Table of contents for 12-2023 in Best

Some perturbed viewers of ITV chatshow Lorraine were left shaking their heads recently, as the bubbly Scot interviewed acting royalty, Dame Helen Mirren. During the video call, Helen opened up about a permanent injury she sustained on the set of her latest film, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, in which she plays a vengeful goddess. But viewers were quick to slam the chat as ‘embarrassing’ and ‘cringe’. Explaining that it was an injury she would take ‘to the grave’, Helen said, ‘In fact, I broke my finger, rather famously.’ The glamorous 77-year-old, who is married to US director Taylor Hackford, added: ‘You see that bent finger, that straight finger. I now call it my Shazam finger. I’ll take it to the grave with me.’ She said: ‘I’ve worn some heavy…

Helen Lederer is a woman on a mission. Firstly, to shout loudly with her Comedy Women in Print Awards that women are fantastically witty, and many have books inside us that never get written – so get penning, ladies! But also, to enjoy being ‘bad’ (it’s been a tough four years), to finish her memoir – oh, and to dive into a ‘raunchy’ play just after her awards on 17 April. A dynamo full of ideas (and funny observations on life), the Welsh comedian and writer, 68 – known for Happy Families, Absolutely Fabulous (she was dippy Catriona, remember?!), not to mention her books and ability to rock at comedy – tells us more… You’re known as a comedian, but what are the Comedy Women in Print awards? I wrote a…

CALLING ALL CHOCOHOLICS! The cocktail of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals in cocoa-rich chocolate can do wonders for your skin. A study shows that dark cocoa chocolates contain more flavanols, polyphenols, and other antioxidants than any other fruits. Rich in vitamins A, B1, C, D and E, plus iron and calcium, it nourishes your skin from the inside out. Mix up these decadent beauty treats and reap the glow-boosting benefits, minus the sugar rush… • Anti-ageing facial Chocolate improves blood flow and boosts collagen, which can help delay the appearance of fine lines. HOW: Pour one-quarter cup of melted, cooled dark chocolate into a bowl. Mix 1 tbsp honey with 2 drops lemon juice. Apply to your cleansed face and neck for 15-20 minutes, gently massaging the mixture into your skin…

It’s been two years since controversial TV host Piers Morgan, stormed off the Good Morning Britain set, live on air, leaving us wondering who would fill his shoes… But we needn’t have worried, as Susanna Reid seems perfectly able to take up that mantel on the ITV show. With her no-nonsense approach, the 52-year-old mum-of-three has proved time and time again that she won’t hold back if she doesn’t agree with something, no matter the subject. In a recent interview, Susanna admitted, ‘I don’t feel the need to be polite, and I’ll come out fighting if a guest is being illogical.’ And it doesn’t stop at taking question-dodging politicians to task, either. Susanna’s ever more fearless attitude has even seen her thrown into reporting from the centre of the conflict…

Beef and Guinness Ragù Easy to double up and freeze, this hearty ragù is just what’s needed in the evening. Hands-on time: 20min Cooking time: About 1hr 40min Serves 2 • 2tsp olive oil• 1 small onion, finely chopped• 200g beef braising steak, cut into 2.5cm pieces• 1tbsp plain flour• 1 carrot, peeled and roughly chopped• 1tsp wholegrain mustard• 1tsp dried thyme• 200ml Guinness• 400g tin chopped tomatoes• 1tbsp tomato purée• 150g pappardelle pasta TO SERVE • Parmesan, grated, optional 1 Heat 1tsp oil in a medium pan (that has a lid) over medium heat and fry onion for 5min, until softened. Meanwhile pat the beef dry with kitchen paper, then toss in a bowl with the flour and some seasoning. 2 Empty onion into a separate bowl. Return pan…

TOP TIP! Shades of teal and sage are a great way to add warmth and create a comforting look.…

PEER PRESSURE – AT 50! I gave up drinking nearly a year ago – and I’m loving it. I’m slimmer, healthier and much more on the ball, but my friends aren’t on the same page, and I don’t really like going out with them anymore! It was my friend’s 50th birthday last month, and most of my pals spent the whole time telling me how boring I was and calling me a ‘party pooper!’ We’re in our fifties for goodness sake. How should I handle this going forward? Ruth, Glasgow To be brutally frank, your friends are behaving like immature children. You are feeling the benefits of not drinking. You are fitter, healthier and have a clear head. They are jealous of your self-control and doing their best to drag…

It’s no secret that Elvis Presley dreamed of being a serious actor. While his singing career skyrocketed, his attempt at acting did not hit the same stellar heights – no small thanks to his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, who put more emphasis on instant money and a string of low-budget films over helping him carve out a long-term, serious Hollywood career. Elvis did gain critical acclaim for his performance as Danny Fisher in King Creole Fisher, a 19-year-old who gets mixed up with crooks and involved with two women – often cited as his finest acting role. But his ambition was never fully realised even though his films were always box-office hits. But now, two generations later, it is his first grandchild, red-headed 33-year-old Danielle Keough – known by her…

When Prince Edward turned 59 on 10 March, his brother King Charles gave him a very special present – conferring on him the title of the Duke Of Edinburgh - which was given to their late father Prince Philip by the Queen on their wedding day, and held for more than 70 years up until his death in April 2021. The honour means that Edward’s wife, Sophie, formerly the Countess of Wessex, becomes the Duchess of Edinburgh and the title of Earl of Wessex passes to their son James, formerly the Viscount Severn, although there is no change for their daughter, Lady Louise. On the day of the announcement, Edward and Sophie attended an event at the City chambers in Edinburgh, the new Duke describing it as a ‘special and…

Looking at the Bishop family – popular Liverpudlian comedian John, his wife Melanie, and their three sons Joe, 27, Luke, 24, and Daniel, 23, you’d never know anything was amiss. Truth be told, the family have had to come to terms with a thunderbolt, which came at them out of nowhere – their eldest son’s sudden loss of hearing. Joe caught a virus 13 years ago, aged 15, developing Cogan’s Syndrome – an autoimmune disease that attacks, amongst other things, ear tissue. Sadly, the teen lost a substantial part of his hearing overnight. Worse, the disease is progressive, and it is likely that Joe – who also suffers from tinnitus – will become completely deaf soon. As this moving documentary reveals, it’s been quite a journey for the whole family…

Anneka Rice’s Nineties show Challenge Anneka was the highlight of many a telly fan’s week – so imagine the delight, 30 years later, that she’s back on our screens for more laughter and tears, with Dave the Soundman and a team of enthusiastic volunteers. The 64-year-old says the show’s nostalgic format hasn’t changed much since the original – and at the heart of it, as ever, are acts of kindness. Here, the Welsh native talks about her favourite challenges. Anneka, for new viewers, tell us about yourself … Well, I started my career on a BBC training course, aged 17 and spent two years working for the World Service. Then I ran away to Hong Kong and ended up as a newsreader, at 21. Refugees from Vietnam were arriving in…

As I looked around the delivery suite, I knew I’d soon be holding my baby boy. ‘One big final push’, the midwife beamed. It was 7 August 2012, and in an instant, Ben was placed into my arms. Throughout my pregnancy, my husband Mark and I were told we’d have a perfectly healthy baby. But when I looked at Ben’s gorgeous, happy little face, I knew straight away he had Down’s Syndrome. His almond-shaped eyes looked up at me, and the room fell silent. The atmosphere went cold, and the former excitement of introducing a new life into the world had disappeared. As a qualified nurse, I knew how to read a room – you got used to what silences were good and bad, and I knew this wasn’t positive.…

Getting home after a busy shift at the hospital, I was ready to put my feet up. I worked as a duty housekeeper and always liked to wind down a little before cooking and doing the household chores. Scrolling through social media, I caught up on the latest posts in the Brighton People group. I’d grown up there, and although I was in East Grinstead now, it didn’t stop me wanting to keep in touch with what was happening. There was one particular post from a man named Jason Dyke that caught my eye… I’m looking for my half-sister and sadly I don’t have much information, it read. My heart skipped a beat as I read the next line. Her name is Debbie and her mother’s name is Janice, who…

Empty nest syndrome describes the sense of sadness and loneliness of parents whose children fly the nest for the first time. But Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox has revealed with laugh-out-loud honesty that she doubts she will be suffering from it… The 48-year-old from Bolton – whose 18-year-old daughter, Lola Anne, is from her first marriage to musician Jon Carter – said she can’t imagine being upset when her teen leaves home later this year, but also thinks the feeling will be mutual. Speaking recently on the Parenting Hell podcast, the star revealed that as much as she loves her daughter, they’ve had enough of living under the same roof – and Lola is ready for her independence. Sara said: ‘This September she will be at uni – hopefully –…

CHRONIC HEADACHE WON’T GO I have had a chronic headache for coming up to two weeks now. I’m trying to be seen by a doctor, but I’ve had a call-back and been prescribed Co-codamol. It doesn’t seem to be helping, though. I feel a dull ache pretty much constantly on the top left-hand side of my head and sometimes around my left eye. I’ve been under a lot of personal stress recently. Could this be a tension headache, or something serious? Leanne, Cardiff DR HILARY SAYS: Stress could certainly trigger a one-sided headache such as this and other common causes include dehydration, lack of sleep, excess alcohol, bad posture (particularly in the neck), irregular meals and caffeine withdrawal. Try to correct any of these lifestyle issues and get that doctor’s…

‘There’s been another one,’ Barry announced solemnly, as he joined me and my friends, Hannah and Adam, in the pub one evening. He lowered his lanky frame onto a chair and rested his elbows on the table. ‘Another what?’ Adam asked. Having recently moved into the village to live with my best friend, Hannah, he wasn’t always up to speed with local gossip. ‘Cats have been disappearing,’ Hannah explained. The topic had been the cause of much speculation in the village. We prided ourselves on being a law-abiding community, and no one liked to think there could be a thief living among us. ‘Cats wander off all the time,’ Adam said. ‘They come back when they’re ready.’ ‘Five were reported missing last week,’ Barry told him grimly. As the local…

Twinkle in those blue eyes fully intact, Jack Whitehall, who is currently dating model Roxy Horner, lives up to his ‘posh funny bloke’ persona in spades in new series Live Italy (Jack stars in episode one, followed by Love Island host Maya Jama and ex-England Rugby legend, Lawrence Dallaglio), as he cavorts around Tuscany with his glamorous guide Chiara, eating his own body weight in pasta and making dodgy jokes about ‘spanking bread’ to unwitting Italian grannies. Here Jack, 34, talks about his experience, working with his dad on another telly travelogue and why he’ll just never have a ‘rippling six-pack’… Jack, you eat and drink your way around Tuscany in this show. Hard life… Very tough gig. What can I say? It was very strenuous. We saw you trying…

A HAPPY SPRING PLAYLIST, SPOTIFY Is there any better feeling of sun on your cheeks, Spring in the air and music in your ears? Check out Spotify’s latest Spring playlist, with Hozier, Harry Styles and more… POP FOR SPRING, AMAZON MUSIC Put a spring in your step with pop from Little Mix, George Ezra, Coldplay, Olly Murs and more, with this fabulously fresh playlist. THE DUSTY SPRINGFIELD PLAYLIST, SPOTIFY From her Son of a Preacher Man hit to Ain’t No Sun Since You’ve Been Gone, British icon Dusty will certainly add the sunshine tunes into your home……

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Universal Studios Hollywood, based in Los Angeles, is a working film studio and has been, believe it or not, for more than 100 years. Since then, the park has changed year-on-year to become what it is today. With 20 rides and attractions to enjoy, it’s a great place to explore with the family. On the Lower Lot is Jurassic World, The Transformers Ride, and the (terrifying) Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster. On the Upper Lot of the park are the likes of Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, to the WaterWorld performance, and enter the magical world of Hogwarts where you can soar above the castle alongside Harry Potter. INSIDER’S GUIDE If you’re planning a visit around the holidays, aka the busiest time of the year, consider buying a…

Belfast-born presenter Eamonn Holmes, 63, has been battling chronic back pain for some time. The GB News presenter, who had surgery to alleviate his symptoms, took to Instagram recently, sharing a photo of himself in a harness ‘learning to walk with purpose’. A couple of days previously he had shared a rather shocking photo of himself during a session at a Neurokinex centre, which offers activity-based rehab for people living with paralysis. Eamonn captioned the shot, ‘Training with my eyes closed. It’s all about regaining my balance. Hard work made harder balancing on one leg.’ Wife and Loose Women panellist Ruth Langsford, 63 – who must be worried sick – simply commented, ‘Keep going x.’ Eamonn’s latest health battles, which he has described as ‘soul-destroying’, began in early 2021, with…

TOP TIP Animal print is versatile whatever the weather. It works brilliantly with black and also looks stylish teamed with cream or neutral shades.…

‘Oh dear, Hugh Grant has exposed himself again. Or, has he? I don’t particularly like Hugh Grant. But occasionally, he does something that makes me almost love him. His Oscars interview with Ashley Graham is one of them. At first, I thought, “Oh, it’s Hugh being a huge **** again”. But then I watched it, and now I think it’s the most hilarious awards interview I’ve ever seen! It was awkward, yes, but they were equally to blame. Both of them should have been more prepared. Hugh has been to enough of those types of dos to know that you must submit to banal, eye-rolling questions that are there for the sole purpose of showing off outfits, while filling time and hyping up the excitement, which they never do. And…

With searches for ‘shower routine aesthetic’ rising by a staggering 450 per cent*, it’s clear that the humble morning habit has been given a flashy makeover. We’ve discovered some brilliant, hard-working beauty buys to transform you from top to toe – no filling the bath required. 1 IN A LATHER Not all body washes are created equally. Playing with textures and scents will help elevate what’s otherwise a mundane daily routine. Sanctuary Spa Ultra Rich Shower Burst, £7.50, is a foam that lathers up a treat, allowing for a lot more coverage than your average gel, so a little product goes a long way. The jasmine, grapefruit and vanilla notes aren’t as overwhelming as you’d expect, but add an indulgent touch without stripping skin. It also makes a great shaving…

TOP TIP! Wipe a damp cloth over foliage every so often to keep dust at bay and leaves looking shiny.…

HOW IT WORKS Losing weight and getting glowing skin this Spring is as easy as ABC. Get the right balance of vitamins A, B and C found in yellow fruits and veg, wholegrains rich in magnesium and zinc-loaded fresh fish and you could lose up to 6lbs in seven days • Fat-soluble 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 healthy bones and can boost weight loss. Up your intake of red fruits and veg, such as sweet potatoes, carrots and mangoes, and find vitamin D in eggs and oily fish. • Oats are a great source of the vitamin B complex, which helps convert food…

Easter is around the corner, and the question on our lips is ‘How do you eat yours?’ We’re talking about the iconic Creme Egg, of course! Whether you eat it in one go, nibble it, smash it or devour the insides first, let’s face it – it’s not Easter without at least one Creme Egg to chomp on! That’s why we are giving away 75 Cadbury Creme Egg Easter Eggs worth £6 each. Featuring one large milk chocolate egg shell and one Cadbury Creme Egg, it’s enough to satisfy any sweet tooth. To enter, see right. HOW TO ENTER ONLINE: Save money by entering online at hearstmagazines.co.uk/best1223b by midday on 29 March 2023. PHONE: Call 0901 027 2709 by midday on 29 March 2023. Calls cost 30p per minute, plus…

Because I live an exotic, jet-setting lifestyle, I found myself flying to LA a few weeks ago. Because my lifestyle isn’t quite as exotic as I’d like, I was sitting in seat 37C, two inches away from another passenger. As the plane’s take-off thrusters settled into the purr of hopefully functioning engines, the man to my left took out his iPad and started watching Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw. Unfortunately, he’d forgotten his headphones, so I was subjected to the sounds of people crashing through windows and limp buddy comedy. It took me 20 minutes to muster up my courage and dampen down my Britishness enough to offer him my headphones. ‘I’m all right thanks, mate,’ he said. I spent the rest of the film fuming silently and…

Do you have a story you’d like to share with our amazing army of best readers? We’re looking for real-life stories from women just like you and your friends – and will pay up to £250 for all those that make it into these pages. Stories can be funny, sad, emotional, inspirational – just like some of the examples on this page. The only rule: they must be true. Have you been on a diet that changed your life? Have you battled against tough times and come out fighting? Have you found love or happiness against the odds? If you – or a friend – have a story to share, whatever the subject, do drop us a line, with your contact details, a photo and a brief outline of your…

ARIES 21 March – 20 April Dirty Dancing and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off actress, Jennifer Grey, Fantasy and Hero singer, Mariah Carey and other Arians should take this opportunity to think about what they really want out of life and then decide how to make this happen. Don’t shy away from a challenge and make those dreams become a reality. TAURUS 21 April – 21 May ay You’re ready to take on a new challenge and you are determined to succeed. Plan well and this should be the start of a rewarding phase for you. You aren’t setting your sights too high because you will pour your heart and soul into the goals you are setting yourself. In addition to personal success, your romantic life will sparkle. GEMINI 22 May…

THE SWITCH Netflix Single and worried about her biological clock, 30-something Kassie decides to pursue motherhood with the help of a sperm donor. A real warm-your-cockles comedy with the queen of the genre, Jennifer Aniston. PRETTY WOMAN Disney+ A Nineties classic, always worth a rewatch! Richard Gere is a rich entrepreneur, who hires Vivian (Julia Roberts), a prostitute, to accompany him to some social events. After falling in love with her, the pair try to bridge the gap between their vastly different worlds. ISN’T IT ROMANTIC Netflix After hitting her head, an architect (Rebel Wilson) who hates romantic comedies, wakes up to find her unremarkable life has become a dazzling, cliché-driven rom-com. It’s a brilliant concept and funny to boot!…

As gripping as it is emotional, new four-part drama Bali 2002, based on the shocking terrorist attacks that shook the country’s tourist hotspots in 2002, explores how everyday heroes from Bali, Australia and beyond, defied the odds to bring order from chaos, and hope from despair. Playing go-getting, successful equity trader, Polly is Claudia Jessie. Polly is deeply committed to her husband, Dan, the couple adore Bali, it’s where they fell in love – but little did they know that the honeymoon phase would be cut brutally short. Here, Claudia, 33, who will also be returning for season three of smash-hit period drama Bridgerton, tells us more about the hard-hitting drama… Claudia, what attracted you to this series? Getting to tell a true story feels like a rare opportunity, I’ve never…