Table of contents for 27 October 2022 in Chat

Welcome to this week's Chat… I'm scared of heights so Megan's story made my jaw drop (p30). A trapeze artist, she fell from 18ft up, breaking her neck three times. But it's what she did next that I found truly mind-blowing. Another soaring success is Martin (p37), who went on a flight that changed his life in more ways than one… Plus we've loads of Halloween fun! Hope you have a spooky week! PS If you're entering the puzzles online, this is the link to use: comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Ella Crowe, 21, Manchester Looking around the room, I felt nervous. It was June 2020 and, at 19, I'd moved away from home. I'd made friends, got invited to a house party. And when a good-looking guy smiled over at me, I felt a flutter of excitement. Liam, then 33, had big muscles and showered me with compliments. ‘You're beautiful,’ he said, and I was smitten. Fourteen years older than me, I felt flattered. We kept in touch and started dating. I felt so lucky to have him. I never really dressed up, preferred lounging in my gym gear. But Liam loved it when I wore tight dresses and heels. ‘Put something else on,’ he said whenever I slipped back into my leggings. And I felt proud that he wanted…

The jury took just four hours to find Bryce Dickey, then 20, guilty of both firstdegree murder and sexual assault with a deadly weapon. In a statement, Britney's mum Alisha Ujlaky said, ‘The past two years have been surviving, not living. Our lives have been very dark and chaotic without our Britney in them.’ She also addressed Dickey personally, saying, ‘I believed your ridiculous lies and your story about the green truck, and you let me come and comfort you, knowing you had raped and murdered my daughter. I hope the guilt eats up your inside and drives you to the complete chaos that my mind lives in.' Her father James Ujlaky was equally distraught, explaining that he can no longer watch fatherdaughter films, and describing his daughter as his…

1 Eggs ‘Eggs are a great source of zinc and also disease-fighting nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin,’ says nutritionist Kim Pearson. ‘They're also a good protein source for vegetarians.’ 2 Wholemeal bread The fibre content is much higher than white bread. ‘Fibre plays such a key role in your immune system,’ says immunologist Dr Jenna Macciochi. ‘It feeds the microbes in our gut, having a really powerful effect on our immune cells, making sure they do their job properly.’ But it's important to get lots of different plant-based foods into your diet for a good fibre intake, and that means a variety of vegetables, beans, pulses and legumes. 3 Tea A cuppa is a good way to boost your immune system, thanks to its flavonoids, which are a great antioxidant. ‘Tea is also…

Learn a new skill Whether it's juggling or wrapping your head around a spreadsheet, spend an hour getting to grips with a new skill. Either way, you'll impress someone when you've mastered it… Watch telly You can use the rest of the day to do normal household chores, but the added hour is a great opportunity to relax. So snuggle under a blanket and get comfy on the sofa and stick something on your fave streaming service. Get ahead Why not use this extra time to get ahead on the rest of the week? Pack the kids’ lunches, whizz the hoover around or stuff a couple of loads in the washing machine. Future you will be grateful! Go for a jog Make the most of the extra morning light while…

Sex drive has vanished Q I've been with my partner for four years and we have a house, a dog and a 1-year-old son. Ever since I had the baby, my sex drive has vanished. My partner feels rejected, but it's me. I just don't feel like sex. I want my sex drive back, for both our sakes. Georgie, 26 A Bless you, petal. It's completely normal for sex drives to change after having a baby. Reach out to your health visitor, as they might be able to advise. And explain to your fella that the last thing that'll get you feeling randy is pressure. You don't have to rush to bed - a kiss and cuddle on the sofa builds intimacy. You'll get there. And remember, sex should be fun,…

3 ways to… Feel positive about money Are negative thoughts about cash preventing you from reaching your financial goals? Find out how to make money your friend… 1 Pinpoint the problem areas If you've found it difficult to manage money in the past, that doesn't mean that will always be the case. The key is to work out what your problems have been and how to address them. If it's a lack of knowledge holding you back, for example, take time to educate yourself. You'll find useful resources online, like at Which? Money (which.co.uk/money), which has guides on everything from getting a mortgage to the best savings account and making a will. 2 Don't act like an ostrich If you're worried about money, you may find it easier to avoid thinking…

Aries 21 March-20 April A fresh start is emerging as you tackle a steep learning curve. New experiences keep life fresh. Involve family in your decisions, as you pian future changes. • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Re-examine your priorities during Venus's sensitive power. It is time to increase your skills. A family member may provide you with old equipment to restore. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Create space for a new cycle to emerge during Mercury's direct motion Look for exciting activities that will benefit the community. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Loved ones make demands on your time and you're busy trying to keep them happy. Keep your spending in check,…

Q What's the best way to keep greys away? I don't want to spend lots of time in the salon. Ami Conroy, Devon A We've all been there, glancing into the mirror and noticing those pesky greys peeping out again. And if you want a quick fix that will put your trip to the salon on hold for a while, these are the products for you. The Clairol Colour Gloss Up, £8.99, Superdrug, is a super speedy solution. Apply to the roots and allow its moisturising formula to deposit a natural and vibrant colour lasting up to 10 washes. For a low commitment option, try the L’Oreal Magic Retouch Concealer Spray, £8.99, Boots. The spray applicator disperses a lightweight, temporary formula where needed, blending seamlessly with your hair colour. The…

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STYLE TIP Billowing sleeves heels. and a frill collar give this floral fancy a seventies twist, team with flares and platform STYLE TIP Give your midi a new lease of life with this season's shorter cut cowboy boots. A soft sweater keeps it relaxed. STYLE TIP Pack your floral punch by adding a printed bag. Take it through to evening by mixing with dark jewel tones. STYLE TIP Pick a shade from your print and work it into your outerwear and accessories. A longer line. coat works best with midi lengths.…

Amy Pearce, 42, Redhrook, Gloucestershire Sitting on the children's ward, I waited anxiously for my daughter to come out of surgery It was May 2021 and Lilly, then 9, was having a metal plate removed from her leg in University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. It had been placed there to help her leg grow straight after she broke it at a trampoline park five years earlier, and removing it should have been a routine procedure. Not that it stopped me from worrying. ‘I wonder where she is,’ I muttered, eyes on the clock. As a nurse, I knew the op should only take around 20 minutes. But 40 minutes had passed already. Then, a nurse came in. 'Come with me please,’ she said gently, leading me to a room where…

Robin Wagner, 28 Bringing home our new pooch from the rescue centre in April 2019, I was smitten. ‘But there's someone else you've got to impress,’ I warned Blaze, a black German Shepherdgreyhound cross. Satin, our black cat. Me and my boyfriend Derek, then 25, had got her as a kitten and, now 5, she was used to being the only fur baby in the house. How would she react to her new, wet-nosed and waggy-tailed housemate? Derek and I had put up a baby gate to keep Satin in the living room while the pair got used to each other. For the first few days, there was a lot of sniffing going on until, finally, Satin leapt over the gate with a mew. She sauntered past Blaze, who didn't…

SNAP A SELFIE CREEPY CRAWLIES…

NO-FUSS FOOD Toffee apples Sweet and sticky, these toffee apples are a great addition to any party. MAKES 8 PREP 20 MINS COOK 5 MINS 1 Wash and dry the apples. Insert a wooden stick or fork through each core. 2 Heat the sugar, butter, golden syrup, vinegar and 150ml water in a saucepan. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then let it boil until the mixture reaches 143C. If you don't have a thermometer, drop a little of the mixture into a glass of cold water – if it hardens instantly, you've got toffee. 3 Dip each apple in the toffee and twist. Let any excess drip off, then dip the bottoms into the nuts. Leave to cool on a sheet of greaseproof paper.…

Pip & Pod Honeydew Melon & Pineapple Serum, £12, Holland & Barrett Like a delicious fruit platter for your skin, this serum serves up a healthy portion of melon and pineapple that feeds your face a blend of fruity acids and vitamin C. The result is an even and bright skintone. Autograph Self Tan Tinted Lotion, £8.50, M&S Who said a tan was just for the summer? Achieves bronzed glow every season. The lightweight formula applies streak free with an even finish in just four hours. Skin Proud Jelly Bright Essence, £13.99, Asos Extend your skincare routine an extra step with this milky essence. Used after cleansing, it provides moisture-locking amino acids to hydrate the skin and allow your other skincare products to go the extra mile too. The Ordinary Behentrimonium…

Growing up, Charles Ng was a troubled boy. He was born in 1960 to a wealthy family in Hong Kong. His father Kenneth was a businessman who tried to keep his son on the straight and narrow by beating him with a stick. Charles was continually being expelled from school. By the age of 15, he'd already been arrested for shoplifting. The secret bunker had a locked room, like a cell As a result, his father sent him to stay with relatives in the UK and Charles was enrolled at a boarding school in Yorkshire. But after he was caught stealing from other students, Charles was expelled again. In 1978, he moved to the USA and joined the Marines, but he was arrested by military police for stealing weapons. Escaping…

Lisa offers families a helping hand CHAN A YUCHETEL, 37, FROM STOCKPORT, SAYS: Our volunteer Lisa Hopper is a Home-Start hero. Lisa, 59, volunteers with Home-Start in our local area, Stockport, Greater Manchester. Home-Start recruits and trains volunteers who offer emotional and practical support to families. From poor mental health, poverty, illness and disability to domestic abuse and asylum seeking, Home-Start volunteers lend a helping hand and a friendly ear. Having previously received support from Home-Start herself, Lisa then became a volunteer, visiting families in their homes. She has already helped more than 10 local families, and is currently supporting two mums of young children. Lisa has helped them with practical things such as medical appointments and paperwork, and has also helped to reduce their loneliness and isolation in the…

Great eye-dea I made my own Halloween decorations using some empty coffee jars. Decorated with electric tea lights and spooky Halloween lights, they make the perfect party ornaments! Tina Williams, Blaenau Gwent Pumpkin piggy Instead of the usual jack-o'-lantern, I decided to get my pets involved in Halloween by carving my guinea pig Percy into a pumpkin. I think it looks just like her! Caroline Palin, St Helens, Merseyside Pretty scary For Halloween decor without the spooky factor, why not swap your vase for a pumpkin? J Giblin, Vale of Glamorgan, south Wales £25 For every photo tip that we print Whisky business We love carving pumpkins in our house, but hate the hassle and mess. Using an electric whisk loosens up the seeds and pulp Donna Gray, Billingham, Cleveland…

YOU'RE THE JUDGE! When news spread that 16-year-old Gabrielle Ujlaky, known as Britney, had been found dead, her whole community was shocked. Growing up in small-town America, Britney showed promise as a cowgirl in Elko County, Nevada. Young, beautiful and talented, she was preparing to run for rodeo queen in a local pageant. But on 8 March 2020, she went missing. Three days later, her body was found, partially clothed, wrapped in blue tarpaulin, dumped in a nearby desert. Tributes came flooding in, led by her closest friend 18-year-old Bryce Dickey. His message on Facebook was devastating. Yesterday, we all received news that made us hit the floor. Around eight in the morning we all started meeting up at my house to grieve and to mourn Britney's life. Which was…

I am super scaly Q I have horrible brown scaly patches in my armpits. Tests have shown it's erythrasma, what's that? Priss, Sunderland A Erythrasma is a common skin infection with a bug called Corynebacterium minutissimum. It's harmless but it causes scaly, cracked or wrinkled patches of pink or brown skin that might itch slightly. The bug thrives in moist sweaty areas and usually affects your groin, armpits or between your toes, particularly in hot or muggy weather when you're sweating more. Not washing often enough, diabetes, old age or an underactive immune system can also make you more prone. Treatment with antibiotic or antibacterial cream, or antibiotics by mouth if the infection is very widespread, should quickly clear it up. Sometimes it keeps coming back, in which case keeping…

25 CROMWELL STREET When 16-year-old Heather Ann West vanished in 1987, her parents, Fred and Rose West, said she'd left their home in Gloucester, to start a new job. In fact Heather never got further than the back garden. Her mother had stamped on her head, before her father decapitated her and buried her under the family patio. It wasn't until 1994 that Heather's remains were found at the property. The discovery of her body was just the beginning. Fred and Rose West were found to have raped, tortured and murdered at least 12 women for their sexual gratification, including Fred's ex-wife Catherine Costello and step-daughter, Charmaine. Nine bodies were recovered from their Cromwell Street home. After being charged with multiple murders, Fred West boasted that he'd killed as many…

Megan Christian, 21, from Sittingbourne, Kent As the ringmaster stepped into the spotlight, his top hat and tailcoat commanded attention. ‘Welcome to the greatest show on earth!’ he boomed. The audience was electric. I was so excited! Age 5,1 couldn't wait to watch the show again. I'd already seen it hundreds of times. Doctors revealed that my neck bones had shattered Bright lights, dazzling costumes and the most amazing performers… Well, I was born into the circus, after all. My whole family were circus performers. By the time I arrived in 2001, my mum Beverley, then 37, had retired. She'd been an aerial artist, but started suffering from blackouts. Balancing high in the sky, a fall could've been fatal. Under doctors’ orders, she hung up her trapeze and concentrated on…

Martin Bryan, 34, Dumbarton Watching from the window, I waited for Dad's car to disappear. As soon as it did, I headed to the shops. This was my routine. A healthy dinner with my dad Michael, then 58, then a second course in secret. A shopping basket of junk. Packets of crisps, a sharing bag of chocolates. A full packet of biscuits. I knew it was unhealthy and yet, I couldn't stop. After my mum Margaret, 46, died, I'd spiralled. She'd always been my biggest supporter. My best friend, she was the first person I came out to when I was 16 years old. So, losing her two months before my 21st birthday to brain cancer, broke me. And ever since, I'd comfort eat to make the pain stop. By…

Lacura Sleep Hand Cream, £1.99, Aldi Your hands go through a lot in a day, and they deserve beauty sleep too. This nourishing hand cream will make for the perfect self-care moment. Its lavender and eucalyptus scent really is dreamy. Catrice The Glowifier Illuminating Primer, £4.99, justmylook.com Achieve a radiant complexion with this illuminating primer. Its dewy formula with an oh-so-subtle shimmer can be worn on its own or under foundation to leave skin glowing throughout the day.…

Chat winners issue 30 (28 July 2022) £1,001 CASH E Lloyd, Swansea £500 CASH R Mackey, Radcliffe K Stump, London L Moan, Sunderland £250 CASH B McDonald, Leigh C Higgs, Gloucester £200 CASH S Fletcher, Wigan £100 CASH S Warner, Princes Risborough J Jedwards, Swindon C Lovell, Barnoldswick £75 CASH C Cooke, Rotherham £50 CASH M Avery, Oxford S Marfell, Ruardean W Rutherford, Cramlington J Gregory, Sheffield P Brookes, Birmingham T McDonagh, Cambridge £40 CASH H Parsons, Cleckheaton £30 CASH S Hunter, Barnoldswick L Groves, Congleton £25 CASH D Marsh, Ashford M Benson, Bournemouth Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £20 CASH C Pettifer, Slough C Salter, Exeter M Bradley, Llanelli M Southard, Leeds D Prince, Leeds B Morris. Brierley Hill J Payne, Tonypandy P Parrott, Wallasey…