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Kym Marsh is smiling again after going public with her new romance with actor Sam Thomas. On her Instagram, the actress, 48, posted a picture of the couple with the caption: ‘Met the most amazing man ever! Sometimes the most unexpected things happen at the most unexpected times. @samuelthomasuk I love you #beautiful #soulmate #loveyou.’ Sam added a picture of the pair, writing: ‘I didn’t expect you, but here you are. I love you.’ Kim replied: ‘Ditto. The best things happen unexpectedly. Love you too.’ At 29, Sam is 19 years younger than Kym, who separated from her third husband, army officer Scott Ratcliff, 34, in May 2023, after just 19 months of marriage. However, Kym found happiness again when she was cast as Cruella De Vil in musical 101…

Flicking through some online news, I was stopped in my tracks. It was about TV doctor Michael Mosley, 67, who had gone missing while on holiday with his wife in Greece. My heart pounded as memories of my own husband going missing flooded back. Ben, 42, was a keen scuba diver. We’d been married for 10 years and had three children – Monty, then seven, Hector, then five, and Tabitha, who was just six-months-old when Ben went missing. Our life in Faversham in Kent was busy, but happy. Ben was a self-employed floor specialist, while I was a full-time mum with the kids. Ben was an utterly devoted father and husband. He did school runs, night feeds, changed nappies, gave cuddles and read bedtime stories. His love of diving had…

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Layered ‘nacho’ dip with tortilla chips One of the all-time favourite sharing plates is nachos – tortilla chips piled high with tomato salsa, guacamole, sour cream and grated cheese, then warmed under a grill. This dip version is layered up in a bowl and then warmed, ready to scoop out with crunchy tortilla chips. Serves: 6 GUACAMOLE 6 ripe avocados, halved and pitted TOMATO SALSA 6 ripe medium tomatoes TORTILLA CHIPS 8 small soft wheat flour tortillas TO ASSEMBLE 200ml sour cream 1 Scoop the flesh out of the avocados with a tablespoon into a shallow bowl. Add the onion, coriander and chillies. Add the lime juice, then mash everything together with a fork, leaving the texture quite chunky. Season with salt to taste. Add a few dashes of Tabasco…

Standing on stage with the spotlight on, I couldn’t make out the faces in the audience – but I knew all eyes were on me. Most people might break out in a sweat at the thought of public speaking, and are told to picture everyone naked to feel more at ease. But for me, the stage feels like home. Breathing through the adrenaline rush, I told myself: ‘You’re living the dream, Louise.’ I opened with some recent gags about menopause and the other many joys (ha!) of midlife. I was met with a roar of laughter, which for me is medicinal. There’s nothing better than hearing someone laugh at a joke you wrote. When my hour show was over, I was in a bubble – the buzz of a good…

1 Monitor your levels of vitamin D Studies have shown that not having enough vitamin D can increase your risk of developing certain conditions, including IBD (irritable bowel disease). A vegan diet or lack of sun exposure can affect vitamin D levels, which may lead to a weakening of the intestinal walls called leaky gut. Ask your GP if they recommend checking your levels. 2 Walk more According to research on the effects of exercise on ‘gastric emptying’ (food moving from the stomach to the small intestine), short bouts of low-intensity exercise make the process go faster. That means a leisurely walk after lunch or dinner could be the push your body needs to up its digestion game. A walk could also aid in post-meal blood sugar management. 3 Keep…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Although Rhodes – Greece’s fourth-largest island – has long been favoured for sun-and-sand holidays, its capital, Rhodes Town, also appeals for stand-alone city breaks. What makes it special is its atmospheric, remarkably intact medieval centre that’s protected by massive sandstone walls and bastions. Inside them, thousand-year-old buildings have been turned into bars and boutique hotels, making this a living history that well deserves its World Heritage status. INSIDER’S GUIDE The fallen Colossus of Rhodes (a huge statue and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) may now be only a legend, but plenty of marvels remain in a town shaped by more than a millennium of invasion and influence. Each wave – from the Knights of St John to the Ottoman, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian Empires…

Jill Halfpenny first came into our Eighties living rooms when she landed a part in Byker Grove – and she’s not stopped working since, becoming a popular face on TV. What’s less well-known about Jill though, is the devastation she’s been dealing with behind closed doors. In 2017, her partner Matt died suddenly, suffering a fatal heart attack at the gym in shockingly similar circumstances to Jill’s father, who she lost at the tender age of four, when he went off to play football and also never came home. Now, seven years later, Jill, who has a 16-year-old son Harvey with her ex-husband Craig Conway, has found love with a new partner, Ian, and written a raw, honest book about her unbearable grief and how she learnt to deal with…

‘Sometimes, you hear words or phrases being bandied about that you think you know the meaning of, sort of, but don’t. Like ‘gaslighting’. I’ve only just found out what the true meaning and origin of the word is, and I feel so much better using it now. I mean, I wish I’d known before, because it’s an absolutely brilliant description of what happens when someone is trying to make you think you’re mad. And this week, I finally know what ‘catfishing’ means! I’d heard it so many times but I was scared to ask what it really meant, because I felt like I should know. In case you don’t know either, it’s when someone uses a fake persona to lure a victim into a relationship, but it’s used mostly to…

JOIN THE CONVERSATION It’s a gift! Gifts for kids’ parties has been a controversial subject for several years – but do your kids or grandkids get invites with QR codes for the gift list? That’s right, a parent was left gobsmacked after her daughter was given an invitation to a seventh birthday party and the invite contained a QR code present list of ‘luxury items’! The potential gifts included perfume, a designer purse and a Barbie Dream House (at £250). We’ve seen the (rather practical) wedding wish list but this seems extreme. We don’t know what to be more outraged about – the hefty price tag of the gifts or the QR code. What happened to the lovely life lesson of taking a child to a shop to carefully select…

1 LIGHTEN THE LOAD Like wearing a coat in a heatwave, ultra-rich body products can stifle your skin in Summer. Swap out creamy cleansers for oil-free body washes that contain salicylic acid or fruit enzymes, which will help break down oil and debris from sweat and keep pores clear. Don’t forget to moisturise. ‘Some people with dark skin experience more trans-epidermal water loss, meaning skin loses more water, and this can manifest as patches of white or grey skin,’ says dermatologist Dr Michelle Henry. Shower with Q+A Salicylic Acid Body Wash, £6.50, and seal in moisture with Aveeno Skin Renewal Firming Lotion, £14.99, which boosts collagen with blackberry leaf extract. FAKE IT YOURSELF Body blitz Masks are a whizz at boosting the skin on our face, so why not treat…

HOW IT WORKS 1 We all want to dive headfirst into the all-inclusive buffet and cocktails on holiday, but preparing before you go could stop you piling on the pounds while you’re away – we recommend cutting out fibrous foods that make you bloat and avoiding sugar fix traps. Our seven-day Mediterranean-style plan is full of the foods you can binge on in the sun – start today and you could lose 7lbs. 2 Eating the right foods before your trip will stabilise blood sugar levels so you’re more resistant to sugar cravings. Eating sweet treats and drinking alcohol regularly causes sugar dips and a loss of energy that makes you tired and crave more sugar! Cutting out all refined sugar including white bread, pasta and booze before you go…

MORRISONS PREMIUM MEAL DEAL, £5.50 (£5 WITH MORE CARD) Contains: main, snack and drink Both Morrisons meat and veggie sandwich options impressed across the board. The Best Chicken Caesar Sandwich boasted succulent chicken in a rich, peppery mayo, while the lettuce remained crunchy. The Cauliflower Coronation Wrap had a flavourful sauce and satisfying texture. Of the sweet treats, the caramel crispy struck the perfect balance with caramel, fudge and a chocolate topping, while the flapjack was a classic, buttery bake. WAITROSE FOOD TO GO MEAL DEAL, £5 Contains: main, snack and drink Waitrose’s PlantLife: Hoisin No Duck Wrap wowed – the ‘meat’ coated in a five-spice hoisin sauce and generously piled inside a soft spinach wrap, while pickled cabbage, spring onion and ginger slaw brings freshness and zing. The Steak &…

TOP TIP! Refreshing your bathroom doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Mix and match pieces you already have and only splash out on what you really need!…

PET OF THE WEEK Names: Ferris, Heidi and Stripe, all age three Breed: Rescue guinea pigs Owners: Lucy, Frankie and Eliza, Hampton Court 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.*…

CANCER 22 June – 23 July If ever there was a time to act on that zany idea you had, this is it! Expect flashes of inspiration this week, combined with an uncanny ability to make things happen. Why not say yes and just see what happens? Trust that changes will go smoothly for once, if you avoid the urge to be stubborn with friends and loved ones. LEO 24 July – 23 August Words will slip all too easily off your tongue, and there’s a fair chance you could say something you’ll later regret. Practise making your mantra: ‘Think before you speak.’ Shift your focus to YOU rather than letting rip at others – whether it’s boosting your fitness, sorting those finances or changing your diet, get stuck in.…

National treasure Dame Judi Dench, 89, has heartwrenchingly revealed she ‘can’t see any more’, as her degenerative eye condition has worsened. The Bond star – known for her stiff upper lip work ethic – was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (a common condition that affects the middle part of your vision) back in 2012. While it doesn’t cause total blindness, it can make recognising faces or reading difficult and, without treatment, your vision can get worse. In a previous interview, the British actress revealed she had ‘no option’ but to stay positive about her condition. ‘I am still painting, I can’t see any more,’ she said, before adding, ‘Perhaps it’s no worse than it used to be.’ The Skyfall star went on to say, ‘I have no option, have I?…

TOP TIP Flattering and versatile, a bold print top will see you through this Summer and next.…

I’d spotted him in the kids’ section as I passed through the garden centre on my way to buy petunias. He was so cute – sparkly eyes, button nose, soft grey and white hair – and very, very cuddly. I was smitten. I’d casually ambled over, trying not to make a spectacle of myself, and smiled at him as I reached hugging distance. Then, all of a sudden, he was in my arms. Without thinking, I’d picked him up and now there was no going back. I had to buy him… I’d joked with the girl on the till – it was my rule, I told her, you couldn’t reject a cuddly toy once you’d held it. His mates would tease him mercilessly if you dumped him back on the…

TOP TIP! Look for styles with an adjustable strap. You can then either wear across your hip or, for extra security, across your chest.…

CHOOSE YOUR FORMULA Sun creams are most often chemical or mineral based. Both protect, but in different ways. Mineral lotions like Heliocare 360 Mineral Tolerance Fluid, £24, contain mineral particles which reflect the harmful rays away, while chemical-based products absorb and break down rays before they can penetrate your skin. Mineral formulas are often seen as suitable for sensitive skin, but they can be thicker and may leave a white cast. FIND YOUR FACTOR You should be wearing at least SPF20 all year, but aim for SPF30+ during Summer. Go up to SPF50 if you’re outside a lot. The SPF number is the level of protection from UVB damage, so always opt for a sunscreen that protects from UVA too. Look for the UVA symbol or star rating on the back.…

Like most of us, I’ve read the 2006 self-help book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. The book is based on the law of attraction and works on the belief that like attracts like – for example when you give love, you receive it back. It claims positive thoughts can manifest positive experiences, letting you build the life you want for yourself. It was the first time I’d ever read about the universe providing for us – especially if we asked for it. ‘That’s just luck,’ I smirked. I was a sceptic, but I devoured the entire book in days, reading it from cover to cover. My first brush with the law of attraction was when I was 23 in 2008. I’d commute to the city from my home in Essex…

She’s spent more than a decade dealing with raging hormones – going from having her first baby at 42 (a girl) then a second (a boy) at 43, and then hitting perimenopause with ‘no pause’. Outspoken and honest, here Mariella explains why it’s so important that all women speak out about a life lived coping with hormone stages – and why the adage that once you have the menopause – ‘the next stage is death,’ is utterly ridiculous, – given that most of us are now set to live ‘rudely’ into our 90s… Hi, Mariella! You introduced a comedy night at the Hippodrome recently. Can you tell us more about it? As Chair of Menopause Mandate I welcomed an audience of old and young, men and women to have a…

EYES ON THE PRIZE When I received a request to present the end of year prizes at a junior school in Cornwall, I thought: do they really mean me? Was the headmaster actually sure that I was the right kind of person to be let loose on his nicely behaved group of pupils, all of whom had been shown the best kind of attention from his dedicated staff – before starting their Summer holidays? What if I accidentally broke wind once I was seated with a school governor? I mean, my behaviour at school hasn’t been exactly exemplary and has even been documented in various interviews over the years… Because, to be honest, I’ve never been particularly great with authority figures – including teachers, theatrical agents or traffic wardens… somehow…

HE’S BRINGING THE MISTRESS… My ex-husband (we were together for 19 years) left me for his mistress at Christmas – and he is now apparently bringing her to our only child’s wedding in September. I’m trying not to make a huge fuss, as this day is very important to me – and obviously my son – but I’m also quite hurt that my boy is allowing him to bring her. I’m trying not to ask too many questions, but I will draw the line at her being on the top table with us! Tara, York It is going to be difficult, but you must do your best to put your son front and centre on his wedding day. Don’t blame him for allowing his dad to bring his new partner.…

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/bestcross2924 ACROSS 4 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 17 20 21 22 23 24 DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 13 14 15 16 18 19 Which actress played Mary Poppins in the 2018 film Mary Poppins Returns? The answer will appear in the shaded squares. Phone and online entries open 16 July 2024 until midnight on 2 August 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…

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