Table of contents for November 19, 2015 in Chat

For the next couple of days, Danny's behaviour became increasingly bizarre From the first time I met my daughter’s boyfriend, I liked him. Daniel Johnson, 29, was tall and skinny with strawberry-blond hair. He was polite, friendly – and clearly in love with my Gemma. She was just 18 at the time, and, though she’d had boyfriends before, I could tell this one was serious. I couldn’t think of anyone better for Gemma to settle down with. But then she dropped a bombshell. ‘Mum, Danny’s been to prison,’ she told me. I was stunned, especially when she explained why. ‘When he was 15, he was involved in a fight with two other boys, and one of them died,’ she told me. ‘But he swears it was an accident, and he…

What I loved Letting myself dream about the loveliness of Christmas without actually having to do anything about it…yet… Countdown kicks in seriously next week. Sigh. What hacked me off Chucking away what I thought was a random bit of old metal curtain pole and discovering it's the thing that lowers the loft ladder. Doh! Promise you won't tell… What made me laugh The whole 5p carrier bag thing. A mate said she'd seen someone who drives a £50,000 car arguing with a weary checkout worker about having to cough up for two (very crammed) bags… Hope you don't run into any old bags this week!…

Food sneezes Q My husband sneezes at least six times after a meal! What's going on? Jenny, 60 A When you eat, your brain signals your stomach to produce gastric juices. Cross-wiring of nerves means that these signals can also reach your nose, causing sneezing. Food allergy is another possibility. Tell him to eat smaller meals, and to try antihistamines or a steroid nose spray. Diarrhoea worries I've had diarrhoea Q ever since my holiday three months ago. A poo test showed a bug called giardia, is it serious? Val, 54 A It's a yucky parasite with a tiny tail that lives in your upper bowel and can cause smelly diarrhoea, bloating and weight loss. It's more common in hot countries or southern and eastern Europe, but can occur anywhere…

Sitting on the sofa watching Sport Relief on telly, I was in awe of all the people pushing themselves to their limits for a good cause. It got me thinking… At 65, I was lucky to have my health and fitness. I should challenge myself while I still can, I thought. ‘What do you think, Oscar?’ I asked my golden retriever. He seemed to agree… I’d once sailed round the coast of Britain, but perhaps I could cycle it and raise money for charity? Days later, I announced my plan to my four grown-up children. I heard their sharp intake of breath, but they were supportive. I’d miss the kids and my eight grandchildren terribly, but it was good to challenge myself. I planned a 5,000-mile route and researched dog…

Style victims? Skintight trousers, sky-high heels, false lashes and nails, pierced lips and tongues - why do we follow such uncomfortable trends? Even simple things, such as walking or eating, are hampered by some styles. I don't know why so many of us women get drawn into the latest looks. I know some would say it's down to vanity - but self-inflicted suffering's just silly! Margaret Williams, Prescot Do you agree with Margaret? Tell us! Wonder-full overheard two women I talking about brasÉ ‘Why do you think they call it a Wonderbra?’ asked one. Her friend replied, ‘Well, I don’t know about you, but when I take mine off, I wonder where my boobs have gone!’ Genna Burton, Corwen Fun in Florida Guess where I went on holiday recently..? Eva…

Coronation Street Marryme! Is Liz really daft enough to say yes to Tony? Michelle has warned Liz that if she gets back with Tony, she and Steve will have no choice but to move away. So she’s horrified to arrive at The Rovers to find Tony down on one knee in the middle of proposing to Liz! Liz wouldn’t be silly enough to marry the man who cheated on her with Tracy – would she? Over at the Connors’, Aidan and Carla arrange for Kate’s fiancee Caz to pay a visit as a surprise. Kate’s thrilled when Caz’s taxi pulls up outside, but later admits to Michelle that although she loves Caz, because they spend so little time together, their relationship can be very intense. How will she react when…

Putting the finishing touches to my superhero costume, I stood back and admired my handiwork. A full-size Hulk suit. It was made out of 70 inflated balloons. Incredible! I’ve been a children’s entertainer and magician for 30 years. And balloon art is a big part of that. So I got to practising. And before long, I could make bigger and better creations. From full-size Christmas trees, complete with lights, a star on top and presents underneath, to Minions and Disney characters. But I wanted to push my balloon boundaries… My own kids Sammy, 8, and Molly, 6, were both into superheroes and it got me thinking… Could I make a full-size suit? So in September this year, I decided to give it a go. ‘What are you up to?’ my…

Scorpio 24 Oct - 22 Nov When friends ask how you are, you say you’re fine. When they offer to assist, you say you can manage on your own. Maybe you need a bit of breathing space, but don’t push these would-be helpers too far away. They mean well, and it’s good to know they’re there when you need them. • Call 0905 817 0697* for more Sagittarius 23 Nov - 21 Dec Most of the time, you’re so busy that you can’t even think about anything new - doing what you have to in the hours available is more than enough. But, from this week onwards, you’ll notice that the pace slackens a bit - so if you’ve got any ideas of your own you’d like to try, here’s…

1 Heat 1tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan and fry two chopped rashers of reduced-salt bacon over a high heat until browned and crisp. 2 Reduce heat, add a finely chopped onion, a finely chopped carrot, a finely chopped stick of celery and two crushed cloves of garlic and cook for 8-10 min until soft. 3 Add 500g reduced-fat mince and fry till browned. 4 Add a can of chopped tomatoes and 1tsp dried oregano, along with 250ml beef stock and 1tsp instant coffee. Cover and simmer on a very low heat for around 45 min until sauce is thick and reduced. Season with black pepper. 5 Meanwhile, cook 300g spaghetti following packet instructions. Drain, and then mix sauce into spaghetti, before serving with grated Parmesan. Serves: 4…

I was given the option of a termination, but it didn't bear thinking about The room span as I took in what the doctor was telling me. ‘Your baby could be born deformed,’ he said. It was 2013, and I’d just had my 20-week scan. But the sonographer had picked up on a mass of soft tissue on my baby’s nose. I’d been referred to University Hospital of Wales, in Cardiff, for more tests, but nobody could explain what was actually wrong with my baby’s nose. They’d only know how serious it was once he was born. Given the option to terminate the pregnancy, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Just days ago, I’d been excited about the arrival of my baby boy. Now this… I was no longer…

Designer vagina I hate my vagina - it's Q uneven and ugly. My friend says there's an op to make it look better... Elle, 32 You can pay for a ‘designer A vagina', where a surgeon might trim your vagina lips, expose your clitoris, enhance your G-spot or tighten your muscles. But benefits are uncertain, and there's the risk of pain from scarring. Smelly belly My bellybutton Q smells and I daren't let anyone near me! Tammy, 24 Trapped fluff, hair, grease A and dead skin often lead to minor infections here. Besides normal washing, try cleaning gently with a cotton bud. Your chemist might suggest an antiseptic cream - but if there's a constant discharge, you should check with your doctor. Now check out a 50in bum! See…

George Silk Finish Pressed Powder, £2, Asda Sheer powder leaves skin velvety smooth. Top tip: Great for mattifying oily complexions. Bell HypoAllergenic BB Powder, £5.95, www.beautycrowd.com Perfect for sensitive skin, this blurs imperfections. Top tip: Wear at weekends to let skin breathe. Mesauda Milano Pure Light Powder, £5.95, www. beauty  crowd.com Comes in four shades - dust over foundation or on bare skin. Top tip: A light touch avoids a cakey look. Mineral Magic Skin Perfecting Make-up Powder, £9.99, jmldirect.com Colour correctors hide blemishes. Top tip: Minerals are gentle on skin. Essence Stay All Day Long-Lasting Powder, £3.50, Wilko This stays put for hours! Top tip: Sweep over liquid foundation to keep it in place.…

Serves: 6Prep: 20 minCook: 40 min 1 x 500g ready-made dessert pastry50g unsalted butter1kg (about 5) Bramleyapples, peeled and chopped2tbsp soft brown sugarPinch or two of black pepper½tsp cumin½tsp allspice250g thinly slicedLancashire cheese2tsp fresh chopped sage1 lightly beaten egg 1 Preheat the oven to 190C/Gas 5. 2 Roll out pastry and cut into two circles to fit inside and top of a 24cm pie dish. Fit larger circle in dish to cover base and sides. 3 Melt butter in a saucepan, and then add chopped apples, sugar, black pepper and spices, and cook for 5 min. 4 Lay cheese and sage in base of dish, and then fill with apple mixture. 5 Brush lip of pastry dish with beaten egg, then lay remaining pastry circle on top. Trim edges, crimp…

My kids had a habit of arriving early. Harri, 12, was born at 33 weeks, while twins Alfie and Millie, 9, appeared at 29 weeks. Thankfully, William, 7, was bang on time – and they were all healthy and happy. In June 2010, I fell pregnant again. A happy surprise for me and my partner of two years, Dave, 51. ‘Who knows when this littl’un will arrive!’ I joked. At 23 weeks, I started to feel pretty ropey. ‘Lots of rest,’ Dave ordered. But one morning, I had an excruciating pain in my tummy. I called my GP, who told me to go to hospital. Leaving the kids with my mum Jill, 57, I dashed to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, where Dave met me. ‘You’re in labour,’ a…

EastEnders Family matters! Vincent’s not happy about the way Fatboy’s treating Donna. Honey tells Billy she wants to move nearby with the kids. Roxy and Ronnie reach breaking point as they continue to argue about Dean, and Mick tries to cheer up Linda. Emmerdale Dirty tricks! Malicious Jai plays dirty and spikes Tanya’s drinks in an evil bid to get Nikhil out of his life. Rhona wants to adopt a baby, but Paddy’s not keen. Ashley gets devastating news and Kerry suffers a major health scare. Hollyoaks Wedding crasher! Harry storms into Pete and Reenie’s wedding after Cleo tells him about her relationship with Pete. Mac catches up with Cindy, and Simone is stunned when she overhears them talking about their secret marriage.…

Arriving at my gran’s house, I grinned when I saw my cousin, Philip Rudd, then 13, watching TV in the living room. Everyone knew him as Leigh – his middle name. We’d go to Gran’s after school, before our parents picked us up. ‘Let’s play hide and seek,’ he’d say, taking me upstairs. Only 5, I loved the attention. Then, one afternoon, Leigh and I were playing in the spare room when he unzipped his trousers. ‘Touch it,’ he said, putting my hand on his penis. I was too young to understand what it was. After that, he began exposing himself whenever we were alone. Then, when I was 6, Leigh took me to the video shop with him. By now, he was 14, so Gran trusted him to be…

My birthday will never feel the same again Dear Tony, My husband died last year on my birthday, aged 80. Could you ask him why? We'd been married for 56 years and had two children. I wasn't with him at the hospital and arrived as he died. I feel so guilty. Does he forgive me? Mrs Williams, Merseyside Dear Mrs Williams, Your husband was a beautiful, sensitive man who loved the theatre and music. I believe he told you he loved you every day, and cherished every moment you were together. He couldn't dance in life, but wants you to know he dances in Spirit. He talks of a son and a daughter, and mentions the name David, which I believe is your son's name. Your dear husband is so…

One in a minion! Despicable Me superfans Bob and Samantha Thomas had a Minion-themed wedding this summer. There were breakdancing Minions, while Bob even got a Minion bride and groom tattoo to celebrate. Barking bride Katia Gershun’s rescue dog Bingo had a starring role as father of the bride in her wedding to fiance John Downer. The English springer spaniel-cross donned a bow tie to give Katia away. Sea-sickness and health! Professional diver Dorota Bankowska and James Abbott got hitched in a seawater divers’ training tank. The bride wore a wedding dress while the groom opted for a kilt.…

Everything had been going smoothly – it was my first pregnancy and my 12-week scan showed my baby developing well. But, a few weeks later, in March 2012, I started getting chest pains. ‘It feels like indigestion,’ I told my husband David, 29. I couldn’t eat, constantly felt full. I’d pain in between my shoulders, too. I put it down to the pregnancy. But, over the next few days, I started feeling worse. I felt nauseous, had terrible headaches. Concerned, I phoned the NHS 111 service. When I told the operator about my chest pains, they sent an ambulance. The paramedics rushed me to Royal Lancaster Infirmary A&E. ‘You’ve got elevated liver enzymes,’ a doctor told me. He also suspected a urine infection. To be sure, he referred me back…

How fascinator-ing! My 2-year-old daughter Amelia is doing her best Kate Middleton impersonation. Michaela Kenny, Southampton Look – it’s me! She’s definitely ready for her close-up! My daughter Alys, 3, showing off her selfie skills. Matthew Rees, Swansea Tub time Looks like fun! My kids Alfie, 5, and Jessica, 2, are having a ball in the bath. Emma Williams, Lytham St Anne’s Smartstyle Doesn’t my 2-year-old son Kaden look handsome with his slicked-back hair? Gemma Green, Grimsby MY CUTE BABY PIC He's only 11 weeks old, but my son Alfie has a rather sneaky smile! I wonder what he could be thinking... Beccy Dickinson, Brighton Biker boy Ready to roll! My 3-year-old son George loves a cycle ride in the country! Susan Doonan, Bagillt £25 A LETTER There's £25 for…

How I lost it! Aged just 7 , I was overweight. Bullied at school, I grew up as a yo-yo dieter . As I got older , when I was pregnant with my third child, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I got it under control after losing some weight but, in my fourth pregnancy , I was told I was at risk of type 2 diabetes. But, at 18st and a size-20 , I still struggled to diet. I couldn't play with my kids and hated going out so, when a friend recommended the Exante Diet in March last, year, I decided to try it. I had three meal-replacement products a day , adding up to just 600 cal. With all temptation removed, I started to lose weight fast,…

Scott's So-Easy Creamy Porage Oats, 50g, £1 We added sugar to suit our taste, but this porridge slips down a treat. It also has the least calories - 190 - but is the smallest portion. Moma Plain Porridge, 70g, £1.30 Moma stands for ‘making oats more awesome' - and this nice big pot certainly makes a tasty brekkie. With 250 cal, unlike the others, the oats are big, so you'll feel full for longer. Sainsbury's Original Express Porridge, 55g, 90p With 205 cal, this is a nice big portion of creamy porridge. With no added sugar, we couldn't resist adding a squeeze of golden syrup for sweetness. NEW Jamie Oliver Smoky & Spicy Mighty Beans, £2.30, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Co-op Ready to heat and eat cannellini beans smothered in tomato sauce,…

Enjoy offers every day Help Tiki grow his marvellous tash and he’ll reward you with a month of magnificent daily offers! Simply opt in and visit the Chat Mag Bingo promotions page every day in November to reveal an offer! Even Stevens Every weekend in November in Sapphire, selected games will have Even Stevens bingo games where whether you win one line, two lines or a full house, you’ll win the same cash prize. 18+. UK Only. Reg & wager required. T&Cs apply.…

Check out our lucky charm... Place a right-hand finger on the key, close your eyes and the luck could flow. We can't wait to hear if it works for you! This reader has been lucky... I'm not a sceptic as such, but not a born believer, either - still I gave the Lucky Key a go… My hubby and I had seen the house we wanted and put an offer in that was accepted. Except we hadn't sold ours - hadn't even had any interest. So, I held my finger on the Key and willed it to help… A week later, we had a buyer and are all set to move in to our new pad. Thanks Chat ! Judith, Stockport…