Table of contents for 32-2021 in Best

If you watch Netflix, are single, or are just in need of a good belly laugh – this new series comes highly recommended by me. Single myself – again – and imagining my perfect man is a comedian, this show is based on animal attraction with a twist. A sort of Masked Singer for dating. ‘I’m so single, I’m dressed as a panda to try to find someone,’ sighed one contestant. I hear you, but personally, I think dating at my age is already hell, so I won’t be dressing up as a panda. That said, I love that this show is the reverse of Naked Attraction. You not only wear clothes, you don a hideous costume over them. So is beauty only skin-deep? Can you fall in love with…

Standing at the front of the room, all eyes were on us as my then husband-to-be, Pete, and I exchanged vows. ‘I do,’ said Pete, slipping the ring on my finger. And our family and friends, all gathered together in Bracknell Register Office, let out a happy sigh as the registrar pronounced us husband and wife. It was September 1982 and my big day was everything I’d dreamed of. But rather than the ceremony ending there, we took our seats as my twin sister, Ade, and her partner, Ron, stood up and took their place at the front of the room. Because, while most people may have wanted to be the sole focus on their wedding day, sharing the celebrations with my identical twin made them doubly special. After all,…

HOW IT WORKS 1 In her best-selling book, 2 Weeks to Feeling Great, Gabriela Peacock reveals how splitting the week into three fasting days (consuming 500 calories), three ‘mindful’ days when you follow a sugar-balancing plan to prevent cravings and one ‘magic’ day, when you can eat what you want, can kick-start the immune system, speed up cell repair and even slow down ageing! 2 She says: ‘I wanted to create a weight-loss plan where you’ll see results in the first two weeks. If you don’t see results fast, or it’s too difficult, you’ll lose motivation.’ 3 On the three mindful days you don’t count calories, but follow the blood sugar balancing protocol – three meals, plus two snacks, with protein included in every one. Then on the magic day…

Rhubarb and Custard Blondies Rhubarb and custard is an iconic flavour combination – add to a blondie and it wins everyone’s favourite bake! Prep: 45 minutes Bake: 30-35 minutes Cool: 2 hours Lasts: 1+ week, at room temperature 175g rhubarb300g white granulated sugar2 tbsp water200g unsalted butter, melted3 eggs125g plain flour75g custard powder200g white chocolate chips or chunks100g custard 1 Chop the rhubarb into pieces, and add to a pan with 50g of the sugar and the water. Place over a medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until the rhubarb softens. Set aside to cool. 2 Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan and line a 23cm square tin with parchment paper. Put the melted unsalted butter and remaining 250g sugar into a large bowl and beat until…

DAUGHTER TAKING ON TOO MUCH I’m worried about my 14-year-old daughter. She helps me to care for her older brother, 15, who has Down’s Syndrome and autism, but I feel so guilty. No matter what I say, she is taking on too much and missing out on her own childhood. She is naturally an empathetic, caring girl who adores her little bro, but she refuses to invite friends over and can’t even sleep due to worrying about him – especially after one of his full-blown meltdowns. How can I encourage her to have fun – like any other teenager? Carrie, Belfast Your daughter sounds delightful. She is sweet, kind and has the loveliest instinct to help you and her brother. Yet you are the parent and you are absolutely right,…

SPRING BREAK Make the most of Easter 2022 by setting sail on Princess Cruises’ MedallionClass Sky Princess on 9 April, 2022 for 14 nights. This Spain, France and Portugal cruise sails during Easter weekend, so you can look forward to immersing yourself in Spanish festivities as the ship calls into Seville on Easter Sunday (17 April) followed by Malaga on Easter Monday (18 April) and Cartagena on 19 April. These Spanish cities are famous for elaborate celebrations so you might just catch a glimpse of ancient statues, religious floats and sombre processions. While on board, you can look forward to Princess’ most exciting entertainment venues yet, over 10 dining choices, award-winning chef partnerships, and attentive service from a friendly crew who know exactly what fantastic hospitality means. HOW TO DO…

The Great Exhibition London, May 1851 ‘It looks like the weather is set fair,’ Charlotte, Duchess of Buccleuch, said as her husband helped her into the waiting carriage. ‘As long as it doesn’t rain, I’ll be happy,’ Walter, the Duke of Buccleuch replied, climbing in beside her. ‘When we leave Buckingham Palace there will be nine royal carriages in front of us and heaven knows how many behind, with all the usual pageantry and accompanying entourage. It would put a dampener on proceedings if we arrived at the Crystal Palace soaked to the skin.’ ‘It’s a pity that the Committee could not organise the weather on top of everything else. You have all worked so tirelessly this last year with Prince Albert, I am sure nothing will spoil the spectacle.’…

THE CASE: John and Lee Sabine seemed like the perfect couple. They met when Lee was a nurse in London and John had been injured in the Korean War. They married in 1960 and had four children, then emigrated to New Zealand, where they had a fifth child. Here, the family started to fall apart. Inexplicably, Lee and John abandoned their children in an Auckland nursery. Steve, Martin, Susan, Jane and Lee-Ann were aged between two and 11 in 1969, and they spent the next decade in care. ‘They dropped us off somewhere and never came back to pick us up… I was probably six or seven years old,’ their son, Steve, now 59, recalled. The couple changed their names to Lee and John Martin and fled to Australia, where…

Peter Andre has played out much of his life on reality TV. Now the likable Aussie is about to play his first theatrical role since he was a talented 17-year-old. It’s been a difficult time for the singer, who’s now 48: he was diagnosed with Covid at the start of the year, which took its toll on both his physical and mental health. But he’s fighting fit now, and Peter – who is married to GP Emily MacDonagh, with whom he has children Amelia, seven, and Theo, four (he also has Princess, 14, and Junior, 16, with his ex, Katie Price), tells Tony Cowell how excited he is to be back playing to a live audience – and how Junior seems destined to follow in his dad’s footsteps… You are playing…

HAMPTON COURT PALACE FESTIVAL, 13-24 AUGUST Now in its 25th year, Hampton Court Palace Festival is a series of truly special and unique open-air concerts. Artists perform in an intimate 3,000-seat auditorium in Base Court, set against the backdrop of Henry VIII’s magnificent Tudor Palace. Attendees arrive at the Palace Gardens to enjoy a spot of picnicking, provided by Fortnum & Mason. You can also entertain in splendour against the stunning backdrop of the Palace’s East Front Gardens, in one of the lavish Waterside Gazebos. Tickets and VIP packages at hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com THE BIG FEASTIVAL, 27-29 AUGUST The Big Feastival returns to Alex James’ Farm in the Cotswolds for its 10th anniversary this Summer, with an incredible line-up of music, award-winning food and family entertainment. The bank holiday weekend extravaganza is…

It’s been a year since Dr Alex George’s younger brother, Llŷr, took his life – but the 30-year-old has revealed their family still think about him, every single day. ‘I think the hardest part of it is you’ll never have an absolute understanding of why. And every day I think of my brother, as does my family, and of course we think a lot about, “What if?” I wish we could speak to him and have that conversation. The hardest thing about losing Llŷr was the fact we didn’t feel like we had the chance to help him.’ Llŷr was just 19 when he took his life last July and it was his older brother, Dr Alex, who broke the news on Instagram. ‘I can’t believe I am actually writing…

Mum-of-three Linda Robson – down-to-earth, honest and with a distinct lack of filter (just as well hubby of 31 years, Mark, doesn’t tend to tune in!) is a firm favourite on panel show Loose Women. Here, the 63-year-old Birds of a Feather star, who has bounced back after a rough few years, which saw her suffer a breakdown after battles with OCD and anxiety, opens up about her new health kick, and her knack for making friends wherever she goes… Linda, how are things? Not bad. I had an interesting night recently. I was all cosy in my pyjamas, watching Love Island, when I had to film a section for Loose Women called ‘Moongazing’. It was pouring it down, no moon out, and I had to lay outside with candles around…

Between working, sleeping, socialising, housework and caring for others, is it any wonder a laborious layering regime and 30-minute face mask don’t get a look in? Here’s how to really maximise those all-important minutes. TIME: 60 seconds 1 IN-SHOWER CLEANSE Night-time is when skin cells regenerate, thanks to your natural circadian rhythm, and cleansing first thing boosts this process. A quick cleanse should do it. Opt for a formula that’s free of sodium lauryl sulphate, which weakens the skin barrier against environmental damage, and incorporate a speedy massage. ‘It increases the flow of oxygen into your cells to awaken the skin,’ says facialist Kate Kerr. ‘Use your fingers and start with brisk upwards strokes over the cheeks, then quick, gentle pinches all over the face.’ Try CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser,…

More and more people are cutting down on meat in the UK. Last year alone, an estimated 500,000 Brits became vegetarians, while a quarter said they’d moved to a vegan diet, or intended to. One of the main reasons behind the change – apart from for the environment – tends to be for the health benefits. Red meat, for example, has been linked repeatedly to bowel cancer, type two diabetes and cardiovascular disease. But while sales of red meat are decreasing year-on-year, our love of burgers still remains steady – during lockdown, they were the most popular takeaway. But nowadays, that doesn’t always mean a ‘beef’ burger. Meat-free, or plant-based, burgers are booming, even in fast food restaurants. But are they really better for you? Gloria Hunniford looked into this…

ROSÉ ALL DAY! Looking for a new tipple to sip this Summer? Consider a case of M&S Found, Vinho Verde Rosé, £42 for 6 bottles (that’s £7 each). It’s just scored an impressive 87/100 in the Good Housekeeping Institute Tried and Tested for rosés. Vinho Verde is more often associated with white wines (it literally translates as ‘green wine’), however this spritzy Portuguese pink is just perfect for sunny days. Expect pronounced ripe, juicy strawberries, well-balanced sweetness and just a hint of pear. Try in place of prosecco, and pair with seafood paella. SNACK SMART! Banana crisps anyone? We weren’t convinced until we tried Katie’s Food Co’s Banana Crisps. The surprisingly savoury, crunchy and crispy snack are gluten-free and taste just as moreish as traditional potato crisps. In Thai Sweet…

MONSTER MOOD SWINGS I’ve generally been quite up and down with my moods, but since going through the menopause I don’t even want to be around myself! I can’t hide my emotions and I’m aware I’m often not pleasant to be around – despite the fact I’m on HRT. My daughter told me that her boyfriend doesn’t enjoy coming over any more because he’s a little ‘scared’ of my temper – that’s the last thing I want. I know this won’t last forever, but surely there’s something else that might soften the blow? Claire, Edinburgh DR HILARY SAYS: Mood swings are difficult to deal with, but the good news is that you have good insight into what is happening and are motivated to change it. When they start to affect…

Say the name ‘Victoria Derbyshire’ and you think: the woman on the BBC, current affairs, successful presenter – and that is all true. But her personal life hasn’t been quite so plain sailing. She was brought up by an often-violent father, Anthony, who was free with his fists and, shockingly, once even threw hot soup over the schoolgirl. Her mother fled the family home with the kids when Victoria was 16 – and she never saw him again. ‘He’s not a part of my life. When he was in my life, it wasn’t very nice.’ Since then, she has come through cancer treatment – chemotherapy and a mastectomy. And she admits to being ‘gutted, demoralised and crushed’ when her show was axed at the BBC. But there’s one thing Victoria…

THE PERFECT PINK NURSERY Loretta’s nursery, in shades of pink, would make any little girl envious – especially with all the cute pink clothes and toys! THE LIVING ROOM Single mum Lydia knows neutral tones can help a room feel bigger, brighter and airier. The added fluffy cushions, soft rug, books and flowers, mean the star can chill out in style. KITCHEN/DINER Open plan kitchens create a hub that is ideal for cooking, working and entertaining — it will also be easier for Lydia to keep an eye on little Loretta once she’s on the move! SUMMER VIBES A gorgeous rustic outside space to hang out in with a glass of vino. We’re loving the dreamcatcher, the candelabra – and the Stay Wild slogan plant pot! POP THE KETTLE ON…

Within hours of the police arriving at the scene, Michelle was arrested and taken into custody. But with nothing to link her to the body – other than finding it – she was released after 48 hours. Officers had to start from scratch. Including identifying the body. The mummified corpse was dressed in pyjamas with a St Michael label – the clothing arm of Marks & Spencer until they rebranded in 2000. Not a lot to go on. They then tried to match the dental records and a hip replacement serial number with local dentists and hospitals, but they found nothing. It was during their investigations that police discovered John had once lived there. Official records showed that the couple had signed a joint tenancy agreement in February 1997 and…

KEEPING CATS CONTENT Going on holiday or back to work? Here’s how to help your moggy adapt to change… ON HOLIDAY Leading charity Cats Protection (cats.org.uk) advises keeping your cat at home. ‘They are more likely to be content in their own environment.’ Ask a friend or family member to visit twice a day. Provide enough litter, food and medication (if applicable), and ensure you leave your contact details and vet information. If you don’t have anyone nearby, Trusted Housesitters (trustedhousesitters.com) puts you in touch with verified sitters. Choosing a cattery? Book as far in advance as possible. The cattery should be licensed with the local council, be clean and secure with insulated and heated cat pens. Check whether staff will administer medication, too. For details of your nearest cattery,…

His Cockney sayings are as well known as his handsome mug – but you can only imagine what Danny Dyer was thinking as he was snapped looking stony-faced, after the father of his seven-month-old grandson was put behind bars… He rarely pulls a proverbial punch. And when EastEnders actor Danny Dyer was snapped leaving his daughter’s house recently, it’s fair to say he didn’t look ‘appy’. And we can only imagine what he was thinking… Possibly ‘Propa nawty!’ or ‘There’s been more backstabbing than in Albert Square.’ His visit came amid claims police were set to search the property – after Dani’s ex, Sammy Kimmence, was jailed for a £34,000 fraud deal. The endearing Love Island star shared her Essex home with Kimmence, who she was dating on and off…

She’s quite unlike any other British TV star. Funny, quirky, normally dressed in black from head-to-toe, Claudia Winkleman – she of the no-holds-barred attitude and smokey eyes – is in a league of her own and we can’t wait to see her back on the box with our very own Craig Revel Horwood on Strictly, later this year. Speaking at a virtual event organised by bookshop.org, to mark the paperback edition of her bestselling memoir, Quite, the 49-year-old explores a series of topics close to her heart, including life at home (Claudia is married to Danish film producer Kris Thykier, and the couple have three children, Jake, 18, Matilda, 15, and Arthur, 10). Here’s what she opened up on… BEING ‘FAMOUS’… I don’t feel famous at all, honestly – I’m on…

Q I suffer with acne but am now getting breakouts on my chest. Is this normal? Mary, Preston A NHS stats show that around 15 per cent of those with acne suffer symptoms on their chest and it can get worst during Summer. Shower regularly to remove any sweat and oil from your chest, especially if you’ve been in a hot, humid environment. Always change out of sweaty tops immediately after a workout and change bed sheets regularly. Switch to a gentle body cleanser with salicylic acid, which removes excess oil and dead skin cells. Try CeraVe Smoothing Cleanser, £12. Exfoliate once or twice a week but no more; over-exfoliating can irritate and trick your body into producing more oil. The skin here is very delicate. Try a chemical exfoliator,…

Standing in front of the mirror in my pants and bra, I was horrified at the reflection staring back at me. I was 45 but dressed like someone 20 years older. My faded bra was at least seven years old and had a broken clasp, and I was wearing my mum’s knickers – bought but never worn. To say I wasn’t feeling – or looking – top of my game was an understatement. It had been a tough few years. I had two children, Sullivan, now 11, and Frankie, 13, to look after and my mum, Chris, was dying of cancer. Somehow, while spending so long looking after other people, I’d forgotten to take care of myself. Looking at the tired-looking woman in the tired-looking underwear in the mirror, I…

SERVICE WHERE SERVICE IS DUE EAMONN: Here’s a good tip – a service charge should go to the people providing that service. I know a lot of restaurant owners will say that’s them, but in the eyes of us, the customers, it’s not. I’ve worked tables and bars, so has Ruth – and we would both say, as teenagers, we worked hard and learned a lot. We both developed social skills and the bottom line was, we knew the nicer we were to customers and the more efficient we were, the more we earned. In short, the harder we worked, the more chance we had of getting a tip. Today it’s harder for waiting staff. Younger people don’t tend to tip. In my day, I knew I had to fuss…

LEO 24 July – 23 August An unexpected offer or opportunity will mean Leos like A Star is Born actor, Sam Elliot, and Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson may need to make some changes they will find exciting. After all, it isn’t good to get stuck in a restrictive, confining role. So don't be afraid to take every chance that comes your way. VIRGO 24 August – 23 September Whether you’re at the start of a new relationship or deeply involved with someone special, it is still good to get out and about and to pursue independent interests. Don’t waste all your energy by devoting yourself to one person only. Spend time with friends. Meet up online or meet in person if this possible. Socialise. LIBRA 24 September – 23 October…

BAYWATCH 9pm, E4, Tuesday In this 2017 action comedy, inspired by the iconic series, lifeguard Mitch Buchannon and his team discover a drug racket involving businesswoman Victoria Leeds – and decide to unearth the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice. With Zac Efron and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. CHANGING LANES 9pm, Sky Witness, Thursday In this 2002 thriller, Banek and Gipson are involved in an accident which makes them late for court – with disastrous consequences. Enraged, both decide to take revenge on each other… Starring Toni Collette and Ben Affleck. WHY HIM? 9pm, E4, Friday There are laughs aplenty in this comedy, starring James Franco. While his lover’s parents are visiting him at his mansion, Laird asks her father, Ned, for his assent to marry her. Disgusted by…