Table of contents for 40-2020 in Best

I have only met Linda Robson once, at our annual best Heroes Awards. She was down to earth, charming and incredibly moved by Yvonne Lawson, an amazing woman who lost her son, Godwin, to knife crime and works tirelessly with the Met police, politicians and schools to educate us all about the futility of weapons on our streets through The Godwin Lawson Foundation. Linda joined that war on knife crime herself 12 years ago, after her son, Louis, cradled his best friend – Ben Kinsella – in his arms as he lay dying from stab wounds. Linda is an honest woman, admitting to everything from a breakdown to OCD and drink issues. So I’m delighted that she has opened up to us exclusively on page 10 about life in lockdown,…

Sometimes, people come into our lives and stay in our hearts forever. For fitness guru Davina McCall, one of those was her late granny, ‘Pippy’. Pippy died more than two years ago but the emotion came flooding back recently, when Davina received a stunning portrait of her late grandma, which she shared on social media. The fitness guru, 52, revealed she broke down when she first saw the artwork – created from an original photograph – as she shared it on her Instagram account. The mum-of-three wrote: ‘I literally cannot get over this… this is a portrait of my granny Pippy. It’s so her. So real. It made me cry. In a good way. ‘I took this of her on her birthday four years ago. Thank you so much @petandpeopleportraits.…

TOP TIP Soft lilac works brilliantly with a classic biker jacket.…

SQUALANE OIL Squalene is naturally produced by the sebaceous glands in our skin, but as we age, our bodies produce less. Squalane oil will come to the rescue as it’s the skin care product equivalent of squalene helping replenish the skin’s depleted stores. It locks in moisture and helps to boost collagen production. Non-comedogenic, it won’t clog pores, and it has anti-inflammatory properties, too. TRY: Q+A Skincare Squalane Facial Oil, £10, (hollandandbarrett.com). A multitasking oil that doesn’t feel sticky or heavy, and is also ideal for blemish-prone skin – use it as a moisturiser, a hair and body oil or smooth on dry cuticles and lips. SUGAR Eating it won’t do your skin any favours but using topically, sugar delivers some sweet results. A natural humectant, sugar draws moisture from…

NO END IN SIGHT All year, I have taken lockdown really seriously, hardly seeing anyone, because I am so terrified of this pandemic. But with even more restrictions being introduced now and no end in sight, I think I’m starting to get severely depressed. Most of my family live in Edinburgh, I’m in Surrey and the thought of not seeing them over Christmas is killing me. I live on my own, so I don’t even know what the festive season will look like for me at this point. I am trying so hard not to over-think things, but it’s so hard, being alone with my own thoughts. Julia, Surrey MANDY SAYS: Lockdown has been an extremely difficult experience for all of us. It’s been a very scary time, as so…

Frittata A frittata, also known as a Spanish omelette, is easy to make and ideal for any time of day. Serve with salad or even baked beans! PER SERVING CALS 389 FAT 24g SERVES 4 400g new potatoes, sliced 5mm thick100g Tenderstem broccoli, sliced in half1 medium onion, sliced1 red bell pepper, sliced100g ham, sliced6 free range eggs100g grated mature Cheddar cheeseCouple of sprigs of fresh parsley, chopped for garnish 1 Pre-heat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas mark 4. Boil the new potatoes in salted water for 8 minutes, adding the broccoli to the pan a couple of minutes before the end, then drain and reserve. 2 Meanwhile, in a nonstick pan, fry the onion, pepper and ham in a little olive oil, for about 8 minutes until softened. 3 While…

Timeless London was founded as an online boutique created to integrate fashion’s most iconic eras with the style of present day, carrying everything for the modern-day woman, with styles perfect for ladies looking for classic and contemporary pieces for their wardrobe. Timeless London believes that fashion is more than just in-trend clothes. It is about creating ‘timeless’ pieces inspired by unforgettable eras in sustainable fabrics that can hang in your wardrobe forever. Full of versatile and unique pieces, the brand has become a customer go-to not only for occasion dressing, but also for everyday workwear and wearable wardrobe staples. Their Instagram feed @timelesslondon__ is full of inspiring ways to wear their beautiful clothes, and shop the collection at timelesslondon.co.uk. Timeless London are offering four readers the chance to win a…

THRIGBY HALL WILDLIFE GARDENS Great Yarmouth’s Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens has four new additions in time for October half-term, with the recent births of snow leopard and red panda cubs! Conceived during lockdown, the cute creatures have been lying low with their mums, but will be out and about by October, exploring their surroundings and visible to visitors. To pre-book, see thrigbyhall.com HALLOWEEN AT THE LONDON EYE Spend Halloween with friends and family this October, as the London Eye is set to become the spookiest setting on the South Bank… The Spooky Storytime costs £35 for an adult and child, £17.50pp for any additional guests, and all adults must be accompanied by a child. Spooktastic! See londoneye.com/things-to-do/seasonal-holidays/halloween GARDEN CINEMA MOVIE NIGHTS The nights may be getting chillier – but you…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT I’ve been to Sicily several times now. A very close friend of mine hails from a tiny village in the mountains, called Cianciana. When I take the family over, we stay in this sleepy little village and it’s so beautiful. I just love it here – the people, the food, the fact that everywhere you turn on this island is steeped in history. It’s basically a rock off the coast of Africa, and it’s been invaded by everyone – so you’ll come across Roman, Greek and Arab history. It’s a fascinating, authentic place, for the most part, unspoilt by mass tourism. INSIDER’S GUIDE Visiting Sicily isn’t quite the same as anywhere else on mainland Italy. It’s such a melting pot of different influences, a crossroads of Mediterranean culture,…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES PICTURE C has expressed a penchant for playing what board game? (5) This is your prize answer. Enter by using the numbers at the top of the grid or at hearstmagazines.co.uk/bestcross4020 TO ENTER CALL 0900 100 0922 (UK 65ppm)†/1550 787 027 (ROI 97cpm) † ACROSS 7 ____ the old, in with new, saying (3,4)9 What word can precede The Boardwalk, The Moon Of Love and Pressure to make three song titles? (5)10 ANAGRAM IDOLE11 Rolled uncooked pickled herring fillet (7)12 Snip (3)13 Which Daniel is a three-time Oscar-winner who retired from acting in 2017? (3-5)16 Ambiguity or inadequacy in the law (that could be exploited) (8)17 What bird features on the Australian coat of arms? (3)19 What feline…

Of course, no glad-handing or air-kissing will be allowed in the new socially distanced studio set-up, but Graham Norton is delighted that chatting to celebs via Zoom is over. The presenter, 57, is raring to go after spending the summer at his holiday home in Ireland. He’s got a mega busy Autumn ahead as he returns to the BBC for his chat show, as well as presenting his Saturday show on BBC Radio 2. An annoyingly talented person, he’s also a successful writer and his third novel is out shortly. We booked a Zoom call with Graham recently to ask how he’s fared in lockdown. Frank and funny as always, he told us how he ended up sleeping on the floor, and why he’s not so excited about same-sex couples on Strictly……

‘Since everything stopped being “normal” back in March, it has felt like we’re all living in a dream, like a scary movie. Then, over the Summer, it looked like it was coming to an end, and there was hope. But last week, they changed the script again. Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance sat there with their prophecies which they were at pains to say were not predictions, OK? It was pure theatre – a horror show, from two men who didn’t even look like they believed it themselves. If it was meant to scare people into thinking they’re all going to die unless we find a vaccine, I think it’s worked. But just to make sure, the next day, in swoops Big Brother Boris with the finale. A…

Handing my two children, Jack and Molly, a hot chocolate each, I sat down and took a deep breath. ‘I’ve got something to tell you,’ I said, forcing the words out of my mouth. They both looked wary – no wonder, the last time I’d had a similar chat with them was when I’d announced I was separating from their dad. But this was far, far worse… ‘I have cancer,’ I said slowly. ‘It makes people ill but Mummy’s cancer has been caught early. The doctors are going to take it out and try to make me better.’ As their faces tightened with worry, I felt even worse than when I’d got the news myself. When I’d first felt the lump in August 2018, I was 35, fit, healthy and…

BANANA ICE CREAM CHEESECAKE WITH BLUEBERRY COMPOTE Cheesecake in any form is a winner for me and this is a simple no-bake ice cream version, which also happens to be vegan. Its sweet, oaty, hazelnutty base is filled with a banana ice cream ‘cheesecake’ layer, then topped with a warm blueberry compote. Serves: 8-12 Prep time: 30 minutes, plus chilling and freezing Cook time: 15 minutes FOR THE BASE: 160g porridge oats160g roasted whole hazelnuts60ml coconut oil, plus extra for greasing the tin185g golden syrup A pinch of salt FOR THE FILLING: 7 bananas, chopped and frozen, about 580g2 tablespoons golden syrup½ teaspoon ground cinnamon1 tablespoon cocoa powder FOR THE COMPOTE: 250g fresh or frozen blueberries½ lemon, zest and juice100g caster sugar 1 Start by lining and lightly greasing the…

FINANCIALLY Fabulous Join our campaign and get your finances sorted at hearstmagazines.co.uk/ffbest for money-saving tips and brilliant advice on being financially savvy. 1 HOW CAN I FIND OUT HOW ENERGY EFFICIENT MY HOME IS NOW? If you bought your home in the past 10 years, its Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will have been included in the Home Information Pack. It’ll tell you your home’s energy rating. If you started renting in the past 10 years, your landlord should have provided you with the EPC. Most homes are rated D, according to Simple Energy Advice (rented properties must be at least an E). If you can’t find the certificate, search for it using your postcode at simpleenergyadvice.org.uk. If you want to get an EPC, you’ll need to have an assessment by…

Glamorous Real Housewives of Cheshire star, cosmetic dentist Hanna Kinsella announced last month that she is expecting her first baby with her husband, cosmetic doctor Martin. Hanna, 33, opens up about how life in lockdown was a blessing as she got to spend more time with Martin and her family. And, as season 12 of Real Housewives resumes filming, the Cheshire Housewife gives us the inside track on what to expect… Firstly, Hanna, a huge congratulations on your baby news! Thank you. It’s all been a bit of a shock, really! But I’m doing well, I seem to have been sailing through so far. When I went for my three-month scan, I said to Martin, are you sure I’m pregnant, because I don’t feel any different at all?! It was only when the nurse…

Last week, presenter-turned-novelist Fern Britton retweeted a quote about relationships – one that clearly spoke to her. The emotional passage the 63-year-old shared with her Twitter followers began, ‘In life, you will fall out with people that you never thought you would. Get betrayed by people you trusted with all of your heart. And get used by people you would do anything for. But life also has a beautiful side to it.’ The caption continued, ‘You will get loved by someone you never thought you would have. Form new friendships with people that will establish more meaningful and stronger relationships. And overcome things you never thought you would get over. We all have chapters that end with people at some point in life. But take pride in knowing that the…

TOP TIP FOR THOSE TRYING TO LOSE LOCKDOWN POUNDS? Forget ‘diets’ – eat healthily and watch your portion sizes. That’s it. WHAT’S YOUR BIG GUILTY PLEASURE? My favourite drink now is a virgin piña colada. I never liked them with the alcohol, but now they’re my little treat! Nice and smooth with no big chunks of ice. WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT? Until recently, a recurring dream that I’d caught Coronavirus, had to stay in my bedroom and not see anybody I loved. That’s stopped, thank goodness!…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Use keto-style dieting as a springboard into fat adaptation, say Drs Paul Chell and Monique Hope-Ross, authors of The Diet-Whisperer. That means teaching our bodies to re-learn how to burn fat. The Diet-Whisperer 12-week programme is based on two important components of fat adaptation: eating high-fat, low-carb foods to the ratio of 70 per cent fat, 25 per cent protein and five per cent carbs. 2 Second is the EatSpan™ and FastSpan™ elements. Every day we compress the time from the first meal to the last meal of the day, as much as possible, shortening our EatSpan. From dinner until breakfast is our FastSpan, when we naturally fast. This can be lengthened by skipping or delaying breakfast. Aim to make this as long as possible. 3…

MY HUBBY IS TOO RELAXED OVER COVID My husband and I have two teenagers, which has been difficult to say the least when it comes to Covid. I feel like we’ve been playing good cop, bad cop all year – and of course, I am the bad guy. When it comes to socialising, my husband – who was furloughed – would let the kids have whoever they wanted round (socially distanced of course). But if I were the one working from home this would not be the case. With restrictions increasing again I can’t bear going over the same rows all over again… imagine when it comes to party season! Sheila, London It’s a heck of a lot easier now. There’s no more ‘good cop bad cop’ – just the…

CHIPS WITH A TWIST Get yourself down to Co-op and grab a box of these brand new Chardonnay Vinegar Chunky Chips, £1.75. The chips are crisp yet fluffy, while the seasoning takes them to a whole new level. Delicious with baked cod or just a mayo dip! HEARTY AND HEALTHY! Stuck in a lunch rut? Why not stock up on WW’s Hearty Cottage Pie, £2.50 each. Only 328 cals and packed with beef and veggies in a rich gravy, all topped with mashed potato. Perfect for Autumn! BEEF UP YOUR DINNER SERVE UP STEAK When dining at home, you really can’t beat a good steak. Thanks to Aldi, you can enjoy a Specially Selected British Wagyu Steak from just £5.99. This type of beef usually comes with a heavy price…

Little Mix: The Search sees the multi-award winning girl group (Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock) creating bands and becoming mentors to a new wave of talent, giving Simon Cowell’s The X Factor a run for its money! The singers who make it into new bands will live together and gain access to Little Mix’s creative directors, vocal coaches, music directors, choreographers and producers. Here, the former X Factor winners talk talent, nostalgia and friendship… What’s your ambition for the series? Leigh-Anne: To find the next best big group and be the best mentors that we can be. Perrie: We wanted the show to be different and unique, and feel fresh and young. We also hoped we would find amazing talent – as if we haven’t got…

She’s a blonde, bubbly, slightly accident-prone TV presenter who doesn’t always get it right on air. Anyone who has been watching Josie Gibson’s hilarious turns on This Morning might be forgiven for thinking that her presenting stints are a real-life version of Bridget Jones’ antics on the fictional daytime show Sit Up Britain! Last week saw Josie travel to Wales to try out the world’s fastest zip-wire – not an experience she will likely repeat. First of all, she started shrieking that she didn’t want to do it, before she was jettisoned, screaming, into the canyon. On the sofa, Rochelle Humes and Dermot O’Leary struggled to keep straight faces. Back on terra firma, she said, ‘I’m just glad I’m alive, Rochelle. My feet are on the ground, what a rush.’ And, when asked…

LIBRA 24 September – 23 October Librans, such as the acting legends Julie Andrews and Susan Sarandon, need to tell themselves that nothing is as heavy or as worrying as it looks. It may be time to re-evaluate their first thoughts about a situation. If one method isn’t working, try a radically different approach. CAPRICORN 22 December – 20 January You have a few questions to ask your partner. You don’t want them to feel as if you are being suspicious, so word these carefully. Replace criticism with concern and consideration. That way you’ll receive a more honest reaction. Your encouragement will bring out the best in your friends and loved ones. ARIES 21 March – 20 April A date with a new partner will not go as expected. It…