Table of contents for 41 - 2022 in Best

Former TOWIE star Gemma Collins, 41, is engaged to businessman Rami Hawash for the second time – and has been talking about her upcoming ‘out of this world’ big day! As she and the father-of-two prepare to walk down the aisle, The GC revealed some details about the wedding day to Loose Women star Judi Love, as she appeared on the final episode of The Big Breakfast reboot recently. Having landed back from Mykonos, Gemma revealed that she has chosen a place, saying, ‘I’ve finally found the venue, I’m really excited. It is going to be magical. It’s going to be everything everyone is going to expect basically.’ She added: ‘Every time I see Jen and Ben, I’m like, that is me and Rami all over. So I’m going to…

Much-loved GMB host Ben Shephard – who also presents ITV’s Tipping Point and Ninja Warrior – has created a book from a passion project on social media. Humble Heroes: Inspirational Stories of Hope, Heart and Humanity, out now, began as a simple idea on Ben’s Instagram, intending to spread stories of joy and positivity. The response was phenomenal, and the book reflects some of those heartwarming stories. Here, Ben, 47 – who is married to Annie and has sons Sam, 15, and Jack, 17 – talks about his ‘shot of positivity’, working on a news programme during such momentous times and much more… Ben, these are extraordinary times for those working in news… It’s been an intense time since the Queen’s death. One we knew was coming but secretly hoped, somehow,…

Q I’m growing out my fringe, which suits me better, except it now shows my forehead wrinkles! How can I soften them without having injectables? Nadira, Dundee A Start adding active topicals in your skincare routine. Antioxidants like vitamin C, peptides and retinoids can help reduce lines. CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum, £19, uses encapsulated retinol to prevent skin irritation, or The Inkey List Peptide Moisturiser, £14.99. A course of monthly glycolic peels will also help resurface skin, boost collagen and improve skin tone. From £80 a treatment. Microneedling can also help rejuvenate skin. An at-home option is the Face Gym Hydrating Active Roller Skincare Microneedling Tool, £55. It contains 3,000 non-invasive dissolving microneedles, filled with ingredients that dissolve rapidly into the skin for targeted treatment. Use medium pressure, taking upwards…

Susannah Constantine is known for being outspoken and hilarious. We loved her Strictly mum dancing with Anton Du Beke, and who can forget her poking around in unsuspecting women’s wardrobes back when she hosted What Not to Wear, alongside Trinny Woodall. Though the star admits that ‘grabbing women’s tits to feel their cup size’ would not translate well today. It’s 15 years since the show ended and, today, Susannah is equally as honest about the fact that she is a recovering alcoholic, in her new book Ready for Absolutely Nothing, which addresses her drinking, at its height – a bottle of wine a night. I realise I am, on some level, still dealing with the guilt and shame attached to alcoholism, and that it is a long road but I…

I’ve been giving something a lot of thought recently, whether it was easier to have a baby 30-odd years ago, or if today’s young women have it cushier? Sadly, I think, my generation of mums were under less pressure. I had my one and only daughter in 1989, many years before the internet and therefore decades before Instagram was invented. I think Instagram is a double-edged sword when it comes to babies, and it’s best approached with caution. Some of the baby content is useful, it’s nice to know there’s always someone, somewhere in the world, going through the same as you and putting up the pictures to prove it. After all, there isn’t a new parent in the world who hasn’t opened a baby’s nappy only to find that…

Paul Hollywood, the blue-eyed baker, has been charming the nation on Great British Bake Off since its launch in 2010. Now 56, the heart-throb is single after splitting from wife Alexandra in 2019. Dame Prue Leith, 82, joined the show in 2017. Married to second husband John Playfair, the South African has enjoyed a long career as a chef, journalist, broadcaster and writer. Together, they make the perfect recipe for top entertainment. PAUL HOLLYWOOD On his brush with holy orders I was filming in Roscrea in Co Tipperary. I had great fun watching monks in the monastery there, making bread. They even offered me a job as their main baker. One of them said I would make a good monk, but I told him there was a slight problem because I was…

The saying goes when the going gets tough, the tough get going…. so I did. Dumped by East End boy, I duly packed my bags and went to Turkey for a late September break with a girlfriend. We sunbathed, shopped and sunk several bottles of the local wine for an entire week. Well, it beat sighing over a sloe gin with the TV on (apart from Married at First Sight, which I’m addicted to, but more of that later), and I came home with a tan. Not, to be fair, that I ever imagined myself in love with himself. He hadn’t broken my heart. It was more a case of a bruised ego and another wasted year that felt so defeating. Besides, I came home straight to the arms of…

The second largest of the Inner Hebridean Islands (after Skye), Mull can be found just off the west coast of Scotland. And it’s rather beautiful, too, making it extremely popular with tourists all year round, which is good for business and the island’s economy in general. So if you don’t mind sharing the space, and feel a calling for a quieter, more dreamy life, then there’s much to sell you to this wild haven. Roughly 3,000 people live in Mull (according to the 2020 census but post-pandemic it’s likely to be higher). Around 1,000 of these are based in the main town of Tobermory, most known for its picture-postcard harbour lined with colourful houses. It might also ring bells due to that CBeebies TV show Balamory, which was set around…

MAMMOGRAM WORRIES I turned 50 last month and I’ve just been invited for my first mammogram recently. I’m a little worried about whether it’s going to hurt, will it? But also reading up about mammograms I am worried that some schools of thought believe the small amount of radiation you’re exposed to with mammograms put you more at risk of breast cancer. What do you think about this? Lilly, Abergavenny DR HILARY SAYS: Mammograms are offered to all women registered with a GP in the UK from the age of 50 to 71 on a three-yearly basis. The test uses X-rays in a very low dose to look for changes, including lumps in the breast which may be too small to feel. Self-examination, by looking and feeling, is still important, but…

ARE THEY HAPPY? My son Lee and my sister Carole passed away – Lee five years ago, and Carole just 18 months ago. I want to know if they are both together and are happy with the rest of my family? Also, I have a young daughter in heaven, can you let her know that I am sorry that I didn’t give her the chance to have a life down here but I wasn’t ready to have a child at the time, and that I have been told it is a girl with ginger hair. Tell her I love her and hope she is with her brother. I am struggling at the moment with my personal life – things are changing very quickly for me and I just would like…

For over 40 years, he’s been striking fear into the heart of politicians and terrifying bumbling students on University Challenge. It’s no surprise that Jeremy Paxman takes a pragmatic approach to his April 2021 diagnosis with degenerative neurological condition, Parkinson’s disease. ‘I’m not living with it – I’m putting up with it,’ he grumps, in an astonishingly powerful film, airing on ITV this Tuesday night. Jeremy, 72, visits experts, examines brains donated by Parkinson’s patients, meets other sufferers and even tries his hand at a spot of ballet. ‘I’ve always wanted to find things out–all journalists should want to,’ he says. ‘But I don’t want sympathy. It’s an obligation to explain to people about it – but I am not going to blub.’ His diagnosis came, as he says, ‘completely out…

ARIES 21 March – 20 April Your ideas are progressive and realistic, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Experimenting with new possibilities will pay off personally and professionally. In addition to receiving a nice financial surprise, a new work or community project will hold a special appeal for you. This is your chance to use skills you had almost forgotten you had. Emotions will run amok if you’re single and starting a new relationship. Romantic developments bring zest to your life. Keep arrangements flexible as the week ends so you can take advantage of a friend or partner’s suggestions. TAURUS 21 April – 21 May From lost computer files and statements to missed appointments, small things will irritate you as the week begins. This frustration won’t last and any…

BONKERS BINGO: UK WIDE Mecca Bingo is getting into the swing of Halloween 2022 with a series of spooky specials up and down the country! Get ready for dance-offs and daring fancy dress, as well as the chance to win some suitably tacky tat as prizes… for dates and tickets, visit bonkers-bingo.designmynight.com. HALLOWEEN QUIZ AT THE OLD CROWN, BIRMINGHAM Head to Digbeth’s best-loved boozer, The Old Crown, for a top-notch Halloween quiz. Expect to delve into the fascinating history of the spookiest holiday all while testing (or, perhaps showcasing) your scary knowledge. RIVOLI POP-UP CINEMA, LONDON For some of the UK’s best Halloween events, Rivoli Pop-up Cinema is chock-full of the scariest film screenings all month. Along with Halloween-themed cocktails, you’ll be treated to classic scary movies such as…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Fragrant forests, fluffy reindeer, twinkling lakes, unspoilt open countryside – Finnish Lapland is beautiful. It’s already really well-loved by skiers and Santa-seekers in Winter. But come now, before the snow falls in the season known as ruska* and it’ll be cheaper, there’ll be fewer tourists and you can enjoy the gorgeous red, orange and golden colours of autumnal trees. Base yourself at the cosy new Design Hotel Levi for a choice of extraordinary outdoor experiences in perfect weather, too, including a floating sauna and forest bathing. You can even branch out with a bit of tree-hugging… INSIDER’S GUIDE ● Take the cable car up to Levi Fell for spectacular views and possibly a game of frisbee golf – you can hire equipment. Head for the cosy cafe for…

Taking a sip of Champagne, I smiled contentedly at my husband, Mike*, and relaxed back in my chair. We’d just been to my mum’s 60th birthday party, laughing and joking with friends and family, celebrating an amazing woman – it had been a good day. But my feelings of contentment and happiness were about to be shattered. ‘I want us to have a baby,’ Mike said suddenly. For a lot of women, those words would be music to their ears, but I looked at him in dismay. We’d got together in 2006 and had briefly talked about having children then – Mike was 10 years older than me and already had two kids from a previous marriage, and he’d said he didn’t want more. I was fine with that. I’m…

Opening the cupboard to get the Christmas decorations out early, I thought about what colour scheme to opt for. Gold and red baubles with a flick of green – or blue and silver?’ I muttered to myself. It was November 2020 and I’d decided to decorate the tree early because the pandemic had made everything feel bleak. The UK was in its second lockdown and restrictions meant Christmas was going to be very different compared to usual. As I pulled down the box of tinsel from my wardrobe, 50 handwritten love letters tumbled to the floor, and I gasped. They were from my first love Guenther Baer, and he’d sent them over 30 years before. I’d forgotten I still had them, but seeing them brought all my old feelings rushing…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Recent research from Toronto’s St Michael’s Hospital showed that eating half a cup of cooked pasta three times a week, as part of a low-GI diet, resulted in weight loss. 2 The reason seems to rest with the fact that pasta – like spaghetti and macaroni – is a low-GI food. Previous studies show these foods release energy slowly, helping us feel fuller for longer and limiting our calorie intake, which leads to weight loss. But before you stick your head into the world’s biggest bowl of pasta (it’s tempting, right?), the results are based on sensible portions. 3 Follow the plan (right), which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and one snack daily. Drink at least eight glasses of fluid per day including water, sugar-free squash, diet…

M.M Linen are expert creators of beautifully designed and curated textiles for the home and everyday living. Designed in New Zealand by Kerry Jackson, founder and creative director, she skilfully combines an exquisite mix of colours, prints and fabrics to create the brand’s signature style; a truly unique look inspired by nature and its flowering blooms. The brand’s hand-painted designs, by talented artists from around the globe, bring to you a timeless collection of luxury homestyle accessories that will transform any space into a stunning haven in which to relax, unwind and fall in love with. Choose from a selection of bedding, cushions, curtains and throws to completely transform your bedroom into a botanical haven. One lucky reader can win a bedroom makeover courtesy of M.M Linen. To enter, see…

1 Keep cosy We’re all putting off putting the heating on – so why not take a different approach? ‘The easiest thing to do is to heat a smaller and smaller area and the extreme of that is to use an electric blanket and only heat yourself,’ Harry Kind, Which? consumer rights expert told the Channel 5 programme. Using a 100-watt electric blanket costs only 3.5p per hour, compared to the 10.3p it costs to heat a 1000-watt radiator. Toasty! 2 Get smart Getting a smart meter will not only report your usage straight to your energy provider, but will show what appliances are using what energy and how much leaving them on standby costs. A survey by British Gas says not leaving appliances older than five years old on standby…

LESSONS I’VE LEARNT As the main gardening season comes to a close, October is a good time to reflect on successes and failures. Here, I’m sharing what’s worked for me this year, and what mistakes I’ll be learning from. THIS YEAR’S WINS… Yellow courgettes: My first year growing them, and what a success! If you find the green variety a bit watery and lacking in flavour, you’ll love this brightly coloured counterpart, as it’s firmer and sweeter. Three plants have given me approximately three courgettes a week, which is more than plenty for delicious tray bakes. They don’t need any special treatment, so sow seeds in small pots and plant into a bigger space as you would normally. Growing food upwards: This is my third year of growing beans and…

Red Velvet Cake A signature pudding of the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York during the Twenties, this cake was traditionally dyed with boiled sweets or beetroot. We’ve used food colouring for speed and ease! Serves 10 Hands-on time: 20min Cooking: 1hr 10min FOR THE CAKE • 200g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra to grease• 250g plain flour• 40g cocoa powder• 1½tsp baking powder• 225g caster sugar• 2 large eggs, beaten• 250ml soured cream• 1tbsp white wine vinegar• 1tsp bicarbonate of soda• ¼tsp red food colouring paste (not liquid) FOR THE ICING • 400g cream cheese• 125g unsalted butter, softened• 125g icing sugar• Red sugar sprinkles, optional, to decorate 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/mark 4. Grease and line a 20.5cm deep cake tin with parchment paper. Sift the…

We are now entering my favourite time of year, the cooler days and darker nights of Autumn. A time of roaring fires and Sunday roasts tucked up in a cosy pub after a romantic walk in the woods, or ‘Forest Bathing’ as millennials call it. I mentioned previously, a lady I had a couple of ‘OK’ dates with a few years ago until, that is, she had a spectacular public meltdown, which obviously brought our fledgling relationship to an abrupt end. Anyhoooooo, the same lady got in touch to ‘apologise’ and wondered if I fancied meeting up. We did. Along with a nose piercing and a much shorter haircut, she had also acquired a Dachshund since we last met to join her other two dogs, but she didn’t have a…

Who can forget the moment when Princess Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, was traumatised as he stuck his hand in several wall holes? A creature unknown lay inside each but clearly the mere thought of what it might be was enough to terrify our Paul! His gasps, screams and even whispers begging rats and spiders not to bite him, were oddly mesmerising and very funny. He was TV gold. So we would be amazed if he wasn’t on the list for an ‘all stars’ edition of I’m A Celebrity… packed with returning contestants. Another best favourite is Carol Vorderman. She first headed to the I’m A Celebrity jungle back in 2016 – and now Vorders is rumoured to also be doing it again. Both Paul and Carol were spotted returning from…

What you’ll need ● Plain chest of drawers● Sandpaper● Primer● 2 paint brushes● Pink eggshell paint● Repositionable spray adhesive● Geometric repeat-pattern stencil● Navy blue paint● Saucer● Sponge● Paper towel● Clear varnish● Grey paint● Coral pink paint WE USED: ● Tarva chest of three drawers, Ikea. For similar new drawers, try Gursken, £40, Ikea, or for second-hand, try eBay and similar sites. ● Intelligent Eggshell paint in Angie, £35 for 1 litre; Hicks’ Blue; Mid Lead Colour; and Carmine, £4.95 for a sample pot, all Little Greene. ● JA65 Hemp Leaves repeat stencil, £25.95, stencil-library.com HOW TO… 1 Remove the knobs from the chest of drawers and set aside. Remove the drawers and roughly sand before painting all surfaces of the chest and drawer fronts with a coat of wood primer. Leave…

It’s official – Strictly Come Dancing is back, and it’s certainly back with a bang! Of course, our favourite hosting duo – Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are presenting, with their sparkly frocks and luscious locks – and the celebrities waltzing onto our screens this year are Ellie Simmonds, Ellie Taylor, Fleur East, Hamza Yassin, James Bye, Jayde Adams, Kaye Adams, Kym Marsh, Matt Goss, Molly Rainford, Richie Anderson, Tony Adams, Tyler West, Will Mellor and TV presenter Helen Skelton, 39. Here, the petite Countryfile host Helen, who several bookies think could lift that Glitterball (no pressure, then!), tells us more about her experience so far… Helen, what made you want to take part in Strictly this year? I just wanted to do something fun! It was a good chance for my family to see…

Jake noticed Maisie as soon as she moved into number 15. He was about her age, early 30s. It was doubtful she’d noticed him. Having lived in Elderberry Close for a few years now – inheriting his parents’ house – he sometimes felt he was becoming part of the landscape. He knew Maisie’s name because Ally Shawcross at number 19 had had some of Maisie’s mail wrongly delivered to her. In fact, he soon learned that the rumour mill was in full swing when it came to his new neighbour. The smart money was on her moving to the Close after a divorce, though feverish conjecture also referred to two ex-husbands – at least – and an acrimonious custody battle for the cat she’d arrived with. Jake discounted every word…

Welsh music icon Charlotte Church, 36, is back for a second series of Charlotte Church’s Dream Build. And the former child prodigy, who has sung for popes, presidents and lived a life writ large in tabloid headlines, has just 13 weeks to finish the riskiest project she’s ever undertaken: taking derelict Rhydoldog, a Welsh country house once owned by legendary designer Laura Ashley – and turning it into a healing retreat. There are seven bedrooms to finish, the ground floor to renovate, Charlotte still doesn’t have planning permission to run the property as a business and is over budget! With her musician hubby Jonathan, their daughter Frida, two, and Ruby, 15, and Dexter, 13 [both from her relationship with former Welsh rugby union player Gavin Henson] by her side and…

THE CHESHIRE CHEESE COMPANY, £24.95 A perfect partnership of a half bottle of fine Port with two bestselling cheeses, this comes in an eco gift box or 12-inch wicker hamper. Rare find Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage Port, 2015 (37.5cl), is ideal paired with two truckles of award-winning cheese, Black Bob Extra Mature and Vintage Gold Extra. See cheshirecheesecompany.co.uk PETER’S YARD CRACKER BOX, £6.30 Combining Swedish tradition with British craft, Peter’s Yard uses natural, quality ingredients to create its range of hand-baked sourdough products – perfect to pair with a selection of cheese! Available in Waitrose, Ocado, Sainsbury’s and online at petersyard.com/shop. HAMPERS.COM, £32 Gift a true classic with this elegant pairing – a bottle of Las Carlinas Old Vine Garnacha, hailing from Aragón near La Rioja, Spain. The wine pairs…

Strictly host Tess Daly is currently entertaining us every weekend – and taking a leaf out of the book of her hilarious co-host Claudia Winkleman. For Tess is now embracing her friend’s love of a deep spray tan and admitting it helps to hide ‘a multitude of sins’. It does, Tess! ‘I get a bit spoilt with fake tan when it comes to Strictly,’ the 53-year-old says, admitting it will be ‘a bit of a shock’ when it wears off. ‘I wouldn’t go on holiday without one now, I’m at an age when I can take all the help I can get.’ And Tess also revealed that as she gets older, she appreciates time away from work more – turning her phone off for three hours at a time when she’s…

TOP TIP Team a chunky cable knit with a feminine dress to keep cosy this season…

‘It’s a busy but very charitable month, October. It’s when people are urged to quit smoking with the “Stoptober” campaign which I can’t really take part in as I gave up decades ago and have never even been tempted since. It’s also Breast Cancer Awareness month, which is obviously very close to my heart and I will be talking about that in the next couple of weeks. And then there’s “Go Sober For October”, when we are all urged to take a month off the booze in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. I have to admit, it’s something I haven’t done for a long time but, and don’t fall off your chair, I’m doing it now, and I’m four weeks in as we started in September! Weirdly, Mark and I…

Setting eyes on the old school bus for the first time, I felt completely overwhelmed and burst into tears. Part of me panicked – would I be able to drive it? But another part of me felt proud and empowered. It’d been a long road to get to this point in my life and I was determined that the bus was not only going to help me, but others, too. The seller gave a quick driving lesson and the following morning, filled with determination, I began the long drive from Arizona back to my home in Portland, Oregon… I’d been born in the UK, raised by loving parents and my dad was a vicar. As I grew up, I fell in love with fashion and later, with the man who…

Halloumi Couscous Bowl If you don’t like couscous, use bulgur wheat or chickpeas. Chopped sundried tomatoes or capers are a good alternative to olives if you’re not a fan. Hands-on time: 15 min Cooking time: About 10 min Serves 2 • 100g couscous• 125g halloumi• 1tsp olive oil• 25g sultanas or raisins• Large handful of parsley, roughly chopped• 15g pumpkin seeds• 15g pitted black olives, halved• 125g cooked beetroot, roughly chopped FOR THE DRESSING • ½tbsp wholegrain or Dijon mustard• 1½tbsp olive oil• 1tbsp white wine vinegar• ¼-½tsp caster sugar 1 Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl with some seasoning and set aside. Next, empty the couscous into a medium heatproof bowl and just cover with freshly boiled water from the kettle. Cover bowl with a plate…

TOP TIP! Keep yourself warm and your bedroom cosy by layering up richly coloured bed throws.…

BOOSTING BLUSHER I always smile when I hear that blusher is back. For most of us, blusher – or blush, as some of us call it – has never been out of fashion! Can you think of another product in your make-up bag that makes such a difference? If you’re short on sleep, have a cold or are having an off day, a pop of colour will lift your mood and transform you in an instant. We can all do with a boost at this time of the year and this is the way to do it. And, as these all cost less than £10, it’s certainly something to smile about. Grab a brush, swirl and get glowing! 1 THE SMOOTH ONE NYX Professional Makeup Sweet Cheeks Creamy Powder Blush…

Check, check, check. It’s the advice women have been given for decades. But despite Breast Cancer Awareness month’s long history of advising women on how to protect themselves from the disease, is the message really getting through? According to a survey, one in four women still do not check their breasts regularly. Yet every day, according to Cancer Research UK, over 150 people are told the devastating news that they have the disease – that’s around 56,000 new cases of breast cancer annually. ‘I am astonished by the number of women who still do not check their breasts,’ says Veronica Kumeta, co-founder of Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer – a Birmingham-based charity which supports women with the disease. ‘But we know that being diagnosed early is crucial in the fight against…

NO LONGER NO.1 My son, who is 26, has just got married to the girl he has been with for about three years. I get on well with her, but since they actually tied the knot, I hardly seem to see him anymore. I feel bad, but the truth is, I feel jealous of her – and I hate that I’m no longer the most important woman in his life. How can I stop feeling like this? Lou, Stirling Oh dear! It’s heart-wrenching when you have no choice but to accept you’ve been demoted. You are right. Your son’s new wife is now his number one woman and of course that’s just as it should be. She’s his life partner, after all. There is consolation so don’t despair. You are…

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 £250 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 –…

EPIC READS The Romantic William Boyd Viking, £20 (6 October) Born in 1799, Cashel Ross’s life takes him from rural Ireland to the battlefields of Waterloo, the idyll of the romantic poets in Italy, literary London and even India, and Africa. A wonderful tale that spans a life of adventure, this is storytelling at its very best. All That’s Left Unsaid Tracey Lien HQ, £14.99 Ky returns to the Sydney suburb where her parents, refugees from Vietnam, raised the family when her younger brother is murdered. But what could have caused the brutal attack on an innocent boy? Emotionally powerful, this is an engrossing family drama. KILLER THRILLERS Bleeding Heart Yard Elly Griffiths Quercus, £12.99 School reunions always end in trouble – but for DS Cassie Fitzgerald – hers is…

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH Amazon Prime Conjure up some nostalgic magic and relive the joys of this Nineties classic, starring Melissa Joan Hart as the high school witch, and an animatronic puppet as her pet cat, Salem. CONVERSATIONS WITH A KILLER Netflix True crime docuseries, featuring chilling conversations with American serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer recorded on tape, in an attempt to understand the killer, and his evil motives. FEAR THE WALKING DEAD: SEASON 6 Amazon Prime Your chance to catch up with the latest chapter in The Walking Dead’s first spin-off series, which sees its group of survivors scattered and struggling to stay alive.…

New Sky drama This England might feel a little too close to home – but it will certainly be the TV talking point of the month. Starring acclaimed actor Kenneth Branagh, the drama series is based on Boris Johnson’s tumultuous first months as Prime Minister, tracing the impact on the country of the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Taking us inside the halls of power, as Johnson grapples with Covid-19, Brexit and a controversial personal and political life, so prepare to be – sometimes a little uncomfortably – gripped. Ken, 61, director of Oscar-winning film Belfast – who has been married to art director Lindsay Brunnock since 2003 – tells us more… Ken, so tell us how did you come to play Boris Johnson? Writer and director Michael Winterbottom approached me about doing…