Table of contents for 24-2024 in Best

Despite being dubbed the Bridget Jones of This Morning - and previously hinting that she’s on the hunt for a partner – Josie Gibson, 39, recently revealed she’s actually already ‘married’. The news came about when the mum of Reggie, five, interviewed a guest on a recent episode of the ITV show, who had decided to marry herself… During the unusual conversation, the former I’m A Celeb… contestant disclosed that she had recently said some wedding vows of her own – to her best friend, Mia Williams – at the Chapel of love at a festival. The star’s hardcore fans might recall her stroll down the aisle with Mia at Camp Bestival last Summer, which led her co-host Dermot O’Leary to ask why she hadn’t introduced her pal as her…

Publicly, he seemed to have it all when he appeared on Made In Chelsea – rich, good looking and seemingly happy with girlfriend Binky Felstead. Privately he was battling his own demons… In 2015, around the same time as he joined the cast, he later admitted: ‘My self worth was non-existent to the point where I was going to take my life – and something in that moment stopped me from doing it.’ But after his daughter was born, his life changed: It ‘had real purpose and meaning when she came into the picture’, he admitted. Now a marathon runner and one of the best dads in the business, Joshua Patterson, 34, has written a book. Fortune Favours The Brave consists of 76 short lessons in finding strength in vulnerability…

Since Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt in 2016 citing ‘irreconcilable differences’, it’s not just the Hollywood beauty who has distanced herself from the 60-year-old star, who confessed to excessive drinking and pot-smoking… The former ‘It’ couple – who were together for 12 years and married for two after controversially meeting on the set of Mr & Mrs Smith in 2004 (while the hunky star was still married to Jennifer Aniston) – share six children between them: Maddox, 22, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, Pax, 20, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 15. Various reports since the shock split after an alleged incident on the Jolie-Pitt private jet have hinted at a separation between Brad and his children – although an investigation cleared Brad of all wrongdoing. Cementing that most…

1 NATURAL COLLECTION Remember this Boots brand from the Nineties? Once famed for bath pearls and confetti, Natural Collection has returned with a clear focus on sustainability. The formulations are vegan, cruelty-free accredited and made from 90 per cent natural ingredients. As for the packaging, it’s made from recycled materials and fully recyclable, and, proving that going green doesn’t always have to have a big price tag, the range is under £5. We love their Wild Wood Body Wash, £3, with its uplifting orange blossom scent. 2 WELEDA B Corp certified, this Swiss beauty brand takes its eco credentials very seriously, even down to the ingredients. Its latest launch, the Pomegranate & Maca Peptides range, uses a sustainable peptide that works just as well as its synthetic counterpart. It even…

Despite having some of her toughest times since losing beloved partner Eddie Rothe in 2021, and her mum a few years before that, Northern star Jane McDonald isn’t slowing down anytime soon. The 61-year-old singer – known for her popular travel shows (including Cruising with Jane McDonald) – is headed for panto alongside Julian Clary, and a new tour. Here, she tells us more... Jane, how are things? Very good, thank you. Your career just goes from strength to strength – you’ve got panto coming up. How will you handle the naughty humour? Oh dear, I don’t know. I’ve lived a long time – I’ve heard everything, and I think if I don’t do it now, I never will. I’m just going to embrace whatever comes to me and have…

On holiday, many of us worry about packing enough mosquito repellent or our luggage arriving with us at our destination – but for sisters, Georgia and Melissa Laurie, something beyond their worst nightmares was about to become a reality… The twins, 31, from Sandhurst, Berkshire, had taken a trip to Mexico in June 2021 and were staying in a hostel. Through a tour guide recommended by their accommodation, they paid to go on a riverboat sightseeing excursion of the nearby Manialtepec Lagoon in Puerto Escondido – famous for its rich scenery and wildlife. Despite being told the murky waters were safe, something was lurking underneath unbeknown to the small group. Shortly after jumping in, Melissa was dragged underwater by a crocodile. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, she said: ‘It all happened…

It was 3am and my alarm was sounding. I turned it off and listened to see if I could hear anything as I crept downstairs. In the lounge, there was a secure playpen I’d set up, complete with a cosy bed and heat pads. I scooped up the week-old puppy and nestled him to my body before feeding him some special puppy milk through a bottle. Once he had a full tummy, and I’d encouraged him to go to the toilet, it was back to bed for both of us, until I got up for work at 6am. I’d been helping to hand-rear rescue puppies and kittens with the RSPCA for years, and although it could be full on, it was rewarding. During 2023, there were only four weeks out…

I KEEP FANTASISING ABOUT THE GARDENER! I know I’ll never act on it, but I can’t stop thinking about the hunky young gardener who comes round every two weeks when my husband’s at work… Now that the weather’s getting warmer, he’s started mowing the lawn topless – and you can imagine where my mind’s going! I feel so guilty when my hubby walks through the door, but this is all quite innocent, isn’t it? Jade, Suffolk Relax. Enjoy gazing at your hunky gardener. You are not doing anything even remotely dodgy. We’re all allowed to admire attractive people whether we are married or single. Fantasising is part of life. It doesn’t matter if it’s Harry Styles or your gardener, your thoughts can roam in whatever direction you choose, as long…

GEMINI 22 May – 21 June This is your last full week of the sun in your sign, and with Mercury there too you have the chance to express yourself clearly. Now is the time to say what you’ve been bottling up. There may be some opposition, but if you’re calm, clear and firm you’ll get at least some of your own way, and gain respect into the bargain. CANCER 22 June – 23 July You may worry about speaking your mind but people are more likely to feel uneasy with you if you hold back. Speak your truth, from the heart, and don’t let fear muddy the waters. As long as you aren’t motivated by petty ego you’ll get a deeper understanding than you imagined. A spiritual connection is…

Jasmine Harman has a job that can make most of us green with envy. As presenter of A Place In The Sun, she works in the hot spots of Europe, helping house hunters find their perfect retreat. Jasmine is married to Jon Boast, with whom she shares kids Albion and Joy, and recently followed her own advice and moved the family to the Costa del Sol. We caught up with her to talk body image, veganism and the sad loss of her friend and co-presenter, Jonnie Irwin. Hi, Jasmine! How are you? I’m good, thank you. I am just off to Menorca to film a revisit episode – catching up with some people I helped a few years ago. I can’t even describe how much I enjoy seeing people’s lives…

1 ’ELLO, DOLLY Fashionista Gok Wan made our hearts melt recently, when posting this gorgeous snap of his fur baby, Dolly the dog. As Dolly posed on a blanket in Gok’s bed, the 49-year-old This Morning star wrote on Instagram, ‘Dolly says night...’ 2 Who wowed the crowd? The ladies of daytime opted for bold, bright dresses with GMB’s Charlotte Hawkins, 49, vibrant in a yellow piece from The Pretty Dress Company, Susanna Reid, 53, taking centre stage in a cobalt blue number by Hobbs London, and Loose Women’s Charlene White, 43, stunning in a lime Lindex dress with LK Bennett shoes. Strong shades and matching shoes made a powerful statement for our TV favourites 3 LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON It’s no secret that Jeff Brazier and his…

When the Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis in March, the nation’s hearts collectively broke. But few will have felt the unimaginable pain of her mother – Carole Middleton. Carole, 69, has been at the side of her 42-year-old daughter, silently and stoically supporting Kate as much as she can, since her daughter started preventative chemotherapy. She has not spoken about Kate, as she once famously told The Telegraph, ‘Over the years, it’s proved wise not to say anything’ but she was photographed driving her daughter in the first picture following her abdominal surgery in January. She’s also said to have rallied around her and become a ‘Mary Poppins-like figure’. Sources close to the Royals have also told how mum-of-three Carole has also taken the pressure off Kate and…

Putting on some earrings, I smiled at myself in the mirror. ‘We’re going to be late,’ my friend Denise called out. We were going to her parents’ anniversary party, and I loved any excuse to get dressed up. ‘Is John going?’ I asked as Denise slipped on her shoes. John was her brother’s best friend and I’d seen him from time to time riding his motorbike. He was a handsome 21-year-old then, and there was something about him that intrigued me. I’d never spoken to him, but I had a crush on him! Walking into the Izaak Walton pub, in Enfield, Middlesex (now part of north London), in early 1967, the sound of music and cheerful chatter pierced my ears. Everyone was in high spirits. I spotted John at the…

CALM BLOTCHY SKIN You need: ¼ cucumber, 1tsp honey, full-fat yogurt Purée your cucumber, add the honey and enough full-fat yogurt to get a consistency that you can easily apply over cleansed skin without it dripping off. Leave for 10 minutes, then rinse it off. Cucumber is 95 per cent water, so really helps with hydration, and is full of antioxidants to help calm skin. Meanwhile, the yogurt helps to lightly exfoliate dead skin cells. UNCLOG PORES You need: 2tsp oatmeal, 1tsp baking soda, water Mix the oatmeal and baking soda in a bowl. Slowly add a few drops of water to create a paste. Massage over trouble spots and let dry. Rinse off with warm water and apply moisturiser. Oatmeal and baking soda have exfoliating properties, to remove dead…

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As the phone started ringing, I could already guess who would be on the end of the line. I’d only dropped my son at school an hour earlier but I knew ... ‘Hi, Kym. We have to suspend Josh again,’ said a familiar voice. My son Josh is only seven and this was his 10th suspension. He’s now missed more than 40 days of school in the past 12 months (due to suspensions). Josh has ADHD and we’re awaiting an autism diagnosis. He goes to a mainstream school on a reduced timetable, only attending for one to two hours a day. Even with one-to-one support, the school is unable to meet his needs or manage his behaviour, which includes kicking, hitting and throwing. He’s been through around eight teaching assistants…

FULLY BOOKED You know that thing where you know you’ve got to do something - no matter how simple – and then you can’t do it, just because you know you have to do it? Well, this happened to me recently. I was asked to join a radio programme where I was to suggest my favourite book for two other people to read, as well as read a book the other guests had suggested. That made three books to read all together. Not too tricky… but then came the moment where I had to choose my favourite book. Did I even have one? And while The Very Hungry Caterpillar was good, I knew I’d have to choose one without pictures and preferably for adults. Turned out I had a couple…

1 There’s a safe way to remove debris from your eye ‘Don’t stick your finger in your eye or force yourself to cry in an attempt to remove an eyelash or dirt. If blinking and your natural tears don’t take care of it, you need to step up your efforts’, says Raman Bhakhri, associate professor at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. Especially if you’re experiencing heavy tearing, redness, or light sensitivity. Flush the eye with a medical grade eyewash (found at chemists) or use clean water. If symptoms persist or you’ve got a chemical in your eye, seek medical care urgently. 2 Your diet plays a part Carrots are known to feed your eyes, but you should munch on these surprisingly eye-friendly foods too. ● Kale This leafy…

Throughout its 64-year history, Coronation Street has become famed for its strong female characters. And this summer, the women of Weatherfield are taking over the cobbles once more, with a series of dramatic storylines. Sisters Leanne and Toyah are to be tested like never before, with Leanne being further drawn into the cult-like Institute and Toyah growing increasingly close to Leanne’s husband, Nick. Meanwhile, Maria is close to breaking point with son Liam recovering from his bullying ordeal, while Carla is desperately trying to repair her relationship with Roy. Here, Alison King (who plays Carla), Jane Danson (who plays Leanne) and Samia Longchambon (who plays Maria) fill us in on all the soap drama – and the firm friendships they’ve formed, including with Helen Worth, who has just announced her…

best magazine, ISSN 0954-8955, is published weekly by The National Magazine Company Ltd, t/a Hearst Magazines UK, c/o USACAN Media Dist. Srv Corp at 26 Power Dam Way Suite S1-S3, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. All rights reserved. No part of best may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Not to be resold, lent, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade at more than the recommended retail price (subject to VAT in Republic of Ireland) or in a mutilated condition. Printed by Walstead Roche Ltd, Victoria Business Park, Roche, Cornwall, PL26 8LX. The publishers, editors and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services that may be…

One is a King of Football and Fashion – the other is the actual King. And one thing was clear when David Beckham and King Charles recently got together and posed for a pic – they both think each other is the bee’s knees. The former England captain, 48, had a private meeting with Charles at his Highgrove home last month to discuss his new role as an ambassador for the King’s Foundation and afterwards they were pictured beaming on the steps of the country retreat. During the visit to Charles’ Gloucestershire hideaway, the pair bonded over their shared hobby – beekeeping. Beckham said: ‘It was inspiring to hear from the King about the work of His Majesty’s foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens – and compare beekeeping…

TOP TIP A polka dot dress is a timeless piece that you can easily dress up or down…

Sitting in my room,with clothes and hangers poking untidily out of my wardrobe, I turned on my camera. ‘The make-up dos and don’ts for women over 40,’ I spoke confidently into the lens. I’d made up one side of my face with methods I’d used from my 20s – lip liner drawn to the bottom of my mouth, my eyebrows arched in a downwards motion, and a light eyeshadow across my eyelid. ‘Let’s face it ladies, we’re not 19 any more…’ On the other half of my face, I applied my make-up differently: drawing an upward slated cat eye with liquid liner to lift my eye and slightly over-lining my lips, stopping halfway to give a plump, youthful shape. ‘Look at the difference,’ I said, comparing the two sides. I…

HOW IT WORKS 1 You can eat yourself into a happier place whatever the weather. There are lots of Mediterranean-inspired meals, ingredients that smell or taste of Summer, and foods packed with vitamin D, which mimic the effects of sun on your skin. 2 Pick one of our breakfasts, lunches and dinners each day – and if you get peckish, snack on one of our summery staples. And drink like it’s sunny out – 2 litres of water, diet soda or unsweetened tea and coffee daily. Start each day with a cup of hot water with lemon to freshen your system. If you want to add a burst of Summer, add 1tsp of coconut oil (from health stores) to the mix. 3 Plus you could lose 7lbs in 7 days…

Bloody Mary If you want a Virgin Mary, just leave out the vodka but squeeze in some more lime so you get more of a tang in it. Makes: 4 • 150ml vodka• 450ml pure tomato juice• ½tsp hot horseradish sauce• 1tsp Worcestershire sauce• 4 dashes Tabasco sauce• ¼tsp celery salt• ½tsp cracked black pepper• 2 limes, cut into small wedges• Ice, to serve Mix all of the ingredients together in a jug. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary, adding more heat, pepper or lime according to your taste. Add a couple of handfuls of ice and serve with a stack of tumblers. English breakfast quiche Here are all the flavours of a traditional full farmhouse English fry-up – all combined in a delicious quiche. Try to resist smothering it in…

TOP TIP! Mix and match textures to create a dreamy look…

NAME: MIAAGE: FOURBREED: DUTCH HERDER Mia was rescued at just nine days old and has spent her whole life in RSPCA kennels since waiting for a home. She had a challenging start to life and has never lived in a domestic setting, so needs an experienced owner who can help her adapt. She’s intelligent and has lots of energy, which means she can get over-excited at times. Contact: Southridge Animal Centre, Hertfordshire on southridge@rspca.org.uk. NAME: SARAHAGE: FOURBREED: LURCHER Sarah was rescued from a welfare case and is still, two-and-a-half years later, waiting for her forever home. Sweet-natured, cheeky with a big personality, Sarah can initially be very shy with new people. She is playful and loves zooming around the off-lead paddock. She’d like experienced owners and needs an adult-only home. Contact:…

With partner Paul and three children – Paul, Rosie and Edward – reality star Sam Faiers, 33, lives in a home big enough for all. It just took eight years to make it look this good. Here, we’ve picked out a few of our favourite rooms……

Melanie locked her front door, clutching her collection bag. It was a perfect morning for beachcombing. This early, she should have the beach largely to herself. Walking along the shoreline, she thought about her conversation with her mum when they’d been out shopping yesterday. ‘You should’ve hung on to Paul,’ Jan had sighed. She’d come to visit Melanie for the day. ‘Mum, I’m not in the habit of hanging on to a man for the sake of it!’ ‘Yes, but… look at you, Mel.’ ‘OK, I’m looking.’ She’d been wearing her usual charity shop ensemble which had, in fact, featured three designer labels. Norton-on-Sea was full of affluent retirees and Mel had a direct view of drop-offs at three charity shops from the cafe where she worked. ‘I mean, look…

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/bestcross2424 ACROSS 1 DOWN 1 Reese Witherspoon played which character in the 2001 film ‘Legally Blonde’? The answer will appear in the shaded squares. Phone and online entries open 11 June 2024 until midnight on 28 June 2024. Over 18s only. †Calls cost 65p per min plus your telephone company’s network access charge, and should last no longer than 2 mins. Service provided by Spoke (0333 202 3390). *For full T&Cs see below. We will use the information you supply to process your competition entry. For our privacy notice visit hearst.co.uk/privacy-notice.…