Table of contents for 15-2019 in Best

TV and radio presenter Vanessa Feltz recently revealed the cause of her dramatic 3st weight loss, and it’s not pretty! The 57-year-old This Morning agony aunt appeared on the ITV show to talk about the surgery she had back in January, which resulted from problems with her gastric band. Terrifyingly, poor Vanessa ended up in intensive care, after experiencing scary symptoms associated with the band slipping. ‘It was horrible and unexpected’ ‘I’d rather tell the truth than not. I’d rather be open as I’ve got nothing to hide. So, I spoke with you before about the gastric band I had fitted in 2010, and it turned out to be much more complicated,’ she revealed. ‘It had slipped, and I was having horrible symptoms – waking up feeling as if I…

TOP TIP Pick up this versatile midi now and wear it all season. It’s smart enough to go with a hat for special summer events! TOP TIP Florals don’t have to be girlie. Team with trainers for a laid-back look that’s cute and comfy. TOP TIP Dip your toe into the floral trend with a statement top. This bold print will also work with your favourite jeans.…

‘I thought it was just me, but it turns out it’s really big business – especially in America, where a survey has revealed it’s worth around $45 billion to the US economy. I’m talking about drunk shopping, that shameful but strangely satisfying, late-night way of acquiring stuff you would never normally buy. I’m guessing it’s just as profitable here in the UK. My very first and most memorable drunk-shopping event was around 20 years ago. Flying back from New Zealand, I couldn’t believe I got upgraded – so, of course, I made the most of the free champers. Then, during a short stopover in some south sea island, I bought a tiny piece of jewellery that, in my booze-soaked mind, I thought cost £50. When I got the credit card…

1 You want… brighter, smoother skin PEEL AN… APPLE  An apple a day keeps the wrinkles away? This humble fruit is high in pectin which has a brightening and smoothing effect on our complexion, so peel and grate an apple, and apply to your face for a few minutes before rinsing off for glowier skin. 2 You want… a beautifying all-rounder USE A JAR OF … HONEY Winnie the Pooh’s favourite food has brilliant healing properties, from moisturising skin to speeding up spot zapping. For maximum potency go for Manuka formulas which are more antibacterial than clear honey. 3 You want… a speedy face scrub USE A … STRAWBERRY It’s not as abrasive as, say, sugar or salt, but strawberries actually contain a small amount of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA),…

HOW IT WORKS 1 We have teamed up with WW, the new Weight Watchers, to help you get healthy this spring with its most flexible programme ever. 2 Building on the successful SmartPoints® system, WW gives you more freedom and flexibility than ever before, and is proven to help you lose weight and feel confident. With WW, nothing is off the menu, so you can still enjoy the foods you love. 3 WW inspires healthy habits for real life. It encourages you to enjoy food with freedom, find what moves you physically, and gives you the skills to shift your mindset so that you can focus on what really matters on your weight-loss journey – taking care of yourself and living your life the way you want to. 4 Every…

1 GETTING THE BEST DEAL More than a third of mortgage owners are on standard variable rates (SVRs) – meaning that four million households are throwing away an average of £216 a month by paying too much, says L&C. Customers are usually put on SVRs when a fixed-rate deal ends. SVRs almost always cost more and lenders can raise their rates at any time. If you’ve been switched to a SVR, get on to another fixed rate deal that lets you lock in interest rates. 2 REPAYING INTEREST-ONLY There’s been a reduction in people on interest-only mortgages, but thousands still have them. These policies mean you only pay the interest, not any of the money borrowed, back during the mortgage term. But, when it matures, you’ll face a hefty bill…

TOP TIP Spring colours and fun accessories will delight young and old.…

David Attenborough, 92, is someone for whom the phrase ‘national treasure’ really is the perfect description. The legendary nature presenter started travelling the world for his documentaries some 60 years ago, while the planet was still fairly pristine. Now, so much has changed. The planet is in trouble, and it’s one of the reasons David has lent his voice to new Netflix series Our Planet. Here, we take a look at the great man’s views, on everything from ageing and widowerhood to the future of our planet… Why is new series Our Planet so important? This is about saving civilisation. Fifty years ago, even I didn’t believe there were problems. The idea we’ve devastated the seas, we’re in danger of whole populations disappearing and climate change eliminating life never occurred…

BEHIND THE SCENES ON This morning… There’s no doubt about it – I’m a creature of habit, and This Morning is one of the best habits I’ve ever had! A lot of you may not realise that I am the longest-serving presenter on the programme, having been there 19 years – first of all, presenting with John Leslie, before Eamonn came along six years later. For the show to be such an enjoyable habit, my daily routine has to be the same. I rise at 5am (ouch) and have my shower, a cup of tea, and dry my hair while watching Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain, before leaving for work at BBC Television Centre, where the programme is recorded – a journey that can take anything from one to two hours,…

Where are we at the beginning of the new series? We’ve reached the spring of 1939, and the war is on the horizon. It’s awful for Louisa, who has already lived through a war and has four children – including sons, who would be called up to fight. But despite the storm clouds, it’s still the sunny Durrells that we love. What is going on with Louisa? She’s now running the house as a high-grade guest house, which she’s very good at. The real Louisa was a brilliant cook, and loved surrounding herself with people. How’s it been, watching the young cast grow up? I’m 5ft 10in and Milo, who plays Gerry, is now almost as tall as me. There’s a moustache there, too. Gerry also gets long trousers later…

As the youngest member of America’s K-Klan, Kylie Jenner had some tough acts to follow. At the tender age of 10, she was thrown into the spotlight alongside her older and more glamorous siblings in the family reality TV show, now watched in 167 countries worldwide. For years, it was Kylie’s big sisters who hogged the limelight: Kim, 38, the sleek beauty with her famous booty and rapper husband Kanye West; Khloé, 34, the ultimate WAG; Kourtney, 39, the hot divorcée dating toy boys, and Kendall, 23 – one of the world’s hottest supermodels. For years, naughty teenager Kylie lived in their shadows. But not any longer. She’s just made history by becoming the world’s youngest self-made billionaire, aged 21, She’s smashed Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s record – he achieved…

Fiona Cummins lives by the seaside in Essex with her husband, two children, aged 10 and nine, and a dog. Her third crime novel, The Neighbour, is out now, published by Macmillan. Tell us about how you became a writer I was a showbiz journalist. I interviewed top celebrities, like George Clooney and Jude Law, and I certainly saw the glamorous side of life. But while I was on maternity leave with my daughter, two things happened. My sister-in-law was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma and eight weeks after that, my son, who was not yet two, was also diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening condition. Thankfully, they both recovered, but it drew me up short. It made me realise that we owe it to ourselves to do the things that…

IRELAND Get crafty in County Down 15-28 April, 12pm-4pm Castle Ward’s Secret Shore trail is perfect for little ones who like their country strolls with a helping of adventure: scrambling over fallen trees in the woods, jumping into muddy puddles and seeking out the secret spots where animals make their homes. Once you’re done exploring, you can get creative with spring-themed crafts, visit the farmyard animals or relax with a picnic. Between 19-23 April you can also help solve the clues at Bunny’s Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt and claim a prize while helping to fund vital conservation work. NEED TO KNOW: Normal admission charges apply, and egg hunts costs £1.50 per person. From Northumberland to the Cotswolds, there’s plenty of fun to be had this holiday THE NORTH See newborn…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Known as ‘Paris on Sea’ back in the 1920s, nowhere was more chic than Le Touquet. Boasting golf courses, tennis courts, casinos and a racecourse, it became an international playground for the rich and famous – after all, it was an easy distance for pioneering aviators to pop across the channel. Nowadays, it’s still a great way to get a taste of France – it’s just a short hop over (or under) the channel to this stylish destination. With miles and miles of sandy beaches, it’s perfect for walkers, there’s great shopping opportunities and tons of lovely bars and restaurants. INSIDER’S GUIDE Start with a stroll around the town, where the pastel-coloured houses display dazzling 1920s design flair, with colourful and historic seaside villas to die for. Then…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES 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: Music star and actress Rita Ora was born in Pristina, the capital of present-day Kosovo, but what country are both of her parents from? (7). This is your prize answer. See below for details on how to enter. ACROSS 1 PICTURE A What is this suit called? (6)4 What do you call a picture or pattern that’s made up from small pieces of tile or glass, eg? (6)7 Colour, shade (3)8 ANAGRAM BELIED9 A stitch in time saves ___, proverb (4)10 Injury, typically one…

Overindulged? Let’s face it, we’ve all been there Patsy Kensit, our former best columnist, remains, at 51, both a stunningly beautiful woman and a talented and popular actress. Fans of the blue-eyed blonde were taken aback, however, when pictures emerged of the star standing outside a London pub with friends, looking very much the worse for wear. In the images, the mum-of-two, who has been divorced four times, looked a little bloated and unsteady on her feet, as her friend, Fabio Pannuti, seemed to hold her upright while fellow pub-goers looked on, concerned. Arriving at The Orange pub in Pimlico early afternoon and in good spirits as she chatted to pals, Patsy is reported to have left four hours later, bleary-eyed and struggling to stay on her feet. According to…

Stripe Out! Yellow stripes look fresh teamed with crisp white. Dress the part Flatter an hourglass figure with a dress that emphasises your waist. Take it to the max Snap up this summer staple now and wear all summer. Time to separate It’s worth investing in a tailored jacket, as it will instantly smarten up everything in your wardrobe.…

Gloria Hunniford is a mum of three and grandmother of 10. She’s been divorced, remarried and learned to deal with the loss of her daughter and, on Rip Off Britain, she battles consumer issues. In her own words, she’s ‘lived a lot’. So, ask Gloria anything… Frosty reception from my new man’s mum I split from my husband of over 20 years, two years ago. I’ve since moved on with a new man, and finally feel ready to meet his friends and family. I got on well with my ex mother-in-law (who I still speak to frequently), but fear I’ll never have that same relationship with my partner’s mum after meeting her! We’ve had a few Sunday lunches, and she’s so cool towards me. I don’t understand why – I’m…

At my first WW meeting, three years ago, I was ready. Ready to lose weight, ready to get healthier and ready to change my life. That was why I gave myself such an ambitious goal – to lose 16st. At 28st 3lb, my body could certainly do with shedding that huge amount of weight. But secretly, I was doubtful. ‘I’ll be lucky if I can lose half of that,’ I told myself. Yet, after two-and-a-half years, I did lose 16st – and now I’m losing even more! Unlike most people, I can pinpoint the moment I started gaining weight. It was when my mum and dad divorced. I was just 13 years old. Devastated, I turned to food for comfort. Chocolate, cake, crisps, anything that would give me a sugar…

Inside ⋆ THE BEST EASTER EGGS, TESTED BY ⋆ DELICIOUS EASTER FEAST ⋆ SET THE PERFECT TABLE GIANT CHOCOLATE CORNFLAKE NEST This simple showstopper is bound to impress. Hands-on time: 15 mins + chilling Cooking time: approx 10 mins Serves 16 • 250g dark chocolate, chopped • 200g milk chocolate, chopped• 100g butter, chopped• 3tbsp golden syrup• 200g cornflakes• Chocolate eggs, to decorate 1 Draw around the base of a 20.5cm cake tin on a piece of baking parchment, then flip the sheet over and lay on a baking sheet. Next melt the chocolate, butter and golden syrup together in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water (make sure base of bowl does not touch the water). Or, microwave on full power for 15 second…

The end of a relationship can be a pretty messy business, especially if you’re not the one wanting the break-up – and celebrities certainly aren’t immune to this heartache. A whole lot of water may pass under the bridge, but for certain celebrities, as with the rest of us, they just can’t get that one old flame out of their head – the one that got away. They say that when one door closes, another opens – but if you’re still fixating on the door that closed, how on earth do you move on?! KERRY KATONA & BRIAN MCFADDEN Their marriage may have imploded in 2006, after she claimed he ‘cheated’, but Kerry Katona now maintains her ex, Dancing On Ice finalist Brian McFadden, is her ‘favourite’ out of her…

A GRAND SCHEME The Grand National was an amazing event for me growing up. When I realised my children weren’t into the whole event, I recorded the race knowing the result, then put their names against the top five finishers. A small pot of money was there to share out. Then I pressed playback. They won. I didn’t. Now that they’re adults, I wonder – do they question how their luck has changed? NOT SO EGG-STRAVAGANT Easter is just around the corner. Does anybody still do what Ruth and I used to do as kids? It was such an event to boil an egg, let it cool, draw a face on it with felt-tip pens and then roll it down a hill until it cracked. Yes, we made our own…

… the new series of Save Money: Lose Weight We’re now on our third series. It’s fantastic because it’s two things everyone’s interested in – losing weight and saving money – put together in one show. That’s why I think it’s so popular. … why it’s so important right now It’s genuine health advice that won’t break the bank. We have a growing obesity crisis, and people have less and less disposable income, so finance is vitally important. I was one of the guinea pigs this series – from trying out scales that measure body fat percentages, to seeing if DNA plays a part in weight. … the best way to shed pounds Diet and exercise are both very important, but I’d say it’s two-thirds diet, one-third exercise. You can…

While many mocked Kylie’s OTT pouty selfies, she’s certainly had the last laugh… all the way to the bank. A look at before and after pictures show that her face has totally changed. She’s admitted to temporary lip fillers, but not surgery. However, her lips got so ridiculously big – notably in 2015 – that an internet craze, The Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge, was spawned. It involved getting a shot glass, putting it on your lips and sucking the air out of it to create a vacuum. Kylie also inspired a generation of celebrity clones, including Katie Price and Lauren Goodger, puckering up for the cameras with pillowy pouts.…

‘If I ever wanted the name of a good plastic surgeon, I’d only need to put a call in to a mate. According to stats released last year, 28 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds and 31 per cent of 25 to 34-year-olds have had some form of cosmetic treatment – and it doesn’t surprise me one bit. When it comes to altering the bodies and faces we were born with, I tend not to follow many millennials. I’m will not be going under the knife or pumping myself full of filler! That’s not to say I haven’t been 100 per cent tempted by the allure of the perfect pout, and actually, if I had a pound for every time I’ve said I wanted a nose job, I’d be able…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Penzance, one of Cornwall’s most famous towns, is a bit of an imposter. At first glance, you’re somewhat underwhelmed, but delve a little deeper and you’ll find it’s home to some very lovely craft and art shops, truly beautiful buildings – including a phenomenal art deco lido – and a wide choice of great restaurants. Plenty, in fact, for a nice, indulgent weekend away, or as part of a longer holiday in glorious Cornwall. INSIDER’S GUIDE Eat a yummy Cornish pasty from Ian Lentern Butchers in Chapel Street, and stock up on scrummy bread from Baker Tom’s, bakertom.co.uk. Buy gorgeous skincare at Pure Nuff Stuff – the lavender and marjoram hand cream is fantastic – in the astonishing Egyptian House, which was built in the 1830s in the…

Loose Women star Denise Welch, who has suffered from the ‘Black Dog’ of depression for 30 years, took to social media recently to update fans about her mental health. Always searingly honest about her emotional ups and downs, the 60-year-old mum-of-two didn’t pull any punches. The former Corrie star began her emotional Twitter video by saying, ‘Well, guys, what a difference a week makes. ‘This time last week, I could hardly get out of bed, floored by a horrible episode of clinical depression; but, obviously, I’m sober seven years, so I don’t compound my illness any more trying to self-medicate my way through it – and I have to tell you, that’s very tough.’ ‘I hope he doesn’t pay me a visit any time soon…’ The star, who has spoken…

Rose Hanbury is not the only old pal reportedly sent to Siberia lately. Prince Harry is said to have frozen out his old friend, Tom ‘Skippy’ Inskip, allegedly on Meghan’s orders. Skippy was at Eton with Harry, and was also present in 2012, on the infamous night of the naked Las Vegas billiards. It was at Skippy’s wedding in Jamaica that Harry and Meghan made one of their first joint public appearances. But, rumour has it the pals are no longer close, reportedly after Skippy warned Harry not to rush into marrying Meghan.…

Hi, everyone! Remember me? I’m becoming a bit of a regular in best magazine! You might recall that back in December, my lovely wife, Chloe, and I shared some very big news. After we married in August 2016, I didn’t think things could get any better. I’d always been comfortable in my own skin, but I knew that being a 3ft 7in dwarf might make it hard to get my happy ending. Thankfully, though, when I met Chloe through friends in April 2012, our 2ft height difference didn’t matter an inch to her. We knew we wanted to start a family eventually, but we were in no rush as Chloe was only 22 back then. So we enjoyed married life, I did a stint in panto and by June 2018,…

BUTTERFLIED LEG OF LAMB WITH FIERY TZATZIKI Petaloúda tou arnioú me tsilli talatouri There is theatre and fun in large whole cuts of meat being cooked outdoors, but also logic. The meat stays moist and tender, it’s carved on the table and brings an honesty to the food. It’s just a beautiful and delicious cut of meat cooked in one of the most primal ways possible, with nothing more than plenty of seasoning. Meat always needs to rest both before and after cooking – I can’t emphasise this enough – and never cook it straight out of the fridge. SERVES 10 1tbsp chilli pastePlenty of saltOlive oil2kg butterflied leg oflamb (boned weight, ask your butcher to butterfly the leg for you)Freshly ground black pepper500g Greek yoghurtA pinch of ground cuminA…

HAVE A CLEAR-OUT The first thing you need to sort out is clutter. Cleaning around clutter makes your job twice as hard. If you’re not doing anything over the long bank holiday weekend, get the family involved in a mass clear-out. My mantra is, if it’s not useful, beautiful or seriously sentimental, bin it or give it to a charity shop. The bathroom can be a particular clutter zone – excess products can make a 10 to 15-minute cleaning job take twice as long. Take a good look at the products you have and get rid of any stray conditioner bottles that don’t have the matching shampoo or products you never use. The busier your life, the more organised you need to be. I’m a great believer in clear storage boxes…

Stephen on Ant’s return to BGT, Simon and David’s backstage banter and his new game show, In For A Penny… Britain’s Got Talent is back on our screens and Stephen Mulhern, host of Britain’s Got More Talent, gives us the inside gossip on the return of Ant, his chat with Simon’s son, Eric, and what to expect from this year’s talent and judges. Plus, he reveals all about his brand new show, In For A Penny… BGT is back! What can we expect from the auditions? This is our 13th year, so that says it all – who would think we could still be blown away by the talent out there? Also, Ant McPartlin being back on the show seemed to lift everyone’s spirits – it was like having our…

TRUE LIFE TALES A TRUE TALE OF COURAGE A Woman of No Importance Sonia Purnell Virago – £20 You may not have heard of Virginia Hall, yet she changed history. A young, disabled American, living in Europe at the start of the last war, she saved countless lives as an agent of the allied resistance. This true tale of courage will take your breath away. Unnatural Causes Dr Richard Shepherd Penguin – £8.99 In his 25-year career as a forensic pathologist, the author learned to read the language of the dead. This fascinating memoir includes cases like the Bali bombings, the Hungerford shootings and the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence. UPLIFTING READS WITTY ROMP AS GOOD AS EVER Reasons to be Cheerful Nina Stibbe Viking – £12.99 In 1980, 18-year-old…