Innehållsförteckning för 28-Dec-2017 från Chat

It happened quickly...but falling in love felt so natural I’ll always remember the night I met Gareth. It was 19 December 2010. We were both at work Christmas parties at the same place. I was a teacher, Gareth a police officer. We got chatting, spent the whole night together. Gareth, 30, opened up. Told me how he’d battled testicular cancer after being diagnosed on Christmas Eve 2009. Then in spring 2009, he’d needed open-heart surgery to fix an aortic aneurysm. A survivor, he’d beaten the odds. And, despite everything, Gareth hadn’t lost his sense of humour. Smitten, we swapped numbers at once. ‘I’m going to marry that man,’ I told friends. They laughed, but I knew I was right. Over Christmas, we chatted on the phone, exchanged thousands of messages.…

Co-op Bitesize Sausage Rolls, 160g £1.99 A party food classic, these little pastry bites are filled with lightly seasoned, British pork. Delicious eaten hot or cold. Linda McCartney Vegetarian Mini Pork & Apple Sausage Rolls, 342g, £2, Asda These tasty, meat-free rolls have a lovely sweetness that comes from the apple, and the pastry is crisp and golden. A great veggie party snack. Aldi Specially Selected Pork, Bacon & West Country Cheddar Sausage Rolls, 188g, £1.59 Encased in rich, all-butter puff pastry and made with 100 per cent British, outdoor-bred pork, these are substantial, affordable and very tasty. NEW  Hortus Gin Rhubarb & Ginger Liqueur, £11.99, Lidl This tasty tipple with a slight ginger warmth will add a trendy twist to a drinks party. Serve neat over ice, or mixed…

Clearing out a loved one’s home can be very painful for relatives In sensitive situations, we put ourselves in the shoes of our clients Grime on the walls, blood on the carpet – it’s all in a day’s work for me and my partner Julie McHugh… Whether it’s the scene of a brutal crime that needs cleaning, or a place affected by neglect or death, we’re the ladies for the job. Our strong stomachs are ready to tackle the job of removing all traces from a grisly murder scene, as well as spring-cleaning properties left in a disgusting state for landlords, or flushing out insect infestations. When I first met Julie, now 52, last year, she’d been doing this kind of work for years. Despite her gruesome job, she had…

The Highway Rat BBC1 This animation is based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s 2011 picture book. David Tennant voices the rodent who steals treats. Rob Brydon narrates, while Nina Sosanya voices Duck, Tom Hollander is Squirrel and Frances de la Tour is Rabbit. The Great British Bake Off C4 Four bakers from the previous series head back to the Bake Off tent for head-to-head seasonal challenges. Expect some surprise musical guests and very dodgy Christmas jumpers as everyone has a good old singsong… Little Women BBC1 This three-part adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s charming novel is set against the backdrop of the American Civil War and follows the four March sisters. It stars Angela Lansbury as cantankerous Aunt March and Michael Gambon as their neighbour Mr Laurence. Call The…

I wore a strapless dress that showed off my shape It was December 2007, and work was totally manic – managing a record store at this busy time of year, was total chaos! But one of the Christmas temps made it worth it… Michael, 32, was funny, kind and hardworking, and he’d caught my eye on his first day! He’d become a good friend and we’d spend hours laughing together. I wanted more, but it wasn’t professional to date an employee. When Michael’s seasonal contract finished, I was gutted. But we swapped numbers and texted every so often. Then, in April 2008, I was made redundant. All I could think about was Michael. I’m going to make that boy mine, I thought. And it worked – we soon started dating.…

We’ve booked a trip to Mexico! My £1,000win with a 10p ticket! Now I can’t wait to go holiday shopping… By Josephine Howarth, 56, from Nottingham Since Christmas last year, I’ve had one aim – to lose weight. At 17st 5lb, I was feeling chubby, and wanted to shed some pounds. So I cut out all the unhealthy foods I often scoffed, and soon I was on a healthy diet. The weight fell off me as I discovered other ways to indulge myself that didn’t involve chocolate! One treat was continuing to play bingo! I’ve always loved it – both online and at the hall. Chat Mag Bingo is great fun – really friendly, with some super bingo and slot games to play from just 1p. My favourite room is…

I’ll continue to do it for as long as I possibly can... Listening to my eldest daughter Dominique, 35, talk about the latest child she was fostering, I felt a rush of pride. With three children of her own – Phoebe, Africa and Verity – Dominique was so selfless, giving kids a safe, loving home. ‘I really admire you,’ I said. And then a thought came to me. Maybe I could do this, too? My husband John and I had often talked about fostering. Only, when he’d passed away suddenly from pancreatic cancer in 2013, at just 57, I’d given up on the idea. But surely this was a great way of continuing his legacy? So, in 2014, I decided I was going to do it. I’d make John proud.…

1 Make a splash… Voted the best water park in the world by TripAdvisor visitors, Siam Park is a must for thrill-seekers. Kids will have an amazing time in this giant playground of wave machines and rides. 2 Go whale watching… What could beat a morning watching whales and dolphins bobbing alongside your boat? Freebird catamaran tours from Puerto Colón on the Costa Adeje all but guarantee sightings, so you know you'll be in for an unforgettable day. 3 Take a trek… Head right to the source of Tenerife's famous black sand, as you walk around Samara volcano in the Teide National Park. Set out early to avoid the midday heat and don't forget your trainers. 4 Pack the SPF… With average temperatures staying above 20C all year round, Tenerife…

As news spread, a witness came forward… THE CRIME As the New Year beckoned, a French teenager, known only as Lea, was looking forward to a bright future. She was just 17, with her whole life ahead of her. But a man she met at a party had other ideas - and, as midnight struck, a murder was imminent… THE STORY Lea, 17, was having the time of her life. She was celebrating New Year’s Eve with a group of friends in a villa in Montpellier, France. Everyone was in good spirits, drinking together, laughing and listening to music. As the clock edged closer to midnight, closer to 2011, in her heart, Lea knew it was going to be a good year. A modern yet romantic girl, she had thousands…

HOT STUFF? Miami lawyer Stephen Gutierrez (right) found himself in flames, while defending a client for arson. During the trial, Gutierrez' trousers ignited, apparently due to a faulty e-cigarette battery in his pocket. He rushed to the loo and put out the flames, but he was taken off the case when the judge didn't believe it was just a coincidence. IT’S A SNIP SNAP! British model Tracy Kiss recently posted a snap on Instagram of a rather unusual pendant - made from her private parts! Tracy had surgery to remove excess skin from her labia, after 29 years of painful problems. And, to mark the occasion, she turned the cut-off bits into jewellery. As you do... HOLE-Y COW! Not a-moo-sed! Firefighters came to the rescue after this cow managed to…

I had no choice but to do as he wanted… Locking myself in my bedroom, I scribbled away in my diary. Today, the mechanic I have a crush on smiled at me… I wrote. Aged 11, I often went to help out at my dad Walter’s garage. And I had a big schoolgirl crush on one of the younger lads who worked there. I loved helping out Dad there. He and his business partner Terence Beebe had owned the place since 1978. Best mates, they always worked well together. Terence and his wife were like my aunt and uncle. Every Friday night, I’d stay at their place and we’d get fish and chips, rent films to watch. I loved it. Then, one day several weeks after I’d written in my…

Quitting tips Q I stopped smoking this year, but it's hard since my husband retired, as he's always smoking around me! Ivana, 53 A My number-one tip is to persuade him to quit, too. It's better for his health, and it's hard if someone's smoking around you. Use nicotine gum or spray to fight cravings, and if you can't resist joining him for a puff, consider vaping instead as it's safer. Light glare Q Lights at night have started to glare and dazzle, and I've had to give up night driving. What's going on? Brenda, 72 A This could mean cataracts, discolouration in the middle of the lens inside your eye. The cataract scatters bright light, leading to glare - and, as it grows, might cause blurring. Troublesome symptoms mean…

Coronation Street Will Peter kill Billy? Vengeful Peter drives Billy to a cliff’s edge… Billy’s kept Peter in the dark about the secret behind his sister Susan’s death but, this week, the truth comes out in the most terrifying way. A freak accident leaves Billy fighting for his life and only Peter can save him. Convinced he’s about to die, Billy makes a startling deathbed confession, leaving Peter reeling and out for revenge… Emmerdale The spotlight’s on ‘Robron’! Former lovers Robert and Aaron - aka ‘Robron’ - will be taking centre stage for a Christmas Day episode that sees Robert, who’s become estranged from Aaron and been plotting to ruin the White family, relive a nightmare over and over again… Terrified by what’s happening to him, viewers will see Robert…

Coffee Facemask, £4.99, Superdrug  This pot of coffee-blended goodness perks up your skin just like a cup of the good stuff helps kickstart your brain! Great for reducing puffiness. Jeju Jelly Mask, £4.50, beauty  bay.com If festive boozing and overeating has left you with breakouts, this is for you. It draws out impurities for a really deep clean. Simply Pure Leave On Water Mask, £3.99, Superdrug  Soothe red, irritated skin with a thin layer of this leave-on mask. It dries quickly and has a refreshing, tingly feel to it! Yes To Tomatoes DIY Powder-To-Clay Mask, £4.99, feel  unique.com  Using the paper bowl (it's included), just mix the ingredients together and this will work wonders on, over-oily skin.…

When I told Richard, he was in shock – we all were! Over the last few years, I’ve enjoyed many precious moments with my two grandkids from my son Jonathan, 40, and my daughter Andrea, 38. The kids love visiting their nana, and I’m so excited that, in February, my daughter-in-law Emma is due to give birth again. I don’t get out as much as I’d like, and having the kids round is joyous. In the summer, we enjoy barbecues, and, as the days get colder, we play board games. I’ll often treat the kids to the latest toy, too. ‘You’re an over-indulgent grandma,’ my hubby Richard, 68, is always telling me. I’ve always enjoyed reading Chat magazine and completing the fantastic puzzles. And I’ve often read the stories about…

Miracle twins LETTER of the week! I'm always amazed when babies as small as Shona's (2 Nov issue) survive. Her twins Dolly and Albert really are living miracles. Doctors were convinced they wouldn't make it but, thanks to their brilliant medical care, they did. Technology has come a long way in helping premature babies. I wish Shona and her family all the best. Genna Burton, Corwen WE PAY CASH Football cap! This New Year, I’d really like to see a cap on all football players’ wages. It’s utterly ridiculous that one player can earn more than £100,000 for one week’s work. Ginette Hughes, Broxbourne March of time An elderly man in the retirement block at which I live said to me, ‘When I reached middle age, I got my head…

I was sure something really awful would happen I’d tap my palm with my thumbs: both hands, four times Running up to my nan’s door, my heart was pounding. I had to touch it first. I was 7 and racing my brother Rory, 9. But my eagerness wasn’t just about winning. If I don’t touch Nan’s door first, something really terrible will happen, I thought. Why I thought that, I don’t know. Maybe I was worried the fairy would tell Nanny I’d been bad? You see, my nan Barbara told me a fairy visited her every night and told her if I’d been naughty. ‘Did fairy tell you I’ve been a good girl?’ I’d ask Nan. A little ritual of ours. ‘Yes!’ Nan would hug me with a smile.…

Someone made the brave decision to donate The doctor sat us down and we knew something must be wrong. It was June 2012 and we were at our local hospital in Hull. My husband Alan, 45, had been breathless, had a persistent cough. ‘It’s not cancer,’ the doctor told him, to our relief. ‘But you do have a lung disease that’s untreatable.’ The doctor explained that Alan had something called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) – a condition in which the lungs become scarred. Alan didn’t smoke, had always been quite athletic – he coached my daughter’s rugby team. But, one day, during practice, he’d had to sit down and catch his breath. And, from then on, things had just got worse. Now the doctor was explaining that IPF was a…

Now I’m back working in a high-street shop... Funny the things that can change your life. In 2005, I was off work with depression. My 15-year marriage had ended and I’d lost all confidence in myself. Then I saw an online advert for body casts… You could have a full-size impression made of your own bust! Looks interesting, I thought. I’d always loved Art. I’d studied it at college, and, years earlier, I’d worked as a window-dresser. So I made some enquiries – and, next thing I knew, me and my sister Yvonne were travelling to Maidstone, Kent, to get a cast of my breasts! Standing in the studio in just my knickers, the artist covered me in Vaseline to stop the plaster of Paris sticking to me. ‘I’ve never…

Every day, Shannon amazes me with her resilience When my daughters were born in October 2006, they were perfect. Mirror-image twins Shannon and Stacey were identical in every way. But I noticed Shannon kept tilting her head to one side. Tests revealed she had very mild cerebral palsy. It’s a condition that affects movement and coordination. As she got older, Shannon didn’t let her cerebral palsy hold her back. Anything Stacey could do, Shannon did, too. ‘She’s a tough little cookie,’ I told Paul. But when the girls were 5, Shannon began to feel more tired. I took her to our GP, who didn’t think it was serious. Then, Shannon complained that her whole body ached. Again, doctors dismissed our concerns. But every month, Shannon seemed to develop new symptoms:…

What if my children had been playing outside?! As I climbed into my car after a sweaty gym session, my mobile rang. It was my friend Eleanor Stephen, 41, and she was in a real panic. ‘What’s happened?!’ I asked. Eleanor worked from our home for my property developer husband Ross, 51. She was at my house now, along with our dog Harper. ‘I heard a massive bang!’ Eleanor’s voice gabbled down the phone. ‘Like a gunshot, but even louder. It made the whole house shake.’ It was a Tuesday morning back in September. What on earth was going on? ‘I can see white stuff all over the garden, too,’ she continued. ‘And Harper’s going mad.’ I thought Harper had just chewed something up and strewn it across the lawn.…

Serves: 16 Prep: 15 mins, plus chilling Cook: 2 mins Cost per serving: 38p 1 Grease and line a 20cm sq, shallow baking tin. 2 Melt 350g chocolate and 50g butter in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water, or in the microwave on a low heat for 1-2 min, stirring after the first minute. Don't overheat or chocolate will seize. 3 With a rolling pin, crush 150g rich tea biscuits in a plastic bag, leaving some chunks. Stir 50g walnut pieces, 50g raisins, 70g halved glace cherries and the crushed biscuits into the melted chocolate. Mix well to combine, then tip into the prepared tin, pressing the mixture down with the back of a spoon. 4 Leave in the fridge for about 2 hours until firm and…

The whole house was black, the TV had melted When I answered my phone that day in April last year, I thought it was a prank call. ‘Your house in on fire!’ my neighbour said. I was on my way to the park with my children Wayne, then 10, Ellie May, 6, and Bradley, 16. Well, Bradley was actually my nephew, but he’d been like a son to me and my husband Andrew since he’d come into our care aged 2. There’d been some family issues, so it was better he lived with us. But as he got older, his behaviour worsened. Shouting abuse at teachers and smashing up the staff room led to him being kicked out of school. My heart leapt as I turned the car around and…

They said treatment might leave me infertile... As the doctor confirmed it, my parents and I were shocked. ‘Cancer?’ my mum Charmaine gasped, tears in her eyes. It was 2002 and I was 15. My symptoms had started six months earlier. In four months, I’d gone from a size-18 to a dangerous size-6, a shadow of my former self. My parents, both nurses, were concerned, had taken me to the doctor after I’d dropped two sizes. ‘It’s your age,’ the doctors told them initially. ‘She’s just losing a bit of puppy fat.’ But I had to force down a slice of toast every day, was so tired I only made it to school twice a week. The more weight I lost, the more my parents pushed for tests. Finally, I…

Serves: 1 Prep: 5 min Cook: 10 min Cost per serving: 68p 1 Halve one English muffin and toast lightly until just crisp, then spread with butter. (For a lighter brunch, serve one half per person, as shown.) 2 Put 2 rashers of bacon under the grill and cook 5-8 min, until just starting to crisp. Drizzle the cooked bacon with 1tsp clear, runny honey. 3 Top the buttered muffin with bacon, garnish with a small handful of rocket and drizzle over some extra honey. Season with black pepper if liked, and serve. Top Tip For a more substantial brunch, you could add some grated Cheddar and a fried, poached or scrambled egg to your muffin.…

Items would float in midair before crashing to the floor When, in January 1967, she kept hearing objects hitting the ground and glass shattering, Ruth May thought her young male colleagues were playing silly games. The owners and managers of the Tropication Arts souvenir warehouse in Miami assumed the same. ‘Be more careful!’ they warned their workers. Only, both managers and employees started to witness objects flying off shelves and boxes moving on their own… Some claimed items would float in mid-air before crashing to the floor. The spooky activity could take place in front of as many as 15 witnesses. ‘It must be a ghost,’ some insisted. But could the warehouse really be home to an otherworldly presence? Unnerved, manager Alvin Laubheim called the police, but they were stumped.…

Aries 21 March - 20 April Buses used to carry warnings not to get off or on before the vehicle was at a standstill. Great opportunities are approaching - but, if you try to act on them before they’re actually here, you could slip. Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May It seems you’re about to take a serious step, probably involving legal procedures. At every stage, you’ll be asked if this is really what you want. Think through the consequences before you say yes. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June Is an old romance about to be revived? Well, it never really went away - you just lost interest for a while. But, now you’ve had a chance…