Innholdsfortegnelse for 08-Mar-2021 i Woman's Own

‘Recently, they’ve not been joined at the hip’ There’s no doubt that This Morning is utterly brilliant at what it does. It’s been with us since 1988, when it started in Liverpool with the ultimate married TV couple, Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. And that’s the nub: the show is nothing without its presenters, and the presenters are nothing without the one ingredient all the clever stunts and scripts in the world can’t make up for – chemistry. With the whole Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes situation unsettling the camp, attention has now – even more worryingly – turned to the genius Monday-to-Thursday presenting pair of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. DRIFTING APART? It’s no secret that Holly, who turned 40 just three weeks ago, is making huge changes in…

Tucking my kids in bed, I smiled as my eldest, Emily, then five, reached out and gently stroked my bump. ‘How many sleeps until the new baby is here?’ she asked. It was June 2014, and then six months pregnant, I was just as excited as Emily and her little brother Leo, four. I’d always loved children, and now I was one step closer to having the big family I had always dreamt of. My partner Daniel, then 22, and I had started discussing having a baby of our own not long after we’d got together a year earlier. Emily and Leo were my kids from a previous relationship, but Daniel was so good with them, reading their favourite books and watching cartoons with them on the sofa, I knew…

‘MUM NEVER LET US SEE HOW DIFFICULT LIFE WAS FOR HER’ Effie Dower, 33, is the founder of baby-clothing company Sleep Thief. She lives in north London and wants to say thank you to her mum, Rhodope Kostalas, 60. Full of excitement, I could barely stand still as we queued at security, waiting to have our bags checked before we boarded the plane. It was 1997 and we were heading to Cyprus on our family holiday. Like a typical 11-year-old child, I couldn’t wait. ‘Stand still, you’re tiring me out,’ Mum laughed, balancing bags full of our passports and holiday documents on her lap as she wheeled herself towards the metal detectors. ‘She didn’t once blame her disability’ Mum was born with spina bifida – a severe curvature of the…

Leg pain stopping me exercising! Q I gained a stone during the lockdowns and, as my gym is still closed, I took up running. I am aiming for the Great South Run in the autumn but the last few days I have developed pain in my shins. Could I have splints? A You may well have. Shin splints often occur in runners, especially if you have suddenly increased your exercise. I’m afraid you will have to rest for a while. Try using ice packs for 20 minutes every two to three hours and simple painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen. When you start again, build up gradually and, if you can, invest in a pair of running shoes with good support. Needing some more time off work Q During 2020, my…

It worked for me Ruth Holroyd, 47, Buckinghamshire ‘Finding the right shampoo when you have eczema and very sensitive skin has been almost a life’s challenge, so I was thrilled to discover Kind2 The Sensitive One Shampoo Bar (£12.50, kind2.me). This lovely, natural bar doesn’t dry or irritate my scalp, is easy to use and lathers well. My hair feels silky smooth and I know I’m doing my bit to save the planet.’ 40% The amount of over 50s that suffer from some sort of hearing loss. 3 March marks World Hearing Day, which raises awareness of preventing hearing loss and promotes ear and hearing care across the world. Head to Boots for free regular hearing checks, as well as hearing care services. To book, visit bootshearingcare.com.*** *LELO UK 2020…

Feeling anxious? Energy tank running on empty? Our mealtimes might not be helping. A YouGov survey by the British Nutrition Foundation has revealed over a quarter of us have been eating less healthily during the pandemic and we could be missing out on key nutrients. ‘Vitamins and minerals don’t just have one role to play in the body – did you know that magnesium is involved in over 300 important bodily processes?’ says Bio-Kult’s nutritional therapist Claire Barnes. But a deficiency in one can impact our health significantly. Here’s what you should be plating up right now... Drinking more than normal? You need… Vitamin C Guilty of a Monday Merlot, a Tuesday Tanqueray, a Wednesday whisky…? Us too, but our livers might be paying the price. Even if you…

While we may be in and out of lockdowns, most of us, at least, have a place to bunker down and stay safe. Sadly, animal cruelty didn’t stop for coronavirus, so the same can’t be said of thousands of neglected, abandoned and rescued pets across the country. The RSPCA is dedicated to finding them warm, happy furever homes – even in those weeks and months when strict pandemic restrictions are in place. Whenever its animal centres are closed to the public, prospective adopters can meet animals via video conferencing and photo sharing, with pets then taken to their new homes by a staff member. Ozzy Breed: Staffordshire bull terrier Age: Eight years Branch: RSPCA Leeds, Wakefield and District Sadly, friendly Ozzy’s owner went into hospital in July last year and…

1 The Great Celebrity Bake Off, C4 Another bunch of celebrity bakers will be heading to the famous tent over the next four weeks in this spin-off for Stand Up for Cancer. Among those hoping to impress judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood this week are comedians Rob Beckett and Tom Allen. 2 The Celebrity Circle, C4 Reality series The Circle gets a six-part celebrity spin-off. The likes of Denise Van Outen, Duncan James and Loose Women’s Nadia Sawalha and Kaye Adams will move into the block of flats where residents communicate via a unique social media platform. Emma Willis hosts. 3 Moving On, BBC1 The daytime series returns with five more stories about people facing pivotal moments in their lives. The standalone dramas feature a host of famous faces,…

‘You’re not seriously suggesting we knock it down?’ Beverley said to Martin, her stomach churning at the thought. She put her mug on the coffee table and sat on the sofa beside her husband. ‘Well, according to Stuart, the feedback from the last viewing was that the chalet takes up too much space.’ ‘They obviously couldn’t see its potential. You’d have thought an estate agent would point it out,’ Beverley said indignantly. ‘And they also said our kitchen needs modernising.’ ‘Honestly! People would have to pay a fortune to get bespoke cabinets like ours. When I think back to all the care you took making and fitting those cupboards…’ ‘I know, but oak cabinets aren’t so popular nowadays.’ There was no denying it needed some TLC Beverley pressed her fingertips…

Kate Heading for BURNOUT? As her husband Derek Draper remains seriously ill in hospital, Kate Garraway has left a lot of us wondering how she juggles work, their children, and the emotional trauma of his illness. Psychotherapist Ruairi Stewart warns Kate, 53, must think of her own health now, not just Derek’s. Speaking to Woman’s Own, Dr Stewart says, ‘If someone becomes ill, you focus on their wellbeing and their recovery. But Kate’s got so much happening around her. It can require a lot of energy and focus, and can lead to burnout – that’s when people become overwhelmed. It’s so important for people to get support [and] lean into their support network or a mental-health professional.’ Kate, who – with Ben Shephard – recently stepped in for…

By her own admission, Brenda Edwards’ weight has fluctuated over the years. She has previously confessed that she started dieting after seeing herself on The X Factor back in 2005, and claimed Simon Cowell asked, ‘What have you come as?’ at her first audition. Now, however, aged 52 – and a breast cancer survivor, having undergone chemotherapy and a single mastectomy in 2016 – the Loose Women panellist tells Woman’s Own she feels more confident than ever with her curves. Brenda – who is mum to Jamal, 30, and Tanisha, 26 – also tells us why she’s  so grateful to have been working through lockdown, plus how she felt about Andrea McLean and Saira Khan’s exits from the show… Hi Brenda! How have you found the lockdowns? My weight fluctuates…

Green with envy A printed midi dress will be one of the hardest-working items in your wardrobe, thanks to the loose fit that skims over lumps and bumps. Wear it with heels for a dressed-up look or a utility jacket and trainers for a daytime take. POWER TROUSERS These leg-lengthening trousers are great for petites who want to add a few inches. Team with heels for extra height and you’ll have supermodel status in no time! RAINBOW BRIGHTS Earn your fashion stripes this season and boost your mood with a rainbow knit. The V-neck is super flattering for those with a fuller bust, while the detail on the lower half of the sleeves draws attention away from upper arms. DENIM DAYS Bootleg jeans are a classic style and are great…

Why won’t she leave her husband? Q One of my best friends complains about her husband all the time. She says he’s lazy and selfish. Her stories are funny and often have us all laughing, but I always come away wondering why she doesn’t leave him. He isn’t physically abusive, but I think his ‘jokes’ come across as mentally abusive. Julie, 52, Leicestershire A Many people fall into a pattern of complaining endlessly about their partners, partly to offload and partly because it can make for funny conversations. In reality, they often don’t tell you about the good parts, so you end up with a very distorted vision of the relationship. That said, if you feel there is a darker side, talk to your friend to find out if your…

Opting for private COVID-19 vaccines Q I feel a bit awkward about this. My partner and I are healthy 55-year-olds and as such will probably have to wait some time yet for our coronavirus vaccine. I have spoken to my surgery, who say they cannot give me a date as to when we might be called. Can I pay to have our vaccines privately? A When the vaccines were first licensed, the manufacturers committed to producing supplies for the NHS and, as far as I know, this hasn’t changed, so they are only available on the NHS. However, we have several approved vaccines and the programme has been ramped up, so you may not have to wait as long as you fear.…

What’s turning us off? A survey reveals that 12% of Brits haven’t had a sexual experience for over three years – with tiredness, poor mental health and negative body image being the biggest factors.* ‘Coronasomnia’ affecting Brits The number of people with sleep issues has risen since the start of the pandemic. According to research by Cambridge Sleep Sciences, 52% are now struggling to get to sleep. Probiotics may prevent coughs and colds A study has found a 40% reduction in upper respiratory tract infections among people who took Pro-Ven Probiotics ShapeLine probiotic supplements (£29.95, Boots).…

Blonde to brunette Thinking of switching to sultry brown? Choose your colour wisely, advises HARI’s Creative Colourist, Francesca Dixon. ‘Never apply a brown tint straight on top of your lightened hair, as it can create a beautiful tinge of khaki green.’ Choosing a shade is crucial. Never colour your hair more than two shades from your natural colour. So pick a warmer hue and keep it vibrant with Rita Hazan True Color Ultimate Shine Gloss in Brown, £21, Selfridges. Embrace the silver Don’t hide those greys! ‘Let silver hair shine through or add some highlights to blend it in,’ says Francesca. ‘Or if you’re already rocking the silver, try adding in a variant of shades. Slighter darker and lighter pieces will add a dimension that naturally white hair can lack.’…

‘The lump played on my mind’ Lowering myself onto the sofa, with a cup of tea in one hand and the TV remote in the other, I’m all set for the daily dose of my favourite show. I’m joined for breakfast most mornings by Scottish presenter, Lorraine Kelly, as she hosts her eponymous show, discussing current affairs and interviewing special guests. But for me, Lorraine is far more than a TV show, and every morning when I hear the familiar theme tune, I can’t help but feel incredibly grateful. See, it  was the show, and the people who work on it, that saved my life – and without it, I dare say I wouldn’t be here today. In 2018, while working as a make-up artist and being a single mum…

• Show who you are connecting with to a family member or friend. They will give you an honest opinion with no emotion attached. • Beware if someone gets very full-on, very quickly. • Be cautious if anyone asks about your family set-up, whether you have children or if you live on your own, and only share information when you feel the time is right. • Be wary of excuses not to video call. • Remember that photographs can be doctored. • Look them up on social media, has their profile been created recently? • Any requests for money, no matter how convincing their sob story, should be treated as a red flag.…

Dawn French has been playing The Vicar of Dibley’s chocolate-loving reverend, Geraldine, on and off, for more than 25 years. But in Gold’s new retrospective, The Vicar of Dibley: Inside Out, the comedian reveals how she had reservations about taking the role. ‘I thought, where are the jokes?’ ‘I was a bit sceptical that it could work,’ says Dawn. ‘I didn’t want to play a sweet person without any faults. I thought, “She’s very decent and good, but where are the jokes?”’ It was only after meeting a real-life female vicar that Dawn realised there was plenty of comedy potential. ‘She noticed how many empties there were outside,’ says the sitcom’s producer, Jon Plowman. ‘She thought, “Oh, vicars are allowed to drink, they are allowed to eat chocolate, they are…

Congratulations on your new deal – Debbie Webster is here to stay! The last five years I’ve been doing theatre non-stop, so I’m so grateful, I can’t tell you. So many of my mates aren’t working and it’s absolutely heartbreaking. It’s our world. When you’re out in the big wide world, you realise that it’s not ‘our’ world. Working in the theatre, you can walk into a room, sing a top C, do the splits and nobody bats an eyelid – I miss that camaraderie when I’m not working. A lot of my mates are jobbing actors and they’re driving vans. Debbie has been a huge hit since she came back – you must be over the moon. You feel guilty, in a way. I didn’t tell any of my…

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank have revealed that their son’s name is a tribute to Eugenie’s grandfather, Prince Philip. She wrote on social media, ‘We wanted to introduce you to August Philip Hawke Brooksbank.’ Richard Madeley was branded ‘creepy’ by some viewers over the way he stared at wife Judy Finnigan during a recent appearance on This Morning. While not everyone agreed, one said it made them feel ‘uneasy’. Amanda Holden marked her 50th on social media, posing on top of a giant cake. The Britain’s Got Talent judge wrote, ‘Bubbles are flowing... the cherry on top of a fabulous day.’ Looking amazing, Amanda!…

Oprah Winfrey’s chat with royals-gone-rogue Meghan and Harry will be compulsive viewing. The 90-minute special, produced by Oprah’s own company, promises to leave no stone unturned. But when did a TV chat with a member of the House of Windsor go well? Princess Diana and Martin Bashir? Prince Charles confessing adultery with Camilla? The Queen’s motto has always been never complain, never explain, so her extended family’s seemingly incessant need to bare their souls (and soles, in Fergie’s case) in public must be excruciating for her. ‘Imagine the Queen as a Strictly judge’ In fact, the one programme that would be ratings-busting would be Her Majesty explaining her true feelings about each of her loved ones in turn. Imagine her acting like a Strictly Come Dancing judge, with cards marking…

1 STOP WATCHING THE NEWS. Constant doom and gloom can bring down even the brightest mood. Limit your news intake and your exposure on social media to people who peddle fear and gloom. 2 GO OUTSIDE ONCE A DAY. Taking a long walk, especially in daylight, is amazing for your mood. Listen to music and you’ll feel even more positive about the day. 3 DOWNLOAD THE LIVE HAPPY APP. This app (free on iOS) is based on findings from the field of positive psychology. It prompts you to engage in a range of activities, which research has shown can boost your mood.…

When we hear the word ‘arthritis’, most of us think of someone much older and frailer than us. But arthritis can affect people of all ages, including children. This common condition causes joint pain, inflammation, stiffness and limited movement, and can significantly impact quality of life. We speak to Dr Fiona Watt, associate professor and consultant rheumatologist at the University of Oxford and spokesperson for Versus Arthritis, who reveals which groups are at risk and why, describes preventative measures and discusses exciting medical developments that, incredibly, could reverse joint damage… What is arthritis? Arthritis isn’t a single condition. There are several different types, but the main ones are osteoarthritis, which affects almost nine million people in the UK, and rheumatoid arthritis, which affects around 400,000. They may sound the same,…

Natural hair dye l COMMITMENT LEVEL LOW  ‘For those looking to experiment with their colour temporarily, this gradually fades with no harsh root line.’ WE LIKE: Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask, £6.85 for 30ml, lookfantastic.com Semi-permanent l COMMITMENT LEVEL MEDIUM  ‘Blends away greys and will fade after approximately six weeks.’ WE LIKE: L’Oréal Paris Casting Crème Gloss Conditioning Colour, £6.79. Permanent l COMMITMENT LEVEL HIGH  ‘This will give you 100% coverage on grey hair and is what you need if you want to lighten your hair, as other formulas are unable to do so.’ WE LIKE: Clairol Nice ’n Easy Crème Natural Looking Colour, £6.49. Always remember to do a patch test!…

Sausage and tomato pasta bake Serves 8 Easy to prepare ahead of time, this is sure to be a crowd-pleasing dinner. You will need ✽ 450g pack sausages – Toulouse are ideal ✽ 2tbsp olive oil ✽ 2 red onions, peeled and thinly sliced ✽ 3 cloves garlic, crushed ✽ 1½tsp dried mixed Italian herbs ✽ 2x400g tins chopped tomatoes ✽ Pinch of chilli flakes ✽ 75g pitted black olives, roughly sliced ✽ 1tsp sugar ✽ 400g penne pasta ✽ Bunch of fresh basil leaves, torn ✽ 150g mild Cheddar cheese, grated ✽ 125g mozzarella, torn How to do it 1 Heat the oven to 190C/Gas 5. Cook the sausages in the oven for 15 mins until browned, then slice. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large, deep pan, add…

HAVE YOU HEARD? More than half of drivers say they’ve struggled to understand the language used by mechanics when describing faults with cars and what needs to be done to fix them, an RAC Breakdown study revealed. Some 50% of those asked felt they’d been overcharged or ripped off by a garage, with 15% saying work they hadn’t agreed to was carried out. IF YOU DO ONE THING THIS WEEK… GET SORTED! It’s that time of year! Mother’s Day, on Sunday 14 March, is nearly upon us, so if you’re planning to send your mum flowers or a gift, then get it sorted this week. That way you’ll reduce the risk of having to pay pricey express delivery charges if you leave it until the last minute! DEAL OF…

Michelle Obama The former First Lady stars in Netflix series Waffles + Mochi, which aims to teach the joys of home cooking. She plays a supermarket owner alongside a puppet duo who travel across the world in a magical trolley to try different food. Jonny Wilkinson In Bear Grylls: Mission Survive on ITV, the England rugby legend will team up with survival expert Bear Grylls. This one-off documentary will follow the pair as they take on the wild with a series of physical and mental challenges.…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr Ever thought of hosting a virtual comedy event? I’m certain you have a few jokes and funny stories up your sleeve to entertain your friends with this weekend. Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May Are you looking to learn a new, stimulating skill? As you are an Earth sign, why not try gardening, sculpture, pottery or impress your partner with exotic cuisine. Gemini 21 May – 20 Jun Thinking about your plans, you are feeling inspired. If your goal is a new career or creative idea, choose something involving caring and nurturing others. Cancer 21 Jun – 22 Jul Be adventurous – take the lead and try not to get thrown off course. Try to get things started as you have enough ideas to…

NO STARS IN HIS EYES Telly legend Matthew Kelly won’t be revisiting his old hit any time in the near future – but knows who could fill his shoes if Stars in Their Eyes ever returned. ‘After doing the tribute [stage] show for breast cancer a few years ago, everybody went nuts for it and it was like, will I do it again? But I decided, no, I won’t do it again. I wouldn’t be asked anyway,’ he jokes. Ant and Dec, they are forever young – I’ve moved on, and drunk a lot!’ ALL BOYS TOGETHER Just when you thought Made in Chelsea star and 2020 Strictly hoofer Jamie Laing only had the moves for pro partner Karen Hauer, think again. ‘I really fancy Bill Bailey, basically,’ he told…