Table of contents for 38-2023 in Best

If you missed Kate Garraway on TV last week promoting her book The Strength of Love, my heart went out to her. There are nearly six million unpaid carers in Britain, and Kate is one of them. As she explained movingly: ‘The reality of having Derek home – and I hate putting this into words because so many people lost people – but it was hard. Really tough. Physically and emotionally draining and you suddenly (while you see light at the end of the tunnel) wonder if you can get there.’ At the end of last year, under all the pressure, Kate had a health scare herself. Like many people who put others before themselves, it involved her heart (see page 9). ‘I felt I wasn’t being the best mum,…

Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway – who last Thursday was almost in tears on-air as she discussed Britain’s care crisis, ‘We talk about a crisis, but it is beyond a crisis. It is very lonely and very difficult...’ – has revealed a near heart-attack, just before an episode of the show. Contorted by chest pains, she had to ask her driver to pull over on the way to the studio. The 56-year-old has detailed the incident in her new book, entitled The Strength of Love: Embracing an Uncertain Future with Resilience and Optimism. The mum-of-two, who last week spoke to Holly Willoughby on This Morning about Derek Draper, also 56, saying tearfully, ‘I feel like I’m holding a life in my hands’, has been providing care for her husband…

Let’s face it, most best readers are at an age when we contemplate a lot of things – and not just practical ones. Yes, we need to pay the bills but we also start to wonder what things remain undone. A Christmas cruise around the Med? Moving full-time to the coast? Here, the award-winning GB News presenter, Eamonn Holmes, gives us his views on being 63, and opens up about his ongoing health battles and life at home… Hi Eamonn, the obvious question is – how are you? Well, I can walk if that’s what you mean (50 steps, to be exact) but I now accept life is easier with help from others. Getting around with crutches is exhausting. I wish I could walk further but, for now, I can’t.…

Collagen is essential for young-looking skin because it provides the internal structure to keep it looking plump and youthful. After the age of 25, we lose collagen at the rate of about one per cent a year. By age 50, we will likely have lost over 50 per cent. Smoking, sun damage and consuming too much sugar will also affect and deplete our stores. Imagine, then, if we kept topping up our collagen levels over the years in order to hang on and preserve our firm, plump skin? That’s the thinking behind beauty’s latest trend. Collagen banking isn’t removing collagen and storing it for later use. Instead, it refers to the idea of upping its production now so your body will have more later. And like any bank account, the…

She is the epitome of grace and poise any time she is seen in public. But the Princess of Wales also loves to let her hair down... Most recently we heard of her love of the well-known party game ‘beer pong,’ where you try to land a table-tennis ball in several cups of beer. And earlier this year, we saw her dancing joyously and singing along to All Night Long, as Lionel Richie performed the classic track at the King’s Coronation – and logic would tell us she will be making more plans to celebrate in the coming weeks. Pippa Middleton, her younger sister, turned 40 last week. Being the private family that they are, it’s not known whether Pippa will eventually throw a lavish party for her milestone birthday…

It’s a phrase they utter repeatedly. Sitting there, uncomprehending, bewildered. The loved ones of a missing person are haunted by one question: ‘How can someone just vanish into thin air?’ But the sad truth is that they can, and they do. Every 90 seconds in the UK someone is reported missing, while nearly 170,000 people disappear annually. Of that 97,000 are adults – but this is believed to be a ‘significant underestimate’ according to police, who believe a large number of cases are not brought to their attention at all. Some people remain missing for decades, leaving their families living with the ‘enduring hell’ of never knowing what has happened to them. As Kate McCann, mother of Madeleine who vanished 16 years ago said, ‘Not knowing is the worst thing…

TOP TIP! Mix together wood textures and moss green to create a striking look…

Strawberry and Elderflower Cream Meringue Cake There are a few tricks to making a good meringue. First, make sure the bowl is clean or, more specifically, free from any grease or fat. Rubbing a slice of lemon or a bit of white wine vinegar inside the bowl normally does the trick. Second, whisk the egg whites to soft peaks before you start adding the sugar. And third, add the sugar slowly, a tablespoon at a time, and make sure it’s completely dissolved before you add the next tablespoon. When you’re done, you will end up with a shiny, thick, edible cloud peaking in your mixing bowl… and, of course, you’ll need to test it by holding the bowl over your head to see if the meringue falls out. That’s the…

There aren’t many solo female performers over 60 on tour this Autumn. There’s me, and there’s Madonna. There will be others but for now let’s narrow it down for simplicity. Madge kicks off her Celebration tour in October, whilst I’ve already begun, so maybe if she’s reading this, it would be generous of me to pass on some touring hints and tips. If in doubt, a Gregg’s sausage roll, either vegan or non-vegan, will fill that hole. The coffee isn’t awful either and obviously, you will need travel sweets. I find a mix of Mint imperials and Werther’s caramels does the trick. Don’t buy anything too chewy – that might take a filling out. Make sure you have a tick list of things you need to pack, especially when you’re…

IS NEW COVID VARIANT CAUSE FOR CONCERN? Hi Dr Hilary, I have been reading about this new Covid variant that seems to be spreading and I wondered if you could explain a little bit more about it to me? My husband has severe asthma, so we shielded through the pandemic and I am quite worried. Anthea, Chorlton DR HILARY SAYS: The new Covid variant is a sub variant known as EG.5 or, unofficially, ‘Eris’. It is an offshoot of Omicron and was first described in February this year. Since then, the number of cases has been steadily increasing with one in seven cases now due to this variant. These mutations and shape shifts are not unexpected, and the good news is that they pose a low risk to public health…

Coming home from a busy shift as a midwife recently, I was looking forward to a quiet supper of chicken flatbreads and curling up with my husband Jon, 61, to watch a good thriller on TV. As soon as I walked through the door at our home in East Sussex, I realised my cosy plans were scuppered. My 18-year-old daughter Lottie was sprawled out over the sofa, watching re-runs of Love Island, munching on the last of my flatbreads. I took a deep breath and went to see what else was in the kitchen to eat. A few days later, a friend asked whether I was dreading her leaving for university and I actually laughed. Dreading it? I’m thrilled! I’ll happily help her pack up her suitcases and wave her…

Last year, singer Fleur East, 35, wowed judges and viewers alike, dancing with hunky Sicilian pro, Vito Coppola. This year, she’s back in the glittery, sequined world of Strictly Come Dancing - this time, as pocket rocket Janette Manrara’s co-host on It Takes Two... Fleur, could you just not stay away from Strictly… Haha, I know. It’s crazy. I can’t believe it’s been a year already, now I’m interviewing this year’s contestants on the sofa. Part of me will be so jealous, seeing Vito dance with someone else. He’s been trying to prepare me for it, but I am not OK… He seems like a lovely guy. Oh, he’s so talented and so lovely. We got to the final last year, so I’m hoping he and his celeb partner can…

1 JUST KEEP SWIMMING! Struggling to keep your head above water? Hertfordshire’s Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne made us smile recently, reminding us on Instagram that no matter what the days ahead looks like, just keep swimming – like this lovely leopard! You’ve got this! 2 Who wowed the crowd? We can’t get enough of the latest two-tone trend. Holly Willoughby, 42, looks divine in a pink skirt from Reserved and knitwear from Zara. Alex Jones, 46, brightens screens in a yellow jumper by Second Female and pink trousers from French Connection, whilst Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill, 37, rocked a bold top from Zara and a skirt from Theory. Add a pop of colour to your outfits with two-tone styles to look as glam as…

Bubbly Steph McGovern, 41, lives in Newcastle with her partner and their three-year-old daughter. A former financial reporter, Steph began working as the main business presenter for BBC Breakfast in 2010 and has fronted BBC shows including Shop Well For Less, Watchdog and CBBC’s Pocket Money Pitch. In 2020, having left the BBC, she launched her popular daytime TV show Steph’s Packed Lunch on Channel 4. Here, she tells us more about her home life, the joys of hosting her own show and more… Steph, we know you from TV, but tell us how it all started for you… I grew up in a deprived, industry-heavy area in Middlesbrough. The school I went to was looked down on by others, but our teachers made us feel we were as good…

Walking down the road in our hometown of Aldershot, Hampshire, linking my sister Kathy’s arm, a voice suddenly stopped us in our tracks. ‘Excuse me, I hope you don’t mind me asking but could I take a photograph of you?’ a woman smiled. Kathy and I exchanged looks, then turned in unison to the woman. ‘Of course,’ we chimed together. After all, it wasn’t the first time we had been asked for our picture – and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Because not only are Kathy and I identical twins, we’ve also dressed the same every day for the past 23 years! It’s no wonder we cause a stir wherever we go. Growing up, Kathy and I had three other siblings – Michael, now 66, Colleen, 64, and…

Sitting on the sofa with my hubby Graham, I’m happy just being next to him with his hand on my knee. It’s a simple action but one that meant so much and one that we don’t take for granted. Things could change in an instant and we knew that all too well… We’d first met back in 1993. My mum, Maureen, was working as a cook and catered for a retirement party at Dunstable Fire Station. I’d gone along to help and met Graham, who was a new recruit. He was warm, friendly and seemed keen on me, but I wasn’t looking for a relationship. In the end, a mutual friend asked my mum for my number, and he gave it to Graham on a paper plate! He called a…

Whether you’re well practiced at throwing together a packed lunch for work or you’re new to it all, packing a healthy lunch is a great way to lose weight and save money. This is because we can spend a whopping £21 per week on lunches, which equates to approximately £1,092 a year. It’s particularly handy because you can control your portion size and calories so when hunger strikes your packed lunch is sitting there looking at you – making you less likely to nip out for something high calorie just because you fancy it or you’re in a rush. A healthy packed lunch should include these staple items… ● One wholegrain starchy food such as bread, pasta or rice: great for giving you a steady stream of energy. ● Lean…

Smoky paprika chicken traybake This may not be the quickest midweek recipe, but it is one of the easiest – the oven does all the work for you, so you can get on with other things. Hands-on time: 10min. Cooking time: about 1hr. Serves 2 • 4 skin-on bone-in chicken thighs• 300g miniature new potatoes• 1 large red pepper, deseeded and cut into large chunks• 1tbsp olive oil• 3 garlic cloves, crushed• 2tsp smoked paprika (sweet or hot)• 150g cherry tomatoes• 1 lemon, cut into 6 wedges• 4 thyme sprigs Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan) mark 6. In a medium roasting tin, mix the chicken thighs, potatoes, pepper, oil, garlic, paprika and some seasoning. Spread into a single layer (with chicken skin-side up). Roast for 30min. Add tomatoes, lemon…

She’s currently hosting the emotional rollercoaster that is the mid-life dating show My Mum, Your Dad on ITV but, now Davina McCall has confessed the idea of using dating apps to find ‘The One’ is so unappealing she’d rather turn her back on romance forever! It must be hard for celebrities, particularly, to join normal dating apps and trust your average guy’s intentions. But the outspoken Masked Singer judge and fitness guru revealed, rather hilariously, that she’d rather swear off sex for life than join celebrity dating app Raya in the hopes of finding a man. Needless to say, her comments were hypothetical. The TV presenter, 55, has been in a relationship since 2019 with celebrity hairdresser Michael Douglas, following her divorce from ex former Pet Rescue host Matthew Robertson.…

With 124,000 Instagram followers on the @lakefrontfarmhouse account, seasonal decor-lover Victoria Waters inspires adoring fans with her cosy home style… Here, we’ve selected just a few of our favourite snaps! COUNTRY LIVING What a gorgeous living area! If you love the rug as much as us, wayfair.co.uk has a gorgeous range at reasonable prices – including the Centerview Power Loom Fuchsia at £38.99. COSY KITCHEN This might just be our favourite room of the house! Having cooking utensils on display is another way to create the cosy look. IKEA is selling white kitchen shelves for just £15 if you want to put your pots and pans in the spotlight! BATHING BLISS Even Victoria’s bathroom has comfy cottage charm! If you love the vintage wall frames, check out etsy.co.uk’s Vintage Gallery…

‘It’s certainly not as I expected it to be,’ Libby exclaimed, as she idly stirred the wooden spoon around the pan on the stove. ‘I know what you mean,’ answered Lyn. ‘Forty years of working full time, I was looking forward to retiring, but there’s only so many times I can clear out my cupboards, and if I mow the lawn one more time, it’ll end up with bald patches! ‘Early retirement isn’t always as good as it’s made out to be.’ ‘Tell me about it. I really need some structure back. I’m lazing in bed in the mornings because I’ve nothing to get up for, and going to bed too late because I’m not tired.’ Libby lifted the spoon to her mouth and blew the liquid before taking a…

PET OF THE WEEK Name: Sparkie Breed: Siamese Owner: Petya, from Cambridge *YOUR PICTURES WILL ONLY BE USED ON BEST’S PET PAGE. CALLING ALL PETS! From funny to cute, we’re looking for more pets to star in our ‘Day in the Life’ series. If you think your animal is the perfect match, email bestpets@hearst.co.uk with details of your pet, plus a series of snaps.*…

We couldn’t be more delighted that she’s back, lighting up our screens alongside co-host Tess Daly – with her fake tan, dark eyeliner, floppy fringe and seemingly endless supply of quirky one-liners. But Strictly Come Dancing star Claudia Winkleman revealed that her son once asked her to quit her high-profile job on BBC One’s Strictly – because, yes, he found it ‘embarrassing’. Quick-witted Claudia – who also presents hit show The Traitors – had the perfect response. Whilst accepting the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Edinburgh TV Festival, she revealed: ‘He said to me, “Mum, you have got to stop doing Strictly, it’s so embarrassing and my teacher has mentioned it.” I just went, “See those trainers, Jake?” He was like “OK, sorry”.’ Claudia has three children with film producer…

TOP TIP! If you want to splash out on one item this season, a classic camel coat is a safe bet!…

‘An MP called Nick Fletcher says we need to have a Minister for Men. What’s funny about that is, he said it on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour which, predictably had the desired effect on all the right angry feminists. The show’s ex-host, Jenni Murray said, “The last thing we need right now is a Minister for Men!” But I say, why not? After all, there has been a Minister for Women since 1997 and the current full title for that job is Minister for Women and Equalities. But where is the equality if there’s no Minister for Men? So, maybe the question should be, do we still need a Minister for Women? Isn’t the battle of the sexes over? If it’s not, then keeping a Minister for Women and not…

As I added the final touches to the Shetland pony, preparing him for his Big Day – I couldn’t help but smile. ‘Are you ready to marry?’ I asked Bert, the 25-year-old, as I stroked his black coat. I added a small blue top hat for the finishing touch to the groom’s head, while his bride-to-be, Poppet, who was being groomed by my volunteers at the rescue centre, donned some colourful flowers and a cute unicorn horn. The pair had been inseparable since they first met in March and, following Bert’s brief brush with death (where he was left on a drip for a couple of days), it seemed like the perfect way to celebrate his recovery and bring some joy to Munchkins Miniature Shetland Rescue… Growing up, I loved…

He’s Britain’s longest-serving newsreader, working on ITV News and Channel 4, so it was heartbreaking when Alastair Stewart, 71, recently revealed on GB News that he had been diagnosed with vascular dementia. It’s the reason he stepped back from his work on the channel earlier this year – a result, doctors say, of him having several minor strokes. The TV star, who until this point had kept quiet about his secret health battle, admitted that ‘very short-term memory is tricky’ – given that dementia is a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions, that interferes with doing everyday activities. The father-of-four went on to explain that he started to feel ‘discombobulated’ around ‘six to nine months’ ago, while performing tasks around the house, which prompted…

One of EastEnders’ top stars, Brian Conley, has quit the BBC soap – soon after being involved in a huge storyline. Brian, 62, plays Rocky, who recently married show favourite Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth). So, it seems the writers were hoping his character would be in it for the long haul. But the brains behind Albert Square could well be rushing to squeeze in the final scenes of Tom ‘Rocky’ Cotton amid their Christmas storylines. Could he even be the character destined to die, as glimpsed in a festive flashforward? Last week, addressing talk about what the whodunnit plot, a spokesperson for EastEnders told our sister website Digital Spy, ‘There are many rumours and theories circulating about whose body is under the Christmas tree but, to not spoil the drama…

This Morning’s Alison Hammond admits she found it tough trying not to tuck into the delicious cakes while filming The Great British Bake Off – and who can blame her? Here, the gregarious presenter reveals she loved co-hosting the show with Noel Fielding, alongside judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood, and chats to us about her new telly job alongside Noel and Paul, who reveal how some Hollywood A-listers have started trying to sneak on to the set to watch the filming… Congratulations on your new job, Alison. Were you nervous on the first day? ALISON: Yes! I didn’t realise how much I wanted it [the job] until I had to audition with Noel. My son was really excited as well, as he loves Bake Off. It’s a big deal…

VIRGO 24 August – 23 September Re-charge your batteries and stop worrying about everyone else. Being self-centred is positive, it enables you to care for what is most important – your own well-being and what you need for further progress. For once, let someone else do the work. Find something you love to get lost in – then you’ll find yourself. LIBRA 24 September – 23 October A little self-analysis will be helpful. Step back and look at your habits. Have you drifted unconsciously into patterns that aren’t good for you? Maybe events from the past are colouring your attitudes and even controlling your actions. A wise family member can help. The truth can hurt, but it can set you free. SCORPIO 24 October – 22 November Don’t insist you’re…

MY DIET IS GETTING WORSE The only thing helping me through the menopause at the moment appears to be comfort eating and getting my quick fix on sugary treats and takeaways! It’s awful, because being a woman ‘of a certain age’ – I can’t shake the weight like I used to. I’m in a vicious cycle of feeling depressed and then wanting to comfort eat. Any advice? Melinda, Lancaster You really are caught in a horrible cycle which is very familiar to me. You feel miserable, so you eat sugary foods to cheer yourself up. You then feel a combination of weight gain and guilt – which makes you feel even worse. You then crave sugar, in the hope it will make you feel better which, of course, it won’t.…

TRAVEL SNAPSHOT Having rolled for 100 miles from Winchester to the Sussex coast, the South Downs come abruptly to a halt. Their gleaming, chalky cliffs tower over the English Channel between Brighton and Eastbourne, with the Seven Sisters constituting their most scenic stretch. Best viewed from the Coastguard Cottages on Seaford Head’s eastern fringe, the Sisters look spectacular as they rise out of a milky sea on the far side of Cuckmere Haven’s pebbly beach. INSIDER’S GUIDE The cliffs and Cuckmere Haven fall within Seven Sisters Country Park. It’s hugely popular for picnics, walks and bike rides down to the sea – there are a number of footpaths to explore – or simply to admire the scenery and wildlife. Back in the 17th century though, this area was notorious for…