Table of contents for 49 - 2017 in Best

You can’t help thinking how proud Princess Di would be of her romantic, thoughtful son. At 36, actress Meghan has three years on her groom-tobe – smart boy, Harry, older woman are the best! It reminds me of my own brush with a Prince Charming. A nice chap from Hotter Shoes who popped into best HQ. Just like Harry, he got down on one knee… and while we loved his offering of fancy shoes, I’d have much preferred a sparkler like Meghan’s! • Please let me know your thoughts, siobhan.wykes@hearst.co.uk EXECUTIVE EDITOR…

Whether they’re chatting up a group of hunky firemen or presenting a serious news report, Kate Garraway, 50, and Ranvir Singh, 40, are two of our most popular TV presenters - and, clearly, the best of friends. We catch up with the duo concerning their Christmas plans, and ask what kind of shenanigans go down at the annual office knees-up with Good Morning Britain’s Piers, Susanna and the gang... Hi, Kate and Ranvir! You two seem like great friends. Kate: We’ve always been really close. Ranvir was on Daybreak with me for two years, so we’ve known each other longer than just our time on Good Morning Britain. We’re similar and we tend to laugh at the same things. We’re both mums, too, so we have that connection. Ranvir: We…

’Tis the season to be beautiful, so it’s time to put on your most gorgeous party face. Here are some of the best festive facial tweaks. BOOST YOUR FACIAL CURVES In a young face, the widest part is the cheeks, tapering down to the chin. We call this the Triangle of Youth, and restoring volume with a Liquid Lift can make you look fresher as well as treat wrinkles and sagging skin. During the 45-minute procedure, various fillers are used according to the facial area being treated. A hyaluronic filler is injected under the cheekbone muscle to give your lower face a lift. The hollows under the eyes are injected with a finer filler, smoothing the area. It’s painless and you’ll see instant results, lasting up to a year. Prices…

Orange and pomegranate side of salmon Marinating salmon in the fruity orange and pomegranate juices brings out the sweetness in the fish. Let it infuse overnight, if you can, for maximum flavour. Hands-on time: about 15 minsCooking time: about 20 mins, plus marinatingServes 6 Finely grated zest and juice of 2 oranges, plus extra slices to decorate 6tbsp pomegranate juice 1tbsp honey1kg side of salmon1tsp oilPomegranate seeds, to decorate 1 Mix together orange zest and juice with pomegranate juice and honey. In a large serving dish or roasting tin, lay the salmon flesh side down and drizzle over juice mixture. Cover, chill and marinate for 30 mins (or overnight if possible). Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. Line a baking tray with baking paper and grease with oil. Place salmon…

After performing two sell-out shows with my Steps family in London, I am ready for a little down-time sitting at my craft table, creating special projects for you to try over the Christmas period. This week we’re making table decorations. These are so easy to do and really just take a little arranging flair to get the right combo! Love Claire xx WHAT YOU NEED Wooden tray White paint Silver glitter Mod podge gloss glue Selection of pine cones, such as birch, pine, cypress Cotton pods, white land lotus pods, bakuli pods [all Hobbycraft] 3 battery-operated church candles Reindeer moss [Hobbycraft] Hot glue gun Natural casuarina [Hobbycraft] Mini silver, glitter and white baubles Wooden stars [two sizes] 1 First of all paint the wooden tray with the white paint, and…

…who he’s backing for the Strictly glitterball Definitely Debbie McGee – I love her. I think it’s really great that there’s someone aged 50-plus with a chance to win. I’m not bothered about the fact that she trained as a ballerina, lots of people who have been in Strictly have had dance backgrounds, and she’s never done ballroom! You still have to learn the steps. Her love of dancing is what matters. And you can see she does love it – and she’s got Giovanni! What isn’t nice about her experience? …what he thinks about the new head judge, Shirley Ballas It’s really important to have someone respected in the role of head judge, and she is a God in the ballroom. I think it’s great that she’s there, and…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZE S Win EVERY WEEK TO ENTER CALL 0900 100 0921 (UK 65ppm)† / 1550 716 022 (ROI 97cpm) † CODE: PUBSTN17852 STRAIGHT CLUES ACROSS 8 Young people (8) 9 Sweeping tools (6) 10 Non-return mechanisms (6) 11 Enemy forces taking occupation (8) 12 Beef, lamb, etc. (5) 13 Bent one leg in respect (5) 14 Carmen, e.g. (5) 16 Vast sea (5) 18 Section, part (5) 20 Panoramas (5) 25 Creator of busts, etc. (8) 26 Smoothly and equally (6) 27 Handed out (6) 28 Capable of happening (8) DOWN 1 Part of a sentence (6) 2 US lift (8) 3 Have faith in (5) 4 Creature with a shell (5) 5 Over, higher than (5) 6 Capital of…

Want to look your best for Christmas and the party season? We’ve come up with a seven-day plan full of seasonal superfoods to help you slim into your party dress, and nourish your body along the way. Handy for this time of year when you have more colds than hot dinners, and tend to burn the candle at both ends. We’ve included great sources of nutrition such as turkey, salmon, sprouts, parsnips, carrots, clementines, cranberries, dried fruit, nuts and cinnamon. These seasonal foods can help improve your health, and aid everything from reducing sugar levels to boosting your vitamin and mineral intake. HOW IT WORKS 1 Follow the seven-day plan (right) that includes daily breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks 2 Aim to drink at least 2ltr of fluid daily including…

THOUGHT OF THE DAY A life lived in fear is only half a life. I’m dreading spending Christmas with my ex As Christmas approaches, I’ve found myself in quite an awkward predicament. I split with my husband last year after he cheated on me, and I dread the thought of having to sit in the same room as him on any day – let alone at Christmas. But my two kids want to spend the day with both of us, and I don’t want to ruin it, for their sake. Jane, Norfolk Christmas is always laden with emotion – joyful, sad for some and occasionally having to put up with an awkward situation. In a way, your last line says it all. Obviously you don’t want to ruin Christmas for your…

‘If there isn’t anything going on between them, there should be!’ HOT TICKETS Everyone really seems to have got Strictly fever this year. So many people are asking me for tickets, but the truth is we all get just a pair a week. They’re like gold dust. I feel no one believes me when I say I can’t get them in! PLAYING CUPID ON CAMERA I was a bit naughty shouting, ‘Kiss, kiss,’ at Mollie and AJ. I just can’t help myself! But when you’re not in the show any more, you have to do something to keep yourself entertained. If there isn’t anything going on between them, there should be! They have so much chemistry. Our very secret Santa Every year, we do a secret Santa among the pro…

Top truffles Morrisons The Best Salted Milk Chocolate Caramel Truffles, £3 Warning, once you open these, you will not be able to stop eating them. Divine! Asda Extra Special Gin & Sloe Gin Belgian Chocolate Truffles, £2 The intense chocolates are for G&T fans only. Strong, boozy and full of alcoholic flavour. Lidl Deluxe Marc De Champagne Truffles, £3.99 A rich, chocolate filling with a hint of bubbles – luxurious. A bit of this Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Milk, White & Dark Belgian Chocolate Assortment, £6.50 Nicely presented, but too many fruit ones for our liking! Hotel Chocolat The Christmas Gift Box Luxe Classic, £35 Forty-two intricate assorted treats, ideal for a loved one. The Christmas Mess is a personal fave. Heston from Waitrose The Edibaubles Collection, £13.50 A little…

The sad news that Davina McCall and husband Matthew are splitting shocked us all. She was famed for having one of the most successful marriages in showbiz. But, last week, Davina revealed she’d split from husband Matthew Robertson after 17 years of marriage – just two years after the couple renewed their vows. Mum-of-three Davina, 50, said, ‘I am very sad to say that Matthew and I have separated. Our amazing children are our number one priority.’ The sad-looking star was then photographed house hunting as she stepped out still wearing her wedding ring, while Matthew, 48, was pictured without his. News of their split comes after Davina confessed they had turned to therapy in a bid to save their marriage. Last year, The Jump host said she and businessman…

TOP TIP Sequins need not be unforgiving – knitted styles with a dark base flatter all shapes. TOP TIP Wrap styles are perfect for curves, so release your inner Jessica Rabbit! TOP TIP It’s never been easier to find catwalk style on the high street.…

The festive season can seem overwhelming if you’re not in the party mood yourself – perhaps this time of year reminds you of a bereavement, or there just aren’t friends or family for you to celebrate with. Maybe you opt out of all the socialising and planning that comes with Christmas, but here are ways to keep your mood up... CHRISTMAS CHATTER If you find yourself getting lonely at Christmas, explore an online community where you can talk. There are spaces where you can chat safely, explore your feelings and not feel so isolated. Big White Wall is one such place for people with mental health symptoms who are finding it hard to cope: bigwhitewall.com. Another supportive community where you can talk about your feelings is elefriends.org.uk. MOOD ENHANCERS Keep…

The nation’s heart melted at the news Prince Harry had proposed to Meghan Markle as they roasted a chicken, saying he knew the first time they met that she was The One. And, of course, an equally smitten Meghan said ‘yes’ to the stunning ring that Harry designed himself – a gold band with a stone from Botswana, as well as two diamonds from his mother Diana’s collection. The pair are set to tie the knot at Windsor Castle next May. It’s been a whirlwind romance for the couple, who were set up on a blind date by their mutual friend, fashion designer Misha Nonoo, 18 months ago. The actress revealed, ‘We met for a drink, then very quickly we said, “What are we doing tomorrow? We should meet again.”’…

As I put the final bauble on the Christmas tree, my husband, Stephen, spoke. ‘I’ve got something to tell you,’ he said. After 15 years of marriage, I could read his expression and he looked scared. But I wasn’t prepared for what came next. Standing there, the mantelpiece cluttered with cards and the tree lights twinkling, the man I’d loved since I was 24 told me he didn’t want me any more and was leaving. We talked, but nothing I said made a difference. He told me that the spark had gone. It was two days before Christmas, and I was desperately worried about our children. In the end, we agreed he’d stay until Christmas morning to see Richard, then 15, and Tahnee, 12, open their presents. In those two…

The average family plans to spend £225.02 on festive food and drink this year, according to figures from Vouchercodes. But our financial expert, Sara Benwell, says Christmas lunch needn’t cost a fortune. Here’s what you need to know… 1 HOW IT WORKS Research carried out by The Daily Mirror investigated the price of 11 Christmas essentials to find out where you can buy the cheapest festive feast. Every supermarket competes to create the most affordable Christmas dinner, made up of turkey, potatoes, stuffing, sprouts, carrots, parsnips, cranberry sauce, Christmas pudding, brandy butter, mince pies and Christmas cake. 2 BEST VALUE The winner was Aldi – where you can get Christmas dinner for eight at a bargain £24.28. Unfortunately, that’s more than last year’s total. Good Housekeeping carried out similar research…

Nice as pie For a meat-free meal alternative, pick up Hearty Vegetable Puff Pastry Pie, £2, by Sainsbury’s – packed with hearty chunks of leek, swede and butternut squash in a rich sage and thyme gravy. Serve with sweet potato mash and veggies for an indulgent way to your five-a-day. A simple start Make light work of starters this Christmas with The Best Prawn Cocktail Kit, £12, from Morrisons. Just assemble the succulent shelled prawns, Cognacinfused Marie Rose sauce, plus jumbo king prawns and lemon wedges. The kit serves four but, if you want to stretch it to six, you could add some chopped avocado. Treats to savour If you love a spreadable cheese, stock up on the new Boursin Trio Gourmand, £3. This moreish mini selection comes in Garlic…

It’s her last series playing the Queen, but as actress Claire Foy bids farewell, she only looks back with fond memories. The 33-year-old is married to actor Stephen Campbell Moore and they share a two-year-old girl. Tell us about series two, and how the Queen changes… It’s another set of challenges. The world is changing around her, and she can’t keep up really — and nor can the monarchy. Also, she’s in a different part of her life. She’s moving into middle age. Her marriage is changing. Have you heard whether the Queen has watched the series? There’s every chance she has watched it, and I hope she likes what she sees and understands what we were trying to achieve. When you’re playing a real person, you never want to…