Table of contents for 44-2019 in Best

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has had a pretty shocking time of it lately, after it emerged that she has been the target of sick death threats online. The 59-year-old was targeted by trolls after Dianne Buswell and radio presenter Dev Griffin were booted off the hit BBC show on Sunday 13 October, in a shock move that proved controversial. Some irate viewers, amidst accusations of voting lines being rigged and judges under-marking, allegedly threatened to hurt Shirley, who had the deciding vote. Professional dancer Dianne, 30, taking to Twitter, pleaded with people to stop ‘bullying’ the head judge, when responding to a tweet about death threats. A concerned fan wrote: ‘please sort your fans out @dbuzz6589 & @Joe_Sugg. I get why people are upset & I don’t think it…

Samia Longchambon has grown up on the Cobbles – she was only 17 when she joined Coronation Street. And while her character, Maria Connor, may be 20 years older, she is no wiser when it comes to men! Thankfully, Samia’s life is considerably calmer. She is married to French skater and personal trainer Sylvain, and the couple live in Cheshire with their son, Yves, four, and Samia’s daughter, Freya, 10, from her previous marriage. After 20 years’ playing a hairdresser, are you actually any good with a pair of scissors? No. I probably should have done a hairdressing course at some point. I can curl and straighten and I can fold towels really well. I know how to section hair and put tin foils in and also how to hold a…

STRIKE A POSE! Well! Who knew pro dancer Johannes would be able to move so well in heels? Loving every second of it. What an amazing group dance for the boys. Johannes came across as quiet, but his true personality has really started to shine through. Once you get a pair of heels on, everything changes. I speak from experience! SUPER SAFFRON YouTube star Saffron has been a revelation, hasn’t she?! She’s come into her own with AJ, lost her inhibitions and is so obviously confident now about her natural ability as a dancer – the jive was very good for her, as she’s so nimble and quick on her feet. I can’t wait to see what she does next! KARIM’S A KEEPER Karim’s paso doble to Smalltown Boy was…

MUM-IN-LAW IS A TOTAL HOARDER My husband’s mother, now 86, still lives on her own fairly independently in a small flat not far from us. The problem is, in the past few years – especially since her husband died – she’s developed a chronic hoarding problem that she just won’t address. It’s really unhygienic, the house is a tip and we can’t find a thing. There’s probably a whole family of mice under all her papers and bits that we don’t even know about! I work and cannot keep on top of this. Help! Natalie, Edinburgh Unfortunately, my darling, you are slap bang in the middle of a crisis. This isn’t something you can slowly think through at your leisure. It’s dangerous and urgent and you’ve no choice but to…

RED ALERT If a glass of red wine is your tipple of choice, then try Malb-Echo Falls. It has notes of berry fruit, toasted oak and mocha, making it smooth and easy to drink. At only £6 per bottle from Asda, it s a tempting treat for cold, dark evenings. WHAT THE HECK! Instead of traditional hot dogs this Bonfire Night, pick up a pack of Chickfurter, £3.15, from Heck. Made with pure chicken thigh meat, they’re a great option if you fancy a change on 5 November! CHOCS AWAY! COMFORT CUP Good news if you have a Dolce Gusto machine and are a fan of Horlicks. You can now whip up a warming drink in no time, thanks to the launch of Horlicks Hot Chocolate Pods, £5.99 for 16,…

BEST’S CELEB INSIDER TALKS TO RICK ASTLEY Rick Astley had sold more than 40 million records before he suddenly retired in 1993, destined to become yet another forgotten pop star from the Eighties. Then, in 2016, his comeback album, 50, went straight to number one. And it seems Rick is back for good – and attracting a whole new generation of fans. Here, the 53-year-old opens up about his years in the pop wilderness and explains why he has a new-found confidence. His greatest hits compilation album is out this month, with a huge arena tour to follow, culminating with a concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Were you surprised by the success of your comeback album, 50? Totally. Because who, at the age of 50, makes an album that goes to…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT The weather is the main reason most of us Brits flock to Tenerife, especially in winter. With sunshine guaranteed almost daily, it’s just over a four-hour flight from the UK. But sun, sea and sangria are not all this tiny island has to offer. Lush botanical gardens, black volcanic rocks (used as a film backdrop for everything from One Million Years BC to Fast & Furious 6), organic farms, fishing villages, vineyards and banana plantations – there is something for all tastes and pockets. INSIDER’S GUIDE If you just want to chill out, there is little reason to move from the five-star Royal Hideaway Corales Beach, with its luxury spa, a choice of swimming pools and first-class food. Sitting in the centre of La Caleta fishing village, with…

If you’re a fan of The Chase – the hit game show hosted by Bradley Walsh, which sees five ‘quizzers’ challenge members of the public – then you’ll know exactly who Jenny Ryan, aka The Vixen, is. If not, you’ll recognise her as that woman with the red hair and the powerhouse voice on The X Factor: Celebrity, who was cut from the live shows, only to be reinstated by the judges after a huge public backlash! Here, the ‘Bolton brainiac’, 37, talks about losing it as she performed in front of Simon, falling in love with Malibu, and more… Jenny, you had an amazing reaction on The X Factor: Celebrity… It’s been pretty overwhelming! I knew there’d be a bit of reaction, but comments from people have been incredible. It’s not just from fans…

Mediterranean Herb Prawn Stir-Fry Quick and easy – a motto to live by… My Mediterranean prawn stir-fry is cooked super-fast, like a traditional stir-fry, but is packed with lots of fresh, zesty flavours, herbs and has a low-calorie count. PER SERVING CALS 288 FAT 20g SERVES 4 320g fine beans220g tenderstem broccoli4tbsp olive oil2 cloves garlic, sliced300g king prawns Splash of white wine2tbsp butter125g baby-leaf spinach30g mixed fresh herbs (mint, dill and coriander)1 green chilli, sliced Juice of ¼ lemon 1 Trim the stalks from the fine beans, cut the tenderstem broccoli in half lengthways and fry in the olive oil for a couple of minutes before adding the garlic and the king prawns. Continue stir-frying until the prawns just start to turn pink (a couple of minutes). Then keeping…

Host Paddy McGuinness, 46, is married to former model Christine. They live in Cheshire with their three young children, Leo, Penelope and Felicity. At series 11, is Take Me Out still fun to do? Absolutely! We have more people applying for it than ever, we have 500 people in every night, it’s always ram-packed and there’s always a great atmosphere. There is such warmth towards the show, which I love. What do you look for in the contestants? A mixture. There is no point in having just models, because that’s not real life. It’s about people from different walks of life, all different shapes and sizes and different interests. Have you done anything weird and wacky with the boys this series, Paddy? I’ve done a bit of cage-fighting, I’ve sheared…

Caroline Flack must thrive off controversy. She hosts Love Island for a start, the reality show where the prerequisite seems to be a model body and cosmetic surgery. Now, the 39-year-old will front Channel 4 reality show The Surjury which, though not on screens until next year, is already proving controversial. A remake of the American show of the same name, contestants will pitch to a 12-strong jury, hoping to win the plastic surgery of their dreams – from ‘bum lifts to nose jobs, sculpted abs to breast enlargement’. Channel 4 has promised it won’t glamourise the procedures. Yet if people signing up already have body hang-ups, surely broadcasting them to an audience of millions (all ready to hit social media) is, at best, questionable and, at worst, dangerous? The British Association…

TOP TIP! Looking for an alternative to the LBD this Christmas? This shirt dress will look super glam worn with knee-high boots and party accessories. TOP TIP! Soften up with a berry shade that is super flattering and just as versatile as black. TOP TIP! The flattering waist detailing gives a classic leather skirt a softer look.…

‘When Harry met Meghan I was delirious. I’d been a fan of Harry’s forever and I loved Meghan, too, because she was in one of my favourite TV series, Suits. I had high hopes for them because they were so in love, the wedding was perfect and they seemed destined for Royal greatness. The press and the British public have never been fans, but I never believed any of the rumours about her being demanding or controlling, and have always defended them as a couple because I felt sorry for her. It can’t be easy being part of the Royal Family. But now, even MY sympathy has run out. It started to wane when Harry noticeably changed. The plucky character who seemed to genuinely care about his causes more than…

Cosy cover-up For ultimate warmth, opt for a teddy coat and team with a pretty midi-frock. Shear thing! Aviator jackets just got furrier – ditch the black in favour of a fun shade. Biker babe This tough jacket just got softer with added textured trims Totes faux Not ready for full fur? A statement bag is a good start!…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Our home can influence what we eat and how much, says US Dr Brian Wansink, author of Slim By Design: Mindless Eating Solutions for Everyday Life (Amazon.co.uk, RRP £12.99), but making small changes can encourage healthier habits and food choices. This includes removing side tables in the lounge, where it’s easy to stash snacks, and ensuring your plate is no bigger than 17cm so you eat less. 2 Restock your fridge and keep healthier snacks to the front: if your family aren’t dieting, keep their foods in a separate section or cupboard so you’re not tempted. 3 Clear the clutter. A study by the American Nurses Association found that people with an untidy home are 77% more likely to struggle with their weight. 4 Dust piling…

Sausage & potato hotpot Serves 4 Takes: 1 hr 20 mins Per serving: kcals 522; fat 27.7g Not suitable for freezing 8 sausages2 onions, cut into wedges4 carrots, peeled and sliced2 tbsp plain flour450ml chicken stock600g potatoes, peeled and sliced15g butter, diced Fresh thyme, optional 1 Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Brown the sausages in 2 tbsp sunflower oil, then transfer to a baking dish. Add the onions and carrots to the frying pan and cook for 3-4 mins, then stir in the flour and chicken stock until smooth. Bring to a simmer and pour over the sausages. Cover with the potatoes, dot with butter, cover with foil and bake for 50 mins. Remove the foil and cook for 10 mins more to brown the top. Scatter with fresh thyme…

TOP TIP Warm up grey with hints of mellow yellow.…

…becoming a first-time father at 50 Our twins George and Henrietta are two now, and I just don’t feel I would have been ready before. I feel it was the perfect age for me. Every night after dinner, we have a half-hour of madness where they run around. It’s just the most wonderful time of the day. …on Strictly It was lovely to be touted for the judge’s job after Darcey [Bussell] left. I had already done a screen test after Len [Goodman] retired, so they knew what I had to offer, but I just knew it wasn’t going to be me. I’m glad they got a dancer [in one-time German Latin champ Motsi Mabuse] rather than another choreographer and I’m pleased she’s not a ballroom dancer, because we’ve got…

SCORPIO 24 October – 22 November Collaborating on a group project will be lots of fun for Scorpios like Henry Winkler (born on 30 October) and David Foster (1 November). With their help and support, a good idea will be turned into a great one. Scorpios have no intention of resting on their laurels. AQUARIUS 21 January – 19 February Intuitively you know you are capable of achieving a goal you have set your sights on. It will take a lot of work but you are prepared to put in the effort. You can and you will succeed, even if you are stretching yourself to do so. You are about to make an achievement you can be proud of. TAURUS 21 April – 21 May You have an opportunity to…