CROWNING GLORY
MARY BERRY OUTRAGE PUSHED OUT FOR PRUE LEITH!
Dawn’s secret is out!
REVEALED
The toyboy putting this smile on her face
Get hair like Kate
JUDY’S ! R O R R TE
Richard’s rant about the ‘misfit weirdo’ stalker hounding his wife
MUM’S HEARTBREAK 28 february 2017 issue 08
Stabbed to death, just hours after I kissed my son goodbye
TI M E FOR THE
CUPPA D IE T ! DRINK AWAY 1 STONE IN 1 MONTH
ontents Psst! Want the secret to serenity?
Paint on pastel to nail your newseason mani
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Inside week TH IS
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Last weekend, I went to a spa in Devon. To be fair, even when I treat myself at the local beauty salon I love every second, so it was a given I was going to enjoy the experience. But, this time, I discovered a fantastic British brand of products. So, like Peter Andre in the Npower ads (see left!), I’ve gone all zen… and I’m going to let you in on the secret: it’s called AromaWorks. Invented by Jane Hibbert, the aromatherapy oils are now in my bathroom cupboard, and I’m currently burning an ‘Inspire’ difuser at my desk. Everything it sells is 100 per cent natural and, apparently, some of our top TV stars have known about it for a while now, so… take a look! O Please let us know your thoughts on facebook. com/bestmagazine
ON THE COVER
REAL LIFE
11 Judy’s terror! Richard’s rant about the ‘misit weirdo’ stalker hounding his wife 20 Dawn’s secret is out! 32 Time for the cuppa diet! 36 Mum’s heartbreak: Stabbed to death, just hours after I kissed my son goodbye 38 Crowning glory: Get hair like Kate 40 Mary Berry outrage: Pushed out for Prue Leith!
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30 Together through thick – and thin! 34 Why do people cheat?
REGULARS 6 Start your week with a smile 14 Style: Wear it now 18 best on test: Crêpe makers and frying pans 19 Cash advice: Be a pension superstar! 21 Carol McGiin: The Way I See It 22 Health: Eat your way out of exhaustion 24 We’re all talking about
SHOWBIZ
10 Is Susanna leaving Piers? 12 Andrea McLean: ‘My mistakes haunt me’ EXECUTIVE EDITOR 16 Sarah Parish: ‘Posh? SIOBHAN WYKES I’m from Somerset!’
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26 Style: Celebrate your shape 29 Beauty: Take your nails into spring 42 Pancake perfection 45 Food in a lash 46 Homes: Tropical paradise 48 Girls’ night in… and out 52 Tony Cowell 54 Travel: Of the wall 57 Crossword: Win £550 58 Treat yourself for under a tenner Hearst Magazines UK is a trading name of The National Magazine Company Limited (Registered in England number 112955) whose registered offices are at 72 Broadwick Street, London W1F 9EP. Terms and conditions: Entrants must be 18 or over. Employees of The National Magazine Company trading as Hearst Magazines UK, Spoke and associated companies are excluded from taking part. Hearst Magazines UK retains the right to not award prizes to claimants or consortiums who in the opinion of Hearst Magazines UK have not entered into the spirit of the promotion. Should more prizes be claimed than are available in any prize category for any reason or claimed as a result of a technical error, a simple draw may take place for the prize. The editor’s decision is final. Suppliers cannot be held responsible for breakdown in communication systems or networks. Images are for representational purposes only. SP: Spoke, www.Spoke-Interactive. com. Data Protection: We will use the information you supply to process your competition entry. For our privacy policy visit hearst.co.uk/dp
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COVER PICTURES: GEORGE BAMBY, GETTY, ITV, SWNS.COM THIS PAGE: EROTEME.CO.UK, GETTY
Give this allnatural Brit brand a try
UR O Y T R A ST
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WHAT A FLUFFBALL!
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Instagram/@mariahcarey
While the frizzy look certainly doesn’t work for all of us, this brave ball of fur is rocking his perfectly round afro! The adorable bichon frise was looking his absolute best while he took part in a dog show in New York City. We definitely think he’s award-winning…
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Mariah still looks incredible at 46!
Mariah’s mad moments We love Mariah Carey (regular readers will know just how much), and just when we thought she couldn’t shock us any more, the 46-year-old singer upped the bonkers factor with what could possibly be her maddest week yet. After we assume a hard day in the oice, the US diva rewarded herself with a relaxing bath illed with balloons and confetti. Well, that’s one way to save on the water bill! 6 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE
best this WEEK
Lovely in lace
OUND THE best READ AR
3 It’s not just women in the know who go ape for our favourite magazine. This chimpanzee looks totally gripped as he takes a break from monkeying around to catch up with the week’s hottest read. You’d have to be bananas to miss it.
We love Emma’s dressover-trouser ensemble, as well as Sam and Amanda’s more traditional lace looks!
IF THE SHOE FITS We’re counting down the days until the new Beauty And The Beast film hits cinemas (17 March, in case you were wondering). And if you’re as excited as us, you can now shop the enchanted oicial collection from the Disney Store and online. Perfect for the little princess in your life, we’re loving these Belle costume shoes for kids, £20.99. Although if we’re being perfectly honest, we basically want it all!
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WORDS: MILLE GOOCH, RACHEL CUNNINGHAM, SARAH WHITELEY PICTURES: GETTY, INSTAGRAM, LAURIE SPARHAM, PA, REUTERS, REX
It’s the feminine fabric that oozes class, an d these celebs showed us how to shine in ladylike lace. Whi le Emma Stone, 28 La La Land ’s , looked chic in Chanel (the dres strend is big news) over-trouser , TOWIE ’s Sam Faiers, 26, got it al l-w floaty gown. Loo hite in her king perfect in pink, Amanda Hol teamed her penc den, 46, il dres an oversized coat s with in the same shade.
UR O Y T R A ST
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Seeing red!
Our temperature’s rising just looking at this gorgeous medic! Fran Suarez is a Spanish nurse, as well as a part-time model and dancer. His selies have earned him 50,000 Instagram followers, and are setting our pulses racing!
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Instagram/@fransuarezr
IS THIS THE HOTTEST NURSE EVER?
Instagram/@fransuarezr
WORDS: LOUISE BULGIN, MILLIE GOOCH PICTURES: INSTAGRAM, REX, THE SUN/ NEWS SYNDICATION
It’s a shade associated with oncoming danger, but actress Natalie Robb, 42, clearly didn’t see the warning signs when she was majorly at risk of falling out of this velvet frock (inset)! Meanwhile, looking red hot, our favourite fashionista, Victoria Beckham, also 42, showed how to stop traic in her knitted top and skirt. Teamed with a blue shirt buttoned up to the neck, there were no wardrobe malfunctions here!
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Victoria’s sleek and stylish knitted combo puts Natalie’s velvet number to shame
best this WEEK
HER CROWNING GLORY
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We all dream of good hair days, but when tiny tot Sophia-Mae was born in September 2016, she already had a head full of thick dark tresses. Her mum, Laura Myers, has taken extra –special care of the little one’s luscious locks, which are now long enough to style into a ponytail. Laura even blow-dries Sophia-Mae’s barnet every day! It’s certainly her mane attraction...
9 Dandisse ctotaturem doluptatem quodit, tet il ipidiss itatibus
Puppy love How absolutely gorgeous is Gloria Hunniford’s new puppy, Polly? We adore her new Cavalier King Charles spaniel, and we’re not the only ones. She’s already appeared on ITV’s Loose Women, and was a huge hit.
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Looking for a mani that lasts? Try mark.’s Gel Shine Nail Enamel from Avon. The polish locks in colour and shine to make sure your talons are always looking tip-top. There’s 35 shades to suit everyone, all for £7 each!
best for CELEBRITY New pastures for the journalist and presenter
WORDS: SHELLEY MARSDEN
Is Susanna leaving Piers? GMB star Susanna Reid is branching into prime-time telly, leaving her sidekick Piers Morgan behind…
PICTURES: GETTY, ITV, TWITTER
… who was strangely quiet at the NTAs!
Matt’s a far cry from Piers…
Twitter/@susannareid100
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ood Morning Britain co-hosts Susanna Reid, 46, and Piers Morgan, 51, have always been a formidable double act. But Susanna is set to spread her wings (leaving Piers behind) as she begins her first prime-time TV hosting spot – with another man! Susanna’s new on-screen ‘husband’ is laid-back chef Matt Tebbutt, who will be
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Did you know? She may be hosting a food show, but Susanna’s not averse to a cheeky takeaway. ‘I can happily sit in on a Friday night with a burrito, then have a Chinese the next night.’
joining her to co-present a new eight-part series, Save Money: Good Food, coming soon to ITV. It will see Susanna and Matt, 43, ofer top tips on how to save on your food shop without compromising on quality or taste. Spending time with a diferent family each week, they’ll rustle up family meals for under £5. Single mother-of-three Susanna (she has sons Sam, 14, Finn, 12, and Jack, 11, with her ex, Dominic Cotton) has said, ‘Matt is a great cook, and I’m delighted to be working with him,’ while the celeb chef has confessed he can’t wait to ‘get creative’ with Susanna. So will the pretty brunette be indulging in the same line of flirty banter with Matt she famously enjoys with Piers? If she does, it will, of course, be harmless, as Matt is happily married to ‘real Welsh Valleys girl’ Lisa. And Susanna recently maintained, ‘I’m not dating, and right now it feels like absolutely the right thing to be single and independent.’ But could introducing a new on-screen hubby be enough to rule Piers’s feathers? The former Britain’s Got Talent judge has never hidden the soft spot he has for his Croydon-born co-host, once describing her as ‘probably the most eligible female in the country’, and we imagine he’ll watch the new show closely. Viewers swooned over Matt last year during his guest appearances on BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen. One excited fan tweeted, ‘Well impressed with @matt_tebbutt on #saturdaykitchen this morning! Fab presenter and easy on the eye too.’ Indeed he is. But don’t be jealous, Piers – you know Susanna always comes back to you in the morning…
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WORDS: LYNN CARRATT
Richard rages at Judy stalker Why Richard Madeley wishes the ‘misfit weirdo’ would leave himself and his wife alone…
‘Richard just started having a fit in the middle of the street, shouting at me’
PICTURES: TWITTER
Twitter/@56 richardm
Richard loses it with the rogue photographer
Judy hides from the lens
he thought of a stalker is a terrifying one for any woman. So it’s little wonder that Richard Madeley has despaired over the man who’s been seemingly obsessed with himself and his wife for the past three years... Last summer, on a book tour of the Lake District promoting Richard’s latest novel, The Night Book, the exasperated star noticed the man following the couple for four days. It all came to a head in Cockermouth, Cumbria, when Judy Finnigan, 68, refused to leave the car, and her hubby confronted the man. According to a bystander, Richard then ‘had a screaming match with him in the middle of the street. Judy looked terrified and refused to get out of the car’. When best tracked down the
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alleged stalker – a lone, rogue photographer called George Bamby – he told us, ‘I know Richard probably hates me, but I am just taking pictures. He’s even said I stalk Judy and that I had an interest in her, but I can honestly say I haven’t got any weirdo interest in his wife. ‘I told him who I was when we were in Cumbria, and he started having a fit in the middle of the street, pointing and shouting at me.’ On another occasion, Richard chased the man after spotting him outside the couple’s Cornwall retreat. Furious Richard took to Twitter, writing, ‘ So who are the two peeping Toms who just flew a drone over my garden near Looe? Chased them down to a white van.’ Hours later, he tweeted that the ‘peeping Toms’ had handed themselves into the police with ‘babbled excuses and apologies’, which were ‘total pap bull’. He thanked Devon and Cornwall Police for their help with the ‘creeps’. Taking to Twitter again recently, and referring to George, Richard wrote, ‘He’s an odd person, isn’t he? Weird to be stalked by such a misfit.’ Adding later, ‘Oddball is as oddball does, certainly weird to be stalked by a weirdo.’ But the photographer says he is simply doing his job. ‘I know Chloe [Richard and Judy’s 29-year-old daughter] has been on the phone to other photographers accusing me of stalking her mum,’ he confessed. ‘And Richard has started getting really abusive with me now, swearing at me and tweeting insults. I won’t stop following them, though – why should I?’ Hmm. We can see why Judy may well have had enough. Let’s hope it all ends peacefully.
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VE I S U L C X E
‘My mistakes haunt me’ ndrea McLean is back in the Loose Women saddle after six months off recovering from a hysterectomy, and the 47-year-old is in a reflective mood. She has had a rocky love life that has kept her in the headlines since she began her career as a TV presenter. She wed childhood sweetheart Nick Green – the father of her 16-year-old son, Finlay – then left him for TV show builder Steve Toms, remarried and had daughter Amy, now 10, but the marriage broke down after three years. She is now happily settled with boyfriend Nick Feeney,
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TV star Andrea McLean opens up about the long list of things she’s ‘done wrong, messed up’ or wished she could have changed... who she met on a blind date. But as she heads towards 50, she takes a look back on her life and - like most of us sees things she wishes she’d done differently. You’re coming up to 10 years on Loose Women – does that make you the longest-serving host? It does! And the best thing is, in any other presenting job you’re constantly waiting for a 12-year-old to sneak up
Loose Women panellists (L-R) Linda Robson, Stacey Solomon, Nadia Sawalha and Andrea
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behind you and whip your job away. But with Loose Women, every year that passes is more experience you can bring to the table. Do you ever feel in competition with younger presenters, like 38-yearold Christine Lampard (née Bleakley) and Martine McCutcheon, 40? Not at all, it’s like new girls joining school. There’s a real sense of solidarity and sisterhood, and we all look out for each other. People love the idea that female presenters hate each other, but it’s not true. What do you think of Coleen’s victory in Celebrity Big Brother? She did brilliantly. I think she deserves a prize for just surviving. Most of the Loose Women have been into the Big Brother house, but I just couldn’t do it. I’d be crying every day, because of how horrible everybody is – all that shouting and aggression. You’ve been with boyfriend Nick now
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The face of Kellogg’s
for three years. Has he restored your faith in love? You know, I think he has. I had completely walked away from the whole idea of it, thinking, ‘Maybe this isn’t for me, this isn’t my destiny.’ But when we met, neither of us were desperately looking, so there was no pressure – it’s just gradually grown into something wonderful. Any plans to get married? We get asked this all the time, and he has said to me, ‘Will you stop saying, “Never again,” because, actually, that is really rude to me.’ We have parked it for the moment, but I will say he has made me more positive
Bullies, backstabbers and betrayers TV is a to
ugh business, and Andrea is te stament to that. ‘I’ve been in the industry a long time, and you can’t expect to work so mewhere like this without coming across some pret ty people,’ she says tough . ‘There’s been bu llying, back-stabbing, ru mours, betrayals, all so rts – especially in my early days. ‘And every time, I’ve just walked away . I don’t suppose it’s just in TV, but I have heard a lot of bitching and nast made things dii iness cult. in my time,’ says ‘Every time, I jus the t sort one-time GMTV of accepted it an d kept weather presente on working and try r. ing ‘At times, it felt as my best.’ if people just didn As the old adage ’t want me to get ahead, ‘What doesn’t kil says, so they l yo makes you strong u er.’
about life in every way. You’re looking fabulous. How are you feeling? Absolutely fantastic! I have reclaimed my body, and I’m feeling fit and strong. I don’t like this time of year, but I’m cheering up these cold, dark mornings by using a Kellogg’s light therapy bowl which is brilliant. It’s very relaxing and really boosts your mood. Do you have any regrets? If you’d asked me this a few years ago, I’d have given you a really long list of things I felt I’d done wrong, messed up or that I wished I could have changed. Now, I’ve made peace with myself. I wouldn’t be where I am now if I hadn’t made good and bad decisions along the way, so I’m OK with that. I’ve been carrying a lot of stuf around with me, anxiety and guilt, and now I feel about a stone lighter. Has it made it worse that your personal life has been made so public? Not only is it more diicult, but you’re constantly reminded of it. If the woman in the street makes a mistake, time passes and people forget. But for me, everything I have ever got wrong is brought up over and over again. It’s a never-ending loop. So, being able to put it to one side is great. What is nice now is, finally, my headlines aren’t, ‘Andrea’s world is ending’ – that’s great. Life is great.
WORDS: DEIRDRE O’BRIEN PICTURES: EROTEME.CO.UK, FAMEFLYNET.UK.COM, ITV, REX
Andrea with boyfriend Nick
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For sunny spring days, swap your winter coat for a casual jacket and some laid-back loafers.
‘Posh?
I’m from Somerset!’ I
Actress Sarah Parish tells us why filming Broadchurch was so upsetting - and why she would love to play a Mistress again… about her family life, and explains why filming Broadchurch brought back painful memories of her dad… Sarah, not many people realise you’re a West Country girl. Now you can show of your native accent in Broadchurch… I know! People always think I’m northern or posh, but I was born in Yeovil [Somerset], which is just up the road from where Broadchurch is filmed.
Sarah and Lenny Henry have joined the Broadchurch cast
Former Corrie fave Julie Hesmondhalgh is also on board
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I dropped the accent when I went to drama school in London and it was hard to get it back at first, but then it came quite easily. So you know the local area quite well? Coming back to West Bay [Dorset, where the series is filmed] was very nostalgic for me, and quite sad, because the last time I saw my father alive was in Lyme Regis, just up the road, in 2013. Passing through Yeovil on the way to the Broadchurch set was often quite upsetting – like I was saying goodbye to that time of my life. Tell us about your character, Cath Atwood… Cath is a big fish in a small pond. She was the girl at school who all the boys fancied, and she married the handsome local boy, Jim [Mark Bazeley]. Now, though, she thinks they should be doing a little bit better. She works in a farm shop owned by Ed Burnett [Lenny Henry] with her mate, Trish Winterton [Julie Hesmondhalgh].
Twitter/@DrSarahParish
t’s been a frantic time for Sarah Parish of late. best visited the 48-year-old on the set of Broadchurch, and she’s also filming a new series of the comedy W1A in London. This means dashing to and from the Hampshire home she shares with her husband, Suspects actor James Murray, 42, and their seven-yearold daughter Nell. Heartbreakingly, Sarah lost a child before Nell was born. EllaJayne died of a heart complication at eight months old in 2009, and her parents now run the Murray Parish Trust charity in her memory. Here, the actress talks
Sarah’s a devoted mum to Nell
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The drama kicks of just after Cath’s 50th birthday party, after Trish is raped. DI Alec Hardy [David Tennant] and DS Ellie Miller [Olivia Colman] investigate Trish’s assault. Where does Cath it in? The police interview Cath’s guests because the assault happened on the grounds of the party venue. Cath and Trish have one of those old friendships where Cath is the one in charge. She hangs out with Trish because she knows she’s a little bit better than her. Broadchurch’s plotlines have always been a closely guarded secret. Have you managed to keep tight-lipped? All my friends are like, ‘Just tell me – I won’t tell anyone’, but I’m really good at keeping
Sarah: ‘I think w a problem accee have pt older actressesing ’ Sarah says she fe els very acce
fortunate to have be ofered the meaty en ro she has played th les roughout her career. ‘I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy the work I do. You get to a certain ag e and wonder what kin d of you’re going to be roles ofered because, as a wo man, once you get past 40, you’re desexuali sed,’ says the actress . ‘We have a prob lem
pting that women nearing their 50 s and 60s can hold a dram a. It’s a real shame, beca use that’s who watches TV . ‘It’s not the publ ic [who have the problem ], but the people who mak e ilms and TV program mes. ‘It’s even happen ing to blokes, too, th ese days. Unless an actor has a six-pack and big muscles, he probably won’ t get the job,’ she adds.
The actress stays in touch with the Mistresses girls
secrets. My husband wasn’t that interested in knowing – probably because he’s not in it! You’ve been super-busy of late. Now you’re working on W1A and are about to ilm Bancroft, a new ITV Encore drama. How do you juggle work and home life? For the past four years, I’ve taken jobs based near home, because I like to be home for Nell. But I’m about to start 10 weeks in Manchester. I’ve decided I can’t stop taking jobs if they’re bigger roles – and at least it’s not abroad. It will be hard to be away, but Jim will be at home more. You’ve starred in so many great shows, including Cutting It, Mistresses, Atlantis and W1A. Which one do you ind people ask you about most? Mistresses resonated with a lot of women – and blokes, too. I used to have big burly butchers going, ‘Oh, I loved you in that.’ All the girls are still close [co-stars Shelley Conn, Sharon Small and Orla Brady], and we’re going out next week. I’d love to do another series. There you go – put that in the magazine! O Broadchurch series 3 begins on Monday 27 February at 9pm on ITV. For more details of Sarah and James’s charity, visit themurrayparish trust.com
WORDS: VICKI POWER PICTURES: BBC, CAMERA PRESS, ITV, REX, TWITTER
She and James are closer than ever
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Cuisinart Wale Maker, £60 The key to getting the most out of this dinky machine is nailing the mixture. Thanks to the recipe book inside, it’s fairly straightforward.
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FEATURE: MILLIE GOOCH
Wilko Everyday Value Non-Stick Frying Pan, £5 The packaging screams budget, but the product is surprisingly good quality.
best for CASH ADVICE THE KEY QUESTIONS ‘Let’s face it, all we really want to know is, “How much money am I going to get, and when am I going to get it?”’ says Sarah. ‘You can get an estimated statement of your state pension – known as your state pension forecast – at gov.uk/check-statepension. If it doesn’t seem enough to keep you in baked beans, let alone an annual holiday, then it’s definitely time to consider your options.’
Sarah Pennells
WORDS: LAURA MILLAR PICTURES: BIGSTOCK, GETTY
It may sound boring, but being clued-up about your pension pays off, explains personal finance expert Sarah from savvywoman.co.uk he very word ‘pension’ can make us yawn, but planning ahead for the future is crucial. ‘I always say to the women I advise, “Do you want to live of £20 a day?”’ says Sarah. ‘That’s how much the full state pension would give you (currently, it’s £155.65 a week). Personally, I don’t, so I’d encourage anyone who’s hiding their head in the sand to give it serious thought.’ Here are her top pension-savvy tips…
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Be a pension superstar! DON’T FEAR TAKING THE FIRST STEP
GET PENSIONWISE ‘If you’re over 50, you’re entitled to a free online or phone appointment with Pension Wise, the government’s pension help and information service (pensionwise. gov.uk/privacy). It was launched to help people who have a ‘pension pot’ – wherein they’ve accumulated money from working at diferent jobs – decide what to do with the money. Since April 2015, you can leave your pension where it is or take cash out of it. Pension Wise can help you decide.’
‘If you’re not signed up to a workplace pension scheme, then joining a scheme of your own can seem daunting. Auto-enrolment is being phased in, which would benefit working women. If you’re self-employed, work part-time or spend a lot of time caring for someone else, it’s trickier. Many women aren’t sure how much they should put into a pension scheme and are put of by impenetrable jargon, so it’s sensible to seek advice. An independent financial advisor costs money, but their suggestions will be tailored to you.’
REMEMBER, IT’S NEVER TOO LATE ‘I often get women in their mid-40s and 50s asking me if they’ve left it too late to start a pension. If you want any kind of control over when you stop working, my answer is always better late than never! A simple, if slightly scary, rule is that you should take the age you are when you start saving, and divide it by two. That’s the percentage of your salary you ideally want to be putting away each month towards your pension. Obviously, this won’t be possible for everyone, so just put away what you can aford, as it’s genuinely better than nothing. If it helps, don’t refer to it as a pension – call it savings, which makes it seem less daunting.’ FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE 19
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Dawn French has been flirting online with a fellow comedian, but has hubby Mark noticed?
What’s Dawn so happy about?
Rufus turned on the Twitter charm
he’s happily married (to second husband, charity director Mark Bignell, 53), but that doesn’t mean Dawn French is ready to tone down her impish nature! The comedian and author, 59, was spectacularly propositioned on Twitter recently, by funnyman Rufus Hound (also happily married). Enamoured Rufus, 37, had clearly been listening to an interview with Dawn (as part
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of a podcast series with comic Richard Herring) and was impressed, tweeting, ‘Listened to your [podcast] last night and, suice to say, the amount I would like to snog your whole face of hasn’t diminished.’ Dawn, never one to shy away from making a statement herself, responded with, ‘Bring it on, likely lad…’ Rufus, set to play Mr Toad in this summer’s London West End production of The Wind Hubby Mark doesn’t seem worried!
Dawn is delighted that Delicious will make a return
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In The Willows, is clearly no ‘toad’ where Ms French is concerned. We hope hubby Mark didn’t take ofence at their saucy chat! Still, we don’t think Dawn’s going to follow the path of her character in Sky drama Delicious and dive into any love triangles. But no wonder she’s ecstatic; Dawn is riding high right now, and it’s set to be a big year for her, not least as she turns 60 in October. Coming of the back of her triumphant 30 Million Minutes world stand-up tour, the first series of Delicious on Sky 1 earlier this year and thrilled fans. One viewer tweeted, ‘Great show, believable
female characters, best location and food porn ever.’ When it was confirmed for another series, Dawn admitted she was ‘utterly delighted’. She’s also poised to host ITV’s Little Big Shots from 1 March, which fans are getting equally excited about. One Twitter user wrote, ‘The more I see the advert for @Dawn_French Little Big Shots the more I’m looking forward to watching it.’ And in real life, things seem rosy for Dawn and Mark, who presented her with some heart-shaped stones last week (presumably from the beach near their Cornish home), which she shared on Twitter, saying, ‘I done good marryin’.’ Rufus, you might be waiting a while for that big snog…
Dawn is riding high right now, and it’s set to be a big year for her
PICTURES: ITV, SKY, WIREIMAGE, XPOSURE
WORDS: SHELLEY MARSDEN & RACHEL CUNNINGHAM
CAROL McGIFFIN THE WAY I SEE IT... Wise words from our feisty, fearless and funny columnist
‘I
Sue the Lottery for winning? Get a grip, love!
POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL
Simple answer: give all the money away and pretend it never happened. But, as is usual for this generation of self-obsessed, over-entitled snowflakes, Jane looked around for someone to blame, and even contemplated suing Camelot for letting her buy a ticket. Where do these young people get of ? I don’t want to damn a whole generation – there are well-brought-up, sensible youngsters who understand the world doesn’t owe them a living. But it has to be said, there are a great number who don’t. They can’t bear it if they can’t have what they want – it bales them. I tell you what, I want someone to blame for that.’
PIC TURE S: BB
C, MEGA , NICKY
JOHNSTON, RE
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really hope I don’t bump into Jane Park any time soon, because I might have to give her a slap. She’s the girl who won £1 million on the National Lottery in 2013 at the age of 17, making her the youngest-ever winner at the time, with her first-ever ticket. Predictably, she spent large sums on all those things girls her age aspire to. Giant new boobs, fillers and Botox, a customised purple Range Rover, a couple of flats, designer togs, luxury holidays… Now 21, the ungrateful little moo is telling anyone who’ll listen that her win ruined her life. According to Jane, she (sometimes) wishes she’d never won and her life is ‘empty’ because she can’t find love. Altogether now, AH DIDDUMS!
best for STRAIGHT TALK
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I’m loathing... THE BITTER END?
SOAP DUDS
I’ve inally lost it with EastEnders. I’ve clung on, hoping it would return to greatness, but it’s getting worse. It’s not only the ridiculous PC preaching that drives me nuts, it’s the boring characters and the lame plotlines. But it was the pointless ‘doof doofs’ that tipped me over the edge, like the reunion clinch between dullard Michelle (Jenna Russell , above) and her schoolboy lover. I’ve seen better acting and more suspense in an episode of Clangers. So, for now, I’m out. FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE 21
Eat your way out of exhaustion FEELING TIRED ALL THE TIME? A FEW SIMPLE CHANGES TO YOUR DIET COULD MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. DR ELLIE REVEALS THE FOODS YOU NEED TO EAT TO FEEL MORE AWAKE
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here are so many reasons for feeling more tired than you should, and often it’s actually a combination of a few things. Stress, too little sleep and trying to do too much in the day make us all long for a nap. Whatever the reason, boosting your energy levels through your diet could really help perk you up.
IRON WOMAN Iron is an essential mineral for energy – it’s a vital part of the blood cells that carry oxygen around your body. Boosting iron levels even if you’re not anaemic can help reduce fatigue. Very green vegetables contain a lot of iron, so try eating kale, broccoli or spinach daily. Red meat is another source of iron, while beans, legumes (such as peas and lentils) and dried fruit are great sources for vegetarians.
GET YOUR OATS Oats have countless health beneits, and a bowl of porridge for breakfast is a good source of slow-release carbohydrates, providing a steady stream of energy through the morning. Throw in some almonds and it’s even better. Sugary cereals, on the other hand, are likely to leave you slumping at your desk very quickly.
EASY AS ABC Vitamin B12 and folic acid are two vitamins essential for energy release, and a deiciency of either can cause extreme tiredness. Boosting your dietary levels of these will ensure your energy stays right up. Vitamin B12 comes from animal sources, so meat and ish or dairy products and eggs are important. Folic acid, on the other hand, comes from eating your greens. Broccoli, brussels sprouts and peas are great options.
TIME AND PLACE Think about how, where and when you eat. Mealtimes are a time to savour, relax and unwind – even 20 minutes can be enough to refresh yourself. Eating on the go or at your desk doesn’t give your mind or body a chance to relax. Your digestion will sufer, and that will only add to your fatigue. Take a proper break to eat well and chat with a friend.
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HYDRATION STATION Water is essential for the production and transfer of energy, so try to drink around 1.5-2 litres a day. Dehydration is a known cause of tiredness and fatigue, so it’s worth keeping yourself topped up. Water also helps to keep your bowels moving and minimises the risk of constipation, which can be another cause of sluggishness. All in all, plain water is a far better choice than energy drinks.
best for HEALTH
Look younger with Lesley Anti-ageing guru Lesley Reynolds reveals the latest treatments to help you stay youthful The skin around our eyes ages 36 per cent faster than the rest of our skin, and concealer can only do so much. Consider these clever options to put the sparkle back.
SUPERCHARGE YOUR LIFE WITH KEY FOODS
BANISH BAGS Partly down to genes, pufy eyes can also be due to an allergy or sinus problem – and the older you get, the more visible the problem, particularly over the age of 45. The wrinkle-reduction treatment Pellevé instantly refreshes the
area using radio-frequency energy. A small device placed against your skin stimulates collagen production to lift and smooth the area. Results can be seen straight away but, for best results, a six-week course, costing £998, will keep your peepers perkier for longer.
LIFT DROOPY LIDS Some people’s genetics mean their eyelids become looser, causing hooding. SmartXide is a CO2 laser-resurfacing procedure which can shrink skin by up to 30 per cent. This speedy treatment can be done in a lunch hour using a topical anaesthetic, but expect some redness for a week. Results last for around three years. From £400.
SEE OFF DARK CIRCLES Keeping energy levels up is all about slowrelease energy rather than quick spikes. This means avoiding the fast sugar hits such as chocolate bars and sugary pop. The sudden burst of energy these give you wears of quickly, resulting in a very noticeable slump. By contrast, ‘good’ carbohydrates, for example brown bread and bananas, provide sustained energy, as do protein-based snacks such as nuts or yoghurt.
SOMETHING FISHY Eating oily ish is a great way to boost energy, as it’s one of the few dietary sources of vitamin D, a lack of which can cause tiredness (moderate exposure to sunlight also provides vitamin D). It also contains vitamin A, which helps your immune system function as it should. It’s well worth eating some salmon, sardines or tuna every day, and mackerel is particularly good, as it also contains a lot of B12, which is another great energy booster.
taken from the arm, spun in a machine to separate growth factors, then injected into the area to stimulate new collagen. Results can last 6-12 months with one top-up. From £400.
AND DON’T FORGET… ● The only permanent solution for lots of loose skin is an eyelift. Blepharoplasty is a simple operation performed under local anaesthetic. Expect bruising and swelling for up to 2-3 weeks afterwards. Results are permanent. From £3,000. ● Applying cream incorrectly can exacerbate problems. Tap a small amount around the orbital bone, avoiding right
under the lash line. It’s not always necessary to buy a separate eye cream, as long as your moisturiser is light and easily absorbed. ● Temporarily shrink bags in minutes by wrapping an ice cube in cling film and gently rubbing pufy skin. ● Tone down shimmery eyeshadows – these reflect the light, illuminating any imperfections.
For more information on Lesley and her team of doctors, please visit harleystreetskinclinic.com
PICTURES: BIGSTOCK, GETTY, NICKY JOHNSTON
SHUN SUGAR
Pigmentation and skinthinning mean that shadowy under-eyes afect many of us. PRP (platelet-rich plasma) Therapy involves having blood
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
If you haven’t had time to keep up with Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, we’ve done it for you…
A wheely good idea? Have you ever found yourself lugging your heavy suitcase through the airport and wished it would follow you around with no efort on your part? Enter Gita, the robot case capable of hauling up to 40lb of luggage or shopping while following its human controller. From the firm behind Vespa scooters, the machine can carry items without supervision, along a pre-determined route, at speeds of up to 22mph. The makers hope it’ll help people move more freely in congested areas. So is this designed to get us out and about, or just another lazy life hack adding to our obesity crisis?
e r ’ e W t u o ab KING L A T L L A
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Tell us at facebook.com/ bestmagazine
Taste the rainbow What do you put in your pancake mix? Add all the food colouring you can get your hands on, and you’ve got the latest fun food sensation to grace Pinterest. Apparently the trick is cooking your crazy creations on a low heat – after all, you want them blue (and red, orange, yellow, green, indigo and violet), not brown. Some might think they’re a little garish, but we reckon they’re the perfect way to cheer yourself up in the morning. Breakfast oicially brightened! Find them at pinterest.com
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Instagram/@unicornfrosted
Go flippin’ colourful
PICK of the best
Stripy art attack! This little girl went animal crackers when she coloured in her baby sister – in permanent marker. Three-year-old Sovereign Herrmann was caught red-handed by mum Amy after she’d drawn all over her 18-month-old sister, Pippen. ‘What is this?’ the 26 year old from Adelaide, Australia asks when she comes across the scene, to which her cheeky daughter replies immediately, ‘A zebra.’ And even when her mum tells her how silly it is, Sovereign refuses to be deterred. ‘But I love zebras,’ she states confidently. Sovereign may have got her artistic flair from her mum, a photographer and visual artist. ‘We do lots of drawing and painting,’ Amy says. ‘I often paint their faces as their favourite animal, although we don’t use permanent markers.’ The video has been viewed over 10 million times on Facebook. Fancy watching Pippen earn her stripes? Find it by googling ‘When you love zebras so much’
Trending on Twitter
NE’S E VE RYO G… HU G G IN
Last week, the British Twitter population decided we all needed a bit of a laugh – and what better way than to join in with a day dedicated to all things puntastic? Here’s our pick of some of the best tweets.
FIND US AT… @bestmagoicial
Instagram/@meagankelley
#UKPunDay
WAY TO DOUGH… OR WEIRDRFUL? E D WON
Are you tempted by NYC’s latest treat? We all love a sneaky lick of the spoon when baking, but how about a whole scoop of raw cookie dough? That’s the premise behind New York café Dō, which serves uncooked cookie dough as though it were ice cream. Now, we love dough as much as the next person, but the thought of eating quite this much has us leaning towards the ‘weird’ on this one…
FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AT… @bestmagoicial
FINDING LOVE VIA HATE? Sometimes there’s nothing better than a good moan to someone who thinks the same way. Enter genius new dating app Hater, which matches people based on mutual pet peeves rather than likes. With topics including Trump, slow walkers and Marmite, there’s something all of us love to hate – and now we get the chance to turn that hate back into love…
THE MOST LOVING PUP Dogs have always been man’s best friend, but one cuddly canine is taking this reputation to the next level. Meet Louboutina, the golden retriever bringing big love to the Big Apple, one hug at a time. The doting dog ‘hugs’ random strangers while out on walks. Standing on hind legs, front paws outstretched, she embraces willing passers-by. With over 85,000 fans on Instagram, she’s become an internet sensation, and has now been trained as a therapy dog. She’s about to start volunteer work at hospitals and community centres. ‘A lot of people say she’s made their day,’ says her owner, Cesar Fernandez-Chavez. We can see why. Can we fly her over here?
WORDS: RACHEL CUNNINGHAM, MILLIE GOOCH PICTURES: INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, YOUTUBE
L G O IN G V IR A
Main image: Dress, £120, Phase Eight
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TOP TIP Team blossom prints and bright blues with pretty pastels for an on-trend look.
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Statement style Invest in a dress with the ‘wow’ factor if you really want to dazzle. Main image: Dress, £195, Coast Shoes & earrings, stylist’s own Above: 1. Dress, £70, little-mistress.com 2. Earrings, £2.50, Peacocks 3. Necklace, £14.99, Lindex 4. Heels, £29.99, H&M 5. Bag, £55, Dune
Pencil it in A straight style can still flatter a tum if you opt for an empire waist.
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best for STYLE
Wrap star
Main image: Jumpsuit, £42, M&Co. Shoes, stylist’s own
Don’t be scared of jumpsuits, a crossover one will flatter all figures.
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Main image: Top, £14 Jeans, £20 Heels, £15 all F&F at Tesco
2 1. Jumpsuit, £48, Wallis 2. Bag, £55, Laura Ashley 3. Earrings, £9.99, H&M 4. Mules, £24.99, H&M 5. Ring, £8, Accessorize
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Show of some ankle to make your legs look longer.
Left: 1. Jacket, £39.99, New Look 2. Bag, £32, Accessorize 3. Jeans, £29.99, New Look 4. Heels, £25.99, New Look 5. Top, £45.99, navabi.co.uk
FEATURE: MILLIE GOOCH
CELEBRATE YOUR SHAPE
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See in the new season with a DIY manicure in pretty pastel FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE 29
Together throu Vikki Payne’s husband went from supersize to muscleman…
Jon was always quick to make fun of his bulk before anyone else did
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hey say opposites attract, and that was certainly the case with Jon and me. We met in February 2004, when I was 18, and living in a shared house in our home town of Rainham, Kent. Jon knew one of my latmates, and had popped round. Immediately, his cheekychappy sense of humour had me giggling, and I was charmed by his wide smile. But his smile wasn’t the only thing that was wide. So was his waist. At just 21, he was already 18st, wore XXXL clothes and had a 42in waist. Standing at just 5ft 8in, that was quite something. I was a size 8 gym bunny, so we couldn’t have been more diferent, but I didn’t care. We stayed up the whole night, and by the next morning I was smitten. Jon’s size suited his largerthan-life personality. He was the life and soul of any party, always dragging me up to dance and cracking jokes, usually at his own expense. ‘We need to talk about the elephant in the room,’ he’d quip. ‘Me! I’m the size of one, anyway.’ It was no surprise he was so big. His love of life was matched only by his love of crisps smothered in ketchup – bags and bags of them. Although he claimed he exercised, I was sceptical. ‘Playing football on the Xbox
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Jon’s lost 13st to become the dad – and husband – he wants to be
‘If there’s one thing I’ve learnt’
‘A lot of people , ge jud by appearances ide ins s at’ but it’s wh that really counts.’
best for REAL LIFE
ugh thick – and thin! was perfect. So it came as little surprise when I fell pregnant. Two years after we married, Emma, now 10, arrived, then Sophie, now eight. Our little family was happy, but Jon’s weight was getting him down. ‘I’m so fat,’ he’d mutter. At 25st, with a 48in waist, he was certainly heavy. His body mass index (BMI), which takes your weight and height into consideration, was a startling 53.6. The NHS says anything between 18.5 and 25 is healthy, so Jon was classed as extremely obese. ‘I know I’m sexy,’ he joked. ‘But I’m worried about my future. Especially now we’ve got another one on the way.’ Jon cut down on food and by the time our third child, Jenson, now four, arrived in 2012, he’d lost 5st. I thought he looked great, but it wasn’t enough for him. ‘I want to be a proper dad,’ he explained. ‘Go to the park with the kids, play chase.’ So he embarked on a ketogenic diet, which is about reducing your carbs but having plenty of healthy fats and some protein. Previously, Jon had eaten rounds of toast for breakfast, a mid-morning snack of three pastries, a mammoth sandwich for lunch, a giant bag of Doritos, chocolate, sweets and a sausage roll for supper, and a
Hitting the gym and sticking to a strict ketogenic diet have transformed Jon
‘Weighing 14st, Jon’s tummy had been toned into a firm six-pack’ calorie-laden tea followed by biscuits and sugary tea. Now, he was surviving on eggs, fish and veggies. He also joined a gym, and within a few months his supersize shirts started to hang of him. I couldn’t believe his dedication. I was so proud, but it didn’t make fancy him more than I already did.
Fit in every way – he’s a new man
Jon said he was the ‘elephant in the room’ Odd couple? More like a match made in heaven
By the start of 2016, Jon weighed 14st. His chubby cheeks had melted away to reveal chiselled cheekbones, and his tummy had been toned into a firm six-pack. He was still the same funny, friendly bloke I’d fallen in love with. In fact, he was so downto-earth, he barely realised the new attention he was getting. ‘A woman was so nice to me in Tesco today,’ he commented innocently. ‘She showed me round the whole shop, even ofered to cook for me.’ Then, ‘A lady just came up to me in the street earlier,’ he marvelled. ‘Said hello!’ Men can be so daft… I’m not jealous, though. At 31, I know how much he loves me. Big or little, we’re a team. After all, I’ve been there through thick – and thin.
Jon, 34, says, ‘I never used to care what I ate. I stufed my face in my teens and it continued into my 20s. Vikki was gorgeous when we met, and I was a total mess. ‘Losing weight is hard work, and every day I wanted cake. But I wanted to live more! So I cut out all the rubbish and worked hard at the gym. That’s how you lose weight.’
WORDS: ANNA ROBERTS PICTURES: LIZ GREGG, PA REAL LIFE, FACEBOOK.COM/ELONFITNESS
isn’t a workout,’ I’d say. Jon was happiest slumped on the sofa, with a takeaway pizza in one hand and a beer in the other, surrounded by friends. And I was happiest when I was with him. I genuinely didn’t care about his weight – so when he proposed during a holiday to Majorca, just months after we got together, I didn’t have to think twice. I picked a gorgeous satin strapless white gown and felt amazing when I walked down the aisle in October 2005. Jon had grown to 22st, but I thought he looked equally dazzling in his smart suit. Saying ‘I do’ and becoming Mrs Payne was the happiest moment of my life. ‘We’re two halves of a whole,’ I smiled. ‘You’re the fitter half,’ he grinned. We may have looked like the ultimate odd couple, but we were a match made in heaven. If people laughed at us, I didn’t realise, or care. But maybe Jon did. He was always quick to poke fun at himself first, before anyone else could. ‘I’m punching well above my weight – and that’s a lot,’ he’d say. Or, ‘I don’t know why Vikki married this fat boy.’ I didn’t like it. To me, Jon
best CUP OF TEA DIET Fancy putting your feet up with a cuppa and slimming while you sip? Our plan could help you lose up to 1st and trim your tum…
HOW IT WORKS When it’s winter, all we want to do is put the kettle on, right? That’s why you’ll love our cup of tea diet. Studies show that tea contains a compound called epigallocatechin gallate (or EGCG), which has been linked to fat-loss, especially around tummies. And other studies show that, combined with cafeine – also linked to weight-loss – they’re the ultimate dream team. All tea comes from the same plant – it’s just processed diferently. Here’s a rough guide to how much EGCG is in a cup of each type: O Green tea 70mg O White tea 42 mg O Oolong tea 34mg O Black tea, such as PG Tips 9mg The rules: Follow the plan on the opposite page, which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks. Also enjoy two cups of tea daily. Green tea is best, but choose any of the above. Make sure you drink eight glasses of water a day. You can also have ½pt semiskimmed milk each day. Follow for one month, but no longer. Please see your GP before starting this or any other diet. The NHS recommends we stick to two cups of tea a day because of cafeine content. It’s suggested you limit cafeine if pregnant. Weight loss may vary.
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DAY 1
DAY 4
Breakfast
Breakfast
2 eggs, scrambled and served on a slice of wholemeal toast with a little low-fat spread.
Blitz together a handful of strawberries, halved, 1 banana, sliced, and 1 low-fat yoghurt until your preferred consistency and serve.
Lunch Any pre-made supermarket sandwich under 300 calories.
Lunch 1 small jacket potato, topped with a dollop of baked beans and leafy side salad.
Dinner Veggie chilli: Cook a microwave pouch of rice and set aside for later. Heat up ½ can of chilli con carne (add extra chilli if you like). When ready, serve the chilli with half the rice pouch.
Dinner Grill 1 pork chop until cooked through. Meanwhile, boil 4 new potatoes and some green beans for 20 mins, then serve together.
DAY 2
DAY 5
Breakfast
Breakfast
1 small bowl of porridge made with ½pt skimmed milk (from your allowance). 1 banana.
Grill 2 Quorn sausages, mushrooms and tomatoes (sprayed with low-calorie cooking oil). Serve with a slice of wholemeal toast spread lightly with low-fat spread.
Lunch Halve and lightly toast a wholemeal pitta. Add half a can of tuna with salad of your choice. Top with ½ sliced avocado.
A can of veggie soup with ½ can of mixed beans added. 1 wholemeal roll.
Dinner
Dinner
Grill 1 chicken breast and serve with a dollop of mashed sweet potato and broccoli on the side.
Bake 1 salmon illet in the oven (in foil). Serve with a handful of potato wedges and carrots.
DAY 3 Breakfast 2 Shredded Wheat with milk (from your allowance). 1 orange.
Lunch Any pre-made salad under 300 calories.
Dinner Mix together 2 beaten eggs, 2 handfuls of tinned mixed veg and 2 slices of turkey, cut roughly. Add to a non-stick pan with a little low-calorie cooking oil spray and heat until the omelette is irm. Serve with a garden salad.
Lunch
LOVE TO SNACK? Choose one each day: O 1 x apple O 1 x pear O 1 x banana O 1 x low-fat yoghurt O 1 x bag of low-fat crisps
best FOR REAL LIFE REPORTS
Globally, infidelity is said to be on the rise, destroying marriages and leaving people with serious trust issues, so…
…why DO people cheat? ose*, 40, loves being dominated in the bedroom, letting herself go completely, and having mind-blowing sex. Fifty Shades has nothing on her. There’s an intimacy and closeness between her and her partner – an understanding of each other’s needs that are totally fulilled. But after the kinky sex, Rose showers, gets dressed and says goodbye to her partner – with both of them going their separate ways back to their respective husband and wife. Rose has been married for over 10 years and says the
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Thousands of British women are signed up to websites that facilitate cheating
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hold hands over dinner – the intimacy they both craved from their marriages but just weren’t getting. ‘I know my husband would be devastated if he knew I was doing this,’ Rose says, admitting to feeling guilty. ‘It never leaves my mind. I tried so hard to get what I needed from him, but he closed the door on that part of our lives.’ She says she’s cheating physically rather than emotionally, and it’s made her happier at home, too. ‘I feel more like me,’ she explains. And she’s not alone; thousands of British women are signed up to a host of websites that have sprung up over the past few years to facilitate cheating, including ashleymadison.co.uk (notorious for being hacked in 2015, wherein members’ data was leaked), maritalafair. co.uk, nostringsattached. com, victoriamilan.co.uk and eroticafairs.com. A recent survey revealed that 32 per cent of UK women have Can trust ever be repaired after an afair?
The truth can break hearts
32 per cent of UK women have betrayed a partner or spouse
betrayed a partner or spouse. But is playing away the answer if something isn’t right in your marriage? Chartered counselling psychologist Leila Collins says it definitely isn’t. ‘If there are problems in a relationship, there are ways of dealing with it,’ Leila says. ‘Cheating isn’t a way to get around diicult things in life.’ She explains it can be devastating for all those involved. ‘By having an afair, you’re not only choosing to hurt yourself, but your family, as well as someone else’s family if you’re cheating with a married man.’ She admits that modern life is diicult, and that couples need to adapt with their environment. ‘People need to understand that hot romance is short-lived, and that changes over time with modern life. Living together, working… relationships change, and you have to change with them.’ But Rose believes her extramarital afair is what’s kept her marriage so strong, For some, marriage vows mean less these days
‘For me, it’s a way my needs can be met without breaking up my family’ and while she accepts that people may condemn her, she says they shouldn’t. ‘No one can judge until they are in that situation themselves,’ she says. And if the shoe was on the other foot? ‘I think I’d understand if John was having an afair because I wasn’t meeting his needs,’ she explains. ‘Websites for extramarital afairs wouldn’t exist if people didn’t cheat, and for me, it’s a way my needs can be met without breaking up my family.’ So is it better to try and keep families together if there are aspects of a relationship that aren’t working? Admittedly, everyone’s circumstances are diferent – but shouldn’t wedding vows mean something? ‘Afairs are betrayal that afect a lot of people,’ Leila says. ‘It’s a way of using and abusing other people’s afection for your own ego, and it’s not ethical. It’s better to separate or seek help, rather than seeking devious ways to feel whole.’ For Rose, however, and women – and men – like her, it’s a way of keeping a relationship together, while finding fulfilment in other ways. Whether you agree with her or not, cheating just doesn’t look likely to be something that people will stop doing any time soon...
WORDS: LOUISE BULGIN PICTURES: BIGSTOCK, GETTY *NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED
physical side of her marriage has always been ‘safe’. ‘I love my husband, and I still want to be married to him,’ she reveals. ‘I’ve had diicult relationships in the past and it feels good to be in a secure union.’ But while Rose is adventurous in the bedroom, her husband, John*, prefers to make love with the lights of, and sex once a month is enough to satisfy him. ‘Our sex life became routine very quickly,’ Rose explains. ‘I tried to keep the excitement alive, but our physical relationship was very vanilla.’ She says it left her feeling unattractive and unwanted. Yet she valued their relationship and it was strong in every other way, so she talked to John about her needs. ‘We weren’t arguing or disagreeing about anything else,’ says Rose. ‘He just didn’t see the need for romance or excitement.’ So, in 2011, after reading an article about Illicit Encounters – a dating site for extramarital afairs – Rose was curious. She didn’t want to separate her family (the couple have one daughter) but she wanted to be fulfilled and, despite discussing her feelings at length, John just wasn’t able to give her what she wanted. Using the site, she arranged to meet with a man a few towns away from her home, but there was no spark. The second married man she met was Craig*, who was older than her and stuck in a marriage of convenience. Their connection was instant, and they became physically involved, having what Rose describes as the best sex of her life. ‘We both went into it with our eyes wide open,’ Rose says, and six years on, they still meet once a week while her husband thinks she’s at work. But Rose insists it isn’t all about nookie. She and Craig enjoy trips to the cinema and
‘I’m glad I got to Sylvia Evans is grateful for her parting words to son Zac, who never came home from a fateful night out…
Motorbike-mad Zac was only 19 when he died in a violent attack
Y
ou never expect to outlive your kids, and it’s something no parent should ever have to endure. The pain is indescribable, a gaping hole that will never be illed, especially when your child is killed trying to be a Good Samaritan. But that’s what happened to me. Two years on, I still miss my son, Zac, every single day. When my husband, David, and I married in 1989, we’d always wanted two kids. After Annia, now 26, and Stefan, 25, arrived, we certainly hadn’t expected our wonderful miracle twins, Zac and Nathan, to follow. ‘That’s the best buy-oneget-one-free ofer I’ve ever had!’ I joked to David. Heart of gold We were a close-knit, loving family who always told each other how we felt, and Zac and Nathan were inseparable. They were mirror twins – when one moved the other did, too, even in their sleep. Zac, a painter and decorator, was motorbikemad, and he had a heart of gold. He was always smiling and loved helping people. He painted an elderly woman’s house for free, and stuck up for kids at school if they were being bullied – that’s just who he was. It was 24 January 2015, a Friday like any other. Zac, 36 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE
‘If there’s one thing I’ve learned’
‘Tell the people close m to you that you love the u Yo y. da every single l be never know when it wil y.’ nit rtu po your last op
Close twins Nathan and Zac on their 18th birthday
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o tell him I loved him’ Frantically rushing round, we saw Zac in the car park, surrounded by a police cordon and covered with a blanket. They wouldn’t let us get close to him, but I kept shouting ‘I love you!’ to my son. In that moment, despite my terror, I was so grateful that I’d told him I loved him when he’d left the house. But Zac was pronounced dead at the scene – and my whole world fell apart. The pain was utterly indescribable. I didn’t know how we were going to carry on. We were all heartbroken, and it was unbearable knowing I’d never hear his laugh, see his cheeky grin or get to hug him again. In time, we learned that Zac’s friend’s girlfriend had accidentally stumbled into a group of people that night, one of whom was former car dealer Ewen Reynolds, 44. Enraged, Reynolds had gone to his car and returned with a machete. Zac had stood in front of his friend to protect him, but Reynolds had swung at him, leaving my precious boy with a broken jawbone and severed blood vessels. Zac’s friend was hurt, too, but fortunately survived. Reynolds was convicted of murder and attempted murder and jailed for a minimum of 28 years. But it wouldn’t bring back my son. As time passed in a blur of grief, the first anniversary of Zac’s
Unbearable blow Around 4.30pm, Zac was due to meet a friend, and I told him that me and his dad were having dinner at the local pub that evening if he wanted to join us. Zac raised his eyebrow, flashed a cheeky grin and joked that he’d pass on the ofer. As he walked out of the house, I called after him, ‘How far would you have got if I’d not called you back?’ ‘Further than I’ve got now!’ he laughed. It was our little joke – our way of reminding each other to say ‘I love you’ before one of us left the house. I told Zac I loved him and gave him a hug. I wish now I’d never let him go, because that was the last time I’d see my 19-year-old son alive. That night, David, now 57, and I had dinner in The Pike & Musket. We had no idea of the devastation that would unfold shortly after we’d left. At 12.15am, Nathan phoned EwenReynolds me in floods of was jailed for tears. He’d gone murder to collect Zac, who hadn’t been drinking, from the same pub we’d been in. It seemed there’d been an altercation and our boy was hurt. Badly.
Crowds gathered to honour Zac’s life on the second anniversary of his death. Mum Sylvia is in the red coat
‘The world’s a darker place without Zac’ death came, and we released a big biodegradable balloon with messages from loved ones. Then we started to discuss how best to honour his life, and also raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime. So, in January this year, hundreds of bikers, friends and family came to commemorate our boy. We walked through our town, past the spot where
he was killed, to the church where he’d been buried. Afterwards, we lit tea lights with Zac’s name, next to a bench we’d had dedicated to him. It was so emotional and brought back memories, both good and bad, of the day that had devastated our family. Zac’s twin, Nathan, now 21, feels like half of him is missing – we all do, but it must be more acute for him. I sufered a breakdown, too, but we still stick together as a family. The Zac Evans Trust Zac was a great musician and wrote his own tunes, some of which we played at his anniversary gathering. We’re hoping to compile them and sell them to raise money for the Zac Evans Trust. The Trust is even getting volunteer painters and decorators to teach youngsters the trade for free, to help create employment. Now, at 51, not a day goes by that I don’t miss my son. I’m proud of Zac for being who he was, but the world is a darker place without him. I hope, with help, we can end knife crime. I can’t bear the thought of another family going through what we have.
WORDS: MARK CHRISTY AND LOUISE BULGIN PICTURES: SWNS.COM, PRESS GANG NEWS, ANNA LYTHGOE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ZAC EVANS TRUST, VISIT WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/RIP-ZAC-EVANS-766201436799664
who lived at home with us in Tuffley, Gloucester, had helped me weed the garden and I’d made his favourite lunch – fried-egg sandwiches. That afternoon, we sat and watched Deal Or No Deal on TV, and Zac got every box right. ‘I must be a psychic genius!’ he laughed. Sounds silly, but I loved those simple moments, and I’d never grow tired of seeing him smile.
WORDS: CARLY HOBBS
Get hair like Kate How to have the ‘Chelsea’ blow-dry in the comfort of your own home he Duchess of Cambridge is the Princess with the glorious hair – thick, shining, bouncy tresses – so what’s her secret? Thankfully, for all of us, Kate’s hair is surprisingly easy to copy. All you need to do is master these clever little tricks. Once you’ve become a pro, everyone will be admiring your ‘princess perfect’ hair. Well, they do say imitation is the greatest form of flattery!
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One of the easiest ways to create thicker tresses in next to no time is to wash and condition well. Dirt and grime weigh down your hair and can make it appear thinner, so use a 50p-sized amount of shampoo. Then follow with Pantene Foam Conditioner Repair & Protect, £3.99, applying it from the mid-lengths to ends – it nourishes and lifts hair thanks to its lightweight texture.
Fake it yourself
Super scalp treatment Nothing is worse than a dry scalp, so why not treat yourself to a mosturising homemade scalp mask… 1. Mix together brown sugar, peppermint oil essence and a little leave-in conditioner. Once combined, massage into your scalp in circular motions for five minutes. Then rinse well. 2. Next, blend two-parts olive oil, two-parts coconut oil and a little avocado. Smooth over the scalp, then wrap your hair with a warm towel for 15 minutes.
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PRIMER PREP Redkin Pillow Proof Blow Dry Express Primer, £11.90 However you style your ’do, big locks begin with proper preparation. Start by misting towel-dried hair with a primer. It’ll give the illusion of fullness while protecting hair from the damaging heat that’s about to come. Then comb a little Charles Worthington Thick and Fuller 3D Boosting Crème, £6.99, through your hair – its polymers boost volume all day long!
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BOOST YOUR BLOW-DRY Kent KS30 Ceramic Brush, £11.55
Create beautiful, bouncy locks, akin to Kate’s, by blow-drying like a pro. The key is to have the right tools. This barrel brush is ceramic, which means it conducts heat as you dry, lift, curl and thicken every strand of hair – locking in that royal swish style. Practice makes perfect here, as your way around the brush will take some getting used to.
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SET FOR SUCCESS Bumble and bumble Thickening Hairspray, £22
So thick, luscious locks are yours… make it last by setting your style – sharpish! Turn your head upside down and generously spritz on hairspray. It’ll hold your ’do in place without it looking stif, while its wheat proteins nourish your strands from the inside. Plus it lasts ages, too! Then leave your hair be – don’t touch it – while your ’do cools down, or you’ll lose the volume. FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE 39
PICTURES: GETTY, ISTOCK
Add volume by tonging the lengths. To help long, ine hair keep its shape for longer, spritz KMS California Free Shape Hot Flex Spray, £12.95, through strands, while super-straight ladies need extra help from Fudge (right), which minimises frizz, too. Apply, then wrap small sections around the barrel and hold for up to 10 seconds before releasing.
‘Paul will do very well on the new Bake Off’ hen The Great British Bake Off moves to its new Channel 4 home later this year, Paul Hollywood, 50, is rumoured to have a new sidekick in the form of veteran chef and writer Prue Leith. At 77, the South African-born cookery queen, who has lived most of her life in London, is slightly older than Mary Berry was when she started on Bake Off in 2010, and bosses are hoping she will be a ‘like for like’ replacement. But she’ll have big shoes to fill. With Mary launching a new cookery show, can there be room for more than one royal baker? We catch up
W
As Prue Leith is tipped to take up a judging role on Bake Off, we ask original kitchen queen Mary Berry about her new show… with Mary to ask her about her new show and, unsurprisingly for such a lady, she uttered not one word about her potential new rival... Did you have fun ilming your new BBC Two show, Mary Berry Everyday? It was marvellous, and my favourite thing was my trip to Scotland, where my mother came from. We were in the Highlands and it was a bit wet but, you know, you just have to dress accordingly. And I love
Mary with her daughter, Annabel, and three of her ive grandchildren
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encouraging people to cook at home, which is what the show is about. I don’t mind people taking short cuts, but it’s important to have a go. You’re 81 now. Have you ever experienced age discrimination? None whatsoever. No one has ever suggested that I change the way I look. They accept me for what I am. And you look great – you’ve even got a reputation as a fashion icon… Well, I do my best! I like things that are cheerful and warm and not too dowdy when you’re older. I don’t get any free clothes, though – we’re not allowed to at the BBC. If I do get anything sent in that I like, I have to send it back, although I might then go out and buy it. Why do you think people love Bake Off so much? I think the fun thing about it is the wonderful format. The BBC snapped it up and it got bigger and bigger, because it was the right format and they
were very good at choosing bakers [to compete]. Mel and Sue, Paul and me – we were a team. We got on well, and we got everyone baking, which is marvellous. Are you a little bit sad that you’re no longer part of it? I’m not sad. We did seven brilliant series, but I didn’t want to go to Channel 4. I am quite happy with the BBC – they have looked after me and I am very happy to stay. Paul is going to be very busy with the new show, and
best for CELEBRITY
Mary’s got a tasty new cookery show
THE RECIPE FO R LASTING LOVE
Paul and Mary, going strong
Mary and her hu sband, Paul Hunn ing have just celebra ted their 50th we s, dding anniversary toge ther. ‘We didn’t have a for my 80th birth party, as I had one da a wonderful holid y, but we did have ay. As to the secr et staying married for 50 years – I th of ink it’s a bit of give an d ta ‘We don’t have to ke,’ Mary says. “Sleep on it,” we o many arguments – always say. And Paul doesn’t mind me going away for wo rk. He always says, “As long as you are happy, that’s in e.” And as to wh ether he’s proud of me – well, I think, af ter 50 years, he’s us ed to me!’
on his show – everyone has a wonderful time. I’ve been watching Let It Shine as well, as I want to see Mel [who hosts the Take That talent show], but I’m not really a watcher of those things. I like things with a story, like Downton Abbey or Call The Midwife. I do like Strictly, but I’d never go on the show. I’ve been asked, but I am rubbish at dancing. Would you like to have your own chat show? Certainly not. It’s the last thing in the world I would do. They wouldn’t ask me, anyway. If they did, I’d definitely say no. Do you think people are scared to cook for you? No, not at all. My beautiful grandchildren love cooking for the family. And good friends don’t get worried – they just do their favourite dishes. It’s much more important to be with your friends. If someone wants to go to M&S and buy two lasagnes, put them in their own dish and put some cheese on top, it doesn’t worry me. I want to see them – I’m not worried about what they’re feeding me. ● Mary Berry Everyday starts on Monday 27 February, BBC Two, 8.30pm. Mary’s accompanying book is available now (BBC Books, £26).
WORDS: DEIRDRE O’BRIEN PICTURES: BBC, REX
Prue is a cooking legend, like Mary
I am sure he will do very well. Do you think you will work with Mel [Giedroyc, 48] and Sue [Perkins, 47] again? I hope so. We’re all BBC, so we should do. We’ve got some thoughts, so we shall have to see. Whatever we do, we try and do well. Mel and Sue are very bright – they are both a joy to work with. I don’t mind if they try and make me giggle. I don’t mind a bit of giggling! Who else do you like on TV? I really like Graham Norton. I love going
The original Bake Of family
Pancake perfection Make something a little extraspecial on Shrove Tuesday‌ American pancakes with maple butter Whipped butters are a delicious treat. Serve straight away rather than storing them in the fridge, otherwise the butter will set and lose its fluffy texture. Makes 12
160g self-raising lour, sifted 1tsp baking powder 1 egg, separated 1tsp vanilla extract 60g caster sugar A pinch of salt 250ml milk 3tbsp melted butter, plus extra for frying FOR THE MAPLE BUTTER
115g butter 60ml maple syrup, plus extra to serve 60g icing sugar, sifted YOU WILL NEED
A large frying pan or griddle To make the pancake batter, put the flour, baking powder, egg yolk, vanilla extract, caster sugar, salt and milk in a large mixing bowl and
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best RECIPE BOOKS whisk together. Add in the melted butter and whisk again. The batter should have a smooth dropping consistency. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg white until it forms stif peaks. Fold the whisked egg white into the batter mixture using a spatula. Cover and put in the fridge to rest for 30 mins. For the maple butter, whisk together the butter, maple syrup and icing sugar using an electric whisk until light and creamy. When you are ready, remove your batter mixture from the fridge and stir once. Put a little butter in a large frying pan set over medium heat. Allow the butter to melt and coat the base of the pan, then ladle small amounts of the rested batter into the pan, leaving a little space between each. Alternatively, if you want to make larger pancakes, you can ill the pan to make one at a time. Cook until the underside of each pancake is golden brown and a few bubbles start to appear on the top – this would take about 2-3 mins. Turn the pancakes over using a spatula and cook on the other side until golden brown. Cook the remaining batter in the same way in batches until it is all used up, adding a little butter to the pan each time, if required. Serve in a stack with a little maple butter and a drizzle of maple syrup on the top.
Oatmeal pancakes with berry compote These are great pancakes to have for breakfast. Makes 10
370-400ml milk 200g self-raising lour, sifted 2tsp baking powder 1 egg A pinch of salt 1tbsp caster sugar 3tbsp melted butter, plus extra for frying Crème fraîche FOR THE COMPOTE
500g summer berries, stalks removed 250ml water 100g caster sugar 1tsp vanilla extract 1 lemon, freshly squeezed FOR THE TOASTED OATS
60g oatmeal 50g caster sugar
YOU WILL NEED
A large frying pan To make the compote, put the berries in a saucepan or pot over a medium heat with the water, sugar, vanilla and lemon juice. Simmer until the sugar dissolves and the fruit is starting to soften but still holds its shape. This will take about 5 mins. Set aside to cool then store in the fridge. For the toasted oats, place the oats and sugar in a dry frying pan over a medium heat and toast for until the sugar starts to caramelise the oats. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Soak half of the oats in
250ml of the milk for around 30 mins, until plump, reserving the rest of the oats for the pancake batter. To make the batter, put the flour, baking powder, egg, salt, sugar and milk-soaked oats in a large mixing bowl and whisk together. Add in the melted butter and whisk again. Gradually add the remaining milk until you have a smooth, pourable batter. Be careful not to make too thin when adding the remaining milk – you may not need it all. Cover and put in the fridge to rest for 30 mins. When ready, remove the batter from the fridge and stir once. Put a little butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Allow to melt and coat the pan, then ladle in small amounts of the batter. Sprinkle some of the reserved toasted oats over the top of the pancake and cook until the underside is golden brown and bubbles start to form on the top – this will take about 2-3 mins. Turn the pancake over using a spatula and cook on the other side until golden brown. Keep the pancakes warm while you cook the remaining batter in the same way, adding a little more butter to the pan each time if required. Serve with compote and crème fraîche.
Turn over for more pancake inspiration…
best RECIPE BOOKS
Buttermilk pancakes with salmon & horseradish cream Great for brunch or a light lunch or supper. Serves 4
170g self-raising lour, sifted 1tsp baking powder 2 eggs, separated 200ml buttermilk 2tsp caster sugar 1tbsp inely chopped chives, plus extra for sprinkling 100ml milk 250ml crème fraîche 1 heaped tbsp creamed horseradish
1-2 tbsp butter, for frying 400g smoked salmon, to serve 1 lemon, sliced into wedges Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste YOU WILL NEED
A large frying pan To make the pancake batter, put the flour, baking powder, egg yolks, buttermilk, sugar and chives in a large mixing bowl and whisk together. Season well with salt and pepper, then gradually pour in the milk until the batter is smooth and pourable.
44 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites to form stif peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter mixture using a spatula. Cover and put in the fridge to rest for 30 mins. For the horseradish cream, whisk together the crème fraîche and horseradish in a mixing bowl and season with salt and pepper. When you are ready, remove the batter mixture from the fridge and stir once. Put a little butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Allow the butter to melt and coat the base of the pan,
then ladle small amounts of the rested batter into the pan, leaving a little space between each. Cook until the underside of each pancake is golden brown and a few bubbles have started to appear on the top – this would take around 2-3 mins. Turn the pancake over using a spatula and cook on the other side until golden brown. Serve warm, topped with a spoon of the horseradish cream, smoked salmon and wedge of lemon to squeeze over the top. Sprinkle with extra chopped chives.
PICTURES: STEVE PAINTER
Extract from Pancakes & Wales by Hannah Miles, published by Ryland, Peters & Small (£9.99). Available for the special price of £7.99 including postage & packaging from Macmillan Direct on 01256 302 699, quoting reference KA6
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Easy-peasy pancakes Don’t worry if you don’t have time to whip up a batter from scratch. Stock up on Two Chicks Shake & Make Pancake Mix, £3.99, now, and keep it in the fridge for Shrove Tuesday. You can make pancakes in a jify! The mix is also gluten- and lactose-free.
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Sausage pasta with walnuts
A PIE OF PERFECTION
Delicious combo
Magic beans! Slash sugar without compromising on taste with new Heinz No Added Sugar Beanz, 75p. You could make this simple food swap without your family even noticing!
What do you get if you cross two comfort food classics together? The M&S Mac ’n’ Cheese & Bacon Pie, £3. It combines deliciously gooey mac ’n’ cheese topped with smoked bacon and surrounded by a pie crust. It’s delicious, but rich. Ideal if you fancy something naughty but nice for dinner.
1tbsp olive oil 1 onion, inely chopped Salt and black pepper 2 cloves of garlic, inely chopped 250g pack good-quality pork sausages, skinned 400g can plum tomatoes 350g rigatoni or penne pasta Handful of walnuts, roughly chopped Handful of inely grated Parmesan, for topping Handful of chopped latleaf parsley, for topping 1 Heat oil in a large pan. Add onion, season and
cook for 2-3 mins. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 min. 2 Add sausage meat and stir well, cooking until no longer pink, then tip in tomatoes. Use a spoon to break everything up. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 mins, topping up with hot water if it starts to look dry. 3 Meanwhile, add the pasta to a pan of boiling, salted water and cook for 12 mins. Drain and return to pan with a little of the cooking water. Stir in walnuts, reserving a few for the top. Toss the pasta in the sauce, then spoon into shallow bowls and sprinkle with the remaining walnuts, Parmesan and parsley.
COOK’S TIP
LIGHT BITE If you love a cuppa and a chocolate biscuit to beat the mid-afternoon slump, we’ve found the perfect treat for you! These McVitie’s Digestive Thins, £1.79, come in three lavours – milk, dark and milk chocolate cappuccino – and although thinner than the original, they taste equally delicious.
To skin the sausages, snip the tops and squeeze the meat out. Spicy ones are nice to give this dish an added kick.
FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE 45
WORDS: LARA NUGENT PICTURES: WILLIAM SHAW
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best GIRLS’ NIGHT IN...
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This week’s mustsee TV 1
The Brit Awards 2017 WEDNESDAY, ITV, 7.30PM
Dermot O’Leary and Emma Willis present the biggest awards ceremony in the UK music calendar – broadcast live from the 02 Arena in London. The cream of British musical talent will be in attendance, with Robbie Williams, Little Mix, The 1975 and Emeli Sandé performing. The late David Bowie goes up against Skepta, Craig David, Kano and Michael Kiwanuka for British Male Solo Artist, while Beyoncé goes up against her sister, Solange, for International Female Solo Artist, as well as Christine and the Queens, Rihanna and Sia.
2
Gogglebox FRIDAY, CHANNEL 4, 9PM, NEW SERIES
2
The nation’s favourite armchair critics share their opinions on what they’ve been watching during the week, as the hit series returns for the ninth time. The show has won numerous awards and has become one of the most popular shows on Channel 4. Many of the Gogglebox faces have now become celebrities in their own right – I’m A Celebrity… winner Scarlett Mofatt being the prime example (see showbiz news) and best favourite Sandi Bogle released a single. The dulcet tones of Craig Cash narrate.
EMMERDALE
Big Soap Story 48 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE
Aaron’s nearest and dearest are devastated as he starts a 12-month prison sentence. Laurel takes Ashley for a picnic, but quickly realises their relationship is changing as he’s forgetting who she is.
CORONATION STREET Michelle conides in Steve that she’d like to try for another baby, but the idea
scares Steve. Sarah confronts Bethany, who admits she stayed at Nathan’s lat and that he’s her boyfriend.
EASTENDERS Ben and Jay move into No.18, but are taken back by the state of it. Denise gets angry at the state of the community centre, and despite Patrick’s advice to leave it, she calls the Walford Gazette.
3
OSCAR– NOMINATED
DEV PATEL ON... FRIDAY, ITV, 9PM, NEW SERIES
In this three-part series, This Morning host Phillip Schofield ticks of a bucket list dream and travels to Gansbaai, in South Africa, to dive with one of the world’s most dangerous predators, the great white shark.
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The House That £100k Built
5
TUESDAY, BBC TWO, 8PM, NEW SERIES
Journalist Kieran Long and architect Piers Taylor visit Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, to follow the progress of Alistair and Karen, who are hoping that building their dream home will be the key to a mortgagefree life. Kieran and Piers find Diana: ingenious ways to improve the Designing couple’s design to help them A Princess get the most out of their budget. SATURDAY, BBC TWO, 8PM Twenty years after her death, Diana still dazzles us – and this documentary, produced in collaboration with the Historic Royal Palaces, looks at some of her famous outfits. It ties in with a new exhibition of her most iconic gowns, which is being held at her former home, Kensington Palace.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS Scarlett Moffatt is super-excited about presenting on Saturday Night Takeaway (ITV, 7pm) – helping Ant and Dec out with the ‘Best Seats in The House’. The Queen of the Jungle says if she wasn’t on it, she’d be enjoying a takeaway at home. ‘Chicken kebab with garlic sauce. But northern sauce, because garlic sauce down south is different. Some of my favourite memories are being at home laughing at Saturday Night Takeaway. Knowing I’m part of that is overwhelming.’
PRIME SUSPECT 1973 Stefanie Martini has big shoes to ill playing the young Jane Tennison – the role made famous by Helen Mirren in the original – in this new Lynda La Plante ITV drama that travels back to the 70s when Jane was a young WPC.
UP CATCH SS-GB Sam Riley and Kate Bosworth star in this big budget BBC One drama that imagines how London life would be if the Germans had won World War II. Catch up on iPlayer.
…winning the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor for playing Saroo Brierley in Lion I really did not expect it. I hadn’t even prepared a speech. I’ve been to all these award ceremonies, and it’s the one on home turf that has changed everything, with my family in the audience. I used to watch the BAFTAs with my parents at our home in Rayners Lane, [London] just near the end of the Piccadilly line, so for all of us to be here walking the red carpet, it’s kind of an out-of-body experience. …his Oscar nomination If I’m totally honest, it hasn’t hit me yet, I’ve just been a puddle of tears. When I read the part of Saroo, I thought, ‘I’ve got to be a part of this.’ …starting his career 10 years ago on Skins My mum saw an advert in the Metro newspaper, so she dragged me to the Skins audition and I got it, and now this is all happening. I’m sure Anwar [Dev’s character] would be of his face right now – I don’t think he’d make it onto the stage. I love those guys. My Skins co-star Joe Dempsey [Chris Miles], emailed me the other day to say how crazy it is that all of this is happening. ● The Oscars, Live from the Red Carpet: Academy Awards, Sunday, E!, 10.30pm
WORDS: DEIRDRE O’BRIEN, LYNN CARRATT PICTURES: AMY BRAMMALL, BBC, GETTY, ITV, JOHN MARSHALL, JUDGE EDGINTON, REX
3
COMING UP
Schofield’s South African Adventure
Watch thing! ONE
Jane Danson
Coronation Street a m a r d y b a b ’s e n n a e L
S
ome actresses find work an escape from the hustle and bustle of family life at home with the kids, but not Coronation Street’s Jane Danson. The mumof-two is no stranger to big storylines, and now she’s landed one of her most dramatic yet – as her character, feisty Leanne Battersby, goes into labour in a lift this week. Her new storyline, of course, means working with a crying new-born – or, in Jane’s case, three of them – with Leanne’s new baby being played by not one, but three babies. Not that Jane has any complaints…
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH best
‘Being a mum is the most important job in the world’ Jane Danson, 38, who lives in Cheshire with actor husband Robert Beck and their two sons, Harry, 10, and Sam, seven, marks 20 years on the Cobbles this year. Leanne is thrilled to become a mum – what does motherhood mean to you? It’s the most important job in the world. It’s hard work, and working with the babies brings it back a little bit, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. How did you feel when Ben Price (Nick Tilsley) announced he was leaving Weatherield? Over the years I’ve been so lucky to have
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worked with some amazing partners. I’ll miss him hugely, because we really work well together; he’s such a kind man. But he wants to spend more time with his family and I totally get that. What’s the worst thing you’ve ever had to wear as Leanne? Oh my word, where do I start? When I came back in 2004, after four years out, she was dressed as a belly dancer. I had a headband with jingly bells right in the middle of my nose, so every time I said a line they rang – it drove me insane!
... AND OUT OUT AND ABOUT THEATRE
Georgia Taylor
READ IT! BEFORE THE RAINS – DINAH JEFFERIES A photographer is sent to work with the Indian royal family and becomes involved with a prince. From the author of The Tea Planter’s Wife. Penguin, £12.99, out Thursday.
‘Losing my dad in 2008 changed my outlook on things. I’ve learnt to appreciate everything more and be grateful for what I have’ Jane Danson
Would you ever do a reality TV show such as I’m A Celebrity? I enjoyed singing on Stars In Their Eyes, but really it’s not who I am. I felt like I was trying to be something I wasn’t. Have you ever felt under pressure to look glamorous? I always want to look nice and look after myself, but I do it for me. Losing my dad in 2008 totally changed my outlook on things. I’ve learnt to appreciate everything more and be grateful for what I have. ● Coronation Street, Mondays, 7.30pm & 8.30pm, Wednesdays, 7.30pm & Fridays, 7.30pm
BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL best was in London’s West End recently to celebrate iconic singer Carole King’s birthday, and the second anniversary of this hit show. The stunning production tells the untold, often
moving story of the US star’s rise to fame – as well as her crushing disappointments in love. Packed with classics including Take Good Care Of My Baby, Will You Love Me Tomorrow and You’ve Got A Friend. For tickets, visit beautifulinlondon.co.uk ★★★★★
THEATRE MIX IN A MUG There’s nothing quite like fresh brownies – and here’s a way to easily get perfect results. Just add butter and milk, and within a minute you’ve got a delicious treat. All the taste, no efort – and it’s a bargain at £3.50.
THE KITE RUNNER, WYNDHAM’S THEATRE, LONDON
MISS T ’ N O D APPLE TREE YARD Everyone’s been talking about this raunchy tale of an extramarital afair that leads to a court battle. So if you missed it, catch up now. Starring Emily Watson and Mark Bonnar. Out on DVD now, £12.99, Amazon.
Khaled Hosseini’s powerful and heartbreaking novel, about the friendship between two young boys growing up in Afghanistan, has been
adapted into an incredible stage show. Casualty’s Ben Turner stars as Amir, a privileged boy whose life is blighted by the betrayal of his best friend. Until March 11, tickets from £15 at wyndhamstheatre.co.uk
BEST
FILM
Is being an alcoholic a choice or a disease? According to the legendary footballer’s ex-wife, Angie, George Best’s drinking was a choice. So she took their son, Calum, away when he was a year old and never looked back. This documentary takes a look back at the Man United legend by the people who knew him. Out Friday. ★★★★★
Tony Cowell THE CELEB INSIDER TALKS TO SIENNA GUILLORY
With James Nesbitt in Lucky Man
‘James is one of the funniest men I know’ As crime drama Lucky Man returns, Sienna Guillory talks sexy co-stars, kids and superpowers…
ormer model Sienna Guillory, 41, found fame in the 1993 TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s Riders, and has since starred in Luther, Fortitude and Stan Lee’s Lucky Man, which is back for a second series on Sky 1. It stars James Nesbitt as Harry,
PICTURES: GETTY, SKY, TCD/VP/LMKMEDIA
F
Clayton, a detective with the power to control luck. Lucky Man is a brilliant idea for a TV show. What attracted you to the role of Eve? It’s very rare to find someone so good to work with, and James [Nesbitt] is just one of those actors who is also an incredibly nice man. And
Sienna and Enzo have been married for 15 years
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I respect Sky for coming up with such a clever, original idea. So it was a dream job; I’m so grateful I was asked to play Eve. The show has been a huge hit for Sky. What’s the key to its success? It’s incredibly well written and completely original, and the fact the series is set in London adds so much character to the series – it’s such a magical place. We go to parts of the city I’ve never seen before. As Eve, you’re the only person who can transfer the magic bracelet from one wearer to the next. You’re Harry’s guardian, aren’t you? Yes, I am. But Eve has to be the most impulsive character I’ve ever played. She gives no forethought to anything she does, and is completely mad. It’s because she’s grown up with the security of having the bracelet. I enjoy playing her.
You get to perform more stunts in this series. Were they fun to do? I love doing stunts, and we have such a great team on the show. The training is hard because of the precision required, but it’s still fun to learn. It’s tough, and if you don’t get it right, you can end up on the floor looking like an idiot. There’s a big ight scene coming up later in the series, isn’t there? Yes, and it’s crazy good! This was another of those moments when we needed all the help we could get from the stunt team. It was great fun to do. What else do you enjoy about working with James? He’s got a fantastic sense of humour, and he’s a lot more genuine
best for CELEBRITY Idris Elba was her dream co-star in Luther
With Luke Treadaway in Fortitude
than you might imagine. He will always spend time with fans who come up and ask for a selfie while we’re filming, and gives them a cuddle. I’ve worked with a lot of big-name actors, and they sometimes treat fans really badly. It’s lovely to see James being grateful and enjoying spending time with them. He’s a good lesson to us all. The screen legends you’ve worked with include the likes of Jude Law and Antonio Banderas. But am I right in thinking that Idris Elba is your favourite? Yes, he is. He’s such a wonderful actor; I worked with him on the BBC drama Luther. He’s this big man with a big voice and an incredible physicality. When you’re working with him, you just don’t know what he’s going to do. He’s great! You also play Natalie in the Sky drama Fortitude. That’s become a real cult show, hasn’t it? Yes – and it was such a treat to be able to film somewhere as beautiful as Iceland. I took my daughters [twins Valentina and Lucia, six] out there with me to show them the Northern Lights. Fortitude is another great idea from Sky, and I’ve really been enjoying the series. Is it true that Helen Mirren is your acting role model? Absolutely – I think she’s extraordinary. She just gets
better with age. In fact, she only came into her own in her 40s. Helen just inspires me. When you see her on stage, she is just incredible. You lived in LA for many years, but came back to the UK to bring up your daughters. Wasn’t that a risk, career-wise? Everyone thought I was mad to leave LA, but I think you have to put your children first. I had issues with racism and sexism [in LA] and I didn’t want my daughters growing up with those values. How do you balance life as a mum and an actor? It was hard early on, when the twins were little. My husband [Game Of Thrones actor Enzo Cilenti] and I took turns to look after them because he was away a lot. That gave me huge respect for single parents. Now the girls are older, things are quite a bit easier… but I could still do with a superpower of my own! Can we expect a third series of Lucky Man? I don’t know –we’ll have to see how this second series is received. I think it’s much stronger than the first series, so I very much hope there’ll be a third one, because it’s a really fabulous show. Series 2 of Stan Lee’s Lucky Man starts on Friday 24 February, Sky 1, 9pm
best TRAVEL
Off the wall
Beijing boasts stunning views of the Great Wall
The backdrop to a new film starring Matt Damon, the Great Wall of China is just one reason you should visit Beijing… BEST TRAVEL WRITER LAURA MILLAR
PICTURES: ALAMY, GETTY, JACQUES PAUL, UNIVERSAL PICTURES, V7 PHOTOGRAPHY
TRAVEL SNAPSHOT China’s sprawling capital is home to over 22 million people, and is a big, buzzy city. It’s the closest place to several well-preserved sections of the Great Wall, but there are dozens of other fascinating sites to visit here – including the Forbidden City, home to the Imperial Palace, Tiananmen Square, where you’ll find the mausoleum of Communist leader Chairman Mao Zedong, plus temples, museums and parks. There’s also great shopping, with fascinating street markets, and delicious food.
The Great Wall starring Matt Damon is out now
INSIDER’S GUIDE
Sample tasty treats on Guijie Food Street
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The Great Wall is more than 2,000 years old, but not much remains of the original 5,000 miles of it. However, what is left is breathtaking. Avoid the crowds by heading for a quieter stretch – Badaling is ideal (book a day tour through viator.com), as the stairs aren’t too steep. You’ll pass watchtowers where Chinese soldiers used to look out for invading Mongolians, and spot holes in the walls through which they would have fired arrows. Back in the city, stroll around Tiananmen Square – it’s lined with statues, and there’s a flag-raising ceremony at sunrise and sunset.
BEFORE YOU GO You’ll need a tourist visa to visit China if you plan on staying there for longer than 72 hours – you won’t be able to leave the airport without one! Visit visaforchina.org to ind out how to apply.
best for ESCAPES
Feast on culture and culinary delights in China’s bustling capital
Embrace local tradition and whip up a hotpot
GETTING THERE:
Air China (airchina.co.uk) lies direct from London to Beijing from around £419pp return; ba.com also ofers direct lights. It’s possible to pay less if you ly indirectly with airlines such as KLM – Royal Dutch Airlines (klm.com).
STAYING THERE:
The stylish new Doubletree by Hilton, in the commercial area of Wangfujing, has two pools, a gym, spa and several restaurants – and it’s within walking distance of the Forbidden City, too. Doubles cost from £76 per night; book via doubletree3.hilton.com
DON’T MISS
Find tranquillity at the Temple of Heaven
Brave the queues to discover the Forbidden City, so-called because the ancient emperors didn’t allow anyone within its walls but their families, staf and army. Inside, you can see dozens of the majestic wooden palaces and living quarters, plus thrones, clothes and jewels.
FOOD AND DRINK While it’s possible to find all the dishes you’d eat at home, don’t miss a traditional hotpot – you cook the ingredients yourself in a flavoured broth. Sample it at Hai Di Lao (haidilao.com), or on Guijie Street, a red-lanterned strip of 200 or more 24-hour restaurants.
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magazine, ISSN 0954-8955, is published weekly by The National Magazine Company Ltd, t/a Hearst Magazines UK, c/o USACAN Media Dist. Srv Corp at 26 Power Dam Way Suite S1-S3, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. All rights reserved. No part of may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Not to be resold, lent, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade at more than the recommended retail price (subject to VAT in Republic of Ireland) or in a mutilated condition. Printed by York Mailing Ltd, Brinkworth Rush, Airfield Business Park, Elvington, York, YO41 4AU. The publishers, editors and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services that may be advertised or referred to in this issue, or for any errors, omissions, misstatements or mistakes in any such advertisements or references. is distributed by Conde Nast & National Magazine Distributors Ltd (COMAG), Tavistock Road, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7QE (tel: 01895 433600). Prices are correct at time of going to press.
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