Table of contents for 20-2023 in Best

What is the best age to have a baby? For women of our generation, who were constantly bombarded by reminders of our fertility, most had children in our 20s, 30s and 40s, if at all. Fertility treatment now means women – who can afford it – are having babies in their 50s and 60s. Although – in the case of Brigitte Nielsen, Sylvester Stallone’s ex, who had a baby at 54, and Maria del Carmen Bousada from Spain, who was 66 – it tends to make national news and we all debate the sense, and even the selfishness, of the decision. Not so for men… There is no fertility ‘cut-off’, so Charlie Chaplin had his last child aged 73 and Robert De Niro (page 39) casually mentioned he has recently…

Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley is a total delight, in so many ways – including being unafraid to speak her mind when she feels strongly about something. And in a recent interview with the i newspaper, the 77-year-old star talked about her documentary, Joanna Lumley: My Best Bits – In My Own Words, looking back at her remarkable career, and reflecting that in her opinion, ‘There was more determination, back then I think, to just get through. We hung on in there, took some very humble jobs.’ Adding that those struggles were a key part of the ‘journey’ and that things weren’t ‘any easier’ in her day, she said, ‘but we did have a sense that you could have a crack at anything, whereas now we seem to put people into…

How can you mend a broken heart? The title of the song released by the Bee Gees in 1971 and a question Vanessa Feltz has been forced to ask herself, since her ex-fiancé, Ben Ofoedu, admitted to cheating twice during their 17-year relationship. Both have said ‘This alone thing is hard’ but, for Vanessa, there is no alternative other than to look forward. ‘Once the trust has gone,’ she explains, ‘there is really no going back.’ Good for you, Vanessa. We hear you, and we salute you… Hi Vanessa, you have been out an awful lot lately… Yes. I don’t want to walk into my house and be lonely. I’m not sitting there in an empty space. I can’t face it. I don’t like the silence. I’m not calm or comfortable enough…

Taylor Swift seems to have been pictured with her reported new beau, Denise Welch’s son, Matty Healy, from pop group The 1975. A grainy picture that could be Matty (and first appeared on dailymail.com) is certainly Taylor, in the back of a car was taken before Taylor’s third concert at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium in the USA recently. Rumours have been circulating for a while and Denise’s ears must have been burning as her Loose Women co-stars discussed Matty’s reported romance with megastar Taylor. The 1975’s lead singer, Matty, 34, and Love Story singer Taylor, 33, are allegedly ‘madly in love’ and enjoying a ‘blossoming romance’. Speculation about the two stars being romantically involved comes after Taylor stunned fans by turning up as a guest at the band’s London tour date…

Hearing the roar of the waves along the Ramsgate seafront in Kent, I felt a sudden calmness wash over me. ‘This is the life,’ I smiled to myself. I opened out the back of the campervan, set out a chair to eat my porridge and fruit – all while watching as the sun rose over the coastline. It may not have been the path I’d set out on, but I was happy knowing I could be somewhere completely different by the evening… In 1965 at age nine, I’d moved from Essex to Kent with my parents. I loved being by the sea and would take any chance I could to go swimming – the water made me feel at ease. After leaving school, I’d enrolled in college – but a…

Stuffed Rack of Pork Pistou is a Provençal herby sauce. Swap some of the basil for parsley or wild garlic, if you fancy. Hands-on time: 25min, plus resting. Cooking time: about 1hr 50min. Serves 8 • 100g seeded bread, roughly chopped• 3 garlic cloves• 125g basil, leaves and stalks• 125ml extra virgin olive oil• 1tsp flaked sea salt, plus extra to sprinkle• 2kg pork rack, ask your butcher to score the rind Preheat oven to 220°C (200°C fan)/mark 7. In the small bowl of a food processor, whizz the bread to crumbs. Tip into a bowl. Next, whizz the garlic, basil, oil and salt to a chunky consistency. Scrape into the breadcrumb bowl with some freshly ground black pepper and mix. Make a ‘flap’ along the length of the pork…

SICK OF THE FAMILY ROWS! Vanessa, I spent the last Bank Holiday weekend in floods – my son-in-law and my brother were constantly at each other’s throats. I threw what I thought would be a lovely family BBQ for my 75th, and after a few drinks, they just went for one another with sly digs and below-the-belt remarks. This is a regular occurrence these days but is also hugely embarrassing in front of guests. I’m too old to be dealing with this. My husband conveniently stays out of it – I’ve never felt so alone. Christina, Hastings Happy belated 75th! What a disappointing, rude and immature pair those two are – of course you are upset. They rained all over your parade and didn’t give a damn about your feelings.…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Away from the brash bright lights of nearby seaside towns, the ancient fishing village of Winterton-on-Sea (just eight miles north of Great Yarmouth) is the perfect staycation holiday, especially with a pooch by your side! Whether you want a traditional bucket and spade vay-cay, a romantic break, or just a quiet one with the dogs, Winterton is also one of the dog-friendliest villages in Norfolk… all year round. From endless fur baby-friendly eateries, beaches – and even shops, the locals treat their furry friends like family… INSIDER’S GUIDE Want the perfect hideaway with your family, friends, or a romantic couple’s break? Then head to ‘The Cranny’ cottage, right in the centre of Winterton-on-Sea. With it being less than a two-minute walk to the fabulous Fishermans Return pub, full…

A new weight-loss injection (which studies in America show can cut body weight by up to 20 per cent), has been approved in the UK. Semaglutide, sold under the brand name Wegovy, is normally used to treat type 2 diabetes. It mimics the hormone that suppresses appetite and slows down the movement of food through the body, making you feel full for longer. In Britain, people with at least one weight-related condition, such as sleep apnoea, or heart disease with a BMI of 35+ can now get the prescription-only self-administered weekly injections. In one study group of 2,000, half were given semaglutide, with the others receiving a placebo. Those on the drug lost an average of 2st 4lbs, while it was only 4lbs in the placebo group. But in the…

TAURUS 21 April – 21 May After delays, you’re finally ready to drive forwards and get things done. You have been looking at all your friendships, as you may feel that you have been let down recently. Superficial friends just won’t do! A new moon on the 19th brings self-confidence and insight in the future. LEO 24 July – 23 August After setbacks with finances, a friend may give you an idea on how to organise your budget. You may hear news of a new change in your present job, or even a new job offer! Give yourself time to think things over, but the new moon could well be a sign of a good fortune in your future. SCORPIO 24 October – 22 November The new moon on the…

Based on Enid Blyton’s iconic novels, Darrell Rivers (Ella Bright) and the gang return to Malory Towers, for what Darrell is sure will be their best year yet! They’re fourth-formers now, at the top of the Lower School (years 1-4), with all sorts of new responsibilities. And most exciting of all, Darrell’s little sister Felicity is joining the school… Here, 16-year-old Ella tells us more… What can we expect from series four? You’ll be introduced to many new characters. The episodes are filled with exciting new opportunities and responsibilities for the girls, plus interesting relationships develop between some of the characters. And, of course, more mischief, fun and adventures! Darrell’s now Head of Lower School; how do you think Darrell has grown since starting at Malory Towers? Darrell has grown…

Angela Rippon divides her time between west London and Devon. Having made history in 1975 as the first female to regularly read the national news on the BBC, she has gone on to become one of Britain’s best-loved broadcasters. She now co-presents BBC One’s Rip Off Britain. Angela, did you think you’d still be working in your 70s? No! In my 50s, John Birt, the then director-general of the BBC, said, ‘Angela, you’ve had your day; time to make room for the young women coming behind you.’ Well, that was 28 years ago – and I’m still here! Rip Off Britain is still going strong, too… I’m very proud that Glo [Gloria Hunniford], Julia [Somerville] and I are still presenting Rip Off nearly 15 years later. We’re women of a certain…

Holding a bag of salt and vinegar chips, I stepped out of the warmth of the fish bar into the cold night air. A man was waiting to come in and I moved to the side to let him through. As my gaze met his, I felt a jolt of recognition. Yes, the face was different, older, the dark hair a little greyer, but I knew those brown eyes and that smile. ‘Mike,’ I gasped. He laughed. ‘Fancy seeing you here,’ he said. And in that moment, it was as if the years had slid away… Mike and I had first got together in 1980 in our local pub, The Beaufort, in Raglan, Monmouthshire. He was among a group of friends and as we sat across the table from each…

Walking into our hotel room, I was overcome with a wave of emotion. What was supposed to be a romantic weekend away in America, Boston to be precise, for my 40th birthday, had taken a dramatic turn my husband Mark and I hadn’t seen coming. ‘I’m so sorry,’ I sobbed, as the guilt of ruining our special getaway made me sob even harder. It was July 2018, and I was working for a weight-loss company. I felt I was under increasing pressure to hit unrealistic targets and the stress of the long hours manifested into crushing abdominal pains, nausea, and constant headaches. Tears ran down my face as I realised just how exhausted and burnt out I was. I felt broken and depressed. I knew I couldn’t go on like…

WHY THE BLOOD? I am a generally healthy 55-year-old, but recently had successful surgery for Grade 1a cervical cancer. In the last week or so I have noticed blood in my poo when I go to the toilet, which is totally new to me. I am also going several times a day urgently, as opposed to once every couple of days. I definitely don’t have piles. Should I be worried? Lynsey, Newcastle DR HILARY SAYS: You certainly do not need to panic, but I definitely think you should get these symptoms checked out. Any persistent blood which you notice in your poo needs to be explained, especially as you also have a change in normal bowel habit. While you may not have visible or palpable external piles you might have…

SAIL AWAY… A narrowboat holiday in Scotland offers stunning scenery with a more ‘hands-off’ approach, as all the locks and bridges are managed by the Scottish Canal staff. You can impress your friends when you get back by riding the Falkirk Wheel, as this incredible engineering feat is the world’s only rotating boat lift. There is also a play park, visitor centre and guided tours on offer, before you set out from Black Prince Holidays’ base on a 22 mile out-and-back route to Linlithgow. The journey includes the Falkirk Tunnel, and Scotland’s longest and tallest aqueduct, named after the River Avon below. The final stop before heading back to base is Linlithgow, where visitors can explore the gardens of the fabulous castle ruins, a favourite home of Stewart royalty including…

With a whopping 279K followers on her @homewithhelenandco Instagram page, it’s clear that the Barbie Dream House fantasy has followed us far into adulthood! See how you can recreate some girly magic in your home, here… COSY CORNER We can see why Helen’s pretty Pomeranian likes this corner of the room! Add detail with a rattan plant stand, such as the Tall Poly Rattan Planter Stand, £18 from Very.co.uk. And if the twisted candles on the side table (as well as the floor!) take your fancy, Etsy.co.uk has tall, large, colourful bees wax ones at just £7. Bargain! A POCKET FULL OF SUNSHINE This bathroom will brighten anyone’s day! From the fresh yellow daffs to the seashell ornaments and bright yellow candles, you can’t help but smile at this sight.…

Former Corrie star Kym Marsh, has reportedly called time on her third marriage, to Army Major Scott Ratcliff, after less than two years – due to the couple’s busy careers. The rumours began after Kym was photographed without her wedding or engagement ring and she did not issue an immediate denial when the split question was posed. She broke her silence on Instagram, but it was to talk about her musical family, and her role in Take That musical, Greatest Days. ‘I just want to take this opportunity to say how proud I am of this cast and crew! This whole experience has been incredible and I truly feel so privileged to be part of it!!! We open tonight in Bromley! Let’s go SMASH it gang!!! This show is one I will…

TOP TIP Back detailing gives a classic tea dress a fresh new look…

HOW IT WORKS 1 More and more studies are finding that certain foods have special wrinkle-busting powers of their own. So, we’ve put together the perfect plan. 2 • Edamame beans: Contain isoflavone and genistein, which research shows helps women’s skin. • Spinach: A study of 716 Japanese women found two servings of green or yellow vegetables a day led to better skin hydration. • Yellow pepper: Full of vitamin C, which is linked to increased collagen production. • Olives: A French study of 1,264 women and 1,655 men found consuming olive oil improved skin’s elasticity. • Red (sockeye) salmon: Contains astaxanthin, which studies show helps hydrate skin and boosts elasticity. • Green tea: High in antioxidants found to slow skin ageing. 3 Follow the seven-day plan (opposite) for a…

TOP TIP! Think sustainably and opt for a naked highlighter, such as Lush’s range, that are packaging- and plastic-free!…

Women have long had to worry about their fertility declining after the age of 35 but, while there is no age at which men can no longer become dads, is it unfair to have a baby in, say, your 70s? It would appear Robert De Niro doesn’t think so! He dropped the bombshell that he has become a dad for the seventh time, giving an interview to promote his new movie, About My Father. The interviewer asked The Godfather star what it was like to have six kids, and Robert casually corrected him ‘Seven, actually – I just had a baby.’ The new arrival is a girl called Gaia Virginia Chen De Niro, who was born weighing eight pounds six ounces. Her mother is martial arts instructor Tiffany Chen, who…

TOP TIP! Invest in plastic glassware now and use for years to come! Perfect for dining outdoors or packing up for picnics.…

Be in with a chance of winning a £100 voucher from well-known budget-friendly clothing store everything5pounds.com. You could bag up to 20 items and be well on your way to a new Summer wardrobe, just in time for that long-awaited holiday! Everything5pounds.com sells everything from womenswear and menswear to shoes and accessories, and more recently they’ve launched a beauty & cosmetics range. Which means you can find all those daily essentials in one place. So, if you’re a savvy spender and want to get styling on a budget, they’ve got you covered. Enter now to be the best dressed, for less! To enter, see right HOW TO ENTER ONLINE: Save money by entering online at hearstmagazines.co.uk/best2023a by 2 June 2023. PHONE: Call 0901 027 2710 by midnight on 2 June…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Thanks to the Deadpool A-lister Ryan Reynold and fellow actor friend Rob McElhenney, Wrexham is on the map… I grew up here so I’m delighted the city (yes, we have city status) can now boast a heroic football club, as well as Hollywood star owners – but my home town has always been special to me. It’s 30 minutes from the beach, small, friendly with some amazing pubs and it’s where my mum Cathy still lives permanently, while I split my time between London (where my sons go to school) and Wales. INSIDER’S GUIDE Wrexham and the nearby villages have a lot to offer. You’ve heard of the Seven Wonders of the World, well there’s also Seven Wonders of Wales – and one is in the pretty village…

A year ago, it was being hailed by the government as a vital weapon in the fight against obesity. Calorie counts on menus would give people the chance to make ‘healthier food choices’ and help them lose weight. But has this actually helped the nation slim down? New figures have estimated that more than five million people are living with diabetes in the UK. And 90 per cent of people with diabetes have type 2, which is often associated with obesity. According to the Department of Health, 63 per cent of adults in England are overweight, or obese, with a BMI of 30 or over. One in three primary school-age children is overweight too, and the cost to the NHS of obesity is a staggering £6.1 billion a year. Calorie-labelled…

When Paula Hudgell first met baby Tony in 2015, he was being treated for a catalogue of appalling injuries including multiple organ failure and broken limbs. The foster mum met and fell in love with Tony, then four months old, and she was determined to protect and nurture him after such a harrowing start to his life. The defenceless little boy had been tortured by his birth parents – Anthony Smith and Jody Simpson – and by the time 9lb Tony was taken to hospital, he was unresponsive. Thankfully, medics managed to save him, but his injuries were so bad he needed both his legs amputating. Rather than being daunted by the care he might need, Paula and her husband Mark adopted Tony so they could shower him with the…

Something unusual is going on behind the farmhouse. Lawns are being mowed, depriving me of precious dandelions and clover. Bangings and clangings interrupt melodious bird song. I make a bee line for the garden. Circling above bellowing men swigging sweet tea provided by the keeper’s missus, I surmise they’re erecting a giant tent. I buzz back to the palace to tell our Queen. She’s birthing (not that this is anything new) but graciously takes time out to say, ‘No doubt we’ll be informed in due course.’ Without any fuss, she pushes out another egg before adding ominously, ‘If not, we shall be unamused.’ A stickler for tradition is Her Majesty. She’s of the view good manners cost nothing and tradition dictates we should be told when keepers mourn or celebrate.…

Maryland is the latest three-part ITV relationship drama from award-winning Doctor Foster and Vigil actress Suranne Jones, who is the executive producer, and screenwriter Anne-Marie O’Connor. Centred on two sisters who have grown apart over the years, it explores how, through tragic events, the two learn to love and respect each another again… But how much do we really know about the people we love? Here, the 44-year-old former Corrie star, who has a seven-year-old son with her screenwriter hubby Laurence Akers, told us how the idea came about, why she manifested a superstar and how great it was to work on such a female-led production…. Hi Suranne, can you tell us about Maryland? It’s basically about two sisters finding out their mother is leading a double life, with the premise being, ‘How well do you really know…

THE MOTHER Netflix After showcasing her comedic chops in action-comedy Shotgun Wedding, Jennifer Lopez brings the grit here – as a deadly assassin, come out of hiding to protect the daughter that she gave up years before, while on the run from some very dangerous men… TRADING PLACES (1983) Friday, Channel 4, 12.10am If you fancy a late night this Friday, you won’t want to miss this hilarious classic, starring Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis. Two millionaires conspire to switch the fortunes of a snobbish investor and a wily street con artist. THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Disney+ Who doesn’t love this flick – where the heels are as big as the egos! When a young Anne Hathaway becomes assistant to a tyrannical magazine editor-in-chief (Meryl Streep) it…

One of the Beeb’s best-known presenters, Clive Myrie, is known for reporting from the likes of Iraq and Ukraine, or grilling boffins on Mastermind, which he’s hosted since 2021. But now, the journalist is taking us on an epic Italian road-trip – as the 58-year-old peels back the layers of his favourite country, and reveals a more playful side to his personality, as he zips around the Italian countryside and attempts to make tiramisu… You’ve travelled a lot for work, but you visit Italy for pleasure, don’t you? Absolutely – love the place. I love opera, my wife Catherine and I go to the Verona Arena. You get Summer showers, everything’s rained off, and the performers run offstage. You mill around while the rain’s coming down, then they go back on…