Table of contents for 21 August 2025 in Chat

Welcome to this week's Chat… We've told a lot of stories about organ donation over the years in Chat and they are always really moving. But this week's read about Lucy's hubby Adam really stands out (p24). When his kidneys began to fail, it was a troubling time. But without that scary diagnosis and what happened next, Adam, his mum, Lucy, and their baby Rafferty may not be here. It's one of those stories that makes you think that everything, no matter how hard, really does happen for a reason. Have a great week,…

Sitting in the garden, I soaked up the sun. I could smell the scent of roses and rhododendrons on the breeze. ‘Your garden looks lovely,’ I said to my great-aunt Margaret, then 97. Bursting with colour, each plant and shrub was painstakingly pruned. It was her pride and joy. It was April 2017, and my parents, Howard, 64, and Cindy, 62, and I were visiting my great-aunt Margaret over Easter. And though she was nearing 100, you'd never have guessed it. Healthy and active, she was full of life. So independent, she'd lived alone since losing husband Donald over a decade before. She had no kids of her own but my dad – her nephew – and Mum lived close by and would pop by each week with her food…

On my social media feed, I looked at the stream of slim models and rolled my eyes. I loved following fashion accounts but why was there no one who looked like me? It was 2005 and, aged 24, I weighed 19st 9lb. But that didn't mean I didn't like to look nice and sexy. But then a pic popped up of a plus-size model, scantily clad in underwear. It made me wonder… I hadn't always been fat, though at 12st in secondary school, I was bigger than my mates. Starting on birth control in my late teens saw me gain 8st in a year. By 18, I was a size 24, but never ashamed of it. So now, it was thrilling to think people wanted to see bodies like mine.…

Help! My face is massive Q Every time I chew, I get a large swelling under my jaw. I had an online GP appointment and they said it might be a blocked salivary duct. I have to go in next week for an exam – I'm worried! Miranda, Scarborough A When a gland is blocked, saliva can't flow properly, leading to a build-up and swelling in the area. This condition may be due to several reasons, including dehydration, the presence of stones (salivary calculi) or infections that cause inflammation. The swelling may become more noticeable when you eat or chew, as the gland tries to release saliva but can't. Other symptoms can include pain, a dry mouth, or pus if there's an infection. To diagnose a blocked salivary gland, your…

Staring at the stage, I clocked the handsome singer strumming on his guitar. Sandy-coloured hair, brown eyes, a killer smile. He was gorgeous… and familiar. ‘Have I seen you before?’ I asked when we chatted after. Adam, then 34, blushed. Said he'd performed on the BBC's The Voice back in 2012. ‘Of course,’ I grinned, remembering him singing Maybe Tomorrow by Stereophonics. Impressive. Months later, in July 2017, after some dates, me and Adam became a couple. And while I worked as a special needs teacher, Adam made a living as a musician. Then the pandemic hit in March 2020 and he took on removal jobs instead. With lots of heavy lifting, he was always exhausted, and he started getting rashes down his arms and legs. Then in December 2020…

My daughter Cleo, 6, marched around the garden with her watering can, leaving no flower or shrub safe from a soaking. ‘Good job,’ I told her, smiling. It was March 2024 and Cleo loved helping me and her grandad, Alan, then 62, in the garden. Then suddenly, she started jumping about excitedly. ‘Look Mummy! A bumble bee!’ she grinned. Sure enough, a huge fuzzy bee landed on one of Cleo's daffodils. She knew how much I loved bees, was always pointing them out to me. Even when we went shopping with her dad Jamie, 36, and brother Daley, 9, she'd spot things with a picture of a bee on it. Mugs, cushions, trinkets… ‘Mummy, you need to buy it,’ she'd say. And most of the time, I did! See, what…

Frying pan pizzas Master this easy method and be done with takeaways forever! MAKES 4 PIZZAS PREP 30 MINS, PLUS 1-2 HRS RESTING COOK 8-9 MINS 500g strong white flour, plus extra to dust 7g sachet dried active yeast 1tsp fine salt 1tsp caster sugar Grated zest and juice ½ lemon Olive oil for frying, plus extra, for rolling 300g passata or pizza sauce For the toppings: 100g Italian deli meats (eg, sliced salami or ham) 2 x 125g ball mozzarella, roughly torn Handful rocket or basil leaves You will need: 23cm ovenproof frying pan (ideally cast iron) 1 Mix the flour, yeast, salt and sugar with 325ml lukewarm water. Knead on a floured surface for 10 mins, then return to the bowl and set aside, covered, for 1-2 hrs…

Aries 21 March-20 April This year the planets all align for you, helping to steadily increase your independence, confidence and self-esteem. So, focus on activities that help you in all of these areas. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Occasionally a lone wolf, you need space to process your feelings. Walk in nature or have a soak, and consider how you'd like to proceed for the rest of 2025. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June With Uranus now in your sign you can expect flashes of inspiration and sudden insights. Act on these accordingly, as this is a once-in-a-lifetime transit for you. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Venus in Cancer helps you to attract…

Q I feel like I need some warmer make-up now I have let my hair go grey. What do you recommend? Janice Wood, Norfolk A It's a really common problem to feel like your make-up doesn't suit you after a big hair-colour change. If you're feeling paler than you'd like, a little bronzer goes a long way. Instead of deepening the shade of your foundation, apply Morphe Sudden Heat Creamy Bronzer Stick, £16, Boots, to the places where the sun naturally hits. Focus on the outer edges of your forehead, across the bridge of your nose and in the middle of your chin. Blusher is a brilliant skin brightener, too. Revolution Superdewy Blush Burst in Peach Spritz, £6.99, Superdrug, is super glossy and Catrice Blushin’ Charm Multi Stick in Pink…

Dear Mum, Growing up, I remember watching you galloping on your horse, doing amazing jumps, and I was totally in awe. Longed to be as brave as you. As a jockey and later a riding instructor, you taught me to ride a horse as a toddler. ‘You can do it,’ you said, and soon I had the bug. With five kids, you were a force to be reckoned with. Me and my siblings grew up to be strong and independent. Just like you. So it stood out when you started struggling in 2011, aged 51. It was little things at first. Putting winter coats on the horses in summer, getting muddled over times or places. ‘Probably the menopause,’ you said. We were devastated to learn it was terminal But your…

Heading behind a tree, I stifled a giggle. It was summer 2011 and, aged 11, I was playing hide and seek with my sister. ‘Found you!’ my little sis Sofianna, then 8, cried, jumping in front of me. Admittedly, it was trickier for me to hide in a wheelchair! My parents had noticed I’d struggled to crawl as a baby, my balance not as strong as other tots’. Aged 2, docs suspected I had Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD). Testing at the time was not as good as it is today. The degenerative disease caused muscle weakness and joint stiffness and, over the years, my condition grew worse. So I began using a wheelchair, but never let it hold me back. ‘There’s no reason you can’t do what anyone else…

An 1878 tintype image, discovered in an antique shop in California in 2010, is believed to be only the second known photograph of which historical figure, showing him playing croquet? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Inhabit = AIDE + B = ABIDE. 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 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

From Kim Kardashian naming her daughter Chicago to singer Shakira's son being called Milan, a host of celebs have jumped on the places-as-names bandwagon. Even homegrown stars like actress Michelle Keegan and TOWIE's Mark Wright have been at it – naming their daughter Palma, after their fave Majorca haunt, earlier this year. But us normal folk are doing it, too. The Italian city of Florence has now become one of the top girls’ names in the country. Even the Scottish city of Stirling is growing increasingly popular for little boys. But while Chelsea, Skye, Lincoln and Devon have their appeal, there are definitely some UK places we'd avoid as name inspo… Bognor Regis Holidaymakers flock to this seaside town in Sussex every summer. Doesn't mean you should name your bub…

Maybe baby holiday worries Q My in-laws are planning a huge family holiday for next year, paying for everything. Only, me and my hubby are trying to conceive. I don't want them to spend loads of money if I end up being too pregnant to travel or even have a newborn. But I'm not pregnant right now, so I'm sure they won't understand my reservations. It's so complicated! What should I do? Emma, 29 A You're dreaming up problems that aren't happening right now. And setting yourself up for unnecessary anxiety. Nobody knows what's going to happen tomorrow. Book the hol, don't worry about ‘what if's. Deal with whatever happens in the future as it comes up, petal. You're getting yourself in a muddle for something that might not even…

3 ways to.. improve financial resilience How to prepare if you're hit by a surprise bill or face a drop in your income. 1 Build a rainy day fund Saving an emergency fund is easier said than done: according to data from the Financial Conduct Authority, one in 10 people have no cash savings at all. Experts say a good rule of thumb for an emergency fund is to have three to six months’ essential outgoings in an instant access savings account. But if this is unrealistic, don't be put off saving, as any amount saved will help you if you need to pay for something you weren't expecting. Saving smaller, regular amounts is often more effective than saving larger amounts now and again, says MoneyHelper. But if this isn't…

The Real Housewives of London DON'T MISS HAYU ● You've seen The Real Housewives of Cheshire and The Real Housewives of Jersey, but now it's time to meet the stars of a new UK-based franchise of the global reality juggernaut. Expect the brand's familiar mix of fabulous fashion, gossip, drama and dinner-party bust-ups as the 10-parter follows six glamorous women who live in some of London's most prestigious postcodes. The super-stylish six are Juliet Angus, who hails from Chicago, model-turned entrepreneur Amanda Cronin, Real Housewives of Jersey star Karen Loderick-Peace, Australian Juliet Mayhew, Iranian-born stay-at-home mum Panthea Parker and born-and-bred Londoner Nessie Welschinger. DON'T MISS Hostage NETFLIX ● In this five-part political thriller, Suranne Jones plays British Prime Minister Abigail Dalton, whose husband Alex (Ashley Thomas) is dramatically kidnapped while, at…

Half-asleep, I stirred as I rolled over, pulling the warm duvet snugly over my shoulder. Just then, something jabbed me hard in my back, jolting me awake. ‘Ouch!’ I cried. I turned around to see my boyfriend Ben, then 36, staring at me menacingly. ‘Did you just punch me?’ I asked. ‘You were hogging the covers,’ he snapped. Seriously? Without another word, I got out of bed and gathered my belongings. It was December 2021 and, at 5am, it was freezing outside. But I didn't care about that – I'd had enough. Before Ben had a chance to stop me, I was in my car, driving home to my own bed. We'd only been together three months. After meeting online, Ben had charmed me with his constant compliments. Just to…

H&M Nail Polish in Forever Flamingo, £3.99, H&M So-called ‘princess nails’ are all the rage this summer, with brights out and neutral shades like this pale pink from H&M in. It's very sheer, so you'll need a few thin coats to build it up to a noticeable colour. To really embrace the trend, paint onto short, neat nails. Oh, Skin Hyaluronic Acid Sheet Mask, £1, Poundland Sheet masks are great for a quick fix when your skin needs a little TLC. This one is packed with hyaluronic acid, a hydrating ingredient that draws moisture into the skin for a plump, dewy complexion. Apply to clean skin, let it work its magic for 15 minutes and you're good to glow.…

Enjoying drinks with his co-workers in a local bar, it was clear Matthew Dunmire, 31, was excited. It was March 2021, and despite being in a relationship, Matthew had told work pals he was meeting a woman that weekend. A sultry brunette who went by the name of Sabrina Savage online. She had an OnlyFans page, where she modelled in sexy lingerie, showing off her piercings and tattoos for paid subscribers to her site. And she and Matthew had history. Sabrina's real name was Chelsea Perkins, and the pair had gone to school together. A month earlier, Chelsea, then 31, had been scrolling through Facebook when she'd seen Matthew's profile pop up. They'd reconnected and arranged to meet. But Chelsea wasn't lusting after Matthew. She had other plans. Because in…

Are you a coffee or a tea person? I love a cup of tea but I'm not a fan of coffee. My partner Danny loves coffee and not tea! What was the first concert you went to? The first concert I went to was McFly in Birmingham. I was a teenager and went with my best friend Sarah. My older brother David took us and waited outside but someone gave him a ticket towards the end and he came in and heard the last song, Ghostbusters. Who is your celebrity crush? Luke Pritchard from The Kooks. He's so handsome! He did a gig in my home town and I saw him in the local amusement arcades before the show and got a photo with him. WE PAY £50 to everyone…

What do singer Bob Dylan and actor Josh Hartnett have in common? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the five-word prize answer. Across 1 Seabirds (5) 4 Not this! (4) 6 Called a dog (8) 13 Refer to briefly (7) 14 Travelling by sea (7) 15 Engages in games (5) 16 Too (4) 17 Data charts (6) 18 Author (6) 20 Rip (4) 21 Blunder (5) 22 Advance warning (6) 25 Least dear (8) 28 Playground item (6) 30 Beethoven's final symphony (5) 32 Higher in position or rank (8) 34 Veer to right and left alternately (6) 35 Big cat (4) 38 Meal eaten outdoors (6) 39 Furniture item (5) 40 Oversee (6) 43 Hearing organs (4) 44 Picture house (6) 45 Falling behind (8) 48 Theatre play (5) 49 Presuppose (6) 51 Incorrect (8) 54 Cruel (6) 55 Asian country (5) 56 Snooker ball colour (4) 58 Repeat from memory…

Q I'm 25 and for the last four weeks I've had diarrhoea and no other symptoms. All tests have come back normal, except one that showed I have an overactive thyroid – what does this mean? Olivia, Blackpool A Thyroid hormones affect many parts of the body, including the gut, and sometimes the only sign of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) is digestive issues. Other symptoms include feeling more jittery, being hungrier than usual, a tremor or a swelling in your neck. In your case, since all your tests were normal, except for the thyroid, this may explain your symptoms. Your GP should put you in contact with an endocrinologist (a thyroid specialist). With treatment, your thyroid tests should go back to normal and your tummy troubles should start to improve…

Paris Hilton When Paris Hilton found fame in the early noughties, her name seemed très chic. Unfortunately, it led to her leaked sex tape being rather naughtily named One Night in Paris. It's unlikely that her parents considered this when they named her after the French capital, their favourite holiday spot. Still, the reality TV star and hotel chain heiress later followed suit, naming her own children Phoenix and London. Brooklyn Beckham Posh and Becks, aka Victoria and David Beckham, named their firstborn Brooklyn in 1999 – and everyone wanted to know why. Eventually, Victoria revealed all. ‘I had always liked the name Brooke, and then we suddenly thought about Brooklyn. I'd always liked it as a place, it's very multicultural, very grounded,’ she said. And with that she disappointed…

Teeth chattering, I pulled my sleeping bag up and tried to get warm. But the cold, hard concrete of the car park was freezing. It was November 2006 and, aged 16, I'd just had a huge argument with my mum. Things had been tense ever since she and my dad split four years earlier. Now I barely saw Dad, and Mum had a new man. ‘Get out of my house,’ she'd told me after yet another row. So here I was. Terrified and cold, I barely slept a wink. As morning crept in, relief washed over me – I'd made it through the night OK. With no mobile phone and no money, I didn't know what to do next. But as the days passed, I started to find my way.…

PS… Pro Matcha Mood Eau de Parfum Intense, £8 for 50ml, Primark Primark has taken the drink of the summer and bottled it to create a fresh, green scent that's both clean and calming. Alongside matcha, you'll find delicate florals and a touch of musk to help it last longer. Superdrug Optimum Peptide Serum, £18, Superdrug Our collagen levels naturally dwindle with age, leaving sagging skin around the eyes. The peptides in this eye cream help boost what's been lost for smoother, firmer undereyes. Arkive The Immaculate Hybrid Cleansing Fluid, £15, Boots A step up from your normal shampoo, think of this as a spring (or summer) clean for your scalp. It makes light work of build-up and excess oil, without stripping your hair of its natural oils. E.l.f. Glow…