Innholdsfortegnelse for March 25, 2013 i Woman's Own

It takes a brave woman to admit she’s made a fashion mistake, so I take my hat off to Coleen Nolan, 48, who says she ‘looked ridiculous’. After losing an impressive 5st, she started wearing skimpy and figure-hugging outfits, which she now says were her worst-ever style disasters. However, if I dropped six dress sizes, I’m sure that I would be wanting to show off my new shape too! Her searing honesty on page 13 is so refreshing in a celebrity world where everyone is obsessed with looking younger. Bravo Coleen! facebook.com/womansownmagazine twitter.com/womansown womansowneditor@ipcmedia.com 020 3148 6565…

Fake a facelift Our favourite X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger, 34, enhances her great cheekbones and high brows with a tight, slicked-back topknot. Think of it as an instant facelift! Get messy Strictly finalist, Kimberley Walsh, 31, opts for an undone style, perfect for daytime. Roughly pin your bun into your base and then pull out some pretty tendrils to frame the face. Lon g, loose layer s help to soften the jawline Braidy bunch BGT star Alesha Dixon, 34, channels one of this season’s biggest hair trends – the plait – with this knotted updo. Tie hair up, then braid your ponytail and wrap it around the base. Not only does it look good, but holds it in place, too! Fringe benefits Ex-Spice Girl Emma Bunton, 37, keeps her…

The most famous lady in waiting is, of course, the Duchess of Cambridge, who is expecting a royal heir with Prince William this summer. But there are some other well-known mums and dads-to-be... KIM KARDASHIAN – a baby with boyfriend Kanye West will be a big money-spinner for Kim. ROCHELLE HUMES from The Saturdays and Marvin from JLS – with these two as parents this child is going to be a gorgeous cherub. COLEEN ROONEY – she’s proud of her baby bump (right) and, with footballer hubby Wayne, is looking forward to a brother or sister for their little son Kai. Keep up to date, follow me on Twitter @reallorraine…

Hosts with the most Both partnerships go way back, with The Voice’s Holly Willoughby, 32, and Reggie Yates, 29, being firm friends from their kids’ TV days, and as for Britain’s Got Talent’s Ant and Dec, both 37… we don’t need to tell you how they met! But while the Geordie lads have fun, we feel that The Voice’s hosts need to interact a bit more. WINNER: BGT Age is but a number? The combined ages – and years of wisdom – of the judging panels… THE VOICE: 166 BGT: 170 WINNER: BGT Wacky fashion Judge Alesha Dixon, 34, has been stepping out in a variety of odd outfits since she joined BGT. Meanwhile Will.i.am, 38, goes out-and-out mad with his crazy glasses and spaceman-style outfits! WINNER: The Voice Bromance…

Opt for military style if you prefer to wear your trench done up. Coat, £49, 8-22, Bhs Trousers, £45, 6-20, Autograph at M&S Try fabric-blocking – mixing textures – for an on-trend look. Coat, £30, 8-24, George at Asda Top, £27.50, Limited Edition at M&S Leggings, £7.50, 8-24, M&S Woman at M&S Bag, £39, Red Herring at Debenhams Boots, £59.99, New Look Single-breasted styles flatter bigger busts. Coat, £45, 8-24, South at Littlewoods Top, £32.50, 6-22, Autograph at M&S Jeans, £24.99, 6-14, Quiz Shoes, £32, Next Coat, £35, 8-22, Bhs Shirt (just seen), £25, S-L, Fashion Union Skirt (just seen), £19. 99, 8-18, New Look Coat, £35, 12-24, Bonmarché Trousers, £38, 6-20, Next Bag, £35, Debenhams Wearing a contrasting belt instead of the one the coat came with gives a…

Mini multi-taskers Tackle dark under-eye circles and thirsty lips in one go with Nspa Nourishing Eye And Lip Treatment, £2, Asda. Caffeine is the hero ingredient to de-puff eye bags, while avocado and jojoba oils get to work soothing parched lips. Philosophy Hope In A Tube High Density Eye And Lip Firming Cream, £28, Debenhams, makes a two-pronged attack on lines around the eyes and lips, with a vitamin-enriched cream that smooths creases. 3 of the best Brightening day creams ◆ FOR TIRED SKIN It’s the goji berry extract in Nivea Q10 Plus Anti-Wrinkle Energising Day Cream, £11.08, that helps refresh tired-looking skin, while anti-ageing hero coenzyme Q10 minimises wrinkles. ◆ FOR AGE SPOTS The maker of the amazing Nanoblur has now created Pepta-Bright, £29.99. Applied directly to dark spots,…

EMMA RECOMMENDS If you have an elderly relative who needs visiting, see wrvs.org.uk or call 0845 600 5885 DR RADHA RECOMMENDS For help and advice about NHS services, log on to patient and liaison site www.pals.nhs.uk/ He’s been looking at sex websites DEAR EMMA, When I borrowed my husband’s laptop, I discovered he’s been looking at pornography every night. I confronted him, but he doesn’t understand why I’m so upset. Please help. Paula, 49, Cambridge Your husband may not see it as a problem (although it is one), but it’s important that you get support. One book that may help you is The Porn Trap: The Essential Guide To Overcoming Problems Caused By Pornography by Wendy Maltz (£10.99, HarperPaperbacks). I also suggest that you post anonymously on mumsnet.com. You will…

1 You can have the same meal as your family, just substitute any points-heavy food for more vegetables. 2 Walk everywhere – get off the train or bus a stop early and keep active. 3 Consider your options – is it best to have lots of something healthy or a small serving of a treat? Which will satisfy you most? 4 It sounds obvious, but don’t go shopping for food when you’re hungry. 5 Keep a small bag of carrot sticks, fruit or nuts in your handbag to snack on. 6 Fit in exercise wherever you can – a 10-minute walk is better than nothing. 7 Don’t give up just because you’ve had a bad day – do the best you can and get back on it the next day.…

The Sick Children’s Trust was founded in 1982 by two paediatricians and now runs eight homes at hospitals across the country. Families can stay free of charge while their child is in hospital. The charity needs to raise £1.3m to keep all eight houses open and in 2009 it launched The Big Chocolate Tea Party, a fundraising idea to encourage the public to host chocolate-themed tea parties. This year, the campaign is set to run throughout April. To hold a party, simply invite friends and family to share cups of tea and a chocolate cake. Everyone donates, whether you charge an entry fee to your party or for the treats served. It doesn’t matter how big or small your party, just raise as much as you can. Register now at…

THIS WEEK How new pension changes affect you TOP CONSUMER ADVICE FROM DEBBI MARCO So now it’s been proven – we’re not saving enough for our retirement! Recent research by HSBC suggests that any nest egg we’ve managed to accumulate during our lifetime will have run out just seven years after we retire. And that means the average Briton will be left with no funds for the last 12 years of their lives. It sounds depressing, but with pensions it’s never too late to start. Whatever you can put away now will help. And that means keeping up to date with all the changes in regulations and policies has never been so important. Last October the government introduced automatic enrolment for workplace pensions, which is being rolled out over the…

Pack of 4 buns FOR EVERY READER WORTH £ 1.4 0 FREE Cranberry & orange hot cross buns To celebrate Easter, we have teamed up with Greggs, the home of fresh baking, to offer you this fantastic treat for all the family to enjoy. These tasty orange-flavour buns are bursting with cranberries and orange-flavoured pieces and have a tempting hint of spice – they’re a delicious twist on this seasonal favourite. And with a pack of four costing just £1.40, great value too! Greggs’ extensive special Easter range includes Easter chick pops, Easter ring buns, bunny biscuits, Easter crispy nests and simnel cakes, which are also available as individual cake bars. Yum! ◆ For more information about Greggs or to find your local shop, visit greggs.co.uk or follow Greggs on…

Putting down his morning newspaper, my husband’s face was ashen. ‘MG Rover has gone under,’ he said. Geoff, 42, and I ran an IT company and MG Rover was our only customer. They entered administration on the day they were due to renew our annual £50,000 contract. ‘What are we going to do?’ I said. It was April 2005, and we had three children, a mortgage to pay and no other income. Until then, life had been so comfortable in our beautiful four-bedroom barn conversion just outside Hereford. Now we were facing financial ruin. We would have to sell the house and either rent or move in with my elderly parents. Then I remembered a friend who lived on a narrowboat to save money. ‘You’re insane!’ I’d told her at…

On the box THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF: EASTER MASTERCLASS BBC2, TBA In this one-off special, Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood take you step by step through three delicious bakes, including how to make your own hot cross buns, a lemon meringue nest and a simnel cake. At the cinema TRANCE Out 27 March How do you follow up the best Olympic Opening Ceremony ever? Danny Boyle’s gone back to his roots to direct this thriller, in which James McAvoy plays an art dealer caught in a scam. Also stars Rosario Dawson. Big day out DAVID BOWIE IS The Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 23 March–11 August This retrospective of Bowie’s career forms part of his latest comeback – but did he ever really go away? Including handwritten lyrics, video…

WHERE Milton of Fonab Caravan Site, Pitlochry, Perthshire. WHY GO Motor your way up into the Highlands using Victorian Pitlochry as a base. Its traditional four-star site, which was named Scotland’s best by the AA, stretches along the River Tummel in a peaceful spot just outside town. PITCH UP Smartly decorated static caravans feel instantly like home, or take along your own motorhome or caravan. There’s limited space for small tents on a first come, first served basis. GOOD FACILITIES? The relaxing vibe that comes from beautifully maintained grounds and pleasant-to-use facilities – particularly bathroom pods where you can splash about in private. Free Wi-Fi is a nice touch. EAT & DRINK Salmon fishing means you can catch your own supper! And you won’t find a better pub than the…

SERVES 6 YOU WILL NEED ◆ 225g plain flour, plus extra for dusting ◆ 175g stoned dates ◆ 300ml boiling water ◆ 1tsp bicarbonate of soda ◆ 1tsp vanilla extract ◆ 1tsp baking powder ◆ 175g granulated sugar ◆ 90g softened butter, plus extra for greasing ◆ 1 large egg ◆ 65g brown sugar ◆ 2tbsp double cream 1Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas 4. Butter a 28x18cm cake tin. 2 Flour the dates lightly and chop them finely. Place in a heatproof bowl, pour the boiling water over them, then mix in the bicarbonate of soda and vanilla extract. Set aside. 3 Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl. Put the granulated sugar and 50g of the butter in another bowl and cream together. Beat in the egg…

I joined Woman’s Own Bingo last year after seeing a competition in the magazine to win a holiday. I had no idea how it would affect my life. I discovered a brilliant new hobby, won an amazing trip to Tenerife, and even acquired a husband! After 15 years together without a hint of wedding talk, I resigned myself to thinking Mike would never ask. So when he popped the question one evening as we sat in our hotel bar looking out over the ocean, I didn’t hesitate to say yes – and whisper a secret thank you to Woman’s Own Bingo for sending us on this fabulous holiday that brought out Mike’s romantic side. Taking a chance I entered the competition on a whim. I’d never tried online bingo before.…

Whoever thought reuniting with your old bandmates would be the emotional roller coaster it has been? Yet we’ve seen Liberty X work through all their demons, including the joys of wearing rubber catsuits, on hit show The Big Reunion. We caught up with mum-of-one Michelle Heaton, 33, at the Tesco Mum of the Year Awards to find out how showbiz she really is… Ever been propositioned by another celeb? Erm… oh goodness… yeah. It was flattering but we didn’t swap numbers. It’s always nice to be chatted up by another star. What’s the most expensive thing in your wardrobe? My shoe and bag collection. Whenever I got paid, back in the day, I’d buy a bag or some Louboutins. Now all my money goes on my baby. How much does…

‘I spent 35k on IVF’ What’s Cooking? presenter Lisa Faulkner, 41, has revealed she spent a whopping £35,000 on unsuccessful IVF treatment. ‘I was a walking mess of hormones – crying all the time,’ she says. ‘I was just desperate for it to work. I spent all of my savings.’ Thankfully, the Celebrity MasterChef winner was able to adopt and Billie, now six, came into her life aged 15 months in 2008. ‘I feel blessed that I’m a mum,’ Lisa says. Sugar’s not very sweet Carol mcGiffin has laid into Lord sugar after stella English, who won The Apprentice in 2010, sued him for constructive dismissal, claiming she discovered that there wasn’t a real job waiting for her after all. Feisty Carol, 53, ranted, ‘what did she expect? while hilarious…

On your bike! If you fancy raising money for a brilliant cause, and getting into shape at the same time, then join me in signing up for the incredible Help for Heroes bike ride. You don’t need to be an expert cyclist to take part but you do have to commit to raising money for our wounded heroes and to show them your support. Cyclists like myself from all over the country will gather in London on Sunday, 2 June, where we will be led around the city by the biggest-ever band of wounded servicemen, women and veterans. Some of the veterans have lost limbs, but it won’t stop them from cycling or fundraising If riding solo isn’t for you, then put together your own team and help each other…

In a shock move, Loose Women’s Denise Welch has packed up her stuff and moved out of the London home she shares with fiancé Lincoln Townley to take up residence in a hotel while the couple give one another some space. A source says, ‘Denise and Lincoln have been going through a rough patch. Over the last few weeks their rows have become more frequent and intense.’ This comes just days after the pair were spotted having a drink outside a café while Denise was on a short break from rehearsals at the Sadler’s Wells theatre for the new Richard Bean play Smack Family Robinson. The reformed drinkers were sharing a bottle of water as things escalated rapidly. Denise, 54, was clearly upset while deep in conversation with Lincoln, 40,…

This isn’t the life I planned. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good one – I’m healthy, have a lovely house and enough money to go out when I like. So I’m not moaning. But it’s just not what I hoped for. I’m 48 and, by now, I’d expected to have a real tomboy of a girl with a face full of freckles, and a darling son, all sensitive and artistic. I thought I’d be doing school runs and having birthday parties with big cakes. I pictured my husband and I spending Saturday mornings at the local pool for swimming lessons and Sundays going for walks in the park. Not for one second did I expect this – to be childless. It’s no one’s fault, just circumstances that have caused…

Always on the go, Anna, a mum-of-two, tenacious autism campaigner and winner of the Tesco Achieving Mum of the Year Award 2013, says she has no time to shop. ‘I like fashion and I try to keep up with trends but I buy most of my clothes online,’ she says. ‘My job involves a lot of networking – I’ve even met Samantha Cameron – so I always need to look smart.’ Get the right style Fashion Editor Fiona Reardon shows how easy it is to change your look THE RIGHT LENGTH Anna attends lots of meetings and has to look professional but she often wears skirts and dresses past the knee, which can look frumpy. Adamant that wearing a skirt above the knee would make her look like ‘mutton dressed…

Closing the bedroom door behind her, Tamara Harp climbs into bed on her own. Her 18-month-old son, Sonny, is asleep in the next room and the house should be quiet – she and her ex-fiancé split up eight months ago. So why can she hear the sound of a TV coming from the sitting room? Why will she be woken later by the sound of the toilet flushing and footsteps on the hallway floor? Despite splitting with Lionel, she still lives with him. He sleeps on a makeshift bed on the sofa in the lounge. He keeps his clothes in the bedroom and his toiletries in the bathroom but, every morning, he packs up the sheets and pillows and puts them in the cupboard ready for the next night. ‘It’s…

Does exercising early increase weight loss? Woman’s Own’s Dr Radha Modgil sorts fact from fiction ◆ THE LOWDOWN Experts say exercising before breakfast shifts more pounds as your body uses stored fat for energy. ◆ THE TRUTH In this study, participants worked out before and after breakfast and the amount of energy used was measured. It showed exercising before breakfast burnt more energy and broke down more fat. But it was a very small group and, despite the claims, the research didn’t show weight loss, only increased energy expenditure, which doesn’t instantly translate into losing more pounds. The most important thing isn’t when you exercise, but the fact that you do some. Want to read more For top tips and expert health advice, go to womansown. co.uk 3 step fix...…

Causing misery for one in five of us, hay fever, despite being such a common allergic reaction, still has no known cure. According to Professor Jean Emberlin, director of the charity Pollen UK (pollenuk.info), it costs more than £7 billion a year in treatments, appointments and time off work. ‘The main pollen season kicks off in the next fortnight [early April], when birch pollens become airborne, affecting 25 per cent of sufferers,’ she says. ‘Nine out of 10 of those affected are allergic to grass pollen, which is abundant from May to July, but you could also be susceptible to some of the 30 other pollens and fungi that cause symptoms from January to October. The good news is that there are simple things you can do to reduce the…

It’ s FREE to join and it’s so easy to become a member Here’s what to do If you’re heading out to the stores, make sure you’ve downloaded the Quidco app to your mobile. It pays you to shop – so not only can you save money on Quidco’s great deals, you’ll receive cash just for checking in! How it works Quidco app It’s the UK’s first app that pays you to check in. Save yourself £££s with personalised offers and deals on the go. The Quidco app lets you discover paid check-in deals, in-store cashback offers and voucher codes local to you. You’ll also be able to manage your Quidco account and shop at thousands of online retailers, such as Play.com, Vodafone, Expedia, Argos and many more. How do…

It’s more important than ever to keep your PC and other gadgets secure. Here’s how to do it… 1 USE ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE It protects your computer from rogue bugs that put it at risk – prices start from £25. Make sure you keep the software up to date. 2 ACTIVATE A FIREWALL Preinstalled in your computer, this filters information from the internet, protecting it from viruses and spam. 3 DOWNLOAD WITH CAUTION Viruses can be spread by links and attachments in emails, so only click on those from people you know. 4 SAVE IT ALL! It’s important to regularly back up all your files. I use an external hard drive – Seagate and Toshiba both do affordable ones starting from £4 5 DON’T FORGET YOUR PHONE Now internet browsing is…

Natural habitat Animals are big news right now. Here’s how to bring some creatures into your home… Save Create a statement wall with this birdcage motif from high street favourite Next (above) at just £15 per roll. The subtle blue, peach and chartreuse colours will work easily with most decor. Splurge Add a feminine feel to any room with this pink and dove-grey flamingo wallpaper, £27 per roll, from isme.com. Reader rated MANDY HILLMAN, 45, FROM TELFORD ‘It was lust at first sight with this chopping board. It brings personality to my kitchen and is practical too.’ Darcey The Cow, £26, My Deco. It’s a dog’s life For a nod to the animal craze, start small. Pick up this fabulous little mug exclusively from Ben de Lisi at Debenhams, £6.…

Opening my back door to a gust of bracing country air, I headed out to collect our evening meal. But I wasn’t going to a local takeaway, I was off into the garden! ‘This is the life,’ I said as I dug up the potatoes, carrots and turnips I needed for our warming winter stew that night. My old life as an English teacher seemed a million miles away now. Although I’d liked my job, the endless rounds of marking meant I hardly saw my family. ‘I want to live a simpler life,’ I’d told my husband John*. Seriously local So in 1998 I’d given up my job to become a freelance writer. With our children Alex, then 11, and Bethany, nine, we moved to a derelict farmhouse in County…

Best for GROWN-UPS WHERE The Old Oaks Touring Park, Glastonbury, Somerset. WHY GO Winner of the AA Campsite of the Year 2013, this tranquil five-star gem is adults-only, so its roomy pitches set around six farm paddocks stay calm all summer. PITCH UP Bring your own caravan, motorhome or tent. Or rent a cute, modern cabin that makes the perfect introduction to camping. Dogs are welcome (except in the cabins), and get their own warm indoor shower! GOOD FACILITIES? Excellent. A new state-of-the-art shower block (which even has sockets for hair dryers) is kept absolutely spotless. Everything’s monitored by friendly wardens. There’s free Wi-Fi, too. EAT & DRINK Farm produce, including thick barbecue steaks and tasty homemade cakes, are on sale at the site shop. TO DO Lots of hiking…

WHERE Caerfai Bay Caravan and Tent Park, Pembrokeshire. WHY GO Watch the sun set over a sparkling sea from this four-star site on clifftop farmland. With all the fun of the Pembrokeshire coast on your doorstep too, the AA tips it as Wales’ best camping experience. PITCH UP There are static sea-view caravans for hire, or bring your own tent, motorhome or caravan to pitch in two separate fields. Dogs are restricted (although not banned) in the summer. GOOD FACILITIES? They’re first-class – you can count on pipinghot water in showers and there’s a new launderette and a dish-washing room. Thought has gone into everything, like lockers for free phone charging. EAT & DRINK Warm breakfast croissants will lure you to the farm shop, which sells organic produce and groceries…

Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May Life is busy – but not as fraught with confusion as the past three weeks. And much as you do have lots on, you also feel like staying home and getting some early nights in. Follow that impulse. Recent events need some thinking about to make sense of what’s been going on. ◆ For more call 0901 609 4781* Gemini 21 May – 20 Jun The storm of chaos and confusion of the past three weeks has done its worst and is passing off now. So what are you left with? At least one puzzling outcome – maybe to do with work? Apply some of that famous Gemini ability with clear speaking – and all will be well. ◆ For more call 0901 609…

SUSAN found the whole process of her divorce to be a complete nightmare. So when her solicitor negotiated a settlement that gave her more equity from the former matrimonial home, she was satisfed with the result. A few years later a friend suggested she contact Divorce LifeLine, who advised Susan that she may be entitled to a larger sum than she realised. Divorce LifeLine then organised the relevant professionals to assist in Susan’s claim, all at no cost to her. Susan was shocked when the solicitors confimed Divorce LifeLine’s initial concerns and that she was entitled to £125,000 from the divorce settlement. For Susan, the thought of recovering the lost money was a worry until she realised the whole process did not involve any contact or involvement with her exhusband,…

The welsh singer, 32, has opened up for the first time about her extremely painful split from television presenter Gethin Jones. Katherine has admitted that she was left reeling after the pair called off their 10-month engagement a year ago. ‘Last year was crazy,’ Katherine now admits. ‘It started off in a personal sense in a very devastating way when Gethin and I broke up, and I didn’t know how it was going to work out.’ The singer, who once famously denied on Twitter that she was having an affair with David Beckham, adds, ‘Public break-ups are difficult. Going through that is devastating anyway but when it’s “out there”, people feel free to comment.’…

Always with a nose for a story, this week I was introduced to Richard Hawkins, an expert on perfume. He has 25 years’ experience in the beauty industry and is now an ambassador for Guerlain. We met at The Caledonian hotel in Edinburgh for the launch of the UK’s first Guerlain Spa. He explained to me how smells can trigger memories. It’s true. I associate Chanel No.5 with my mum and Tweed with my granny, while a whiff of Giorgio takes me back to the 1980s when I worked at TV-am, and wore massive bright jackets with shoulder pads. More scents than sense!…

Who knew it would cause such a drama when I admitted that I looked like mutton? Why are people so shocked when you confess you looked bloomin’ awful? It started when I saw this photo [far right], which was taken four years ago, and thought, ‘What the hell was I thinking?’ When I look at it now, I actually cringe with embarrassment. In the picture I’m posing for photographers like a supermodel in a pair of skin-tight, fake-leather leggings and a boob-boosting push-up top. Classic error The look on my face says it all – I’m slim, sexy and I look a million dollars. Except, I didn’t. I looked ridiculous. Having lost 5st and dropped six dress sizes I was proud of my hard-won new figure and determined to show…

The dinner table was laden with bowls of steaming mash and casserole. As I got ready to tuck in, I noticed a small, pale-faced girl standing in the kitchen doorway. ‘This is Helen*,’ Mum said, leading the shy teenager to a seat next to me, my big sister Katie, 14, and brother Tom, 12. ‘She’s going to be living with us for a while.’ ‘Hello,’ we each said in turn, before getting back to our food with barely a second thought. The arrival of a new brother or sister at our converted barn in York was normal for us. Even though I was only four years old, I accepted it as readily as Katie and Tom. It was only later I learnt my mum, Gill, 50, and dad, Gordon, 54,…

The newest foundations to hit the beauty halls don’t just cover imperfections but have a whole host of additional benefits, from built-in concealers and youth-boosters, to shade-matching technology and airbrush-finish textures. Forget mask-like coverage, too – 2013 formulas are lightweight, dewy and radiance-enhancing. Prepare yourself for compliments! The skin-matching cream compact Say goodbye to tidelines with Rimmel Match Perfection Cream Compact Foundation, £7.49. It comes in 10 skin-true shades so you can find one that blends into your complexion seamlessly. How? It contains light-reflectors that create a more uniform tone, while sapphire pigments help to produce a more accurate, fresh-looking colour. The wake-up make-up If your skin is giving away a bad night’s sleep, perk it up with Bourjois Radiance Reveal Healthy Mix Foundation, £9.99. The newly revamped formula contains…

BARBARA SADLER, 60, A RETIRED ARCHITECT FROM EAST LONDON ‘I couldn’t do it. I’m single out of choice and I couldn’t put up with anyone’s quirks. I think it’s just laziness when couples stay together after splitting up.’ KAREN MILLER, 43, A LEGAL CLERK FROM BEDFORDSHIRE ‘I don’t think i could do it. Being in the same room as them right after a break-up would be so awkward. And if you met a new partner, you could never bring them home.’ LISA RILEY, 39, A PROJECT MANAGER FROM CENTRAL LONDON ‘It depends on how strong the relationship was. When I was a student, I had to keep living with my ex while he found somewhere else to stay. I was still in love, so seeing him every day was torture.’…

At the height of her pop heyday in the ’80s, the last thing on Patsy Kensit’s mind was dieting. ‘I could eat whatever I wanted until I was 31,’ she says. ‘But then I went from 8st up to 11½st almost overnight.’ The actress, now 45, tried Weight Watchers and watched the pounds drop off. But she got complacent and eventually stopped following the programme. After creeping up to over 10½st this year, she decided it was time to get back on track. Patsy, you look incredible! What made you choose Weight Watchers again, second time around? I wanted a quick solution to get back to the weight I was happy with, but nothing seemed to help. I knew that Weight Watchers worked for me, but I didn’t go straight…

It looks like any normal family home, with a child’s pushchair in the hallway, the smell of cooking wafting through from the kitchen and pretty pictures lining the walls. But this Georgian house has seen so many tears and smiles over the years. For here is a home to families who all have one devastating thing in common – their children are desperately ill. Run by The Sick Children’s Trust, Guilford Street House is for the families of patients at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Since it opened 23 years ago, more than 7,000 families have come through its doors. And despite their tragic stories, the one thing they never lose, thanks to this place, is hope. ‘The house has been a real sanctuary for us at a time of such…

Save without Spending Here are my top tips this week to ensure you’re making the most of your hard-earned cash 1 GRAB A WATERSAVING FREEBIE Help beat next month’s water bill increase by visiting savewatersavemoney.co.uk and clicking on the Free Water Saving Packs tab, followed by your supplier’s logo. You can order free water-saving devices, such as reduced-flow showerheads and save-a-flush toilet bags. 2 LEARN FOR LESS If you’d like a new skill, try your local council. Most organise free or low-cost adult learning workshops, where you can study anything from childcare and creative writing to cooking and computer skills. Go to gov.uk/find-your-local-council to get started. 3 MAKE A FREE WILL If you’re under 54, go to freewillsmonth.org.uk and type in your postcode to find your nearest solicitor participating in…

Seared tuna and cherry tomatoes Cost per serving £2.62 SERVES 2 PREP TIME 4 MINS COOKING TIME 6 MINS YOU WILL NEED ◆ 2 tuna steaks, each approximately 1cm thick ◆ 250g cherry tomatoes◆ 2tbsp capers ◆ 2 large handfuls wild rocket ◆ 4tbsp mayonnaise HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat a large frying pan or skillet on a medium-high heat. Rub tuna with oil. Season. 2 Add fish and tomatoes to the hot pan. Sear for about a min on each side. 3 Serve steaks sprinkled with tomatoes and capers. Serve rocket and mayonnaise on the side. VARIATIONS Carnivore Replace tuna with minute beef steaks. Vegan Sear 4 portobello mushrooms until tender. Use vegan mayo. NUTRITION PER SERVING 432 cals, 36g protein, 5.2g carbs (4.6g sugars), 30g fat (5.2g…

‘Dumping my TV worked wonders’ Just divorced and searching for a new home, I knew one thing that wouldn’t be part of the furniture – a TV set. Why? Because, aged 37, without really noticing it was happening, I’d found myself spending most of my free time in front of it. It was 1998 and during the past six years of my marriage, my exhusband and I had spent many an evening slumped on the settee. He’d channel-hop and I’d keep him company, absentmindedly staring at the screen all evening, a cup of tea in one hand and a packet of biscuits in the other. Before I knew it, it would be time for bed. Finally, we’d agreed to part. In truth, it had nothing to do with our viewing…

Naughty Keith Lemon tries to get you and holly Willoughby together on screen a lot, doesn’t he?! KELLY Yes, this is an ongoing thing with him. KEITH It’s just ’cos Holly is jealous because she’s now got the second best boobs on Celebrity Juice and I think it’s nice if we get rid of that spiky atmosphere and them two just start kissing... KELLY There is no spiky atmosphere. He’s convinced, but there’s really not. Are you trying to start a new TV rivalry, Keith? KELLY No, we get on. I promise! KEITH I’m trying to bring them together! KELLY This is not Britain’s Got Talent, Keith, don’t forget. KEITH Which she got sacked from. KELLY It’s not Amanda Holden – this is Holly we’re talking about. Was there an…

WHERE Hollins Farm Camping and Caravanning, Far Arnside, Cumbria. WHY GO The back-to-nature feel of this traditional Lakeland farm campsite has won it a David Bellamy Gold conservation award. Even better, you get to use its sister holiday park’s pool complex with sauna, steam rooms and gym totally free. PITCH UP Kids will love seeing chickens scuttle by pitches for tents and tourers, which sit by sweeping views of Morecambe Bay. And Shetland ponies and goats love getting some attention, too. GOOD FACILITIES? Who cares about chilly mornings when there’s underfloor heating in the shiny new amenity block? There’s also a television in the little games room. EAT & DRINK Sunday roasts at the park’s restaurant get a thumbs-up. Or drop into Silverdale village for a curry – it also…

When my partner, Piers, 69, told me all about his mum’s original sticky toffee pudding recipe, I was stunned. I’d always believed it was a traditional English dessert, but he claimed it was from Canada! His mum, Peggy Martin, had been sent the recipe after the Second World War – years before it appeared on menus across this country. While he told me his mum’s amazing story, he got to work, showing me how to make it. When he melted thick cream, brown sugar and butter in a pan to make the toffee, a delicious smell filled the kitchen. Piers explained how several chefs had laid claim to having created the pudding. One, Francis Coulson, had even admitted adapting the toffee sponge sold at his Sharrow Bay Hotel in Cumbria…

My fiancé Richard and I only booked our wedding four weeks in advance. It was to be an intimate affair, with just our daughter, Sarah, five, as a flower girl, my sister Noleen as bridesmaid and Richard’s brother Matthew as the best man. But as the day drew nearer, I got so excited that I invited more and more people! After I got home from my job as a medical secretary on the Tuesday before our wedding, I decided to play a few games of Woman’s Own Bingo. I bought some tickets for the 75-ball game in the Bingo Lounge, then called my mum to see if she was going to join me. She loves playing too and we look out for each other on the site. Big win ‘The…

What happened to my baby? I was apprehensive when I tearfully took my daughter to university and left her with complete strangers, worried she’d get a job and never come home. So I was happy when she returned to the fold – but only for about a day! With no job or money, she’s regressed to being a moody 14-year-old. She stays up till 1am and gets up at 1pm. Her bedroom is a war zone and probably a health hazard. Communication is sparse, despite a degree in English language. Everyone says she’s a delight but they don’t have to live with her. Whatever happened to my baby girl who smiled and always sang? Oh, she’s still the apple of my eye! Jenny Poole, Nottinghamshire WIN a bunch of f…