Table of contents for 34 - 2022 in Best

Olivia Newton-John died last week (see page 9) and I’m sure this evoked a lot of your personal memories of watching Grease for the first time. The film was first released in 1978, and the LP was duly bought by me from Woolworths’ record counter. I was word-perfect in weeks on all songs, thanks to my trusty red record player! I’m not sure if it was that Summer, or a few Summers later, but I begged my mother to buy me the famous stretchy trousers from the final scene. And she did! As well as the jacket, but in lilac with a lion emblazoned on the back. I thought I looked the bee’s knees… let’s just say you couldn’t miss me at the school disco. Sadly, I couldn’t find a…

Her death on Monday 8 August, aged 73, rocked the showbiz world. And one of the first celebrities to pay tribute to Olivia Newton-John was her Grease co-star John Travolta, who wrote: ‘My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better… We will see you down the road and we will all be together again… Your Danny, your John!’ But it was the tribute of Olivia Newton-John’s grieving daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, to her beloved mother – who had seen her through so much – that was the most moving. The British-Australian icon passed away peacefully at her southern Californian ranch surrounded by family and friends, including husband John Easterling, following a 30-year battle with breast cancer. Daughter Chloe, 36, a singer and Olivia’s only child with ex-husband…

She’s a one-woman force of nature, who set up a foundation to help burns victims, shimmied across the Strictly dancefloor with Gorka Marquez in 2018, and is a regular face on Loose Women, among many other projects (!). And now, presenter and philanthropist Katie Piper, 38 – is shaking up Sunday mornings until 11 September, with her very own ITV chatshow. The wonderfully positive mum-of-two (she has Penelope, four, and Belle, eight, with husband, Richard Sutton), tells us more about why she’s loving doing something a little ‘fluffier’, for a change… Congrats on the new breakfast show! Thank you! It’s always been on my bucket list. I’m very excited to be waking up the nation every Sunday. It’s funny, it’s on at 8.30am on a Sunday – but as a…

With celebrities dissolving dermal fillers and reality stars wearing less make-up, the ‘clean girl aesthetic’ trend is taking over. Born on social media, it’s about using barely-there make-up and undetectable tweakments. Less is more, with an emphasis on glowing skin rather than the exaggerated features we’ve seen in the past. A recent study indicates that over half of us now define beauty as looking healthy. I am already seeing a shift from requests like fuller lips to a desire to boost skin quality. Put simply, it’s looking like the best version of you. And anyone can achieve it, at any age… NATURAL SKINCARE BOOSTERS Make sure your skincare routine includes the following three products: ● A daily SPF30 or higher to protect against UV rays. ● An antioxidant serum such…

Wearing a bikini on a sun-lounger, Paige Bond didn’t think much about the selfie she’d snapped and shared online. She expected it to maybe get a few likes from family and friends – the odd comment, perhaps. But it went on to have more far-reaching consequences – leading to the 52-year-old losing a potential job offer and hitting the headlines after a prospective employer saw the photo. ‘I had applied for a job and the woman who worked in HR looked at my Facebook, on which I had posted lots of selfies, including the bikini pic,’ says Paige, from Hampshire. ‘She sent an email, saying how I was obviously a “chav” and that my big boobs would distract people in the workplace. It was intended for her boss, but she…

MY EX IS FLAUNTING HIS BRAND-NEW LIFE My ex-husband (who I am still totally in love with) has moved across the street, Vanessa! He says he’s done it to be near the kids, but he is rubbing his new life and wife (that he cheated on me with) in my face and I feel I’m going to have a mental breakdown. How am I supposed to move on while he’s basically still living with me?! My friend says I should move house myself but why should I? This has been my home for the past 20 years and he’s not taking that away from me, too… Jenny, Cornwall You poor thing. What a nightmare! Of course I can say focus on your own life and take no notice, but that’s…

Groaning as I bent down to tie my shoelaces, I felt a sense of despair. At 14st 11lbs and a size 18-22, I was finding it difficult to do the most basic tasks without getting out of breath and I’d hide my body inside a black tent of clothing. ‘How can I look after Stephen when I can’t look after myself?’ I sighed. It was January 2017 and 11 months earlier, my husband had suffered a stroke the week before his 46th birthday. Our lives had been turned upside down. Stephen had survived but spent six months recovering in hospital and was left unable to speak or use his right side. I’d become his carer and the main breadwinner in the blink of an eye. It was a lot to…

When I was around four years old, I remember having my first proper haircut – and it was a total disaster. My parents ran a busy B&B in Harrogate, and one day my dad was left in charge to sort out my barnet. To save time, Dad took me up the road to the barber where he went for his own short back and sides. Sadly, I came out with the same haircut. I looked awful, like a boy, and I cried all the way home. The barber had chopped off my lovely little bob. I’d been proudly sporting the style since I was two years old. My mum had regularly trimmed the ends in the kitchen – that first haircut was supposed to tidy up her efforts. However, my…

Loose Woman Denise Welch is playing an eccentric, party animal grandma for her latest acting role, a hilarious one-part pilot show for Dave, Dead Canny. It follows Kaylee Bell (played by Sarah Balfour) a shrewd young psychic, whose ability to see dead people earns her a few quid down the pub. Unfortunately, it turns out people are as annoying dead as they are alive and her ability leaves her as the prime suspect in a murder investigation! Denise, 64, who plays Kaylee’s grandma Angela, talks about the comedy, Loose Women, bikini snaps and airing dirty linen in public! Denise, how are you? Great, thanks! Though I just did Loose Women, and I was in a right rage – but that’s Loose Women, we’re always in a rage and that’s OK!…

Standing with a young man, I could see emotion flashing across his face and my heart went out to him. ‘I would imagine you feel angry and are questioning why your dad didn’t stay,’ I said gently. ‘But he must have felt lost – there’s nothing you could have done.’ We were standing in the mortuary of the NHS hospital where I worked as a mortuary assistant in North East England. I wanted to offer what little comfort I could. The boy’s father had taken his own life and he’d come to say his goodbyes before ‘the patient’ was moved to a funeral home. I didn’t like to call dead people ‘bodies’ – they were still people and we were always respectful. Everyone who dies had their own lives, their…

1 RETHINK MORTGAGE BORROWING If you’re on a tracker mortgage or your current fixed deal is coming to an end, check out the latest fixed-rate mortgages. ‘You will have to pay slightly more for longterm security, but you may look back with relief that you fixed your outgoings,’ says Maike Currie, Investment Director at Fidelity International. 2 AND CREDIT CARDS… ‘When it costs more for card companies to borrow, they pass this on through higher rates for customers,’ says Sarah Coles, senior personal finance analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. If you have a good credit rating, consider switching to a card with a 0 per cent period on balance transfers. ‘Make a plan to pay the balance off by the time interest becomes payable,’ adds Sarah. 3 IF YOU’RE RETIRED ‘The state pension…

HOW DO I EASE MY STRESS LEVELS? Between my daughter going through a messy divorce and my mother terribly ill with cancer, my blood pressure has been through the roof lately. I am trying to be there for everyone, but it’s becoming a risk to my health. Are there any natural remedies you can suggest to help me calm down a bit? I don’t want to start taking anything too drastic… Pam, Broadstairs DR HILARY SAYS: All this stress is understandably raising your blood pressure. As I’m sure you know, it’s important to keep it under control because long-standing hypertension can lead to heart disease and strokes. It affects a third of all adults in the UK and often produces no symptoms. It should be no more than 140/90, although…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Follow the menu right and overleaf. You can start on any day you choose, swap days around if there’s a meal you really fancy or repeat days if there’s something you particularly enjoy! You’ll find more ideas at slimmingworld.co.uk or slimmingworld.ie 2 Slimming World’s eating plan, Food Optimising, is based on the scientific principles of appetite regulation and helps members to reduce their energy intake and lose weight without ever feeling hungry or deprived. It’s based on an understanding of how a food’s nutrient content and energy density (its calories per gram) affect satiety (our sense of satisfaction and fullness). 3 Free Food is at the heart of Food Optimising. Choose from a huge range of Free Food including, fruit, veg, pasta, rice, potatoes, pulses, lean…

‘Hey girlies!’ Mandy announced around the small office she shared with Cathy and Zoe. ‘Have I told you about where I’m going on me hols in a few weeks?’ ‘Only about a hundred times,’ muttered Cathy under her breath. ‘Yeah, but it sounds so amazing I wouldn’t mind hearing more,’ said Zoe. ‘I would,’ Cathy muttered again. She was bored senseless of hearing Mandy bang on and on about her oh-so-fantastic, deluxe five-star hotel in Spain. ‘I’ll bring up the hotel website,’ said Mandy. ‘Then you can really get the flavour – or rather the el sabor, as we say in Spanish – of where I’m going.’ Zoe left her desk to peer over Mandy’s shoulder. Cathy tried to resist joining her. She didn’t want to hear or see any…

Having been a part of the Real Housewives family since 2016, beautiful businesswoman Seema Malhotra – who is mum to 23-year-old Aaron and 26-year-old Neil – and has been married to hubby Sandeep for nearly 30 years, still brings the fun and fashionista element to the popular ITVBe show. The savvy boss – who has said she refuses to let age stop her dressing how she wishes, runs clothing brand Forever Unique with Sandeep – and A-listers such as the Duchess of Cambridge and Miley Cyrus have worn its designs. Here, the reality star fills us in on the new series, her health battles and why she keeps coming back… Hi Seema, tell us about the new series… Honestly, out of all the series I’ve done, this one has been…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Superbly situated on a headland on the far western end of Cyprus, Cap St Georges Hotel is set apart from the mayhem of Ayia Napa or the mega-resorts of Limassol. Nestled against the edge of the unspoiled Akamas National Park, but still just 45 minutes from Paphos airport, Cap St Georges is a world of its own, yet still within easy reach of home. (capstgeorges.com) INSIDER’S GUIDE Cap St Georges is a new hotel and resort complex, aiming to redefine the meaning of a luxury holiday on Cyprus. Few things make an escape feel more magical than the perfect sunset. All 202 rooms and suites look west, to where the sun melts into the Mediterranean. And it’s a view steeped in history. Queen Cleopatra of Egypt is said…

On screen as Emmerdale’s Mandy Dingle, actress Lisa Riley is bubbly beyond measure. But behind the scenes, Lisa, 46, has been coming to terms with a heartbreaking tragedy. Lisa was devastated when her fiancé Al’s mum – who she sweetly called ‘Nana’ – passed away earlier this year aged 79, after a battle with cancer. But, as well as dealing with the sad loss and supporting Al, Lisa has revealed it brought back tough memories of when she lost her own beloved mum, Cath, to the same disease 10 years ago. Opening up for the first time in a heartfelt interview, Lisa explained, ‘I have spoken openly before about how my parents’ mums both died young and how I always called Al’s mum, Nana. ‘She sadly lost her battle with…

TOP TIP This midi dress also works well with heels for a smarter look…

1 LONG LASHES THAT LAST Top of the wish list is a mascara that defies sweat and swimming. Not much to ask, right? L’Oréal Paris Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara, £11.99, also contains castor oil to boost their condition over time, with a formula suited to sensitive eyes, meaning little irritation. The best waterproof make-up remover is a bi-phase one, as the oil has the power to dislodge the product. A good value one is Sainsbury’s My Skin Matters Bi-Phase Eye Make-up Remover, £1.75. 2 FIGHT FATIGUE It’s one of the first areas to show signs of tiredness, so how can we perk up our peepers? Certain ingredients help to ease signs of puffiness and dark circles. Pip & Pod Kakadu Plum Eye Cream, £10 (Holland & Barrett), has a blend…

Warm Piri Piri chicken, chorizo and chickpeas This sprightly dressing inspired by the Portuguese favourite takes everyday chicken to the next level. If it’s sunny, cook it on the BBQ for an extra smoky flavour. Serves 4 Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 15 mins ● 400g skinless chicken breasts, sliced into chunky strips● 190g pack cooking chorizo sausages, sliced● 400g baby plum tomatoes, halved● 2 x 400g tin chickpeas, drained● 90g pack wild rocket leaves● 1 x quantity of Piri Piri dressing FOR THE DRESSING ● In a bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp sherry (or red wine vinegar), zest and juice 1 lemon, ½ tsp runny honey and 3 tbsp mild olive oil until combined, then add 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped (or ½ tsp chilli flakes),…

TOP TIP! Whilst the highly-anticipated Barbie movie won’t hit screens until next year, you can embrace the hottest interior trend now!…

See the world through JENNY’S FUN-TINTED LENSE S … Our fabulous and funny columnist, comedian Jenny Eclair, is here to tell it like it is, in her own witty way… I phoned my mother to tell her about the arrival of her new great-grandson, my first grandchild, 7lbs 2oz of beautiful baby boy, born at great speed, an hour after my daughter arrived at the hospital. My mother is delighted but also confused, June is 93 and in a nursing home with dementia, which, as many of you will know, is an incredibly distressing disease for everyone involved. She has been reminded for months that a baby is coming, but she has also been very muddled as to who is having the baby. A few weeks ago, when I called to…

LEO 24 July – 23 August Joint projects will be rewarding and worthwhile for Leos like sprinter, Usain Bolt, and Gavin & Stacey star and presenter of The Late Late Show, James Cordon. It may take a few more weeks before you begin to see any results, but patience and perseverance are the key to success in this situation. Don’t give up yet. SCORPIO 24 October – 22 November Thanks to your diligence and hard-working efforts you will soon achieve a level of prestige you’ve never experienced. Working behind the scenes will bring the best results when you will prefer not having anyone watching over your shoulder. Someone in the family will be celebrating a small competition win. AQUARIUS 21 January – 19 February Your ability to keep things in…

You only have to watch any of her appearances on The Graham Norton Show to know that actress Miriam Margolyes has become as famed for her gloriously frank and unfiltered comments as her stellar acting career. The outspoken 81-year-old – who has starred in Blackadder, the Harry Potter films, Baz Luhrmann’s blockbuster Romeo & Juliet and, more recently, Call the Midwife – doesn’t hold back when it comes to letting others know her opinion – and often delivers big laughs, too. Whether she’s giving her hot take on politics, people or places – not to mention her peculiar love of snacking on raw onions – Miriam has cemented her status as a national treasure. Here, speaking during a Fane event, she opens up on her upbringing, her love of acting and…

NEW TEACHER, NEW NIGHTMARE Wednesday, 2.20pm Following the suspected suicide of her friend and fellow teacher, Julie Taylor is hired to take over the senior math class for the last few weeks of school. Soon enough, she starts worrying about her teenage daughter and her manipulative friends… A MOTHER’S SECRET Thursday, 2.20pm After a car accident leaves her 10-year-old daughter Cassie severely injured, Samantha hires a live-in-nurse, Margaret, to help her daughter recover. Margaret, embittered over the loss of her own child, embarks on a mission of vengeance to get back the daughter she thinks is hers. TEMPTING FATE Friday, 2.20pm What begins as a business opportunity develops into an emotional affair, leading Gabby to succumb to Matt’s unrelenting attention; not foreseeing the lifechanging consequences that lie ahead.…

Her screen roles are well known, but Jenna Coleman’s love life remains more of a mystery to fans! The star began dating actor Tom Hughes in 2016, while they worked together on Victoria (he played Prince Albert to her Queen Victoria). But in 2020, it was reported the pair had spilt, after Jenna – who has also previously dated The Bodyguard star Richard Madden – was seen moving into her own apartment. Now, though, rumour has it that Jenna is dating the director of The Sandman, Jamie Childs – she was seen back in February on a romantic stroll with Jamie, hand-in-hand in Islington, and they looked rather happy together. Are they still an item? Watch this space……