Table of contents for 27-2020 in Best

She’s know for a mega-watt smile and a larger-than-life personality, but reality queen Gemma Collins has been left utterly heartbroken by the death of her beloved rescue cat. As all animal lovers know, the death of a pet can be devastating – and it took the 39-year-old former The Only Way Is Essex star days to share the news. ‘I’m absolutely [heart] broken. I love you, Twinkle,’ she said simply. The pet she rescued 22 years ago had become ill over the weekend and Gemma took her to the vet, who placed the much-loved moggy on a ventilator after she began to have breathing difficulties. ‘Please keep her alive,’ the star pleaded. Writing on her Instagram, she explained later, ‘I was so upset about it… I took her to the…

TOP TIP! Break up an all-white look with a subtle print.…

I’m surprised to see the Facebook message from Davy. I’d lost touch with our neighbour since we left Biggar in rural South Lanarkshire, Scotland, five years ago. But he has news for me: ‘I was trimming my hedge for the first time in 20 years,’ his message reads, ‘I found your mum’s handbag. Could you phone me please?’ I stare at it, overwhelmed. When Mum’s second husband passed away, it had made sense for her to be near me, my husband, Jimmy, and her three grandchildren, who she doted on. So, in her mid-70s, she left Prestwick and bought a neat little terraced house close to us. Margery embraced her new life in Biggar and joined local crafting clubs. She also loved her shopping jaunts to Glasgow (a three-hour round…

IF ONLY I COULD TURN BACK TIME… Having had ample time to go through old photo albums, I’ve realised how much happier I used to be and, by contrast, how unfulfilled I am now. I got married five years ago at 43 because, biologically, I didn’t want to ‘miss the boat’. We had a beautiful baby boy – but it’s never been love with his dad. Looking at how carefree and in love with life I was, just a few years prior to meeting him, I want to go back there. But my husband has never actually done anything wrong. Am I selfish, wanting to start over, now I’ve got the son I’ve always wanted? Nadia, Manchester MANDY SAYS: This is a difficult one as, although I would never encourage…

Tandoori Chicken Skewers These simple but delicious skewers are great to cook in the oven but also work fabulously on the barbecue! I tend to use tandoori spice rather than paste as it’s a lot cheaper and you can make your own marinades in minutes. Serve with a light salad or sliced cucumber. PER SERVING CALS 297 FAT 13.7g SERVES 24 4 chicken breasts, cut into1-inch cubes2 inches ginger, grated3 cloves garlic, sliced4tbsp tandoori spice mix Pinch salt200g Greek yogurt8 bamboo skewers2tbsp olive oil4tbsp fresh coriander, for garnish 1 Pre-heat oven to 200°C (fan 180°C)/gas mark 6. 2 Combine the chicken chunks with the garlic, ginger and half the spice mix until well coated. 3 Mix together the yogurt with the remaining tandoori spice mix and then fold through the…

MINI MOET! Adorable Moet Tudor is almost two, and lives with owner Claire Jones in Kingswinford, West Midlands. While she’s been loving lockdown, she doesn’t like Brian, her neighbour’s cat, or the postman! GO, GO, GEORGIA! At nearly 12, Georgia, a Westie/Jack Russell cross from Walton on the Wolds, Leicestershire, has been finding her long daily walkies a little much. We hear you, Georgia! Lucky, her owner, Julie Lewin, is on hand to save the day and give Georgia a much-needed rest! GORGEOUS GUNNER Like most of us, Gunner – from Orpington, Kent – has struggled with lockdown, as he absolutely loves people and is usually busy volunteering for Therapy Dogs Nationwide. Luckily, he’s getting lots of attention from owner Lois Hyett and her hubby, plus new kitten, Caramel, who…

Slipping on the hot pink midi dress, I turned in the mirror and smiled. I would never normally draw attention to myself but for tonight, my 50th birthday party, it was perfect. ‘Mum, you look amazing!’ my daughter, Elsie gasped, as she poked her head around the door in a tight black top and orange skirt. ‘So do you,’ I grinned. Our compliments weren’t just kind words to make each other feel good before a night out. We’d worked hard to lose 7st between us over the past year, and finally we were both the weight and size we wanted to be. If that isn’t a reason to celebrate, I don’t know what is! Before having children, I’d yo-yoed between 9st and 10st – at 5ft 5in, I was happy…

As the word ‘unprecedented’ indicates, none of us have experienced anything quite like what we’re living through, but some have – at their peril – drawn comparisons to periods of war, and times of personal isolation. It suddenly dawned on me that the closest thing to lockdown that I’ve ever known – and it’s a long shot – must be Celebrity Big Brother. Locked up in a house full of ’slebs or wannabes, with restrictions on your every move; no free, easy access to food or drink, being told what to do by a Big Brother (Johnson/Hancock); not being able to see the people you really want to (girlfriends/lovers), but being forced to spend too much time with those you don’t always like (children); having to cohabit with people who need feeding…

MY COPING MECHANISM WENT TO PIECES There are harder things in the world to be asked to do than watch television. As you may have noticed, in recent weeks, Ruth and I were part of the gang assembled for this year’s series of Celebrity Gogglebox. I thought, what’s there not to like? That is, until the edit of the first programme went horribly wrong for me. In turn, Twitter went into meltdown, as I was seen on screen, telling a funny story related to a hospital visit [when Ruth went into labour with our son, Jack]. The understandable but totally wrong interpretation had followed an amazing, emotional, edge-of-your-seat scene from the BBC One series, Ambulance. A 10-year-old boy had phoned 999, after seeing his father collapse from a heart attack. While…

One sunny Saturday, Dad takes me to what used to be my favourite beach, back when I could see the horseshoe-shaped bay and craggy rocks growing out of the sand like castle turrets. Now, thanks to that infection with the unpronounceable name, all beaches are identical. Memories of sun shimmering on waves grow foggier with each year, one shimmer and one wave at a time. You might say I live in a world of nights. I still like the beach. They tell me it’s because I sense sun, because my brain reacts to light, but this could be another story doctors invented to lift my spirits, motivate me to get on with life. What I do know is I love the feeling of my skin shining, as if sun turns…

You can’t beat a crunchy munchy… except with maybe a Crunchie munchy! Hmm, food for thought indeed! Look for all the yummy varieties of savoury snacks. All are hidden in the usual way, except one – which one? SEARCH ME! CHIPSTICKS CRISPS DISCOS FRAZZLES FRENCH FRIES HULA HOOPS KETTLE CHIPS MINI CHEDDARS MONSTER MUNCH NIK NAKS ONION RINGS QUAVERS RINGOS SKIPS SPACE RAIDERS SQUARES TWIGLETS WOTSITS SUDOK-GO! Fill the grid using the numbers from 1 to 9 only. Each number must appear once in every column, row and 3x3 square. Now, off you sudok-go! ALL SOLUTIONS ON THE NEXT PAGE FACE TIME Have a look at the motley crew below. Who are they and what connects them all? CODE NAME Telly chef and cookbook queen Nigella Lawson has all the…

He is the second of her three boys, and, rumour has long had it, her favourite. But even Her Majesty must realise that the ever-worsening situation around Prince Andrew is becoming toxic, not just for the disgraced Prince, but for the Royal Family as a whole. Royal watchers are beginning to wonder how much more the monarch can take, as a devoted mother, largely unable to protect her son from the fallout. The furore surrounding the Prince’s links with the paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein has worsened since the financier was found dead in his jail cell last August. And now it has escalated, with US authorities writing to the Home Office, to ask formally to interview the Duke about his relationship with Epstein. A war of words has broken out…

TOP TIP! Roll the bottle between your hands to prevent bubbles. Don’t shake!…

Mousses, sprays, lotions – while the fake tan industry has come a long way in recent years, the whole process can be confusing and messy, with varied results. If you’re nervous, follow these fuss-free rules to find your bronze ambition… Fake it yourself Scrubs up well Aside from a dusting of cocoa powder to act as a facial bronzer, faking your own tanner is a little harder to achieve and best bought off the shelf. But what you can easily make yourself is an exfoliator. Usually homemade scrubs use an oil as a base, but you’re more likely to have residue left on skin, which affects the way your tan sits, resulting in streaks. Instead, cut a citrus fruit, like grapefruit or orange, in half and rub the flesh across…

Almond and lemon strawberry meringue Sweet berries give lemon meringue pie an update Makes 9 squares (or cut into 12) Prep time: 20 mins Cooking time: 1 hr 20 mins 200g butter, softened200g golden caster sugar2 eggs200g self-raising flour, sifted50g ground almondsJuice of 1 large or 2 small lemonsAbout 2tbsp milk (to loosen mixture, if required)250g punnet strawberries, hulled and chopped, plus extra for serving (optional) Icing sugar for serving (optional) FOR THE MERINGUE TOPPING: 2 egg whites100g caster sugar YOU WILL NEED: A 23cm x 23cm deep, loose bottom square tin, lightly greased and base-lined with greaseproof paper 1 Preheat the oven to 170°C/150°C fan/gas mark 3. Add the butter and sugar to the bowl of a food processor and beat until creamy (about 10 mins). Add the eggs,…

Need a home refresh? Keep every room in the house spick and span with the help of a cleaning bundle from OXO Good Grips. Whether you want to de-scale your shower, or give your oven a thorough deep clean, there will be plenty to keep you busy if you’re a lucky winner. Four best readers will win a collection of cleaning products and accessories from the OXO Good Grips range, worth over £100, comprising a large Compost Bin, Electronic Cleaning Brush, Stainless Steel Squeegee, Flex Edge Cleaning Scoop, Swipe & Sweep Laptop Cleaner and Deep Clean Brush Set. To explore the range, visit oxouk.com. To enter, see right. HOW TO ENTER ONLINE: Save money by entering online at hearstmagazines.co.uk/best2720 by 17 July 2020. PHONE: Call 0901 027 2716 by midnight…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Feel the need to socially distance from your fridge? Or simply fed up with spending hours in the kitchen? Then our seven-day plan is perfect for you. It will give you back precious time, as you drop pounds without relying on a ready meals. 2 Simply follow the meal plan (opposite), which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner and one snack a day. Drink at least two litres of fluid daily, including tea and coffee (taken black), water, herbal tea and diet drinks. Please avoid alcohol. 3 Stick to the plan to lose up to 7lbs in seven days, but no longer. You can try to include some of these meals when you’re busy in future to prevent weight gain. MONDAY Breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled on 1…

NOT WHEN I WAS A GIRL Research says that 18- to 35-year-olds are allowing boxsets, the internet and digital entertainment to get in the way of them being amorous with a partner. In the Eighties we had the cinema or the video rental store, each of which I can tell you, from the same age group of that generation, simply acted as a curtain-raiser for the ‘main feature’! Have times – and the desire to get smoochy – really changed that much? HUGGING TODDLERS There has been so much anger, sadness and calls for change in our attitudes towards racism since the death of George Floyd in the USA. Two of the people who may provide the biggest catalyst for that change are only toddlers, aged two and three. If…

HISTORICAL HITS Spirited Julie Cohen Orion, £16.99 (out 9 July) In Victorian England, unhappy bride Viola escapes into her hobby of photography – only to discover a spooky ability to capture on film the images of the departed. This haunting story about the power of love will give you shivers. The Photographer of The Lost Caroline Scott Simon and Schuster, £8.99 World War I is over, but some people are still searching for loved ones who never came home. When Edie receives a photo of her missing husband, Francis, she travels to France to search for him. An emotional and poignant study of the effect of grief. TRUE ROMANCE Hello, Again Isabelle Broom Hodder, £8.99 (out July) Artist Pepper is a bit too comfortable in her Suffolk home, but a…

This comedy-drama stars Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan, who form a choir while their soldier husbands serve overseas. Sharon, 49, shot to fame with her sitcom Catastrophe. The Irish-born mum-of-two lives in London. What attracted you to the film? The script made me cry. When they told me Kristin Scott Thomas was involved I didn’t believe them. I’m a huge fan – it seemed too good to be true. Had you sung much before? I was in the school choir, but singing on your own is horrific and exposing. They also forced me to play the keyboard; I practised at home. At rehearsal, it sounded grand, then suddenly it would go to pieces and they’d shout ‘cut!’ How’s your lockdown been? I cannot be arsed cooking for my kids…

Ranvir Singh, Political Editor of Good Morning Britain, is already a familiar face to fans of daytime TV – and a good friend to best. But, after recently swapping early mornings for lunchtime chat show Loose Women, could the presenter be set to become a permanent Loose Lady? Stepping in to host alongside Nadia Sawalha, Saira Khan and best’s columnist Carol (turn to page 10 for more from her), Ranvir confessed: ‘I feel a bit giddy. I’ve had too much sleep obviously! Thank you for having me, ladies!’ Admitting that she’d ‘put on a stone’ during lockdown, Saira joked that she’d make her pose with her in a swimsuit for a body-positive poster. ‘I wouldn’t even look at myself in a swimsuit in my house, never mind a billboard!’ Ranvir laughed. ‘I…

Lockdown in Britain started on 23 March. Two days later, following a hilarious warts-and-all Zoom call between showbiz pals Debbie Arnold, Dee Anderson, Sherrie Hewson and Harriet Thorpe, online show Wonderbirds was born (its name a nod to Dee’s mum, co-creator of the classic children’s TV show, Thunderbirds). Now, the four showbiz friends’ funny, confessional chat-show has over a million subscribers on YouTube. Mum-of-two Debbie, 65, reveals more… Tell us about Wonderbirds! It’s taken over my life – probably a good thing, as I’ve been on my own with my dogs through lockdown. It started with a Zoom call with my friends, Dee, Sherrie and Harriet. It was so funny, I said, ‘Could we put this online?’ We had no idea how, so a friend of mine did. And people loved it. What’s…

‘I rely on my female soulmates’ Publisher Karen Williams, 45, lives in Portsmouth, Hampshire, and is married to Peter, 46, a company director. ‘After my dad died in 2013, I was at my lowest. And I knew precisely where I could best seek solace. Not with my husband, Peter, but with my two closest female friends, Wendy and Robbie. That’s not to say that Peter was in any way distant or uncaring. He was definitely there for me – but the girls’ support was different. They were there for me emotionally and had endless patience. ‘Just after Dad died, we were due to go out together. But I couldn’t face the world. However, because Robbie had already lost her father, and knew how I would be feeling, they gently insisted…

CANCER 22 June – 23 July In the current circumstances, helping other people is admirable – but it is time for Cancerians like French actress and Bond girl Eva Green, and Rocky actor Sylvester Stallone, to put the lion’s share of their activity towards their own family. Investing time and support in your loved ones is key. LIBRA 24 September – 23 October You’re looking at how you can make the most of your time. Look into new ways to enhance your performance. Try to relax at important meetings. Even when you feel nervous and uptight, you still look stunning. Your beauty comes from your sensitive nature and your ability to see the best in everyone. CAPRICORN 22 December – 20 January Friends who normally seem to understand you, just…

MOVING AWAY FROM MUM I’ve just got an incredible new job in Manchester, where I’ll be moving to in September, to start afresh. My kids have long flown the nest and I’m moving on from a pretty bitter divorce – but I am really worried about my 80-year-old mum, who I currently live close to in Birmingham. I was encouraged by my family (including mum!) to go for this job, and my brother said he’d make an effort to see her more than he normally does – but I know my brother, and he isn’t the most reliable. The closer it’s getting to the move, the more I’m starting to wonder if I’ve made an epic mistake. I’m very torn… and what if we get a second wave of the…

Tasty turkey For a healthy burger switch, check out Gressingham Turkey Burgers, £3.50 for four, in Waitrose. They’re perfectly seasoned with herbs, onions and garlic and at just under 5 per cent fat per burger, they are a great guilt-free alternative. We enjoyed ours in a brioche bun with a dollop of cranberry sauce! Turn up the heat Give your favourite dishes added kick with a splash of Encona Scotch Bonnet Sauce, £1.55. Made with one of the hottest chillies, it sets summer salads alight and can transform favourite dishes. Start gently and build the heat up! CURRYING FAVOUR? Cool new curry If dining at home is on the menu this summer, pick up a restaurant-standard curry! The new Tuk In Foods range, available from Tesco, are made with kitchen…

TOP TIP! Solar and battery-operated lights are the easiest option. Layer them up for maximium effect!…

After months in lockdown, and little to do but reach for another packet of crisps or that glass of vino, we suddenly find ourselves heading for summer again! It’s time to think about healthier diets, so we can feel good and, perhaps, lose some last-minute pounds. Here, we look at what’s worked for some famous faces - and remember, it’s never too late to get into great shape… CUT THE CARBS LIZ HURLEY She’s no stranger to a bikini selfie, but who could blame British beauty Liz for having a body to die for? The actress – who recently posed in a bubble bath to celebrate her 55th birthday (as you do) – has a petite frame that hasn’t changed in decades! How does she do it? Liz drinks two…

HOW IT WORKS It’s simple – you just balance your normal three meals a day so they are healthy, filling but not super-high in calories – which then gives you room to enjoy a daily summery treat. Not only does this make losing weight easy, the best thing about this is that you’re more likely to slim successfully if you don’t feel deprived. On top of that, because you’re learning how to balance portion sizes and still eat the things you enjoy, you’re also more likely to keep the weight off afterwards. It’s win-win. Losing weight is basically maths – if you eat fewer calories than you burn off, you end up dropping pounds. To power things up even further, therefore, start moving. That can be as simple as making…

It is every parent’s worst nightmare – the disappearance of your child. So when eight-year-old Sarah Payne went missing from near her grandparents’ house, in West Sussex on 1 July 2000, the local police put their largest-ever manhunt operation into place to find her. But 19 days later, Sarah’s body was discovered, buried in a shallow grave near the village of Pulborough, and – after following the case in the hope she would be found safe – the nation was stunned. Now, exactly two decades after her murder, Sarah’s story is remembered vividly. Her life has left a lasting legacy in the child protection law which bears her name, albeit one that has taken a heavy toll on her family over the years. Sarah disappeared from fields outside her grandparents’…

The sentence, when it came, was shocking. ‘There was only so much I could take as a human being. It got to the point where I just wanted to kill myself. I started to lose everything around me, and I just couldn’t cope with it.’ This was the heart-breaking confession of 42-year-old former glamour model Katie Price, in a jaw-dropping one-off special of her reality show, My Crazy Life last month. The mum-of-five, it seems, began a dramatic downward spiral in the summer of 2018, after splitting from her third husband, Kieran Hayler. That same year, Katie’s mum, Amy, was diagnosed with terminal lung condition, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The condition causes a build-up of scar tissue on the lungs that makes breathing increasingly difficult, and can get rapidly worse. Other…

Hollyoaks star Ashley Taylor Dawson, 38, has praised the soap for how it’s handled his character Darren Osborne’s depression, and for raising awareness of mental health. The Manchester-born father-of-three (he has sons Buddy, nine, Mason, seven, and Harley, three, with his partner, Karen McKay) has lost more than one friend to suicide. Here he opens up about ‘the most important storyline’ he’s ever had… Your character, Darren, is suffering from depression. Are these scenes tough to film? It’s been an honour for me to have this storyline, because it’s so important. I’ve lost quite a few friends to suicide over the years, and I’ve been ignorant to the reasons why. It’s been a real eye-opener for me to do these scenes, but it also comes with a huge responsibility to get it…