Table of contents for 26 - 2016 in Best

It’s the last week of June and, in my calendar, that means one thing: Wimbledon. And, with it, the promise of British victory – COME ON, Andy! Turn to p40 to read mum Judy Murray’s top tips on being a ‘pushy parent’. If you saw her in Strictly, you’ll know that, despite appearances, she’s warm and funny – and she writes her piece firmly tongue in cheek. We’ll be punching the air with her! Wimbledon’s all about strawberries, Pimm’s in the rain and, with any luck, some long, glorious evenings, too. One man who hopes to be there is beleaguered Cliff Richard, who’s emerging from the most damaging two years of his life. His interview with Gloria Hunniford is brutally honest (p10), and demonstrates how their relationship has been a…

Back in the 90s, the BBC sitcom Ab Fab was comedy gold, and in the film – out Friday – hilarious boozeloving, drug-abusing double-act, PR agent Edina Monsoon (Jennifer Saunders) and magazine editor Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley) are still oozing glitz and glamour as they merrily shop, drink and party their way around London’s hot spots. But when they accidentally push Kate Moss into the Thames at a party, Edina and Patsy get caught up in a media storm, and are forced to flee to the French Riviera, which they love so much they decide to hatch a plan to make their escape route permanent. A glamorous-looking Jennifer Saunders is on fine form as Best catches up with the mother-of-three about the film she wrote and stars in... Jennifer, hello!…

VEG FOR SUCCESS At every meal, aim to fill a third of your plate with vegetables, fresh or frozen. Obesity is a huge problem in the UK, and the latest statistics are hard to swallow. In 2014 to 2015, 440,000 hospital admissions were due to obesityrelated illnesses – 10 times the number for 2004 to 2005. So how exactly have we ended up in this state – and how can we get out of it? A DIETITIAN’S PERSPECTIVE: Lorna Forde, dietitian and British Dietetic Association spokesperson, says: In the 80s, only 15 per cent of the population was obese, whereas, shockingly, those of us with a healthy weight are now in the minority. Dramatic changes in our environment have pushed us towards different ways of living. We’ve had an explosion…

LOUISE REDKNAPP JACKET A pastel colour can soften a boxy blazer for a more chic and feminine feel. SHOES Metallic loafers are a tricky trend, so keep your outfit plain and let your shoes make a statement. Louise’s are from Gucci , but you can find similar styles on the high street. BRACELET & RINGS Layer your jewellery to liven up a simple look. TOP A plain white T-shirt is a fashion staple, and a V-neck style like Louise’s suits any body shape. JEANS A style that’s cut above the ankle flatters e veryone, and is perfect for summer. SHOPPING IN STYLE A comfy pair of loafers are perfect for a long day hitting the high street! Team with loose jeans, which are perfect for quick outfit try-ons in hot…

THIS WEEK... DON’T IMPULSE-BUY A TK Maxx report claims that, as a nation, we waste a massive £3.7 billion on unworn holiday clothinge very year, spending an average of £67.40 each on clothes we’ll never wear again. Make a list and stick to a budget, so you don’t buy for the sake of it. A big discount do esn’t me an it’s a bargain. SECRET SALES ‘Secret sales’ sites offer huge discounts on designer labels, often up to 70 per cent. They offer daily flash sales to their members, and they’re free to register. Often, the products being sold are exactly in line with the current season, because brands are already starting to work on their next season’s stock. Bargain swimwear and sunglasses are always available. KILO SALES Look out…

DOWNTON ABBEY HIGHCLERE CASTLE, NEAR NEWBURY, WEST BERKSHIRE Fancy being the lady of the manor? From 10 July to 7 September, you can don your petticoats and waltz around the grounds of Downton Abbey’s Highclere Castle. The setting of ITV’s hit period drama has regular open days for fans, allowing you to snoop around to your heart’s content. And, while the real-life 8th Countess of Carnavon, Fiona, still lives in the stately home with her husband, the Earl, you can extend your own stay by booking a cottage – or even a lodge at the entrance to the estate. Please note that London Lodge has no availability until 2017. Prices start around £400 a night for two people. highclerecastle.co.uk BIG BROTHER HOUSE ELSTREE, HERTFORDSHIRE There’s been no announcement yet but,…

When his mother’s death brings psychologist Nathan Appleby (Colin Morgan) and young wife Charlotte (Les Misérables’ Charlotte Spencer) back to the family farm in Somerset, they are faced with ruin unless they can turn its fortunes around. But then a teenage girl comes to the house, seemingly possessed by a terrifying spirit, and Nathan must help her. Faced with one disturbing case after the other, he begins to fear there is something sinister about the house… Hi, Colin. What can we expect from The Living And The Dead? It’s a very dark series – a blend of horror, the supernatural, love, life, death and loss. Tell us more about Nathan… He’s adamant that he’s going to solve all life’s problems, be that as a psychologist or by moving to the…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £ 100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES Both these sets of clues lead to the same answers, revealing in the shaded squares a TV show with Alexander Armstrong (9) WIN £550 STRAIGHT CLUES ACROSS 1 Declared (6) 5 Clapping (8) 9 Gaining knowledge (8) 10 Made into a form (6) 11 Historical period (3) 12 Weather conditions (8) 14 Have existence (4) 15 Is frightened of (5) 17 Banquet (5) 18 One-eighth of a gallon (4) 19 Larval frogs (8) 23 Unholy act (3) 25 Homo sapiens (6) 26 Vital (8) 27 Tooth doctors (8) 28 Vocalist (6) DOWN 2 Makes knots (4) 3 Endangers (9) 4 Force, impetus (5) 5 Go fishing (5) 6 Adhesive (5) 7 Astound (5) 8 Harbouring (10) 13…

1 HOLIDAY HOT LIST SUMMER SALES ON THE HIGH STREET CAN MAKE SHOPPING A LITTLE STRESSFUL, so skip the stores and pick up your perfect holiday wardrobe at kaleidoscope.co.uk instead. With a great range of gorgeous fashion and accessories, you’ll find styles that look chic on the beach without blowing the budget. 2 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLINTONS HILLARY AND BILL CLINTON COULDN’T LOOK PROUDER AS THEY HOLD THEIR FIRST GRANDSON. The presidential power couple went to visit their daughter, Chelsea, after she gave birth to son Aidan – and, judging by this snap, they’re both smitten already. Chelsea and husband Marc Mezvinsky also have a daughter, 21-month-old Charlotte, and this new arrival is obviously another perfect addition to their family. 3 KIND-HEARTED KIDS ARE SPORTING GOLD AT SCHOOL SPORTS…

CALIFORNIA GIRL If it’s true that Denise Welch is on a mission to conquer the US, it will be America’s gain and most definitely our loss. The former Corrie actress, 58, has entertained us in so many ways over the years that we’d really miss her. From Loose Women to Celebrity Big Brother (and THAT naked streak) to the sassy bikini pics she’s taken to posting on Twitter – everything she does is delivered with the Tynemouth lass’ trademark, no-messing attitude. Denise, who has temporarily relocated to Tinseltown, seems eager to start over in a place where people don’t have pre-conceived ideas about her. ‘In England, most people see me as a “tart with a heart,”’ she revealed. ‘But here, I start with a fresh slate.’ Currently acclimatising to life…

These one-time golden couples have long since split up, moving on to new lives and new partners. But, as these recent pictures show, the women have gone on to confound that old cliché about men ageing more gracefully… LIZ HURLEY & HUGH GRANT The Royals star Elizabeth Hurley looked nothing short of sensational when she stepped out with the floppyhaired Hugh Grant in that safety-pin Versace dress for the Four Weddings And A Funeral premiere in 1994. Fast-forward 22 years and Liz, 51, looks just as stunning when she hits the red carpet now. Her secret, she said in 2012, is ‘Sleep – plus diet, fresh air and sun protection.’ Genes to die for, too, perhaps? Meanwhile, Hugh, who Liz dated until 2000, looks every one of his 55 years……

TAKEN TOO YOUNG At times, her regal beauty and star status make her seem like she’s a million miles away from the troubles and fears of your average woman. But last week, Hollywood A-lister Angelina Jolie Pitt, 41, melted the hearts of thousands of radio listeners as she opened up about her beloved mother’s death, and her own preventative cancer surgeries. We were reminded that it doesn’t matter how successful or wealthy you are – cancer can affect anyone. Speaking as part of the Woman’s Hour Takeover week on BBC Radio 4, an emotional Angelina revealed the heartache that hasn’t gone away. Her mum, American actress Marcheline Bertrand, simply didn’t have access to the same information about cancer that her daughter did, and it might have saved her life. ‘When…

With 20 years’ salon experience, ALLEY LAUNDRY has seen and waxed just about everything. As hair-removal brand Parissa’s resident waxing guru, she knows exactly how you can achieve salon-worthy smoothness at home. She says, ‘If you haven’t tried it before, you might think home waxing is messy and difficult, but once you see the results, you’ll want to keep doing it.’ Ditch the razor with Alley • Each time you remove hair from the root, you render the follicle less able to develop strong hair, which means it’ll come back finer, softer and slower. • Pulling your hair often has an ‘ouch factor’, but no more so than taking off a plaster. If you’re nervous, take an ibuprofen half an hour before you begin. Try dusting baby powder on your…

Microwave tomato risotto Yes, a risotto that’s microwaved! It’s so simple and means you don’t need to stand there stirring the pan for 25 minutes. Just adjust the timings for the power of your microwave. SERVES 4 • 30g butter • 1 onion, diced • 300g Arborio rice • 500g passata • 1 vegetable stock cube, crumbled • 300ml cold water • 250g salad tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, roughly chopped • 125g mozzarella, drained and grated • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1. Put the butter, onion and rice into a large heatproof bowl then cover with cling film. Put the bowl into a microwave and cook on high for 3 mins. 2. Lift the bowl out of the microwave and carefully remove the cling film.…

A steely-eyed tiger mum who never smiles, too aggressive, too driven… The hypercritical insults lobbed at Judy Murray were relentless. That was until her sons, Andy and Jamie, became tennis royalty. But she’s far from hard-nosed. Here, Judy, 56, reveals what 30 years of parenting has taught her… 1 ‘Never think you’re sacrificing your life’ When the boys were teenagers and I was trying to make things happen in their tennis careers, there was an enormous amount of pressure on me, but I never thought of it as a sacrifice. I was lucky my job as a tennis coach allowed my boys to develop their skills, but it also meant travelling by minibus most weekends, all over the country. I missed out on lots of family celebrations over the years,…

NEW SERIES Love Your Garden Alan Titchmarsh and the team head to Hull to transform the garden of a 90-year-old former Land Girl. The twice-widowed great-grandmother can’t tend her once-beautiful gardens, but the team transforms them into spaces she can care for again. Mistresses Based on the hit BBC series of the same name, the American remake of Mistresses is a provocative and gripping drama about the scandalous love lives of a group of girlfriends, bound together by the complex web of relationships they’ve created. Ricki and the Flash Set the record button for this box-office hit from last summer. Ricki Rendazzo (Meryl Streep), a one-time wife and mum-ofthree, left her family behind to follow her dream of rock ’n’ roll stardom. Her attempts to reconnect with ex-husband Pete, troubled…

The picture went viral when Davina McCall posted herself cooking dinner in a navy-blue bikini at the beginning of June. The 48-year-old mum-of-three is living proof that working out and watching what you eat pays off big style. But, while she may look like she has the perfect life, it hasn’t all been plain sailing. The bubbly presenter admits that her 16-year marriage to ex-Pet Rescue presenter Matthew Robertson has weathered bumps in the road, even taking in bouts of counselling. ‘Talk to anyone who has been married as long as us and everybody will say, “Sometimes it’s a mission,”’ she said. ‘Matthew and I argue for no reason about stupid things. ‘But we’re always happy to work at it. If we’ve been arguing for maybe six months or so,…

Alot of people assume that it’s women who try to avoid sleeping with their husbands – and, of course, we all like having a laugh at the old ‘not tonight, dear’ cliché. But, if you were in my situation, you wouldn’t be smiling. You see, my husband and I have been struggling to have sex for eight long years. I’ve been sympathetic, and we’re doing the best we can to make our marriage work, but I can’t deny that it’s been tough. Philip, 43, and I met in our 20s, and were friends to begin with, until 2000, when we realised that there was more to our relationship. He was clever, funny and extremely thoughtful and, once we became a couple, life was fantastic. We became intimate and had an…

One-man tornado and original ‘Brat Pack’ member Charlie Sheen – son of Martin – was a major heart-throb of the 80s, hitting the big-time with roles in films like Red Dawn (1984), Platoon (1986) and Wall Street (1987). In the noughties, Charlie moved to TV, starring in Spin City (bagging himself several Golden Globe nominations), comedy series Two And A Half Men and Anger Management, and became one of the highestpaid actors in US TV. So it was sad to witness his unravelling in 2011, when he clashed with the makers of Two And A Half Men, eventually being fired in the midst of rumours of substance abuse. (Sheen later denied that drugs were the cause of his meltdown.) But it was even more shocking to learn, last November, that…

THIS WEEK... Infidelity is different for men and women, because sex is fundamentally different for men and women. Last week, a US report on infidelity revealed that wives feel betrayed if their husband has a close friendship with another woman, while men are only hurt if their wife or girlfriend actually goes on to sleep with another man. I get that, I do. Because for women, it’s about sharing intimate moments. If I was unfaithful, it would be because I totally fancied the pants off somebody AND thought he was worth splitting my marriage up over – though I’m not condoning it. But a man could go out, get drunk and think, ‘It’s only sex.’ After I found out about my ex-husband Shane [Richie]’s affair, I never once thought of…

BARDOT BEAUTIES Draped fabric gives the illusion of a bigger bust. FOR SMALLER BUSTS STATEMENT STYLES Not confident flashing the flesh? A big, bold necklace draws the eye. CUT-OUT COLD SHOULDERS Added straps supply some extra support. FOR LARGER BUSTS UNDERCOVER SAVIOURS Shoulder-tops tend to be made from thin material like chiffon, so it’s best to wear a skin-coloured bra.…

Ashley’s dementia means that he forgets his wife, Laurel, is an alcoholic, and they share a bottle of wine. How does she feel when she wakes up? Well, Laurel’s pregnant, so there is guilt about that – and also about deceiving Ashley. His dementia meant he literally forgot and gave her wine, and she grabbed the opportunity. Alcoholics are always tempted. Laurel’s ex, Marlon Dingle, works it out pretty quickly! Well, Marlon sees her leaving the house and she has that look he’s seen before, so he follows her. He takes her back to his place for breakfast, but it gets ugly. Why does Laurel make a pass at Marlon? She’s desperate for more wine. Marlon is furious, and says she can drink herself stupid, but she mustn’t leave the…