Table of contents for 24-2023 in Best

Hands up who else loved Fiddler on the Roof when they were a kid? I’m still a huge fan of the film – what’s not to adore about Topol – and the amazing music? If I Were a Rich Man, Sunrise, Sunset and Do You Love Me? It also brings back memories of watching the musical with my dad, who was an amazing singer himself. Happy Father’s Day to those still lucky enough to have their dads on Sunday (page 45). But back to matchmaking (page 26). Single and still searching at 50-plus, I have devoured both Jewish Matchmaking and Indian Matchmaking on Netflix. Both hosted by watchable, warm women, I’ve concluded I wish there was such a thing for Catholics. Marriage is hard. I should know. I’m divorced and…

The rumours that Linda Robson’s marriage to Mark Dunford was on the rocks, have been swirling for a while. But the popular Loose Woman, 65, has finally broken her silence on those ‘marriage crisis’ rumours – as well as the ongoing ‘feud’ between her and her co-star on hit comedy series Birds of a Feather. Quashing talk that her 33-year union with Mark, 62, was in trouble, ‘Nanny Linda’ spoke out in a recent interview to say she and Mark were, in fact, happier than ever. The rumours began last year when Linda went on holiday to Spain without Mark – the father of her three grown-up children – and now, she has dubbed the claims ‘rubbish’. Linda said: ‘That’s a load of rubbish. We’re still living together. We both…

Katie Price’s terminally ill mum Amy has revealed she’s written notes to her family about her death - and even planned her funeral. The 64-year-old was diagnosed with the incurable lung condition idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2017 and told she only had five years left to live. And in Amy’s upcoming new memoir, The Last Word, she admits she is ‘fast approaching death’, adding, ‘I wanted to tell the truth about me and my family.’ She explained that the book was her chance to tell the whole truth about her life, her family and, of course, her famous eldest daughter, Katie. She says it is also about complex relationships which have had an impact on her mental health, as well as the relationship between the media and an ordinary family.…

Pulling back the covers, I went to get into bed. But suddenly, my cat, Zebby, charged into the room, pacing the floor and rubbing up against my leg. ‘What’s up?’ I asked. Seeing he had my attention, he led me to my living room and stalked over to the window, where my outside security light was blazing. Peeping out of my curtains, I saw a group of teenagers walking past, chatting and laughing. ‘You’re such a clever boy, aren’t you?’ I laughed. Zebby’s animal antics might sound like nothing to you, but the fact that he lets me know when there’s someone outside – and so many more things – means the world to me. Because, you see, I’m deaf and the same way some blind people have a sight…

Maple-cured bacon & tomato sandwich There’s no turning back once you’ve tried homemade maple-cured bacon, although you will need to prepare it a week in advance. When it’s ready, just try to stop yourself frying up the whole lot and working your way through it with sticky fingers and guilty pleasure. SERVES 4 • 8 slices sourdough bread • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise • 4 eggs, cooked on both sides (optional) • 8 tomato slices • 4 slices Cheddar cheese (optional) • maple-cured bacon (see below), allow 2 slices per sandwich • a handful of rocket • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper • sweet pickles and sweet potato fries, to serve MAPLE-CURED BACON: • 140g sea salt • 400g brown sugar (preferably soft dark brown sugar) • 320g pure…

When Sleepless In Seattle star Meg Ryan was called ‘unrecognisable’ after being snapped during a recent outing, Kirstie Allsopp came passionately to the US actress’s defence. Wearing brown trousers, a red blouse, a black trenchcoat and her hair down, When Harry Met Sally star Meg, 61, had been attending a screening of Still, the moving documentary by her friend Michael J Fox about his struggles with Parkinson’s disease. But the A-lister’s appearance was cruelly described by some media outlets as ‘unrecognisable’. Location Location Location presenter Kirstie, 51 – often lively with her opinions on social media – subsequently jumped to the actress’s defence. She wrote on Twitter to her half-a-million followers, ‘It’s called ageing you remorseless f***ers, and it’s articles like this which push women in the public eye to extremes.…

An obsessive fear of things related to money, ‘financial anxiety’ can be debilitating. Doctors all over the UK are reporting a huge increase in people becoming overwhelmed with worry about the cost-of-living crisis. According to the National Office of Statistics, 77 per cent of UK adults are now feeling stressed about money. And among women, this figure is higher, at 81 per cent. The Money and Pensions Service recently reported that over a quarter of people who had previously never had a mental health problem, were now suffering from financial anxiety. In fact, this epidemic is so bad that last November a poll by the Mental Health Foundation found that one in 10 people felt ‘hopeless’ about their situation, with one in three reporting being ‘anxious’ about money, and three…

As a woman walked into the coffee shop where I worked, I smiled cheerily. ‘What can I get you today?’ I enquired. But instead of answering, she stared at me over the counter. ‘Why are you wearing a head wrap?’ she asked bluntly. ‘Is there even any hair under there?’ My stomach dropped but I forced myself to keep smiling. ‘Actually, there isn’t. I suffer from alopecia. Would you like a coffee?’ When the woman eventually walked over to a table, I took a shaky breath. Although I’d lost my hair almost three years ago, these interactions – few and far between, thankfully – never got easier. It was February 2019 when my hair had started falling out. I was in the shower one morning when a huge clump came…

FATHER’S DAY GIANT MILK CHOC COOKIE, BLONDIE’S KITCHEN, £32.50 Possibly the best gift for any father figure in your life with a sweet tooth – this incredibly tasty, succulent cookie from blondieskitchen.co.uk is getting full marks from us! CLASSIC THORNTON’S COLLECTION, THORTONS.COM, £12 You can’t go far wrong with a classic box of chocolates, can you? This selection of 40 milk, dark and white chocolates is a celebration of British tastes with something for everyone to enjoy! SUPER DAD BISCUIT, BISCUITEERS, £7.95 Who doesn’t love a classic gingerbread iced biccy? Perfect with a strong brew, Biscuiteers always do the best biccies!…

Beloved Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood has just returned from filming Dancing With the Stars, back home in Oz, to continue playing Miss Hannigan in the UK tour of Annie. Here the 58-year-old – who is engaged to Jonathan Myring, 36 – talks about the joys of village life, why he believes we should take risks in life - and the reason he’s postponed his Summer holiday… Craig, how are you? Busy! I got back recently from a stint on Dancing With The Stars, went straight to Liverpool and was back onstage in the UK tour of Annie. Dancing with the Stars was totally different, as it was a pre-record. Our studios flooded on day two, so we had to truncate the show, and do seven episodes in two weeks.…

I’d never been a knitter. But when my daughter Lucy, and son-in-law Andi, sat me down on the sofa and told me they were expecting a baby, I felt an overwhelming desire to go out and buy a knitting pattern! It was as if a primeval urge had set in, which went beyond maternal. I certainly hadn’t knitted for my three children. But the unexpected announcement and the enormous implications, as well as the joy and excitement, made me cast on those (very loose) stitches. Although some of my other friends were already grandparents, I hadn’t – until then – been desperate to have a grandchild. I was busy enough with my newish career as a novelist, a second husband and three grown-up children who were still flitting in and…

Q I’m in my 30s and although I’m fairly slim I’ve got a saggy neck. It makes me look years older. How can I fix this? A DR AAMER SAYS: Do remember our skin naturally becomes more lax with age. If the sagging is not extreme, Fractora Forma is a non-invasive thermal rejuvenation system which uses pulses of radio frequency to tighten and resurface the skin. During the 60-minute procedure, a handpiece heats the deep dermal layers to promote collagen and skin tightening, leaving the treated area looking firmer. Effects continue to improve over the next few months as new collagen is formed. A course of 3-6 weekly or fortnightly treatments is recommended and results are permanent depending on lifestyle. A top-up treatment every 3-6 months will help maintain collagen…

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…

WORRIED ABOUT DAD My sister has decided to throw a Father’s Day barbecue for our 81-year-old dad, and though I can’t wait to see them – she’s also invited my brother, who I’ve not spoken to for two years. Since my mum died during the pandemic, he was totally absent and barely saw my dad or us at all, which I find unforgivable. I’m so worried that the way I feel about him will overshadow Dad’s day. I almost feel like not turning up, but then I’ll resent him for taking away my time with dad! Alison, Harrogate This is easy. The factor concerning you here is your own behaviour. So don’t let yourself down. Put your father first and your own perfectly justified feelings of resentment second. Be charming.…

Answering the phone, I held my breath as I waited to hear what the hospital had to say. ‘Good morning, Mr Bowden, your wife has had a bad night,’ the nurse said. ‘Do you want to come in and see her?’ It was April 2020, and the UK was in lockdown following the Covid-19 pandemic. My wife, Sharon, 43, had been admitted after testing positive and was left struggling to breathe. As each day passed, I started to expect the worst. Every evening I’d switch on the news only to hear that the death toll had reached a new high. I felt as though I was spiralling – but I had to stay strong for our three children, Courtney, Jenna, and Liam. Sharon had been put in a side room…

The first time he left the island was after she’d crushed his heart between her palms. It had been decades since any of his family had left and if they had gone, it was for short trips of weeks or days; a holiday, if they’d had a good year. Never in his 17 years had it dawned on him that he would leave, live somewhere else; his heels were dug deep, generations deep, into that red soil, deep as the olive trees that shaded the rockstrewn hills. But that was all before he had fallen in love with Alina Mylona and before that love had shattered, scattered like sunlight across the bay. On their first date, he packed a picnic of cheese and bread and they’d sat on a beach…

For the week 13 - 19 June with Psychic B GEMINI 22 May – 21 June You’re articulate, logical and mostly cheerful, but being creative is what gets you through. You may feel restricted and disenchanted with work projects. A new moon on the 19th has you craving freedom. You benefit from being out of the spotlight, as you do your best in private. CANCER 22 June – 23 July You’re feeling compassionate and want to help, but certain people leave you drained. A new moon on the 19th asks you to withdraw and restore, while you think of new money-making projects to enhance your personal finances. Financial gains are possible, bringing a happy, upbeat mood. LEO 24 July – 23 August The new moon brings with it opportunities to spend…

GOOD WIFE’S GUIDE TO MURDER Channel 5, Tuesday, 2.20pm After her husband is murdered, Kate is considered the prime suspect, thanks largely to her vlog, aptly titled A Good Wife’s Guide to Murder. Using her own expertise in the area, Kate must delve through the suspects in order to clear her name. MURDER AT BLACKTHORNE MANOR Channel 5, Thursday, 2.20pm Hayley enjoys her job creating murder mystery parties at the famous Blackthorne Manor. However, when the owner of the manor winds up dead, Hayley must sift through the suspects to find the culprit. LIES BETWEEN FRIENDS Channel 5, Friday, 2.20pm A wealthy family’s life is upended when the 18-year-old daughter of a family friend comes to live with them for a few months.…

He may not be a historian but Repair Shop host Jay Blades, is a real-life East Ender. Jay Blades: History of the East End, is coming to Channel 5, and tells the incredible stories of those who call this part of London their home. The 53-year-old makes some shocking discoveries, and uncovers forgotten stories; from Shakespeare treading the boards in Shoreditch, to the original ‘Jack the Lad’, who mastered the art of the prison break… Jay, tell us about the show – you’re a proud East Ender… I sure am! It stemmed from doing my previous show No Place Like Home. I went to all these places in London when I was younger, but there is more history in the East End than anywhere else, it’s incredible… What can we…

Sex And The City fans can give a tiny cheer – Kim Cattrall will make a shock blink-and-you-miss-it return as Samantha Jones for the second season spin-off And Just Like That… The brief cameo comes amid her ongoing explosive feud with the show’s main star, Sarah Jessica Parker. The rumour is that 66-year-old Cattrall will return for one ‘cliffhanger’ scene, which she shot on March 22 in New York City – without seeing or speaking to co-stars SJP, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis. The scene was also reportedly shot without the show’s creator, Michael Patrick King. Cattrall’s appearance was a closely guarded secret on-set – with the star not even appearing on the call sheet for the day. In the scene, Samantha, who has moved to London, will have a…

TOP TIP The jumpsuit is fast becoming a Summer must-have! Team with a denim jacket and trainers for a more dressed down look.…

‘Along with cash, supermarket tills manned by humans, Aztec bars and high streets, it looks like cinemas may be going the same way, with the announcement that Odeon is closing down five of its branches. I get why. Obviously, times are tough and people who pay for Netflix, or any of the other streaming channels, are watching at home, because cinemas are an expensive outing, especially with all the paraphernalia that goes with them like popcorn which, ounce for ounce, is more expensive than gold. I have no desire to go to a giant theatre in Leicester Square on a Saturday night and sit with a thousand people all chomping and chatting, while getting brainwashed by the latest piece of Hollywood wokery. Instead, I love my little local cinema. It…

When people come to me looking for a match, we play a little game. ‘Tell me everything about your fantasy partner,’ I say to them. ‘Don’t limit yourself to anything, even the smallest detail.’ And when they have this ideal match in mind, I ask them to imagine who they think that fantasy match dreams of being with? If they can say they are that person – perfect, we can get to work. But if deep down they know it’s not them, we must see what we can do better… because you will be the best person for your best partner. It’s a huge process to find two people to introduce to each other. But you need realistic expectations. A beautiful lady came to me once. She was 64, wanted…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Yo-yo dieting is better for you than not losing weight at all, reveals a new survey carried out with more than 50,000 people by Oxford-based professor Susan Jebb. She confirmed that losing weight, even if you gain some weight back over a period of time, is much better for overall health and can encourage better eating habits. Cholesterol and blood sugar levels stay lower long-term proving that weight-loss plans are effective and slimmers taking part in the Oxford study lost an average of 10lbs, putting less than 1kg back on during the following year. 2 The benefits of yo-yo dieting are backed up by US diet expert Dr David Allison, who confirms that people who yo-yo diet are healthier and live longer than those who never…

Party Pieces – the company run by Kate Middleton’s parents – went into administration this year, it’s been revealed, before being bought by an Essex-born millionaire. The party decorations business went into administration almost £2.6m in the red, and owing HMRC £612,685. The Middletons blamed cashflow problems and a steep decline in sales on lockdown and the cost-of-living crisis. Theirs would not be the first business to have faced significant challenges due to the effects of the pandemic. It’s sad to think that the company that the Princess of Wales saw grow from her family home is no more – at least not as they knew it. But the company survives – sold in part to Teddy Tastic Bear Company Limited for £180,000, with the firm keeping on 12 employees…

STRANGE SHOOTING PAINS I have just come out the other side of the menopause (thank goodness), but I’ve started getting shooting pains, the same way I would if I were about to come on my period. Is this something to be concerned about? Or is it quite normal? It feels like it’s in my ovaries… Helen, Hastings DR HILARY SAYS: No, I would not say these shooting pains are normal and I would certainly encourage you to have them checked out. By definition, the menopause occurs when you have been free of periods for an entire year, but during this time it is possible to experience some bleeding with a bit of period-like pain. If you are beyond your menopause I would recommend you have an internal examination to assess…

Need a wardrobe refresh? Prepare for the new season and shake off the cold with QUIZ’s latest collection of gorgeous outfits. To celebrate the launch of their Summer collection, we are giving one lucky reader the chance to win a £400 voucher to spend online or in-store. This drop is bursting with the season’s must-haves – from dresses in vibrant prints and floral styles to cute and casual tops and bottoms in soft pastels – bringing a collection that truly fits any style. Choose a statement accessory to pair with your outfit from a range of Summer sandals, statement bags and playful jewellery. To enter, see right. HOW TO ENTER ONLINE: Save money by entering online at hearstmagazines.co.uk/best2423 by 30 June 2023. PHONE: Call 0901 027 2715 by midnight on…

Incredibly passionate about what she puts her mind to, Emma Cowell – who also works tirelessly for children’s charity, Together For Short Lives – has just written her second book, The House in the Olive Grove, out now. It follows on from last year’s bestseller – One Last Letter from Greece –and just short of a year later, the former actress, who is married to best’s BGT columnist, Tony Cowell, tells us why she’s still very much in love with Greece, and why she’ll probably always be writing about it… Emma, can you believe your second book is already on the shelves?! It’s so incredible that it’s come about so quickly after One Last Letter From Greece – which hasn’t even been out for a year – and it’s so…

ALFIE BOE, VENUE CYMRU, WALES Vocal powerhouse Alfie Boe returns with his latest concert tour. Performing classic songs, fan favourites and songs from his forthcoming album. 23 September, for times and tickets contact the Box Office on 01492 872000 or visit venuecymru.co.uk RUSSELL HOWARD, GRAND OPERA HOUSE, YORK Russell Howard is back for a new live tour! As he reels from one global crisis to the next, join uplifiting comedy king Russell as he puts the world to rights in his own uniquely hilarious way. On 22 July, tickets from £35. manchestertheatres.com/event/russell-howard/york WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION, COUNTY HALL, LONDON You are summoned to a court room, where the life of a young man hangs in the balance. Accused of the brutal murder of an older woman – will Leonard Vole…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Capital of Madeira, Funchal, is said to be the cleanest and most picturesque in Europe. With top class restaurants and a great climate all year round, a stay at Barceló Funchal Oldtown offers the ultimate four-star break for anyone looking for sensational luxury. Known for its namesake wine and subtropical climate, Madeira combines turquoise seas, pebbly beaches and volcanic cliffs that offer breathtaking views of the Atlantic. INSIDER’S GUIDE The sunny island of Madeira was claimed by Portuguese sailors in the service of Prince Henry the Navigator in 1419. The Portuguese word madeira translates to ‘wood’ because it was covered with thick forests when settlers arrived in 1455. Now, the forest is known as the island’s ‘living fossil’ and has over 2,000km of Levadas – aqueducts – that…