Table of contents for 13-2025 in Best

Whether you have a mum of your own still, or are a mum yourself, becoming a parent is a job for life. You can’t imagine them ever growing up when they’re little, (yes, that’s me above when my now 28-year-old daughter Danielle was small) but they do! Sunday is Mother’s Day, so as a mum myself, I acknowledge that it’s a tough job. In fact, on page 14, three of our favourite celebs have admitted that their own mums either didn’t, or may not have got it right. My mum never took drugs like Davina McCall’s, but I identify with both Vanessa Feltz on the ‘You won’t get a husband unless you lose weight,’ debate in the Eighties, and the wonderful Linda Robson who adored her mother, but (as the…

Davina McCall’s ‘wild child’ mum left the family when Davina was just four. Born to a French mother and English father, Davina admits ‘I just felt she didn’t want me.’ So when she began to take Davina to Paris for visits and let her smoke cannabis aged 12, she thought it was ‘cool’. By 14, she was drinking – and taking cocaine. Her recovery from that relationship has taken decades. Vanessa Feltz’s story is more relatable – her mother put her on a diet and told her she was fat! Many did – as being slim in the Eighties was in vogue – but it scarred her relationship with food for years. Linda Robson had a close and loving relationship with her mum, but she raises the question – does…

HOW IT WORKS Losing weight and making sure you get the nutrients you need this Spring is as easy as A, B, C if you learn to eat your way through the alphabet. Get the right balance of vitamins A, B and C found in yellow fruits and veg, wholegrains rich in magnesium and zinc-loaded fresh fish and you could lose 6lb in seven days. ● Fat soluble vitamins A, D and E help prevent the deficiencies that can cause hair loss, skin problems and reduce your ability to fight infection. Vitamin D also works with calcium to maintain healthy bones and can boost weight loss. Up your intake of red fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots and mangoes and find vitamin D in eggs and oily fish.…

MEET OUR TESTER THEO MICHAELS TV presenter and former MasterChef contestant Theo is passionate about good quality food! He’s also an author of eight brilliant cookery books, including Canned, which helps transform store cupboard ingredients into delicious meals. Theo has joined best to put own-brand staples to the test to help you find the best Essentials without compromising on flavour. Theo’s says... All the croissants are at their best lightly toasted or warmed through, and although none of the shop-bought pastries will be as authentic as a freshly baked croissant from a bakery, in a pinch, they come a close deux. IRRESISTIBLE ALL BUTTER CROISSANTS £2.90, Co-Op Options at the Co-op are: freshly baked, cook from frozen and these Irresistible ones at a slightly higher price point than others tested.…

Long before he embarked on his stellar TV career, household fave Bradley Walsh has had an enduring fascination with ancient Egypt. On his epic journey through the ‘Land of the Pharaohs’, pyramid-obsessed Bradley will be joined by Egyptologists Dr Meredith Brand, Dr Arto Belekdanian, and investigative historian, Tony McMahon, as he casts his eye over the evolution of the Cosmic Code. Here, The Chase presenter tells us why we should all be just as fascinated by the past... Hi Bradley, why did you want to do a documentary series like this? Well, I’ve been fascinated with the pyramids from an early age. When I was at school, around 1972, there was a big exhibition in London of Tutankhamun. I was 12 and too young to go. I have been captivated…

The hit crime drama, created by and starring northern actress Sally Lindsay, has returned to the wonderful world of Sainte Victoire, packed with unusual antiques and objéts d’art, murder, mystery, sunshine and laughter! Jean White (Sally) is navigating a fledgling romance with her sidekick Dom Hayes, played by Steve Edge – and a host of new and familiar faces are joining them as special guests in series four. Here, the 51-year-old former Corrie star spills the beans on her much-anticipated fourth season… When you first had the idea for Madame Blanc, did you ever envisage that you would be launching a season four? When the series started, I was just so ecstatic that I’d managed to write, produce and star in my own show, I just couldn’t quite get over…

TOP TIP! For lots more lovely suggestions to treat Mum’s this Mother’s Day, sign up to our FREE weekly newsletter at facebook.com/bestmagazine…

Last month, if you recall, my dating app was pinging with new dates like an impatient microwave, and I found myself on a whirlwind of dates. It was all exciting – and exhausting – as well as loud! Bars can be very loud. I do sometimes wonder if I’ve become a bit of a Hugh Grant – or as he puts it ‘a grumpy old man.’ I don’t know if it’s age, but I can’t stand too much noise – I can’t abide people speaking so loudly I’m forced to listen and wish they would just Sshhhh. And I would often rather be back at home than deal with yet another evening in a never-ending search for romance making pointless chit-chat with a woman I know already, I will never…

‘Thanks for letting me know,’ I say down the phone, giving my cat Tigger the thumbs-down. ‘And bear me in mind if...’ But they’ve hung up. ‘Thwarted again,’ I tell Tigger, keeping my voice light. I’m an actor, darling; if I can’t affect a casual shrug in the face of crushing disappointment, I should get another job. ‘Or just a job,’ I mutter, wincing as I check the ‘overdrawn’ message on my phone’s banking app. Over coffee last week with my sister Trish, I’d played down my perilous financial situation, insisting, ‘Won’t be the end of the world if I don’t get this latest gig. I still have irons in the fire.’ ‘I’ll lend you the readies if you’re having a tough few months,’ she’d said. ‘You only have to…

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/bestcross1325 ACROSS 1 7 8 9 10 11 13 15 17 21 22 23 24 25 DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 12 14 16 18 19 20 Who was the first female aviator to fly across the Atlantic Ocean solo? The answer will appear in the shaded squares. Phone and online entries open 25 March 2025 until midnight on 11 April 2025. You must be over 18 and have the bill payer’s permission. †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…

LESLEY Spring is here, and it’s time to shed those heavy Winter layers – for our skin, our make-up, and our wardrobes! My skin is crying out for some hydration and glow. Let’s refresh without spending a fortune. My sentiments are you don’t need expensive treatments to look fresh. The right High-Street finds can work wonders. MAKE-UP THAT LOOKS LIKE SKIN Spring make-up should be light and help your skin to glow, not heavy and cakey. Swap full-coverage foundations for a tinted serum or cream – it looks fresh and lets skin breathe. Try NYX Buttermelt Skin Tint, £13.99, which boasts light coverage with a dewy finish. Elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter, £15, gives a glow similar to high-end products. I always add a bit of blush, essential for waking…

MY NIGHT WITH JAMES BOND Who doesn’t love an invitation to attend a fancy gala? Well, last week I was lucky enough to attend one such event for The King’s Trust and got to dig out my best evening wear for the occasion. Before leaving, I felt obliged to use the Sellotape trick on my velvet coat dress in case there was evidence of any dandruff – or as I like to call it – dry shampoo deposits on the collar. Small fact: I love the man in the Head & Shoulders advert who says, ‘I don’t!’ in a baffled but assertive way, don’t you? I often find myself saying ‘I don’t!’ in exactly the same way when asked if I like eating the core of an apple... Anyway –…

There are very few characters Siobhan Finneran hasn’t depicted during her illustrious career. From an alcoholic in Happy Valley to a no-nonsense housekeeper in Downton Abbey – and a kind-hearted prison chaplain in BBC’s Time. Her latest sees her depict DI Liz Nyles, who runs a witness protection scheme alongside former Coronation Street star, Katherine Kelly. Despite being a two-time BAFTA nominee, Siobhan stated that her career only took off after she turned 40, and remarkably this is her first-ever leading TV role. Here, the Oldham native and mum-of-two, now 60, reveals what viewers can expect from her exciting new crime drama on ITV. Can you tell us a bit about your character, Liz? She is a witness protection officer in her 50s, who’s just become a full-time carer to…

Star of Saltburn and Gone Girl, Rosamund Pike, 46, is reprising her role as ‘Moiraine’ in the third season of hit fantasy show, The Wheel of Time (a story of reincarnation and destiny.) The Brit reveals what she finds so compelling about her sorceress persona, and why she’ll always go for the more complex characters... You’ve played complicated women in your career. Is that always something that you look for within a role? Definitely. To me, there is no such thing as good or bad people. We are all just people. Given one set of circumstances versus another, we could all be entirely different. I think that complexity is where the interesting stories lie. The more you can’t get hold of someone, the more they draw you in and the…

Brought to you by CORONATION STREET T here’s terror on the cobbles this week as killer Rob finally puts his revenge plan into action – and orders Tracy to lure Carla to No 1. Once Carla arrives, she’s stunned to find her brother standing in front of her, pointing a gun at her head. Soon, news spreads that there’s a siege going on at the Barlows’, and a SWAT team moves in under Lisa’s orders. But when a shot rings out inside the house, who will end up taking a bullet? Elsewhere in Weatherfield, Dee-Dee has a tough decision to make following her brother James’ plea to let him adopt her unborn baby. But when Dee-Dee is later struck down in pain, she fears the baby is coming – far…

PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE Olly Smith has been sharing his passion for wine and drinks for 20 years! He’s a regular on BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen, a food hero for P&O cruises and award-winning author of seven books. With his extensive knowledge of all things booze, the only thing Olly is more enthusiastic about than a glass of the good stuff, is sharing it as widely as possible. So, in his monthly column, he’s recommending his best buys to help you pick up some boozy bargains – and they all cost under a tenner! BLOOD ORANGE SPRITZI NV (8.4%) £5, Tesco Something a bit different for Mother’s Day, this one isn’t a wine but a stylish new aperitif from Tesco. Ready to…

PET OF THE WEEK As well as running the Harley Street Skin Clinic, Lesley Reynolds keeps peacocks at her Ballingdon Hall estate in Suffolk! Penelope and Percy, three, are Indian Blues, while Patrick and Pedro, two, are opals. They all came from Performing Pets, a family-run company which provides animals in the UK. It’s National Peacock day this week, who knew! 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.*…

We know her as one of Made In Chelsea’s OGs, but her Instagram followers will have seen Binky grow into a real home-maker! The mum-of-three –to India, Wolfie and Wilder – lives in London with her husband, Max Darnton. We’ve picked out our favourite parts of her home, for some seasonal inspiration...…

ARIES 21 March – 20 April Loved-up Venus shifts directly into your dreamy, intuitive zone, so for once you’ll be happy to let a romantic situation play out over time rather than stamping your authority on it! It will also give you a terrific insight into relationship struggles and can help you to see things from the other person’s point of view, so listen to your heart for the best ways to solve them. Meanwhile, the new moon in Aries makes this a great time to set any future life goals and to embrace any difficult changes that you’ll need to make to achieve them. Luck is linked to a vintage find in a charity shop. TAURUS 21 April – 21 May You are a naturally patient soul, but you…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT The Runnymede on Thames sits on the bank of the river in Egham, Surrey. It’s just been refurbished and is part of Warner Hotels, so you can guarantee you’ll have plenty to do! Daytime activities include archery, axe throwing and well-being classes. We tried the gin tasting, for £17.50, and discovered a new favourite, Roku, which is from Japan! At night, enjoy an evening of unmissable entertainment in the Live Lounge, from tribute acts and celebrity performances to singers such as Jonny Wilkes and Eighties group Go West. During our stay, The Magic of Motown show was on, which featured music from The Tempations and The Supremes, and got everyone on their feet. During the Summer, you can make the most of the outdoor swimming pool and tennis…

George Clooney has undergone a drastic makeover in preparation for his hotly anticipated Broadway appearance... The 63-year-old actor, who has long been hailed as the silver fox of Hollywood, reveals he had to dye his famous locks brown to get into character for his new role. The father-of-two will appear in the New York stage adaptation of his film Good Night, and Good Luck, which he wrote, directed and appeared in 20 years ago. However, the double Oscar winner – who first shot to fame in American medical drama ER – has voiced his reservations regarding his new hairdo, and fears his other half, Amal, 47, won’t approve of it. ‘My wife is going to hate it because nothing makes you look older than when an older guy dyes his…

FLIRTY 30S SJP wore this Richard Tyler dress in season three. Shop for a similar floral style this Spring as it’s perfect for special occasions and would look great teamed with an oversized white blazer. FABULOUS 40S Carrie steps out in Ralph Lauren with Manolo Blahniks. You can easily copy this look, as tailoring is key this season, so hit the High Street. STYLISH 50S Carrie’s quirky style continues in And Just Like That. And a prom-shaped dress is still one of her signature looks!…

‘As we know, every day is a ‘day’ these days. The flimsiest of excuses to name any day of the year ‘National (insert ridiculous reason) Day’ are used, but the one coming up on the 26 March is one of the best ones I’ve heard in a long time. It’s National Good Hair Day everyone!!! Yay!!! I mean, what does that even mean? Well, I guess it means that even if, like me, you don’t wash your hair very often, on Wednesday you better do it or else be shamed with your bad hair on such a momentous occasion!!! I really do envy people with good hair. Rich people always have good hair, thick and glossy and well, rich looking! And Anna Wintour and all those influencers on Instagram who…

SPRING SWAPS The clocks are going forward and the days are lighter and longer. We have all thought about how we’re going to spend our time with extra daylight! I like to get out, and don’t plan to spend time (or money) restocking my make-up bag, for that matter. I choose longer lasting products so it stays put. I look for products that save on salon treatments – I’ll pick an at-home polish and something for a laminated brow look. Swapping make-up staples will see you through. It pays to shop around for deals too – check out Boots and Superdrug. And as all of these are under £10, it’s even easier to do the big Spring switchover! 1 SPRING SWAP: SALON FOR AT-HOME BROWS Lacura Brow Pencil and Lacura…

Jelly ring This one is a blast from the past and always made an appearance for Sunday dessert. It’s nothing fancy, but it floods nostalgia for a lot of locals here at home. With a lovely light sponge, cream and jelly, what’s not to love? It’s perfect for kids (probably the reason for the nostalgia), but trust me no grown-ups will be turning this wee gem down. SERVES 6 • 1 x 135g packet of raspberry jelly• 3 eggs• 85g caster sugar• 85g self-raising flour• Raspberry jam• 125ml fresh cream, whipped• desiccated coconut, for sprinkling 1 First, make up your jelly by following the instructions on the packet. Allow this to partially set in the fridge. You can pop it into the freezer, but make sure to keep an eye…

My 18-year-old daughter Madelin had recently split up with her boyfriend, and I thought she was just going through heartbreak. I assumed she was spending her time upstairs talking to her friends online, trying to get over it. She wore big, baggy hoodies all the time, and in retrospect, I now realise all the signs were there… One night, Madelin called me upstairs. She burst into tears. ‘Mum, I think I’m pregnant,’ she sobbed. ‘How far along?’ I asked. ‘Eight weeks,’ she guessed. But at a scan the following day, it turned out she was sixteen weeks. Madelin had buried her head in the sand, hoping each month her period would arrive, but it never did. At first, she wasn’t sure what to do. At 18, she felt that she…

There’s romance in the air for Todd this week, when he meets handsome scaffolder Theo! But Todd’s left feeling humiliated when Theo rebuffs his advances. Star Gareth tells us whether love could be on the cards for his lonely alter ego… Hi Gareth! Has Todd been looking for love? Todd’s a little bit fed up with the dating game and the apps, and the empty hookups. There have been references to Todd turning 40 and perhaps feeling some pressure of still living with his mum, and not wanting to end up on the shelf. How does he meet Theo? It’s a near miss with a scaffolding pole that brings them into each other’s orbit. A pole drops and nearly hits Todd’s auntie Julie! Theo thinks that Julie has faked an…

‘You really need to see a doctor about that cough,’ my hubby Brendan frowned. He was always urging me to look after myself better – but as a working mum-of-two, I was too busy taking care of everyone else. It was November 2021, and I’d been struggling with a chesty cough for three weeks, but put off doing anything about it – bar taking cough medicine. With running the kids around and working shifts in our family chip shop, The Chipper, my own health took a back seat. I knew it wasn’t Covid – working with food we did regular tests. On 21 November, I woke up feeling rough but still had a list of chores that needed doing. ‘Back in a couple of hours,’ I told Brendan, heading out…

WHAT DOES IT MEAN ‘I keep seeing white and black feathers everywhere I look and I even stumbled across a dead magpie recently. Do you think someone is trying to send me a message from the spirit world? And what might these things mean?’ Dani from Hertfordshire LEE SAYS: Hi Dani. Normally, when people see a lot of feathers, it’s a sign that the spirit world wants to connect with them. A dead bird is nothing to worry about. However, if a bird repeatedly pecks at your window, that is a strong indication that the spirit world is trying to reach out to you. HOW DO I MAKE CONTACT? ‘I ’ve always been interested in the spirit world. Do you see me being able to connect with spirits in the…

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