to keep it in check. I still like to enjoy a few exotic drinks and sample lovely, local food… but I mix that…

JOIN THE CONVERSATION Should we ban bouncy castles? After the horrendous incident of a little girl being thrown 20ft in the air from a bouncy castle on a Norfolk beach, people are questioning whether the party favourite should be banned altogether. The castle exploded due to overheating, and three-year-old Ava-May Littleboy passed away in hospital from her injures later that day. This comes after another horrific tragedy, back in March 2016, when a bouncy castle blew away, killing a seven-year-old girl in Essex. Naturally, this caused serious concerns about the safety of such inflatables. However, how many of us remember the fun we had on a bouncy castle as a child? Or seeing the joy that comes from your kids enjoying a soft play? While it’s right to be cautious…

It’s the moment every woman dreads - a sad milestone on the road to middle age. You look in the mirror, and realise the time has come when you must Never Wear A Bikini Again. And so, heart sinking, you embrace the awful truth and reach for the modest one-piece to spare your blushes – and everyone else’s – as the summer months approach. But wait. Must it really be this way? I’ve just conducted a mini investigation and bring good news: we’ve all got it wrong. The truth, contrary to the views of ageist fashion editors, is that the bikini is best for middle-aged women – precisely because a bit of cleavage and a flash of leg give you a shape, even if you have a tummy, while, in…

You’ve painted your nails and shaved your legs – now all that’s left to do is enjoy your break. But a sunny escape isn’t without its beauty pitfalls, and the last thing you want is to spend time holed up in the bathroom on your hols. So, arm yourself with these products that will treat problems fast. Fake it yourself Treating sun-damaged hair When your hair is bleached by the sun, the fatty acids in the hair shaft are broken down. Conditioners are the obvious remedy for sun-damaged hair, but while water-based products add hydration, for seriously dry locks, you need oil to counteract the damage. Almond oil is rich in fatty acids, but is so lightweight it won’t leave locks greasy. Take 3-4 drops of sweet almond oil and…

 The doctor didn’t say it in so many words, but I knew what he was getting at. I was too fat for surgery. It was that simple. I’d been admitted with excruciating stomach pains and sickness a few days earlier, and had been diagnosed with a gall bladder problem. I couldn’t have it removed via keyhole surgery because, at over 20st and a size 26, I was too big. It was the first time I’d actually had to admit there was a problem with my weight. I couldn’t understand how I’d done this to myself. Visions flashed through my head of not being around for my kids, Sullivan, now 20, and Kyra, 17, or my husband Darron, 50. It just didn’t bear thinking about. Yet I managed to convince the…

My boyfriend and my friend have history Recently, I got into a relationship with someone I can see myself having a future with. However, when I introduced him to my friends and family, he and my best friend of 10 years admitted to me that they’d once dated as university students, many years ago. I know it’s in the past, but will I ever be able to block it out completely? Sarah, Buckinghamshire The reality is, we all have history. University, I take it, was some time back, and I feel sure the relationship these two had then has no relevance to today. I can imagine you watching them carefully when you’re out together, to see if there is any flirtation between them. However, I think it would be a shame…

Claire Richards STEPS SINGER AND BEST COLUMNIST, READ THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ BY HEATHER MORRIS What a wonderfully moving read! Such a heartbreaking – yet heart-warming – story of love, sacrifice and survival. I’ve not cried while reading a novel in a long time, but this one really got to me. And, most amazing of all, it’s a true story. Slovakian Jews Lale and Gita are sent to the Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz, during World War II. In that terrible place, Lale is given the job of tattooing the prisoners, marking their skin with the dehumanising numbers that would become one of the most searing symbols of the Holocaust. But he uses the freedom his position gives him to try to keep other prisoners alive. Falling in love with Gita,…

NAPOLEON RODEO PROFESSIONAL PRO22K-LEG CHARCOAL KETTLE This Napoleon charcoal barbecue is easy to assemble and, with two wheels, straightforward and lightweight to move around. Once settled, it felt stable and well-made. We found the hinged lid a nice touch, but it was a little wobbly at times. After cooking, meat and poultry retained their juices and were succulent, but sausages were a little uneven in colour. There’s a temperature gauge on the lid, depending on what you’re cooking, and it has a useful little rack at the bottom of the barbecue for storing small items. The ash-collector tray makes cleaning easier and the parts are removable for washing. If you’re after a charcoal barbecue, this is one to consider! 82/100 LANDMANN PICCOLINO PORTABLE BARBECUE Some pressure is needed to clip…

Is it true you write recipes in your sleep? If an ingredient comes into my head, I write it down in a little notebook at the side of my bed. Sometimes I don’t remember doing it. And when I’m really stressed out, I sleepwalk – I have even baked an entire cake in my sleep! I came down the next morning and was like, ‘Who made this mess?’ I looked in the oven and there was the cake – luckily, I hadn’t turned the oven on! You mention anxiety – do you still suffer? I had a panic attack last week! It’s a mix of working really hard, not seeing my kids and living with the guilt of being a working mum. I’ve had medication, but that kind of numbs…

1 LAST-MINUTE BARGAINS If you can be flexible on time and location, you can bag late package-holiday bargains – prices can tumble at the last minute if suppliers have overestimated demand. For the best deals, head for the Spanish mainland, Majorca, Malta, Turkey, Bulgaria and Corfu. Comparison websites, such as skyscanner.net or kayak.co.uk, will trawl through hundreds of flight, hotel and package deals for you. 2 TAKE COVER Buy travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked the holiday so you’re covered for cancellations, but don’t take it out as part of the package. There are no shortcuts here and the cheapest deal may not be the best, so compare policies at a couple of comparison sites, such as moneysupermarket.com and gocompare.com. 3 CASH PLAN Use the Thomas Cook holiday budget…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Nostalgia, open spaces and a road trip of a lifetime? Historic Route 66 has to come to mind. Coined the ‘Mother Road’ by author John Steinbeck, it’s more than 2,000 miles and seems to encompass the essence of America, threading through eight states, from Chicago to Santa Monica pier in LA. We spent a week, starting at the very beginning – Adam’s Street in Chicago, and out to Pontiac before hitting Springfield (Lincoln Land) – and loved every second. INSIDER’S GUIDE Pick up your rental in Chicago – people go for everything from Fords, Chevys and classic Mustangs to motorcycles (think Harley) – and spend the night in the Windy City before joining the route. From riverboat rides (odysseycruises.com/chicago) to shopping on the Magnificent Mile, there is something…

To echo Carol, coming up to 50, the face that stared back at me in the mirror looked more like my 76-year-old mum (sorry, Mum!), so when I discovered you could have a facelift under a local anaesthetic, it was a no-brainer. Mr Peter Cumbo is a specialist plastic and reconstructive surgeon at the Harley Street Skin Clinic. I had a lower face and neck lift and a ‘French lift’, which essentially means they put my cheeks back where they once were! I also had under-eye skin-tightening, thanks to Dr Aamer Khan, which is around £700.…

Lizzie regularly offers her opinions on daytime chat shows, and co-hosts a radio show on Fubar Radio – but something she’d really love to have is her own TV talk show. ‘After doing this show in Greece, I think, why not? I feel like I can do anything!’ she says. So, who’d be her ideal guest? ‘Simon Cowell. He’s a good friend, so I’d get the truth out of him. And Tom Cruise – I had dinner with Tom once and interviewed him. He was very charming and funny. Oh, and I’d invite Ant Middleton on, the star of that Channel 4 show SAS: Who Dares Wins. He’s my celeb crush!’ she reveals. Ant, if you’re reading, get in touch……

It can be a bit of a chore to look after your feet, but there is no excuse for having ones that look like an old lady’s during the summer. Here’s how to get sexier tootsies… FOOT FILLER Skin on the feet thins and the fatty pads that protect the heel and balls of the feet from impact wear down, which can make walking and standing painful, especially in heels. Silicone insoles may help but, for longer-lasting results, hyaluronic filler – or even your own fat – can be injected at the clinic to build up the fat pads. The treatment is painless and takes around 20 minutes – expect results to last up to six months. From £450. NO SWEAT There are over 250,000 sweat glands in our feet,…

Strap star An interesting neckline draws attention upwards. Plunge patrol V-neck cuts will flatter bigger busts. Bardot beauty Show some skin with this peek-a-boo style. Bold blooms An all-over print can elongate your frame. TOP TIP snapguide.com is full of handy fashion inspiration, and you can even share guides of your own!…

THE COLLECTION BY DEBENHAMS, £40 I think this is an absolute monstrosity: it has padding and underwiring, yet still sags in all the wrong places. Its built-in skirt is to be avoided at all costs. From afar, it looks like a middle-aged woman wearing a mini-skirt – an over-50s no-no that I do agree with. Women buy them to cover up sizeable bottoms, but it’s the equivalent of tying a cardigan around your waist. OLYMPIA UNDERWIRED, £45 The best discovery I’ve made is flip-top bikini bottoms – brilliant for hiding muffin tops – like these from Olympia. The structured top supports my boobs and the print is bright and youthful without looking muttony. ERES AQUARELLE, £235 The key is not to show too much cleavage. Big boobs are very matronly.…

GETTING STARTED Simply follow the meal plan (opposite), which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus one snack daily. Drink at least eight glasses of fluid each day, including water, non-fizzy diet drinks, and tea and coffee with a small splash of semi-skimmed milk. No booze, sorry. Follow the plan for up to two weeks but no longer. Please see your GP before starting a new diet or exercise regime. TONING UP TRICKS If we’re stripping off to squeeze into swimwear, it means our wobbly bits will be waving hello to the world, so we’d better do some toning exercises. Generally, upping your activity levels wherever possible is a good start. It contributes to better muscle and skin tone, and fights water retention and bloating. Making small changes, such as parking…

We dreamily look forward to them all year, but holidays don’t always go to plan, do they? In fact, some can go so pear-shaped, you need a holiday just to get over the first one! And that goes for celebrities, too, from getting sunburned to being sold fake designer goods, getting hopelessly lost or hit by food poisoning. So, let’s find out what went terribly wrong for these celebrities when they escaped to the sun… JESSIE WALLACE: ‘I passed out in the hotel’s pool’ You could say former EastEnders star Jessie Wallace is no stranger to drama in her private life, and it seems drama follows her on holiday, too. The actress, 46, has previously recalled a terrifying experience while she was relaxing in the pool of a Cyprus hotel,…

Solve the crossword in the usual way. When completed correctly, the pink squares, reading top to bottom, left to right, will reveal the answer to the Big Hitter Big Question. Check the solution on page 52. BIG QUESTION: Who did defending champion Garbiñe Muguruza beat in the Wimbledon women’s singles final last year to win her title? (5,8) ACROSS 1 People who belong to a club (7) 8 ___ Williams, Wimbledon champion who recently returned to tennis after having her first child (6) 11 Australian bird (3) 12 Japanese robe (3) 13 Helicopter blade (5) 14 ___ Borg, former Wimbledon tennis champion (5) 16 Lift and drop shoulders in disinterest (5) 17 Era, age (5) 18 Principal power supply (5) 19 Tear (3) 21 Pen tip (3) 22 ___ Agassi,…

£1.70 per portion Herby mushrooms on toast This elegant supper also makes an ideal brunch when you have a little time to spare. Serves 4 PREP: 20 mins COOK: 20 mins  Per serving: cals 332; fat 14g (6g saturates); carbs 36g (3g total sugars)4 large eggs25g butter4 shallots, finely diced3 garlic cloves, crushed600g chestnut mushrooms, chopped2tbsp marsala or sherry, optional2tbsp each fresh tarragon and parsley, chopped4 sourdough bread slices, toasted 1 Start by bringing a medium pan of water to the boil. Crack an egg into a cup or ramekin. Swirl the boiling water, then tip in the egg. Quickly crack another egg and add to the water. Simmer for 3-4 mins until the egg whites are set and the yolk remains soft (to check, lift the egg out and…

TOP TIP Look stylish when you step off the plane in an investment outfit.…

…her first pregnancy We are all very excited. I couldn’t care less if it’s a boy or a girl – it will be a nice surprise on the day. I just want to get the baby here healthy! …whether she has any names in mind Calling him (or her) after a footballer is not on the agenda at all. We’ve had a few discussions, but nothing has been confirmed. An Irish name isn’t out of the question, but we’ll just have to wait and see the wee thing. …if husband Frank will be her birthing partner I hope so. Plus all my family are going to fly over from Northern Ireland, so I’ll have lots of help on hand. …the side effects of her pregnancy I have been craving ice…

CATCH UP ON YOUR HOLIDAY VIEWING WITH NETFLIX RU PAUL’S DRAG RACE SEASON 10 Who will be crowned Queen? As a host of hopefuls battle it out to emerge victorious, expect over-the-top outfits, big, big hair and lip-synch battles. It’s just fabulous TV, darlings… THE GOOD PLACE Kristen Bell and Ted Danson star in this fantasy comedy about a woman sent to a heaven-like afterlife – by mistake – who must try to learn to be a better person, to avoid being sent to hell. GILMORE GIRLS What could be better than bingeing on fast-talking, comfort TV about three generations of women from one family: Emily, Lorelai and Rory? Available from the start, including the four-part reunion.…

From deadly melanomas (often caused by sunburn) to basal-cell carcinoma (constant overexposure to the sun), skin cancer is one of the most common and deadly forms of this hideous disease, and not even our most flawless celebrities are immune to it. In the UK, more than 100,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year but, caught early, most can be cured. So as summer is here, and we start seriously soaking up the rays, we look at some famous faces who have their own cautionary tales to tell… AMERICAN SUPERSTAR JANE FONDA In a recent interview to promote the fourth season of Netflix’s hit comedy Grace And Frankie, seemingly ageless Hollywood legend Jane Fonda, 80, took the brave decision to address the skin cancer on her lower lip before…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Torbay, or not Torbay? That is the question. Famous as much for its palm trees, beaches and sweeping bays as it is for delicious cream teas and thatched cottages set among rolling hills, there is much to explore in this magical southern corner of England. Made up of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, Torbay has been one of our top holiday destinations for years – and with so much to do, it’s little wonder. INSIDER’S GUIDE Orestone Manor, just a short drive from Torquay Harbour, is a boutique hotel steeped in festive history. The family-run manor is the former home of John Horsley, the designer of the Christmas card in 1843! Torquay Harbour offers shops, beaches and even a theatre. But head in the opposite direction and you will…