Table of contents for 19-2019 in Best

At nearly 80, she’s a total icon! And what better way to celebrate the amazing life and times of this music legend than going to see Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, the show about her life? We had front row seats for a special gala performance, introducing new cast members Nkeki Obi-Melekwe and Ashley Zhangazha as Tina and Ike. Following Tina’s humble beginnings to the global queen of rock ‘n’ roll, the show includes toe-tapping hits like Proud Mary and What’s Love Got To Do With It. Famous faces in the audience, Boy George, Mel Giedroyc and Prue Leith, were clearly loving it. So forget your worries for the night, and rock out with Tina (fright wig optional)! See tinathemusical.com/uk • Please let me know your thoughts, siobhan.wykes@hearst.co.uk…

The whole world has been waiting for the arrival of baby Sussex and, whatever the future may hold for the privileged tot, there is no doubt, we’ll not have seen a royal baby quite like this before… First of all, it is certainly the first member of the Royal Family whose mother is a Hollywood star – and a mixed-race Californian to boot. At 37, Meghan is a lot older than the usual royal mums. Diana was just 20 when she gave birth to William, and 23 when Harry was born. And, perhaps as a result of her maturity and independence, Meghan has made it clear from the start that when it comes to bringing up her baby, it’ll be according to her rules. Eyebrows were raised when Meghan and…

THE WAY I SEE IT… Wise words from our feisty, fearless and funny columnist A photographer called Ben Hopper has taken a series of photos of women with armpit hair. The pictures are beautifully lit, black-and-white, and mostly of what look like very young women. They really are very appealing, yet I still find myself thinking, ‘Yuk,’ and I don’t really know why. I didn’t even have hairy armpits until I was about 17, being a late developer, but I shaved my armpits before then because I thought it’d prevent hair from growing, and that was what everyone did. When did hairy women become unacceptable? Are we all supposed to look 10 again? Body hair is the most natural thing in the world and, contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t…

Making her first public appearance since her divorce from troubled television presenter Ant McPartlin, back in November 2018, Lisa Armstrong looked sensational at the BAFTA Craft Awards in London last week. Talk about reminding your ex what he’s missing! Dressed in a figure-flattering jumpsuit with a plunging neckline, which she finished off with an expert bright red lip, the Strictly Come Dancing make-up artist, 42, looked glowing, confident and very slim. Fans were quick to comment online. One post read, ‘Well done, Lisa, you’ve never looked better!’ Another said, ‘She seems to have lost some weight and looks healthy – good for her!’ And Lisa was a winner that night in every way. Strictly, the hit BBC show on which she’s head of hair and make-up, was honoured with a…

HOW IT WORKS ‘Losing weight and getting the nutrients you need for glowing skin is as easy as A, B, C if you use the alphabet as a guide to what to eat,’ according to London nutritionist Lily Soutter. Get the right balance of vitamins A, B and C, found in yellow fruit and veg, wholegrains rich in magnesium and zinc-loaded fresh fish, and you could lose 6lb in seven days.’ • Vitamins A, D and E help prevent the deficiencies that can cause hair loss and skin problems and reduce your ability to fight infection. Vitamin D also works with calcium to maintain bones and can boost weight loss. Up your intake of red fruit and veg like sweet potatoes and mangoes, and find vitamin D in eggs and…

For so many years, I thought being fat was just who I was. I wasn’t happy with how I looked and, a lot of the time, the smile on my face was forced. But, for the most part, I’d accepted that I was overweight, and that was just me. I’d been that way since I was in secondary school. As my mum, Lavinia, worked full-time, I would be in charge of making my own tea. Because I didn’t know any better, I’d microwave fattening ready meals, then eat crisps and chocolate. Combined with my lack of exercise, I was buying my size 18 clothes from plus-size shops even then. After that, all the different stages of my life seemed to conspire to make me bigger. When I moved from our…

Chocolate salted caramel swirl meringues Makes 10 Carbs 23g, sugar 23g, protein 2g, fibre 0g, fat 2g, sat fat 1g, salt 0.6g. 116 calories 1tsp Maldon sea salt60g caramel20g dark chocolate, with minimum 80 per cent cocoa solids, broken into pieces4 egg whites (approx 150g)220g caster sugar1tsp white wine vinegar 1 Preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F/gas mark 2. 2 Line two large baking trays with greaseproof paper. 3 Mix ½tsp of the sea salt with the caramel and set aside. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water and set aside to cool. 4 On a medium speed, whisk the egg whites in the bowl of an electric stand mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, 1tbsp at a time. 5 When…

Best has teamed up with family high street brand Peacocks to offer readers an exclusive 20 per cent off in-store and online from 7 May until midnight 21 May 2019. This season, Peacocks has launched the ultimate summer wardrobe. Easy to wear and affordable, the collection is inspired by the safari trend, bringing in natural textures, khaki greens and abstract tiger prints. Faded pastels, denim and crisp whites are key for the high summer collection. Understated tie-dye and tropical hibiscus prints give a 70s California feel, while straw accessories bring aspects of SS19’s trends into the collection. Think retro high waists, feminine frills and neon accents for the summer collection. Peacocks continues the tropical feel with floral printed bikinis and swimsuits in a range of figure-flattering shapes. Meanwhile, suitcase staples…

Bubbly brunette Courtney Green, 23, has been a regular cast member on The Only Way Is Essex since series 17, when she first appeared alongside best pal Chloe Meadows. Now she’s back for the 24th series of the Essex reality TV show. She tells best how she found love with new boyfriend Callum Bushby – and why she’s fighting back against the online trolls who fat-shamed her… ‘Myles? I’ve moved on… TOWIE’s Courtney Green had a tumultuous relationship with cast member Myles Barnett – but she’s got a new boyfriend who’s a ‘keeper’ and ‘would make a great dad’! You recently went to Thailand with the rest of TOWIE – did you enjoy it? It was so amazing! I can’t wait to go back. I just love travelling, and I…

1 to give away Whether you want to get barbecue ready or just relax in the garden, one lucky best reader will win this fabulous Homebase Alexandria Rattan Effect 3 Seater Corner Sofa Set. Created with a beautiful, dark grey woven rattan wrapping around both sofa and table, it’s an absolute must for any garden or patio and will certainly add a zest of tranquillity to your outdoor space. We’ve got one set worth £200 to give away. Good luck! HOW TO ENTER POST: Send a postcard with your name, address and contact phone number to Best Homebase giveaway, GVBSTN19292, Hearst Magazines UK, The Data Solutions Centre, Worksop S80 2RT by 24 May. PHONE: Call 09010 27 27 29 by midnight on 21 May. Calls cost 30p per minute, plus…

HISTORICAL HITS Cape May Chip Cheek W&N, out now, £14.99 Take a trip back to 1957, where virginal teenage newlyweds Henry and Effie are spending their honeymoon at a beach resort. But a chance encounter with an old acquaintance draws them into a gin-soaked whirl of parties and sex – not exclusively with one another! Those Who Are Loved Victoria Hislop Headline Review, Her novels exploring recent European history have won her millions of fans. Now, Hislop returns to her beloved Greece. Set during the German occupation and subsequent civil war, this rich story follows Themis, 15 in 1941, who goes on to join the Communist Party. SPINE-CHILLERS My Lovely Wife Samantha Downing Michael Joseph, £12.99 All marriages have secrets, but not many like those at the heart of this suspenseful, shocking thriller.…

TOP TIP For a relaxed look, try layering a fitted white T-shirt underneath and team with trainers. TOP TIP Keep your accessories simple for an elegant summertime look. TOP TIP Planning your holiday wardrobe? This white dress is perfect for sightseeing or evenings out.…

Knocking on the door, my stomach lurched with excitement. It’d been years since I’d seen Damian Hennefer, and I had no idea if we’d still get along. But I needn’t have worried because, as soon as he opened the front door, he swept me up into a huge bear hug. ‘It’s good to see you!’ he beamed. I felt exactly the same about Damian. We’d first met when I was 16 and he was 17, in a car park, through mutual friends. He had beautiful blue eyes and an infectious smile. He’d make me Pot Noodle butties and give me his coat if I was cold. He really was a one-in-a-million guy. But he lived 11 miles from my Wigan home, and, as neither of us drove, after eight months…

WHAT IS IT? Botox is actually a toxin called ‘botulinum toxin’. When injected in minute doses, it weakens or paralyses certain muscles, so lines and wrinkles are smoothed out. This happens over the course of a week, with results lasting several months. WHY HAVE IT? For a quick, safe wrinkle-smoothing treatment, Botox really is the best there is. It’s a simple daytime procedure that takes minutes, with no scars or anaesthesia involved. A skilled practitioner can make your face look 10 years younger. As well as smoothing fine lines around the eyes and forehead, it can give a gentle lift to the jawline and help shrink pores, too. It can also be used to rejuvenate the vertical bands on the neck (the two muscles that can often seem prominent in…

TOP TIP This cool colour scheme works indoors or out.…

RICHARD MADELEY IS A TAURUS 21 April – 21 May You enjoy the comfort of a steady routine, but you should beware of getting caught in a rut. Now is a good time to break out of your old ways and try something completely different. LEO 24 July – 23 August Friends look to you to lead the way, and overseeing a group project will bring out the best in you. Your upbeat mood inspires others to take a creative risk. If a lack of spontaneity has caused problems in the past, you’ll be flinging yourself into your work with enthusiasm and zest. This is bound to bring success. SCORPIO 24 October – 22 November Living in the moment will bring you joy. Spend time with your favourite people –…

Louis Theroux, 48, is known for his hard-hitting documentaries. Born in Singapore, the British broadcaster lives in London and is a proud father-of-three. Tell us how this show compares to others you’ve made… I remember thinking postpartum psychosis was really interesting because I hadn’t heard of it. The reality of parenthood is a lot of sleep deprivation and despair. In this documentary, that is taken to an extreme. It feels to me a very important, relatable subject. Was it hard getting people to talk to you about it? It’s a big step for anyone going through a mental health crisis to then be filmed and have the film shown to billions of people. It’s on us to help them tell their stories. I’d ask viewers to extend the same sense…

Killing Eve has captivated the nation, so much so that many are rejoicing in the news that a third series has been commissioned – even before we’ve seen the second. A huge part of the show’s success is undoubtedly because of the main character, Jodie Comer’s Villanelle – a brutal killer who takes her cruel crimes extremely lightly, cracking jokes about killing and making fun of murder. It’s hard to believe the character was based on a real person, but script writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge has revealed she was inspired by American killer, Angela Simpson. It’s not surprising that the writer was drawn to this case when she stumbled across a Youtube interview with the convict. The local police called it ‘one of the most heinous homicide cases the department has…

It’s hard not to feel a little sorry for Kate Middleton right now. It seems she’s truly stuck in the middle when it comes to the ‘rift’ between her husband William and his brother, Harry. For anyone looking at those heart-warming pictures of Kate and Harry recently at Westminster Abbey for the Anzac Day service, laughing and joking, their close bond was obvious. Indeed, Harry has been known to call Kate the ‘big sister I never had’. But torn Kate is also the wife of William, our future king. And if the fallout between the princes is as bad as it seems, imagine the emotional turmoil it must be causing her. Kate will also, you would imagine, be fretting terribly about how the brothers’ fallout will look to the outside…

Reality TV star James Argent, 31, who recently split from TOWIE’s Gemma Collins, has signed up to a boxing gym – after reading an article here in best, in which weight loss expert, Steve Miller warned he was so overweight, it could prove fatal. Taking to Instagram last week, The Only Way Is Essex star wrote, ‘I’ve been warned I’m on “death row” because of my weight gain! Thanks to my old friends @mranthonyyarde @tundeajayi9, today my life changes and I’m back in the boxing gym!’ It’s no secret that James has struggled with his size since he first hit the spotlight in 2010. In February, he claimed he was ‘desperate’ to shed the pounds, after Gemma lost a whopping 2st while competing in ITV’s Dancing On Ice. And we know Arg…

What happens when one of the biggest stars on the planet retires? Well, you see pictures of her which are shocking purely because they’re so… normal! And so it is with former actress and Hollywood poster girl Cameron Diaz, spotted recently meeting a friend for a casual coffee and pastry at Eataly in LA, in a casual pair of jeans and without a jot of make-up – she could literally have been anybody. It’s fascinating to see the sporty, blonde beauty – famed for roles in There’s Something About Mary, Charlie’s Angels and My Best Friend’s Wedding – outside what, for us, was her natural habitat for so long. Now, the happy-at-home wife moves through life without a full entourage to meet her pals and do some grocery shopping, just…

SPORT STYLE A pair of pull-on jeans are so much smarter and more stylish than jogging bottoms. CREAM OF THE CROP Waist detailing helps cinch in your waist and is more figure flattering. DRESS UP Who says denim has to be casual? Pick up a summer dress and with the right accessories you can wear it well into early autumn. JUMP IN! Casual and classy, simply switch up your accessories to create a bold new look.…

AM I A ‘LONER’?! I’ve been divorced for a few years now, and found that living alone actually really suits me. Days, even a week once, have been known to go by without me speaking to a soul – and I enjoy it. My daughter worries and tells me it’s ‘not normal’. She says I’ll end up having no friends if this carries on. I do have friends, I just prefer not to have them over. I’m just happy in my own company, but I don’t want to be seen as a recluse, especially if it pains my family!Deborah, Blackpool Wow! I marvel at your independent spirit. You’re one of those rare evolved creatures who genuinely basks in the joy of your own company. That’s brilliant. It means you’ll never…

FOR A CLEAR COMPLEXION Elizabeth Arden Transformation Today, £15 for 15 mins (redeemable against Elizabeth Arden products) What happens: For dull, congested skin, this three-step treatment exfoliates skin and stimulates cell turnover, promising a radiant complexion in 15 minutes. Using the new Prevage Progressive Renewal Treatment products, the consultant used a microcurrent sculptor device to massage the face and work the ingredients in, which our tester found very relaxing. The consultant worked on one side of the face first and, compared to the untreated side, it looked lifted and incredibly clean. Great just before a special occasion. How to book: Available at 45 participating stores – visit elizabetharden.co.uk to find your nearest one. You can phone ahead or just turn up. TO GET YOUR GLOW BACK Aveda Glow Facial, £15…

YOU WANT: A LESS WOBBLY TUM ACHIEVE IT WITH… VIORA REACTION For stretched and uneven skin on the tummy, look no further than this treatment, which promises to restore a smooth, taut stomach. Reaction is a quick, safe procedure that uses both vacuum massage and radio frequency (RF) to firm and tone, with no downtime involved. The massage improves blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, while the heat produced by RF stimulates new collagen growth, for better skin thickness and texture and a reduction in tummy circumference. You’ll need around to six to eight 20-minute treatments for maximum effect and results should last for at least two years, as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle. COST: FROM £999 FOR A COURSE OF SIX YOU WANT TO BANISH BINGO WINGS ACHIEVE…

A HEARTBREAKING BIRTHDAY for Madeleine’s family… For years, the Algarve in Portugal was our preferred summer family holiday of choice. My youngest child was a similar age to Madeleine McCann. For a long time, the arrivals hall at Faro Airport would have a ‘Missing’ poster of Madeleine, who vanished while staying in Praia da Luz. As we collected our suitcases and made our way through the arrivals hall, I would look at the poster and hold my child’s hand that little bit tighter. Don’t be expecting me to speculate on what happened to that little girl, or who may have taken her. The truth is I don’t know, you don’t know, and the police don’t know. What I can be more sure of is that her parents grieve for her…

YES YOU CAN! With a splash of paint, recycle old tin cans into colourful containers, plant with an assortment of herbs and hang round your kitchen window. Don’t forget to bang drainage holes in the base of the tins as well as hanging holes in the sides, and, rather than filling the base with crocks, use lightweight polystyrene. Now, plant up your tins with your favourite herbs – a mixture in each tin looks best – and choose a few for beauty as well as flavour, such as variegated mints and flowering thymes. WATER GARDEN IN A FLASH Take any wide, waterproof container – an old ceramic ewer, a galvanised trough, or even a washing-up bowl sunk into the earth – and pop in three pond plants of contrasting shape,…

… his GMB gig I’m excited to be Piers Morgan’s understudy. I’ve seen Piers and Susanna in the early hours before, but that’s usually because we’ve stayed up late! I’ve hosted a US breakfast show, but I’ve not done one in the UK since The Big Breakfast. … how his recent serious illness changed his outlook I had a lung infection and nearly died. When you stare death in the face, it makes you get on with a lot of things. Death goes from something very distant to being something very real. I am still having therapy now, and I’m more focused on what I want to get done. … his career highlights I went hiking with Barack Obama when he was still president. He was lovely and charming. He…

‘We millennials don’t tend to think about a “job for life”. According to a recent survey by career advice website The Muse, 58 per cent of its (largely millennial) user base said they plan to change jobs this year. Probably because they’re not being paid enough, right? Wrong! Most users cited the biggest reason for leaving their place of work was that they were looking for learning and growth opportunities. And if you think they’re not serious, think again – because they’re even willing to take a pretty hefty pay cut for it. Another study* found that half of millennials would take a job that paid £5,000 less if it meant that they could do more meaningful work. So, it’s pretty much official. Us snowflakes work for purpose, not the…

Jo Brand is a national treasure - even if, in her own words, she’d rather ‘retain a taint of national disgrace’. Pre-comedy career, the 61-year-old worked as a mental health nurse before starting out in stand-up in the 1980s. In 1993, she landed Channel 4 series, Through The Cakehole, and since then has worked as a TV presenter, actress and writer – hosting Bake Off spin-off, Extra Slice since 2014. Married for 22 years, Jo was 38 when she met hubby Bernie Bourke, a psychiatric nurse, at a comedy show. She was in her forties when she had daughters Maisie, 18, and Eliza, 16. Currently promoting The National Lottery’s Big Lunch, which encourages us to get to know our neighbours better, Jo tells us about parenthood, what makes her laugh, and which TV shows are…

John Marrs’s sixth book, The Passengers, is a fast and furious futuristic read, described as Speed meets The Hunger Games. He lives in Northampton with his husband and their dog. Congratulations on The Passengers. Tell us all about it… Well, it’s set five minutes into the future, in the age of driverless cars. One day, eight people are told, ‘You’ve been hacked – within two-and-a-half hours, you are going to die.’ Social media and a jury decide who survives, and the passengers have to try to defend themselves. It’s a real barrel of laughs. Are you a keen driver? Well, I’d have said yes, but my husband and I did a road trip around California last year and I drove about four miles out of the 2000. I couldn’t handle…

BEST FOR: BEACH LOVERS Parkdean Resorts, Pendine Sands, Carmarthenshire, Wales Here’s a holiday park that’s perfect for beach lovers as it’s just a few steps from one of the country’s most beautiful coastlines. Pendine Sands is surrounded by sea and countryside, it has an indoor swimming pool, a beer garden, fish and chip shop, nature walks, golf, horse riding and fishing. Attractions to explore close by include Kidwelly Castle, the National Botanic Garden of Wales, picturesque Laugharne and Pembrey Country Park. GO: Modern two-bedroom lodge from £319 for three nights, based on four sharing, parkdeanresorts.co.uk BEST FOR: HAPPY COUPLES Whitemead Forest Park, Gloucestershire Set in the heart of Lydney in the beautiful Forest of Dean, Whitemead Forest Park’s range of accommodation includes B&B Pods for two. These brand-new romantic pods…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES Use the anagrams, straight, cryptic, quiz and picture clues to solve the crossword. When completed correctly, the pink squares, reading top to bottom, left to right, will reveal the answer to the question below: What is Lady Gaga’s real first name? (7) This is your prize answer. See below for details on how to enter. ACROSS 3 What’s good for the ___ is good for the gander, expression (5)6 Who is Fred Flintstone’s wife? (5)7 What is Spanish for‘Goodbye’? (5)8 Complete the title of the book by Ernest Hemingway: For Whom The Bell ___ (5)10 Blacksmith’s workshop (5)11 24 Hours From which port in Oklahoma, in the US, was a big hit for Gene Pitney? (5)12 What is a…