Chat

welcome to this week’s chat...

When Gaye read a story in Chat last year, she had to write in to share her own (p34). We’re sure you’ll get behind her important campaign. Chris’ moving tribute to his incredible wife Helen will have you in tears (p52). What an inspiration the family is.And if you’ve ever worried about being too wobbly, check out what Nikki has to say – at 30st she’s never felt sexier (p10)!We’ve also got our usual cracking crime stories, health, prize puzzles, food (p27), great value fashion (p12) and more. Get stuck in!…

chat to us!

I was talking to my family from the top of the stairs when our nosy pooch decided to see what we were up to! Kerry Bramley, Nottingham I love this photo of my husband trying on hats at a market in Spain. At €3 each, he was spoiled for choice! SM Foster, Bridlington Look who I bumped into in Blackpool. It's the lovely Michael Ball! He was so friendly and talked to me for ages. Kathryn Milner, Pudsey I love this picture of my dad Michael as a child with his dad George. Don't they look happy? Vanessa Tillman, Chatham When I took my daughter Jasmine, 5, for a hot chocolate, this was her reaction. She definitely enjoyed it! Stacey Hill, Torquay Here's…

‘ not you too... ’

‘Uncle Neil’ Emily broke down Me today: I'm still traumatised Lilly, 19, Dorset Dipping in and out of the waves, I kicked my little legs as hard as I could.Looking back towards the beach, I watched my younger sisterEmily, 9, shriek as she jumped into the crashing tide.Beyond her, on the shore, our uncle Neil was watching us.It was summer 2011, and we’d finally broken up from school. Mum and Dad were busy working.But ‘Uncle Neil’, 69 – actually our mum’s cousin’s husband – offered to babysit.He’d take us to the park to feed the ducks, to the cinema...But the seaside was our favourite summer spot.As we arrived home that day, Neil handed us both a £5 note.‘Pocket money,’ he smiled.‘That’s sweet of you,’ Mum…

‘he’s a monster’

Bancroft Emily says, ‘I will forever hate Neil for what he has done to me and my sister. There will never be a day that I find it in my heart to forgive him. I still have nightmares about what he did. He is a very sick human being and deserves to rot in hell for what he's done. I wish I could say he'll never get out. He's a monster and deserves to stay locked up until his dying day.' …

fat and fabulous

I've learnt to love me - and the blokes do, too! Winner, winner..! Jesse's photos made me look and feel amazing Nikki Baker, 28 Growing up Striking my best pose, putting on a killer pout, I looked into the camera lens. Wearing nothing but a colourful striped bra and tiny blue skirt, I bared my body for the world to see…All 30st of it.Modelling for the first time, for photographer Jesse Fox, was nerve-racking, but I couldn’t wait to see the results.I loved her photography style – arty, sexy and tasteful.I’d put myself forward when she’d asked for volunteers for her portfolio, in July 2008.A lot of big girls would have shied away from stripping off for the camera. But…

missing, presumed eaten

Couples Mike and Denise Williams and Kathy Thomas and Brian Winchester had a lot in common.The husbands and wives were close friends, had each been childhood sweethearts with their partners.They’d had picture-perfect lives, growing up in sunny Florida. All four had been classmates at North Florida Christian School, before each marrying in 1994.Children soon followed, and the couples would double date and take holidays together.But on 16 December 2000, tragedy struck...In the early hours, Mike took his boat out to go duck hunting on Lake Seminole. And never returned.Distraught, his wife Denise reported Mike missing, and the authorities sent out search parties.His friend Brian joined the desperate hunt for him.After 44 days, only Mike’s empty boat had been found. He’d disappeared without a trace.The police speculated it was likely…