Innehållsförteckning för 20 March 2025 från Chat

Want an instant pick-me-up? Turn to p23 to see adorable little Jemimah-Rose. That smile! You’d never guess from her happy face what a tough time that poor bub, and her mum Montelle, have been through. Elsewhere, we’re remembering life in the first Covid-19 lockdown (p26). Can you believe it’s been five years? It was a sad and stressful time for so many, but it was also just plain weird and that’s what we’re looking back on. Where’s the time gone..? Have a great week,…

Grace, 31, London As the face popped up on the work monitor, I smiled. ‘Hi Karl,’ I said. ‘How are you?’ It was October 2022 and Karl Chads, then 40, had recently joined my team at a management company where I worked. A bid writer like me, helping to win new clients. Our manager had asked me to take Karl through some procedures, on a one-to-one video call. Working from home every day, I was used to chatting to colleagues online. Well-spoken, in a suit and tie, and with loads of experience, I’d expected Karl would be an asset to our team. Only now, speaking to him for the first time, I wasn’t so sure. With a robotic demeanour, Karl never cracked a smile. And as days went by, I…

WII £1,001 Puzzle 4 What do actors Cynthia Nixon and George Takei have in common? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the five-word prize answer. Across 1 Teams (5) 4 Noise made by a snake (4) 6 Places of worship (8) 13 Football official (7) 14 One of Santa’s reindeer (7) 15 Work out the answer to (5) 16 Smell strongly (4) 17 Make warm again (6) 18 Took part in a game (6) 20 Observes (4) 21 Without company (5) 22 Loosened (6) 25 Taking heed (8) 28 Slaps (6) 30 ‘Turn the _ cheek’ (5) 32 Timetable (8) 34 Cereal crop (6) 35 Unmixed, untainted (4) 38 American inventor, _ Edison (6) 39 Painter’s frame (5) 40 Raised, elevated (6)…

Pain in the knee Q I’m usually fit and healthy, but recently I’ve had a sharp, needle-like pain in my knee. Over the weekend, I slipped and now my knee is extremely sore with mild swelling. When I try to straighten it, it locks. What’s wrong? Fran, south London A It sounds like you may have hurt the meniscus (a cushion of cartilage) or ligaments. The sharp pain and locking sensation could mean something is stuck or damaged inside the joint, like a torn meniscus. Slipping might have worsened the issue. You should visit a doctor or physiotherapist soon. They can assess it and may suggest a scan (like an MRI) to see what’s going on. Meanwhile, rest your knee and use ice to ease the swelling. You can try…

The first Google Doodle to celebrate an individual person’s birthday was shown on 14 November 2001 to mark the 161st anniversary of the birth of which artist? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Playing field = PITH + C = PITCH. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2× £25 Puzzle 9 Playing field Jet of fire American state Leap Span Cloaks Blur Small rodent Water features Defraud Amazes Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Going potty In awe of the nation’s key workers selflessly putting themselves at risk, the rest of us wanted to show our appreciation. So what did we do? Er, we stood out on our doorsteps every Thursday evening ‘clapping for carers’, and banging pots and pans – that’s what. Someone make it make sense. Couch potatoes Everyone’s favourite gym instructor launched his live PE with Joe classes on YouTube in March 2020 during the first UK lockdown. Thousands tuned in at 9am on weekdays to see gorgeous Joe Wicks flex and stretch – but how many of those avid viewers were lounging on the sofa with a brew and biccies? Definitely not us… CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC FITNESS WITH JOE WICKS Joe Wicks has been holdng live 30-minute dily workouts for kids…

When 26-year-old Madison turned on her television and saw blonde bombshell Frenchy on a reality show, she liked her straight away. ‘I thought she was super funny and authentic on TV,’ Madison says. So she started following her on Instagram. After messaging for a while and discovering they lived near each other, Frenchy asked to meet up. And Madison was thrilled to discover that Frenchy was everything she’d hoped she’d be. ‘She’s super funny and authentic in person!’ she laughs. ‘We had good chemistry right away,’ Frenchy says. But what neither of them expected was to fall in love. ‘I love how she is just so authentically herself. You can’t fake that,’ Madison says. Now, the couple are in a romantic relationship with each other. ‘We’ve been dating for about…

Karen Heffernan, 51, Glasgow With my pyjamas on and my black and white kitty, Mr Frank, sitting on my lap, I picked up the remote and started searching for a new series to get stuck into. Ding dong. Right on time, the doorbell rang. Like most evenings, I’d ordered myself a large pepperoni pizza with dunkers and cookies to keep me company while I binge-watched TV. Afterwards, I’d tear open a family-sized bag of chocolate and munch until my eyes felt heavy. ‘Time for bed,’ I yawned to Mr Frank, catching a glimpse of the clock at 2am. And as I rolled off the sofa, I was already thinking about what takeaway I’d order tomorrow. It was January 2023, and working in HR, I sat at a desk all day,…

Your questions answered, plus our pick of the products Q Do I really need to use an eye cream? Katie Russell, Norwich A Yes! Eye cream is nonnegotiable – especially as we get older. The skin around our eyes is thinner than the rest of our face and not as oily, meaning it doesn’t have as much natural moisturiser to keep it soft. It’s also constantly on show, moves when we blink and has to contend with rubbing when our eyes are tired or itchy. The type of eye cream you choose will depend on your age and your key concerns. If your eye area is dark and puffy, try an illuminating eye cream like Pure Brightening Eye Cream, £12.50, M&S. If it’s crow’s feet and wrinkles that are bothering…

Flashing her huge trademark smile, little Sara Sharif sang and danced in the playground. Performing was what she loved to do. Full of energy, she had big dreams. ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ her teacher at St Mary’s Primary School in Surrey asked her. ‘I want to be on The X Factor,’ she replied with a grin. ‘I want to win it!’ Her favourite songs were Memories by Maroon 5, and Count on Me by Bruno Mars. She’d sing to anyone who’d listen. She’d also look after the smaller children at school. Earned the nickname ‘mother hen’, because of her caring nature. Her parents must have been so proud. Sara lived with her dad Urfan Sharif and her stepmum Beinash Batool. Along with her five…

Chat winners issue 50/51 (19 Dec 2024) £1,001 CASH K Chamberlain, Elgin £500 CASH C Howlett, London T Shaw, Leeds £250 CASH I Dwerryhouse, Liverpool J Parker, Tonbridge £200 CASH K Oxberry, Faversham £100 CASH J Atkin, Grimsby N Gates, Fareham F Wheatley, Stanley £50 CASH J Campbell, Grays M Phillips, Romford K Turner, Crowthorne K Fryer, Shipley A Crooks, Sleaford P Cooper, Bolton £40 CASH E Pelligrini, Cheltenham £30 CASH M Parker, Peterborough G Stewart, Gourock £25 CASH D Copson, Hinckley A Hawes, Folkestone £20 CASH J Riley, Huddersfield J Newstead, Beaconsfield M Brown, Wednesbury D Brodie, North Shields I Price, Ormskirk J Kuziw, Bradford R Hopkins, Cardiff C Clark, Blackpool J Jensen, Brighton R Cook, Bristol H Knight, Chard B Smith, Hull S Parkes, Sittingbourne A Bates, Banbury S…

We pay £25 for any photos that we use on Chat To Us! Get in touch! EMAIL chat_magazine@futurenet.com POST Chat, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR Find us online at facebook.com/ChatMagazine…

Lisa Pfaff, 55 Seeing my handsome boy all grown up and ready for university, I was so proud. Derek, then 19, was the second eldest of my five kids. Along with Justin, then 22, Brandon, 16, and Devin, 13, my husband Jerry, then 45, and I had a brood of boys until Shaelyn, 5, came along. A little cheerleader for our home-grown football team. The boys had always been mad about sports, especially Derek. He’d even helped his school football team win the regional championship. Now, in October 2013, he was off to college to study nursing. ‘I’ll miss you,’ I told him, hugging him goodbye. ‘I’ll be back soon,’ he said. Derek regularly called home, told us he was working hard to get top marks. And in March 2014,…

Lynn Herman had never married or had children of her own. But that didn’t mean she didn’t have a family. With her dazzling smile and bubbly personality, the blonde hairdresser charmed everyone she met. Koreen Pozza was her friend of more than 35 years, and Lynn was known as Auntie Lynnie to Koreen’s son Anthony. He’d pop in to see her on his way back from college. They’d go shopping together, scouring charity shops for a bargain. Lynn was also close friends with Jim Kelliher, who she’d known since she was 27, after they met at a music festival in 1983. Then there was her best friend Jennifer Flower and Jennifer’s daughter Jessy Kurczewski. Lynn was like a second mum to Jessy, having known her since she was a little…

1 Start the day right Swap cereal and toast for a high-protein breakfast, such as eggs or full-fat natural yogurt with seeds and nuts. You’ll feel fuller for longer and be better able to avoid those snack traps, according to a study by the University of Missouri. 2 Plan ahead Make sure you have a range of nuts, seeds, fruit, grains and salads to hand, says nutritionist Dr Laura Brown. ‘Eating these types of foods throughout the busy day keeps your energy levels up and stabilises blood sugar levels, keeping hunger pangs at bay.’ Eating 30-50g almonds could reduce the calories you consume at your next meal, shows research by the University of South Australia. 3 Keep a diary We’re more likely to snack and graze when we’re under stress or feeling emotional,…

Montelle Ilelaboye, 28, Surrey Catching sight of my tiny daughter Jemimah-Rose for the first time, I was hit with a wave of emotions. Love, pride, fear… ‘She’s beautiful,’ I said to my husband Samuel, then 30. It was August 2024, and our baby girl had just been born via caesarean section. But there was no time for cuddles, as doctors whisked my 61b 4oz new born away. Following our 20 week scan four months earlier, we’d been told that our baby had a rare congenital condition, hypoplastic left heart syndrome. It meant half of her heart hadn’t developed properly. She’d need surgery in the first few days of her life if she was going to survive. The risks were high, but she’d die without it. Now, a terrifying silence filled…

80p PER PORTION Green veg risotto Use up odds and ends from your fridge to make this easy dinner. SERVES 6 PREP 10 MINS COOK 30 MINS ● 1tbsp olive oil ● 1 small onion, finely chopped ● 2 chicken stock cubes ● 500g Arborio risotto rice ● 100ml alcohol, see tip (optional) ● 500g mixed frozen green vegetables (such as beans, peas, spinach and broccoli) ● 40g Italian hard cheese, finely chopped, plus extra to serve ● 15g unsalted butter, cut into pieces ● Squeeze of lemon juice if not using alcohol, optional 1 Heat the oil in a shallow, heavy-based pan. Fry the onion until golden. 2 Meanwhile, put 1.4ltr of boiling water into a separate pan and stir in the stock cubes, mixing to dissolve. Keep warm on…

Aries 21 March-20 April As an innovator and leader, it’s time for you to use these skills in your working life. If you feel the need to study again, now would be a good time to start. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Known for your tact, you dislike being involved in conflicts. However, the current situation is testing you, and you may need to assert yourself more. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June If you feel like you need a change, take a day trip to somewhere new to fulfil your restless nature. Just making some small tweaks will create a positive shift. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July You may feel like you’re…

Liz White, 65, from Ely What’s one thing you can do really well? I write poetry and have lots of skills but I’m not really good at anything in particular, except reading. What’s your favourite book? It has to be To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and I also love all the novels by the English science-fiction writer John Wyndham. If you could choose a superpower, what would it be? It would have to be the power of flight so I could soar through the skies… That would be amazing. What was the first concert you went to? Wow, my first concert was so long ago I can’t actually remember for sure what it was. I think it was probably Cliff Richard – a living legend! Do you have…

Santana are a leading manufacturer of what type of transport? 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 one-word prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 2 Clown’s high walking pole • Vicar, informally 4 Tree • Stopwatch 6 Home owner’s documents • “_ Humbug!” 8 Scold or annoy • Live, reside Your answer:…

WESTERN STYLE TIP Opt for a suedette jacket with subtle fringing or stud details to nail a bold yet wearable take on this trend. BOMBER STYLE TIP This casual design is back on trend. Great for layering, it will add an effortlessly cool edge to any outfit. DENIM STYLE TIP Elevate your look with denim that stands out, think belted, quilted or unique cuts for a fresh twist on this staple. FROM £17 CROPPED TRENCH STYLE TIP Add a modern touch to your wardrobe. For balanced proportions, wear with high-waisted trousers or a midi skirt.…

Megan Duncan, 25, Lanarkshire True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK A huge towel draped over my shoulders, my newborn Poppy in my arms, I felt a thousand pairs of eyes on me. But, in fact, my local swimming pool was practically deserted. Just a lifeguard, a few mums with their kids. It was June 2023 and my mum had finally convinced me to go swimming. But I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. That’s because my chest and legs were covered in eczema. Raised, sore, red and purple marks covered my skin. I’d been diagnosed before I was even a year old. You could see the rashes on my face in all my baby photos. At school, I was picked on terribly. Kids taunted me. Said I had a disease. Some days,…

Eleanor Simpson, 29, Monk Fryston, North Yorkshire Snuggled up on the sofa with my boyfriend Jacob, I’d never felt so content. An action movie, The Incredible Hulk, was playing on the TV, but we couldn’t stop chatting. Sharing our hopes and dreams with each other. ‘Ever since I was a kid, I’ve wanted to be a dad,’ Jacob, then 17, admitted. I laughed. We were sixth-formers at school, not even adults yet. But the look on Jacob’s face told me he was serious. ‘I’d like to be a mum one day too,’ I confided. He squeezed my hand and we turned back to the film. It was May 2013 and Jacob and I had been together for just a month. At 6ft 7in tall, he was a gentle giant. Always…

Let me live my life Q I have a friend who’s always interfering in my life, giving her opinion on everything I do, even when I don’t ask for it. She always acts like she knows best. It’s like she doesn’t trust me to make my own decisions. Viv, 39 A This pal of yours is overbearing and it’s like you’re living under a magnifying glass. It’s great to have friends who care but she needs to be reminded she doesn’t actually get a say in your life. Try steering the conversation away from you, love. If this doesn’t work, stop telling her things. She can’t have an opinion if she’s not informed, flower. I’m upset I’m still a virgin Q I’ve just turned 30 and I’ve never been in…

3 ways to.. slow your spending Can you make better financial decisions by taking a ‘slow money’ approach? 1 Think it through When you’re shopping online, using services like Apple Pay can speed the process up. While this can be very convenient, having less time to think may lead to overspending, especially if you’re prone to giving in to temptation. So see if you can benefit from slowing down. Remove your cards from your Apple Wallet (or similar) and if you have payment details saved on retailers’ websites, delete them. It may make you rethink whether you really want to buy the item or not. 2 Delay your purchase When we’re bombarded with adverts on social media and on TV it can be easy to think you want something – and want it…

The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer DON’T MISS C4 ● As another bunch of famous faces enter the tent, a new judge joins Paul Hollywood to rate their cakes and bakes as Dame Prue Leith’s cookery expert pal Caroline Waldegrave steps into her shoes for the celebrity version of Bake Off. Each week, four celebs will compete to be named Star Baker and kicking off the five-part series are comedian Chris Ramsey and his presenter wife Rosie, plus property expert siblings Scarlette and Stuart Douglas from C4’s Worst House on the Street. Look out for Roman Kemp, Meera Syal, Kate Garraway and Gloria Hunniford later in the series. DON’T MISS Protection ITV1 ● In this six-part thriller, Happy Valley star Siobhan Finneran plays DI Liz Nyles,…

Stephanie Ayre-McManus, 34, Hebburn, Tyne and Wear Afamiliar face walked past my house and I stuck my head out the window. ‘Hi stranger!’ I called out. It was March 2015 and I recognised Rob from years ago. In our early teens, a big group of us would hang out at the park. I’d sit on the grass chatting with the girls, while he played footy with the lads. Since then, we’d followed each other on social media, said hello in passing. But, now 24, I was surprised to see him in my quiet cul-de-sac. ‘What are you doing round this way?’ I asked. Rob explained his mum lived four doors down. ‘I’ve moved in with her,’ he said. Catching up, I told Rob about my job as a care worker.…

TEXT Simply text CHATC 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…

Dear Ashleigh, I’ve always known how lucky I am to have you as a daughter. Raising you as a single mum, you were always so happy to help me with anything. We muddled through life together. Never complaining, you just got on with everything with the most beautiful smile. You had to grow up quickly though. I’d suffered lifelong health problems, after being born without a bile duct and undergoing reconstructive surgery as a child. In 2007, when you were 8, my illness progressed. Suffering agonising stomach pain, I spent weeks in hospital, leaving you with relatives. At home, you became my carer. And over the next few years, you matured so much. Packing my hospital bags and, when you were old enough, cooking meals and dashing to the pharmacy…