Indholdsfortegnelse for 24 July 2025 i Chat

Like many people, Maureen had never heard of Huntington’s disease (HD) when her beloved hubby, Ed, was diagnosed back in 1985. In the years since, she’s lost him and her own children to the genetic condition and is now caring for her grandson, who has also inherited HD. Thanks to Maureen for sharing her powerful story with Chat readers to raise awareness of what she calls a ‘cruel, evil, ugly disease’. She’s a strong woman, and her story will stay with everyone who reads it, me included. Have a great week,…

Eva Komuves, 49, Belfast Stood on the craggy rock, I looked out across the crystal blue waves that seemed to stretch on forever. ‘The view’s beautiful,’ I said to my date. ‘Mine isn’t bad either,’ he smiled, gazing right at me. It was May 2019. After connecting on a dating site, we’d arranged a first date, hiking up Cave Hill in Belfast. Like me, Rob, known as Lorn, was outdoorsy. I’d been single for more than a year. And Lorn, then 41, was so charming and handsome. As the days went on, we shared our first kiss, went on long bike rides and talked for hours. Lorn wrote me romantic poems too. So sweet. But after three weeks of dating, when we met up, Lorn was stressed. ‘I’ve got nowhere…

A periodically changing mural on the side of a climbing gym in Greenpoint, New York, played an important role in advertising which chart-topping album? To find out, solve the puzzle… The three answers in this puzzle read the same across and down. The clues are given, but not in the right order. Read down the shaded squares to spell the prize answer. WIN 5× £20 Puzzle 3 LOOKS AFTER HORRIBLE CURED MEAT FROM A PIG Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

FROM £5.99 STYLE TIP Choose a top that ends at your waist or hips to balance the wide jeans. Avoid overly slouchy styles to keep things polished. STYLE TIP For the most flattering shape, opt for a fitted top half and a cotton fabric which holds the shape without being too bulky. Wide fit STYLE TIP Go matchy-matchy with a coordinating outfit. Keep things fashionforward and wear with a pair of slip-on mule sandals. STYLE TIP Make sure whatever top you wear, it’s not competing with the volume of your skirt and is not overwhelming your frame.…

Dry skin remedy Q I’m a 60-year-old woman who’s been on steroids for rheumatoid arthritis for nearly 30 years. My skin is very thin, especially on my arms. Are there any creams or medications that can help? Holly, Brentwood A When we talk about steroids for rheumatoid arthritis, we mean anti-inflammatory ones, not anabolic steroids (taken to increase muscle mass). While these arthritis medications help with inflammation, they can cause side effects over time, including thinning skin. To help improve it, use a good-quality, all-over body moisturiser twice a day. Look for ones with hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides to keep your skin hydrated and strong. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist before trying new treatments. They can suggest options that fit your needs. You might also want to ask…

Thought to be the oldest working examples in the world, two trumpets recovered from the tomb of which historical figure were played on a BBC Radio broadcast in 1939? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Pylons = MASS + T = MASTS. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2 x £25 Puzzle 9 Pylons Dwelling Unruly children Step Light meal Summits Brief Baked loaf Marshland Relatives Saltwater Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Polar opposites Since 2003, Elf has been a festive family fave. But instead of funnyman Will Ferrell portraying Buddy, it was originally pegged for Jim Carrey. By the time casting calls came around, 10 years or so after it was first written, Jim was no longer interested. It’s probably for the best. We can’t imagine his own famous Chrimbo character, The Grinch, being called a ‘cotton-headed ninny muggins’! No silver lining The Princess Diaries, The Devil Wears Prada, Bride Wars, Love & Other Drugs… Anne Hathaway has been busy. And 2012’s Silver Linings Playbook could have been added to that list of hit movies, with Anne cast as the lead, Tiffany – until she fell out with the director and left the project to be replaced by Jennifer Lawrence. Was…

Growing up as a twin, it must be hard not to compare yourself to your sibling. For Tegan’s sister, who now goes by the name of ‘TheeHtxHottiee’, it was something she found particularly difficult. ‘Being a twin affected the relationship I had with my body, because my twin sister was always the naturally more curvy one,’ she explains. ‘I grew up in a little town in Texas,’ she says. ‘When I had my son, I was 13 days away from being 18 years old.’ Still so young, her shape was constantly changing. ‘Having a child changed my body in ways I was not ready for,’ she says. ‘I had stretch marks, I had hormonal imbalances, I had PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). All these things that caused me to maintain or…

Easy chicken Milanese This lighter take swaps the usual fried coating for a crispy crumb topping. Top tip You could use lean pork loin steaks instead of chicken. SERVES 2 PREP 20 MINS COOK 20 MINS 2tsp olive oil, plus extra for brushing 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 400g tin cherry tomatoes 1tbsp balsamic vinegar ½tsp smoked paprika 120g bucatini or other long pasta shape 1tbsp capers (optional) 2tbsp breadcrumbs 1tbsp Parmesan, finely grated  ½tsp dried oregano 2 small skinless chicken breasts, seasoned Handful fresh basil or oregano leaves, to serve (optional) Add the cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and smoked paprika. Season. Bring to a simmer, turn down the heat and cook for around 20 mins, until reduced and saucy. Fry the capers (if using) for 3 mins, then stir…

Aries 21 March-20 April The Moon in Aries on 18 July guides you to start afresh in some area of your life. Consider where you need to make changes and follow through with courage. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May You’re a gentle, grounded sign, preferring quiet to hustle and bustle. Prioritise peace, because you need to honour the part of you that desires this. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Venus in your sign helps you make new connections with people who will be important in future ventures. Move beyond your comfort zone to aid positive change. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July With Jupiter and the Sun in Cancer, you can be seen…

Q My hair always looks frizzy in the heat – can I do anything to keep it smooth? Alison Worley, 58, Northampton A UV rays cause breakage, split ends and frizz, so keeping hair under control can be tricky when it’s hot and humid out. Your hair soaks up moisture in the air, making it fluff up. But if you keep it well hydrated, it’ll be less likely to absorb moisture from the air and frizz out. Upgrade your shampoo for something more moisturising like Being Bye Bye Frizz Smoothing Shampoo, £7.99, Superdrug, and get into the habit of weekly masking. Q+A Intense Hydration Hair Mask, £10.95, qandaskin.com, transforms dry, unmanageable hair. Before styling, apply Tresemmé Lamellar Shine Spray, £10, Boots, to knock out frizz and keep hair smooth for…

TEXT Simply text CHATA followed by a space and your answer/s (spaces between answers please) full name, door number and postcode to 63333 Texts cost 50p plus standard network charge (maximum 160 characters per text). When you enter by text, you may in future get SMS marketing messages from Future plc and Chat. If you want to receive these, please end your text with OPTIN. Texting tips Don’t put any spaces in an answer that has several words: eg: CHATISTHEBEST not CHAT IS THE BEST. If the answer is a name, you need only give the surname: eg: CLOONEY not GEORGE CLOONEY. You can use capitals or small letters, but don’t use any commas, etc. Leave out answers you don’t wish to enter. INTERNET Join our Chat Comp Club now…

Anyone from your town in the list this week..? Chat winners issue 17 (24 April 2025) £1,001 CASH L Davis, Egremont £500 CASH R Mortimer, Littlehampton J Mitchell, Exeter £250 CASH A Bold, Blackpool L Kleister, Gloucester £200 CASH D Smith, Rotherham £100 CASH M Broyles, Bristol J Belton, Nottingham A Postlethwaite, Dagenham £75 CASH J Mitchell, Exeter £50 CASH Y Burns, Bolton L Hitchmough, Prescot C Kendrick, Chester A Rowe, London P Barnett, Cardiff C Stokes, Northallerton £40 CASH D Billingham, Rugby £30 CASH H Cadman, Oldham S Hawkins, Leicester £25 CASH C McKenna, Aughnacloy C Kilford, Stevenage £20 CASH N Sayers, Exeter F Allinson, Bishop Auckland E Shimmin, Isle of Man M Butt, Glasgow O Morris, Holyhead F McDowell, London J Morris, Treharris A Lloyd, Nuneaton S Knight,…

Dear Miranda, Snuggled on the sofa with your brother Sam, then 3, you giggled at Peppa Pig on the TV. Born in September 2006, your first year had flown. Now you were a toddler, always leaving a trail of toys, you’d certainly found your feet. And your voice, whether asking for your favourite snack, blueberries, or bumping your little beaker against our cups. ‘Cheers!’ you’d grin, cheekily. By January 2008, aged 15 months, you’d caught a cold. At bedtime on 8 January, I read you and Sam a story. And you drank milk from your bottle. ‘Mummy loves you,’ I smiled, leaning into your cot for a kiss. You drifted off, snuggling your comforter, ‘Lamby’. Next morning at 7am, your daddy Jamie, then 34, was away with work when I…

Premier (T)inn My mum-in-law Cheryl saved some soup tins and made a simple bug hotel, with my children. A cheap, fun summer holiday craft idea to keep the kids entertained, and it’s great for insects too. Imogen Oaks, Leiston, Suffolk Sea this! I love looking for sea glass on local beaches. I glued the little pieces onto a piece of card, for petals, and painted in a stem, butterfly and grass. My glassy picture will always remind me of summer. Joanne Campbell, Carrickfergus, County Antrim Bags of space When I’m finished with my ziplock freezer bags, I wash them out and reuse them for packing shoes and other small items when going on holiday. One shoe fits nicely into each ziplock bag. Helen Morgan, Wicklow, County Wicklow £25 For every…

As Amy Ayers, 13, fixed her hair before going to meet mates, her dad Bob watched on fondly. ‘We love you,’ her parents called as she left the house. Wearing cowboy boots and her mum’s heart-shaped belt buckle, Amy said she loved them too. Later that night, in December 1991, Amy turned up at I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt!, a dessert parlour selling frozen puddings in Austin, Texas. She went with her friend Sarah Harbison, 15. Sarah’s big sister Jennifer, 17, was working there with Eliza Thomas, 17. YOU’RE THE JUDGE! The two younger girls were hoping for a lift home once Jennifer and Eliza had locked up. But none of the teens made it home that night. Harrowing inferno Just before midnight, a policeman spotted smoke coming from the…

1 Helps you lose weight Drinking more water can boost weight loss by slightly increasing metabolism, says dietician Lola Biggs from togetherhealth.co.uk. Heading out for a meal? Have a glass half an hour before you eat – it can help you feel fuller so you consume fewer calories. What’s more, drinking water regularly can reduce bloating, as it prevents water retention, caused by dehydration. 2 Boosts energy Cells are responsible for taking nutrients from food and converting them into energy. ‘But to function efficiently, they require optimum hydration,’ says Lola. Even being mildly dehydrated can affect your energy levels and ability to think clearly, according to studies carried out at the University of Connecticut’s Human Performance Laboratory. Next time that afternoon slump hits, switch that Hobnob for some H2O. 3 Makes you happy Mood…

Jenny Sharp, 50, York Sorting through her colourful leotards, my daughter Naomi, then 18, looked so upset. A keen acrobatic gymnast, she’d recently suffered a knee injury. So bad, she could no longer compete. And naturally, she was devastated. I was desperate to see her smile again. ‘There must be something else you can do,’ I told her. So I racked my brain for activities that she could try. Something physical that wouldn’t impact her leg. Like me, Naomi was adventurous, loved trying new things. And as I researched, I had an idea. Maybe there was something we could do together. After all, I knew exactly how Naomi felt. A few years earlier, in 2021, I’d had to give up running – something I’d loved. Suffering from various perimenopause symptoms,…

Gemma Clarke, 39, Rotherham With my eyes on the road, I tried to soothe my passenger. ‘Nearly home,’ I reassured, looking in the rear-view mirror. Howling in the back seat was my new 12-week-old beagle puppy Nala. It was April 2017 and I’d just picked her up. I’d been researching different breeds and thought that a beagle, with their friendly and gentle nature, would be perfect for me. And the second I’d seen Nala’s face, it was love at first sight. ‘She has a heart on her nose!’ I’d gasped, pointing to a little pink smudge on her snout. Now, three weeks later, she was in my car, making a huge racket. Back home, she settled in quickly. But where she’d been calm and snoozy when I’d first met her,…

3 ways to… save on holiday extras Don’t shell out on added costs when you go away. Here’s how 1 Park it right If you need to drive to the airport, sort your parking ASAP as it can get more expensive the longer you leave it, and costs can be eye-wateringly high if you just turn up without pre-booking. So shop around. You’ll usually find cheaper deals from providers outside the boundary of the airport than on-site (although not always, so it’s worth checking). But don’t just go on price; do your research and choose a provider carefully. And if you need to stay overnight before your flight, it’s worth checking parking deals that include a hotel stay. Find more info on what to consider at which.co.uk. 2 Weigh it up When…

Angela Johnson, 38 Staring at my ice cream, I couldn’t bring myself to look at the boy sitting opposite me. It was May 2003 and, aged 16, it was the first time I’d met Cade, then 19. But while most girls my age would be nervous on a first date, for me, there was much more at stake. Because although Cade was a complete stranger to me, in just two days, he’d be my husband. Growing up in a breakaway Mormon sect – the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) – in Canada, I’d always known I’d marry young. My older sister got hitched at 15. Now, it was my turn. The bishop of our 1,500-person community had matched me with Cade. But, as I picked at…

Elidh Hoyland, 60, from Dumbarton Do you prefer summer or winter? Summer, for the lighter, longer days. People are just in a happier mood. I’m not a sun lover, so I don’t sit out if it’s too hot, but summer is still my winner! What is your favourite part of a roast dinner? Meat and crispy roast potatoes with honey glazed carrots are all delicious. But for me, the best part is the Yorkshire puddings. My husband Jonathan does 99% of the cooking in our house. He comes from Yorkshire and his Yorkshire puddings are out of this world. What is your favourite film? The 1990 film Truly Madly Deeply. The actors Alan Rickman and Juliet Stevenson show their talents to the full. The message is that when someone dies…

Described by critic Joseph Kerman as ‘the most problematic’ of Beethoven’s works, Op. 133 is in what musical form? The number next to the clue tells you which line the answer’s in. We’ve put a section in to start you off! There may be two Across answers in one line. Down words fill themselves in. The shaded squares spell out the prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 1 Cake icing, in America 3 Baby’s protective garment • Compare 5 Small branch • Close 7 Tool for boring • Vicar’s title (abbr.) 9 Giving way Your answer:…

Maureen Graham, 79, Waterlooville, Hampshire Baby bottles lined the draining board, pots and pans piled high in the kitchen side. From upstairs, I heard a cry. Then, a key in the door. ‘I’m home,’ my husband Ed, then 36, called, stepping inside the madhouse. It was 1980 and with four young kids, we certainly had our hands full. But we wouldn’t have it any other way. Rolling up his sleeves, Ed got stuck into the washing-up, while I nipped upstairs to get Marie, then 12, Anthony, 6, Elizabeth, 4, and Peter, 1, ready for bed. Back when I was 19, as a trainee nurse, I’d cherished the love letters Ed had sent me as an apprentice marine engineer, away at sea. Now 34, up to my eyes in nappies –…

Clair O’Brien, 59, Newquay Standing under the hot shower, I rinsed the soap off my body. As I brushed my hands over my left breast, I stopped. A lump. Cancer? It was 2013 and I’d been tired lately, but life was busy. Working full time, taking care of my daughters Lotti, then 12, and Ella, 14, and caring for my parents. Now, I worried it was something more sinister. ‘I’ve found a lump,’ I confessed tearfully to my husband Sean. Giving me a hug, he urged me to see my GP. ‘I’m going to send you for tests,’ the doc said. I was terrified. But after a mammogram, I had an answer. ‘A cyst,’ the specialist said. Relief flooded through me. I just had to get it drained. Only, more…

Magda Berg, 45, Amersham, Buckinghamshire Watching my dad up on stage, I felt so proud. ‘That’s my dad,’ I boasted to my friends as he drummed along to rock music with his band. Aged 10, I loved going to his gigs. I’d tag along to rehearsals and knew all the words to his songs. But while he was a talented musician, I couldn’t play a note. Maybe it was because I was adopted. Just 5, when I’d started primary school, Mum and Dad had sat me down and explained they’d chosen me to be their daughter. Still so young, I hadn’t really understood what it meant. All I knew was that they loved me. ‘You’ll always be our girl,’ Dad told me. Only now, in 1990, I was starting to…

Guilt over poorly mum Q My mum worked until her fingers were twisted and her knees were ruined. Now she’s on a waiting list for a hip replacement. She barely leaves the flat. I do what I can, but I’m running out of energy. The guilt is unbearable. How do I carry all this? Esther, 50 A Your poor mum is one of many in this terrible situation but knowing that doesn’t make it easier, pet. Well done on stepping in but you need to take care of yourself, too. Look into respite care, someone who can pop in and keep Mum company? Carers UK will help you find options. This way you can carve out quality time with Mum sooner rather than later. Fibbing sister’s cash lies Q I…

On the outside, Nicholas Prosper was a polite, studious boy. When he left school in July 2022, he was described by teachers as quiet and geeky. He had a small group of friends, all sharing an interest in computers. It was only when he started sixth form that teachers noticed ‘a change’. With an undiagnosed neurological developmental disorder related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Nicholas couldn’t keep up. He became more and more isolated – more withdrawn at home, too. He hated sixth form, was angry at his mum Juliana for making him go. At the flat he shared with her and his siblings Kyle and Giselle in Luton, he’d often shut himself in his room. Always on his computer. And he seemed to develop some unhealthy obsessions. One with…