Table of contents for 16 - 2017 in Best

If, like me, you daydream about winning the lottery and buying your dream home, you’ll love this idea. A £2 raffle ticket could win you this beautiful six-bedroom Georgian manor (above) in Lancs – with its own cinema! Up for sale in December for £845,000, it didn’t attract a buyer. Facing repossession, the owner, Dunstan Low, decided to invite people to pay £2 to win it. If he fails to sell by 1 August, he’ll pick a winner from the entrants. If it does sell, the money raised from ticket sales becomes the prize. It’s a great idea, and if you’d like to enter, visit his website at winacountryhouse.com. If you win, please let us know! • Please let us know your thoughts on facebook.com/bestmagazine…

‘We’ve got a very positive kind of jealousy, where we appreciate each other and we’d hate for it all to end’ They appear to be the perfect couple - rich, glamorous and madly in love. But Christine Bleakley has revealed that her marriage is haunted by fears of infidelity. And, while it’s not uncommon for footballers’ wives to feel insecure, this time it’s hubby Frank Lampard who’s been having nightmares that his wife will stray. ‘He had these weird little dreams,’ she revealed on Loose Women. ‘He’d wake up and say, “I’m not talking to you this morning.” I’d ask him why, and he’d say, “I dreamt you were a bit naughty last night.”’ Frank and Christine, both 38, tied the knot in London on 20 December 2015. Their relationship…

Project Bikini is under way. If you’re stuck with lumps and bumps despite diet and exercise, don’t panic – it’s possible to sculpt without spending months in the gym. SMOOTH OUT BACK ROLLS For those flabby bits around your bra straps that prevent you going backless or wearing fitted tops, BodyTite removes excess fat and tightens skin. The one-off procedure uses technology called RFAL (radio frequency assisted liposuction) to break down fat cells, and the heat generated in the process boosts collagen to firm skin. Up to three litres of fat can be removed in a session, and you’ll notice an immediate difference, with best results seen after three to six months. From £2,000. TARGET AB FLAB Body Jet liposuction helps reduce body fat and sculpt with minimal invasion. A…

PLANT POWER CATHERINE TYLDESLEY ‘I’ve been getting in the garden growing organic vegetables,’ says Coronation Street’s Cath, who reckons a diet of natural foods is the way to go. The Salford stunner also says her husband joins her in eating well and is a great support. She adds, ‘If it ran, swam or grew from the land, we eat it. We don’t eat processed food. It has to be a lifestyle – diets don’t work. I’ve done every diet going.’ CLEAN EATING GWYNETH PALTROW Mum-of-two Gwyneth reckons she’s more confident in swimwear now than in her 20s. So what’s her secret? The actress follows a strict diet of natural foods and nothing processed. She says, ‘I have a pretty healthy diet, so when I’m eating processed foods and not watching…

While for most people holidays are the highlight of their year, I used to dread them. The idea of stripping down to a vest top and shorts, let alone a bikini, would bring me out in a cold sweat. But now, at the age of 40, I’ve finally shed 4st – and my horror of holidays. Unlike a lot of people, my weight problems didn’t start in childhood. I was slim and very active at school. And even after I’d had two children, Bethany and Danielle, when I was 20 and 21, I lost the baby weight without too much effort, slipping straight back into my size 10 jeans. However, three years later, I split up with my partner and my life turned upside down. Spending my nights at home…

I’m always hearing singletons moaning about the fact that they can’t find the perfect date for Valentine’s Day, or someone to take them out for their birthday, or kiss under the mistletoe. It seems finding love can be a tall order. But to be honest, I’m a little short on pity for most of them – as I have the same problem all year round, and I’ve never actually had a boyfriend. At 6ft 4in, my towering height puts off potential suitors and is killing my chance of finding romance, as most blokes I meet are normally at least five inches shorter than me. It makes me wonder if I’ll ever meet the right man. I’ve always been tall, ever since I was a kid. Even at nursery, I was…

Rocky road, marshmallow & chocolate TAKES: 25 mins CHILL: 3 hrs FOR CAKE 200ml whipping cream 200g dark chocolate, broken into pieces 100g butter 160g mini marshmallows 40g chocolate chip cookies, broken into large pieces 200g cream cheese 200g shortbread biscuits FOR TOPPING 1 shortbread biscuit, crumbled YOU WILL NEED Loaf tin 1 Pour the cream into a large bowl, and place in the freezer for 30 mins. 2 Melt the chocolate and butter in a bain-marie, and stir until you have a smooth mixture. 3 Remove from the heat, and stir in the marshmallows and chocolate chip cookie pieces. Leave the mix to cool slightly. 4 Using an electric whisk or a food processor, whip the cream cheese and chilled cream together until thick. 5 Line a loaf tin…

…his passion for opera I never felt posh enough to go to the opera, but I love it. So I’ve put together a CD of my favourite tracks for people like me who love it, but feel they need permission to listen to it. Opera’s for everyone. …his party piece I can hold a tune. My karaoke song is In The Ghetto by Elvis. I love it. I can actually do quite a good Elvis impersonation. …his biggest fashion disaster I had a Chanel silver sequined jacket I wore on a TV show I presented. It’s hideously embarrassing. I loved it at the time, but now I think, ‘Good God, I look like a burrito!’ …what he does to relax I love cooking for friends, and I have great dinner…

‘L ast week, one of the great summer debates was sparked when Madonna’s daughter, Lourdes, appeared on a beach without shaved armpits. She just doesn’t care! Well, newsflash – why should she? If I wasn’t with Mark, I would let mine grow. I would probably be like a gorilla. Hairy legs, armpits, whatever... Why not? It’s natural. Besides, hers are neat. They aren’t hanging around her waist! They’re groomed into two landing strips. Apparently hairy armpits are catching on in the US. Men don’t shave theirs, so the question they’re asking is: why should women? Quite right. However, I can’t see it catching on in Margate – catching on your cardi maybe, but not becoming the latest trend. The thing that fascinates me is this: why are we Brits so…

Childhood can be tough at the best of times, especially if you’re different from other kids. And, as someone who has albinism, different is exactly what my little girl Arliyah is. Because her uniqueness is so obvious, apparent from just a quick glance, she became aware of stares from strangers from an extremely young age. Although I know they didn’t mean anything, the unwanted attention left her painfully self-conscious. Yet after realising she bears a striking similarity to a particular Disney princess, my gorgeous little girl is gaining confidence by the day and we couldn’t be more proud of her. When Arliyah was born in August 2012, she was five weeks early and weighed just 4lb 4oz. She was whisked straight to special care and my husband, Chayd, and I…

Pulling on my size-18 bikini in the sticky Spanish sunshine, I really couldn’t have felt worse. I’d given birth just five months previously, in May 2014, and my baby belly had yet to go down. But, if I’m honest, it was more than that. I’d used my pregnancy as a chance to eat exactly what I’d wanted, and now I was bigger than I’d ever been. When my husband, Matt, and I had decided to have an autumn getaway with our newborn, Evelyn, and our eldest daughter, Gracie, I’d been really excited by the idea of relaxing by a pool. However, now that we were here, I just felt bloated and unattractive. ‘Take a picture of me,’ I said impulsively to Matt, now 33, handing him my phone. When I…

Spring is here, but if you’re a little pale, the Tanning Shop is here to help! With more than 40 locations offering professional spray tans, its salons guarantee you a golden glow. The process is super-easy and convenient – simply pre-book or just turn up on the day for your tanning experience. What’s more, the Tanning Shop is offering best readers a free automated spray tan worth £24.99! In the privacy of a booth, its fully trained staff will guide and help you to design your personal tanning plan to suit your requirements and skin type. For more info, visit thetanningshop.co.uk HOW TO CLAIM YOUR FREE SPRAY TAN Take this voucher into a participating Tanning Shop below and hand to a member of staff PARTICIPATING STORES: Barnet, Bath, Birmingham, Brighton…

How do I face up to fears of losing my hair? B BC Two presenter Victoria Derbyshire revealed how her hair has grown back after treatment for breast cancer. I’ve just been diagnosed with the disease and, apart from being really afraid, one of my biggest dreads is losing my gorgeous, long hair through chemotherapy. Can you give me any advice? Margaret, Belfast Firstly, Margaret, not everyone loses their hair through chemotherapy. Also, a ‘cold cap’ can keep your scalp cool and can be helpful – your GP would be able to explain how this works in more depth. It’s important to gradually cut your hair to prepare for any eventuality. One decision we made for my daughter, Caron, was to get her a real-hair wig made well in advance. It…

Beechwood Community Home, Nottingham Last March, Andris Logins, 57, was jailed for 20 years for sexually abusing children at a care home where he worked in the 80s. He abused two girls and two boys at Beechwood Community Home, in Mapperley, and was found guilty of 17 charges at Nottingham Crown Court. Police became involved when a woman went to officers and told them she had been raped by Logins when she was 15. Det Insp Mandy Johnson said the ‘brutal’ regime at Beechwood made children too afraid to report abusive staff. Nottinghamshire County Council leader Alan Rhodes has made ‘an unreserved apology’ to the victims, saying, ‘The outcome in this case is proof that victims will be listened to and believed.’ English youth football A sexual abuse scandal involving…

Looking to refresh your wardrobe for summer? We’re giving one lucky reader the chance to get their hands on a £500 voucher for the ultimate shopping spree at Next. Whether you’re going on holiday or simply want to add some seasonal style to your home, enter now for your chance to win! HOW TO ENTER POST: Send a postcard with your name, address, phone number and email address to: Next Voucher Competition GVBSTN17177, Hearst Magazines UK, The Data Solutions Centre, Worksop S80 2RT. The closing date for postal entries is 5 May 2017. PHONE: Call 0901 027 2710 (30ppm) by midnight on 2 May 2017. Calls cost 30p per minute, plus your telephone company’s network access charge, and will last no longer than two minutes. Calls from mobiles may be significantly…

Britain’s Got Talent is back, and Alesha Dixon, 38, is thrilled to be lighting up our Saturday nights again alongside Amanda Holden, David Walliams and Simon Cowell. Here, she talks about the buzz of finding acts, and spending time with her three-year-old daughter, Azura. You lot look like you’re having a ball already! How does it feel to be back working with Simon, David and Amanda? Amazing! We’re all so relaxed, and the jokey banter we have now just makes it such a laugh. Everybody is really laid-back, everyone’s always laughing and it’s completely genuine. It’s definitely not put on! How would you describe this year’s series? I actually think the more [series] we do, the harder it gets. The audience is more knowledgeable and the contestants are under more pressure…

Win EVERY WEEK WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES STRAIGHT CLUES ACROSS 6 Money for rainy days (7) 7 Scent, smell (5) 9 Tree fruit (4) 10 Aid (10) 11 Move like a baby (5) 12 Wounds with the teeth (5) 14 At liberty (4) 16 Computer information (4) 17 Threaded metal fixer (5) 18 Employing (5) 22 Make stronger (10) 25 Waterside grassy plant (4) 26 Leather belt, e.g. (5) 27 European republic (7) DOWN 1 All over the place (10) 2 Work dough (5) 3 Snakes (4) 4 Unfettered (5) 5 Settee (4) 6 Remove fleece (5) 8 Wealthiest (7) 13 Of heavy mechanical use (10) 15 Speaks out poetry aloud (7) 19 Unfriendly (5) 20 Land of pyramids (5) 21 Insertion…

Did you know? After 13 years together, Eamonn and Ruth had a romantic country wedding in Hampshire in 2010. Eamonn said, ‘Even the sun was eclipsed by my beautiful bride.’ ‘The most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen? Charlotte Hawkins!’ said Ruth’s hubby… We’re used to seeing TV presenter Eamonn Holmes land himself in hot water with wife Ruth Langsford. But she failed to see the funny side when her hubby seemed to suggest on live TV that she was not the fairest bride of all… Ruth blew up on air over comments Eamonn, 57, had made earlier on Good Morning Britain while he was filling in for regular host Piers Morgan. Eamonn had said that GMB presenter Charlotte Hawkins was the most ‘beautiful bride’ he had ever seen… Jabbing her…

The trend for taking vitamins goes in waves and fads, and it can be hard to know what you should be taking – and what health benefits you are supposed to feel as a result. You can end up spending a small fortune taking supplements you may not even need – so before you buy, make sure you know your A-Z of vitamins! SUNSHINE IN A TABLET Vitamin D is probably your number-one vitamin supplement. It’s made in your skin when it comes into contact with the sun – which means that from October to April in the UK, you won’t be making much! Plus, there are very few good dietary sources beyond oily fish. Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and a good immune system, and studies show…

HOW IT WORKS 1 We’ll soon be pinching our wobbly bits and worrying about beach season, so why not get ahead of the game and start slimming now? We’ve put together a diet to help you shrink into your swimwear by tackling bloating and boosting gut health. 2 Our plan includes a group of foods called prebiotics, responsible for feeding the good bacteria in our guts and aiding digestion. Plus there’s lots of fibre, which is important for tackling bloating and constipation. We’ve also added a daily probiotic drink – which contains good bacteria – to further boost your intake. 3 The rules: Follow the meal plan (right), which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks. Start each day with a probiotic drink such as Yakult Light Milk Drink (7…

Although it may seem unlikely, making small changes to the way you shop could save you thousands. Money expert Cathal Wogan* tells us how… Being clever with your money isn’t just about stuffing a chunk of your pay cheque under your mattress. Spending smart means you can enjoy your money while making it go further. These five practical tips will help you get on your way to buying better – and saving a packet in the process! 1 SNAP UP A DEAL If you see a good deal on something you’ll definitely use, take advantage. A half- price deal is half-price, no matter how many you buy, so buying in bulk will increase your long-term savings. That could be enough half-price tins of chopped tomatoes to fuel three months of…

I’d like to talk about what happened to me, but I’m nervous about it. We understand this is a big decision. Talking about or even thinking about what happened to you as a child can be difficult. If you contact us, you’ll be treated with compassion and not judged. What would be my first step? First, visit our website listed below. It will provide you with more information on the purpose of the project and how you could share your experience. And if I decide I want to go ahead, what would happen? If you decide Truth Project is right for you, you can get in touch with us by email, phone, or in writing to provide your contact details. We will then contact you and guide you through the…

best VALUE TOP TIP Pair these ankle-flashing flats with skinny jeans for a chic combo Step out in style in flat backless mules…

‘Sidney and Amanda are living in denial’ Tell us about series three of Grantchester… If you described the show to someone who hadn’t seen it, you might assume it simply had that cosy, nostalgic crime story feel. But it is so much more. It has so many layers, and is much richer, deeper and darker than that. They don’t shy away from the issues of the time. How are Sidney and Amanda when we return? Amanda is no longer with her husband, and is living in a little cottage near the church with her baby, Grace. She and Sidney are living like teenagers – stealing kisses behind the church and sneaking out for jazz nights. It was really lovely to have a bit of fun with Morven, go dancing, listen…

BEST’S CELEB INSIDER TALKS TO GAVIN ROSSDALE He’s sold over 10 million albums as the frontman of rock group Bush and was married to music icon Gwen Stefani for 13 years. The starry couple, who share three children, divorced last year. Here, Gavin tells how life has changed… Hi, Gavin. How was it being a judge on The Voice UK? I loved it. Singing with Jennifer [Hudson] and Tom [Jones] was such a privilege. I was surprised to be asked to do the show. I felt like, ‘Who am I? I’m just a guy in a band – nobody will know who I am.’ Did you have reservations about doing the show? I didn’t, because I had done some mentoring on The Voice in America, and it struck me just…