Table of contents for 33 - 2022 in Best

She is the head of our Entertainment Advertising division so – unsurprisingly – she loves all things film and theatre. In fact, our Kelly is rather theatrical herself. She remarries her husband Jon every five years, and this year, she chose a Beetlejuice theme and went to Vegas to retie the knot. When she returned, last week, the hospital discovered blood clots on her lungs from flying, which could have ended her life. Did she sign off sick for weeks? She did not. Instead, she attended a film premiere, accompanied by her son, Lachlan, who was worried she might fall because of her sight. ‘I don’t waste a second of the time I might have left,’ she told me. ‘It’s my mission to make as many memories as I can…

She’s one of our best-loved broadcasters, with decades of TV experience behind her, ranging from The One Show to Loose Women. And Gloria Hunniford, 82, is also – along with Angela Rippon and Julia Somerville – the face of Rip Off Britain, the show that fights for consumer rights, which is more important than ever in the cost of living crisis. Rip Off Britain will be going out in a primetime slot this month and then returning for live shows in October. We caught up with Northern Irish star, who was recently injured in a fall, to talk recuperation, recreation and puppy love… How are you, Gloria? I’m getting there, after my fall, but I am not quite back to my usual self. I really took a battering and I…

1 THE SUN IMPROVES SPOT-PRONE SKIN NO! ‘UV rays are anti-inflammatory – so initially, angry red blemishes can improve,’ says cosmetic dermatologist Sam Bunting. ‘But in the long run, sun thickens the outer skin layer, promoting clogging of pores and nasty flare-ups. It also darkens post-blemish spots even further.’ And, she adds, forget the idea of ‘drying out spots’. ‘Supporting skin’s lipid barrier (which keeps out irritating substances) is critical for acne management. So choose a non-comedogenic, hydrating, SPF.’ We like UpCircle SPF25 Mineral Sunscreen, £24.99. 2 WATERPROOF MAKE-UP IS A FAFF TO APPLY – AND REMOVE NOT TRUE! ‘Waterproof make-up used to be made with heavy oils and waxes, making it scratchy or sticky,’ reveals make-up artist Daniel Sandler. ‘Modern products are mostly silicone-based and as lightweight as regular…

Gin pearl Ice cream is not necessarily the first mixer you think of for gin, but the combination of the two has been enjoyed for nearly a century – the inspiration for the following cocktail goes back to 1927. The drink is rich and indulgent, but balanced, and the really exciting thing is that the flavour is limited only by the varieties of ice cream you can find! SERVES 1 • 45 ml gin• 1 scoop (approx 50 g) ice cream of your choice (vanilla, chocolate or strawberry are great ones to start with)• Garnish of your choice (to complement the ice cream flavour) Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously without ice and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with the decoration of your choice. Variation:…

As I closed down my computer and picked up my handbag, my colleague smiled and said, ‘Have a lovely weekend…’ It was a Thursday night, and I was finished for the week at my job in marketing and public relations. But while most women might be going home to put their feet up and have a glass of wine, my working week was far from over. On Friday mornings, I had a job as a cleaner and then I barely had time to get home and get changed before rushing off to our local pub where I did shifts over the weekend. It was exhausting but it was what I had to do to make ends meet. And there was no end date on it – I already knew I’d…

✔ If you have strawberry plants, look for runners – long stems that are shoots with small green leaves at the end. Find a new pot, add compost and plant this runner in the new pot (keep it attached to the original plant). It will develop into more strawberries. ✔ Do you have a stone fruit (plums, apricots, cherries) tree more than three years old? Summer is the time to prune it to avoid diseases taking hold. Shorten new branches by half to establish a new shape and encourage side shoots to form. Take away any shoots growing into the middle of the tree, and discard dying or damaged branches. Disinfect secateurs after. ✔ Keep watering: Some plants, particularly purple sprouting broccoli and spinach ‘bolt’ quicker in hot conditions. You…

1 A MINI EYE PALETTE Barry M Mini Cream Eyeshadow Palette (£6.99, barrym.com) Cream eye shadow stays on better in hot temperatures – it doesn’t crease and stays put longer. These mini palettes have five highly pigmented shadows so you can create as many looks for day or night as you like. There are three palettes to choose from – go for bright and bold with The Jewels, on trend with The Berries or stay simply classic with The Nudes. Apply with your fingertips, patting it on to your lids until you get the effect you’re looking for. 2 CLEVER LIP BALM Catrice Cosmetics Hemp & Mint Glow Lip Balm (£4.99, justmylook.com) A pout pampering lip balm to nourish dry lips is essential in hot weather. This is formulated with…

It’s no surprise, considering the cost of living crisis we’re currently in, that Google searches for ‘move abroad’ have gone up by 1,000 per cent since April this year. A lovely home on the coast of Spain, or a village farmhouse in the Italian hills, can often cost far less money than anything you’ll find in the UK. And if your kids are all settled with families of their own, there’s nothing to hold you back. With technology and travel connections better than ever, living (and even working) abroad can be a perfect option for many. So which country to pick? If your main concern is reducing your cost of living, a good place to start is Expatistan (expatistan.com), which compares the cost of living around the world in 85…

IS HE AT PEACE? My father passed recently after 73 years with my mother. I just want to know if he is at peace, so I can tell my mother. Are you able to pass anything on to me? Christina LEE SAYS: Hi Christina, I feel that your father is at peace, because things are very calm in the family and everything has been taken care of. Sometimes it’s good to look out for signs in the house because he is around. Signs of unusual noises or activity with the lights, I hope this helps you. IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE FOR ME? There’s one important question I’d really like to ask you, Lee. Will I find someone to share my life with? And are you able to tell me…

CALLING ALL PETS! From funny to cute, we’re looking for more pets to star in our ‘Day in the Life’ series. If you think your animal is the perfect match, email bestpets@hearst.co.uk with details of your pet, plus a series of snaps.* PET OF THE WEEK Name: Ollie Age: 6 months Breed: Shitzu Owners: Danielle and Adam, Bexleyheath…

Actress Greta Scacchi, 62 – former femme fatale of Hollywood – is as passionate as ever about what she does for a living. Here she opens up about her latest project – Acorn TV detective series Darby and Joan – costarring former Cocktail star Bryan Brown (who doesn’t remember THAT film?). An Australian roadtrip drama that follows retired detective Jack Darby (Brown) who is fleeing his past mistakes, and recently widowed English nurse Joan (Scacchi,) as they meet and trek across the bush in Darby’s RV – they’re an odd but irresistible pair, who solve crimes together. Darby’s easy outback personality clashing with Joan’s high-strung English perspective. Here mum-of-two Greta talks about beautiful backdrops, her actress daughter and her own dreams of adventure… Tell us about Darby and Joan – sounds…

GOING OUT WITH THE GIRLS! DRYBY, LONDON If you can’t do a bit of pampering during a girly day out in London, then when can you? Since opening, DryBy has become the best girly place to go for blow-dries and chic manicures. It’s an ideal spot for catching up with your gal pals whilst you get preened and polished. Make sure to book an appointment. Visit dryby.co.uk HELE CORN MILL & TEA ROOM, DEVON There is much debate between Devon and Cornwall over where cream tea originated. Historians have since unearthed evidence that the cream team originated in the Devon town of Tavistock, so if you’re in the West Country, why not stop off and have a spot of afternoon tea! HOUSE OF BURLESQUE, MANCHESTER Grab the girls, and head…

Fill in the grid according to the arrows. When done, the shaded yellow squares, reading top to bottom left to right, will reveal the answer to the following question: Q What was the Roman name for what is now Scotland? 50% off puzzle books! All puzzles are kindly supplied by Richardson Puzzles & Games, which is running a half-price Summer sale on its puzzle book range. Head to hive.co.uk/richardson-puzzles to choose your puzzle book at a massive 50 per cent discount off the RRP and FREE P&P! The Summer sale ends on 30 September 2022. T&Cs apply. SOLUTIONS SEARCH ME Not hidden: Seaside GIANT ARROWWORD Answer: Caledonia TURN OVER FOR MORE…

Kim Wilde is one of the most adored female singers of the Eighties. In 1981 her debut single, Kids in America, was a global hit and she went on to sell over 30 million records. Seen as the voice of a generation of youth, Kim’s punchy vocals hit airwaves around the world, and she still holds the record for being the most-charted British female solo act of the decade. Here, the former rebel, now 61, opens-up about her dad (Sixties rock and roll legend Marty Wilde), her crush on Harry Styles, and getting Boy George to record a duet for her Greatest Hits album… Hi, Kim! What was lockdown like for you – were you creative, or was it just more gardening? To be honest, I spent most of the first…

FAVOURITE TIPPLE? I’m not a big drinker but in hot weather I like a Kir Royale and I love a gin and tonic. Stephen and I have a treehouse and I’ll say ‘I’ll see you up the tree at six’ – it’s the best G&T ever. HER SIGNATURE DISH? Well, during lockdown when I get fed up cooking three meals a day, I discovered a really good mushroom pasta. It’s so simple but really divine. I do a great roast as well. TOP TELLY TREAT? I love watching Grand Designs – I get so embroiled in the storylines, about why people are so adamant about what they are doing. I was in tears by the end the other night!…

LESLEY You’ve heard this a million times before, but it is vital to wear sun protection every day. While I practise what I preach, I’m embarrassed to admit that as a teenager my idea of protection was baby oil with a dash of vinegar to keep the flies away! Back then it was all about getting the fastest tan, as it was associated with being healthy and attractive. All we had was a maximum SPF of eight! I would spend hours frying, progressing to a sunbed. Now, of course, we all know how reckless sunbathing is. I didn’t start using sunscreen until I was in my 30s and working in beauty. By then I was clued up on the dangers: 80 per cent of skin ageing – sagging, wrinkles and…

For those who’ve occasionally read my frontline experiences in the dating world as a nearly 50-year-old man trying to find ‘the one’ rather than ‘the one for tonight’ will know that my success rate has been as successful as Boris Johnson clinging to power. However, this month I have a spring in my step, not quite a Michael Jackson Moon Walk but at least something that is reflective of the fact I’ve had several dates with the same girl! Applying the adage, it’s a numbers game – you have to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince/princess, I arranged three dates over a week. One was very tall, ditzy and cute. A Keira Knightley lookalike, in fact, but something was missing. The next one was rude, defensive, prickly…

Turn over for great books Singer, presenter and actor Michael Ball can’t resist THE LORD OF THE RINGS BY J.R.R. TOLKEIN, PUBLISHED BY HARPERCOLLINS, £9.99 It sounds so geeky but I bloody love The Lord of the Rings. I like the characters, the imagination, the scale. I like a big, thick book you can get lost in. A book you can read and reread – I love fantasy and it’s full of adventure. I liked this book long before it was trendy, I was still at school but I just wanted to read. I’ve seen all of the films too, I just love it. Michael’s debut novel The Empire is out 13 October, tickets for his book events (11 and 17 October) are at fane.co.uk EastEnders star Emma Barton loved…

As the eldest child of Victoria and David, Brooklyn Beckham seemed destined to continue in the famous family’s footsteps in whatever career path he chose. The eldest Beckham boy initially hoped to follow in his dad’s footsteps as a professional footballer, before turning to photography, managing one year at design school in New York and releasing a less-than-well-received book. He also tried working as chef and then settled on modelling. But last week, he was dropped from his £1 million gig as the face of Superdry. As news broke that fashion brand had ‘abruptly axed’ their contract with Brooklyn after less than eight months, they explained, ‘We decided to work with a different range of talent for Spring/Summer 22.’ No matter how old your children are, you’re always disappointed whenever…

Dear Sweets This has been a hard one for me as I’m very lucky to be regularly complimented on my smile but, personally, I think that’s more the warmth that’s exuded – not the gnashers. Anyway, about two years ago I got several DMs on Instagram asking me to fly to Turkey and have a whole lot of work done for free in exchange of a couple of posts. Now this is very tempting as it’s £20,000 worth of dental work… I’ve had a lot of dental work over the years – and very bad work, may I add. It was a news story many years ago that dentists made money if they removed teeth and I suffered from that, I had so many teeth removed at the back of…

‘Hello, Grandad.’ Davy placed a bright red and orange spiky thing onto the table that cantilevered across the old man’s steel-framed hospital bed. He shoved a small rucksack under a grey plastic chair by the bedside and sat down hopefully. An awkward pause followed. The old man could not place the child at all. ‘What do you want?’ he asked, his hands tapping nervously on the pale blue blanket; looking from the boy to the incomprehensible tangle of coloured plastic patterns and projecting shapes crouching ominously on the table. The boy felt confused. ‘Mum’s just coming,’ he offered, gesturing to a place beyond the old man’s focus, towards the door of the stroke recovery ward, where Susan was speaking with a nurse. The hospital had just relaxed its visiting rules,…

She was one of its sexy starlets, in films like White Mischief (1987) with Charles Dance (right), and Emma (1996), alongside Gwyneth Paltrow – and she was dubbed ‘Scorchy Scacchi’ in the Eighties for her nude scenes – but Greta has been very open about her distaste for Hollywood. ‘Before I experienced it, it was somewhere I didn’t imagine I’d ever feel at home. I was right. It’s not a healthy place to be. You have this whole social life which is a schmoozing, career-making, sickly business. It’s an industry which attracts people with ambition – its goals quantifiable in money and status. I’d always come from a passion for being an actor. It’s about what moves me. You’ve got me frothing at the mouth!’…

Enduring a divorce and losing a pet in quick succession would be enough to break anyone. And Alan Carr experienced both in the space of just 12 months. Now, the star has admitted it was his comedy career that probably saved him from having an emotional breakdown. Alan, 46, announced his divorce from partner of 14 years and husband of three, Paul Drayton, in January. But, just as the ink was drying on the divorce papers, Alan was dealt another devastating blow – their beloved dog, Bev, passed away. ‘I knew it would be hard, but not that hard,’ Alan recalled. ‘The marriage had ended, the divorce came through and then the dog died. It was a rubbish year.’ Alan reunited with Paul, 50, to say their goodbyes, but admitted…

While she’s busy juggling her Royal duties, Kate’s most important role is undoubtedly mum to her three children. And with Prince George growing older, having recently celebrated his ninth birthday, Kate and hubby William are starting to think more seriously about his future. According to Royal biographer Katie Nicholl, Kate and Wills don’t want to ‘weigh Prince George down’ with the ‘burden’ of becoming the future king. She recently explained that they’re conscious of not having it ‘made into a big deal’. But, Katie noted that they’ve been keen to have him by their side at recent engagements, including Wimbledon and the Jubilee celebrations – but making sure he’s happy with it. ‘He’s not as outgoing as his sister or little brother but he seems comfortable taking on the few public…

Exchanging vows in front of our family and friends, I knew that my wedding day to Jon was the happiest of my life. We’d met by chance in a pub two years earlier and the connection had been instant. On the surface we were chalk and cheese. I worked in the film and entertainment industry and loved to dye my hair bright colours. Jon was down-to-earth and laid-back, the head of maintenance for an accountancy firm. But underneath, we were cut from the same cloth – a perfect pair. My son and Jon’s three kids hit it off too and, on 4 June 2016, we made our blended family official. I wanted our special day to be as memorable for the guests as it was for us, so we had…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Water-dense foods like cucumber, melon, celery and pineapple keep you hydrated and give you a natural sugar fix. Cut into chunks and add to smoothies, salads or eat chilled from the fridge. 2 US skin professor Joshua Zeichner says drinking more water will make you feel fuller so you actually eat less each day. Sip a large glass of water before each meal – choose still or tap. 3 Sipping water helps digestion when you eat, speeding up weight loss and breaking down food so you’re better able to absorb nutrients. The more you drink the better your body will be at flushing out toxins that get trapped in fat cells, potentially leading to cellulite. 4 Cutting down on salt and increasing water intake will beat…

Standing in Varese public square in northern Italy, I probably looked like Mary Poppins. Wearing a long dark coat and holding luggage, I approached a man and his twin children who were waiting to greet me. They smiled warmly and we were soon chatting away in English as we headed back to their home. ‘Do you know anything about Pokémon?’ I asked the little boy Gioele, then seven, when we arrived at their house. His face lit up and he spoke passionately about the Japanese cartoon and he proudly displayed his Pokémon cards. Ester, his sister, shyly showed me her Barbie collection. I’d never met the kids before – nor their parents, Andrea and Rachele – but what had initially been planned as a holiday had ended with me working…

● Onions and garlic: If you want to store them for a long period, they require drying (or ‘curing’) for approx two weeks. With garlic this is the curing process. Don’t cut the root or the stem, but hang up your harvest in a well ventilated area. Once the outside skin is crisp and inner stem is dry, you’ll know they’re ready to eat. ● Pumpkins and squashes: Once you’ve cut them away from the plant, cure them for approx two weeks in a cool, dark environment so the outer skin hardens. This helps protect the flesh, too. ● Peas: These can be stored in their pods in the fridge, but when you depod, look out for tiny caterpillars who may have set up home. Affected peas will need to…

1 E at less meat and dairy: Having fewer or smaller portions of meat and switching to non-dairy alternatives can help. Choosing fresh, seasonal foods, locally grown can also help reduce the carbon emissions from transportation, preservation, and prolonged refrigeration. 2 Take fewer flights: This reduces the carbon emissions released into our atmosphere. 3 Leave your car at home: Can you walk or cycle to where you need to go? Not only would this save money and have a positive effect on your mental and physical health, it also helps reduce air pollution and the greenhouse gas emissions. 4 Reduce energy use – and bills: Small changes will help you use less energy, cutting not only your carbon footprint but also your bills. Switch off lights and appliances when you…

KILLER THR ILLERS The Family Remains Lisa Jewell Century, £14.99 A bag of bones washed up by the tide, a house haunted by its dark history, and a group of traumatised individuals fighting to escape their unhappy pasts… All the ingredients blend together here in this brilliant follow-up from the always-awesome author. The Last Party Clare Mackintosh Sphere, £14.99 When a New Year’s Eve party at a luxury Welsh holiday resort ends with a dead body floating in a lake, local copper Ffion Morgan has a whole village full of suspects to sift through. A lively whodunnit with some great characters – this is a mystery to sink your teeth into. HEART-WRENCHING DR AMAS This Beating Heart Laura Barnett W&N, £14.99 Christina thinks she’s found her happy ever after with…

The old man and I were cruising through heavy traffic on the outskirts of Brixton last week, when something peculiar unfolded before our eyes. A young man was chasing a thin young woman holding a black bin liner down the road. ‘Take a photo,’ he kept shouting, ‘She did it, it was her, stop her.’ What on earth was she being accused of? Across the road from the chase, a middle-aged guy at a bus stop suddenly pointed his finger, a look of horror spreading across his face. With the car still crawling along the road, I glanced in the direction of where he was pointing – a sizeable fire was blazing on a patch of dry grass next to some flats. ‘Call the fire brigade,’ someone else shouted. As…

NOSE CONSTANTLY RUNS I thought perhaps the time of year may have something to do with my nose constantly running, given it’s peak hay fever season. But I’ve never experienced anything like this before. My nose has been constantly running without fail for about three weeks now and it’s affecting my everyday life. I find it so embarrassing always getting a tissue out at work or on a train or even going out for a meal! Do you have any idea why this could be happening? And perhaps a prevention? Julie, Peterborough DR HILARY SAYS: A constantly running nose at this time of year is most likely to be caused by hay fever, which can be due to different grass or tree pollens. But rhinitis – as the condition is…

ARIES 21 March – 20 April Someone you fell out with in the past will be trying to make their way back into your life. Their apologies for having hurt you may sound sincere but you broke up for a good reason. If you agree to get back together, the same thing could happen again. Someone will put an interesting proposition your way. You’re tempted to take a chance on a speculative venture. The fun will actually be in the anticipation and not the final result. When shopping, no matter what your purchase, it is the quality you will be looking for – so resist a friend’s suggestion to go for the cheapest buy. TAURUS 21 April – 21 May An older relative or someone who shares the domestic scene…

A DECEITFUL MOTHER: LIES THAT KILL Tuesday, 2.15pm Ready for your Channel 5 fix this week? Kick off with this afternoon thriller as an adopted teenager reaches out to her birth mother but, of course, all is not as it seems… KILLER CHOICE Friday, 2.15pm After her husband is killed, a woman plans her revenge on the murderers, but can she keep her sanity in check?! Time will tell… MY DAUGHTER’S SECRET LIFE Wednesday, 2.15pm A dysfunctional family, countryside and city, career and love – can country singer Billie Carter really have it all among the chaos?!…

Can you find the words in the grid? They will be placed only once and may be either horizontal, vertical or diagonal and go either forwards or backwards. There is one word listed that isn’t in the grid – can you work out which one it is? ATHLETICS AUGUST BARBECUE BEACH BIKINI CAMPING CRICKET EQUINOX FESTIVALS FLOWERS FRUIT GARDENING GOOD WEATHER HEAT HOLIDAY ICE CREAM JULY JUNE LEMONADE LONG DAYS OUTDOORS PARK PICNIC RELAXATION SEASIDE SHORTS SNORKELLING SUNBATHING SURFING WIMMING TRAVEL…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Romney Marsh has been hailed as an area of outstanding natural beauty and it’s easy to see why. Covering about 100 square miles of Kent and East Sussex, it boasts breathtaking beaches, wetland, unspoilt countryside and it’s where you’ll find Romney Marsh Shepherds Huts, which are based in Aldington, about 20 minutes from Ashford Town Centre. The huts are sited across two sheep meadows, which is also home to Romney ewes. They are all fenced off to create a seating area, so you can say hi from a distance! INSIDER’S GUIDE The three huts – Lookerer, Rumwold and The Romney – have been built by a local craftsman who used original 1900s plans. I stayed in the Lookerer, which was roomy and comes with home comforts such as…