Chat -julkaisun 28-Oct-2021 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

On a recent trip to Borneo, I got up close to a beautiful orangutan, Rosa. A dream come true. Louise Mitchell, Blackpool Our little boy Seth, 6, has autism and his age range at the moment is 24 months. However, he really enjoyed playing with Chat magazine. He is non-verbal but had a good conversation in his own language, talking to the magazine and looking at the pictures. Jade Shaw, Atherton My two youngest had so much fun when we visited an ‘upside-down’ house a few weeks ago! Laura Wilcox, Glastonbury My hubby Phil, 47, certainly enjoyed getting spoiled with a hot tub lunch! Cathryn Wood, Helston Me and my 80-year-old dad Brian had an amazing day out at the cricket this summer. It was a good job we had…

THE BIGGIE What is Canadian actor and comedian Dan Levy’s all-time favourite movie? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the three-word prize answer. ACROSS 11 Countdown expert, _ Riley (6) 12 Peach-like fruit (9) 13 Slope (4) 14 Shrub with purple flowers (8) 15 Anxious, stressed (5) 16 Gesture (6) 17 Later part of the day (7) 18 Children’s game (4,3,4) 20 Book of maps (5) 22 Prickly creatures (9) 24 Valuable item (5) 28 Without end (7) 29 Warrior women (7) 32 Resistant to disease (6) 34 Turned down (8) 36 Cloudy (8) 37 Not awake (6) 39 Closest (7) 40 Winter figure (7) 45 Facial hair (5) 47 Radioactive element (9) 48 James _, singer (5) 51 Scheduled meeting (11)…

I’m getting shorter Q I’m shrinking! My GP said I’d lost an inch in height and wants to test me for osteoporosis. Why? Sheila, Stowmarket A Osteoporosis means gradual loss of bone tissue leading to weakened bones that are more at risk of breaking. It’s common, affecting a quarter of women by age 80, but often causes no symptoms and sometimes the first sign is a reduction in height. This happens because osteoporosis leads to small breaks in your vertebrae, the bones of your spine, causing them to partially collapse. Women are more at risk than men because of a lack of oestrogen hormone following the menopause. Reduce your risk with regular exercise, not smoking or drinking excess alcohol, taking plenty of calcium and vitamin D, and avoiding being underweight.…

FILL ME IN Q King Faisal Road, King Abdullah Road, and King Khalid Road are the three ring roads that encircle which Middle Eastern city? 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 Q Produced in 1656, Sir William Davenant’s work The Siege of Rhodes is thought to be the first English example of which art form? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles. 3 letters EEL FAD FAR FAT FEE HIP HUG NIL SKI 4 letters BASE CALF EVIL ISLE REEL SILK 5 letters EARLY EMPTY LILAC PACED 6 letters APATHY GENTRY GORGES GOVERN 7…

3 WAYS to… avoid pension scams Brits lost over £2 million to pension scams from January to May, says the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Here’s its advice on protecting yourself. 1 Reject any unexpected offers If you’re contacted out of the blue about a pension opportunity, chances are it’s high risk or a scam. If you get a cold call about your pension, hang up – it’s illegal to cold call about pensions and probably a scam. You can report it to the FCA by calling 0800 111 6768. If you get unsolicited offers via email or text, you should simply ignore them. And don’t be talked into something by someone you know; they could be getting scammed themselves. Check everything yourself. 2 Check them out Check the FCA’s Financial…

Stephanie Davis, 36, Cardiff Bile rose in my throat and I tossed the letter aside, unable to finish it. I don’t know why I did it, it read. Your mum didn’t deserve it. The scrawled note arrived from prison – from my mum’s killer Stuart Jones. Stuart, then 31, and his brother Christopher Jones, 21, had been handed life sentences for murdering my lovely mum Shirley Oliver, 42. But they’d only been given minimum terms. Stuart 15 years, Christopher just 13. And with this letter rubbing salt in the wound, I knew my family’s agony would never end. When I was little, Mum was always singing. Belting out Cher’s The Shoop Shoop Song, while me and my younger siblings Melanie and Harry giggled away. And when my daughter Amy was…

BEST BUY! If your eyes are feeling heavy and tired, then you’ll love this new lightweight gel. It refreshes skin and makes you feel immediately wide awake. Finally, a hair growth serum that we can actually afford! Apply it along your lash line to help nourish the follicles and encourage your hairs to sprout. Skin looking dull? Apply a tiny amount of this illuminating cream to your cheekbones to make your complexion glow. This new gorgeous gloss gives lips a plumping boost with its cooling, tingling formula enriched with hydrating hyaluronic acid. Got a beauty question? Send your problems to chat_magazine@futurenet.com…

Stepping on stage at the 1998 Grammy Awards in New York, R. Kelly took his place among music royalty. Belting out his worldwide hit I Believe I Can Fly to a standing ovation. Footage of a bald eagle soaring on a giant cinema screen behind him. Elegant, beautiful. Yet also one of the world’s most vicious birds of prey. And R. Kelly was already spreading his own wings as a merciless sexual predator. One willing to go to extraordinary lengths to hide his pursuit and abuse of vulnerable teenage girls. In 1994, aged 27, he’d secretly and illegally married 15-year-old R&B protégé Aaliyah. The singer – who died in a plane crash in 2001 – claimed she was 18 on the marriage certificate. Kelly had bribed officials to get Aaliyah…

Sian Sutherland, 20, Telford Happiness burned though me as the music pulsed and thrummed. I love this song! ‘Dance floor, now!’ I shrieked, grabbing my best mates Jessica and Alice. As the chorus kicked in, we giggled, remembering the dance routine, singing, ‘Hey Macarena!’ in unison. The old ones are the best! Perfect to get us on the nightclub dance floor that night in November 2018, celebrating Jess’ 18th birthday. The three of us had been close since we were little. Through nativity plays, exams, boyfriends and everything in between. ‘My round,’ I insisted as the song finished. After ordering double vodka-lemonades for me and Alice, plus a Jägerbomb for the birthday girl, I nipped out for a cig. Walking through the throng of people, I noticed a stocky man…

WHAT’S THE VERDICT? After four hours of deliberations, over two days, the jury found Ana Maria Gonzalez-Angulo guilty of aggravated assault. The jury foreman Rob Rollins said the decision had been a tough one because Gonzalez-Angulo had done such good work as a top breastcancer researcher. ‘Not only was she very accomplished, but, by all accounts, she was very special to her patients. ‘But she lied to everyone, and manipulated everyone,’ he said. During sentencing, Gonzalez-Angulo’s defence team pleaded for mercy. ‘The sum of a human being’s life should not be judged by one event,’ lawyer Derek Hollingsworth said. ‘It’s not the right result to send her to prison for a lengthy amount of time. The medical world has lost a shining star.’ Yet Gonzalez-Angulo was sentenced to 10 years…

Natalie Engstrom, 36, Great Yarmouth True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK As my precious bump was scanned, I eyed the monitor intently. ‘A little girl,’ the sonographer smiled. It was spring 2008 and me and my husband Kevin, then 23, couldn’t wait to become parents. It’d taken four agonising years to fall pregnant, due to a suspected blockage of my fallopian tubes. Now, excited, we decorated the nursery with Winnie The Pooh stickers. But the pregnancy was taking a toll on my body. At 28 weeks, I developed pelvic-girdle pain, followed by a hernia, making it difficult to walk. At 40 weeks, I was induced at Friarage Hospital in Northallerton. And on 5 August 2008, Tegan was born. Only… ‘Something’s not right,’ Kevin worried, holding his daughter for the first time. Tegan had…

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 Jacquie Simpson, Worthing, West Sussex ACROSS 1 Male sheep 2 Loved star 3 Japanese peak 4 Horse’s pace DOWN 1 Bust-up? 2 UK river 3 Magic power 4 Slash WIN 5x £25 Puzzle 6 Your answer: CHAIN WORDS A caddy known as a chaki and a whisk-like chasen are traditionally used in the preparation of what foodstuff in Japan? Get from Start to Finish, making words by joining two boxes together as you go, eg: MO + ST, ST +... you decide! When you reach Finish, two unused boxes join together to give you the…

ARROW WORD In physics, the Greek letter gamma is used to represent which elementary particle? 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 3x3 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 answer. WIN £60 Puzzle 11 Your answer: WORDSEARCH What was the name of the African bush elephant who died in 2009 and was studied for over 30 years by wildlife researcher Cynthia Moss? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BRAVO CHARLIE DELTA ECHO GOLF HOTEL…

Broody and confused Q I’ve become very broody and know that my clock is ticking. I’ve been with my partner for three years and was always adamant I didn’t want a baby. Now, I’ve changed my mind. I’ve tried dropping hints to my fella but he ignores me or changes the subject. I feel silly but he’s one in a million and I want a baby with the person who means the world to me. Do I just keep quiet and hope my broodiness goes away, or sit him down and risk my relationship ending? Natalie, 34 A You shouldn’t be frightened about communicating with your partner. Be honest and open – ask him if he thinks he’ll ever want a baby. Better finding that out now, rather than waiting…

Jade Scotney, 34, Fareham Answering the phone, a lump lodged in my throat. ‘It’s Justin,’ the headteacher began. ‘He’s been in a fight.’ Not again... It was 2019 and falling victim to bullying was an all-too-regular occurrence for my son, then 14. It pained me that the other kids could be so cruel. See, Justin had a heart of gold. He enjoyed drawing and films, watching Titanic on a loop. He excelled in school, always tried his hardest. And was a doting big brother to his sister Daisy, then 12, and his brother Finley, 6. Who would want to pick on him? Justin had been the most adorable little boy. Loved dressing as a Power Ranger and racing round the house saving the day. But he’d struggled to socialise with…

Q Can you give me some tips to help stop me from spending impulsively online? A Boyle, Huddersfield A One way is to make s pending on nonessential items harder, says Tina Hughes, director of savings at Yorkshire Building Society. ‘With many websites and apps offering to remember your card details, this makes it easier. ‘Never save your card details and if you’ve already done so, delete them. And aim to pause before buying the items – go back to your basket the next day and assess if you really need the item.’…

A wonder hair product from the supermarket. They also make a shampoo, but it makes more sense to leave the conditioner on as it nourishes the strands simultaneously. A quick and easy way to enhance colour and shine. This caring wash prevents future fade and deposits a small amount of tint, which keeps hair vibrant and fresh. And no gloves needed. Yes it’s spendy, but a go-to for hair that looks salon-fresh without the price tag. It lightly blends greys and tones down brassy highlights. Apply it to hair which is slightly damp.…

TEXT Simply text CHATBfollowed 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…

Dear super slimmers, Under bright camera flashes, stepping on stage at the annual Slimming World awards should’ve been my defining moment. Being surprised with the 2016 Special Achievement gong, by the CEO, was an honour. My hair and make-up were immaculate, my pale-blue gown glam. But as the eyes of 2,000 slimmers fell on me... I’m a fraud, I thought. I’d helped thousands in the 21 years I’d been a consultant at Slimming World... But I’ve let you all down, I realised now. Because that fab gown was size 22, and I was obese at 16st 1lb. In truth, I d never beaten my own issues with food. We’ve all got our own stories, haven’t we? The reasons we find ourselves in a Slimming World group. I’d married Mark, then…

F&F at TESCO All sizes 6–22 STYLE TIP swap jeans for drawstring faux-leather trousers for a luxe look that doesn’t compromise on comfort. GEORGE at ASDA All sizes 8–24 STYLE TIP A wardrobe staple, bag yourself a timeless camel coat and wear with warm creams and khakis. TU at SAINSBURY’S ALL SIZES 8–24 STYLE TIP Layer a knitted vest with blouses and dresses for extra warmth and style points. NUTMEG at MORRISONS All sizes 8–22 STYLE TIP Look for seams that gather at the waist to highlight your REAL REAL WOMEN • REAL FASHION • REAL BEAUTY Find out more about our commitment to REAL women womanandhome.com/real…

Charlotte Pugmire, 30, Isle of Wight It was the hardest conversation I’d ever had to have. ‘The medicine will help you get better, but it might make your hair fall out,’ I said to my little girl Victoria, then 2. ‘OK, Mummy,’ she replied. Victoria was a happy, girly girl who loved her blonde hair, insisted everything in her room was pink. But in June 2020, aged just 21 months, she’d started walking oddly. Her tummy hurt, too. ‘She’s probably just constipated,’ the doc said. Only, the next day, Victoria was doubled over with pain, her eyes moving rapidly, barely able to walk. I took her to St Mary’s Hospital, and this time doctors were concerned. Living on the Isle of Wight, we had to get the ferry to Southampton…

1 Understand the issue The pelvic floor, which supports your bladder, bowel, rectum and uterus, consists of muscles and ligaments - a weakness in these muscles leads to issues. It can be caused by childbirth, damage to the bladder, the menopause, neurological conditions (such as multiple sclerosis) and even a chronic cough or high-impact sports. 2 Watch your diet ‘You may find that certain types of food and drink can make symptoms worse,’ says Dr Meg Arroll. Keep a diet diary to see any correlation. Blue cheese, highly preserved meats, fast food and carbonated water have all been found to make symptoms worse. Drink lots of tap water, but limit caffeine and alcohol, which can irritate the bladder. Plus eat plenty of fibre, such as prunes, to avoid constipation, which…

‘Cerys is pure sass’ Menna Davies, 53, Birmingham Cradling my baby girl, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Just 10 days old, and I already loved her more than I’d thought possible. Only, the sound of the doctor’s footsteps down the hospital corridor made my tummy churn. ‘It’s as we thought, Cerys has Down syndrome,’ he said. My heart dropped, my dreams of a ‘perfect child’ slipping away. Months of grief followed as I mourned Cerys’ future. Family and midwives offered support, but I felt alone. And yet, as Cerys grew, flashing me smiles, I realised something. She’d always been perfect. I just couldn’t see it at first. There have been challenges along the way. Cerys suffered chest infections and a heart murmur when she was little. But she’s…

Picking up his girlfriend and swinging her around, Quran is obviously deeply in love. Nestled in his arms, Cheryl looks up longingly at her tall, handsome boyfriend. Each as smitten as the other. The decades between them means nothing as they gaze into each other’s eyes. But not everyone feels that way. How can you date your grandma? is one of the most common insults they receive online. ‘The most hateful stuff, it’ll be like they call her a zombie, say I’m dating a corpse, I’m a necrophiliac,’ says Quran. All because Cheryl is 61 and Quran just 24, a 37-year difference. It’s not a relationship they rushed into, either. The pair were friends for eight years before love blossomed. Quran says, ‘My very first job, her son was my…

Over the summer holidays, Justin started crossdressing around the house. Shopping for floral tops, skirts and dresses online. He loved everything pretty and girly. ‘I’ll have to borrow that,’ I said, envious of his new wardrobe. But going back to school was tough, wearing trousers and shirts to class. Eventually, in spring 2021, he was ready to tell the world. ‘I want everyone to see the real me,’ he confided. It was a huge step, and I worried, but that decision lit a fire under Justin. Every year, the school organised a prom for the Year 11 students, set to take place that July. ‘I’m going to wear a dress,’ he grinned. He thought it’d be a great way to come out as gay, and show everyone his true self.…

Sunshine-in-a-bowl pasta On a gloomy night this bright and easy dish will have you dreaming of summer days. SERVES 4 PREP TIME 5 MINS COOK TIME 10 MINS • 300g pasta shells • 1tbsp olive oil • 75g frozen chopped shallots • 250g petits pois, defrosted • 250g asparagus, trimmed • 200g ham, torn • 250g tub reduced-fat mascarpone • 1tbsp wholegrain mustard • Small bunch of chives, chopped 1 Cook the pasta according to the pack instructions. Drain into a colander, reserving 2 tbsp of the cooking water. 2 Using the same saucepan, heat the oil, add the shallots and cook for 2 mins. Add the petits pois, asparagus and reserved cooking water, cover with a lid and cook for 3 mins. 3 Stir through the ham, mascarpone and…

22-28 October Aries 21 March-20 April With Uranus in retrograde, your patience and courage will pay off when some results you’ve been waiting for arrive. You’ll want to celebrate with colleagues. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May The right approach is calm, sprinkled with courage. Put your true ambitions into play, and your wisdom will lead you onward and to an amazing future discovery. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June The Sun enters Libra and brings social opportunities. Be selective about which ones you choose. Your laughter’s infectious and you may gain admirers. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July If you’re looking for a new career, a caring profession would suit your empathetic nature perfectly.…