Table of contents for 13 - 2022 in Best

A mother was on her way home last week ‘looking forward to a cup of tea’. It would be natural for any young child to look forward to Mummy coming home but this particular mum was Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe (see page 57). Can you imagine the utter excitement of Gabriella, seven, who last had her mum at home in London before she was two. In a world where we are all desperately searching for something to smile about, what a joy it was to have some good news to report. And with Mother’s Day just around the corner, what better gift could either have been given? There are other smaller reasons to smile this week – including the imminent return of Bridgerton (page 49) – and the return of the sun!…

TV host Richard Madeley, 65, has compared hosting Good Morning Britain alongside Susanna Reid, 51, to ‘learning to dance with a new partner’. Richard, who’s spent most of his career presenting with wife, Judy Finnigan, 73, had his first stint on the ITV news show five years ago, standing in for ex-host Piers Morgan. After the controversial journalist’s infamous walk-off last year, Richard now presents the show most Mondays and Wednesdays. And now, the former This Morning frontman has admitted that there are challenges to overcome when presenting with mum-of-three Susanna. ‘Obviously, I worked with Judy for more than 21 years and presenting with someone else on a regular basis, it’s like learning to dance with a new partner,’ he explained. ‘They don’t move the same way and the steps are written…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Recent research* in the USA revealed that when one partner committed to losing weight, the other half lost weight, too – even when they weren’t dieting. 2 It’s not just the psychological effect of mirroring your partner’s habits to eat more healthily, slimming with a partner or friend makes dieting easier: you can shop together, share recipe preparation and monitor each other’s progress. 3 Personal trainer Daniel Forster says: ‘I always encourage my clients to involve their partner, friends or family when they’re trying to reach a weight-loss goal: you keep each other motivated, help with portion control and bale each other out when you’re tempted by a cocktail or takeaway! Double the benefits of following the diet by training together – just 20 minutes of high-intensity-style…

Watching Mum weave together a willow wreath, I can’t help smiling. She’s in her element and I’m so lucky to witness it. We started working together 18 years ago. I wanted to open a shop filled with beautiful things and sustainable clothes. ‘How about it?’ I’d said to Mum. A trained florist with an upbeat character, I knew she’d be an excellent business partner. Mum said yes and together we opened FLINT in Lewes. The business thrived but a year ago, my husband, Justin, and I moved to the rural countryside. The business evolved with us. Mum and I transferred the shop online, focusing on producing our own products. I now have a huge garden but I’m a novice, so Mum visits frequently and we garden together. This year we’re growing…

Smoked Mackerel Kedgeree Rich in omega-3s and high in fibre, thanks to oily fish and brown rice, this flavour-packed supper will keep you fuller for longer, and it’s gluten-free, too. Serves 4 Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 20 mins 1tbsp olive oil1 onion, finely sliced1tbsp medium curry powder¼tsp ground turmeric2x 250g pouches microwaveable wholegrain rice200ml hot vegetable stock2 large eggs225g smoked peppered mackerel2 tomatoes, finely chopped Juice of 1 lemon, plus extra wedges to serve (optional) Handful of parsley, roughly chopped 1 Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Gently fry the onion for 8-10min until soft. Add the spices and cook for 1min. Stir in rice, so it is coated in the spicy oil, and fry for 1min. Add the stock, bring up to the boil…

ELDERLY NEIGHBOUR SWORE ME TO SECRECY I grew very close to my adorable elderly neighbour during the pandemic. She told me calmly over tea and biscuits the other day that she has terminal cancer – and that I’m not to tell her husband. She says she doesn’t want to pain him before the inevitable happens but wanted to let me know as she has no children of her own to share this painful secret. She’s 85 and I’m just short of 50, I think she sees me as a surrogate daughter. I just feel so sad for this man. He doesn’t know what’s about to happen to the love of his life. I will respect her wishes, but I feel so torn. Tamsin, Hull This news about your neighbour is…

Former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips has nailed her colours to the mast of Royals such as Her Majesty, in a recent newspaper column – as the example other leaders should be following. Fiona explained her belief that, if we are to have a symbolic leader in Britain, the 95-year-old monarch is ‘the very best that any country on Earth could wish for.’ And Fiona, 61, revealed her admiration for the woman who has always stood firm in the face of various family dramas – including of late, ‘Megxit’ and its fallout, Prince Andrew’s spectacular fall from grace and the devastating loss of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 2021 – at the height of the pandemic. ‘At a time when a sense of duty and an air of dignity are fast…

We are sitting in a quiet corner of our local pub. Ben asked to meet up. He seems nervous. As am I. He orders a club sandwich. I ask for a black coffee. It is good to see him. We talk for a while about this and that. Small talk. Skirting around the herd of elephants in the room. ‘Why did you want to see me?’ I say at last. He hesitates. ‘I failed you, Ally. I know that now. All I wanted to do was heal you.’ ‘Failed me? Of course you didn’t. It wasn’t your job to heal me. I told you that at the start. You didn’t fail me. You were a wonderful husband and an amazing father to Leo.’ I hesitate, wanting to choose my words…

MUM’S PARTY, SPOTIFY It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday, and all the superwomen out there deserve a playlist to groove along to. Spotify has them coveredfrom Whitney Houston to Chaka Khan and, of course, Cher – they’re in for a treat. SONGS FOR MUM, AMAZON MUSIC Musical reminders of why mums are so special, from the worlds of pop and vintage rock – featuring tunes from The Beatles, Kate Bush, Bill Withers and many more. DRUNK MUMS AT A SUNDAY BBQ, SPOTIFY This playlist surely wins on the title alone! With Fleetwood Mac, Blondie, Natalie Imbruglia and many, many more – what’s not to love…?…

1 SPRING HAS SPRUNG! You know Spring is in the air when little lambs make an appearance! These two are the very first to be born this year at Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher’s new farm in the Peak District. Kelvin, 38, his wife, Elizabeth, and their kids, Marnie, five, and Milo, three, ditched their old life in Oldham last year for a new one in the country. With these little dudes for company, we can see the appeal… 2 Who wowed the crowd? The BAFTAs were back IRL and its risqué presenter Rebel Wilson, 42, had two outfit changes, this red sparkly gown was our favourite. Meanwhile West Side Story star Ariana DeBose, 31, and Laura Whitmore, 36, shone in yellow, wearing Stella McCartney and Oscar de la Renta, respectively.…

Years ago, body care extended to body butter or, if you were feeling fancy, gradual tan. Advances in formulas mean that many products now boast the type of ingredients we’d normally reserve for our faces. If we’re going to pay so much attention to our complexion, we may as well give the rest of our body some care – and here’s how… 1 TAN AND NOURISH Normally when self-tanning, the golden (ahem) rule is to go oil-free to prevent streaky areas, so Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Oil Mist, £21.95, is a huge departure from the norm. This is a bi-phase formula (so shake before you spritz) featuring glycerin, hyaluronic acid and squalane, which adds moisture to your skin and prevents patchiness. It’s a colour-correcting formula too, allowing for a more…

MOST DRAMATIC MOMENT(S) Got to be Connor, reminding us how scary that ice is – first splitting his chin, then slicing his leg. And carrying on like he did? What a guy. He was quiet compared to others but, honestly, the nicest guy you could meet – and he came so alive in front of a studio audience. BIGGEST FLIRT My man Kye, definitely! After the show, the few times we did have a drink or two – he was always buying for everyone. Even the pro girls were hanging off him. I suspect, yes, he was really enjoying being in the company of some very athletic, good-looking women. And why not indeed! MOST MISSED Sally left a huge hole when she went. Even the Covid marshals on set the…

WHY DOES MY ARM KEEP BRUISING? Dr Hilary, I have a probably quite minor but rather strange issue I’d like your professional opinion on! Basically, a blood vessel bruise keeps coming up on my right arm. I don’t remember ever knocking it. It’s come up about five times in the past six months. Do you have any idea why, or what’s causing this? So strange… Sally, Herts. DR HILARY SAYS: Unexplained bruising can be caused by many things. It is more likely as you get older, because there is less supportive collagen and fatty tissue under the surface, to offer protection to flimsy blood vessels. Injury is an obvious trigger – although sometimes, you may not even be aware of a knock, or a place where clothes rub. It is…

‘There’s so much charity but it’s not enough’ A visibly emotional Rob Rinder made the journey to the Polish border on 14 March, to report on the situation there – and to help his former Strictly partner Oksana Platero’s family escape war-torn Ukraine. As he revealed on GMB the following day, thankfully, Florida-based Oksana’s elderly and frail relatives, ranging in age from their early 70s to 95, had managed to cross the border themselves – and Rob was able to help them receive medicines they needed. Tearful professional dancer Oksana, 33, who joined the transmission from the US, opened up about her grandparents’ escape from Ukraine – sharing her extreme relief that they had fled from such grave danger, having previously been turned back after a week of foiled attempts. Sharing a…

TED ITV2, Friday, 9pm Hilarious and more than a little naughty! A wish comes true for John when his teddy bear, Ted, comes to life. When John plans to move in with his girlfriend, Ted – unprepared for the change – unintentionally ruins their relationship. COCKTAIL (1988) Channel 5, Thursday, 11pm A Cruise classic that will leave you shaken and stirred! Brian is working as a bartender in Jamaica, when he meets his mentor, Doug, who challenges him to pursue a wealthy girl. Complications arise when his girlfriend sees them together… SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING (2017) BBC One, Friday, 10.35pm An action-packed gem for all the Marvel fans out there! Spider-Man [Tom Holland] begins to navigate his new identity as the web-slinging super hero, under the watchful eye of his mentor, Tony…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES 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/bestcross1322 ACROSS 1 Ongoing disagreement (11) 9 Expect (5) 10 Thee (3) 11 Ask for earnestly (5) 12 In front (5) 13 Moved forwards (8) 16 All people (8) 18 Pattern (5) 21 Begin (5) 22 Eccentric (3) 23 Passage between rows of seats (5) 24 Act of moving from one place to another (11) DOWN 2 See (7) 3 Buying and selling (7) 4 Juicy citrus fruit (6) 5 Background actor (5) 6 Manner of speaking (5) 7 Reason given for doing something (11) 8 Basic (11) 14 Gift (7)…

Loose Woman Nadia Sawalha is not only a successful presenter – but an uber-proud mum, who regularly peppers her conversations with references to her daughters Maddie, 19, and Kiki, 14, with her TV producer husband, Mark Adderley. As families across the country prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, the bubbly and forthright 57-year-old opens up about the women that make her life brighter. Nadia, how are you all doing? Good but, like everyone, a bit overwhelmed with everything that’s going on in the world. We thought the pandemic was the most unbelievable thing to happen. Now, it’s Ukraine. It’s about trying to stay aware of what’s happening – but looking after your mental health, too. I’m very plugged into the news – not only for Loose Women, but because Mark and I…

3 RECIPES TO BOOST GROWTH ● Castor or olive oil is great for thinning locks, bald spots and receding hairlines. Apply several drops to your scalp and then massage thoroughly. For a stronger effect, use a shower cap to cover your hair overnight. Just rinse the next morning. ● Boost thinning locks with this nourishing weekly mask, packed with vitamins, proteins and fatty acids. Mix two egg yolks and 2tbsp olive oil, and add half a cup of water to dilute. Massage into your scalp, thoroughly and slowly. Cover hair with a warmed towel and leave for 15-20mins, and then wash out. ● The vitamins and potassium in bananas are ideal for healthy hair growth. Take one ripe banana, and mash until it’s smooth. Add 1tbsp to your conditioner or…

I’ve always been a risk-taker, so Mum wasn’t surprised when I left my midwifery degree because it wasn’t working for me. Mum was a Special Educational Needs teacher, but was looking for a new path. We had a shared goal: to help the community by building something amazing. We found Tiney online, a new company training childminders in starting their own nurseries. They supported us as we transformed the ground floor and garden of our family home into Petite Childcare. We had our training and official inspection, then opened our home to children up to the age of 12, at the start of 2020. Lockdown soon followed and, although we initially had to close, we realised our contribution could be looking after children of key workers. Mum focused on the…

Love and marriage – stumbling across these pictures from the year our columnists tied the knot made us think, it’s been 12 years since they got married! For some of that time, they worked together, too, co-presenting on This Morning. Now, that’s got to take some serious diplomacy – on both parts! These days, Eamonn is on GB News, while Ruth remains at ITV. But one thing has remained a constant – their lasting union. So what is the secret of being a Good Wife – and a Good Husband? Well, the pair have given us an insight more than once about what binds them together. Firstly, they respect each other. Ruth once admitted that before she even met Eamonn, she was ‘a big fan’ – adding, ‘I used to…

Fallen fruit chocolate cake Lady Whistledown is hiding in plain sight – much like the colourful fruit slices on this cake, masquerading as decorative flowers. SERVES 22 250g butter, softened and cubed500g icing sugar, sifted3-5 walnut halves Blackberries, to decorate Edible gold spray4 sheets of edible gold leaf (optional)2 figs, 1 halved, 1 quartered3-5 physalis3 Gala apples3 pears Orange, red, purple & green gel or paste food colouring FOR THE DOUBLE CHOCOLATE SPONGE 450g self-raising flour2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda, sifted3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, mixed with 4 teaspoons just-boiled water500g caster sugar240g butter, melted and cooled, plus extra for greasing300ml buttermilk4 eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract150g dark chocolate, melted YOU WILL ALSO NEED 2-3 large baking sheets, greased and lined3 18-cm/7-inch diameter cake pans, greased and lined Paintbrush2 wooden…

ON THE MENU IN THE 70S EAMONN: The Seventies are often derided, by people too young to have lived through them, as a time of drudgery and depression. If you were there, you may remember some of this. If you weren’t, here’s a bit of an insight! Ruth and I remember colour TV coming in to our lives, amazing TV programmes that brought us to other worlds – like Star Trek. The music was psychedelic, our hair was long, Ruth would have worn hers like Farrah Fawcett Majors in Charlie’s Angels, and mine involved a centre parting, layered so that I thought I was a dead ringer for Rod Stewart. My trousers and jeans were high waisted with big flares. The jumper of choice was called a tank top, and…

LUCKY GENES In a break from the TV show I’m currently recording in Manchester, I spent two nights, 50 miles away, at my mum’s flat. June doesn’t live there now, she’s in a nursing home a couple miles down the coast. Back in September 2020, after a series of unfortunate events, we reluctantly realised that Ma was no longer capable of living on her own and she needed residential care. Eighteen months later, her dementia has deteriorated. She still knows who we are, but she has lost interest. She is like a small rowing boat, drifting further from the shores of reality. The ropes tethering her to us have frayed and away she bobs, politely listening to our conversation but not particularly emotionally engaged. She no longer asks questions –…

ARIES 21 March – 20 April Achieving something big will give Arians like EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Slater, and Hollywood funny man, Vince Vaughn, the motivation and momentum to fight for a cause that is really close to their hearts. Don’t be disheartened if there are bumps along the road, you’ll get there in the end. CANCER 22 June – 23 July You want to have fun but there is work to be done. Some duties you just can’t ignore. Still, you shouldn’t let this stop you from planning something exciting for the coming weekend. It may not be possible to go on a wild adventure but taking a glamorous trip will be refreshing. A creative course will bring you some much-needed stimulation. LIBRA 24 September –…

VINTAGE VIBES This Decadent Candle Pot is the perfect way to add a little touch of Art Deco glamour to your home. £15 from joebrowns.co.uk. CUPCAKE, OR CANDLE?! These life-sized ‘cupcakes’ look good enough to eat… but don’t be fooled! They’re just very cute candles, waiting for a home! £7 at etsy.com/uk. GROOVY, BABY! Create the ultimate statement with the Theia Marble Candle – an unscented pillar candle hand-poured with soy wax and dip-dyed in orange and pastel pink to create that eye-catching marble swirl. £13, from flamingocandles.co.uk.…

Yorkshire lass extraordinaire Jane McDonald – who began her glittering career singing on cruise ships, has become one of our favourite travel presenters, with her hearty laugh and down-to-earth observations on the exotic locations she visits across the globe. Here, the Wakefield native, 58, tells best all about her latest sun-soaked adventure, exploring the gorgeous Caribbean islands… Your travels in the Caribbean look absolutely amazing – did it live up to expectations? Oh, I used to visit the Caribbean when I worked the ships, I loved it then and I love it now. It never disappoints! Every island was different, but everyone offered a warm welcome. From the beaches to the rainforests, Grenada was a revelation. What were some of your most memorable moments in the show? The mud bath in St…

AUNT POLLY’S HOUSE Aunt Polly’s (the late Helen McCrory) lovely home is in Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham, but the actual house used for filming is in Port Sunlight, near Liverpool. The picturesque village was built in the late 1800s to house factory workers. Nowadays, it’s a beautiful residential area, home to the Port Sunlight Museum and Lady Lever Art Gallery. See portsunlightvillage.com. TWENTIES BIRMINGHAM Blue plaques mark the exact spots where many memorable scenes were filmed at staple location the Black Country Living Museum, Dudley. The 26-acre site features more than 40 reconstructed shops including fish and chip and sweet shops, and the Bottle & Glass Inn for visitors to enjoy. It has staged special Peaky Blinders nights, too. More information at bclm.com and visitengland.com. MARGATE Beautiful Formby beach, a…