Table of contents for 17 March 2022 in Chat

Did someone call for a doctor? My Ronnie makes the cutest little doc! Alexandra Low, Halesowen This is Bella, our 4-month-old sproodle. She makes it look like butter wouldn’t melt! Lauren, West Lothian I love this photo of me with my wife Rebecca, 31, our daughter Ella-Rose, 12, and our son Riley, 8, at a family party. I’m so lucky to have such an amazing family. Adam Key, Norwich Dust bunny! My 1-year-old bunny Buster is so helpful – here he is helping to clean my new flat! Tayla Smith, Surrey I’m a big Bargain Hunt fan, so it was a pleasure to meet telly expert Philip Serrell at his book signing in Sheffield last October! Linda Keen, Sheffield Oh deer! Our son Toby was trying to feed this friendly…

THE BIGGIE What was the first single that comedian Alex Horne ever bought? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the two-word prize answer. ACROSS 11 Dinner jacket (6) 12 Four-sided shape (9) 13 Diplomacy (4) 14 Wayward behaviour (8) 15 Stadium (5) 16 Root vegetable (6) 17 Of little importance (7) 18 Menacing (11) 20 Own up (5) 22 Soft French cheese (9) 24 Country, capital Cairo (5) 28 Monarch’s realm (7) 29 Magic _, Perry Como song (7) 32 TV shows are made here (6) 3 Writing pad (8) 36 Enormous (8) 37 Pressed clothes (6) 39 Reinstate (7) 40 Before the present (7) 45 Deceive (5) 47 Starting (9) 48 Existing (5) 51 At ease, relaxed (11) 53 Greedy person…

Pooja Gadhia, 39, Nottingham Wide-eyed, my daughter Aleesha, then 5, was glued to the laptop. It wasn’t Peppa Pig or PAW Patrol that had her hooked. It was January 2021, and my girl was watching a presentation on rainforests for her school project. As the presenter talked about deforestation, where big companies chop down large areas of the rainforest, her little face crumpled. ‘Why are they cutting down trees, Mummy?’ she asked. ‘Er…’ I said, not knowing how to answer. ‘Why don’t we ask them?’ So, with my help, Aleesha wrote an email, asking big companies what they were going to do to protect rainforests. She had loads of replies, but wasn’t stopping there. ‘I want to write to Sir David Attenborough,’ Aleesha announced. She drew a storybook on the…

Is his lumpy nose serious? Q My dad has a lump with an open crack on his nose where his glasses sit. Should he see a doctor? Kate, Chorley A Most likely this is a harmless spectacle granuloma, a lump of thickened skin caused by pressure from glasses frames, although your dad should also check with his GP to rule out treatable skin cancer. Spectacle granulomas form on the bridge of the nose or behind your ear and usually mean that your glasses are too heavy or don’t fit properly, though sometimes an unusual bend or knobble in your nose can be to blame. The lump of thickened skin forms slowly and eventually splits, making it look like a coffee bean. Spectacle granulomas can be uncomfortable and, at times, painful.…

Q What are the most common reasons children go missing? A Recent data from the National Missing Persons Data Report shows that 19% of children who go missing report relationship problems in the family or among their peers. But we are reliant on a return-home interview. If the child isn’t ready to talk or simply isn’t able to verbalise whatever trauma they may have experienced, we will never really know the true circumstances. Q What are the best ways to prevent children going missing? A Talk to your child. Make sure they know you are always there and they always have a safe place to go to. Q What do you do if your child is missing? A Call 999. Check with friends and locations where they might be. It’s…

Jo Light, 37, Horsham, West Sussex Heading to my sister’s house, I was looking forward to the day ahead. It was a cold day in January 2022 and I was off on an annual hike in memory of my mum Dawn, who’d died from bowel cancer in 2012, aged 49. To raise money for different cancer charities. Today, I planned to walk the 13-mile cliffside Seven Sisters trail in Sussex with my cousin and two friends. And my sister Janice’s Border collie Max and my Border collie Wendy. ‘Thanks for taking him,’ she said, clipping Max and Wendy, both 5, on to their leads and passing them to me. ‘You know I love him to bits,’ I replied. We’d had the sibling pooches since they were pups, and I spent…

He’s mean when we’re alone Q My boyfriend only treats me nicely and with respect in front of other people. When we’re alone it’s like he doesn’t care at all. Recently, I’ve noticed this more – he is a completely different person when our friends and family aren’t around. I’m getting tired of him acting so differently. Please help! Belle, 24 A Relationships don’t work like this, flower. It shouldn’t matter who his audience is, if he really loved you he’d be nice all the time. Sounds to me like your man is just keeping up appearances. Tell him you’ve clocked this nasty trait of his and you don’t like it. Either he changes his ways or he’s out the door. You deserve better. Mum-in-law doesn’t trust me Q After…

Q How can I find out more about the ways fraudsters are targeting people? L Wright, Salford A It’s vital to stay one step ahead of fraudsters, so check out NatWest’s online Fraud Guides. They contain useful info, such as how to spot telephone fraud - also known as ‘vishing’. This is when fraudsters call and encourage you to give out your personal details such as card PINs, mobile banking app activation codes or card reader codes. The guide gives details on the tactics fraudsters use, such as trying to create a false sense of urgency. For more on this and other types of fraud, find the guides at natwest.com.…

L’Oréal Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Acid Shampoo, £5.99, Boots Hyaluronic acid is the magic ingredient that boosts the skin’s hydration, so why not use it on your hair? This shampoo tackles dry, brittle locks, leaving them clean, healthy and with mirror-like shine. A win-win. Head & Shoulders DermaX Pro-Boosting Strength Shampoo, £6, Boots Get shiny hair and wave goodbye to dandruff in one with this innovative shampoo. Made with skincare ingredients that promise to banish a flaky scalp while caring for dry, damaged hair, it’s the all-rounder that should be in every shower. John Frieda Vibrant Shine Colour Shine Shampoo, £6.99, Boots If your colour fades between salon appointments, leaving hair dull and drab, give it a boost with this shade-enhancing shampoo. It brings vibrancy back, leaving locks soft, shiny and…

Dear Raymond, You’ve been gone six years now. But all I need to do is close my eyes and I’m back in that Essex singles club I ran, where we met in 1983. You were member number 239. A 6ft silver fox, you could’ve had your pick of the ladies. I was amazed it was me that you chose. We became an item. I’d never really thought much about starting a family before you. Only, as the years passed, we were so happy together and I came to want a child of our own. By the time I was 42, I knew it was now or never. When I fell pregnant, you were so happy, Raymond. An older mum, we were relieved when the tests to check the baby was…

Fiona Myles, 56, Salford Holding my boyfriend Brian’s hand, I took a deep breath. There was something I needed to say. ‘I want to have a baby with you, but I don’t know if it’s possible,’ I whispered. Then I broke down in tears. It was October 2003 and, at 37, after nearly a year of knowing my lovely boyfriend Brian, then 23, I was feeling broody. Only, my life had always been a struggle. At just 6, I’d discovered a shocking secret. ‘You’re special because your dad and I chose you,’ my mum told me one night. She explained she hadn’t grown me in her belly like she had my older brother and younger sister. I’d been adopted. My birth mum had given me up as a baby. I…

It was such a desirable area to live, dotted with painted wooden houses set in spacious gardens, beside peaceful woodland. People smiled or waved when they saw each other. But, from time to time, the tranquillity was shattered by the sound of arguing. Because despite the serene setting, there was one set of neighbours who didn’t see eye to eye. Neal and Paula Zumberge lived across the street from Todd Stevens and his partner Jennifer Damerow-Cleven in New Brighton, Minnesota. By 2013, they’d been arguing on and off for the best part of 15 years. The reason behind the feud? Neal and Paula thought Todd was a troublemaking drunk who carried a gun. Claimed that he threatened them and their family. The Zumberges were also furious with their neighbours’ insistence…

Josie O’Brien, 23, Hemel Hempstead, Herts The advice you need Sliding into my car after a long day at the office, I started the engine and set off home. Only, driving along, I noticed I was squinting. Struggling to see road signs up ahead. It was a problem I’d never had before. In high school, I’d had my eyes tested and was given glasses for being slightly short-sighted. I only needed to wear them to see the board at school or in the cinema and, later, while driving. But in March 2020, I began a new admin job. It was my first office role and I wasn’t used to being in front of a screen all day. And, with the pandemic raging, unable to socialise, I’d spend all day looking…

OVER TO YOU Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the address on p3. There’s £20 for every one we use! This week’s puzzle was compiled by Melanie Lodge, Mirfield ACROSS 1 Squalid condition 2 Light 3 Skin condition 4 Tidy DOWN 1 Hand measure 2 Delicate material 3 Lower arm bone 4 Come together WIN 5x£25 puzzle 6 Your answer: CHAIN WORDS What type of bird is the national bird of Honduras, known locally as the guacamaya? Get from Start to Finish, making words by ioinina two boxes together as you go, eg: ARO + UND, UND +... you decide! When you reach Finish, two unused boxes join together to give you the prize answer. WIN £100 puzzle 7 Your answer:…

X hits the spot From looking shady in Shameless to powerful in X-Men, Glasgow-born James McAvoy, 42, is one actor who really makes us weak at the knees. But what is it about the star of State of Play, Atonement, Filth and more that makes him so hot? Is it his piercing blue eyes? His rippling muscles? Or is it that sexy Scottish accent? We’ll go with all of the above. Lust for life Only Ewan McGregor could make us consider taking up trainspotting as a hobby! Making his TV debut in 1993 as Private Hopper in Lipstick on Your Collar, he had a fast rise to the top, starring in blockbusters like Moulin Rouge! and Star Wars. With his boyish good looks and cheeky grin it’s hard to believe…

Kraków and the Azores both have airports named for Pope John Paul II, using his papal name. His birth name, Karol Wojtyła, is used in the name of which other city’s airport? Solve the crossword, then read down the yellow squares. The yellow shaded squares will spell out the prize answer. ACROSS 1 Crustacean (4) 5 Enraged (5) 7 Conceal (4) DOWN 2 Scrap of cloth (3) 3 Young man (3) 4 English city (4) 6 Regret (3) WIN £50 Puzzle 13 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

With curves in all the right places, bright-blonde hair and a killer pout, there’s no denying that Gracie Jane, 27, stands out from the crowd. But she admits it’s taken her years, and a staggering $40,000 (around £30,000) to get there. The blonde bombshell was born male, but five years ago she began transitioning to female. And she decided she’d be a little bit different. She started off by getting a boob job, and a year later she travelled to Colombia for a Brazilian butt lift. She’s now planning on spending $20,000 (£15,000) on full facial feminisation surgery, which she is particularly excited about. Gracie Jane says she loves her dramatic look. ‘From a very young age, I had a fascination with looking like a character that doesn’t exist in…

Upset, I zoomed to the bathroom and stepped on the scales. I gasped... 18st 7lb. I was bigger than ever. At first, I felt sorry for myself. Wondered how I’d let things get so bad. I knew I needed help, so in January 2020, I made an appointment with my GP. ‘Your weight’s putting you at risk of a heart attack or stroke,’ he said. It was shocking, and he recommended I be referred for a gastric band. ‘No way!’ I said immediately. I hated the thought of undergoing surgery. And I knew I needed to change my ways, not a quick fix. Gareth was supportive, reminding me that I’d lost weight before. I could do it again. I dug out my old Slimming World books for inspiration. Ditched the…

Chicken tikka Serve with naan to catch all that wonderful sauce SERVES 4 PREP TIME 10 MINS COOK TIME 30 MINS • 4 chicken breast fillets, cut into chunks • 3tbsp tikka masala curry paste • 2tbsp vegetable oil • 2 onions, sliced • 2 red peppers, deseeded and cut into chunks • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 400g can chopped tomatoes • 2tbsp tomato puree • 4tbsp single cream • Fresh coriander, to garnish (optional) 1 Put the chicken chunks in a bowl, add the tikka masala curry paste and mix to coat. Set aside. 2 Heat the oil in a pan, add the onion and red peppers and cook for 5 mins to soften. 3 Add the chicken and garlic and cook for 5 mins, stirring from time…

Aries 21 March-20 April A neighbour’s trying to involve you in gossip. Don’t rise to the bait, as it will be interesting to see how they try to put right what then goes wrong. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May An invitation to next year’s family event arrives and you can’t wait. Start sorting your outfit and get your hair appointment booked so you are ready. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June The New Moon in Aries will spur you on with decorating. However, do make sure you see some previous work by the tradesman before you agree to start the work. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Dreams can be the foundation for our…

TEXT Simply text CHATD 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…

NUMBER JIG How many times are the vowels a, e, i, o and u used in the text of Percy Bysshe Shelley’s 1818 poem Ozymandias? Fit these numbers into the grid. One number doesn’t fit. This is the prize answer. 3 digits 115 168 206 462 482 541 689 723 791 798 950 4 digits 1211 3019 4117 4653 5794 5989 6247 6272 7630 8149 8908 9410 9593 5 digits 15213 16197 23111 23915 31816 52742 61284 62172 72440 75571 90000 6 digits 197011 224166 876119 7 digits 3282764 4461595 9084675 8 digits 11756493 52642157 63637979 67180949 WIN £250 Puzzle 1 Your answer: SPIRAL XWORD The heads of state of seven of the thirteen constituent states of Malaysia, including Selangor, Johor and Perak, use what title? The answer to each…

STYLE TIP We love the versatility of a denim dress. Smarten this look up by switching the trainers for heeled boots. STYLE TIP Wearing a belt over a longline jacket will cinch in your waist and enhance curves. STYLE TIP Make dark denim work for spring by teaming it with pastel shades and fun floral prints. Stylish staples that you’ll find yourself wearing every day STYLE TIP A denim skirt is a stylish alternative to jeans. Tuck your top into the waistband for a more flattering fit.…

Paula Zumberge was acquitted of aiding and abetting murder and assault. Her case was decided by Ramsey County District Judge Marek, who ordered she be released from custody immediately. In a written verdict, the judge declared, The State did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant spoke any words of encouragement to Neal Zumberge either before or during the shootings. The judge said that while Paula Zumberge initiated a verbal altercation with Jennifer Damerow-Cleven on the night of the shooting, there was no conclusive evidence for the notion that she had an ulterior motive. The judge added that, while she should have stayed at the scene after the shooting rather than driving away, she was not guilty of any crime. The following year, in August 2015, Neal Zumberge,…

In 2020 alone, 68,944 children were reported missing in England and Wales. While 90% are found within the first 48 hours, some cases, like those below, remain sadly unsolved Andrew Gosden In September 2007, Andrew Gosden, 14, left for school. ‘See you later,’ his dad Kevin called after him as he walked out of the door. ‘Yep, see you Dad,’ Andrew replied. Andrew was well behaved, never missed a day of school and was liked by his peers. But he never made it to school that day. Instead, he waited in a nearby park until his parents left for work. Then went to a nearby cash machine and emptied his bank account of £200. Afterwards, he returned home to change into jeans and a T-shirt, putting his uniform in the…

ARROW WORD Which animals inspired architect Mick Pearce for his air-conditioning system in Harare’s Eastgate Shopping Centre? Solve the puzzle by following the arrows and writing in your answers. Then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the prize answer. WIN £1,000 Puzzle 10 Your answer: SUDOKU To solve the puzzle, each 3 x 3 box, each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Solve the puzzle and the numbers in the highlighted squares will give you the prize puzzle answer. WIN £60 Puzzle 11 Your answer: WORDSEARCH Constructed in the 1910s, Casa Loma is a mansion and historic landmark in which city? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BOGOTA BOSTON BRASILIA CANCUN CARACAS CUZCO DALLAS HAVANA LIMA MIAMI NASSAU…

FILL ME IN Which US singer and actor’s only entry in the UK chart was 2018’s Rewrite The Stars? Solve the puzzle by following the arrows and writing in your answers. Then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 14 Your answer: CIRCLE TIME What word links an Alex Garland novel and an instrumental remix by New Order? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles. 3 letters ACE ALB ASH ASS DEW DIG DIP DOE SUN 4 letters BEES BLOC EBBS ECHO HALO OMEN 5 letters EATEN ORGAN PUNCH SEWER 6 letters BADGER BEMOAN COBWEB COWARD 7 letters DETRACT EIGHTHS WIN £100 Puzzle 15 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for…

3 ways to... discuss money as a couple Want to talk to your other half about your finances but don’t know where to start? Alexandra Price of wealth managers Charles Stanley gives her top tips 1 Have a financial date night ‘Communication is key to any relationship and having regular, open discussions about your finances is no exception,’ she says. ‘So make sure to set time aside to do this on a regular basis. Choosing a time when you will be free from interruption and having relevant paperwork to hand may help make it easier.’ 2 Share your goals ‘While some of your money discussions may be about looking at where you can make savings, it’s also important to talk about your goals,’ she advises. ‘Whether that’s buying a house…

BAFTA Film Awards BBC1 Rebel Wilson hosts as the movie world celebrates another year of film in a glittering ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The nominations for the Best Film award include sci-fi remake Dune, Western drama The Power of the Dog and Kenneth Branagh’s semi-autobiographical tale Belfast. Meanwhile, contenders for Leading Actress include Lady Gaga for her role in House of Gucci and Joanna Scanlan for After Love, while Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog), Leonardo DiCaprio (Don’t Look Up) and Will Smith (King Richard) are among the nominees for Leading Actor. DON’T MISS DON’T MISS Tom Daley’s Hell of a Homecoming BBC1 Red Nose Day is here again and a host of stars will be putting the fun into fundraising in the now-annual Comic Relief telethon…

Mandy Marshall, 54, Sheffield Logging into a dating website, I sighed. Here I was, looking for love all over again. It was December 2016, I’d set up my profile around a year before. I’d been on a few dates, had even had a short relationship. Now, newly single, I was pleased to see a new message in my inbox. Shaun, then 46, had a cheeky grin. Hiya, you alright? he’d messaged me. Soon we were messaging, banter flying back and forth to each other. Let’s meet up, he typed after a few weeks. We met up for a few drinks in a cosy pub. ‘You look great,’ he smiled when he saw me. Shaun was charming, just as easy to talk to in person. I felt terrible for him when…

Catrice Lash Changer Volume Mascara, £4.99, justmylook.com Transform short lashes with this volumising, lengthening mascara. Just one coat gives definition for daytime, but add a few coats and you’ll get some serious drama with no clumps in sight. Essence Glow Glow Go! Instant Highlighter, £3.49, justmylook.com Up your glow factor with this easy-to-apply highlighter. Its precise doe-foot wand means you’re able to apply it just where you need it and, with zero chunky glitter, just pure glistening glow, you won’t end up looking like a disco ball. CeraVe Micellar Cleansing Water, £10, lookfantastic.com For ultra-gentle cleansing that doesn’t leave your skin feeling stripped, try this recent launch from CeraVe. Infused with hydrating ceramides, not only is your skin clean of dirt and pollution, it feels hydrated too. Max Factor Miracle…

Chat winners issue 48/49 (9 December 2021) £1,001 CASH P Bennett, Nottingham. £1,000 CASH B Brown, Derbyshire £500 CASH S Ryan, Basildon T Dupont, Newbury £250 CASH A Goddard, London £150 CASH L Ellis, Stoke-on-Trent £100 CASH E Mitchell, Bo’ness; M Dixon, Birkenhead; M Booth, Bicester; D Smith, Solihull; T Lowbridge, Reading £60 CASH A Morgan, Cleethorpes £50 CASH J Baldock, Milton Keynes; S Rogerson, Derby; L Rann, Market Drayton £30 CASH J Wing, Reading; J Loveday, Stonehouse; A Evans, Kirkcudbright; C Bretherick, Halifax; A O’Neill, Antrim £25 CASH S Weaden, Weston-super-Mare; J Alcock, Stoke-on-Trent; L Cross, Worcester; B Rowlands, Reading; E Willimott, Stockton-on-Tees; S Deegan, Droitwich; J Evans, Bristol; J Cole, Thornton-Cleveleys; F Atkins, Stoke-on-Trent Chat PUZZLE 1 Chat PUZZLE 2 KIMONO Chat PUZZLE 11 138 Anyone from your…