Bestの 51/52-2020 の目次

The TOWIE crowd are back with their Christmas special, The Only Way Is Essexmas, which airs Wednesday night (16 December) on ITVBe. In real life, you’ll never find a nicer ‘geezer’ than James ‘Lockie’ Lock (pictured). Only 34, but with old-fashioned manners and film star good looks, he gives Peaky Blinders’ Cillian Murphy a run for his money as Tommy on page 15. I’ve always thought I’d make a great Aunt Pol, but as this was a TOWIE shoot, the role went to their matriarch, Chloe Sims. And it wouldn’t have been complete without Arthur (or in this case, Bobby Norris) who makes an excellent loyal brother. Post-war 1920 England was exactly 100 years ago now and how our world has changed. But, as Christmas approaches, some things remain timeless…

As the campaign 1 Million Minutes marks its fifth A anniversary of urging us to pledge time to help others, Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway explain its importance… It’s going to be a different 1 Million Minutes Awards ceremony this year, right? Ben: Yes, sadly. But Kate and I will be in a studio, lots of the nominees will be there and we will be able to still surprise them live. How emotional was the judging panel this year? B: It is never easy because to get to the shortlist, you have to be remarkable… and it’s been an exceptional year in terms of people going above and beyond. Do you think the campaign will mean more to people? B: 2020 has been about the bigger picture, it’s not just about…

GREEN-EYED MONSTER Since my hubby and I have been working from home, our laptops are out 24/7 and we often pick up the other person’s by mistake as they look just the same. The other night, I went to close down what I thought was my computer, when I saw my husband’s ex-girlfriend’s Facebook profile on the screen. I instantly realised this was his laptop and he’d been searching for the woman he’d been with for years before me – you can imagine how hurt I was. I’ve still not brought it up as this year has been hard enough… But I just can’t seem to forget about it. Laura, Edinburgh Think about it this way, if your husband really is up to something with this woman, he’d be hiding…

BRIGHTEN UP! Exfoliating is one of the fastest ways to uncover your true glow. When you’re in your 20s, skin cells naturally turn over every 28 days but by our 40s it slows down to every 40 days. The resulting ‘pile-up’ clogs pores and looks dull. Frantic scrubbing can make skin look worse, so try peel pads instead. They contain the same potent ingredients used in clinic peels (such as AHAs), but in gentle concentrations for home use. Try e.l.f Superbrighten Peel Pads, £10, as they’re infused with gentle antioxidants, AHAs and payaya to brighten your complexion. SKINCARE ADD-ONS • Serums are the most potent part of your skincare, so use one designed to increase radiance levels. Botanics All Bright Radiance Concentrate Face Serum, £5.99, is packed with those all-important…

Looking down at my list, I absent-mindedly stroked L my bump. Turkey, stuffing, chipolatas, sprouts, Christmas pudding… ‘Mince pies!’ I muttered to myself, making yet another note. It was 22 December and my fiancé Jamie Palmer, 40, and I were getting ready to do the Christmas food shopping. We loved this time of year and had had our tree up for weeks, presents wrapped underneath. The only thing left to do was to buy the food – for Christmas dinner. We had a quiet Crimbo planned in our house in Exeter back in 2018. I was 31 weeks pregnant, so it was going to be the last Christmas on our own together. Next year we’d have our baby and it would be a lot more hectic, so we wanted to make…

1. REACH OUT – AND BE HONEST Phoning a family member, organising a video call or writing to a friend. And tell people you’re lonely. If they don’t know, they can’t help. 2. MAKE PLANS A run or a walk can boost endorphins, while losing yourself in a book or a boxset will help pass the time. 3. TREAT YOURSELF Make sure you have some nice food in and, if you aren’t expecting presents, buy yourself something. 4. VOLUNTEER While some events are cancelled, there are still opportunities to make yourself useful. Checkout your local charities. 5. FESTIVE WORKSHOPS There are all sorts of events taking place from wreath-making workshops to online Christmas carol concerts, that you can do from the comfort of your living room. 6. SEEK SUPPORT Remember,…

A FOND FAREWELL Well, my darlings, it’s hard to believe it’s that time already, but this is my final column of the year again – and what a strange year it’s been. But I hope the show has brought you a bit of light relief, and that I’ve brought you a bit of Strictly sparkle. I want to thank you for reading, wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a fab-u-lous New Year! Keep reading, keep watching and keep dancing! AND THE WINNER IS… So who will be lifting the Glitterball? Normally I am not backwards in coming forwards about picking my winner – I am usually quite opinionated, as you may have noticed, my darlings. But HRVY is sensational, Ranvir is a gem and Bill has been a…

Bert had Christmas sorted. Over the past couple of months, he’d recorded all his favourite programmes, including every episode of two crime serials. What with all the Christmas specials, he’d have plenty to keep himself entertained. All he had left to do was make one last trip to the greengrocer’s, then he could batten down the hatches and wait until it was all over. After waiting at the stop for ten minutes, he frowned. The bus was late. Again. The wind had a bite to it, like a terrier snapping at his heels. Bert pushed his gloved hands deeper into his pockets and was imagining a roaring log fire when a voice cut into his daydreams. ‘Happy Christmas, Bert.’ He flinched. The voice belonged to Ellen Wilberforce, the widow who…

CHOCOLATE & GINGER BUNDT CAKE This chocolate ginger cake is gooey and sticky in the middle and looks fantastic as a centrepiece. If you don’t have a Bundt tin, bake it in a lined 23cm cake tin. It will keep for four to five days in a sealed container. Serves 10-12, using a greased 23cm Bundt tin  Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 50 minutes 200g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing150g caster sugar150g dark muscovado sugar200g black treacle2 large eggs, beaten3 pieces of stem ginger in syrup, roughly chopped200g self-raising flour50g cocoa powder1½ teaspoons ground ginger200g natural yogurt100g Toblerone milk chocolate, chopped, plus extra to decorate FOR THE TOPPING Cocoa powder, for dusting 1. Preheat the oven to 170°C/150°C fan/gas mark 3½. 2. Melt the butter, sugars and treacle in a…

Gemma Arterton shines as ambitious young Sister Clodagh in this atmospheric adaptation of Rumer Godden’s iconic 1939 psychological tale of sexual repression and forbidden love among a group of nuns who travel to a remote corner of the Himalayas. But Sister Clodagh finds herself increasingly attracted to handsome, damaged land agent Mr Dean, and repressed emotions soon surface. Are there really ghosts in the Himalayas, and are the nuns prepared to die – or kill – for love? Gemma, were you familiar with the original story, or the 1947 film (starring Deborah Kerr)? I hadn’t read the book or seen the film, which was actually really helpful for me, I could form my own opinions! There are deviations from the book in Amanda Coe’s adaptation – there is more of…

Orange and Lemon Ciambella INGREDIENTS: 100g unsalted butter 300g plain flour 175g caster sugar 2 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 2 eggs, beaten Zest of 2 oranges, grated Zest of 1 un-waxed lemon, grated 4 tablespoons sweet white wine  METHOD: Pre-heat oven to 190°C. Melt the butter, then brush the inside of a 22cm ring mould with some of it. Flour the tin, tipping out any excess. Mix the butter, flour, cream of tartar, bicarbonate of soda and the caster sugar in a large bowl then add the beaten eggs, orange and lemon rind and the wine, and mix well. Spoon the mixture into the prepared ring mould and bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until a skewer will come out clean. Cool…

It’s party season, right? And whether you’re going to a big one, a small one, an exclusive one or a very private one (!), getting ready is all part of the fun. All are hidden in the usual way, except one – which one? See if you’re right on page 89. SEARCH ME! TURN PHONE OFF RUN BATH ENJOY SOAK SHAVE AND WAX DRY OFF, MUSIC ON! MOISTURISE UNDIES POUR A GLASS MAKE-UP TIME STYLE HAIR PUT ON OUTFIT TAKE IT OFF TRY ANOTHER BACK INTO FIRST ONE ACCESSORISE PHONE ON CALL TAXI OFF YOU GO! SUDOK-GO! Fill the grid using the numbers from 1 to 9 only. Each number must appear once in every column, row and 3x3 square. Now, off you sudok-go! ALL SOLUTIONS ON THE NEXT PAGE…

When Gloria Hunniford’s daughter did the unimaginable for a mother 16 years ago and passed away, the presenter had to find a way to move forward, get through the grief and celebrate Christmas. Here, she shares her memories of her daughter, her thoughts on the devastation of 2020 and her hopes for the New Year… This is a very different Christmas, isn’t it? Yes, but aren’t people inventive? I love the way churches may be closed, but services and carol concerts are now on Zoom. We all remember loved ones we’ve lost, at Christmas, but this year a lot of people will have an empty place… Yes. Covid. Cancer. Screening. There will be a lot of reasons we are apart… You have a saying that gets you through, don’t you? ‘People…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and when all the excitement of the Strictly final is out of the way and they gear up for the Christmas Day extravaganza, dynamic presenting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will be enjoying a bit of a rest – and some time with their loved ones. And this year it seems that some extra romance might be on the menu – certainly for Tess! Could it be a case of absence making the heart grow fonder for the presenter and hubby Vernon Kay, after his month away from the family competing in I’m a Celeb? ‘Oh my goodness, it feels like he has been away forever,’ said former model Tess of Vern – who came third, behind Jordan North and Queen of the…

The Derby FOR 1 GLASS – Preparation: 5 minutes 60ml (2 fl oz) Cognac15ml (½ fl oz) triple sec (such as Cointreau)10ml (⅔ fl oz) lemon juice, freshly squeezed, plus zest for garnish2 dashes of Angostura Aromatic Bitters Sugar, for decoration DIRECTIONS 1 Into a shaker filled with ice, pour the Cognac, the liqueur, the lemon juice and the bitters. Shake. 2 Create a sugar frosted rim on a tall stemmed glass and fill with crushed ice. Strain the cocktail into the glass and add slices of lemon zest. Ada Shelby For 1 GLASS – Preparation: 5 minutes 40ml (1⅓ fl oz) Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey15ml (½ fl oz) triple sec (such as Cointreau)15ml (½ fl oz) strawberry liqueur20ml (⅔ fl oz) fresh orange juice DIRECTIONS 1 Into a…

TOP TIP! A pouch is not just for Christmas! It’s prefect for any time all you need is just a lippy, cards, phone & key!…

HAS HE INFECTED ME? I’m 55, and I recently discovered that my husband has been having an affair for two years – and he admitted it was not the first. I’m heartbroken but, also, I’m worried. Until I found this out, we still made love regularly – should I be going for tests? I feel so embarrassed at my age. Dawn, Colchester DR HILARY SAYS: The hurt and pain of what has happened is bad enough emotionally and it will take time to learn to trust and love again. But you are right about the need for tests, because your husband could’ve passed on a sexually transmitted infection. The fact that you have no symptoms is irrelevant, because some conditions are asymptomatic but still cause harm. Your GP will treat…

TOP TIP! Serve your drinks in style!…

If our Winter warmers have inspired you to put pen to paper, why not take a shot at our next short story competition – which this time has a Valentine’s theme. We are looking for stories, under 1,200 words, which reflect the mood of the most romantic day of the year. So think hearts and flowers – music, moonlight and romance! The winner will receive £500 and there are two runner-up prizes of £200 up for grabs, and their stories will be published in best. We can’t wait to hear from you. HOW TO ENTER Send your story along with your name, email address and phone number to: bestfiction@hearst.co.uk with ‘2021 fiction’ in the subject title by 15 January 2021 and a winner, plus two runners-up, will be picked shortly…

Ruth: I’m not a huge believer in New Year’s resolutions. Eamonn: That’s because you can never keep them. Ruth: No, it’s because I don’t think there’s much I need to change about me and I’ve never been a fan of the pressure we put on ourselves to maintain them. Eamonn: But in the words of scientist Charles Darwin, ‘evolve or die’, Ruthie! Or maybe, more contemporarily put by S Club 7, don’t stop movin’ – and that brings me to my number one New Year’s resolution… MOVEMENT Eamonn: As we get older this gets harder, bit by bit, for most of us. None of us could envisage moving like our grandparents – but believe me, it happens. However, we can all do something about it. From what I’ve concluded, from 40…

SPIRIT LIFTERS Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day Captain Tom Moore Michael Joseph, £20 Just how did the captain – now Sir Tom – at the age of 100 become a symbol of hope and perseverance during the Coronavirus crisis? He tells his story from the battlefields of Burma to the fund-raising efforts that topped an incredible £30 million, in this uplifting and inspirational life story. Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide to Happiness Bill Bailey Quercus, £20 As well as cheering all of us up on Strictly, comedian Bill Bailey has many ways of finding joy in the everyday. This collection of essays describes some of his pleasures – from clearing out your T-shirt drawer to paddle-boarding in a Santa hat. COFFEE TABLE TREASURES Dolly Parton: Songteller, My Life In Lyrics…

Bunches are a family-run business that have been delivering happiness for over 30 years; sending beautiful bouquets, long-lasting house plants and gourmet gift hampers all over the UK. With a large selection of great value gifts they truly have something for everyone. They are also committed to being a planet-friendly business, offering a plastic-free range of letterbox blooms as well as donating a minimum of 10 per cent of their profits to make a difference to both the world we live in and the people in it. One reader can win a 12-month subscription of beautiful Bunches blooms! Gorgeous blooms in contemporary designs and seasonal shades, delivered to your door for 12 months. A simple, easy and convenient way of brightening up the home and a lovely little treat to…

STARRY, STARRY NIGHT… This rose-gold Star Garland Bunting from notonthehighstreet.com is ideal for any celebration. Chic foiled rose gold stars add the perfect touch to a party experience – even if it is just with those you live with! At £4.99, why would you not?! MURDER ON THE DANCE FLOOR! This murder mystery brings a groovy twist to a game-night classic. A ghastly murder has taken place and the killer is still at large. It’s your job to solve the murder and capture the culprit. Packaged in a Seventies-style box, this game is perfect for family, friends and flatmates – and is best played with Sophie Ellis-Bexter singing in the background! £10 from oliverbonas.com. POP THE PROSECCO! M&S’s magnificent magnums will not only tickle the taste buds, they’ll bring the…

KIRK DOUGLAS 5 FEBRUARY (103) With his dimpled chin, piercing blue eyes and muscular physique, Kirk Douglas was unmistakable. Born Issur Danielovitch, the son of illiterate Russian immigrants, in New York, he had a hard-scrabble childhood, before serving in the Navy and finding success as an actor. He went on to star in films including Lust for Life, Paths of Glory and, probably his most famous of all, Spartacus. He had four children with two wives, including Michael, who followed him to Hollywood stardom. HONOR BLACKMAN 5 APRIL (94) As Pussy Galore, she captivated 007, and the world. But Honor Blackman was so much more than the ultimate Bond Girl. The Judo skills she learnt in the Sixties won her the role of Cathy Gale in The Avengers, and the…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES PICTURE B will be the title role in what famous play at the Theatre Royal in Windsor? This is your prize answer. Enter using the numbers at the top of the grid or at hearstmagazines.co.uk/bestcross5120 TO ENTER CALL 0900 100 0334 (UK 65ppm)†/1550 787 032 (ROI 97cpm) † ACROSS 7 Complete this famous line, spoken by Hannibal Lecter in The Silence Of The Lambs: ‘I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice ___’ (7)9 Home is where the ___ is, saying (5)10 What name connects singer David, Strictly judge Revel Horwood and Gogglebox narrator Cash? (5)11 They were ___ to write home about, turn of phrase (7)12 Dwarf dog-faced, split-nosed and pungent pipistrelle are just…

Enjoy true indulgence with Yorkshire’s Titanic Spa, the multi-award-winning luxury retreat and the UK’s first eco-spa in Huddersfield. The Spa boasts eco credentials like no other. One lucky winner and a guest can enjoy the Time to Sparkle package (worth £169 per person) that allows guests a relaxing break, whilst staying in a luxury apartment. The winner is free to journey through the Titanic Heat & Ice Experience, a collection of warm and cool rooms that will guide them to ultimate well-being and relaxation and a tranquil 25-minute Neom treatment. Also included in the package is a one-course Spa light lunch, and two-course evening meal, as well as a continental breakfast. To explore the hotel, visit titanicspa.com. To enter, see right. HOW TO ENTER ONLINE: Save money by entering online…

There is no doubt that for all of us, the strange and painful year of 2020 is going to be topped off by a Christmas that’s pretty far from our usual celebrations. And the same goes for the Royals, as they’ll be juggling with the Covid restrictions that mean families won’t be able to come together in their usual ways. The time-honoured tradition is for the extended Royal family to gather at Sandringham House in Norfolk. But this year, for the first time in 33 years, the party is off – as the Queen has announced that she and Prince Philip will be staying at Windsor Castle, where they have been isolating during lockdown. ‘Having considered all the appropriate advice, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have decided that this…

Mazz Murray has one of the most powerful voices in rock musical theatre. The star of Mamma Mia! and We Will Rock You (where she first met Brian May, who plays guitar on the new track, I’m Woman), is also a member of the band Woman… Mazz, I know Gloria is a huge fan – you performed at her first charity event – how did you meet? My dad, Mitch (Murray, the songwriter), knew Gloria and I begged him to let me call her so I could sing. Why? Well, there were enormous parallels with my own friend, Rebekah Gibbs (the Holby City actress), who also died. Neither were women you assume would get cancer – fabulous, successful women. Cancer doesn’t give a s*** who it attacks – it can…

After the year we’ve all had, what better way to bring some festive fun, than to turn a few of our favourite Essex residents, three of the biggest stars of A TOWIE, into the cast of Peaky Blinders?! At 38, the Queen of Brentwood – mum-of-one Chloe Sims – may be a little too young to play the real Aunt Pol (aka Helen McCrory) but, boy, can she put a man or two in their place… as her co-stars Bobby Norris and James Lock, both 34, well know. Man of the moment, Lockie is the perfect fit as Tommy Shelby, particularly with his good looks, gentleman’s manners and cheeky charm! As for Bobby – for whom ‘family is everything’ – we immediately thought of loyal Shelby clan member, Arthur… So, by Order…

If you’d asked me this time last year what I thought 2020 would have in store for me, I never could have predicted what’s happened. Of course, I’m not alone there. Who would have thought we’d have been living through a global pandemic? But I certainly wouldn’t have thought I’d be a newly married woman, either. Whilst it’s been a trying year for most people, 2020 has brought me the best gift possible… In January, I had been single for about a year. I was busy with my travel agent manager job and looking after my beloved whippet, Betty. I was always out and about, loved seeing friends and family, but there was a special someone missing from my life. As Coronavirus hit, it seemed more unlikely I’d meet anyone, especially…

TOP TIP! Apply a thin coat horizontally along the tip of your nail to ‘seal’ and help prevent early chipping.…

Broadcaster, TV presenter and best Agony Aunt, Vanessa Feltz is a woman of many talents. But she’s also a party queen and loves nothing more than throwing a huge bash in her stunning London home. Of course, the festive season will be a little different this year – but you can rely on Vanessa, 58, to bring some much-needed sparkle to the darkest of days. All the compliments of the season, Vanessa – you look fabulous as ever and your house is looking amazing! Well, thank you so much. Of course, all you lovely best readers know me, I do not do understated! I am a very pink girl through and through – I’m not about the white and the green and that natural Scandi style, with everything beige and presents wrapped in…

Catching up with friends over mulled wine, after-work drinks, the office party, all followed by a day of wonder spent eating and making merry with our loved ones… Ahhh, Christmas! But let’s be honest. For many of us, that’s just the TV advert version. The reality is more likely to be a blur of panic-spending, stumbling through days at work through a hangover haze, endless washing up, petty squabbles and putting up with the company of various relations (in-laws, siblings, cousins – delete as appropriate) who you wouldn’t necessarily usually choose to spend huge chunks of time with. Don’t shout it for fear of being labelled Scrooge, but Christmas is Not. Always. All. It’s. Cracked. Up. To. Be. However, no matter how stressful the day may be, many people out…

Sarah had spent all day thinking about her mistake from the night before. She still couldn’t shake the guilt and embarrassment as she walked home from work. What was she thinking? Why does she always get herself into this type of mess? Her exasperated internal monologue asked on repeat all day. She stopped to look up at the Christmas lights of a church she often passed on her way home. After taking a closer look, she realised St Mary’s was a Catholic church and thought back to her days at a Catholic secondary school. Sarah had always been a good student, if a little nervous. She often found solace in the confession booth, talking about the nuances of things she felt she should be sorry for. Usually it was no…

There can’t be many people – I can’t think of any – who won’t be sad to see the back of 2020. But actually, as I reflect, I have been glad when every year is about to be over for as long as I can remember – a ‘good riddance’ or ‘can’t wait for it to be over’ attitude overwhelms me by early December. Perhaps it’s because I’m very good at remembering the bad bits. Or maybe it’s that one very big, bad bit supersedes all the little good things that have passed and therein a huge cloud of contemplative negativity is created. Well, this year, we have a very good reason for things feeling so bad. No previous year – not even the Queen’s ‘annus horribilis’ – is any competition…

He proposed at Christmas in 2006 but Vanessa Feltz’s long-term fiancé, singer-songwriter Ben Ofoedu, has hinted that the couple might be about to tie the knot in a small private ceremony. Asked how things were with Vanessa, the singer said: ‘We should be making an announcement very soon, there’s an exclusive for you! ‘Hopefully, the boys [from his latest group Boyz on Block] are going to come and we are going to sing Stay Another Day, which, if we do it near Christmas – who knows!’ Then realising he might have said too much and could be in trouble with our Vanessa, he clammed up. ‘I’m not saying anything else!’ he insisted. And our agony aunt has been equally coy. ‘Well, we’re engaged,’ she laughs whenever pushed on the subject…

HE’S BEEN… These giraffes can’t quite believe their eyes – but who’s the lucky recipient of this box of treats from Santa? HAPPY FEET! You can’t let Christmas go by without some seriously festive footwear. These penguins at Edinburgh Zoo have the right idea for braving the great outdoors! STOCKING FILLER A jam-packed stocking and not a lump of coal in sight for this little monkey – definitely not on the naughty list then! SAY CHEESE! This gorgeous donkey (residing at The Donkey Sanctuary, where else?) is ready for his starring role in the nativity, if his posing for the camera is anything to go by… ALL WRAPPED UP This beautiful greyhound from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has got the right idea when it comes to fighting off the…

While most of us have spent the past nine months locked indoors, worrying about the future – telly chef Rosemary Shrager hasn’t let a minute go to waste. She’s launched a live cook-along series on Facebook, finished a huge culinary competition for Netflix and even managed a three-week jaunt around the Scottish isles, for Channel 5’s Five Go Fishing. In her first interview since confirming her Netflix series, the chef talks about super-size portions across the pond and why, despite having a packed year, she’ll be glad to see the back of 2020… It’s great to see you back on telly, Rosemary… I’m genuinely excited. We’ve been waiting for quite a long time for it to come out. It seems ages ago since we filmed it. It’s called Best Leftovers Ever!…

ARIES (21 Mar-20 Apr) LOVE If you really want to understand someone, you have to be willing to listen. As the year begins, allow your partner and those you love to express themselves. Talk about how they are feeling and what’s going on in their lives and this will help you find ways to achieve your mutual goals. The best period for love will be in July, when Venus and Mars will be in your romantic zone. Close ties and other emotional relationships will improve. You will be less bothered about petty problems. LIFE No man or woman is an island. You’ve been through more challenges than you care to remember but you can’t allow these to hold you prisoner. Your relationships and shared experiences will help weave a rich…

Discovered by Walt Disney at the tender age of 11, Jenny Agutter has been gracing our screens for over 50 years. She made her name as a 17-year-old in classic 1970 kids movie, The Railway Children, going on to star in Walkabout, Logan’s Run and An American Werewolf in London. These days, of course, she is best known for playing Sister Julienne, in hit BBC show Call the Midwife. She tells best about life during lockdown and gives us an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes of the Call the Midwife Christmas special… We love you in Call the Midwife! What do you like about playing Sister Julienne? It’s very strange, because it’s almost 10 years now that I have been in the role. If anyone asked then would I want to play her for that long, I would have…