Table of contents for 35 - 2022 in Best

Last week, we read about the death of Darius Campbell Danesh – the tall, talented Glasgow-born singer, who gave his time freely to two of our columnists, Aamer Khan and Lesley Reynolds, to help raise funds for their brainchild, Back on Track. Back on Track is a charity that gives physical help – including cosmetic treatments for burns, scarring and psychological trauma – to our military veterans. The electrifying Scottish heartthrob sang at their charity balls and turned out for their go-karting events, chatting easily with our injured troops. Darius was inspired by his father, Dr Booth Danesh, who taught him that ‘mindset is huge’, as he battled Stage 4 cancer and miraculously survived. Darius went on to support several charities himself, including Cancer Research UK for his father, and…

Dame Deborah James’ husband, Sebastien Bowen, has opened up about his wife’s incredible strength, her legacy, and the final ‘magical’ days of her life… A campaigner, journalist and devoted mum-of-two, Deborah – who was a good friend to the magazine and won a best Heroes award in 2019 – was just 40 when she died in June at her parents’ home in Woking. She had been fighting incurable bowel cancer since 2016 but, before her death, she became adored by a nation for her bravery in the face of a bleak diagnosis, and raised over £7m in aid of bowel cancer research. She was an extraordinary mum and wife and it was Sebastien who revealed the poignant details of his wife’s final weeks and special moments shared with their two…

He once admitted to feeling like a ‘phony’, who started acting ‘because he didn’t know what else to do’ – but hunky Irishman Aidan Turner, particularly since taking on the lead role in hit period drama Poldark, has become one of our best-loved actors. For anyone suffering withdrawal symptoms, he’s about to star in ITV thriller The Suspect, as clinical psychologist, Joe O’Loughlin. Joe appears to have the perfect life, but when he starts profiling the case of a young woman brutally murdered, it seems he has something to hide… His recent diagnosis with early onset Parkinson’s could explain it. But as the investigation gathers pace, do we know the real Joe, or has he developed a criminal mind? Aidan, 39, tells us more about his brooding character – and his…

It was when I started high school that I first became self-conscious of my looks. At 4ft, and the only person with dwarfism and in a wheelchair, I felt like I didn’t fit in. Even in the Summer, I’d wear my jumper and blazer, so people couldn’t see my arms and all week, I’d dread changing into my PE shorts. Having to take so much time away from school didn’t help. On New Year’s Eve 2013, I had a huge, life-saving operation to fuse the bones at the top of my spine. Then, in October 2014, I was told I needed to have screws and rods inserted into my spine to fix my scoliosis. ‘All of my classmates are just focusing on their GCSEs,’ I remember thinking. ‘No one else…

HOW IT WORKS 1 It could be down to the heatwave but searches for Mediterranean-style diets have increased a whopping 4.750 per cent this Summer. While, Mediterranean recipes on TikTok have a reached a staggering 574.4m views. Why? Mediterranean-style eating is packed with fresh fruit, vegetables and healthy fats, which makes it a brilliant way to stay healthy and drop weight. 2 To help you enjoy this style of eating, our diet plan is packed full of the good stuff, plus some treats, to help you stay on track. 3 Follow our weekly plan for a month and make sure you drink plenty of water. Try to enjoy the last days of Summer by going for a swim, heading to the park on the bike or going for a long…

Do you have a story you’d like to share with our amazing army of best readers? We’re looking for real-life stories from women just like you and your friends – and will pay up to £250 for all those that make it into these pages. Stories can be funny, sad, emotional, inspirational – just like some of the examples on this page. The only rule: they must be true. Have you been on a diet that changed your life? Have you battled against tough times and come out fighting? Have you found love or happiness against the odds? If you – or a friend – have a story to share, whatever the subject, do drop us a line, with your contact details, a photo and a brief outline of your…

Loose Women star Gloria Hunniford has said she is still suffering from terrifying nightmares after a fall at home that left her with a broken eye socket, and gruesome injuries to one leg – images of which were flashed up on-screen to shocked colleagues on the show. The much-loved Northern Irish TV presenter, who is 82, tripped over a rug and instantly crashed on to a hard wooden floor, leaving her with severe bruising on her leg – which is, she says, still in bandages. Speaking a few weeks ago about the accident, which happened earlier this year, Gloria revealed, ‘I’m getting there after my fall, but I am not quite back to my usual self. ‘I really took a battering, and I broke the bone that holds my eye…

Years ago, people met their perspective partners through school, work, friends, family, perhaps even on a night out. But the dating landscape has rapidly changed, particularly with the rise in the number of dating apps at our fingertips. There are more than 1,400 dating apps and sites in the UK, and they are now one of the most popular ways to meet a partner. When Tinder launched back in 2012 – the brainchild of Whitney Wolfe Herd, Sean Rad and Justin Mateen – it revolutionised the dating scene. Unlike traditional courting websites that were popular at the time (requiring lengthy questionnaires to be filled in), the app worked differently. Using GPS technology, Tinder was a location-based mobile dating service that presented users with pictures, a name and the age of…

Nail-biting ITV detective drama Ridley stars Line of Duty actor Adrian Dunbar as the retired detective, now working as a consultant, resuming his partnership with former protégée, DI Carol Farman (Bronagh Waugh). When he is enlisted as a police consultant on a complex and compelling murder case, the investigation takes a dark turn. Here, Northern Irishman Adrian, 64, talks music, chemistry and Ted Hastings… Why did you want to play the role of Alex Ridley? He’s complicated in many ways, quite a distance away from anything I’ve played before. There are obviously echoes of Ted Hastings, because he’s a cop, but there are so many interesting layers to his personality and background, especially with all the different places that he goes to and the different things he has to deal…

VIRGO 24 August – 23 September Being a part of a group of artists, community activists or business leaders will empower Virgos, like Man! I Feel Like a Woman! singer Shania Twain and School of Rock actor Jack Black. It will help give you a sense of purpose, support and direction. Trust and believe in yourself. LIBRA 24 September – 23 October You’re hoping a social event or outing you’ve helped organise will be successful. Bear in mind that even the merriest of days usually has one or two blips. It won’t take a lot of effort to overcome a few small hiccups. Be tactful when talking to a nosy neighbour. You may have to find ways of not getting involved in gossip. SCORPIO 24 October – 22 November Go…

1 DUCKING AROUND… Last week, @dunkin.ducks posted this fabulous shot of Munchkins hanging out on a kayak by the water during the heatwave! The Instagram caption read, ‘Munchkins doesn’t NEED a kayak to go out on a lake, but she sure does enjoy it!’ Bless… 2 Who wowed the crowd? Green florals are the trend of the day! Saira Khan, 52, opted for a floaty style from Wallis, while Ranvir Singh, 45, paired her Phase Eight design with hot pink heels. For a different twist, we love the blue splashes on 47-year-old Charlotte Hawkins’s Coast outfit. It’s flower power all the way for these celebs who look a dream in green 3 BELFAST BOYS! Presenter Eamonn Holmes posted this selfie with fellow Belfast boy and 50 Shades of Grey actor,…

Sorry ladies, it seems Mr Turner is off the market! He reportedly married American actress and Masters of Sex star Caitlin Fitzgerald in a secret ceremony in Rome in 2020, with just his parents present. A source told a newspaper at the time, ‘Aidan hasn’t been in a rush to get wed and has very much been waiting for “The One” to come along.’ It’s thought the pair began dating in 2018, filming fantasy flick, The Man Who Killed Hitler And Then The Bigfoot. The couple haven’t confirmed it, but they’ve been pictured with a pram and are thought to have welcomed a child at the start of this year. Aww….!…

When I tell people that I’m 59 years old, I often hear the phrase: ‘Wow, don’t you look good for your age?!’ I know it’s intended as a compliment but, to me, it’s a back-handed one. The phrase implies that if a woman does in fact, look her age, she is failing. But looking youthful shouldn’t be the ultimate goal. Getting older is a privilege and when women reach mid-life, they shouldn’t feel pressured to look or act a certain way. Instead, there are enormous benefits when we prioritise health and wellbeing, and how we function – not how young we look! I like to think of myself as an ‘age disrupter’, smashing stereotypes and flying the flag for older women. Newsflash – we don’t have to tuck ourselves away…

STEPSON IS SO DISRESPECTFUL I married the man of my dreams last year – but the only tension we’ve ever had is over his 19-year-old (very angry) son. He just doesn’t like me for whatever reason – even though I had nothing to do with his parents’ split… I came along five years later! He trashes my home, barely looks up from his phone when I’m talking to him and always seems to laugh at me – not with me, it’s very hurtful. When I try and talk to my hubby about it he always says, ‘just give him time’ but I don’t know how much longer I can deal with the disrespect. Leanne, Liverpool Blended families are hard to navigate, even when children are young. You are dealing not…

Richard and Judy’s only daughter, fitness guru Chloe Madeley, welcomed a baby girl with hubby, former England rugby star James Haskell on 10 August, as the delighted new mum revealed on social media last week. The bubbly blonde TV personality, 34, announced the news by sharing a sweet snap of her daughter’s hand, revealing that her little one had been born the prior Wednesday. ‘We are delighted to welcome to the world our daughter. We are utterly besotted and beaming with pride. Our baby girl was born Wednesday morning, 10/08/22, 8.36am,’ she wrote. And no doubt, grandma Judy will be over the moon at her baby becoming a mum herself – as will hubby Richard. But the birth may also have evoked more poignant memories for Judy… Speaking to Giovanna…

Achieve a picture-perfect lawn with the awardwinning MX3440V cordless mower and the GT3024V cordless grass trimmer from garden machinery specialist, Cobra. Both tools have been expertly designed and boast powerful Lithium-ion batteries to make garden maintenance simple and effortless. The QS2500 quiet shredder is also up for grabs, helping to shred garden waste of up to 40mm in diameter. It also comes equipped with a practical plunger, allowing you to shred heavier loads, helping you clear green spaces and keeping them neat and tidy! For more product information, visit cobragarden.co.uk To enter, see right. HOW TO ENTER ONLINE: Save money by entering online at hearstmagazines.co.uk/best3522 by 9 September 2022. PHONE: Call 0901 027 2731 by midnight on 9 September 2022. Calls cost 30p per minute, plus your telephone company’s network…

STUCK IN THE MIDDLE I’m up North, in the town where I grew up (Lytham St Annes) - which has changed beyond all recognition from the place I once despised. Or maybe it’s me that changed? Now that I’m in my 60s, I can appreciate the place more, its hanging baskets and safe cycling promenade. Being back here conjures up a great deal of nostalgia. As I cycle to see my mother in her nursing home, I pass my old school – now flats – and the road, where a friend who died too young once lived with her mum and her sister. She was such a pretty girl, with fluffy blonde hair like a dandelion clock. Some of my mates from school stayed local and as I pedal and…

SLIDING DOORS BBC One, Friday, 10.40pm When Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow) rushes to catch a train, two scenarios take place. In one, she gets on the train and comes home to find her boyfriend, Gerry (John Lynch), in bed with another woman. In the second, she misses the train and arrives after the woman has left. DIRTY HARRY Channel 5, Friday, 10pm A Seventies classic starring Clint Eastwood. A tenacious SFPD inspector teams up with an inexperienced officer to track down a sniper who has been killing innocent people. When due process gets in the way, he takes matters into his own hands. IDENTITY THIEF ITV2, Friday, 9pm Jason Bateman stars as Sandy, who is shocked to learn that someone has stolen his identity. When he leaves his home and job…

Michael Portillo has become an unexpected fashion icon in recent years, his much-loved travel shows punctuatedd by colourful jacket, shirt and trouser combos. What’s behind the bold choices, then? Says Michael, ‘For many years I was repressed as a politician, wearing dark blue suits and ties. All that time, within me, there was this flower yearning to burst free. But it’s also been a bit of fun and has become an… identifier! If you’re not fortunate enough to have a name like “Boris” you need something else to make you stand out…! I have 30 colourful jackets and they can’t just sit in the wardrobe so I’m afraid yes, I do sometimes wear them when out shopping! They’ve crossed the boundary…’…

INSIDER’S GUIDE With the warm weather continuing, why not take off for some country charm on the farm? Home to a host of animals and with a real feel of being off the beaten track, Foxholes Farm is just an hour from central London. With a choice of three luxury glamping pods, you can experience all the joys of camping while keeping all the comforts of home… Order barbecues and breakfast boxes ahead of your arrival to be waiting in your fridge when you get there. Priced at £30 for a meat box for four and £25 for an English breakfast box, these are so generously stocked we went home with enough leftovers for a couple of weeknight dinners. Bring hand sanitiser if you have little ones who want to…

Loose Woman Christine Lampard recently opened up about her ‘constant health fears’ when it comes to being mum to Patricia, three, and Freddie, one. The presenter, 43, who is married to football manager Frank Lampard, said, ‘I try and be chilled (as a mum) but it’s made me much more anxious. It’s created a form of health anxiety in me. Suddenly I think, “I can’t be ill because I’ve got to be here for you”. ‘I have a constant worry about them – if I could zip them up in a NASA spacesuit it would be wonderful… I’ve become that mum, I think, “You’re so precious, I’m here to protect you.” I’ve become a bit more stressed but it’s all for the love of them.’ Like most working mums, the…

When my daughter Shelby was diagnosed with dwarfism, it turned my world upside down. There was no sign of anything out of the ordinary during my pregnancy. I had the tests; they came back low risk and I sailed through it. When she was born in August 1999, she was the most perfect thing I’d ever seen. But the doctor noticed her knees were knobbly. And her hips clicked. It started off a series of tests, but caught up in my excitement of being a new mum, I didn’t think much of it. Then in February 2000, I was called into the hospital. ‘Your daughter has a rare form of dwarfism called metatropic dysplasia,’ the consultant said. I was utterly shocked. I didn’t know anyone who had dwarfism, or even…

AVOCADO BOOST Packed full of essential unsaturated fatty acids, avocados contain vitamins A, C, D and E, betacarotene, potassium, proteins and lecithin. It also contains plant steroids called sterolins, which help soften and moisturise, reduce age spots and heal sun damage and scars. Try this mask when skin needs a hydrating boost: • 1tbsp brown rice flour • ½ avocado • 1tbsp apple juice Mash the avocado in a small bowl. Sprinkle in rice flour, combining until you make a paste. Stir in apple juice. Apply and allow to dry. Rinse with warm water. MAYONNAISE WRINKLE SMOOTHER A dollop can work wonders to help soften wrinkles and fine lines. That’s because mayonnaise is made from egg whites that contain albumin, a great skin tightener, plus it is a natural emollient…

No-Bake Triple Chocolate Cheesecake I love chocolate more than most things – and when you combine dark, milk and white chocolate all in one bake (or no-bake!) I am in heaven. You taste the ever so slightly deep and bitter flavour of the dark chocolate, the middle ground from the milk chocolate and the increased sweetness from the white chocolate in every bite – what could be better? You can of course make this an all-dark chocolate cheesecake, or only use two types of chocolate, but just be sure to use the same total weight and split accordingly. This extra indulgent bake could even replace a birthday cake if you wanted to try something completely different! SERVES: 12+ PREP: 1 hour SET: 6+ hours DECORATE: 30 minutes LASTS: 3+ days,…

TOP TIP! Bathe under the moon and stars with celestial accessories…

MY BITE JUST ISN’T GOING AWAY! I got bitten by a horsefly while away on a farm about five weeks ago, and the bite, if anything, is getting worse! The itching and flare-ups are constant. Is this something I need to worry about – or should I give it more time to sort itself out? Hannah, Northumberland DR HILARY SAYS: Horseflies are somewhat larger than an ordinary fly and the female of the species have been known to chase people when they sense the carbon dioxide and sweat, which we give off on warm Summer days. Their jaws are shaped like scissors, which can cut into the skin. They also have small hooks to lock the jaws in, so they can suck blood more efficiently. The initial reaction is a…

It’s the go-to for the rich, beautiful and powerful of the movie industry, but there’s no denying Hollywood has a darker side – an underbelly uncovered by some of the fascinating, still unsolved murders that have come to pass in Tinseltown. Some of its best-known stars have disappeared from the Boulevard but the question remains: what happened to them? From a mysterious ‘drowning’ to the twisted tale behind a budding actress and the infamous Black Dahlia, we look at those who fell victim to fates more unbelievable than the stories they once acted out… BARBAR A COLBY In the ‘New Hollywood’ era of the Seventies, the town drew native New Yorker Barbara Colby – an actress on the brink of TV stardom, who had been debuted on Broadway in The…

With the looks of a matinee idol and a touching shyness, Scottish singer Darius Danesh was a cult favourite ever since he belted out that OTT version of Britney’s Baby One More Time on Popstars in 2001. He went on to enjoy a successful career, including stints onstage in Chicago and Guys and Dolls, and two studio albums which reached the UK Top 40 – not forgetting his No. 1 hit single, Colourblind. So, it was a shock to all when the star was found dead in his bed at home on 11 August (at the time of going to press, the cause of his death was still unknown, though police said there were no suspicious circumstances). Devastated tributes instantly began to flood in from fans and friends – including…

It was the weak kids she collected, the ones with spots or plastic specs. These were Maureen’s gang of girls. I was almost one of them. I fit the criteria being odd, the tallest girl in school. I had to seek out my friends, the ones who’d let me in. Maureen knew how fragile the bonds were with my new friends. No one wanted the tall girl on their table or team, not even at netball, where you’d have thought I’d’ve been useful. But I wasn’t. I was floppy limbs, a giraffe on thin ice. ‘You could stand in the deep end and not even get your hair wet!’ Maureen Brady’s vicious tongue echoed around the tiles of the school swimming pool. A kid in a too big hand-medown swim…

It’s Laura Tobin’s 10th anniversary at ITV this September (‘I know, I can’t believe it!’, she admits). The 40-year-old Good Morning Britain meteorologist – who has been married to husband Dean for 12 years (they have a daughter Charlotte, five) – not only tells us what the weather will be doing, often from a variety of fascinating locations, but has become a poster girl for shouting about the dangers of climate change. Here, she talks Twitter rows, memorable filming locations and her GMB pals… Laura, tell us more about your recent ‘working holiday’ on a cruise ship… Yes, my husband, daughter and I were in Norway, on a P&O cruise ship, Iona. We saw incredible waterfalls, took hikes up glaciers… This was our first family holiday! Charlotte was born prematurely…

MARTIN KEMP – BACK TO THE 80s On 17 September, the hottest Eighties club night comes to town! Actor, TV personality and star of Spandau Ballet, Martin Kemp, will be spinning the biggest and best hits of that decade in Guildford. Currently selling-out venues across the UK, early booking is essential for what promises to be a night of pure ‘Gold’! See glive.co.uk/ for more info. TAVARES ON TOUR Grammy Award-winning R&B vocal group Tavares, best known for their infectious, closeharmony sound, are in the UK next month for a Greatest Hits Tour. The group, icons of popular soul and disco, begin their 10-date UK Tour at Southend Cliffs Pavilion on 5 September, which includes a performance at London’s Indigo O2 on 15 September. Tickets (£37 and £34) available from…