Table of contents for 1 May 2025 in Chat

I love a bit of baking and most of my efforts even turn out to be edible! Wherever you personally fall on a scale of noughtto-Mary Berry, you won’t fail to be impressed by Emma Jayne’s amazing cakes, which look too good to eat (p30). My favourite is her King Charles, but I worry it’d be treasonous to take a bite! If Emma Jayne leaves you feeling inspired, turn to p40 for our delicious choccy bakes. Well, there’s no such thing as too much cake! Have a great week,…

My finger hovered over my phone screen. It was March 2022 and I was scrolling through dating site profiles. Single for two years after my divorce, I was nervous. But the handsome man in the photo looked friendly. Feeling brave, I swiped right and Marcus, then 33, replied straight away. Messages flying, he asked me out for a drink. Days later, our date at a pub went well. Marcus was funny. Keen too. Maybe a bit too keen? Afterwards, my phone didn’t stop pinging with messages. Marcus even turned up on my doorstep. ‘This is moving too fast,’ I said, gently. We agreed we’d take a step back. Only, next month, on holiday in Ibiza with friends, my phone buzzed. Marcus, again. But this message was different. You’re so skinny,…

What does TV presenter Vernon Kay say is his pet peeve? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the four-word prize answer. WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 ACROSS 11 US island state (6) 12 31 October (9) 13 Harvest (4) 14 Person who loves reading (8) 15 Type of herb (5) 16 Crime writer, _ Christie (6) 17 Citrus fruit (7) 18 French landmark (6,5) 20 Perspire (5) 22 Cannot be seen (9) 24 Welsh poet, _ Thomas (5) 28 A language (7) 29 Wooded areas (7) 32 Greek god of the Sun (6) 34 Places to sleep (8) 36 Actor, _ Cumberbatch (8) 37 Warning devices (6) 39 Choose not to vote (7) 40 Country, capital city Brussels (7) 45 Educate (5) 47 Allowed (9) 48 Desert animal (5) 51 Author of Wuthering Heights (5,6) 53 Type of cheese (7) 55 1986 film starring Tom Cruise (3,3) 56…

Symptom overload Q I have severe anxiety, constant hyperventilation and trouble sleeping. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2011 and take continuous medication. My stomach feels crushed, and my gums and ankles are swollen. What should I do? Sarah, Lincoln A It sounds as though your body is under significant stress, which may be worsening your anxiety and physical symptoms, as well as your ulcerative colitis. And poor sleep can make everything feel harder. Try controlled breathing (like 4-7-8 breathing – you can find free guided tutorials on YouTube) to reduce your hyperventilation. Gentle movement, such as yoga, may help release tension. For better sleep, sticking to a bedtime routine and eating magnesium-rich foods, such as dark leafy greens, legumes and bananas, may help. Swelling in your gums and…

1 Work your pelvic floor The best way to locate your pelvic floor muscles is to stop weeing mid-flow. But don’t do your exercises while peeing as this can harm your bladder. Squeeze the muscles tight around your vagina and anus, pulling upwards. And relax. Then repeat 10 times in quick succession. Repeat, but this time hold each squeeze for the count of 10. Do this once or twice a day, every day. 2 Take a nap If your nocturia (frequently getting up at night to pee) is caused by swollen legs or ankles, having an early afternoon nap with your legs up to reduce swelling may help. This is because lying down increases your urge to urinate, as the fluid retained in your lower body has to go somewhere. Doing this process…

In love with ex's mate Q I’m in love with my ex’s best friend. I split with my ex-boyfriend the moment I realised I had feelings for his mate and tried to distance myself from them both. Only, his best friend checked in on me after the split, offered a shoulder to cry on when my dad got sick and then confessed he liked me, too. I love him but I really don’t want to hurt my ex. Liz, 25 A This is a tricky one, pet. It could be the love story of the century or an absolute mess. Before you even test the waters with your ex’s best mate, think about the consequences, love. Are you asking this new fella to lose his closest pal to be with…

3 ways to.. claim 'lost' cash Do you have forgotten funds? Here’s how to get them back 1 Trace old accounts More than 10 million of us have money sitting in ‘lost’ bank and building society accounts, with a total of £4.5 billion in them, according to Gretel, a platform that searches for lost accounts. So if you think this includes you, take action. If you know where the account was held, contact the bank or provider directly. If you don’t, you can use a free service like mylostaccount.org.uk, which can help you trace lost bank, building society and National Savings & Investments products, or gretel.co.uk, which can also help you trace Child Trust Funds, pensions and life insurance. You’ll find more information on tracing these accounts at moneyhelper.org.uk too. 2 Cash…

Cheat: Unfinished Business NETFLIX ● Eight former couples whose relationships hit the skids because of cheating are reunited for this new reality show hosted by Amanda Holden. As they gather at a retreat in Majorca, each pair will be guided through their issues by relationship guru Paul C. Brunson, who’s also appeared in Celebs Go Dating and Married At First Sight UK. Will the cheaters be able to win back the hearts of those they betrayed? Will those who have been cheated on be open to forgiveness? Or is it time to call it a day and wave goodbye to their relationship for good? DON’T MISS DON’T MISS Martin Clunes: Islands of the Atlantic ITV1 ● The Doc Martin and Out There actor embarks on a new ocean-bound adventure in…

Revolution Jelly Mist Gel to Water Fixing Spray, £8.99, Superdrug A quick mist of this setting spray will lock your make-up in place while providing a flattering dewy finish to your complexion. Purifide Daily Cleanser with liquorice root, £10, Sainsbury's Keep spots at bay by deepcleaning your skin daily. This formula is designed to balance excess oils and banish acnecausing bacteria. E45 Daily Protect Face Moisturiser, £13.99, Boots It’s important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin and prevent damage caused by UV rays. This formula is ultranourishing and won’t irritate dry, sensitive skin. Palmer's Bonding Healing Oil, £9.99, Superdrug Give your hair a super-glossy look while strengthening damaged bonds with this nourishing oil. You can use it on damp or dry hair as a finishing touch in your…

Chat winners issue 5 (30 Jan 2025) £1,001 CASH V Crozier, East Sussex £500 CASH P McCheyne, Denny A Wood, Polegate £250 CASH A Porter, Doncaster G Wood, Derby £200 CASH S Elmore, Peterborough £100 CASH C Melvin, Nottingham S Rogers, Swinton J Wood, Swindon £75 CASH S Lee, Bristol £50 CASH L Craney, Carrickfergus B Kimpton, Oldham P Dawson, Manchester J Tatum, Hebburn M Davey, Milton Keynes J Harrison, Alton £40 CASH H Toye, Birmingham £30 CASH G Peacock, Bexhill-on-Sea M Fulton, Girvan £25 CASH P Kerr, Stalybridge Anyone from your town in the list this week..? AE Wiggett, London £20 CASH H Bowie, Dunfermline M Dilks, Nottingham P Chopping, Rhondda Cynon Taf J Pollard, Bradford B Burchell, Swanley C Witherington, Great Yarmouth S Waldron, Ilminster J Bell, Newbury…

Born prematurely, Evelyn Mae Boswell didn’t have the easiest start in life. But she thrived. A sweet baby, her proud mum Megan, 17, boasted that she hit every milestone early. By 15 months, she was already a little chatterbox, adored by her family. But in February 2020, Evelyn’s grandad Tommy Boswell was worried about the little girl. He hadn’t seen her in months. Megan claimed she was with her dad. But Tommy was concerned and called the Department of Children’s Services. Then, on 18 February, Evelyn was reported missing. Megan told police that she’d last seen her daughter in December 2019. They wasted no time in searching for her. But Megan kept changing her story. She first told police that Evelyn was with her father Ethan Perry. Then she told…

Q I’ve been getting hives and itching, and my GP said it’s chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). They aren’t sure of the cause and suggested antihistamines, but should I keep taking them forever? Mia, Cromer A CIU, also known as chronic hives, causes itchy, raised bumps on the skin that can appear often and last for more than six weeks. For most people the cause isn’t clear, but things like allergies, changes in temperature or pressure on the skin can sometimes trigger it. Your GP suggested antihistamines, which help with the itching and can prevent flare-ups. While some people get better within a year, others may have symptoms for longer. It’s a good idea to keep track of any triggers and talk to your doctor if things don’t improve. If needed,…

In the Richard Wagner opera Tannhäuser, the titular hero is held captive by which deity, also associated in the opera with the name Frau Holda? Solve the crossword, then read down the shaded squares to find the prize puzzle answer. ACROSS 1 Divide in two (5) 4 Social insect (3) 6 Free from contamination (4) 7 At the present time (3) DOWN 1 Assists (5) 2 Acquire knowledge (5) 3 Devour (3) 5 Character from The Matrix (3) WIN 4 x £20 Puzzle 10 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Pov Celebrating choosing 7 years of celibacy today. With sleek locks and glowing skin, curvaceous Alexis sets hearts pounding whenever she sets foot in a room. But although the fellas may have their blood pumping, they don’t stand a chance of jumping into bed with Alexis. ‘I’ve chosen to be celibate for seven years now,’ she explains. After a ‘wild’ period in her 20s, Alexis became fed up with dating and decided to focus on herself. ‘In my 20s I experienced a lot,’ she says. ‘The young lady I was in my 20s is the complete opposite of who I am now in my 30s.’ But it hasn’t been an easy ride. ‘In the beginning… it was a bit challenging, due to my decision, which was pretty much different than…

Spotting my daughter across the playground, I gave her a wave. Dressed in the cutest pumpkin costume for her school’s Halloween disco, chocolate around her face, she’d clearly had a blast. It was October 2024, and Ella-May, then 5, was just weeks into her first term at school. ‘Are we walking home?’ she asked. I nodded, taking her little hand in mine. It’d only take 20 minutes. But as we set off, Ella-May sat down on the pavement and wouldn’t move. ‘Mummy, I’m really tired,’ she sighed. Putting it down to all the excitement, I called my husband Dan, 31. Bundling our other kids Charlie, then 2, and Mabel, 9 months, into the car, he picked us up. ‘An early night will sort her out,’ I said to Dan as…

Aries 21 March-20 April Focus your needs on planning to fulfil any ideas that have come to you over the past month. It’s time to take inspired action. Move forward with courage. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May With the Sun in Taurus you find a sense of ease and flow. Make the most of this energy by saying yes to everything that is in alignment with you. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June With the Sun currently in an Earth sign, optimise this influence by resting and recharging. As you become more present it is easier to find solutions to challenges. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July You’re all about helping others, which is…

Q My nails keep snapping and breaking. Can I do anything to strengthen them? Tracy Jones, Cheshire A It’s so easy to damage your nails. Back-to-back salon manicures, especially more intensive treatments like gels, acrylics or extensions tend to be the main culprits but other elements – like dehydration, age and illness – can weaken them too. There are a few ways to help bring them back to health, but the most important factor is to take a break from manicures. Leaving your nails alone for a few weeks will give them time to recover. Incorporating some products will help speed up the healing process – apply a strengthening treatment every few days. Essie Hard To Resist Nail Strengthener, £9.99, Boots, makes a difference instantly. Ensuring your nails are nourished…

What’s your favourite biscuit to have with a cuppa? Tricky one. I’m partial to a ginger nut but find 10 or so get eaten very quickly. So I’m better to occupy myself with a more challenging consistency, such as a rich tea or a Hobnob. It’s all about the dunking timing with these beauties or it ends in soggy biscuit tea! Do you have a nickname and, if so, what is it and why? Sazzle. My friends at university started calling me this and 25 years on they’re still going. What did you want to be when you grew up? A TV presenter or a journalist. As a kid, I used to pretend to be a presenter on cookery shows, only I didn’t actually ‘cook’ a thing but did talk a…

Frampton on Severn has hosted championships in eating what fish, lately often substituted with surimi fish paste? The number next to the clue tells you which line the answer’s in. We’ve put a section in to start you off! There may be two Across answers in one line. Down words fill themselves in. The shaded squares spell out the prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 2 Fit for sailing on an ocean 4 Pull, drag • Opponent 6 Expression of scorn • Omelette ingredient 8 Official’s portable writing surface Your answer:…

STYLE TIP At a garden party or summer wedding, pair this dress with strappy heels and a clutch for a chic, easy-towear look. STYLE TIP This stylish round-neck top has a flattering drawstring V-neckline, allowing you to adjust the fit to suit your bust. STYLE TIP Get the designer look for less with this maxi dress from Matalan. Team with a classic denim jacket to finish the look. STYLE TIP Designed with a cropped, loose fit, this sheer blouse is perfect for warmer weather days. Wear it with a highwaisted skirt.…

Heart pounding, I sat on the sofa with my phone in my hand. As I typed the words into Google, I couldn’t believe what I was doing. Dating sites for attached people, I searched. Then I clicked on Illicit Encounters, the first website that came up. What if I get caught? I thought, panicking. A quick glance across the sofa reminded me I needn’t have worried. My husband Joe, 44, was engrossed in the football on TV. Would he even notice if I stripped down to my undies? I wondered. When we’d first got together our sex life was sizzling. Now, in November 2023, a decade and two kids later, our marriage was barely clinging on. Conversations revolved around the school run and whose turn it was to take the…

Scanning the kitchen counter, I did a mental check list. Flour, eggs, butter, sugar… Time to get stuck in. It was August 2010, and with our daughter Jasmine’s 17th birthday approaching, I’d vowed to bake her a cake. I’d picked a cake shaped like a Twilight book for my vampire fan. Sure, I hadn’t baked much before. But how hard could it be? So I bought a recipe book and followed the instructions. Soon my kitchen counter ingredients were a silky batter being poured into a baking tin. Half an hour later, I was pulling a sweet-smelling cake out of the oven. ‘So far, so good,’ I said to my husband Owain, then 34. And when it came to decorating, my skills as a lifelong artist came into play. First…

Chocolate Bundt with mocha glaze The tin gives this easy sponge plenty of wow factor. SERVES 12-14 PREP 20 MINS COOK 55 MINS ● 125g dark chocolate, broken into small pieces ● 250g unsalted butter, cut into cubes ● 1tsp vanilla extract ● 300g caster sugar ● 4 large eggs ● 450g plain flour ● 65g cocoa powder ● 1½tsp baking powder ● 1½tsp bicarbonate of soda ● Mini chocolate eggs, to decorate For the mocha glaze: ● 100g dark chocolate, roughly chopped ● 15g unsalted butter, cut into cubes ● 1tbsp cocoa powder ● 50ml strong coffee, cooled ● 3tbsp golden syrup You will need: ● 22x9cm Bundt tin, greased and lightly dusted with cocoa powder 1 Heat the oven to 140C Fan. Put the chocolate, butter, vanilla and 400ml hot water in a heavy-based saucepan over a low heat, allow to…

Dressing for school in my bedroom, my tummy rumbled. But I didn’t care. For the first time in ages, I hadn’t woken up worrying about money. Instead, I’d been thinking about my boyfriend Phil. It was spring 2012, and things had been tough at home for Mum, me and my older sister. Mum had split from Dad years earlier and worked three jobs to pay the bills. But some days, the fridge was empty. At 14, I was constantly worrying about how we’d get by. But now Phil was around, things were different. ‘I’m here for you,’ he told me, soon after we’d got chatting on Facebook. Phil, 21, was an estate agent who played professional ice hockey and even worked as an extra on Hollyoaks and Corrie. So cool.…

Essence Line n' Stain Tattoo Lip Liner, £2.50, justmylook.com This clever new launch can be used as a longlasting lip liner or applied to your whole pout for a tint of colour with seriously impressive staying power. It’s available in three nude shades, so it layers well with a tinted lip balm and pairs well with more dramatic eyeshadow looks. PS… Soothe + Calm Sheet Mask, £1, Primark Is your skin feeling tight, dry or sensitive? This soothing sheet mask will come to the rescue, thanks to a blend of cica and niacinamide, which will instantly calm inflamed or sore skin. For an extra cooling hit on warm days or hot flashes, keep it in the fridge for a seriously refreshing treatment.…