Table of contents for 25 - 2017 in Best

I’ve interviewed Alfie Boe several times for best, so I know a lot of you are huge fans of the Lancashire lad who went from car mechanic to star almost overnight – after he was heard singing under the boot of a car by a record producer. So I thought I d give you the latest hot-off-the-press news about Boe and Ball. Alfie and Michael are back together, and currently on a flash tour that started yesterday and ends at the Old Royal Naval College in London on 30 June. They are also back at Christmas, for those who like to plan ahead a little more. Log on to ballandboe.com for more info. That’s my birthday sorted if anyone needs a gift idea! • Please let us know your thoughts…

Blonde bombshell Claire King has never shied away from discussing private topics – from her sex life to facelifts – and now she’s tackling the most taboo subject of all. The Corrie star, who plays Erica Holroyd in the soap, has heartbreakingly revealed she would consider assisted suicide, as she suffers from a painful degenerative disease. Claire was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that sees the body’s immune system attack joints, in the 90s. Because of it, the actress has had several operations – including having the joints in her fingers entirely replaced with metal plates. Facing her fears, the TV star explained last week, ‘I do worry about when I’m older, and becoming a burden on people around me. ‘I can understand why people choose assisted dying…

If there were Olympic medals handed out for being a total wind-up merchant, particularly where his long-suffering co-host Susanna Reid, 46, is concerned, there’s no doubt Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan would be in the running for gold. When best meets him, he’s complaining that he’s missing out on a family trip to Saint- Tropez just to speak to ‘people who write terrible headlines about me, to reward them with even more’! But the cheeky Life Stories host and fatherof- four, who has been married to second wife and fellow journalist Celia Walden since 2010, puts his pot-stirring tendencies aside for a new series of Killer Women, which sees him head across the Atlantic to meet some of America’s most dangerous women… Piers, which of the killer women in your…

Back pain is a really common problem affecting more than 75 per cent of us at some point in our lives. For most people, it’s not caused by a serious issue, but it may be related to poor posture, lack of exercise or a muscle strain. Knowing how best to protect your back can help keep you on the go and pain free. SERIOUS ISSUE You only need to see the doctor with a bad back if it is very severe, ongoing and worsening over a few weeks, or if it is stopping you doing your everyday tasks. Very rarely, it is due to a serious issue that may cause difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels, numbness around your back passage or weakness in the legs. These are alarm bells…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Dreading uncovering on the beach? We can lend a hand. Research shows if you cut out white food from your diet, you can boost your fat-burning powers. Slimming experts also agree this one simple rule is the key to weight loss. Plus, it’s now one of the most popular trends with celebs, too. 2 White foods to be avoided include white rice, potatoes, milk and anything made from white flour, like white bread, cakes, pastries and white pasta. Instead, you can substitute carbohydrates like bread, rice or pasta with wholemeal alternatives. 3 It’s thought that ditching white stuff – which is often processed food that’s high in fat, sugar and salt – can help us cut calories and curb cravings. This is because it’s believed white…

Best for budget Wilko Everyday Value Food Steamer, £10 Easy to use and store, this petite gadget isn’t very high-tech, but it’s hard to find fault for a tenner! Tesco ST11 3 Tier Steamer, £18 This takes up quite a bit of space, and the dial is quite hard to see, but it’s still excellent value for money. Sabichi Steam with Lid at wayfair.co.uk, £33.99 Makes enough food for the whole family, but does take up a little too much room! Best ON Test Mid-range marvels Steama 3 Tier Electric Food Steamer at Lakeland, £34.99 The instructions are complicated, but the machine is simple to master. The timer function is helpful, too. Lakeland Kitchencraft Stainless Steel Steamer, £35.99 Surprisngly compact considering the amount you can steam, and the pans can…

HOT DOGS! As temperatures rise, ensure your canine companion stays cool and safe in the sun with these simple solutions from Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust. ★ Go out at cooler times of the day. Take plenty of water; keep walks shorter. ★ Think about car journeys and try avoiding busy times. Plan plenty of comfort breaks. ★ Never leave a dog in a parked car. Even if it’s cool outside it can quickly become hot inside. Parking in the shade and keeping windows down doesn’t make it safe. Less than 20 minutes in a hot car can prove fatal. ★ Watch for signs of heat stroke, including vomiting, diarrhoea, red gums and tongue, heavy salivation and lack of coordination. If your dog shows any symptoms put them…

Examining her phone, my teenage daughter, Faith, 14, declares the photo terrible. Deleting it, she poses again – selfie after selfie after selfie. My partner, Andy Cudbill, 32, and I have been considering a ban on devices for a while, but we always put it off. Because, the truth is, we’re no better than Faith. I’m forever checking Facebook, and Andy, a tanker driver, unwinds by playing Grand Theft Auto, sometimes for three hours non-stop. Then there’s my nine-yearold son, Ryan. As soon as he’s home from school, he disappears to his bedroom to play Minecraft. It embarrasses me to admit, but we’ve fed the monster! In 2014, we gave Faith and Ryan iPads for Christmas. Faith has a smartphone, while Ryan has an Xbox and PlayStation. Worrying that it’s…

Like the rest of us, our feet age. The skin thins, the soles lose plumpness and joints lose suppleness. But, with a few tricks, you can wear your summer shoes in style. SORTING OUT SPIDER VEINS More than 60 per cent of us have spider veins on our feet, particularly around the ankles. This can leave people feeling very self-conscious when wearing sandals. Laser therapy is the most effective way to get rid of spider veins. With this procedure, a beam of light heats up the blood vessel, closing it off and making it disappear. So, if you want to give it a go, try the new Lumecca IPL system – you may need up to six treatments, two weeks apart, with results lasting up to 18 months. The price…

Follow Seaspray Swimwear on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news, collections and offers SAVE 20% AT Perfect your sleek beach look this season in Seaspray’s silhouetteslimming swimwear, with this exclusive offer for best readers. Seaspray’s new World Traveller Collection shapes you sensationally for summer, bringing together a vibrant mix of swimwear and beachwear. Specialising in longer lengths and flatteringly draped styles, and using tailored control panels, tummy-control technology and soft-touch fabric, it ensures all-day comfort. The new collection features enhanced shaping, beautiful embellishments and on-trend colours. You’ll find classic and contemporary swimsuits, tankinis, bikinis and cover-ups, in sizes 8 to 24. HOW TO CLAIM YOUR 20% DISCOUNT Shop the collection now at seasprayswimwear.com for your exclusive 20% off. Use the code ‘BEST20’ when you check out between…

I want to shame my married lover publicly For the past 12 years, I’ve been having an affair with a married man. Ever since we got together, he has sworn that he is going to leave his wife, but it has never been ‘the right time’. Now his children are grown-up, and I am getting fed up with his excuses. His youngest son is getting married next month, and I am thinking about turning up at the wedding and telling his family just exactly what has been going on. Maybe then he’d have to leave Diane, Guildford Twelve years of excuses… tell me the old, old story! No wonder you feel fed up. However, if you do what you are threatening, you will definitely be left high and dry. Weddings are…

WORTH £149.99 High Street TV is launching the ultimate clean-eating health hack, Veggie Bullet. The three-in-one spiralizer, shredder and slicer is the latest addition to the NutriFamily range that helps prep and batch-cook quickly without sacrificing flavour or nutrients. Perfect for low-carb, gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan lifestyles, or for those who just want to up their vegetable intake, Veggie Bullet takes the hassle out of food prep and does the hard work for you. We’re giving five lucky winners the chance to get their hands on this great gadget. Visit highstreettv.co.uk for more information on the Veggie Bullet. HOW TO ENTER POST Send a postcard with your name, address, phone number and email address to: Veggie Bullet competition, GVBSTN17349, Hearst Magazines UK, The Data Solutions Centre, Worksop S80 2RT. The…

Morning blues Serve up a blue egg at brekkie! Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference British Blue Eggs, £1.85 for six, are from hens fed on a diet of grain and extracts of bright flowers. Plus 1p from every dozen sold goes to support the Woodland Trust. FUSS-FREE & FAB Brilliant bakes For a yummy treat, pick up a pack of Co-op’s Limited Edition Carnival Cupcakes, £2 for two. Made with vanilla sponge, and topped with pink vanilla frosting and a juicy watermelon-flavoured sweet, they really do taste as good as they look. Sensational for salads Add a touch of Mary magic to summer dishes with brandnew Mary Berry’s Mango, Lime & Chilli Dressing, £2.99, Tesco. Great to drizzle over leaves, or use as a marinade or dipping sauce. GO LIGHTER AT…

Win EVERY WEEK WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES STRAIGHT CLUES ACROSS 1 Floated to the top (8) 5 Price tags (6) 10 Enthusiastic (5) 11 Female children (9) 12 Taken to an address (9) 13 Perhaps, possibly (5) 14 Creative subjects (4) 15 Shipping areas (5) 18 Manner, mode (5) 20 Jewels (4) 22 Smallest amount (5) 24 Bring into use (9) 26 Three-sided figures (9) 27 Sound (5) 28 From Denmark (6) 29 Emotional understanding ( DOWN 1 Regular, firm (6) 2 Consistently (9) 3 Comes (7) 4 Senior member (5) 6 Abashed (7) 7 Each one (5) 8 Anticipation (8) 9 Money kitty (4) 16 Red, Soviet (9) 17 Cut off, remote (8) 19 Reaches out (7) 20 Adult (5,2) 21…

‘As long as I’m being healthy, that’s good enough for me...’ Did you know? Holly’s not the only celeb fan of Pilates. Other stars, including Geri Horner, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Kate Winslet, have also revealed they’ve taken it up to stay trim. She’s famously tight-lipped about how she keeps in shape, but when This Morning host Holly Willoughby stepped out at a recent awards ceremony, there was no denying she was looking slender. The TV star – known for her enviable curves – stunned in a fitted, floral floor-length dress, as her fans took to social media to inundate her with compliments, and beg her for the secret behind her trim figure! While Holly, 36, chose to keep quiet, it was later revealed that her weight loss is partly down…

CAROL McGIFFIN ‘World Naked Bike Ride Day took place in London and Manchester last week, with thousands of people doing a nine-mile ride, starkers. It was held to protest against reliance on cars, and to highlight the vulnerability of cyclists. Can’t really argue with that, I suppose, but I’m sure many people weren’t too happy seeing thousands of naked grownups careering round their streets – especially if they were out with their kids. I can’t see the problem, though, and I’m sure the kids don’t see one, either – after all, they love wearing no clothes, and it is how we all start life, isn’t it? Personally, I’d rather slit my own throat than ride a bike around London in my birthday suit. In fact, I have no real desire…

Katie Piper was an attractive 25-yearold working as a model when she was attacked with acid in March 2008. She’d started seeing a man named Daniel Lynch a couple of weeks before, but their relationship had taken a sinister turn when he’d locked her in a hotel room, raped and beaten her. He then arranged for a contact, Stefan Sylvestre, to throw acid in her face, leaving her fighting for her life and with horrific facial injuries. Then viewed as a rare crime, particularly appalling because of its vicious nature, acid attacks are now becoming more common in the UK. Adele Bellis is another victim who will always be haunted by the moment of her attack. It was 14 August 2014, and the beautician, now 24, was talking to a…

‘If there’s one th ing I’ve learnt’ ‘With love, hard work and dedication, it’s possible to save an animal’s life, no matter what state they’re in.’ We all adore our pets, and it’s easy to understand why owners want to shower their animals with love by giving them treats. But it’s also very easy to go too far with those doggie delicacies, to the detriment of the animal’s health. And that’s exactly what happened to Cavalier King Charles spaniel Abby, who ballooned to almost 4st. Thankfully, a concerned neighbour contacted me at the rescue centre I co-founded, and we were able to step in before it was too late. With a lot of love, hard work and, to be honest, a bit of a ‘ruff’ journey, Abby is finally one…

ELIZABETH HURLEY IS A GEMINI 22 May – 21 June You’re enthusiastic about new projects. Sharing ideas with confidence could lead to some dynamic results. For Geminis, it’s a time when telling it like it is could pay off. ARIES 21 March – 20 April Errands keep you on the move. You will be meeting some interesting new people. Your best friend or lover is jealous of your popularity, which is hurtful. Go with what feels right for you. Forming new friendships will be illuminating. TAURUS 21 April – 21 May Act as if nothing can stand in the way of you winning what you want. You can improve your chances of finding love by thinking about the image you present to others. Hold your head high and approach other…

Extract from 101 Burgers & Sliders by Ryland Peters and Small. Available for the special price of £9.99 including P&P (RRP £12.99) by telephoning Macmillan Direct on 01256 302 699 and quoting the reference LAs). Lamb, olive & feta burger and fish burger: recipe by Miranda Ballard and photography by Clare Winfield. Thai chicken breast burger: recipe by Louise Pickford and photography by Ian Wallace. Thai chicken thigh burger Sweet chilli dressing adds that classic Thai hot, sweet, salty and sour flavour we love, and is a perfect complement to the chicken and mango. SERVES 4 1tbsp peanut or vegetable oil, plus extra for cooking 1 shallot, thinly sliced 1 garlic clove, sliced 2.5cm piece root ginger, peeled and shredded 1½tsp shrimp paste (from Thai and Asian food stores) 1tbsp desiccated…

…joining the Homes Under The Hammer team I am genuinely a fan, so when I found out, I was really excited. I was pregnant at the time and when you hear news like that, you just want to drink Champagne… I’ve made up for it since, though! …whether she’d do I’m A Celebrity… like co-host Martin Roberts I don’t think I would – not eating kangaroo testicles! But it would be one way of losing my baby weight! …meeting her husband I didn’t foresee marrying the very first boy I kissed. It took him 20 years to ask me out, mind you. …being a mum I had three sons quite quickly – Monty, four, Chester, two, and Guthrie, five-and-a-half months. But I’m stopping there! My eldest son has seen me…

Tony Cowell BEST’S CELEB INSIDER REPORTS FROM THE BALL Simon Cowell hosted a glittering evening at one of London’s most elegant buildings, Banqueting House, last week. The beautiful venue was bedecked with sweet peas and hydrangeas, and the vast ballroom was transformed into a multicoloured midsummer delight. Simon holds the annual event to raise money for the charity that provides help to the UK’s most seriously ill children and their families, Together For Short Lives. The ball aims to shine a light on the nation’s 49,000 children and young people living with life-limiting conditions, and help them and their families to get the care and support they need. CELEBRITY GUESTS Alongside girlfriend Lauren Silverman, Simon hosted his own table of friends and celebrities, including his longterm buddy Louis Walsh. Louis…