Table of contents for 11-2023 in Best

What’s better than Claudia Winkleman? Four Claudia Winklemans: The real one, plus Mary Berry, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders – and with long fringes and black cloaks. Marvellous! Red Nose Day 2023 is this Friday. It is a night full of tears, laughter – and sketches. I can’t wait to see the parody of hit psychological gameshow, The Traitors. Claudia (played by just Dawn on the night) is going to assemble celebrity ‘Faithful’ and ‘Traitors’. Which other famous faces will be under the cloaks and who will be the ultimate Traitor? Time will tell… With her usual humour, Dawn says that agreeing to the sketch was, ‘The second worst day of my life. The absolute worst one was meeting Jennifer Saunders…’ Jen is, of course, in real life her very…

She was a national icon and the love of Scott Mitchell’s life. He will never forget her and he’s worked tirelessly to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK for the last two years. But now, just short of his 60th birthday, he explains why it’s time to think about himself and his future… Hi Scott, the final marathon is Sunday, 23 April. How’s training going? [Laughs] Do you know what? I’m enjoying the training this time, but it’s the last time I do this. I will be five days short of my 60th birthday when we run. Sixty?! Apart from not looking it – how are you celebrating? Not with a party, that’s not me. It will be a family dinner with some close friends. So, this will be your…

Q I’m struggling with dark circles around my eyes. I sleep well, but still look tired and my concealer isn’t doing the job. How do I get rid of them? A DR AAMER SAYS: There are many reasons for dark circles, one is hyperpigmentation, caused by both environmental and lifestyle factors (such as sun exposure, smoking, stress and poor sleep), and genetics. Seasonal allergies, nasal congestion and loss of volume under the eyes can contribute, too. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a new therapy for eye rejuvenation. It uses your own blood, which acts as a rejuvenating agent, making skin appear younger and brighter. First, blood is drawn from the arm, and the platelets are separated. These are then injected into the area to stimulate cell and collagen regeneration. For best results, a…

HOW IT WORKS 1 There’s a few reasons why tummies get bigger as we age. One is that we can lose the muscle mass that slows down the number of calories we burn a day, but we can also become less sensitive to the fat-storing hormone insulin. When this happens, the sugar glucose, that we make from food doesn’t enter the cells where it’s used as effectively, instead, it enters the fat stores – particularly those around the middle. 2 The good news is, you can fight back. Starting a regular exercise programme – particularly one including strength exercises, such as BodyPump classes, weight training or resistant bands, can build muscle. And, going on a low-carb diet can help fight insulin resistance. 3 Follow our plan (right) for seven days.…

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 story –…

I had an old friend visit recently. Old friends are the best because they don’t really care if you change the sheets for them. I’m a bit of a slob about changing sheets. Sometimes, when guests are coming to stay, I just pull back the duvet on the spare bed, hoover up any crumbs with a hand-held device, pop a couple of fresh pillowcases on and Bob’s your uncle! But on this occasion, I actually went the whole hog, I had to – the old man had spent a number of nights in there (due to me coughing my guts out in the marital bed), and there was marmalade on the duvet cover. Honestly, it’s like living with Paddington. My old mate, Frances, and I used to share a flat…

PET OF THE WEEK Name: Bowie Owner: Lucy, Coventry Breed: Jack Russell PARK LIFE Playing outside with his furry friends? It’s a dog’s life for Bowie! SWEET DREAMS Little cushion downstairs? Not for Bowie - it’s the big bed for him! LEADER OF THE WOOLPACK Bowie’s dived head first into Winter weather gear, and we love his substitute ears! JOLLY ROGER Where’s the treasure, Bowie? Or are you too busy with that bottle of rum to start digging? BEST IN SHOW Waggiest tail? It’s official – give that dog a bone! MEET BOWIE! Dressed to honour his namesake (or to be precise, Aladdin Sane), this rescue dog loves chasing squirrels, watching films and getting his tummy rubbed. SUITED AND BOOTED No need for glass slippers, but Bowie shall go to…

PISCES 20 February – 20 March Fatal Attraction and Damages star Glenn Close, EastEnders actor Steve McFadden and other Pisceans should act on what feels best for them and follow their heart to wherever this might take them, even if there are risks along the way. They shouldn’t be put off. ARIES 21 March – 20 April Taking on extra work or doing a friend a favour will be a good excuse to pull out of plans that don’t appeal to you. You aren’t ignoring relationship issues; you are avoiding adding to your problems. You know when it’s best to walk away because if you continue with something that isn’t working, you will have nothing to show for your efforts. TAURUS 21 April – 21 May You sail through work…

ORCHID, ZARA This charming fragrance reveals fresh floral notes of rose and lily of the valley – perfect for Spring. Fruity notes of peach and apple mix in the background with notes of musk, wood and amber to make this a scent of sensuality. £12.99. VERT, MONSOON Lose yourself in Vert – the explosive scent of lively citrus with zesty grapefruit and lime. Aromatic, fresh green middle notes surround a floral heart of jasmine and lily, with a light ocean breeze and woody base notes of amber, patchouli and musk. £30. LONDON, RIVER ISLAND Inspired by the fashion capitals of the world, Paris, Milan and London, these stunning fragrances have been designed to complement your style for Spring – day or night. In Raspberry, Lemon, Neroli Rose, Peach, Jasmine and…

Handsome, down-to-earth and full of cheeky Welsh charm, TV presenter Gethin Jones – alongside Kym Marsh, one of the mainstays of Morning Live, the BBC morning show launched in 2020, is getting his dancing shoes on soon, for a 24-hour danceathon in aid of Red Nose Day – joined by lots of familiar faces including Tess Daly and Shirley Ballas. The former Blue Peter presenter, 45, who was on Strictly back in 2007 with pro Camilla Dallerup, reveals why he’s always relished a challenge – and how, shortly before being offered Morning Live, he was set to hang up his presenting hat for good… Gethin, what was your initial reaction to dancing for 24 hours, non-stop? It’s a super-sized version of the Strictly Fitness segment we have at the end…

1 THANKS, PET Paradise Wildlife Park uploaded the sweetest video of one of their red pandas playing with a ball – and it was clearly excited for food! Check it out on Instagram @paradisewildlifepark – guaranteed to put a smile on your face! Looking magic in magenta, these three show us it’s time to think pink! 2 Who wowed the crowd? We’ve got a much-needed injection of colour into daytime, and hurrah for sleeves! Charlotte Hawkins, 47, buttoned up in Coast and Amanda Holden, 52, went off the shoulder with a thigh-split frock from Pretty Lavish. Meanwhile Susanna Reid, 52, was all wrapped up in The Pretty Dress Company! 3 NO SOGGY BOTTOMS HERE! Last week, best had front row seats to the musical of the moment – Bake Off! If you’re a…

I’m a woman who’s rarely lost for words. But sitting down to write this year’s Mother’s Day card, I seriously started to struggle. As the memories flooded in, of my mum Jane, now 81, the card looked even blanker. How could I possibly express to this amazing woman, who was deaf and blind when I was born, just how incredible she is? I don’t remember ever being told why my mum couldn’t see or hear me. That she’d lost her sight aged eight when the removal of a brain tumour damaged her optic nerve. Or that, while pregnant with me, aged 37, the last of her hearing disappeared. It must have been so scary for her, but she never complained. My earliest childhood memories are of the loving, noisy chaos…

Scrolling through TikTok, I stumbled across an American woman who’d managed to save a whopping £25,000 to rid herself of debt. She mentioned something I’d never heard of before called ‘cash stuffing’. It was a really simple idea – using a ring binder with various pockets inside and divvying up money into each of those pockets for certain bills and expenses. The woman stuck to this, paying for things only in cash, never going over her budget – and even ended up managing to save some money in the process, too. I was intrigued and it seemed relatively easy to do. I’d never had the greatest relationship with money, and by the time I was a teenager and had a Saturday job sweeping up in a hairdresser and helping out…

From the stunning stars of Beverly Hills to the equally beautiful British celebs, there’s no denying the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree with these famous mamas… especially in Gwyneth’s case! It’s time to do a double take at some famous mums and darling daughters… LINDA & LUCY Former glamour model Linda Lusardi, 64, and stunning daughter Lucy, 26 – whose dad is actor Sam Kane – are the spitting image of each other! With luscious brown locks, Bambi eyes and a pearly white smile, we can see where Lucy gets her good looks! VICTORIA & HARPER These two just keep getting cuter! Posh Spice, 48, and her youngest child, Harper Seven, 11, make no secret about the fact they adore each other. Though dad David Beckham insists Harper…

For some it was a lifeline, for others the first step in an irreversible journey that would end in confusion and heartache. Many had waited years for an appointment at Britain’s only gender identity clinic for under 18s. Run by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) opened in 1989. It offered help for young people struggling with gender dysphoria – a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity – first at its clinic in London, then at a second site in Leeds. But, last year, the NHS announced the service was to shut down following a damning review led by top paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass. It concluded that GIDS was not a ‘safe system’ of care for young people with the…

HAVE I MADE A HUGE MISTAKE? I divorced my husband last Summer, after feeling I needed more from life. But, I have to say, Vanessa, I’m really starting to regret it. The grass isn’t any greener and it’s a lot harder on my own than I imagined. My three children still aren’t speaking to me after leaving their dad, and I’ve never felt so alone. What would you do in my position? Laura, Canterbury It’s early days. The divorce only came through last Summer and there’s always a painful adjustment after such a huge life change. Think carefully about whether you truly miss and long for your ex-husband, or if you are just lonely and missing company. If you genuinely feel you love and yearn for him, and that you…

Fresh from the revelation that Prince Andrew may be forced from his current home due to the cost of its upkeep, while he reportedly rejected an offer to live at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, the Prince is said to be ‘furious’ that he is being kept in the dark as to whether he can wear the velvet robes that would denote his position as a Knight of the Garter. Andrew was nominated by the late monarch Queen Elizabeth. The order is made up of honorary ‘knights’, such as ex-prime ministers recognised for their public service, and several members of the Royal family. It is the oldest and most senior Order of Chivalry in Britain. Yet despite being stripped of Royal duties by the Queen following the backlash from his disastrous…

Ruby Wax burst onto our screens in the Eighties as a comedian – the risqué American from Illinois whose brash style on shows like Girls on Top and Ruby Wax Meets… had us Brits instantly falling for her. Nowadays, the 69-year-old lives in London and has become synonymous with discussions surrounding mental health. Prone to debilitating depression, Ruby is a passionate campaigner for mental health. Her upcoming UK tour, I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was (also the name of her book), tackles the topic with dark humour. Here, Ruby – who has three grown-up kids with her second husband, TV producer/director Ed Bye – explores how we can ‘become the master of our minds, not the slave’… Ruby Wax, as she says, ‘walks the talk’ when it comes…

Look for me under the stairs. I couldn’t recall when this sentence began haunting me. Look for me under the stairs. I heard it in the gush of water as I showered; I heard it on the wind as I drank caffeine-free tea near the open window; I heard it in the pages of my book as I devoured the latest fiction to distract me. I turned around to look for a someone who must be whispering nearby. No one there. I knew that expecting to see anyone was as silly as the fact that six, seemingly random, words were taunting me. But still they did. I was eight months pregnant. I stroked my swollen belly, contented, loving my child already, a girl, we knew. Then look for me under…

Dame Prue Leith has long been at the top of her game. She’s run a Michelin-starred restaurant, has trained generations of new chefs at her food school and judged BBC2’s Great British Menu. Not to mention writing all those cookbooks and novels. But she’s certainly enjoying the fresh fame and fun that’s come with Bake Off. After a successful theatre tour, Dame Prue’s back judging a new series of The Great Celebrity Bake Off for SU2C. Olympic diver Tom Daley, Loose Women’s Coleen Nolan, Judi Love and reality star Gemma Collins are taking part… as is a certain Hollywood A-list sitcom star. Here, Dame Prue, 83, who lives with former fashion designer husband John Playfair in the Cotswolds, talks later-in-life love, losing battles and looking good over 80… Were you excited…

EAT PRAY LOVE Netflix Set in Italy, India and Bali, Eat Pray Love is a movie that inspires wanderlust, via heartbroken divorcee Liz, on her journey of self-discovery. The film’s use of springtime imagery symbolises the growth of Julia Roberts’ character, as she explores her new life, post-divorce. PRIDE & PREJUDICE Netflix This Jane Austen adaptation may be the perfect love story, but fans also associate the film with the beauty of nature and blissful innocence. Green is a common colour, while its characters often wear white, symbolising purity, fresh starts and springtime. MAMMA MIA! (2008) Amazon Prime Video This fan-favourite Abba musical serves up all the excitement of being outdoors and having fun in the sun, with friends and family. Soak up that sun-kissed energy, and take in all…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT At 170,000 acres, the open, marshy Somerset Levels and Moors are vast. Surrounded by the higher ground of the Mendip, Quantock and Polden Hills, this is an unspoiled landscape steeped in history and folklore. The small town of Glastonbury revels in its hippy heritage, but the overall vibe on the Levels is sleepy – well, until Glastonbury Festival draws thousands of revellers each June. Elsewhere, the market town of Bridgwater merits a full exploration. INSIDER’S GUIDE This low-lying landscape once held a much higher profile than today. Long before Glastonbury’s revellers, the town drew medieval pilgrims when its Abbey (now in ruins) was the wealthiest in England. Before that, the surrounding swamplands sheltered the Saxon King Alfred, who hid out here while battling Danish invaders. Even the name…

As Sheridan Smith received a standing ovation for her latest role as Shirley Valentine, in London’s West End last week – it was hard to imagine that, just 16 months ago, the 41-year-old was reportedly ‘lucky to be alive’. The mum-of-one – she has son Billy, two, with ex-fiancé Jamie Horn – allegedly hit rock bottom in November 2021, after her £100,000 Range Rover veered off a country road during 60mph gales and smashed into a tree. A concerned neighbour said that it was a ‘miracle’ the Cilla star had not been more hurt. ‘Sheridan is so lucky to be alive. It could have been so much worse. Her car was stuck in the tree, it was a really bad crash.’ The star was reportedly driving, and was just 600…

‘Last week I woke up, looked at myself in the mirror and screeched. My face was bright red, swollen, hot and itchy. Like I’d popped out in the night and gone sunbathing for a good six hours with lard on my face. Of course, I hadn’t, so what could it be? Did I eat something I don’t normally eat? Use a cream I don’t normally use? Did I change my soap powder? Not that I wash my face with Persil, but these are the questions everyone asks, along with “Did you take any unusual drugs?” What, no! I didn’t give it much more thought. I was working the next day, on TV, and while I wasn’t too worried, because I was sure it would have gone by then, I still…

Rich coffee and walnut spelt cake White spelt flour is light enough to use in sponge cakes. Hands-on time: 1hr, plus cooling Cooking time: 3hr 20min (including meringues) Serves 12-16 • 150g walnut halves• 20 cardamom pods• 2½tbsp instant coffee powder• 375g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra to grease• 275g light muscovado sugar• 50g caster sugar• 6 medium eggs, lightly beaten• 375g white spelt flour• 1tbsp baking powder FOR THE SYRUP • 40g light brown muscovado sugar• 1tsp instant coffee powder• 8 cardamom pods FOR THE COFFEE BUTTERCREAM • 200g unsalted butter, at room temp• 400g icing sugar, sifted• 2tbsp instant coffee powder dissolved in 1tbsp boiling water FOR THE MERINGUE KISSES • 2 medium egg whites• 100g caster sugar• 1tsp instant coffee, dissolved in 1tsp hot water, plus extra…

CAN CHARCOAL HELP WITH IBS? I am 58 and I’ve been recently diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Thankfully, it is quite mild and I am managing it well with my diet. However, I read online that some people think it’s a good idea to take ‘activated charcoal’ – what do you think? I’m happy to try anything that might help. Jane, Great Yarmouth DR HILARY SAYS: Activated charcoal is a treatment for symptoms of wind and flatulence, which is common in irritable bowel syndrome. It is not the sort of charcoal that we use on barbecues. It is a form of carbon that has been processed to give it small low-volume pores, which absorb gas. It is completely inert within the bowel otherwise. By working in this way it…

The daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Lilibet – named after her great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II – has been christened. ‘Princess Lilibet Diana was christened on Friday, March 3,’ a spokesperson for the couple confirmed. This marked the first time the title of princess has been used publicly for Lilibet. She is entitled to it under the protocol as a male-line grandchild of the monarch, yet, as a couple who stepped back from the Royal family, it feels an odd decision to use the title……

Think about your Spring clean as a reset button for your home – a chance to reacquaint yourself with areas of the house you haven’t seen since, well, last Spring! For a really green clean, you need to ditch the chemicals (where possible) in place of more natural cleaning solutions. SIMPLE SOLUTIONS 12 For many tasks, a simple feather duster will suffice – no need for sprays and polishes. 13 Start from the top down, so any dust from light fittings, pictures, mirrors, etc, falls to the floor to be scooped up later. 14 You’ll need to vacuum your fitted carpets, but take rugs and cushions outside to beat by hand, giving yourself a mini workout and saving electricity. 15 Use the cleaning process as an opportunity to rearrange your furniture – this will…

Ruby meets a lot of people who tell her they feel like they have ‘no purpose in life’. In typically direct form, she says, ‘Truth is, none of us know the purpose of our lives. That’s the human condition. I can’t help anyone with the meaning of life. But while I’m on Earth, I don’t want to waste my life thinking silly things – like in my case, “Men don’t like me” (that went on for about 35 years!) or “Maybe I’m not that attractive”. I still have nightmares to this day of guys, physically moving to get away from me. But it’s the stories we tell ourselves! These things go through my mind, but I go, “Ruby, you’ve heard this before…” These are my recordings, they are NOT who I…

Mother’s Day is fast approaching. But for some, it is bittersweet. For Loose Woman Brenda Edwards, it’s sure to be painful – as it will be spent without her son, Jamal – who died unexpectedly, last February. He was just 31. Brenda, who won a best Heroes Award last October for the incredible work she’s done for the Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust, will no doubt lean on her amazing daughter, Tanisha, who lost her brother. Last month, Brenda broke down on the anniversary of his death alongside Tanisha, as part of a tribute documentary to Jamal. Speaking emotionally on Good Morning Britain about attempting to rebuild their lives, Tanisha said people had ‘held them up’, with Brenda adding, ‘It is a blessing’ – before breaking down, as she admitted…

With more energy than many of us can muster and fabulous skin, Dame Prue could clearly pass for years younger than 83. When asked her beauty secret, she laughs and says: ‘Darling, I don’t have one. I’m just lucky.’ She does, however, have one habit: she makes sure to moisturise. ‘What cream do I put on my face? Mostly, the little bottles you get in hotels for free. I’ve got lots of them,’ she laughs. ‘Or Nivea. I keep thinking Nivea ought to use me for their poster girl. The thing about Nivea is it doesn’t cost very much and it’s the same stuff in there as in posh creams.’…