Table of contents for 07-Jan-2021 in Chat

Appy & healthy Find out whether you’re at risk of obstructive sleep apnoea with SleepCheck. This will provide you with an analysis report showing your risk from low to very high. Sleep apnoea is a serious disorder in which breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep. (£4.99, iOS) Swap and see Are you a lover of raw veggies and dips? Why not swap your regular dip for this ChicP Herby Houmous, rich in disease-fighting antioxidants and just 127 calories per pot? (£2.50, chicp.co.uk) A glass to beat ageing? Now this sounds like good news… New research suggests that treating yourself to a glass of red and some dark chocolate could help turn back the clock!* This is because they contain a compound which may rejuvenate inactive senescent cells, making them…

He wants to live together Q I’ve been with my boyfriend for three years. We don’t live together, but – pre-pandemic at least – go on holiday twice a year, have good jobs and a great social life. Lately, he’s been saying it’d be lovely to wake up together every morning. I think he’s hinting at moving in together, which sounds nice...but I don’t want to change anything! I like my house as it is and couldn’t do with his untidy ways. I’m worried that if I tell him this, he’ll feel rejected and might end a good thing in search of someone who will live with him. What would you do, Nelly? Janet, 27 A Fear of change is common, but it’s part of life, petal. Don’t put pressure…

Kate Cradduck, 44, Aberdeen Walking out of the pub with my date, I felt like I was walking on a cloud. ‘Thanks for a lovely evening,’ Richard, then 31, said to me. It was October 2007 and we were on our first date. And it had been a success. On our way to the taxi rank, we stopped in our tracks and Richard and I kissed for the first time. I closed my eyes, taking in the moment. Then.. Crash! A car mounted the pavement and drove into us. Richard was flung in one direction, while I flew in the other. I blacked out. When I woke up, I could hear sirens. I was rushed by ambulance to Eastbourne District General Hospital. There, X-rays showed I’d sustained damage to my…

THE BIGGIE What connects the actors Rebel Wilson and Gerard Butler? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the four-word prize answer. ACROSS 1 Speak out loud (5) 4 Confront the consequences: _ the music (4) 6 Replied to a question (8) 13 Kitchen sideboard (7) 14 Synthetic material (7) 15 Classical language (5) 16 Space, chamber (4) 17 Notion, idea (6) 18 Chaperone (6) 20 Soft white food made from bean curd (4) 21 Clever and amusing (5) 22 Make very angry (6) 25 Known for certain (8) 28 Takes in a child (6) 30 Choose by voting (5) 32 Chart of a year (8) 34 Fortified wine (6) 35 Counterfoil to a ticket (4) 38 Justin _, Canadian singer (6) 39…

In October 2020, Yiannis Paraskakis was found guilty of killing and raping Suzanne Eaton. Paraskakis was sentenced to life imprisonment for manslaughter, and an extra 13 years was added for the rape. Finally, Suzanne’s family had justice. But nothing would bring back the devoted wife, mother and biologist. In a tribute to her daughter, Suzanne’s heartbroken mother Glynda wrote, From the day Suzanne was brought to me right after she was born... not drowsy and sleepy but with her head up, her eyes alert, that interest in everything around her has never changed. Her accomplishments are many and varied. She was a devoted wife and mother, and dearly loved by her family. One of her sons added, My mother was a remarkable woman. She managed to live a life with…

Sudden night jerks wake me up! Q When I’m just falling asleep, I often wake myself (and my husband) with a sudden jerk! Is something wrong? Kath, Swansea A They’re called hypnic jerks and most of us experience them from time to time. They don’t usually point to anything wrong, though if you experience lots of them, particularly if you wake up with symptoms such as a bitten tongue, a wet bed or confusion, then see your GP to rule out forms of epilepsy. The jerks happen just as you’re falling asleep, though no-one’s sure why – could be that your relaxing muscles fool your brain into thinking you’re falling, or that as you enter light sleep your brain imagines a noise, flash of light or a sensation of falling,…

MURDERED AT WORK Cassie Hayes, 28, was murdered at the travel agent’s where she worked in January 2018. Andrew Burke, 30, the ex-partner of Cassie’s new girlfriend, Laura Williams, entered the Tui store in Southport town centre. Apologising to staff for what they were about to see, he then cut Cassie’s throat with a knife. In April 2018, Burke pleaded guilty to murder and having an offensive weapon, and was jailed for a minimum of 26 years. ‘CANNIBAL’ IN JAIL Robert Maudsley (right) is the UK’s longest serving prisoner in solitary confinement, having served over 40 years for the murder of four men. Liverpool-born Maudsley was working as a rent boy in 1974, when he was jailed for life for killing a client. In prison in 1977, he rammed a…

The Rolling Stones’ tongue-and-lips logo was inspired by representations of which goddess? Solve the crossword, then read down the yellow squares to spell out the prize puzzle answer. ACROSS 1 One who makes bread (5) 4 Promise (3) 6 Cut of meat (4) 7 Character from The Simpsons,_Flanders (3) DOWN 1 Heroine of Beauty and the Beast (5) 2 Actor, _ Costner (5) 3 Uncooked (3) 5 TV show, _ Tree Hill (3) WIN £50 Puzzle 13 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

All of us have that little thing we do to help us look our best. A bit of lippy or a bouncy blow-dry can really give anyone a boost. But one woman in Ukraine has done something more extreme to put her best face forward. Anastasia Pokreshchuk, from Kiev, claims to have the biggest cheeks in the world – after having countless filler injections. Anastasia, 30, got her first lip fillers when she was 26 and hasn’t stopped injecting her face since. She has now spent the equivalent of around £1,500 on facial procedures – including lip, cheek and jawline fillers, as well as botulinum toxin injections to smooth out any wrinkles. Her most striking feature has to be her enormous cheeks, though. She got her first at 26 and…

Researching diets online, I came across Exante. ‘It’s nutritious shakes and bars, and one healthy, high-protein meal a day,’ I explained to Richard. It sounded easy enough. After years of indulging in takeaways and cans of cola, I knew that I needed a complete reboot. I wanted to start from scratch. So I signed up to the diet plan. Preparing a shake in the morning instead of my usual four slices of toast, my stomach groaned. I was wrong – it was no walk in the park! ‘This isn’t going to be easy,’ I moaned to Richard. ‘You can do this,’ he encouraged me. I stayed strong, ignored my rumbling tummy all day. And in the evening, I prepared some healthy chicken fajitas. I’d be lying if I said it…

More than half of first-time buyers in 2020 aged under 35 received financial help from parents, other family members or friends to help them get on the property ladder, research by Legal & General and CEBR has found. And 71% said that they wouldn’t have been likely to buy without this support, and would have had to delay plans to buy by four years, on average. Did you know? Nearly 90% of Brits think buying the latest smartphone is a waste of money, according to a study from musicMagpie. Meanwhile, 60% are ‘bored’ of trying to keep up to date. TOP TIP Buying supermarket basic ranges can produce significant savings to your weekly food shop.…

Aries 21 March-20 April Having decided on a new goal, you have a spring in your step. If there’s a problem looming, be wise and execute your solution immediately or ask for help. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Feeling unsure of yourself? Have you been listening to others boasting about their achievements? Take one step at a time and you’ll fulfil your objectives too. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Cook your partner a meal. It’ll be entertaining, especially when you try to invent a new recipe with only a few ingredients you have in the cupboard. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July If you’re feeling romantic, spoil your partner with a relaxing massage.…

Shawny Khan, 28, Sittingbourne, Kent Wearing a leather jacket and a pair of my old tartan pyjama bottoms, my big brother Ashley, then 19, strode in. ‘All right, Shone?’ he grinned, roughing up my hair playfully. It was the summer of 2007 and I was happy Ashley was home. Outgoing and fun, he was four years older than me and I looked up to him. Taking his jacket off, he shot upstairs to his room. The familiar sound of A Message to You Rudy by The Specials started booming out from his stereo. I couldn’t help but laugh. Ash was home all right! I had four other brothers and sisters, but Ashley and I had always been close. We’d often get a takeaway together, sit for hours in our local…

Q I have curly hair, but it feels dry and frizzy. Is there anything that’ll give me smooth curls without that crispy feeling? Natalie White, 47, Great Yarmouth A The key to fighting frizz? Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Let’s start with washing. Some shampoos can be harsh and leave curly hair unmanageable. Use a moisturising shampoo like Maui Moisture Hair Care Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo, £8.99, Boots, and once washed gently squeeze out excess water – rubbing wet hair only makes frizz worse. After washing, work in Lee Staff ord For The Love of Curls Custard Cream, £8.99, Boots, to replenish moisture and prevent frizz. Afro hair can be brittle, so use a hydrating leave-in cream instead. We rate Imbue Curl Inspiring Conditioning Leave In Spray, £7.99, Superdrug. TOP…

Max Factor Masterpiece Xpress Quick Dry Nail Polish, £5.99, Superdrug With one-coat coverage and a rapid 60-second drying time, you can push the boat out and change your colour as often as you fancy. Available in 12 suits-all shades, from nude to berry, these are a must for any nail polish junkie. Sleek i-Divine Palette, £8.99, Boots The iconic eyeshadow palette is 13 years old and, to celebrate, it’s undergone a bit of a makeover, with new shades and an improved vegan formula that delivers intense colour. The ‘Level Up’ palette is our pick for ageless, suits-all eye colour. Lacura E1 Exclusive Only EDT, £4.99 100ml, Aldi This glamorous floriental fragrance has been a massive hit with shoppers. With zingy pink champagne top notes and woody, musky base notes, it…

Widowed and childless, Suzanne Thibeau, 93, deeply valued her pals. Especially Clara Maes, 84, who was undoubtedly her best friend. Suzanne had known her for 60 years, and she was one of the most important people in her life. Clara was a head nurse before she retired in 1991. Being kind and caring was in her nature. She looked out for her old friend, visiting her daily to take her in some shopping or to do her washing-up. They were so close that in her will, Suzanne left most of her fortune to Clara. It was her way of thanking her for her years of support and companionship. At the time of her death, Clara would receive 70% of Suzanne’s wealth. The remainder would go to Suzanne’s cousin. Suzanne Thibeau…

Chat winners issue 39 (24 September 2020) Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £1,001 CASH V Tate, Gateshead £1,000 CASH J Plumb, London £500 CASH P McDonnell, Preston; J Roden, Wigan £250 CASH G Platt, Bolton £150 CASH N Barton, Gloucester £100 CASH V Tate, Gateshead; G Grant, Deal; D Pike, Pinner; D Edwards, Newhaven; A Napier, Chorley £60 CASH M Prevel, Guernsey £50 CASH R Ryan, Eastbourne; S Weston, Sutton Coldfield; N Thomas, Port Talbot £30 CASH M Bottomley, Rochdale; C Stanworth, Burnley; J Small, Felixstowe; A Tatchell, Dursley; K Hunt, Taunton £25 CASH L Stephenson, Consett; E Black, Stockton-on-Tees; S Clarke, Shipston-on-Stour; R Wright, Newcastle: H Eden, Sudbury; V Jones, Middlesbrough; C James, Oxford; T Edwards, Bicester; H Appleby, London Chat PUZZLE 1 1758 Chat…

Dear Mum, Ever since I can remember, sitting on your lap as a child, you’d tell me stories from your past. I loved to hear all about your early romance with a Canadian pilot during World War Two. The way all the girls’ jaws dropped as these handsome airmen walked around town. And how jealous the local lads were! Your adventures with your best friend Margaret when you both joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service, at 17, always made me laugh and cry. The ATS was the women’s branch of the British Army. Both working as secretaries, you’d get told off for nattering. The dances at the Army base sounded fun. Even with rationing, you managed to put on a spread. I can still hear you laughing as you recalled your…

Hannah Thomas, 33, Northampton Snuggling up to my mum, I wished she could stay with me a little longer. ‘Please read me a story,’ I asked hopefully, trying to suppress a yawn. ‘Sorry, darling,’ she replied. ‘I’ve got work.’ Kissing me on the forehead, she stood up and pulled on her coat. ‘But I’m sure Nigel will read to you,’ she said. My mood instantly deflated. That was the last thing I wanted. It was 1991, I was 4, and Nigel, then 32, was my stepdad. I’d been just 2 when Mum had introduced me to him. He seemed friendly at first. But a year later, after I’d been a bridesmaid at their wedding, things changed. Whenever Mum left the house for her job as a midwife, Nigel switched. Became…

Jogging down a country road on the beautiful Greek island of Crete, Suzanne Eaton picked up the pace. It was July 2019, and Suzanne, 59, a prominent American scientist, had been invited to speak at an international conference on the island. A keen runner and athlete, she was a woman of many talents. She had a black belt in taekwondo, loved playing the piano and cooking. She was a devoted wife to her husband Anthony. A wonderful mother to their two sons. Suzanne lived a happy and fulfilling life. But that day, when she went for a jog, she never returned... The search Colleagues raised the alarm when they realised she’d been gone for some time. The last time anyone saw her, she was playing the piano in the hotel…

Denise Ahmed, 35, north London My eyes opened to the all-too familiar sound of my son’s cries. It was 2015, and the clock showed the early hours of the morning. ‘I’ll go this time,’ I whispered to my husband. And while I wished this sleepless night was just a one-off, the reality was that tending to Yahya, then 2, was a nightly occurrence. He’d had trouble sleeping since the previous summer. Every night, he’d cry and cough, his nose streaming. And the repercussions of interrupted sleep carried into the next day. He’d feel grumpy and exhausted, lacking the vigour of a toddler. My husband and I already had our hands full looking after our other children Zakariya, then 3, and newborn Eesa. And now, with the sleepless nights, we were…

OVER TO YOU Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the address on Page 3 – there’s £20 for every one we use! This week’s puzzle was compiled by Bailey McGuire, Cleethorpes, NE Lincs ACROSS 1. Among 2. Ticket price 3. Soon/shortly 4. Hire DOWN 1. At a distance 2. Head of hair 3. Flatten out wrinkles 4. A hollow/depression WIN 5 x £25 Puzzle 6 Your answer: CHAIN WORDS The Akatsuka Award and the Tezuka Award are presented to outstanding examples of what literary genre? Get from Start to Finish, making words by joining two boxes together as you go, eg: SNOW + FALL, FALL +... you decide! When you reach Finish, two unused boxes join together to give you the…

ARROW WORD Finocchietto is an Italian liqueur made flavoured with the wild variety of what plant? 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 puzzle 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 WIN £60 Puzzle 11 Your answer: WORDSEARCH Which band were sued by the drinks company Coca-Cola over the similarity of one of their songs to I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing? The prize puzzle answer is the one missing from the grid.…

FILL ME IN Which geographical area is split into eastern and western sections by the Yenisey river system? 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 The Old Irish poem Tain Bo Cuailnge, known as Ireland’s national epic, references what animals in its title? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles to find the prize answer. 3 letters AIL AIR ICE KID LEI NOD SKY TAG TAR VOW 4 letters ABLE ARCH EPIC KNOW OBEY SAIL TALK 5 letters ADORE LOYAL SMART 6 letters ADVERT ANYWAY LAWYER PELLET SALADS SHOWER 8 letters YACHTING WIN £100 Puzzle…

3 ways to… deal with a friend asking for cash If a mate asks you to lend them money, it can feel hard to say no – but it’s important that you think it through properly before committing, says the Money Advice Service. 1 Can you afford it? Before deciding to lend a friend cash, it’s essential to work out whether you can afford to do so without getting yourself into financial difficulty. So look at your own budget first; if you don’t have one, the budget planner at moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/tools/budget-planner may be helpful. It’s also essential to consider whether your friend will be able to pay you back. 2 What to consider Even if you’re confident the person asking to borrow money will be able to pay it back in…

Cheesy mushroom delight Moreish mushrooms and creamy cheese… who needs meat? SERVES: 4 PREP TIME: 10 MINS COOK TIME: 15 MINS • 280g rigatoni or any other tubes of pasta • 50g unsalted butter • 2 large shallots, finely chopped • 600g chestnut mushrooms, sliced • 100ml dry white wine, or stock • Squeeze of lemon juice • 230g mild Cheddar or Brie, cut into 1cm cubes • Handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped 1 Cook the pasta in a pan of salted, boiling water according to the pack instructions until cooked, but firm. Drain and reserve a little of the cooking water. 2 In a separate pan, heat 2tbsp of the butter over a high heat, then add the shallots and cook until tender. Add the mushrooms and cook for…

Stand Up And Deliver C4 Former Corrie actor Katie McGlynn is among the five famous faces attempting stand-up in this new series. The other stars flexing their funny bones include Love Island star Curtis Pritchard and Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder. Grace ITV Based on the best-selling novels by Peter James, this new crime drama stars Life on Mars actor John Simm as DS Roy Grace. A hard-working, Brighton-based detective, he’s given his life to the job, but his unorthodox police methods put his hard-fought career in jeopardy. Sex Education NETFLIX When the comedy drama returns for a third series, look out for Harry Potter star Jason Isaacs. He plays Peter, the more successful and not very modest older brother of Mr Groff (Alistair Petrie), who’s been staying with his…

Beauty Editor Stephanie Maylor shares her favourites Origins Ginzing Refreshing On-the-Go Eye Cream, £18.50, Boots Plagued by dark circles? This cream delivers a well-rested look, thanks to optical brighteners that instantly illuminate. The built-in sponge tip is a brilliant little tool – tap gently under the eye to get trapped fluid moving and give puffiness the push! Q+A Caffeine Eye Serum, £6.50, qandaskin.com Like a double shot of espresso, this zingy serum gets circulation going to help de-puff and revive tired eyes. Added pomegranate extract also helps to tone this delicate, wrinkleprone skin area. The Inkey List Retinol Eye Cream, £9.99, Boots When it comes to fighting wrinkles, retinol is an unparalleled ingredient. This cream releases it slowly, so as not to irritate. Apply every night to boost collagen production…

PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS THROUGHOUT HOW TO ENTER TEXT Simply text CHATD followed by a space and your answer/s (spaces between answers please) full name, door number and postcode to 84988 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…