Table of contents for 45 - 2017 in Best

They’re menopausal mums dealing with growing children, other halves, elderly parents, busy careers and life in general– so imagine how hectic things get at Christmas! Always up for a laugh, Loose Women partners-in-crime Nadia Sawalha and Kaye Adams open up exclusively to best and, from turkeys stuffed with melted plastic to present-buying meltdowns, share some stories of festive fun… NADIA: ‘CHRISTMAS DAY DOUBLES AS MADDY’S BIRTHDAY!’ There are birthday gifts as well as Christmas presents in Nadia’s house on 25 December, and this chef is hands-on with all the cooking! No wonder she’s feeling exhausted already… Hi, Nadia – what’s your typical Christmas? Mum and Dad live next door, so they come over in the morning, and then there’s me, Mark, his mum and our two girls. This year, we have…

The thought of getting ready for Christmas with all that cooking, cleaning and present-shopping is enough to leave anyone frazzled. But never fear, presenter Anthea Turner has transformed herself into our Christmas Cleaning Fairy, to share her tips on how to have a stress-free festive time… Anthea, why oh why do we get so stressed with Christmas?! We get carried away on a tidal wave of expectation. It’s ONE day! What’s your advice for making life a bit easier? Don’t be a martyr – we’re all guilty of not delegating. If you have family coming, ask them to bring food. Yes, people get overwhelmed by the food shopping… I know! We have this bizarre notion that we have to get everything done before Christmas, packing our cupboards like there’s going…

Christmas, Mother’s Day and my birthday are the worst. Special occasions tinged with sadness… I look up at the sky and wonder if my mum is out there, somewhere, looking up at the same stars. I was born in St Mary’s Hospital, London, on 28 March 1973. On my birth certificate, it says that my mother is Patricia Ross, and that she was 19. But all the other details are scant. What I do know is that my mother arrived at the hospital in labour. She was only six months pregnant and she must have known her baby was coming too early. I was born weighing just 1lb 10oz, and my mother was told I would not survive. Babies born that small and premature had very low odds of surviving…

Top gear A statement blouse teamed with velvet trousers is a winning combo! Skirt flirt Throw out the rule book and choose sassy separates instead. TAP THE APP! Make Christmas shopping easier with the Manage Christmas app. Just the jacket Give a simple black outfit extra shine with a sequin cover-up. Luxe tux A longline jacket style gives the LBD a modern update.…

The blaze that broke out at Grenfell Tower in London on 14 June this year is etched in the minds and memories of witnesses. But for those stranded inside the burning block of flats, the trauma of the fire – which claimed up to 80 lives – will stay with them for ever. One man, our best Hero, Farhad Neda, was trapped on the 23rd floor with his mum and dad. Very few people escaped from the upper floors. But this daring and brave young man carried his disabled mother down 24 flights of stairs to safety. Farhad, 24, a mechanical engineering graduate, says modestly, ‘I don’t think of myself as a hero. I don’t feel brave that I carried Mum down the stairs. It was simple: give it a…

Ask most little boys what their dream job would be, and the majority would say ‘professional footballer’. That was certainly true of Chris Unsworth and Steve Walters. Both showed such early promise that they were scouted for Crewe Alexandra’s FC Academy, aged 12 and 11. But, far from it being a dream come true, they found themselves in the clutches of a predatory paedophile. Chris and Steve suffered years of abuse, both keeping it secret out of a misplaced sense of shame and helplessness. Then, in November 2016, British football was rocked by a series of high-profile revelations about child sexual abuse. And both men found the courage to speak out. In response, many former pros came forward anonymously to share their stories. It highlighted the very real need for…

Matt Hampson was just 20 when he suffered one of the most catastrophic injuries ever sustained by a rugby player. In March 2005, he was training for the England Under-21s when a scrum collapsed on top of him. His neck bore the full weight, and his spinal cord was trapped. The accident left Matt, from Leicestershire, paralysed from the shoulders down and unable to breathe without the aid of a ventilator. But, instead of feeling sorry for himself, Matt has fought back – and raised more than £2 million to help others in his position. After he was injured, Matt spent 18 months in hospital, and now needs a team of carers day and night. ‘It was a freak accident,’ he says. ‘I miss the camaraderie. I miss the physicality…

HOW IT WORKS Most of us go on a diet in the runup to Christmas, so we’ve devised a plan to help you look your best without depriving yourself – ’tis the season to be jolly, after all! Besides, studies show a treat here and there boosts weightloss success… Get ready to slim faster than you can say Santa Claus! 1 Follow the plan (right), which includes three meals, a snack and a treat every day. 2 Feel free to munch on crudités if you’re still hungry in between meals. 3 Aim to drink at least 2ltr of fluid daily, including water, herbal tea, low-calorie squash, tea and coffee with skimmed milk (from your daily milk allowance of 500ml skimmed milk or 250ml semi-skimmed milk, and 1 pot of low-fat…

Festive family photos ‘I have a big family, but my aunts, uncles and cousins all live hundreds of miles away from our home town of London, so it’s often just me and my mum, dad and brother, Paul, on Christmas Day itself. So, every year, Dad would organise a family photoshoot for a picture to send to the family so they could see how much we’d grown. Dad decided that each picture would have a theme. So, one year, we were a mini Mary and Joseph, the next we were snapped jumping out of a cardboard box covered in tacky wrapping paper. It was great fun. By the time I was 12 and Paul was 10, we’d run out of ideas, so we used a photo of us surfing in…

My husband’s left me M y youngest daughter recently went to university, and last week my husband admitted he’s been unhappy for years. He was only waiting for her to move out to leave me. I feel bereft – I was already dreading the house being empty, and the thought of being completely alone is too much to bear. I think the biggest shock of all is that I had no idea that he was miserable. I don’t know what to do. Karen, Fife I’m afraid that a husband wanting freedom when the children are grown is one of the oldest stories around. If you had no idea that he was so unhappy, it’s worthwhile trying mediation. It may help you to get to the root of the problem and why…

We’re used to celebrities doing crazy things on reality TV shows, but Linda Robson has raised the bar – by taking drugs on TV. Linda was one of the five celebs to take part in Gone To Pot: American Road Trip – travelling to California with a film crew to explore whether marijuana should be legalised. She joined ex-EastEnders star Pam St Clement, actor Christopher Biggins, darts player Bobby George and ex-footballer John Fashanu on a psychedelic bus tour of the US state to ingest some of the locally grown produce. Linda loved her time on the show, but not everyone wanted her to take part, due to the controversial subject matter. ‘My agent was really worried,’ she says. ‘They said to me, “Please don’t smoke a joint on television.…

We all want to give our families the perfect Christmas, but that isn’t always easy… And no one knows this better than some of our favourite Loose Women! Gloria Hunniford – a twice-married mum-of-three and stepmum of two with 10 grandchildren between her and hubby Stephen Way – says her blended family now numbers ‘around 27’ at Christmas, admitting, ‘It’s crazy, but it’s wonderful.’ Gloria agrees with fellow presenter Andrea McLean, who previously explained to best, ‘It doesn’t matter what the day is. We have turkey, presents, ham. Christmas Day is just a day. Every day is what you make it. You make your own traditions, because what happens behind closed doors is what works for you. ‘Once you divorce, Christmas becomes quite a fluid thing,’ she added. ‘Anyone in…

BACKSTAGE BANTER We have such a laugh behind the scenes. The celebs this year are brilliant fun – I get on really well with Davood Ghadami and Jonnie Peacock. Of us pros, Oti Mabuse is pretty competitive, which I like, and she has a great sense of humour. FASHION FAUX PAS The costume department is fabulous but, at times, I’ve worn something I thought looked amazing, watched the episode back and gone, ‘Good grief.’ I’ve worn lots of dodgy vests. A man should never wear a vest, especially a sparkly one. I like to think my bum looks good in tight trousers – even if my wife says it’s not like it used to be! DIVA BEHAVIOUR? You would imagine there’d be a fair amount of diva antics on Strictly,…

1 THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT WHERE YOU SHOP! It can make a huge difference. Last year, research from the Good Housekeeping Institute showed that the difference between the cheapest supermarket and the most expensive one was £27.37 on Christmas dinner alone – meaning you could easily double your food bill using the wrong store. Aldi and Lidl are your friends here – inexpensive, but without having to compromise on taste. Visit mysupermarket.co.uk to find out where you’ll get the best deal on your shop. 2 DON’T FORGET THE BOOZE Festive cheer can be costly, but supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco often have discounted wine, Prosecco and Champagne, so keep an eye out. They also regularly have 25 per cent off deals if you buy six bottles at once (on top…

A DOG’S – AND CAT’S – DINNER! While we want the festive period to be just as fun for our four-legged friends, you do have to watch what they eat. Dr Sergio Sarmiento, specialist vet and advocate of Canagan, shares what to put on the naughty and nice list this year... NAUGHTY ⋆ Most of us know that chocolate is bad for dogs, but the toxic dose for cats is actually far lower. At worst, it can be lethal and, at best, it can upset the stomach. ⋆ Raw meats, raw eggs and fish often contain bacteria which can cause poisoning. ⋆ It might be tempting to give pets cooked bones to crunch on during the festive feast, but they’re one of the items that can do most harm, as…

It takes a special man to set his own personal trauma aside and choose to work tirelessly for others instead. But that’s exactly what our best Hero Simon Brown has done since he sustained life-changing injuries while fighting for his country. On 6 December 2006, Simon was leading a daring mission to rescue six stranded colleagues in Basra, Iraq. He was in dangerous terrain, known locally as the ‘killing zone’. The mission was almost complete when Simon was caught in an ambush. A sniper’s bullet entered his left cheek and exited through his right cheek, shattering both cheekbones. It destroyed his left eye and severely damaged his right. Calm and level-headed, Simon gave himself first aid. ‘Once I realised I wasn’t dead, I was able to think methodically,’ he says.…

Cyril Banks was just 18 when he joined the Royal Navy in 1943. His first months at sea were spent in the harsh Arctic convoys and on North Sea patrols, before his ship was deployed to sweep mines prior to the Normandy Landings. On D-Day itself – 6 June 1944 – Cyril was in the mine-clearing flotilla off Gold Beach (code name for one of the five areas of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France). The teenager witnessed some of the most ferocious fighting of World War II. ‘We saw so many bodies floating in the water. The horrendous things that were happening will live in my mind for ever,’ he says. Cyril went on to take part in operations in the Far East against the Japanese forces. Like so…

William Bishop describes himself as an ‘everyday guy’, but when he was confronted with a shoplifter, he proved himself anything but. In fact, he proved himself a hero twice over… When William heard a woman screaming in a branch of Boots, he sprang into action. He pursued his target until eventually he’d caught up with him under a subway. Having wrenched the bag from the thief, events took a violent turn. The cornered crook hit out at William with what he thought was a knife. It later turned out not to be a knife but, even so, the plucky young man refused to let go of the bag. William, 20, from Hednesford, Staffordshire, headed back to Boots to return the stolen items, which included several designer perfumes. With the information…

Asda STARTERS WINNER Extra Special Scallop & Lobster Coquilles, £6 Just oven-bake and serve – Asda has done everything else for you here. A delicious balance of fresh seafood and a rich thermidor sauce, topped with potato and crumb. Our only criticism is, it’s so tasty, you’ll want second helpings. RECOMMENDED Extra Special Duck, Cherry & Amaretto Pâté, £3 A smooth pâté with whole cherries dotted through, adding a burst of sweetness to the rich, boozy taste. Less is more! MAINS WINNER Triple Lamb Crown With Cranberry & Clementine Stuffing and Port & Mint Jus, £16.50 per kg Everything is prepared for you ready to cook, right down to the boozy sauce you pour over the meat at the end. This easy dish is tender and moist, with a delicate…

Claire crafts Christmas Here we are again! Can you believe it’s nearly Christmas? I just don’t know where this year has gone. I’ve been superorganised so far – as I’m on tour with Steps until the middle of December, I started my festive preparations back in September. To help you add a personal touch to your celebrations, I’m going to share my favourite craft projects. Happy making! Love Claire xx WHAT YOU NEED A selection of wool Different sized pom-pom makers, available from Hobbycraft A wire wreath frame or a polystyrene ring, available from Hobbycraft or amazon.co.uk Scissors Hot glue gun Length of strong ribbon HOW TO MAKE IT 1 Your first task is to make your pom-poms – and quite a lot of them! I used three different sizes…

When it seems like everyone at home or in your workplace has some kind of infection, you need to be sure you’re looking after yourself. Thankfully, for most of us, the typical winter illnesses aren’t very serious – and there are ways to avoid the germs… WASH AWAY BACTERIA Sing while you wash! Washing your hands for 20 seconds is a great way to get rid of the viruses and bacteria that cause colds, stomach upsets and flu. Twenty seconds is about the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice according to a recent campaign by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society – it’s believed this could be enough to prevent at least a third of diarrhoea cases. KEEP SURFACES CLEAN Do not mistakenly assume you only catch bugs from others…

Jodie Prenger, 38, shot to fame when she won TV talent contest I’d Do Anything. Now an established West End star, she lives on a farm in Lancashire with her fiancé Simon and their collection of animals. Are you excited about your musical Fat Friends? Very! We’ve got some big names in the cast, but everyone has rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in. No one is demanding white kittens or candles. And the show’s got the lot – amazing songs, a terrific script and heart. Tell us about your West End character, Kelly Stevenson… She’s that girl who was happy with herself – to start with. She’s in love with Kevin, they’re getting married, but then there’s this pressure on her to lose weight. Can you relate to…

CLAIRE KING Getting nautical in Northern Ireland is Corrie’s Claire King, who stars as the Magical Mermaid in Peter Pan at Belfast’s Grand Opera House, alongside local panto legend May McFettridge. From 2 December to 14 January. goh.co.uk JESSIE WALLACE Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all…? Catch former soap star Jessie Wallace in Bromley, Kent, as the Evil Queen in the Churchill Theatre’s Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs. From 2-31 December. churchilltheatre.co.uk CLAIRE SWEENEY Former Loose Woman Claire may seem angelic, but looks can be deceiving! See her dark side as she steps into the evil role of Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty at The Central Theatre in Chatham. From 7-31 December. medwayticketslive.co.uk MARTIN KEMP Even as a baddie, we love Martin Kemp! He stars…

I was as shocked as anyone when I heard the news that Simon had been taken to hospital. By then, Simon’s partner Lauren (Silverman) was already on a flight back from New York. We managed to get her on the phone and she immediately brought us up to date with what happened. He did take a fall. He did faint, and he’s currently undergoing tests. I think it’s come as a shock to Simon, as he himself admits, ‘It has been a wake-up call.’ He needs to look at his life, his workload, and try putting family above work. It’s well-known that he has vitamin injections, drinks spinach smoothies for breakfast and works out every day. But nothing works better than good old-fashioned sleep. Ever since he first went to…

It was always going to be difficult to fill the shoes of former head judge Len Goodman but, as the weeks go by, his replacement – ‘Queen of Latin’ Shirley Ballas – seems to be stepping on some toes. Ten days ago, she left Strictly viewers aghast when she criticised fan favourite, co-host Claudia Winkleman, for ‘slouching’ on the results show – resulting in an audible gasp from the audience and Claudia responding, ‘That’s a brave thing to say.’ And that’s not the only thing getting Strictly fans hot under the collar. Online reactions to Shirley on the show have been fairly damning. She is ‘rude’ and ‘catty’, wrote one Twitter user. Another commented, ‘What does #shirleyballas bring to #strictly apart from bias, drivel, whining voice, no personality, repetition and…

Turn over for more fab frocks…

THE WAY I SEE IT... Wise words from our feisty, fearless and funny columnist ‘I was worried about writing this column, because I was scared to say I didn’t want to join in or contribute to the #MeToo campaign, the online forum where women share stories of their experiences of sexual harassment, assault or attacks. Don’t get me wrong – of course I’m in favour of women brave enough to speak out about sexual assaults, such as the alleged rapes committed by movie producer Harvey Weinstein. In fact, I hope this forum helps them. But lines are becoming blurred. We’re at risk of losing perspective on very serious issues. Rape is wrong. Power should not be abused, and women should never feel intimated in the workplace. BUT, as journalist Julia…

Ben Morris-Eales is a dad and husband in a million. The 38-year-old devotes his days to looking after his three daughters, two stepdaughters and wife, Marie. The couple met when Ben, a single dad, moved to Southampton eight years ago with daughters, Sophie, then eight, Phoebe, five, and Isabel, who was just two. Inevitably, his social life was restricted to the school playground and the park. That’s how he met Marie and her two daughters, Mia and Jacqueline-Joan (known as JJ), who were then aged five years and seven months respectively. Marie was in a relationship but, when JJ began to have fits at the age of eight months, it placed the family under huge strain. Matters took a turn for the worse when JJ was hospitalised on New Year’s…

Chris Graham was just 34 when he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. At the time, he was serving in the Royal Logistic Corps of the British Army, stationed in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Growing up, Chris had no idea that dementia could run in his family until his older brother, Tony, was diagnosed with the disease in 2009, when he was just 38. That revelation, plus their father’s premature death at only 42 from what the family now believes was the same condition, rang alarm bells. Chris decided to find out if he was genetically predisposed to developing the degenerative brain disease. In 2010, a blood test confirmed his fears. Knowing he was a carrier of the early-onset gene also meant Chris’s two children – Natalie and Marcus, who…

Ahost of glittering TV and showbiz stars came out to honour our worthy and deserving winners at the first best Heroes Awards. From Strictly Come Dancing to Holby City to Gogglebox, the room was packed with famous faces who dazzled in their redcarpet outfits. And while the celebs made quite an entrance in all their finery, everyone agreed the real stars of the night were our fabulous Heroes. Their stories were humbling, inspiring and moving. It was certainly a night to remember!…

Ever had a bad time at a beauty counter? They can be intimidating places with overly made-up staff giving you a hard sell but, recently, they’ve had a makeover themselves, offering treatments alongside your purchases. best’s Helen Pike tried five big names to see what their services are really like. BEFORE YOU GO... 1 Book ahead online or over the phone. Spontaneous visits are welcome, but an appointment guarantees a dedicated one-onone experience. 2 Turn up with a clean face so the staff can see what they’re working with, plus it saves time taking off old make-up. 3 Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The staff can offer valuable advice. 4 Ask people to see what they thought about their own makeover treatment in local stores. Remember, makeovers can vary…

MAKE IT THIS MAYO Mayonnaise is a storecupboard saviour but, if you fancy something special, upgrade to Heinz Seriously Good Mayonnaise, from £2.49. It’s perfect used as a base for prawn cocktail, spread in your turkey sarnie or spooned on the side at any buffet. SERIOUSLY GOOD PUD FAB FRITTATA For a delicious meal in minutes, keep a new Higgidy Frittata, £4, in your fridge. Available in three tasty flavours – including CherryBell Pepper, Feta & Spinach – it’s great served warm with some crusty bread. If you don’t have the time – or inclination – to make a Christmas pud from scratch, let Lidl give you a helping hand. The Deluxe 24-Month Matured Christmas Pudding, £11.99, is packed full of ingredients, such as juicy Greek Vostizza currants and glacé…

Get the Look TOP TIP Faux berries and pine cones create a rustic and Christmassy feel. TOP TIP A stylish stag will look magnificent year after year!…

The rush is on to look your best for Christmas, and clever body-perfecting treatments will give you a great glamover. Do them now to look fab for the festive season. THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS BLITZER After six weeks of using the minimally invasive body shaping and fat blaster treatment BodyTite, you’ll look noticeably slimmer by Christmas. This new contouring treatment uses RFAL – radio frequency assisted liposuction – to break down fat cells, boost collagen and tighten the skin through a tiny incision in the skin. Up to three areas can be treated at the same time, including bra overspill, back fat, abdomen and thighs. You’ll see instant results that will carry on improving over the following weeks. From £2,000. FIRM & GLOW Starting a course of weekly skin tightening…

…moving back to the UK We lived in France for three years – but we’re setting up back here now. We had a great time. We lived right on the beach, and we loved the lifestyle. But I did miss my parents, and my brother has a little boy, so I didn’t want to miss out on that. …having a new baby My baby boy, Louis, is six months, and the older one, Ernie, is two-and-a-half. The first year in France, there wasn’t even one other English-speaking family. That was a bit of a shock to the system! At first, I was like, ‘Wow, this is lonely.’ In hindsight, it was a good opportunity to practise my French! …the return of Countryfile It’s coming back at Christmas. I think people…

THE CHRISTMAS SECRET – KAREN SWAN Take a trip to the remote Scottish island of Islay, with management guru Alex, who is sent to mentor enigmatic Lochlan – the boss of a distillery. Fireworks and romance ensue in this festive read. Available now, £7.99. MY COUSIN RACHEL Rachel Weisz delivers a stunning performance in this adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s suspense novel. Is widow Rachel an angel or a demon? Watch as Sam Claflin falls for her charms. DVD, £9.99. DIAMONDS – ELTON JOHN It’s 50 years since Sir Elton teamed up with songwriting partner Bernie Taupin so, to celebrate, he’s releasing this lavish greatest hits compilation. CD out Friday, from £9.99.…

BEST’S CELEB INSIDER TALKS X FACTOR... Simon told me to expect the live shows to be ‘quite different’ – and he was right. It’s the biggest overhaul The X Factor live shows have had in 13 years. There’s been much criticism of dropping the Sunday sing-off, but the staging and production this year has been completely transformed – it’s much more like watching a live concert than a TV show. This year, there are no novelty acts, no villains (apart from the judges!) and no jukebox. So here are my tips for the acts who I believe can go all the way to the final. In a perfect world, I expect Rak-Su to win, allowing Grace Davies to avoid the pressure of winning and letting her take her time recording…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT ‘Maybe it’s because I’m a Londoner, that I love London town’ – or so the song goes. And maybe that is why I love it. From the dazzling shop window displays at Selfridges to the buskers in Covent Garden and the funky lights of Carnaby Street, there is – for me – no place like home, especially at Christmas. INSIDER’S GUIDE Afternoon tea is a must while you’re here. There are so many places where you can sit back and relax, but if you choose to stay at St Ermin’s (see right), we highly recommended spoiling yourself with its unlimited Prosecco deal at £35 a head. Go on, it’s Christmas! Elsewhere, Leicester Square will feature star-shaped lights, a European-style Christmas market and a line-up of shows from comedy…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZE S TO ENTER CALL 0900 100 0921 (UK 65ppm)† / 1550 716 022 (ROI 97cpm) † CODE: PUBSTN17758 STRAIGHT CLUES ACROSS 1 Categorise (8) 5 More grotesquelooking (6) 10 Viper, e.g. (5) 11 Pieces of wet precipitation (9) 12 Mechanically functioning (9) 13 Blackboard stand (5) 14 Take in written words (4) 15 Transmits (5) 18 Field entrances (5) 20 Sheet of a book (4) 22 Carmen, e.g. (5) 24 Crude oil (9) 26 Hospital vehicle (9) 27 Up to such time (5) 28 High-rise buildings (6) 29 Amicable (8) DOWN 1 On-and-off (6) 2 Set of rooms (9) 3 Cooked over water vapour (7) 4 Leading, original (5) 6 Female deity (7) 7 Presses clothes, etc (5) 8…