Table of contents for 23-2024 in Best

Let’s face it, when you get to a certain age, you realise that nothing stays the same. I married in my late 20s, divorced, and then I was left by my subsequent partner at 50. (Two failed relationships, is now also the case for a good friend, Eamonn Holmes, on page 20). My ‘baby’ is now 27 – and the face I see in the mirror, is not quite that of the girl I used to be. Where has the time gone? It’s a question we all ask ourselves from time to time. That’s said, as Anita Dobson reflects on her life on page 14, there are many advantages to growing up. We have learnt to say no to things we don’t want to do for one! We appreciate the…

Not even the rich and famous can control those irrational ideas we all get from time to time – or, indeed, those very real worries. Now Loose Women and Queen Of Clean star Stacey Solomon has revealed she gets ‘intrusive thoughts’. The mum-of-five (she shares three of her brood with hubby Joe Swash) previously talked of how she tries to keep her mind busy in an attempt to stop any worrying ideas popping up. Perhaps it’s the reason she’s so organised?! The Sort Your Life Out presenter has said: ‘Sitting doing nothing is NOT relaxing for me. In fact, it’s the complete opposite, if I’m honest. Giving spaces of silence for intrusive thoughts is just not for me! Busy is my calm.’ Captioning a recent Instagram post shared with her…

From EastEnders to Doctor Who, Anita Dobson has barely been off our screens since her debut as the legendary Angie Watts in 1985. And given her reputation as one of the nicest people in showbiz, it’s no surprise. Anita, 75, married Queen guitarist Brian May, 76, in 2000. While the couple have always adored each other, Anita reveals that Brian’s heart attack two years ago brought them closer than ever... You said you would never go back to EastEnders because you’re too old, but you look amazing! Oh, I am too old. I wouldn’t know anybody either. Most of the people I was in the show with are dead, and what would they do with the storyline? Also, once you move on, move on. I don’t like to dwell in…

After 27 years as a couple and 14 of those married, the announcement that TV presenters and best’s former columnists Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes were to divorce made headlines. Once famed for their on-screen partnership as well as their off-screen marriage, their departure from This Morning in 2021 saw the pair heading in very separate directions on the work front. Ruth continued to work on Loose Women for ITV and develop her clothing range that is sold through QVC. By the Christmas, Eamonn, too, had gone back to presenting a breakfast show – but this time for GB News. Around the same time, he slipped three discs, leading to chronic pain and in 2022, spinal surgery left him with problems walking – which caused a catastrophic fall on the…

I was a tad concerned when Tsavo, a whopping great African male lion, had fixed his hungry gaze on my ample buttocks and started moving towards me… Had he taken ‘Wendy’s come to feed you today’ entirely the wrong way? I’d quickly threaded a chunk of stinky raw meat onto a long skewer made for the purpose, and poked it as high as I could through the sturdy metal gate of the big cats’ enclosure at West Midlands Safari Park. Tsavo needed no further invitation. He’d padded over to just in front of me, lifted himself fully upright with massive front paws aloft, then leant forward and chomped the tasty morsel into his mouth as I tried to hold the skewer steady. With little chewing, he swallowed it down, deep…

PRESENT PROBLEMS A friend’s birthday is coming up this month and I’m having a bit of a turn. And when I say ‘friend’, I don’t mean the kind of close friend I might meet up with in my local Caffé Nero to share a spontaneous coffee and a cheese toastie and talk about how mean and unjust the world is… No, I mean the kind of friend I knew 30 years ago who has since moved, who may or may not still work in finance and, as far as I recall, was in charge of the school craft fair ‘lucky dip’ committee, before she fell out with the school mums at the time, due to her high principles about not including mini chocolate buttons. Nevertheless, she’s been a stickler for…

1 BEST FOR SECURITY There’s no more effective way to keep out unwanted visitors than planting a really prickly hedge. Almost any form of pyracantha will do the job, with the added bonus of pretty white flowers in Spring, and red, orange or yellow berries in Autumn. Berberis is often written off because it’s so undemanding, but look closely and you’ll see how unjust that is! Prettiest of the evergreens is probably Berberis darwinii with tiny, shiny holly-like leaves and clusters of orange-yellow flowers in Spring. Berberis x stenophylla is ablaze with fat, yellow flowers in Spring, when its dense, thorny habit makes it a favourite refuge for nesting birds. Steer clear of red-leaved berberis for hedges, as they make a black hole in the garden. If you have room…

One is the queen of fashion, while the other has ruled American reality televsion for the past 15 years, so it’s unsurprising that Victoria Beckham - or VB as she calls herself- and Kim Kardashian have formed a close bond of late. So much so that Victoria, 50, recently made a surprise appearance on an episode of Kim’s hit reality show, The Kardashians – much to the delight of fans of the famous pair, who are thought to have first met back in 2019. In the opening episode of season five of the Disney+ show, fans saw footage of Kim arriving late – having been stuck in a traffic jam – and flustered for Victoria’s Paris fashion show, holding up the start for 20 minutes. She then took her seat…

Got a problem? Email your questions to AskVanessa@hearst.co.uk WHERE HAS ALL THE PASSION GONE? My sex life is a broken record. My husband does exactly the same thing once a week, always on a Friday night and always in the missionary position. It lasts around three-and-a-half minutes. We have been together for 20 years but the spark has gone. What do you suggest, Vanessa? Denise, North London Time to get in the game, I say! You don’t have to lie there passively just putting up with whatever crumbs your other half can be bothered to dole out. Switch things up. Go shopping and invest in some lingerie you think he’ll adore, whatever floats your boat. Buy some massage oil. Remember what you used to get up to when you were…

Looking stunning at 61, Demi Moore appeared at the Cannes Film Festival to promote her new movie The Substance, in which she plays an ageing TV fitness instructor who signs up for a mysterious medical regime that promises to create the perfect version of herself – played by Margaret Qualley. Demi, who was married to Bruce Willis, with whom she shares three daughters, and then Ashton Kutcher, is now happy to hang out with her chihuahua Pilaf – who, like her owner, is accustomed to the limelight. Here she talks about making it on her own after a tough childhood, rocking a bikini at 40 – and embarrassing Tom Cruise… DEMI, Your dog Pilaf has become quite famous… Yes! She is quite a star. She’s had more write-ups than you…

1 LITTLE LION ZSL London Zoo posted about their cute Asiatic lion cubs recently, who were getting their first health check! The Zoo wrote: ‘We carried out medical exams in their dens, getting them checked over and vaccinated. These cubs play an important role in the conservation of Asiatic lions. With only 600-700 left in the wild, every addition matters.’ 2 Who wowed the crowd? The style at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show never disappoints! The celebs were dressed in gorgeous pastels, with Loose Women’s Katie Piper, 40, in a lemon tulle dress from Needle & Thread; Angellica Bell, 48, looking darling in a cute bow dress from Sister Jane and Nicki Chapman, 57, wowing in a pink floral LK Bennett design. Floral prints and pastel shades were…

In the months since the Princess of Wales shocked the world with the awful news of her cancer diagnosis, there have been few significant updates on her progress. However, last week, Kensington Palace dropped a hint that it could still be a while before Kate, 41, returns to public duties. ‘The princess isn’t expected to return to work until it’s cleared by her medical team,’ a spokesperson confirmed. The statement followed the news that Kate had been ‘briefed’ on a report by the Royal Foundation Centre For Early Childhood, leading to speculation that she may be planning to return to work. The early years of child development is, of course, one of the Princess’s passion projects. After speculation spread that this could be an indication she was due to return…

Billie Shepherd and her extended Faiers family are used to sharing details of their personal lives with TV viewers. But Billie, 34, recently wore her heart on her sleeve even more than usual, when she opened up about a particularly tough challenge the family have been contending with. The reality star previously revealed her stepdad Dave ‘Chatty’ Chatwood had received the results of some blood tests and that he could have only 15 months to live if he carried on living the lifestyle he was, including his alcohol consumption. Billie – who’s mum to Nelly, nine, Arthur, seven, and Margot, one, with husband Greg – explained, ‘Dad’s found out that his liver results are abnormal and, after telling the doctors that he drinks a lot more than what he should…

1 FACE VALUE As the temperatures rise, you’re probably less likely to cake on the cosmetics, but that doesn’t stop you wanting a fresh-faced complexion. While blotting papers are a useful on-the-go solution, setting sprays help encourage your make-up to stay in place after you’ve first applied it. Collection Filter Finish Flawless Skin Setting Spray , £7.99, is an aerosol that emits an even, fine mist (as opposed to squirting in small doses!), preventing the likes of your base and blusher transferring. For extra insurance, use Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Brush SPF30, £10.90, to make light work of shiny spots. 2 LASHES THAT LAST Tubing mascaras were first on the scene years ago, but have recently had a resurgence. The difference between these and regular formulas is that they feature polymers…

Taking deep breaths to calm my panic, I felt myself slide back into the MRI scanner. The only way that I could endure the tiny space and endless beeps was to stay focused. ‘I’ll finally get some answers,’ I told myself as the minutes crept by. I was oblivious to the truth. That the scan would reveal a brain tumour that could end my life in months. It was 2019 when I first felt the back pain. No matter how I stretched or moved, I just couldn’t shake it. Juggling my job as a university lecturer, my sons Raphaiel, now 18, and Ismaiel, 17, and a very busy social life, I struggled with the constant discomfort. ‘I don’t want to keep taking the painkillers from the GP,’ I said to…

7 am. A commotion dragged me from sleep. ‘Are you awake, Auntie Katie?’ my five-year old-nephew Oskar yelled, rushing towards me. ‘I am now,’ I thought. He climbed on the bed laughing, ready for a morning snuggle. A few minutes later, George, his eight-year-old brother popped his head round the door and soon we were all larking around. I was 46 on my first ‘auntie holiday’ and despite the early starts, I was in heaven. Sharing an annual holiday with my sister and nephews is something, I can say with hand on heart, has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life and is now in my yearly calendar along with Christmas and Bank Holidays. It started by accident over a decade ago. My sister, Louise, had just…

With unlimited money, beautiful clothes, exquisite jewellery and posh dinners – being part of author Truman Capote’s inner circle was the pinnacle of New York society in the Sixties, Seventies and early Eighties. His elegant lady friends earned themselves the nickname: The Swans. And in the long-awaited new chapter of Ryan Murphy’s series: Feud: Capote vs The Swans on Disney+, this is exactly what the show focuses on. Truman Capote was an eccentric American novelist, playwright, screenwriter and actor whose works – including Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood – became cult classics. But scandal and betrayal weren’t just resigned to the pages of his books, they littered his own life too… Born in New Orleans in 1924, he was abandoned by his mother at a young age and…

When my elderly parents passed away within three months of each other in 2022, it was a very difficult time for me. It was the garden that helped me process my unbearable grief, teaching me that, regardless of how bleak things seem in the darkest times, Spring is always just around the corner. You can’t stay sad forever because suddenly there are snowdrops growing in the ground and beautiful new buds on the trees… Like my mum and her mum before her, I’d always been a keen gardener. Even as a teenager I’d felt more at home in the great outdoors than I did in a nightclub. And while I loved my job as an A&E nurse practitioner at University Hospital Lewisham in south London, it was challenging both mentally…

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Jenna took a step back from her handiwork, ‘Perfect,’ she muttered. Jenna had left university five years ago. Her time there had opened up a whole new world and she had graduated with newfound confidence and the desire to run her own successful marketing company. But in reality, she struggled to secure even a junior position and found herself flitting from one zero-hour contract job to another. An idea she had at the back of her mind kept forcing its way out and she couldn’t shake it off. Before uni, she had broached the subject with her parents. ‘It’s something I have always wanted to try.’ Her mum, Evelyn, had replied briskly, ‘Jenna, please be sensible. Get a degree under your belt. Things will be difficult enough as it is.’…

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/bestcross2324 ACROSS 4 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 17 20 21 22 23 24 DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 13 14 15 16 18 19 What is the name of the Coronation Street character played by Simon Gregson? The answer will appear in the shaded squares. Phone and online entries open 4 June 2024 until midnight on 21 June 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…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT If you’ve never been to Ludlow, you’re missing out. Renowned as a mini heaven for gourmands with a wealth of excellent restaurants, pubs, cafes and independent food and drink shops, the handsome, historic Shropshire town also has fascinating buildings, including a knock-out castle and awesome community church. What’s more, you don’t need a car as the centre is easily walkable. INSIDER’S GUIDE ● There are some great local walks as Ludlow lies on the edge of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Within the town, Whitcliffe Common has gorgeous views (ludlow.org.uk). ● You can see the town’s central highlights on foot, too. The impressive 11th-century Ludlow Castle is one of the UK’s finest medieval castles (ludlowcastle.com). For a refreshing pick-me-up, don’t miss the distinctive black-and-white Feathers…

Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp has told his son, Roman, that his previous brain tumour diagnosis left him ‘resigned to the fact I was going to die’. The former EastEnders star, 62, publicly battled two brain tumours back in the 90s, when he underwent major surgery to remove them. While the benign growths were thankfully successfully removed and haven’t come back, the Highbury, London-born star battles epilepsy as a side effect. Speaking on the first episode of his and Roman’s podcast, FFS! My Dad Is Martin Kemp, the True singer – who’s been married to Wham!’s Shirlie Holliman since 1988, got candid about the subject with their son. The former Capital radio presenter, 31, asked his dad how much longer he thinks he’ll be alive, to which Martin shockingly replied, ‘I’ll…

TOP TIP! This jumpsuit makes a great beach cover-up by day and can team with glam accessories for a night out!…

‘I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the British seaside. Things that put me off are: sunny Bank Holidays, seagulls, wind and expensive train fares. Luckily, the positives far outweigh the negatives, so it never takes me long to fall back in love with it again. I’ve been to so many of our coastal resorts, it’s difficult to pinpoint a favourite but if I had to choose it would be one of the towns on the South-East coast that we used to visit when we were kids. Folkestone, Margate, Ramsgate, and of course, Hastings – which was where I spent last weekend. I was happy to see that despite the invasion of Londoners looking for cheap second homes with a view, it really hadn’t changed that much since…

Skin and body enhancing treatments aren’t just for the stars across the pond. The good news is they’re also available here in the UK! Here are some of the best celeb-approved therapies, and my favourite at-home options, too... CACI Synergy Designed to do more than just fight wrinkles, this can be tailored to your skin type to target different issues. It uses LED light and microcurrents to tone, lift and tighten for a fresher, smoother complexion. CACI’s A-list fans include Jennifer Lopez. About £70 for a session. Emsculpt Neo A treatment to reduce fat and create a smoother silhouette will always be popular in Hollywood, and Emsculpt Neo is a firm favourite with stars including Drew Barrymore. The technique uses radiofrequency and electromagnetic technology to break down fat cells and…

Chilli Beef Burger A favourite winter warmer reinvented for summer into patties. Depending on your heat preference, use mild or hot chilli powder. Hands-on time 20min, plus cooling and chilling. Cooking time about 25min. Makes 4 FOR THE BURGERS 1tsp vegetable oil, plus extra to brush TO SERVE 4 brioche buns, split 1. For the burgers, heat oil in a small frying pan over low heat and cook the onion for 8min, until softened. Tip into a medium bowl; cool. 2. To the bowl, add the kidney beans and roughly crush. Mix in the remaining burger ingredients with plenty of seasoning. Divide and shape into 4 patties, each 2.5-3cm thick. Arrange on a plate, cover and chill for 30min to firm up. 3. Heat a large griddle/frying pan/ BBQ over…

Well, Spring has officially sprung - and it seems it’s not just Alan Titchmarsh who’s dusting off his gardening gloves... We’ve found some green-fingered celebs, who find tranquillity amongst the outdoors... Kate Garraway THE HEALING GARDEN Good Morning Britain’s Kate Garraway, who lost husband Derek Draper in January, took to Instagram to share a moving post after marking her first birthday since his passing. Taking her 1.3 million followers around her ‘healing’ garden, the mother of Darcey, 18, and Billy, 14, admitted she’d been avoiding the overgrown space. She said: ‘I have had the most amazing day in the garden. I loved doing the garden when Derek wasn’t well because it felt like when I was planting and doing stuff, when we could get him outside he could come and…

1 Spend quality time with animals Animals provide us with many joys, companionship being one of them. The simple act of petting our furry friends has been shown to induce the release of hormones responsible for making us feel more at ease. If you have a pet, set aside 15 minutes each day to give them your undivided attention. This will strengthen your bond, decrease anxiety and offer comfort. If you don’t have a pet, you could ask a neighbour or friend if you could spend some time with their pet, or consider visiting a local shelter. 2 Catch a sunset or sunrise Weather can play a deciding factor in our ability to enjoy this twice a day occurrence, but the payoff of eventually catching one is immense. Watch as…

Interiors and lifestyle lover Laura Greenhalgh inspires her 268,000 Instagram followers with gorgeous home updates, such as these... TIME TO DINE This is the most aesthetically pleasing summer dining table… boozy brunch, anyone? KITCHEN CORNERS These kitchen accessories are serious must-haves for any kitchen! We’ve spotted the ‘Chef Was Cute Would Eat Here Again’ poster on etsy.co.uk at £9. LITTLE TOUCHES As if Laura’s bathroom wasn’t idyllic enough... we spy some wine, snacks, a candle and a book ready and waiting at the tub. The dream! A TOUCH OF PINK If you love Laura’s bedsheets as much as us, check out Dunelm’s Pure Cotton Plain Dye Duvet at £22. MIRROR MIRROR A fan of the enchanted mirror? At Dunelm, there’s a gorgeous Moroccan Gold Curved Mirror at £45. WELCOME HOME…

GEMINI 22 May – 21 June With so many planets, including the New Moon, in your sign, this week could be a personal ‘new year’ as you wipe the slate clean to get going with interesting projects. However, a boss, parent or simply your own inner critic could cast a shadow over this. Don’t buy it! As long as you plan realistically, you’ll find fulfilment. CANCER 22 June – 23 July Moonchild that you are, you’ll feel this week’s New Moon and it could make you melancholy and wistful. Is there something or someone that you truly need to mourn? If so, light a candle and honour this with quiet reflection. If not, be stern with yourself. Don’t let memory cast a halo on the insignificant. Life is for living…

BEFORE YOU GO ★ Use appropriate carriers for cats and smaller animals. ‘Get cats used to it by leaving it out beforehand so they can explore on their own terms,’ advises Gemma Renwick, PDSA vet (pdsa.org.uk). ‘Place their favourite treat, toy or blanket inside,’ she adds. ★ Travel safely. ‘Ensure they’re safe and secure, whatever mode of transport you use,’ says Gemma. ‘Try to encourage them to use the toilet beforehand to prevent accidents.’ It’s worth spacing out mealtimes, too. ‘Avoid feeding them a large meal before going to the vet if they suffer from travel sickness,’ she adds. ★ Check times. ‘There may be a lull in the afternoon, and your pet may be calmer in a waiting room with fewer pets around,’ says Gemma. ★ As for dogs,…

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