Table of contents for 17-2019 in Best

We think Britain’s Got Talent judge, Amanda Holden is hitting it out of the park on the panel this year. It helps that the blonde bombshell is famous for her showstopping good looks. The star, 48, has received much praise on social media since the ITV ratings hit returned for its 13th series, with comments like, ‘How do you still look incredible?’ No wonder – age-defying Amanda has a body a 25-year-old would envy! Yet, it seems a small group of people out there aren’t such big fans of the mum-of-two… An online forum created last December on Reddit and horrendously entitled, ‘Why do some people hate Amanda Holden?’, shows the glam star isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Created a month before her first appearance on the BGT red carpet…

It wasn’t a phone call I’d ever expected – or prepared for – and it was the worst of my life. On 29 November 2016, a member of my ex-husband, Chris Small’s family called to tell me he’d taken his own life. No one can prepare you for an unexpected death, especially in one so young – Chris was 44, and the nature of his death brought extra emotions, regrets and complications. How do you explain suicide to an eight-year-old? But Jamie, our gorgeous son, had to be told. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Especially as Chris’s actions were so far from those of the husband and daddy we’d known and loved… Chris and I first met in Basra in 2004. He was an Army…

Let’s face it, we want our hair to look good, but most of us don’t have the time – or money! – to live at the hairdressers. Luckily, there are products that take moments to grab, and will transform your locks from drab to fab, whatever your hair type. Fake it yourself Simple scalp soothers Chances are, unless you suffer from dandruff, you don’t give your scalp a second thought. However, this area is super sensitive and prone to product build-up, a combination that can ultimately affect the condition of your hair. This recipe will provide a deep clean and eradicate any dryness or itching, but avoid it if you’ve recently coloured your hair. Lemon juice helps shift any loose flakes thanks to its high acid content, while olive oil…

Thai chicken & coriander coconut rice Serves 4 Prep: 15 mins Cook: about 30 mins 1kg mix of chicken thighs and drumsticks1tbsp sunflower oil3tbsp sweet chilli sauce1tsp fish sauce2.5cm fresh root ginger, peeled and grated1 garlic clove, crushed Zest and juice of 1 lime250g long-grain rice, washed4tbsp desiccated coconut Small handful of fresh coriander, chopped 1 Preheat oven to 200°C, 180°C fan, gas 6. Put the chicken pieces into a roasting tin just large enough to hold them in a single layer. Add the oil, chilli sauce, fish sauce, ginger, garlic, lime zest and juice. Stir together (using your hands is easiest). Turn the chicken pieces skin-side up and cook for 30 mins until cooked through. 2 When chicken has 15 mins left in the oven, cook the rice according…

1 THE RULES OF WEALTH, RICHARD TEMPLAR (£10.99) If you’re looking for some straight-talking advice, this is the perfect read – a great rule book for anyone looking to hold and build wealth. A neatly packaged easy-read, the book shows 100 ways you can be wealthy. It’s all based on common sense, and at times you may even feel like you’re being told off – but it will prompt you into making sound decisions! TOP QUOTE: ‘You may well have enough money, but it leaks away before you get to spend it… Before you can control your finances, you have to stop the leaks.’ 2 YOU ARE A BADASS AT MAKING MONEY, JEN SINCERO (£9.99) Oh, yes you are! According to this book, you are a wealth magnet and you can be…

Actress Naomi Battrick, 28, is rumoured to be dating fellow Jamestown actor Ben Starr, who plays Dr Christopher Priestley in the show. What’s new with feisty Jocelyn in Jamestown? Oh, lots! We meet her with all these plans that then get completely destroyed by Governor Yeardley (Jason Flemyng). Something bad happens, which makes Jocelyn realise she wants to defeat Yeardley and rule the rest of the world for herself, which I could totally get on board with! How was this final series to shoot? Amazing. Emotional. The landscape is nuts in Hungary [where the series is filmed]. Go 20 miles down the road and it’s a completely different landscape. You can be in a wood, and then the ground starts turning redder and redder until you’re in what looks like…

OK, their great-granny may be the head of the British monarchy, and they’ve had to grow up under the glare of the world’s media – but recent images of the next generation of Royals, enjoying a carefree day with their famous parents at the Burnham Market Horse trials in Norfolk, prove they’re also just kids – as they compared their heights, enjoyed fairground rides and giggled on the dodgems! Prince George, five, Princess Charlotte, three, and their cousin, Mia Tindall, five, were full of happy, light-hearted competition on their recent day out. Their parents, Prince William, 36, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, 37, Zara Phillips (William’s cousin – who was competing and came third and fifth place in the trials), 37, and her husband, rugby legend Mike Tindall, 40, all looked…

Reality TV star James ‘Arg’ Argent looked worryingly overweight when he took part in a charity football match for Sellebrity Soccer at Wycombe Wanderers recently. Enjoying a kickabout with former TOWIE co-star Dan Osborne before taking to the mic, Arg, in a black tracksuit and trainers, appeared dramatically bigger than we’ve seen him of late. Arg’s weight, much like that of his other half, Gemma Collins, has famously yo-yoed over the years, but judging by his appearance on the pitch, it looks like it’s got out of control. Speaking about the pictures, Steven Miller, director of Fatnosis, a hypnosis weight-loss programme, believes the star could currently weigh 18st, potentially with a 40in waist – and issued a stark warning. ‘I really am concerned about Arg,’ Steve told best. ‘Being so…

HOW IT WORKS At this time of year, says the UK’s leading nutritionist, Dr Marilyn Glenville, many of us fear we won’t be in the shape we want for summer and follow crash diets that won’t work long-term. Our summery calorie-counted plan will not only help you lose 7lb in seven days, but you’ll feel good about yourself, too! • Aim for the 12.12 – that means eating all your meals within a 12-hour window, then not again for another 12 hours. If your evening meal is at 7pm, don’t eat until 7am. • Learn your triggers, suggests Dr Marilyn. ‘Keep a food diary and identify situations that cause you to overeat. Make sure you have a healthy snack nearby.’ Carrot sticks give you a sugar kick with very few…

IS SHE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ME? Three months ago, I let a good friend move in temporarily, as she was going through a messy divorce and I wanted to be there for her. We have a big house, so initially, it was no bother to have her in the guestroom until her life started to settle down. But she’s got a little too comfortable and, although she contributes to water bills and buys me the odd coffee, she doesn’t pay rent, and she’s always, always in the house! It’s worrying, particularly as she’s gone very vague on her plans for the future and moving out. This is starting to affect my marriage – my husband is furious and feels that she’s taking advantage. What do you suggest? Amanda, Leeds You’ve…

As runners line up on 28 April for the London Marathon, there will be one very special team waiting for the whistle. ‘Barbara’s Revolutionaries’ are all EastEnders stars, past and present, who have banded together to raise money for dementia research. It’s in honour of screen star Dame Barbara Windsor, who has been living with Alzheimer’s disease for five years. She now requires constant care and sometimes doesn’t even recognise her beloved husband, Scott Mitchell, who is team captain. But Scott, 56, says that Barbara, 81, will be cheering them on. ‘Ideally, she will be at the finish line. She is better when she’s out and about, especially when there are a lot of people around. It goes back to when she was first in showbiz and a producer said…

…her dream guest on The Chase There are so many people, but I would love to go head-to-head with Stephen Fry. I’m not sure who would win, because he’s a super-smart guy! I also like all the young royals – Harry, Meghan, William and Kate… so to have those four would be brilliant! …doing more reality TV I’m not leaving The Chase, but I’ve had a lot of offers since the jungle. Although, with I’m A Celeb…, I feel I started as big as it gets! Someone recently tweeted Emily [Atack], saying she should do Dancing On Ice, and she told them, ‘I already did that in 2016.’ It’s like you didn’t remember her on [that show] but you noticed her in the jungle. Having said that, I’ve always wanted…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT If it’s lashings of historic charm you’re after, a weekend break in Warwick, from where you can explore the surrounding county of Warwickshire (including Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon), won’t disappoint. There’s the spectacular castle, for one – steeped in history and offering mediaeval re-enactments, a scary dungeon and jousting lessons. In the old town, marvel at the many gorgeous 17th-century cottages still standing. If you’re here on a Saturday, check out the always bustling market in Market Square – it has been on this same spot for the past 500 years. INSIDER’S GUIDE Take a break from all the exploring, and stop off to rest your legs and enjoy a very scenic picnic in Warwick Castle’s 64 acres of grounds – perhaps at the pretty Peacock Gardens, with…

Kelly Brook’s jaw-dropping hourglass curves have been her trademark since she won a modelling competition aged just 16. And stepping out in London last week, it was clear that the former TV presenter – who has fluctuated between a size eight and a size 16 in recent years – has lost none of her va-va-voom. Teaming a pink patterned blouse with blue jeans, she looked relaxed, stylish and, most importantly, glowing with happiness. Now working as a radio DJ co-hosting a show on Heart FM alongside Jason King, she is blissfully settled with boyfriend Jeremy Parisi, who she’s been dating since 2012. A French/Italian model, six years her junior, they met when she approached him for fitness advice. Despite the fact that Kelly, 39, has had a rather turbulent love…

TOP TIP Invest in a matching top and trousers as an easy way to embrace the trend. TOP TIP Soften up a pair of bold print trousers with a top in a soft pastel shade. TOP TIP The key to combining checks with pattern is to stick to the same colour palette.…

Stripe it right A bold stripe looks great teamed with emerald green. A hint of print Nervous about pulling off print? Stick to a bold top or bottom and keep the rest of the look simple. Cool combo Teaming animal print with a bold colour is the hottest way to embrace this classic trend. Time to tailor A fitted dress helps to flatter an hourglass figure.…

TOP TIP! Take care of new flowers and herbs with practical accessories…

We’ve seen a lot of acts since BGT first aired, but none of us will have forgotten these two! Simon Cowell has called buff Armenian siblings, the Vardanyan Brothers – Gevorg and Andranik Vardanyan, aged 28 and 30 – the ‘most dangerous act’ he has ever seen on BGT. During filming, he came close to calling the swordsmen’s stunt off: ‘I was one second away from saying, “Do you know what, if this goes wrong, this isn’t great. I think we should stop the act.”’ But the Armenian acrobats performed – and just a week later they were followed by another death-defying act, escapologist Jonathan Goodwin, who set himself alight as even paramedics watched through their fingers! Horrifying or brillaint, these acts have got us all talking. Here, Gevorg and Andranik…