Table of contents for 22-2019 in Best

Beauty might only be skin deep, but it’s still a lot of fun trying and testing all the products out there, isn’t it? It seems you agree too, as we had a fantastic response to our appeal for your views on our 2019 best beauty awards. You voted for your favourite products and the results are unveiled this week on page 24. What’s great about the winners is that you don’t have to have deep pockets to afford to treat yourself – prices start from £2.99! My personal favourite is, admittedly, somewhat pricier, but it’s worth the investment – Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour All Over Miracle Oil. With treats in mind, keep an eye on these pages in the coming month as we’ll be giving away loads of beauty goodies…

Elton John’s exfiancée has spoken out about how her relationship with the flamboyant singer didn’t make the cut in Rocketman, the new film about Elton’s life story. Back in 1970, Linda Hannon, now 75, was set to marry the love of her life, Elton John. The pair had met on Christmas Eve 1967 at a cabaret club in Sheffield, as Elton performed in Long John Baldry’s backing band. But she’s not even given a mention in the new film. ‘Sometimes I wonder if he’s forgotten about me’ to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain, she opened up about the truth of their relationship. ‘Sometimes, I wonder if he’s forgotten about me. I mean, it was a long time ago and he’s such a superstar now. I was…

I take a deep breath. I really don’t want to do this. Especially here, on the Tube, with so many other people around. But I’ve made a vow, and now I have to take the leap. My heart is racing. ‘Hi,’ I say to the man sitting next to me. ‘Is that a good book?’ He jumps, shocked, but then smiles and starts explaining the plot. Before long, we’re talking about the author, then where he’s from – France – and eventually, we bond over both loving the same French restaurant in north London. A few stops later, the guy gets up to leave, but turns to me just before he goes. ‘It was really nice to meet you,’ he says. ‘What a pleasant surprise.’ I can’t believe how good…

1 Focus on one thing – or habit – at a time. Small changes have a profound effect. A small habit might feel inconsequential but, over time, a trickle can erode rock. Consistency plus time equals radical difference and can change your life. 2 Be aware of the way you talk to yourself and the behavioural habits you have. Ask yourself, ‘Why did I say that? What was my trigger when I reached for the biscuit in the meeting? Was it the only thing available and I was hungry, or did I feel uncomfortable by what was being said and needed a distraction?’ 3 Relax about hiccups on your journey. ‘Falling up’ is the concept that failure is inevitable, but often leads to greater opportunities. Research shows that individuals who…

‘I’m slightly conflicted when it comes to my on-off heroine, Madonna. On the one hand, she is undoubtedly amazing. At 60 years old, she is a tour de force – a woman who can still prance around a stage in heels, singing at the same time, while I can’t even stand in a pair. She is a machine, and I’m in awe of her determination to prove she still has it, can still do it. But, I’m not sure she has, or can, any more. Because, as I watched her on the Eurovision Song Contest, trussed up like a granny at a fancy dress party and singing way off-key, I just felt sad. So, although I hate to say it, I think it might be time to put away the…

IS MY FRIEND’S BLOKE A LOVE RAT? Having been single for the past five years, I’ve become a bit of a pro at dating apps (even though I’m in my late forties!). However, just over a week ago, I came across a man’s profile that looked suspiciously like my friend’s new partner – and I’ve not stopped thinking about it since. The profile had a different name to the man I know, but the age and images uploaded were uncanny in their likeness. I see this friend of mine every few months, so it’s not like we’re the best of friends, but if this man is posing as someone else, I feel she has the right to know. If it’s not him, both she and her partner will never want…

Classic Supermarket Pink…

Tuna steaks on a niçoise salad Serves 4 Ready in 30 mins 3 eggs* (see box below)150g green beans, trimmed125g baby spinach leaves½ cucumber, diced150g cherry tomatoes, halved4 tuna steaks Low-calorie cooking spray100g jar anchovy fillets, drained, rinsed and roughly chopped FOR THE DRESSING 1 garlic clove, crushed100ml fat-free vinaigrette Finely grated zest and juice of½ unwaxed lemon Small handful of finely chopped fresh tarragon 1 About 30 mins before you want to cook, light the barbecue. 2 Put the eggs into a saucepan of water, bring to the boil and cook for 4-5 mins or until cooked but the yolk is still slightly soft in the centre (or cook them until done to your liking). Lift the eggs out using a slotted spoon, refresh under cold running water and…

HISTORICAL HITS READ IT IF YOU LIKE DRACULA Shadowplay Joseph O’Connor W&N, £14.99 It’s Victorian London, where, at the Lyceum Theatre, the actor Henry Irving reigns, with Ellen Terry as his leading lady. Bram Stoker, later to write Dracula, goes to work for him, and the three forge a lifelong friendship. Beautifully written and gorgeously atmospheric. The Rapture Claire McGlasson Faber, £14.99 In the drab days after World War Two, the Panacea Society – a religious cult made up of mostly women – awaits the return of Jesus, in Bedford. But, for Dilys, the arrival of a new recruit makes her question her faith. A poignant tale based on a true story. HEART-WARMERS READ IT IF YOU LIKED JULIE & JULIA The Bookshop On The Shore Jenny Colgan Sphere, £12.99…

Charlie Sheen, 53, is as notorious for his bizarre interviews and bad-boy antics as his acting prowess. He’s starred in iconic films such as Platoon and Wall Street and in smash-hit series Two And A Half Men, but his personal life has been a rollercoaster – including a shocking HIV diagnosis in 2011, three divorces (including one from actress Denise Richards) and his sacking from Two And A Half Men by producer Chuck Lorre, amid rumours that Charlie’s ‘alleged cocaine habit’ was out of control. But the father-of-five seems to have found his inner zen these days, and has even quit the booze. best attended a special audience at London’s Boisdale restaurant in Canary Wharf to hear Charlie discuss his fascinating life and career – and as you might imagine, he was as entertaining and eccentric as ever… You…

Jodie Comer, 26, is from Liverpool. She’s also starred in Doctor Foster, Thirteen and My Mad Fat Diary, and has just picked up a BAFTA for her performance as Villanelle in Killing Eve. Villanelle has a really dark side. Has that been fun to explore? Oh, yes, and I’m running with it – for ever. She’s so free, and there’s no sense of consequence with her. And to play that is extremely fun and really liberating. Normally, if I don’t get a part, I think, ‘OK, I see why I didn’t get it.’ But with this, I thought, ‘If I don’t get Villanelle, there’s no chance of me watching that!’ Luckily, I had the opportunity to just revel in that and run with it and get away with all the…

The 30-plus islands of the Caribbean archipelagos are some of the most romantic on Earth thanks to their abundance of natural beauty: golden sand, warm turquoise water and bright tropical flowers. And whether you’re seeking an intimate barefoot beach ceremony, to exchange your vows on a cliff top at sunset or a fun-filled reggae reception, there’s an island to suit all tastes… JAMAICA You need to be in Jamaica 48 hours before you can tie the knot, the perfect excuse to kick back and enjoy two days in an over-water villa at new adults-only, all-inclusive Sandals Royal Caribbean resort. Relax in hammocks, fish-spot through glass floor panels and take dips in your private infinity pool. When it’s time to wed, choose from the white sand beach, beneath an oceanfront gazebo…

1 PINK LADIES It seems like everyone is aiming to look pretty in pink this week. Sadly, we’re not 100 per cent sure that Gemma Collins, 38, has pulled it off in this oversize trouser suit – it’s all a bit 70s psychedelic for us. However, 73-year-old Helen Mirren is looking über-chic with a pink tint to her hair. It’s definitely a case of less is more! As the warm summer days approach, these three ladies kept cool in stunning blue dresses 2 Fashion in bloom! We’re certainly not feeling ‘blue’ about these celebrity outfit choices at the Chelsea Flower Show. Radio 2 DJ Jo Whiley, 53, put a boho twist on affairs with her maxi gown, while national treasure Mary Berry, 84, looked chic in a fitted floral dress with sheer…

She seemed to be hinting that romance was in the air earlier this year, and now we know why. Fitness guru and TV star Davina McCall, 51, is officially back in the dating game! After a difficult 2018, which saw her 18-year marriage to TV producer Matthew Robertson, father of her three children, end in a quickie £2.5million divorce, it seems the TV star has found love again – and we can’t imagine anyone more deserving. And her new love is someone who was under her nose the whole time! Romance has blossomed between Davina and her old friend, celebrity hair guru Michael Douglas, 45 – the man who’s tended to her tresses, as well as those of Holly Willoughby and Dawn French, for nearly 20 years. The pair have…

What springs to mind when you say ‘Anthea Turner’? A life played out in public, a glittering TV career on first Blue Peter and then GMTV that imploded with her marriage to second husband Grant Bovey and those infamous ‘Flakegate’ pictures in 2000. (She was accused of posing with a Cadbury Snowflake bar to fund the wedding.) Her relationship with Grant collapsed after he was caught cheating with a 27-year-old and, despite her efforts to save it, the couple split in 2015. Along the way, she lost her home, thanks to Grant’s business debts, never fulfilled her dream of becoming a mum and, while divorcing for the second time, was prescribed antidepressants. She admitted, ‘Behind the blow-dry and smiles, it was awful. Bloody awful.’ Today, Anthea, 59 last week, lives alone…

‘Tearing through the grass, the wind flapping in my ears, I was having the time of my life. Wait… I can smell a rabbit! I darted in front of my Momma, Jess Martin, twisting in and out of her ankles and nearly tripping her up. Thankfully, I could hear her laughing. She mustn’t mind! Just then, I caught a whiff of another dog close by, and it was barking loudly. I stopped, stock-still, suddenly frightened. Where was it? Was it close? But before fear could overwhelm me, my best friend, Toby – a Border terrier – was in front of me, his side touching my nose, so I knew where he was. He barked a warning, and the other mutt backed off. My whole body relaxed and I nuzzled my…

TAKE A BITE! Thanks to McVitie’s Nibbles, you can enjoy a little of what you fancy! Choose from bite-size Milk Chocolate Digestives, Milk Chocolate Caramel Digestives and Milk Chocolate Hobnobs, in a sharing pouch for £1.50 or a handy on-the-go size for just 59p. Hurrah for halloumi Get ready for a trolley dash! Aldi’s Specially Selected Halloumi Fries, £2.29, are back in store now! Heavenly with a dip, or enjoy as a side with Theo’s tasty lamb and pistachio burgers, right. Not just any old wrap… This is an M&S Plant Kitchen Hoisin No Duck Wrap, £3.50! Made with roasted soya protein, hoisin sauce, cucumber and fresh spring onion, it’s a brilliant meat-free option for lunch on the go or as part of a veggie picnic selection. FROZEN DELIGHT Just…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Follow the menu on the right – it’s Extra Easy! You can start on any day you choose, swap days around if there’s a meal you really fancy, or repeat days if there’s something you particularly enjoy! You’ll find more ideas at slimmingworld.co.uk or when you join your local Slimming World group, or sign up to Slimming World Online. 2 Foods printed in bold are ‘Free Food’, which you can enjoy freely to satisfy your appetite without needing to weigh, measure or count at all. Base meals around Free Food, like lean meat, fish, meat substitutes including plain tofu, Quorn, pasta, rice, potatoes, eggs, pulses, fat-free dairy, fruit, vegetables and more. If you feel hungry between meals, snack on these foods. For the very best weight…

Having my son, Toby, was truly the most amazing thing I’ve ever done. Being a mum and looking after the precious little life myself and my husband, Paul, had created, totally consumed me. It was a wonderful, life-changing experience that turned my world upside down for those first few years of his life and I loved every minute of it. However, when I dropped him off for his first day at school and realised I suddenly had all this extra time to myself, I barely recognised the woman I’d become. I was a world away from the busy retail worker who was always rushing here, there and everywhere pre-Toby. And I don’t just mean emotionally. Physically, I was a very different person, too. Four stone heavier and a whole bag…

1 You have… dark circles REDUCE SYMPTOMS WITH TOMATOES The juice has a very gentle lightening effect to help brighten the skin tone. Blend 1-2 tomatoes well, take 2tbsp and mix with 1tbsp flour to make a paste. Apply under the eyes (don’t go too close to the actual eye) and leave for 5 mins before rinsing off. 2 You have… damaged hair WASH IT IN ROSEMARY WATER This herb contains carnosic acid, which helps encourage healthy hair growth by improving blood circulation to the scalp. Take a handful of fresh rosemary and steep in hot water. Wait for it to cool before rinsing your hair in it. 3 You want… a body scrub EXFOLIATE WITH BLUEBERRIES One of the best superfoods out there, blueberries help encourage cell turnover for…

Celebrity agent turned author Melanie Cantor, 62, lives in London and has two grown-up sons. Congratulations on your first novel, Melanie! Thank you! I am so excited and nervous, I feel like this really is my moment. I got a finished copy through the letterbox the other day and I was just so thrilled. I mean, it has taken me a long time to get here. You were busy with a few other things, though… Well, that is true. At first, I was a publicist in theatre and TV, and then I moved into being an agent. I was Ulrika Jonsson’s agent for 17 years. It was a wonderful roller-coaster ride, and we still swap emails occasionally. Melanie Sykes was also my client and remains a dear friend. Didn’t you…

BRADLEY WALSH IS A GEMINI 22 May – 21 June If you’re thinking about giving yourself a birthday treat, you should find the courage to make more time for the activities you love. This is the best gift you can give yourself. VIRGO 24 August – 23 September Perfect your interviewing skills if you’re looking for a new job. The more confident you look and sound, the bigger the impression you will make. A generous relative will help you do some home repairs. Challenges are much less daunting when there are people willing to help. SAGITTARIUS 23 November – 21 December You radiate charm and positive energy, and this helps boost teamwork. If there’s something you really want, now is the time to go for it. Let others know your…

Funny man Keith Lemon made his name on Celebrity Juice. Known for his outrageous pranks, Keith has finally got his own chat show on ITV2 – the first show he has done outside of a studio setting. Here he opens up about the secret of his success and what we can expect from his new show, where we see him taking celebrity guests, including BGT’s Amanda Holden, Love Island’s Caroline Flack and pop star Matt Goss, for a chat while they are doing their shopping. So what could go wrong…? This show sounds like the perfect fit for you – did you conceive the idea? Well, yes, but it all happened by accident. I was at a meeting with ITV on talks about another programme when for some reason I…

… loving classical music I got the bug from my dad. He used to blast it out so loudly at home. I guess it’s truly embedded now, as I’ve ended up on Classic FM, which I love. I want to try to change younger generations’ opinion of classical music, so they can enjoy it as much as I did when I was young. … presenting André Rieu’s Shall We Dance? concert, out on film soon What I love about it is that people can experience all the magic in cinemas close to home. They can get up and feel the music without actually being there! I’ll be showing everyone behind the scenes and doing a backstage interview with André. He is such a lovely guy. I often wonder what he…

Las Vegas has long been a hot spot for weddings. Ever since Elvis married Priscilla at the Aladdin Hotel in the 60s, it’s had a rock ’n’ roll reputation, and the fact that it’s cheap, quick and fun adds to the allure. Little wonder couples are increasingly leaving the UK (where the average wedding now costs an eye-watering £30,355) and heading to Nevada to tie the knot for a fraction of the price (and with guaranteed sunshine). Vegas is particularly appealing to second time around couples keen to ditch the pomp and faff of a big white wedding. What could be simpler than flying in and saying ‘I do’ at a glamorous venue on legendary Las Vegas Boulevard? BEST HOTEL CHAPEL Most Vegas resorts have chapels, but none are as…

‘If you stop any Millennial on the street and ask them to name a national treasure, I can guarantee that Sir David Attenborough will be the name that pops up most frequently. Possibly because he’s one of the few faces of the older generation who Millennials feel is really in their corner when it comes to looking out for our future and – more specifically – the big blue planet that we all call home. Thanks to Sir David and his host of documentaries (the newest of which, Our Planet, can be found on Netflix), climate change has been thrust into the spotlight over the past few years – and now, things are coming to a head. Enter Extinction Rebellion, the international movement that, in their words, ‘uses non-violent civil…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES TO ENTER CALL 0900 100 0921 (UK 65ppm)† /1550 787026 (ROI 97cpm) † CODE: PUBSTN19387 Use the anagrams, straight, cryptic, quiz and picture clues to solve the crossword. When completed correctly, the pink squares, reading top to bottom, left to right, will reveal the answer to the question below: Which pop princess celebrates her 51st birthday this week on 28 May? (5) This is your prize answer. See below for details on how to enter. ACROSS 7 In anatomy, what is the common name for the patella? (7)9 See 21D10 Cocktail shellfish? (5)11 As dead as a dodo! (7)12 ANAGRAM VEE13 What island nation was formerly known as Ceylon? (3,5)16 PICTURE B Name it (8)17 There was a…

Seen out in London recently, Pauline Quirke didn’t seem herself. The actress looked down in the dumps as she carried shopping bags along the street. Perhaps her weary appearance is, in part, a reflection of Pauline’s concern for best friend Linda Robson – the Loose Woman is reported to have had a ‘meltdown’ at Christmas, brought on by ‘exhaustion’, with police and medics called to her Islington home. It’s not clear just what went on with mum-of-three ‘Granny Linda’, but whatever it was, she is yet to return to her ITV day job on the Loose Women panel five months on. Worry for her pal of old and Birds Of A Feather co-star may have taken its toll on Pauline. And surely, if anyone knows what’s really going on with…

I DO… TAKE TWO If you are opting for a less formal occasion second time around, this prom style is perfection! You could also wear it after the big day with a black tuxedo-style jacket and colour pop heels. BE OUR GUEST…… While we would never suggest upstaging the bride, a wedding is the perfect excuse to dress up. Instead of playing it safe with pale shades, stand out with a bold floral that will guarantee to pop in the photographs! LOVE IS ALL AROUND You don’t need to spend thousands on a wedding dress you’ll only wear once. Our stunning find costs under £500 from Next! MUM IN A MILLION.. A cocktail dress is the perfect way to wow at your wedding. This off-shoulder design is simple and elegant…

If Sue Nicholls is exhausted after an intense week of filming, she doesn’t show it when best catches her at Coronation Street HQ late on a Friday afternoon. Sue, who plays Britain’s best-loved hairdresser, Audrey Roberts, has been recording one of her biggest storylines to date – revealing who stole Audrey’s £80,000 inheritance, which plays out on Corrie this week. It’s 40 years since Sue, 75, made her soap debut in April 1979, when Audrey showed up uninvited to daughter Gail’s engagement party. ‘Audrey was a different person back then,’ Sue admits. ‘She was over the top, over-glam and, as long as someone bought her a G&T, she was happy!’ As bubbly as we bet Audrey would be if we dropped in for a blowdry, Sue – who, last year, celebrated 25…

Neapolitan loaf Our trendy homage to the classic three-layered ice cream treat. Hands on time: 30min, plus cooling Cooking time: 1hr 10min Serves 8-10 200g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra to grease200g caster sugar3 large eggs, beaten250g self-raising flour Pinch of salt25g cocoa powder2 tbsp milk Bake-safe pink food colouring1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract TO DECORATE 200g unsalted butter, softened275g icing sugar½ tsp vanilla bean paste or extract2 tbsp milk Handful of strawberries Wafers and/or ice cream cones2 tbsp squeezy chocolate sauce1 tbsp 100s & 1000s 1 Preheat oven to 170°C, fan 150°C, gas 3. Grease and line base and sides of a 900g loaf tin with baking parchment. In a large bowl beat butter and sugar with a handheld electric whisk until light and fluffy – about 5min.…

£1.88p PER SERVING Lamb and pistachio burgers ‘What a great combination of flavours! Served with a simple light coleslaw, these burgers are quick to make and taste great. If you want to spice them up a bit, throw a couple of tablespoons of harissa or chipotle paste into the burger mix. To keep costs even lower, swap out the pistachio nuts for peanuts.’ PER SERVING CALS 656 FAT 37g SERVES 4 BURGERS 500g lean lamb mince2 cloves garlic, finely chopped5g fresh parsley, chopped5g fresh coriander, chopped50g pistachio nuts, crushed1tbsp dried oregano Seasoning (ground black pepper and salt)1tsp smoked paprika COLESLAW 1 apple, cut into slithers1 carrot, shredded300g red cabbage, shredded1tbsp lemon juice2tbsp olive oil4 brioche burger buns 1 In a large bowl, combine all the burger ingredients together until well…

As I turned into the supermarket aisle, my stomach dropped as I saw a familiar face. Fighting all my instincts to run the other way, I took a deep breath and forced myself to walk towards the woman who’d made my life hell for so long. ‘Hi, Kerry*,’ I said, as soon as we were close enough. She looked at me blankly, then did a double-take. ‘Laura?’ she said. ‘I didn’t realise it was you. I haven’t seen you since school – you look… different!’ ‘Yeah, I guess so,’ I replied, forcing a smile. ‘I’d better be going, though.’ As I stepped away, my heartbeat finally slowed down. No matter how friendly Kerry had just been, all I could remember was how she and her friends had bullied me mercilessly…

‘SUMMER BODY’ READY? Not quite…! I used to have a ‘summer body’ but, these days, I tend to take my winter body on holiday with me! My winter body moved in a few years ago, and seems to have taken up permanent residence… and boy, does she love a holiday! As soon as I mention Spain, Portugal, Morocco or Dubai, she’s right there at the front of the queue. The big problem, though, is finding clothes for her, because none of the summer holiday wardrobe I’ve built up over the years, or the new things that take my fancy in the shops now, ever seem to fit her! She’s that awkward shape. Largechested, muffin-topped, a bit chunky around the thighs and with more than an ample bottom. Who is this woman?…

Bold and beautiful Fit-and-flare styles help to create an hourglass shape. Take it to the max A feminine maxi dress is the perfect option for a wedding abroad. If you don’t fancy heels, shop for a pair of embellished flats instead. All in the detail A subtle print gives a simple shift dress a feminine new look. Lovely lace While cream is a no go unless you are the bride, it’s a great option for a day at the races.…