Table of contents for 1 - 2019 in Best

It’s January! The unofficial National Diet Month. Half the office is attempting Dry January, some are waiting for Tuesday when they can save £10 if they take next week’s copy of best to a Slimming World club, while other are going vegan (see p38 for delicious WeightWatchers recipes). Personally, I’m taking advice from those amazing Middleton women (come on, who wouldn’t want a figure like them, p10) and I’m giving sport a go. Well I say sport… I’m walking my dog for an hour a day for the next three months as, according to fitness expert Joanna Hall, walking can give you a pert Pippa-like derrière. I’m hoping that will dictate my shape because it’s currently circular… • Please let me know your thoughts, siobhan.wykes@hearst.co.uk…

Harley Street therapist Adam Cox believes Lisa could ‘be at breaking point right now. Not only has her relationship breakdown been on public display, but it also seems that Ant is moving on with his life and may propose to his girlfriend at any point’. He added, ‘This could amplify feelings of loss and rejection, and places Lisa in a highly vulnerable position. She may feel an urge to compare herself to Ant’s new partner, which could have a devastating impact on her self-esteem.’…

TOP TIP Throw a check coat over head-to-toe colour for a look that’s polished and co-ordinated. TOP TIP The pencil skirt is having a moment. Pick out the yellow in the check with a matching coat, sweater and boots. TOP TIP Mix tartan with a touch of leopard print, for a look that’s fun as well as fashionable.…

JOIN THE CONVERSATION Is it time for your man to diet? January is typically a month for new resolutions, fresh starts and healthier choices – and not just for women. According to a new survey by WW (formerly Weight Watchers) Global Wellness Survey, 90 per cent of adults say that improving their physical, mental and emotional health is one of their goals for 2019. And this might be why the brand has signed Robbie Williams as their ambassador for their campaign, For Every Body, which acknowledges that everyone has their own reason behind getting healthier. ‘After my back injury last year, I definitely let my healthy habits slip and I felt as though I let myself and my family down,’ says the singer, on getting back into shape. So will…

BRUSH UP YOUR ACT Recent research found that discoloured and worn teeth can add a decade to your looks. Luckily, cosmetic dentistry is no longer the privilege of the rich and famous, and thanks to a new wave of speedy treatments, all kinds of smile makeovers are possible – some in less than a day. GRIN AND BEAR IT Crooked teeth, missing molars? All can be fixed… …WITH VENEERS The most common fix for unattractive teeth is veneers. A thin layer of custommade porcelain, about 0.5 to 1 millimetre thick, is bonded on to the tooth, rather like the way a false nail fits over the real fingernail. WHAT HAPPENS: Impressions are taken of your teeth, which are then filed down in preparation for the veneers. A set of veneers…

After more than three decades, the parents of Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway – aka the Babes in the Wood – must have thought they would never see justice served. Yet, at the end of last year, 32 years after the girls’ bodies were found, original suspect Russell Bishop was finally found guilty of their murders at The Old Bailey. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 36 years. The two nine year olds went out to play together on 9 October 1986. When they failed to return to their homes in Brighton, Karen’s mum, Michelle, called 999, triggering a search party. The next day, the girls’ bodies were found in Wild Park – having been sexually assaulted and strangled. They became known as the Babes…

Roasted broccoli and soba noodle salad This colourful Asian-style salad is so much healthier than a takeaway, but tastes just as good. Serves 4 Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 20 mins 7 SmartPoints YOU WILL NEED: 1 head of broccoli, broken into florets (larger ones halved)Calorie-controlled cooking spray200g soba noodlesJuice of 2 limes2tbsp soy sauce1tbsp sesame oil1 red chilli, deseeded and finely choppedSmall handful of fresh coriander, roughly chopped3 spring onions, sliced 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6. Spread the broccoli out on a baking sheet and mist with cooking spray. Roast for 20 mins, turning halfway through, until golden and just softened, then set aside to cool. 2 Meanwhile, cook the soba noodles according to pack instructions until just cooked, then drain and run under cold…

She is the bubbly TV presenter famed for shows such as Long Lost Family, This Time Next Year and the now defunct Big Brother. But Davina McCall, 51, will tell you herself that she’s recognised by fans almost as much these days as ‘that fitness woman’, something that makes her very happy indeed. Here, the unstoppable mother-of-three – she has Holly, 17, Tilly, 15, and Chester, 12, with her ex, Matthew Robertson – talks about the secrets to those ripped abs at her age, and her strange habit of picking people up at the bus stop… You’ve got a new DVD coming out. What’s this one all about? It’s called Davina: Power Box & Tone and it’s with Sarah Gorman again, who I worked with on my last DVD. She’s incredible and, as a…

Former lead singer of the hip-hop group The Black Eyed Peas, Los Angeles-born Will.i.am has been on The Voice judging panel since 2011. Hi, Will! How different does it feel being back on The Voice UK after doing The Voice Kids in the summer? It feels good to be back. The only time the vibe seems similar is when you have a 16-year-old singer up there, because our cutoff for The Voice Kids is 14. So a 14-year-old singer is really no different to a 16-year-old singer. Other than that, the fact there is Tom, Jennifer and now Olly makes it different. What do you think Olly will bring to the panel? Olly is quite mysterious – and he has similar circus antics to Ricky Wilson, plus he has the…

10 to give away! Feeling strapped for cash after Christmas? If, like the rest of us, you’re counting down until pay day then enter this competition for your chance to win one of 10 £50 vouchers to spend at Morrisons, so you can get your food bill covered. It’s certainly one way to banish the January blues! For more details on how to enter, see below… HOW TO ENTER POST: Send a postcard with your name, address and contact number to Best/Morrisons voucher giveaway, GVBSTN18882, Hearst Magazines UK, The Data Solutions Centre, Worksop S80 2RT by 18 January 2019. PHONE: Call 0901 027 2728 by midnight on 15 January 2019. Calls cost 30p per minute, plus your telephone company’s network access charge, and will last no longer than two minutes.…

Go wild in the world’s largest national park and see the big beasts roaming free TRAVEL SNAPSHOT An overnight flight takes you to the world’s largest and most famous game park – The Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa, an easy four-hour drive from Johannesburg. Travel is simple and safe, they even drive on the left. Whether you are a budding David Attenborough or don’t know your naturalist from your naturist, I guarantee you the thrill of a lifetime while looking for the Big Five: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo. We stayed in a lodge right in the middle of the park. Expect some surprise guests… we had warthogs nesting under the veranda. INSIDER’S GUIDE It’s worth hiring a simple four-wheel drive, as some small roads can be…

Given his seven-year stint as a professional dancer on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing from 2006 to 2013, alongside his wife, Ola, we’re more accustomed to seeing James Jordan on terra firma waltzing his way across the dance floor. But to kick off 2019, the 40-year-old star is getting his skates on to give the rather less predictable ice a whirl. James, who is partnered with Finnish professional Alexandra Schauman, talks potential clashes, big personalities and why he’s already made a firm rule about wearing rhinestones. We’re looking forward to lots of juicy gossip each week from one of the most outspoken celebrities in showbiz. Break a leg, James! Oh, wait… Are you excited about your new column in best? So excited! I can’t wait to bring you guys all the backstage gossip! It’s…

‘At first glance, the news that you might live longer if you have hum-dinging rows with your partner seems ridiculous and wrong. In a nutshell, researchers from The University of Arizona’s psychology department say that keeping dissatisfaction and resentment to yourself can be so bad for you that it could actually shorten your life, especially if one partner in the relationship doesn’t play ball. In other words, if one of you keeps it all in while the other explodes then, basically, your days are numbered. I can understand why people might bottle things up to keep the peace. Sometimes it’s easier, but it doesn’t go away – it just builds up and gets worse, causing what we now know to be life-threatening stress and untold damage to health as well…

Versatile buys From yoga to running, choose styles that work for all! Prints please The bolder the better, we say! Right stripes Blocks and stripes can flatter your figure. Perfect match Keep it cool in a statement co-ord. TOP TIP Try Seven – the seven minute workout app to help you reach your fitness goals!…

Gloria Hunniford is a mum of three and grandmother of 10. She’s been divorced, remarried and learned to deal with the loss of her daughter and, on Rip Off Britain, she battles consumer issues. In her own words, she’s ‘lived a lot’. So, ask Gloria anything… How do I stick to my New Year resolutions? Because it’s very rare for people to keep to their New Year resolutions, in the past I’ve actually made fun of people for making them! But this year, I’ve decided I’m going to try to lose some weight – and I really want to do it. Do you have any tips for me? My daughter’s wedding is in June, and I want to use the next six months to slim down ready for the big day.…

GET SOUPED UP As an alternative to Theo’s delicious recipe, try New Covent Garden’s Vegan Chilli, £2. This soup contains tomatoes, beans, peppers and sweetcorn and is just 121 calories per 300g, so it’s great if you are dieting. SNACK SMART Instead of completely cutting out sweet treats, try cutting down instead. Thanks to Metcalfe’s White Chocolate Mini Ricecakes, 75p, you can indulge for under 100 calories. These are the perfect solution for the mid-afternoon munchies! NEW WRAP STARS Switch from a traditional wrap to one of the new varieties from Mission, and you can stay feeling fuller for longer. Why? Both the Simply Good Quinoa & Chia and the Simply Good Sourdough & Linseed Wraps, £1.50, are high in fibre, which helps keep you feeling satisfied. You could try…

Sitting in my flat in February 2015, I knew I was at a crossroads in my life. I’d been made redundant from my job as a corporate chef three months before and, although I’d initially presumed that I’d continue my career elsewhere, no new roles were coming up. And, now that I’d had time to think, I was no longer sure what direction I wanted my life to take. I’d worked in restaurants since I was 15 years old and, while I loved food, I’d always worked for other people and felt like I’d been put into a box. I knew the sensible thing would have been to carry on job-hunting, but I couldn’t stop my mind from wandering… I’d always wanted to see as much of the world as…

… going back to Neighbours after 30 years… It feels like walking home and putting on an old pair of slippers. I was only 19 when I was first cast as Jane and I was there for three years, but it was such a huge thing for me. I don’t mind being remembered as ‘Plain Jane Super Jane’ – no one ever shouts it at me in the street, so I guess I should be grateful for that. … what her character has been up to… She has been in the UK looking after her grandmother, Mrs Mangel. But now she’s sadly died, it gives Jane the chance to go back to Ramsay St. It’s crazy – I left as a youngie and I’m now an oldie! … her famous…

TOP TIP Clear away clutter and half empty bottles to create a tranquil space.…

For Lisa Armstrong, it must be hard to take a positive view of what 2019 might bring. After 11 years of marriage, she and her famous ex, Ant McPartlin, 43, were granted a quickie divorce in November. As if the pain of that very public break-up wasn’t enough, Ant then moved on swiftly with the couple’s former PA, Anne-Marie Corbett. Now, make-up artist Lisa has failed to have her contract renewed for Ant’s big television comeback – the new series of Britain’s Got Talent. After 10 years on BGT, it must have come as a bitter blow. Indeed, the weight of public opinion on social media would support the idea that many of her fans fear for Lisa. One commented, ‘Can you imagine having to see your ex-husband and his…

As James will attest, this year’s show has no shortage of characters. One of Dancing On Ice’s most colourful new recruits has got to be the self-styled GC – TOWIE star Gemma Collins. And James reckons she’ll soon shock a lot of critics. ‘I think she’s going to be good! Her partner, Matt Evers, is great, and he’ll play to Gemma’s strengths. I’m excited to see her on the ice.’ But off the ice rink, does James think there could be friction? ‘With all these big personalities this year, yes – I’m sure there’ll be clashes!’…

Recently, I discovered my great grandfather five times over tried to pass himself off as one of Victorian London’s elite by fraudulently claiming to be a viscount. Born James Hitchman, at 43, he was sentenced to seven-and-half years’ hard labour for trying to obtain money by false pretences. In contrast, Hitchman’s daughter-in-law, Mary Ann, became the first female justice of the peace where I grew up in Lancashire. To discover these gems about my family, I used The Genealogist, one of the many ancestry websites on the market. This, like all the others, has seen a boom in trade as a result of TV programmes such as Who Do You Think You Are? and Long Lost Family. But how easy is it to trace your family tree, and what exactly…

MAKE YOUR FACE LOOK YEARS YOUNGER There’s a whole new generation of treatments and skincare that can make you look and feel years younger in a flash. Here’s my lowdown on the best procedures to lift and plump, plus tips so you look your radiant best. THE NEW NO-KNIFE LUNCHTIME FACE REJUVENATORS The new generation face-lifting techniques allow you to hold back the years, and brighten and tighten without going under the knife. Try… THE QUICK LIFT This three-stage procedure will give a similar result to a facelift in less than an hour. First, tiny incisions are made near the hairline and along the jawline, then soft sutures are inserted to lift sagging skin back into place. The treatment can smooth and tighten everything from drooping brows to jowls. Next,…

1 BREAKFAST CEREAL Start the day as you mean to go on – thriftily! Fill your breakfast bowl with Tesco Wheat Biscuits (£1.30 for a box of 24), instead of a similar cereal from a big brand and save £4.80 each month. That’s assuming your household collectively chomps its way through four boxes a month. Over a year, that adds up to a tasty potential saving of almost £58 on cereal alone! 2 TEA BAGS The average Brit drinks 876 cups of tea a year, or two to three cups a day. If you brew your way through two boxes of 80 tea bags each month, you could save £2.98 by switching from branded tea to a supermarket own-brand like Asda Chosen by You Breakfast Tea (£1 for 80 bags). This…

Simon Cowell knows a thing or two about talent shows, and he is the creative force behind a brand-new sparkling Saturday night BBC competition The Greatest Dancer. Hurrah! The show, hosted by Alesha Dixon and Jordan Banjo, will welcome dancers performing in all styles – from jazz and jive to tap and tango – who will compete for a £50,000 prize. The hopefuls enter a studio, where the audience votes on whether or not they want to see more. And if they do, performers face the judges, in the form of Cheryl, Strictly’s Oti Mabuse and Glee star Matthew Morrison. But even before the show aired, rumours were rife that Cheryl and Oti were locking horns backstage. Oti slammed the claims, paying tribute to Cheryl as an ‘absolute queen’. A rep for Cheryl dismissed the…