Table of contents for 7 - 2018 in Best

Hands up who loves a bit of nostalgia? Personally, I miss mix tapes, postcards, buying CDs in a record store, watching Mr Benn… I could go on, so I’m not quite sure what makes me smile more – the news that The Generation Game is coming back to our screens with Mel and Sue this spring, or the fact that Basil Brush will be with them. While rumours abound there will only be two episodes to begin with, you’d be hard pushed to find a child of the 70s who doesn’t remember the fictional fox. Ah, Basil. Let’s hope the nation takes you to its heart again… What was your favourite TV show or presenter in the 70s? • Please let me know your thoughts, siobhan. wykes@hearst.co.uk…

She’s currently a shadow of her former self, but newly svelte Judy Finnigan, 69, looked down in the dumps when she stepped out in Hampstead, north London, recently. Wrapped up against the cold and clutching the arm of husband Richard Madeley, 61, her dramatic weight loss clearly wasn’t enough to put a smile on Judy’s face. So what’s weighing on her mind? The bestselling fiction author has reportedly dropped an impressive 5st in the past few months, and daughter Chloe – who is said to have helped her – has now shed light on the secret behind her mum’s transformation on Loose Women. Talking about how Judy ‘dropped loads of weight naturally’, fitness sensation Chloe, 30, revealed that her mum isn’t a fan of outdoor activity – unlike her dad,…

‘The boys are the enemy, but of course I am going to have fun with them’ Dani Mas Dyer, 22, until recently working as a barmaid in east London, is relatively unknown – but she could be on her way to becoming the next big reality TV star. Battling intense heat in South Africa, the budding actress is starring in Survival Of The Fittest, or what has been dubbed ‘The Winter Love Island’. The show, which began last Sunday, pitches the boys against the girls, but being given the chance to go on dates is set to test their loyalties on both sides. So, who will win? Tune in to see. But one thing’s for sure, Cockney charmer Danny Dyer, who plays Mick Carter in EastEnders, is watching his daughter’s every…

The menopause can be a very significant time in a woman’s life, but gaining freedom from the monthly cycle can be overshadowed by the vast array of symptoms that ‘the change’ can bring. If you are suffering with any of these to the point where it is affecting your daily life, work or relationships, it is important to get medical advice... GO WITH THE FLOW Of course, everyone knows that periods stop with menopause, but it isn’t quite so simple. Often, in the year – or even two years – before your periods slow down and get lighter, they can, in fact, get heavier and more frequent. This is a symptom of what is called the perimenopause. Your periods do not then suddenly cease but will occur less and less…

Jump to start The perfect day-tonight ensemble. Smart and sporty Tailored and slouchy make the perfect pairing. TAP THE APP My Cards Pro allows you to store all your credit and debit cards in one place – shopping has never been easier! Cool crops The ideal shape to see you into spring. Dare to flare An unusual hem can draw attention downwards.…

Give your friends wardrobe envy when you step out in a new outfit – courtesy of best! We’re giving 10 lucky readers the chance to win a £50 voucher to spend in Zara. So whether it’s the dress of your dreams or a new pair of heels, enter below for your chance to bag them for free! HOW TO ENTER POST: Send a postcard with your name, address, phone number and email address to Zara Giveaway, GVBSTN18030, Hearst Magazines UK, The Data Solutions Centre, Worksop S80 2RT. Closing date for postal entries is 2 March 2018. PHONE: Call 0901 027 2711 by midnight on 27 February 2018. Calls cost 30p per minute, plus your telephone company’s network access charge, and will last no longer than two minutes. Calls from mobiles…

TAP THE APP Missbeez allows you to book mobile beauty therapists for your home or office. Free for iPhone and Android. If you’ve stayed faithful to your grainy scrub over the years, consider upgrading to a facial peel. ‘They can make a real difference where other skincare products have failed,’ explains Dan Isaacs, chief product officer at skincare company The Hero Project. Peels are versatile, too, clearing pores and smoothing the skin’s surface. There are different kinds for different skin types – read on to discover your perfect fit. Fake it yourself Brow-boosters Facial peels give skin a gorgeous glow, but well-defined brows make you look even more youthful. A fuller brow with a good arch lifts the face but, if you’re struggling to grow the hairs, homemade remedies can…

It was a case that horrified Britain, and 19 February marks 10 years since schoolgirl Shannon Matthews disappeared, sparking a shocking series of events. Shannon was reported missing by her mother, Karen Matthews, from the council estate where they lived on the outskirts of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. For the next 24 days, over 250 police officers hunted for the nine-year-old, who was finally found in a house belonging to Michael Donovan, the uncle of Karen’s then-boyfriend Craig Meehan. In a final shocking twist, Karen was arrested for staging Shannon’s kidnap and colluding with Michael Donovan to pocket the reward money from the appeal to find her daughter. Not surprisingly, Shannon was taken into care, and now has a new life with a new family. It’s a far cry from her…

Recipes from Classic by Mary Berry, £26, BBC Books Pistou linguine SERVES 4-6 COOK TIME: 10 mins 300g linguine pasta25g butter500g chestnutmushrooms, sliced75g Parmesancheese, grated FOR THE PISTOU SAUCE 4tbsp roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley4tbsp roughly chopped basil2tbsp roughly snipped chives2 garlic cloves, crushedJuice of 1 lemon200g (7oz) full-fat crème fraîcheSalt and freshly ground black pepper 1 To make the pistou sauce, place the herbs, garlic, lemon juice and crème fraîche in a food processor and whizz until the herbs are finely chopped. Season well with salt and pepper. 2 Cook the linguine in boiling salted water, according to the packet instructions, then drain, reserving 2tbsp of the pasta cooking water. 3 While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a deep frying pan, add the mushrooms and fry over a…

Holly double bed, £599 Holly beside table, £179 Rug, £109 Table lamp, £59 Seagrass basket, £45 Vase, £19.50 Grey pot, £25 Cheese plant, £19.50 Lantern, £25 Small vase, £12.50 Linen cushion, £19.50 Ladybug cushion, £15 Stripe bed set, £49.50 Bug-print bed set, £49.50 Supersoft throws, £29.50 each, all from Marks & Spencer TOP TIP Faux plants and foliage help bring the outdoors in.…

...his love of Battersea Dogs Home It’s amazing what they do. They bring a dog in near death, give it 175 per cent, and the dog goes off to a new home. You couldn’t do it if it was just a job. They’re so emotionally involved. …his menagerie I’m overrun by animals already, and spring’s on its way, so I’ve got farmers knocking the door saying, ‘Do you want this lamb, Paul, it’s an orphan?’ I say, ‘I haven’t got time.’ Then they say, ‘Oh, I’ll have to kill it.’ So that’s me two hours a day for the first two weeks, bottle-feeding it. I’ve got it in a box in a bedroom. …animals interrupting his sex life Well, I’ve got seven of them on the bed. If I’m going…

THE QUEEN OF BLOODY EVERYTHING – JOANNA NADIN As her mother, Edie, lies dying, Dido reminds her of the times they have shared. A brilliant read. Out now, Mantle, £14.99. THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 ALBUM The cream of British musical talent, including Ed Sheeran, Stormzy and Dua Lipa – all of whom will perform at this year’s BRITs – are on here, along with Rag’n’Bone Man. Out now, £9.99. NEXT OF KIN Archie Panjabi and Jack Davenport are fantastic in this edge-of-your-seat drama about a London doctor who is dragged into a terrorism conspiracy when her brother is murdered. DVD out Monday, £19.99.…

Manchesterborn singer Lisa Stansfield rocketed to fame in the 80s. She’s sold over 20 million records with hits like All Around The World, and performed with George Michael. Now, at the age of 51, she’s set to release a new album, Deeper, before setting off on tour this April. ‘The 80s were a crazy time!’ Lisa Stansfield talks about her new album, working with the late George Michael and the pain of losing her mum Your mum [Marion], first introduced you to artists like Patsy Cline and Diana Ross, didn’t she? Yes, she always had those records on around the house. I was only about three or four years old, and I used to play those records, when she wasn’t there because I didn’t want her to know I could…

Our faces and necks are always on show, so they tend to be the areas we’re most worried about when it comes to ageing. Here are treatments to tighten and freshen skin… THE FAST FACE-FIRMER Forma uses radio-frequency energy and can treat skin tone and texture on the entire face or just certain areas, such as eyelids, smile lines and the forehead. Skin is massaged with a hand-held device, which heats and contracts deep layers of the skin, kick-starting the formation of new collagen. It’s ideal for those who prefer a more natural approach to rejuvenating their complexion, rather than using fillers or lasers. The treatment is painless, with no downtime. Best results are achieved after six to eight treatments. From £200 a treatment. THE LOWER FACE-LIFT A combination of…

best LUXE BUY!…

With DANCING ON ICE’S MATT ‘I think Strictly’s Brendan would be a fantastic judge for Dancing On Ice!’ KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY I have a very cool family connection to the place where we film the show. It’s an old Air Force base called RAF Bovingdon and, when my grandad, Claude Williams, who is American, fought in World War II, he was based here. At 98, he’s one of the oldest surviving WWII pilots. His plane was shot down over Nazi Germany, and he and his mate parachuted into a field. Passers-by ratted them out to the Nazis, and they spent eight months in a POW camp. He now lives in Wisconsin, USA, but he knows about me being on Dancing On Ice – my aunt shows him YouTube…

He shirks his fatherly duties… M y ex doesn’t take responsibility for our daughter. He shirks his responsibilities not only financially but morally. It’s so frustrating because I struggle by on hardly any money while he swans around in his fancy car and goes on expensive holidays. My daughter is only 10 so she doesn’t understand the stress he puts me under. She dotes on him, when he actually bothers to see her. It doesn’t matter how many times he lets her down – she’s always thrilled when he finally spends time with her. It makes me feel like he always gets to be the ‘fun’ parent while I’m stuck doing the mundane stuff that she hates. Dee, Perth Isn’t it strange that the parent who is not around 24/7 is sometimes…

VITAMIN-BOOSTER! Did you know that guinea pigs are prone to scurvy? If you own one, do keep a close eye on their diet. These simple tips from the RSPCA will help… Scurvy, caused by a severe deficiency of vitamin C in the diet, is virtually unheard-of in humans these days, but can be quite common in guinea pigs. Just like us, they need their daily dose of vitamin C! Early signs that your pet has scurvy include lethargy and weakness. As symptoms progress, they can lose fur in patches and will have sore spots under the surface of the skin. If it’s left unchecked, scurvy can be fatal. The easiest way to make sure your guinea pig is getting enough vitamin C is to give them grass-based guinea pig pellets.…

Time for tea For the best herbal tea at home, pick up a Living Tea Herb Pot, £1.75 each from Sainsbury’s. Simply cut a sprig and place in boiling water when you fancy a brew. Our favourite is Triple Mint, which combines apple mint, chocolate mint and Moroccan mint for a lovely refreshing cuppa. SUPER-QUICK SPUDS Just the jacket! New Bannisters Naked Baked Potatoes, £1.69 for four, are a great option if you’re following a healthyeating regime. These wholesome British-grown spuds are baked in their skins and immediately frozen to help capture that just-baked taste. They come in at roughly 119 cals each, and microwave from frozen in just four minutes! All you need to do is worry about what to put on top… Snack attack The next time the…

Holly Willoughby must get the chills every time she goes to work on Dancing On Ice, after discovering the studio where the rebooted show is filmed is supposedly haunted by a ‘creepy presence’. She even told copresenter Phillip Schofield recently, ‘I’m not massively keen to go back next Sunday.’ The ITV skating series relocated after a four-year break to brand-new premises at Bovingdon Airfield, near Hemel Hempstead, Herts. The area – which closed down in 1972 – is now filled with derelict buildings. It was used during World War II up until 1964 by the RAF and US Army Air Forces, and numerous incidents over the years are thought to have been caused by the ghosts of fallen soldiers. It’s been claimed that the US Air Force left behind planes…

TOP TIP As the days start to warm up, swap a jacket for a chunky knit. TOP TIP Layering is key to tackling changeable weather, and it always looks stylish. TOP TIP Navy and military green have become modern neutral favourites.…

‘Ever heard of misophonia, or selective sound sensitivity syndrome? No, nor me. It’s when certain noises can literally send you into a rage. It can be anything from the sound of someone eating or the jangling of cutlery to running water – take your pick. “Sufferers” have been known to have to eat in different rooms from others, or psych themselves up for a family dinner. Look, I’m not keen on the sound of fingernails on a blackboard, and some politicians’ voices go right through me. Ditto the screaming noise children make on planes. Crisp-crunching winds me up – especially when EastEnders is on and someone is chowing down on a packet of Squares… But does it mean I have misophonia? Does it heck: I’m not ill. It sounds to…

Stepping into my favourite beige skirt, I tried to pull it up. It got to just above my knees – and then it wouldn’t go any further. ‘Nooo,’ I wailed. Frustrated, I tried again. But that was when I knew. No more pretending. My weight had got out of hand. My ‘going out’ skirt was a size 24… and I couldn’t get it up over my thighs. For years, I’d been ignoring how big I was getting. My husband, Paul, had noticed, though. He’d looked a bit worried when I told him what I planned to wear for a work night out. ‘Have you tried it on lately?’ he’d asked, diplomatically. I hadn’t always been fat. As a child, I can remember my mum taking me to the doctor because…

Slipping into a blue mini skirt, silver sequinned top and a blonde wig, I checked out my reflection. Good. Actually, better than that. Amazing! But maybe a little more mascara and lipstick… hen it was time to step outside. In private, I loved my new ‘look’, but what would the outside world think of it? That was 2007, and I was 19. It took bravery to agree to dress up as a woman and hit the streets of my hometown, Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, to raise money for charity. There’s nothing that unusual about men dressing in drag to raise money – except I was born with dwarfism. I’m only 4ft 8in. So, people tend to look at me anyway… but in drag? I needn’t have worried. The reception I…

Bargain buys VonHaus 2-in-1 Stick Vacuum at domu.co.uk, £24.99 A petite pocket rocket, ideal for space savers. Works better on hard floors than carpet, but is still surprisingly effective. Best Tes t Hoover Freedom FD22BR Cordless Vacuum Cleaner at ao.com, £115 Easy to put together, store and move around! Black & Decker 2-in-1 Cordless Vac at ao.com, £119 Excellent and efficient. This powerful purchase increases suction for carpets, and goes into eco mode for lighter tasks. A tidy penny Tefal Air Force Extreme Lithium Cordless Vacuum at lakeland. co.uk, £149.99 Stylish and slim with three different speeds. A detachable head would be great for smaller spaces. Beko Cordless Vacuum Cleaner VRT6221P, £169.99 The SelfDrive technology makes vacuuming easier, and it can also be used as a handheld. Very versatile! Beldray…

How did Andrew’s life get messy? It’s a cowardly niceness – we’re all guilty of that from time to time. Sixteen years ago, he took the easy route. Rather than ’fessing up, he told a series of white lies and, now, he has two partners, two children and a hellish existence. So is he basically having his cake and eating it? It’s not a ‘wahey, I’ve got a harem’ thing: Andrew is just someone who got a couple of women pregnant, and didn’t confess to it at the time. That’s what I love about the way this is written, Andrew absolutely loves both women – he’s not lying about that at all. He feels that confessing now would hurt them very badly. But, of course, the problem is only getting…

EXHIBITION DC EXHIBITION: DAWN OF SUPER HEROES, THE O2, LONDON (FROM 23 FEB-9 SEP) Pull on your cape and embrace your inner superhero with this one-of-a-kind exhibition, which celebrates your favourite superheroes and villains such as Superman, Batman, The Joker and The Penguin. As well as more than 200 original comic books, there are also many of the costumes, models and props from the legendary films. These include Christopher Reeve’s Superman cape, as well as Lynda Carter’s iconic Wonder Woman costume. An unmissable event for any fan. To book, please visit dcexhibition.co.uk THEATRE TITANIC THE MUSICAL The award-winning musical about the ill-fated ship is set to make its maiden voyage around the UK. Based on the stories, hopes, dreams and ambitions of real people onboard the most legendary ship in…