Table of contents for 34 - 2018 in Best

Last week, Dani from our showbiz team was lucky enough to preview The Children Act – starring Emma Thompson (see next week’s issue for our interview) and Hollywood star in the making, lead man Fionn Whitehead (in cinemas on Thursday). She gives it five stars and says, ‘Emma is outstanding as the brilliant but tortured high court judge. She has to rule on the case of a young Jehovah’s Witness with leukaemia, Jack, in a twisting tale about relationships. Warning… Take your tissues. Utterly brilliant, but will leave you in tears.’ Why not check out the fantastic trailer now on YouTube! Please let me know your thoughts, siobhan.wykes@hearst.co.uk EXECUTIVE EDITOR…

When your friends are in trouble and your family is in turmoil, your natural instinct is to rush over and offer words of advice and a shoulder to cry on. Unless, perhaps, your destiny is to be the future Queen of England. For 65 years, our current monarch has – in public at least – remained neutral and kept her thoughts, even on family matters, to herself. And, bearing in mind she has to maintain a similar decorum, the matter of how to deal with the problems besetting the Royal Family must surely be concerning the Duchess of Cambridge. With the situation with her family becoming more awkward by the day, Meghan must be feeling the strain. And, as a newcomer to The Firm, the new Duchess is said to…

Birmingham-born Emma Willis, 42, has been presenting Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother since 2013. She’s been married to Busted star Matt Willis for 10 years, and is mum to Isabelle, nine, Ace, six, and two-year-old Trixie. This summer, the loved-up couple renewed their wedding vows in a star-studded ceremony. Here, Emma discusses fashion disasters, bad perms and why she’ll always love Big Brother. On loving Celebrity Big Brother being back… I love the show, and I’m as addicted to it as I was 18 years ago. Even if I didn’t work on it, I’d still watch it every evening. And this year is such a great line-up. When I heard a few of the names of the celebs coming on, my jaw hit the floor. On the fact the…

‘There’s an old saying that goes, ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’, a really good one to remember when you’re off on your foreign holidays. It’s just a shame that 81-year-old gran Freda Jackson didn’t. She saved hard to go to Benidorm with her friend but, when she got there, she found to her amazement that there were Spanish people who’d had the same idea as she’d had, and gone there too! Spanish people on holiday in a Spanish country? Well, knock me down with a feather! So, naturally, Freda complained to the tour operator, Thomas Cook, demanding a full refund for her spoilt holiday. Among other things, ‘the entertainment in the hotel was all focused and catered for the Spanish’! She actually said, ‘Why can’t the Spanish…

JOIN THE CONVERSATION Digital currency to help the homeless A new project is being trialled in Oxford where homeless people are given ‘barcodes’ to wear around their necks in a bid to increase donations when so few people carry cash these days. The social project – Greater Change – hands QR codes to homeless people (like those issued online for tickets), and anyone who wants to donate can scan the code with their smart phone and make an online payment to that person. It goes into an account managed by a case worker who ensures the money is spent on agreed targets like a rental deposit. For more information, visit greaterchange.co.uk. Do you think it’s a good idea, especially if there are pre-agreed targets, or is this going a step…

‘Right now, I’m just happy to be with Jack,’ says Dani Love Island has changed Dani Dyer’s life for good. The 22-year-old has come out of the ITV2 reality TV monster hit with prize money in her pocket, a nation of fans and a soon-to-be-husband. But Dani’s dad, EastEnders actor Danny Dyer, 41 – who had Dani with his wife, Joanne Mas, when they were just 18 – has urged the couple to take things slowly and enjoy their lives before settling down. ‘You should live your life first,’ he told her. ‘There are benefits to having kids early, but you lose a lot of your own childhood and self-discovery.’ Danny said that looking after his baby daughter had been a ‘24-hour-a-day thing’ for him and Joanne. He added, ‘Sex…

See in the new season in style with Bonmarché’s fabulous new collection, full of timeless staples, modern silhouettes and sophisticated details. Layering pieces is key for autumn and Bonmarché has plenty of options, from chunky knits and super-soft ponchos to padded jackets that’ll keep you warm super stylishly. The all-new Edit by Mark Heyes is available from September and features figure-flattering designs in bold striped prints for an on-trend update. The Bonmarché collection is available in sizes 10-24 and shopping with the store has never been easier – visit one of its 300+ shops, go online at bonmarche.co.uk or call the order line on 0330 026 2728. HOW TO CLAIM YOUR 20% DISCOUNT Simply redeem your 20 per cent off at the till, via telephone or online, when you spend…

Now, more than ever before, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to the hundreds of beauty brands on our doorstep. From the USA to Korea, we can take advantage of the expertise international developers have when it comes to choosing new products. Take your pick! Fake it yourself Summer body scrub Prone to dry elbows, feet and knees? We can build up scaly patches all over, but these hard-wearing spots are particularly susceptible so need a little extra action aside from layers of moisturiser. Grapefruit is very acidic and, as an ingredient in beauty products, this helps to break down the dead skin cells that can build up. Combining this fruit with an oil will add moisture and stop the formula stripping the skin too much. Slice a grapefruit,…

Cod with chorizo and tomatoes A quick sauce made in the pan is the star of this restaurant-style meal. Serves 4 Per serving: 309 cals, 11g fat (5g saturates), 24g carbs (3g total sugars) 500g baby potatoes, halved if large25g butter75g chorizo, skinned and cut into 1cm chunks4 x 125g cod or pollack fillets, skin left on100ml white wine200g cherry tomatoesLeaves from 1 rosemary sprig, finely chopped 1 Cook the potatoes in a large pan of boiling salted water for 10 mins or until tender. Drain thoroughly. 2 Meanwhile, heat the butter in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the chorizo chunks for 2 mins or until golden. Add the cod fillets, skin-side down, and fry for 4 mins. Carefully turn the fillets and cook for 1 min…

1 RAID THE BAKING CUPBOARD Bicarbonate of soda (£1.50 for 500g) is mildly abrasive and a great natural deodoriser. Sprinkle it directly on to a damp sponge to remove scuff marks from walls or banish lingering food odours from plastic food containers. Make up a paste, half bicarb and half water, to shift dried-on food from worktops, kitchen cupboards and the inside of the microwave. It will even deodorise carpets – just sprinkle it on, then vacuum it up after 15 minutes. 2 MAKE YOUR OWN CLEANING CLOTHS Old T-shirts and towels that have been retired from use can embark upon a second career as cleaning cloths. Cut up pure cotton or towelling fabrics into squares roughly 40cm x 40cm. The soft, fine texture of T-shirt fabric makes it great…

Prue Leith, 78, is married to retired clothes designer John Playflair. She has two grown-up children. Prue, how would you sum up this series? It was much more relaxed. I loved last year and didn’t necessarily think it would get better, but it did. Yesterday, Sandi got everybody playing croquet… with a children’s croquet set! Danish Week and Vegan Week are new. Did the latter make Paul grumpy? It wasn’t his favourite week! Vegan food can be absolutely delicious. The people who have vegan sisters or friends sailed into it, others had to do more work. Vegan is easier than gluten-free. I’ve never made a gluten-free loaf anybody would want to eat. It’s impossible. It must’ve been sweltering in the tent during the heatwave… It was so hot I thought we’d…

Shane Lynch joined Boyzone in 1993, and the group went on to sell 25 million records. Here, the 42-year-old Irishman, who has daughter Billie Rae, nine, and Marley Mae, five, with his second wife Sheena White, talks about why the band’s upcoming tour will be their last, and how they plan on paying tribute to fellow bandmate, the late Stephen Gately… Next year marks 25 years since Boyzone was formed. Do you remember your first day in the band? I remember the final audition. I was one of 10 boys left on stage. One of those was Colin Farrell, who’s now a Hollywood actor. I was standing there thinking, ‘Wow, this is actually going to happen.’ Then I got picked for the band and my life changed forever. Colin hasn’t…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Situated south-west of Portugal near the north African coast, Madeira is home to a diverse landscape, a thriving, self-sufficient agricultural industry and thousands of British people who choose to emigrate every year. Its seasonal climate makes it a great choice for a mini-break all year round. A popular destination for walkers, holidaymakers can also enjoy a slower pace of life on this chilled island. INSIDER’S GUIDE Don’t go to Madeira expecting a beach holiday, for the majority of the coast consists of marinas – in fact, sand is imported from Morocco to create man-made beaches! One of the island’s biggest selling points is the breadth of landscape, from the glistening coastline to the lush vegetation inland. The Monte Palace Tropical Gardens (£11, montepalace.com) is a peaceful sanctuary with…

We have 1,000 nail lacquers to give away! Nails in need of a new-season makeover? All That Jazz’s range of glossy bolds, glitters and metallics offers all the benefits you would expect from a professional lacquer range – in over 100 colourful shades. Now, best is giving you the chance to claim one of four hot summer shades. They're formulated with the latest professional technologies, providing full coverage in two effortless coats and a super-quick drying time, so you can expect gorgeous nails with a smooth finish that will last up to seven days. We have one All That Jazz Nail Lacquer, worth £9.98, to give away to each of the first 1,000 readers to claim. See the details below on how to claim your free polish!* HOW TO CLAIM…

1 MUM’S HAVING A GIRAFFE! Let’s be honest – what mum hasn’t made her kids feel uncomfortable at some point by kissing them in public? But this adorably proud mum made our hearts melt in the best office this week. Snapped on safari in South Africa, the pic shows a mum tenderly kissing the head of her of newborn calf. Admittedly, the little one looks a little embarrassed, but hey – it’s happened to us all. Andrea does the splits, Fergie’s fab in a fitted gown and Linda’s lovely in a jumpsuit – looks like all three are on the same fashion page 2 Who wowed the crowd? These celebs are looking red-hot, and we’re hoping they keep the rain clouds away – at least for the rest of August!…

Since it started in 2001, Celebrity Big Brother has never failed to provide jaw-dropping telly. One shocking moment none of us will forget was Vanessa Feltz’s meltdown in Series 1. Vanessa flipped on Day 3, and started scribbling obscenities on the kitchen table in chalk. She even refused to listen to Big Brother’s repeated demands to stop. Another surreal moment was in 2016, when contestant Tiffany Pollard mistakenly thought contestant David Gest had died while on the show. She was in hysterics as Angie Bowie tried to inform her that her ex, music legend David Bowie, had passed away. Poignantly, David did pass away later that year.…

HAVE YOU HAD YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAY? ARE YOU DREADING IT ALL COMING TO AN END? Calum: I am, but I’m determined to keep that sunshine feelgood factor alive well into autumn. So, here are the five habits I’ll be adopting – and I suggest you do, too, to increase your energy and feel good. Firstly, try investing in a juicer. Every morning, indulge your digestive system with a fresh juice made with fruit and veggies, and add raw ginger and a peeled lime. The citrus is great for your gut, and ginger gives you an awesome energy kick. Secondly, if you are a coffee drinker, switch to organic coffee and add a tablespoon of organic coconut oil. This is called ‘bulletproof coffee’, and you’ll find it will fill you up…

Jump start A culotte jumpsuit will see you through every season in style. A stitch in time Embroidery will give a plain dress a pretty twist. Smock swap Easy to throw on – a much-needed wardrobe staple! Wonder waist A maxi with a pulled-in middle is great for showing off curves. TAP THE APP! Thermometer gives you a temperature for any destination so you can always be fashionably prepared!…

Linda Robson has impressed everyone with her lifestyle overhaul, and subsequent weight loss, in the past year or two. She has, she says, lost around 2st 7lb, and dropped three dress sizes to a size 12 (though, back in April she admitted she’s ‘stopped weighing myself’). But, judging by recent pictures, the Birds Of A Feather star has upped her game even further – she now looks positively tiny. Linda vowed to lose weight after a diabetes scare last year, and has proved to be a total trooper. She’s apparently ditched not only sugar, but also her nightly glass (or three) of wine, something she has admitted was ‘the hardest thing’ of all. ‘I’ve just turned 60 and I feel better and fitter than I did at 50!’ says Linda…

Mum’s having an extramarital affair… Mum and Dad have been happily married for 37 years – or so I thought. Last weekend, Dad told me and my brother that Mum, who’s 60, has been having an affair with a work colleague for three years. What’s truly devastated all of us, poor Dad first and foremost, is that Mum just packed a bag and left after she confessed! She won’t talk about her plans and becomes unpleasant when any of us tries to talk to her on the phone, which I think is guilt. Is there anything that my brother and I can do to help clear up this mess? Or is it best to leave Mum and Dad to sort it out themselves? Rebecca, Nottingham Wow. First of all, I’m sorry…

Light bite! As an alternative to crisps, pick up a pack of Sunbites Veggie Harvest, £1.85 for six. They’re the UK’s only vegetable and multigrain snack, and come in two tempting flavours, Roasted Red Pepper and Chilli and Caramlised Onion & Balsamic Vinegar. Plus, at 117cals per bag, you can afford to treat yourself. Heck of a burger The new Heck Spring Chicken Burger, £4 for four, contains spring onions, chilli and ginger, and taste great in a bun with crisp lettuce and a bit of mayo. Available at heckfood.co.uk Up to speed! Whip up a fast and filling lunch with a little help from Napolina Risotto Bowls, £2 each. These tasty pots come in three variants, Wild Mushroom & Thyme, Mediterranean Vegetable and Cherry Tomato & Basil, and take…

TOP TIP Group together quirky objects to create a stylish display.…

… her character in the new film Sharknado: It’s About Time My character, April, has changed so much since the first film – she’s grown. She even died in number three and got brought back to life in number four! … what it’s about We’re time-travelling, we see George Washington and then we’re in the dinosaur age. It’s about protecting the world, and parents protecting their children. We’re ending this one with a boom! … the last Sharknado film It’s been a blast and has been like home for so many years now. It feels like it’s time for the last one, though. But ask me in 10 years… … an American Pie reunion I’ve seen the script! I said to the writers, ‘Come on, guys, are we seriously not…

GUERNSEY LITERARY & POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY Lily James, Matthew Goode and Jessica Brown Findlay star in this delightful film set in Guernsey during WWII. Out Monday, £9.99. BELLEWETHER BY SUSANNA KEARSLEY This romance travels through centuries. In 1759 a captured soldier falls in love with the daughter of the house. Centuries later, a young historian investigates their story. Sourcebooks, £8.99. UNDER MY SKIN – GABRIELLE This is the London-born singer’s first album in 11 years, and marks 25 years since her hit debut single Dreams. And those signature, soul-stirring vocals are as powerful as ever. Amazon.co.uk, £9.99.…

He shot to fame in 2006 with How To Look Good Naked – a show that encouraged women and men to feel good in their own skin, without losing weight or going under the knife. Since then, Leicester style guru Gok Wan, 43, has written books, presented his own cookery show and documentaries, and is a regular fixture on ITV’s This Morning. Here, the ‘makeover maestro’ fills us in on his latest project - a series of events for women up and down the country, in the form of fashion and style masterclasses and much more… What can we expect from your new masterclasses? You’re getting all the laughs, all the fun, but also serious body motivation and confidence. First up, there’ll be a five-star brunch, then two live runway shows…

In 2010, Madeira suffered devastating floods and landslides, killing 42 people and destroying many homes and businesses. In the aftermath, the residents and government have rebuilt the area. Rua Santa Maria in Funchal, one of the affected streets, became a home for the Art of Open Doors project, inviting artists to decorate the front doors with brilliant street art. The pedestrianised strip is lined with bars and restaurants serving traditional cuisine, as well as international food (we spied Korean and Japanese offerings, among others).…

WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZES TO ENTER CALL 0900 100 0921 (UK 65ppm)†/1550 787026 (ROI 97cpm) † CODE: PUBSTN18599 STRAIGHT CLUES ACROSS 1 Drugs, ointments, etc. (8)5 Fruit, one is part of a hand (6)10 Opposite of winner (5)11 Transgressing against a law, e.g. (9)12 Brought by courier (9)13 Reverie (5)14 Sacred song (4)15 Sketched (5)18 Asian country (5)20 Thin fencing sword (4)22 Dark beverage (5)24 Blossoming (9)26 Conception, mental creation (9)27 Control a vehicle (5)28 Rends, tears cloth, e.g. in two (6)29 Given under a vow (8) DOWN 1 Tune (6)2 Put on show (9)3 Mobile home (7)4 At no time (5)6 Presented (7)7 Crop up (5)8 Debate, disagreement (8)9 Personal connection (4)16 Gifts, powers (9)17 Gingersnaps, digestives, etc. (8)19 Opposed to,…

Splitting up Ant and Dec – once that would have been like, well, gin without tonic. Yet now, it’s official. Ant and Dec are no more – for this year, at least. Ant, 42, has announced he’s taking a break from TV, stating that he needs to give himself time to recover from his addiction issues, following his driving ban in April. Dec, also 42, has already stepped up to host Saturday Night Takeaway solo, and now faces a trip to the Australian jungle in November without his best friend and co-host. It’s the end of an era, really – the duo have presented the show since 2002. But it seems highly unlikely Dec will be hosting the ITV survival reality TV show alone. So who could be flying Down…

TOP TIP This jacket is the perfect autumn cover-up, and looks fab teamed with black trousers and heels. TOP TIP One wardrobe must-have is a stripe top. Shop for one with colour-block sleeves or embroidery. TOP TIP Not quite ready to slip back into jeans? A pair of linen culottes are a stylish alternative.…

Packing our cases, my wife, June, and I couldn’t contain our excitement. We were heading to Paignton, in the West Country, for a week-long holiday, and you’d be forgiven for thinking we’d never been before. But, in fact, it’s where we’ve spent almost every single holiday we’ve ever had. We’ve never been outside the UK and have no desire to jet off abroad, but then, why would we? For the past 48 years, we’ve spent our holidays in what we like to call the English Riviera. It all started back in 1968, when I met June at the factory where we both worked. I was 25 and worked in payroll, June was 16 and worked in welfare. She was absolutely beautiful, kind, and a very special person. My family hadn’t…

Fancy a quick fix? The latest generation of speedy nips and tucks can treat everything from wrinkled faces to baggy eyes in as little as 15 minutes. THE 45-MINUTE FACE LIFT The Five Point Face Lift is a new, non-invasive procedure that can lift sagging cheeks, jowls and brows without pain and with hardly any downtime. Using local anaesthetic, tiny incisions are made near the hairline and soft sutures are inserted at five points in the face to lift sagging skin back into place. There may be a little bruising, which can be covered with make-up. You’ll see instant results that can last up to two years. From £990. THE 30-MINUTE VITAMIN INFUSION ENERGY BOOST Lost your get-up-and-go? A poor diet, too much stress and a lack of sleep can…

TAP THE APP Want to see what you would look like with coloured contacts? Eye Color Studio edits your photos to show you!…

HOW IT WORKS 1 It’s simple – during the week you eat a healthy, low-calorie diet that helps you lose weight. Then, at the weekend, you simply aim to maintain that loss and enjoy a few treats. Come Monday morning, it’s back to watching those calories, so the weight continues to fall off. 2 You might think, ‘But hang on, isn’t that what I’m doing anyway?’ Not exactly. You see, come Friday night, when you normally take that first bite of rogan josh and naan, chances are you enter the ‘Well, that’s blown it’ mindset and, from then on, all bets are off. 3 On this plan, however, enjoying a treat doesn’t mean you’ve failed. The pressure is off – and if you just follow a couple of simple rules…

 It’s a staggering fact, but the number of women admitted to hospital in England for self-harm has doubled in the past 20 years. A whopping 13,463 patients were admitted last year, compared with 7,327 in 1997. One charity says the condition is so widespread that it has to hold an average of 42 counselling sessions every day, specifically dedicated to the issue of self-harm. Since most self-harm is kept hidden, the very little we know about the condition comes from hospital admissions. And what that tells us is that two out of every three cases are women and, after self-poisoning, cutting is the most common method. But what makes people feel so low that they turn to physically harming themselves? Psychologist Dr Kathryn Kinmond says, ‘When something unbearable is happening…

£1.40 PER SERVING Spicy lamb with courgettes My spicy lamb with courgettes is a real soul-food supper, perfect for curling up on the sofa. I’ve added the ‘spice’ at the end, so the whole family can add as little or as much as they want. Goes great with some fresh bread to mop up all the juices PER SERVING CALS 238 FAT 16g SERVES 4 300g diced lamb legPinch chilli flakesPinch ground cuminSalt and black pepper2tbsp olive oil2 courgettes, cut into half moons1 clove garlic, sliced Generous pinch dried oregano500g passata12 baby plum tomatoes, cut in quarters7g of basil leaves, ripped Dash of Tabasco to tasteSpinach (optional) 1 Season the cubed lamb with the chilli flakes, cumin, salt and pepper. 2 Heat the olive oil in a pan and, once…

‘Fashion and style have no relation to age. If you’re in your 70s and love Topshop, then wear Topshop. It’s all about having your own style and understanding what you appreciate and what you like.’ ‘If you’re obsessing over your “bingo wings” (aka upper arms), why not opt for capped sleeves, boleros or cardigans?’ ‘To accentuate the waist, tucking tops into skirts and trousers really works. This will always make you look skinny, as it immediately creates a waistline.’ ‘If you’re a little bit afraid of colour, start introducing it slowly through accessories, such as your scarves, bags and make-up.’ ‘The secret to concealing your tummy is minimising pants! A pair of Spanx, fitted with a strong panel of elastic, will work wonders.’…