Dinner to Well, That Changes Every Day, but There the Beach! I Love Christmas Lunch

32 GET SLIM BY XMAS! EXTRA JOIN FOR FREE & SAVE £10 PAGE S PLUS 7 DAY EATING PLAN T&Cs APPLY BUMPER ISSUE 27 Nov46/47issue 2018

They're back! RUTH & EAMONN'S EXCLUSIVE NEW COLUMN! INSIDE KATE’S

Inspiring people who will move you SANDRINGHAM SECRETS to tears… Christmas Babies, butlers & breaking tradition

COUNTDOWN TO Q3Party food STMAS! Q3Panto guide CHRI Q3Pages of puzzles LOVE ISLAND'S Q3Christmas lunch EYAL Q3Bake O showstoppers & HIS ELVES Q3Gift ideas from £1.50

50 The Queen is set to throw a jolly good bash for Charles, as he 49 hits the big 7-0 Inside Get great THIS gift ideas for all the week family

Happy Birthday Your Royal 34 Light up the room this Highness festive season with a bit of added sparkle

On Wednesday, the Queen’s ON THE COVER REAL LIFE 71 Your stars with oldest son will celebrate 9 Love Island’s Eyal 44 ‘I was fatter than Russell Grant his 70th birthday. The invites & his elves Mickey Mouse!’ 74 Girls’ night in… and out have gone out, Buckingham 14 Inside Kate’s Christmas. 59 Is this a murderer? 78 Best books Palace’s state rooms are booked Sandringham secrets for November and the Queen is planning a 16 They’re back! Ruth & REGULARS 80 Tony Cowell speaks lavish celebration, at which even Eamonn’s exclusive 4 Start your week to Olly Murs Prince Philip is rumoured to be new column! with a smile 86 Travel: Have making a rare appearance. 19 best Heroes 2018. 53 8 Carol McGiin. a capital time! All very grand. But while Inspiring people The way I see it… 88 Cash advice: 10 ways Prince Charles is known to who will move 12 Style: Fashionably to save this Christmas enjoy a party with the best of you to tears… festive 90 Treat yourself for men, I suspect, he will also 37 Slimming World. 34 Celebrate under a tenner (like most of us) enjoy the Get slim by Xmas! your shape simple pleasures on the big day. Join for free & 47 Style: The cup Hearst Magazines UK is a trading name A kiss from Camilla, talking to of The National Magazine Company save £10, plus that cheers Limited (Registered in England number his sons and listening in delight 7-day eating plan 52 Homes: It’s 112955) whose registered offices are at as his grandchildren – Prince 30 Panton Street, London SW1Y 4AJ. 48 Gift ideas beginning to look Terms and conditions: Entrants must be 18 or over. George, ﬁve, and Princess from £1.50 a lot like Christmas Employees of The National Magazine Company Charlotte, three – sing Happy trading as Hearst Magazines UK, Spoke and 60 Bake Of 54 Look younger associated companies are excluded from taking Birthday to him. part. Hearst Magazines UK retains the right to not showstoppers with Lesley: award prizes to claimants or consortiums who in the Happy Birthday 63 Christmas lunch The radiance opinion of Hearst Magazines UK have not entered from us, Charles, into the spirit of the promotion. Should more prizes 72 Panto guide rescue plan be claimed than are available in any prize category we wish you the for any reason or claimed as a result of a technical 82 Puzzles 55 Be the Best you BIGSTOCK, GBBO, best of days! error, a simple draw may take place for the prize. 56 We’re all talking about The editor’s decision is final. Suppliers cannot be held responsible for breakdown in communication

SHOWBIZ 67 Crossword: win £550 NICKY JOHNSTONGETTY, EDITOR systems or networks. Images are for representational 32 Strictly fabulous, 68 Beauty: Join the purposes only. SP: Spoke, spoke-Interactive.com. SIOBHAN Data Protection: We will use the information you darling! With Craig grown-up glitterati! WYKES supply to process your competition entry. For our Revel Horwood 70 Dear Gloria privacy notice visit hearst.co.uk/privacy-notice. GETTY, NICKY JOHNSTON, REX REX NICKY JOHNSTON, GETTY, THIS PAGE: PAGE: THIS COVER PICTURES:

OPlease let me know your thoughts, [email protected] FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE 3 START YOUR week with 2

CHEEKY DAVINA! We love Davina McCall for 1 many reasons, and her sense of humour is just one of them! Just last week, the 51-year-old posted a snap of a form she was ﬁlling in, saying, ‘Just did this. Feeling like a naughty pixie.’ She’d ﬁlled in the ‘sex’ box with ‘Yes please’, rather than ‘female’! The recently divorced star must be feeling Twitter/@ThisisDavina frisky in the festive season! But we’re sure Davina won’t be short of ofers for a New Year’s kiss!

BIGSTOCK, REX, GETTY, TWITTER 4 PICTURES: PICTURES: The big 7-0! As our lovely editor Siobhan Wykes mentioned, Prince Charles – the longest-serving heir to the throne – will be marking his milestone birthday this month. And it seems the celebrations have kicked of early! The Prince of Wales was honoured at a grand concert at the Royal Opera House in late October, with performances from the Royal Ballet

ELLIE ATTWELL, JENNY VEREKER, LOUISE BULGIN LOUISE VEREKER, JENNY ATTWELL, ELLIE We wonder and Dame Judi Dench. A itting what Camilla’s celebration for someone who’s patron got in store for Charles’s 70th?

WORDS: of over 70 artistic organisations.

4 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE Who wowed best this WEEK the crowd? It’s beginning to look a ONE TO WATCH! lot like Christmas, and this applies to red-carpet outﬁts, too! Holly Willoughby, 37, channelled 3 her inner fairy in clouds of tulle and glitter, while Gemma Collins, also 37, opted for her version of Mrs Claus. And Joan Collins, 85, sparkled in a tinsel- inspired silver number. Forget Shrek, The Snowman and Santa Claus 1, 2 and 3, this year’s must-see, festive family ﬂick is none other than Dr Seuss’ The Grinch – a spectacular animated outing based on the classic book. Narrated by Pharrell Williams, with Benedict Cumberbatch’s brilliant voice-over, we challenge you not to laugh as the grumpy Grinch sets about attempting to thwart Christmas celebrations for the village of Whoville – and not to cry when he meets a little girl who steals his heart. Out now.

Santa’s little helpers have worked their magic on these three ladies’ red- carpet looks TIME TO ‘PIG’ OUT! If you’re a Percy Pig fan, then you’re going to love the latest M&S oferings of our favourite little porker – a Merry Percymas Biscuit Tin! For only £5, you can get the festive box full of all-butter Percy biccies. If they taste as good as they look, we have no doubt we’ll be hogging the lot! START YOUR week with Twinkle, twinkle Sequin season is upon us, and iconic pop star Kylie Minogue, 50, is showing us all 6 how to sparkle and shine in style. But all that glitters isn’t gold, with Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman, 51, sufering from a fashion faux pas in her frumpy frock. We could deﬁnitely take it or ‘sleeve’ it!

EATING FOR TWO Congratulations to actress Amy Schumer, 37, who has announced she’s expecting her irst child with her chef husband, Chris Fischer. The comedienne posted a photo of herself Kylie shines on Instagram, face down in a bowl of food. Alongside like the star it, she showed a still depicting she is, while gluttony from the ilm Se7en and Nicole seems captioned it, ‘First trimester had me to have lost like #soblessed.’ Finally, someone her sparkle admitting what pregnancy is in that old- actually like, rather than fashioned

BIGSTOCK, CATERS NEWS AGENCY, GETTY, INSTAGRAM displaying

HELEN PIKE, LOUISE BULGIN, MILLIE GOOCH GOOCH MILLIE BULGIN, LOUISE PIKE, HELEN the so-called 8 frock ‘glow’ we certainly

never had! Instagram/@amyschumer WORDS: PICTURES: PICTURES:

6 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best this WEEK

FAB-YULE-LOUS 7 This picture has certainly got us in the Christmas spirit! The photograph, taken by Gary Kramer in Denali National Park, Alaska, shows a deer shedding its antler velvet, just in time for the festive season. Although a little gruesome, the bull had a new covering the next day – he’ll be about ready to pull Santa’s sleigh now!

9 Instagram/@tomletcher Like father like son 10 We couldn’t help but fall in love with this gorgeous picture. McFly singer and musician, Tom Fletcher, 33, is already teaching his MANY HAPPY RETURNS, MICKEY! youngest son, Max, who was born in August, Mickey Mouse turns 90 this month and we have to say, he’s how to play the piano. Dad and son both look looking great. Retailers are evidently in the mood for celebrating, like they are concentrating hard on playing with Cath Kidston releasing a collection of limited-edition prints the B major chord. Can we be part of your across its fashion and homeware. And keep your eye out for our band, too, Tom? favourite cartoon mouse later in the mag to see how he inspired one woman’s incredible weight loss! Prices start from £10. THE WAY best for STRAIGHT TALK CAROL I SEE IT... McGIFFIN Wise words from our feisty, fearless and funny columnist Girl Power minus one? Not quite!

ards on the table – I loved interested in – even though the Spice Girls. They were she’s probably the worst singer. ‘Cbrilliant, diferent, iconic, Also, the mind boggles as to why this and completely nailed the zeitgeist at bunch of middle-aged mums would put the time with their individual styles and themselves through it. It can’t be for the their meaningless mantra of Girl Power buzz, can it? Or the money, as many have – which meant absolutely nothing, while speculated, because they are all surely saying absolutely everything. wealthy enough and have all reinvented So, while I’m happy they’re going on themselves with new, lucrative careers. tour again, I kind of wish they weren’t. Why would they need the hassle? I’d rather they left it with their last one, No one knows – they haven’t actually where all ﬁve of them were back together said. But at least they’ve got a new to remind everyone they still had it. Ginger in Jess Glynne, who’s supporting I worry that they won’t have it any them, while Geri, with her newly more, especially without Victoria, who acquired and comical was far and away the most enigmatic plummy accent, can and newsworthy of all of them. be the new Posh, She’s the one that people are most but posher!’

I’m loving... I’m loathing...

OFF MY TROLLEY RYANAIR’S NEW BAG POLICY FESTIVE Say what you like about SUPERMARKET Ryanair, but they’ve got it ADVERTS right on baggage charges. Without a doubt, the very GETTY, NICKY JOHNSTON NICKY GETTY, I know, because I ly short- worst thing about the haul a lot, and the free-for- holidays is the relentless all way of doing things is supermarket adverts. Every

PICTURES: PICTURES: unfair to those who year, the big guns compete to play by the rules. spend millions on cute, quaint, It’s about time heartwarming little dramas people woke in the hope of convincing you up to the fact that your Christmas will be that they just as perfect as the staged ones can’t have with their fake families in the everything ads. They literally make me for free. sick – so I’m not falling for it. CARRY-ON CAPERS I’d rather starve! best for CELEBRITY Eyaland his elves

He says he’s done with dating shows for a while, so former Love Island star Eyal Booker was more than happy to channel his inner Will Ferrell as Elf, meet the office little people and talk about his Christmas plans…

Wrapping paper, £2 each, Flying Tiger Copenhagen Christmas sack, £22, Harrow & Green at notonthehighstreet.com

Turn over for more

FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE 9 yal Booker, 23, was a successful model six Emonths ago. Now, he’s a reality TV star, famous for his curly mop of hair, ‘deep’ chats and inability to nab a girlfriend… So, after a couple of false starts on Love Island and more recently being called ‘boring’ on E4’s Celebs Go Dating, Eyal’s done with matchmaking shows for a while. Right now, the north-London boy – with a twinkle in his eye – is happy to channel his inner- elf, as he met with Dylan, six, and Jesse, four (our celeb ed Shelley Spadoni’s little people), as well as two-year-old Noah, who is our beauty ed Helen Pike’s son. We’re not sure who the cutest kid is, and for what it’s worth, Eyal, we think you make a very gorgeous Buddy the elf… Well, Eyal – you look great! ‘Getting presents Thanks – it’s a diferent look for me, isn’t it?! I love the ﬁlm Elf. And my little ready for Christmas... helpers are great, too. Hey, boys! (The oice little people studiously ignore doesn’t sound like him because they are busy crafting and making presents, apart from Noah, who a bad day job’ sticks his tongue out). Hey, kids! Getting presents ready for Christmas, stuing yourself with mince pies and hanging out with huskies all day doesn’t sound like a bad day job… (There is still no response, so we move on…)

What do you enjoy about Christmas, Eyal? Being around my family, the people

Santa’s little helpers (L-R): Jesse, Dylan and Noah

10 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for CELEBRITY

I love. I will admit, I’m normally nursing a hangover from Christmas Eve – I’ve nearly missed a few Christmas Days because I’ve slept in so late!

What are your plans for the big day? A sunny Christmas! I’m not sure yet, but I’m thinking of heading to Cape Town. I’ve spent the past few years out there for work, so I have friends there. It would be a diferent Eyal’s had kind of holiday, because I’ve never a ‘whirlwind’ been away from my family at that year time of year but, at the same time, I feel like I need some sunshine.

So no turkey? Who are your big celebrity crushes? I’d have to take my Christmas dinner to Well, that changes every day, but there the beach! I love Christmas lunch. Then, are a few that never change. Blake Lively? I’d probably Facetime my family and Beautiful and funny… Kendall Jenner, make them a bit jealous as I wish them I mean, if she wants to go on a date, a great time with a cocktail in my hand! I won’t say no… and Megan Fox. Shall I go on?! I could do! Like a good elf, will you be showering your loved ones Are you still in touch with your with presents this year? fellow Love Islanders? I most deﬁnitely will. I’m in a position A bit, but mostly at events we get where I can buy my family some nice gifts. invited to because we’re all busy. But It’s been a whirlwind year! I’m excited to I’m sure we will try and squeeze in a be able to reward them for sticking by me. little Christmas reunion – or two!

If Santa could grant you one festive How’s life changed this year for you, wish, what would it be? Eyal – do people stop you in street? Without getting too deep – and we all Yes, quite a lot, which is pretty crazy! I’ve know I can do that – it’s very simple, make had to adjust to the level of attention. But sure everyone feels loved and that nobody it’s all good, it’s never been to criticise or has to spend Christmas alone. be weird, it’s all love.

How was the Celebs Go Dating Would you do another reality show? experience for you? Yes, but I’m happy to take a little break There were some awkward moments from them! I don’t want to do another [he cried when the experts told him he dating show, I think we’re good there. was ‘boring’ and ‘too intense’]. But Paul I’d love to be in I’m A Celebrity, but what [Carrick Brunson, an American who runs I really like is The Island With Bear a dating agency in the US] helped shed Grylls! I think I’d be good and useful to light on what I was doing right and have around. I’d roll my sleeves up! wrong, so it was useful.

Any burning ambitions for 2019? NICKY JOHNSTON ITV, And what did you learn? Following my dreams! I do want For me, don’t just be the serious, deep to eventually go into presenting –

guy. Be fun, too – like today! And be ﬂirty, documentaries, if I can. Whether it be PICTURES: but not too intense about it. something like X Factor or spreading the word about important real-life issues, And… is there anyone special a bit Reggie Yates/Stacey Dooley style. on the scene? And, whatever I do, I want to stay true There might be someone special soon… to myself, which is really important it’s a work in progress! in this business. SPADONI SHELLEY WORDS: £5

TOP TIP Lace on the shoulders is a subtle way to embrace this seasonal trend. £10

£30

Instead of the classic LBD, switch to lace separates £69 for a touch of glam this party season FASHIONABLY FESTIVE

£90

12 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for STYLE

Far left: Blouse, £10, Primark Trousers, £30, Dorothy Perkins Shoes, £90, Van Dal Bag, £69, Guess 5 Earrings, £5, £ £5 Peacocks Centre: Top, £69, Coast Culottes, £79, Coast 17.99 Boots, £16, Primark £ Earrings, £5, Peacocks £69 Right: Top, £17.99, New Look Skirt, £13, Primark Sandals, £12, Primark Earrings, £5, Peacocks

TOP TIP Culottes look equally fabulous teamed with a sweatshirt and a pair of sliders. £13

TOP TIP Invest in a pencil skirt as it will be the hardest working item £79 in your winter wardrobe! CARL STANLEY CARL STANLEY HAIR AND MAKE-UP: AND HAIR £16 £12 NICKY JOHNSTON RACHEL GOLD GOLD RACHEL PHOTOGRAPHY: STYLIST: Inside Kate’s Christmas What will the festive hey say Christmas is all about the season bring for Duchess Tchildren – and as a mum of three, Kate, the Kate and her ever- Duchess of Cambridge, will have even more to increasing brood? celebrate, as well as having her hands full royal reporter Phil Dampier, with Kate’s family in with her adorable brood. Christmas will be ‘extra Bucklebury, Berkshire, and Prince Louis, who was born special’ for Kate this year. William was said to enjoy in April, will be relatively ‘She will doubtless love the more relaxed atmosphere oblivious to his ﬁrst Christmas, showing Louis of to the family at the Middletons, where they but for his older siblings, at Sandringham. The Queen spent Christmas 2016. George, ﬁve, and Charlotte, dotes on all her grandchildren ‘Kate might want to spend three, the levels of excitement and great-grandchildren, so Christmas Day with her own will be high. No doubt they will love seeing them together. family,’ says Phil. ‘Mum Carole will be looking out for Santa’s There are normally more than and dad Michael would love sleigh in the Norfolk skies 30 royals with Her Majesty for to have the baby with them. above the Sandringham Estate. the festive season,’ he says. But like any family, there are The Queen and Prince Kate has been spending always decisions to be made.’ Philip will welcome the at least part of Christmas at And with Prince Charles, Kate and William extended family to celebrate Sandringham ever since she turning 70 this Wednesday, enjoyed the festive season, as they married William seven years and the Duke of Edinburgh a family have done for so many years. ago. Before that, the couple having been unwell, Phil says, Christmas with the According to veteran spent alternate Christmases ‘I would expect it’s more likely Middletons that William and Kate will go in 2016 to Sandringham, and see the Middletons either the day after Boxing Day or at New Year.’ After lunch, He adds, ‘Kate may want to it’s time for the Queen’s be on hand to provide a warm festive welcome to her pregnant message sister-in-law, Meghan, the new Duchess of Sussex. ‘Last year, Harry and Meghan stayed with Kate and William and, even though they weren’t married, Meghan was welcomed into the family by the Queen. Kate will love having Meghan around to play with the kids, plus, of course, Will Kate be swapping baby Elder statesman notes with Zara Tindall? Prince Philip she’ll be giving out advice to her about being a mum!’

14 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for CELEBRITY

Prince Louis leaves hospital in April

Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate, where Kate Should Meghan need it, and family will stay Kate can also ofer up tips on how things are done at Sandringham, which is family enjoy a cooked fairly strict, following long- breakfast before heading of to established traditions. church at St Mary Magdalene, The Royal Family keep Sandringham, where crowds to the German custom of of well-wishers gather. opening gifts on Christmas Phil says, ‘Kate spends much Eve. They gather in the White more time talking to members Drawing Room to put the of the public and is now happy finishing touches to a huge to hug them and accept a tree, usually measuring at kiss or two, and doubtless least 20ft. They then open she will do that with the their presents (jokey and people outside the church, inexpensive rather than who will have waited hours lavish), which are laid out on to see them.’ a white linen-covered trestle Then it’s back for a few table. The children join in, tipples before lunch is served before they are packed of at 1pm sharp, at a lavishly set to bed and a lavish dinner is table complete with red and served by the dedicated team gold crackers, decanters and of butlers and footmen. silver candelabra. On Christmas Day, the Lunch finishes with a flaming pudding soaked in Will Doria be there on brandy, followed by a cheese course with plenty of port. Christmas Day? The family assembles again Meghan’s mum, at 3pm to watch the Queen’s Doria Ragland, Christmas message, before has reportedly the day is rounded of with been invited to a dinner – usually estate spend Christmas at Sandringham, game, served with potatoes after the Queen and carrots. extended a personal Phil adds, ‘Kate will enjoy invitation. It’s a move talking to all the other royals

that would break she has seen little of during GETTY with tradition and the year, because she has protocol, but would been busy with the baby. And be a mark of the

afection the Queen this year, with the royal baby PICTURES: holds for Meghan. boom, she, Zara Tindall and After all, Doria, who Meghan will doubtless be impressed the world comparing baby notes.’ with her quiet dignity We wouldn’t be surprised at the Royal Wedding, if all this joyful family time was the only member O’BRIEN DEIRDRE and baby chatter gives Kate of Meghan’s family to Meghan attend the ceremony. and her notions about having another

Watch this space. mum have a little one herself… WORDS: close bond He says, EACH MONTH BRITAIN’S FAVOURITE TV COUPLE TAKE IT IN TURNS TO DISCUSS THE BIGGEST STORIES

With best editor Siobhan Wykes

Eamonn Cornered by talks to… admirer Laura Anderson I could go on, but Caprice the stories of each of – Beauty our recipients will be and the best told on the following he dictionary definition pages. You will admire of a hero is ‘a person them, sometimes diferent way. Tadmired for their courage, pity them, sometimes Neil talked outstanding achievements or not want to be them, Jonny down noble qualities’. and sometimes wish from jumping of It’s a good description, but it doesn’t you had their strength, Waterloo Bridge begin to describe the best Heroes of courage, wisdom and lots of in London. Soldier 2018 who I had the honour of meeting. other qualities they don’t see Stu Parker talked about Heroes like: Yvonne Lawson, themselves as having. how medicine saved his life, who lost her son Godwin to a knife That’s because we tend to think a but it was actually a military charity that killing, but who now works tirelessly hero is ready-made. That they wake allowed him to live fully. to help prevent the same tragedy and up in the morning knowing they are And then there was bringing life into heartbreak aicting another family. a hero, almost as though they have the world. Would you trust your 13-year- Benjamin Napier, who despite a superhero costume hanging up in old son to deliver your baby at home? being diagnosed with cancer and his the wardrobe ready to wear. Thought not. Most of us wouldn’t trust wife sufering a stroke, decided to be Our winners mostly didn’t know them to deliver a newspaper. But helping an example to his young children on what was ahead, what was the defining at the birth of his brother Jacob is what why you should never give up. thing that would propel them from Tyler Shell did – in his school uniform! Second World War Spitfire pilot ordinary member of the public to None of these folk chose their Allan Scott, 97, who also didn’t give up extraordinary person. circumstances, but they all chose how and who, against vastly superior odds, For Alex Pandolfo it was developing to deal with them. They chose not to be was part of a small contingent who Alzheimer’s and using his voice and defined by the problem, but to ofer a defended the island of Malta against experiences to crusade for a Right to solution. And that’s what fascinates us

GETTY, REX,GETTY, NICKY JOHNSTON the German Luftwafe. Even more Die at a time and place of his choosing. about heroes as we consider what we impressively, he was just 21 at the For Neil Laybourn it was stopping would do in similar circumstances. time. Can you imagine that? I had just a complete stranger, now close The truth is, none of us will know until

PICTURES: about learned to drive a car at that age, friend Jonny Benjamin, from doing the problem comes to our door. But what but to ﬂy a ﬁghter plane in combat? something similar but in a completely I do know is that over the years I have

16 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for CELEBRITY She says

Siobhan (centre) with Linda Lusardi, Annabel Giles, Debbie Arnold and Lizzie Cundy Columnist Angie Best

interviewed so many ordinary people who have become extraordinary because they have had to. Parents who have had to become experts on medicine, operations and law reform or stood up to injustice, prejudice and generally just done The Right Thing. One of the ways we try to make our recipients feel special is to place a number of celebrities alongside them as table hosts. I compered the award presentations, but those doing their thing and adding some glitter to the occasion included Linda Robson, Caprice, Angie Best and others, including my Love Island admirer Laura Anderson, who I suspect got wind that Ruth couldn’t be there – or at least that’s what I like to think. Once again, our evening was a nice mix of style and substance and, as I looked A heroic pose from Linda around the room, I thought that even Robson though not everyone can be or indeed wants to be one, what a poorer place the world would be without its heroes. Ruth tells you what’s #TRENDING DORIA AT SANDRINGHAM CHILDREN IN NEED I couldn’t imagine Christmas It’s Children In Need time away from my mum. She is my again. I hope, like me, you connection with Christmases HOLLY IN THE JUNGLE have happy memories of past and those yet to come. So I know Holly is worried about being involved through the I really hope it’s true the Queen her I’m A Celeb… adventure. years – in my case, since has invited Doria to join daughter All I can say is, those of us who rattling buckets in Plymouth Meghan at Sandringham this know her reckon the jungle is in 1980. Hope you have year. What a perfect present. about to crown a new queen. a rattling good time, too.

NEXT MONTH Ruth has her say!

best for AWARDS

TV’s Eamonn Holmes with best editor Siobhan Wykes

A night of tears& cheers! It was a glittering evening of celebrities and inspirational special guests as we celebrated the second of our best Heroes Awards

e gathered But the true stars of the and tears in this emotionally in the night were the nine real-life charged evening. But most elegant heroes who we were there to of all, there was love. Palm Court honour. Nine extraordinary Presenter Eamonn NINE REAL-LIFE Wof London’s Waldorf people whose daring, brave described the evening as, HEROES… GETTY, NICKY JOHNSTON Hilton Hotel for a lavish and inspirational acts set ‘A night to honour some EXTRAORDINARY gala dinner among a them apart. extraordinary real people.’ PEOPLE WHOSE host of famous faces. From our oldest hero, Our editor Siobhan PICTURES: It was presented by our 97-year-old Second World added, ‘They are simply INSPIRATIONAL, returning columnist Eamonn War Spitﬁre ace Allan Scott, an inspiration.’ DARING AND Holmes (see page 16), and to the youngest, 13-year-old Now, turn over to read BRAVE ACTS SET guests included Strictly’s Tyler Shell, who delivered his about the men and woman THEM APART NICKY DAWSON Craig Revel Horwood, baby brother on the kitchen whose incredible stories Linda Robson and ﬂoor and then went to school! made us laugh, cry and

WORDS: Vanessa Feltz. There were cheers, laughter cheer… our heroes! FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE 19 ‘I wanted a positive legacy for my son’ says YVONNE LAWSON

vonne’s son, Then, on the 27 March Godwin, was a 2010, an unthinkable typical teenage tragedy struck. Godwin boy. He was was on his way home for the popular,Y loved his food, weekend, when he saw his was mad about football friend’s two brothers and – and always had to be watched as four other boys reminded to tidy up his got out of a car and started boots and socks! to attack them. Although Godwin was a He decided to help the natural sportsman, Yvonne brothers and stop the fight. always made sure he worked But Godwin’s bravery cost hard at school. ‘You need him his life. He was stabbed your education to fall back to death, aged just 17. on,’ she told her son. He was a ‘My whole family’s life strapping lad at 6ft 1in, always died that night with Godwin,’ looked out for the people Yvonne simply says. ‘I don’t around him and put others think I will ever have the Aged just nine, before himself. People looked words to describe the pain of Godwin’s life up to him – literally! having your child murdered. was cut short Then in 2009, he was ‘The moment anyone at 17 ofered a scholarship by Oxford United football club. It meant being away from the family home in Enfield five days a week but despite missing him terribly, Yvonne

GETTY, NICKY JOHNSTON felt nothing but pride. ‘It was his dream,’ she says. Yvonne saw Godwin every

PICTURES: weekend and he always said the same thing. ‘The food portions are so small in Oxford, Mum!’ He loved being at home and spending time Godwin (left)

LOUISE BULGIN with Yvonne, with his brother, now 20, dad Calvin and and two sisters, now 27 and his siblings

WORDS: 15, as well as his mates.

20 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for AWARDS

Yvonne, her husband Calvin and the Editor, Siobhan

decides to carry a knife, they sticker where youngsters can are taking the whole family go if they are in immediate into the grave with them.’ physical danger. The heartbroken family Yvonne also works with just about made it through the Metropolitan Police and Godwin’s funeral, and politicians, and helped the afterwards, they listened BBC with their harrowing to stories about their son EastEnders storyline to raise from his friends. awareness of London’s knife ‘We learned that he stood crime epidemic. up for everyone, that he In 2015, Yvonne, now 47, really loved being part of the worked with her local MP to community,’ Yvonne says with help pass a knife crime bill pride. It pained her that he’d in the House of Commons. miss every Christmas, every It stated that if people were birthday, that she’d never she caught carrying a knife for a him marry or have kids… second time, they would be But amazingly, in 2012, given a mandatory detention Yvonne, her husband Calvin, sentence. It was a huge now 49, and their children achievement for the family. decided Godwin should not be Mum Yvonne knows forgotten and that his legacy nothing will bring her son should be trying to stop knife back, but that small things crime on our streets. They can make a huge diference. wanted to try and prevent ‘If one person does something, any other parent or brother it helps, but if everyone or sister going though the does something, it will bring agony and sense of loss change,’ she explains. they live with every day. She was honoured at the The Godwin Lawson best Hero awards for being Foundation campaigns to end not only a remarkable woman, knife crime, educate gangs but a true champion for young and break down ‘postcode people, whose eforts to barriers’ in the war on knives. educate and make our streets The foundation also uses a safer place for all our kids, sport as a way to spread their is an inspiration to us all. message, as well as helping ‘I feel so special,’ Yvonne implement CitySafe Zones. says. ‘I thank best for helping These involve designated to spread this important locations with over 50 ‘safe message.’ havens’ identiﬁable by a

Turn over for more stories of extraordinary heroes… ‘Whatever happens… show your kids you never give up’

says BENJAMIN NAPIER

enjamin Napier’s Benjamin family have discovered suffered three that he too bitter blows in had to ﬁght theB past few years. for his life. The kind of life-changing He was tragedy and challenges that diagnosed would knock most people of with their feet. You might survive stage four one, but all three would have Hodgkin’s most of us asking, ‘What’s lymphoma, Running man the point?’ and then Benjamin with But this devoted father and just as he was wife Sarah (left) husband’s resilience, strength recovering, his wife and drive has guided his family Sarah sufered a devastating and held them together. stroke. At one point the And, as if that wasn’t family were told to say enough, Benjamin, 41, from goodbye to her. The stroke Dunbar, East Lothian, has has left Sarah without now dedicated himself to movement in her right arm fundraising, as he longs and very little in her right leg. his hobby into a way to GETTY, NICKY JOHNSTON to give back to the people The family say it is fundraise – he has completed to deal with, he always shows who supported him and wife Benjamin’s strength that has marathons, ultra marathons strength and determination. Sarah in their darkest hour. guided them forward and kept and one run that saw him He keeps us going with his

PICTURES: In 2007, Benjamin and them feeling positive. cover 370 miles in 10 days. positive attitude.’ Sarah’s daughter, Chloe, ‘Whatever life throws at He has raised over £20,000 Children Maya, 21, and who was aged just one, you, it’s important to show for various charities, including Rory, 18, unanimously agree, passed away after a short your children you must never Chest Heart & Stroke ‘He’s amazing!’ battle with leukaemia. give up,’ says Benjamin. Scotland. ‘We all love him and he loves NICKY DAWSON NICKY DAWSON Soon after losing his The dad-of-four, always Sarah says, ‘Ben’s amazing. us, that’s the main thing,’ adds youngest daughter, grieving a keen runner, has turned Whatever situation we have 10-year-old Roisin. WORDS:

22 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for AWARDS ‘I was one of the lucky ones’ says SQUADRON LEADER ALLAN SCOTT

e might be 97, Asked what he remembers but Squadron of that time, he says, ‘It was Second World War hero Allan, 97, Leader Allan the most bombed place on celebrated the Scott still loves earth, it really was… Malta was RAF’s centenary Hthe feeling of soaring a target the size of the Isle of this year towards the clouds with Wight and they flattened it.’ the wind in his hair. In 1943, a young Allan was Allan is one of the last decorated by King George VI surviving Spitfire ace for his bravery. from the Second World War. After the war, he became a Earlier this year, to test pilot and has flown more celebrate the centenary of than 80 types of aircraft. the RAF – which he served Ironically, having survived in for 35 years – he flew one everything the war threw at of his beloved planes again him, Allan’s luck nearly ran and looped the loop over out while giving an aerobatic Biggin Hill airfield, in Kent, display in a Tiger Moth as part of its celebrations. biplane in Scotland in 1953. ‘It’s like riding a bike,’ A structural failure caused The Spitire pilot can’t wait says the great-grandfather. the plane to crash. He sufered to take to the ‘You never forget how to serious injuries and needed skies again fly a Spitfire. many operations to rebuild ‘I’m one of the lucky his shattered face. ones,’ Allan explains. It was in the RAF he met The life expectancy for his late wife, Pat, who he was Spitfire pilots during the married to for 65 years. Battle of Britain was just Allan, from Oxfordshire, four weeks. These days, still loves planes – ‘I can’t wait remarkable Allan prefers to get up there flying again to play down his part in in my beloved Spitfire. It’s a the war efort. beautiful aircraft. It fits you But he was just 21 like an overcoat,’ says Allan. when he earned a He hopes to be able to fly a Distinguished Flying Spitfire to celebrate his 100th Allan with best’s Siobhan, Medal for his part in birthday – in three years’ time. Eamonn Holmes and defending Malta against We hope you do too, Allan. Anthea Turner the constant bombing.

Turn over for more stories of extraordinary heroes… ‘Brave? People have called me a coward’ says ALEX PANDOLFO

ack in June, we shared Alex’s courageousB story in best. He’d contacted us after reading an interview Eamonn Holmes had Campaigner Alex Pandolfo given us about having hearing loss, which has been linked to dementia. Eamonn Best’s Siobhan, Alex said that if that and Eamonn Holmes fate should ever befall him, he would haunt them forever, would chose to go similar to those he had of his – something he had to Switzerland to dad. Instead, he wanted to die been passionate die with dignity. with dignity at a time of his about. The dementia It struck a chord with Alex own choosing. means he’s easily because, in 2015, he was Alex, now 64, has spoken upset, and noise diagnosed with Alzheimer’s out about the right to die, and large crowds are and it was a devastating blow. campaigned to be heard and confusing and diicult The university lecturer helped others ﬁghting for for him to deal with. GETTY, NICKY JOHNSTON knew all too well how cruel the same cause. He believes At the awards, Alex Alex’s partner, the disease could be, because everyone with an incurable Poppy, supports said, ‘I’m surprised he had watched his beloved illness should be able to die his decision to and delighted that

PICTURES: father, Vincent, sufer with the in their own country. As it end his life best call me a hero. same illness. It had changed stands, it will cost Alex £8,000 People have called me Vincent into an aggressive, to travel from his home in a coward in the past.’ violent and, at times, lewd Lancashire to Switzerland and mum and his sisters He knows this is man – a far cry from the end his life. ‘Not everybody all support his decision. a controversial issue, but LOUISE BULGIN father he’d once been. can aford that,’ he says. Alex has now given up his hopes people will see that Alex didn’t want to leave his Although they ﬁnd it hard, much-loved job in education everyone should have the

WORDS: loved ones with memories that his partner, Poppy, his elderly and he’s stopped travelling right to choose.

24 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for AWARDS ‘Mental illness is so isolating, we want people to talk’ says JONNY BENJAMIN

decade ago, to dispel the taboo. They work in January together full time, taking their 2008, Jonny message to schools, prisons, Benjamin companies and even the NHS. Afound himself They are setting up a standing on foundation – Beyond Waterloo bridge, Shame, Beyond Stigma – contemplating and they have run the London jumping off – until marathon for the charity personal trainer Heads Together. Jonny has Neil Laybourn been awarded an MBE for his intervened. services to mental health and Jonny (right) By the time Neil he’s a published author, too. was awarded had talked Jonny down, The pair are ﬁrm advocates Winner Neil at our awards an MBE last the police had arrived of early intervention and year and Neil went on his way prevention when it comes to work. It took Jonny, who to mental health problems. sufers from schizoafective Sadly, Jonny wasn’t able to disorder, six years to track attend the awards because he down the Good Samaritan still struggles with his mental who had saved his life. health, but the words Neil But out of that chance used on the bridge that day – encounter sparked a ‘It’ll get better, mate, you will friendship that has been life- get better’ – help him through. changing for both of them. When Neil, 35, took to the The two men now campaign to stage to accept their award, raise much-needed awareness he said, ‘I know Jonny would of the fact that male suicide is want me to talk about why the biggest cause of death for he’s not here tonight.’ It’s what Eamonn and men under 45 in the UK. we’re trying to raise awareness Siobhan with Neil and Gloria Jonny, 31, and Neil want us of and help everyone to do – to Hunniford to all feel comfortable talking talk about mental health.’ about mental health in order

Turn over for more stories of extraordinary heroes… ‘We have to stop abuse behind closed doors’ says TONY STOWELL

ony Stowell is heartbreaking situations a determined some people and their Tony and his man. For the past families ﬁnd partner Chantal two years, he themselves hasT dedicated his life to in. Last year, a stamping out abuse and report found four neglect in care homes. in 10 care homes Tony is convinced the failed inspections, only way to achieve this is with reports of to make CCTV monitoring pensioners being compulsory in all places that punched, starved ofer residential care. and neglected. The former The father-of-two from Hull Tony has Eamonn Holmes model’s proile is the ﬁrst to say he’s had an toured the and best editor has helped him eventful life, as an almost-pop country reviewing Siobhan with Tony gain support. and Eddie Kidd ‘We can make a star, a Tom Cruise lookalike conditions in care change,’ he says and a model. Tony, 50, spent homes. ‘I feel many years travelling the world people are being let mingling with celebrities and down,’ he says. ‘I just

GETTY, NICKY JOHNSTON sipping Champagne until he had to do something.’ people have nothing to fear.’ settled down in Hull with CCTV within care facilities Tony now has thousands being paralysed in an accident, his wonderful partner, is an emotional issue – some of people behind him and his sufered abuse from his carer

PICTURES: Chantal. patients and staf don’t want campaign has been boosted – his former wife. He began his campaign to to be ﬁlmed 24/7. by a host of household names Tony, who attended the end abuse in residential care But Tony says, ‘We have who have come forward to awards with Chantal, says, two years ago in honour of a to stop abuse behind closed ofer their support. ‘At ﬁrst it felt like I was a lone family member. doors. There are plenty of One of his champions voice in the wind. But now so NICKY DAWSON NICKY DAWSON Spurred into action, he gave healthcare professionals is Eddie Kidd, the former many people are helping me to up his career to concentrate who ofer wonderful motorcycle stunt man and shout this from the rooftops –

WORDS: on raising awareness of the treatment and care – these record-breaker, who, after we can make a change.’

26 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for AWARDS ‘It’s a family tradition… to go above and beyond your job’ says DR AAMER KHAN

r Aamer Khan Since then, Mark is just one first met Mark of many soldiers who’s been Allen, a soldier helped by Dr Khan’s charity in the Royal Back On Track, set up with AnglianD Regiment, after wife Lesley Reynolds in 2014. his girlfriend paid for ‘I want to do this as a way private laser treatment of showing respect for our to help reduce the soldiers,’ explains Dr Khan. scarring that Mark, 26, ‘They are heroes and suffered when he was I wanted to acknowledge caught in a bomb blast that – as my grandfather in Afghanistan. did and my great grandfather Mark has lost both of his had done before me.’ Dr Khan’s charity aims to raise £250,000 a year to legs below the knee and had Dr Khan’s great grandfather help disigured soldiers shrapnel wounds to his lower fought in the First World face, arms and neck. War and was the ﬁrst Within minutes, it was Muslim soldier to receive the clear to Dr Khan that one Victoria Cross. The surgeon’s treatment would not be nearly grandfather was a military enough. It would have been doctor who also gave his devastating news to the young spare time and services for couple without Harley Street’s free in remote villages in the Dr Khan’s assurance that he Himalayas. would personally make sure Back On Track arranges Go Mark got all the treatment Karting days to raise money, he needed for free. and Dr Khan still operates As the pair got to know on anyone from the military each other, the doctor realised he believes needs his help. As that Headley Court – the he says, ‘In my family, it’s just Siobhan with Vanessa Feltz, Ministry of Defence military a tradition to go above and Dr Khan and rehabilitation unit – can only beyond your everyday job.’ Eamonn do so much for our injured.

Turn over for more stories of extraordinary heroes… ‘Giving back is the least I can do’ says SERGEANT STU PARKER Stu before he was injured ergeant Stu weeks, and Parker says doesn’t remember medicine might those ﬁrst days have saved his in intensive life,S but it’s the Not care when his Forgotten Association life hung in the (NFA) that helped him balance. to start living again. But Stu’s dad, The sergeant almost died John, who kept after being wounded in action, a bedside vigil, and now helps others who’ve often reminds had similar experiences. him of how a With editor Stu was just 16 when he doctor took him Siobhan, sports presenter Jacquie joined the Royal Anglian aside and told Beltrao and host Stu at our awards Regiment in 1994. He served him, ‘There are Eamonn Holmes in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, a lot of sick Sierra Leone and Afghanistan. people in this But it was on 23 August 2007 hospital, but your ‘When I left hospital, the Forgotten Association. He has that he nearly lost his life. son is the sickest.’ doctors had said I’d never walk run or walked thousands of Serving in Helmand Stu made it out of hospital unaided again,’ he explains. miles on behalf of the charity. Province, Afghanistan, he was and returned to his parents’ But, at the event, he met NFA holds various events caught in a massive explosion, house in Braintree, Essex, Rosie, the NFA’s event throughout the year, from when a 500lb bomb blew up. to recuperate. At 6ft 4in, manager. A runner herself, ﬁshing weekends to trips Three of his comrades were this previously active man she asked if Stu fancied doing to Majorca. None would be killed outright. Another, like was a shell of his former self, the New York Marathon the complete without Stu, now Stu, was severely wounded. weighing just 10st. following year. 41, with his cheery sense of GETTY, NICKY JOHNSTON Stu’s near-fatal injuries But then came an invitation He took up the challenge. humour, driving the minibus. included losing his spleen, part that was to be a turning point Each step was agony, but, ‘The Association rescued of his left lung, and breaking – and a lifeline – for Stu he slowly built up strength me,’ he says. ‘They help

PICTURES: several ribs and his right leg. ‘The Not Forgotten in his legs. Months after his soldiers from 18 to 105. No He lost the hearing in his left Association invited me to accident, he deﬁed the medics matter how you are injured, ear and sufered shrapnel a Christmas party,’ he says. by running the marathon in they don’t discriminate – wounds. Not to mention the Stu, who had been a just over four hours. if you’ve served your country terrible mental scars of losing keen long-distance runner, He now devotes his spare and need help, they’re there. NICKY DAWSON NICKY DAWSON men he had fought alongside. attended the event using time to raising money for, Giving back is the least He was in a coma for three walking sticks. and awareness of, the Not I can do.’ WORDS:

28 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for AWARDS

Aged just 13, Tyler calmly helped deliver ‘I want to his baby brother be a maths teacher - not a midwife!’ says TYLER SHELL

orget Call The of dad, Gareth, and an Midwife, it was ambulance, arrived at their more a case home, both Arriana and of ‘Call my her 5lb 13oz new baby were teenageF son’ when doing fine! heavily pregnant And Tyler? ‘He was ofered Arriana Shell found the day of school,’ says herself in labour on Arriana, 35. ‘But he was keen her kitchen floor. to get there, I think he’d had It was Arriana’s enough baby talk for one day.’ third child, and Despite his unscheduled experience told arrival on 14 March this year, her this baby plus a spot of jaundice, baby was coming Jacob was thriving when he – NOW! eventually got to hospital. The very irst The When Tyler arrived to visit picture of Tyler holding Jacob mum, from his brother after school, in hospital Stamford, the midwives joked, ‘Do Lincolnshire, you fancy a job?’ was alone in But Tyler, who lists his the house apart hobbies as footie, riding his from her teenage bike and hanging out with son, Tyler, aged 13. his mates, has other ideas He was getting ready for his future. for school when he heard his ‘I want to be a maths mum’s frantic yells for help. teacher,’ he explains. Instead of panicking, Tyler Arriana says Jacob, who’s calmly rolled up the sleeves now seven months old, is of his school blazer and, with doing well. Mum’s instructions, delivered ‘Tyler was so calm and cool- his baby brother, Jacob – right headed. I dread to think what there on the kitchen floor! would have happened if he Passing the baby to his hadn’t been there and I’d had mum, Tyler laughed when to give birth on my own. Jacob let out a loud cry. ‘He’s my hero, and his little ‘He’s letting us know he’s brother thinks he’s pretty ‘I dread to think what would have here, Mum,’ he said. fabulous, too.’ happened if he When help, in the form hadn’t been there,’ says mum Arriana Turn over for more stories of extraordinary heroes… best for AWARDS

A venue it for heroes: the Waldorf Hilton Hotel, London

X Factor guests (L-R): Shan Ako, Siobhan with Strictly’s Craig Revel Scarlett Lee and the Misunderstood Our editor, Siobhan, with the Horwood, youngest Hero Tyler boys, Stephan and Jefery Swingtime Sweethearts, Le’arna Shell and host Eamonn Holmes Castle (left) and Annie Riley With thanks to… EVERYONE WHO HELPED US CELEBRATE OUR HEROES Our Heroes celebrated and stayed at London’s Waldorf Hilton Hotel.

For making our Heroes and their guests all look gorgeous, thanks to: Hannah McGrath, Misha McLean and Fabia Bruce from the Schwarzkopf artistic team, Charlotte and Maggie from Mii Cosmetics, and Danielle from Jessica Nails. For goody bags for our Heroes: Baylis & Harding, Schwarzkopf, Holdsworth Chocolate Ltd, Propercorn and Nivea. For refreshments on the day: Kettle Chips, M&Ms and Rhythm108. And for drinks on the night: Adnams Ghost Ship Beer and Sparkling Ice drinks. Our thanks, also, to Flying Tiger Copenhagen, Rex London and Hobbycraft. An extra-special shout out to our creative team… Photography: Nicky Johnston Hair and make-up: Jo McKenna and Carl Stanley Stylist: Paula Maddin

30 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE

With STRICTLY CRAIG FABULOUS, DARLING! Craig Revel Horwood gives us all the backstage gossip on the biggest show on TV…

LEAVE ANN ALONE! GLAMMED UP Some nasty people kicked of online A lovely lady called Summer about Ann Widdecombe returning gets me camera-ready. She’s for the Strictly Christmas Special. gorgeous. I know that But she’s fabulous! downstairs on Level There’s a reason 1 she’s preparing all why she got to week the pros and celebs 11 with Anton Du and it’s total mayhem. Beke. She’ll be great But when she’s working with – she’s hilarious. I’m me after she’s ﬁnished with that lot, it’s all very zen. also looking forward For me, it’s like going to a day spa for a bit! She to seeing Aston gives me a facial massage, then minimal foundation [Merrygold] dance (not like Bruno, who likes a lot). I look forward again. to it every week!

EYEING UP THE FAB FOUR THE COMPETITION In the run-up to Christmas, I do watch The X Factor (on it’s all bonkers. Us judges catch-up as it’s on the same time barely have time to see as Strictly). I do some of the casting for my musicals on that our own families – never show! I spotted Alexandra Burke mind enjoy a mulled wine and put her in the musical Sister Act. together! Shirley [Ballas] It’s a great stomping ground for starts panto rehearsals new talent. I can only thank soon, as do I! Getting us in Simon Cowell for the same place at the same introducing me to time is nigh impossible.

BBC, GETTY these talented people! The ﬁrst proper get- Craig is starring together we’ll have is in Cinderella on tour next year. this year PICTURES:

BRILLIANT BLACKPOOL I adore it when Strictly goes to Blackpool. Every dancer dreams of performing there. The Christmas lights are always switched on around that time, so we go and see them and get into the festive spirit. The atmosphere in the ballroom itself is extraordinary. And when people dance, the judges’ desk moves up and down, especially the quickstep, as it’s a sprung loor!

32 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE

Main image: Dress, £169, Phase 8 1 2 Below: 1. Dress, £38, 3 Dorothy Perkins 2. Necklace, £17.99, Mango 3. Faux fur coat, £79.99, Zara 4. Bag, £69, 5 Ted Baker 5. Heels, £35, M&S 4

Simple

TAP THE sparkle APP The combination of Snap pics of your three-quarter length wardrobe and upload sleeves and ruching at to the Mode-Relier the waist, make this the app to build outits to suit you. most ﬂattering party dress of the season!

Wrap star V-necks will ﬂatter fuller chests and draw attention to 1 your waist. 3

2 Main image: Dress, £50, Evans

Above: 1. Headband, £10, 4 River Island 2. Boots, £50, Matalan 3. Dress, £35, Tu at 5 Sainsbury’s 4. Cuff, £10, Accessorize 5. Earrings, £12.99, Mango

34 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for STYLE

Main image: Dress, £40 Clutch, £12.50, both F&F at Tesco Main image: Below: 1. Dress, £55, very.co.uk Dress, £110, 2. Blazer, £45, Wallis 3. Earrings, Monsoon £15 , J by Jasper Conran at Debenhams 4. Heels, £55, Below: Monsoon at littlewoods.com 1. Clutch, £6, 5. Bag, £29.99, Zara Primark 1 2. Faux fur scarf, £22, Dorothy Perkins 2 3. Dress, £145, Hush exclusively at John Lewis 4. Heels, £65, River Island 5. Hair clip, £8, Accessorize

5 4

Radiant rainbow You can never go wrong with sequins. Choose styles with cinched waists to highlight the smallest part of your body. CELEBRATE YOUR SHAPE As party season approaches, shimmer and shine in ﬂoaty fabrics and sparkly sequins 1 3

2 4

Maximum impact ATTWELL ELLIE Full-length silky maxi dresses will skim over

your curves creating a smooth silhouette. WORDS:

best DIET SPECIAL

MINI MAG LOSE UP TO 7LB IN TWO WEEKS WITH Slimming World

Inside ★ DELICIOUS SEVEN-DAY EATING PLAN ★ COSY COMFORT FOOD ★ JOIN FOR

*T&CS APPLY *T&CS FREE, GETTY SAVE £10*! PICTURE: PICTURE:

FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE 37 Drop a party dress size If you’d like to feel happier, healthier and more confident during the Christmas party season, then we have the perfect plan for you. What’s more, you could lose up to 7lb in just two weeks!* HOW IT WORKS Follow the menu to the you to enjoy measured amounts 1 right. You can start on any of food that are high in calcium day you choose, swap days around and full of fibre. if there’s a meal you really fancy OChoose 350ml skimmed or or repeat days if there’s something 250ml semi-skimmed milk, or you particularly enjoy! 30g full-fat hard cheese or 40g Foods printed in bold are reduced-fat hard cheese every day. 2 ‘Free Food’. Base meals OAnd, each day, boost your fibre around Free Food, like veg, pasta, intake by enjoying two slices of lean meat, fish, rice, potatoes, wholemeal bread (from a small fat-free dairy, eggs and more, 400g loaf), a 60g wholemeal and if you feel hungry between roll or a portion of high-fibre meals, snack on these foods, cereal or crispbread (weights including fresh fruit, too. are specified in the plan). As well as Free Food, These can be enjoyed as part 3 stock your store cupboard of your meals or on their own; with fat-free salad dressings, however, we have incorporated herbs, passata, oil-free tomato these fibre and dairy servings purée, soy sauce, spices and stock, into your meals on some days. which can be used freely to add Remember to only enjoy one delicious flavour to meals. serving each day. To make sure that you’re Treat yourself. Remember 4 enjoying a fully balanced 5 to enjoy only one serving diet, Slimming World encourages of each every day, though.

38 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE *Slimming World recommends a safe and steady weight loss of 1-2lb per week, but you MAXIMISE YOUR CHANCE OF SUCCESS OTrim all visible fat off OKeep hydrated. Aim to drink OJoin a Slimming World group meats and remove skin from between 6-8 glasses of ﬂuid a day; for support. Call 0344 897 8000 poultry. Use low-calorie choose water, sugar-free drinks, tea or visit slimmingworld.co.uk cooking spray (1 cal per spray and coffee. Remember any milk needs to find your local Slimming or less) instead of oil and fats. to come from your dairy allowance. World group.

All breakfasts and lunches serve one, all dinners serve four.

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY Breakfast All-Bran: Top 50g All-Bran Breakfast Beans on toast: Heat Breakfast Baked oats: Mix 40g with milk from your allowance and plenty a can of baked beans and serve on plain porridge oats with 1 egg, 50ml of chopped banana. top of 2 medium slices of wholemeal semi-skimmed milk and 1tbsp Lunch Pea & mint soup: Place 1 toast (from a small 400g loaf). sweetener (optional). Preheat the chopped onion, 2 chopped celery sticks, Lunch Chicken Caesar salad: oven to 200°C/220°C fan/gas 4 2 crushed garlic cloves, 600g frozen Arrange little gem lettuce leaves in and bake in an ovenproof dish for peas and 1ltr boiling vegetable stock in a lunch box along with halved cherry 20 mins or until golden. Serve with a saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce tomatoes, cooked chicken pieces mixed fresh or frozen berries and heat and cook for 20 mins. Using a stick and chopped grilled lean bacon some fat-free natural yoghurt. blender or food processor, blend the rashers (all visible fat removed). Lunch Cheesy jacket: Top a baked soup with chopped fresh mint until Dress with 1 level tbsp low-fat potato with 40g grated reduced-fat smooth. Remove from heat and serve, Caesar dressing and serve. Follow Cheddar cheese (from your drizzled with fat-free natural yoghurt with a banana and a satsuma. allowance), mixed with quark. Season and a sprinkling of black pepper. Save Dinner Salmon kedgeree: Cook to taste and serve with salad. any leftovers for another day. 300g dried basmati rice according to Dinner Turkey steaks with chunky Dinner Greek lamb with lemon & the pack instructions, adding 2tbsp onion sauce: Put 1 sliced onion, garlic: Remove the visible fat from a curry powder while it cooks. Drain 1 inely chopped garlic clove, 200g 1.5kg leg of lamb, make little slits and well. Meanwhile, put 4 skinless chopped mushrooms, 2 chopped stuf them with fresh rosemary sprigs salmon illets in a wide pan, cover tomatoes, 1tsp dried mixed herbs and sliced garlic. Season and put the with boiling water and a lid and and 200ml boiling chicken stock in lamb in a roasting tin with a few simmer for 10 mins or until cooked. a saucepan over a high heat. Bring rosemary sprigs, 2 garlic bulbs, halved Lift out and lake the ish, discarding to the boil and simmer for 10 mins horizontally, and 200ml boiling lamb any ine bones, and add to the or until thickened. Meanwhile, cook stock. Squeeze over the juice of 1 lemon drained rice along with 8 thinly sliced 4 lean turkey breast steaks in a and roast at 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7 for spring onions and 2tbsp each griddle or frying pan over a high heat 15 mins. Reduce the heat to 180°C/ chopped fresh parsley and coriander. for 3-4 mins on each side or until 160°C fan/gas 4 and cook for another Season, stir to combine and top each cooked through. Season the sauce 40 mins. With 15 mins to go, pour over plate with half an egg, cooked to your to taste and serve with the turkey the juice of 1 lemon and cover with lemon liking, and coriander sprigs. Serve steaks, boiled potatoes, extra veg slices. Cover and rest for 10-15 mins. with lemon wedges and salad. and a sprinkling of roughly chopped Garnish with rosemary sprigs, fresh parsley. carve and serve with veg. TREATS O23g bag Popchips TREATS TREATS Barbeque Potato Chips O25g cashew nuts O100ml Oppo Salted O21g bar Fibre One 90 & raisins Caramel Ice Cream Calorie Milk Chocolate O1 x mini O25g salted pretzels Popcorn Bar mince pie may lose more in your irst weeks. PICTURES: BIGSTOCK, GETTY, SLIMMING WORLD/WILL HEAP, GRAEME SIMPSON, GARETH MORGANS, ALEX, CHRIS LUCK ALACK, KATE WHITAKER ALL RECIPES ARE TAKEN FROM SLIMING WORLD’S COLLECTION. PLEASE SEE YOURGP BEFORE STARTING A NEW WEIGHT-LOSS PLAN. WEIGHT LOSSCHIEVED A MAY VARY. 40 pepper sandwich pickleanda60gwholemealroll. allowance). Enjoy with1level tbsp 3 miniBabybel Lights(from your 1 lime,150g Serve hotwithboileddried for 6-8 minsoruntilcooked andcharred. griddle orfryingpanover amediumheat low-calorie cookingspray andcookona 8 skewers (soaked ifwooden), spray with at least3hrs. Thread thechunksonto yoghurt breasts intolarge chunks,addtothe bowl. Cut 4skinlessandboneless 2tbsp currypowderinalarge shallow hard boiled turkey a lunchbox withleancooked O O Dinner Lunch Breakfast Hummus, chilled On The GoCarrots & Chocolate Drink Instant Hot lime wedgesandachunky spray andfrysliced another panwithlow-caloriecooking spray andscramble an Spray apanwithlow-caloriecooking and serve with THURSDAY TREATS FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE 105g packSainsbury’s 25g Galaxy 25g Galaxy slices(all visiblefatremoved), crudites,pickled andtosswell.Cover andchillfor

Grazing lunchbox: Pack

Chicken tikka:Mix thejuice of eggs fat-free natural

Egg, beansandmushrooms: baked , carrot mushrooms

beans egg , gherkins celery salad ortwo.Spray rice

yoghurt . ham , . andred . Season . Season or or and and chicken and and nectarine of of rinsed fresh coriander sprigstoserve. 3 mins. Toss through the scatter withred chilli water. Stir-fry for1min,then 4tbsp lightsoy sauceand4tbsp the pan,spray againandstir-fry 2 chilli cloves and1deseededchoppedred (all visiblefatremoved), 2chopped garlic Add 200gthicklysliced peeled andcutintomatchsticks,for2mins. a highheat.Stir-fry 450gslicedlean low-calorie cookingspray and placeover Meanwhile, spray alarge fryingpanwith instructions, thendrain andsetaside. dried 400g loaf). Serve with 400g loaf). slices of wholemeal bread (from asmall Serve inasandwichmadewith2medium allowance) with reduced-fat Cheddar Rice Cake Chocolate white orrosé wine low-alcohol red, Lunch Breakfast O O Dinner FRIDAY TREATS 1 xItsu Dark 175ml glass fat-free natural

for 2mins. Transfer toaplate thenwipe noodles

Cheese sandwich:Mix 40ggrated

Sticky beefnoodles:Boil 250g and beansprouts Fruit salad: Top abowl according tothepack strawberries low-fat

yoghurt

and and cheese celery

cottage cheese pak choi noodles and cook for andcookfor with sliced with sliced . (from your sticks. sticks. and 250g and250g , carrots steak steak . , ,

1 vegetable stock pot 1 vegetable stockpot Meanwhile, put the packinstructions. linguine Cook 400gdried courgetti linguine: serve with oregano leaves and with fresh basilor under thegrill.Scatter allowance) andinish mozzarella torn reduced-fat oregano. Sprinkle 70g peppers tomatoes scatter withchopped When almostset, to make anomelette. calorie cookingspray sprayed withlow- beaten omelette: Fry afew Dinner Lunch Breakfast style fat-free natural Greek- passion fruit glass andscoopover 2 into thebaseof a Brazil Nuts Granola. Wholesome Pecan & with 35gQuaker Oats Chop afresh SATURDAY

yoghurt eggs

according to and dried anddried Pizza Pizza

Crab and , sliced , sliced salad (from your

in a pan inapan . Layer on . Layer on Granola: peach , then top , thentop .

FREE MEMBERSHIP Join for OF A SLIMMING FREE! WORLD GROUP FOR ALL best READERS ontinue your weight-loss journey by joining your nearest Slimming World group! Research shows Cthat by joining a group you’re more likely to be successful in the long term than if you go it alone. As well as inding out all about Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan, you’ll meet other slimmers and be able to share support and motivation and gain practical advice and strategies for overcoming challenges and barriers that could hold your weight loss back. With this ofer from best, join your nearest Slimming World group before or on Monday 3 December 2018 (or Tuesday 4 December 2018 in the Republic of Ireland) and enrol for FREE, saving £10/€18 so you pay only £4.95/€9 in your irst week. (Standard irst week fee is £14.95/€27 or £10/€18 to enrol plus £4.95/€9 weekly fee.) To ind your nearest Slimming World group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000 (in the ROI 01 656 9696). For full terms and conditions, please visit slimmingworld.co.uk/best-terms Please complete this voucher and give it to your Slimming World Consultant when you join a group. best ofer 13 November – 3 December (14 November – 4 December 2018 in Ireland) and 200ml water in SUNDAY a small saucepan and Your name: ...... bring to the boil over Breakfast Big brekkie: Spray a pan with a medium heat. Add 2 low-calorie cooking spray and fry eggs, Your address: ...... crushed garlic cloves, lean bacon rashers (all visible fat ...... 2 sliced spring onions, removed), chopped mushrooms and 1 inely chopped red halved tomatoes. Serve with baked beans ...... chilli and the grated and grilled Slimming World Syn-Free Pork Sausages (available at Iceland). Telephone number: ...... zest of ½ unwaxed lemon and boil for Lunch Tuna melt: Drain tuna chunks in Email: ...... 2-3 mins, adding spring water and mix with chopped red 300g courgetti onion, sliced radishes and fat-free natural Date: ...... (or 2 large shredded fromage frais. Pile it on to 2 medium slices courgettes) for the of wholemeal toast from a small 400g loaf, To the Consultant: inal minute or so. top with 70g reduced-fat mozzarella Drain the pasta and chunks (from allowance). Grill till bubbling. Your name: ...... stir into the sauce Dinner Chicken & cannellini bean along with 2 drained casserole: Spray a frying pan with low- Consultant code: ...... 170g cans white calorie cooking spray and place over a high Group code: ...... crabmeat and some heat. Cut 4 skinless/boneless chicken chopped fresh chives. breasts into chunks and brown for 5 mins. Please sign to conirm the member has joined: Scatter over a little Add 2 halved and sliced courgettes and fry more lemon zest, for 2 mins, then add ½tsp fennel seeds, ...... season to 2 x 400g cans cherry tomatoes plus their SAVE MONEY WHEN YOU JOIN ONLINE juices and a drained 400g can cannellini taste and Discounted membership to Slimming World Online for all serve with beans. Season and bring to the boil, then best readers. salad. cover and simmer for 10 mins or until the Save £15/€25 when you join Slimming World Online with this exclusive discount. If you can’t make a Slimming World chicken is cooked. Stir in 150g baby group or there isn’t one local to you, or if you’d prefer to TREATS spinach and wilt for a few lose weight with web-based support, then Slimming World O mins, then serve hot. Online could be the perfect way for you to slim. Slimming 35ml World Online has all the tools you need to lose weight gin with successfully and stay on track, including a weight-loss slimline TREATS planner, motivational tips and inspirational stories from O27g Co-op Mini other members. tonic Visit slimmingworld.co.uk/best before midnight on O20g bag Blueberry Mun Tuesday 4 December 2018 and enter voucher code Walkers OVenti Starbucks BEST2018 to save £15/€25. Full terms and conditions can be viewed at Crisps Cappuccino with slimmingworld.co.uk/best Quavers skimmed milk All recipes are taken from Slimming World’s collection.

© SLIMMING WORLD 2018 ‘SLIMMING WORLD’ AND ‘FREE FOOD’ ARE TRADEMARKS OF MILES-BRAMWELL EXECUTIVE SERVICES OPERATING AS SLIMMING WORLD. White fish, spinach and potato bake Serves 4. plate and set aside. Ready in 1 hour 2 Spray the pan with a little more low- 500g peeled loury calorie cooking potatoes, such as spray and return it King Edward, cut to a high heat. Add into thick slices the spinach, a large Low-calorie handful at a time, cooking spray stirring and adding 1 large onion, halved another handful and thinly sliced once the last one has 300g spinach, softened, until it has washed and dried all wilted. Tip into 1 level tbsp cornlour a colander and press 100g extra-light out the excess liquid. soft cheese 3 Measure out 100ml 150g plain quark water and mix a little 1 garlic clove, crushed of it with the cornlour ¼tsp freshly grated to make a paste. nutmeg Whisk in the soft RVICES OPERATING AS SLIMMING WORLD. SLIMMING AS OPERATING RVICES 600g frozen white cheese, quark, garlic, ish illets, thawed nutmeg, the rest 50g reduced-fat of the water and Cheddar cheese a little seasoning. Vegetables, to serve 4 Spray an ovenproof dish with low-calorie 1 Put the sliced cooking spray. Arrange potatoes into a the ish illets in a saucepan of boiling single layer and water over a high cover with the onion, heat, bring back to spinach and half the boil and simmer the quark mixture. TRADEMARKS OF MILES-BRAMWELL OF TRADEMARKS EXECUTIVE SE for 5 mins or until just Overlap the potatoes tender. Drain and set on top and spread with aside. Meanwhile, the rest of the quark

P VISIT SLIMMINGWORLD.CO.UK OR CALL0344 8000. 897 spray another mixture. Sprinkle with saucepan with low- the Cheddar and bake calorie cooking spray. for 40 mins, or until Add the onion and cooked though. 2tbsp water, cover 5 Shortly before the and cook over a low end of the baking heat for 10 mins or time, preheat the grill until soft. Uncover the to high. Remove the pan, increase the heat dish from the oven and slightly and cook until grill for 2 mins or until the excess water has the top is golden and evaporated. Season bubbling. Serve hot lightly, scoop on to a with vegetables.

SLIMMING WORLD’S COLLECTION. TO FIND YOUR NEAREST SLIMMING WORLD GROU Winter These hearty dishes will SLIMMING WORLD/TOBY SCOTT ©SLIMMING WORLD 2018 ‘SLIMMING WORLD’ AND ‘FREE FOOD’ ARE FOOD’ ‘FREE AND WORLD’ ‘SLIMMING 2018 WORLD SCOTT©SLIMMING WORLD/TOBY SLIMMING keep you feeling satisfied – perfect to tuck into on warmers! a cold winter evening. RECIPES TAKEN FROM PICTURE CREDITS:

42 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE Chilli pie Serves 4. Ready in 1½ hours the onion, garlic, peppers, chilli lakes, Low-calorie cooking spray 3tbsp water and 1 medium onion, inely seasoning, then chopped cover and cook for 4 garlic cloves, crushed 10 mins, or until the 2 red peppers, deseeded onion is soft. and inely chopped 2 Uncover the onion ½-1tsp dried chilli lakes mixture, increase 250g lean beef mince the heat to high and (5 per cent fat or less) add the beef. Stir-fry, 1tbsp ground cumin breaking up the meat 1tbsp paprika with a wooden spoon ½-1 tsp chilli powder, as it cooks, until it is or to taste no longer pink. Drain 2tsp dried oregano of any fat, stir in the 1 level tsp chipotle cumin, paprika and chilli paste chilli powder and 400g can chopped fry for 2 mins, then tomatoes stir in the oregano, 2tbsp tomato purée chipotle chilli paste, 400g can green lentils in chopped tomatoes, water, drained and rinsed tomato purée, lentils, 400g can red kidney beans, stock and beans, drained and rinsed some seasoning. 300ml boiling beef stock 3 Reduce the heat to 1kg loury potatoes, peeled low and simmer for and cut into small chunks 25 mins or until the 3tbsp fat-free natural liquid has reduced fromage frais and the mixture has 1tsp turmeric thickened but is still 3tbsp chopped nicely moist. to the pan and mash with 5 Spoon the potatoes fresh coriander 4 Meanwhile, cook the the fromage frais until over the top and make Vegetables, to serve potatoes in a saucepan of smooth. Stir in the pretty patterns with the boiling water over a high turmeric and coriander back of a fork. 1 Spray a large non-stick heat for 15 mins or until and season to taste. 6 Bake for 35-40 mins or saucepan with low-calorie tender. Preheat the oven Spoon the chilli mixture until the top is golden and cooking spray and place to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas. into a 1.5-litre shallow the illing is piping hot. over a low heat. Add Drain the potatoes, return ovenproof dish. Serve hot with vegetables.

Slow-cooker lentil and 1 Put everything except winter veg stew the kale into your slow Serves 4. cooker with 1tsp salt and Ready in 5 hours 20 mins some black pepper. Stir well, cover and cook on 1 small onion, chopped high for 5-6 hours or 1 large leek, sliced low for 7-8 hours. 5 garlic cloves, crushed 2 Shortly before the 175g butternut squash, peeled, stew is ready, bring a deseeded and cut into small chunks large saucepan of boiling 1 large carrot, peeled and cubed water to the boil over 2 medium loury potatoes, a high heat. Add the kale, peeled and cubed bring back to the boil 1 parsnip, peeled and cubed and cook for 5 mins or 2 celery sticks, roughly chopped until tender. Drain 100g dried green lentils well and gently press 150g dried Scotch broth mix (eg, pearl out any excess water. barley, split peas, red lentils, dried peas) 3 Stir the kale into the 1.2 litres boiling vegetable stock slow cooker pot, check 1tsp dried mixed herbs the seasoning and ladle 200g kale, large stalks discarded into bowls to serve. I was fatter than

I knew things had to change when I saw this Mickey snap of me with Mickey

Mouse! was definitely my favourite eat whatever I wanted, leg of the trip, as I fell whenever I wanted it. in love with the culture, Although I’d finished with When Clare Ship visited the landscape, and, most education, I was still living importantly, the food. a student lifestyle. Disneyland Paris, she was so My classmates and I would In 2015, a friend of mine shocked she was bigger than the head out for breakfast every suggested we revisit our morning, trying everything youth and head back for a star attraction that she went on the Parisian bakeries had to nostalgic trip to Disneyland a magical weight-loss journey… ofer. ‘Bonjour, monsieur. Paris. We went in December Un croissant et un pain au and we had so much fun chocolat, merci,’ I’d say that we booked again for t’s meant to be a place teens. I sufered with anxiety cheerfully. February 2016. where dreams comes during my A-levels and, During that trip, I visited But now I’d been caught Itrue, but as I stood whenever the exam stress Disneyland Paris for the first on camera, all my enjoyment next to Mickey Mouse in got too much for me, I’d tuck time, but I avoided cameras instantly evaporated. I’d Disneyland, I felt like I was into chocolate bars for their the way I was avoiding the known for a long time I in a living nightmare. sweet, sugary support. scales. At a size 22, I didn’t wasn’t the fairest of them all, ‘Get a bit nearer,’ my friend By the time I left for want the magic to be ruined but it was clear I had to start urged, gesturing me closer. university, I was a size 16. by reality. looking in mirrors again. Suppressing a sigh, I forced And I was hardly going to lose After university, I moved So I signed up to my local a smile and pressed myself up weight there. In my catered back in with my parents in Slimming World. The first against the cuddly character. halls, breakfast, lunch and Enfield, north London, and meeting was terrifying, but As a huge Disney fan on my dinner, along with a mountain started my first job, in media I forced myself through the third trip to the Paris theme of snacks, were available all monitoring. It involved a lot doors and onto the scales. park, a snap with the main day, every day. of admin work and I spent When they finally settled man should have been my ‘What will I have today?’ I’d the majority of my day tucked at 20st 11lb, I was horrified. idea of heaven. But I felt muse excitedly over the menu. away in the back oce. How had I let things get so nothing but dread. And whenever I felt groggy Because I didn’t have to out of control? Examining the photo, it was after a night out, pizza was deal with clients, I didn’t need as bad as I’d feared. Although my go-to meal. Or Pot to make much efort with my Mickey was in an oversized Noodles. Or chips. And, of appearance, which suited me costume, my size 26, 5ft 5in course, crisps. Basically, perfectly. When I did venture frame dwarfed him. anything carb-heavy to out, it was only as far as the ‘If there’s Growing up, I had always soak up the alcohol. local McDonald’s or Chinese one thing been a slim child. My mum Because my degree was in takeaway for lunch. I’ve learned’ made healthy, home-cooked languages, I was lucky enough Stuck in terrible eating ‘If you put your mind to meals and I enjoyed running to study abroad during my habits, I wouldn’t dream it, anything is possible. around outside. third year – Germany for a of cooking from scratch As Buzz Lightyear says, “To ininity and But things changed in my term, then France. The latter and, most evenings, I would beyond!”’

44 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE ‘Now, at

Slim and it: 10st 10lb, I’m proof that dreams can I feel as come true beautiful as a Disney princess’

At home, I vowed to cut out my takeaways and, following basic recipes, I began teaching myself to cook. I’d even weigh out my pasta and cereal. ‘If I’m doing this, I’m doing it properly,’ I told myself. It worked. In my ﬁrst week, I was 10lb lighter and the weight loss that had seemed so daunting suddenly seemed achievable. And the more I lost, the had 5km, 10km and half- better I felt. I had more marathon races. energy, my knees were I couldn’t resist the aching less… It was as if opportunity to return and I’d been sprinkled with take some pictures I was Tinker Bell’s fairy dust. proud of so, in September I even decided to join a 2017, I completed the 5km gym, where I discovered a race. Then, this year, I did BIGSTOCK, GETTY new passion for running. I’d the 10k. One day, I aim to do pull on my trainers and go the half-marathon, too.

three or four times a week. Now, at 41, 10st 10lb and PICTURES: The old me would never a size 10, I feel as beautiful have thought it possible, as a Disney princess. but here I was, doing it! Cinderella famously said That’s when a friend that a dream is a wish your of mine suggested that heart makes – and I’ve KATIE PEARSON I take part in Disneyland worked hard to make Paris Run Weekend, which my dream a reality. WORDS:

Typical day, before… … and after BREAKFAST: Large bowl BREAKFAST: Porridge oats, of sugary cereal fat-free yoghurt and fruit LUNCH: McDonald’s LUNCH: Ham salad Quarter Pounder DINNER: Chicken and With Cheese meal vegetable stir-fry DINNER: Microwave SNACKS: ready meal Raspberries, SNACKS: Biscuits, blueberries chocolate, crisps I didn’t ‘duck’ the challenge and completed the 10k race this year at Disneyland Paris!

best for STYLE TOP TIP Need Secret £3 Santa inspiration? £11 Try a personalised £6 mug from Getting Personal for just £9.99!

Sophie Allport £8 £3.50

Tiger Stores Tiger Creative-tops.com

£6 Paperchase George at Asda

£19.95 Emma Bridgewater

Next £24.95

Emma Bridgewater THE CUP Laura Ashley

£12 £5.99 THAT

M&Co New Look CHEERS!

£9 Debenhams National Trust £6

M&S

Cath Kidston £7

Sainsbury’s £10

Matalan

Sara Miller £3 £6

£15.50 £5.50

Get into the festive spirit by enjoying your daily brew or hot chocolate in one LARA NUGENT LARA of these Christmassy mugs FEATURE: FEATURE:

FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE 47 Santa Lip Balm, Red bow hair bands, Magical Mermaids, Blox London Bus, £1.50, Primark £3, Primark £5 for three, Wilko £5, Wilko

Before making your list Blue Glitter Water Dinosaur Slippers, Bottle, £8, Paperchase £9, Next Dearthese gorgeous gift ideas toS

Red Sparkly Dress, Dinosaur Jumper, Nutcracker Ragdoll, Santa Baby Vest And £12.99, studio.co.uk £14, BlueZoo at Debenhams £18, M&S Shorts Set, £20, Accessorize BIGSTOCK PICTURES: PICTURES: LARA NUGENT NUGENT LARA

Milkshake Maker, Shark Blanket, Pie Face Cannon Game, Joﬂi Bear, £25, Debenhams £25, M&Co £26.99, very.co.uk £30, shop.joli.com COMPILED BY: COMPILED BY:

48 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for GIFTS

Hatching Elf Egg Toy, Red Glitter Coin Purse, Dinosaur Hand Puppet, Lip Manicure Set, £6, M&Co £6, Cath Kidston £7, Sainsbury’s £8, Paperchase

and checking it twice, how about Disney Princess Snow Mermaid Kitten Palette, delight the kids you love this year? White EDT, £11, winkylux.co.uk Santa... £10, M&S

Sparkly Trainers, L.O.L. Pearl Surprise, Astronaut Barbie, High Tops, £20, River Island £29.99, very.co.uk £22.99, very.co.uk £24.99, H&M

Rucksack, £34, Disney Activity Walker, £48, VTech LeapStart, Chad Valley Wooden Cath Kidston shopdisney.com & Disney Store £49.99, very.co.uk Georgian Manor House, £70, Argos

TURN OVER FOR GIFTS FOR GROWN UPS… Neutral Palette, Dram Bauble, £5.15, Espresso Martini Mix, Keyring, £8, £3, Wilko masterofmalt.com £8, White Stuf Dorothy Perkins For the Belt, £12, Scarf, £14, River Island Tu at Sainsbury’s one you l

Ladies Gloves, Prosecco Panettone, Bath And Bag Set, The Gin Game, £25, £17.50, M&S £19.95, Carluccio’s £24, Joules Talking Tables at John Lewis BIGSTOCK WORD: LARA NUGENT NUGENT LARA

Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal By Calvin Klein Euphoria Carry Me Tote, £55, Versace Eros Aftershave, Night, £51, The Perfume Shop Gift Set, £52, John Lewis Fearne by Cath Kidston £69.99, Argos COMPILED BY: COMPILED BY:

50 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for GIFTS

I Love Cava, £8.99, Vest And Short PJ Set, Make Your Own Bath Coin Purse, iheartwines.co.uk £10, George at Asda Bomb, £10, M&S £12, Debenhams

Earrings, £15, Martini Glasses, Star Pouch, £16, love... Accessorize £16 for two, Next Oliver Bonas

Professional Pedicure Kit, Travel Set, £25, Soothing Glow Candle, Gloves, £40, £25, Champneys Molton Brown at John Lewis £27.50, Elemis Debenhams

Men’s Cashmere Jumper, Ted Baker Velvet Mules, Ted Baker Watch, UE Blast Speaker, £79.99, H&M £149.99, littlewoods.com £155, Beaverbrooks £179.99, very.co.uk IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE

Gold butterﬂies, £3 (set of four) Luxe vintage pink bird, £4 Vintage pink Pick up some new shatterproof baubles to make baubles, £2.50 each Deer ornament, £4 your tree look extra Blush leaf design bauble, £3 special this year Vintage sequin Christmas... bauble, £3.50 Hanging star GOLDEN HOUR decoration, £4 Glass Big Ben, £6 Gold and Gold LED Christmas tree silver bauble, fairy, ornament, £22, £1 Poundland M&S £6 all from Wyevale

£2

TOP TIP Glass Create a magical onion, look by mixing Wilko luxe baubles with metallics and a subtle touch of Pearl vintage pink. onion, George Sequin at Asda star, Dobbies

£3.99 £2

52 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for HOMES

A TOUCH OF TRADITION… Dog with Tree with red bow red ribbon, bauble, Wyevale 75p Poundland £3.50

Sparkle, George

TOP TIP £1 Festive red adds a pop of colour and is a seasonal Gold style that never and Red, M&Co Door bauble, £2 dates. Iron angel bauble, £2 £4 Fabric robin bauble, £2 Ceramic star bauble, £1 Merry £5 Frosted pine cone bauble, 75p Christmas Mushroom bauble soft, 75p bauble, M&S Iron house Christmas tree bauble, £2, £4 all from george.com

MERRY KITSCHMAS! Red Robin, Skiing Paperchase Camper Santa, £3 van with M&S tree, George at Asda TOP TIP £6 Novelty baubles make a terriic talking point and are fun to look at whatever your age…

Santa spaceship, £12

Asparagus bauble, £6 GETTY Parrot bauble, £10 Unicorn Glass frog, £5 bauble, M&S Tortoise, £7.50 £5 Retro Santa in car bauble, £8.75 PICTURES: Watermelon decoration, £3.75 Glass unicorn, £6 £4 Glass chilli, £3.75 Cactus, £4 Flamingo, Pug dog bauble, £6 Debenhams Paperchase Gnome, £8.50, NUGENT LARA all The Contemporary Home (tch.net) WORDS: Look younger with Lesley LESLEY REYNOLDS REVEALS THE LATEST TREATMENTS TO HELP YOU STAY YOUTHFUL

THE RADIANCE RESCUE PLAN s your skin feeling the efects of winter? ‘I’ve lost my glow’ is a problem we hear Imost often from our patients, especially around now with Christmas looming, when we all want to look our radiant best. Skin texture and colour changes as we age and, in some cases, a quick scrub often won’t cut it, and cheating with an illuminating powder can risk settling in wrinkles, highlighting every pore, making you look years older. Here’s how to keep the glow in the lead up to the festive season, no matter how much you burn the candle at both ends.

HI-TECH COMPLEXION PERFECTION To glow, your skin needs to be smooth to relect more light. ‘Young’ skin cells naturally turn over every 28 days but, by our 40s, this slows down to every 40 days. Dead skin cells soon clog pores, making skin look dull and grey. Exfoliating plays a key part in transforming skin and it’s worth having a professional treatment to tackle this safely.

OFractora uses OIV Drips: A bit like advanced fractional an ‘inside out’ facial, radio frequency a 30-minute treatment, energy to ‘wake up’ the like the Baby Face skin, tightening and drip, can give the freshening it. It’s suitable complexion a 48-hour for the face and can help dewy glow. The plump wrinkles and fade intravenous drips are GLOW-GETTING SKINCARE sunspots and thread filled with vitamins C If your skincare routine doesn’t work to detoxify and draw out impurities, veins. A small handheld and B, calcium gluconate include ‘active’ ingredients such as as well as Australian Kakadu plum extracts device is placed against and magnesium retinol or AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids, to brighten your complexion. the treatment areas and chloride, which help which are designed to exfoliate), then Never underestimate facial massage, radio frequency energy increase blood flow to you won’t be doing much more than which can instantly restore a rosy glow and heats the skin, causing the skin. From £200. hydrating. Home peels and exfoliants can boost circulation. Cleanse first, then, using a tiny pin-prick holes that (Any IV treatments perk up the skin, so use them twice a week. couple of drops of facial oil, apply in upward the body heals naturally. should only be given Aldi Lacura Healthy Glow Tonic, £3.99, movements, gently squeezing, kneading and Older skin may need up in reputable medical contains 5 per cent glycolic acid and is great pinching the skin above the brows, along to four sessions every facilities by skilled for exfoliating skin and removing impurities. the jawline and around the cheeks. Spend fortnight. From £800. practitioners.) Also from Aldi, its Lacura Pink Clay Mask, at least five minutes doing this a couple £5.99, is packed full of diferent clays that of times a week.

54 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for HEALTH

THE PROFESSIONAL FACIAL Hydrafacial uses every trick help rehydrate and plump. in the book to deliver an Finally, red LED light therapy Be the immediate radiance boost in helps stimulate the production of 60 minutes. It’s an all-rounder healthy new skin cells, leaving the Best that’s clinically proven to improve complexion instantly brighter, the appearance of lines, wrinkles, tighter and glowing. From £100. you enlarged pores, acne-prone skin and brown spots. The skin is cleansed using Fitness guru to Hollywood’s rich and famous, Angie specially-designed tips that Best’s a trained nutritionist and gym owner. She also exfoliate with cooling jets of looks sensational for 66! water combined with botanical extracts. A light glycolic solution is then applied to help even out BACTERIA the skin tone. FOR GOOD Next, a solution of salicylic acid and honey extract is smothered What springs to mind when over the complexion to you think of fermented help extraction and unclog foods? You’ve probably been pores, followed by a cocktail eating them your whole life of antioxidants and without even realising it. it’s rich in essential minerals hyaluronic acid to Many of our everyday staples and B vitamins. – wine, tea, feta and cream By way of a warning, though, cheese, sourdough bread and make sure your sauerkraut is CHEAT A GLOW chocolate – are made using raw and miso unpasteurised Make-up can have an instant impact. If your skin looks yellow fermentation processes. or, nutritionist Cassandra and washed out, use a pink blush for a healthier-looking tone. Avoid The more we learn about Barns says, they won’t contain applying peach or orange as your skin will pick up the yellow the importance of a healthy any beneficial bacteria. undertones of these colours, making it look even more sallow. gut and how we need friendly Next is the newly popular The complexion loses colour during the colder months and a hint bacteria, the more important keir, a fermented milky drink of a tan can help restore radiance. Swap bronzing powder for tanning fermented foods become. like yoghurt, but with a slight drops. Add a couple of drops of Isle Of They are natural probiotics in fizz and a sour taste. It’s rich in Paradise Self-Tanning Drops, £19.99, food form but better, because probiotic bacteria and a good to moisturiser and blend all over they provide a much wider source of calcium, with really the face, neck and décolletage, range of friendly bacteria impressive health benefits. wiping eyebrows and washing hands afterwards. During the than a typical probiotic. Finally, a favourite of mine day, try a radiance primer. The most obvious is – kombucha, a fermented The new formulas are like sauerkraut – finely chopped drink made from green tea, the Spanx of skincare, cabbage, fermented so it has cane sugar and a specific live combining make-up a sour flavour. I love it with culture that is a symbiotic mix technology with skin mashed potatoes. of bacteria and yeast. Equinox benefits. Use under Then there’s miso, which Kombucha (Waitrose, £1.80) foundation to blur and add a is Japanese fermented soya. is a great drink to keep on your glow. Rimmel Insta Flawless, Traditionally prepared miso desk for snack time as it helps £6.99, keeps skin hydrated, too. contains friendly bacteria you lose weight while keeping as well as live enzymes, plus your stomach healthy. LIFESTYLE LUMINISERS OGet some kip! Sleep deprivation lowers circulation, which is why DID YOU KNOW… ALL OPINIONS ARE THOSE OF ANGIE BEST you look pale and washed out if you only get a few hours. O Fruit should be eaten on an empty OPoor diet can be responsible for lines, wrinkles and a dull stomach… that’s why it makes the complexion or redness. Controlling insulin levels by perfect food to have for breakfast. eating less sugar will help your skin become radiant. Fruit is digested very quickly and OSkin loves vitamin C. Research shows that when you mix it with, or eat it after, vitamin C-rich foods help mop up the free radicals that foods that you digest normally, it cause wrinkles and sagging. Just a half-cup of raw ferments, making all the nutrients worthless and raising your blood sugar. broccoli has 65 per cent of your daily value of vit C. O Cow cuddling is the new wellness OIf your skin looks very dull, a lack of zinc may trend… but it’s not cheap (about £200 for half an hour). be to blame, especially if you are trying to lose Imagine snuggling up to a 1,000lb farm animal to help BIGSTOCK, GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK. weight or eating a lot of processed foods. Fortified with your mental health… guaranteed to put you in a cereals, like bran, whole grain and multigrain cereals, contain high really good mooo-d! amounts of zinc, or treat yourself to a square of dark chocolate

– another great way to improve your zinc intake! PICTURES:

O For more information on Lesley and her team of doctors, please visit harleystreetskinclinic.com JOIN THE CONVERSATION If you haven’t had time to keep up with Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, we’ve done it for you… Christmas: love it or loathe it? Halloween and Bonﬁre Night are just over and already it’s full steam ahead for all things Christmas. Songs, decorations, lights, socialising – and, of course, spending! Some retailers released their Christmas adverts as early as October this year. In the oce, we can’t wait for the festive season – some of us have been wearing our Santa socks in secret since summer ended. ‘I’ve been watching Christmas ﬁlms for weeks now,’ says deputy features editor Louise Bulgin. ‘It’s my favourite time of year and I want it to last for as long as possible!’ And editor Siobhan Wykes can’t wait for the turkey sandwiches to hit the shelves. But we know not everyone likes to Step Into Christmas as early as us. Our columnist, Carol McGin, is a self-proclaimed Grinch. ‘I hate the massive, ridiculous commercial build up to the event itself,’ she says. ‘It’s almost always nothing We’re more than a huge disappointment.’ So when should this most magical ALL TALKING time of the year really start?

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Tell us at facebook.com/ about bestmagazine

Mini marvels Little melt-in-the-mouth festive delights, these Christmas tree meringues from Raspberri Cupcakes are easy to whip up and with only three main ingredients – egg whites, sugar and food colouring – they’re win-win! Perfect for mini treats or use them to top cakes. They will up your cake decorating game! Search ‘Christmas Tree Meringues’ on Pinterest for the recipe.

56 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE PICK of the best

GOING VIRAL Winging it This story had our hearts melting this A Christmas kiss week and it seems everyone else has been WEIRD OR Who doesn’t love a bit of having a ‘gander’ at the video, too. A man achievable budget beauty, named Rob Adamson rescued and raised WONDERFUL? especially when we’re a seriously injured cygnet after it was left for shelling out for Christmas dead by its mother. The 39-year-old hand-reared gifts? This look is easy the cygnet, who he called Sidney, on his boat to recreate (all it takes is in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, and the pair became a slick of lip gloss and a inseparable. But when Sidney had grown, Rob sprinkling of star confetti), thought it only fair to give him to the RSPCA and we can’t deny it’d be a to be integrated with other swans. However, fun way to add a little glitz the bird was soon returned to Rob as he to your Christmas party struggled to survive without his adopted look. Just don’t forget to owner. ‘I couldn’t bear to be without him take a straw so you don’t and he clearly missed me too,’ Rob said. ruin the design while ‘I think he must have been too used to his knocking back mulled wine! home comforts.’ Bless them! We bet you could have knocked Rob down with a feather FIND US ON when he was reunited with his bird bud! INSTAGRAM AT…

Find it by googling ‘Rob Adamson cygnet’ Instagram@atleeeey @bestmagoicial

Starstruck or just silly? Popular trends don’t always make sense, but the latest one to sweep social media has left our eyebrows raised in puzzlement. The ‘falling stars challenge’ requires someone to pose face down on the ﬂoor (preferably spilling out of a car), surrounded by their prized possessions. It originated in Russia and has since gone global. No, we don’t get it either. Let us know your thoughts! Instagram@hastadev

EVERYBODY’S their hair in water bottles! TWITTER Trending DRYING… Remember a few weeks ago, when we on Twitter told you about the Dyson Airwrap – the revolutionary new product that dries, #FilmsThatCanDance curls and straightens hair for the eye- PINTEREST, SWNS, SWNS, PINTEREST, Now Strictly is well under watering price of £400? Well, Dubai-based way, we’d all love to be able inﬂuencer Huda Kattan has come up with to swirl and twirl in time to her own version – and it doesn’t cost a a tune – and these ﬁlms are penny. All you need is a clean plastic bottle no diferent! Tweeters have with the top chopped of and a slit cut in

given our favourites a musical it halfway down. Put JOHNSTON, NICKY makeover and we’d bop down a section of hair into the to the box oice to these! bottle, slip a hairdryer nozzle in the hole and it should leave you with INSTAGRAM,

FIND US AT… WHITELEY SARAH PIKE, HELEN BULGIN, LOUISE ATTWELL, ELLIE @bestmagoicial wavy/curly tresses. Don’t mind if we do! PICTURES: PICTURES: WORDS:

best FOR REAL LIFE REPORTS

Fred Handford disappeared in 1976…

Janet Holt has confessed to killing her former … and Janet business partner, but no Holt claims she killed him one believes her… Is this a murderer? t’s a shocking case… committed suicide as they had 69-year-old said, ‘Why would beneﬁted the most from it all? someone confessing evidence from witnesses that my memory have invented And there’s only one person… Ito murder, being Fred had described wanting to this story? What could it be I think that’s Miss Janet Holt.’ arrested – and then kill himself by jumping down based on? And what purpose She goes on to dismiss the not being believed. a local air vent, serving as a does it have?’ suicide theory as she believes But that’s exactly what long-closed coal mine. But Detective Inspector Fred’s remains would have happened to Janet Holt. Meanwhile, over the next Paul Cullen was clear in the been discovered by now. In November 2011, Janet three decades, Janet claimed documentary. ‘She has tried to But no charges have been called the police and made a to have awful nightmares con police and a psychologist brought against Janet, who shocking confession. She told about Mr Handford and to try and make ﬁnancial gain,’ said, ‘It’s so frustrating when ITV detectives that in 1976 she had underwent therapy to see he said. She had been working you feel people are not even been raped by a farmer called if she could discover why. with a local journalist who was beginning to believe you and Fred Handford, and fearing She claims the recollections writing her autobiography. you’re left with no other way he would do it again, she’d she had were terrifyingly Further shade was thrown of convincing them other PICTURES: shot him at point-blank range clear… the attack, shooting on Janet’s story after it was than just repeating the truth before disposing of his body Fred and transporting his revealed she was a thief and all the time.’ in a shallow grave. body in a wheelbarrow convicted fraudster. So, what is the truth? It’s

Janet had first met Fred to a shallow grave. Fred’s daughter, Lynette been a mystery for 42 years LOUISE BULGIN Handford at Ball Beard Farm Janet confessed to Chapman, believes Janet and looks to remain that way… in Buxton, Derbyshire, when detectives that she’d murdered her father, not she was 14 years old and killed Fred. for rape, but for monetary WORDS: stabled her horse on his land. Police carried out reasons. ‘Who actually She began helping out on the an excavation of farm and later became his the mentioned business partner. farmland, as well But in March 1976, when as the field Janet she was 26, Fred, then 56, said his body was vanished from the farm and buried in. But was reported as a missing nothing was found person. Searches of local by the police and fields and moors were they believe Janet carried out, but to no avail. to be a fantasist. Janet shows police where she He was never found. The In a recent thinks she buried police concluded he had documentary, the Fred’s body

FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE 59 Brilliant festive bak Serve up a showstopper this Xmas as The Great British Bake Off recipes are

Black Forest Slice TO MAKE THE bean paste. writing nozzle A riff on a Black Forest CRÈME CHANTILLY 2 Whisk then whip the • Baking sheet lined gâteau, this is an Whipped, sweetened cream until it holds a soft with a sheet of acetate everyday version of the cream ﬂavoured with peak. Use immediately, or baking paper classic celebration cake. vanilla. Crème Chantilly or cover and chill for up • Medium piping itted is for spooning and to 1 hour. with a large star nozzle Serves 16 piping. Chill the bowl 175g plain lour and whisk, as well as the FOR THE DECORATIONS 1 Heat the oven to 200°C/ 25g cocoa powder cream, before you begin, 75g 54% dark chocolate 180° fan/gas mark 6. Sift 1tsp espresso powder for maximum volume. 1g cocoa butter powder the lour, cocoa, espresso 1tsp baking powder and baking powder into 175g unsalted butter Makes about 400g FOR THE SYRUP a bowl, and set aside. 200g light brown, soft 300ml double cream 2tbsp caster sugar 2 Put the butter and sugar 50g icing sugar 2tbsp kirsch sugar into the bowl of a 1tsp vanilla extract 1tsp vanilla bean paste stand mixer ixed with the 3 large eggs YOU WILL NEED beater attachment. Cream 200g cherries, pitted YOU WILL NEED • 25cm square cake together until light and and quartered • A chilled mixing bowl tin, greased, then lufy. 1 quantity of crème • A chilled balloon whisk base-lined with 3 Add the vanilla extract, Chantilly baking paper and then add the eggs, one 25g 70% dark chocolate 1 Pour the cream into • Cooking thermometer at a time, beating well after 16 cherries in kirsch, the bowl and add the • Small piping bag each one. With the mixer on drained icing sugar and vanilla itted with a No.2 the slowest speed, add the

Extract from The Great British Bake Of: Get

SUSANNA BLÅVARG BLÅVARG SUSANNA Baking for Friends & Family (Sphere), £20, is out now. PHOTOGRAPHY:

60 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best RECIPES kes necessary, but the pastry should not be damp. bound to impress 3 Divide the pastry into two balls, wrap them in cling ilm and chill for 30 mins. lour mixture, then add 4 Make the mincemeat. Mix the cherries. the raisins, sultanas, igs, 4 Scrape the cake batter mixed peel, ginger, pecans, into the prepared cake tin mixed spice, whisky, sugar and level. Bake for 20 mins, and butter together in a or until a skewer inserted bowl. Fold in the grated pear. into the centre comes out 5 To make the brandy clean. Remove from the butter, cream the butter oven and leave to cool in and sugar together, until the tin for 10 mins, then turn very light. Mix in the out on a wire rack to cool. orange rind and brandy. 5 For the decorations, irst Chill until needed. temper the chocolate. Melt 6 Heat the oven to 200°C/ the chocolate in a heatproof 180°C fan/gas 6. Unwrap bowl set over a pan of a ball of pastry and roll out simmering water until it on a lightly loured worktop reaches 45°C/113°F on until 3mm thick. a cooking thermometer. 7 Cut the pastry until 6 Remove from the heat 10cm rounds and use them and cool to 34°C/93°F, to line a 12-hole mince pie then add the cocoa butter tin, re-rolling the trimmings powder, stirring until as necessary. the chocolate reaches 8 Fill each pie case ¾ full 31°C/88°F. Prue’s Mince Pies with mincemeat. Roll out 7 Pour the tempered the other half of the pastry, chocolate into the piping The lattice on these FOR THE BRANDY along with any remaining bag, itted with the writing mince pies is really BUTTER trimmings, and cut into nozzle, and pip 16 decorative impressive, but you can 125g unsalted butter 108 small strips, ½cm wide shapes on the baking paper. top with a simple pastry 125g icing sugar, plus and a little longer than the Leave for 30 mins to set. lid if you prefer. extra for dusting diameter of the holes in 8 For the syrup, pour kirsch Grated rind of ½ an the pie tin. and sugar into a small pan Makes 12 unwaxed orange 9 Weave nine strips to and heat gently over a low 170g plain lour 3tbsp brandy create a 5x4 lattice the hear, stirring, until the sugar 100g unsalted butter, diced same size as the top of the dissolves. Remove from 2tbsp icing sugar YOU WILL NEED mince pie. Repeat until you the heat. Pierce the cooled 1 egg yolk • 12-hole round- have 12 completed lattices. cake all over with a cocktail 2tbsp chilled water bottomed mince 10 Dampen the edges of stick and brush on the kirsch 1 egg, beaten pie tin the pastry cases with a syrup over the cake. • 10cm round cutter little water and top each 9 Place ⅓ of the crème FOR THE MINCEMEAT with a lattice. Press down Chantilly into the piping 25g raisins 1 Make the pastry. Sift lightly on the edges to seal, bag itted with the star 25g sultanas the lour into a mixing then trim to neaten. Brush nozzle and set aside. 25g dried igs, chopped bowl. Then, using your the tops with beaten egg 10 Turn the cake top- 15g chopped mixed peel ingertips, rub in the diced and bake for 15-20 mins, downwards and spread the 1 piece of stem ginger, butter until the mixture until golden. remaining Chantilly. Finely inely chopped resembles ine crumbs. 11 Remove from the oven grate the dark chocolate 20g pecans, chopped Stir in the icing sugar. and leave to cool in the evenly over the cream, then ¼tsp mixed spice 2 Mix the egg yolk and tin for 5 mins. Transfer cut the cake into 16 squares. 1tbsp whisky chilled water together the mince pies to a wire 11 Pipe a cream swirl in the 25g soft light brown sugar and stir into the lour rack and leave to cool middle of each square. Top 20g unsalted butter, mixture, irst with a table completely. Dust with with a kirsch-soaked cherry melted knife, then with one hand. icing sugar, if you like, and and chocolate decoration. 1 small irm pear, grated Add a bit more water, if serve with brandy butter. best RECIPES

Sparkly Chocolate Sandwich Cookies Dusted with edible FOR THE creamy. Add caster sugar icing sugar into a saucer. glitter dust, these MARSHMALLOW and beat for 5-10 mins, Dip in the base of a lat- chocolate crackle FLUFF or until the mixture is bottomed glass to coat biscuits are very 105g granulated sugar combined and very lufy. then press it down on glamorous. They 170g golden syrup or Break the egg into the each dough ball to latten. are sandwiched light corn syrup bowl and beat well until 5 Bake the biscuits for with a marshmallow- 2 egg whites thoroughly combined. 9-10 mins, until just irm ﬂuff filling. ¼tsp cream of tartar 2 Sift the lour, cocoa on top and dry along the Good pinch of salt powder, bicarbonate cracks. Remove from Makes 24 1tsp vanilla bean paste of soda and salt into the oven and leave on 145g unsalted butter, a separate bowl, then the baking sheets for 5-7 softened YOU WILL NEED slowly add to the butter, mins to cool and irm up, 300g caster sugar • 2 baking sheets lined sugar and egg mixture then transfer to a wire 1 egg with baking paper to make a stif dough. rack to cool completely. 190g plain lour • Sugar thermometer 3 Divide the dough into 6 Meanwhile, make the 75g cocoa powder • Large disposable 48 portions, each of 15g. marshmallow luf. Put 1tsp bicarbonate of soda piping bag Shape each into a neat the sugar and syrup with ¼tsp salt ball and place on the 60ml of water into a small Edible silver glitter 1 Heat the oven to 190°C/ prepared baking sheets, pan. Place over a low heat dust or icing sugar, 170°C fan/gas 5. For the leaving plenty of space and stir frequently until plus extra to decorate biscuits, beat the butter for expansion. the sugar has dissolved. (optional) in a mixing bowl until 4 Tip the edible glitter or Turn up the heat and cook until the syrup reaches 116°C/241°F on a sugar thermometer (don’t let it boil over). 7 Put the egg whites and cream of tartar into a mixing bowl or the bowl of a standard mixer and whisk slowly until foamy. 8 Once the sugar syrup is hot enough, steadily pour it onto the egg whites, whisking as fast as you can as you pour. Whisk for 8-10 mins, until you have a very thick, lufy and glossy mixtures at room temperature. Finally, beat in the salt and vanilla bean paste. 9 Transfer the marshmallow luf to a large disposable piping bag, snip the end and pipe a generous amount onto the underside of 24 biscuits. Place the remaining biscuits, undersides downwards, on top to make 24 illed cookies. Dust the cookies with a little more glitter dust and/or icing sugar if you wish.

62 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best on TEST The great Christmas...food test TOP TIP Any leftover smoked salmon can be frozen for up to six months, if not previously Of the 401 festive foods frozen. and drinks blind-tasted this year, which brands came out on top? Welcome to your most delicious Christmas ever… STARTERS

SMOKED SALMON St James Smokehouse Scotch Reserve Gin & Tonic Scottish Smoked Salmon, £5.69 for 100g (wholefoodsmarket.co.uk) Testers loved its fresh, peachy-pink appearance, which, with the grated lemon zest on top, looks impressive. The boozy gin, juniper and lemon infusion packs a punch and it has a delicate smokey taste. Fabulous texture. 83/100

FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE 63 The great MAINS Christmas...food test

FROZEN TURKEY Iceland Easy Carve Turkey, £26 for 4.2kg This temptingly golden turkey, wrapped in crisp bacon, is a no-fuss bird as it’s virtually boneless for easy carving. It’s stufed with a third turkey breast to provide lots of white meat and is tremendously succulent with a gorgeous crisp skin. Loved for its rich, gamey ﬂavour, it has a honeyed sweetness that’s complemented by a touch of salt. 88/100

MEAT-FREE MAIN COOK Portobello Mushroom Wellington, £10 for 360g (cookfood.net) Crisp puf pastry topped with a festive star stufed with chunky mushrooms, chestnuts and lentils make this a deliciously substantial dish. Parsley, tarragon and black pepper add a herby kick, while sweet celeriac balances the earthiness of the mushrooms. 89/100 best on TEST

SIDES

PIGS IN BLANKETS Co-op Mini Chorizo Wrapped in Pancetta, £3 for 170g A standout winner with our tasters. We loved the pairing of succulent sausage with the crispy pancetta. The ﬂavours are robust: smoky and salty with a distinct paprika kick. 78/100

CRANBERRY SAUCE Waitrose & Partners Chilled Cranberry Sauce, £2.19 for 300g A tangy and sweet sauce with plump, juicy deep-red whole cranberries. It’s jammy, with a Christmas spiciness from cinnamon BEEF ROASTING JOINT and cloves. The sharp cranberries burst in Aldi Specially Selected the mouth, and their sweetness is balanced Bone In Rib Of Beef Joint with a hint of citrus. 84/100 with Salt & Pepper, £14.99 per kg for 1.2-2.7kg A great-looking piece of beef, with a well-seasoned generous layer of fat that added to its rich ﬂavour. The meat is juicy, thanks to plenty of marbling, with a ﬂaky melt-in-the-mouth texture. 85/100

TOP TIP Rest the meat before carving for up SAUSAGEMEAT STUFFING to 20 minutes, covered Lidl Deluxe Apricot & White Stilton in foil. This allows the Stuing, £2.39 for 300g meat ibres to relax, These juicy and plump parcels are wrapped so the beef will be in caramelised bacon, which crisps up well. more tender. The salty bacon complements the sweet apricot pieces. 82/100

FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE 65 The great DESSERTS CHRISTMAS PUDDING M&S The Collection 12-Month Matured Vintage, £14 for 800g Warming spices, a Christmas...food generous shot of brandy and subtle orange ﬂavour enlivens plump test vine fruit. 84/100 BRANDY BUTTER YULE LOG Co-op Brandy Butter, Aldi Specially Selected Belgian TOP TIP £2 for 200g Chocolate, £5.99 for 749g Want ice-blue Creamy and rich, this An impressive Yule log adorned with lames on your pud? Gently heat 2-3tbsp has a mild swirl of chocolate bark, white chocolate stars brandy in a pan, alcohol that leaves and edible gold glitter. The light pour on and light behind a vanilla sponge roulade gets its richness from immediately. sweetness. 84/100 the bitter cocoa, which is balanced by the sweet notes from the cream and CHRISTMAS CAKE chocolate icing. Very moreish. Morrisons The Best Poinsettia Fully Iced, 83/100 £12 for 1.5kg Adorned with a gold poinsettia, juicy fruit in this Cognac-infused cake keeps it moist, while candied peel and spices add depth. The almond-ﬂavoured marzipan layer cuts through the sweet icing. 83/100 Sainsbury’s Taste The Dierence Falling Leaves Iced Rich Fruit, £15 for 1.3kg Generous amounts of plump fruit and nuts made this a hit. Testers praised its pleasant tartness and marvellous almond crunch, which complements the soft icing. 83/100

AFTER DINNER

MINCE PIES Morrisons The Best Deep Filled Mince Pies, £2 for six Deliciously rich and moreish, with an all-butter pastry. The mincemeat STILTON is full of plump vine fruits, with MULLED WINE Iceland Luxury British Blue GLUTEN-FREE MINCE PIES orange zest, clove and cinnamon Asda Mulled Wine In Stilton, £2 for 200g Morrisons Free From Mince adding depth to the sweet, slightly A Box, £8 for 2.25L BARNETT, CRISTIAN KINGSTON, BILL Even blue marbling runs Pies, £2 for four boozy ﬂavour. 83/100 Has a delicious hit of through this good-looking light Simply decorated with a dusting cinnamon, nutmeg

and creamy cheese, with a of icing sugar, these have a and ginger spice, ALEXANDRA LEIGH, JANET WADE, HALE, EMILIE wonderful zesty aroma, with

golden rind. It’s deliciously beautifully balanced PHOTOGRAPHY: tangy with a prominent clove and cinnamon adding with blackcurrant, saltiness. Its texture is smooth, richness. Spiced ﬂavours in festive spice and juicy not crumbly. Divine! 81/100 the mincemeat complement orange ﬂavour. Just crumbly pastry. 78/100 delicious! 82/100 GETTY, STEVE BAXTER STEVE GETTY, WORDS AND TESTING: TESTING: AND WORDS MELANIE GIANDZI For full Christmas taste test results, visit goodhousekeeping.com/uk/christmas-taste-tests/

66 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE Win EVERY Puzzles WEEK Both sets of clues WIN TO ENTER CALL 0900 100 0921 (UK 65ppm)† , lead to the same 1 X £200 / 1550 787026 (ROI 97cpm) † CODE: PUBSTN18823 answers, revealing 2 X £100 in the shaded 12345678 OR 3 X £50 squares Sylvester, PRIZES star of new movie Creed II sequel (8). 910

STRAIGHT CLUES CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS ACROSS 1 Expressing orally (6) 1 Orally reporting an 11 12 5 Places money into adage (6) an account (8) 5 Puts down lees (8) 13 9 Malleable materials 9 Clasps, it turned out (8) are mouldable items 14 15 16 10 Frightens (6) (8) 11 Torn piece of cloth 10 Caress characters, (3) generating feelings 12 Anticipation (8) of alarm (6) 17 18 14 Brought into life (4) 11 Some editors claim 15 Every 24 hours (5) it’s a low-grade 17 Tall building (5) publication! (3) 18 Observed, sighted (4) 12 Uses pens somehow 19 Is built from (8) to create 19 20 21 22 23 23 Item of neckwear (3) apprehension (8) 25 Chewing (6) 14 Given life in a suburb 24 26 Not a copy (8) or new town (4) 27 Dimensions (8) 15 Cleaner newspaper? (5) 25 26 28 Autographed (6) 17 Tall building for a tractor, e.g. (5) DOWN 18 Observed part of 2 Skilled enough (4) a theatrical act in 3 E.g., life or car cover speech (4) 27 28 (9) 19 Is made up from sin. 4 Departing (5) Costs vary! (8) 5 Medicine measures 23 Draw a garment (3) 3 Cover another engine! (10) (5) 25 Getting one’s teeth nuance, Sir! (9) 16 Responding by ANSWERS 6 Mails (5) into big tin concoction 4 Working but leaving meeting requirements MEGA CROSSWORD 7 Calibrated line of (6) (5) (9) 41/18 VENOM measurements (5) 26 Gloria in trouble? 5 So, Ed’s ordered 20 Ship’s canvasses. ACROSS 8 Those people, That’s something new! medical amounts (5) Made from sisal? (5) 1 Slides 5 Develops unaccompanied (10) (8) 6 Sends of replacement 21 Turning up rag after 9 Bacteria 10 Tragic 27 Works out the sizes for 22 Down (5) inverting us. That’s 11 Cup 12 Atlantic 13 Railway engine (10) 14 Taxi 15 Asked 16 Replying (9) of bills (8) 7 Get to the top of one sweet! (5) 17 Other 18 Heel 20 Sets out from 28 Put one’s name to of many on a ish (5) 22 Notices a variation 19 Complete harbour (5) another design (6) 8 Shelves met disaster. of 6 Down (5) 23 Two 25 Assume 21 Sweetener (5) Just those on their 23 Tires out with 26 Previous 27 Sympathy 22 Parts of a rash (5) DOWN own! (10) attempts (5) 28 Engage 23 Attempts (5) 2 Not entirely capable, 13 Crazy reason for 24 Severe blow, having DOWN 24 Strong wind (4) yet up to the job! (4) getting a steam fractured a leg! (4) 2 Lead 3 Detective 4 Scrap 5 Drama 6 Vital 7 Learn WINNING CHEQUES 8 Privileges PRIZE PUZZLES Name WILL BE MADE PAYABLE AND POSTED 13 Cautiously ENTRY COUPON ISSUE 46 Address TO THE NAME AND 16 Schooling ADDRESS AS WRITTEN 20 Plump 21 Event Crossword ANSWER CODE: PUBSTN18823 LEFT. PLEASE TAKE 22 Empty 23 These Postcode CARE WHEN 24 Rung COMPLETING THE COUPON! Send to: Best Prize Puzzles (46/18), Hearst Magazines UK, Date of birth** Lines open 13 November 2018 till midnight on 3 December The Data Solutions Centre, Worksop S80 2RT. Print in ink. *For full T&Cs see p3. Home telephone** 2018 (closes 6 December for One entry per household. Postal entries to reach us We will use the information postal entries). Over 18s only. by closing date of 6 December 2018. Winners will be you supply to process Mobile telephone** †UK Calls cost 65p per min drawn at random from correct entries received by your competition entry. plus your telephone company’s post and phone. Names and addresses of winners E-mail address** For our privacy notice network access charge; ROI available on request. No correspondence can be visit hearst.co.uk/ **optional information 97c per min and should last no entered into. The editor’s decision is final. privacy-notice. longer than 2 mins. UK SP: Spoke (0333 202 3390). ROI SP: Spoke (01818 205 403). To enter by post, use coupon, left. WORDS: HELEN PIKE Join the grown-up glitterati! Add a touch of sparkle to your beauty routine his year, glitter is back in the beauty aisles, and in a big Hair raising T There’s a ine line between adding a festive way with sales up a huge gloss to your ’do and looking like you’ve 683 per cent year-on- got sparkly dandru. For this reason, less year in Superdrug. We’re is1 more. Toni & Guy Illuminating Hair Perfume, not talking about dousing £7.99, features a subtle shimmer that coats your yourself in the stuf from locks as you spray. As the name suggests, it does top-to-toe, of course. a brilliant job of instantly reviving your hair when Much like highlighters for it’s feeling less than fresh, too. Just a couple of your skin, subtly applied spritzes is enough. glitter can enhance and ﬂatter. If you can’t play around with some shimmer and sparkle at Christmas, when can you? Liven up your lids Probably the 2 easiest place to Fake it yourself experiment with sparkle, there’s just one main rule to follow. Stick to warmer Deep cleansing shades like golds, peaches and bronzes that tend to latter more face wash skin tones than ‘cold’ Removing your make-up before bed is even more ones like silver and blue. important when taking of chunkier glitter-based Lottie London Eye Foil products, but it doesn’t require an expensive cleanser. in Savage and Faded, A creamy-based product can do the job without £4.95 each, can be removing the skin’s moisture, and yoghurt is ideal to applied straight from do this. Mixed with strawberries, this combination the stick, no brushes gives a deep clean for a fresh required. Dot across the x.xx complexion. Take a couple lash line for a discreet£ of ripe strawberries, lash of glitter or apply mash into a pulp and all over the socket for mix with 1tbsp plain extra oomph. yoghurt. Apply to your face, massaging in well, then rinse. best for BEAUTY

TOP TIP The KiraKira Luxe app adds a lashes sparkly, attering Coloured ilter on to any 3 mascara photo or video has always had a bit in a ash! of a wacky reputation but we haven’t seen anything as glam as Clarins Gold Mascara Top Coat, £22. Use your usual mascara and wait for it to be touch-dry before applying this shade to get the strongest, longest-lasting colour. Be discreet with a little brush across the tips or go all-out with a full coat on your lashes.

Playful pout Would you 4 wear glittery lips? It’s likely to fade and spread across your face after food and drink, plus some formulas tend to have a drying efect. Not so worthy of puckering up! L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Glitter Fever Lipstick, £8.99 (three shades), hits the right balance with a punchy colour dotted with a glimmer of sparkle for an eye-catching pout.

Nail it! When adding sparkly nail polish, keep your skintone in mind. Pale skins beneit from golds and bronzes, with 5 navy and purple shades for darker skin tones. Lottie London

SKELTON GETTY, IAN has a huge range of colours, £5.99 each, but as a starting point, apply a layer of HEMA Top Coat Nail Polish in Gold, £3.50, just to the tips. PICTURES:

FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE 69 best for ADVICE Dear Gloria

Gloria Hunniford is a mum of three and grandmother of 10. She’s been divorced, remarried and learned to deal with the loss of her daughter and, on Rip Off Britain, she battles consumer issues. In her own words, she’s ‘lived a lot’. So, ask Gloria anything… Merry ex-mas? More like ‘Bah, humbug!’ inally, I’ve caved in and with the man any easier! He that she spends Christmas agreed to my teenage still delights in belittling me Day with her dad, while you daughter spending in front of her, so it’ll be all make other plans. I know FChristmas Day with my I can do not to stick a fork in you’ll miss your lovely girl, ex-husband – her dad – for his head before we’ve even but it seems you’ve had her the irst time in four years. got to the turkey. Any tips exclusively for several years. Our girl is 17, and me and her on how to survive the day? I’m sure you have plenty of father have been divorced Mandy, London friends and family who would for 11 years, so she’s well be happy to pull a cracker beyond harbouring fantasies Well, if I were you, Mandy, with you – and, after all, it of us getting back together I think I’d be considering is the time of peace and – but it won’t make a day suggesting to your daughter goodwill. Merry Christmas!

Menopausal misery How can I leave him alone? es, I’ve hit the dreaded and doesn’t know what to do menopause, and it’s as when the ‘red mist’ descends! y elderly dad Please don’t cancel bad as I feared. To add I’m so unpredictable right now, has lived alone your trip – I think it’s Yinsult to injury, my but I don’t want to shout at him since Mum only fair you go with partner – normally sensitive and regret it, as he’s a good Mpassed away your husband to see and caring – can’t seem to get guy with a heart of gold. three years ago, but his family. Why don’t to grips with what I’m going What would you do, Gloria? we’ve always spent you have an early through. He makes himself Carol, Edinburgh Christmas together. Christmas dinner with

BIGSTOCK, GETTY scarce when I’m moody or This year, however, your dad before you go, if I say things like, ‘I feel as I don’t believe any man really we’ve decided to visit so you will still have the though I’m getting another hot understands the menopause my husband’s family in

PICTURES: PICTURES: lush.’ I think he’s embarrassed – mind you, I’m not sure all Jamaica. I invited Dad, women do, either, as it difers but he just laughed and so much from person to said he’d be staying in person. Maybe you could buy his own house, thanks your partner a book on the very much. He doesn’t subject. I was lucky and sailed have many friends, and through on natural remedies the thought of him on that were very good for me. his own, especially Can you explore these options, over Christmas, breaks alongside any conventional my heart. Should I pull medicines you’re taking? out of the trip? Good luck and stay calm. Becky, Cardi

70 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE O Email your questions to [email protected] or write to Gloria, Best Magazine, Unit 9, Apollo Business Centre, Trundleys Road, London SE8 5JE JAMIE LEE CURTIS IS THOUGHT OF THE DAY A SCORPIO Your Stars 24 October – 22 November To the world with Russell Grant Spending time alone will you may be one For the fortnight 13-26 November be therapeutic for you, person, but to one and inding a secluded person you may hideaway that allows you to SAGITTARIUS commune with nature will be the world. 23 November – 21 December help you to If you’re thinking of adding to your reconnect qualifications, now is the time to do with your it. A senior colleague is in a position to offer spiritual side. training or help you develop a talent. You may never get a better chance! If you’re given an opportunity to try something new, take it.

CAPRICORN GEMINI 22 December – 20 January 22 May – 21 June Tired of pouring energy into work A bonus or inheritance will improve and other responsibilities, you’re your circumstances, so use this to ready to relax and enjoy yourself. You’ve met pursue your dream career. Working towards someone, and you’ll love sharing private a certificate will pay off as long as you put the moments with them. Romantic developments work in. As well as enjoying the challenge, make you feel as if you’re walking on air. you’ll benefit from a different lifestyle.

AQUARIUS CANCER 21 January – 19 February 22 June – 23 July Taking time off to pursue solitary Ideas for a new hobby need to be pleasures gives you a lift. Don’t be taken beyond the drawing board surprised if you feel a need to keep off social stage. Rid yourself of any doubts about their media. Listen to your music or work on a feasibility. The only way you will find out for project. Getting some rest and relaxation sure whether your plans will work is to try will prepare you for some lively events ahead. them out. Have fun and be experimental!

PISCES LEO 20 February – 20 March 24 July – 23 August joy of being with him? I can Thinking about the past and Devoting more time to spiritual assure you that, as you get considering the future, you realise pursuits will bring balance to your that bit older, Christmas the need to try to conquer a habit that isn’t life. Although you’re a social butterfly, you celebrations become more serving you well. It’s not time to make changes might benefit from spending some time alone. exible. I’m quite sure your yet, but it will do you good to decide on your Sneak away to a hideout and take this chance to recharge your batteries. dad will be very happy for priorities and to think about your goals. you – and, as Jack Frost nips our noses, I hope you will be relaxing in the sun ARIES VIRGO with a piña colada. 21 March – 20 April 24 August – 23 September Acting on impulse comes naturally Explore new ideas with your family to you, but be prepared for and friends. Keep communications unexpected results. Investing in a better car, open and honest. If you’re dating someone, you computer or phone may leave you strapped for might decide to get married in the next 12 cash, but you will get great enjoyment from months. Are you single? You will find plenty of this purchase in the long run. Be spontaneous. things to do with your friends and neighbours.

TAURUS LIBRA 21 April – 21 May 24 September – 23 October Too often you try to do everything A community project you’re yourself, but spending time on solo involved in still interests you. You projects is making you feel lonely. Team up want to see it through, but you’re starting to with a friend or colleague who is willing to wonder how much it’s going to cost. If you’d share the benefit of their experience. Working realised the full extent of expense at the start, together will help you draw closer to your goals. you might never have made the commitment. best for CELEBRITY We’re behind y

CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD KRISTINA RIHANOFF DAWN FRENCH Swapping Strictly for the stage, our Former Strictly pro dancer Kristina She may have been the warm-hearted fab columnist Craig Revel Horwood Rihanof will be sprinkling some pixie vicar of Dibley, but Dawn French will will be playing Cinderella’s Wicked dust to transform herself into Peter be embracing her dark side as the Stepmother at the New Victoria Pan’s Tinker Bell this Christmas at Wicked Queen in Snow White at the Theatre, Woking. From 7 December St Helens Theatre Royal, Liverpool. London Palladium. From 12 December – 6 January. atgtickets.com/shows/ From 8 December – 13 January. – 13 January. londontheatre.co.uk/ cinderella/new-victoria-theatre sthelenstheatreroyal.com show/snow-white LINDA LUSARDI MICHELLE COLLINS LEE LATCHFORD-EVANS See former glamour model Linda Former EastEnders star and Step into a magical world of genies, Lusardi as the Evil Queen in Snow household name Michelle Collins wishing lamps and ying carpets with White And The Seven Dwarfs, is this year’s festive Fairy in Jack Steps pop star Lee Latchford-Evans alongside her daughter Lucy Kane And The Beanstalk! Head to White in Aladdin at Worthing’s Pavillion DANIELLE SOUTHWOOD DANIELLE as Snow White, at Western-super- Rock Theatre in Hastings to watch Theatre. From 30 November – Mare’s Playhouse. From 13 December the magic unfold. From 14–30 1 January. worthingtheatres.co.uk/

WORDS: – 5 January. parkwoodtheatres.co.uk December. whiterocktheatre.org.uk show/aladdin-the-pantomime We’re entering panto season – so which of our you! favourite stars are on stage this Christmas?

JIMMY OSMOND KIM WOODBURN MELINDA MESSENGER Playing the pirate we love to hate at From Queen of Clean to Wicked TV presenter Melinda Messenger Birmingham Hippodrome, Jimmy, Queen, How Clean Is Your House? was born to play a princess! That’s youngest of the singing brothers, star Kim Woodburn is heading up why Torquay’s Princess Theatre will will get us ‘hooked’ on Peter north this Christmas to appear in transform her into the iconic Aurora in Pan this festive season – as he Snow White at The Epstein Theatre, Sleeping Beauty. From 14 December takes on the role of Captain Hook. Liverpool. From 7 December – – 6 January. atgtickets.com/venues/ From 19 December – 27 January. 2 January. epsteinliverpool.co.uk princess-theatre-torquay JONATHAN WILKES GEORGE SAMPSON LES DENNIS Who better to play Robin Hood than Britain’s Got Talent winner and Manchester Opera House welcomes cheeky chappy and TV presenter dancing star George Sampson will be comedian Les Dennis (below) Jonathan Wilkes? Go to the Regent full of magic beans this Christmas as and pop star Gareth Gates this Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent to watch he takes on the role of Jack in Jack festive season, as they star in him do his thing! From 14 December And The Beanstalk at Crewe Lyceum Cinderella. From 8 – 30 December. – 6 January. atgtickets.com/shows/ Theatre. From 14 December – ents24.com/manchester-events/ robin-hood/regent-theatre 6 January. crewelyceum.co.uk opera-house/cinderella

FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE 73 best GIRLS’ NIGHT IN...

This week’s must-see TV

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 1 SUNDAY, ITV, 9PM There’ll be rumbles in the jungle Down Under as Children another set of brave (or foolish?) celebs vie to be In Need crowned king or queen of the Aussie camp. For 2FRIDAY, the ﬁrst time, the show will be co-presented by BBC ONE, 7.30PM 2 Holly Willoughby, who joins Declan Donnelly. The most heartwarming Dec’s usual partner, Ant McPartlin, will be and hilarious night of missed, but queen of daytime TV Holly is already the year. Join Graham proving to be the talk of the show – and she’s not Norton, Tess Daly and even started yet! The blonde beauty admitted to Mel Giedroyc as the being a little ‘scared’, but we have no doubt she’ll annual live marathon be a pro. And there’s more fun to be had on Extra of entertainment raises Camp, over on ITV2 after each episode, where funds for needy kids. the hosts – 2016’s queen of the jungle Scarlett With moving ﬁlms from Mofatt, comic Joel Dommett and previous the projects the charity winner Joe Swash – will present more trials supports, have your and gossip for our viewing pleasure. tissues close at hand!

EASTENDERS for it to backire. Graham Shirley makes a surprise falls of the wagon and return to the Vic and loses Leanna meddles with Big her cool with Linda. Stunned Liam and Bernice. Kat discovers Alie lied to her about the kids, and CORONATION STREET Soap Sharon can’t ight her Troubled Ali puts himself in feelings for Keanu (left). danger. Sally is on trial, and Sophie is desperate to help Story EMMERDALE her mum. Gemma is jealous Marlon springs a romantic of Emma and Chesney’s surprise on Jessie, only blossoming romance.

74 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE 5 Modern Romance and Harry –Prisoners OfCelebrity Prince William &Prince Camilla: Into Unknown, The King Charles AndQueen documentaries, including all day onaroyal ﬂushof dad turns70, you can binge As William andHarry’s 4 ENTERTAINMENT Harry &Meghan: AVery sweet and kind of shy, more like like more shy, of kind and sweet show Lorraine, legendary singer singer legendary Lorraine, show Recently appearing on ITV chat chat ITV on appearing Recently

she had her cloned: ‘I now have have now ‘I cloned: her had she Charles Charles Happy Birthday, SUNDAY, TRUE so beautiful but they’re totally totally they’re but beautiful so Sammie looking in their eyes. eyes. their in looking Sammie Barbra Streisand, 76, told how, how, told 76, Streisand, Barbra different. One of them is very very is them of One different. two delicious babies. They’re They’re babies. delicious two like a monkey… I always see see always I monkey… a like after her dog, Sammie, died, died, Sammie, dog, her after Sammie. The other one is is one other The Sammie. THEY SAID WHAT?! So she stays close to me.’ to close stays she So . Hatsof! 3 5 to amedley ofhergreatest hits. with aspectaculargroup dance Estefan andtheshow opens guest isLatinadiva Gloria Tower Ballroom. Thespecial show isbroadcast live from the heads to Blackpool,where the Strictly BBC ONE, 7PM Dynamo andSandiToksvig. Minogue, Rowan Atkinson, line-up includesCheryl,Kylie are thehosts, andthestarry Armstrong andBenMiller we’re allinvited. Alexander London Palladium –and of comedy andmagicatthe 70th –intheform ofanight celebrate Prince Charles’s There’s arightroyal party to 3 TUESDAY, ITV, 8PM Dancing Dancing Strictly Come SATURDAY, And Amazed Amused We Most Are packsitsbagsand

4 COMING UP COMING his dream –alive teatime lush locationsandheaps Steve Coogan) achieves Downton with beautifulcostumes,

of drama. Available now CATCH UP Twenty-ive years after Downstairs- If you can’twaitforthe series of the his debut, Alan (alias yourself withtheirst chat show, ilmedat DOWNTON ABBEY ALAN PARTRIDGE THIS TIMEWITH BBC HQ! Aha… on Amazon. movie, console style saga, Upstairs, CRISS DARREN ON... GLEE WITH… 10 MINUTES Visit lmdctour.com –7December. November 29 from Ireland and UK the touring are Michele Lea and G meeting allthefans! good time.Ialsolove I willbeouthaving a we are travelling to,so have friendsinthecities I’m asocialanimaland (I’m beingcheekyhere)! – Ibehave like the British I’m theworst-behaved ontour fun … having Michele ( Lea with … working it’s stressful. that peoplethink work. It makes melaugh didn’t require metodoany – afunexperience that and attendacocktail party my life.Igottowear atux from thecraziness of ceremony wasabreak winning theEmmy! The more crazy formeafter Things didn’tgetany Gianni Versace Of Assassination The Cunanan in drama series Andrew shooter playing Emmy….winning an for relationship. we have abrother/sister each other. Ofstage, so we learn alot from and Idon’tgetnervous, day. I’m very spontaneous think aboutperforming all meditated andshe’ll be prepared andpre- Lea, everything must very diferent. For We’re very close,but

Darren Criss Criss Darren STAR STAR Glee ’s Rachel) ’s Rachel) …

WORDS: DEIRDRE O’BRIENPICTURES: GETTY Listen TO ONE thing!

ndrea Bocelli’s first album of new Amusic for 14 years, Si, quickly became the first classical album to top UK charts since the Titanic The UK No.1 album: soundtrack in 1998. On it, the Italian tenor sings with youngest son Matteo on the moving duet Fall On Me, Si, by Andrea Bocelli which features in Disney’s The Nutcracker And The Four Realms. Bocelli’s success may be stratospheric, but the quietly spoken, humble and reflective man we met in person was a revelation. BEHIND THE SCENES WITH best ‘Family is everything to me’ Andrea Bocelli, 60, is from Fall On Me, your duet with Dion. Both special people you Tuscany. He married his second Matteo, is stunning… don’t meet often. But, when you wife, Veronica Berti, in 2014, and It’s just a very honest song about do, you never forget them. has three children: Amos, 23, our relationship – the relationship You didn’t ind success Matteo, 21, and Virginia, six. between all fathers and sons. We until your 30s, did you? only discovered Matteo had this No. It’s better for the soul Andrea, congratulations – beautiful voice a couple of years not to have the trappings you have a UK No.1 album! ago, so this collaboration has of success too soon. Life never ceases to amaze! I’d been a wonderful surprise. It’s You risk losing sight never have imagined this, even very emotional – family means of what’s important. in a country that welcomed me everything to me. This album is That’s dangerous. from the beginning. Yet what about family, faith and love. We loved you singing really counts is the affection of You collaborate with Dua Lipa Perfect at Wembley an audience – the handshakes, on Si, among others. Which Stadium last summer smiles, applause. And having my past collaborations stand out? with Ed Sheeran… little, great Matteo by my side – So many... Luciano [Pavarotti], Ah, yes! It was the what an indescribable experience. also a dear friend. And Celine first time we sang that

76 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE ... AND OUT

OUT AND ABOUT

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

DON’T MISS

MUSIC Jef Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra – The Capitol CHRISTMAS gets a sparkling festive Studios Sessions SPECIAL makeover. Walk through the Actor Jef plays jazz Calling all Downton fans – Tunnel Of Light, be charmed piano with singer Imelda fancy an elegant Christmas by the Singing Trees and May on cool classics. at grand Dunham Massey, see the incredible Water Decca Records, out now. Altrincham? Larger-than- Fountain Finale, which life glittering deer are takes place on the lake. just some of the seasonal November – 30 December, illuminations on display as nationaltrust.org.uk/ this gorgeous stately home dunhammassey

SKATING

DON’T MISS ‘This album is DVD Paddington 2 about family, The perfect festive family ilm – the return of the faith and love’ marmalade-munching bear going up against a criminal mastermind, played by a scene- SKATE AT Christmas tree, and enjoy stealing Hugh Grant. song live. And Ed had a good SOMERSET HOUSE some warming rinkside Out 20 November. Come the festive season, snacks and hot drinks in the stab at singing in Italian, did the courtyard of London’s Skate Lounge. And look out he not! He hasn’t let fame go Somerset House really is for special music-themed to his head. He’s a good guy. as pretty as a Christmas Skate Lates evenings – You’ve travelled the world. card. Get your skates on a magical Christmas treat. Favourite places? and glide about under 14 November – 13 January, Home, with the most the shadow of the giant somersethouse.org.uk precious thing – my family – in it. And MEET SANTA AT THE Italy’s food, its SEA LIFE CENTRE, BIRMINGHAM culture, inspires me. DON’T MISS Step into an Antarctic Ice How do you Cave and say hello to Santa relax ofstage? TREAT in the Ice Adventure area Simple things. Being Scented surprise of the aquarium. Santa’s at home, feeling Get your home Christmas- hanging out with a family of the sun on my face. ready with The Fuzzy Duck Gentoo penguins and, when Frosted Christmas Tree you’re done oohing and Walking on the beach luxury scented candle. aahing over them, there’s with my wife. This Baylis & Harding a screening of The Polar G Andrea Bocelli’s limited edition will look Express for the little ones. album, Si, is out now gorgeous and smell lovely SANTA 24 November – 23 on Decca Records for party season. £15.99. December, visitsealife.com In our new monthly column, Deirdre O’Brien picks page- turners to keep you gripped Best NERVESHREDDERS

READ THIS IF YOU LOVED A Spark Of Light Skin Deep GONE GIRL Jodi Picoult Liz Nugent Hodder & Stoughton, £16.99 Penguin, £7.99 The queen of issue-based We meet Cordelia as she iction turns her attention ees the scene of a murder to abortion rights in this – from the irst page we powerful, multi-layered know she has killed someone story set in a women’s clinic – and, over the course of this in Jackson, Mississippi. As suspenseful thriller, we ind a gun man bursts into the out why. Rich, complex and centre, seven lives converge. completely gripping.

SPINETINGLERS HEARTWARMERS

READ IT IF YOU LOVED ONE DAY READ IT READ IT IF IF YOU YOU LOVED LOVED A House MURDER ON The Bus On Thursday One Day In December The Cactus ELEANOR Of Ghosts THE ORIENT Shirley Barrett Josie Silver Sarah Haywood OLIPHANT EXPRESS W C Ryan Fleet, £14.99 Penguin, £7.99 Two Roads, £7.99 Za re, £12.99 Recovering from breast From the top of a bus, Laurie Determinedly single at 45, In 1917, with casualties from cancer, Eleanor takes a spots Jack and it’s love at control freak Susan thinks the First World War at their job as a school teacher in a irst sight. But when she she doesn’t need anyone height, an aristocrat hosts remote Australian town and next sees him, it’s as the else. But when her mum dies GETTY a weekend of spiritualism, inds herself in a world of boyfriend of her best friend and Susan falls pregnant, hoping to contact his dead creepy kids, spooky locals Sarah. Following the trio a dispute over the will with sons. But none of his guests and mysterious goings-on. over 10 years, this fab rom her brother shakes up her

PICTURES: PICTURES: are quite what they seem… Darkly comic and quirky. com will keep you hooked. life in unexpected ways.

78 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for BOOKS

MEET THE AUTHOR… But she’s not actually me. It’s set in a health Books retreat – did you go to many as research? Not as many as I intended for November to. I should have gone to all the crazy places, where they starve you. But the one I went to was really lovely – I spent ﬁve days there. Were you undercover? Well, I was supposed to be, but one lunchtime we were all chatting and a guest said she was reading one of my iane Moriarty, books. One of the girls knew, 51, was born so I had to come clean. L in Sydney, the How do you feel eldest of six children. about the success She is married to of Big Little Lies? Adam and they have Oh, I’ve just enjoyed it all. two children, Anna, The approach from Nicole 10, and George, eight. Kidman came out of the blue Liane hit the big – and it has all been such a time when her novel great thrill. I wasn’t involved Big Little Lies was at all in series one, but I was made into a mini so happy when I saw it. series starring Nicole But you’re writing Kidman, who has season two – and is it already bought the true you’ve recruited film rights to Liane’s Meryl Streep? latest book, Nine I am, and yes, I did – I heard Perfect Strangers. she needed the work. No, EYEOPENERS I’m kidding! I came up with Nine Perfect Strangers the role and Meryl was is fantastic – did you my dream actress – I can’t have fun writing it? believe she said yes. I really did! I felt the weight What do your of expectation following children think Big Little Lies, but a lot of about your success? people didn’t like the follow- They don’t take much up, Truly Madly Guilty, notice, although my little that much. And I realised, boy did lose his mind when ‘Well, that’s not the end of Pink put up an Instagram the world.’ So I came to this saying she was reading my with a sense of freedom – book What Alice Forgot. feeling a bit, ‘What the hell!’ But other than that, they’re Frances, the heroine, a not all that interested. My Love Story Listening To The Animals: best-selling writer, is a Becoming The Supervet Tina Turner very likeable character. Nine Perfect Noel Fitzpatrick Century, £20 Thank you – I had a lot Strangers Trapeze, £20 She’s had an incredible life – of fun with her. My husband by Liane from Nutbush, Tennessee, to He’s come a long way from did say to me, ‘You do Moriarty is stadiums around the world. a farm in rural Ireland to his Now the icon tells her story, swish Surrey vet practice realise everyone is going published from abuse at the hands of where he performs miracles. to think that’s you?’ and by Michael Ike Turner to the love she Noel’s journey is full of tales I said, ‘I know’ – that’s why Joseph, shares with the husband who of the amazing animals he I made her so charming! £18.99. donated a kidney to save her. met along the way. Tony ‘The right Cowell girl will BEST’S CELEBRITY INSIDER TALKS TO OLLY MURS come along Since being when I least runner-up on The X Factor in expect it’ 2009, Olly Murs has sold more than 12 million records – but it hasn’t always been easy…

op’s favourite was that fun to make? cheeky chappy It was wicked. We went to Preveals how the US to ﬁlm, which added becoming a judge on to the fun, and it was great that The Voice gave him Rowan agreed to do it with us. back his confidence I think he is just hilarious, and On The Voice panel – and why he’s still we had a great laugh making it. with Sir Tom Jones, looking for love. Ed Sheeran wrote the Jennifer Hudson and will.i.am new single. How did The video for your new that come about? single, Moves, features We’ve been mates for a few because he thought it would Is your success down to actor Rowan Atkinson – years. He sent me the song suit me. To be honest, I would the fact you come across have loved the song if it was as very natural and don’t written by Joe Bloggs – but the pretend to be anyone else? fact that Ed wrote it, and gave That’s true. I’ve always tried it to me, is amazing. to be myself. I’ve always said You come across as hugely I would rather be a shepherd conident on stage – is than a sheep. Because I come there a vulnerable side from a reality TV show, there to you, though? is this perception that we are Yes, there is. I’m not always all told what to do, and how to super-conﬁdent in everything do it – but I never have. I’ve I do. Sometimes I just like to always just been me. be at home on my own without The Voice returns to ITV any music, without other early next year and you people. I may come across as appear very comfortable

GETTY, INSTAGRAM this happy-go-lucky bloke, but on the panel. Are you? ‘A great laugh’ – Olly with there is a sensitive side to me I am, yes. Because with that comedian Rowan Atkinson and I’ve had my fair share of show I get the opportunity to

PICTURES: anxiety and stress. be me – to say what I want and

80 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for CELEBRITY

Olly with his nanna... Instagram/@ollymurs

... and mate Ed Sheeran

Instagram/@ollymurs

do what I want. This show You come from a very close has been very good for me family, don’t you? Has that in the past two years. helped shape you? You sufered from anxiety Yes I do. I’m very lucky to have after leaving The X Factor a solid, stable family around as a host. Did being on me. It wasn’t always easy; The Voice help you get we never had much money, your mojo back? I was never spoilt and I was It did, actually. It made me taught the importance of hard realise I was being silly about work. I had no direction as a the anxiety I was feeling after teenager until I found music. X Factor. I realised I should That moment I ﬁrst stood on never have doubted myself the X Factor stage, I knew that and put that stress on myself was what I wanted to do. – so in a way, I needed The You are currently single. Voice to prove I could do it. Are you in a happier place It gave me licence to be me now in your personal life? again. Sometimes, in life, we Yes, I’m much happier. I’m can get lost, and I think I got enjoying my life, but it would lost for a little while. be great to have someone to When I look back at past share it with. I’m sure the right X Factor contestants, you girl will come along when have to rank as one of the I least expect it. most successful… Is it harder to meet the I’ve been very lucky, because right girl when you are when I went on the show I constantly in the spotlight? never expected to win – I just I think it’s harder for them, as wanted a career in music. I they know who I am before was determined to make the they go out with me. Then they most of it. I never forget the get photographed coming out opportunity I was given. of a bar or restaurant with me What is your relationship – so it’s tough for them to be with Simon Cowell like with someone who is famous. nowadays, because you Is fame something you turned down his ofer of now embrace, or is there being a judge on X Factor? a downside to it? I have nothing but love for There is a downside to every Simon. I have learned so much job. In this job, I have to be from him. He invited me to his careful what I say and do. But house and told me he wanted there are so many positives. me on the judging panel. I was I’m very lucky. totally ﬂattered, but I am very loyal and I wanted to stay with You Know I Know, the new The Voice. He understood, album, is out now. For tickets and I respect him for that. and info on Olly’s 2019 tour He helped change my life. visit ticketmaster.co.uk TRAIN YOUR BRAIN It’s winter time!

breakoss aside the tinsel, lose the lists and fiddlesticks to the fairy lights! Sit down with a pencil and some lovely puzzles instead. And yes, definitely Tbring the mince pies along – they won’t eat themselves, you know! SNOWMAN’S LAND 8 5 2 -ice to see you, to 7 8 1 2 ARCTICWOLFLJRAA Nsee you – n-ice! That’s all this list of FR I RFWRUYA THSV Z 2 8 3 4 Arctic animals know, BOSLUPI ZEFAYJLK you know… Look 7 2 3 for the cold-loving SCXDCEUSVRVZHRF creatures listed in the HNTCYRDFPBJOAEX 9 6 3 8 7 1 2 grid. All are hidden in the usual way, except VHOTCEASFEPHKDC 9 6 1 one – which one? See if DMTWDAEES I SQCOJ you’re right on page 85. 1 5 8 6 ARCTIC FOX EHURSAROBDNA J LN ARCTIC HARE YRAS LHOCNRNBWJ R 2 9 7 8 ARCTIC TERN ARCTIC WOLF TEASKGOATAAOCNE 6 3 4 8 BEARDED SEAL BFKHWOLEDIYLAXT CANADIAN LYNX GREENLAND SHARK X TTOCNX I HWCROCC HARP SEAL MUSK OX NZNBE I AROAWFBP I SUDOK-GO! NARWHAL NSKE LNTN I HRXOHT POLAR BEAR ill the grid using the numbers PUFFIN UNR I LXSCAAMEKXC Ffrom 1 to 9 only. Each number REINDEER WGNYAVYLRDNVMZR must appear once in every column, RIBBON SEAL row and 3x3 square. See if you’re SNOW GOOSE OYNXUB I PEA FLMKA SNOWSHOE HARE right on page 85. SNOWY OWL YXQGGKREEDN I ERS

ave a look at the motley crew below. Who are they FACE TIME Hand what connects them all? Solution on page 85. GETTY PICTURES: PICTURES:

82 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE THE BIG HITTER! olve the crossword in the usual way. SWhen completed correctly, the pink BIG QUESTION: Sticking with the theme, what well-known squares, reading top to bottom, left to Carol have we disguised below? (8) right, will reveal the answer to the Big Hitter Big Question. Check the solution 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 on page 85. 11 12

ACROSS 13 14 15 1 Taxi (7) chemistry, etc (7) 8 Complete the line 40 Grown without 16

from the well- chemicals (7) 17 17 18 known carol: 42 Becomes adept

‘Away in a at, acquires 19 20 21 manger, No crib a skill, eg (7) _ _ _’ (3,1,3) 45 Light brown 22 23 21 24 25 11 Historical seedless period (3) raisin (7) 26 12 Frozen water (3) 49 ‘The little Lord 13 Meadow (3) Jesus ___ 27 27 28 28 29 29 30 31 14 Open space on a on the hay’ (6) forest or wood (5) 50 ‘___ are lowing, 16 Jewish ringed The baby bread product (5) awakes’ (3,6) 32 33 34 35 36 17 ‘The little Lord 51 Woolly Jesus lay down footwear (5)

his ___ head’ (5) 53 ‘But little Lord 37 38 39 18 Paper money (5) ___, No crying

19 Make a very he makes’ (5) small adjustment 55 Fire debris (3) to (5) 56 Ice house (5) 40 41 42 43 44 21 Hawaiian 58 The Beano, garland (3) eg (5) 22 Country’s 59 Festive family main city (7) show such as 45 46 47 44 48 49 24 Wrestle (7) Mother Goose 26 Dead as or Aladdin (5) 50 a dodo! (7) 61 Keen (5) 27 ‘The stars in 63 Might, 51 52 53 54 the bright sky, strength (5) ___ down where 64 ‘I love you Lord 55 56 57

he lay’ (6) Jesus, Look 58 59 60 29 Clothes down from (slang) (7) the ___’ (3) 61 62 32 Chinese pasta 65 Electric ish (3) strips (7) 66 An age, long 63 64 35 Cowboy ilm period of time (3) genre (7) 67 ‘And stay by my 65 66 37 Personal side until ______, itness is nigh’ (7) 67 68 instructor (7) 68 Works for 39 Biology, physics, money (5) DOWN 1 Tuneful (7) 8 Two weeks (9) 28 Christmas ___, 41 Tavern – where 51 Bog, marsh (5) 2 Draws closer to (5) 9 Sporting event 24 December (3) Mary and Joseph 52 Ancient Japanese 3 Right (7) consisting of a 30 Shade, colour (3) were told there warrior (7) 4 Put down, series of boat 31 ‘God and ___ was no room! (3) 53 Caretaker (7) scofed at (9) races (7) reconciled’ (7) 43 Donkey (3) 54 Used an aerosol (7) 5 Spherical Christmas 10 Hits, bangs 32 ‘Joyful, all ye _ _ _ 44 Odds and ___, 57 Skulked, hung tree decoration (6) (a drum, eg) (5) rise’ (7) betting chances (5) around (in the 6 Complete the line 15 Select group (5) 33 Flaxen material (5) 46 Connecting, bushes, eg) (6) from the well-known 20 ‘Glory to the 34 Knight’s title (3) joining on (9) 58 Crouch in fear (5) carol: ‘Hark the newborn ___!’ (4) 36 ‘Join the triumph 47 ‘Christ is born in 60 Fertile spot in herald angels 23 Camera of the ___’ (5) ___’ (9) the desert (5) ___’ (4) snapshot (5) 38 ‘With the___ host 48 The Three 62 One of the gifts 48D 7 Fat causing skin 25 ‘___ earth and proclaim’ (7) Wise Men (4) brought to Baby dimpling (9) mercy mild’ (5,2) 39 Maths problem (3) 49 Flying vehicle (9) Jesus (4)

TURN OVER FOR MORE

Have a capital

…IN LONDON Continental WHERE TO STAY: Victory WHAT TO SEE: London’s thrills near City Hall House, a four-star boutique Christmas lights, carol Sofitel hotel in the centre of concerts and ice rinks, of London, just a five-minute course! From the Bohemian walk from Leicester Square Rhapsody glitter of Carnaby and buzzing Soho and all of Street to the ice rink at the this year’s Christmas activity. Natural History museum, you Double rooms from £199. are spoilt for choice. Stroll victoryhouselondon.com through the Christmas market WHERE TO EAT: Franco’s in Leicester Square until in Jermyn Street. Open since 5 January and don’t miss out 1946, with a real touch of on a free walk around the class. We recommend the National Portrait Gallery in salmon. Theatre menus start Trafalgar Square and a night …IN BELFAST at £28 for two courses and at Heathers The Musical it’s just a stone’s throw from running at the Theatre WHERE TO STAY: The art deco Titanic the heart of theatreland. Royal Haymarket until 24 Hotel is luxury at its best, with rooms from francoslondon.com November. Based on the £109 per night. 1989 film about WHAT TO EAT: For a magical experience the twisted for kids, visit Titanic Belfast where they relationship can play traditional games, write letters between three to Santa and have their photo taken with school girls, this Father Christmas from 23 November to 23 version rocks. December for £16 a head. For grown ups, heathers Mourne Seafood Bar has fresh local fish or try themusical. authentic Mexican eatery La Taqueria. The Heathers The Musical com Crown, a listed building, is worth visiting for for twisted fun Fran Jepps the décor alone, and check out the Cathedral Quarter, dedicated to the city’s nightlife. WHAT TO SEE: Don’t miss the handcrafted goods and the glühwein at the Continental Market near city hall until 22 December. Also Edinburgh’s popular Jack And The Beanstalk is at the Grand Old Princes Street Opera House until 13 January while the MAC features The Elves And The Shoemaker from 28 November until 6 January. visitbelfast.com Kelly Allan GETTY PICTURES: PICTURES:

86 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for ESCAPES

Wherever you live - England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales - it’s time! time to step into Christmas…

Getting wheely festive

…IN CARDIFF This time of year, there WHERE TO STAY: Cardif’s award-winning four-star deluxe hotel Park Plaza, which are spectacular times to is a five-minute walk from the city’s main be had all over the UK shopping area and this year’s Christmas activities. Double rooms from £80 per night. WHERE TO EAT: Located in a former bank vault beneath the city, The Potted Pig restaurant shares its passion for modern British food and more than 30 glorious gins. …IN EDINBURGH They have a Christmas menu, which ofers two courses for £30 or three courses for £35. WHERE TO STAY: The Indigo Hotel WHAT TO SEE: Edinburgh’s Winter We recommend the house pickles and toasted on York Street is a five-minute walk from Festival runs from 18 November to sourdough for a starter and the lamb rump Waverley rail station. It’s stylish and clean 5 January and features bustling markets, and crispy belly for the main. with an amazing breakfast. Prices start at traditional fairground rides, an ice-skating WHAT TO SEE: Wales’ capital city sees £90 a night. rink and thousands of twinkling lights the launch of Step Into Christmas on WHAT TO EAT: Fancy trying the haggis? across the city. Don’t miss Princes Street 15 November – a unique street festival of Head to the Arcade Bar, Haggis & Whisky and if you are taking the kids, get lost in entertainment, music, lights, and Christmas- House. Pop into the Johnnie Walker Bothy the Christmas Tree Maze or take a ride themed characters. Don’t miss the Christmas Bar on the Mound for a pre-theatre whisky on the Santa Train before meeting the Market in the Festive Quarter (St John warmer or enjoy a glass big man himself! Try the Street, Working Street, The Hayes, Trinity of fizz at The Dome, Christmas Big Wheel or, if you’re Street and Hills Street), which showcases 80 famous for its decadent cheer brave enough, jump on cute wooden market stalls, selling gifts such all over Christmas decorations. the city the infamous 60ft-high as jewellery, artwork and cheese and wine. The Foundry in the Star Flyer, where you’ll Also pop over to Winter Wonderland at City City’s West End serves get a 360˚ view over Hall lawn, which has an ice rink set under a everything from Edinburgh’s rooftops. starlit roof. This year’s new attraction, Drop breakfast baps and edinburghschristmas. Tower, which ‘drops’ riders 90m from the sky! American pancakes com visitcardif.com/christmas to hangover pizza! Jayne Savva Lisa Blake BUDGET- BUSTING If you don’t have 2a budget then you will overspend, so Join our campaign and make it a priority. Use the get your inances sorted Christmas Money Planner at hearstmagazines.co.uk/ at moneyadviceservice.org. fbest for money-saving uk to help set a realistic tips, vlogs and brilliant advice on being Christmas budget. The tool inancially savvy. will ask you to estimate what you will spend on food and drink, presents and going out. It then The average UK tells you whether or household spends not you need to rein more than £700 in your planned EDIT YOUR GIFT LIST spending based on Christmas with Does the number of people you buy for increase on how much you a fifth of us using a each year while your budget stays the same? If so, have in the bank credit card to pay for 1have an honest chat with family and friends well in for the cost of advance of the Christmas shopping frenzy. Don’t Christmas at least part of the be shy about suggesting a price limit on gifts – it will probably and how seasonal splurge. result in relief all-round. You might agree only to buy gifts for much you can save in the Avoid a festive children, buy one gift per family or even set up a secret Santa. run-up to the festivities. financial hangover with tips from the Financially Fabulous money team… 10 ways to sav

SPEND REWARD CARD POINTS Now is the time to 7spend the points you’ve collected on reward cards such as Nectar, Boots Advantage and Tesco Clubcard. Use them to buy gifts or reduce the Christmas 8 food bill. Don’t forget to look out for bonus points ofers to start USE GIFT CARDS building up points ready to cash Unspent gift cards can be used towards in for next Christmas, too! buying presents. Each year, as much GET as £300 million is left unused on gift CASHBACK cards, according to the UK Gift Card Sign up to & Voucher Association. Remember 6a cashback that gift cards often expire after scheme, such as a year and if the retailer goes TopCashback or Quidco, to bust, they may not be get money back on Christmas valid. shopping (you can collect cashback on shopping all year round, too). Or apply for a cashback credit card to put a percentage of your spending back on to your card as you shop. Just remember to pay the balance of in good time, so you don’t pay interest that could wipe out the rewards.

88 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE best for CASH ADVICE

TRACK YOUR COMPARE PRICES SPENDING Once you’ve set a budget, use Use an app such as Yolt a comparison website such as 5to see the balance of your 3PriceRunner or PriceSpy to current accounts, savings track down the best prices on accounts and credit cards in one gifts online. Don’t forget to check delivery place. The app can set budgets and costs before you place an order to make sort transactions into categories sure you really are getting the best deal. such as Shopping, Eating Out or Groceries for a break-down of your spending. You can tag individual transactions with #ChristmasGifts 4 to help you keep track. BLACK FRIDAY DEALS Put your Christmas shopping on hold until Black Friday (23 November) to take advantage of the best pre-Christmas ofers. Look out for early deals in the run-up to the discount bonanza, too. Always do your research to make sure what you are buying is actually a ‘deal’ by searching the item at various retailers. ve this Christmas

PLAN AHEAD Plan your online shopping carefully. If you place one large order for several gifts from the 9same retailer (instead of buying one or two gifts at a time), you’re more likely to meet the minimum spend to qualify for free delivery. Or check if there’s a Click & Collect option so you can pick up your order from a local store to avoid delivery charges.

CUT THE COST OF POSTAGE 10 Sending Christmas cards

by second class post at 58p shaves GETTY 9p of each card compared to ﬁrst class. It may not sound like

a lot, but it all adds up. Just post PICTURES: second class mail by Tuesday 18 December to arrive in time for Christmas. Check the price of sending parcels using couriers such as myHermes, ParcelHero, MARTIN EMILIE Interparcel or CollectPlus – it

may be cheaper than Royal Mail. WORDS: SAVE the best for LAST

BERRY GOOD BUY Cushion cover, £6.99, H&M

TREE TREAT Decoration, £5, Sainsbury’s COUNT THE DAYS Christmas countdown sign, £3, Flying Tiger

SEND WITH LOVE FESTIVE Charity cards, £3.50 GLOW for pack of eight, Candle, £3, Paperchase Primark TREAT YOURSELF SCENT OF THE SEASON Room spray, FOR UNDER £5, M&S A TENNER Festive bargains to help you count down to the most wonderful time of the year

DECK THE HALLS Pine cone and berry decoration, £8, Sainsbury’s HERE COMES SANTA Cushion, £6, Matalan

LIGHT THE WAY NUGENT LARA Lantern, £8, Wilko FEATURE: FEATURE:

RAISE A GLASS! Glasses, £5.40 for six, George Home

A NEW WREATH A TOUCH OF LED tinsel TRADITION wreath, KITCHEN AID Advent candle, £8.99, studio. Joy tea towel, £9.50, M&S £8, M&Co co.uk

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 Frontline Ltd, Midgate House, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE1 1TN. Prices are correct at time of going to press.

90 FACEBOOK.COM/BESTMAGAZINE