Table of contents for 06 October 2022 in Chat

Gail’s loved The Nolans since she was a teen, but as she danced at their first concert, she could never have guessed that many years later, the band of sisters would save her life (p44). Talking of megafans, Shannon went to see the Dreamboys and liked one stripper so much that they now have a baby together (p34)! If you’re a superfan of anyone or anything, get in touch at the address on p5. We’d love to hear your story. Have a great week! PS If you’re entering the puzzles online, this is the link to use: comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles If you love TV… visit whattowatch.com/tvtawards2022 and vote for your favourite actor or TV show. You’ll be in with a chance of winning a £50 Amazon voucher!…

Georgina Barnes, 30, Norwich Peeking my head out of the door, I called for my cat. ‘Bubba!’ I shouted, shaking his biscuits. Normally, that’s all it took to get him running across the garden from his latest hiding place. But not today. ‘Where’s he wandered off to?’ I muttered to my partner Dee, then 33. It was April 2019 and Bubba hadn’t come home since the evening before. I presumed he was off exploring or sunning himself in a neighbour’s garden. He’ll turn up when he’s hungry, I thought. Sure enough, later that evening, while painting my nails with my daughter Alissa, then 10, we heard the front door handle rattle. It was Bubba’s signature trick, jumping up to let us know he wanted to come in. ‘I’ll let him…

Laura, 46 I heard my daughter’s bedroom door slam shut. She’d rushed off straight after dinner, with barely a word. ‘Something’s not right,’ I said to my eldest daughter Lucy, then 22. It was May 2019, and Teigen, then 11, was usually a bubbly, happy girl. She loved dancing and making videos on TikTok. Teigen had mild learning difficulties, but they didn’t affect her too much. She was in Year 6, looking forward to starting secondary school. But recently, she’d become quiet and withdrawn. Disappearing into her room with her phone. I thought she was probably just chatting to friends online. But when Teigen came out of her room later that night, she looked upset. ‘What’s the matter, love?’ I asked. ‘Nothing,’ she murmured, shuffling back to her room. It…

The trouble with grudges is that they fester. Building in intensity until that fury explodes. And by September 2019, Izaiah Garcia’s hatred of Christian Mattock had been bubbling for years. It’d started when the boys were at school. The toxicity between them grew, with Garcia bragging to his friends about ‘mad dogging’ Mattock. Staring him down. That 29 September, both teenagers attended a house party in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Word about the party got out on social media and spread like wildfire. In the hours that followed, it spiralled out of control, fuelled by alcohol and drugs. And there were guns. Lots of guns. With partygoers waving them in the air. It was just a matter of time before Garcia confronted Mattock outside. And as gunfire exploded elsewhere in the…

Toilet trauma! Q My 17-year-old son pulled back his foreskin to wee – and it got stuck! Doctors put it back but say he needs to have an op.Pauline, Cannock AIt’s called a paraphimosis and usually happens when a man pulls back his foreskin to pee, masturbate or during sex. If the foreskin’s tight it pulls back to form a tight band around his penis just below the helmet, or glans. This band traps blood in the helmet, causing it to swell, making the band tighter, and it becomes impossible to put the foreskin back. Besides being extremely painful, a paraphimosis can cause permanent damage and needs urgent treatment. Usually a doctor can push it back with the help of local anaesthetic and lubricant, but sometimes it’s necessary to cut…

OVER TO YOU Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the address on p5. There’s £20 for every one we use! This week’s puzzle was compiled by Linda Keen, Sheffield, South Yorkshire ACROSS 1 Ship’s people 2 Strongly dislike 3 Press clothes 4 American coin DOWN 1 Stylish 2 Uncommon 3 Posh college 4 Didn’t stay WIN 5x £20 Puzzle 6 Your answer: HALF & HALF What is the real first name of the Marvel superhero known as Blade, played by Wesley Snipes in a film trilogy? Cross out a letter in each square to get a grid filled with words. The uncrossed out letters in the shaded squares give the prize answer. WIN 3x £50 Puzzle 7 Your answer: BRICK…

Dilemma after dad’s death Q My dad died six years ago. His ashes are kept at my Nana’s house and it doesn’t feel fair. I want somewhere to go to remember him, privately, and I think we should’ve scattered them. How can I bring this up with Nana? Lydia, 36 A This is such a difficult one, sweetheart. There are two people grieving for the same person in different ways. Have a conversation and let your nana know how you’re feeling, she might agree to scatter the ashes. If you can’t face it, how about this? Is there a special place you associate with dad to go and remember him? You don’t need his ashes for that. I want him back Q I was seeing someone for seven months. We…

Louise Muirhead, 51, south London As my baby girl finally drifted off to sleep, I tiptoed out of her room. Mooching to the fridge, my stomach grumbled, but I didn’t even have the energy to bung a ready meal in the microwave. Instead, I curled up on the couch with a packet of biscuits. It was 1991, and life as a 20-year-old single mum to Shamara was exhausting. I loved the bones of her. But she didn’t leave me a lot of time for chopping salad. My go-to grub was bread, crisps, biscuits and takeaways. Juggling parenthood and a desk job with the council meant the only exercise I got was pushing the pram to the shops. So as Shamara grew into size 18-24 month sleepsuits, I grew to a…

Q I’m saving for different things, but I’m getting in a muddle about what I’ve saved for each one. Any tips? R Gaston, Cambridge AIt might be handy to choose a savings account that lets you save into separate ‘pots’. For example, a Chase current account (chase.co.uk) lets you open up to 10 saver accounts for different goals, like a holiday or new car, and you can set targets to track your progress. Each account will earn interest. So look around to find the best savings account for you.…

DON’T MISS Charlotte Church’s Dream Build REALLY AND DISCOVERY+ • The Welsh singer continues with her plan to transform Rhydoldog House, a derelict 15th-century mansion, into a wellness retreat as the series returns for a new eight-part run. With just 13 weeks until the planned grand opening, there’s still a lot to do. To add to her problems, Charlotte has hit her budget and she still hasn’t got permission to use the property as a business. As she races to complete the renovation with the help of her builder dad James, the series also gives a glimpse into Charlotte’s busy home life with husband Jonny and kids Dexter, Ruby and Frida. Will she finally be able to turn her dream into reality? DON’T MISS A Friend of the Family PEACOCK…

Lottie London LF015 Multi-use Face Brush, £5, look fantastic.com From foundation to powder, this multi-purpose brush will help ace your base. Soft synthetic bristles pick up products easily and transfer them flawlessly without harsh tugging. W7 Oh So Sensitive Mascara, £4.50, w7makeup.co.uk A hypoallergenic formula doesn’t have to compromise results – and this mascara will help you achieve some impressive volume. Its careful formula won’t irritate the skin, making it a go-to if you have sensitive eyes.…

HOW TO ENTER 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…

On a day out in the Cotswolds, we visited a door rumoured to be the inspiration for JRR Tolkien’s Doors of Durin in The Fellowship of the Ring. It definitely had a magical feel!Barbara Coleman, Coventry Here’s me and my grandson Harry off on one of our many adventures on the train. London awaits!Stephen Byron, Liverpool Frank, right, has only recently been introduced to his new rescue brother Lenny, left, but they’re already becoming firm friends!Drew Daly, Windsor When my 50th birthday family cruise was cancelled due to COVID-19, my wonderful kids (and their partners) gave me a cruise at home, complete with decorations, a three-course dinner and deck games – we had a wonderful time!Jeanette Milner, Hatfield My son Kailan, 11, really started to enjoy fishing this year. Here…

PURPLE AMETHYST STYLE TIP Often related to royalty, this shade symbolises wealth and luxury, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to get the look. EMERALD GREEN STYLE TIP Mix this flattering shade with other bright colours like pink or orange and create outfits that will lift your spirits. RUBY RED STYLE TIP Want a look that oozes confidence? Reach for this rich red; it’s perfect for updating your SAPPHIRE BLUE from £12 STYLE TIP Pair this bold blue hue with black accessories for the ultimate 80s vibe or wear top-to-toe for extra impact.…

In August 2021, Izaiah Garcia was convicted of first-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Sean’s mother, Tricia Thompson-Ruger, wept, clutching a photo of her son as the verdict was read, before hugging his father, also Sean Markey. ‘He was so sweet,’ Mr Markey said outside court, his voice cracking. ‘He was a good kid. He never went to parties. He went to one party. That’s the worst luck someone could have.’ Prosecutor John Duran added, ‘Nothing like this will ever bring their son back, but at least they can get a little peace of mind and some justice.’ Garcia faces at least 30 years behind bars for his murder conviction. A sentencing date is yet to be set, as he is awaiting trial for a separate second…

1 End of monthly cycles That’s the definition of ‘menopause’, and it means you’re only considered to have reached it when you’ve had no periods for a year. Before this – during perimenopause – your periods may become more erratic, longer, shorter or lighter. Studies show the median length from perimenopause to finish is seven-and-a-half years – three years before your last period and four-and-a-half years after. 2 Herbals can help ‘Research has shown that black cohosh* and St John’s wort are effective in relieving symptoms, particularly when taken together,’ says Dr Dick Middleton, former chair of the British Herbal Medicine Association. ‘Anti-stress herbs valerian and Avena sativa are great for adrenal support, and sage helps with hot flushes,’ adds nutritional therapist Alison Cullen. 3 Red wine can t rigger…

Dorothy Bowman, 72, Norfolk Walking along a quaint country road, my heart fluttered as a young lad caught my eye. It was 1966, and at 16, I’d just moved to a quiet village in Norfolk with my parents and siblings. One of 12 kids, I wasn’t paid much attention. So when my new neighbour flashed me a smile, I blushed shyly. He was so handsome! ‘I’m Terry,’ he said, holding out a hand. I was instantly smitten. From that moment, Terry and I bumped into each other most days. And I always looked forward to seeing him. Terry was two years older. We’d talk about everything from working on a farm to family life. ‘My parents are so strict,’ I moaned. Explained how I wasn’t allowed to wear make-up and…

Jaimie Harris, 42, Sudbury, Suffolk Munching my way through a big bag of crisps, I looked down at my middle and couldn’t pretend any more. Either all the lockdown scoffing was taking its toll or I needed a pregnancy test. Even though my last baby was only 8 months old. I had two kids from an earlier relationship, Mia, 18, and Harry, 15. Then me and my partner Craig, 46, had Henry, 8, Teddy, 7, as well as baby Reggie. I hadn’t had a period since Reggie was born in January 2020, but I’d blamed breastfeeding. ‘I can’t look,’ I winced, handing the pregnancy test stick to Craig. ‘You are!’ he chuckled and showed me the proof. ‘I can’t believe it!’ I laughed back. In September 2020 I went to…

When Shannon headed to see striptease dance act the Dreamboys, little did she know that four years later, one of them would be cooking her breakfast! ‘Literally the minute I saw Jordan on stage at the show, I got on my phone and started “stalking” him on social media,’ Shannon says. ‘During the act, a few of the guys came out into the audience, scouting for girls to bring up on stage, and they chose me!’ Getting up close and personal with the Dreamboys, Shannon couldn’t believe her luck. ‘Jordan came out onto the stage sliding onto his knees,’ she recalls. ‘Then he span around in front of me!’ After the show, Shannon attended a meet and greet, where she bagged her dream boy Jordan’s phone number. And before long,…

A diabetes warning wasn’t the 40th birthday present I wanted. Shaken but determined, I hit the supermarket. ‘I’m doing this for the kids,’ I told myself sternly. I swapped white bread for granary, and crisps for raisins. For lunch, I ate jacket potato with salad instead of chips. A month later, I went back to the docs. ‘You’ve lost half a stone,’ he nodded. ‘Keep up the good work.’ I was doing it! Next, my sugary cuppas had to go. I forced myself to drink peppermint tea until I learned to like it. Out went chocolate biscuits, in came unsalted nuts and popcorn. Goodbye cake, hello fresh pineapple. After a year I’d lost two stone and was referred to Guy’s Hospital in London for one-to-one support. The dietician encouraged me…

Aries 21 March-20 April The future’s looking rosy with opportunities you’ve taken now paying off. You’re implementing your good ideas well, and others are coming on board. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Be patient while Pluto is between retrograde and direct motion. It’s an excellent time for financial matters, but be sure to ask any relevant questions. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Mars, planet of action, is in direct motion, placing you in the limelight as you prove master of your own destiny. You’ve overcome all manner of setbacks to get here. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Maintain your usual laid-back approach this week. Make plans to spend time with loved ones…

Q My skin has broken out, are there any products I can use to help get rid of these blemishes? Hanna Boyle, Birmingham A Many factors can cause b reakouts – hormones, stress and environmental changes, to name a few. But don’t let breakouts put a downer on your mood. Start by finding the right cleanser to get excess oils under control. The CeraVe Blemish Control Face Cleanser, £10, Boots combines salicylic acid and niacinamide to balance excess oils and clear clogged pores. For localised breakouts and blemishes, use the La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.I. Breakout Corrector, £12.50, Boots as an SOS solution. Its fast-absorbing formula can be applied topically to keep imperfections at bay. For wider spread breakouts, try the Pharmaceris T Sebo -Almond Peel Night Cream, £11.50, justmylook.com as…

JANET DANDY, 68, FROM BURNLEY, SAYS: I’m nominating my friend Julie Redfern as a local hero. Julie, 57, is married with three adult children, and one grandson. Not only is she much loved by her family, but the community, too. Following her mum’s footsteps, she has been a member of the Mayoress’s Fundraising Committee for nearly 30 years, raising money for local charities. From tombolas, fashion shows and outdoor fairs, to charity meals, quizzes and outings, Julie has done it all. The woman just never stops! Always keeping busy, she is also involved in groups supporting our local park, and her church. Fitting in fundraising around her job as a receptionist at the local leisure centre, Julie even sells cards and raffle tickets to other staff members and the public…

Hot dog On warm days, I keep my dog cool and comfortable by putting a wet tea towel on her back. She loves it! Julie Myers, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire Packing hack When packing for trips away, I put an outfit and underwear for my hubby, myself and our boys in each suitcase just in case one case gets lost or delayed. Using individual zip bags, I easily know whose clothes are whose. Katy Allen, Watford, Hertfordshire Chop chop When you are making mashed potatoes, chop the potatoes into small pieces before boiling – they’ll cook so much faster! Norma Laurie, St Andrews, Fife Buzz off If you put some inexpensive peppermint oil into a shallow container and place it by open windows it helps keep wasps out of your…

What connects radio DJ Cerys Matthews and US actor D’Arcy Carden? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the three-word prize answer. ACROSS 1 Peculiar (5) 4 Wrestling from Japan (4) 6 Stopped from speaking (8) 13 Variety of tea, _ souchong (7) 14 Bomb thrown by hand (7) 15 Capital of France (5) 16 Paddles (4) 17 One who fires arrows (6) 18 Power tools (6) 20 Farm animal (4) 21 Christens (5) 22 Comment (6) 25 Double-crossed (8) 28 1991 film, _ Scissorhands (6) 30 Time of darkness (5) 32 Reddish-brown vinegar (8) 34 Very young children (6) 35 Plant stalk (4) 38 _ Holmes, TV presenter (6) 39 Beatles song, _ Days a Week (5) 40 Garden tool (6) 43…

Amelia Christie, 31, Liverpool True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Watching the sonographer, I grinned. ‘Everything seems OK,’ she smiled. It was May 2020 and my partner Brian, 34, and I were expecting our first baby. I was eight weeks along. At a private scan, we learned that we were having a little boy. Then, at my routine 20-week scan… ‘Something’s not right with his heart,’ the sonographer said. Two days later, a consultant at Liverpool Women’s Hospital told us the baby had a condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. A birth defect that affects blood flow through the heart. ‘There are three possible outcomes,’ she said. The baby could need multiple heart surgeries, or be unable to have any operations. Or, devastatingly, our boy could lose his life. ‘I’ll put you in…

Jessica Logan, 30, Birmingham Gasping as cramps buffeted my tummy, I sprang up and rushed to the toilet. Too late. Another accident. I’d had problems with my stomach since April 2017. Either rushing to the loo or suffering constipation. I’d sit on the toilet, weeping in pain. Blood had begun to appear, too. Some days I’d need to use the toilet over 30 times. In July, I was diagnosed with severe ulcerative colitis – my colon and rectum were inflamed, covered in ulcers. And when medication didn’t help… ‘You need surgery,’ a doctor explained. When he told me about the details of the op, I turned to my fiancé, Dale, then 28, sobbing. I’d need to have my colon and appendix removed and a stoma bag attached to my tummy…

FILL ME IN Meaning ‘harbour’, eThekwini is another name for which southern African 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 A second musical adaptation of Some Like It Hot opens on Broadway this year. What was the 1972 adaptation called? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles. 3 letters AGO BOO BUS ROC SAC SET TOO WAS WET WHO 4 letters ABLE AUNT EDGE RICH SAGA SASH SCAR 5 letters ALONG SOCKS TORSO 6 letters CLOUDS COBWEB SHADOW SORROW STRESS TICKET 8 letters HORIZONS WIN £100 Puzzle 15 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to…

3 ways to… get your home winter-ready As the temperatures drop, these simple jobs could help avoid big bills later 1 Give your boiler some TLC Servicing your boiler regularly helps to keep it running safely and efficiently, which will save money over time as a more efficient boiler costs less to run. Plus your engineer may spot a minor problem and help stop it turning into a bigger problem down the line. For more on why servicing is important, visit britishgas.co.uk. 2 Is your roof weather-proof? Ensure your home can cope with strong winds and rain. ‘Examine your roof for any missing or loose tiles or slates; our research suggests roof damage is the most common home issue caused by extreme weather, so check yours is in good repair,’…

Banana amaretto pots Banana and almondy amaretto make a great combination in this easy yet sophisticated pudding MAKES 4 PREP 15 MINS, 2HRS CHILLING • 150g Madeira cake, cut into chunks • 2 bananas, peeled and sliced • 40ml amaretto • 500g ready to serve custard • 280ml double cream • 1tsp instant coffee granules • 50g milk chocolate, grated 1 Mix the Madeira cake and banana together. Pour over the amaretto. Divide the mixture between 4 glass bowls, then top wit the custard. 2 Put the cream in a bowl, add the instant coffee and whisk until thick, spoon this over the custard. 3 Sprinkle over the chocolate, then refrigerate for a few hours until chilled and slightly set. Top tip Swap the Madeira cake for another type of…

Gail Jones, 56, West Bromwich Checking my watch, I tried to work out what time the concert would be finished and I’d be able to slope off home. Pop group The Nolans weren’t really my thing! It was 1980, and I was 15. It had been my friend’s idea to go along that night, and I’d agreed to keep him company, but I wasn’t a fan. Then the sisters arrived on stage and began to sing. First my foot started tapping, then my hips began to sway. ‘That was amazing!’ I told my mate after the show. From that night on, The Nolans had a new superfan! I bought tickets for the rest of their seven-night stint in Birmingham. I began to follow them around the UK, belting my heart…

At 1140 Royal Street stands an imposing building in New Orleans’ French Quarter. The three-storey neoclassical mansion boasts ornamental wrap-around wrought iron railings and intricate carvings. Back in the 1830s, when it was home to Madame Marie LaLaurie and her third husband, twinkling chandeliers were visible through the many windows. A fitting home for a well-to-do couple at the time. Born to affluent parents in 1787, Marie had a privileged start in life. Though widowed twice before marrying a wealthy doctor, Leonard Louis Nicolas LaLaurie, she’d been blessed with five children and lived an enviable life, throwing lavish parties. Beautiful, courteous, well respected and rich, Marie enjoyed a place at the very top of high society. But, aside from Marie, her husband and children, there were others who lived at…

Dear Jazz, You weren’t there when my daughter, Sienna, was born. Didn’t get to see her looking so fragile. But as I struggled to cope, little did I know that you were my angel in waiting. Covered in wires and weighing only 1lb 7oz, Sienna was fighting for her life. ‘Her chance of survival is 50%,’ said the consultant. It was May 2019, and I’d gone into labour 16 weeks early. Rushed to hospital in Brighton from my home in Eastbourne, I had an emergency caesarean. ‘I can’t leave her,’ I sobbed to my partner Nick, then 34. So I slept on the maternity ward and spent every day in the Special Care Baby Unit. My eldest daughter Jolie, then 8, stayed in Eastbourne, looked after by family. Nick normally…