Table of contents for 16 January 2025 in Chat

In my house, everyone’s a klutz. Plates are always being dropped, drinks spilled and toes stubbed. But even my clumsy family haven’t managed to do as much harm as poor Kimberly did while sitting on her sofa (p30). One minute she was settling in to watch a Netflix show, the next she was in agony. Thankfully, she’s on the mend now, but I’ll approach my next telly binge on the settee with caution. Is nowhere safe?! Have a great week,…

Lying around 700 nautical miles west of Acapulco, Mexico, Clipperton Island is the only territory in the North Pacific controlled by which country? Make three nine-letter words using all of these sections and enter them in the grid. Then make an anagram of the letters in the yellow squares to form the answer to this question. ERA DCU AGO LIB FFS TES OCT HAN NAL Your answer: WIN 5 x £20 Puzzle 3 TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

STYLE TIP Less bulky styles are ideal for layering and can be tucked into high-waisted jeans. If it’s chilly, throw a coat over the blazer, too. STYLE TIP To keep things chic, avoid athleisure vibes and invest in a luxe, knitted style. Pair with smart, tailored separates. FROM £8 STYLE TIP Transform a casual sweatshirt by contrasting it with the more feminine pieces in your wardrobe. STYLE TIP Also perfect for layering, a smarter zip-up will easily transform your summer pieces into winter wear. Pair with chunky boots.…

While my fellow classmates rushed to the school changing room to get ready for PE, I approached my teacher. ‘Can I sit the class out please?’ I asked. My teacher nodded. ‘Yes, get some work done,’ she replied. But we both knew I wasn’t skipping PE to study. Instead, aged 15, I was 19st and too big to join in. I’d always loved my food. My parents, Tracy and John, would make home-cooked meals like cottage pie, roast dinner and casseroles. But I couldn’t stop bingeing on junk food. Cheese toasties and pizza from the school canteen. Burger and chips on the way home. And I’d get through multiple packets of crisps and chocolate bars in my room. Mum and Dad tried to help me diet but I just had…

What name connects soap characters portrayed by Maddy Hill in EastEnders, Jessica Fox in Hollyoaks and both Norah Hammond and Kate Fitzgerald in Coronation Street? Solve the crossword, then read down the shaded squares to find the prize puzzle answer. ACROSS 1 Perfume (5) 4 State of matter (3) 5 Unreturned serve in tennis (3) DOWN 1 Herb (4) 2 Piece of academic writing (5) 3 2020 film directed by Christopher Nolan (5) WIN 4 x £20 Puzzle 10 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Milton Smith, 68, says: ‘I found a missing part of my heart in Heather and couldn’t imagine life without her. From the moment we met, it has been so natural, we forget it’s only been a couple of years. ‘I’m forever thankful. Family is a gift and my daughter Heather gave me the best gift in the world by finding me. I love her with all my heart and I can’t wait for us to continue building everlasting memories together. She’s everything I didn’t know I needed and I’m so thankful to call her my daughter!’…

Aries 21 March-20 April As the North Node leaves Aries on 11 January, make the most of this powerful transit by tying up loose ends and creating a new direction in your work life. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Stay focused on your heart’s desires because an important door is opening this week, which will take you closer to where you want to be at work now. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June The Moon in Gemini on 10 January offers a new perspective on a situation that’s been tricky for some time. Listen to your inner voice and act accordingly. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Mars is back in your sign giving…

Body Stories Cooling Eye Serum, £2.50, Poundland This silkysmooth serum is packed full of caffeine to brighten dark circles and has a cooling effect on skin that will depuff and soothe tired eyes in no time. It’s like a little power nap in a tube! Make Up Gallery Gloss Over It, £1.50, Poundland This peachy-toned lip gloss will add a wash of subtle colour over your lips while coating them with a glass-like shine. It’ll instantly perk up your pout without any stickiness or drying effect. It’s the ideal accompaniment to bright eyeshadow or outfits, to balance out bolder looks.…

The Hamilton family were a picture of perfection. Crystal, 29, and her husband Ronald, 32, were high-school sweethearts. Crystal worked in a medical centre for injured Marines, supporting them and their families on the road to recovery. Kind-hearted and loving, she was brilliant at her job. Ronald was a staff sergeant in the US Army. After two tours of duty in war zones, he now worked as an IT specialist at The Pentagon, the HQ of the US Department of Defence. Ronald and Crystal also had an 11-year-old son, Tyriq. Being a mum was Crystal’s greatest pride. Would gush about Tyriq and his achievements to her colleagues. To anyone on the outside looking in, the Hamiltons had it all. But behind the closed doors of their beautiful home in Virginia,…

Swipe right Organic coconut oil is perfect for removing eye make-up. Gentle and hydrating with antibacterial properties, it’s environmentally friendly and doesn’t break the bank. Warm a small amount in your fingertips and gently massage on your skin, then take a damp cotton pad and wipe. Carolyn Bon, Swadlincote, Derbyshire Cover up If you use a mobility scooter and you’re tired of the basket getting wet in the rain, buy a shower cap and use it as a waterproof cover to keep everything protected. Valerie Thomas, Pensarn Abergele, Clwyd Boxing clever I didn’t want to pay a lot for a decorative tissue box holder so I bought a cheap cardboard one and covered it with a sheet of wrapping paper. Polly Mannall, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk £25 For every photo tip…

WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 What does comedian Alex Brooker say is his karaoke song? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the four-word prize answer. ACROSS 11 Author (6) 12 Not real (9) 13 Always (4) 14 Prison chief (8) 15 Powdery (5) 16 Themes (6) 17 Most affluent (7) 18 Divisions of a shop (11) 20 Belonging to them (5) 22 Sound of someone walking (9) 24 Find out (5) 28 Circus performer (7) 29 Most extended (7) 32 Restaurant worker (6) 34 Cherish (8) 36 Zaniest (8) 37 In recent times (6) 39 Total loss of hope (7) 40 Anew (7) 45 Is aware of (5) 47 Skydiver’s canopy (9) 48 Vessels for flowers (5) 51 Theatrical show (11) 53 Least attractive (7) 55 Communication with God (6) 56 Ranked competitors (5) 58 Growing milk teeth (8) 59 Indication (4) 60 More disobedient (9) 61 Immersed briefly (6) DOWN 1…

Vagina perfume Q I've got a speed dating event coming up. Sounds weird but I hear that dabbing scent from my vagina on to my neck will attract the opposite sex. Is this true? Anna, Bristol A Known as vabbing, this is when you apply vaginal secretions to pulse point, aiming to attract the opposite sex by releasing pheromones. However, there’s a lack of scientific proof that human pheromones play a big role in attraction. While anything that gives you confidence may help, attraction is about many things, like personality, appearance and shared interests, not just scent. Vabbing can also cause skin irritation or discomfort, as vaginal secretions can change based on your menstrual cycle. If you decide to try it, keep good vaginal hygiene and talk to a doctor if…

1 Anaemia Iron deficiency anaemia commonly occurs due to a lack of iron in your diet, leading to a reduction in red blood cells. Symptoms include low energy, breathlessness and pale skin. Untreated it can lead to heart problems and reduce immunity. The test Hold out your hand, palm up and push your fingers back. Your palm will go pale, but if the deep lines go white you may be anaemic. 2 Artery health Peripheral arterial disease is when arteries supplying the leg muscles fur up. This can cause high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. The test Lie on your bed and elevate your bare legs to a 45-degree angle. Hold them for one minute, then hang the legs down over the side of the bed at 90 degrees. If one or both feet…

Reaching for the remote control, I clicked on to Netflix and found my fave show. I was hooked on Virgin River, a romantic drama about a midwife working in a remote town in California. And after the couple of days I’d had, it was just the distraction I needed. It was an evening in August 2024 and I’d been at the GP that afternoon. The latest appointment in a long line… It all started years earlier in 2015, when I was 32. I’d been diagnosed with coeliac disease, a long-term illness causing my immune system to attack my gut. My diet needed to change – I avoided pasta and bread that caused painful flare-ups There’d been another side effect too. The condition had given me osteopenia, meaning my bones weren’t…

3 ways to… boost your career in 2025 Here’s how to progress in your current workplace this year or seek out pastures new 1 Sort your skills Whether you’re hoping for a promotion or want to find new opportunities elsewhere, think about what skills you could improve that would help you get there. Are there any training opportunities offered in your current workplace you could take advantage of? Check out the Skills Toolkit at nationalcareers.service.gov.uk. You’ll find free courses designed to help you learn new talents or change jobs such as how to improve communication skills. Taking on a volunteering role in your spare time may also give you valuable experience, and could be rewarding too. Go green, save cash M&S has partnered with alterations experts Sojo to launch a clothing repair…

Apple and blackberry cobbler A tasty alternative to crumble, the biscuit topping is hard to resist. SERVES 6 PREP 25 MINS COOK 1 HR 10 MINS FOR THE FILLING: ● 2 Bramley apples, peeled, cored and sliced ● 3 Braeburn apples (unpeeled), cored and sliced ● 60g unsalted butter, cubed  ● 70g soft light brown sugar ● ½tsp mixed spice ● 1tsp lemon juice ● 1tsp cornflour ● 200g blackberries FOR THE TOPPING: ● 200g plain flour ● 100g soft light brown sugar, plus extra to sprinkle ● 1½tsp baking powder ● 150g unsalted butter, cubed ● 1 orange, zest only ● 25g pistachios, chopped TO SERVE: ● Brandy whipped cream YOU WILL NEED: ● 1ltr pie dish 1 Heat the oven to 160C Fan. Mix all of the filling…

Starface Hydro-Star Recovery Patches, £12.99, Superdrug Pimple patches can help reduce redness or inflammation and these new stickers are designed to treat spots if you’ve already squeezed them, keeping bacteria out and promoting faster healing. Oriflame The Body Edition Smoothing Body Scrub, £11, oriflame.com Slough away dry skin with this body scrub. It uses a mix of crushed almond shells and glycolic acid to buff and smooth any roughness, keeping your arms and legs soft and supple. B.Calm Soothing Serum, £14.99, Superdrug Keep dryness at bay this winter by making sure your skin is topped up with nourishing ingredients. This silky serum contains aloe vera and oat extract to hydrate and calm parched cheeks. Nivea Regenerating Micellar Water, £7.99, Boots Stubborn mascara and make-up are swiped away in seconds with…

Chat winners issue 40 (27 Sept 2024) £1,001 CASH A Brown, Harwich £500 CASH J Durkin, Southport G Moore, Coventry £250 CASH R Antczak, Ipswich M Robson, Cannock £200 CASH C Baran, Great Yarmouth £100 CASH C Polter, Goole S Ballantyne, Leeds P McCheyne, Denny £50 CASH F Munro, Yarm H Rush, Crowborough J Higher, Huddersfield A Taylor, Nottingham P Guntley, Luton C Clare, Chorley £40 CASH R Burwell, Ipswich £30 CASH P Bingham, Peacehaven B Evennett, London £25 CASH M Lawton, Stoke-on-Trent C Barnes, Lydney Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £20 CASH H Jones, Southport S Phillips, Cranbrook M Jones, Powys P Nielsen, Coulsdon K Nicholls, Glasgow C Hitchcott, Taunton K Wood, Brighouse E Bethell, London H Sanderson, Sheffield A Turner, Blackpool A Downey, Selby…

When making a cuppa, what comes first, tea or milk? It always tastes better made in a pot. For me, it’s a medium brew with tea poured into the cup first, then milk and no sugar. I really do enjoy a lovely cup of tea! Do you have a favourite book? Yes, Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. A real classic, it’s a passionate, gothic novel featuring a sad, toxic relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff. If you could have a superpower what would it be? I would like to rid the world of illness and pain with a click of my fingers – something close to my heart because I have rheumatoid arthritis. My three kids are my superheroes and I’m so proud of them. What’s your favourite sandwich filling? That would have to…

What was voted the best LGBTQ+ film of all time in a poll for the 30th anniversary of the BFI’s Flare film festival? The answer to each clue (apart from the first) begins with the last letter of the preceding answer. The shaded squares will spell out the one-word prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 1 Skill (6) 2 _ Never Dies, Bond film (8) 3 Clothes storage unit (8) 4 American word for aubergine (8) 5 Really great (8) 6 Kentish cathedral city (10) 7 Give way, surrender (5) 8 Assimilated food (8) 9 Fire-breathing creature 10 Variety of peach (9) 11 Primary, fundamental (10) 12 Pull hard (4) 13 Young cat (6) 14 The Big Apple (3,4) 15 Lightly curried rice, fish and egg dish (8) 16 Dutch cheese (4) Your answer:…

Engines roared, crowds cheered and my son Jake, 13, leapt to his feet and punched the air. ‘Brilliant race,’ he beamed as Formula 1 cars zoomed over the finish. My boy lived life with 100% enthusiasm. Whether watching his beloved F1 or charging into freezing cold water in a wetsuit to go kayaking or sailing. He was the life and soul of every party. Only, driving him to school soon after, in June 2023, Jake sniffed. ‘I’ve got a watery nose and eyes again,’ he sighed. ‘Probably hayfever,’ I said. He’d been suffering for weeks but luckily antihistamines helped. In July 2023, Jake and his sister Ava, then 16, were staying with their dad, my ex-husband Adam, 42, while I visited family. That week, Adam phoned. ‘There’s swelling on the…

After four decades of marriage, Helen Showalter, 60, had made a big decision. One that took some courage. She’d filed for divorce. It was July 2021 and things between lollipop lady Helen and her husband Gregory, 61, hadn’t been good at all. Recently, police had responded to domestic disturbances. Including one at the family home in Ottumwa, Iowa. Well liked in the community, Helen was considered a ‘real nice person’ by neighbours. Then, on 31 July 2021, she went missing. Police were told that Helen had last been seen walking away from a vehicle near the Garrison Rock Park in rural Wapello County. It was also reported that Helen, who was suffering with pre-existing medical conditions, didn’t have her medication with her. Cops started searching and also spoke to her…

Q My son is a carpenter and he’s been complaining that one of his fingers locks and catches when he tries to bend it. What can he do? Susie, Southend A He might have trigger finger, which is caused by inflammation in the tendons. Encourage him to rest the finger and avoid activities that worsen the condition. He could apply ice for 15-20 minutes several times a day to reduce swelling and consider taking over-thecounter pain relievers like ibuprofen for discomfort. Gentle stretching and exercises can help keep the finger flexible and wearing a splint, especially at night, may provide relief. If the problem persist, working with a physical therapist might help. Lastly, consult a doctor for advice, as they may suggest additional treatments like injections or surgery if needed.…

HAPPY HOUR YEEHAW! FANCY FLORALS…

My brothers are useless Q I’m struggling to get my brothers on board with helping care for our mum – she’s in her 80s and needs more support since a recent fall. I’m trying to sort a rota so we can share the responsibility of checking in on her. But one brother thinks she’s fine, and the other wants to put her in a home, which she really doesn’t want. I’m tearing my hair out. Karen, 50 A Bless you for working so hard to keep your mum as comfortable as possible, but you’re carrying all the weight on your shoulders, pet. This can’t carry on. Do your brothers understand the reality of the situation, that your mum’s needs have changed since the fall? It sounds like you need to get firm…

Dancing on Ice ITV1 ● Another bunch of brave celebs lace up their skates for the greatest show on ice, as it returns for its 17th series with Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby hosting from the side of the rink. Among the famous faces taking part this year are Corrie’s Sam Aston, ex-EastEnders actor Charlie Brooks, reality star Ferne McCann, wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan, Hollyoaks’ Chelsee Healey and Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave, who will all be hoping to impress the returning panel of judges: ice-dancing royalty Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, former Strictly star Oti Mabuse and Diversity’s Ashley Banjo. DON’T MISS DON’T MISS Unstoppable PRIME VIDEO ● This one-off biopic stars Moonlight actor Jharrel Jerome as real-life wrestling champion Anthony Robles, who battled his way to the top despite…

Q I’m planning on making a change with my hair this year. Do you have any ideas to try? Hannah Fielder, Dorset A If you want a really big change, a new colour can completely switch up your look. Auburn tones are set to be big news this year and will suit most skin tones. The key is to avoid harsh orange shades and opt for more natural-looking colours that will be gentle on your strands, such as Garnier Good Permanent Hair Dye in Turmeric Copper, £12, Boots. If you’re looking for a new cut, try a chin-length bob, as it’s a classic that still has a contemporary feel. Keep it looking full with a mist of volumiser like Fudge Professional Push It Up Blow Dry Spray, £14.99, lookfantastic.com, before…

WIN £500 Puzzle 18 The answers to all but one of these quiz questions can be found hidden in this wordsearch grid, reading forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally. To help you, we’ll tell you that the answers are in alphabetical order in each section. However, one answer can’t be found in the grid. This is your prize answer. STYLE 1 Which South Korean rapper had a 2012 hit with Gangnam Style? (3) 2 What name is given to an outline drawing of a face in profile, filled in with black, which features in Taylor Swift’s video for her 2015 single Style? (10) 3 Style and gnomon are parts of which simple time-telling device, commonly found on churches, or in public or private gardens? (7) ANTI-HERO 4 The song Anti-hero…

Dear John, The wind rushed past my ears as I flew higher. It was May 2003 and, then 12, I loved going to the park. The swings were my favourite. Jumping off mid-air, I landed hard. ‘Ow!’ I screamed. Pain seared through my legs. ‘I can’t walk,’ I sobbed, as my dad Mark, then 41, rushed over. He carried me home, then took me to hospital. I had no feeling or movement in my legs. Then, after six weeks in hospital… ‘You have acute transverse myelitis,’ a specialist explained after tests and scans. My immune system had attacked the nerves in my spine. But it hadn’t been triggered by the incident on the swing. Purely a coincidence that the shooting pain had struck at that very moment. It had left…