Table of contents for 36 - 2018 in Best

‘All marriages have their moments and we are just people at the end of the day’ She should be on top of the world as she takes over as queen of Saturday night TV with Strictly Come Dancing for the next few months, but instead Tess Daly is having to deal with the embarrassing rumours around the state of her 15-year marriage resurfacing again. It had seemed like Tess and hubby Vernon Kay had finally put his sexting scandal behind them as they cosied up together on a boat ride across Lake Como in Italy earlier this summer. The couple looked loved up as they posed for selfies while on holiday with their two daughters, Phoebe, 13, and nine-year-old Amber. But like any woman, Tess, 49, is sure to have…

The Aussie choreographer and much-loved Strictly judge, Craig Revel Horwood will be giving best readers the low-down and all the behind-the-scenes gossip each week from the biggest show on TV. Famed for his pantomime villain persona on the BBC hit, there is much more to this charming, opinionated 53-year-old than his dancing ability and brilliantly caustic put-downs. Here, Craig talks about his love for the show he’s been a part of since it began – and his life and loves away from the camera… Craig, a warm welcome to team best! Well, thanks for having me. This is all very exciting, isn’t it? I can’t wait to get started. You had a second hip replacement earlier this year, didn’t you? I did, and the hips are back in good working…

I was intrigued to read the story of the Canadian bride called Susan who called off her wedding, along with the engagement, because she was enraged no one would cough up the £900 she’d demanded from guests to attend. Her lengthy Facebook post was so unbelievable it was hilarious, but it also revealed her to be a nasty, ungrateful and spoilt b**ch. Of course, she went too far but I think the idea of charging people to come to your wedding to help pay for it is a pretty good one and much more honest than wedding lists, which I hate. I’d never have one and I’d never buy from one either because I think they’re obsolete. They were invented because in the old days, couples lived at home until…

TOP TIP MakeupPlus Virtual Beauty Counter allows you to ‘try on’ branded make-up without leaving home.…

When my daughter Hannah was little, the best part of my day was picking her up from nursery. The look of excitement that spread across her face when she spotted me among the parents at the school gates made my heart sing. It’s a memory I treasure all the more now because in August 2006, when Hannah was eight years old, we went away on holiday and everything changed. The first day of our family holiday to Gran Canaria, I lay in the shade with our baby daughter, Elle, while my husband Andy splashed about in the hotel pool with Hannah. I was six months pregnant with our third daughter, Mia, so it was lovely to relax. On the second day, Hannah complained of a headache. She did seem unwell,…

1 MONEY-BACK CREDIT CARDS If you always pay off your balance, a cashback credit card is a good idea, allowing you to earn each time you use it. Try Tandem, which offers 0.5 per cent cashback on purchases with no fee. If you spend big on your card, the American Express Platinum Everyday Card offers 0.5 per cent cashback on spending up to £5,000 and 1 per cent over that, plus a boosted 5 per cent cashback for the first three months. 2 CASHBACK SITES Topcashback.co.uk and quidco.com give you a percentage of your spending back every time you make a purchase via their cashback sites. You can even sync your credit or debit card with them, so you earn cash when you’re out and about. Earnings range from as…

‘I take one look and know what works’ David Emanuel, 65, shot to fame when, along with ex-wife Elizabeth, he designed Princess Diana’s wedding dress. What did you love most about this series? Well, it’s pacey! I was given 24 hours with a bride, including choosing the dress and finding a location. But the nice thing is that I followed it all the way through to the actual wedding. And haven’t you qualified as an ‘officiant’? I have and I actually officiated at four of the weddings – including a gay marriage. It was excellent! Is there a particular style that most brides want? It used to be that everyone wanted the big princess dresses, and now they want a figure-hugging fishtail. I say, ‘Well, darling. Will you be comfortable…

It’s gin o’clock for Ruth, Vanessa and a rather handsome drinks expert! Some days at work are better than others – and, during a recent episode of This Morning, Ruth Langsford certainly seemed to enjoy her stint as co-host more than usual! The game mum-of-one, 58, who with hubby Eamonn Holmes was filling in for Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on the daytime chat show until the end of August, threw herself into live alcohol testing with gusto. Necking gin merrily along with fellow presenter Vanessa Feltz, 56, (who isn’t usually a drinker), she seemed to be having a great time. Giggling like a schoolgirl, Ruth even confessed after a few, ‘There’s something about drinking on live TV that makes you a bit squiff.’ Of course, ever-mischievous Eamonn couldn’t help…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES STRAIGHT CLUES ACROSS 1 Split between people (6) 5 Most brief (8) 9 Opposite of plural (8) 10 Compare as of the same value (6) 11 Was recumbent (3) 12 American field game (8) 14 Natural head cover (4) 15 Indoor step (5) 17 Is obedient (5) 18 Untruths (4) 19 Shook nervously (8) 23 Move on one leg (3) 25 Not at all often (6) 26 Reaction, reply (8) 27 Remote, cut off (8) 28 Happenings (6) DOWN 2 Frozen raindrops (4) 3 Reliably repeated (9) 4 Hold up (5) 5 Rub vigorously (5) 6 Inaugurates, starts off (5) 7 One of five digits on a hand (5) 8 Man-made orbiting items (10) 13 Meaty snacks in…

‘I was ambushed, it was disgusting. It was like a circus and I was there for the entertainment’ Kim Woodburn has demanded Coleen Nolan be sacked from Loose Women after a ‘disgusting ambush’ sent the live show into chaos, and saw the 76-year-old storming off the set in tears. Last week’s episode, which reunited the How Clean Is Your House presenter with ‘enemy’ Coleen Nolan to settle their feud on-air, turned into one of the most explosive episodes in the show’s 19-year history! Television watchdog Ofcom has already received more than 3,300 complaints from viewers shocked by the violent confrontation. Kim and Coleen have had a long-running spat since first clashing on Celebrity Big Brother last year, and have swapped insults about each other ever since. They came face-to-face for…

SEPTEMBER’S A GREAT TIME TO SET GOALS Calum: So, it’s back-to-school week. Even if it’s years since you were at school, or you don’t have kids, or your children have flown the nest, we all remember that feeling of autumn approaching and how it can bring a fresh start. I think it’s as good a time as any to embrace new ideas and make some changes for yourself – a sort of grown-up back-to-school for health and happiness. Imagine you’ve got a new pencil case and a blank notebook, and get jotting! Write down some goals – what would you like to achieve? To be slimmer? Fitter? More rested? Seeing your goals on paper is the first step to setting them in motion. To really see results, I suggest you…

Fit and flare A flattering style for all shapes! Knit one Stay chic and cosy in an oversized buy Statement structure A boxy style cover-up can be dressed up or down Knees must An unusual hem will draw attention downwards TAP THE APP! The Matalan Reward Card app means your card is always with you on your mobile!…

‘I thought that to lose weight I had to be hungry, and I’d go all day without eating’ Sitting in the doctor’s consulting room, I felt a wave of fear wash over me as he turned to me, looking worried. ‘You have extremely high blood pressure,’ the doctor said. ‘Are you sure?’ I muttered, numb with shock. ‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘It can lead to a heart attack or stroke. You’ll need medication if you don’t start to slim down straight away.’ I’d just popped along for a routine GP check-up. At 22 years old, it was a big wake-up call. I’ve been overweight most of my life. But it wasn’t until I left school that it really started to get me down. I’d go out drinking with my friends and…

Has the long summer left you feeling tired and burnt out? Beauty isn’t just about fixing yourself from the outside – there is a wealth of ingredients that can help boost your wellbeing, too. Transform your bathroom into a little sanctuary and start feeling better… Fake it yourself Brightening face scrub Apricot kernels are widely used in scrubs, thanks to their abrasive but gentle texture. The flesh of the fruit is loaded with vitamins, helping dislodge dead skin cells. Peel and de-stone two apricots, mash into a pulp and massage it into your face for 30 seconds, then rinse off. For a stronger scrub, add a small handful of oats to create a rougher texture. 1 Relieve aching muscles Heavy limbs, particularly legs, can find light relief in magnesium. It…

Mexican corn wraps Wrapped up in foil, these make great packed lunches or picnic food. Serves 4 Hands-on time: 20 mins Per serving: 408 cals, 11g fat (6g saturates), 64g carbs (10g total sugars), 17g protein, 8g fibre 410g tin kidney beans, drained and rinsed50g sour cream Juice of ½ lemon1 cob sweetcorn¼-½ red onion, to taste, finely chopped125g cherry tomatoes, halved2tbsp tomato ketchup½-1tsp chipotle pasteLarge handful fresh coriander leaves, roughly chopped4 large flour tortilla wraps¼ iceberg lettuce, shredded75g mature vegetarian Cheddar cheese, grated 1 Whiz the beans, sour cream, lemon juice and plenty of seasoning in a food processor until smooth. Set aside. 2 Put the sweetcorn on its end on a board and use a sharp knife to slice the kernels off the cob, working from the top…

…filming new drama Strangers in Hong Kong It was great, but hard work. We had no time off! Like, nothing! What was weird was that we’d shoot the exteriors in Hong Kong, and then two months later, we’d do the interiors back in England, so I’d knock on the door in Hong Kong and inside I’d be in Ealing. …working with co-star John Simm I was really excited to work with John, as he’s brilliant and we’d never worked together. We were once supposed to be in a play where we got stuck in a basement. How did that not happen? It was a great idea. …why she wanted to do this project I read the script and it was so gripping. I thought, ‘I need to know what happens…

‘These are big shoes, not to fill, just to keep warm for a little bit’ It’s official! ITV’s golden girl, Holly Willoughby, will be jetting Down Under this year to join pal Declan Donnelly presenting I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Confirming her new role filling in for Ant McPartlin, Holly said, ‘I couldn’t be more excited to have been asked to stand alongside Dec. These are big shoes not to fill, just to keep warm for a little bit.’ Since Ant announced he would be taking the rest of the year off to concentrate on his recovery from addiction issues, Holly has been a contender for the job – but questions have been raised as to how the mum of three, 37, will manage the logistics of…

TOP TIP The roll-neck looks set to be the jumper shape for next season. A soft pink flatters all complexions and looks elegant teamed with neutrals. TOP TIP Your weekend wardrobe needn’t be just boring basics. This shaggy knit cardi is fun, fashionable and as versatile as a denim jacket. TOP TIP Layering is key to relaxed dressing! Update skinny jeans with a long-line shirt, worn under a soft knit when the weather is chilly.…

Cheap and cheerful Sleek Lip VIP Lipstick, £5.49 It glided on and left lips feeling moisturised all day. It performed highest in the moisturising scoring, and was very comfortable to wear. However, it needed reapplication throughout the day, as the colour would fade or transfer on to cups when eating and drinking. 69/100 No7 Match Made Moisture Drench Lipstick, £10 Our lips felt very moisturised, and the lipstick was easy to apply. Unfortunately, the colour didn’t last as long as it claims to, and required a top-up after 2-3 hours, especially after eating and drinking. 71/100 The Body Shop Matte Lip Liquid, £7 It had a moisturising and non-sticky texture that lasts up to three hours without reapplying! Its wand application makes it easy to apply without seeping out of…

Crucial for keeping skin youthful, collagen is autumn’s hottest skincare trend, with new supplements and treatments all promising to put the bounce back into skin. ROLL UP FOR MICRONEEDLING By creating controlled punctures in the skin, medical microneedling, also called dermarolling, helps prompt cells to repair and rejuvenate for a fresher, plumper-looking complexion. Before the treatment, a numbing cream is applied. Then, a small instrument spiked with tiny needles is pressed against or rolled across the skin. You’ll see results after a couple of weeks as the cell turnover kicks in. For a quick skin refresh, have one treatment, but for best results, try a course of three, one every two weeks. From £350-£550. HAVE A JAB Like a big drink of water for your skin, the injectable skin booster…

A full head of strong, healthy hair is so important to our body confidence, and a bad hair day really takes its toll. Yet, during the menopause, our supplies of oestrogen – the hormone that protects the hair roots – tend to dip, and you may find your tresses are thinner and more brittle. What to do? Well, caffeine is a proven hair-booster. Developed by experts at the Dr Wolff Laboratories, Plantur 39’s rich Phyto-Caffeine Complex helps to reduce hair loss with its unique blend of caffeine, zinc, niacin and phytoflavonoids, every time you shampoo. So, take control to replenish your hair and restore its natural beauty. 70 per cent of women who tried the Plantur 39 range noticed less hair loss* Ready to experience thicker, fuller hair and take…

Fibre is firmly back on the menu. Mind you, it’s always been a ‘go-to’ food for shedding pounds, because it’s lower in calories but big on bulk. Therefore, it fills you up while the reduced calories kick-start your body into burning fat. Fibre includes foods such as fruit, vegetables, beans and grains. Follow our plan to lose up to 7lb in just seven days. And gut health is the topic on everyone’s lips at the moment. More and more studies are finding that a healthy gut can help with everything from controlling your weight to depression. We’ve been busy downing drinks containing probiotics – the good bacteria our guts need to stay healthy – when, all along, fibre can lend a hand, too. Did you know some fibrous foods contain…

Am I too old to have another baby? I’m so grateful I had my little boy at 40, but my only regret in life is not having another one. If I thought there was a chance I’d have a healthy pregnancy, using my own eggs even if I needed IVF, there’s no doubt in my mind that I’d do it. But I’m 47 now – am I too old to go through it all again? I see so many celebrities having babies later now, and it gives me hope. Lisa, Glasgow I wouldn’t base your life on celebrities, but having seen the recent pictures of Brigitte Nielsen after giving birth to her daughter at 54, all is possible! However, many people would raise an eyebrow at that age. I do know…

New season, new wardrobe! Winter is coming, and it’s time to get ready for the cosy months ahead. With gorgeous knitwear and stylish work separates, M&Co is the place to pick up all your autumn/winter essentials. From bold-coloured coats to pretty patterned jumpers, you’ll find everything you need to sail through the next season in style! HOW TO CLAIM YOUR 20% DISCOUNT Simply redeem your 20 per cent off at the till or online ONLINE CODE: BEST20 Till code: 894418 *TERMS & CONDITIONS: 20 per cent off full price valid in M&Co stores and online at www.mandco.com from Tuesday 4 to Tuesday 18 September 2018, upon presentation of this advert. 20 per cent off full price offer excludes promotional or sale items, gift vouchers, items from non-participating departments and concessions…

The X Factor is back on our screens, and it’s all change on the panel. Simon Cowell, 58, tells his brother Tony just how hard it was to say goodbye to Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh – and opens up about how emotional he felt the night he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame… How have the audition shows been this year? It was like being on another show. What was amazing was how quickly the new panel picked up how it works and what the job entails. I soon realised that both Robbie [Williams] and Louis [Tomlinson] are big fans. They both watch the show, and you can tell. This year, it feels very different from the shows we’ve made over the years. It’s so…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Most people don’t realise that the French-speaking part of Belgium has a collective name: Wallonia. Walloons are very patriotic, and even proudly claim Audrey Hepburn as one of their own! The regional capital, Namur, is famous for its slow pace – the city’s emblem is a snail. This gorgeous old town is the perfect place for leisurely exploring, but the unique shops and whimsical cafes that line the art deco streets are anything but boring. What’s more, when the annual Namur en Mai festival arrives, the capital is transformed into a magical fairground of street performers and pop-up circuses (namurenmai.org). INSIDER’S GUIDE Just over an hour from Namur, you’ll find the town of Spa. It has quite a few claims to fame… Not only does the word ‘spa’…

One pair of tickets up for grabs! For the very first time, Sir Cliff Richard will bring his concert direct to cinemas across the UK and Ireland, live from Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on Friday 12 October. Presented by CinemaLive, leading producers and distributors of event cinema, Cliff Richard Live: 60th Anniversary Tour will be shown on more than 700 screens in the UK and Ireland. For details of cinemas near you, visit cliffincinemas.com. There will also be an encore screening on Sunday 14 October. Undoubtedly one of our greatest musical treasures, Sir Cliff has released a staggering 103 albums, a record-breaking 123 singles, and has spent the equivalent of 20 years in the UK charts. His UK cinema shows mark his six decades in the music business. Broadcast direct via…