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When Gaye read a story in Chat last year, she had to write in to share her own (p34). We’re sure you’ll get behind her important campaign. Chris’ moving tribute to his incredible wife Helen will have you in tears (p52). What an inspiration the family is. And if you’ve ever worried about being too wobbly, check out what Nikki has to say – at 30st she’s never felt sexier (p10)! We’ve also got our usual cracking crime stories, health, prize puzzles, food (p27), great value fashion (p12) and more. Get stuck in!…

Nikki Baker, 28 Striking my best pose, putting on a killer pout, I looked into the camera lens. Wearing nothing but a colourful striped bra and tiny blue skirt, I bared my body for the world to see… All 30st of it. Modelling for the first time, for photographer Jesse Fox, was nerve-racking, but I couldn’t wait to see the results. I loved her photography style – arty, sexy and tasteful. I’d put myself forward when she’d asked for volunteers for her portfolio, in July 2008. A lot of big girls would have shied away from stripping off for the camera. But everyone knew I was fat – I always had been. What did I have left to hide? I’d spent so many years being tormented by bullies. At school,…

Go green  Use the plain side of leftover rolls of wallpaper to pack up parcels. The paper's long, strong - some is even waterproof. Good for me… and good for the environment! Aniko Ring, Exmouth It’s a gift!  Buying my mum a birthday present's always difficult, as she has everything she needs. So I put together a gift box, containing a selection of handmade cards and money wallets. She won't have to worry about going out and buying any cards for a while! Hayley Homer, Brierley Hill Glam up!  To add a touch of glamour to my plain pendant, I stuck a blue craft crystal in the centre. I'm so pleased with the result and I reckon it looks pretty classy! Lilian Smith, Barton Nest building  At the start of…

Sex is painful! Q Since starting the Pill, my vagina has felt dry and sex is painful. What can I do? Yvette, Todmorden A Natural sex hormones such as oestrogen trigger your vagina to make lubrication. The artificial hormones in contraceptive pills can interfere with this, leaving you dry. If lube doesn't help, a change of Pill or a different method of contraception might be the answer. Why are my breasts sore? Q My breasts feel swollen, tender and sore for hours after sex. Why? Ellie, New Cross A Excitement, along with hormones released during sex, can increase the blood flow and fluid retention in your breasts, leading to swelling and tenderness. Rubbing and pummelling during sex is another cause, so take things gently.…

TERMS AND CONDITIONS This voucher can be redeemed for a free regular hot drink at Greggs. Drink can be an espresso, black/white Coffee, decaf coffee, flat white, latte, cappuccino, mocha, vanilla latte, caramel latte, hot chocolate or tea. Decaf coffee is not Fairtrade and is not freshly ground. Not available in franchise locations. The voucher is redeemable from Thursday 14 March 2019 to Thursday 11 April 2019. Only one voucher per customer and transaction. Offer is subject to availability. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. No cash alternative is available. Photocopied vouchers not accepted. Greggs reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Take out only.…

Me and my husband Byron, 33, lay side by side in the darkness. We were silent, but Byron’s hand tenderly stroking my baby bump over and over spoke volumes. ‘I’m scared,’ I said. Byron’s hand didn’t falter for a moment, remaining lovingly on my belly. ‘Me too,’ he admitted. We’d had some terrible news that day last July, had discovered our unborn baby boy had a severe birth defect. ‘There’s a tiny bump on baby’s forehead, about a centimetre wide,’ a doctor had told us. They hadn’t known what it was at first, asked me to go back for fortnightly scans. But at each one, the bump on our baby’s head had grown bigger. Terrifying. Now, just a few weeks before our baby was due to be born, Byron and…

Aries 21 March - 20 April You’re in a let’s-get-this-thingdone mood, attacking a big job with all you’ve got. Keep your energy under control, though. Don’t knock a wall down when you only need to make a small hole in it! Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May You’re trying to close two doors at the same time as opening another - like trying to sneak out of the house without anyone knowing. But one door won’t shut properly unless you slam it! Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June You make your choice, you live with the consequences. There’s no going back. On this occasion, though, that’s not strictly true. If you want to go back, you can. It…

Celeb secrets Holly Willoughby As a mum of three, hair colour ambassador and presenter of pretty much everything on TV Holly Willoughby is one busy lady. To save time on body care, she uses Sanctuary Spa 2 Day Long Lasting Moisture Shower Oil, £7. ‘It’s really good because when I get out of the shower I don’t have to moisturise,’ says Holly. Kylie Minogue looks amazing for 50. So what’s her secret? The classic Pond’s Cold Cream, £3.25. It removes make-up like a cleanser but nourishes skin like a moisturiser, so your face feels plump and peachy. BARGAIN OF THE WEEK Treating yourself to a weekly facial just got even more affordable thanks to Primark’s new sheet masks. Select the skin finish you’re after from Glow, Hydrate or Matte, then…

Chat Mag Bingo offers six exciting jackpot slot games that offer the chance to win one of two DAILY JACKPOTS on site. One of these slot games is Dragon’s Luck, Carol’s winning game. You’ll find there are actually three Jackpots that can be won on any of these six slot games, and are called Early Drop Jackpot, Late Drop Jackpot and Quick Drop. The Quick Drop can be won numerous times a day at any time, but the DAILY DOUBLE JACKPOTS are the Early Drop Jackpot and Late Drop Jackpot, which are more likely to be won between certain times. Every day these jackpots will be won, and you could be a winner like Carol.…

Zoomed in! We’ve got up close and personal with an item that can give you a sense of security whenever you’re not on two wheels. If you can make out what it is, that's your prize answer. What’s on telly? As you can see, our TV’s gone on the blink and we can’t make out what programme’s being screened… If the cult 1960s sci-fi series looks familiar to you, that's your prize answer! What’s wrong? You may recognise this scene from the 2009 movie The Hangover starring Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Justin Bartha. But something about this still from the hit comedy about a batchelor-party trip to Las Vegas isn't as it should be. If you know which item doesn't belong, that's your prize answer. Face to…

£25 for any photos that we use on Chat to us! They must not have been sent to any other publication and you must include written permission from a child's parent/s or guardian/s. Post to Chat to us!, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP, or e-mail chat_magazine@ti-media.com . Unfortunately, we can't return photos without a SAE. And please don't forget to include your full address and a contact number.…

Heading out the door with my son Lake, 6 months, in his buggy, I spotted my neighbour up the street. ‘Hi there!’ he shouted. I waved back, smiling. He’d moved in about a year before – and, though we weren’t on first-name terms, he seemed nice enough. I’d often pass him in the street while meeting my son Lucas, 4, off a special school bus which stops outside our house. A robotic voice repeated the same words So it annoyed me a little when the man started playing music loudly late at night. He knew we had kids. Selfish. Especially since Lucas is severely autistic and has learning disabilities. Non-verbal and easily distressed, it’s important he lives in a calm environment. One night, I went over to politely ask the…

Cheese, pickle & potato pie Serves 6 Prep: 25 min, plus chilling Cook: 30 min • 50g chilled butter, chopped, plus extra for greasing • 1tbsp plain flour, for rolling pastry • 500g ready-made shortcrust pastry • 600g King Edward potatoes, peeled and chopped • 3tbsp Branston Original Pickle • 150g Pilgrims Choice Mature cheese, cubed • 1 egg, beaten • Ground white pepper • Serve with salad or steamed green vegetables 1 Preheat oven to 180C/Gas 4. Grease a 26 x 20cm pie dish with butter. On a lightly floured surface, roll out a third of the pastry to make a pie top, using a dish as a guide and cutting out a little larger. Chill in the fridge. 2 Roll out remaining pastry and line pie dish. Prick…

Much to the doctors’ surprise, Emerson started feeding straightaway. Latching on to my breast, his face turned towards me, he looked just like any other newborn, had the most perfect little hands and feet. But just a few hours after he’d been born, doctors rushed him away for major surgery. Tests showed that the part of his brain that had spilled out was no longer alive. Surgeons needed to remove it, and fill the gap in his forehead using bone from the back of his skull. Dangerous surgery for such a small baby. And a terrifying wait for me and Byron... Five agonising hours later, we were invited into Neonatal Recovery. ‘The operation went well,’ the surgeon said. Again, Emerson had proved he was a survivor. The hole had been…

You can get your home spick and span for less by using items you already have in your cupboards… 1 Kitchen blitz You can use bicarbonate of soda to get your kitchen gleaming. Simply mix it with water and use it to clean countertops and sinks*. It's handy for eliminating smells too. Just put some in the bottom of your bin to get rid of any nasty odours. 2 Nice and shiny  Vinegar is another great multitasking household staple. Use it to make your windows sparkle - just mix 1 tablespoon of white vinegar with a litre of water and put it into a spray bottle. Use it on your glass, then rub with newspaper. You can also clean your microwave with it. Add a few tablespoons of vinegar to…

1 Nspa Fruit Extracts with Real Avocado Jelly Scrub, £3, Asda This looks as good for your body as it feels! I do love a twice-weekly scrub to reinvigorate my skin from top to toe. This one feels just scrubby enough for softer, smoother skin. Perfect to prep your body ready for applying fake tan. 2 OPI Nail Lacquer in Tempura-ture is Rising, £13.50, John Lewis As soon as I spy a hint of sunshine, I’m ready to bare my feet in peep-toes. This zingy orange from OPI’s spring collection is perfect for both nails and toes. 3 Garnier BB Cream,£9.99 As the weather lightens up, so too does my foundation. My skin doesn’t look quite as dull and sallow by spring so I can get away with a lighter…

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Coronation Street Disaster at the factory! Unable to get the factory roof fixed, Carla’s decided to outsource the production of Underworld’s knickers and bras - which means her staff will likely lose their jobs. So this week the workers stage a protest by barricading  themselves inside the factory. But when Sally and Gina climb up the scaffolding to display banners, the roof collapses. Tim, Abi and Tyrone force their way into the building to help, but not everyone makes it out alive… Emmerdale Rhona’s secret struggle As Rhona recovers from her hysterectomy, it’s clear she’s struggling to come terms with what’s happened. So Paddy feels nervous about telling her that he and Chas are expecting a baby. Although she seems to take it well, she later gives into her tears.…

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK 1 Don’t let the ominous name scare you. Most of the year, this vast and rugged expanse of east Californian desert is brutally hot. But visit in winter or early  spring and you’ll find a surprisingly beautiful and vibrant place. JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK 2 The park was named after the otherworldly trees that dot the landscape, but the real stars here are the rock formations – jumbled piles of outsized boulders that glitter with crystals in the southern Californian sun. PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK 3 The massive spires and sheer canyons are the remains of an ancient volcano that was split in two by the San Andreas Fault and hauled 150 miles from its original location. The spectacular walls  attract climbers, as well as bats, falcons…

Quick to condemn Recently, I witnessed on social media a horrible witch-hunt of a local young man. There were comments about his weird eyes, that he never looked at you when talking. That he was scruffy and walked about with a mad look. Hold on, folks! I happen to know this young man is autistic, and has Asperger syndrome. He finds social contact difficult, has high anxiety and his life is a bit disorganised at times. But he is one of the kindest people - thoughtful, musically talented and highly intelligent. It's heartbreaking how quickly people are to condemn. What happened to not judging a book by its cover? Audrey Chambers, Stowmarket The cat’s meow I really love the photo of Rebecca Emms’ rescue cat Snowball in Chat (27 December…

On 25 May 2012, a brutal video was shared online, showing the murder and mutilation of Jun Lin, 33. It sparked an international hunt – especially when body parts were posted to two Canadian political party HQs and two Vancouver schools. On 4 June, Luka Magnotta was arrested in a Berlin Internet cafe. Dubbed ‘The Butcher of Montreal’, he was charged with first-degree murder, committing indignity to a human body, publishing obscene material, criminally harassing members of Parliament, and mailing obscene and indecent material. Found guilty on all counts, Magnotta was sentenced to life. Here’s how he was snared... (Warning: contains graphic detail.) 1 The parcels On 29 May, a blood-stained package arrived at the  Conservative Party HQ, Ottawa. Witnesses said the parcel, decorated with a red heart, had a…

Lilly, 19, Dorset Dipping in and out of the waves, I kicked my little legs as hard as I could. Looking back towards the beach, I watched my younger sister Emily, 9, shriek as she jumped into the crashing tide. Beyond her, on the shore, our uncle Neil was watching us. It was summer 2011, and we’d finally broken up from school. Mum and Dad were busy working. But ‘Uncle Neil’, 69 – actually our mum’s cousin’s husband – offered to babysit. He’d take us to the park to feed the ducks, to the cinema... But the seaside was our favourite summer spot. As we arrived home that day, Neil handed us both a £5 note. ‘Pocket money,’ he smiled. ‘That’s sweet of you,’ Mum grinned. He started giving it…

GUILTY Denise Williams, 48, was found guilty of the first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit the murder of her childhood sweetheart Mike almost two decades earlier. This February, Williams was sentenced to life in prison. Mike’s grieving mother Cheryl said, ‘When I try to sleep at night, I will see my son clinging to a tree stump in Lake Seminole in the dark, knowing that his best friend is trying to kill him. ‘I hear his voice screaming for help. I wasn’t there to help him. It will haunt me forever.’ Williams’ lawyers said they plan to appeal her conviction.…

Purple problem Q I've started to notice little purple thread veins in my legs. How can I stop them? Kelly, Ullapool A These are tiny broken blood vessels under your skin. Often they are inherited, but pregnancy, or being inactive or overweight, can be a trigger. Keep a healthy weight, exercise, don't smoke and try support tights. Treatment would mean paying for laser or injections. Lump it QI had a round lump like a marble on my wrist for months, then it disappeared overnight! Could it come back? Farrah, Leicester A Sounds like a ganglion. Each tendon, the sinew that connects muscle to bone, is surrounded by a thin sheath. Damage, or a weak point, can cause a cyst - a ganglion - to form on the sheath. It could…

This usually takes the form of a lump in the tummy or groin, caused when an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness in the muscle or surrounding tissue wall. In most cases, there are no symptoms, other than a lump that appears when coughing or straining, and it can often be pushed back in. But if you have sudden, severe pain, vomiting, constipation or are unable to push the hernia, you may need to go to A&E. Treatment may be through either open or keyhole surgery, and patients usually make a full recovery within a few weeks.…

2004: Hostage's body found Rachel Hudson's body was discovered on 18 March 2004. The mum-of-two had been imprisoned and abused by her husband and his family. Her body, weighing just 6st and covered in burns and bruises, was found in a rolled-up carpet in the grounds of Newstead Abbey in Nottingham. Rachel's in-laws Ron and Trudi Hudson, along with her husband Craig and his brother Ronald, were all convicted of murder in December 2005. 2011: Sian abducted and murdered Sian O'Callaghan, 22, was making her way home from a night out in Swindon when she was abducted by taxi driver Christopher Halliwell, 47, in the early hours of  19 March 2011. Halliwell was arrested when CCTV  showed Sian getting into his green Toyota Avensis outside a nightclub. He confessed, taking…

Scrolling through Facebook one evening this January, a post caught my attention. Someone had shared a story from Chat . Reading it hit me hard. The article was about a dachshund called Jeffrey, who was attacked by two lurchers on a beach. He’d stood no chance, and died from his injuries. His owner Carol Hartnell was left devastated. ‘Poor thing,’ I gasped. Painful memories flooded my mind. I understood Carol’s heartache all too well... Me and my husband Peter, 80, had lost our beloved dog Brody, 5, only a few months before. Back last May, Peter was getting ready to take our black and white jackapoo – a Jack Russell-poodle cross – for his usual walk around Beddington Park in south London. Excited, Brody wagged his fluffy tail as Peter…

All Star Musicals ITV John Barrowman hosts the new series of the show that sees celebs being mentored to each perform a number from a hit musical in a one-night-only spectacular at The London Palladium. Coronation Street star Daniel Brocklebank, Emmerdale actress Amy Walsh, gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh and Only Fools and Horses actress Tessa Peake-Jones, are among the stars hoping to impress the audience and the panel of experts, which features West End legend Elaine Paige, John Barrowman and Strictly's Kevin Clifton. Can I Improve My Memory? C4 Michael Buerk presents this competition in which three celebrities are given just two weeks to become experts in topics they know nothing about. Gok Wan…