Chat -julkaisun 25 September 2025 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

There's a lot of doom and gloom about, isn't there? We hear you when you tell us that you're fed up with problems in your area like petty crime and litter, and it's not helped by a cost-of-living crisis that feels like it'll never end. The bad news often crowds out the good. So, we're launching Chat Local Legends, celebrating the brilliant people who not only notice the problems in their communities but decide to do something about them. Read all about it on p22 – we do hope you'll get involved. Have a great week,…

Emma Forshaw, 44, Wirral Pouring cola into glasses, the sound of excited chatter and roaring engines echoed from the living room. When I took in the drinks, my son Ben, then 14, and our friend Paul Jones, 49, were engrossed in the telly. ‘Thanks for having me over,’ Paul said, above the noise of screeching tyres. ‘It's more fun watching the Grand Prix with Ben than on my own at home.’ I thought it was good for him to have a male role model ‘I think he's enjoying himself too,’ I laughed. An electrician who worked with one of my relatives, Paul and I had been chatting on Facebook for a few months, since earlier that year in 2012. Although both single, we were happy just being mates. The great…

Gabby Evans, 32, Burnley Scrolling through Tinder, I couldn't help but laugh at one profile. This guy clearly didn't have a clue! A blurred selfie taken in a smudged mirror, a toilet seat in the background… ‘And the lid's up!’ I gasped. In November 2018, after a string of disastrous dates, I was giving it one last try. Reading through Tom's bio, I decided to swipe right. He was 28, good looking, well built with dark hair. Despite his amateur pics, I was chuffed we matched. How much does a polar bear weigh? he messaged me soon after. Not the usual chat-up line, but then came the punchline. Enough to break the ice. Tom was a comedian as well as clueless! Still, the cheesy opening line worked. A week later,…

YOU'RE THE JUDGE! When Erin Patterson endured a traumatic birth with her first baby in January 2009, her mother-in-law was her biggest support. Gail Patterson and her husband Don moved in with Erin and their son Simon while Erin recovered. Gail was gentle and patient with Erin during that newborn haze. ‘I remember being really relieved that Gail was there because I felt really out of my depth,’ Erin said. In the years that followed, she and Simon separated and reunited again and again. In 2014, they had a second child. Once again, they turned to Gail and Don, moving to a new home nearby. So it was no surprise that Erin stayed close to her in-laws after splitting with Simon for a final time in late 2015. ‘It never…

1 Monitor your discharge Be alert to any unusual colour or smell, says Dr Hannah Burrage, lead GP at Livi. ‘Thrush typically causes an itch with a thick, white, cottage-cheesy discharge. BV [bacterial vaginosis] tends to have a thinner, grey discharge with a fishy smell. Neither of these is sexually transmitted, but another infection, Trichomonas vaginalis, is – and its discharge is usually itchy, smelly and frothy.’ Any green or greenish-yellow discharge can also indicate an infection, so get it checked out. 2 Don't ignore itching The earliest signs of an intimate infection are often subtle and shouldn't be ignored, says consultant gynaecologist Mr Nitish Raut, at Nuffield Health North Staffordshire Hospital. Itching down below can be due to skin conditions, irritants (such as scented soaps or lotions), chafing underwear…

Not pregnant and not happy Q I've been trying for a baby for almost a year. We got pregnant quite early on but sadly had a miscarriage after eight weeks. It's been months and months of negative pregnancy tests. I always try to be positive – I tell myself everything happens for a reason – but it's getting harder and harder to stay hopeful. Is there anything that I can do to distract me from this? Lauren, 30 A So sorry to hear this, sweetheart. The good news is there's fantastic help out there. See your GP to check if there's anything that can be done. It might be the case that you just have to keep trying, but look after yourself as you do. Why not tell your loved…

3 ways to … spot scam websites Don't lose your cash to criminals online 1 Beware rock-bottom prices Scam websites often use low prices to lure bargainhungry shoppers in order to sell fake, counterfeit or non-existent items, Which? warns. Scammers may use tactics to try to pressure you into buying something quickly before the ‘offer’ ends, like countdown timers. Never rush. Always take time to establish whether something is a good deal or simply a con. 2 Warning signs Many fraudulent websites use domain names that reference well-known brand or product names. For example, website domains like ‘ipadoffers.net’ should raise alarm bells. Double-check the site's home page or ‘About us’ pages and look out for poor English, such as spelling and grammar mistakes, which could mean it isn't genuine. And check the…

Jess King, 27, North Wales Watching my newborn son Tommy cradled in his daddy's arms, it should have been a beautiful moment. Instead, I felt confused. ‘Give me another chance,’ Luke pleaded. ‘It'll be different this time.’ I desperately wanted to believe him. I'd have loved for him to be a good dad to Tommy, to treat me like I deserved. But the reality was I'd heard Luke, then 28, beg for my forgiveness too many times. It was November 2023 and we'd been on and off for the past two years. Occasionally, Luke was gentle and kind. But his jealous, angry rages always tore us apart. We hadn't been together for most of my pregnancy. Luke hadn't even been at the birth. But the day after Tommy was born…

TEXT Simply text CHATB 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 Join our Chat Comp Club now…

ARGYLE KNITS STYLE TIP Have a go at print clashing and pair with other checks. The key is to team with smaller checks so the Argyle can take centre stage. CORDUROY SKIRTS STYLE TIP Play around with textures. Corduroy looks striking paired with leather, or add a corduroy jacket for a bold head-to-toe look. LACE-UP BOOTS STYLE TIP Ditch the white socks and create a tonal look with shades of cream, beige and brown, keeping the length below the calf but above the ankle. COATS FROM £12.50 STYLE TIP Go for an oversized fit that will allow you to layer with chunky knits.…

Shannon Frost, 31, Wolverhampton True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Standing in the mirror, I tilted my head from side to side, looking at the strands that had fallen out when I brushed my hair. It was September 2024 and I was 14 days into chemotherapy to treat non-Hodgkins lymphoma. I'd been diagnosed after suffering shoulder pain and breathlessness. Docs had thought it was a blood clot on my lung, but an X-ray showed a huge tumour covering my chest. I'd had my first round of chemo in Newcastle, where I'd been on a work trip for my communications manager job, before being diagnosed. But now I was back home with my husband Richard, then 29, and my daughter Ophelia, 4. Ready to face the next few rounds of treatment. I'd known that…

Littering. Vandalism. Theft. The cost of living crisis. Whether you're strolling down the high street or scrolling through social media, it all feels impossible to ignore. We get it. The constant negativity about a so-called ‘Broken Britain’ is overwhelming. In many ways, we're a safer country than we were two decades ago. The Crime Survey for England and Wales shows that burglary has fallen by two-thirds, and most violent crime has seen a significant long-term decline. But other stats tell a different story. Theft from supermarkets and other stores is at its highest level in 20 years. That's three cases happening every minute, so by the time you finish reading this, there will have been another. Muggings and phone theft are out of control in some town and city centres,…

Quadrant is an esports team founded in 2020 by which British sportsperson? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Talons = CAWS + L = CLAWS. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2 x £25 Puzzle 9 Talons Necklace Meanders Brake lever Indicate Pulverise Jackets Heals Pierce or stab Damp Speed Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

One look at Vienna Würstel tells you she's a woman who knows her own personal style. Her long blonde hair and curvy figure would already make her stand out from the crowd. Yet something else about her appearance gets all of the attention. Her huge cosmetically enhanced lips. It wasn't always the case that Vienna was so confident. Born male, she was very confused about her appearance growing up. ‘I didn't know how I should look, or how I wanted to look,’ Vienna admits. It led to her having lip filler aged 18 – a procedure that was the first of many. And the following year, Vienna started transitioning to become a woman. What followed was breast implants, then a lip and eye lift. Next, Vienna had voice surgery to…

Tina Saunders, 64, from Crowborough When making a cuppa, what comes first, tea or milk? Tea always comes first for me before a drop of milk. But I'm more of a coffee drinker really. I prefer a creamy latte. What would you like to be reincarnated as? I'd love to be reincarnated as a dog. But only as long as I have a loving owner, food, walks, lots of cuddles and somewhere warm to snuggle up and sleep. What was the first concert you ever went to? The Jam at Wembley Arena, London. It was in December 1982 when I was 22. My first festival, though, wasn't until I was 59! I went to the Black Deer Festival of Americana at Eridge Park, Kent, with my daughter Lauren. The weather…

WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 What is film director Greta Gerwig's favourite piece of vintage clothing in her wardrobe? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the five-word prize answer. ACROSS 11 Common bird (6) 12 Medical procedure (9) 13 Lazy (4) 14 Medical institution (8) 15 Main character in the animated film The Lion King (5) 16 Italian ice cream (6) 17 Yearbook or calendar (7) 18 Goes with (11) 20 Book of maps (5) 22 Mythical (9) 24 Woodwind instrument (5) 28 Natalie _, actor (7) 29 Main ingredient of guacamole (7) 32 Robert _, Raging Bull and Goodfellas actor (2,4) 34 Part of the weekend (8) 36 Steer (8) 37 Scottish city (6) 39 Kneecap (7) 40 Marine plant (7) 45 Breaks suddenly (5) 47 A person's skills or advantages (9) 48 Stringed instrument (5) 51 Dick _, historical mayor of London (11) 53…

Fluttering heart Q Recently, I've been experiencing heart flutters. Last weekend it was so bad I was admitted to hospital. Doctors said I have atrial fibrillation and gave me blood thinners. How will they help? Miranda, Ipswich A Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an irregular heartbeat that can make your heart flutter or beat fast, and may cause dizziness or tiredness. It happens when electrical signals in your heart go out of sync. AF can make it harder for your heart to pump blood, so doctors usually give blood thinners to help prevent blood clots, reducing the risk of stroke. To manage the AF, they may also prescribe rate control medications to help slow your heart rate, or rhythm control medications to restore and maintain a normal heartbeat. If you're unsure about…

Jackie Perrins, 55, from Worksop, says: ‘People drop litter outside our house as they walk past. We have a driveway that gets filled with crisp packets and drinks bottles, which is frustrating when we're trying to make it colourful and pleasant to look at. I don't think we have the “don't drop litter code” any more, so children think it's acceptable. Maybe the old way was the best!’ Megan Lomax, 56, from London, says: ‘Phone grabs have become a big problem where I live, and I've witnessed a couple recently. They come out of nowhere, and before you know it, they've gone. Nobody challenges them because you just don't know if they might have a knife. I never walk with my phone out – if I have to make a…

Lucy Livesey, 36, Manchester As pink balloons floated above us, my husband Rick, 29, spun me around. ‘We're having a girl!’ he beamed as our friends and family cheered. It was April 2017 and I was 14 weeks pregnant with our first baby. We'd had a private scan a week before and Rick had kept the sex a secret so I could enjoy the surprise with our loved ones. The room was peaceful, the scent of lavender filling the air Now he'd lifted the lid of the box and pink balloons rose up to the sky, the secret was finally out. After celebrating at the gender reveal, we agreed on the name Ellie for our girl. We were so excited to become parents. Then, after my 20-week scan, the doctors…

Lemon drop cheesecake Based on the zingy flavours of a lemon drop Martini, this no-bake cheesecake uses limoncello liqueur for a hit of citrus. SERVES 12 READY IN 30 MINS, PLUS CHILLING 300g digestive biscuits, crushed 40g candied orange peel 150g unsalted butter, melted  340g soft cheese 100g icing sugar 75ml limoncello 300ml double cream Finely grated zest 1 lemon and 2tbsp granulated sugar, to decorate YOU WILL NEED: ● 20cm loose-bottomed cake tin Top tip The lemon sugar can be made several days in advance. Once completely dry, it can be stored in an airtight container. Press into the base of the tin then chill until firm. In a separate bowl, whisk the cream to soft peaks, then fold this into the cream cheese mixture. PER SERVING: 534 CALS,…

Aries 21 March-20 April Whatever you've been focusing your attention on lately is coming together perfectly. Keep your eyes on the prize, and know that what you want is in reach. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May While you're happy in your comfort zone, if you feel the need to make changes, you're more than capable. Now's the time to shift your attention to something new. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June You're always on the go, whether mentally or physically. Now autumn is here, slow down a little and consider how you can bring balance to your routine. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July If you're craving solitude, take a day trip to the…

Q I'm confused – is retinal the same as retinol? Madeline Best, Devon A Don't worry, you're not the only one who finds retinals and retinols puzzling. Both are part of a family of ingredients called retinoids, which come from vitamin A and work wonders to iron out wrinkles and plump, sagging skin. It's a brilliant and hard-working ingredient, but retinol (with an ‘O’) can irritate the skin when you first use it, leaving it red and flaky. Retinal (with an ‘A’) works faster without troubling the skin, so you can get all of the benefits without risking a complexion that looks like a croissant in the short term. E.l.f. Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum, £23, Boots, contains retinal and is a total bargain for ingredients this good. Or Pai…

Best friends since they were 11, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, both 21, were inseparable. From the moment they met, they'd shared everything. Sat next to each other in class, did their homework together, hung out after school every day. They loved one another and were fiercely protective. When they enrolled at the University of Idaho together, no one was surprised. Starting in autumn 2019, they soon settled into uni life. As freshers, they spent their days studying and their nights partying. By their final year in 2022, they were closer than ever and had made more friends. They lived in off-campus housing along with Xana Kernodle, Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen, all 20. The girls created a cosy home filled with laughter, movie days, wine nights, baking and harmless…

Chat winners issue 26 (26 June 2025) £1,001 CASH A Smith, Runcorn £500 CASH A James, Telford E Brosnan, Torquay £250 CASH S Pritchard, Leeds G Fisher, Wirral £200 CASH P Downes, Pontypridd £100 CASH J Horne, Inverness M Crabb, Shepton Mallet B Hince, Ludlow £75 CASH R Maddocks, Tamworth £50 CASH L Millett, Taunton F Clarke, Stafford S Orchard, Ryde C Williams, Stourport-on-Severn A Greening, Longfield V Wallis, St.Helens £40 CASH K Gregson, Preston £30 CASH J Rees, Powys J Ward, Leeds £25 CASH S Duffin, Reading C Cleugh, Waterlooville Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £20 CASH A Sawyer, Chester S Sime, Warwick A Keegan, Bolton M Booth, Castleford L Ward, Coventry M Toy, Bristol P Freeston, Lincoln P Warwick, Ipswich P Ramage, Kilmarnock D Hanger, Boston P Kelly, Dunoon J Hoogeboom, Peterborough D Pyle, Waterlooville A Delaney, Wallington S Webster, Ulvaston T Jefford, Braintree D Christian, Sutton-in-Ashfield J Dale, Bury St Edmunds D…

Dear Arron, Whenever I introduce you to new people, I see a look of surprise flash over their faces. ‘This is Arron, my boyfriend,’ I explain, as their eyebrows shoot up. Yes, you are very handsome, but I don't think that's the reason folk are so shocked. More likely, it's that you're 16 years my junior. I'm sure they expect to hear of some scandalous affair that brought us together. Or assume I'm having a midlife crisis and that our relationship will never last. But they don't know what we know… Before meeting you, I'd only ever been with men of a similar age to me. Was married for 12 years. When you asked to take me out, of course I said yes In 2012, I met you at my job…