Table of contents for 3 - 2017 in Best

‘If there’s one thing I’ve learnt’ ‘You can’t plan your whole life out, but nothing should stop you from fulfilling your dreams.’ I never thought about motherhood in my 20s. With dreams of becoming a teacher and travelling the world, I loved my independence. Even when I got married at 30, I thought I had plenty of time to start a family. But life can surprise you. Because, four years later, my husband left me. I was devastated, and it took months to mend my broken heart. But even then, I thought I was young enough to meet someone new and start again. Then, my beloved dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I promised him I’d look after my mum, who had severe emphysema and asthma, and that’s what I…

As temperatures plummet, so does your skin’s moisture levels, which may leave you looking dehydrated. Here’s how to fight back and boost your complexion. BOOST RADIANCE WITH PHOTO REJUVENATION (IPL) Lumecca, the newest IPL rejuvenation system, boosts collagen, and targets broken capillaries and sun damage. It will also help clear age spots and improve skin tone. A small, intense flash of light is emitted onto your skin, and the treatment is quick and relatively pain-free. For longer-lasting results, try up to six courses. It’s vital you use SPF 30 to protect the new skin. Prices range from £60-£100 per session. SUPER-CHARGE YOUR SKIN WITH A HYDRAFACIAL This hard-working facial delivers immediate, visible results, and lasting anti-ageing benefits. The treatment combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration, red light therapy and antioxidant…

Single for almost a year now in real life, Natalie confesses, ‘At the age of 42, it’s hard not to date younger men. A few years ago I dated somebody who was 26 – that’s the youngest! It was great fun, but I don’t think I’d go for somebody in their 20s now. Actually, it would be quite nice to meet somebody older than me. As long as he had a zest for life and was tall, dark and handsome! It would be quite nice if somebody could teach me a few tricks.’ Although Natalie is happy with her single status, she says she would like to meet The One. ‘I like my own time and space and being with my friends. If I meet someone along the way, that’s…

A man cleared his throat behind me, and I turned around from my computer to look at him expectantly. ‘Excuse me, are there two Delpha Popes that work here?’ he asked. As I shook my head, he did a double-take. ‘Sorry,’ he stammered. ‘I didn’t recognise you.’ And, at his words, a huge smile spread across my face. Since I’d lost 10st, he wasn’t the first person to think I was someone else, and I had a sneaky feeling he wouldn’t be the last. Looking back now, I can’t believe I managed to get as big as I did. I hadn’t always been that way. As a child of the ’70s I didn’t have the healthiest diet, and my parents were both overweight, but a love of cycling and swimming…

best LUXE BUY best BUDGET BUY TOP TIP Ballet flats look great with cropped trousers, and showing off your ankle can have a slimming effect!…

She stole the world’s heart as the fairy-tale princess we all fell in love with before she even married her prince in July 1981. And, even when she and Charles split in 1992, she continued to hit the headlines as the Queen of Hearts for her charity work. She was, as she’d always wanted to be, The People’s Princess. So, when the news broke in August 1997 that she’d died in a horrific car accident in Paris, aged only 36, the outpouring of grief was phenomenal. Conspiracy theories soon began to appear. One was that the paparazzi had hounded Diana to her death. Another, more sinister, claimed that the British Government was involved and had somehow ‘arranged’ the accident. Over the years, despite three major investigations both in Britain…

As Gary Barlow celebrates his 46th birthday on Friday, it looks like it’s shaping up to be a great year for the music maestro. His new TV talent show, Let It Shine, on the BBC, has been a success with viewers and he’s gearing up to launch his West End musical, The Girls, next month, based on the movie Calendar Girls. Is there nothing this man cannot do!…

TWO BY CHRISTIE The BBC’s stylish Christmas adaptations of Agatha Christie stories And Then There were None, with Aidan Turner, and The Witness For The Prosecution, starring Kim Cattrall, are out now on a double DVD, £29.99. TREAT G&T, anyone? Even if you are giving up the demon drink for January, you’re still allowed to inhale the aroma of a crisp gin and tonic. For a cheat treat, this beautiful candle is just £4 from Next. DON’T MISS MEET ME AT BEACHCOMBER BAY BY JILL MANSELL Love is in the air in the Cornish Town of St Carys, although the path to happy endings is as rocky as the coastline. A breezy, feel-good romance. Out now, £7.99…

Tony Cowell BEST’S CELEBRITY INSIDER TALKS SHOWBIZ Heavyweight BGT judges Simon Cowell and David Walliams are going head-to-head at next week’s National Television Awards in a bid to win the Best TV Judge title… It was David who won the coveted trophy back in 2015, and Simon was furious, admitting that having to collect the award on David’s behalf was one of the most awful moments in his career. He told me, ‘Not content with me having to accept the award, David then proceeded to take it, hidden in a plastic bag, to every BGT audition around the country. He even had it on the judging desk at the live shows. It was horrific, and I want revenge!’ But Simon may have to wait to get his own back…

Watching Trinny Woodall during her style slot on ITV’s This Morning recently, we’re sure we’re not the only ones who did a double take. Trinny, 52, is looking less and less like the slender woman who once held uncompromising views on how we all should dress, and more and more like the curvaceous, 57-year-old chef Nigella Lawson. Trinny – who has the same pouty lips, glossy dark curls, impressive cleavage and sculpted cheekbones as the domestic goddess – already admits to Botox and being a fan of ‘vampire facelifts’ best plastic surgery expert Lesley Reynolds speculates, ‘Trinny’s probably had some facial work done – fillers in her cheeks and lips, a mini facelift, perhaps. She looks unnaturally full-faced for her age but, in my opinion, that doesn’t mean she…

‘I should go to the doctor, but my head goes in the sand and I think, “Right, life, let’s get on with it”’ Did you know? Mel and Sue threaten to topple Ant & Dec from their TV throne on 25 January at the National Television Awards. They’re vying with the lads in the Best Presenter category. When she first rose to fame with her Great British Bake Off sidekick Sue Perkins on the Channel 4 lunchtime comedy chatshow Light Lunch, back in the mid-90s, funnywoman Mel Giedroyc was all about the comfort. She certainly wasn’t huge, but Mel, now 48, looked like she may have been helping herself to a few too many of the creations guest chefs would rustle up! She and Sue, 47, were also big fans…

CAROL McGIFFIN ‘Sienna Miller has been “moaning” about filming endless love scenes with Ben Affleck for their new film, Live By Night. Heavens, one day they spent nearly nine hours doing it! Poor Sienna ended up in tears and, even though most of the action from that day will end up on the cutting-room floor, it’ll be me who’s in tears if I ever have to watch the steamy remains. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve not turned into Mary Whitehouse. It’s just that sex scenes seem to be in every film you watch and are there, I suspect, more for the benefit of a pervy old director than the viewing audience. They are uncomfortable to watch, gratuitous, pointless and almost never add anything to the film. At least, with…

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted children. I could picture myself running around after a little one, having someone to spoil and shower with love. I thought it’d be simple and, when me and my husband, Ross, started trying in 2009, I never dreamed my weight would stand in our way. Yet, at 19st, not only did I fail to conceive naturally, but doctors also told me I was too big for IVF. I was crushed – but determined not to give up. So, with the help of online weight-loss programme Jane Plan, I shed a sensational 9st – and now we have a beautiful baby girl. There was no mystery to my weight problems – I just loved food. I ate huge portions, but my mum…

Best ON Test best BARGAIN TRACKER Budget buys Nakosite Best Fitness Tracker, £18.99, amazon.co.uk This is one of the more basic fitness trackers on sale, but it is perfect for beginners as it has all the essentials. It doesn’t need an app, so it’s easy to set up. All your information is on the screen, including steps taken, calories burned and a speed sensor. MoreFit Fitness Tracker, £19.45, amazon.co.uk Counts steps and calories burned, and alerts you to messages and calls to your phone. Great value but seemed over-generous with the step count, so check the settings. Wireless Activity Tracker, £24.99, Aldi A simple design, but difficult to set up. Once it’s ready to go, it’s a great budget buy. It’s compatible with both Android mobiles and iPhones, but it…

Did you Know? Amber and Jennifer were first pitted against each other in 2012, after they both performed Whitney Houston’s classic I Will Always Love You in tribute to the late singer. American singers Jennifer Hudson and Amber Riley have hit our screens as Saturday night talent show judges this month, but the similarities don’t end there… A revamped Voice is back on ITV with new judge Jennifer Hudson. But with rival show Let It Shine (just ahead in the ratings battle), welcoming ex-Glee star Amber Riley to its panel, it feels like a case of déjà vu. Jen, now 35, is the perfect person to take on the role of mentor – having found fame herself on TV in 2004 on American Idol. Despite finishing seventh, her career has been…

EXCLUSIVE Loose Women star Coleen Nolan, 51 – currently entertaining the nation on Celebrity Big Brother – has been brutally honest about the fact that her eight-year marriage to Rick Astley’s backing guitarist, Ray Fensome, is at a crisis point. ‘I don’t want it to fail,’ she said shortly before entering the CBB House. ‘I really love Ray, but I always feel like I’m having a go at him. It’s horrible.’ Though she admits their relationship has lost its ‘spark’, Coleen has also said she’s determined to fight for it. The couple have daughter Ciara, 16, while Coleen also has two sons from her first marriage, to EastEnders star Shane Richie, whom she divorced in 1997 – Shane, 28, and Jake, 24 (lead singer in the pop group Rixton). Here,…

At the end of last year, it was reported that the wait to see a GP can be as long as three weeks – and we all know how hard it is to get an appointment when you need some same-day advice. But there are actually quite a few ailments you can treat yourself with a little knowledge, or a friendly pharmacist… SKIN SENSE It’s always worth speaking to your pharmacist if you have a skin issue or a new rash, as long as you are otherwise well. They are able to advise on creams for a huge range of skin problems, from acne and eczema to ringworm or insect bites. They can recommend anti-fungal creams, as well as steroids and great emollients. If they’re worried, they’ll send you to…

Some actresses would baulk at being dubbed ‘Mucky Moira’, but Emmerdale’s Natalie Robb takes nothing but amusement from her light-hearted screen moniker. It’s a nod to her character Moira Barton’s robust love life – last month alone viewers saw the farmer hop into bed with both her estranged husband Cain (Dingle, played by Jeff Hordley) and her nephew Peter (Barton, Anthony Quinlan) – yep, that’s his own auntie! But it’s not all fun and games in the Dales, and it’s been Natalie’s heartbreaking performances  as a grieving mum when her daughter overdosed on heroin at the age of 20 that have seen her shortlisted for a National Television Award later this month. Here, the 42-year-old star from Yorkshire talks exclusively to best about her onscreen love life, why she’s single…

Floral fancy Sick of your winter wardrobe? Add a bold bloom to give it a new lease of life... l We typically associate florals with spring or summer, but this strong print can update your wardrobe right now. The key is to shop for moody, dark prints rather than pastel shades. Take a tip from Dita Von Teese and team a classic frock with a pair of killer courts to create an über-glam daytime look. l If you want to start moving out of black, wear a floral-print blouse with a bold colour-pop bag. It’s a simple way to introduce a splash of colour to your outfit. l A clever print can help sculpt your figure. Shop for a dress with strategically placed blooms, which will detract the eye from…

I’d always adored my big brother, Darren, and he was the most supportive person I knew. That’s not to say we didn’t squabble – we were siblings, after all – but I was closer to him than anyone else. So, when he died unexpectedly of organ failure in November 2015, aged just 39, I was absolutely heartbroken. Doctors couldn’t explain why it had happened, and it got me thinking. Darren had lost his life through no fault of his own, yet here I was, at 18st and a size 22, being reckless with my own health. I already had high blood pressure, and was terrified I’d end up with type 2 diabetes, or worse. My problems had started years before, when I was a teenager. Despite my mum, Christine, now…

An apple a day… Shop seasonally and freshen up your fruit bowl with some tasty Opal apples. Unlike their Golden Delicious cousins, Opals are firm and crunchy, and make a great snack when topped with peanut butter. Look out for them in major supermarkets from now until March. Wine not? You may not be doing Dry January, but if you fancy a tipple with less alcohol content, Lidl’s new collection of tasty lighter wines will really hit the spot. Cuvée Royale Côtes de Gascogne, £5.99 SMARTER STORAGE If your plastic container collection has seen better days, make this month the time to sort it out for good. Chuck out damaged bits or missing lids, and invest in the brilliant new Cook & Go range from Pyrex, made from borosilicate glass.…

ALL COOKED IN 35 MINS AND UNDER [PREP TIMES TAKE TOTAL TIME OVER 30 FOR SOME] Lamb koftas and flatbreads MAKES 8 PREP: 15 mins COOK: 15 mins Per serving: kcals 277; fat 11.5g; sat fat 5.5g; carbs 25g 500g lamb mince 1 onion, peeled and grated Pinch dried mint Flat leaf parsley, chopped Pinch ground cumin Pinch ground cinnamon 1tbsp olive oil Flatbreads, shredded red cabbage, pickled red chillies, sliced red onion and Greek yoghurt, to serve 1 Add mince to a bowl, season and mix in the onion, herbs and spices. 2 Divide the mix into eight portions, then mould around wooden skewers that have been soaked for 30 mins. Put in the fridge overnight. 3 Heat a frying pan with the oil. Add the kebabs, and fry…

…going back to the ITV soap Emmerdale I’m really happy to be back. There’s always something going with Debbie [Dingle], which I love. I don’t think I’d have necessarily come back if the character had been a bit boring. I wouldn’t want to just do a bit behind the bar in the Woolpack. …welcoming second son Bowie to the family Matthew [Wolfenden, Charley’s partner and Emmerdale co-star] and I were thrilled to have another boy. Our son, Buster, is six – he was so desperate for a brother, he’d have been heartbroken if we’d had a girl. He’s obsessed with the baby. Bowie’s his favourite thing in the whole world. …having a year off with her new baby I’ve had a great time just doing mum things, like the school run, dance…

Idris trained at the National Youth Music Theatre, and began his career by taking bit parts in The Bill, before shooting to fame in US drama The Wire. What was life like growing up? I was a boy in Canning Town in East London, a National Front area. At any time you could see street violence or tear-ups going on, and it was race-related. Is that why you wanted to become a fighter? I used to train as a kickboxer back in the day. It’s been my dream to fight in a ring properly. Weren’t you worried about getting injured? The thing most people say when I tell them I’m doing this is, ‘What about your face?’ I’ve busted my nose a couple of times – hopefully it doesn’t…