Table of contents for 3 July 2025 in Chat

Welcome to this week’s Chat… It’s no surprise that we, at Chat, love a good natter – the clue is in the name! And talking is good for you – as Teresa’s story proves (p10). Struggling with grief, she found comfort in food until she was trapped by her size in a lonely world. Until one doctor asked a question that changed everything. Teresa worked hard to transform her life, but it all started with one short chat. Think back – I bet you can think of convos that changed your life. I know I can. Have a great week,…

Jaymee-Leigh Robb, 27, Chilton, County Durham With dark, curly hair, deep brown eyes and chiselled features, the guy sitting across the table from me was just my type. It was September 2020, and I was at the local pub. Jason, then 19, was a friend of a friend, and he was gorgeous. We spent the night chatting, discovering that we both loved motorcycles and tattoos. This man was too good to be true! The next week, Jason added me on Snapchat, posted flattering comments on my selfies. Soon, he asked me out for drinks, and from that night on we were inseparable. By November, Jason had moved into my flat with me. That’s when I noticed how secretive he was with his phone. Every time it buzzed, he leapt on…

WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 What does skateboarder Tony Hawk say is the hardest part of any skateboarding trick? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the four-word prize answer. ACROSS 11 Kendall _, model (6) 12 Insulting (9) 13 Cook (4) 14 Despairing (8) 15 _ Sande, singer (5) 16 Agriculturalist (6) 17 Have or hold within (7) 18 Swiss folk hero (7,4) 20 Court case (5) 22 Encircles (9) 24 Personnel (5) 28 Style (7) 29 Intricate (7) 32 Member of a ship’s crew (6) 34 Going in (8) 36 Pursued, went after (8) 37 Earlier (6) 39 Country, capital Vienna (7) 40 Sheltered port (7) 45 Slack (5) 47 Family members (9) 48 Representative (5) 51 Tremors (11) 53 Student (7)…

Can’t stop farting! Q I’m 76 and can’t stop passing wind uncontrollably, even in public. My bowel movements are daily and hard, with no weight loss or blood. Could this be a sign of bowel cancer? Sophie, Wisbech A It’s good that your bowels are regular and there’s no blood or weight loss. It’s unlikely to be something serious like bowel cancer based on your symptoms, but it’s always best to get checked to be sure. Too much gas can be caused by things like diet, stress or how your tummy digests food. To help with wind, try avoiding fizzy drinks and gas-producing foods like beans or cabbage, chew your food properly, eat slowly, drink plenty of water and keep a food diary to spot any triggers. If you have…

Musician St Vincent co-wrote and played guitar on which Taylor Swift hit? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Tally = SORE + C = SCORE. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2× £25 Puzzle 9 Tally Stopping mechanism Influence Principle Runs away Spiral Arrogant Artist’s apron Heavy books Brandish Criminal Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Monkey see, monkey do Who likes a bruised banana? Apparently we’re causing brown patches on our fave fruit by peeling it the wrong way. Next time you grab a nana, use the stalk as a holder, pinch the top and peel the skin from the other end – just like monkeys do! Peely clever stuff. On the sauce One of the fiercest debates of our times has been settled… Yes, you should be keeping your ketchup in the fridge. Sauce maestros at Heinz cleared it up once and for all, saying our favourite red condiment is shelf-stable until it’s been opened, then it has to be chilled. But if you’ve always kept it in the cupboard and you’re not dead yet, who are we to stop you? Get a grip…

With her gap-toothed grin, Jaylin Anne Schwarz, then 6, was the picture of innocence. A bright, loving little girl, she adored horse riding, ice skating and spending time outdoors. Jaylin had a big interest in history and science too. A little girl with a bright future but a difficult past. Just a year before, in 2017, when she was 5 and her little sister Jayde was 4, their mum Alysha Anderton had lost custody of them while suffering addiction issues. The girls were taken in by Alysha’s stepsister Ashley Schwarz and her husband Daniel. They lived with the couple in Odessa, Texas. Meanwhile, Alysha was working with the courts to be allowed to see her daughters. But there were delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. So, for the next few…

Teresa Gallegos, 47 The TV lit up the dark living room as I reached for the last slice of pizza. Another evening with nothing for company but the telly and three large cheese feasts. In 2002, life felt bleak. I’d once shared this flat with my brother Michael. We’d come in from work, cook together and listen to our favourite music, take a stroll on the beach. We’d always been close, friends as well as siblings. Then, in 2001, Michael took his own life. I’d been heartbroken. And I still was. Living in the home we’d shared was hard. Memories of Michael were everywhere. To cope, I’d turned to food. After work, instead of cooking, I’d order three large pizzas and work through them, slice by slice. Then there were…

There was no doubt student Holly Bobo, 20, would make a great nurse. Sweet and kind, she was brought up in a loving family. Her dad Dana worked in the building trade and her mum Karen was a teacher. Along with her brother Clint, then 25, and their dog Rascal, they lived in a rural, wooded area of Darden, Tennessee. On 13 April 2011, Dana woke to find Holly sitting at the kitchen table, preparing for a big test later that day. Karen made Holly a packed lunch, told her she loved her and went to work. Later, at 7.45am, there was a scream from the house. A neighbour phoned Karen at work to tell her. Meanwhile, the sound of Rascal barking woke Clint. He peered out of the window…

1 Indigestion incoming Acid reflux, indigestion and bloating are often caused by eating too much, too late in the day. When preparing for sleep, our digestion slows, so food takes much longer to move through the system. ‘Plus, as we age, we lose stomach acidity, which can result in stomach acid tracking up the oesophagus, causing painful heartburn,’ says nutritionist Pauline Cox. ‘Eating and lying down soon after can increase the likelihood of these painful symptoms.’ 2 Weight gain Eating later can potentially contribute to weight gain, research* has found. Your body’s ability to burn food is lower in the evening, meaning it won’t blitz as many calories. ‘Eating after 8pm has also been associated with greater total calorie intake and a higher BMI [body mass index],’ says nutritional therapist Alexa…

Sesame salmon and noodle bowl Packed with flavour and quick to make, this dinner is a weeknight winner! SERVES 2 PREP 10 MINS COOK 10 MINS ● 1tbsp soy sauce ● 3tbsp sweet chilli sauce ● Juice 1 lime ● 2 × 150g skinless salmon fillets ● 1tbsp olive oil ● 150g vermicelli rice noodles ● 1 head pak choi, leaves separated and large stems sliced ● 3 spring onions, sliced ● 50g mangetout, sliced lengthways ● 1tsp sesame seeds 1 Mix the soy sauce, 1tbsp sweet chilli sauce and half the lime juice together. Add the salmon and turn to coat. 2 Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat, add the salmon and cook for 10 mins, turning occasionally, until cooked through. 3 Meanwhile, bring…

Aries 21 March-20 April Is there something you’d like to study? Now is a good time to apply for a course to deepen your knowledge in an area that’s interested you for some time. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Venus in Taurus helps you to deal with any conflicts you’re facing. See the other person’s point of view with compassion and trust that all will be well in time. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Now the Sun has moved out of Gemini, you can reflect on recent events and decide what you want to continue with and where you need to draw the line. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July The recent New…

Q Where should I apply bronzer? Danielle Houghton, Ipswich A Bronzer is such a versatile item in your make-up bag and you can use it for many things. By giving your skin a gorgeous glow, bronzers have the power to transform your whole face. It’s best applied to the places where the sun would naturally hit, like cheeks, bridge of nose, temples and décolletage. For sculpting and contouring the face, Rimmel Multi-Tasker Bronzer & Highlighter, £11.99, Superdrug, makes it a breeze. Blend the cream-based formula into skin to create a sculpted finish. If you want an all-over touch of warmth, then try a powder formula. NYX Professional Makeup Buttermelt Powder Bronzer, £9.95, beautybay.co.uk, is enriched with mango butter, shea and almond butter for a smooth application. The bronzer blends beautifully to provide…

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…

Sharon Munnings, 51, from Ipswich Who is your best friend? My daughter Charley. No matter how busy she is with her own life, she’s always there for our shared loves, such as visiting spooky places like Landguard Fort and York Castle. We also enjoy visiting zoos and farms, and are off to Chester Zoo soon. What’s the first thing that you’d buy if you won the lottery? My first big buy would be a massive trip to Universal Studios in Florida with Charley. We’d go and see all the Harry Potter stuff. What is your favourite smell? It’s a toss up between summer rain or a freshly snuffed-out candle. I’ve no idea why I like those so much! What’s your favourite hobby? Going to the theatre. I especially love a musical,…

What title is shared by songs on the Spice Girls’ final album and Billie Eilish’s first album? The answer to each clue (except the first) begins with the last letter of the preceding answer. The shaded squares will spell out the prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 Your answer: 1 Extra payment (5) 2 Badminton equipment (11) 3 Finger joint (7) 4 Hard dark wood (5) 5 Longest river in China (7) 6 Keen (5) 7 Rank or sour (6) 8 Factual TV programme (11) 9 Unit of length (4) 10 Pudding (7) 11 Day after today (8) 12 Natural feature found at Niagara (9) 13 Type of retriever (8) 14 _ in Blue, by Gershwin (8) 15 Japanese artist widow of John Lennon (4,3) 16 Autumn month (7)…

RASPBERRY STYLE TIP Mix and match different textures such as linen and ruffles for a playful yet polished look. Perfect for everyday ensembles. LEMON STYLE TIP Wear this shade top-to-toe for an on-trend, tonal outfit. If you’re looking for a cover-up opt for a crisp white blazer. PEACH STYLE TIP Get a sun-kissed glow. Pair peachy tones with tan accessories and layered gold jewellery for effortless warm weather dressing. PISTACHIO ALL UNDER £40 STYLE TIP Soft yet striking, this green hue pops when worn with neutrals or denim. Throw a denim jacket over your shoulders.…

Becca Heritage, 25, Southampton Rushing into the bathroom, I dropped to my knees and threw up. Must’ve been something I ate, I thought. It was November 2018 and I was studying medicine at university in Southampton. That night, I’d been out for dinner with friends. But now, in the early hours, I couldn’t stop being sick. ‘Are you OK?’ my friend, who was staying over, asked. I grimaced. Hours later, I was still throwing up. We called 111, who sent an ambulance to take me to Southampton General Hospital. In A&E, doctors gave me anti-sickness tablets and by midday, things seemed to have calmed down. But then, I collapsed. My heart rate was sky high, I had a fever and my blood pressure had dropped. I felt clammy too. ‘What’s going…

Mum is making me lie Q My dad got sent down a couple of months back – dodgy dealings at work. But Mum’s telling everyone he’s working abroad. I hate it – why should I have to lie for the family name? I did nothing wrong! I love my dad but he messed up, and now I’m stuck covering for him. Do I carry on lying to protect Mum, or be honest and cause chaos? Maddie, 29 A You’re right to say you’re not the keeper of your dad’s bad choices, love. And you don’t need to cover for him. There’s a middle ground here. No need to lie to those you’re closest to. But you don’t need to shout it from the rooftops, either. If people ask, just say…

3 ways to.. protect your home for your hols Take these steps to cut the chance of being burgled while you’re away 1 Look ahead You don’t want to advertise to would-be thieves that your house is unoccupied, so put plans in place to make it look like you’re still at home, such as using timers or smart bulbs so that your lights go on in the evening. Remember to cancel milk or newspapers if you have them delivered. A pile of mail on your front doormat is also a sign you’re away, so ask a trusted friend or neighbour to collect it for you. Or consider using the Royal Mail Keepsafe service (royalmail.com/receiving/keepsafe), where Royal Mail will hold onto your mail until you’re back. And while it can be tempting to publicly…

Wimbledon 2025 DON’T MISS BBC1 BBC2 ● It’s summer, apparently, and that means it’s time for strawberries, Pimm’s and tennis at the annual tournament in Wimbledon. Current champions, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Czechia’s Barbora Krejčíková, will be defending their crowns, but all eyes will be on Britain’s current World No4 Jack Draper, who’s our best home-grown hope of a singles title since Andy Murray. However, all the above will face tough competition from the likes of World No1s Jannik Sinner from Italy and Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus, plus America’s French Open winner Coco Gauff. Meanwhile, can Brits Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu make it into the second week? Clare Balding leads the coverage. DON’T MISS Shark Whisperer NETFLIX ● The aptly-named marine conservationist Ocean Ramsey makes viral videos showing her…

Chloe Bignell, 29, Witney, Oxfordshire My mum, Sharon, was shaking with excitement as the first notes of our fave song filled the theatre. It was September 2012, and I was 17. Mum, then 40, had taken me to see Robbie Williams in concert. We were huge fans. Now, as he sang Angels, I got goosebumps. With our arms around each other, me and Mum belted out every line, word for word. ‘I’m loving angels instead…’ ‘What a pair,’ my dad, Darren, then 44, laughed when we got home, raving about the concert. Mum was a teaching assistant in a local primary school. She was devoted to me and my younger brother, Jacob, then 14. A family of four, we were close. Months later, in November 2012, working part-time in a…

Chat winners issue 14 (3 April 2025) Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £1,001 CASH M Guest-Naharnowicz, London £500 CASH C Greenwood, Rochdale C Devey, Normanton £250 CASH D Johnson, Newton Abbot C Renkin, Whitehaven £200 CASH C Kilby, Luton £100 CASH J Simmons, Milton Keynes N Evans, St Neots J Gallagher, Market Harborough £75 CASH J Raymond, Sheffield £50 CASH A Stenson, Leeds J Mair, Aberfeldy P Taylor, Driffield M Spires, Peterborough J Boots, Bishop Auckland J Cutler, Birmingham £40 CASH D Harris, Reading £30 CASH G Solomon, Bedford M West, Norwich £25 CASH M Crombie, Leek S Molland, Newport £20 CASH S Martin, Southampton T Room, Dunstable L Hunter, Driffield G Page Hertford C Coates, Leeds J Redhead, Isle of Man A Caterer, Fleet E Jackson,…