Table of contents for 43-2024 in Best

Maybe younger smarter women than me point out attributes to their daughters, nieces and grandchildren that aren’t about looks. Instead, they tell them how smart they are or say how brilliant it is that they’re assertive (not bossy as it would have been seen in my day). At my age, I’m afraid I’m still guilty of saying to my nine-year-old niece: ‘Don’t you look beautiful in that dress?’ or ‘Aren’t you pretty…’ Looking back on my own life, that way of speaking to girls is, I believe, learned behaviour, passed on from mother to daughter for generations. I’ve dieted on and off since the age of 16, when it was made very clear to me by my size 8 mother that I’d never get a boyfriend, never mind a husband,…

Bright, bubbly and beautiful – Bake Off host Alison Hammond, 49, is the perfect example for curvier women to embrace the size they are with confidence. Having recently admitted on an episode of This Morning that she’s so body confident her house is ‘filled with naked pictures’ of herself, while her personality is often celebrated, her size also makes Alison a target for online abuse. In a recent interview about whether the backlash she faces is ‘racist or sexist’ the mum-of-one added, ‘Ultimately, I don’t care what people think. That sounds like it doesn’t bother me. It does.’ She continued, emphasising self-acceptance: ‘But I think I’m good enough and it’s me I want to impress. Most people who criticise others don’t love themselves… I mean, I’m happy plodding along in…

STUCK ON PETE Pete’s stick-on tattoo with a picture of me giving a 10 was inspired! Although the score was certainly wishful thinking on his part! The funny thing was, I bumped into him in the car park after the show and he was complaining he couldn’t remove my face –I am sure it will come off in the shower eventually. He is a good stick – really charming, funny and down to earth. A PERFECT 10 I heard Chris said a seven from Craig is like a 12 from anyone else. Well, it’s true I certainly don’t hand scores out willy-nilly and I do err on the side of caution. Seven is good, eight is excellent, nine is exceptional but a 10 has to be absolutely perfect! It has to…

BEST OF BRITISH! It’s British Beauty Week, so now is the time to celebrate some home-grown products. Not only are they amazing value, but there are also some great dupes for premium brands. Take Neal’s Yard, launched in the 1980s in London with products in over 23 countries across the world. There are classics, like Wiberg’s Pine Essence, that has been around since the 1930s. Revolution Beauty, is another British-born hero founded in 2014. Who knew that Nails Inc, founded in London, is 25 years old this year? The chances are some of these are in your make-up bag already - I know they’re all in mine. And, since all of these are under £10, that’s something well worth celebrating too. 1 BUZZY LIP BALM Neal’s Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Beautiful…

One-pan undone lasagne If you love everything about lasagne except the time it takes to make it, then this is for you. This is not a traditional recipe for lasagne – it’s more for those wanting all the comforting gooey yumminess of lasagne, but in an instant. Try it – you’ll love it! Serves 6 • 2tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1 brown onion, finely chopped • 3 cloves garlic, crushed • 600g of beef mince • 1 litre of good-quality beef stock • 3 x 400g cans of crushed tomatoes • 2tbsp chopped oregano leaves • Sea salt and cracked black pepper • 250g of fresh lasagne sheets, cut into 5cm x 21cm strips • 5g of chopped basil leaves, plus extra leaves to serve MASCARPONE CHEESE TOPPING…

SHE’S STARTING TO LOOK SCARY! My sister has had so much cosmetic surgery (she’s an addict, if I’m honest). Not only is she utterly unrecognisable, she looks more cartoon than human! She’s 10 years younger than me, and people think she’s twice my age. My biggest wish in life is that she’d just stop with the procedures but there’s no talking to her. If she were your sister, what would you do? Jolene, North London Your sister is too far down the road of cosmetic surgery addiction to stop now. She joins the battalions of people, who get used to their latest ‘tweak’ and find themselves craving more and more procedures. Ideally, the surgeon she consults should tell her it’s unwise to go under the scalpel again. The time should…

TOP TIP! For little luxuries like these for £10 and under, subscribe to best’s FREE newsletter at facebook.com/bestmagazine, for all the latest recommendations!…

Newly engaged Lady Gaga – real name Stefani Germanotta – is no stranger to eccentric outfits and portraying quirky characters (some call her the Queen of Halloween!). Here, the 38-year-old tells us about her preparation for the iconic role of Harley Quinn in the latest Joker movie, working alongside Joaquin Phoenix - and why she’s determined to change the world... So Lady Gaga, firstly tell us what made you want to be a part of the world of the Joker? You know, actually, it was the first film, it deeply moved me, and I loved it so much. Todd [Phillips] did a beautiful job making it, and Joaquin’s performance really set the bar extremely high. And I think sometimes when stories are told about people that are maybe misunderstood by…

The sun was shining as I stepped out of the hospital and walked through the grounds towards a nearby table. It was a Wednesday lunchtime in June this year – I was working as a nurse and still wearing my blue scrubs. I sat down in an area where there were other staff having their lunch, as well as the relatives of patients. I opened up my supermarket-bought chicken meal. Lifting the first forkful into my mouth I started to chew it but when I tried to swallow, it got stuck in my throat. I started coughing. I coughed again to try and dislodge it, but it was no use, it was stuck. I couldn’t breathe. Realising I was in trouble, I knew it was important not to panic (I…

MALEVOLENT SPIRIT? Have you ever been scared by any of the spirits you have communicated with and what would you advise readers if they think they’ve had interaction with a malevolent spirit? Sadie, Hertfordshire LEE SAYS: Hi Sadie, I’ve come across many different experiences but, being a medium, we cannot show them that we are frightened of those if they are bad ones. Before I go to do a cleansing, I put a spiritual bubble of protection around myself. And once I’ve cleaned them away, I never feed them by thinking about them and allow them to come back. So if you feel uneasy, put a shield of protection around yourself and demand that they leave you in peace. We are the ones on the earth that are in control.…

bestmagazine, 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 bestmay 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 advertised or…

What else would you expect from Vanessa Feltz’s memoir, but a rip-roaring and honest story that pulls absolutely no punches? Vanessa, 62, reveals all from her days as a gifted child, a Cambridge student and a young bride – before an accidental media career made her, ‘the nation’s second-most-famous fat person’. There is heartbreak along the way – the collapse of her marriage to her husband referred to in the book only as, ‘The Good Doctor’ and fiancé dubbed, ‘The One Hit Wonder’. We caught up with Vanessa - best’s agony aunt and now a very proud grandmother, – to hear all about her incredible story… Vanessa congratulations on your book – it’s a riot! Very nice of you to say so and it’s a huge relief to me when…

Hugging my birth mum, I’d felt overwhelmed with joy. It had been over 30 years since we’d been together, after she’d made the agonising decision to place me in an orphanage, from which I was adopted. Finally reunited, I felt no resentment, only happiness. I was born in a town called Cluj, in Romania in the 1980s. The country was in the grips of the communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. There was terrible poverty and around half a million children ended up in care, their families unable to feed them. My birth mum, Valentina, now 52, was just 16; it was impossible for her to keep me. Aged five months, I was placed in a state-run orphanage where I’d live for the next two years. In many orphanages, a handful of…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Experts found that people who ate foods containing resistant starch (RS) – found in wholegrains, pulses, seeds and green bananas, as well as pasta, rice and potatoes that have been cooked and cooled – consumed around 10 per cent fewer calories the following day. It’s because this type of starch acts the same way as fibre and fills you up. In fact, RS passes straight through the body to the bowel! 2 By adding these super-carbs to main dishes rather than serving as a side, meals are healthy and filling but also portion-controlled – a double whammy for weight loss. Resistant starch isn’t digested, which means fewer calories, and it helps control appetite hormones, so no more horrible dips in energy that have you reaching for the…

Olly Smith has been sharing his passion for wine and drinks for 20 years! The BBC1 Saturday Kitchen regular has become a food hero for P&O cruises as well as an award-winning author. With his knowledge of all things booze, the only thing Olly is more enthusiastic about – other than the glass of the good stuff – is sharing it! So, in his monthly column, he’s recommending his best buys to help you pick up some boozy bargains and even better – they all cost less than a tenner! BLUEPRINT AUSTRALIAN SHIRAZ 2022 (14.5%) £6.99 Waitrose Shiraz is my go-to smoky grape at this time of the year. It was the grape that got me into wine in the first place, with its charry aromas, black fruit and herby…

Sex, scandal, betrayal and excess... All the things we are expecting from Disney+’s Rivals - based on the Jilly Cooper favourite. It has a stellar line-up including Alex Hassell, 44, as the iconic Rupert Campbell-Black, Poldark’s Aidan Turner, 41, as Irish TV star Declan O’Hara, Doctor Who’s David Tennant, 53, as Lord Tony Baddingham, Danny Dyer, 47, as millionaire Freddie Jones, and Emily Atack, 34, as MP’s wife, Sarah Stratton. Here, the Rivals stars tell us all about it… DANNY DYER Plays Freddie Jones ‘He’s the Alan Sugar of Rivals’ Danny, had you heard of Jilly Cooper before Rivals popped into your inbox? I’d heard of her. I’d never read her books. The nature of my game, I don’t read much in my spare time. I have to read a…

MEET OUR TESTER THEO MICHAELS TV presenter and former MasterChef contestant Theo is passionate about good quality food! He’s also an author of eight brilliant cookery books, including Canned, which helps transform store cupboard ingredients into delicious meals. Theo has joined best to put own-brand staples to the test to help you find the best Essentials without compromising on flavour. MORRISONS CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP 72p In third place, this soup showed off a deep red colour alluding to a depth of flavour which it didn’t fail to deliver on. With hints of bright red ripe tomatoes, this classic soup is very enjoyable. TESCO CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP 62p Joint third, this was a good solid all tomato soup, again, showcasing a deeper colour than some of the others. It…

The true story of Sweet Bobby, a jaw-dropping catfishing case, shook the internet and is now on the small screen with a Netflix documentary. If you thought you’d heard it all when it comes to online scams, get ready – this one will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about relationships in the digital age… At the heart of this tale is Kirat Assi, a smart radio presenter and marketer from London, who was tricked into an intense relationship with someone she believed was her dream man for almost a decade… Yes, you read that right – for nearly 10 years, Kirat was manipulated in an emotional and psychological rollercoaster – all orchestrated by someone very close to her. The shocking truth? Her dream guy ‘Bobby’ wasn’t a…

I don’t know if it’s because it’s ‘cuffing season’ – for those that don’t know, it’s the time when people look for someone to date between October and February – but I don’t want to be a lone ranger when I’d rather be snuggled in front of a log fire. I’ve been looking back over the year of dates and wondering why I’m still waiting for ‘the one’… or as Bridget calls it – ‘Looking for my lobster!’ Anyone else seen the episode of Friends where Phoebe declares that Ross is Rachel’s lobster? If you haven’t, give it a go – even if it’s for no other reason than the feelgood factor that it leaves you with! Anyway, back to my yearly review: Firstly, there was the millennial who drank…

The workmen digging up the road are laying new cables, according to the letter that came through the door from the electricity company, apologising for the ‘temporary disruption’. In the five days since digging started, I’ve watched the progress of men at work (haven’t spotted any women among them) while trying to do my own work from home. First off, the workmen dug a trench outside the house, ring-fenced by red barriers. Then they spent a couple of days prodding said trench. And ever since, it seems to me, they’ve been standing around looking at a hole in the ground. I’ve a feeling that if I went out and mentioned this, they’d reveal they were monitoring the hole for mysterious purposes known only to men in hard hats. Well, now…

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/bestcross4324 ACROSS 1 4 9 10 11 12 14 15 17 18 20 21 22 DOWN 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 13 14 15 16 17 19 Which Biblical figure is said to have died at the age of 969? The answer will appear in the shaded squares. Phone and online entries open 22 October 2024 until midnight on 8 November 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…

Finding out you might be related to Jack the Ripper is probably not the top of anyone’s wishlist, but that’s exactly what’s happened to former TOWIE star, Gemma Collins… After researching her family history, the 43-year-old discovered that her great-greatgrandad, William Williams, lived on Dorset Street in east London – where the infamous killer left some of his victims’ mutilated corpses. The serial killer brutally murdered at least five women – possibly as many as 11, back in the mid 19th century. ‘My great-great-grandfather worked in a workhouse and died there. I think that’s the reason they can’t find Jack the Ripper – because it was him,’ she explained. ‘It could only happen to me. It would be my luck that he would be one of my relatives!’ This discovery…

TOP TIP Experiment with different grey shades and textures for a chic look – and it pairs well with black and white too.…

‘I was reading the other day of a new book which claims you can change your life just by getting up earlier. It’s called The Miracle Morning and its author, Hal Elrod, says it can help you fulfil your dreams, lose weight and reduce stress. Well, I don’t know about all of that but I’ve always been a fan of early mornings. I love the idea of being awake in the world before the rest of it gets going. You get to observe the other morning people such as the bin men, the milkmen, and the paperboys, or girls, obviously. I also think it helps maintain good mental health, especially if, like me, you don’t have to get up early. I know a lot of people do because they have…

Sitting at my sewing machine, I finished off my final homemade, reusable make-up pad and felt pleased with what I’d achieved. I’d bought six bibs in a local charity shop for £1, before cutting and sewing them into circular pads that I could use to remove my make-up. Because of the material they were really absorbent, and I’d be able to throw them in the washing machine in a bid to be more sustainable. It was the beginning of lockdown, and it had seemed like a really good idea – not only for the purse strings, but for the environment (and the boredom levels!) too. It was just one of the ways I was being thrifty – something I’d always enjoyed and had done from a young age. Growing up,…

A sagging jawline can sneak up on us, especially as we get older. One day you’re suddenly staring in the mirror thinking: ‘When did that happen?’ But that doesn’t mean you need to think about a facelift. In fact, you can see a significant change without going under the knife. I like to give clear, sensible advice with a focus on realistic results and practical options, so here are the treatments you could consider... THE GAME CHANGER MORPHEUS8 This innovative treatment has been making waves, combining microneedling with radiofrequency (RF) energy to stimulate collagen production deep beneath the skin and remodel the tissue. It’s the perfect choice if you want to tackle sagging skin at a deeper level and achieve a more defined, youthful jawline. It’s not a quick fix;…

Standing in a dark room, I felt a crackle of static electricity. Suddenly, I heard a man laugh malevolently in my ear and goosebumps covered my skin. I was on an investigation at a haunted museum in Workington, Cumbria, and there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that I’d just encountered a ghost. As a paranormal investigator, I’d hear, see and speak to spirits – some harmless, others sinister – and help the dead move on to wherever we go next. Some people would find this kind of work terrifying, and there’s no doubt it can be scary at times, but it’s also fascinating, exhilarating and satisfying when I can help a spirit find peace and bring calm to wherever it’s been haunting. I’d always been aware of spirits. Growing…

TOP TIP! These timeless shades of wood and cream add a countryside feel to any home!…

Holding my dad’s frail hand, I looked into his eyes and saw love reflected back at me. ‘Thank you for everything you’ve taught me. I’ll never forget you,’ I whispered. It was January 2021 and these were my last moments with my dad Robin, 84, who was dying from Covid-19. It was the height of the pandemic and I was togged up in full PPE. I’d had to beg nurses to let me be by Dad’s side. For months, I’d watched him deteriorate from dementia in his care home. Because of Covid restrictions, I’d only been able to see him at his window or talk on the phone. It was heartbreaking. After he died, I was overwhelmed with grief. I felt lost. My relationship had broken down and though I…

It sounds like the plot of a true crime documentary, but for the residents of a small New Zealand town, the disappearance of a New Zealand dad Tom Phillips and his three children – Jayda, 11, Maverick, nine, and Ember, eight – is both a very real and deeply unsettling mystery. Phillips, 38, known for his love of the outdoors and being a ‘smart bushman’ – vanished without a trace, along with his children just before Christmas in December 2021. They left behind their mum, Catherine, along with endless unanswered questions... The family lived in New Zealand’s Marokopa, a small coastal town in the Waitomo District. Surrounded by rugged landscapes and dense forests, the area has a small population of just 69 residents, according to the 2018 Census. “IT WAS…

1 Set the mood You don’t need to go out to feel the love, or even need anyone else’s company. Simply making a romantic atmosphere at home for yourself can make ordinary moments feel special. It might only be Wednesday night – you might have nothing to celebrate, but take the time to create serenity. Try subdued lighting, put on music and get into your cosiest PJs! 2 Be kind to the future you The daily mental load can suck the life out of most of us. How lovely would it be for someone to tick just one of the items off the daily list? Do something nice for your future self. By preparing breakfast the night before, you will wake up feeling lighter. You can thank yourself tomorrow! 3…

Star of Ocean’s 8, Benjamin Button and the 2015 adaptation of Cinderella (she made the evil stepmother role even more iconic), Aussie-born star Cate Blanchett, 55, reveals why she’s gone from big Hollywood blockbusters to the small screen on Apple TV+’s new series, Disclaimer. Playing a woman whose life has been turned upside down, the blonde star (who has been married to director hubby Andrew Upton since 1997) admits she didn’t initially like her character, but the series is a reminder that nothing is as it seems... Here, Cate tells us all about it… Cate, what made you want to go from film to TV with Disclaimer? Well, director Alfonso Cuarón sent me the script, so I knew it was going to be good before I read it. He wanted…

HISTORICAL HITS THE GOOD LIARS Anita Frank HQ, £9.99 In the Summer of 1914, a boy vanishes... never to be seen again. Six years later, as the case is reopened, the Stilwell family of Darkacre are disrupted as suspicions are raised and the dead return to haunt the living. A smartly plotted chiller, brimming with atmosphere. THE PEEPSHOW Kate Summerscale Bloomsbury Circus, £22 The murders at 10 Rillington Place have gone down as some of the most notorious crimes in British history. This gripping true-crime investigation breathes life into the women whose lives were ended there and suggests a thought-provoking new theory. KILLER THRILLERS NIGHTFALL Amanda Brooke HarperCollins, £8.99 A year after the death of her mum, Paige and family gather on a remote Welsh mountain to scatter her ashes.…

PET OF THE WEEK Name: MannyOwner: Holly from KentBreed: French Bulldog CALLING ALL PETS! From funny to cute, we’re looking for more pets to star in our ‘Day in the Life’ series. If you think your animal is the perfect match, email bestpets@hearst.co.uk with details of your pet, plus a series of snaps.*…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT With the last-ever instalment of the hit BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey due on TV soon, the spotlight is once again on the Welsh town where much of the series has been filmed. It’s well lush! Barry lies in the Vale of Glamorgan in South Wales, around 10 miles from Cardiff. Its fun resort, Barry Island, offers simple seaside pleasures for holidaymakers, from arcades and adventure golf, to great beaches and coastal walks, creamy ice cream and the tastiest fish and chips. It’s a popular place for dog walkers, as from October to April four-legged friends are allowed on the beach at Whitmore Bay. And 17 years after the first episode aired, fans still regularly come to follow in the footsteps of Gav, Stace, Nessa, Smithy and the…