Innholdsfortegnelse for March 9, 2015 i Woman's Own

We all know he likes to throw some shapes after seeing his opening routines on The X Factor. But now Dermot O’Leary is set to take on a real challenge with a 24-hour live danceathon in aid of Comic Relief. The presenter, 41, will begin his epic day on the BBC’s The One Show on 12 March, ending the following night at the London Palladium. ‘I’m going to need all the support I can get from the public to keep me going,’ he says. Don’t worry, Dermot, we’ll be watching you every dance step of the way!…

Alesha Dixon has always admitted that she loves working out and looking after her figure, but recent images of the TV talent judge have sparked concerns that she might be taking it too far. After stepping out on the runway for a recent charity fashion show, fans of the former singer looked on shocked at her tiny frame, with one person commenting, ‘Alesha, you’re too thin now, mate! You need some hearty meals.’ And another person adding, ‘How thin is Alesha Dixon? Not nice!’ Alesha, 36, gave birth to her baby, Azura, in October 2013, following which she revealed that she was taking her weight loss slowly, ‘I haven’t been obsessively training or dieting,’ she said at the time. ‘I wanted to let nature take its course. I always try…

She may be turning 80 this month, but Great British Bake Off judge Mary Berry is busier than ever. As well as her TV work, she’s also publishing a new cookbook featuring her ‘absolute favourite’ recipes, including mini beef Wellingtons, lamb shanks and lemon drizzle cake – is your mouth watering yet? Here, Mary reveals exclusively to Woman’s Own some of her favourite things… Woman’s Own EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW 1My favourite…tipple I absolutely love having a glass of wine every evening with my husband, Paul. It’s nice to sit down after a busy day with a glass. I’m very careful though as I’m nearly always doing something the next day so I don’t have too many. In my youth, I might have done – but goodness gracious, I am grown-up now!…

Brunette beauties CHESTNUT As worn by: The Duchess of Cambridge, 33 This rich midbrown is particularly flattering on Kate, with her olive undertones. Spread out your visits to the salon with Charles Worthington Instant Root Concealer in Warm Brown, £9.99, to disguise regrowth. OMBRÉ As worn by: Jessica Biel, 33 Ask for a brown base with lighter strands through the lengths and ends. Mousy brunettes can achieve this look with L’Oréal Casting Sun kiss Jelly, £5.99. RAVEN As worn by: Kim Kardashian, 34 Dark hair with blue undertones can be harsh, but Kim’s espresso shade has a hint of red to take the edge off. Golden girls GOLDEN As worn by: Amanda Holden, 44 The blend of cool and golden highlights creates the illusion of thickness – great for fine…

Birthdays are a time of year when we’re showered with gifts and attention. And if it’s a big one – 30, 40 or 50 – the gifts are bigger and the celebrations more special. But what do most of us want as a treat? Bubbly? A new frock? Incredibly, more and more of us are celebrating by having surgery. Psychologist Emma Kenny isn’t surprised. ‘Birthdays, especially significant ones, give us a chance to take stock,’ she says. ‘Entering a new decade will make most women wonder if they are the best version of themselves.’ Emma thinks ‘birthday surgery’ is a growing trend. ‘People feel it’s OK to ask for a gift. But instead of a flashy watch or a new dress, they’re asking for a facelift or boob job,’ she…

Tormented by jealousy I started my current relationship while I still had feelings for my ex. I told the man I was with and we agreed to end our relationship and stay friends. He started dating another woman almost immediately, although he said it wasn’t serious. But, when I heard they’d been on holiday together I realised I’d made a mistake. I told him I was over my ex and ready to commit to him. He stopped the other relationship and moved in with me. Instead of feeling happy, I feel jealous of this other woman and paranoid that he’ll run back to her. Please help. Sophie, 36, Cumbria Underneath all that jealousy is a big pool of insecurity that urgently needs your love and attention. We can never know…

All under £2.50 per serving Ricotta and spinach filo pie SERVES 6 PREP TIME 10 MINS COOKING TIME 45 MINS YOU WILL NEED ◆ 3tbsp olive oil ◆ 350g portobello mushrooms, sliced ◆ 1 onion, chopped ◆ 3 garlic cloves, crushed ◆ 200g baby spinach ◆ 250g tub ricotta ◆ 40g pine nuts, toasted ◆ 2 eggs, beaten ◆ 40g Parmesan, grated ◆ 4-5 sheets filo pastry HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat oven to 200°C/Gas 6. In a pan, heat 1tbsp oil and fry the mushrooms and onion until golden. Reduce the heat and add the garlic for 1-2 mins. Stir through the spinach until wilted. 2 Remove the pan from the heat and add the ricotta, pine nuts, eggs and Parmesan and 3 Brush each sheet of filo…

We’ve teamed up once again with Product of the Year to offer four lucky readers this fantastic prize. The Acer Iconia One 7 is packed full of easy-to-use features so you can enjoy your favourite games and apps on the go. Available in a variety of colours, including red, blue, purple, white and classic black, this speedy, slim tablet has a bright, clear, responsive screen and great HD video playback. It’s user-friendly and, best of all, it’s the perfect size for your handbag. So, for your chance to win hours of fun in one stylish package, just answer our simple question… YOUR QUESTION What did Tim Berners-Lee invent? A) The world wide web B) Skype C) Google If you think you know the answer, go to womansown.co.uk, click Win and…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr Your life has changed beyond recognition since 2012. You will be relieved to learn that this chaos is in its last phase, and puts your love life squarely in the spotlight. Go with the flow – it will take you somewhere exciting. ◆ For more call 0901 609 4780* Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May Whether you’re dealing with big secrets or everything is perfectly above board, this is a challenging week. You may even be the messenger between two warring parties. Every bit of your charm is needed. Tip: play for time. ◆ For more call 0901 609 4781* Gemini 21May–20Jun The consequences of going too far or getting overexcited kick in this week. And that may not even be the only thing…

Dominican Republic 1WHY GO? Stunning mountain views, colonial architecture and idyllic ocean vistas mean the Dominican Republic has some of the most diverse landscape of all the countries in the Caribbean. Situated on the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, keen golfers should note that there are 26 courses dotted across the island. WHAT DOES IT COST? For a beachside paradise, look no further than the Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe, located in the picturesque Punta Cana, and perfect for couples, families or friends. Rooms are £182 per night, all-inclusive; barcelo.com/0800 021 1256. British Airways has direct flights from Gatwick to Punta Cana. Prices from £598.44 return, including taxes and charges (ba.com, 0844 493 0787). Aruba 2WHY GO? Easy-going Aruba’s slogan is ‘One happy island’, and…

WSSY & MADGE Jonatan oss has a very exciting guest lined up to appear on his show next month – Madonna! The inger, 56, will be sitting down for a chat as well as performing two tracks from her new album, Rebel Heart. This is the first time Wossy, 54, has chatted to the controversial star since 2003 – and he can’t wait! ‘Madonna is remarkable. A bold, daring, uncompromising superstar, who shot to the top in the ’80s and has remained there since,’ he said. ‘I hope this interview will be as memorable and revealing as the first time I sat down with her all those years ago.’ ‘I was SUICIDAL’ Richard Blackwood, 42, has bravely spoken out about his depression and revealed he was suicidal over career fears…

Tiers of joy Wearing custom Chanel, Oscar-winner Julianne Moore, 54, lets her three-tiered dress take centre stage with slicked-back hair and drop earrings. Feeling blue Take a tip from Cate Blanchett, 45, and brighten up a classic LBD with a statement turquoise necklace. Suits you Proving that a two-piece suit can be super-glamorous for evening attire, Naomi Watts, 46, shuns a shirt and taps into the extreme cleavage trend instead. The cold shoulder Patricia Arquette, 46, should add ‘Best Shoulder Sweep’ to her Supporting Actress gong. We love the Grecian feel to this one-shoulder gown with its floor-skimming cape. Golden girl Joan Collins, 81, always excels in the glamour stakes. Those striking metallic embellishments draw the eyes to her slim waist. Belt up Gorgeous Reese Witherspoon, 38, wows in this…

Michael Patte more has been criticised for his ‘distasteful and odd’ behaviour in the wake of his wife Lynda Bellingham’s death last year. The grieving widower has even been urged to ‘let go’ after fans of the late actress went online to beg him to stop tweeting from her account and regularly speaking to the media. Following Lynda’s death from colon cancer last October, Michael, 59, has appeared in a string of TV and newspaper interviews talking about his wife. He has also been tweeting regular updates about his life – from her Twitter account. And people are starting to think the behaviour he’s displaying is strange. Following on from the recent memorial held in Lynda’s honour, one person said, ‘Hopefully her widower will now retreat to grieve in private…

Dear Penny, Seeing the posters for the new film Still Alice stirs a mixture of feelings in me. Part of me is happy that dementia is being brought to light. On the other hand, it’s a stark reminder of the nightmare that you and I are living every day… I’ll never forget the first time I laid eyes on you at a friend’s engagement party 21 years ago. When I walked through the door that night you were the first person I saw, standing there looking so elegant with your long, silky brown hair. A friend introduced us, and you made me laugh like mad, poking fun at the songs that were blaring out. After that night, we became inseparable. What I liked most about you was the way you…

3 of the best… Heavenly hand creams £ Tackle weatherworn hands and brittle nails at the same time with Strengthens Nails & Moisturises Hands Hand & Nail Cream, £1.49, Superdrug. ££ Turbocharge the shea butter formula of Ragdale Hall Spa Cocooning Cinnamon & Nutmeg Nourishing Hand Cream, £6, M&S, by slathering it on underneath a pair of gloves before bed. £££ If we could offer scratch ’n’ sniff, it would be for the divine Elemis Spa@Home Jasmine And RoseHand AndNail Cream, £18, timetospa.co.uk, which leaves skin cushiony-soft. New for nails... Say goodbye to winter and welcome in spring with Nails Inc’s new Gel Effect Polish, £15 each. From moodboosting daffodil yellow to clear sky blue, these high-shine, hard-wearing nail colours are just the ticket for a fresh, new-season manicure. We…

Look at my smile. It’s pretty enough, isn’t it? But not exactly Hollywood material. And yet it has set me back £30,000. Worse still, I’ve risked my home to pay for it. But before you criticise me, think me vain or crazy, let me explain the truth behind it, and why it’s still far from perfect and likely to cost even more – in money and pain… Growing up, I knew the importance of looking after your teeth. I’d brush twice a day and – as I got older and met my husband, Keith – we took out dental insurance of £50 a month. I felt happy that my teeth were in good shape… until June 2004. With Keith, then 41, looking after our children, Laura, 12, and Michael, nine,…

3 fast fixes TRY URBAN HIKING Rambling through the city streets can be just as enjoyable as the countryside and you can burn up to 1,000 calories an hour. The right footwear is crucial, though, like these Azura Breeze Merrell walking shoes (£75, merrell.com) with their comfy foam footbeds. SWAP FRESH TOMATOES FOR CANNED Canned tomatoes contain more of the antioxidant lycopene – which lowers the risk of blood clots – than fresh. As canned tomatoes are processed on the same day as picking, they retain more key nutrients. DITCH NON-STICK PANS ...and help delay the menopause. ‘The synthetic chemical coating that repels grease can build up in your body and disrupt your hormones,’ explains nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville. Reader rated SarahWiltshire, 36, from High Wycombe ‘When I’m run-down, my…

Bathroom BLITZ Give your bathroom instant salvage style with some simple accessories. 3 of the BEST Mother’s Day GIFTS Home HELP Q As spring is just around the corner, I’m looking for a new small table and chairs for my little patio. Any suggestions? A We love this compact bistro table and chair set in sage from Tesco. Guaranteed to add some country charm to your garden. Folding chairs, £35 each, folding table, £40, acrylic pitcher, £8, acrylic wine glasses, £2 each, all Tesco Save v splurge…

Looking at my sister Kara Swain and her husband Dean, it was clear they were made for each other. Not only did they always seem to make each other laugh, but they were both car fanatics, too. That’s why, when they wed in June 2006, Kara, then 26, was chauffeured to the venue in Dean’s prized possession – his white Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. But afterwards, as much as the car had played a pivotal role in the big day, it was becoming expensive to run. And with their boys – Connor, then three, and Brandon, two – to think of, the money would be better spent elsewhere. So they sold it and settled into married life. Things seemed perfect, until one day, in June 2012, Kara spotted a strange-looking…

I always used to go to the bingo hall. Although I loved it, the appeal of playing online is that I can choose when and where. Woman’s Own Bingo was one of the first sites I tried and I loved it straight away. The site’s easy to use and the games are great, with lots of fun graphics. If you don’t want to spend a lot, you can buy 1p tickets and try the games for free in the demo mode, to give them a trial run first. I’ve had lots of little wins, but last year I had my biggest scoop of all… My favourite GAMES All the games are great but, for me, nothing beats traditional bingo, such as the Bingo 20 and 75 rooms. I also love…

Julie’s just fabulous! Julie Walters is such a great role model. I saw her on The Graham Norton Show recently and have to say that she stole the show. She’s so interesting and funny, not to mention absolutely stunning. You’re fab, Julie! Shagufta Ahmad, via Facebook Ditch that love rat! Your feature ‘Can you ever forgive a cheat?’ made me think. It’s so hard to judge before you’ve been in that situation yourself – but I have to say, I doubt I’d ever be able to trust someone after the lies. The story ‘I was at a funeral when he cheated’ was especially shocking. You’d like to think that when you’re at your most vulnerable, you’d have your partner’s full support. Even the other interviewee, Jan, admitted she couldn’t trust…

‘I can’t stop talking about India’ Richard Gerejoined the cast this time round–that must have been a nice bit of salt and pepper to wake up to… Yes, but I didn’t get much chance to see him because I only had one scene with him. Was he everything you imagined? I certainly have imagined him before and he was absolutely delightful. You must have been thrilled to film in India again… We didn’t need to be asked. We packed and went off straight away. We went back for eight weeks. It was heavenly. I cannot stop talking about it. My family are like, ‘Don’t ask her about India. Whatever you do, don’t ask her about it!’ In the film, you get to ride with Bill Nighy on a motorbike… I…

‘I really wasn’t EXPECTING IT’ Carol McGiffin has revealed how overwhelmed she was by all the support and kind messages she received after admitting she had been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. ‘I can honestly say I wasn’t expecting it,’ she said. ‘I couldn’t believe people were describing me as ‘strong’ and ‘brave’. Carol, who’d been keeping her diagnosis and treatment a secret, admitted she has been through a mastectomy, an intensive course of six rounds of chemotherapy and 15 radiotherapy sessions. ‘We’re going to adopt’ Kym ‘Dan and I would like to have a child together,’ she said. ‘Sadly I can’t have any more children but we could adopt. It’s wonderful to give a child a home – and it would be a very loving home.’ Marsh has…

Everyone’s talking about Fifty Shades Of Grey and it’s the biggest film of the year so far – but behind all the sex and glamour, a massive falling-out is taking place. First of all, director Sam Taylor-Johnson, 48, was said to have dropped out of the trilogy due to on-set clashes with author Erika L James. ‘Sam won’t be back for the Fifty Shades sequels. She wants out and Universal knows that’s the right decision,’ a movie insider said. ‘Her relationship with Erika has become toxic. They despise each other and blame each other for the problems with the film. And now, in a further twist, scriptwriter Kelly Marcel is also said to have quit amid claims she grew tired of the control Erika, 51, has over the films. One…

Dos and don’ts DON’T think all stripes make you look bigger – try different widths or vertical stripes instead DO ease yourself in by adding striped pieces to your everyday wardrobe – they’re an easy way to update jeans DON’T be afraid to mix and match different types of stripes but do stick to similar colours such as monochrome. DO give striped accessories a go – they instantly add interest to a plain outfit…

Our exclusive eating plan will not only make you feel healthier and have younger-looking skin, you can use our ‘better than Botox’ superfood diet to lose half a stone in just four weeks. There’s no strict regime – you simply follow these seven golden rules… THE GOLDEN RULES 1Choose at least three of the 10 superfoods from our list every day, making sure you cover all of them during the week. 2Include a minimum of five different types of fruit and vegetables daily. 3Eat enough to feel full but not stuffed – go for three meals without snacks if you can. 4Say no to added sugar and highly processed foods. Cut these out wherever possible. 5Any dairy products you choose should be lower fat – though some full-fat cheese is…

Look on any social media site and it’s instantly clear that we’re obsessed with taking selfies. In fact, it’s estimated that in Britain alone we take 35 million every month. But it seems our love of these kinds of pics has sparked a worrying trend – one that’s been dubbed ‘selfie surgery’. Unhappy with what the camera captures, more and more people are heading to cosmetic surgery clinics for procedures to help perfect their looks. Incredibly, in 2013, the pressure of the perfect selfie was believed to have been responsible for a 10% increase in nose jobs in the US. Marc Pacifico, from The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, is worried about this growing trend. ‘Often selfies aren’t representative of the real person,’ he says. ‘My concern is that,…

WEEK 1 Supercharge your diet ‘Onions and apples are full of the antioxidant quercetin, a natural antihistamine that will reduce itchy, sneezy symptoms when you come into contact with pollen,’ says nutritionist Judy Watson (judywatsonnutritionist.co.uk). ‘Add in a vitamin C supplement and keep taking it right through to the end of the September as it will help to further break down the histamine.’ Try Vitamin C With Bioflavonoids (£11.95 for 320 tablets from healthspan.co.uk). WEEK 2 Nose out the right treatment If you know you always suffer during the grass pollen season (which starts in late May), get started on nasal steroid treatment before the end of April, says Amena Warner, nurse advisor at Allergy UK. ‘There are a number of different sprays available over the counter (eg, Flixonase) or…

6 STEPS TO… choosing the right TV package A third of subscription TV customers struggle to meet their payments, according to subscription-free satellite TV service Frees at. Here’s how to find the best deal 1 DO SOME DETECTIVE WORK On average, we spend £398 a year on TV packages but only watch 25% of channels. The most popular programmes in December were on free channels! Call The Midwife, Strictly and Corrie were in the top 10, shown on BBC One and ITV. Jot down which shows you watch the most and ask yourself if you really are using any extra channels you pay for. 2 BUNDLE ADEAL Getting a subscription including broadband and phone can save you money in the long run. Compare deals at simplifydigital.co.uk and broadbandchoices.co.uk. 3 REMEMBER…

Just for FUN CLUES & ARROWS Fill in the clues in the direction of the arrows Quick & Easy If you really don’t have much time to spare, give your brain a break with one of these See if you can solve these in 10 minutes SUDOKU   To solve the puzzle, each 3x2 box, each column and each row must contain the numbers 1 to 6 WORD SEARCH The answer is the word missing from the grid BEER BOOKS CABS CHAMPAGNE CHOCOLATE CINEMA HAIR HOLIDAYS MASCARA NAILS PERFUME PETS PRESENTS SHAMPOO SHOES Puzzle solutions CROSSWORD CLUES & ARROWS WORD SEARCH SUDOKU CROSSWORD Put your feet up and have a go at our classic crossword ACROSS 1 Treatment for emotional problems (13) 8 Swearword, curse (4) 9 Wild yellow and…

I’ve always loved bingo, but it became difficult to get out to my local bingo hall. That’s when I discovered playing online – and I absolutely love it. I joined Woman’s Own Bingo two years ago, and I haven’t looked back. It’s wonderful to be able to play at home – and it’s been great for my social life. Something new There’s always something new to try, though you’ll usually find me in Emerald, which is a value room. Tickets start at just 1p each, so your money goes a long way. I’ve even got my husband, Trevor, 63, playing along now! We were both playing when I hit the jackpot recently. I was in the lounge on my computer and Trevor was in the kitchen on his. I don’t…

DCI Banks is back and Stephen Tompkinson is thrilled to be playing this no-frills character again. Woman’s Own sat down for a chat with the actor, 49, about what he enjoys watching on TV, what he gets up to at the weekend and the gadget that’s helping him to lose weight… Do you enjoy playing DCI Banks? I do, very much. He’s like your ideal person. There are no bells or whistles with him, he just gets on with his job. I don’t know if I would get on with him socially because I like a bit of a laugh. Do you ever watch yourself back on TV? All the time, it’s the only way one learns, especially with a camera. The cliché ‘less is more’ is so true. When…

Holiday I went to Costa Rica at Christmas with my partner Luke on an activity holiday. We did mountain biking through the jungle, white water rafting, zip lining, I learned to surf, hiked around volcanoes, Luke did a bungee… It was non-stop for two weeks. Big purchase I just spent £120,000 building my new website! It costs a lot because you have to pay for the designers, the developers, recipe writers, the nutritionist, the food scientist – it just doesn’t stop. Text It was from my friend Melinda Cooksey. She won the title of Bikini Diva at the Miss Galaxy Universe contest and has been helping out on my site as a nutritionist. The girl has a body to die for! Drunken night out Last weekend, when I went out…