Table of contents for 6 March 2025 in Chat

Ashley Smith, 34, Worcester Looking at my phone screen, I did a double take then shrieked and raced downstairs as it buzzed in my hand. 'Guess who's calling?' I squealed, shoving my Nokia under my mum Julie's nose. 'It's Duncan James!' It was 2004 and, aged 13, I was obsessed with the boy band Blue. Antony Costa, Simon Webbe, Lee Ryan were all gorgeous. Listening to my favourite Blue songs kept me going But my favourite was Duncan. I'd plastered my bedroom walls with posters of him. Now he was calling me! Only… 'How did Duncan get my number?' I said, confused. Then I noticed Mum sniggering, phone in hand. 'It's not Duncan calling, it's me,' she admitted. Said she'd sneakily changed her number in my contacts list from 'Mum'…

Jordan Neely had a hard start to life. In 2007, when he was just 14, he lost his mum Christie when she was strangled to death by her boyfriend. After, Jordan was plagued by mental health issues. PTSD, depression, schizophrenia… He was in and out of hospital. Troubled, unstable, often homeless and on the streets of New York. During good periods, Jordan was a Michael Jackson impersonator. He'd busk in Times Square and the subway for money. But it wasn't long before Jordan started having frequent run-ins with police. In instances where he seemed suicidal, they took him to hospital. Other times to a homeless shelter. It was clear to everyone who knew him that he needed help, proper support. By 2023, he'd had more than 40 'aided case' calls…

1 Switch sleeping position Whether you're tossing and turning all night, or wake with back or neck pain, the way you're catching those ZZZs might be to blame. Side sleeper? Place a pillow between your knees to prevent the lower spine from twisting. If you're a back sleeper, put a pillow under your knees and a rolled-up towel under the small of your back. And if you tend to sleep face down, reduce strain by placing a pillow under your pelvis and lower abdomen. 2 Clown around Yes, a good giggle really can be the best medicine. 'Laughter releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, helping us feel happy and upbeat, as well as lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol,' says consultant psychologist Dr Elena Touroni. 'It also helps…

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My trust is broken Q My husband and I are lucky to have good jobs and a nice lifestyle. But my trust is broken after finding he was texting someone behind my back. I forgave him but ever since, everything he does gets on my nerves. I'm clearly not happy but leaving him means giving up my whole life. Nancy, 45 A Even with all the luck and money in the world, nothing stings like betrayal. You're allowed to feel these things and more, love. You've said you've forgiven him but have you really? Does he truly regret it? It's time to figure out how you can heal the relationship or if it even can be healed. You deserve to feel safe, cherished and respected. I want to stop swinging Q…

Katie Wright Dynamite Mesmerised, I watched on, spellbound by the performers around me. Some were walking tightropes, others juggling, or swinging from a trapeze. 'Wow!' I exclaimed. It was like I'd been transported to a magical faraway land. Age 7, I was on a school trip to the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Watching kids from Cirkidz, a circus school for children aged 2 to 18. I'd never seen anything like it. Back home, I shared my excitement with my dad. 'It was amazing! Can I join?' I pleaded. Dad agreed, signing me up to circus classes. I began learning the basics. Hula-hooping, juggling, dancing… I was obsessed with everything to do with the circus. Practised hula-hooping at home, moving my hips. 'I'm doing it!' I'd beam to Dad. By my teens,…

Q Can I use the same concealer for my spots and under my eyes? Zoe Daniels, Salford A one You can definitely use just. You'll need to find a high-coverage formula with a lightweight texture that won't sink into wrinkles or crows' feet. Luckily we've done the legwork and can recommend Max Factor Facefinity Multi-Perfector Concealer, £10.99, Boots. It's impressively pigmented, making imperfections vanish in seconds, without looking heavy or cakey. Alternatively, Revolution Skin Silk Serum Under Eye Brightener and Concealer, £8.99, Boots, has a cooling metal applicator which will soothe puffy or tired eyes, while the silky serum formula is infused with caffeine, hyaluronic acid and squalane which will hide those bags too. Or if you have acne, a lot of redness or pigmentation, you might prefer to use…

Dearest Muppet, I'll never forget the first time I saw your face. How could I? I'd received an email from the pet rescue centre. We've had a new arrival… what do you think? You charmed Cat Deeley on This Morning I opened the pic they'd attached and there you were. Wispy blond combover, tongue hanging, wonky teeth. It was love at first sight. When can I pick him up? I typed. It was April 2014 and you weren't my first encounter with the Chinese Crested breed. Back in 2004, I'd adopted Mugly, then 12 weeks old. He'd caused a stir wherever he went. He'd even been crowned the World's Ugliest Dog in 2012! His picture was all over the papers. Despite Mugly's fame, it turned out that your breed often ends…

Tracey Pascoe, 57, from Illogan, Cornwall Are you a dog or a cat person – or neither? I am most definitely a dog person… especially Labradors. I adore them. Do you have a nickname? I don't have a nickname, but if I did I think it would have to be Little Miss Chatterbox, and all my friends and family would agree. If you have a takeaway, what do you choose? Chinese! Always Chinese. I love it. If I ring up and order my favourite dishes – sweet and sour chicken and beef chow mein – they don't need to ask my name. Oops! What's your favourite season and why? Summer! Living in Cornwall, there are so many lovely beaches here and we're totally spoilt for choice. When you were growing…

Jack was an assistant to amputee railway signalman James Wide in South Africa in the 1880s, what sort of animal was he? 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 Type of piano (4,5) 4 Young bear • Gadget, device 6 Gold bar • Weep 8 Cleverness, shrewdness Your answer:…

STYLE TIP Contrast shades of blue by pairing a lighter wash with darker jeans. Tuck in and use a belt to highlight your waist. STYLE TIP Don't forget about accessories. Add a structured denim bag. It's a chic way to achieve the double denim look. FROM £5.90 STYLE TIP Dark denim works well for more tailored pieces. Pair it with a pencil skirt or wide jeans and polish off with a blazer. STYLE TIP If you don't want to go all blue try styling this on-trend frilled collar jacket with cream, black or coloured jeans.…

Sarah Stannard, 52, Surrey True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Walking along the Ramsgate seafront, I saw waves crashing in. Only, suddenly a black dot blurred my vision. Blinking, I felt panic rise as I realised it wasn't going away. It was the summer of 2004 and I was 32. Not wanting to worry anyone, I didn't tell my mum or any of my siblings. Just went home and tried to sleep it off. Over the next few days my vision got more blurry. I called in sick to my job as a sales director. Then I called the doctor and was sent for tests at the hospital. 'It's optic neuritis,' a doctor said after scans. 'It usually goes away after a few weeks.' But what he said next terrified me. 'I have…

Louise Fox, 50, Bedford My son George cuddled up to our cavapoo pooch Dolly on the sofa. 'My head's pounding,' he groaned, when I asked if he was OK. It was April 2021 and George, then 12, had been busy doing his homework. Along with his brother Jamie, then 17, and little sister Isabella, 11, he was brilliant at school. He never gave us any trouble, loved playing with his siblings. He adored animals, too. He was the one who convinced us to get Dolly and Daisy the poochon, plus our tortoise, Troy. But now even a cuddle with his best pal wasn't cheering him up. The next morning, George's headache still hadn't shifted. 'He's isn't the type to complain over nothing,' I told my husband Matt, 51. I took…

Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, assumed a de facto role as king of England after capturing Henry III following a battle in which town in 1264? Solve the crossword, then read down the shaded squares to find the prize puzzle answer. ACROSS 1 Odour (5) 4 Uncooked (3) 6 Susie _, word expert on Countdown (4) 7 Use a needle and thread (3) DOWN 1 What plants grow from (5) 2 Makes money (5) 3 Legal rule (3) 5 Had a meal (3) WIN 4 x £20 Puzzle 10 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Bacon and blue cheese stack This combo makes a great start to your pancake feast! MAKES 8-12 PREP 20 MINS, PLUS RESTING COOK 20 MINS ● 200g rye flour ● 2tsp baking powder ● 1tsp bicarbonate of soda ● 284ml buttermilk ● 2 medium eggs ● 45g butter ● 8 rashers streaky bacon ● 125g blue cheese, sliced ● 30g walnuts, roughly chopped ● Small handful dill, roughly chopped 1 In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda. Make a well in the centre and pour in the buttermilk, 4tbsp cold water and the eggs. Slowly incorporate the flour mixture to make a smooth batter. Rest for 1 hr. 2 Melt a little of the butter in a frying pan. Ladle a small amount of the batter into the pan, adding…

Aries 21 March-20 April Mercury in your sign helps you to communicate in a direct manner. Assert yourself, but choose your battles. It's better to be peaceful than right. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May This is the perfect moment to fulfil an important goal. Have faith that your idea is going to manifest in the perfect way and keep focused on what you want. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June As an air sign, you are always on the go, whether physically or mentally. Please take some time out for yourself now, to rest and recuperate for a while. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July You tend to worry and err on the side…

TEXT Simply text CHATA 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 Chat…

Tali Shapiro, 65 Grabbing my school bag, I stepped outside. 'Bye, Mum,' I called, pulling the door shut. It was 25 September 1968, and, aged 8, I was on my way to school. My mum Miki, then 35, preferred me to take the bus, but I liked walking. Within minutes, a car pulled up beside me. The driver wound down his window. 'I know your mum and dad,' he said. I wasn't surprised. My dad Benny, then 36, used to run a jazz bar. They knew everyone. But I didn't recognise this man with long, shaggy hair. 'Jump in, I'll give you a lift to school,' he said. I wasn't supposed to speak to strangers, but he knew my parents… 'OK,' I agreed. 'I'm a photographer,' the man said, as…

Looks glassy If a glass vase is looking less than sparkly due to hard water marks, drop in two denture-cleaning tablets. Within 20 minutes your lovely glass flower vase will be gleaming, for just a few pence. Mary Quinn, London That's nailed it Stop nail varnish lids from sticking by rubbing petroleum jelly around the neck of the bottle. Barbara Champion, Durham Light-bulb moment I've placed a pretty solar light on a windowsill in my hallway. It absorbs sunlight during the day and lights up the hall in the evenings, which saves money on electricity. I think it makes a stunning feature. Lucy Hodson, Wirral, Merseyside Pick of the bunch These wonderful Lego daffodils were fun to build, don't need watering and, best of all, they brighten up my kitchen…

WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 What do actors Michelle Keegan and Christina Ricci have in common? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the fiveword prize answer. ACROSS 1 Check marks (5) 4 Touch with the lips (4) 6 Scottish instrument (8) 13 Bunch of flowers (7) 14 Kenneth _, actor and film director (7) 15 Writing material (5) 16 Per person (4) 17 Holy building (6) 18 Youngest brother of King Charles III (6) 20 Gave money to (4) 21 _ Arterton, actor and former Bond girl (5) 22 Broad street (6) 25 US state (8) 28 Band who released the 1997 single MMMBop (6) 30 Type of tooth (5) 32 Writer of music (8) 34 Extraterrestrial beings (6) 35 Area of land (4) 38 National song (6) 39 2003 film, _ of New York (5) 40 Two-piece swimsuit (6) 43 Lady _, Poker…

My skin is so sore Q I'm overweight and the folds of skin around my stomach and thighs keep getting infected. I use talcum powder, but it doesn't help. Sonia, Basingstoke A It sounds like you're experiencing skin irritation due to friction and moisture in the folds, which can lead to redness, soreness and infections. Talcum powder often isn't enough to prevent this. Instead, keep the area clean by gently washing it with mild soap and water, then patting it dry. Use an anti-chafing cream or barrier ointment, like zinc oxide, which can help protect the skin. If the area becomes infected, see your GP who may recommend antibiotics or antifungal creams. Loose-fitting clothes can reduce friction and moisture-wicking fabrics may help. Losing weight might reduce the size of the…

The company that is now Mars Inc was founded as The Nougat House by Franklin Mars in which city in 1920? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Citrus fruits = LIES + M = LIMES. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2 x £25 Puzzle 9 Citrus fruits Foundation Angry tirades Estates Shiraz and Rioja, eg Shoreline Canadian tree Pulls a face Scottish tribes Seat Pillars Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Falling flat Features editor Fran said: Rainbows, flowers and hearts are just a few of my daughter's favourite things, so in an attempt to impress Olivia, 5, I made a pancake scene. With a bit of food colouring, I was feeling on the up, until she asked for her favourite TV character, Bluey, and it all came crashing down. Um, the only thing I got right here is the colour! Bone appétit! Editor Kate said: 'Armed with a squeezy bottle of batter and an ancient pancake pan I set out to recreate my beagle Daphne in pancake form. My top tip? Make a series of simple shapes and stack 'em up. Coloured with icing sugar and choccy sauce, I reckon it looks pretty good! Trouble is, making the pancakes took so long…

Lyn Fox, 63, Pontardawe, Neath Port Talbot Confusion washed over me. Who is that? I thought, frowning at the pic on my phone. It had been taken at a party a few weeks before. A great day. But I didn't recognise this woman wearing a blue dress in the snap my pal had sent me. Until suddenly, I did. 'That can't be me!' I said to my hubby Freddie, then 64, as he peered over my shoulder. 'Don't be daft, course it is,' he said. 'But that woman is enormous,' I gulped. In that moment, I knew something had to change. It was March 2023 and at 5ft 8in I weighed 16st, was a dress size 20. I'd been steadily piling on weight for a while. I knew I'd got…

3 ways to… make extra from looking after pets If you love furry animals, could you net some more income by helping out… 1 A walk in the park Lots of people need their pets cared for, such as when they go out of the house for long periods due to work. The amount you could earn will vary but you may be able to charge around £10-£15 per hour for dog walking – plus it's good exercise for you too. If it goes well, you could end up with a regular client base and you may be able to earn even more by caring for their pet overnight if they go away. If you love cats, you could offer the same service for them. 2 How to set up There are…

Agatha Christie's Towards Zero BBC1 ● Following 2023's star-studded mystery Murder is Easy, here's another adaptation of a tale by the bestselling author. Hollywood star Anjelica Huston plays Lady Tressilian, who welcomes a motley crew of guests to her seaside home. Among them are her nephew, tennis star Nevile Strange (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), his new wife Kay (Mimi Keene) and his ex-wife Audrey (Ella Lily Hyland). Throw a few others into the mix and it's not long before there's a murder… Can troubled detective Inspector Leach (Matthew Rhys) solve the case before another victim dies? DON'T MISS DON'T MISS A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story ITV1 ● In 1955, Ruth Ellis was the last woman to be hanged in the UK. This drama stars Lucy Boynton (The Ipcress File) as…

Katie Billing, 25, Surrey My eyes were dazzled as I looked around the room. There were keyboards, guitars, harmonicas… 'Cool,' I said, pressing down on a piano key. 'Do you want to learn?' my stepgrandad Alan, then 44, said with a smile. I nodded eagerly. Alan had been with my nan since I was 2, so I'd only ever called him Grandad. Now 8, I thought he was so much fun. While Mum and Dad were working, he'd take care of me after school. Reading stories, building forts with sofa cushions and bed sheets. But my favourite thing was the music room, upstairs in the house he shared with Nan. He worked in a warehouse, but at home, he was a keen musician. I loved going in there and playing…

Anyone from your town in the list this week..? Chat winners issue 47 (21 Nov 2024) £1,001 CASH D Edwards, Halifax £500 CASH B Nunn, Peterborough S Clare, Consett £250 CASH A Wilson, Ashington V Bygrave, Norwich £200 CASH J Ashmore, Derby £100 CASH P Nixon, Stoke-on-Trent F Newton, Skelmersdale L Bradbury, Edinburgh £50 CASH G Wojtaszewska, Oldham J Blyth, Glasgow E Davis, Southsea L Maclulskas, Sale C Knowles, Chester-le-Street T Pardon, Norwich £40 CASH K Richards, Milton Keynes £30 CASH B Fahey, Clacton-on-Sea A Beale, Hailsham £25 CASH A Austin, Wrexham A Lawrence, Otley £20 CASH P Curry, Newcastle upon Tyne M Kirby, Preston E Bamford, Glasgow P Jones, Accrington C Tidswell, Peterborough J Shepherd, Wisbech J Hadley, Christchurch P Meese, Nottingham J Youel, Slough H Dunn, Sunderland L…