Table of contents for 27 April 2023 in Chat

Little smasher of the week has to go to Harvey (p44). His cheeky little face will warm your heart, but as his mum Karen explains, the brave tot's life is far harder than it should be for a 4-year-old. With Harvey in desperate need of a kidney transplant, Karen is doing everything in her power to find him a donor. And we're so pleased that we can help her to spread this important message. Have a great week, p44 p12 p22 PS If you're entering the puzzles online, this is the link to use: comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

I'm nominatin cricket whizz Mac McKechnie from Barnsley as my local hero. When Mac, now 72, suffered a life threatening bout of sepsis in 2018, he was faced with a battle to get fit and healthy. He loved playing cricket, but with his mobility worsening, he needed to adapt his lifestyle. So he searched for a walking cricket group, where he could take the sport at a slower pace. And when he couldn't find one? He decided to create it himself! Mac worked closely with Barnsley u3a, a learning and social organisation for older adults, and the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation to create walking cricket groups across Yorkshire. It's proved so popular, it's now being rolled out across the UK. The slower pace is great for older people, and those new to…

What song does director Baz Luhrmann say reminds him of home? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the threeword prize answer. ACROSS U2album 6 Universitycity9 Notathome4) Slow-movingcreaturewithashell (8) Navigationaid5 Stringinstrument6 Tireout7 Statuefamouslymissingitsarms (5,2,4) Bakingingredient5 Abducted9 Blackandwhiteanimal(5) Londonfootballclub7) Mocked7B filmstarringTom Hanks (6) Longrace8 Romanticnovelist Steel (8) Bicyclefortwo6) Biblicalgiant7 Hopelessness7 Banquet5 Valuesgreatly9 Starsign5 Countrysingerwhosehitsinclude 56 Beinginfront7) Johnmember of The Beatles (6) Legbone5 Atanytime8) Roominaprison(4) Veryscared9 Ferocious6 DOWN 2000film 6 ResidenceoftheUSpresident (5,5) Greatestpossibleamount7) Strangebizarre9) Gettingbetter9 Poke4 Lovesdeeply6 Havingmoreweight7) Quentinactor (8) Venueforgambling6) Backoftheneck(4) Songbird4 Guess8…

I'm in pain when I poo Q There's agonising pain and blood when I poo! My doctor's diagnosed a fissure. Will it get better? Em, Ancaster A An anal fissure is a tear or split in the skin lining your anus. Usually it appears during a bout of straining to pass a large, hard poo, which stretches your anus so much that the skin cracks. You'll probably notice a tearing pain and blood at the time, then pain and blood each time you poo afterwards. Fissures can be agony but often heal by themselves provided you avoid straining and keep your poo soft, and your bowels regular, with laxatives and plenty of fibre. Your GP might suggest ointment which helps the fissure to heal by relaxing the muscle around the…

Co-written with author Philip Ardagh, High in the Clouds was which musician's first children's book in 2005? Hidden in this grid, reading forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally, are 10 items beginning with P, one for each of the subjects given below. Find them all and the remaining letters will spell out the two-word prize answer. Colourful bird Transfer of money British coin Period Keyboard Concoction Domestic fowl Move stealthily Dessert Chase WIN 3x £50 Puzzle 8 Your answer:…

Curtain ring Put on some music, pretend you're Rock and whack your curtains with a teatowel. The force of the towel will beat the dust right out of them. Follow up with a quick vacuum and it's a knockout. No hanging/dry-cleaning/ washing/rehanging required. Rolling down the sofa That lint roller you use to get pet fur off your jumper is a nifty device that can double up as a duster. Lampshades, sofas, the spare bed, your fave suede boots, the kids' playmat… fuzz-free in a sticky second! Toy storage Kids' toys spread like the plague. And like the plague, containment is key! Have a ‘toy’ dustpan and brush (or use the one that's just come out of the dishwasher) and scoop those pesky Lego, toy cars, building blocks etc back…

I thought we were friends Q I've recently been made redundant. I worked there for five years and became close to a colleague who joined just before me. I thought we were friends but she hasn't been in touch to see how I am. No one in the company has. I'm hurt and don't know if I should reach out. Vanessa, 47 A Of course you're feeling upset, anybody would be. This silence is deafening. No response is still a response. Your former colleague is telling you everything you need to know. Good luck in finding a new job. Seek some interests and friends outside work so that you can build a stronger support network, sweetheart. My mum hates my man Q I'm planning to move in with my boyfriend and…

Baked frittata with leeks and bacon Easy to make, this frittata can be eaten hot from the oven or cold in a lunch box. SERVES 4 WITH SIDES (2-3 WITHOUT) PREP 5 MINS COOK 40 MINS Top tip The frittata should still have a bit of a wobble when you take it out of the oven. It will continue to cook as it cools. 15g butter 1tbsp olive oil 1 large leek, trimmed and thinly sliced 3 rashers back bacon, cut into 1cm pieces 6 medium eggs 100g Cheddar cheese, grated Handful rocket leaves (optional) 6 cherry tomatoes, halved 25g soft goat's cheese Chopped parsley, to serve You will also need: 20cm ovenproof dish, oiled 1 Heat the oven to 180C Fan/Gas 6. Put the butter and olive oil in…

Q I want to try a brighter lip colour, but am not sure how to start. Susan Brook, Sheffield, South Yorkshire A Spring is the perfect time to wear a bold new lipstick. If you've always shied away from vibrant colour in favour of neutrals, then these subtle lip balms, oils and tints will help you to test out the trend in a gentle way. Lightly sweep some E.I.f. Glossy Lip Stain in Berry Queen, £6, Boots, across your pout for a soft shine with a pop of berry colour. If you have dark hair and eyes, this shade will complement your colouring. If you struggle with chapped lips, then Lanolips Rose Gold 101 Lip Ointment, £13, lookfantastic.com, will inject some much-needed moisture, as well as provide a bold red…

PAY LESS THAN IN THE SHOPS! *£12.99 payable every 3 months by UK Direct Debit. Offer closes 31 October 2023. **Calls charged at no more than a national landline call, and may be included in your phone provider's call bundle. Lines open Mon-Fri 8.30am-7pm and Sat 10am-3pm (UK time). For full terms and conditions, visit magazinesdirect.com/terms. Please allow up to 7 days before contacting us about a late delivery on help@magazinesdirect.com. CHAT MONTHY MAY ON SALE NOW!…

YOU'RE THE JUDGE! Shortly after 7 am one day in May 2022, 28-year-old Julissa Thaler was pulled over by police. Driving a Chevy Impala, she'd caught the attention of eyewitnesses, who'd contacted authorities. The back window was smashed in and one of the front tyres was missing, the wheel being driven on its rim. And as traffic officers spoke to Julissa, they noticed her hands covered in blood and bits of flesh. The blood had come from a tampon, she explained. The flesh was remnants of a deer she'd bought from the butcher. A bizarre story. Yet as police tried to work out if the car had been involved in an incident, Julissa grew impatient, cold. Refused to sit in a squad car. So, as arrangements were made for her…

1 Open a window ‘The one thing you can do to improve the air quality in your home is to keep it well ventilated, especially when cooking and cleaning,’ says Harriet Edwards, senior policy and project manager at Asthma + Lung UK. Opening your windows for just 10 minutes at a time will allow fresh air to circulate through the house. 2 Be air aware Scarily, there are as many as 900 toxins polluting our air indoors. Tiny particles from mould spores, house dust, pollen, cleaning products, gas cookers and cosmetics, such as perfume and hairspray, all linger in the air and can be inhaled deep into the lungs. This can result in conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis and even heart attacks and strokes. 3 Get candle smart Candles…

The Chinese sheng, the Cambodian ploy and the western blues harp and melodica can all be classed as what type of instruments? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Smudge = SEAR + M = SMEAR. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2x £25 Puzzle 9 Smudge Horseback fight River opening Cabs Boats Angrily sulks Ugly beast Woodland chalet European country Tilts Throws Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

BUDGET BUY GLITZ & GLAM COLOUR POP…

Q My wife is no longer the woman I married. She used to be successful, loving, kind and really funny. But now she spends all day at home sitting on the sofa, scrolling through her phone and watching TV. I've tried to get her to see a doctor but she refuses. I love her, but I'm feeling at breaking point. Malcolm, 57 A You're right that your wife needs help. It could be down to poor mental health or the perimenopause, but whatever has caused this, it's no life for you or for her. Gently explain how worried you are and try again to get her to see a GP. If she still refuses, make an appointment and go yourself. You need support to be able to support her.…

Staring ahead, I tried to ignore the whispers and sniggers a few desks behind mine. But I felt their looks burning into my back. Turning my head, I caught the eye of the ringleader. ‘Stop poking your tongue out at me!’ he cackled across the classroom. His three mates fell about laughing. I was only 9 with no idea how to stand up for myself, so I shrank down in my seat, wanting to disappear. And I wasn't sticking my tongue out at him or anyone else. I'd been born with a port wine stain across the left side of my upper body. I shrank down in my seat, wanting to disappear A birthmark covering my chest, shoulder, arms and face, parts of my neck, back, roof of my mouth,…

I'm A Celebrity… South Africa ITV1 • Ant and Dec host this I'm a Celebrity… spin-off featuring former campmates from 20 years of the ITV1 show. In this new series, which was recorded last year, the celebs camp out in the African wilderness, where they compete against each other in a series of challenges and trials for the right to remain in the camp – but only one will become the firstever ‘I'm A Celebrity Legend’. Among the famous faces taking part are former boxer Amir Khan, ex-Corrie actor Helen Flanagan, TV presenter Carol Vorderman, Diversity star Jordan Banjo, former royal butler Paul Burrell and Happy Mondays singer Shaun Ryder. DON'T MISS Malpractice DON'T MISS ITV1 • A doctor finds herself under investigation when a young woman dies on her…

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PS… Skin + Multi Peptide Serum, £5, Primark Peptides encourage the production of collagen in the skin, which helps to keep us looking firm and youthful. Apply a generous amount of this serum morning and night for a plump look. Brushworks Scalp Massaging Brush, £4.99, lookfantastic.com Encourage new hair growth and strengthen existing strands with this relaxing scalp massage brush. Use every day with your favourite hair oil to keep hair in top condition. Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self-Tan Face Drops, £15, Boots Faux your glow with the help of these natural bronzing self-tan drops. Apply directly to the face or mix with cream to give yourself a gorgeous bronzed complexion. Nails Inc Bright White Mani Marker Nail Pen, £5, nailsinc.com Give yourself a salon-worthy manicure, thanks to this…

BEHIND THE BIG CRIME TRUE-LIFE WORDS: LOUISE BATY. PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK Lady the Pomeranian pup was utterly devoted to Leah Ware, following her owner everywhere. And it was mutual. Leah, 33, adored Lady, her mastiff Duke and horse Bertie, and they'd helped her through tough times. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Leah, 33, struggled with substance abuse. While she cherished her children, they sadly no longer lived with her. Yet, her sense of humour and generosity always shone through. In 2018, Leah told mates that she'd fallen ‘in love’. She'd met her boyfriend Mark Brown on an escort website that March. He rented them a flat tor six months, before moving her to a static caravan on remote Little Bridge Farm near Hastings in early 2019. A place the labourer hired for storage…

Chat winners issue 4 (26 Jan 2023) £1,001 CASH S Arlick, Stevenage £500 CASH M Reid, Shildon T Cooper, Nottingham M Grant, Aberdeen £250 CASH Y Oultram, Stoke-on-Trent B Keirle, Bridgwater £200 CASH T Lowe, Southampton £100 CASH J Ball, London N Pirie, Kilmarnock N Haimes, Edenbridge £75 CASH M Vardon, Dover £50 CASH C O'Brien, Macclesfield G Roberts, Llangefni C Young, Carnoustie D Brier, Huddersfield M Harrogate, Workington D Ring, Luton £40 CASH M Beesley, Runcorn £30 CASH I Lill, Sheffield E Knight, Haverfordwest Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £25 CASH R Lowther, Hemel Hempstead B Toogood, Bristol £20 CASH P Perry, Lincoln D Johnson, Portsmouth E Wilson, Dunfermline M Welch, Cinderford H Garlick, Derby P Shepherd, London D Gaughan, Preston P Meakin, Manchester J…

Dear Simon, After our mum and dad dropped you at boarding school, I curled up in your car seat and sobbed the whole way home. It was 1992, you were only 5 and I was 7. And while we'd never played together or argued over what cartoons to watch, I missed my baby brother so much. You were special, you see. The heart of our family. You'd been born with cerebral palsy, profound mental learning difficulties, including deafness, and used a wheelchair. ‘He'll not amount to much,’ docs warned our parents, Alexis and John. Yet they'd vowed to do everything they could for you, including getting you a place at Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education as a weekly boarder. You thrived there. Learnt how to sign simple things, like…

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Folding rompers, socks and tiny hats, I tucked them into nursery drawers. ‘All that's missing is our baby boy,’ I grinned at my partner Niall, then 28. It wouldn t be long now… It was May 2021, and after a relaxed pregnancy, I was ready to pop. Morning sickness had passed me by, and our excitement had grown with every healthy scan. Our thoughts filled with nothing but first baby giggles and newborn cuddles. But chaos caught up with us a few days later, when I was induced in the labour ward at the Ulster Hospital, due to worries about my baby's weight. My contractions were agonising, and I was already shattered 17 hours later when the time came to push. ‘You can do this,’ a midwife encouraged as Niall…

Q I've been with my fiancé for 21 years. We've got three girls together, and he has two older boys from his previous marriage. He tells me and our girls we should know our place. And he expects me to have a meal on the table when he gets home from work, even though I work 50 hours a week. He makes me feel unworthy, unappreciated and devalued as a human. I don't know what to do. Layla, 47 A Don't walk, run from this man. He has no compassion or empathy and is abusive. Plus, he's showing your kids it's acceptable to treat someone this way, petal. The longer you leave this, the worse it's going to get. Start putting some building blocks in place to get out of there.…

Heart of Britain Celebrating women like you! 3 ways to… BOOST YOUR MORTGAGE CHANCES When you apply for a mortgage, make sure you do everything in your power to improve your chance of being accepted. Here's what to do…. 1 Get the basics right A lender will check your credit report when you apply for a mortgage, so make sure you do this first. Check everything in your report is accurate and get any mistakes corrected. Also, do everything you can to boost your credit score, such as getting on the electoral roll and paying bills on time. You'll find a useful guide on how to boost your credit score at themoneyedit. com. And in the run-up to applying for a mortgage, try to avoid applying for any other borrowing…

Aries 21 March-20 April The solar eclipse in your sign this week brings positive change. So embrace new beginnings and adopt a bold approach! Wear red to boost confidence and optimism. Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May With the Sun and Mercury in your sign, there's an exciting opportunity ahead in the area of work. Your intuition will guide you to exactly where you're meant to be. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Venus is in your sign all month! Keep your mind focused on what you want in the areas of love and money, as these are both well aspected this week. Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Feeling extra sensitive right now? This may be due…