Table of contents for 13-2021 in Best

Even in the midst of terrible sadness there are often moments of joy for every family and so it was this week. Our dignified Duchess Kate – knowing what it was like to be a woman walking the streets of London – visited Clapham Common. Showing her solidarity with Sarah Everard’s family and all women who have ever felt afraid walking home at night, she lay a bunch of daffodils - alone. Two days later, her sister Pippa gave birth to a baby girl, Grace Elizabeth Jane, a cause of celebration in any family. Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding’s book was published, in which she admitted she has cancer (p10) but added that the ‘kind and loving’ messages on social media meant ‘so much to me’. It is often the smallest…

If anyone was in any doubt as to how much pain Kate Garraway and her family are going through, they need only look at the photo she shared of her husband in hospital. The man she loves, Derek Draper, once so full of life, has been confined to a hospital bed since last March, just months after he and Kate seemed like the happiest couple alive, after her stint in the I’m a Celebrity… jungle. And, in the photo Kate has shared in the trailer for documentary Finding Derek – a year since he contracted Coronavirus – Derek is a shadow of his former self. Now free of the virus, the former political lobbyist has suffered catastrophic damage – including kidney failure, liver damage and holes in his heart and lungs.…

STRANGEST DREAM YOU’VE HAD? Kim Tate (Claire King) was having relations with Michael Wildman who plays Al Chapman on a tractor and his foot slipped on the engine and there was a bit of a disaster at the end of it! Now, what a great storyline that would be… LAST TIME YOU HAD A PROPER BELLY LAUGH? This morning! Me and Lucy Pargeter – who is Chas, my cousin in Emmerdale – had an emotional scene together. I decided to crack on with my Oprah Winfrey impressions to keep the crew laughing! WHAT’S ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST REGRETS? I don’t believe in them, actually. My whole motto of life is, ‘We’re supposed to scratch our knees and put a plaster on them and mend them.’…

‘What happened to Sarah Everard is so shocking it’s beyond words, making it impossible to express the true horror of it. Of course, it should not have happened and, of course, it should never happen again. But, tragically it did, and it will. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying, “Oh well, nothing we can do, that’s the way it is.” But the extreme suggestions put forward now, like a curfew for men to keep them off the streets at night so women can feel safe, are ludicrous. It’s just another example of an entire group being blamed or held responsible for the crime of one. There are many other instances where that could apply but doesn’t, and never would. So, why is it OK to demonise men? I know…

I AM IN LOVE WITH A MARRIED MAN I feel like such a cliché, Vanessa. I am head over heels in love with a married man I work with, and we’ve been having an affair for a couple of years now (albeit virtually for most of the past year). He tells me he’s not happy with his wife of 16 years, that they’re only ‘staying together’ until their three children finish school… Every time he messages me, I feel utter joy mixed with total shame! I am 39 and still want a family of my own. Am I fooling myself that we have a future? Charlie, Newcastle I don’t want to sound harsh, but the answer is ‘Yes’! This man is wasting your time. He has no regard for you…

Creamy meringue garland Everyone loves a pavlova! This one is piped to look like nests, filled with lemon curd, cream and eggs. Divine. Serves 6 Prep time: 30min Cook time: 2hr 2 medium egg whites100g caster sugar150ml double cream6tsp lemon curdSugar-coated chocolate eggs YOU WILL NEED A baking tray lined with baking parchment, a large piping bag fitted with a large star-shaped piping nozzle 1 Draw a circle 25.5cm in diameter on the baking parchment and a 20.5cm circle in the centre. Turn over on to the baking tray. Preheat the oven to 120°C (100°C fan)/mark ½. 2 Place the egg whites in a clean, grease-free bowl and mix with an electric whisk until they form stiff peaks, then gradually add the caster sugar 1tbsp at a time, whisking until…

The other female dragon, Sara Davies, 35, told best she likes to think of herself as being ‘a bit more accessible’ than the others! ‘Whether it’s because I’m a bit younger than the other dragons or because I’m from the North of England – I am the down-to-earth dragon. My parents were my role models, I took all their advice and then made my own way. I joined the Den in 2019 and I’m loving it. I was a fan of the show when I was at university but never dreamed that, years later, I’d be sitting next to Deborah Meaden! People always ask whether we all get on. Honestly? We have so much fun. We go out to dinner after filming, discuss the pitches and just have a good…

As I laid my tiny triplets on the living room carpet, they all snuffled contentedly. I drank in their silky-smooth faces, their tiny hands poking out of their babygros. Then, I looked up to see my little girl, Amaala, now two, cuddling into my husband, Satty. My family… Before I knew it, I was sobbing uncontrollably. ‘What’s wrong?’ Satty, now 42, asked, concerned. ‘I can’t believe we’re all here, under the same roof,’ I croaked, through my tears. Our road to parenthood had been a tough one and even now, I have to pinch myself at how lucky we are to have four happy, healthy children. It started in August 2013, when I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer, aged 33. My whole future was suddenly uncertain. And doctors dealt…

WHAT ARE OMEGA FATTY ACIDS? They’re a type of essential fatty acid (EFA) that we can’t produce naturally. They make up our skin’s building blocks and are crucial for healthy skin function. The most beneficial EFAs are linoleic acid (omega-6), alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) and oleic acid (omega-9), technically a ‘non-essential’ fat because the body can produce a small amount on its own. Any benefits? Applied topically, they strengthen the skin’s barrier and protect from environmental stressors, plus help to smooth and soften rough, dry skin. WHAT ABOUT EFAS IN OUR DIET? If you don’t get enough omega fatty acids in your diet, your skin can’t do its job properly. You can find them in the following foods (include them at least twice a week) but if you struggle to eat…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Follow our seven-day diet (right), which includes one breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus one chocolate snack each day. If you don’t fancy having something sweet, we’ve included a savoury option too. 2 Drink at least eight glasses of fluid per day. Choose from water, diet drinks, sugar-free squash, and tea and coffee with skimmed milk. Sorry, no booze. 3 Repeat the menu for four weeks and you could lose up to 1st. DAY 1 Breakfast: 30g Coco Pops with skimmed milk. 1 piece of fruit. Lunch: Scrape 1 tbsp low-fat mayo inside a wholemeal pitta, stuffed with ½ avocado, sliced, two pinches of pine nuts, mixed salad. Dinner: Chinese veggie stir-fry: Add 150g tofu, bean sprouts, Chinese cabbage, water chestnuts, 1 onion, pepper and mushrooms to a pan and…

SHOULD I STOP DRINKING TEA? I have been very tired in recent months and my GP has recently diagnosed me with low iron levels. As a good daughter of Irish parents, I am an avid tea drinker, but my mum tells me it can mess with your iron levels! Is this true, or just an Old Wives’ Tale?! Denise, Nottingham DR HILARY SAYS: I’m surprised she hasn’t told you to drink more Guinness! It has certainly been suggested in the past that tannins and oxalates in tea can reduce the absorption of iron in your diet. Evidence on this, however, is rather flimsy. Iron deficiency and the tiredness that comes with it is common. It occurs either because of lack of iron in the diet, not absorbing enough iron, or…

best EASTER EGG Cadbury Mini Eggs Easter Egg, £12 for 507g This year’s winning Easter egg is brand new for 2021! Cadbury has combined its beloved milk chocolate with chunks of classic speckled mini eggs to create the giant shell. This extra-large treat also comes with a pack of mini eggs. 93/100 best RUNNER-UP EASTER EGG Ferrero Rocher Large Boxed Egg, £10 for 275g Coming a close second, our panel adored this super-sized Ferrero Rocher egg, which looks and tastes just like the iconic truffles, minus the gooey Nutella middle. With eight chocolates included, you won’t miss out on the wafer shell and toasted hazelnut either. 92/100 best SUPERMARKET-OWN BRAND EASTER EGG Waitrose & Partners No.1 Hidden Truffles Nutty Milk Chocolate Easter Egg with Salted Caramel Truffles, £10 for 220g…

The world was horrified last month when popstar Lady Gaga’s French Bulldogs were stolen. Her friend and dog-walker Ryan Fischer had been walking the pups, Gustav and Koji, along with a third dog – Miss Asia – when a car pulled up alongside him in LA demanding the furry friends be handed over. Ryan was shot – not fatally – and all three dogs were taken, but Miss Asia managed to escape. The singer was distraught, offering a substantial reward for their return, and the public sympathised. Pets are part of the family and we love them dearly, but this terrifying tale resonated with dog owners in the UK, as there has been a huge rise in the number of dog-nappings across the country. A quick scroll of social media…

OPRAH’S SUPER SOUL CONVERSATIONS With thought leaders, experts and global stars, Oprah – fresh from that royal interview – does what Oprah does best: draw out valuable and interesting insights from inspiring people. From Michelle Obama to Chanel Miller, lose yourself in these intimate conversations. On Spotify. MY WARDROBE MALFUNCTION WITH SUSANNAH CONSTANTINE In this sparkling podcast, Susannah Constantine of What Not to Wear fame explores the impact of our relationship with our wardrobes. Fascinating. On Apple Podcasts. DOLLY PARTON’S AMERICA This is a deep dive into a living legend. An intimate portrait of the country star, it explores everything from Dolly’s discography to personal anecdotes. You’ll fall in love with her all over again! On Apple Podcasts.…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES PICTURE C’s new musical, a reworking of Cinderella is set to open next month at a theatre on which famous West End thoroughfare? (5,4). This is your prize answer. Enter by using the numbers at the top of the grid or at hearstmagazines.co.uk/bestcross1321 ACROSS 6 PICTURE A Name this creature (5)8 Don’t ___ fate, expression (5)10 What foodstuff are focaccia, sourdough and pitta examples of? (5)11& 22A PICTURE B She was the first to be voted off of what celebrity competition which aired its final last week? (7,2,3)12 Like a red ___ to a bull, saying (3)13 Vow to abstain from something (5,3)15 What first name connects singers Knight and Craven to actress Callard? (8)16 Lower limb (3)19 What song…

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 £200 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 –…

From simple make-up swaps to quick body-boosters, there’s a whole world of beauty buys awaiting you this Spring. Here’s how to make the latest trends work for you… 1 GLOW ON DEMAND WHY A luminous base is more youthful than a matte one, which is why we’re happy to wave goodbye to that (social-media inspired) look and say hello to a gleaming glow. TRY An illuminating primer adds a lightweight veil of luminosity. Often formulated with radiance-boosting pink pigments (for pale skin tones) or gold (for darker skin tones), layer the primer under foundation and dust face powder lightly over oily areas to take down any excess shine. BUY Barry M Fresh Face Illuminating Primer, £6.99; Body Collection Illuminating Primer, £3; NYX Professional Makeup Honey Dew Me Up! Primer, £15. 2 SUPER-CHARGED…

AMMONITE Digital platforms from Friday This moody, BAFTA-nominated British period drama, set in 1840s Lyme Regis, sees an acclaimed fossil hunter (Kate Winslet) help a sickly city woman (Saoirse Ronan) in her convalescence, before their charged relationship moves into forbidden territory. JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK E4, 9pm, Friday When Major Susan Turner is arrested for treason, ex-investigator Jack Reacher undertakes the challenging task to prove her innocence and ends up exposing a shocking conspiracy. Starring Tom Cruise and Cobie Smulders. OLIVER! Channel 5 catch-up The 1968 original, which sees Oliver Twist escape from his orphanage and unite with a group of urchins, trained to be purse-snatchers by criminal Fagin, won six Oscars. With its delightful soundtrack and charming performances, watch out in particular for a stand-out turn from Oliver…

Dragons’ Den, which first aired in 2005, sees budding entrepreneurs get three minutes to pitch their business ideas to five multi-millionaires willing to invest their own cash, time and expertise to kick-start the business. Deborah Meaden, who used to run a successful family holiday business, joined the line-up in 2006, and quickly became the show’s most prolific investor. Here, the 62-year-old, who lives in a 10-bedroom farmhouse in Somerset with her husband of 28 years, Paul, and a menagerie of animals, admits that growing up wasn’t plain sailing as – following her parent’s split – money was tight. She credits them both with teaching her the value of money and why, aged 19, she was ready to leave college and launch her own business. You joined the Den in 2006 on…

ARIES 21 March – 20 April Arians such as baker-turned-television presenter (and national treasure) Mary Berry and pop star Elton John are determined to move forward now and they won’t be letting temporary delays hinder their progress. Appropriately for the singer of I’m Still Standing, remember that hurdles can be overcome. CANCER 22 June – 23 July It has been a challenging year for you so far. A team will pull together to devise new plans and processes that should help things go more smoothly. Your social circle is starting to grow by leaps and bounds. Keep an eagle eye open for new opportunities in all areas of life. LIBRA 24 September – 23 October An event that feels almost miraculous could give you an uplift. What takes you even…