Table of contents for 48 - 2016 in Best

At our office Christmas party on Thursday, a fair few of us will be partying like Ab Fab’s Patsy Stone – forgetting how old we are, singing along to Look At Me by Geri Halliwell and shouting, ‘More Prosecco, anyone?’ And, just to make sure we remembered what it’s like to party like it’s 1992, we caught up with Joanna Lumley on page 50 and she reminded us about Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. Just out on DVD, it makes a great Christmas present for your girlfriends, daughters… or yourself! If your office party is just around the corner, let us know how it goes – the good, the bad and the downright Patsy… ‘ Please let us know your thoughts on facebook.com/bestmagazine EXECUTIVE EDITOR SIOBHAN WYKES…

Brad Pitt and his blooming co-star, French actress Marion Cotillard, shared a sweet kiss at the London premiere of their glamorous war thriller, Allied. They cracked jokes on the red carpet, and Brad, 52, happily posed for selfies with excited fans. But, knowing that the world’s media was trained on his every move, it can’t have been easy for Brad to appear with pretty Marion, 41, whom he had been falsely rumoured to be having a fling with. Pregnant Did you know? Despite constant rumours, Jen has quashed reports that – like Angelina and her ex – she wants to adopt a baby, after becoming involved with a Mexican orphanage. Marion had swiftly shot down the alleged affair rumours in a statement on her Instagram page – another chapter in…

Currently getting the nation singing on BBC Two’s The Choir: Gareth’s Best in Britain, household name Gareth Malone is about to release his new album, A Great British Christmas, full of festive classics recorded with choirs across the country (and the odd celeb). Gareth, 41, who lives in north London with wife Becky, an English teacher, and children Esther, six, and Gilbert, three, has been attempting to bring the cool into choral singing for 10 years now - and we still can’t get enough… Hi, Gareth! The new album’s lovely. What’s your favourite track? As a father, seeing refugees get on boats with their kids and risk their lives was heartbreaking. I wrote Restless in response to that. It’s poignant for me. I live in a nice house, with food…

Osteoporosis in the family Q My elderly mother has been diagnosed with osteoporosis – am I at risk? A Yes, I’m afraid so. Osteoporosis is a condition which causes the weakening of bones, and makes you more likely to suffer bone fractures. It affects over three million people in the UK, and post-menopausal women are more at risk, due to the hormonal effects on their bones. You’re more likely to have it if your mum does, and it’s also more common in smokers and women chronically underweight. Make sure your diet is rich in calcium and vitamin D, and start weight-bearing exercises, like jogging. Molluscum waiting game Q My child has a skin condition called molluscum. The GP says I’ll have to wait for it to clear up. Is there…

Seeing stars When it comes to prints, statement stars – as worn by celebs like Kate Beckinsale, left – will add a touch of magic to your seasonal wardrobe. • A distinctive star print gives a winter maxi a fresh new look. Team with knee-high suede boots for supercool 70s glam. • Go laid-back with a star slogan sweater or T-shirt, a perfect alternative if novelty Christmas jumpers aren’t on your wish list this year. • Pick up a star-studded tunic dress now and you’ll still want to wear it when spring arrives. Choose one with choker-neck detailing to add interest to your daytime look. • Let your accessories do the the talking this party season by upgrading to a knockout evening bag that’s guaranteed to leave everyone starry-eyed! Arm…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Ho, ho, ho! Santa will soon be coming. So if you’re looking to lose weight in time for his visit, then look no further. We’ve come up with a juicing plan to help boost your immune system, burn fat and get you in the Christmas spirit! 2 Each day, just follow the menu (right), which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks. One meal is substituted for a juice per day (recipe below). 3 Your Clementine Cocktail (makes two glasses): Each morning, blend 400ml of water with 1 clementine and a quarter of orange, both chopped, plus a splash of cranberry light juice. Pour in a pan and warm with a cinnamon stick and two cloves. Add extra water if you wish. Remove the spices to…

Great gift idea If you have a gin fan in the family, then the M&S Create Your Own Blueberry Gin Kit, £20, makes a fabulous bespoke present. It contains all the ingredients to make a unique tipple that will have everyone talking on the big day. On-the-move food Batchelors’ microwavable lunch pots are packed full of hearty ingredients and include one of your five-aday. Choose from either the High Protein, High Veg or Soup & Dippers options, each priced at £1.99. Party pieces Who doesn’t love a sausage roll? Just in time for Christmas, Iceland has transformed the ultimate party food into this seasonal showstopper. The Pork, Chutney and West Country Cheese Garland, £4.99, will make the perfect centrepiece at any gathering, as it tastes scrumptious served alongside leftover turkey…

BEST’S CELEBRITY INSIDER TALKS TO SUBO Scottish singer Susan Boyle, 55, who’s sold over 20 million records since her first appearance on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, is now a muchloved artist. Here, she opens up about losing her beloved sister, and explains why she still puts her trust in Simon… You recently performed for Children In Need – was that difficult without Sir Terry Wogan at the helm? It was like not having a friend around, because I had got to know Terry very well – this was my sixth appearance. He was the face of Children In Need, and it felt very different without him there. I will miss him sorely. ‘When my sister died, I had to take a step back’ Your new album, called A Wonderful World,…

Win EVERY WEEK WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £10 0 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES STRAIGHT CLUES ACROSS 1 Employment progression (6) 5 The activity of MPs, etc. (8) 9 The day after this (8) 10 Noted (6) 11 Unwell (3) 12 Hold in check (8) 14 Spotted visually (4) 15 Milled grain (5) 17 Foolish (5) 18 Spherical toy (4) 19 Investigation (8) 23 Compressing snake (3) 25 Something to aim at (6) 26 Vast numbers (8) 27 Item of cutlery (8) 28 Sibling (6) DOWN 2 Nuclear particle (4) 3 Full of sentiment (9) 4 Of the countryside (5) 5 Strength, might (5) 6 Elevators (5) 7 Stopwatch, e.g. (5) 8 Carefully (10) 13 Meant on purpose (10) 16 Book storage areas (9) 20 Margins (5) 21…

Reading the incredible news story recently about the British girl, known as ‘JS’, who died of cancer aged 14, and won her legal battle to be cryogenically frozen after death, I was in utter shock. In a letter read to the court, JS said, ‘Being cryopreserved gives me a chance to be cured and woken up, even in hundreds of years’ time.’ Her story is terribly sad, and as alien as a sci-fi movie. That’s not to say that years from now, cryogenics won’t work. But currently, there is zero evidence that this process, costing from £37,000, does anything but take huge sums of money from people who sometimes can’t even afford it. JS’s maternal grandparents reportedly scraped together the costs. Her father has accused the American company storing her…

‘A danceoff between Honey G and Ed Balls - that’d be hilarious!’ POOR GORKA He’s bounced back, but that unprovoked attack on Gorka outside a bar in Blackpool did shake me a bit. I’ve never had any negativity directed at me, but it does make you watch your back. I’m so glad he’s OK. FEELING FESTIVE Filming the Strictly Christmas special last week was lovely. It always makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, and this year, we have the gorgeous Matt Goss performing! It’s also a great chance for a catch-up with our former contestants. A LOW-KEY BIRTHDAY It was my 61st birthday last Friday, but I didn’t have a party, just some Champagne with close friends. I usually have a delayed celebration after the craziness of Christmas! Two…

TOP TIP Invest in adhesive hooks. They’re cheap and they won’t damage your fireplace!…

Did you know? A fifth of all break-ins at car parks take place at Christmas Out & about Sadly, car theft goes up in December, as thieves spot vehicles filling up with festive goodies. Ask if you can pick up valuable shopping on the way home and don’t leave stuff on show in your car. If you do have anything stolen, most car insurance covers you for goods left in the car (between around £50 and £250) and home insurance may cover you for personal items outside the home to a higher maximum. Finally, call your credit card provider in case it covers goods paid for with the card against loss, theft or accidental damage, usually up to 90 days after purchase. DO IT FOR FREE Save cash by making…

Get the Look TOP TIP Layer up the bed and any armchairs with cosy textiles and cushions in rich winter shades for a luxe look.…

‘Jennifer and I were a lovely double act!’ At 70, Joanna Lumley is more fabulous than ever. Starting her career as a model in the 60s, she starred in The New Avengers as pin-up Purdey, before becoming the champers-swigging, beehived Patsy Stone in 90s sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. Now a doting grandmother, Joanna lives in London with her husband, conductor Stephen Barlow. What are your best memories from the Ab Fab movie? Working with Mad Men’s Jon Hamm – I felt no pain doing that – and filming with my old pal Barry Humphries. When he appeared with that seedy moustache and those repellent white teeth, it was hard to look at him! And there was the obvious pleasure of being back with Jennifer [Saunders] – Patsy smoking like a train…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Koh Samui is Thailand’s second largest island and, thanks to its palm-fringed beaches, plush resorts and lively nightlife, it attracts young travellers and wealthy holidaymakers alike (Posh and Becks even own a luxury home in its hilltops). The best time to visit is during the dry season (mid-December to April) but, even in the wettest season (September to mid-December), showers are usually short and fall after 3pm, so it’s seen as a year-round holiday destination. INSIDER’S GUIDE Northwest of Koh Samui lies the Ang Thong National Marine Park, a cluster of 42 protected islands that are uninhabited and undeveloped. They’re said to be the inspiration behind Alex Garland’s blockbuster novel, The Beach, made into a 2000 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Visiting the park is easy – tour company…

We are used to seeing David’s sense of humour, but it was Victoria Beckham who stole the show recently, when the couple took part in illusionist David Blaine’s Beyond Magic TV show for ABC in America. In a rare glimpse into what Piers Morgan calls ‘the real Victoria – smart and funny’, we saw the 42-year-old cracking a joke at the expense of her hubby, David, when the magic show ended and she asked, ‘Has anyone made David disappear yet?’ No, Victoria, David is still here! But he and son Brooklyn, 17, were awestruck as they watched two frogs spilling from the magician’s mouth and into his hands. The 41-year-old former footballer ignored his wife’s quip and stuttered, ‘David [Blaine] asked me to say the name of an animal he…

Liquid luxe Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color, £8.99 Simple and stylish, this lasting lightweight lippie with gel technology really makes lips pop. Best ON Test Clinique Pop™ Lacquer Lip Colour and Primer in Lava Pop, £16 Super-easy to apply, and lasts a few hours without needing to be retouched. Bright and vibrant without being too bold! W7 Mega Matte Lips in Chippie, £4.95 A highlypigmented and rich colour that doesn't need to be re-applied. Cheap and cheerful. Make it matte Bourjois Rouge Edition 12 Heures Lipstick in Rouge Your Body, £7.99 Kiss-proof, smudgeproof and foolproof. This bargain formula doesn't budge for anything! George at Asda Matte Lipstick in Luscious, £4 A flattering pinky-neutral that glides on. It has a velvet texture that is a little drying, but it stays…

UK WORKERS TOOK AN AVERAGE 1.85 DAYS OFF SICK LAST YEAR At this time of year, it seems inevitable that you’ll pick up a cough or a cold. So how come there’s always that one person in the office who seems to escape all the bugs? They don’t have superpowers, they probably just follow a few easy steps to keep healthy and avoid the germs. It can be simple, effective and cheap! SPOT THE DIFFERENCE Don’t be confused between a common cold and flu. Most people will have had a cold – blocked nose, sneezing and feeling pretty lousy. It usually lasts about a week. Far fewer people have really experienced flu. Flu is a serious illness, often causing 10 days of muscle aches, sore throat, fever and significant tiredness.…

Every bride feels extremely blessed on her wedding day, but I had even more reason to than most. Not only was I marrying the man I loved in front of my friends and family, I was also getting my dream big day for free – the venue, the reception, the champagne… And it was all thanks to my obsession with entering competitions. I started ‘comping’ back in 2003 as a way of filling the time on my hour-long commute into work. But, after my first big win – an all-expenses paid holiday to New York, worth £4,000, later that year – I was hooked. Before long, I was entering 300 competitions a week and winning everything from a six-month supply of cheese to festival tickets worth £500, as well as…

I’ll always treasure my last Christmas with Brittany. That morning, I woke up to the smell of fresh coffee and cinnamon buns, and we laughed as we exchanged presents and poured champagne. Aged 29, my darling daughter had been married just over a year by December 2013. And as I watched her and her husband, Dan, cuddle their rescue dog, Bella, I hoped I’d have a grandchild soon. Brittany had always wanted to be a mum. Perhaps it was because she was an only child. She wanted a big family – at least four children of her own. She and Dan were planning to go away for New Year’s Eve, and I thought perhaps she’d get pregnant. But, on the night of 31 December, Dan called me. Brittany was in…

Sticky white chocolate cake SERVES 6-8 150g butter 150g good-quality white chocolate, broken into pieces 2 eggs 200g caster sugar 150g plain flour Pinch of salt 2tsp vanilla extract ½tsp grated lemon zest Optional toppings (see method) YOU WILL NEED A 23cm springform round cake pan, greased and lined with baking paper 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas 4. 2 Melt the butter in a saucepan over a low heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the white chocolate pieces until melted. Set aside. 3 Beat the eggs and caster sugar until pale and fluffy in a stand mixer or using a hand-held electric whisk. Sift the dry ingredients into a separate bowl and fold gently into the egg and sugar mixture. Fold in the lemon zest and chocolate-butter…

To add an extraspecial touch of glimmer and glow to my festive table this year, I’ve created a stunning display that combines light, glass and glitter. It can also be used to add a cosy feel to a fireplace, and makes a fab window display. If you’re looking for a simple, low-cost way to add a bit of sparkle to your home, this is it! Enjoy… Claire Richards xx HOW TO MAKE IT Glass jars in various sizes Low-tack masking tape Mod Podge Sparkle Gloss Mixing bowl Gold glitter Selection of glitter foliage (or you could do it yourself, applying glitter to branches of greenery from your garden) Copper Wire LED Lights Gold Wire LED Star Lights PREPARATION 1 Select your glass jars and decide which ones you would like…

…joining the hilarious supermarket set comedy It’s been brilliant – I’ve always wanted to do a comedy. And I’m lucky, as my character, Holly, is a store manager, so I don’t have to wear the green nylon uniform! …going blonde Everyone thought I’d dyed my hair for the stage show Breakfast At Tiffany’s. But it was just a blonde wig, which was good, as I think bleaching my hair would have wrecked it. ….moving down south I hated London at first, because I’m so Northern, but now I’m kind of on my own there and around friends and having fun, it’s different. But I’ve been on tour so much, I’ve just been living out of a suitcase – I only go home to repack it. …missing Strictly I was backing Daisy…

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