Table of contents for 09-Jun-2016 in Chat

Doctors couldn't work out what was causing the bumps We can't be sure what the future holds for Oscar Curling my arms around my growing bump, tears slipped down my cheeks. ‘If only she’d clung on for a bit longer,’ I wept to my boyfriend Daniel Langham, 20. ‘I know,’ Dan sympathised, holding me in his arms. It was November 2014, I was four months pregnant, and my beloved mum Karen, 50, had just passed away from cancer. I was bereft – especially because Mum would never meet her grandchild. She’d been so happy when we’d told her we were expecting. But, by then, she was already so poorly. It’d been a long, painful battle. Mum had already had breast cancer before being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2012.…

A car ploughed into us head-on. Sent us flying My cheeks hurt from laughing so much. My hubby Dave, 46, had the whole pub in stitches. It was karaoke night at our local. After a few beers, Dave had plucked up the courage to have a singsong. He loved a bit of karaoke. And, of course, he picked his favourite tune – Combine Harvester by The Wurzels. Everyone found it hilarious. Dave was actually a quiet, reserved bloke. But, when it came to karaoke night, he was full of surprises. Dave and I had been married nearly nine years. He’d taken my three boys – Michael, now 16, Brendan, 15, and Owen, 14 – on as his own. A brilliant dad, we’d soon extended our brood and had Shannon, 11,…

1 Heat a frying pan, add a good glug of olive oil and, when hot, fry a large, peeled and diced sweet potato for 6-8 min until cooked through and lightly caramelized. Transfer to a large bowl. 2 Fry 100g thickly sliced button mushrooms for a further 6-8 min until cooked through and lightly caramelized. Transfer to the bowl with sweet potato. 3 Add 100g cubed feta cheese to bowl, with 150g thinly sliced asparagus spears and 4 whisked eggs. Mix together thoroughly. 4 Tip mixture back into the hot pan, level slightly and cook until eggs begin to set and outer edge is a golden-brown colour. 5 Put the pan under a hot grill and cook until top of fritatta is golden. Serves: 4 Cost per head: 86p LIFE!…

1 Take a self-guided tour Start at Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare was laid to rest. Mystery surrounds his burial… check out the clues for yourself. 2 Shakespeare's Birthplace Once you've seen where it all ended, explore where it all began! Learn what life was like in 16th-century England, and keep your eyes open for Shakespeare Aloud! - a theatre troupe performing in the garden of the house. They're happy to act out any scene from any play you ask them to. 3 Royal Shakespeare Company Watch the world's greatest actors take on the world's greatest parts. Don't miss The Play's The Thing , an exhibition looking at the company's history, and From Page To Stage , a theatre tour that takes you on…

His face lit up when he started telling me about James That evening, detectives turned up with bad news I’d always been fiercely protective of my son Steven. He was a kind, loving lad with a heart of gold. But he was also vulnerable. At 14, he’d been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and that same year, he’d come out as gay. His stepdad Tommy and I, along with his big brother Michael, then 17, and little sister Katie, 9, were all supportive. ‘We just want you to be happy,’ I promised. Besides, we were far more concerned about his mental-health issues than his sexuality. Because, while most of the time he was a gentle, caring soul, when Steven got sick, he’d suffer from paranoid delusions, hear voices, believe people were living…

I needed inhalers to breathe and crutches to walk… I had so much excess weight, it'd hidden my gallstones! The house was spotless, the washing done, my daughters Mia, 5, and Grace, 3, had been fed, bathed and tucked up in bed. Now, finally, my fiance Daniel Rhodes, 22, and I could have our dinner. Too exhausted to cook, I got the menus out. ‘Indian?’ I asked Dan. ‘Great!’ he replied. Before long, we were tucking into curry, rice and chips. I wish I could say this was a one-off treat. But it wasn’t. After a busy day of school runs and chores, I often didn’t have the energy to cook for me and Dan. Living on frozen pizza and takeaways had taken its toll, I hadn’t weighed myself in…

Barely anything is known about her rare condition My daughter Olivia, now 7, has always been different. I first noticed that something wasn’t right when she was 9 months. She stopped sleeping during the day but never seemed tired. I took her to see our GP. ‘She’s fine,’ I was told. But as she got older, Olivia became a fussy eater, too. ‘Not hungry,’ she’d say, pushing her plate away. I knew kids could be picky, but Olivia was never hungry. Then I noticed she didn’t seem to feel pain. If she fell over and scraped her knee, she’d just pick herself up and carry on. Her behaviour was a problem, too. She’d have days where she was extremely hyper, bouncing off the walls. Other days, she’d be aggressive towards…

I was only scared of missing out on a lifetime with Richard It felt like my husband Nigel was everywhere. From the fabric of the settee, to the mug he drank his tea from in the kitchen. He’d died from stomach cancer in August 2014, age 57. It came out of nowhere and took him in four months. Now everything in our home reminded me of how happy we’d been during our seven-year marriage. It was the same at work. Nigel had been a patient in the hospital department where I was a nursing auxiliary. ‘Time for a change,’ I told myself. The constant reminders were too painful. So I moved to a new flat with my daughter Emma, 21, and got a new job. Checkout assistant at Asda. ‘You’re…

He must have been in shock, as he wasn't crying We ran back to the surgery with Dylan's fingers in the container Boys will be boys. My son Dylan, 10, was always coming home covered in mud, or with cuts on his knees. ‘I was making dens in the park,’ he’d explain. A good lad, I never had any worries about him. Then, in April this year, it was the school holidays. Dylan told me he was going to the park with his friends. ‘Be back for dinner,’ I told him. Me and his stepdad James, 28, had a few errands to run. By 3.30pm that afternoon, we were on our way home. I’d just popped into the local chemist when my phone rang. It was our GP. ‘Dylan’s had…

We're well equipped to help Vinnie cope with challenges When you look at our family photos, what do you see? A couple in love, a gorgeous baby boy… Well, I’m sure you can see our snaps more clearly than I can... You see, in December 2009, aged 18, I’d terrible earache, a sore throat and a cough. I regularly had trouble with my ears and knew I had an infection, so I called my GP. ‘You need to phone the National Pandemic Flu Service,’ the receptionist said. It was the height of the swine-flu epidemic and I was diagnosed with that over the phone. My mum Debbie, 48, collected Tamiflu medication for me the next day. But, after taking two tablets, I felt worse and had a rash on my…

I realised that my screen had started flashing It was a typical, chilly winter’s afternoon. My partner Darren, 48, was watching the rugby on the telly, so I snuggled on the sofa to play a few games of Chat Mag Bingo. I’d joined the site two years earlier after spotting a promotion in Chat magazine. And I have to say, I really loved it! It wasn’t long before I’d made friends with some of the other people in the chatrooms. I found that everybody in there was incredibly friendly. The chat hosts also introduced themselves, and offered to answer any questions that I might have. ‘There’s just so much to do,’ I explained to Darren as I talked to some of the other players in the chatroom and joined in…

Jimmy had desperately tried to open the door to escape THE CRIME On 11 September 1995, little Jimmy Ryce stepped off the school bus just metres from his front door, carrying his brown book bag. But he never made it home. A nationwide search was launched as his desperate parents held a stream of news conferences begging for Jimmy's safe return. Three months went by with no sign of Jimmy. Then his school bag was discovered in a filthy trailer six miles away. But how did it end up there? And what had happened to Jimmy? THE STORY Nine-year-old Samuel James Ryce – known to everyone as Jimmy – wanted to be a Major League baseball player. The young lad had reddish-brown hair, sparkling blue eyes and what his mother…

He'd strangled Steven with a washing line The police had made arrests and were questioning suspects. Horrified, I couldn’t sleep and my GP put me on sleeping tablets. Within four days, someone had been charged with Steven’s murder. James Jepson. The man Steven called his friend, the man I was so happy he’d met. Steven’s death hit us all hard, Michael especially. ‘I should’ve protected him,’ he wept. ‘He was my little brother.’ It was gut-wrenching watching my family falling apart. In April, we had Steven cremated at St Patrick’s Church in Wigan. I had his ashes buried next to my eldest sister Theresa, who’d died years earlier of a heart attack at 34. We’d been so close. ‘I want him to be with family,’ I sobbed, heartbroken. In September…

Growing up, I really loved singing. But while I sang in the school choir, I was shy about my talent. The dressing room wall fell away and I was on stage in front of an audience! Leaving school at 18, I trained as a hairdresser and started working in my mum, Natalie’s hair salon. But I harboured dreams of a music career, so my mum, 47, and dad Stephen, 48, paid for me to have singing lessons. My confidence grew and I began performing at local charity events and, last December, I sang for the Welsh Labour MPs’ Christmas party in London. But it still wasn’t enough to quit my day job. ‘We’ve been asked to do hair for a charity do,’ Mum said one day. So this March, we…

Sainsbury's Coronation Chicken, 230g, £1.35 Sweet, with a mild curry flavour. It's very moist, so don't overfill sarnies or it'll ooze out of the sides when you bite in! Morrisons Coronation Chicken, 250g, £1.34 A mild-flavoured curry mayonnaise full of chicken, and sweet from 8/10 mango chutney, peaches and sultanas. Delicious with salad and potato salad as a light, tasty lunch. Tesco Coronation Chicken, 270g, £1.35 Made to fill up to five sarnies, this is rich and tangy, thanks to mango chutney, and sweet thanks to apricots and sultanas. This tasty filling is a royal winner! NEW  Asda Coronation Chicken in a Bun, £2.50 Can't be bothered to make sarnies? Then try this crown-shaped bun. It's filled with a spicy, curry-flavoured chicken filling.…

Serves: 4 Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min 6 conference pears, peeled, cored and chopped Zest and juice of 1 lime 1tsp ground cardamom 1tbsp agave nectar Topping: 3tbsp walnuts, 1tbsp chopped 5tbsp rolled oats 1tbsp sunflower seeds 2tbsp coconut oil, melted 1tbsp agave nectar Pinch of salt 2tbsp coconut flakes, toasted 1 Preheat oven to 180C/ Gas 4. 2 Stir pears, lime zest and juice, cardamom and agave nectar in a pan over a medium-low heat for 6-8 min. 3 Whizz 2tbsp of walnuts in a food processor, then mix with remaining nuts, oats, sunflower seeds, coconut oil, agave nectar and salt. 4 Place pear mixture into an ovenproof dish and add topping. Bake for 20-25 min, then sprinkle on toasted coconut flakes to serve.…

I didn't want him to touch me, but I couldn't tell him to stop Standing 6ft 7in tall, my grandad Robert Constable was a big, lovable character. He’d sneak me biscuits when he thought my grandma Molly wasn’t looking. ‘Don’t spoil her,’ she’d snap. I nicknamed him the ‘BFG’ – Big Friendly Giant. He’d scoop me onto his knee, read me stories. Every month, I’d stay with my grandparents one weekend. I looked forward to it. But one of those weekends, when I was 8, my grandma was out running an errand. ‘Come here,’ Grandad said, patting his lap. I ran over, and he stopped me and lifted up my T-shirt. ‘Just looking,’ he smirked. I giggled nervously as he stared at my bare chest. ‘You’ll develop soon,’ he leered.…

Slip sliding away Here’s a tip for Maria Connelly (We Hear You, 31 March issue) about moving heavy items. Pour washing-up liquid on the floor in front of the item to help slip it out. Jean Scarry, Harlow Photo of the week What a beautiful sunset I snapped while on holiday in Florence, Italy..! Sharon Hudd, via Facebook A dog’s life I was happy to read that Veronica Smart’s dog Broxi (Sew Wicked!, 14 April issue) was fine after the vet removed the needle he’d swallowed. My friend became worried when her dog Patch gulped down a stone he found in the woods. Luckily, the vet made sure no harm was done to her pet. Thank goodness for the vets that get our dogs back to health – and mischief!…

Robert Downey Jr Ironman actor Robert was arrested for drug possession charges in autumn 2000. He later attended a rehabilitation programme and is a reformed man. Natasha Lyonne She's one of the stars of prison drama Orange Is The New Black , but actress Natasha found herself on the wrong side of the law in 2001 when she was charged with driving under the influence. Hugh Grant Don't think we've ever seen Four Weddings star Hugh look more awkward! He was arrested in LA, back in 1995, for ‘lewd conduct' after being caught having sex in his car. Mel Gibson Mel was arrested back in 2006 for suspected drink-driving. The actor also allegedly made racist and sexist remarks to police officers,…

It’s so much fun exploring different rooms My hubby John, 64, and I used to love an evening at the bingo hall – we still do! But when I spotted a promotion for Chat Mag Bingo online, with a fab sign-up bonus, we had to give it a go. So, last August, we both joined, receiving £35 to play with when we deposited £10. ‘This is fun!’ I said to John as we explored the different bingo rooms. Online bingo suits us well now we’ve retired! With some downtime and being able to play from the comfort of our own sofa, it’s perfect. There are so many games. My favourite is the 90-ball bingo, but you can play 70-ball bingo, or try out different rooms, like Emerald, Sapphire, Tiki and…

She looked just like Nan. Friendly smile, same warm eyes… All families have secrets. And 10 years ago, my nan Yvonne, 71, revealed ours… ‘I’ve got a sister,’ she told me and my siblings Shaun, 31, and Leigh, 29. I was stunned. When Nan was 3, her mum had had another girl. But with their dad out of the picture, her sister was adopted at birth. With her mum unable to cope as a single mum, Nan had been sent to live with family. But, aged 10, she’d been told about her baby sister. ‘I tried to find her years ago,’ Nan said. But she didn’t even know her name. It’d seemed impossible. Curious, in January this year I did a bit of digging. My mum, Dawn, 49, had an…

Gemini 22 May - 21 June TV detectives always find that early clues lead them in the wrong direction - only at the end of the show do they work out who did it. You’re the same now. What you discover this week is only half the story, so be careful. Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June - 23 July You’ve got your rosy-tinted specs on this week, as a nostalgic visit to your old haunts convinces you that the old times were the best. You’d love to go back, but that’s confusing sense with sentiment. Stay firmly in the here and now. Call 0905 817 0693* for more Leo 24 July - 23 Aug You can have what you want, but with restrictions. That’s like wanting…

One morning, Sam woke up unable to move his legs… Every tea break, I checked my phone, desperately hoping for a text. Finally, it came. He’s got Guillain-Barre syndrome, the message read. It was March last year. My boyfriend Sam, 19, had been getting really bad pins and needles in his hands and legs for the past two months. Five minutes on the settee in front of the telly and it would start up. ‘It’s nothing,’ he’d grimace, flexing his fingers and toes. I wasn’t convinced, but he was adamant. We’d been together a year, met through friends and bonded over our love of rugby league. Both supporters of the Rhinos, we’d spend our Fridays at the ground in Headingley. We’d buy bags of chips to eat in the stands.…

Wilkinson Sword Quattro for Women in Raspberry Rain, £5.99 for 3, Superdrug If you love a disposable for on-the-go shaving, these have raspberry-scented handles for an extra-sensual treat! Top tip: Use with shaving foam for a nice, close shave. Gillette Venus Swirl Razor, £11.99, Boots Thanks to its unique Flexiball technology, this razor pivots in all directions to get a close shave in every area, with no missed hairs. Top tip: Shave during a warm bath or shower when hair is soft and easier to cut. BIC Soleil Bella Razors, £5 for 4, Sainsbury's These have four blades for a comfortable shave that leaves your skin feeling silky-smooth. Top tip: If you run out of shaving foam, conditioner makes a great alternative. Gillette Venus Snap with Embrace, £9.99, Boots Perfect…

GET A ROOM!  randy couple at a Barcelona Metro A station were filmed allegedly having sex while passengers walked by. They could face charges, even if it was only pretend. Maybe they misunderstood the phrase, ‘we're getting off at the next stop'! PETTING POO?!  iving pets a home-from-home , the new Pet G Relief Area in T erminal Four of New Y ork's JFK International Airport, is complete with a pet potty, fake grass and a red fire hydrant. Jet-setting . pet owners can help clean the area with a hose HEY, BIG SAVER! New research has suggested Brits like to save at home, with over £1.3billion stashed away in piggy banks, teapots and even in the freezer! It’s said that men are the biggest hoarders, with an average £53.80…