Indholdsfortegnelse for 13 November 2025 i Chat

Welcome to this week's Chat… How would you feel if you were mistaken for your mum? Be honest – we promise we won't tell her! But while most of us would be rushing out to buy eye cream and hair dye, it's not the same for Cher (p30). When folk mix her up with her mum, Dawn, it's a compliment – and it happens a lot. Despite the 30-year age difference, the pair look like twins. It has led to some awkward moments, though, including with Cher's hubby… Cringe! Have a great week,…

As the sun shone, I followed my fellow mourners as we filed out of the crematorium. ‘I'll really miss him,’ Robert, my partner of 10 years, said quietly beside me. I squeezed his hand and nodded. It was June 2023 and we were attending the funeral of one of his relatives. Robert, then 61, was distraught, and the loss had left a huge hole in the family. It had been a lovely service and lots of people had come to pay their respects. Now everyone was heading to the local Conservative Club for the wake. The place was busy with people hugging, crying and sharing stories. After mingling with a few people I knew, I sat down with my friend Jayne. Then after a while, I got up to go…

STYLE TIP Faux-suede accessories are an effortless way to embrace the boho look – made autumn-ready with cosy knits and long hemlines. STYLE TIP Elevate a trendy barn jacket with a sleek suedelook A-line skirt and contrasting accessories in rich tones to stand out. STYLE TIP An everyday suedette jacket pairs perfectly with your favourite denim and a printed tee. Level it up with matching trainers. STYLE TIP Play with suede in unexpected hues like forest green or blue, pairing it with soft knits so the fabric stays the focus.…

Throwing down his school bag by the front door, my son Buddy, then 14, sighed. ‘What's the matter?’ I asked. It was July 2025, and Buddy had been excited about the upcoming summer break. Now he looked upset. ‘I'm worried about some of my classmates,’ he frowned. He'd been chatting to a couple of them about their free school meals. ‘They don't get them during the school holidays,’ he explained. My boy liked to look out for others. He'd help his little sis Ruby, 10, with her homework and was always the first to share if he saw someone without. ‘I wonder if people would sponsor me to give out lunches during the holidays,’ he said now. Buddy sat at the kitchen table with a pen and paper, planning his…

Doing up the buttons on my denim dress, I looked in the mirror and twirled. ‘You look perfect,’ my mum Dawn, then 37, said, tying my hair up in a bow. ‘So do you, Mum,’ I smiled, admiring her matching outfit. It was 1997 and, aged just 7, I loved it when me and Mum dressed the same. She'd been finding cute mini-me styles ever since I was a baby. At a family gathering later that day, everyone commented. ‘You're the mirror image of each other,’ a family friend gushed. Mum beamed with pride. Glamorous, with long, dark locks down to her waist, she always looked great, in the latest trends. My dad, then 39, found it adorable as, after having two boys, my mum had really wanted a little…

3 ways to… be rewarded for recycling It's better for the environment and could get you a few quid too! 1 On the high street The Recycle at Boots scheme rewards people for bringing in empty beauty, health, wellness and dental product packaging that can't be recycled at home. Advantage Card holders can get £5 worth of points when recycling five qualifying items and spending £10 in-store (find details and T&Cs at boots.com/shopping/boots-recycling-scheme). With the John Lewis FashionCycle scheme, if you take five or more pre-loved items of clothing to a John Lewis fashion till and show your My John Lewis loyalty card, you'll get a £5 off voucher for its Fashion Rental service (£50 minimum spend, T&Cs apply, find out more at johnlewis.com). And at Schuh, if you recycle your old, unwanted…

Smiling, I skipped happily into my big brother Peter's room. It was 1975 and, 10 years older than me at 15, I idolised my big bro. ‘I've got a new set of Top Trumps cards we can play too,’ he told me. I beamed. Peter had lived with our Auntie Edith, then 81, for as long as I could remember, while I was at home with our mum. But I'd go to stay with him for the weekend every few weeks, and I loved it. As well as card games, Peter taught me to play chess. He also read me stories from his grown-up magazines. I didn't really understand them, but Peter liked them so I listened. ‘See you in the morning,’ I told Peter after an evening of card…

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Dear Donor, I don't know your name. But I carry you with me every single day. You're in every breath I take. See, I was born with cystic fibrosis. By age 5, I'd had more hospital visits and medicine than other kids. But I still ran around and played. My dad Bob, then 31, and mum Sue, then 33, treated me the same as my brother Daniel, 3, and my sister Courtney, 1. By my teens, I was slowing down. ‘You may need a transplant one day,’ one hospital doc explained, when I was 17. Without one, I might not live into my 30s. Hard to hear. But despite that prospect, I stayed positive, hopeful. Aged 20, I met Liam, then 18, in a nightclub. Early on, I told him…

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What do comedian Bob Mortimer and TV presenter Richard Osman have in common? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to reveal the four-word prize answer. ACROSS 1 _ John, singer (5) 4 Stinging insect (4) 6 Last month of the year (8) 13 Large Berkshire town (7) 14 Quantities (7) 15 Prepares food (5) 16 Group of three (4) 17 Italian city (6) 18 Ascends (6) 20 Domestic servant (4) 21 Gets closer (5) 22 Baby's toy (6) 25 Mythical creatures that are half-man, half-horse (8) 28 Fair-haired (6) 30 _ Sunak, former PM (5) 32 Visualised (8) 34 Sport played at Wimbledon (6) 35 Facial feature (4) 38 Jane _, novelist (6) 39 Pursue (5) 40 1978 film musical (6) 43 Harbour (4) 44 Small (6) 45 Pupils (8) 48 Star sign (5) 49 Noon (6) 51 Plant with soothing juice (4,4) 54 Capital of Germany (6) 55 _ Pegg, actor…

Q There are no lumps or bumps, but I have intense itching over my nipples that's driving me crazy. What can I do? Ruby, Whitby A One common cause of itchy nipples is dry skin. Try using a gentle, unperfumed moisturiser or nipple balm – something like coconut oil or a lanolin-free cream can help soothe the area. Wearing soft, breathable fabrics, like cotton or bamboo, may help too. Avoid tight bras or anything made from wool or synthetic materials that might rub or trap heat. If you've recently changed laundry detergent or body wash, it could be an allergy or irritation. Hormonal changes, such as during your period or pregnancy, can also make nipples more sensitive and itchy. If it doesn't go away, or you have redness, swelling or…

1 Put plants first ‘Loading up on plant foods (fruit, vegetables, pulses, seeds and nuts) is one of the best ways to up your fibre intake – and they tend to combine the two types of fibre (soluble and insoluble) that we need,’ says nutritionist Jenna Hope. ‘You should also try to drink about 2ltr of water a day to keep the fibre moving through your gut and prevent constipation.’ 2 Check food labels We're all advised to eat 30g of fibre a day for our digestion and general health. If you're savvy, you could get most of what you need easily. For example, Shredded Wheat and bran cereals contain 13g to 24.5g of fibre per 100g, while two slices of wholemeal bread will give you 7g. Find the fibre content of foods…

Watching the Chelsea women's team lift the FA cup, I looked over at my wife Nicky, then 51, and grinned happily. It was May 2023 and we'd taken our football mad daughter, Callie, 12, to Wembley for the first time. We'd had a great day, but as I smiled at Nicky, I noticed her wince. ‘It's just this headache,’ she explained. ‘It's probably the heat.’ Poor Nicky had been struggling since we'd stepped on the train that morning. Normally fit and healthy, it was unusual. In the 29 years we'd been married, Nicky rarely took a sick day from her job as a customer assistant at M&S, where I also worked as a manager. That night, she went to bed early. But the pain didn't ease. ‘It's like a bad…

I'm the third wheel Q My girlfriend is still very close with her ex. I've tried to be the cool and understanding partner, but honestly, I think he crosses the line. They text constantly, meet up often, and I'm starting to feel like the third wheel in my own relationship. Am I being insecure, or is this not on? Rob, 37 A You need to tell your girlfriend how this is making you feel. To be honest, it doesn't sound like she's all in, pet. Unless they share kids, there's no need to be so involved with an ex. You deserve to be number one in your own relationship. Ask the question – you may not like the answer but you need to know. Sooner rather than later. My girlfriend…

Beauty Bay Layer Up Blush Duo in Mulberry Spice, £10, beautybay.com Featuring a soft-focus powder and buttery cream blush, this duo is all you need to create a naturallooking flush of blush. Available in six shades, there's a blush match for everyone. Revolution Pro Miracle LED Light Therapy Pen, £19.99, revolutionbeauty.com This affordable LED light pen offers both red and blue light therapy to target fine lines, scars and blemishes. Suitable for all skin types, this is a must-have product for skincare lovers. The Body Shop Spa of the World Bulgarian Peony Body Wash, £14, thebodyshop.com Treat yourself to an indulgent body wash to elevate your shower routine. The calming floral scent relaxes all of your senses and prepares you well for a good night's sleep. Real Techniques Miracle Brush…

When Tony Parsons, then 63, planned a 104-mile bike ride through the Scottish Highlands, it was his way of giving something back. The Royal Navy veteran had recently been treated for prostate cancer and he was raising funds for charity. A proud grandad and family man, he was supported by his wife of over 40 years, Margaret, then 60, and his two grown-up children, Mike and Vicky. On 29 September 2017, he left his home in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, and took a train to Fort William, planning to cycle all the way back. At around 4.10pm, he set off from the town on his bright yellow bike, wearing a red top and hi-vis jacket. At 6pm, CCTV captured him cycling past a petrol station. At around 11pm, he stopped for coffee…

What do you like most about this time of year? The misty mornings and all the beautiful colours on the leaves. There's a feeling of renewal in autumn, which I love. Your favourite thing to do in November? I love Bonfire Night. Fireworks, sparklers, toffee apples, baked potatoes and pie and peas! What's not to like? Also, it's my dad's birthday on Bonfire Night so even if I'm not with him, I feel close to him. Tell us about your pup… Ziggy is a Maltese terrier. He joined our family when he was 7 months old. A wonderful charity called Al Mayya rescued him from a puppy farm in Dubai. He's the most intense dog I've ever met and I love him so much. WE PAY £50 to everyone we feature…

Looking around the bathroom, I stared in disbelief. Blood in the sink, the bathtub, across the floor. Like a crime scene. ‘Will Daddy be OK?’ I asked my mum Margaret, then 34. She nodded but, just 8, I was worried. It was 1978 and my dad Jim, 37, had just been taken off in an ambulance after a severe nose bleed. Not for the first time. Most days, Dad ran to the loo or grabbed a bucket. Packing his nose with tissues until it stopped. Other days, he got light-headed, needed an ambulance and would be home again in a few days. Dad wasn't the only one. Me and my younger brother Clarke, then 6, had nose bleeds too. But lighter, less frequent. ‘I was always wiping your noses when…

Children giggled on a bouncy castle, others had their faces painted with glitter. The noisy room was festooned with circusthemed decorations. Kristyn Sigler had gone all out for her son's 3rd birthday. She'd organised a party at the Swan Boat Club in Monroe County, Michigan, where she worked. It was 20 April 2024, a fun-filled day for her son and his little pals. ‘Happy birthday to you,’ rang out across the room as the kids gathered to sing. The young guests included siblings Jayden, 11, Alanah, 8, and Zayn Phillips, 4. Their mum Mariah Dodds was one of Kristyn's oldest friends. All the kids were so excited, having a wonderful time. They were having cake pops next! Only, just then, there was a deafening sound, like a bomb going off.…

With her dark hair and friendly smile, she looks like any other attractive young woman. But there are clues to Milk's unique identity. A furry tail sprouts from behind her and pointy ears sit atop her head… ‘I am a human, but I identify as a dog,’ Milk explains. A Pomeranian, to be exact. She's calls herself a kemonomimi – a person who wears ears and a tail. But now she's taking her canine life further, with cosmetic surgery to look like her dream doggy. Because for Milk, living like a dog isn't a fad. ‘I feel like I've had a bit of dog energy basically my entire life,’ she reveals, saying she is like an excitable, affectionate pup. ‘That's exactly how I was with my entire friend group since…

Top tip The okra adds a lovely crunch to the curry. Top with crispy fried onions instead if you prefer. Cauliflower curry with vegetable rice You're on your way to five a day with this flavoursome meal. SERVES 4 PREP 15 MINS COOK 25 MINS FOR THE RICE: 2tbsp vegetable oil 1tsp cumin seeds ½tsp turmeric 200g mushrooms, sliced 300g basmati rice, rinsed 100g frozen peas, defrosted FOR THE CURRY: 2tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion, sliced  1tbsp medium curry powder 1tsp ground turmeric 400ml tin coconut milk 400ml vegetable stock 1 medium cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets 400g tin chickpeas, rinsed and drained 200g baby spinach 175g okra, sliced (optional) 1 For the rice, heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the spices for 1 min. Add the…

Aries 21 March-20 April You are seeing the world through fresh eyes now, after a recent event helped you to recognise where you need to make changes. Trust your new vision. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May The recent Full Moon in your sign brought an abundance of good luck and exciting opportunities. Time to relax and see how things begin to improve. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June The Moon in your sign on 7 November helps you to make a really important decision. Weigh up the pros and cons, then take action to manifest your desires. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July On 9 November the Moon makes its monthly return to your…

Q My hair is falling out more than before – should I be worried? Linda McKenzie, Wigan, Manchester A Try not to worry too much if you've noticed an increase in hair loss over the last few weeks. Seasonal changes could be causing this, and can be referred to as ‘autumn shedding’. This is a normal response to the change in weather, daylight and hormonal shifts, which trigger the body's need to shed excess hair that was used to protect your scalp during the summer. Luckily, there are many ways you can help encourage regrowth with affordable high street products. Start off by incorporating a scalp scrub, like Umberto Giannini Grow Scrub Scalp Scrub, £9.95, Boots, which removes dead skin and product buildup on your scalp. It also stimulates circulation,…