Table of contents for 34-2025 in Best

For anyone who knew Stevie, as he was affectionately called, Stephen Way was a big bear of a man, exceptionally handsome and someone who never said a bad word about anyone in his life. A hairdresser by trade, Gloria spent 30 happy years with him. ‘I’m so sorry to hear about your Mum,’ she told best’s Editor-in-Chief Siobhan. ‘I know what it is like to see someone sick and yet never quite believe you will lose them. You just get used to seeing them that way and think, somehow all will be fine.’ Having lost both Stephen and her daughter Caron, Gloria is used to dealing with unimaginable grief and has now coped with a series of firsts for the second time. Her first birthday without Stevie, his birthday, Christmas,…

THE PROBLEM WITH PROCRASTINATING! We all know, because most of us find it out for ourselves, that if we ignore or neglect a problem, it gets worse. Miss a monthly bill and it is double the amount next month. Put off dealing with that hole in the gutter and the damp starts permeating the house until major repairs are necessary. Ignore that odd rattle in the car and one night it comes to a halt in the road. That extra three pounds on the scales morph into a stone. Whichever example you choose, the lesson is the same. Yet for some reason this never seems to be a lesson learned by governments. The parents of Harvey Willgoose, the young teenager knifed to death by a 15-year-old in his school lunch…

1 YOUR SKIN-PERFECTING SUNSCREEN We all know that UV protection is essential for staying safe in the sun, but did you know that it’s also critical for fending off the loss of collagen and uneven tone that can make skin appear older than it is? A new cohort of facial sunscreens is making protection easier and more enjoyable, with additional benefits that will have you keen to reach for the SPF. Olay Vitamin C Brighten & Glow SPF50+, £13, fades dark spots to make skin look more even. 2 THINK BEYOND BRONZER ‘For a soft glow, use warm shades,’ says make-up artist Caroline Barnes. For a softer look, she recommends swapping bronze and golden tones for coral, peach and pink. ‘I like peach or coral on the eyes and lips,…

Sighing, I looked at the photo of my mum, Lynne, and I together. It had been taken on a holiday to Italy when I was four and we both looked so happy. ‘I miss you, Mum,’ I whispered, memories of us together flashing through my mind as I packed up my suitcase. As an only child, Mum’s death from breast cancer had hit me hard and the only way I could cope was to pack in my job as an advertising executive and run away from it all. I’d spent the past six months backpacking round Asia, finishing up in Thailand where I was due to catch my plane home to Camberley, Surrey. I dreaded going back to reality. ‘I don’t want to be alone anymore,’ I thought. I wanted…

Uploading a video to my Instagram page, I was sharing my latest ‘Five meals for £25’ ideas. They were delicious, vibrant, colourful dishes that everyone could enjoy. I was lucky that my family enjoy food. It was something I’d started by chance and it had really taken off. I hoped it would help other families get creative with their meals while staying within a strict budget. It’s amazing how far £25 can go if you are resourceful. It all started in 2021 when I was on maternity leave with my eldest child. I was a secondary school teacher and taught geography, but I wanted to do something that used my creative side as well. So, I decided to start a little Instagram page for local mums and families on what…

No-nonsense, hardworking and adored by the public, as Princess Anne celebrated her 75th birthday recently, we explore how, in so many ways, she is the backbone of the British Royal Family. The third most popular Royal after William and Kate, with a popularity rating of 70 per cent, Anne has been known to tell the press to ‘naff off’ on occasion, but we still can’t help but love her. The past few years have not been easy. The death of her parents, a serious head injury thought to have been caused by a horse (which she said left her ‘very close’ to not being ‘compos mentis’) and her elder brother’s cancer diagnosis meaning he relied on her more than ever – none of this could have failed to leave its…

Stepping onto The One Show set as a fresh-faced 33-year-old back in 2010, Welsh beauty Alex Jones, now 48, takes a look back at her journey from then to now, and revisits some of her most memorable moments... Congratulations on 15 years of presenting The One Show – how does it feel? Thank you so much! I feel incredibly proud to have been on the iconic sofa for all these years. It certainly doesn’t feel like 15 years, and it still feels fresh, as the show keeps evolving. I feel like we keep coming back better and better. I started as a young woman and I feel like I’ve grown up with our viewers. They have seen me through all my big life moments like getting engaged and married, to…

1 Eat your way to better gut health The gut’s role extends beyond digestion: it also produces essential chemicals, such as serotonin, that support our immune system and regulate mood. Giving its significance for both physical and mental wellbeing, nurturing your gut is vital. Your food choices can enhance your gut’s resilience to stress, so aim to eat a variety of plants, polyphenol-rich foods (brightly coloured fruits like berries, and veg like kale), and fermented foods like kimchi. Aim for balance and consistency rather than perfection. 2 Diarise what matters Begin by identifying your core values - whether they relate to physical health, family or personal growth - and proactively weave them into your day. For instance, if health is a priority, dedicate time for movement, be it a workout or a…

London is a city ‘where the streets are paved with gold’, ‘wealth whispers and ambition soars’. These are among the opening lines from the latest spin-off of the Real Housewives, and this time, they’re in London. The Real Housewives TV franchise has become a global phenomenon since its inception in the mid-Noughties, acquiring a reputation for its high-society drama, extravagant outfits and price tags most of us could only dream of affording. The show first started in Orange County, USA, in 2006 and has gone on to become one of the ultimate reality series for escapism. After all, what better way to temporarily forget your own humdrum life than by stepping into the luxuries and dramas of the ultra-wealthy? It’s developed spin-offs all over the world, from Rome to Jersey,…

Former Real Housewife of Beverly Hills and mum to two of the most beautiful supermodels on the planet (Gigi and Bella Hadid) Yolanda certainly knows how to play home-maker judging from these pics! For more, follow her home journey on Instagram @yolanda.hadid.…

LEO 24 July – 23 August Spending more than you can afford and then playing ostrich about it? This week brings a chance to take a good look at those short-term finances, so log in to your account and get them sorted. Love-wise, there’s an interesting choice to be made and a friend has wise advice to offer – so chat to her before you decide. VIRGO 24 August – 23 September Looking good, Virgo! There’s a strong, positive energy around you right now, and people will be drawn to your can-do attitude. Set your goals high. A younger family member could seize this moment to ask you to sort out their life – but what they need is support to handle things themselves. LIBRA 24 September – 23 October…

No daughters should have to face the type of sordid allegations that have followed the York family over the years. But Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, sadly, have starring roles in the ongoing movie regarding their parents – particularly those concerning their father, the Duke of York. Beatrice, who celebrated her 37th birthday earlier this month, and Eugenie, 35, have faced countless difficult days as stories emerged – first about their father, Prince Andrew, and more recently about their mother, Sarah – in historian Andrew Lownie’s explosive new book, entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York. The exclusive extracts detailed the Prince’s close friendship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and his mysterious financial dealings with foreign billionaires, as well as making claims about his alleged ‘bullying’ of palace…

Dressed head-to-toe in the vibrant colours of the Sixties, I beamed with pride as this wonderful group of women and I danced around Europe’s largest listed building, Park Hill Estate in Sheffield, for everyone to see. In our rainbow-coloured outfits, ranging from orange dresses to bright blue tights, we didn’t care what anyone thought. It had only been seven years since I first set up this little dancing group, a haven for people to forget the modern world and lose themselves in vintage music. I probably would have laughed in disbelief if you told me then it would go on to become so popular, and yet here I was. The idea first came to me seven years ago while I was sitting in an American Diner in Derbyshire with my…

Those final few minutes felt like an eternity. ‘I can’t believe I’m about to meet him,’ I thought, my heart thumping. Then, finally, he was in my arms. Two brown eyes gazed into mine. I was overwhelmed with joy. Exactly 15 years after we’d adopted our beloved dog Louie, and six years after we lost him, he was back. It may have cost us £40,000, but I knew one thing beyond doubt – cloning my beloved boy was worth every penny… Jonathan and I adopted our first dog Heidi, a cocker spaniel, in September 2008. We became friends with the owner of the dog rescue centre, who offered to look after her during a holiday the following month. That was the moment I first saw Louie: a cocker spaniel rescue,…

SENSATIONAL SERUMS How much should you pay for skincare? Over the years I have tried hundreds – actually, it’s probably well over 1000 now, as I have been doing it for decades. I have been able to sample the most expensive creams costing hundreds of pounds alongside ones I have tossed into the trolley in the supermarket – religiously testing one on each side of my face so I can monitor the difference over a period of weeks (we need to use any new skincare for four weeks to work). Serum is a product you can spend a lot or a little on – you can find one for £1 (Oh Skin Hyaluronic Facial Serum £1, Poundland stores). But whatever your budget, it pays to find the one that suits…

THE SANDWICHES Choose a variety of bread to add interest to your sarnies and remember a vegetarian option is always a good idea. Peanut Butter and Carrot Quarters Makes 16 quarters 1 In a medium bowl mix together 250g coarsely grated carrot, 125g crunchy peanut butter, the juice of 1/2 a lemon (or to taste) and 40g sultanas. 2 Spread over 4 slices of thin-slice white bread (with or without crusts as you prefer), then top with four more white bread slices. Slice into quarters on the diagonals and serve. PER QUARTER: 94cals, 4g fat (1g saturates), 11 carbs (4g total sugars), 1g fibre, 3g protein Classic Crab Sandwiches Makes 12 finger sandwiches 1 Luxurious white crab meat can be expensive so if you prefer, make a mixture substituting half…

HE ONLY WANTS TO HAVE SEX WHEN WE’RE AWAY! While I’m thrilled my husband still wants to have sex with me after 19 years, it only seems to be when we’re away from the house. Our kids moved out a few years ago, so it’s not like we don’t have the place to ourselves… He never seems to be in the mood unless we’re elsewhere, like on holiday. Any thoughts?! Aoife, Dublin Some people love sex al fresco. Some like sex on the kitchen table, in the shower or on the stairs. Your husband prefers sex in a different setting from the home you share. It could be because your house has domestic connotations for him – he associates it with kids, bills, responsibilities. He doesn’t feel sexual at home…

Sex and the City was a revolution. Nothing before had ever quite expressed how women feel about dating, friends and... shoes. But three decades after we first saw Sarah Jessica Parker wear a tutu on a New York bus, it’s time to say goodbye to Carrie Bradshaw. Now, the 60-year-old superstar talks about her special connection with SATC fans across the globe. As she says goodbye to her And Just Like That spin off, we’ll be sad she won’t ‘Carrie’ on for just one more... This will be the conclusion of your Sex and the City journey. How do you sum it all up? It’s extraordinary to reflect and to acknowledge the very special relationship we have with the audience, and to recall some of the experiences we have had…

PUT A LID ON IT! Apparently, wicker is ‘having a moment’, and no, I don’t think this means there’s a renewed enthusiasm for that folky horror film way back in the Seventies called The Wicker Man, which was all very shocking at the time – even involving a frog for curing a sore throat if memory serves. It means that wicker work is IN. Yes, raffia, willow, and basketweave is everywhere, and not only is it pleasing on the eye, it also chimes with my own recent obsession with laundry baskets. This awareness was triggered by a perfectly nice plumber who came to fix the washer on my bathroom tap. Unfortunately, he had to walk through the bedroom to get to the malfunctioning tap, and rather too late, did I…

EASTENDERS When Julie’s chickens keep everyone awake, Phil gets irritated, and he and Julie start to disagree over Nigel’s care plan. The bickering pair accompany Nigel to an assessment, where their conflict reaches a head and a brutal outburst from Phil leaves Julie horrified. Demanding that he tell her the truth, Julie attempts to get them to see eye to eye – but to no avail. Things get worse when Julie’s prize cockerel escapes on Nigel’s watch, forcing the family to search for it – can they pull together and agree for poorly Nigel’s sake? Meanwhile, Nicola struggles to cope with her grief on the anniversary of her father’s death, prompting ex-husband Teddy to warn George away from her. Ignoring Teddy’s advice, George comforts her by sharing his own experience,…

Equal parts brutal and bizarre Tom Hardy doesn’t just portray Britain’s most notorious gangsters – he becomes both. As Ronnie and Reggie Kray, Tom delivers a dazzling dual performance that is both thunderous and terrifying. Reggie is the slick, calculating face of the empire while Ronnie is the chaotic storm. Yet Tom gives equal energy to both parts, never letting us forget we’re watching one man inhabit two broken kings of the criminal underworld. Legend isn’t just a gangster flick; it’s a stylish, darkly funny, and emotionally charged character study, brought to life by Tom’s magnetic screen presence. Now available to watch on Amazon Prime Video, the film’s slick direction, sharp script, and period-perfect style immerse viewers in a world where loyalty and betrayal walk hand in hand. Whether you’re…

I was 67 years old the first time I decided to be honest about my dyslexia. I’d had enough of hiding it. I’d walked into a charming little bookshop in Olney, Buckinghamshire, called The Snug, with my best friend Sue. She was an author – she’d sold millions of books – and we were chatting with the owner, Rose, about putting one of Sue’s books on the shelf. That’s when I spotted it. A small section labelled ‘books for dyslexic readers’. I picked one up. The words were printed on pale cream paper and spaced evenly. I could read it. Properly. And then I did something I never imagined I would. ‘I’m dyslexic,’ I admitted, out loud. Sue looked surprised. ‘I didn’t know,’ she said. Nobody did. I cried, Sue…

Caz climbed out of the open-air swimming pool and hurried back to the overnight parking area. Rubbing herself vigorously with a towel, she reached Irma, the beloved camper van that had carried her and Jase across Europe. They’d reached this ‘resort village’ in the French Alps at dusk last night. Caz had decided to take an early-morning dip while no one else was around. She found Jase outside Irma, whistling and prepping breakfast, frying tomatoes on a pan on their portable stove. ‘Morning early riser!’ he greeted her. ‘I heard you creeping out a while back. Done a recce of the whole resort village?’ ‘Not really,’ she admitted. ‘Just fancied a dawn dip while I had the pool to myself.’ ‘Great place, isn’t it?’ he grinned. ‘From what I’ve seen…

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It seems in the blink of a showbiz eye, the once curly haired bright-eyed toddler that graced our screens on her parents’ reality show Katie and Peter: The Next Chapter, has come of age. Katie Price and Peter Andre’s daughter, Princess Andre, is now 18 and has a new reality show of her own – The Princess Diaries. But sadly, while the beautiful blonde (who bears a striking resemblance to her famous mum) is trying to show the world the real Princess Tiaamii, she’s been overshadowed by claims of a feud. Former glamour model Katie, 47, made a number of allegations just days before her eldest daughter’s series launched last week. The mum-of-five claimed she was banned from her daughter’s 18th birthday party and that her former management team– who…

TOP TIP Team this skirt with a sweatshirt and trainers on cold days…

JOIN THE CONVERSATION Is that homemade? We love hosting (and attending!) dinner parties and will admit that, on occasion, we may have cut corners with a shop-bought dessert that we’ve spruced up to make look home-made. Now, Bosch has uncovered Britain’s secret dinner-party habits, with 59 per cent of us bending the truth to impress our guests and 38 per cent admitting they’ve stretched the truth purely for comedic effect. A further 24 per cent said they secretly serve air-fryer meals, but pretend to have used the oven. Are you a dinner-party deceptor? We want to know fibs you’ve told your guests, and whether you’ve cut corners when it comes to plating up for your dinner party. Let us know... WHAT DO YOU THINK? Tell us at facebook.com/bestmagazine A plummy…

HAPPY HANDS AND FANCY FEET SOPHIE COOPER FROM THE HARLEY STREET SKIN CLINIC SAYS: As we navigate our busy lives, we often forget to give our hands and feet the pampering they truly deserve. These hardworking parts of our bodies endure the daily grind, whether we’re typing at a desk, running errands, or simply standing all day. The good news is that caring for them doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. By using simple ingredients from your kitchen and garden, paired with reliable high-street products, you can maintain soft, beautiful skin. Make this a regular part of your routine, and your hardworking hands and feet will thank you! Investing a little time will also bring a moment of calm to your busy life. Kitchen cupboard remedies Shopping aisles may…

HOW IT WORKS ● You don’t have to raid the health shop for expensive super foods or hard-to track down ingredients. Simply make the most of the foods you buy regularly for your fridge and store cupboard including tinned tuna and sardines, oats, honey and baked beans. These will not only provide the nutrients you need to stay well, the vitamins and minerals they contain such as omega 3 oils and fibre improve digestion, speeding up metabolism so you burn calories more efficiently. ● Raiding the fridge to step up your intake of calcium-rich semi-skimmed milk and yoghurt will feed your body with calcium as research reveals it can help with fat dispersal around the stomach. The slimmer’s favourite cottage cheese is low fat, loaded with calcium and tots up…

WAITROSE LOVED & FOUND MATARO 2024 (12.5%) £9.25 This modern Aussie gem is made by Master of Wine Giles Cooke, and is all the vino you need for your next hearty barbecue. Packed full of bold juicy flavours, it’s as sleek as a plum dipped in black ink. Mataro is also called Monastrell and Mourvèdre around the world and is known for its rich power – this one has some delicate aromatic spice to it, as though a liquorice wand has been wafted over every bottle. A brilliant, high impact, well-made red. PASSION POTS Gently heat 75g caster sugar with 75ml Malibu until dissolved. When cool, whip together with 300ml double cream until it holds soft peaks. Scoop the flesh from 4 passionfuits into serving dishes, alternating with cream mixture.…

When George finds his brother Kojo high this week, he immediately blames innocent Harry. Star Colin Salmon explains why George points the finger… Hi Colin! Why has George started to become concerned about Kojo and his friendship with Harry? George has been worried about Kojo going off and being independent because of the promise he made to their brother Kobina to look after him. George is happy Kojo has a friend, but sad that he’s on the outside of this bromance. What happens when George finds Kojo in a terrible state? He goes into an absolute panic. It’s George’s worst nightmare and he immediately assumes that Harry is to blame for this. He knows that Kojo wouldn’t take drugs and so he assumes that he’s been spiked or been tricked…

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. BRAMLEY APPLE PIES £1.29, Tesco Joint second spot, this apple pie was filled to bursting with big chunks of Bramley apple and the filling was one of the sweetest – so this will be a sweet-tooth’s firm favourite! BRAMLEY APPLE PIES £1.31, Asda The pastry was buttery and flaky and didn’t disappoint, a very good all-rounder that covers all the bases – crisp pastry, sharp apple, sweet filling; just needed some…

Anew police operation has been trialled to catch out catcallers who harass women while exercising outside. Under the pilot scheme, Surrey Police sent out plain-clothed female officers to pose as joggers and expose harassment against women. The undercover officers were sent on runs in locations identified as harassment hotspots across the county as part of the month-long trial. Support crew accompanied the officers from a distance on the runs, ready to jump in if they experienced catcalls or any kind of harassment. ''ONE OF OUR OFFICERS WAS HONKED AT WITHIN MINUTES'' The operation, which was reported by LBC News, resulted in 18 arrests last month for offences such as harassment, sexual assault and theft. Surrey Police said it had designed the operation in a bid to tackle harassment against runners,…

When the super stylish Lepelclub Bow Coupe landed on the Anthropologie website last year, it instantly went viral, with customers desperate to get their hands on this lust-have coupe, despite the £30 per glass price tag! The great news is you can now pick up a similar glass for under half that price at Dunelm. The Hestia Iridescent Bow Martini Glass is just as pretty and the perfect way to serve up a stunning cocktail or mocktail. Cheers to that we say!…

World-renowned past lives expert David Wells answers your questions. This week he’s chosen health visitor, Angela Deal, 61, from Castle Point, who’s married to Steve and has three grown-up children, and grandchildren. Here she tells us what came through in their encounter... Have you always believed in the spirit world and past lives? No, not always. I started to wonder more about it when I woke up one night and there was a small figure standing over me in bed. It was too small to be the form of one our kids and it didn’t feel threatening. I even woke Steve up but he couldn’t see anything. A few years later, I was doing a drop-in clinic at a primary school when a mum came in and said the room…

High Season, Katie Bishop A breezy summer read ... with a twist! This gripping story is set on the French Riviera - one reviewer described it as true crime meets the Cote d’Azur – so perfect for a sunbed read. For 20 years, Nina Drayton has believed that she must have seen her sister, Tamara, being murdered by babysitter Josie Jackson. Nina was only five years old at the time of the crime. She tells herself that she can’t remember it clearly because she was just a child, and amnesia is a normal response to such a horrific and traumatic event. But as Tamara’s anniversary approaches, true crime investigators revisit the case. Nina’s doubts about what happened are increasing, and she’s finding it harder to suppress them. Nina returns to the…

PETS OF THE WEEK Name: Oliver & BuffyBreed: Short-haired tabbyOwner: Deborah, West Yorkshire 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.*…