Table of contents for 10-2023 in Best

Hands up, who remembers Josh Patterson, JP, from Made in Chelsea? Well, this superman of a human is now 33, a dad to the gorgeous India, six (the fastest runner in her class), and he’s currently running 76 marathons in 76 UK cities in 76 days (see page 44). Wow. Why? Josh has long been open about his struggles with anxiety and mental health, and is raising money for the Samaritans. People may talk about his privileged upbringing but, as he says, ‘My real privilege is to be able to go out there and try to raise this money and support as many people as I can.’ Who knows if he can complete this mammoth task but, either way, he’s deserving of our admiration. He wants to raise one million…

Loose Women’s Ruth Langsford is known for many things – her TV presenting, her laughter-filled marriage to broadcaster Eamonn Holmes, and her love of organisation. So, it’s perhaps not surprising that, when she took aim at fellow panellist Coleen Nolan during a recent segment, it was about the latter’s organising skills, which she clearly feels are somewhat lacking… Discussing the idea of leadership as Britain prepares to celebrate King Charles’ coronation, Ruth told viewers that South Norfolk and Broadland Councils had had to step in to ensure harmony among residents – as one councillor stated there is ‘always one person who likes to take charge’. As mouthy co-star Janet Street-Porter admitted she is generally the one to take charge in situations (what a surprise!), Ruth reflected that in any group,…

TOP TIP A pretty tea dress will take you from Spring to Summer! Layer a fitted cardigan over the top now, and then team with sandals and a hat when the weather turns!…

‘Radio has always been my preferred source of entertainment and news. I know I work in TV, and I like watching it for entertainment and documentaries, but radio is my first love. My affection comes from childhood, listening to pirate radio in the Sixties was so thrilling, and it’s all there was if you wanted music. When Radio 1 came along I thought it was Christmas. A station that didn’t crackle and had megastars as DJs! Also, my first foray into broadcasting was on radio and as much as I love working on TV, I loved radio more. But lately I’m beginning to despair at the state of the medium in this country and my interest has waned as I see station after station being brought down by London-centric bosses…

I’ve played through the events leading up to my sister Sara’s death in my head a million times, trying to come up with answers to so many questions. I’ll never understand why she felt there was no other option, and it breaks my heart to imagine her feeling so alone and hopeless. I carried the terrible guilt of being unable to rescue her for years. It’s caused me so much pain and distress. The day Sara took her life, aged 26, her partner had taken her to the petrol station to fill up their car. She was dressed in her best clothes; everything seemed normal. But when they were paying, Sara suddenly got in her car and drove away, leaving him at the till. It was like she knew she…

HOW IT WORKS Spring’s lighter mornings and longer evenings have a way of lifting our spirits. According to hormone expert Dr Martin Kinsella, it’s the increased levels of the luteinising hormone, together with mood-boosting endorphins found in light that affects the way our bodies react to exercise and the food we eat.’ Throw in the right diet, and we can lose weight quicker! • ‘Hormones are important for every aspect of our health,’ says leading hormone doctor and co-founder of hormone mapping clinic, BioID Health, Dr Martin Kinsella. ‘Changes to our master clock can affect our sleep patterns, body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen consumption and hormone secretion,’ he says. ‘This is partly caused by the change in melatonin levels during the year, as sunshine and daylight levels change.’…

Sausage Spaghetti With Spinach Starting this recipe by giving the sausages 10 minutes alone in the pan gives the sauce a certain savoury edge. I promise, they are worth the wait. Use the best-quality sausages you can afford – you will be able to taste the difference. Even if fennel seeds are new to you, please do give them a try – they really take this dish to a new level and go so well with sausages. Just use them sparingly as they can be over-powering. Serves 4 • 1 tbsp olive oil• 400g sausages• 1 onion, peeled and chopped• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed• 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes• 1 tsp fennel seeds• 2 tbsp tomato purée• 300g dried spaghetti• 150g baby spinach leaves• Sea salt and…

It’s ‘the closest thing to real magic I have ever witnessed’, says Paul McKenna of his bestselling programme that’s helped so many to conquer their weight battles for good. Hypnotic Gastric Band: The New Surgery-Free Weight Loss System, plus its DVD and audio recordings, was first released in 2013, and is still a bestseller with thousands of top-star reviews online, and now also a successful app. Here, as well as offering all best readers a special discount to purchase the hugely popular Hypnotic Gastric Band app, Paul shares some key extracts to give you a taster. Now that does sound like magic! WHAT IS A HYPNOTIC GASTRIC BAND? Of course, it’s not magic, it’s a scientific procedure, but the results are like magic. Imagine this: you listen to an audio…

After 20 minutes: Your blood pressure drops to a level close to that before the last cigarette. The temperature of your hands and feet increases to normal. After 8 hours: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal. After 24 hours: Your chance of a heart attack decreases. Within 3 months: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases up to 30 per cent. After 1 year: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s. After 5 years: Stroke risk is reduced to that of someone who has never smoked. After 10 years: The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker’s. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases. After 15 years:…

FINANCIALLY Fabulous Join our campaign and get your finances sorted at hearstmagazines.co.uk/ffbest for money-saving tips and brilliant advice on being financially savvy. 1 MORTGAGE RATES Average mortgage rates peaked at more than 6 per cent after the mini budget, reaching their highest level since 2008. To give this context, someone with a £200,000 mortgage over 25 years on a two-year fixed rate of 2.29 per cent in November 2021 would have been paying around £876 per month. Now, on the current average two-year fixed rate of 5.44 per cent, they could face paying £1,221 per month, according to Moneyfacts. But Moneyfacts’ data shows the average five-year fixed rate mortgage dipped below the 4 per cent mark in early 2023, so it’s worth checking the latest deals now. And Rachel Springall,…

I’M SO DOWN ON MYSELF I’m 48 and yet my parents seem to take great pleasure in reminding me on a regular basis that I’m overweight and unfit. I am very happy in my personal and professional life but yes, I do need to lose a couple of stone and get moving. Still, they say – as heart disease runs in our family – that they’ll have to stage an ‘intervention’ soon, if I don’t take action (honestly, I’m not so desperately obese I warrant this). I find their behaviour offensive and makes me so down on my body! Would you feel the same, Vanessa? Isla, Plockton There are two ways to look at this: Your parents are unfairly bodyshaming you and should pipe down. Or they love and care…

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN… I’m so excited for the final, I think it’s going to be one of the best we’ve had for quite a long time! Despite that, it’s bittersweet because the show will be over – but I am also looking forward to getting home to the Californian sunshine for a bit. We’ve had a very long Winter! WINNING STREAK For me, it’s definitely Nile – he’s fearless – or The Vivienne. We’re in a situation right now where we could see history being made by getting a same-sex partnership to the final of Dancing on Ice. Technically speaking, The Vivienne is incredible and probably one of the best we have seen in a very long time. MOST IMPROVED Siva has been the most improved contestant. I auditioned him…

She’s been in showbusiness since she was 10 years old, after meeting her pal Pauline Quirke at theatre school. Actress and presenter Linda Robson has gone on to be a jobbing actress, appearing in Birds of a Feather and a panelist on Loose Women. The mum-of-three, who has been married to husband Mark for 33 years, is devoted to her children and grandchildren, who’ve kept her going through tough times – including her battle with the bottle, which she’s now conquered. As she gears up to celebrate her 65th birthday, we caught up with the ever-fabulous and feisty Londoner to talk parties, pals and the mysterious man of her dreams! Happy birthday for Monday (13th March), Linda! Thank you. It is a big one, as well – 65 is quite…

After forging a successful modelling career in her teens (including being crowned Miss Liverpool), Christine Martin met comedian Paddy McGuinness when she was just 19. Three years later she married him, took his name and they went on to have three children – twins Penelope and Leo, now nine, and seven-year-old Felicity, who are all autistic. Christine forged a TV career starring in The Real Housewives of Cheshire and The Games, and in 2022 she made a documentary called Our Family and Autism. After the documentary Christine was herself diagnosed as autistic. Now 34, she announced her separation from Paddy last year, although they still live together in Cheshire with the children. Christine has just released a book, Amazing Me, Amazing You, and made a documentary, Christine McGuinness: Unmasking my…

Sitting in an office at work on my own, I heard the words no one ever wants to hear: ‘Your cancer is terminal.’ I imagined people getting such news would immediately burst into tears, but shock froze mine. I hung up, stared into space for a while, finished the task I’d been doing and got my coat to go home. Numbly walking down the corridor, I bumped into my manager. ‘Are you alright, Amanda?’ she asked. ‘Not really,’ I answered. ‘I’ve had my scan results’. That’s when the tears came… She gave me a cuddle and offered to drive me home. But I needed time alone to absorb the news. So, I caught the bus and called my partner, Leon, to pick me up from the bus stop. ‘My cancer…

Walking through the supermarket car park, I saw a little boy pointing in my direction. Looking flustered, his mum quickly pushed down his arm. But I smiled and waved as the boy was staring for a valid reason. After all, it’s not every day you see a grown woman wearing a big black and orange flouncy gown with striped tights, gloves and horns for a headdress – even if it was Halloween. I’d made it using a second-hand dress from a charity shop that I cut up. With my red pixie hairstyle and colourful tattoos, I was used to people taking a second glance at me. But with the boredom of lockdown, and the rising cost of living, my outfits had become more outrageous. ‘You’re so trendy, Wendy,’ I recall…

Last week, on 27 February, Run for 1 Million began with fitness fanatic Josh Patterson, a 33-year-old dad, aiming to complete 76 marathons, in 76 cities, in 76 days – yes, really! Already the holder of two World Records (one after he became the first person in history to run a marathon in all four countries of the UK in just 24 hours, the other when he raced from John O’Groats to Land’s End by wheelchair to raise money for Spinal Injures) but Josh has no doubt that this will be his most gruelling challenge to date. Having struggled with his own mental health, the former Made in Chelsea star has set out to raise £1 million for mental health and suicide prevention charity, the Samaritans. Here, the dad-of-one tells us…

It’s no secret that we adore our pets at best and with Crufts running this week (9-12 March) – despite our pooches being slightly less obedient – we thought they might enjoy trying a few activities in the park with their doggy mates. So, on a cold morning, three staff members gathered with their dogs – Molly, Murphy, Ollie and Riggins – (while another of team best took the pictures) to see if they could compete and be victorious in our very own event… BEST DRESSED Before the competition had even begun, one-year-old Shih Tzu, Ollie, owned by best Showbiz writer Dani Southwood, arrived looking gorgeously dapper in his little Wainwright’s coat, neatly groomed and more than happy to be in the company of other dogs. There was no doubt…

She’s a national treasure in the UK and has Australian citizenship, as her long-term partner Heather Sutherland is an Aussie. But actress Miriam Margolyes has revealed that she would actually love to hail from the Emerald Isle, declaring ‘I’d like to be Irish’. Miriam and Irish politician Senator Lynn Ruane joined chat-show host Ryan Tubridy on the couch of The Late Late Show to discuss their Summer holiday in a campervan and their upcoming documentary about Lady Gregory, the Irish dramatist who co-founded the famous Abbey Theatre in Dublin. The documentary will be called Lady Gregory: Ireland’s First Social Influencer. Straight from the start, Harry Potter star Miriam, 81, had the audience in her hand when Ryan asked about her friendship with Lynn. ‘She’s not a lesbian,’ the English actress…

ABSENCE SEIZURES My sister is in her 40s and has developed what her GP believes are absence seizures in the past few months, out of the blue. They happen once or twice a day and she has hurt herself before (last week, she banged the side of her head into the corner of her dining table). Are these classed as epilepsy – and is there anything that can help control them? She’s a teacher and is worried about it happening in the classroom. Amanda, Wythenshawe DR HILARY SAYS: Absence seizures used to be called ‘petit mal’. These seizures are a form of epilepsy where there are brief episodes of loss of awareness of one’s surroundings. The person may stare blankly into space, as if they’re daydreaming. They may flutter their…

If it hadn’t been for the Japanese-themed buffet, Julia would never have met him – let alone had one of the most extraordinary nights of her life. She’d been at a very posh ‘do’ – spanxed-up body poured into a borrowed little black number, hair in an unaccustomed stylish yet messy ‘up’ do, feet strapped into a pair of vertiginously-heeled sandals. It wasn’t her usual style at all but then neither was the event. She was more hashtag harasseddivorced40something mumoftwo than hashtag hautecoutureoneofthebeautiful people. She was only there because her friend Laura was dating the ‘Gary Barlow’ in ‘Take That and This and That’ – the Take That tribute band that was providing the entertainment for the evening. But Julia was all on her ownsome. ‘Gary’, it seemed, was a…

THIS IS 40 Netflix After a big birthday, married couple Pete and Debbie wrestle with the realities of parenthood, romance and getting older… Starring Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd, it’ll have you in stitches for sure! JUST GO WITH IT Netflix If you want light comedy, this is perfect. After spending years pretending to be married, an unattached plastic surgeon (Adam Sandler) meets The One, and enlists his assistant (Jennifer Aniston) to pose as his ‘soon to be ex-wife’. FAILURE TO LAUNCH Amazon Prime Know one of these?! A thirty-something slacker suspects his parents of setting him up with his dream girl, so he’ll finally vacate their home… With Sarah-Jessica Parker and Matthew McConaughey, this is made for all you romantics out there.…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT On 9 May, the 67th Eurovision Song Contest officially arrives in the UK, with Liverpool playing host on behalf of 2022 winners, Ukraine. With nine live shows taking place, the competition culminates in the final at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on 13 May, with fan zones and events galore going on around it. If you can’t make it in May, the Unesco City of Music – home of the Beatles and so many great bands and singers – has a wealth of experiences for music fans to enjoy whenever you get here… INSIDER’S GUIDE • The Magical Mystery Tour is a two-hour coach trip around Beatles sites, including the real Penny Lane, Strawberry Field, homes of the Fab Four and The Cavern Club. Our guide, Jay Johnson…

It may be the clearest sign yet that the war of words between Prince Harry and his family is still raging. Last week, in a short statement, the global press secretary for the Sussexes said: ‘We can confirm The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been requested to vacate their residence at Frogmore Cottage.’ To thicken the plot, King Charles is also reported to have offered the keys to his disgraced brother, Prince Andrew. Frogmore was gifted to Harry and Meghan by the Queen, after their 2018 wedding. They spent £2.4 million on renovations before moving in the following April. However, they spent just six months in the property, before settling ‘Megxit’ terms in 2020 and leaving the UK for a new life abroad. They are thought to have renewed…

DO YOU HAVE A CELEBRITY CRUSH? Russell Brand. I met him back stage on a show – he rubbed my hair. I’ve also been massaged by Michael Bublé. WHAT IS YOUR MOST ANNOYING HABIT? My husband would say definitely the cleaning. I can’t go to bed if there’s something on the draining board. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD? Italian. I love Italy, it’s my favourite place in the world. My youngest daughter is getting married there next Summer and I cant wait.…

Christine and Paddy announced their decision to separate in a joint statement on Instagram in July 2022. ‘A while ago we took the difficult decision to separate but our main focus as always is to continue loving and supporting our children,’ they said. Appearing on Lorraine, Christine admitted that the marriage had ‘not always been plain sailing’. There was a rough patch in 2018 when Paddy, now 49, was pictured on a night out with Nicole Appleton. Most recently, he was seen apparently looking ‘cosy’ on a night out with sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher in a London hotel.…

LESLEY • This Works Switch On + Focus Set, £21 This duo consists of Morning Expert Wake-Up Drops and Spray, an uplifting aromatherapy blend of rosemary, lavandin and peppermint. Sophie can sprinkle the drops onto a tissue or coat to breathe in on the go, or spritz the spray for an instant hit of energy. Just what she needs! • Sanctuary Spa Special Occasion Hamper Gift Set, £25 This six-piece set creates the perfect at-home beauty zone, packed with a luxury bath float, hand cream, heel balm, body wash, body scrub and body butter. • Botanics Rose Quartz Gua Sha, £15 My mum, Rosina, swore by her daily facial exercise session. Nowadays, there’s a multitude of sculpting tools to choose from, but my favourite is this gua sha tool. Shaped…

Every family has its secrets but larger-than-life reality star Gemma Collins’ mum Joan’s story is heartbreaking – and perhaps goes a long way to explaining why Gemma believes she was ‘spoiled’ by her parents. ‘I didn’t move out until I was 30 years old. I had it far too good at home,’ she recalled. But Joan’s wish to spoil her famous daughter may have deep-seated roots. For Joan’s childhood was nowhere near as idyllic as her daughter’s. Abandoned as a baby on the steps of a Lambeth hospital in London, named by nurses and then brought up by a foster family in Dagenham, Joan had a far harder start in life. Though it’s believed she’s had contact with her birth father, who lived in Australia, Joan never tried to find…

When we asked Josh about his time on the hit E4 reality show, he revealed, ‘It came into my life when I needed it most. Those sorts of platforms, when approached in the right way, can change your life. When I left the show, I would feel so uncomfortable talking about it, but actually, it has given me the platform to go on and do the things that I do now. The other day I was doing a podcast with Jamie [Laing], and we just laughed so much about what we used to get up to all those years ago. I appreciate it much more now I’m older.’…

1 Become aware that you are experiencing a stressful feeling in your body or that your mind is racing. 2 Put your hand on your heart and focus your energy into this area. Take at least three slow and gentle breaths into your heart, maintaining your focus on the feeling of your hand in the centre of your chest. 3 Now, recall a time when you felt really, really good – a time you felt love, joy or real happiness! Return to that memory as if you are back there again right now. See what you saw, hear what you heard, and feel how good you felt. 4 As you feel this good feeling in your body, imagine your heart could speak to you. Ask your heart how you could…

If you, like me, struggle to sleep, you’re not alone. One in three of us in the UK don’t get enough of it - and the numbers are rising. Sleep has become such a problem that there’s now a National Sleep Day on 17 March. My best tip is to start your wind-down as early in the evening as you can – and there’s no better way than pampering yourself for an hour or two before bed. Think of it as turning your bedroom into a Sleep Spa – your best night’s sleep starts here! TAN OVERNIGHT Fancy waking up with a tan? Apply the Autograph Overnight Glow Mask (£12.50, marksandspencer.com) before going to bed and it will give you an even and healthy glow by the morning that will…

PACK MENTALITY Everybody needs a pygmy for a pillow, right? These goats have got the upper hand on keeping cosy at all costs. SLOTH SNUGGLES It wouldn’t be right to exclude sloths, the master of sleepers, from this page. Mum Marilyn and daughter Terry are the picture of contentment. A TREE-MENDOUS NAP Want to disturb this cute red panda? You’ll be barking up the wrong tree… IN THE NOOK Baby chimpanzee Jeff has got the right idea when finding a place to snuggle up – nestled into mum Zee Zee! SOW IN THE MOOD FOR SLEEPING Someone’s woken up early! Did they find napping too boaring? SLEEPING LIONS Was it something we said? Even if this lion’s yawn is worse than its bite, we’ll steer clear when they’re tired!…

PISCES 20 February - 20 March Pisceans like Cabaret and Arthur actress Liza Minnelli, and The Voice Kids judge Danny Jones, are looking to take more control of their lives rather than allowing others to steer them in directions that aren’t right for them. They should trust their own judgement and follow their own path. ARIES 21 March - 20 April You’re getting on really well with the people who matter. At times it’s almost as if you can read each other’s minds. If only a work relationship was harmonious, but you are getting the feeling you can’t trust a workmate as much as you had thought you could. Life will be more peaceful if you avoid them. Stick with jobs you are familiar with. TAURUS 21 April - 21…

AFTERNOON TEA… ON A LONDON BUS Have an afternoon to remember on-board a classic Routemaster bus, through the heart of London. This extra-special afternoon tea experience will give you and your guest all the wonderful sights of London. Though adult tickets are on the pricier end (£70), you’ll be relaxing as you enjoy delicious cakes, sandwiches and washing it down with a quintessential high tea! GO GLAM IN GLASGOW With its hanging foliage, pendant lights and candles, the Bothy restaurant in Glasgow is extremely Instagrammable and is also whipping up a stunning Mother’s Day menu. Get stuck into three mouthwatering courses of gorgeous Scottish fare for £44.95. Head to designmynight.com/glasgow/restaurants/west-end/bothy-glasgow for more. POP TO THE PUB… In Wales? It’s time to show Mum how much she means to you. Treat…