Table of contents for 14-2023 in Best

One question the Duchess of York had on her mind last week was, ‘I wonder what my dogs are thinking?’ She was talking about the late Queen’s Corgis (Muick and Sandy) and it made me laugh. I’ve often pondered that question. ‘Sandy follows me around and needs constant reassurance,’ the Duchess added. Maybe she misses the Queen. But I digress. This week, we are lucky enough to have an exclusive interview with Sarah, on page 14, where she talks about her new novel. The Duchess wrote her first book at 61, explaining she refuses to be ‘just’ a gran or an ex-wife. ‘Never give up,’ she added. I admire Sarah. Over the years, she has dealt with unkind comments about her weight, her dress sense and her divorce with stoicism.…

Actress and comedian, Jennifer Saunders, 64 is currently gracing the big screen in Allelujah – a film based on Alan Bennett’s stage play. Set in a geriatric ward in a small Yorkshire hospital, and also starring Judi Dench, the film was released to mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS this June. Star of Absolutely Fabulous, and one half of iconic comedy duo French and Saunders with pal Dawn, Jennifer revealed that her latest role had her ‘howling’ with tears the first time she watched it. In part, this was because growing up, she considered over 70 ‘old’ – which turned out to be everyone on her character Sister Gilpin’s ward! She is also six years off that age herself, and reflects that, as people live longer, it means more…

We know her as ‘Fergie’ – the fun-loving, flamed-haired Royal who was never very far away from some kind of misfortune. But Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, is now a grandmother – and a successful author. Still living with Prince Andrew, her embattled ex-husband at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, and devoted to their daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, who are now both married and mothers themselves – Eugenie expecting her second child. With a new book featuring a heroine based on her own great-great- aunt, Lady Mary Montagu Douglas Scott hitting the shelves, we caught up with Sarah, 63, to talk about new beginnings, being a granny and memories of Her Majesty… Congratulations on your new book. What do you love about being an author? I love escaping into my…

‘You can always rely on a celebrity to spark a new diet frenzy. The latest being, can you believe it, Bruce Springsteen! Who’d have thought? Admittedly he looks fantastic for 73, so much so that Chris Martin from Coldplay copied his eating plan of one meal a day. So have Liz Hurley, Brooke Shields and Hugh Jackman. It makes perfect sense to me and it’s so simple and easy to do. It obviously works, although it wouldn’t if you treated it as if it was your last meal on earth. One meal a day doesn’t mean you have to eat a Desperate Dan-style cow pie, with two tons of chips on the side. And of course, some snacks would be allowed, but sensible ones like fruit or nuts. I’m often…

THE ULTIMATE SERUM Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum, £26, is considered to be one of the best, it is a minimalist 11-ingredient gel-like consistency. THE CLEANSER CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, £10, cleanses without leaving skin feeling tight and dry. THE EYE CREAM Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Eye Cream, £26.50, plumps fine lines and wrinkles, using a blend of hyaluronic acid and glycine saponin. THE FOUNDATION L’Oréal Paris True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Skin Serum, £14.99, boasts 1% HA and a sheer formula that leaves skin with a luminous dewy finish. THE MOISTURISER Olay Hyaluronic Acid 24 + Vitamin B5 Day Gel Moisturiser with Niacinamide, £19, is lightweight and seriously refreshing.…

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…

SISTER WON’T TALK TO ME My sister and I have always been incredibly close. We grew up with a single mum and always called ourselves ‘The Three Musketeers’. But since mum died last year, everything’s changed. It’s like she doesn’t want to know anymore. Trying to get hold of her is near to impossible and apart from missing her massively, I’m starting to worry if she’s OK. I’ve already lost Mum – I can’t bear to lose her too… Candice, Essex It could be that your sister has taken your mum’s death so badly she has lost herself? Maybe now your happy band of three is only two she’s unsure how to behave? Track her down and reassure her you too are struggling. Let her know how badly you miss…

Dust off your apron and whip up one of Makes the perfect showstopper Prep time: 40min Cook time: 45min Serves 16 • 250g unsalted butter, softened• 225g light muscovado sugar• 200g golden caster sugar• 1tsp vanilla extract• 4 medium eggs• 300g plain flour• 75g cocoa powder• 2½tsp baking powder• 300ml buttermilk FOR THE ICING AND FILLING • 200g unsalted butter, softened• 550g icing sugar• 2tbsp chocolate hazelnut spread• 6tbsp chocolate hazelnut liqueur• Green food colouring• Sugar-coated chocolate eggs YOU WILL NEED Two x 18cm round, deep or springform cake tins, greased and base lined with baking parchment 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/mark 4. Beat butter, both sugars and vanilla together until really creamy and paler in colour. Gradually beat in the eggs, adding a 1tbsp of the flour,…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Craving Cadbury’s? Give anything for Galaxy? Or maybe a Mars a day keeps the blues away? If you love chocolate, then Easter is the most egg-citing time ever! Everywhere you look the shelves are heaving with deliciousness and it’s hard to say no, isn’t it? So, we’ve put together a plan that features your favourite sweet treats… but with a twist – you can get your chocolate fix and lose up to 1st… 2 Getting started • Follow our seven-day menu (right) for up to four weeks but no longer. It includes one breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus one snack daily. • Each day also includes an Easter chocolate treat. • Drink eight glasses of fluid daily including tea, coffee and water. • Each day you…

They’re not exactly a quiet bunch, but Denise Welch is certainly one of the most outspoken Loose Women panellists. And on a recent episode, she brought the whole show screeching to a halt – after getting angry at being interrupted! Denise, 64, threatened to stop what she was doing after she was continuously interrupted while attempting to tell a story about her recent evening with two very famous Hollywood stars. The actress was sharing the panel with host Christine Lampard, Dame Kelly Holmes and Brenda Edwards – and as the show began, Christine teased that Denise would be sharing an anecdote about Sir Michael Caine and Tom Cruise. Denise launched into her story, explaining how she met Sir Michael and his wife Shakira Caine about seven years ago. But as…

‘The Road to Hell’ was playing on the radio when the coach swerved violently and then stopped; the red, velvet box in my lap fell as I grabbed the seat in front to stop myself tumbling, too. ‘Turn that music down,’ the man in the seat opposite yelled at the driver just before. ‘I’m on the phone to an important client.’ The driver ignored him and cranked the volume up. I feared then that we would never make it to Leeds. And I had to get there. I picked up the red box, brushed it off, and wondered what the driver had been trying to avoid. ‘Why have we stopped?’ demanded Beryl in seat eleven. We exchanged names just after Birmingham. She had been taking a mammoth bite of her…

With Russell Grant leaving us last week, and best on the hunt for a new columnist, one of our beauty experts, Lesley Reynolds, said: ‘Meet mine!’ We did – and we hope you will find Barbara Martin as accurate as we do. The astrologer and psychic has practised for 45 years. In fact, she has even worked for Russell himself, and today has her own successful business, making birth charts and doing readings – including for celebrities that she doesn’t want to name, though the list does include Hollywood A-listers. To find your stars for this week see opposite, but for a more detailed and personal reading, Barbara always begins with a person’s date, time and place of birth. ‘It’s like your individual finger print, a snapshot of where the…

ALLELUJAH A moving story about old age. When the geriatric ward in a hospital is threatened with closure, the hospital decides to fight back by galvanising the local community: they invite a news crew to film their preparations for a concert in honour of the hospital’s most distinguished nurse. What could go wrong?! Judi Dench and Jennifer Saunders star. JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 Edge-of-your-seat, high-octane action from start to finish, you’ll need a lie-down after this latest, final John Wick instalment. With the price on his head eve-rincreasing, the legendary hitman takes his fight against the High Table global, as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris, to Japan to Berlin. Keanu Reeves is on his usual deadpan if karate-kicking form, and…

Rita’s is a blended family now, was that a learning curve? ‘It’s been ridiculously easy,’ she says. ‘My girls adore Ben [Harlow, who she first met on tour with Legally Blonde]. He ended up living with us by accident, during the second lockdown. In the first, we couldn’t see each other, we just constantly FaceTimed. We’d only been on one date, but when the second lockdown happened, I said, “Come, stay with us!” And he never left. The girls were like, “Yeah, he can stay!” He’s been with us for two years now. Ben’s not a father figure, they’re like mates. They lark about. It’s a lovely dynamic.’…

The Duchess is now the keeper of the late Queen’s corgis. Since last September, the dogs, Sandy and Muick, have lived at the Royal Lodge Windsor with The Duchess her ex-husband, Prince Andrew and their five Norfolk terriers. ‘They are national icons, so corgis every time they run chasing a squirrel, I panic,’ the Duchess admitted. ‘But they’re total joys, and I always think that when they bark at nothing, and there’s no squirrels in sight, I believe it’s because the Queen is passing by.’…

1 YOU WANT: ONE THAT DOES IT ALL TRY: Studio10 6-in-1 Perfect Lash Mascara, £25 If you can’t decide between lengthening and volumising, this one can achieve both, mainly thanks to its double-ended packaging. The thinner wand is particularly good at separation, doing away with any signs of clumps. It’s perfect for giving lower lashes some definition, too. APPLY: On your lower lashes, apply a dusting of powder underneath to help catch any stray product. Then gently comb downwards. Less really is more here! 2 YOU WANT: VOLUME TRY: 17 Another Level Volume Mascara, £2, Boots Often, volume comes at the price of a clumpy, spidery effect, thanks to copious applications of mascara. This one manages to give the desired look with one application and while it doesn’t mimic falsies, the lift…

Simnel French Toast You can use your favourite fruit bread for this recipe, just make sure it’s not too thickly sliced or the centre won’t have soaked up the delicious egg mixture. Hands-on time: 15 mins Cooking time: About 15 mins Serves 4 FOR THE ALMOND BUTTER • 50g unsalted butter, softened• Almond extract to taste• 1 tbsp icing sugar, plus extra for dusting FOR THE FRENCH TOAST • 3 large eggs• 175ml single cream• 2tbsp caster sugar• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg• 2 tsp mixed spice• 1tsp vanilla extract• 8 slices of raisin bread, we used Warburton’s• 40g butter• Maple syrup or honey, to serve• Streaky bacon to serve, optional 1 Preheat oven to 130°C (110°fan/mark ½), and put a wire rack over a baking tray. To make almond butter,…

HIP JOINT PAIN I am 54 and fairly active. I walk a lot and work out about three times a week. I have recently been having some trouble with my left hip joint. It sometimes feels quite sore – and it seems to be worse in the mornings, but on other days it is absolutely fine. I take joint supplements – do you think this is something I should see my GP about? Brenda, Bristol DR HILARY SAYS: Hi, Brenda. I certainly think you should see your GP. You are relatively young, healthy and active and you need to find out what is causing this discomfort. A simple and quick examination should indicate whether this is simply some soft tissue inflammation such as a bursitis (which is an inflamed pocket…

DO YOUR BIT FOR THE PLANET… In general, cloth napkins are more sustainable because they don’t require millions of trees to be cut down. However, recycled paper napkins aren’t a bad choice, either.…

HISTORICAL HITS THE HOUSE OF WHISPERS Anna Mazzola Orion, £16.99 (6 April) As Italy teeters on the brink of WWII, lonely pianist Eva marries handsome widower Dante and moves into his house – only to find his children are troubled and a mysterious presence haunts the home. An atmospheric chiller. THE WOMAN ON THE BRIDGE Sheila O’Flanagan Headline Review, £14.99 (27 April) Based on the author’s grandmother’s life, this stirring story follows Winnie, who falls in love at a dangerous time, when her native Ireland is torn in two by the war of Independence. An eye-opener. HEART-WARMERS PRELOVED Lauren Bravo Simon and Schuster, £14.99 (27 April) When Gwen is made redundant she volunteers at a charity shop, where encountering objects that come with incredible stories changes her life. Poignant and…

For the week 4-10 April with Psychic B ARIES 21 March – 20 April Arians like TV host Graham Norton and actress Patricia Arquette will have seen their energy increase. A flurry of communications will have you thinking on your feet. If making plans, get the details right. The full moon may feel overwhelming as responsibility piles up – just expect the unexpected. TAURUS 21 April – 21 May There may be unexpected communications about finances – perhaps a surprise bonus. The full moon is a good time to get to the bottom of financial issues. Deal with love misunderstandings, don’t be stubborn. Look out for a change in travel plans and your wellbeing. Be kind to yourself. GEMINI 22 May – 21 June Being the social bumblebee in the…

DANCE ALL DAY, SPOTIFY Kick-start the day with the dance tracks you love! Featuring Lady Gaga and many more, you’ll be moving and grooving to your heart’s content. BEST OF MOTOWN, AMAZON MUSIC Motown greats spanning two decades with Marvin Gaye, Jackson 5, Lionel Richie and more will get you in the party mood! Let’s Marvin Gaye and Get It On… PARTY PLAYLIST 2000-2021, SPOTIFY From old school Shakira to the Pussycat Dolls to Jason Derulo, this Spotify playlist has you covered for the perfect party, covering 21 years of iconic pop.…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Back in the 16th and 17th centuries, Amsterdam’s colonial connections saw it blossom in significance as a centre of global trade. This Golden Age brought the city incredible wealth; a legacy that endures today in its art, architecture and culture. A year-round programme of festivals and events combines with flower markets, windmills and a laid-back approach to life that add up to make this one of Europe’s most popular city break destinations. INSIDER’S GUIDE You’re never far from the water here in a city that grew up around (and took its name from) a dam on the Amstel River. Amsterdam’s central ring of canals date from its illustrious Golden Age and are lined by elegant, gable-fronted townhouses, no two of which are alike. But venture beyond this charming…

‘I’m just reeling,’ said best columnist Craig Revel Horwood, when he called last Wednesday, as the news broke of Paul O’Grady’s unexpected death. The Liverpudlian comedian and well-known animal lover, 67, who lived on a farm in Kent, had been sharing a role with Craig on stage, as Miss Hannigan in Annie. ‘We’ve got an Annie group on WhatsApp and everyone is just devastated,’ Craig said. ‘He did the last show of his life in Edinburgh on Saturday night. I had the week off – I was taking over on the Monday in Birmingham. It’s just so strange, seeing his name on there, knowing he’s gone.’ The last thing Paul said to Craig and the cast was after that final performance. ‘One of the Annie dogs, called Lily, had her…

As I buttoned up my lucky purple jacket, I giggled to myself. I was going on a first date at the age of 58, and I felt as nervous as a teenager! ‘Keep your feet on the ground,’ I told myself. I’d arranged to meet Tim at a pub in Hampstead, North London, as it wasn’t far from my flat. As soon as I walked into the room, it was like we were the only two people there. He made me feel at ease immediately, and the hours flew by. I couldn’t deny the sparks between us, and when the date was over, I couldn’t wait to see him again… After separating from my husband in August 2014, I didn’t know if I’d find love again. We’d been married for…

How times can change. In this epic year for the Royal Family, as Charles is crowned King, there is doubt over whether two of his closest relatives – younger son Harry, 38, and even his brother Andrew, 63, will attend and, if so, what, if any, significant role will they play. It is an extraordinary state of affairs, which would have been impossible to imagine even five years ago. In fact, there was a time when the princes – both second sons of a monarch – were possibly the most popular members of the Royal Family – both military heroes, known for their fun-loving nature, adored by the public and considered by many as heart-throbs. Andrew, while always known as a bit of a party boy, was also a respected…

What is it? Pronounced hiya-loo-ron-nick, HA (as it is commonly known) is a naturally occurring molecule found in and produced by our bodies, including the eyes, skin, and joints. It can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water and can scatter moisture evenly throughout our skin cells, making skin appear fuller, plumper, smoother, and healthier. Even though it’s called an acid, it’s not an exfoliant. It has the same acidity as a cup of milky coffee, which is almost neutral. ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HA? There are different sizes of the HA molecule, which penetrate your skin at different depths. A large molecular weight strengthens barrier function and smooths the skin’s surface, although some may find it irritating. Medium-sized HA molecules hold moisture and give skin a…

Waking up, I went downstairs to let my dog, Finan, out into his section of the garden, then I went straight to the rabbit hutches. ‘Good morning!’ I said cheerfully, handing out a few treats to JJ, Joey and Jerry, who seemed excited to see me, their little noses twitching. Then I went to the next hutch to check on my foster bunny, who was equally hoppy to see me. Rabbits are wonderful, intelligent animals and most that I look after are inquisitive, sometimes mischievous and like their independence. I picked up each of the four rabbits carefully and moved them into their run. I love watching them hop and scamper off to explore. Then, I checked their hutches, gave them fresh water and sorted their food. I also keep…

PET OF THE WEEK Name: Harley Breed: Lionheart Owner: Lucy, from Sutton STAND TO ATTENTION! Meet Harley, who was adopted by current owner Lucy nearly three months ago. Curious and playful, he’s always got his eye on you… SNOOZE O’CLOCK …until it’s too tiring even for fun toy time! AND STRETCH… Even with a cobra stretch that most yogis would be jealous of, that carrot tree remains out of reach… PLAY TIME It’s eat, sleep, play, repeat in Harley’s world… CREATURE COMFORTS Who needs a cushion or a hideaway when the carpet will do? HAY THERE! Cosy it may be, but this would make a terrible hiding place… CALLING ALL PETS! From funny to cute, we’re looking for more pets to star in our ‘Day in the Life’ series. If…

CAMBRIDGE LITERARY FESTIVAL 19 – 23 April, cambridgeliteraryfestival.com The beautiful city of Cambridge celebrates the written word with this fabulous Spring festival. Some of the highlights include Maggie O’Farrell (left), woman of the moment Bonnie Garmus (author of the brilliant Lessons in Chemistry), Curtis Sittenfeld discussing best book of the month Romantic Comedy, Michael Morpurgo, Natalie Haynes and Jacqueline Wilson. You can also catch up with crime writers Janice Hallett and Sophie Hannah and poet Carol Ann Duffy.…

It can strike anyone, at any time. In the UK it is being described as an epidemic. One that can be as damaging to your health as diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Loneliness is a huge problem in the UK. Often seen as an elderly person’s ‘disease’, in fact, government studies have shown those at greatest risk of it are women, people aged between 16-34, and those who live alone. In 2018, the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness reported that a study by the British Red Cross in partnership with the Co-op, had found more than nine million people in the UK ‘always, or often felt lonely’. As an MP, Jo had campaigned for help for those feeling isolated saying: ‘I will not live in a country where thousands of…

STARDUST Netflix To win his true love’s heart, wide-eyed Tristan Thorn journeys to a forbidden realm, to retrieve a fallen star that has taken human form. A real magical treat with Michelle Pfeiffer. EUROVISON Netflix It’s nearly that time of year again! This 2020 comedy inspired by the international music competition features Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams doing what they do best – making us laugh. LOVE, ROSIE Rosie and Alex have been best friends since they were five, so they couldn’t possibly be right for one another… or could they? A gorgeous romance, starring an equally lovely Lily Collins and Sam Claflin.…

Win EVERY WEEK WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES ACROSS 1 Residential district (6) 7 Dependable (8) 8 Animal fodder (3) 9 Workplace (6) 10 School test (4) 11 Senior figure in a tribe (5) 13 Go backwards (7) 15 Get ready (7) 17 Rigid (5) 21 Facts and statistics collectively (4) 22 Space devoid of (6) 23 Limb (3) 24 Official list of names (8) 25 Person with detailed knowledge (6) DOWN 1 Ball-shaped object (6) 2 Further-reaching than (6) 3 Organ situated in the skull (5) 4 Asserted without proof (7)  5 Cellar (8) 6 Continuously (6) 12 Importance; stress (8) 14 Personal (7) 16 University lecturer (6)  18 Prisoner (6) 19 Way something is set out (6)  20 Induce fear (5) Which Greek physician…