Table of contents for 28-2021 in Best

A thousand people filled a theatre that usually seats 3,000 but the noise we made sounded more like 10,000. ‘I can’t tell you how good it feels to hear that noise,’ shouted Michael Ball. No better than it felt to roar approval at this uplifting Sixties-set story. If you’ve never seen it, the show’s heroine, Tracy Turnblad, is a well-rounded 16-year-old, but she doesn’t let that stop her singing, dancing, or being crowned Miss Baltimore Crabs 1962! Along the way, though, she battles segregation and appoints her larger than life ‘mum’ – Michael Ball – as her agent. Full of infectiously feel-good songs, this musical will make you forget all your troubles for at least three hours. Hearst Magazines UK is a trading name of The National Magazine Company Limited…

ITV’s Lorraine Kelly has a habit of doing things to excess. ‘I don’t sleep enough, I go to bed far too late, I drink too much and have too much to eat,’ she revealed. In fact, on a trip down memory lane on her show recently to celebrate her 35 years in television, she admitted to guest host Piers Morgan that too many drinks once led her to go on-air drunk! ‘I’m not sure I was drunk, but I was merry!’ she laughed, explaining she had been out to lunch with Four Weddings and a Funeral actor John Hannah – and ended up going straight to the studio for TV-am! Claiming she had ‘drunk herself sober,’ Piers said: ‘That is completely untrue!’ The Scottish mum-of-one has revealed the reason she…

A private investigator from Insight Investigations reveals telltale behaviour to look out for: BEWARE OF HUMMING… Any new physical behaviour, such as singing or a stutter can signify something has shifted. It helps to distract them if they’re nervous – for example, if you ask them what they did that day. INCREASED SEX DRIVE… In most cases, cheating partners have significantly less interest in their partner. But not always. We’ve had many clients who say they had increased interest in sex, possibly to overcompensate for being less attentive in other parts of life. SUSPICIOUS ERRANDS An increase in short trips out, such as walking the dog more often, is all about making phone calls. Most contact is done by messaging but people do like to talk to each other, too.…

HOW IT WORKS 1 It might sound mad, but you can eat more in order to lose more weight. It’s all down to the water content and energy density (or basically the amount of calories) per gram of food. 2 To lose those annoying extra inches you need to focus on low-energy density (LED) foods that provide fewer calories per gram. These foods are often naturally high in water and include things like fruit and vegetables, or soups and stews. 3 LED foods having more water is good news for big eaters because you get more volume for your calories. So you can pile up your plate higher than ever, while consuming less energy overall so you still lose weight. 4 High-energy density (HED) foods tend to be low in…

It was the moment the world had been waiting for. The warring princes, William and Harry, reunited at Kensington Palace to honour the memory of their mother, Diana, on what would have been her 60th birthday – and it was an extremely emotional moment. Standing shoulder to shoulder, as they pulled away the coverings alongside their uncle, Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, and sisters, Lady Jane Fellowes and Sarah McCorquodale – it was the first time the brothers had been together since the funeral of their grandfather, Prince Philip. Back in April, Harry appeared anxious and withdrawn – but honouring the memory of his mother last Thursday there appeared to be a glitter of hope that his relationship with the future King William was thawing, as it came under scrutiny yet…

‘Bye, Miss Phillips! See you in September!’ Shona stood at her classroom door and waved as the last of her charges disappeared through the school gates. She breathed a huge sigh of relief. She had survived another school year. As always, on the last day of the Summer term, her desk was laden with gifts from the children. She packed them into a box to take home. There were bottles of wine, chocolates, gift vouchers, flowers, mugs that claimed she was The World’s Best Teacher. Even the bane of her life, James Hudson, had given her a half-eaten packet of sweets. The best gift of all, Shona thought, was the knowledge that, in September, James would be another teacher’s problem. At home, she opened one of the bottles of wine…

We watched in delight as the couple met, fell in love and got engaged on The Undateables, but now it seems like the wedding between Daniel Wakeford and Lily Taylor is off. The popular pair first won the nation’s – and each other’s heart – when they appeared on Channel 4’s popular show back in 2015. The couple met in a café and seemed instantly smitten. Brighton-based Daniel told Lily her red hair was ‘beautiful’ and Lily, who has learning difficulties, admitted, ‘I fancy you very, very much!’ They even shared a smooch. After the show, the relationship blossomed and, in October 2018, Daniel told the newspapers, ‘Lily likes me on the telly, and now she’s being my girlfriend. It feels so lovely when I’m with her.’ Just a couple…

Charlie freely admits that it was hard to break away from her infamous EastEnders character Janine Butcher when she left the Square, ‘because people want to see you as Janine, they loved to hate her!’ But, after eight years, Charlie is coming back in Walford to reprise her role – and you can be sure drama will never be far away. Janine has been central to some of EastEnders’ most unforgettable storylines – most memorably, pushing her husband, Barry, off a cliff to his death, on New Year’s Day 2004. ‘I am beyond excited to be slipping back into Janine’s shoes,’ Charlie says. ‘The time feels right. She is so much fun to play.’ We can’t wait either, Charlie……

THE CRIME: A strikingly talented woman, brutally murdered in the remote Irish countryside. With no physical evidence, would the sole suspect ever be found guilty? THE CASE: When Sophie Toscan du Plantier bought a cottage just outside of Schull, County Cork, in Ireland in 1993, it fulfilled a childhood dream. She’d spent time in Ireland in her younger years and the remote – some would say, bleak – region had made a lasting impression. Full of talent, Sophie went on to become a well-known film producer in her home country of France, but she’d never forgotten her passion for the Emerald Isle and loved returning. She enjoyed the peace and quiet it offered her, a complete contrast to her fast-paced life in Paris. She believed it gave her chance to…

IT’S ALL IN THE EYES… Huda’s Mercury Retrograde Eyeshadow Palette is sending us into a spin! With 18 shades in soft, buttery mattes and smooth, molten metallics joined by a show-stopping glitter and multi-dimensional, semi-sheer shades, you’ll look out of this world! £58, from hudabeauty.com ROCK THE RED Bold, colour-rich and classic – the original, iconic matte lipstick is intense colour with a 10-hour wear. This Red Rock shade at £17.50 is the perfect finishing touch to any face for a night out with the girls! See maccosmetics.co.uk FEELING FRESH This delicately sweet, floral Japanese Cherry Blossom eau de toilette is made with hand-picked, coldpressed cherry blossom petals, sweet magnolia and comforting hinoki wood. £15, from thebodyshop.com…

Following his split from husband Dan Neal, TV presenter Rylan Clark-Neal has admitted he is ‘not in a good place’. The star, a regular on This Morning, presented his last BBC Radio 2 show on 8 May – with bosses at the time claiming they were unsure when he’d be back. Rylan, who found fame as a contestant on The X Factor, issued an emotional statement last week revealing he is in a bad place after ‘mistakes’ led to the breakdown of his six-year marriage. The 32-year-old said, ‘Following reports about Dan and I spending time apart, I feel I have to speak out – as the way it is being reported is unfair. ‘I have made a number of mistakes which I deeply regret and have inevitably led to…

Fig and Brazil nut chocolate mud cake Clearly, I’m Bundt obsessed but you can bake this in a standard tin, you may just need to adjust the cooking times slightly – a loaf tin may take slightly longer but a larger, shallower tin needs less time. The ganache is bitter and smooth, and the fresh figs look like regal gems sitting on top. They also remind me of my grandad, who when I pulled out a mouldy satsuma from the back of the sofa (I don’t know how it got there), was insistent that it was a fresh fig! This story makes my family smile a lot. Chop and change the nuts and dried fruit – date and macadamia nuts are good too. Serves 8 150g unsalted butter, plus extra…

HE’S STARTING A FAMILY WITH SOMEONE ELSE I was with a man for 15 years, but we split towards the end of 2019, after years of desperately trying to conceive but failing (a problem with my fertility, not his). We loved each other but took the pain of the situation out on one another and, in the end, it got too much. Imagine how my heart sank when I saw on social media the other week that not only has he moved on with another woman, but they’re having a baby! He might as well have stabbed me in the heart. I’m in such a dark place, Vanessa. Francesca, Liverpool I am so sorry. You are going through such a tough time. It’s difficult, but the way through this is…

QUIRKY DRAMAS Ghosted: A Love Story Jenn Ashworth Sceptre, £16.99 One morning Laurie’s husband goes out, and doesn’t come back. Holed up in their tower block flat, and navigating her relationship with her dementiasufferer dad, Laurie’s story becomes increasing sadder with every drip-fed revelation. Raw, darkly comic and moving. FOR FANS OF FLEABAG The Black Dress Deborah Moggach Headline Review, £14.99 After Pru’s husband walks out on her, she develops an unusual hobby – attending the funerals of strangers in search of company and adventure. But her random encounters lead to unexpected complications. A delightful black comedy full of later-life misadventures. ROUND THE WOR LD Songbirds Christy Lefteri Bonnier, £14.99 (Out 8 July) In Cyprus, widowed Petra hires Sri Lankan Nisha, who helps raise her daughter and is like a…

Pop star Britney Spears sent shockwaves across the world recently, when she spoke out against her ‘abusive’ conservatorship, asking a judge to end the 13 years of control her father has had over her life. But last Wednesday, an LA judge denied her request ‘without prejudice’, as her father Jamie’s legal team filed a petition to ‘investigate the veracity of her claims’. It is just the latest chapter in quite an extraordinary turn of events. Britney’s father was granted control over her affairs by court order in 2008 – after the star was hospitalised amid concerns over her mental health – and it has been extended ever since. The 39-year-old hit-maker had made an almost 30-minute long statement, before an LA court, in which she revealed that she is ‘traumatised’,…

Vanessa always looks fabulously vibrant when she hits the town – is fashion something she loves? ‘Well, when you haven’t been able to fit into clothes and now you can, shopping is fun. I like a Diana Dors, sexy, barmaid type of look! If you can sew on a sequin or add fake fur, I am all for it! I like shoes with twiddly bits, bows and ribbons, that’s always been my style. I can’t wean myself off it.’ And why should she indeed? ‘Why should I, exactly! I don’t know if what I wear is stylish – but it certainly celebrates life!’…

The great knicker debate… She probably didn’t expect it to be such a controversial topic when she admitted live on This Morning that she doesn’t wear knickers in bed, but Holly Willoughby’s admission has divided women up and down the country. Some were in complete agreement with the 40-year-old presenter, saying ‘no pants, no pants, no pants’, adding it was liberating when pushed by Phillip Schofield, who admitted he thought the best nightwear was ‘just a smile’. Others were horrified by the suggestion, questioning how it works if you’re sharing your household with kids or even elderly parents… Surely no one wants any accidental flashing?! And whilst we obviously change our undies every day, should we then be doing the same with our PJ bottoms if we’re going commando? Are…

Q My back gets very spotty during the hot weather. What causes this and how can I treat it? Olivia, Norwich A The skin is thicker here, meaning pores are larger. The high concentration of oil glands means the back is a prime target for breakouts. Sweat mixed with bacteria and dead skin cells will also clog pores, causing spots. Be mindful of wearing sweaty clothes during hot spells, especially while exercising outside or simply being out in the sun. Change tops and your bed sheets regularly. Avoid clothes made from non-breathable fibres and keep long hair up to prevent irritation and inflammation. And don’t scratch spots, however tempting. Use a gentle cleanser in the shower – try Bioderma Sébium Foaming Gel, £11, which gently purifies the skin. The formula…

VEGGIE PUFF PIZZA If you prefer, scatter over crumbled goat’s cheese rather than mozzarella. You can add any leftover cooked meat if you fancy. Serves 4 Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 20 mins 320g sheet ready-rolled puff pastry4tbsp pesto125g ready-roasted red peppers, chopped75g Tenderstem broccoli (trimmed weight), halved lengthways if large125g mozzarella ball, torn into pieces15g pine nutsMedium eggs, optionalLarge handful of fresh basil, torn 1 Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/mark 6. Unroll the pastry on to a large baking sheet and score a border 2.5cm in from the edge. Prick the pastry inside this border well with a fork. 2 Leaving the border clear, brush the pesto on to the rest of the pastry, then lay on the peppers, broccoli and mozzarella. Scatter over the pine nuts…

WHAT IS NUCLEAR MEDICINE? A friend of mine, who is a bit older than me, has just undergone surgery to remove a tumour from her bowel. The operation went well, and she tells me she now has a course of nuclear medicine. Can you please explain what this is, how it is different from radiotherapy and how I can best support her? Martine, Strathclyde DR HILARY SAYS: Nuclear medicine is a branch of medicine which uses radioactive substances in the diagnosis or treatment of disease. Radiotherapy is usually delivered as an external source of radiation to destroy cancerous tissue, whereas with radionuclide therapy, a radioactive substance is given either orally by inhalation or intravenously and the substance combines with antigens on the surface of certain cells in certain organs, such…

‘This Summer isn’t exactly the one I’d planned,’ Gabby said, twirling in front of the mirror. ‘So I think I deserve this dress.’ ‘Isn’t it a bit expensive?’ her mother looked at the price tag and took a sharp breath. ‘You’ll only be able to wear it in a warm Summer like this.’ Gabby had found the dress in a small, very pricey boutique. The peach-coloured chiffon frock was embellished with embroidery and a few beads on the bodice. With the matching hat she’d found, Gabby would only need to wear her dark hair in a simple style. ‘Think about it, I’m actually saving money,’ Gabby argued. ‘I’m the only guest who’ll be at all three weddings. Normally I’d have to buy three dresses.’ Gabby liked Summer weddings – after…

Charlie Brooks is best-known for playing scheming Janine Butcher in EastEnders – and, after an eight-year hiatus, we’re delighted to say she’s back! But before we catch her in Albert Square, she’s taking on a very different role, as a troubled wife in slick suburban Channel 5 thriller, Lie With Me. The 40-year-old plays Anna Fallmont, a British woman who seeking a fresh start for her floundering marriage – relocates to her husband’s native Melbourne with their two small children. But when they hire a young local nanny, she isn’t the innocent stranger she pretends to be. Charlie, who has daughter, Kiki, 16, from a previous relationship, tells us more… Charlie, describe Lie With Me… Ooh, it’s a sexy thriller – a story of betrayal, with lots of twists and turns…

WELL D ONE, ANTON! I’m delighted that Anton Du Beke is back in the judging saddle for Strictly 2021. I thought he added a lot of humour and humanity to the panel last year and let’s face it, not only is the man incredibly charming (he once paid for my afternoon tea in a posh hotel, after a chance encounter in Birmingham), he knows his dancing onions. Obviously, it’s too early to start making wild guesses at potential celebrity participants, after all it’s only July and Strictly means dark Winter nights and the inevitable lead-up to Christmas. However, those in the running will probably have been approached by the production company by now and, once again, it looks like I’ve failed to make the cut. This is possibly for the…

CANCER 22 June – 23 July Cancerians like Hollywood hardman and Rocky star Sylvester Stallone and Eighties icon Kevin Bacon will be determined to make the most of any chance to get out, socialise and catch up with friends. After being cooped up for so long, the travel bug will bite and make you eager for pastures new and exciting adventures. LEO LEO 24 July – 23 August Some projects under discussion will hold a degree of risk. Still, all change can be risky and unsettling. However, there should be no harm in looking further into any offers and proposals put to you at this time. A hidden opportunity could be there for the taking if you want it. Be bold and give a new idea a go. VIRGO 24…

OUT OF SIGHT Friday, BBC One, 10.35pm In this razor-sharp crime comedy caper, a bank robber escapes prison, but comes across a female marshal. Things go downhill when he kidnaps her – and she starts falling for him! Starring Hollywood heavyweights George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez. THE INBETWEENERS 2 Friday, E4, 9pm In this British coming-of-age comedy, Jay, Neil, Simon and Will reunite in Australia, after the gang finds out that Jay is indulging in a life of hedonism and promiscuity as a star DJ in Sydney. But when they arrive Down Under, they discover that Jay has, let’s just say, vastly overstated his success… THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Friday, Channel 4, 1.30am In this cult classic, Gustave H, a concierge, is wrongly framed for murder at the Grand Budapest…

TIME PASSAGES, APPLE This free service offers to-the-minute info on astrological events. Access to an expansive glossary, as well as charts that explain the meanings behind your sun, moon, and rising signs make it the ideal app to delve deeper into the forces at play behind each horoscope. DAILY HOROSCOPE, HOROSCOPE.COM This back-to-basics astrology app shows monthly, weekly, and daily horoscopes – including today and tomorrow’s readings (because hey, we’re all curious about the future!). Most major functions are free. CO-STAR, APP STORE A hyper-personalized social experience, bringing astrology into the 21st century, this app has got a serious amount of good press recently. Time to see what the buzz is all about!…

Cherylee’s partner, Toby, is a new arrival on Corrie with her latest storyline, and the self-confessed ‘TV geek’ told best: ‘I once played a vicar at Curly Watts’ wedding, but to be joining Corrie, properly? I’m tickled pink. My character, Fergus, Izzy’s neighbour, is a little odd. He’s a loner, not very socially robust – someone who might also get left behind in the pandemic. But he sees Izzy hasn’t had any visitors and plucks up the courage to ask if she needs help.’ As for working with his real-life girlfriend, Toby says mischievously, ‘Oh, she’s terribly high maintenance – blue M&Ms, for instance, aren’t allowed across the threshold in our house. That’s on a normal day, imagine what she’s like when the cameras are in the room!’…

Win EVERY WEEK 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/bestcross2821 ACROSS 1 Making less clear (8) 5 Mark left from a wound (4) 9 Short letters (5) 10 Early part of the day (7) 11 Walked upon (7) 12 Act of stealing (5) 13 Turmoil (6) 14 Sheep known for its wool (6) 17 Fortune-telling card (5) 19 Assumed identities (7) 20 Duty-bound (7) 21 Huge (5) 22 Soft drink (US) (4) 23 Unexpectedly (8) DOWN 1 Buildings (13) 2 Located in the fresh air (7) 3 Drawback (12) 4 Christening (6) 6 Felony (5) 7 Virtuousness…

Sinitta shot to fame with ‘The Hit Factory’ back in the Eighties, becoming a household name with songs like So Macho, Toy Boy and GTO. She was Simon Cowell’s first-ever recording star (and, for a time, his girlfriend). Now, she’s a well-known face on daytime TV programmes such as Loose Women and This Morning, as well as a regular on The X Factor as a coach, and Simon’s ‘glamorous little helper’. Now the youthful 57-year-old is returning to her roots in musical theatre, as she prepares to play the role of Mama Morton alongside Darren Day in Chicago. Here, she opens up about her past West End successes, including Cats, Little Shop of Horrors, and starring with David Essex in the hit show, Mutiny; as well as her love of her…