Table of contents for 40 - 2022 in Best

Last week, we heard our amazing columnist Ben Ofoedu had lost his baby brother, aged just 47. That is younger than both Ben and I, and it shocked me – along with his partner Vanessa Feltz. As she said: ‘We are just holding tight to each other.’ When any of us lose a family member, that is exactly what we do, cry with the family we still have, hold tight to each other, and acknowledge that time waits for no man and life is ever changing. As it did for Vanessa, seven hours later, when she became a grandma again to a little girl (page 8). Life and death. At these moments, if we believe, we pray to our God and we all reassess what our lives are about and…

Star of the BBC’s Garden Rescue, Charlie Dimmock has been a mainstay of British TV for the past 25 years. But, unlike some other stars (no names mentioned!), she’s not at all interested in hogging the limelight. For, once she’s stopped filming one of her gardening shows, it’s believed green-fingered guru Charlie, 56, likes nothing more than to retreat to her happy place – her home in the New Forest. This garden saviour won’t be gracing any Red Carpets or showbiz parties any time soon – she loves her private life ‘in the middle of nowhere’ – with no significant other half for company, just the beautiful English countryside. The star, who shot to fame on the garden makeover hit Ground Force in 1997, has presented the Chelsea Flower Show,…

Turn over for more Humble beginnings take on a new meaning when you meet Emmanuel Kelly. He was found in Iraq as a baby, in a box, on a battlefield. He isn’t sure of his exact birthday – or even that he is an Iraqi, as there was no birth certificate in that box. What he does know is this: ‘I was found by soldiers. When they heard a baby cry, they stopped shooting, found me and then took me to a Mother Teresa orphanage in Baghdad, where I stayed for seven years. During that time, I experienced some awful things… bombs, executions, a lot of violence and death.’ The future looked bleak – that’s when Emmanuel first began to sing to himself, to escape in his mind from his surroundings…

Even though we’re bombarded with messages about the dangers of sun exposure, it seems many of us spent Summer lapping up the sunshine. Procedures to treat sun-damaged skin is now the most in demand at clinics around the country. The lowdown Sun damage is caused by exposing unprotected skin for too long. We need some sunlight as it’s an important source of vitamin D (maximum 10 minutes a day) but overexposure to UV rays damages the skin’s cellular DNA and can cause pigmentation, moles, wrinkles, dryness, sunburn, leathery texture – and even cancer. Up to 80 per cent of visible ageing is caused by sun exposure. Some effects can take years to show. Skincare and clinic treatments help erase these signs, but remember, prevention is better than cure. The best…

ONES TO WATCH Having seen all the pairings, I think Paralympian Ellie Simmonds and her partner Nikita are going to be outstanding. I can already see the height difference between them has put them into a fantastic creative corner – they’ll be doing things other couples can’t! Will Mellor is great, too – he has those all-important snakehips! TROPICAL VIBES… That big Brazilian-style calypso group dance was fabulous, wasn’t it? The palm trees, all those tropical, carnival vibes. It was fun, all the judges doing a little turn – even me! Those hips of mine are practically titanium now, there’s nothing stopping me, darlings! THE FIRST KNOCKOUT! The first celeb elimination is this weekend – and I do think Kaye Adams is in trouble. She’s very hesitant – I just…

QUEEN’S DEATH HAS AFFECTED ME MORE THAN I THOUGHT Hi Vanessa, being an only child who lost both parents in my 40s, I’m feeling very alone right now, after the passing of our dear Queen. She was the one constant in all our lives, and this grieving process is reminding me of everything I’ve lost previously. I feel so lost. I’m surprised how much this has affected me. Any advice? Harriet, Staines You are not alone. Prince William confided to a grief-stricken member of the public that walking behind his grandmother’s coffin triggered heartbreaking memories of losing his mother. The Queen’s passing has plunged many of us – myself included – back in time and forced us to revisit the pain and distress of our own bereavements. Your feelings are…

Standing in the kitchen with my husband Robert and our kids, Sam and Lici, Sam was filling us in on his day. As he chatted away, Robert and I laughed, chipping in with our own anecdotes. Without saying a word, Lici, quietly left and headed upstairs. As I watched her walk away, my heart went out to her. She wasn’t being rude or difficult – the conversation and noise often became overwhelming for her and she was learning to recognise when she needed some quiet to process things on her own. Lici had foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), inattentive attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and it’d taken years for us to get a diagnosis. Slowly but surely, we were arming ourselves with the tools we needed…

best has teamed up with stylish orthotic footwear brand Vionic once again to offer five lucky readers £100 to spend on its latest collection. You don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort with Vionic. Choose from stylish waterproof ankle boots in the very finest quality leather, cuter-than-cute leopard-print party shoes, utterly luxurious, softer-than-soft, supportive slippers, stylish retro trainers or sassy flats, all of which will help keep you on your feet all day. Every pair of Vionics comes with its exclusive podiatrist-approved three-zone comfort technology, which cups the heel for stability, supports the arch and provides cushioning under the ball of your foot. Vionic: Style you want. Comfort you crave. To enter our competition, see right. HOW TO ENTER ONLINE: Save money by entering online at hearstmagazines.co.uk/best4022 by 14 October…

Presenter and former model Amanda Lamb, most famous for fronting A Place In The Sun in the early 2000s, has a new show – The Saved & Remade Workshop, out on 26 Sept on Really and d+. The series, filmed in a workshop, hidden away on the beautiful Essex coastline, has a lovely and oh-so-timely make do and mend/repurpose ethos, but at the same time has warmth, emotion and human interest in spades. Here, mum-of-two Amanda, who celebrated her 50th this Summer, tells us how this show isn’t just a rehash of The Repair Shop, and why she’s truly loving her 50s… Hi Amanda, what a surreal time we’ve had of late – are you a fan of the Royals? I really am and it’s been so sad. I’m not…

Our fabulous and funny columnist, comedian Jenny Eclair, is here to tell it like it is, in her own witty way… I spend a lot of time thinking about Charles and Camilla at the moment, wondering how knackered they must be, and whether their feet hurt. It’s always amazed me when people voice the opinion that being a Royal is a cushy number! Really, have you seriously given this any thought at all? I think it’s incredibly naive to think that being an HRH involves lounging about eating roast swan sandwiches, when the reality is that you are on duty – every single second of every single day. The Queen made it look so easy, but we all know it isn’t. Yes, there might be perks, someone else is always stacking…

PRACTICAL MAGIC £8.99, Waterstones The beloved classic novel is the basis of the film starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock. As children, sisters Gillian and Sally were forever outsiders in their small New England town, teased, taunted and shunned for the air of magic that seems to sparkle around them. All Gillian and Sally ever wanted was to get away. And eventually they do. CACKLE £8.27, WHSmith A darkly funny, frightening novel about a young woman learning how to take what she wants from a witch who may be too good to be true, from the author of The Return. COMING HOME TO MAPLE COTTAGE £6.99, Amazon The perfect cosy feel-good romance novel! Author Holly Martin will make you smile until your cheeks hurt, sob tears of joy and fall…

Last week, best sat down to brunch with one of ITV’s most beloved TV hosts – Lorraine Kelly. The reason behind this Wednesday morning gathering, was to launch the chatty Scottish presenter’s new affordable Autumnal edit in collaboration with Bonmarché, one that the 62-year-old describes as ‘timeless’. Lorraine said, ‘This dress I’m wearing today is my favourite,’ sporting a bright blue and green leopard-print statement dress. ‘It’s something I could wear today, in 10 years time, or could have worn 10 years ago – it’s just a classic.’ Turning then to more poignant matters, she added, ‘The late Queen once said, “I wear colour because I want to be seen” – and I love that. I think we should all want to be seen, no matter what age you are,…

In a ‘middle-aged’ quest to find herself, feeling patronised at work and overlooked, something triggered Philippa Langley, now 60, to go in search of Richard III. ‘My marriage wasn’t in a good place, money was difficult, I had two small boys and I couldn’t go into an office any more,’ the former ad executive explains. ‘I had ME. I needed something to do from home and I came across screenwriting.’ It was while looking at various books to possibly turn into a screenplay, she fell on one about ‘the baddy’ Richard III, that changed her life. ‘The author used contemporary sources,’ she recalls. ‘Shakespeare is so entrenched in our psyche and yet here was the real history of this man. The story captivated me.’ Grabbed by the historical facts about…

RYLAN: ‘To be part of the show for such a big anniversary is such an honour’ Former Strictly pro Janette Manrara, 38 (married to ex-pro Aljaž Škorjanec), and TV host Rylan Clark, 33, are back for It Takes Two, to fill the Strictly-shaped hole in our lives! Here, the pair talk about their favourite dance themes, and why the show keeps getting better and better… This is Strictly’s 20th series, how does it feel to return to the Strictly family for that, Rylan? It feels so amazing to be back! Being part of the show for the past four years has been a pleasure. To be part of the show for such a big anniversary is such an honour. What were you doing when you were 20? When I was…

Clinic peels help lift pigment and restore radiance, especially on darker skin tones. Strengths range from mild (glycolic) to deep (such as TCA). Expect downtime and redness depending on the peel used. Typically three to six treatments three to four weeks apart will deliver best results. From £150. High-street skin-savers Most topical skincare works by gently blocking the production of melanin and new pigmentation, as well as helping existing marks to fade. Try these: ● No7 Laboratories Dark Spot Correcting Booster Serum, £34.95, is clinically proven to fade age spots in four weeks. ● Bioderma Pigmentbio range, from £10.80 is designed to target all forms of hyperpigmentation using three vitamins that act together to strengthen the skin’s barrier. ● La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Day Cream SPF30, £28, is specially formulated for…

Gnocchi Bake The tomato sauce is cooked in the pan with the meatballs, which makes this comfort-food supper even easier. You could use pork mince, if you prefer. Hands-on time: 30min Cooking time: About 30min Serves 4 FOR THE MEATBALLS • ½ small onion, finely chopped• 1 garlic clove, crushed• 1 tsp dried mixed herbs• 300g beef mince (5% fat)• 40g dried breadcrumbs• 1 medium egg• ½ tbsp olive oil FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE • ½ small onion, finely chopped• 1 garlic clove, crushed• 2 celery sticks, finely chopped• 2 tsp dried basil or dried mixed herbs• 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes• 2 tbsp tomato purée TO FINISH • 400g fresh gnocchi• 100g frozen peas• 125g mozzarella, torn into small pieces• Green salad, to serve (optional) 1 To make…

SINUSITIS WOES Now that we’re heading into Autumn and the colder weather, sure enough my sinusitis is back in full force – and it’s just awful! I get terrible sinus headaches, too, which no painkillers seem to lift. Do you have any ideas on what could help with the pain? It sometimes stops me working, it’s so bad… Tracey, Glasgow DR HILARY SAYS: This sounds like a regular problem for you, occurring during the Autumn and cooler months. This suggests that it may be a seasonal allergic phenomenon, such as an allergy to moulds and spores. Alternatively, it could be due to the effects of cooler air and infection – the symptoms are very similar. Sinus tenderness in the area of the forehead and cheeks, and headaches made worse by…

It’s been staple viewing for fans across the country since 2015, and now the 15th – yes, 15th! – series of fly-on-the wall series, The Yorkshire Vet, is back to entertain us all, with tough decisions, laugh-out-loud and grab-your-tissue moments, while a group of town and city vets, at four different practices across Yorkshire help treat a variety of animals. Narrated by actor Christopher Timothy (best known for playing the world’s most famous vet, James Herriot, in All Creatures Great and Small), we catch up with vet Matt Smith, to talk about his own experiences as a practising vet on the beloved show… Matt, tell us all about The Yorkshire Vet… I’ve been on the show since 2020, it’s utterly brilliant and non-stop. I could be helping a cow give…

1. GET THE RIGHT KIT You don’t need any sophisticated equipment to get started, but bear in mind the seasons. Investing in a decent waterproof will certainly help in rainy weather, and comfortable shoes are a must. Think about where you’ll be out and about: rough terrain will require walking boots, rather than a normal pair of trainers. ‘When you become more accustomed to long walks, you can add a backpack to create a little bit of resistance, a bit like weights,’ says Seb. 2. FIND THE IDEAL ROUTE How long you walk for depends on your fitness levels and how much exercise your pup requires (see right for our mini guide!). It’s also worth remembering that some public spaces have restrictions on where you can take a dog, either…

LIBRA 24 September – 23 October The Script singer, Danny O’Donoghue, Scream, Party of Five and The Lincoln Lawyer actress Neve Campbell, and other Librans, will enjoy being in the public eye when this gives them an ideal opportunity to promote a good cause. Use your connections and make the most of this chance. CAPRICORN 22 December – 20 January You aren’t the only one who is worried about a friend’s careless attitude towards cash. They may have mentioned being in financial difficulties, yet they are making no effort to economise. A small hint will not go amiss. Instead of accusing you of interfering, they will thank you for reminding them of their priorities. ARIES 21 March – 20 April Constructive action is happening in the home, and there is…

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK? The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller. I took it on holiday with me this year and I couldn’t put it down – I think best readers would love it! If you like Where The Crawdads Sing, it’s very similar. WHAT’S YOUR BEST PARTY TRICK? I wish I could say I have one! One of my friends said they could tie a cherry stalk with their tongue and we all sat there watching for about 20 minutes and lost total interest. It’s put me off finding mine for a while! AND YOUR ALL-TIME FAVOURITE FILM? That’s a good one! I recently watched Ghost with my daughter and I think anything with Patrick Swayze in it – he was just such a legend! I’d watch that and…

She made headlines as one of television’s most notorious marriage-wreckers after her fling with Ken Barlow tore apart his relationship with wife Deirdre. But Roberta Kerr, who reprised the role of Coronation Street’s Wendy Crozier earlier this year, reveals that far from hating her, fans of the show actually used to stop her in the street to congratulate her. ‘They thought I was zhuzhing things up a bit!’ she laughs. Roberta, who lives in Lancashire with her husband, talks to us about paddle-boarding, filming love scenes and her battle against ageism. Is it important to show older people on TV, falling in love and having relationships? Totally. Ageism is so sickening. I don’t see any reason to pin a number on anybody, you can fall in love at any age.…

GOING OUT FOR… MADAME VALERIE’S AFTERNOON TEA, PATISSERIE VALERIE, £34 The perfect seasonal treat! Available both as a tea for two or four. Featuring all your favourite pâtisseries in miniature form. Not forgetting jam, clotted cream and tea. See patisserie-valerie.co.uk THEATRICAL INSPIRED TEA AT THE GLOBE, £69 Enjoy an enchanting dining experience with this theatrical-inspired Afternoon Tea for Two at The Swan at The Globe. Offering a lively atmosphere, elegant décor and views of the River Thames and St Paul’s. See virginexperiencedays.co.uk AFTERNOON TEA SELECTION, STRAIGHT TO YOUR DOOR, £46 Celebrate the British tradition of afternoon tea – featuring the finest produce baked on its maker’s estate in Somerset – delivered to your door just in time for the kettle to boil. Add in a bottle of Babylonstoren Sprankel, if…

Life can give us euphoric highs and crushing lows – and Talk Radio host and best columnist Vanessa Feltz experienced both recently, just hours apart. The radio host, 60, revealed her utter devastation after her fiance’s brother, Roy Ofoedu, died aged just 47. Vanessa said she was ‘truly heartbroken’ on her Instagram, before pledging ‘my heart, my hand and my prayers in love’ in an emotional message of support for her grieving partner, Ben Ofoedu, 50. Ben’s younger brother passed away on Friday 16 September. And Vanessa, 60, wrote of him on her social media, ‘I am truly heartbroken at the tragic loss of Ben’s beautiful brother, a gentle gentleman.’ Under a moving post by Phats & Small singer Ben, she wrote: ‘Darling Ben, I am devastated at the premature…

TOP TIP Shopping for a new coat? A cool camel colour will never date.…

1 AN AUTUMN ROSE SCENT It’s the most searched for fragrance ingredient in 2022, with over 50k searches per month. Although these pretty blooms are a favourite in fresh Summer scents, roses work just as well in cosier and more sophisticated perfumes, ideal for warming up Autumn days and nights. Look for fragrances that bring out the richness of roses by pairing their floral notes with woody, spicy and powdery ingredients. Try Narciso Rodriguez for her Musc Noir Rose, £78 (50ml), or for a cheaper alternative, The Body Shop Rebel Rosebud Eau de Toilette, £20. 2 A WINE-RED LIPSTICK Inspired by that classic Winter tipple, the bonus is that these deeper tones are often more flattering than brighter reds, especially when applied as a simple stain. Press your chosen red…

HOW IT WORKS Follow our one-pot recipes that tot up to just 500 calories each and you could lose 5lbs in a week. ● Clinical Nutritionist, Suzie Sawyer, feelaliveuk.com says: ‘With energy and food costs soaring, prepping, good value one-pot meals for the family makes real sense. You don’t have to invest in a slow cooker – most one-pot recipes can be cooked slowly on a low heat on the hob or in the oven. Save time and washing-up with nutrient-rich one-pot stews and casseroles you can make using seasonal veg and cheaper cuts of meat, which are nutritious when cooked this way.’ ● ‘Middle Eastern tagines you can make using inexpensive ingredients, such has chickpeas, whole grains and warming spices, such as cumin and cinnamon, are quick and easy…

Carefully walking around the supermarket, I scanned every aisle until I saw a two-for-one offer on pasta shells. I quickly put six packets into my trolley ready for my growing stockpile at home… I’d always been a bargain-hunter and if I saw something on offer, I’d usually buy it and put it away. We didn’t just do it with food – I had a birthday and Christmas box, too, that I kept in the loft. They were filled with cards, wrapping paper and gifts I’d found on offer, just in case my kids – Sophie and Ben – ever got invited to a party and I couldn’t afford to buy a present at the time. When the UK went into lockdown in March 2020, it was the first time I…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Nestled between Birmingham and the Welsh border, Shropshire may be known as the birthplace of industry and for housing the first-ever skyscraper, but it offers so much more. Arts, culture, and the rolling countryside – as well as its beautiful and varied landscape – make it a hugely popular spot with tourists and walkers alike. If you’re interested in geology, this county is very diverse and most geological periods of time, as well as most rock types, can be found here. We stayed in a luxury lodge at Foxtail Holiday Park in Chirk, just six miles away from Oswestry. INSIDER’S GUIDE For anyone in need of some rest and rejuvenation, this lodge is ideal. Equipped with everything you need from tea, coffee, a bottle of Prosecco and even…

CHIHUAHUA Frequency: 30 mins a day. Weight loss: Up to 10lbs a year. Go for a brisk walk, then scoop them up and add some squats and lunges into your routine, too! Half an hour a day will burn up to 75 calories. BORDER TERRIER Frequency: 1 hour a day. Weight loss: Up to 20lbs a year. Burn up to 150 calories a day with this cute companion. Get wet and muddy trudging off-path through the local woods and have your pup cheering you the whole way! BULLDOG Frequency: 1 hour a day. Weight loss: Up to 20lbs a year. A little team member that can endure the daily walk by your side. You may need to motivate each other, though – that sofa could be a real weakness for…

Ruth married producer David Peet in 1999 and became step-mother to his three kids from a previous relationship. And they have recently celebrated a new addition to the family… ‘I have a step-granddaughter called Freda – she is 15 months old and I absolutely adore her. I have become really good at changing nappies and doing feeds and nap times. She lives in London, but we come up a lot. I’m taking her to Buckingham Palace to see the flowers for the Queen, so one day she can say she was there.’…

As my son, Oliver, poured the last few drops of a bottle of squash into his glass, I opened my mouth. But he cut me short before I could start speaking. ‘I know, I know, I’ll put it in the right bin,’ he laughed. I grinned back at my 16-year-old. I had trained him and his younger sister, Abigail, 13, well – but recycling was a cause that was close to my heart, and had been for years. I’ll always remember the day, back in March 1995, when I was walking near my home in Hertfordshire. I was so lucky to be surrounded by such lovely countryside, and I always found having a walk through the greenery, surrounded by birdsong, cleared my head. But as I went through the underpass…

The waves of pain took my breath away as my hand reached for the dashboard. The seatbelt strained across my bump and cut into my neck as I leaned forward. I heaved and puffed out long breaths until the contraction had eased. A slow trickle ebbed down the side of my face and I felt the beads of sweat form on my upper lip. My tongue darted out of my mouth, devouring the saltiness. My eyes focused on my husband as his silence indicated his concentration on the busy streets. ‘Are we doing the right thing, Josh?’ I panted, my breathing still erratic. Josh glanced over at me, eyebrows raised, before turning his attention back to the road ahead. ‘It’s a bit late to be asking that now, don’t you…

ARE YOU HAPPIER NOW THAN WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER? For years I always said I wanted to carry on being 19. I got comfortable in my skin in my early 40s. I felt like I didn’t have anything to prove and I’d got a relationship and had a baby. IS IT TRUE THAT YOU WERE IN DOWNTON ABBEY? Very briefly, I just did one scene in one episode! Because it was a period piece, I thought I looked completely different and that nobody would recognise me, but blow me they did! WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR LOVE OF ACTING? My father was an amateur actor and started a theatre company, so I was exposed to it at a very young age. There was a time when I was 14 when…

It’s official! The highly anticipated, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is back on BBC iPlayer this September, and RuPaul and BBC Three have Ru-vealed the next set of fabulous drag queens due to make their Werk Room debut. Global drag icon, and judge supremo, RuPaul presides as 12 of the nation’s most fabulous queens compete over 10 weeks to be crowned the UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar. Here, we meet one of the contestants, Jonbers Blonde, 33, from Belfast – who tells us more…. Tell us about yourself? My name is Jonbers Blonde, I’m 33 and I’m originally from a little town called Banbridge near Belfast. I’m a showgirl on a Saturday and an absolute binfire on a Sunday! How long have you been doing drag? I’ve been doing drag for…

Former Love Island host Laura Whitmore is taking on her first-ever theatre role, in supernatural stage thriller 2:22 A Ghost Story, in London’s West End – flanked by musician Matt Willis, The Voice presenter Emma’s other half. Here, Laura and Matt talk about why you’ll walk away still thinking about the eerie show, and for mum-of-one Laura (she has a little girl, Stevie, with her partner Ian Stirling), how she’s tapped into her character Jenny’s Catholic upbringing and new mum fears to bring her to life… Hi guys! Tell us a bit about 2:22 A Ghost Story and your roles… Matt: 2:22 is a ghost story revolving around a dinner party that is thrown by Jenny and Sam. My character Ben turns up with his new girlfriend, Lauren, trying to make…

Scottish actor Martin Compston’s first foray into factual TV, Martin Compston’s Scottish Fling, is a good-humoured road trip, showcasing what makes Scotland tick today, as he and his friend Phil MacHugh visit some spectacular places and – in the likeable 38-year-old’s words – ‘drop in on a brilliant bunch of Scots… I’ve felt like I’m falling in love with Scotland all over again’. Renowned for playing DI Steve Arnott in Line Of Duty, this is the Las Vegas-based actor’s first time on telly as ‘himself’, and not a character. The pair’s on-screen travels begin and end in Martin’s hometown of Greenock, but over the six-part series, they meet some real characters, embark on some unexpected adventures and take on challenges in scenic, little-known locations. Martin, how was filming this show for…

He may often play gritty characters on TV, but Martin Compston’s reallife in Las Vegas is a pretty glitzy one. The star bought a four-bed mansion in Nevada in 2019, complete with its own bar, swimming pool and hot tub, after relocating to the States with his American wife Tianna, their son Brodie, and their pet pitbull, King – located just two streets away from Tianna’s mum! Martin has shared glimpses of his sunkissed life in Las Vegas on Instagram, including fun in the huge pool in his back yard. You’re a long way from Greenock now, lad…!…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Columbus, the state capital of Ohio, can now safely boast it’s one of the Midwest’s most popular places to live and to visit. With a unique, open, inclusive vibe, it has some of the nation’s leading attractions, events, food, sport and live music on offer. It’s a must-see destination for any visitor to the Great Lakes region of the USA. And for the UK tourist, it has the ideal combination of things to do, see, drink and eat, with most of it all within walking distance of the downtown hotels. INSIDER’S GUIDE While in Columbus, why not start with breakfast at the North Market? For the past 145 years, locally made food has been dished out from 30 different stalls – choose from fresh produce, meat, poultry, cheese,…