Table of contents for 15-2023 in Best

Victoria Beckham, seen right in her latest creation, ‘date night’ fishnets, has long had my admiration. The tiny pop princess has a passion for fashion, the ability to stand up – in fact, dance – in 6in heels and doesn’t crumble under pressure. Victoria began her career as a singer in the Nineties and the shouts of ‘She can’t sing or dance’, soon followed, once she nabbed herself the best-looking and most successful of British footballers as a hubby, enter David Beckham. Ignoring all, she turned her attention to her real passion – fashion, and we followed her troubled company, as critics slammed her and her business faltered. Next came, in her own words, her ‘greatest achievement’, her children – and, at least, no one can dispute she has held…

1. Create a crisp ‘closet’ – fix a small curtain pole inside your cupboard, attach hooks with crocodile clips and use to hang packets – from crisps, to rice sachets! 2. Label your food – prepare the week’s veggies on a Sunday and pop into clear containers labelled with days of the week for ease – Etsy has some great options. 3. De-clutter one room at a time, by separating items into keep, donate or throw-away piles. The ‘keepers’ are then stored in an organised way. 4. Embrace wonky shelving – keep closer tabs on jars and tins, by installing shelving to tilt forward, so you can see what’s at the back.…

WHAT’S YOUR WORST HABIT? I am terribly praise-hungry. I’m a terrible Sunday afternoon painter, but anything I produce I expect a lot of ‘aren’t you brilliant?’ WHAT’S HOT ON THE BOX? Next in Fashion, on Netflix. I’m obsessed. I’m also enjoying Daisy Jones and the Six, even though I don’t think it’s very good. WHAT’S YOUR SIGNATURE DISH? I am a very lazy cook. I can only do a few things – but I do them quite well. I do a great chicken tagine. But mostly, we live on oven chips and cod loins.…

As I picked up the phone, it was the news I’d been dreading. ‘I’m sorry, he’s withdrawn consent to meet with you,’ my case worker said. It was November 2022 and I’d been set to meet my daughter’s killer, Pawel Relowicz, face-to-face in prison. But after jumping through several hoops, he’d claimed he was going to appeal his sentence for murdering Libby and subsequently, couldn’t meet. It may sound strange but I was gutted. I was determined to find out what happened on the night my daughter was brutally raped and murdered and this man was the only one who could tell me about her final moments. What did she say when she got into the car? How did she end up in the river? What were her last words?…

TOP TIP! Always apply a base coat before applying colour to prevent staining on nails.…

Spicy Lamb and Pak Choi Noodles Fragrant and spicy, this can be made as hot as you like. Any chilli oil will add heat, but using one that has all the aromatic ‘bits’ still in it will make this dish extra tasty. Serves 4 • 2tsp sesame oil• 300g lamb mince• 4 baby pak choi, quartered lengthways/through the root• 2tbsp soy sauce• 3 garlic cloves, crushed• 4cm piece fresh root ginger, peeled and finely chopped• 1-2tsp Sichuan pepper• 1½tsp ground cumin• 275g fresh egg noodles• 1tbsp chilli oil, plus extra to serve, we used Chiu Chow• Handful of fresh coriander leaves Heat the sesame oil in a large wok or deep frying pan over a high heat. Add lamb mince and fry for 8-10min, until brown and crisp, stirring to…

STAIN ON THE EYE My son has had what we’ve always called a ‘stain’ on the iris of his eye since birth. His eyes are hazel and a small section of his right iris is dark brown. He has very fair skin and I’ve read that this spot can be a warning sign for skin cancer or other skin conditions in future – is this an urban myth or true, doctor?! Sheila, Belfast DR HILARY SAYS: These ‘iris freckles’, as they are called, are quite common, particularly in people with lighter-coloured irises like your son. Since his iris freckle has been present since birth and has not recently changed, it almost certainly means that it is merely due to the presence of increased melanin pigment in that part of the…

● Stunted growth This is related to the plant being in a too-small pot, sizing up can help crops thrive. ● No support Certain plants, such as beans, tomatoes and cucumbers grow upwards to an extent, where canes are recommended to help train your produce upwards, which also helps maximise your growing space. ● Lack of drainage If water can’t flow freely, your plants risk developing rot. Choose pots with drainage holes to prevent soil retaining too much moisture. If your pot doesn’t have holes, try a layer of drainage rocks at the bottom to keep excess water away from the soil. ● Pests Potted produce is just as prone to pests, frustratingly. Treat accordingly – aphids on potato leaves can combated with soapy water spray, while crushed egg shells…

She may be one of our most successful celebrity chefs but in her personal life, Nigella Lawson has suffered a terrible amount of heartbreak. Nigella is currently grieving the loss of her father, Nigel, 91, who famously served as Margaret Thatcher’s ‘unassailable’ chancellor for six years. He resigned after a bitter storm over the PM’s reliance on one advisor and her refusal to support or step away from his plan for the economy. More recently, he was also a vocal Brexit supporter. As well as the famous cook, Nigel had five other children, including journalist Dominic Lawson. And though their father lived to a ripe old age, the sadness will still be felt – and this is not the first time the family have faced loss. Nigella’s mother tragically died,…

Just before we got to Sheffield the coach driver said, ‘They’re diverting traffic. Been a bad accident on the ring road – might put our time out a bit, folks.’ ‘A diversion?’ cried the man with his phone still attached to his ear. ‘No!’ ‘I hope the first death doesn’t happen until eight-thirty,’ said Beryl to Sheena. I frowned, then remembered they were going to a Murder Mystery evening. Road to Nowhere blasted out of the coach speakers. I couldn’t be late. I had to catch Will before he sang. Once it all kicked off, there wouldn’t be a moment to… tell him. To give him the red box. I put it to my chest. Outside, night transformed the coach windows into mirrors, reflecting back tired faces. Rain hammered on…

She’s never shirked from tackling difficult subjects and Luton-born presenter and investigative journalist, Stacey Dooley, 36, filmed her latest documentary while heavily pregnant with daughter, Minnie – her first child with partner of four years, former Strictly pro, Kevin Clifton, 40. This time, she follows a group of Ukrainian civilians as they arrive in the UK to begin five weeks of intensive army training, with the British Army – as recruits learn to survive and be lethal, as they prepare for deployment to the frontline, fighting against Russia. As Stacey reveals, it was an eye-opening experience… You’ve filmed numerous hard-hitting documentaries. How does this one, filming with Ukrainian trainee soldiers, differ? For me, what makes this documentary fascinating is the fact that these men we are following are civilian individuals, with no prior…

If he could work with any actress, Danny says it would be Helen Mirren – who incidentally, he did his very first acting job with, in Prime Suspect in 1993. ‘She was so lovely. I’ll never forget how kind she was to me,’ he recalls. ‘Then years later, we were reunited on the film Greenfingers – and she remembered me. She said, ‘Here he is, my boy!’ and gave me a big cuddle. She always said I’d go far in this game, so she obviously saw something in me. I’d love to work with her again. There’s a lot of amazing actresses out there, but Helen’s one of my idols.’…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Boarding our ferry in the comfort of our own car, the holiday starts early. It’s a great way to travel, with entertainment onboard and a cabin for comfort. We arrived in France and were quickly on our way to our destination – the medieval town of Saumur, in the Loire valley. Saumur is picturesque with white stone buildings on the banks of the river Loire, centred around its grand château set on a hill above the town. This lively shopping town has lots of attractive streets to explore, with a selection of cafes and restaurants. GUIDE Staying at the nearby Eurocamp resort, Domaine de la Brèche, makes an ideal base, with so much to see and do in the parc. From days at the pool with its water…

She’s known for her love of fashion and, since launching her label, back in 2008, with a collection of luxury dresses, Victoria Beckham has lived, breathed and worn her fashion brand every time she’s stepped outside her front door. Recently, she headed out in her ‘date night with David’ fishnets from her new Spring collection. Unfortunately, financial success has eluded her brand - until now. In fact, her company’s regularly made a loss - including levelling off at £6 million pounds in the red last year. However, the pop sensation, 49 on 17 April - yes, Posh Spice is nearing 50 - recently received some news that will doubtless gladden her heart – after bringing in investors, her fashion empire is finally in profit. The past few years, striving to…

Donny Osmond is the seventh of nine children. When he arrived, there was already Virl, 12; Tom, 10; Alan, eight; Wayne, six; Merrill, four, and Jay, two. Later, he was followed by his only sister, Marie, and a younger brother, Jimmy. The Osmond Brothers began as a barbershop quartet consisting of Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay, who were offered a spot on The Andy Williams Show in 1962. A year later, they were joined by Donny, aged just five… By the Seventies, the Osmond Brothers were one of the biggest pop sensations in the world. Here, Donny, 65, takes a look back at his life and tell us what’s next… Hi, Donny. This is an odd starter question, but did your mum, Olive, know Elvis well? Yes! We all did. What…

1 BRUSH UP! We all do this twice a day (hopefully!), but technique is key. Is electric better than manual? ‘I use the analogy of using the washing machine versus hand-washing clothes,’ says Dr Uchenna Okoye, founder of the London Smiling Clinics. ‘Both will get clothes clean, but machines do it better and faster.’ If your budget is tight, Dr Okoye shares her tips. ‘Apply paste to the brush head then place at a 45-degree angle to gums. Gently move the brush in circular movements. Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces, and to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically.’ best loves TePe Choice, £6.95, with a reusable beechwood handle and three changeable bio-plastic brush heads. 2 TIMING IS EVERYTHING ‘Always brush before breakfast and…

HOW IT WORKS If you’ve munched your way through a mountain of Easter eggs this year, you might want to try our diet. It could help you stabilise your sugar levels, feel calmer and have more energy. Our plan focuses on including plenty of foods that convert into energy slowly. That way you’ll feel as if your batteries are always charged – rather than having highs and lows throughout the day. Studies show eating a balanced diet, including plenty of protein (such as chicken and fish), fibre (such as vegetables, but fruit should be limited), and carbs that are low glycaemic index (in other words, carbs that convert into energy slowly, such as wholegrains) are key. But don’t be scared off by the word ‘detox’. Our plan helps to gently…

Walking down the Red Carpet, cameras flashed, the world’s press called out and I couldn’t help but smile. It was quite a moment. I was at the premiere for Netflix’s latest film and while these sorts of things were usually held in London’s Leicester Square, I’d wanted it to be held here at the local cinema in Burnley. To me, Burnley, and the community within it, was central to the story and one that should benefit the wonderful people there, too. After all, the film was based on my own journey – with some extra fictional characters thrown in for good measure (such as the solicitor Hugh, in case you wondered). Growing up, my family and I had nothing. Until the age of six or seven, I didn’t realise other…

Phillip Schofield has broken his silence after his brother Timothy’s trial for sexual abuse of a child under 16 ended in a guilty verdict. He publicly disowned his sibling, declaring, ‘I no longer have a brother’, after Timothy was found guilty of the abuse, which was conducted over a three-year period. In a statement released by his lawyer following the verdict, This Morning presenter Phillip, said: ‘My overwhelming concern is, and has always been, for the wellbeing of the victim and his family. ‘These are despicable crimes, and I welcome the guilty verdicts. As far as I am concerned, I no longer have a brother.’ The appalling case must be deeply painful for Phillip, 61, who was absent from This Morning while the trial was being conducted, and is expected…

Not all of us have a garden or space outdoors to dedicate to gardening, but there’s plenty of produce that can be grown in containers. They’re portable, too, so you can shift their location according to what light they require. Here’s how to plant with success. SIZE MATTERS Your container size will be dependant on how much space the roots need, and how large the plant grows. Generally, the larger the pot, the better, but there are some crops that are happy thriving in a smaller home. Here’s a guide on what you can try to get started… SMALL CONTAINERS Lettuce often have shallow roots. Choose ‘cut and come again’ varieties, which grow free and can be picked as and when you need them. If your budget allows, grow a…

CLIMBING HIGH Deciduous honeysuckle ‘Setotina’ might flower later than its cousins, but its blooms and fragrance are worth the wait. Large, creamy-white flowers, streaked with dark-red purple, are enjoyed as much by wildlife as they are by gardeners. Can reach 2m x 2m or more. Best planted in Autumn. ONE FOR CHOCOLATE LOVERS Chocolate cosmos ‘Chocamocha’ has dusky red-brown blooms that float high above low mounds of foliage all Summer long, misting the air with a delicious chocolate-vanilla fragrance. This frost-tender perennial is best planted as a small plant in Spring. Come Autumn, move it into a shed or greenhouse to protect it from cold. FABULOUS FREESIAS Specially bred varieties free the gloriously fragranced freesia from greenhouse growing and send it out into the garden. Try freesia ‘Yellow’. Plant bulbs…

Reaching into the dressing-up box, I picked out a pretty dress and slipped it over my head. Glancing in the mirror, I proudly admired my reflection. I was only 10 years old, a boy, and I knew I was different. I always played with my sister and her dolls, pushing her pram, but in 1952, boys didn’t push dolls’ prams around – it just wasn’t the done thing. I loved everything feminine and, growing up, I’d secretly worn women’s clothes. Even from a young age, I knew I was trapped in the wrong body, but there was nothing I could do about it back then… I was born Andrew Jeffrey into a family of five boys and one girl. I had a twin brother who stuck up for me a…

Social media has changed a lot over the past 20 years, and keeping up with the latest trends can be tough. One platform which has taken the top spot, due to its ability to hook social media users, is video-sharing app TikTok. With an age rating of 13-plus, it’s full of clips, which you can swipe through in an addictive up-and-down motion. Yet, despite the age rating, children below 13 have been gaining access to what has increasingly been seen as an unsafe environment for them. Last week, the Chinese-owned app was fined by the UK’s data watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), £12.7m for failing to protect the privacy of children. The ICO added more than one million children under 13 were using TikTok in 2020, despite its rules…

Of course, Stacey’s happy home life is a welcome antidote to the horrors she sometimes come across in the topics she covers in her day job. Her little haven is in the home she shares with former Strictly pro dancer Kevin Clifton (with whom Stacey won the famous glitterball in 2019) and their baby daughter Minnie, now almost three months old. She described her little girl and her other half, last month, as, ‘The loves of my life. I dunno what I did to get SO lucky.’ Aww……

ENCHANTED ORCHID REED DIFFUSER Comes in a pretty, embellished butterfly bottle. A sparkling touch of bergamot and mandarin above a luxurious floral heart of orchid, lily and orange flower are the perfect Spring scents. £18, Next. GRAPEFRUIT AND MANDARIN DIFFUSER With zesty grapefruit and mandarin, this sunshine-inspired blend features a sprinkling of sea salt, light floral notes and a warming amber base for a lovely citrus aroma. Fresh and uplifting, this scent will invigorate the senses this spring. £30, White Company. GOOD VIBES DIFFUSER, MONSOON Ready for some good vibes this season? Cheerful and comforting, the Good Vibes reed diffuser combines a blend of vanilla and ginger alongside bursts of citrus. It’ll help project an uplifting atmosphere for moments of mindfulness. £36, Monsoon.…

Loose Woman, interiors queen, mum-of-five and stepmum to one, Stacey Solomon lives a ridiculously busy life. But even by her standards, the 33-year-old had rather a lot on her plate, lately – just as well she and the family jetted off to Abu Dhabi for some R&R over the Easter hols! The host of BBC One home improvement show, Sort Your Life Out, Stacey revealed recently on Insta that hubby Joe Swash, 41, was bedridden with a bad dose of ‘man flu’ – and she’d spent an entire weekend looking after their three little ones, on her own. Speaking from her car with two-month-old baby Belle on 7 April, the former X Factor star said her mum had helped out, and looked after Rex, three, and Rose, one, so that…

It’s clearly not just best readers who can’t get enough of Jenny Eclair, as our columnist has just announced that she’s extending her Autumn tour Sixty PLUS! (FFS!) XXL due to popular demand. Jenny, 63, is having a busy year as she’s currently on Taskmaster, is planning two live shows of her hit podcast Older and Wider and is busy being a hands-on grandma to eight-month-old Arlo. We caught up with the original Grumpy Old Woman to talk recovering from bereavement, life on the road and why (much like Joan Collins) she thinks separate bathrooms may be the key to a long-lasting relationship. How are you, Jenny? Well, it hasn’t been a great start to the year, I must say. I got a terrible virus and then my mother died……

‘There’s always been something quite dark about reality TV, but it’s about to get a whole lot darker. Danny Dyer is the host (read all about it from the man himself, on p78-79), it’s on Channel 4 – and it’s called Scared of the Dark. And yes, you guessed it, some celebrities will be locked up in a house for a week with no light. Most of them I don’t know but I’m sure everyone will want to see Paul Gascoigne in there. Probably, because of some morbid desire to see him crack up, as he almost certainly will. Which is always the aim of the producers. Sometimes, you wonder why anyone would want to do something so mad. But some celebs will do anything for money – I know,…

We don’t yet know what role Catherine, the Princess of Wales, will play at the Coronation – but there is no doubt that it will be one that befits her status as one of the senior members of the Royal Family. For Kate, or Catherine as she now prefers to be known, has come a long way since she first emerged as a shy, apprehensive teenager from the Home Counties, meeting Prince William at St Andrews University, where in her own words she, ‘went bright red and scuttled off.’ Now stylish, dignified and the arch diplomat, the 41-year-old mother-of-three works hard for the charities she supports, adhering to traditions, while also being a modern devoted mum. ‘These days, we see a woman who knows where she wants to go in…

SCALP TONIC Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp and this will help combat a flaky, dry one, encouraging hydrated hair. ● 1 avocado ● 3 tsp ground almonds ● Milk or olive oil Mash the avocado with ground almonds and add a dash of milk or oil to form a rich consistency. Wash hair and massage mixture into scalp, leaving for 15 minutes before rinsing. A great source of essential fats, this moisturising mask is a superfood for the scalp. ORANGE BODY SCRUB A great source of vitamin C, this will boost the overall appearance of your skin. ● I large orange or half cup of fresh orange juice ● ¼ cup granulated sugar ● Olive oil Cut a fresh orange in half and squeeze the juice into a…

FEELING THE PINCH… Vanessa, I have seven grandchildren, whom I love dearly and would ideally spoil all year round. Most of their birthdays happen all at once, between May and July! This year I’m really feeling the cost of living crisis more than ever. I work in a charity shop and they’ve had to cut my hours down to part-time due to ill health. I just have no money right now. What would you do? It’s so depressing, to be honest. Greta, Derby What your grandchildren prize more than any expensive gift is simply time spent with grandma. I would give them ‘Promise Presents’. These are pieces of paper, decorated any way you fancy, saying: ‘I promise my beautiful grandson/daughter six baking lessons’ – or 10 bedtime stories or a…

FUSS-FREE PERENNIALS Forget the faff of annuals and bedding out, and choose perennials that come up year after year. The trick is to find ones that don’t need staking, regular dead-heading or protecting from slugs. Hardy geraniums are the place to start: long-flowering blue ‘Rozeanne’ now has equally fine relatives – smaller, paler ‘Azure Rush’, blush-white ‘Lilac Ice’ and ‘Pink Penny’ with neat marbled foliage, blooms using up blank space and making the most of a sun trap. OPT FOR DROUGHT-TOLERANT PLANTS Tall white Gaura lindheimeri looks like dancing butterflies, while sedum ‘red cauli’ has deep red ‘cauliflowers’ or bloom on grey-green foliage. Want a pollinator? Sea holly Eryngium alpinum is also a magnet for bees. INSTANT MEADOW Instead of a labour-intensive lawn, why not enjoy a beautiful, low-maintenance wildflower…

● Clever Pots lives up to its name. The brand has created a series of products aimed at making gardening easier. Our favourites include the Easy Release Pots, from £2.50, which have a springy bottom to help you transplant seedlings without root damage (just push from the bottom to release the plant and soil), and the Potato Growing Pot, £12.50, with an outer shell enabling you to pull out the framework inside and pick only what’s ready. An ingenious invention as usually harvesting potatoes in pots and sacks is a lucky dip! ● Dobbies has launched a ‘Pick N Joy’ range that’s a brilliant shortcut to growing your own. They’re ready-made plant pots – choose from tomatoes, peppers and more – with ready-to-pick produce and the promise of more with the…

Sumptuously upholstered in super-soft navy fabric with a luxury velvet feel, this eye-catching bed marries old-school glamour with modern-day comfort. The gently winged headboard is deeply padded for cosiness and support when sitting up, while the plush base sports sprung wooden slats that flex with the mattress to respond to your body weight and relieve pressure points. Grove is available as an end-opening ottoman, which lifts to provide masses of storage, or with Sleepmotion, which lets you customise your position at the touch of a button, improving comfort when sitting up, or elevating legs to improve circulation. In double, king or superking sizes, Grove comes with free delivery on every order. See more instore and online at dreams.co.uk/house-beautiful…

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 –…

INTRODUCING OUR NEW ASTROLOGER! For the week 11-17 April with Psychic B ARIES 21 March – 20 April For Spice-Girl-turned-fashion-designer Victoria Beckham, actress Claire Danes and other Arians, thoughts turn more practical, focused and deeper. Step away from the fast lane to review your social circle as your intuition sharpens. New spiritual pursuits or healing therapies are of interest. TAURUS 21 April – 21 May You start a re-evaluation of your social life. Be more selective about plans you make and company you keep. You have expressions of love coming your way. A romance could offer the commitment and lasting security that you’ve been looking for. Don’t be over possessive. Take some breathing space. GEMINI 22 May – 21 June It’s time to get serious about any ambitions, expanding horizons,…

I GIVE IT A YEAR Friday, BBC One, 10.40pm Nat and Josh are a happy couple – they just have a lot of differences, which leads family and friends to predict their marriage won’t last. Josh’s ex-girlfriend and Nat’s handsome client only add to the confusion. Starring Rose Byrne. MUMMIES In cinemas now Pure fun – for all ages! Follow the adventures of the Egyptian mummies, living in a secret ancient underground city, as they travel and experience modern-day London. Packed full of heart-warming moments and laugh-out-loud scenes. HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU On Netflix In this classic rom-com, four men and five women in Baltimore struggle to keep their love lives, well, alive. Starring Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson, Bradley Cooper and Ben Affleck.…

Like Lisa Squire on page 24, Cheryl Korbel – the mother of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel had the right to look her daughter’s killer in the eye. The schoolgirl was fatally shot in her family home in Dovecot, Liverpool, at the hands of 34-year-old drug dealer, Thomas Cashman. However, justice was served on Monday 3 April, when Cashman was jailed for life with a minimum term of 42 years for Olivia’s murder. The gunman went on to offer his final insult to Olivia’s devastated family by refusing to appear in the dock to hear his sentence for her murder. Cashman said the triumphant singing of ‘We are the champions’ by Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) officials after he was found guilty on 30 March, showed proceedings had descended into a ‘circus’ –…