Table of contents for 01-2024 in Best

Hands up, who out of us Queen-agers were inspired by Strictly last year – especially Annabel Croft and the extraordinary Angela Rippon? Let’s hope the rumours that Ellie Leach, just 22, is getting her own show are true. What a lovely girl. Well, I don’t have the level of courage of Ellie or the ability of Annabel or Angela but, my promise to myself for 2024 is ‘give it a go’. So, we’ve hired the one and only Wayne Sleep (above, and already dispairing of me...) to lead dance classes for us all that we start this Friday at 11am – and every Friday for the rest of the month! Find us on best’s Facebook Live. None of you need to worry about finding a class, just shut the kitchen…

As she heads into 2024, you could not blame Kate Garraway for feeling utterly overwhelmed by her situation. It’s almost four years since the day in March 2020 when her husband – former political advisor-turned-psychotherapist, Derek Draper – was rushed to hospital. Derek, 56, was diagnosed with Covid-19 but for reasons doctors still do not fully understand, the virus ravaged his body – causing terrible damage to his organs. The dad-of-two spent over a year in hospital, but his longed-for homecoming was overshadowed by the realisation that he would need round-the-clock care. Since then, Kate and Derek have both nagivated dramatic highs and lows but this December, as Kate prepared for Christmas, GMB presenters Charlotte Hawkins and Richard Madeley made an announcement. Derek was back in hospital, having undergone a…

She rose to fame as Tiffany Mitchell on hit BBC soap EastEnders – and is arguably most famous for playing Hugh Grant’s love interest, Natalie, in 2003 rom-com Love Actually, where she was instantly famed for her relatable curves. Now, two decades on from the making of the iconic festive flick, Martine McCutcheon, 47, is looking happier and healthier than ever, as she shows off her incredible transformation (having lost a whopping 21 inches from her body in recent years) on Instagram. The star once claimed that she was ‘judged like a piece of meat’ over her physique. A horrid thing, whatever size you are. Most recently, posing in a Winter jumper for a mirror selfie, the svelte brunette wrote, ‘I’ve been waiting for the rain to stop so I…

1 WHAT REASONS CAN I GET A REFUND? Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you can get a refund, repair or replacement on faulty items, or if something you buy isn’t as described, or not fit for purpose. This applies to in-store and online purchases, but whether you can get a full refund, or need to settle for a repair or replacement, depends on how long you’ve had the item before the issue occurs. You can also get a refund on unwanted goods when shopping online, with a few exceptions. This is because, unlike buying on the high street, you don’t get a chance to see items first. 2 WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS? With goods purchased in store or online, you can return them within 30 days and get a…

BRUNCH OR BREAKFAST Sunny-Side-Up Hash A good hash is yum with eggs for brunch, but it typically means a lot of starchy potatoes and oil. Not in this sleek and savoury vegetarian version! This hash is all non-starchy veggies. The mushrooms and courgette give it a meaty texture, while plenty of onions and peppers make it filling and nutritious. Note that if you prefer to eat plant-based, some crumbled extra-firm tofu can stand in for the eggs. • 1½ tablespoons olive oil• 225g white button mushrooms, trimmed of stems and quartered• 1 medium courgette (about 175g), cut into 1cm cubes• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt• 1 large onion, diced• 1 large green pepper, diced• 1 large red pepper, diced• 1 small jalapeño, de-seeded and diced (optional)• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced•…

TOP TIP! Turn your storage into a feature! This super chic box will look great on a shelf or placed in the corner of your room…

Say goodbye to quick fixes, fads and over-filled faces. The new mood in aesthetics is not ‘what shall I have?’, but rather, ‘why do I need it?’ The two biggest trends this year can be summed up in two words – preventative and regenerative. The science behind the latest ‘tweakments’ is better than ever, with less down time and more natural results. We’ll also be seeing a shift in how we treat patients, with more focus on treating the root cause, using a combination approach including diet and lifestyle methods to treat ageing skin, and finding out the reason behind our skin concerns rather than simply papering over the cracks. These are some of the highlights. Get ready to glow! THE NEW SURGICAL LANDSCAPE Hello Glam-ma! As we live longer,…

HUSBAND IS LEAVING I thought I was in a very content relationship, but my husband announced the other day that he has fallen in love with another woman. He wouldn’t give me any more detail, but said he’s leaving within a week or two – and would have done so earlier but ‘didn’t want to ruin my Christmas’. Is he insane?! We never had children and I feel utterly alone, abandoned and betrayed. How could he do this to me, to us – we’ve been together for 23 years. I just don’t know how to face tomorrow, to be honest, let alone the future. I’m not eating or sleeping. Please help, Vanessa. Lauren, Brampton What a terrible shock to you, my love. I am so sorry. Exactly…

It was standing there, checking the kitchen floor yet again for streaks, that she made her decision. It had to be now, before she let a doubtful voice sneak into her mind like the patter of a game show host: ‘Now I don’t want to hurry you, Julie, but Pete will be home from work soon, expecting everything to be running smoothly … aren’t you both of one mind on that front?’ She paused. Yes, she and Pete both disliked uncertainly and its threat of chaos. Then she thought of Jack: how he’d turned up here at the house one day after Christmas – thankfully, when Pete was already back at work. ‘Not here!’ she’d hissed, shoving him back onto the stoop. ‘Where, then? We have to talk.’ In the…

best magazine, ISSN 0954-8955, is published weekly by The National Magazine Company Ltd, t/a Hearst Magazines UK, c/o USACAN Media Dist. Srv Corp at 26 Power Dam Way Suite S1-S3, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. All rights reserved. No part of bestmay be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Not to be resold, lent, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade at more than the recommended retail price (subject to VAT in Republic of Ireland) or in a mutilated condition. Printed by Walstead Roche Ltd, Victoria Business Park, Roche, Cornwall, PL26 8LX. The publishers, editors and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services that may be advertised…

Strong, vibrant, confident and hugely successful in their chosen fields, famous faces, interiors guru Kelly Hoppen, chef and presenter Andi Oliver, radio DJ Jo Whiley, and acting royalty Helen Mirren are all proud ambassadors for top beauty brand L’Oréal Paris’ Age Perfect campaign. They agree strongly on one thing – they’ve had quite enough of hearing, ‘You look great – for your age.’ As the brand’s latest beauty campaign suggests, ‘Could we just stop at “you look great”? Do we have to make it about our age? Do compliments have to come with caveats? Who’s counting! We are age perfect – and we’re worth it. We could not agree more, ladies… KELLY HOPPEN ‘Age has nothing to do with it’ South African-British interior designer Kelly Hoppen CBE, 64 – of…

‘I’ve been doing this column for seven years now. SEVEN YEARS! And I’ve been looking back at all my New Year wafflings, and there’s a theme. Every single year, I moan about how I’ve never kept any of my New Year’s resolutions, so in 2021, I ditched them completely – resolving (!) never to make another one. Well, I couldn’t even see that one through, because last year I went full on public with the promise that I was going to get fit. Mark was going to coach me, we did a shoot for best in which I wore, well, check the picture above. Surely, because I’d said it out loud I’d see it through, right? In a word, nope. How many training sessions do you think I did? None.…

TOP TIP! Make the most of each day by jotting down a positive reflection or something you’re grateful for.…

Waking up one Sunday morning, I did what I always did. Grabbed my phone and had a quick flick through the news while my partner, Dave, was downstairs having a coffee. I caught up on what was going on, then rolled over to get myself out of bed. As I turned, I could feel the weight of my body come along with me. It was there 24/7 – and had been for as long as I could remember. I hated how it made me feel and I don’t know what it was about that particular day, but I decided then and there: enough was enough. I googled my nearest LighterLife Consultant – a lady called Valerie Dwyer – and fired off a desperate email. I didn’t want to be fat…

Back in the Eighties Tony Hadley shot to fame as the lead singer of new romantic sensations Spandau Ballet. They topped the charts with hits like Gold and True, with Tony’s distinctive powerhouse voice making the songs unforgettable. Following a bitter split in 2017, Tony’s been busy with a solo career, and the dad of five, who has three grown-up kids from his first marriage to Leonie Lawson and two with wife Alison Evers, tells us all about country life, devoted fans and turning to swing... Tony, how are you? Great thanks. I’m at home in Buckinghamshire. We got out of London a few years ago, I think my wife Ali, who is a country person, was worried I wouldn’t stick it, as a London boy – but I love…

New Year, old me! And no, I shan’t be doing anything about it. I can’t be bothered with a ‘new me’. I like this rumpled, old, knackered one, like a sofa that’s seen better days, but is still the most comfortable thing in the house to curl up on. The springs have gone, the stuffing is lumpy and the lining’s coming out (possibly too much information), but it’ll do for a few more years! There are many things I want to do more this year than go to the gym, cut out carbs or stop drinking during the week. I want to spend more time painting, I’d like to learn how to make a really good Pad Thai. Oh yes, and something my grandson will actually eat, rather than chuck…

MY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION My new year’s resolution is to stop worrying about my health constantly – but I don’t know how to, doctor! I am pretty sure I am a classic hypochondriac, always imagining I have three different serious medical conditions simultaneously. But how do I begin to beat this, as it’s taken over my life?! Could cognitive behavioural therapy work? Ciara, Glasgow DR HILARY SAYS:It’s good that you are aware and have insight into your health anxiety, but don’t feel guilty about it, however, as many people learn hypochondriacal worries from their parents or from ingrained childhood fears. The fact that you have often worried about several different serious medical conditions at once, despite nothing ever being diagnosed or happening, must be reassuring to you…

ARIES (21 Mar-20 Apr) LOVE Things remain on a fairly even keel until the Lunar Eclipse on 25 March when you will be faced with some decisions. Of course you should think of yourself, but there is a line between self-care and self-centredness. If you truly care for someone, their joys will be your joys, and compromise should come naturally. On the other hand, maybe you don’t really care that much, in which case best have the courage to ’fess up and move on. For all you Aries, August looks romantic and commitments may be made after the Solar Eclipse on 2 October. LIFE Friendships will gradually start to change, as Pluto begins to throw new light on your social life. Some activities you found meaningful may go stale and…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES The answer will appear in the shaded boxes and this is your prize answer. Enter by using the numbers at the top of the grid or at hearstmagazines.co.uk/bestcross0124 ACROSS 1 9 10 11 12 13 16 18 21 22 23 24 DOWN 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 14 15 17 19 20 What is the name of King Lear’s youngest daughter in Shakespeare’s play? Phone and online entries open 02 January 2024 until midnight on 19 January 2024. Over 18s only. †Calls cost 65p per min plus your telephone company’s network access charge, and should last no longer than 2 mins. Service provided by Spoke (0333 202 3390). *For full T&Cs see below. We will use…

She’s in our living rooms most mornings on Good Morning Britain. Susanna Reid, 53, is on top of her TV game – and also seems to be looking even more fabulous than usual. So, what’s her secret? Could it be that gorgeous, fresh haircut she got late last year – or is it that inner glow people who don’t drink, or deal with monster hangovers, tend to have?! In fairness, it’s probably a variety of factors – but binning the booze has clearly done the star the world of good. Talk about New Year inspiration! Susanna, who ditched alcohol in 2018, says she wouldn’t describe herself as completely ‘teetotal’, but recently revealed the many benefits of pretty much cutting it out of her life. ‘Occasionally, I’ll raise a glass if…

TOP TIP Layer a tunic shirt under a tight fitting sweater for extra warmth and an alternative look…

He grew up in Plymouth with his mum and great grandfather, until the age of five. When his mum married, he moved to Hartlepool, County Durham, where he attended after-school dance classes, winning his first competition aged eight and a scholarship to the Royal Ballet School at 12. At just 5ft 2in, Wayne didn’t grow to be the height of most leading men but that didn’t stop him. In fact, he became such an inspirational dancer that Billy Elliotwas inspired by his book, Princess Diana took to the stage for him, and he is still known as one of best choreographers in Britain… Hi Wayne, we are so excited about your dance classes with best. But first, remind us of some highlights of your career? Well, obviously dancing at Covent…

This year, skincare regimes are set for a streamlined makeover. We’ll all be more stringent and savvy with a stripped-back approach. This trend, dubbed ‘skip care’, will make a healthy difference and take up less room in the bathroom, too! Stop wasting money on: Multiply pricey pieces... A gentle creamy cleanser will suit nearly all skin types and do a great job – why pay a fortune when it’s only going to be rinsed off? Choose a non-foaming formula and look for added ingredients including hyaluronic acid and ceramides. TRY: Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser, £8.39. Forget toners, astringents and clarifiers While their original use was to balance the skin’s pH and remove excess oil after washing, all modern-day cleansers should do this already. Save your money and…

Interiors, fashion and wallpaper enthusiast Laura Hunter, has nearly 30,000 followers on her Instagram account @nofeaturewalls. Here are some of our favourite shots to get you inspired with new looks for the New Year... WILLIAM MORRIS WALLS Who wouldn’t love this classy wallpaper?! If you feel you need some William Morris patterns in your life, this Strawberry Thief Slate and Bush design is at B&Q for £40 a roll. BEAUTIFUL BOOKSHELF Mahogany feels like the perfect colour for winter. If you fancy recreating Laura’s bookshelf look, Dulux’s quick-drying Rich Mahogany paint is on sale for £9 on Amazon. LOVE YOUR LIVING ROOM It’s all in the details... Laura has used fabric to cover her ottoman, which adds a lovely, personal touch, as well as creating a coffee table space as…

When a teenage Priscilla Beaulieu met Elvis Presley at a party in September 1959, he was already a global superstar. But as sprawling biopic Priscilla explores (the Sofia Coppola-directed film is based on Elvis and Me, Priscilla’s 1985 memoir of their marriage), Elvis became someone entirely unexpected in private moments. Besotted with a young Priscilla, she would go on to become his wife – and the mother of his only child, Lisa Marie, who tragically died on 12 January last year, aged just 54. Upcoming American actress Cailee Spaeny, 25, who plays the young Priscilla, alongside Euphoria’s Jacob Elordi as Elvis, talks about the ‘extraordinary human story’ which ‘opens the curtains’ on one of history’s most iconic couples. We can’t wait... Cailee, how did you prepare yourself for the…