Table of contents for 29 - 2022 in Best

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s reported move to Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor estate – near the Queen’s permanent residence – will offer them the ‘freedom’ that their London base of Kensington Palace cannot, according to a leading Royal expert… Commentator Ingrid Seward has previously explained that William and Kate’s current apartment at Kensington Palace, the couple’s home since 2013, restricts their movements. In the centre of London, it is obviously thronged with ‘hundreds of people every day’ beyond the garden wall. The future King and Queen consort, both 40, moved into apartment 1a at Kensington Palace in 2013, after a substantial sum was spent renovating the space for the couple. However, reports have been circulating that William and Kate had been offered the use of the more discreet…

Walking into our local gym ready for a workout, the receptionist smiled. ‘A mother and son team,’ he said. ‘I can see that straight away.’ Alex and I gave each other a knowing look and laughed but, to save the receptionist any embarrassment, we didn’t correct him. Instead, we thanked him and headed towards the cardio equipment. It was the first time anyone had made that assumption about us out loud but I knew it wouldn’t be the last and we soon got used to the staring. Alex was my boyfriend and, at 23 years younger than me – and the fact that, strangely, we looked quite similar – it was an easy mistake to make. I’d never imagined having a toyboy, but there were other age-gap relationships in my…

Opening my eyes, I drink in the details of my pink bedroom, smooth down my pink pyjamas and jump out of bed with a big smile on my face. Good morning world – I’m Barbie. It’s the same routine every morning. I have a cup of coffee and a shower – then I get dressed in my pink underwear and choose an outfit from the two rails of clothes in my dressing room. Apart from a few white and black T-shirts, every dress, skirt and pair of trousers on those rails is a shade of pink. Cerise, flamingo, baby pink, bubblegum – I’ve got more shades of the colour than Dulux! ‘I’m a Barbie girl in the Barbie world,’ I sing as I sit in front of my Hollywood mirror…

HOW IT WORKS • A new European study showed would-be slimmers who ate a bigger breakfast and their last meal at 3pm with around 14 hours before eating again, lost up to 12lbs more than others over a 12-week period. This time-restricted way of eating (TRE) is closer to how our ancestors would eat with no option of snacking around the clock! • Eating between 7am and 3pm with up to a 15-hour overnight fast can work best for our natural body clock or circadian rhythm, boosting gut health, regulating metabolism and blood sugar levels, meaning dieters were able to lose weight from around their midriff. • Suzie Sawyer, Clinical nutritionist, feelaliveuk.com, says: ‘Adopt a plan and stick to it. If you’re trying a period of overnight extended fasting (say…

Last month, I mentioned I was heading to a wedding and was hoping to be seated on the singles table and finally find ‘The One’ over champagne and speeches. No such luck – I was placed on the groom’s family table, next to the elderly aunt. No chance of a snog… But what a revelation she was – my 78-year-old table companion, whose marbles were all there, was a brilliant raconteur. In fact, she had marbles, common sense and fun in abundance. She talked pragmatically about being widowed, which prompted the couples at our table to discuss how long they had all been married. If her husband had lived, my table companion revealed, they would have just celebrated 60 years of marriage. Yet she said it without any aching sadness,…

Like many teenagers, I used to feel self-conscious about my body. I’d flick through magazines and compare myself to the tall, leggy models. With my freckly skin and short frame – I’m 5ft 1in – I didn’t feel like I measured up. Thankfully, I grew out of that shy, awkward teenage phase, but as I got older, there were still parts of my appearance I didn’t like. Then in 2012, my husband Stephen, now 40, and I had twin daughters Shannon and Isla. We were so proud of our gorgeous girls, and I didn’t want them growing up with a negative self-image or thinking the bodies on Love Island were the ‘norm’. Keen to set them a good example, I started to make a conscious effort to be more comfortable…

MISERABLE OVER MY WEIGHT I have struggled with my weight all my life and, now I am 54 and 28st, I’m finding life is Increasingly miserable. I tend to stay indoors and ignore people, as I am ashamed of how I look. My daughter has suggested that I might have a gastric band. She has even offered to pay for me to go private. What do you think – is it a good idea? Helen, Merseyside DR HILARY SAYS: If you’ve struggled all your life with your weight and have tried all other options including dietary restriction and exercise, weight-loss (bariatric) surgery is worth considering. It can be very effective and promote a reduction in risk from all the conditions that obesity can produce, such as high blood pressure and…

Her knuckles turned white as Linda grabbed his arm. ‘Slow down, will you?’ she screamed. ‘Slow down!’ But Tom wasn’t listening, his eyes were solely focused on making their escape along the road ahead. ‘You’ll have us killed,’ she squealed as they took the corner at high speed. ‘It’s you that will have us killed, if you keep grabbing my arm like that. Let go of me, will you?!’ he countered. Linda wrestled her seat-belt and checked back over her shoulder, where the road was now empty. ‘Do you think we’ve lost them?’ ‘I think so,’ Tom replied, checking the mirror. ‘There’s no one following us now.’ Slowing down a little, he glanced across at her pale anguished face in the passenger seat. ‘You’re going to have to freshen yourself…

As one of the best-loved and most successful authors writing today, Marian Keyes stormed the bestseller charts with her 15th novel – Again, Rachel, the sequel to her 1997 bestseller Rachel’s Holiday – and picked up Author of the Year at the British Book Awards. Twenty-five years after readers were introduced to Rachel Walsh, a woman in denial about her drug addiction, we meet her again – now divorced and working at the rehab centre that saved her. As fresh and funny as the original but with added depth and maturity, it’s a must-read. Herself an alcoholic long in recovery, the Irish author, 58, whose enthusiasms include social media, make-up, Love Island and Strictly, has wise and wonderful observations on life… Writing a sequel to Rachel’s Holiday I was quite…

After a night out in Bodrum, Turkey, a fatal crash happened at a notorious accident black spot as a couple sped out of the city. The Mercedes spun off a cliff road, flipped, and it’s reported a girl crawling from the wreckage screamed: ‘Help me, my friend is dead.’ That heartbreaking cry came from The Only Way is Essex star Yazmin Oukhellou over her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Jake McLean. The fatal crash has sent shockwaves across the showbiz world. Yaz, who was moved to intensive care following the horror smash, is believed to be ‘stable’ and recovering - but has suffered serious injury to one arm. And of course, the mental trauma will take years to heal. According to locals, Jake, 33 – who previously dated Love Islander Georgia Harrison…

Just six years ago, it looked like billionaire media tycoon Rupert Murdoch and former Texan model and mother of Mick Jagger’s children had found their happy ever after. Yet, now it’s reported that Jerry, 66, has filed divorce papers in a Californian Court, citing ‘irreconcilable differences’. The signs of a possible split had started to show before any talk of papers being filed. Social butterfly Jerry was absent from the Murdochs’ annual Summer party, while Rupert arrived solo at granddaughter Charlotte Freud’s wedding earlier this month. It’s a surprising end to a romance that saw the pair wed in a private ceremony days before the groom’s 85th birthday, followed by a more public affair at St Bride’s, London. Their union was sealed with a diamond believed to be worth over…

YOU BELONG TO ME Wednesday, C5, 2.15pm An afternoon thriller for you! Pre-teen Danny’s father is blamed for stalking the boy’s mother because of his past offence of breaking a restraining order – leaving the real stalker on the loose. CROSSWORD MYSTERIES: PROPOSING MURDER Thursday, C5, 2.15pm Murder mystery time… Tess, a talented crossword editor, teams up with Detective Logan, in the investigation of her friend’s murder – the guy who was about to propose to his lover, with her help. KIDNAPPED: SAVING MY DAUGHTER Friday, C5, 2.15pm Fifteen years ago, Joanna’s life was turned upside-down when her three-year-old daughter, Chloe, went missing for six months before being returned. When Chloe disappears again, Joanna tries to figure out if it’s the same abductor – or someone else.…

Floella Benjamin arrived in London from Trinidad at the age of 10 – and went on to become a musical star, singer and television presenter, documentary-maker and actress. Now a campaigner, and latterly a Liberal Democrat Peer in the House of Lords, Baroness Benjamin continues to fight for the causes she cares about… Hello there! So, what shall we call you? Baroness Floella Benjamin sounds good to me! [Laughs] Tell us about your book, it’s called What Are You Doing Here? You ask any person from the Caribbean and they will have similar stories to those in my book. There was racism but we faced adversity with a smile and determination… we didn’t give up. I had a letter from a woman who travelled from Jamaica to nurse in Norwich…

1 READY FOR YOUR CLOSE UP? If you want a laugh this week, head to Chester Zoo to see a photographer like no other! The official Instagram page for the zoo snapped this iconic picture of one of their meerkats, writing, ‘Our new camera operator gets the BEST angles!’ Brilliant… 2 Who wowed the crowd? Gingham is the print of the season, so don’t go through Summer without it! Davina McCall, 54, was sunny side up in Rixo, while Reese Witherspoon, 46, looked pretty in pink from her own Draper James collection. And Kelly Brook, 42, kept it casual in F&F on a recent dog walk. ‘Check’ these looks out! Gingham helped these celebs release their inner Dorothy… Simply Wizard! 3 BRIT NORRIE MAKES HIS MARK! Strawberries, cream and a new tennis star? Check! If…

‘A “therapist” has come up with a new syndrome – “normal marital hatred”. Well, I don’t know about you but as far as I’m concerned there’s nothing normal about hating your spouse, or is that just me? If you hate your husband or wife then it must be time to trade them in for a newer model, no? I hate the word “hate” and I rarely use it. It’s reserved for the special few who deserve it. I don’t believe you can hate someone unless you’ve loved them, but there are exceptions. Tony Blair being the prime example. Someone that makes you bilious just seeing their face. Anthony Fauci is another one. But I digress. So “hatred” isn’t quite the right word but I see where he’s coming from. It’s…

Adapting your make-up needn’t mean a total overhaul – a lighter texture here, a velvety finish there and easy pops of skin-loving colour. Here are the clever innovations making Summer make-up fresher. 1 SWAP FOUNDATION FOR A SHEER SKIN TINT ‘Opting for a sheer tint over a traditional foundation makes skin look healthier and more radiant,’ says make-up artist Hannah Martin, who has worked with the Duchess of Cambridge. They’re lighter and more glowing than tinted moisturiser, and adapt to your skin tone. Use concealer to add coverage. Try RImmel London Kind & Free Moisturising Skin Tint, £9.49, enriched with aloe vera. 2 SWAP BRONZING POWDER FOR DROPS OR CREAMS They blend nicely over matte foundation, but powders don’t always work on a glowy base. A cream bronzer is easy…

I quickened my pace as dopamine, the happy hormone, fizzed around my brain. I’d just spotted yellow stickers in the M&S sandwich fridge. A prawn salad, reduced to £1.10 from £4 – perfect for lunch. ‘Yes,’ I cried, buzzing as I marched to the counter. I’m never happier than when I nab a bargain. It’s something that’s always been instilled in me. My parents brought me up to understand the value of money. Sensible, Mum and Dad never borrowed to buy things we couldn’t afford. But, aged 18, when I left home in Southampton for university in Leicester, I got carried away by all the stalls at the Freshers’ Fair offering credit cards that didn’t need to be paid off until after graduation. That was years in the future, so…

Bajan fish kebabs with Caribbean slaw Serves 4 Ready in 30 minutes ½ tsp ground allspice1 tsp dried thyme1 tsp paprika1 tsp onion powder1 tsp garlic granules1 tsp black peppercorns800g skinless and boneless firm whitefish fillets, cut into large chunks3 limes, slicedLow-calorie cooking spray FOR THE SLAW: ½ Savoy cabbage, cored and shredded1 medium fennel bulb, shredded1 mango, peeled, stoned and roughly chopped1 papaya, peeled, deseeded and roughly choppedGrated zest and juice of 2 limes2 chillies, deseeded and sliced1 red onion, finely choppedA small pack of fresh coriander, a few sprigs reserved, the rest choppedGrated zest and juice of 1 large orange 1 Light your barbecue for direct medium heat. 2 Mix all the slaw ingredients in a large bowl, season to taste and set aside so that the flavours…

TOP TIP! If you are considering a refresh, this ceramic countertop basin is both stylish and functional.…

The Kings Arms Hotel, Hampton Court, is delighted to be partnering with best to offer one lucky reader, and a plus-one, the chance to win a two-night stay at the hotel with a gorgeous room, breakfast and dinner (on one night) in the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, The Six. The Kings Arms opened in 2019, following a complete refurbishment, to many accolades, including being named one of the top hotels in the UK. Situated in one of the UK’s prettiest and oldest towns, the hotel has a direct view of the beautiful Hampton Court Palace and of the famous gardens. It’s the perfect location to discover one of the UK’s most historic areas. To enter, see right. HOW TO ENTER ONLINE: Save money by entering online at hearstmagazines.co.uk/best2922a by 29 July…

The sun dazzled off a sparkling blue sea. A beach so perfectly golden you could swear it had been painted ran from the water’s edge to the wide promenade, dotted the whole way with colourful parasols and sunbeds. An impossibly glamorous couple on the nearest sunbeds were drinking exotic-looking cocktails. Kate’s mouth watered at the sight. This was paradise, this was what she’d been dreaming of for the past two years. This was also still 600 miles away. She took a deep breath and sighed, turning away from the poster of the Cote d’Azur stuck on the airport lounge wall to look up at the departure board again. Every flight listed was still cancelled. ‘All this technology and a little bit of rain stops everything,’ the man from Essex on…

HISTORICAL HITS A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting Sophie Irwin Harper Collins, £14.99 It’s 1818 and following the death of her parents, Kitty Talbot has only three months to save her sisters from destitution – by hooking a wealthy husband. So she launches herself on the London season, raising dashing Lord Radcliffe’s suspicions. A sparkling Regency romp. Godmersham Park Gill Hornby Century, £14.99 From the author of Miss Austen comes another novel based in the world of novelist Jane. In 1804 Anne Sharpe arrives at country estate as a governess after her father cuts her off. But when Mr Henry Austen begins to take an interest, her days are numbered. Delivered with exquisite period detail. ROMANTIC READS Retreat to the Spanish Sun Jo Thomas Penguin, £7.99 When her three adult children…

Obesity rates in the UK are rapidly rising, with 27.8 per cent of adults in the UK now obese. And latest figures show that obesity rates among children are soaring at an alarming rate too. Last month, Matthew Crawford – dubbed in the media as ‘Britain’s fattest man’ – died of sepsis and organ failure aged 37. In her column for The Sun newspaper, Loose Woman Jane Moore reported that the cost of Matthew’s taxpayer-funded stay reached around £250,000 because the hospital had to rent a reinforced bed and he took up the space of four patients. Jane wrote that ‘it’s time to enable GPs to stop tippy-toeing around the issue, curb the excesses of the food industry via tougher legislation and overhaul the social care system before pumping money…

SAVVY SUNSCREENS There’s no reason why any of us should skimp on sunscreen. More is more (none of us ever apply enough), but that doesn’t mean you have to spend more money to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Premium brands might have fancier packaging and smell lovely, but they are no better at keeping us safe in the sun than the less expensive ones. Some of the best are less than a fiver, which means you can get out and enjoy the sunshine without worrying, wherever you are… 1 WEAR OVER MAKE-UP Garnier Ambre Solaire Over Makeup Super UV Protection Mist SPF50 (currently £7.20, lookfantastic.com) This must-have mist has been designed to be spritzed over your make-up and protect your skin from sun damage with a high…

FEELING THE HEAT! Without sunshine, plants can’t grow. But produce can suffer in any extreme conditions, and this includes heatwaves. Follow these tips and don’t let your crops fall prey to the Summer. WARNING SIGNS Your leaves are a good indicator of plant health. If they’re drooping, they’re thirsty and have directed all their moisture to the core of the plant, leaving your leaves wilting. They can also roll up and dry at the edges. Too much sun can result in bleached leaves, which can’t be cured. Gently remove the affected leaves and create a more shaded, moist environment for your plant to thrive again. GETTING WATERING RIGHT Timings and frequency matter. Early morning or evening is best, otherwise the heat of the sun can evaporate the moisture too quickly.…

OCEANSIDE CAFE, BEXHILL Whether you’re looking for somewhere to keep warm on a wet, windy day at the beach or to soak up the sunshine, Oceanside Cafe’s sea-view terrace is the perfect spot. We can’t recommend this place enough for a bite to eat by the sea, near historic Hastings. Owned by locals, staff will welcome you with a warm smile – before handing you a varied menu to please your taste buds! For more info, head to oceansidecafe.co.uk LOST IN THE LANES, BRIGHTON A tranquil, modern café bar hidden in the heart of the lanes shopping area in beautiful Brighton, serving elevated seasonal lunch dishes, cocktails and wine, Lost in the Lanes is the perfect dining spot for food lovers. With the sea a mere few minutes away, you…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT While a recent BBC drama may have led viewers to connect Sherwood Forest with darker events, it will always be more closely associated with probably the world’s most beloved folk hero. So, after a blissful wander around the ancient oaks in tranquil woods full of birdsong, head for Nottingham for a tour of its awesome historical sites in the company of Robin Hood himself… INSIDER’S GUIDE It turns out the legendary outlaw has a history degree – donning a feathered cap and medieval-wear, he leads hugely entertaining theatrical excursions around significant sites, sharing secrets about those Merry Men and the city, past and present. Official Robin Hood Town Tours (other excursions available) leave the Cross Keys pub at 2pm on Saturdays, or book a private tour; ezekialbone.com Next,…

TV golden girl Holly Willoughby could well be risking reigniting arguments with her neighbours – as it’s thought she plans to carry out some Summer home renovations. Reportedly the This Morning presenter, who lives in a plush £3 million Southwest London home, was recently given the go-ahead for a house extension. She and her TV producer husband, Dan Baldwin, had, it’s believed, wanted to add a first-floor side and front extension, window and door alterations and a side dormer roof extension at their mansion for more than a year now. But her Summer plans could cause friction. Yes, Holly’s neighbours have reportedly been complaining over her planning applications, arguing that it would cause disruption to the roads as well as noise from building works. It’s not exactly been plain sailing…

LESLEY: Our beauty routines have a huge impact on the planet. A recent study found over 60 per cent of us feel guilty about the number of plastic bottles we’re using. UK homes have more than 100 tonnes of empty plastic bottles in their bathrooms. Greener alternatives are easier to find than you think. Here are my favourites to go eco. ● UpCircle Chai Soap Bar, £6.99 (Sainsbury’s) A two-in-one product, the repurposed chai spices (from residual spices used to make chai syrup), act as a scrub. Rub the bar all over for invigorated, smoother and softer skin. ● Garnier Micellar Reusable Eco Pads, £8.99 for three The perfect sustainable alternative to wipes and cotton pads. Each pad lasts up to 1,000 washes and can be paired with Garnier Micellar…

Well, East End Boy’s anxiety is back. After telling him my life-long ambition was to find someone to dance with, meaning Strictly-style foxtrot, tango and ballroom, he shouted: ‘I’ll have you know I was the North Herts Dance Champion, 1978! Let’s book it!’ I knew he’d been to school in Hertfordshire, but I didn’t stop to work out the maths. This would make him eight… I possibly should have questioned that. But the dance lesson was sorted, and we were meeting at 11:55am at the London studios last weekend. It was a one-to-one session He even texted me the night before, to make sure I hadn’t forgotten. Then just as I was getting into my car, a text popped through. ‘I’ll see you after the class. I can’t make it.’…

Dearest Ben We have just celebrated your 50th birthday over five days in colossal style – and it isn’t over yet. I have loved watching you surrounded by friends and family, all showering you with love. We had a fabulous evening with your brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, eating delicious skewers of magnificent meat, laughing and talking the night away. There was an incredible soirée at the London Cabaret Club. Yes, there was dinner and a show – but how many birthday boys can say Dane Bowers flew all the way from Dubai to celebrate? Let alone Abz from 5ive performing, Jo O’Meara from S Club giving it large, and loads of your mates from the world of house music serenading you? You are a loved guy! You make…

‘Let’s go somewhere different this year,’ Gary suggested. Julie frowned. This always happened when her in-laws were coming over. ‘I thought we were going to Blackpool. The kids loved it there last year.’ ‘It’s time we tried somewhere more exotic. That way we’ll all have lots of wonderful memories to look back on.’ Maybe, thought Julie, but those kinds of memories cost an awful lot of money. She didn’t want to be paying for them for years to come. She was about to say exactly that when Gary’s parents arrived. After saying a quick hello to the grandchildren, they launched into a lengthy description of their latest trip. ‘You really must go to Machu Picchu,’ his father said. ‘It’s A-MA-ZING!’ ‘Where is it exactly?’ asked Gary. ‘In Peru, South America,’…

See the world through JENNY’S FUN-TINTED LENSES … Our fabulous and funny columnist, comedian Jenny Eclair, is here to tell it like it is, in her own witty way… Shopping online is all very well, isn’t it? Especially when you know what you want. Take, for example, fake tan. I have my favourite brand, a few mouse clicks and hey presto, I’m Love Island-bronzed again. But some stuff is impossible to buy online. Dear reader, I refer boringly to curtain poles and certain items for babies, i.e. prams and car seats. Stuff that you need to check out with your own eyes and feel with your own hands. In which case, there is only one place to go. I’m talking about department stores. In fact, in an increasingly mad, bad and…

Do you have a story you’d like to share with our amazing army of best readers? We’re looking for real-life stories from women just like you and your friends – and will pay up to £250 for all those that make it into these pages. Stories can be funny, sad, emotional, inspirational – just like some of the examples on this page. The only rule: they must be true. Have you been on a diet that changed your life? Have you battled against tough times and come out fighting? Have you found love or happiness against the odds? If you – or a friend – have a story to share, whatever the subject, do drop us a line, with your contact details, a photo and a brief outline of your…

The constantly evolving capital city of Northern Ireland has grown into something of a culture powerhouse. Yes, Belfast is known for the three decades of The Troubles – and that will always be enmeshed in its history – but these days, this city could rival that of any major cosmopolitan hub in Europe. Post-pandemic, the economy is picking up, having already been reasonably strong pre-Covid. Employment is high, and where once it was mostly shipbuilding and textiles (and is still thriving in both), these days businesses of all kinds are expanding, from aerospace engineering to tourism, manufacturing and creative industries. It’s a favourite backdrop for filmmakers, too, including Line of Duty, Game of Thrones and Kenneth Branagh’s Oscar-nominated film, Belfast. In fact, the city was independently ranked as the most…

1 WHAT’S GOING ON? This year, many holidaymakers are travelling abroad for the first time since Covid, putting extra pressure on airports. Lack of staff is one of the main issues causing the current chaos. Plus, airports say there are a lot of passengers using vouchers from holiday cancellations, resulting in even more pressure. Covid is still an issue of course, so what to do if you test positive? Most insurance now covers coronavirus but check yours to make sure you’ll get a refund. And although masks are not mandatory on flights, they are recommended if you feel unwell. 2 ABTA PROTECTED? If you’re booking a holiday, make sure you’re protected if anything goes wrong by checking the companies you’re dealing with. Protection from ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents)…

‘I used to burn the house down pretty quickly!’ New Amazon Freevee Original series Hollywood Houselift with Jeff Lewis – of Flipped Out – follows the famed Californian interior designer, 52, as he takes viewers into the homes of some of Hollywood’s most familiar faces – and helps them transform their spaces, with a few spats along the way! Get ready for a good nosy… Jeff, you were away from our screens for three years, until now. What’s been going on? Life has changed – a lot! I was in a 10-year relationship that ended. I had a long-running show that also ended. There have been house moves, restructuring of my business. I’m less stressed and healthier – physically and mentally. So, do we see a more mellow Jeff? There…

Find It! books are designed to foster a love of learning and exploring the world through having fun Each book contains 25 things to find in the world around you, along with amazing facts and mind-bending puzzles For every three books completed, send us a message to receive a FREE Find It! Super Spotter badge! 30% discount and FREE UK P&P* *To order Find It! books at a 30% discount off the RRPs with FREE UK P&P, go to hive.co.uk/findit to select your book and enter code BESTPUZZLES when prompted on the basket page. The offer code must be entered in to the ‘Do you have a promotional code?’ field on the basket page and applied for the discount to be deducted from the order. Promotional codes entitle you, at…