Table of contents for 42 - 2017 in Best

Sixty is an all-grown-up number but, thanks to women like Angie Best, Jo Wood and now, Dawn French, it seems we will all still look great. In fact, in cases like Dawn’s, even better than we did at 50! So, besides her weight loss, what’s her secret? A fantastic new haircut is a must if this official birthday portrait is anything to go by. Plus, plenty of fresh air and a healthy diet that includes a little of what you fancy (Cornish pasties, in her case). So how will she celebrate? ‘I will sit down with my family and my best friend and drink too much – probably,’ she said. Enjoy, Dawn! • Please let me know your thoughts, siobhan. wykes@hearst.co.uk EXECUTIVE EDITOR…

Climbing out of the shower, I shuddered as I caught sight of my size-24 body. ‘I’m enormous,’ I exclaimed to my husband, Christian. But rather than dismissing my comment as usual, he looked concerned. ‘You know I love you, but I’m worried about your health,’ he said. ‘We need to look after ourselves to make sure one of us is always here for the kids.’ I was shocked. He’d never said anything like that to me before. Ever since I was a teenager, I’d struggled with my weight. I worked in the school tuck shop, where I was paid in treats, but that wasn’t enough to satisfy my sweet tooth, so I’d spend my pocket money on more chocolate and crisps. By the time I left school at 16, I…

For the week 17-23 October KIM KARDASHIAN IS A LIBRA 24 Sept – 23 Oct Finding ways to transcend the mundane is critical for a Libran’s well-being. Devoting time to spiritual pursuits will become an increasing desire. ARIES 21 March – 20 April Your personal magnetism is incredibly strong, and invitations are pouring in. A new admirer is intensely interested in you. Past experience might stop you from taking this relationship further, yet this could be your road to romantic happiness. TAURUS 21 April – 21 May A new friend or workmate seems to be making up the rules as they go along. For now, try to keep things trouble-free. You’re hoping this manipulator will leave as quickly as they have appeared in your life. If they don’t, you will…

Slimming WORLD COOK’S TIP Use hard-boiled eggs or 300g large cooked peeled prawns as an alternative to tofu. Tofu sushi bowl Serves 4 Ready in: 30 mins 200g dried brown long-grain rice 400g firm plain tofu, drained 150g frozen soya beans (edamame) Low-calorie cooking spray 100g radishes, sliced ¼ cucumber, halved lengthways and sliced diagonally 8 spring onions, sliced diagonally 2 carrots, peeled and grated 25g pea shoots 1tbsp Japanese pickled ginger, drained, to serve (optional) FOR THE DRESSING: Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lime 1tsp sweetener 2tbsp tamari or dark soy sauce 3tbsp rice vinegar 1 Put the rice into a saucepan and add 400ml boiling water. Bring to the boil then cover, reduce heat and cook for 25 mins or until all the water has been…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT If you haven’t quite converted to cruising yet, Discovery 2 – the newest recruit to the Marella Cruises fleet – will definitely get you on board. Essentially a plush floating hotel, the ship boasts two pools, an outdoor cinema, casino, rock climbing, mini golf, spa, gym, and virtual reality room. Plus, there’s 918 cabins to choose from, ranging from simple to stunning – the royal suite even comes complete with a baby grand piano! INSIDER’S GUIDE The Marella Discovery 2 starts in Palma and docks at Civitavecchia (for Rome), Naples, Messina and Corfu Town. In Rome, you’ll get to check out classic historic sights like the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, and when you get to Naples, there’s the chance to explore nearby Pompeii – the fantastically wellpreserved…

Did you know? Gabby would love to do I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! and doesn’t baulk at the thought of eating creepy-crawlies. ‘I ate scorpions once when I was travelling,’ she says. It’s been a whirlwind since they shot to fame on sizzling summer reality TV show Love Island, which brings a group of ‘islanders’ to a villa in Majorca – and sees them couple up in order to survive. When best met Gabby Allen and Marcel Somerville, they were as sweet, photogenic and loved-up as they came across on TV. And three months on, it’s clear they’re still ‘totally each other’s type on paper’ (to quote a much-loved Love Island phrase). Gabby and Marcel, who came fourth in the show, are excitedly talking about their future…

This is series six of Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs. Is it a challenge to find compelling stories? It certainly is, but we always find there are more than enough dogs with a fantastic story we can tell. This year, there’s been a big influx of French bulldogs and pugs, most of them with severe breathing difficulties due to puppy-farm breeding. Sean the vet has done more nose jobs than a Harley Street plastic surgeon! What surprises you most about visiting Battersea? The staff work miracles on a daily basis, and I’ve sort of come to take it for granted that, whatever the dog’s dilemma, it’ll all turn out right in the end. I’ve seen dogs that are near death when they arrive being brought back to life…

Win EVERY WEEK WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £ 100 OR 3 X £50 PR I ZES Both sets of clues lead to the same answers, revealing in the shaded squares an ITV comedy drama starring Fay Ripley (4,4) TO ENTER CALL 0900 100 0922 (UK 65ppm)† / 1550 716 023 (ROI 97cpm) † CODE: PUBSTN17720 STRAIGHT CLUES ACROSS 1 Part of a tea set (6) 5 Punishment pronounced (8) 9 Personal portable rain shield (8) 10 Aim, design (6) 11 Otic organ (3) 12 Made ready (8) 14 Group of troops (4) 15 Elevators (5) 17 Facial hair (5) 18 Transmit, or post (4) 19 At 90 degrees to forwards (8) 23 Digit on one’s foot (3) 25 Chorister (6) 26 Name, title (8) 27 Rural workers (8)…

TOP TIP It’s cool to mix up those checks – like with all this season’s patterns, it’s time to clash! TOP TIP A black polo neck adds the perfect retro twist to any check. TOP TIP Great news for your poor feet, kitten heels have made a comeback!…

Often described as thinning bones, osteoporosis affects more than 3 million people in the UK, particularly women who have gone through the menopause. It can also be caused by a deficiency of calcium or vitamin D. It is therefore important to understand what it is, how to avoid it and what you need to do if you are diagnosed. RISK RAISERS Smoking, having a lower-than-normal BMI, suffering an early menopause, and a family history of bone conditions are all strong risk factors for osteoporosis. You can also be at risk if you don’t exercise, have a high alcohol intake, or have been using certain medications long-term, such as steroids. It’s also more likely to be diagnosed in women with eating disorders or bowel conditions, which stop your body from absorbing…

Classy coat You can’t double up on leather, so ditch the biker for an oversized cover-up. Straight up An A-line skirt will suit hourglass figures. TOP TIP To find your nearest Mango store instantly, download its free app. Zip up Added details can draw attention to the right places. Wrap star This flattering style is perfect for pear shapes.…

‘I’ve vowed to my wife that my mouth will stay shut from now on…’ MURDER ON THE DANCEFLOOR?! My little on-air spat with Shirley Ballas was interesting! I don’t mind a disagreement, as long as it’s fair. I’m not always good with criticism, but it’s part of the show. I’ve vowed to my dance partner Charlotte and my wife Zoe that my mouth will stay shut from now on… WEDDING BELLS Charlotte always gives everything she’s got. Last week, she finished GMB at 9am, then hit the dance studio for training between 10am and 6.30pm every day. The jive’s not easy, but we loved dancing to Bruno Mars’ Marry You. It was fun to have our own Strictly wedding! Louise on the Strictly effect Nobody knows what goes on behind…

...her new show, Jo Frost: On Britain’s Killer Kids It focuses on teenagers who have committed murder. We hear from professionals, as well as the emotional stories of the families involved. ...tough moments while filming the series You’re in the actual home or town where events happened, and it’s haunting when you realise you’re standing where someone had their life taken from them. ...how she switches off Especially with a project so sad and heavy-going, it’s important to get the mental head space for rest, fun and laughter. I find that balance by spending time with family and friends. ...her Supernanny style I’m firm but fair. A make-up artist once told me, ‘Jo, you introduce people to themselves. You put a mirror up and go, “There’s the truth, now what?”’…

Nervous about having dermal fillers? If that cosmetic option isn’t for you, investigate these three alternatives – they’ll all work to boost, hydrate and lift your face. SUPER SKIN-BOOSTER Injectables are not always about ‘filling’ the face. Profhilo doesn’t add volume, but is designed to hydrate from the inside out, smoothing crêpey skin on the face, neck, décolletage and hands. The 10-minute treatment involves having tiny injections that, instead of going deep, are placed just underneath the skin’s surface. Hyaluronic acid then spreads through the tissues over the following weeks. Treatments are given a month apart, with at least two sessions judged necessary for the best results, which should last from six to nine months. From £500. RADIO FREQUENCY Hi-tech facials can help mimic the effects of injectables. Forma uses…

CAROL McGIFFIN THE WAY I SEE IT... Wise words from our feisty, fearless and funny columnist ‘Scientists at Edinburgh University have been trying to work out why human beings live beyond the age of 50. They call it “an evolutionary puzzle”. They’re especially baffled by the longevity of women, and what the purpose is to them existing past the age of procreation or the menopause. I’m sure there are many women who might think they have a point. The menopause can induce those feelings, especially if it’s a bad one. And Mother Nature does her best to make sure it is, not just by messing up your hormones and emotions, but also by ageing you faster than an old conker. I wonder how Mother Nature got that name. It can’t…

THOUGHT OF THE DAY A few bad chapters don't mean your story is over and done with... Desperate to become a mum I’m 40, and split up with my ex five years ago because he said he didn’t want kids. I haven’t met anyone else since we broke up and am still childless, although I long to be a mum. Meanwhile, my ex has fallen for a girl much younger than me, and I’ve just discovered that she’s pregnant. I am overcome with emotion about it, because he’s so excited about being a dad. I can’t understand why he wants it with her and not with me. Karen, Liverpool This is heartbreaking. Of course you’re feeling emotional – I sympathise. I have heard about similar painful situations like this before, whether…

The idea of drifting along the ocean, relaxing on a ship that’s equipped with amazing facilities, and stopping off along the way at some of the world’s most exciting destinations, has captivated many of us already. But even if you’ve never set foot on board a boat before, you’ll find plenty to tempt you in our fantastic eight-page cruise special. The beauty of a cruise is that you don’t have to make any decisions – apart from what to eat or drink, or what entertainment to enjoy. You are taken from port to port, where you can embark on a fascinating excursion and discover more about the country or city you’ve arrived at. You can explore food markets with chefs, relive history at ancient sites, or watch the world go by…

There’s nothing quite like life at sea, especially when it’s experienced in the kind of comfort you’ll find on board the Marella Discovery, which boasts an outdoor cinema, rock climbing wall, mini golf course, indoor pool and an entertainment lounge! There are seven restaurants to dine in – from signature pan-Asian eatery Kora La, offering beef rendang curry and Indian spiced king prawns, to a Sushi Bar, Surf & Turf Steakhouse, and flagship dining area 47o, which comes with a side order of stunning sea views! But there’s plenty to distract you on shore, too. Sailing from Southampton, Marella’s European Experience takes in stops at Bremerhaven, Amsterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre and Cherbourg, where you can enjoy great excursions to maximise your time in these cities. In Amsterdam, take a tour…

Tony Cowell BEST’S CELEB INSIDER TALKS TO KATHERINE RYAN Canadian funny woman Katherine Ryan, 34, is back with her own UK standup tour and co-hosting a new series of Your Face Or Mine – the often brutal gameshow that pits couples against each other – alongside fellow comedian Jimmy Carr. The panel show regular lives in north London, and has a daughter, Violet, seven, from a previous relationship. I’m a huge fan of Your Face Or Mine. Do you love doing the show? Yes. It’s fresh and funny, and I love working with Jimmy. We have a similar sort of humour, so we work very well together. We have the same values, too. We are both hard-working, plus Jimmy was one of the first people I worked with on British…